Staff Report

For 2,061 members of East Tennessee State University’s Class of 2026, Commencement marked both a milestone and a beginning. It was a celebration of hard work, perseverance and the people and experiences that shaped each graduate’s journey.

Local graduates included Lauren Brandt, Peyton Meeker, Macie Lawrence and Jaxen Waggoner of Manchester. Also graduating were Robert Merchant, Erika Leone and Tydrell Mitchell of Tullahoma.

ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

Carson-Newman University celebrates 2026 spring graduates

A local student graduated from Carson-Newman University at the conclusion of the institution’s Spring 2026 Semester.

Olivia Henley, of Manchester, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Founded in 1851, Carson Newman is a Christ-centered, liberal arts-based university, located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Union University announces local graduate

Five hundred six students graduated from Union University May 2 during spring commencement services of the 201st graduating class on the university’s Great Lawn.

Connor Hull, of Manchester, earned a BS Business Administration in Marketing.

Located in Jackson, Tenn., Union University is a liberal arts-based university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Founded in 1823, Union is the oldest institution relating to the Southern Baptist Convention.

Belmont University Spring 2026 Dean’s List Belmont University released the Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester, with approximately 49% of the University’s 6,724 undergraduate students earning the academic recognition.

Named were Brylee Haithcock of Beechgrove, Peyton Graham of Manchester and Paris Watson, Natalie Verrill and Emily Castaneda of Tullahoma.

Dean’s List eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.

Lee University Announces Dean’s List for Spring 2026

Lee University congratulates students who earned Dean’s List honors during the Spring 2026 semester. Dean’s List recognition is earned by full-time, undergraduate students with a semester grade point average between 3.7 and 4.00.

Students Makenna Orrick, Lilly Petty and Ella Scott of Manchester were named to the list along with James Bratcher of Tullahoma and Olivia Moss of Hillsboro.

Lee University is a private, Christ-centered university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.