Special to the Star

HATTIESBURG – The University of Southern Mississippi held fall 2016 commencement exercises Friday at Reed Green Coliseum on its Hattiesburg campus.

Southern Miss President Rodney D. Bennett conferred undergraduate, graduate and specialist’s degrees at each ceremony. Former USM College of Business Professor Dr. William C. “Bill” Smith gave the commencement addresses.

Southern Miss graduates from the local area include:

• Bailey: Ashley O’Keith-Coke, bachelor of science; Anne M. Stonestreet, master of science.

• Collinsville: Jessie Ray Armstrong, bachelor of music education; Telvin L. Lewis, bachelor of science; Thomas W. Miller, bachelor of science. 

• Decatur: William Claude Thompson, bachelor of arts; Christy Lee Savell, doctor of philosophy          

• Hickory: Keshayla Marshaye Johnson, bachelor of science.          

• Meridian: J’Marcus D. Alfred, bachelor of arts; Shane Michael Brewer, bachelor of arts; Tanisha Renee Clark, bachelor of arts; Crystal Mercedes Garner, bachelor of arts; Allison Claire Truelove, bachelor of arts; Amelia Latoya Bender, bachelor of interdisciplinary study; Jessica C. Blue, bachelor of science; Tabetha Diane Deavers, bachelor of science; David Alexander Dennis, bachelor of science; Brock Colton Reynolds, bachelor of science; Ja’Gradi D’Antae Webster, bachelor of science; Alexis S. Langston, bachelor of science in business administration; Kennedy Danielle Castleberry, bachelor of science in nursing; Peter Caleb Carpenter, bachelor of social work; Benjamin Stephen Butler, doctorate of nursing practice; Marisa B. Potate, master of science