Commencement May 1 & 2

Cumberlands will host the May 2026 Commencement ceremonies beginning at 1:00 p.m. on May 1. Visit our Commencement page for more information. 

Written by Nellie Griffin | Content Development Specialist

University of the Cumberlands proudly recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional achievement in academics, service, and leadership. Each year, select students are chosen by their respective departments to receive departmental awards in recognition of their accomplishments and character. Well done, Patriots!

The full list of 2025-2026 departmental award winners includes:

Art Department

Bella Bender-Lipps Award

  • Jay Browning 

Biology Department

Outstanding Biology Student 

  • Jackson Estes

Communication Arts Department

Curtis Brown Outstanding Senior Award

  • Filippa Malmström

Writing & Research Award

  • Josephine Thomas

Communication Arts Brand Ambassador

  • Maggie Kitzmiller

Computer and Information Science

Students of the Year

  • Nathan Foskey
  • Tausha Gifford
  • Kaden Matheny

Criminal Justice Department

Students of the Year

  • Mikayla Clemons
  • Lisy Tessa

English Department

Virginia Lovett Scholarship

  • Aubrey Giles

Emma MacPherson Senior English Award

  • Riley Sutton

Dr. Tessa Nelson Humphries Freshman Award

  • Kate Preston

Creative Writing Award

  • Sydney Dingus

Critical Writing Award

  • Megan McWilliams

Education Department

Mavis F. Broome Scholarship

  • Ava Santiago

Students of the Year

  • Elementary Education: Moria O-Malley
  • Elementary Education Online: Ayden Paulson
  • Middle School Education: Ted Ivey
  • Middle School Online: Jeffery Hunt
  • High School Education: Clayton Hogue
  • P-12 Education: Madelyn Brock
  • Special Education Online: Anna Craig
  • IECE Online: Abigail Lindsey 

Forcht School of Nursing

Academic Excellence Award

  • Emma Jarboe

Clinical Excellence Award

  • Zion Lakes

Leadership Excellence Award

  • Michele Harris

Health Exercise & Sport Science

Students of the Year

  • Coaching: Jori Dowling
  • Exercise and Sport Science: Alexsandra Augistynia
  • Fitness and Sports Management: Kantrel Smith
  • Public Health: Trish Shepherd

History & Political Science

Students of the Year

  • History: Jadyn Howard
  • Political Science:  Ellison Edgar

Human Services Department

Social Work Program Student Excellence Award

  • On-Campus: Amber Avery & Macy Howe
  • Online: Becky Chandler

Human Services Program Student Excellence Award

  • On-Campus: Allison Taylor
  • Online: Sarah Youngblood 

Hutton School of Business

Outstanding Student Awards

  • On-Campus: Trey Jackson
  • Online: Shayla Cooper
  • Accounting: Bryson Ray
  • Business Administration: Savannah Ward
  • Finance: Kaylee Bullard
  • Management: Anna Caudill
  • Marketing: Maggie Kitzmiller
  • Supply Chain & Project Management: Logan Riley
  • Community Service: Ben Tarragó & Aubrey Lusk

Missions and Ministry Department

Fred Roth ½ Tuition Scholarship

  • Canaan McKay

Academics & Ministry

  • Andrew Wilson

Academics & Missions

  • Christopher Miller

Mathematics & Physics

Esther A. Compton Mathematics Award

  • Celia Marie Brass

Music & Fine Arts Department

Outstanding Senior in Music

  • Cajun ‘Mickee’ Stevens

Gwynn Cornell Helping Hand

  • Ellie Van Neste

Harold Wortman Music Scholarship

  • Ethan Farley & Georgia Smith

Phyillis Richardson Wood Music Scholarship

  • Jaden Rea

Psychology Department

Outstanding Senior Award

  • Elaina Moody & Naysia Norris

World Languages Department

Outstanding Senior in Spanish

  • Megan Robinson

Outstanding Senior in World Language & Cultures

  • Chimella Melisa Saint-Louis Blanc

Congratulations to these outstanding students for their achievements and service!