June 11, 2026
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Photos by Abbie Lankitus, Gretta Cohoon and Reagan Manis
Celebrations and commemorations were abundant as the academic year came to a close. University photographer Abbie Lankitus shares her favorite photos from May.
I love the emotion in this photo. It looks like what most of us were feeling as the semester drew to an end. University photographer Gretta Cohoon snapped this shot at the inaugural Bubble Run 5K on Reading Day. Not only does it show incredible emotion, but the color of the bubbles filling the frame makes it so magical. Truly a celebration of making it to the finish line.
I got to photograph the Alpha Kappa Alpha New Member Presentation last year and had so much fun. Gretta captured it this year, and I love how she played with the unique lighting on stage.
The new members cross their arms with each other on stage so that one hand is sticking out and one is tucked next to another member. The stage lighting perfectly highlights the white gloves. Gretta’s choice to make this image black and white only accentuates that contrast and creates this captivating moment.
I was at the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, where visitors were welcome to tour the facility. Here, several guests were exploring the playground and even began jumping on the in-ground trampoline.
I was drawn to this image by the reactions of all the guests watching the one brave enough to get on the trampoline as well as by the red shoes of the person jumping, which let me know exactly what she was doing. The photo offers a glimpse of the joy to come at the new center.
Jesse McCartney visited Jesse Auditorium as part of the Campus Activities Programming Board’s annual Mizzou-A-Palooza. Stage lighting is already very cool, and Gretta kicked it up a notch. She brought out her ghost filter to place over her lens and coupled it with the monochromatic lighting and spotlight on McCartney’s face. It’s just an incredible and fun photo.
I love seeing friends and families at commencement showing up and sharing their overwhelming support for their graduate. I felt like this image encapsulated what so many feel: “You’re our pride and joy.” I see that during each commencement, and it warms my heart every time. To be supported and loved is a treasure — especially on such a momentous occasion as graduation!
Each May when commencement is at Mizzou Arena, I’m always floored by the number of graduates in each ceremony. This becomes more obvious to me as I look across the seated students and see a sea of caps and tassels creating a beautiful pattern. I wanted to try and communicate that sense of many and focused on a singular cap about midway through the sea. I hope this gives you a sense of what I see each time I peer across the stadium from the floor.
By now you’ve heard me emphasize how important moments are to photos. So, it comes as no surprise that this moment, taken by student photographer Reagan Manis, is one of my favorites this month. There’s the hug, yes, but the look of joy on the graduate really draws me in. I can’t imagine how much work went into obtaining that degree and a moment like this puts a beautiful ribbon on it all.
This photo isn’t spectacular by traditional means, but it means a lot to me. This undergrad commencement would be the second-to-last ceremony for Dean Kristopher Hagglund at the College of Health Sciences and he asked me to get a group photo.
He is dearly beloved and will be dearly missed. I don’t need to rehash all of his accomplishments, which are listed in so many places, but what I will talk about is the pre-ceremony talk he has with his faculty and staff. He gathers them together just before the ceremony starts and reminds them what a sacred moment commencement is for all involved. He stresses that students will look back on it and remember they did it. That it’s important to honor the students’ accomplishments, which wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of them in that room. That’s what they’re here for: the students. Leaders and educators like Dean Hagglund are what make Mizzou so special. I’ve been to so many College of Health Sciences events in my four years at Mizzou and am honored to call Dean Hagglund a friend. It was an honor to get this photo for him.
On the hunt for details at commencement, I was happy to stumble across this graduate who had numerous cords around his neck. I love how many colors and patterns are present and asked to get a close-up shot. Each one represents a group, accomplishment or memory of his time on campus. It’s what I love so much about college life — so much is experienced here. It’s hard to encapsulate all of it, even in a bunch of cords.
Senior Sendoff is, in my opinion, the perfect end-of-year tradition. As a storyteller, it feels as symbolic as walking across the stage at commencement.
Each year, after students run through the columns, I hang around to see what else I can get for a photo gallery of the event. The Mizzou Alumni Association passes out these Mizzou Alum buttons, and I knew these two ladies at Tiger Plaza would make for a perfect marketing image.
While commencement would be a week later, the buttons accurately reflect what these students become — graduates and alumni. M-I-Z!
