LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock Athletics honored members of its graduating class Sunday afternoon during the department's annual Baccalaureate Ceremony at the Jack Stephens Center, celebrating the accomplishments and journeys of Trojan student-athletes from men's and women's track and field along with the baseball program. All three programs missed Saturday's commencement ceremonies because of competition.
Little Rock Director of Athletics Frank Cuervo reflected on his own collegiate experience and encouraged the graduates to view Sunday not as an ending, but the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Little Rock Athletics and the university.
"My hope for you is that this isn't the end, rather just the beginning," Cuervo said. "Your time as a Trojan is not ending, but just getting started. This is not simply a four- or five-year association, but hopefully a three-, four- or five-decade connection with your alma mater."
He also praised the graduating class for representing Little Rock with pride both in competition and in the classroom.
"You've worked tirelessly to represent the Trojans, and you brought pride and distinction to your university and your city," Cuervo said. "Your efforts are appreciated even more than you know."
Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, department chair and professor of Applied Communication, also spoke during the ceremony.
Women's track and field student-athlete
Brooklyn Marcee delivered remarks on behalf of the graduating class, reflecting on the lessons learned throughout her collegiate experience and the relationships formed during her time at Little Rock.
"For years, we've chased success through perfect performances, perfect grades and perfect results," Marcee said. "But I think all of us have learned that constant growth matters more than perfection."
She also encouraged her fellow graduates to embrace the uncertainty that often comes with entering a new chapter of life.
"It's scary not always knowing exactly what comes next," Marcee said. "But there is comfort in knowing that no matter which path you take, it can be meaningful, and there is growth in every direction you go."
Marcee emphasized the importance of the relationships built through athletics, noting those memories and bonds will ultimately outlast wins, records and statistics.
"At the end of the day, the people beside you matter more than the performances, stats or results," Marcee said. "Years from now, we may not remember every race, meet or score, but we'll remember the bus rides, the laughs, the memories and the people who stood beside us."
Among the graduates recognized Sunday was Little Rock baseball pitcher
Waylon Sebren, who became the first member of his family to graduate from college.
Sebren said the ceremony carried special meaning because it allowed student-athletes to celebrate the milestone alongside teammates and family members who helped support them throughout the journey.
"That means a lot," Sebren said. "Being first generation in my family to do it and having them come see me means everything."
Sebren admitted Marcee's speech brought back memories from his time as a Trojan student-athlete.
"When Brooklyn was talking about the memories, that kind of made me tear up a little bit," Sebren said. "Winning tournaments, being around the guys and everything we've been through together - all of that starts flashing back."
Though injuries impacted portions of his baseball career, Sebren said the relationships he built within the program helped him continue pushing forward academically and personally.
"I've had a lot of injuries in my career, but I feel like I surrounded myself with good dudes," Sebren said. "Those guys pulled me through hard times, and being able to work together every day has been really good."
Sebren credited Little Rock Baseball's culture and emphasis on academics for helping him stay committed to earning his degree.
"[Head Coach
Chris Curry] always talked about showing up every day," Sebren said. "Baseball kept me in it. The guys on this team kept me in it."
He also pointed to the standards established throughout the athletics department and within the baseball program.
"It's an expectation now," Sebren said. "The program has set that standard. When you come in and see everybody else doing it, you know that's what you have to do."
Sebren graduated with a degree in management and plans to return home to Mississippi, where he hopes to earn his real estate license and help manage his family's utility contracting business.
Sunday's ceremony served as a final opportunity for the graduating student-athletes to celebrate together before commencement ceremonies later this week.
The annual Baccalaureate Ceremony continues to highlight Little Rock Athletics' commitment to developing student-athletes who excel in competition, in the classroom and within the community while preparing for success beyond their collegiate careers.
