Tippah County Ole Miss Graduates Earn August 2026 Degrees
Seven Tippah County Ole Miss graduates from Ripley, Walnut and Blue Mountain are among the roughly 1,200 students who earned degrees from the University of Mississippi in August 2026, according to a list of local graduates published this week by the Southern Sentinel.
The group includes future social workers, an accountant, a pharmaceutical scientist and a musician, a mix that reflects the range of programs Tippah County students are pursuing in Oxford.
Tippah County Ole Miss Graduates by Hometown
Here are the local August 2026 graduates, as listed by the source:
- Tannon Caldwell of Walnut: Bachelor of Music in Music
- Nayeli Diaz of Ripley: Bachelor of Accountancy in Accountancy
- Annjja Chills of Blue Mountain: Bachelor of Social Work
- Deshantae Jackson of Ripley: Bachelor of Social Work
- Quiahja Johnson of Ripley: Bachelor of Social Work
- Hailey Keeton of Ripley: Bachelor of Social Work
- Jhasiel Bautista of Ripley: Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Social Work Leads the Local Class
Four of the seven local graduates, three from Ripley and one from Blue Mountain, finished bachelor’s degrees in social work. That is welcome news for north Mississippi, where schools, hospitals, child welfare offices and nonprofits often have trouble filling social work jobs.
Ripley’s Nayeli Diaz earned a degree from the Patterson School of Accountancy. Jhasiel Bautista, also of Ripley, completed a Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences, a common route to pharmacy school, research and health-care careers. Walnut’s Tannon Caldwell earned a Bachelor of Music.
About the August 2026 Class
About 1,200 students received degrees in August from across the university’s colleges and schools, including liberal arts, applied sciences, business administration, education, engineering, journalism and new media, law, pharmacy and accountancy.
Like other summer graduates, August degree candidates could take part in the university’s spring commencement events. Individual college and school ceremonies took place May 6-8, and the university-wide Commencement Convocation was held Saturday, May 9, in the Grove. Country music artist Brett Young gave the keynote address.
Celebrating Local Achievement
Every year, Tippah County sends students to Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Blue Mountain Christian University, Northeast Mississippi Community College and other schools. Many come home to teach, work in health care, run businesses and serve the community. Congratulations to all seven graduates and their families.
Did we miss a Tippah County or Benton County graduate? Families can send graduation news and photos to Tippah News for future coverage.
More local achievement news: Garry Burnside wins a Josie Music Award and Ripley band named Reserve Grand Champion.
Source: Southern Sentinel / University of Mississippi
