Stephens College Celebrates Class of 2026 during Spring Commencement Ceremonies
Stephens College celebrated the Class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies held on May 8 and 9, recognizing undergraduate and graduate students as they marked the completion of their academic journey at Stephens.
Students, faculty, family and friends filled the campus throughout the weekend to celebrate the milestone accomplishment.
The College honored 19 students during Friday’s graduate commencement ceremony. The undergraduate ceremony took place on Saturday, recognizing 85 students for completing their undergraduate degrees.
An additional 38 undergraduate and graduate students were recognized during the College’s December commencement ceremony, bringing the total number of graduates recognized during the 2025-26 academic year to 142.
Graduate Ceremony Recap
The graduate commencement ceremony was held at 5 p.m. on May 8th in the Kimball Ballroom.
The ceremony kicked off with a welcome from the President, Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen. A great performance of the National Anthem performed by Stephens College Conservatory student, Mathew Kischer ’27, followed.
Terrance Walker, a 2017 graduate who earned his master’s degree in counseling from Stephens College, delivered this year’s commencement address.
Walker shared personal experiences, offered advice, and encouraged graduates to look deeper at every challenge, remember why they chose their path and never be afraid of failure.
Walker currently serves as an elementary school counselor in Chesterfield, Missouri, and is committed to advocacy, representation and equitable access to counseling services for all students.
Graduate representative Shannon Beck also addressed graduates during the ceremony. Beck graduated from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with a Master of Education degree. While pursuing her degree at Stephens, Beck also began working toward a master’s certificate in dance/movement therapy from Antioch University New England.
Before pursuing her dream of becoming mid-Missouri’s first dance/movement therapist, Beck spent two decades working as a journalist and professional communicator.
During her speech, Beck cracked jokes, shared both personal and professional advice, reflected on stories from her life and celebrated the accomplishments of her fellow graduates, encouraging them to take pride in their success.
The ceremony concluded with the Stephens Hymn, performed by Dorothy Castleman ’29 and led by Sarah Whitehead ‘26.
Undergraduate Procession Through Downtown Columbia
The undergraduate commencement ceremony began Saturday morning with a procession from Stephens College to the Missouri Theatre, a tradition that brought together graduates, faculty and senior staff.
The procession began outside Senior Hall, where faculty and staff led graduates through downtown Columbia under escort from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Columbia Fire Department.
Halfway through the route, faculty and staff lined both sides of the street, allowing graduates to lead the remainder of the procession to the theater. As the procession reached the Missouri Theatre, graduates lined the entrance and welcomed faculty and staff into the building before entering themselves.
Undergraduate Ceremony Highlights
The undergraduate ceremony began with a welcome from Lundeen and a live performance of the National Anthem by Sarah Whitehead ’26 and Lily Mace ’26.
This year’s commencement address was presented by Adonica Coleman. Coleman, founder of The COMO 411, is an entrepreneur, media personality and community leader who has dedicated her career to uplifting the Columbia community.
Coleman has served on several boards in Columbia, most recently as the Executive Director of the Daydreams Foundation. She also previously worked at Stephens College as an Adjunct Professor.
During her remarks, Coleman celebrated the accomplishments of the graduating class and encouraged students to remain faithful in the small things, never accept limitations and never allow others to define them.
Coleman also took time to honor Aiyanna Williams, a Stephens senior who lost her life in September. Coleman shared stories about Williams’ perseverance, her lasting impact on Stephens College and the way she inspired those around her.
Coleman shared a phrase that Williams’ mother once told her that Williams often used.
“’It’s gloomy outside, but the flowers need rain, so we’re good.”
In recognition of Williams’ hard work and dedication in both the classroom and around campus, Stephens College posthumously awarded her a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
The ceremony also featured a performance of “Like Breathing” from Edges by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The piece was performed by Isaac Bullis ‘28, Cade Sharp ‘28, Angelina Nazario ’27 and Rylee Love ‘28.
Class speaker Sarah Whitehead, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre, addressed fellow graduates during the ceremony.
Whitehead spoke about the importance of community, sharing that she found her second family at Stephens. Praising the College’s smaller size, Whitehead said Stephens gave students the opportunity to embrace differences and build stronger communities wherever they go.
Kalynn Irey, president of the Student Government Association, served as the second student speaker. Irey graduated with a bachelor’s degree of science in psychology.
Irey encouraged graduates to take pride in their accomplishments and trust the foundation Stephens gave them for the future. She also reflected on the symbolic meaning behind the Sursum statue on campus.
“The Latin word translates to ‘onwards and upwards… It reminds us that no matter how steep the climb is, our trajectory is always toward the sky,” said Irey.
The ceremony concluded with the Stephens Hymn, performed by Castleman and led by Whitehead alongside Lily Mace.
Celebrating the Class of 2026
Throughout both ceremonies, graduates were recognized for their academic achievements and celebrated the completion of their time at Stephens College as they prepared to begin the next chapter of their careers and education.
Highlights from Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
Highlights from Graduate Commencement Ceremony
