University of the Ozarks conferred degrees on 145 graduates on Saturday, May 16, during its Spring 2026 Commencement held on the campus mall.
The keynote speaker was alumnus Loscar “Los” Mejia ’01 of Columbus, Ohio. Mejia is the distribution director for lululemon’s East Coast Distribution Center in Columbus. He has been with lululemon since November 2022. He holds a BS in marketing and management from Ozarks, where he was a founding member of the 1997 men’s soccer team. He and his wife, Laura, have three children.
Perry Joseph Guidry, a finance major from Lafayette, La., was selected by the faculty and staff to represent the Class of 2026 to give the senior’s welcome address.
The Class of 2026 included:
Fernanda Ximena Aguilar Henriquez
San Salvador, El Salvador
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Minors: Religion, Psychology and American Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Chase Seungjae Kaipo Akana
Falling Waters, WV
Bachelor of Arts
Major: English
Minors: Psychology and Media Production
Magna Cum Laude
Tyla’Lien Harmony Bain
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Marketing, Art and Criminal Justice
Cum Laude
Derek Allen Baker
Sherman, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Finance
Minors: Health Science and American Studies
Kate Elizabeth Baptiste
Paris, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Art
Minors: Theatre, Sociology and Health Science
Summa Cum Laude
Ilda Isariel Barrientos
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of General Studies
Minors: Education and American Studies
Jaycee D. Beach
Catoosa, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
Cum Laude
Brennan Xie Bear
Anadarko, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Cooper John Bostick
Gainesville, FL
Bachelor of General Studies
Minors: Environmental Studies, Communication Studies and Art
Alexander Moye Brown
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: Theatre
Malaysia Sanai Brown
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Spanish, Strategic Communication and Psychology
Cum Laude
Haley Leann Buckner
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
Zaidd Castro Almanza
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Spanish, Mathematics and Marketing
Magna Cum Laude
Roberto Alejandro Castro Montano
San Salvador, El Salvador
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Political Science and Finance
Minors: Mathematics and American Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Shelton Taylor Chastain
Mustang, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Sociology and History
Robert Rodger Chery, Jr.
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Marketing
Minors: Biology and Art
Cum Laude
Kamran Kodie Clarke
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Communication Studies and Art
Maximus Rainier Cochrane
Longmont, CO
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: English and Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Joseph Sumner Coon
Sherman, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minor: American Studies
Melissa Mariela Coronado Escalante
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Environmental Studies
Minor: Philosophy
Magna Cum Laude
Darren David Crane
Willis, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Health Science
Cum Laude
Jaelin Elijah Crump
Killeen, TX
Bachelor of General Studies
Minors: Health Science, Art and Criminal Justice
Dania Danielle Yolanda Curry
Abaco, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Finance
Minors: Psychology and Philosophy
Donavan Devon Darthard
Dallas, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: American Studies
and Entrepreneurship
Gabriella Grace Davis
Pottsville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Sashakay Rachel Dean
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Sociology and Philosophy
Daniel Del Moral Diaz
Mexico City, Mexico
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Psychology, Music
and Marketing
Summa Cum Laude
Tajahneé Maria Delancy
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: History
Magna Cum Laude
Jake Patrick Evans Dempsey*
McKinney, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching and American Studies
Sandra Dominguez
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Minors: Spanish and Information Science
Cum Laude
Dylan Shawn Ducharme*
Dripping Springs, TX
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Minors: Art and Information Science
Magna Cum Laude
Jadyn Cheyanne Elder
Ozark, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Sociology, Criminal Justice and American Studies
Maria Valeria Estrada Cordero
Turrialba, Costa Rica
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Political Science and Finance
Minors: Sustainable Agriculture and Art
Magna Cum Laude
Bryan MacKenzie Felix
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
Catasia Shaniqua Ferguson
Las Tunas, Cuba
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Psychology and English
Minors: Philosophy and
Criminal Justice
Magna Cum Laude
Takeia Vanreca Ferlin
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Management and
Health Science
Minor: Theatre
Magna Cum Laude
Dalena Denise Fisher
Lawton, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching
and Art
Cum Laude
Annet Michelle Flores
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Marketing, Health Science and History
Summa Cum Laude
Elli Louise Garcia
Marshall, OK
Bachelor of General Studies
Minors: Health Science, Education and American Studies
Liliana Hope Garcia
Ferris, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: History and Criminal Justice
Tyce Brandon Gentry
Brock, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Marketing and Health Science
Magna Cum Laude
Emily Elizabeth Geels*
Scranton, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Matteo Domenico Grassi
Wildwood, MO
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching and American Studies
Cum Laude
Perry Joseph Guidry III
Lafayette, LA
Bachelor of Science
Major: Finance
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Garrett Allen Haley
Millington, TN
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching
and Art
Joseph Benjamin Hardin II
Bentonville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Health Science
Summa Cum Laude
Morgan Elizabeth Haupt
Derby, KS
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching
and American Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Dea Latika Hepburn
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Philosophy and
Criminal Justice
Summa Cum Laude
Nathaly Herrera
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Mathematics
Summa Cum Laude
Jorden Noelle Hodges
Preston, MO
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minor: Physical Education
Magna Cum Laude
Caden Dean Holland*
Grapevine, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
Jalissa Sierra Hollingsworth
Freeport, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Communication Studies and Management
Minors: Psychology and Music
Summa Cum Laude
Gabrielle Alicia Huyler
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Music and Education
Cum Laude
Kaleb Daniel Jacobs
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Minors: Communication Studies and American Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Brooklynn Nikol Jimenez*
Broken Arrow, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Exercise Science
Minor: Athletic Coaching
Elias Juan Jimenez
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Environmental Studies
Minors: Media Production and History
Summa Cum Laude
Makaia Shamara Johnson
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Marketing
Minors: Biology and Art
Cum Laude
Daulton Matthew Johnson
Searcy, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Environmental Studies
Minors: Criminal Justice and American Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Erika Layne Jones
Van Buren, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: History
Minors: Psychology and Education
Magna Cum Laude
Camryn Nicole Kapics
Las Vegas, NV
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude
Abigail Christine Kindschi
Oklahoma City, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Scottisha Alexandria King*
Andros, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Marketing
Minor: Music
Emma Grace Kuykendall*
Ratcliff, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: History
Minors: Psychology and Education
Magna Cum Laude
Hannah Quintell Laing
Freeport, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Theatre and Criminal Justice
Jaden Migal Laing
Freeport, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Marketing and Finance
Minors: Religion and Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Kynlei Elizabeth Layes
Scranton, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
Ka’Ron Jakeal Lewis
Edgewater, MD
Bachelor of Science
Major: Marketing
Minors: History and Psychology
Paris Christina Lightbourne
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Information Science
Cum Laude
Adam McKinley Lopez
Dallas, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: English and Education
Magna Cum Laude
Kenia Yamileth Lopez Portillo
San Salvador, El Salvador
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Management and Psychology
Minors: Music and Marketing
Cum Laude
Dominique Daina Ellen Lotmore
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Sociology and Religion
Summa Cum Laude
Americus Olivier Louis
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Spanish and Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Jayla Elizabeth Lucas
Catoosa, OK
Bachelor of General Studies
Minors: American Studies, Psychology and Education
Magna Cum Laude
Estrella Magdaleno
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude
Prudence Majoni
Harare, Zimbabwe
Bachelor of Science
Major: Mathematics
Minors: Music, Information Science and Entrepreneurship
Summa Cum Laude
Vanessa Martinez
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Psychology and Political Science
Minor: Philosophy
Summa Cum Laude
Inocent Tanaka Maturure*
Harare, Zimbabwe
Bachelor of Science
Major: Mathematics
Minors: Chemistry and Entrepreneurship
Mattlyn L. McClain
Pine Bluff, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: History and Business Administration
Tate Allen McCollough*
Coweta, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Sociology, Philosophy and Biology
Amari Jennifer Lynn McKinney
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Sociology, Philosophy and Biology
Cristhel Junieth Mejía Rosales
Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Political Science and Sociology
Minors: Information Science
and Philosophy
Summa Cum Laude
Valeria Marie Mejia Tabora
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Management and Communication Studies
Minors: Psychology and Art
Magna Cum Laude
Gueldene Eula Ynika Monestime
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Finance
Minors: English and Chemistry
Cum Laude
Robert Charlie Morris III*
Spring, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Environmental Studies
Minors: Marketing and Art
Chandler King Mullinax II
Fort Smith, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Minors: Psychology and Philosophy
Magna Cum Laude
Shayla Catalina Nieto
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Sociology and Art
Cum Laude
Andrea Isabel Nieto Rodriguez
Chitré, Panama
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Management and Health Science
Minors: Theatre and Athletic Coaching
Summa Cum Laude
Caurthney Helene Noel
Spanish Wells, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Minors: Psychology and
Philosophy
Cum Laude
Ethan Cole Norton
Sand Springs, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Psychology and Art
Evanique Erin Oralhomme
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Theatre and Psychology
Tessa Kate Orender
Inola, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Theatre, Marketing and Criminal Justice
Magna Cum Laude
Celeste Danielle Parker
Freeport, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Religion, Environmental Studies and Chemistry
Magna Cum Laude
Philip Blake Pasthing*
Yellville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Information Science
Cum Laude
Savannah Marie Perez
Lamar, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: English
Minors: Psychology, Political Science and Education
Cum Laude
Ramphis Ruben Perez Escobar, Jr.*
Panama City, Panama
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Political Science and Management
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
Kya Lashae Perryman
Roland, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Fredony Petit
Carefour, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Major: Accounting
Minors: Psychology and Philosophy
Summa Cum Laude
Tonya Franciniqua Philiace
Abaco, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Philosophy, Marketing and Criminal Justice
Magna Cum Laude
Mydenshear Nicolas Bony Pierre
Petion-Ville, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Major: Finance
Minors: Spanish, Psychology and Criminal Justice
Summa Cum Laude
Duffy Marie Porter
Maumelle, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Sociology
Minors: Theatre and Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Grace Elizabeth Price
Siloam Springs, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Minors: Environmental Studies and English
Summa Cum Laude
Luke Michael Proctor
Mountain Home, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Technology Education
Minors: Health Science, Athletic Coaching and Art
Magna Cum Laude
Alexander Beau Puente*
Tulsa, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching and American Studies
Alexa Daniela Ramirez
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Management and Environmental Studies
Minor: English
Cum Laude
Shania Lanay Rector
Atkins, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude
Stacy Dayan Rey Marín
San José, Costa Rica
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Marketing and Psychology
Minor: Philosophy
Magna Cum Laude
Abigail Reyes Ruiz
La Ceiba, Honduras
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Management and Psychology
Minor: Theatre
Summa Cum Laude
Tamambele Rimbo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Health Science and Art
Keyannah Noel Roberts
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Art
Minors: Sociology and Psychology
Katie Alexandrea Marie Robinson
Bonner Springs, KS
Bachelor of Science
Major: Marketing
Minors: Psychology, Philosophy and Communication Studies
Brady Lee Rocole
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Religion
Minors: Political Science and Health Science
Summa Cum Laude
Atiya Sade Rolle
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Marketing
Minor: English
Cum Laude
Tanasia Donique Ashanti Rolle
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Marketing
Minors: Spanish and Psychology
Cum Laude
Phillip Edward Saenz, Jr.
Austin, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Physical Education, Health Science and Art
Cum Laude
Carlos A. Salinas
Conroe, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Mathematics
Minors: Spanish and Education
Summa Cum Laude
Daniel J. Sanderson, Jr
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Environmental Studies
Minors: Art and Criminal Justice
Sergio Munoz Sevilla*
Madrid, Spain
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Psychology and Philosophy
Nawab Singh
Watson, LA
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Psychology
Britton Dale Smith
Cave City, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Psychology, History
and Athletic Coaching
Summa Cum Laude
Emalee Kae Smith
Edmond, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
Cum Laude
Kelsey Noelle Smith
Norman, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Religion and Athletic Coaching
Cum Laude
Madilyn Ann Smith
Dallas, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Education and
American Studies
Cum Laude
Nadia Smith*
Lawton, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Psychology
Cum Laude
Desiree Guadalupe Soto*
Forney, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Health Science and Athletic Coaching
Michael C. Sparks
Lamar, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Finance
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
Cum Laude
Shenique Ashantie Stewart
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Finance
Minors: Chemistry and Art
Magna Cum Laude
Karsyn Rylee Tencleve*
Scranton, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Religion and Entrepreneurship
Finnegan Todd
Cabot, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Spanish and Environmental Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Tyler Brian Treadway
Little Rock, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Marketing
Minors: Art and Information Science
Cum Laude
Morgan Janique Turnquest
Abaco, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Marketing
Minors: Music and Health Science
Magna Cum Laude
Vilma Mariela Tzunun Escobar
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Management and
Health Science
Minor: Art
Magna Cum Laude
Vaderly Yasmin Vega Casas
Chitré, Panama
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Chemistry and Biology
Minors: Theatre and Environmental Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Noah James Venson
Clarksville AR
Bachelor of General Studies
Minors: Chemistry, Sociology and Music
Nataly Paulina Vindas Calderón
Coto Brus, Costa Rica
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Minors: Philosophy, Information Science and Education
Summa Cum Laude
Tanisha Amjad Virani
Lamar, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Minors: Psychology and Art
Summa Cum Laude
Selina Shanell Wallace
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Communication Studies
Minors: Theatre and Psychology
Chloe Leann Weathers
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Athletic Coaching
Summa Cum Laude
Michael Samuel White
Fayetteville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Health Science
Cum Laude
Katelyn Renee Willetts
Flippin, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: English
Minors: Psychology, History and Entrepreneurship
Summa Cum Laude
Braedyn Lee Willis
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Religion and Physical Education
Zachary Devern Wilson
Jacksonville, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Communication Studies
Minors: Art and Psychology
Cum Laude
Logan Ray Wilson
Nashville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Religion and Entrepreneurship
Cum Laude
Tanzy Rose Nicole Wood
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Finance
Minors: Environmental Studies and Art
Cum Laude
Jessie Christeen Wright
Decatur, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Religion, Education and Chemistry
Summa Cum Laude
Nicholas Benedict Zebroski*
Prosper, TX
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
* Denotes students who are expected to complete their degrees this summer
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