The University of Tennessee at Martin celebrated another graduating class May 2, as 711 students walked the stage of the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center to receive their diplomas.
The total 743 spring 2026 graduates came from 67 Tennessee counties and 33 other states, as well as from Canada, Egypt, New Zealand, Romania, Senegal and the United Kingdom.
Two commencement ceremonies were held, with the 10 a.m. ceremony featuring undergraduate and master’s degree recipients from the colleges of agriculture and applied sciences, business and global affairs, engineering and natural sciences, and humanities and fine arts.
The 2 p.m. ceremony included undergraduate and graduate-degree candidates from the College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences.
Both ceremonies were livestreamed and archived for later viewing on YouTube at www.youtube.com/utmartin.
Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. welcomed the spring 2026 graduates.
“One of my favorite quotes comes from Mark Twain,” he told them. “It reads: ‘The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.’ This famous saying emphasizes finding your life’s purpose or meaning.
“My hope for you graduates as you prepare for the next step in your life’s journey is that your time at UT Martin has helped you discover your ‘why.’”
Tonya Parson delivered the commencement address at both ceremonies. She is a health-care executive, nurse practitioner and entrepreneur, with more than 20 years of experience in nursing, health-care leadership, wellness education and community outreach.
A 1993 alumna of UT Martin, she has built multiple health care-focused businesses alongside her husband, Mario Parson, including Passport Health and NP Cares, LLC. Most recently, she launched an additional clinic focused on wellness, hormone replacement and preventive care.
“Today is the moment you’ve worked for, sacrificed for and stayed committed to – and now, it’s here,” she told the graduates. “It’s not just a milestone, though. It’s more than that. It’s proof: Proof that you are able to stay committed when things get hard, proof that you showed up on the days even when you didn’t feel like it or didn’t want to, and proof that you pushed forward, even when you weren’t sure what forward would look like.
“…I challenge you to stay consistent, even when your motivation fades. Don’t wait for the perfect time. Be willing to grow through your discomfort. Protect your dreams and your drive. … This degree is not your destination; it is a foundation for the things to come.”
The spring 2026 recipients of the Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Award were announced prior to the presentation of the graduates and was announced by Dr. Andy Lewter, vice chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs.
This semester’s recipients were Taylor Burke, a veterinary science and technology major from Altona, Illinois, who graduated summa cum laude (grade-point average of 3.8 to 4.0); Callie Hollowell, a studio art major from Jackson who graduated magna cum laude (grade-point average of 3.5 to 3.79); and Anthony Lain, a political science major from Pegram who also graduated summa cum laude.
The Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Award was established to recognize graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership while pursuing their education. It was named for former chancellor Dr. Paul Meek and his wife and was first presented in 1967.
Chancellor Meek served as the university’s executive officer from 1934 to 1951 and its dean from 1951 to 1967 before being named its first chancellor in 1967.
The award was originally established and funded by the Meeks’ three children to honor their parents and to honor students who embody the same spirit of leadership.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: Graduate Sydneey Boykin of Clarksville expresses excitement of gaining her Master of Arts in Strategic Communication degree May 2. Boykin received her Bachelor of Arts degree from UT Martin in 2024 after playing two seasons of basketball as a Skyhawk. She then served as a graduate assistant coach for the team for two seasons.
