Message from the Mac

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Posted on June 15, 2026 by Alumni

Alumni

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Cheers to the class of 2026!

One of my favorite spring traditions on campus is the annual New Grad Champagne Toast. Hosted by President Jo Bonner and Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent, this gathering is more than a celebration — it is a formal welcome into an alumni family that spans the globe with more than 100,000 Jaguars.

The Class of 2026 is, by every measure, exceptional. Throughout their time on campus, these students have balanced academic rigor with an innovative spirit and a deep sense of social responsibility. But they also share a special milestone: They were the very first class to arrive under President Bonner’s leadership. They started their journey just as a new chapter for South began, and they have been authoring its success ever since.

As they transition from students to alumni, we see them as the new torchbearers of our legacy. They carry our same commitment to excellence, now fueled by a modern perspective and the drive to solve the challenges of tomorrow.

In this spirit of excellence, this edition of South Magazine also honors our newest Distinguished Alumni and Service Award recipients. These individuals set a gold standard for leadership, embodying a lifelong commitment to professional achievement and the public good.

Please join us in raising a glass to the USA Class of 2026. As they move from the Commencement stage to the global stage, they join a distinguished legacy built by you. We truly live by the maxim “once a Jag, always a Jag,” and we cannot wait to see how they shape the future. 

Karen Webster Edwards ’80
Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations

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