Give
Search

Journey to Commencement

Journey to Commencement celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

  1. Home
  2. Departmental Directory
  3. University Marketing & Communications
  4. Strategic Communications
  5. Journey to Commencement

Our Student Stories

Since 2019, Journey to Commencement has shared more than 330 stories through a collaborative, award-winning campaign. These stories include contributions from more than 40 communications professionals across all University of Mississippi campuses.
Read the stories
An image of Yasmine Ware shaking hands with Chancellor Boyce
An image of Yasmine Ware.

Advocate, Scholar and Storyteller

Yasmine Ware leaves Ole Miss with a mission to preserve the stories that matter most.

Read more about Yasmine's inspiring journey
An image of Will Allen proposing to Channing Foster Allen.
An image of Channing Foster Allen and Will Allen.

Fields of Dreams

Two standout Ole Miss student-athletes, Channing Foster Allen and Will Allen, trade soccer and baseball for a new arena: the legal field.

Explore Channing and Will's remarkable story

From Orientation to Convocation

Explore the inspiring journeys of University of Mississippi students as they excel in their fields, embodying innovation, creativity, and dedication to excellence in journalism, marketing communications, and beyond.
Read Them All
An image of Linna Zheng

Following Her Passion for Performance

Violinist Linna Zheng, once set on a career in dentistry, builds community, mentors young musicians.

Explore Linna's story
An image of Max Smith

A Buzzer-Beater Opportunity

One pickup game, one phone call, one tryout — and everything changed for Max Smith.

Read Max's journey
An image of Avery and Melanie Tapp.

A Mother and Daughter Support Team

Booneville students Melanie and Avery Tapp overcome adversity with goal of walking together at Commencement.

Discover Melanie and Avery's story

Hear from Our Graduates

An image of Philip Beloate with text that reads, “At Ole Miss, I feel at home. It’s where I discovered who I am and where I want to go. I owe it all to the community that I’ve found here.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Philip Beloate”, “Hernando, Mississippi”, “Psychology”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

An image of Hannah Hoang with text that reads, “Without a doubt, the most meaningful part of my Ole Miss experience has been the relationships that I have made with friends, professors and advisors on campus. Through my involvement and coursework, I've met people that have invested in me and my future—an investment that I know will follow me long after graduation from the University.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Hannah Hoang”, “Amory, Mississippi”, “Journalism”, “School of Journalism and New Media”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

An image of Anna Weimer with text that reads, “The courses I have taken and people I have met at Ole Miss have given me so many incredible opportunities and experiences that have changed my life.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Anna Weimer”, “Huntsville, Alabama”, “Biological Sciences”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

Thomas Dyminski - An image of Thomas Dyminski with text that reads, “The support I received from my incredible professors and mentors across my departments gave me the opportunity to achieve more than I ever thought I could before.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Thomas Dyminski”, “Oxford, Mississippi”, “Chemistry”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

Elizabeth Goreth - An image of Elizabeth Goreth with text that reads, “At Ole Miss, my passion for understanding the universe gained momentum as it propelled me from the classroom to research and leadership, while shaping a purpose rooted in helping others belong in physics.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Elizabeth Goreth”, “Madison, Mississippi”, “Physics”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

Tanner Goodeill - An image of Tanner Goodeill with text that reads, “Over the past four years, the department has developed my skills as an artist, a leader and as a member of society.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Tanner Goodeill”, “Bourne, Texas”, “Film Production”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

An image of Emma Johnson with text that reads, “Ole Miss and the PSOA create a strong foundation for success. The Department of Technology Services has allowed me to put my knowledge into practice to give back to the university.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Emma Johnson”, “Birmingham, Alabama”, “Master of Accountancy”, “Patterson School of Accountancy”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

An image of Logan with text that reads, “Learning the curriculum is invaluable, but what has truly shaped my time here is the people I have met and the connections I have made.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Logan Harden”, “Hernando, Mississippi”, “Biological Sciences”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

An image of Molly Tennison with text that reads, “Ole Miss continually goes out of their way to support transfer students like me. I received a quality education and became part of a thriving community.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Molly Tennison”, “Booneville, Mississippi”, “English”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

An image of Jeremiah Steele with text that reads, “Ole Miss is not only a university, but a community that is highly supportive. Within my experience here, the Music faculty inspired me to strive for excellence in every aspect of life.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Jeremiah Steele”, “Collinsville, Alabama”, “Music”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

An image of Chloe Vizier with text that reads, “Studying Anthropology at Ole Miss has helped grow closer to the place I call home, and studying French has brought me to new places beyond it. Both are priceless experiences, helping me develop my interests and give back to my community.”, “‘26 Ole Miss Journey to Commencement”, “Chloe Vizier”, “Madison, Mississippi”, “Anthropology, French”, “College of Liberal Arts”, and “Read Class of 2026 stories at journey.olemiss.edu”.

All Stories

In 2026, nearly 60 Journey to Commencement stories were shared across University of Mississippi channels. Read them all!

See the full list of JTC stories