On Saturday, May 9th in the Perry Campus Center, Alice Lloyd College celebrated the Class of 2026 at our annual baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies.
The baccalaureate began at 10:30 am with an invocation and scripture reading by graduating students Kyleah Ward and Devaunte Robinson. College President Jim Stepp then welcomed everyone and addressed the graduating class, reminding them that their journey along Purpose Road doesn’t end at graduation, rather, it guides them through life. Following President Stepp’s remarks, Vice President for Student Services Scott Cornett welcomed the guest speaker, Mr. Jamie Hughes, who serves as pastor for Lighthouse Baptist Church and is an ALC alum. Pastor Hughes shared what the College has meant to him over the years and shared a message with the audience about God’s plans for the graduating class. A congregational hymn followed his message and graduating senior Emily Pool gave the benediction.
After a brief reception, commencement began at 12:15 pm when Dr. Marshall and ALC Professor of Chemistry Dr. Paul Yeary led the processional into the gymnasium. The Voices of Appalachia choir performed our National Anthem after the invocation, and President Stepp once again welcomed the audience and provided his congratulatory remarks. President Stepp reflected on the lasting connection graduates share with the College, referencing founder Alice Lloyd’s vision for its students. “Mrs. Lloyd stated, ‘The graduates of Alice Lloyd College would have faith as firm as a rock and aspirations as high as the mountains.’ Graduates, you will always be a part of the ALC family and the ALC family always will be a part of you. I’m fond of saying that once you’re here, you never really ever leave. This place is always going to be a part of you, and we’re glad of it.”
College Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Allison Southard then introduced the commencement speaker, A Harlan County native, Middleton currently serves as President and CEO of Forcht Broadcasting, Kentucky’s largest small market radio group, after spending nearly four decades at WYMT-TV, where he served as Vice President and General Manager. Throughout his distinguished broadcasting career, he has earned numerous awards for journalism and community service while remaining deeply involved in leadership and economic development efforts across Eastern Kentucky, including serving on the Alice Lloyd College Board of Trustees. In his commencement address, Neil Middleton encouraged graduates to embrace life’s setbacks and second chances, sharing his own struggles as a student and reminding students that “life is not a straight line.” He challenged graduates to pursue their purpose with faith and determination, emphasizing that Alice Lloyd College had prepared them to become servant leaders who will make a lasting impact in the lives of others.
Academic Dean Charles Marshall then presented the Class of 2025 and began the conferring of degrees with President Stepp. The Class of 2026 Valedictorians are Rachael Rife and Terry Holland, and Kaitlin Hall is the Class of 2026 Salutatorian. Special announcements were made following the conferring of degrees and presentation of academic honors. Professor Natalie Holt presented with the Teaching Excellence and Campus leadership Award and Ms. Jennifer Hall was presented with the Leadership in Service Award. These awards recognize their recipients for their service to students and the College. Following these awards, this year’s graduation ceremony came to a close with the singing of our Alma Mater and a benediction.
With each graduating class, Alice Lloyd College sends out new leaders to serve the region. Undoubtedly, the ALC Class of 2026 is prepared to become the future of Appalachia. Once again, congratulations to the ALC Class of 2026!
Carson Bryant Adams of Millstone, KY
Christa Dawn Amburgey of Hazard, KY
Koji Shakur Anderson of Louisville, KY
Jacob Bradley Ayers of Jonesborough, TN
Benjamin C Baker of Harrogate, TN
John Isaiah Bentley of Whitesburg, KY
Cole Matthew Bishop of Jonesborough, TN
Allison Danielle Boggs of Whitesburg, KY
Tyler Harrison Brammer of Ironton, OH
Kacee Paige Canterbury of Williamson, VA
Benjamin Logan Carter of Hazard, KY
Haleigh Machelle Collins of Pikeville, KY
Laura Sue Conley of Viper, KY
Sarah Madison Conley of Paintsville, KY
Madelyn Rose Conn of Louisa, KY
Jacob Austin Curry of Manchester, KY
Bryan Lawrence DeFoe of Proctorville, OH
Audrey Blaine Evans of Williamson, WV
Parker Hansford Fields of Emmalena, KY
Miguel Flores of Somerset, KY
Nathan Alexander Garcia of Andrews, TX
Darren Lee Griffin of Crab Orchard, KY
Kaitlin Alexandria Hall of Hindman, KY
Carson Drew Hanson of Inez, KY
Wyatt McNiel Hobgood of Adams, TN
Kamryn Jenna Hoiska of Partridge, KY
Terry Ashton Lee Holland of Manchester, KY
Makayla Danielle Jarvis of Dingess, WV
Kyle Hayden Johnson of Hazard, KY
Jordan Christopher Jones of Beauty, KY
Caleb Ross Justice of Hindman, KY
Kinna Brook Justice of Lenore, WV
Dorian Shane Keene of Logan, WV
Tabitha Brittany LeMarr of Rose Hill, VA
Francis Grace Martin of Garrett, KY
Joshua Bradford Martin of Martin, KY
Nikolas Ryker McDaniel of Littcarr, KY
James Dean McDannel of Whitesburg, KY
Jordan Dana Miller of Viper, KY
Dylan Thomas Moore of Bevinsville, KY
Jonathan Michael Pence of Hazard, KY
Emily Autumn Pool of London, KY
Abigail Mae Potter of Langley, KY
Hayden Bradley Pratt of Viper, KY
Chandler Gage Ramey of Elkhorn City, KY
Alexander Ray Rasnick of Big Stone Gap, VA
Rachael Kaylee Rife of Grundy, VA
James Devaunte Robinson of Catlettsburg, KY
Taylor Alyssa Stanley of Pikeville, KY
Alexis Irene Sterk of Martin, KY
Dominick Strong of Whitesburg, KY
Chloe Layne Taylor of London, KY
Wilgus S. Tolson of Campton, KY
Hunter O’Neal Triplett of Mousie, KY
Nicholas Chase Tucker of Prestonsburg, KY
Kyleah Isabella Ward of Louisa, KY
Trenton Kaleb Williams of Ironton, OH
Christian Douglas Winter of Grayson, KY
Jasmine Paige Young of Sandy Hook, KY
Isaiah Lawrence Zuidema of Inez, KY
Photos from baccalaureate and commencement can be found here.