Montevallo Commencement Honors One of Its Largest Graduating Classes, First Nursing Degree

May 4, 2026

The University of Montevallo proudly celebrated one of the largest graduating classes in its history at its Spring Commencement ceremony in McChesney Student Activity Center on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Students, faculty, staff, family, friends and members of the UM community gathered in Central State Bank Arena to honor the academic achievements of 347 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, including UM’s first ever Bachelor of Science in Nursing candidate, and 88 candidates for graduate degrees.

“The pursuit of learning does not end when we leave this campus,” said outgoing Student Government Association President Caleb Jernigan in his address to the graduates. “In many ways, it begins anew. Keep learning, keep striving and keep the gift of Montevallo close to your hearts and minds.”

Outgoing Senior Class President Da’Nadia Ross looked back on the class’s time on the bricks fondly, saying, “Montevallo means more than traditions or the beautiful campus. It’s the people — the professors who pushed us to think deeper, the staff who quietly made sure everything kept running and the classmates who were turned into lifelong friends.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Clark Hultquist, UM professor of modern European history. A distinguished historian whose academic contributions span a wide range of subjects, Hultquist joined UM’s Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences in 1997 and has earned multiple teaching awards, as well as being named the 2025-2026 University Scholar. He has also served the last four years as the chief reader for Advanced Placement’s European History exam.

Hultquist’s address centered on the idea of “the past you and the future you,” encouraging the graduates to reflect on how Montevallo has shaped their past and will impact their future. He first focused on the past, inviting Jernigan back to the podium to recount his Montevallo origin story and telling his own.

“In terms of the past you, you’ve accumulated a lot of first experiences,” Hultquist said. “Maybe also a first and last, never again. But these are things that you’re going to carry forward with you as well.”

Then, Hultquist shifted to the future, explaining that change and improvement is always possible. He said, “I firmly believe because of the Montevallo experience, there’s a great future you in front of you.”

Following Hultquist’s speech, UM Interim President Dr. Terry Roberson presented him with the President’s Award. The ceremony continued as Roberson, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Courtney Bentley and Registrar Amanda Fox ’04, M.Ed. ’10 conferred the degrees.

Afterward, Kay Butts-Pruett ’04, president-elect of the UM National Alumni Association, inducted the new graduates into the UMNAA.

“Our alumni association’s approximately 29,000 members can be found across the United States and abroad,” Butts-Pruett said. “Today, you join out legacy dedicated to cherishing this institution, its people and its future.”

Roberson also recognized those earning a diploma from Falcon Flight, a program started in 2018 that allows Shelby County students with learning disabilities to attend classes at UM and learn essential life and jobs skills that will allow them to continue their journey into adulthood after finishing high school.