Ohio University Lancaster celebrates Class of 2026 at Graduation Recognition Ceremony

Ohio University Lancaster celebrated the achievements of its Class of 2026 during the Graduation Recognition Ceremony, honoring students who completed degrees during the 2025–26 academic year.

The event brought together graduates, families, faculty, staff and community members to recognize academic accomplishments and the relationships that supported student success. The ceremony highlighted the campus’s long-standing commitment to access and student achievement during its 70th anniversary year, marking seven decades of service to the region.

A total of 136 graduates were recognized, including 22 associate degrees, 110 bachelor’s degrees, one master’s degree and one doctorate, reflecting the full breadth of academic achievement at the campus.

Interim Dean of Campus and Community Relations Martha Kline welcomed attendees and reflected on the significance of the occasion.

“Graduates, today is a day of celebration and reflection as we honor everything you have achieved,” Kline said. “Your journey has been defined by hard work, perseverance and dedication. You have faced challenges, overcome obstacles and grown in ways you may not have imagined when you first arrived on this campus.”

“As you move forward, remember that what you have learned here extends far beyond the classroom. You are taking with you resilience, critical thinking, collaboration and a lifelong love of learning,” she continued. “Believe in yourselves, stay curious and continue striving for excellence. Your future is bright, and you are well prepared to make a meaningful impact in your communities and beyond.”

The ceremony also included a video message from Dr. Lewatis McNeal, vice provost for regional higher education, who congratulated the Class of 2026 and recognized their achievements across Ohio University’s regional campuses.

Following the video, Rick Szabrak, director of economic and workforce development for the Fairfield County Workforce Center, offered a warm welcome on behalf of the Lancaster Campus Coordinating Council, emphasizing the strong partnership between Ohio University Lancaster and the surrounding community in supporting student success.

The program featured remarks from student speaker Destiny Kemmerling, who shared a message of reflection and encouragement, recognizing the dedication and resilience of her classmates as they reached this milestone.

“The leadership you already carry is not always loud. It is in the small, consistent moments that often go unnoticed,” said Kemmerling. “The moments that built you for this day will continue to build you through the next chapters…We are all just walking on brand-new baby adult legs.”

A defining moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the Phi Theta Kappa Professor of the Year Award. Jamison Bazell announced A. Victor Jones as the 2026 recipient, recognizing his outstanding commitment to student learning and engagement.

Jones, associate professor of instruction and producing artistic director at Ohio University Lancaster, was honored for creating an environment where students feel supported, challenged and empowered to grow.

“From implementing innovative teaching through team-based learning and hands-on production work, providing opportunities for students and community members to collaborate on projects, and creating opportunities for students to engage with professional productions and industry experts, this professor has transformed learning into an experience that is both academic and deeply personal,” Bazell said

“Students point to his commitment to student support as one of the gifts he shares with them. Through powerful theatre productions tied to real-world issues, partnerships with community organizations and providing opportunities like suicide prevention training, students are learning that their voices, and their work, can make a difference,” Bazell said.

Dr. Jacqueline Tudor, associate professor of biology, delivered the commencement address, encouraging graduates to carry forward the curiosity, discipline and determination developed during their time at Ohio University Lancaster.

The ceremony also included recognition of Latin honors and military service members, along with the conferral of degrees across associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.

In a special moment, Cynthia Boles, professor of instruction for interdisciplinary health studies, received her Doctor of Education degree and was hooded by her faculty colleagues. It was a meaningful academic milestone.

Alumna Emily Bartholic closed the ceremony with a performance of "Alma Mater, Ohio."

Graduates represented a wide range of academic programs, reflecting the diversity of the campus community and its commitment to workforce readiness and continued education.

Graduates included

Associate Degrees

Associate in Arts: Margaret Alfman, Brooklyn LeeAnn Frame, Megan Hite
Associate in Individualized Studies: Haley Frye
Associate of Applied Science: Lauren Battin, Josh D. Clary, Derek Josh Eden Jr., Heather M. Hoffman, Josh Phillip Jones, Alexandria Joy McKirahan, Christian Alexander Pahls, Dylan Joseph Phillips, KD Dawn Rainer, Parker Dean Schenk, Henry Lincoln Thompson
Associate of Applied Business: Sklyer Ashton Ash, Annie Marie Cooper, Alexis Seana Dyke, Brooke Marie Guisinger, Trevor Layton Jackson, Bhaskar Paudel, Riley Addison Mitchell Stoneburner

Bachelor Degrees

Bachelor of Arts: Abigail Addams, Lucian Benjamin Davis, Emma Marie Grace Fisher, Lindsay Nicole Maher, Lilly Frances Quinn, Eli Darren Schleich
Bachelor of Criminal Justice: Caleb William Moon
Bachelor of General Studies: Izzi Rose Hill, Eryn Rae Jones, Noah Joseph Meyers
Bachelor of Integrative Studies: Mystique Dawn Barker
Bachelor of Science: Anna Donahue, Makayla Nicole Drake, Ethan Estep, Carly Jaden Feazell, Macy Franchini, Colin Michael Hoff, Brook Anne Imler, McKenna Kessler, Brevin Alex Lambert, Eli Nicholas Rickly, Blake Edward Starkey, Jack Carl Waugh
Bachelor of Science in Communication: Jayden Shane Akers, Kharter Stephen Clausen, Kendall Marie Craiglow, Virginia Ann Disney, Anna Donahue, Abbi Johns, Gregory Kiger, Abby Maura Lawrence, Aisleigh Lampinen, Olivia Anne Moore, Aiden James Nicholson, Sarah Jo Peters, Keara Rayne Raleigh, Maryn Kennedy Reed, Eli Rickley, James E. Thompson, Jack Waugh, Mitchell Workley
Bachelor of Science in Education: Lizzy Therese Adams, Jackie Rose Ahlers, Jacklyn Ahlers, Zachary Akarri, Connor James Bell, Ciara Jordan Blankenship, Gwendolyn Rose Cenci, Alecia Lynn Clum, Caitriona Renee Coyan, Kayla Elizabeth Day, Tabi Marie Eveland, Tabitha Eveland, Audrey Elaine Flanery, Brooklyn LeeAnn Frame, Ian R. Frasure, Brian Matthew Garot, Mallory Jane Gray, Terri Anne Gray, Devan Nicole Iles, Luke Kennedy, Rachel Ann Kienle, Victoria Rose McCarty, Anne Grace Moon, Anna Moon, Rylee Ann Partick, Amber Skye Rich, Amber Rich, Ally Marie Thompson, Ally Thompson, Katie Christine Wells
Bachelor of Science in Health: Olivia R. Friesner, Toni Annette McFarland, Brooklyn Miya Tompkins
Bachelor of Science in Health Service Administration: Tiffany Gautreaux
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Keely Mae Anderson, Chase Ryan Arnett, Payton Olivia Baker, Gabriela Bell, Gabby Lynette Bell, Makayla Lynn Burchfield, Sydney Casterline, Madeline Belle Davis, Megan Janae Devall, Megan Devall, Megan Sophia Evans, Emma Faith Gintert, Kennedi Graceann Izyk, Sarah Michelle Jackson, Marie Sandra Mafeche, Brandon Alan Ward Sapp, Brooke Ann Schwegler, Kayla Elizabeth Sharp, Ashton Taylor Sigler, Bronson W. Spillman, Ashton Rex Toney, Ashton Toney, Sienna Iree Tucker, Haley Bess Walker, Faith Marie Witte, Abby Grace Workman
Bachelor of Science in Psychology:  Jamison Bazell, Aubrey Monroe, Sofia Woolridge
Bachelor of Social Work: Margaret Alfman, Jessi Lew Dallas Barrett, Bailey Nicole Cherry, Abbi Evans-Ashton, Tiffany Brooke Anne Feisel, Kelly Gordon, Travis Clay Hillyard, Destiny Kemmerling, Emily Rose Kirk, Melaina Littlejohn, Misty Rager, Breanna Smith, Tabatha Wood

Graduate Degrees

Master of Education: Andrea Trimmer
Doctorate of Education: Cynthia Boles

For additional information on Ohio University Lancaster’s Graduation Recognition Ceremony, visit the Graduation Recognition webpage at ohio.edu/lancaster/current-students/graduation-recognition-ceremony or watch the full ceremony at https://youtu.be/mzTTD7E0Kz0. A special thank you to IVP Media for capturing these special memories (innerphasevideo.com).

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