Toby Besze of Clover graduated from the University of Mississippi in August 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry, the university announced.
Besze was one of about 1,200 students to finish degrees at the Oxford, Mississippi, campus in August. The class included undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Liberal Arts, the Patterson School of Accountancy and the university’s schools of Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism and New Media, Law and Pharmacy, along with General Studies.
“Our August 2026 graduates are distinguished by their commitment to academic excellence and are prepared to build legacies that began here at Ole Miss,” UM Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. “Their impact on the world around them is already taking shape, and they have bright futures ahead.”
Graduates finishing in August were invited to cross the stage at the university’s 173rd Commencement, held by individual colleges and schools May 7-9. Country music artist Brett Young, a former Ole Miss baseball pitcher, gave the keynote address at the universitywide Convocation on May 9 in the Grove, the tree-shaded lawn at the center of campus.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
