CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University celebrated the accomplishments of its Spring 2026 graduating class during four commencement ceremonies held May 7-8 at the Bologna Performing Arts Center.
The university awarded degrees to 436 graduates, including 277 bachelor’s degrees, 120 master’s degrees, 28 educational specialist degrees and 11 doctoral degrees.
Delta State student Marion Cork of Indianola, accompanied by university alumnus Ronnie Jackson, performed the national anthem at each ceremony.
Delta State President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis congratulated graduates and recognized their academic achievements.
“Every day is a great day at Delta State University, and I know our degree candidates will remember this day fondly in particular, a day in which we honor the Spring 2026 graduating class,” Ennis said. “We honor you for your hard work and perseverance in achieving academic success. Graduates, you have reached a milestone.”
During the ceremonies, Ennis presented the S.E. Kossman Outstanding Teacher Award to Dr. Maria Weber, associate professor of physics and director of the Roy L. and Clara Belle Wiley Planetarium, and the H.L. Nowell Outstanding Support Staff Award to Claire Cole, coordinator of executive services and office manager for the Office of the President.
Because renovations at Walter Sillers Coliseum required multiple shorter ceremonies, Ennis introduced an unconventional commencement speaker: Delta State’s mascot, the Fighting Okra.
The mascot entered to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” to enthusiastic applause, carried an oversized document labeled “Okra Speech,” then theatrically tore it apart before exiting the stage. Ennis returned to the podium and joked that the address had concluded.
Following the conferral of degrees, graduates joined faculty and guests in singing the university’s alma mater before processing out of the auditorium.
