MARIETTA, Ga. — Life University Athletics celebrated the academic achievements of its student-athletes during the Summer 2026 Commencement, as 42 Running Eagles from 15 athletic programs earned their degrees.
The Summer 2026 graduating class continued the department's tradition of excellence in the classroom, with 18 student-athletes graduating with honors. The class included two Doctors of Chiropractic and 11 graduate degree recipients, highlighting the breadth of academic success achieved by Running Eagle student-athletes.
The ceremony also marked another remarkable academic accomplishment for Life University Athletics, as student-athletes once again claimed both of the university's highest academic honors. Women's Wrestling standout Latifah McBryde was named Valedictorian, while Women's Basketball student-athlete Kaden McCorvey earned Salutatorian honors, giving Life U Athletics yet another valedictorian and salutatorian sweep.
Deputy Athletic Director Alaina Smith Walker praised the graduating class and the unique paths that led them to commencement.
"What a fantastic representation of all that Life U Athletics has to offer!" said Smith Walker. "This graduating class includes student-athletes who have completed multiple degrees, returned from hiatus, started coaching with us, and even ventured into professional sports. They all have achieved personal, academic, and athletic milestones, and I am certain that they will continue to represent Life University and the Department of Athletics with the same pride and passion that they exhibited during their time here on campus."
The Summer 2026 graduating class reflects the diverse experiences and accomplishments that define the Running Eagle community. From undergraduate and graduate degrees to doctoral achievements, these student-athletes demonstrated a commitment to excellence both in competition and in the classroom while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics.
The Summer 2026 class leaves a lasting legacy of achievement, leadership, and dedication, continuing to uphold the standard of excellence that has become synonymous with Life University Athletics.
The full list of Summer 2026 Life University student-athlete graduates is below.
| Sport |
First Name |
Last Name |
Honors |
| CHR |
Victoria |
Crouchet |
Graduate Degree |
| CHR |
Deauna |
Lumpkin |
Cum Laude |
| CHR |
Dylan |
Montenegro |
|
| CLRG |
James |
Hoffman |
Doctor of Chiropractic |
| CLRG |
Ishma-eel |
Safodien |
Graduate Degree |
| MBK |
Joshua |
Baugher |
Graduate Degree |
| MBK |
Elias |
Ramirez |
Graduate Degree |
| MRG |
Bautista |
Araujo |
Magna Cum Laude |
| MSC |
Carlos |
Flores |
Cum Laude |
| MSC |
Babalola |
Salis |
Magna Cum Laude |
| MSW |
Jacob |
Copeland |
Cum Laude |
| MTRF |
Khalil |
Carr |
|
| MTRF |
Braden |
Deal |
Magna Cum Laude |
| MVB |
Charles |
Ewer |
|
| MWR |
Connor |
Cooper |
Summa Cum Laude |
| MWR |
Camron |
Crump |
Graduate Degree |
| MWR |
Ted |
Dacus |
|
| MWR |
Devin |
Dudley |
Graduate Degree |
| MWR |
Peyton |
Hoskins |
Cum Laude |
| MWR |
Demarco |
Lee |
|
| MWR |
Adrian |
Morales |
Cum Laude |
| MWR |
Jaden |
New |
Graduate Degree |
| MWR |
Brent |
Parivechio |
|
| MWR |
Jon |
Peralta Ortiz |
Magna Cum Laude |
| MWR |
Jorden |
Roberts-Mallek |
Cum Laude |
| MWR |
Creig |
Silimon |
Graduate Degree |
| WBK |
Kaden |
McCorvey |
Salutatorian; Summa Cum Laude |
| WBK |
Julienne |
Ongbagnamen |
Cum Laude |
| WBK |
Emily |
Perez |
|
| WBK |
Jade |
Pratt |
Graduate Degree |
| WLAX |
Ashley |
Hammel |
|
| WLAX |
Barrett |
Holston |
Graduate Degree |
| WLAX |
Jennifer |
Lopez |
Cum Laude |
| WLAX |
Lillian |
Phillips |
|
| WRG |
Caroline |
Jenkins |
Magna Cum Laude |
| WRG |
Tinerudo |
Mawoyo |
|
| WTRF |
Najah |
Gibson |
|
| WTRF |
Megan |
Judge |
Doctor of Chiropractic; Cum Laude |
| WVB |
Lela |
Parker |
Summa Cum Laude |
| WVB |
Jade |
Watson |
Graduate Degree |
| WWR |
Latifah |
McBryde |
Valedictorian; Summa Cum Laude |
| WWR |
Yasmine Kalilly |
Oliveira |
|
