A Weekend of Achievement, Purpose, and Perseverance

Graduate Studies Celebrates the Class of 2026

Commencement weekend at Longwood University was a celebration of more than degrees. It marked the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, and growth for graduate students across programs, each bringing their own story of perseverance to the stage.

From academic excellence and leadership to quiet determination in the face of challenge, the Class of 2026 represents the very best of what it means to pursue graduate education with purpose.

Recognizing Excellence Across Graduate Studies

As part of the celebration, Longwood recognized outstanding faculty, students, and alumni whose work reflects exceptional commitment to their fields and communities.

The Graduate Faculty Research Award was presented to Dr. Pubali Mukherjee, Assistant Professor of Marketing, whose research has already made a significant impact in the evolving field of artificial intelligence in marketing. Through published work and national conference presentations, Dr. Mukherjee’s scholarship bridges theory and real-world application, providing meaningful insight into how emerging technologies shape human experiences.

The Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award was awarded to Dr. Marsha Rutledge, Associate Professor of Counselor Education, whose student-centered approach and dedication to developing culturally responsive counselors has left a lasting impression on her students. Her work extends beyond the classroom, preparing graduates to lead with both skill and compassion.

Among graduate students, several were recognized for their exceptional contributions:

• Michelle McDevitt, recipient of the Graduate Innovation Award, was honored for her ability to connect disciplines and apply her background in medicine to her work in counseling. Her efforts to integrate holistic wellness into mental health practice demonstrate both creativity and commitment to advancing the profession.
• Madeline Cason, recipient of the Graduate Citizen Leader Award, was recognized for her leadership across campus and within the counseling profession. Through mentorship, advocacy, and service, she has helped strengthen the graduate student community while modeling what it means to lead with purpose.
• Billy Holden Allen, recipient of the Graduate Young Alumni Award, was celebrated for his early career impact in communication sciences and disorders. Now pursuing a Ph.D., his research and advocacy efforts continue to advance accessibility and inclusion in education.
• Emily Nicole Bromer, recipient of the Graduate Alumni Award, was honored for her continued leadership in speech-language pathology, entrepreneurship, and statewide advocacy. Her work reflects a sustained commitment to both her profession and the Longwood community.

Together, these honorees represent the depth of talent, innovation, and leadership cultivated through Longwood’s graduate programs.

A Shared Journey: Jonathan and Camarie Rogers

Jonathan and Camarie Rogers each earned their MBA from Longwood, but what makes this story special is how they did it: together.

Their journey reflects a rhythm of mutual support that has carried them through every stage of life. Jonathan enrolled first, pursuing his MBA while Camarie managed the demands of home life, raising their five children and supporting their family’s businesses. When it was her turn, they shifted roles, ensuring she had the same opportunity to fully engage in the experience.

That commitment to one another has shaped their path from the beginning. From completing their undergraduate degrees together to serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, and now to building businesses and giving back through their nonprofit, Global Works Trust, the couple never loses sight of their goals and partnership.

During commencement weekend, they had the opportunity to connect with Longwood University President Reveley to share more about the vision behind their work supporting fatherless and underserved youth. The conversation reflected not only the impact they are already making, but the potential for future collaboration and growth.

For the Rogers family, earning their MBAs is part of a larger story: one centered on faith, service, and a shared belief in building something that extends beyond themselves.

Showing Up with Determination: Sharee Murphy

For MBA graduate Sharee Murphy, commencement weekend was a powerful example of perseverance in action.

Arriving at the ceremony on crutches, Sharee remained fully present for the moment she had worked so hard to reach. Despite the physical challenge, she participated in the ceremony with the same dedication that defined her graduate and graduate assistantship experiences.

More Than a Moment

While commencement marks the end of one chapter, it also signals the beginning of what comes next.

The Class of 2026 leaves with more than degrees. They leave with purpose and with the tools to make a difference.