Williams Announces 2026 Graduates

(WALNUT RIDGE, Ark.) – Williams Baptist University awarded degrees to 111 graduates during its 2026 commencement exercises. That total included 12 master’s degrees, 95 bachelor’s degrees and four associate degrees.

Commencement exercises were held May 9 in WBU’s Southerland-Mabee Center. The commencement speaker was Tommy Wells, a 2008 Williams graduate who is now a school administrator in Springfield, Mo. Graduates represented 23 Arkansas counties, 14 states and seven nations.

Honor graduates were recognized as being cum laude (3.5-3.69 cumulative grade point average), magna cum laude (3.7-3.84 GPA) or summa cum laude (3.85-4.0 GPA).

In addition, Coe Scholars were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement. Coe Scholars are a select group of exceptional WBU students who participated in an enhanced academic experience during their time at Williams.

Williams is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.

WBU graduates from Arkansas, listed by county, hometown and degree included:

ARKANSAS COUNTY

DeWitt: DeKyrah Jaiden Banister (magna cum laude) – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

 

BOONE COUNTY

Harrison: Kaylee Grace Wolfe – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

 

CLAY COUNTY

Rector: Morgan Addison Garner – Bachelor of Science in Finance.

 

CLEBURNE COUNTY

Greers Ferry: McKenna Morgan Bittle – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts; Kendra Danielle Harness (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Quitman: Taylor Jo Elizabeth Hooten – Bachelor of Science in Biology.

 

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY

Bono: Kade Keith Carter – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts; Jacob Walker Eubanks – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

Jonesboro: Jake Ryan Algee – Master of Arts in Teaching; Mason Alik Escue – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Lynda Ann Flaherty (cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education; Tyler Lomas Fraley – Master of Arts in Teaching; Haven Maylynn Freeman – Bachelor of Science in Political Science; Peyton Elijah Jackson – Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries; Kerrigan Amita Kinsey (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6; Kaedynce Serena Miller – Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Abygail Marie Phillips – Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6; Carrington Brock Reid – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management; Mari James Thomas – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

 

CRITTENDEN COUNTY

Marion: Kenneth Pryce Arwood (cum laude) – Bachelor of Music in Worship; Connor Lane Brinkley (magna cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Luke Christian Bullins – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Lauren Mackenzie Davis – Associate of Arts; Joi Montgomery – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Proctor: John Alexander Marconi (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries.

 

CROSS COUNTY

Parkin: Zahryia A’alyse Baker – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

 

FAULKNER COUNTY

Conway: Natalie Brooke Sansom – Associate of Arts.

 

FULTON COUNTY

Elizabeth: Taylar Deanne Sanders (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in English Education.

Mammoth Spring: Sara Lynn Crowe (cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

 

GARLAND COUNTY

Hot Springs: Nathanael Chance Inman – Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries.

Royal: Destin Andrew Rhodes – Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education.

 

GREENE COUNTY

Marmaduke: Maranda Marie Bear – Bachelor of Science in Biology; Hunter Lee Tuberville – Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Paragould: Timothy James Bedgood (summa cum laude, Coe Scholar) – Bachelor of Arts in Music & Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Emilee Jane Cook – Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Spencer Patrick Magel – Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Jonathan Blane Sullinger – Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Devon Wayne Perez – Bachelor of Arts in English; Conner Houston Pulley – Bachelor of Arts in English; Robert Eugene Robinson, Jr. (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries.

 

INDEPENDENCE COUNTY

Batesville: Kaelyn Danielle Gooch (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

 

IZARD COUNTY

Calico Rock: Evelyn Louise Bishop – Master of Arts in Teaching.

Melbourne: Emma Kay Shinn – Master of Arts in Teaching.

 

JACKSON COUNTY

Amagon: Marisa Lynn Shaffer – Master of Arts in Teaching.

Newport: Grace Elizabeth Rogers – Bachelor of Arts in Global Entrepreneurship.

 

LAWRENCE COUNTY

Lynn: Brylee Elizabeth Doyle (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Powhatan: Keeley Ryann Kopp (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6.

Smithville: Molly Elizabeth Emison – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Walnut Ridge: Mason Roger Andrews (cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts; Elaina Barton-Miles – Master of Arts in Teaching; Hannah Leigh Bullock – Master of Arts in Teaching; Joseph Allen Clayton – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Ty Oakley Flippo – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management; Ralph Kenneth Lewis Jr – Associate of Arts; Logan Christopher Sain (cum laude) – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management; Kaylee Grace Wolfe – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

 

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY

Blytheville: Vancell Stanley Lucas III – Master of Arts in Teaching.

Joiner: Marissa Crawford (cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Manila: Mary Kate Cole (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Emma Kay Shinn – Master of Arts in Teaching.

 

POPE COUNTY

Russellville: Treasure Reign Jenni (cum laude) – Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries; Paige Nicole Thomas (magna cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

 

PULASKI COUNTY

Little Rock: Tyler Maxwell Douglass Mann – Master of Arts in Teaching.

 

RANDOLPH COUNTY

Pocahontas: Jerry Glenn Baker – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management;  Madison Breann Ballard (cum laude) – Bachelor of Arts in English; Joshua Nathaniel Johnson (cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education; Savannah Grace Todd (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6.

 

SEBASTIAN COUNTY

Greenwood: Brittany Nichelle Dowdy – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts; Coleton Ross Payton – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management; Elizabeth Grace Woody – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

 

UNION COUNTY

Smackover: Jacob Walker Eubanks – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

 

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Prairie Grove: Davis Taylor Stephens – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

 

WHITE COUNTY

Bald Knob: Alyssa Lauren Burnett – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts; Madyson Carol Busselle (magna cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Searcy: Luis Anthony Arman – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

 

Graduates from other states, listed by state and hometown, included:

 

ARIZONA

Phoenix: Timothy James Bedgood (summa cum laude, Coe Scholar) – Bachelor of Arts in Music & Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

 

ALABAMA

Birmingham: Noah Lane Burns – Master of Science in Education.

Pinson: Jacob Michael Brown – Master of Science in Education.

Sweet Water: Cody Blue Carden – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

 

COLORADO

Aurora: Brooke Olivia Scott – Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.

Fountain: Chortney Gayle Durga – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

 

FLORIDA

Destin: Jimmy Ryan Singleton – Associate of Arts.

 

LOUISIANA

New Orleans: Danarria Thomas (cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

 

MICHIGAN

Clinton Township: Lydia Marie Cottrell – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

 

MISSISSIPPI

Hernando: Jer’Kaila Elaine Jones – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Lake Cormorant: Justin Chas Bell – Master of Science in Education.

Magee: Evelyn Louise Bishop – Master of Arts in Teaching.

McCool: Marc Hayden Graves – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Nesbit: Marisa Lynn Shaffer – Master of Arts in Teaching.

 

MISSOURI

Campbell: Skylar Andrew Morrison – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Gideon: Faith Leighann Raymond (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts; Hope Renee Raymond (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Kennett: Bodey Sparks Ellis – Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.

Poplar Bluff: Cody J. Jones – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Breann Kayleigh Thresher – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

Steele: Brevin James Carlisle (cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Finance.

Warrensburg: Hannah Leigh Bullock – Master of Arts in Teaching.

West Plains: Kaylee Rayne Lambe – Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education.

 

NEBRASKA

Lincoln: Jackson Douglas Finder (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

 

NEW JERSEY

Freehold: Tyler Lomas Fraley – Master of Arts in Teaching.

 

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia: Seanlajah Smith – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

 

TENNESSEE

Covington: Cortayza Flowers – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Dyersburg: Rico Kevon Quinton – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.

Memphis: Elizabeth Grace Detrick (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts; Rebecca Joy Fowler (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Spring Hill: Micah Joseph Oltmanns – Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

 

TEXAS

Shelbyville: Tyler Warren Merriman – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

 

WBU graduates from other countries included:

 

BRAZIL

Bauru, São Paulo: Pedro Paulo Gomes Batista da Rocha – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Curitiba: Matheus Arins Farias – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Vitoria, Espirito Santo: Artur Dalfior Kataoka (summa cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

 

CHILE

Santiago de Chili: Carlos Matias Vial Aedo (cum laude) – Bachelor of Science in Marketing.

Santiago, Providencia: Ignacio Andres Velasquez Jansen – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

 

COLUMBIA

Floridablanca, Santander: Esteban Gonzalez – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

 

ENGLAND

Newton-le-willows, Merseyside: Harry Lee – Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.

Nottingham: Kyeron B. Daws – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

 

SCOTLAND

Brechin: Dawson John Philip Sawyer – Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.

 

SPAIN

Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Madrid: Javier Palomo Fernandez – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.