UCO Honors Five Outstanding Students as Spring 2026 Class Marshals
May 5, 2026
The University of Central Oklahoma has named five students as Class Marshals of their respective colleges for the spring 2026 semester, recognizing them for their academic excellence.
Students earn the title of Class Marshal for achieving the highest academic records within their colleges during their time at Central.
“UCO’s Class Marshals exemplify the highest standards of excellence through their commitment to scholarship, leadership and service,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“Their accomplishments reflect the countless hours dedicated to their studies while balancing jobs, families and other activities. I am confident they will continue to excel, using their degrees to build successful careers that impact their communities.”
Lisa Brown, a native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is an accounting major with a minor in economics and a 4.0 GPA in the College of Business. Brown was a member of the Summer 2025 London research extension group and is a member of Broncho Business Leaders (2B Leaders), where she built meaningful relationships and became the leader she strives to be in the workplace. She is grateful to her professors and peers for the confidence they have given her in herself and her skills. During her time at UCO, she was awarded the Oklahoma State Regents Scholarship.
Following graduation, Brown will pursue a position as a tax accountant at an accounting firm in Tulsa.
“UCO has allowed me to grow so much as an academic, a professional and a person. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my professors and peers, as they have helped me become more confident in myself and my skills. 2B Leaders has allowed me to form meaningful relationships with amazing people and to become the kind of leader I hope to be in the workplace. The support and pride I have felt throughout my time here have led me to amazing opportunities ahead,” Brown said.
Alaina Gunn is a dance education and forensic investigations double major with a 4.0 GPA in the College of Fine Arts and Design. From Frisco, Texas, she is a member of the Kaleidoscope Dance Company, the Student Academy for Forensic Science and the Dance Department Student Choreography. She was awarded the Outstanding Dance Education Student Scholarship, the Jamie Jacobson Memorial Endowed Dance Scholarship, the Dr. Joann McCarthy Endowed Student Teacher Scholarship and the Maja Kristin Scholarship for Dance.
After graduation, she plans to go back to Texas to teach high school forensic science and work with a drill or dance team.
“I was introduced to UCO during my junior year of high school through our highly ranked Forensic Science program and quickly fell in love with the school and people in it. At UCO, I was able to explore my passion for forensic science and what that means for me and my future. Throughout my time here, I have found a family in the UCO Dance Department, which has helped me grow and fostered my love for dance, choreography and teaching,” Gunn said.
“Being a double major at UCO has encouraged me to explore both of my passions and ultimately allowed me to discover how I can incorporate both of them into my everyday life in the future.”
Benjamin J. Kastama is an organizational leadership major with a 4.0 GPA in the College of Education and Professional Studies from Edmond, Oklahoma. He is a part of Central Veterans and was nominated for the Milton Bast Award. As a member of the military and a father, Kastama has had a unique college experience. After completing two years at Central, he took what he thought would be a “semester off” as he prepared to welcome his first child with his wife. That small break turned into 14 years due to a busy military career. After retiring from a 23-year career with the Air Force, he re-enrolled at Central to finish what he started.
After graduation, he plans to pursue a project or program management position at his company. Additionally, he is interested in pursuing a career as a Junior ROTC instructor, where he would mentor high school students interested in a future military career.
“I re-enrolled in the organizational leadership program, which aligned perfectly with my past experiences and future goals. It was also a program designed for working professionals, which is exactly the type of program I wanted to be a part of. Every instructor I engaged with during the program provided me with the feedback and encouragement to succeed, while challenging me and motivating me to grow as a student, professional and leader,” Kastama said.
Chloe Mahathey is a biomedical sciences major with a 4.0 GPA in the College of Mathematics and Science. A native of Edmond, Oklahoma, Mahathey is a part of TRIO SSS SALUTE, has served as a human anatomy teaching and research assistant and has worked as a sergeant in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. In 2023, she was deployed to Djibouti, Africa, where she continued to take classes online.
She was named to the President’s Honor Roll and was awarded the Marvin Mays Endowed Scholarship, the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship and the Institute of Hope Scholarship. Additionally, she has worked as an EMSA paramedic and is currently a paramedic lab instructor.
Following graduation, she has accepted a role as a medicolegal death investigator with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Tulsa.
“My experience at UCO has been fantastic. The smaller class sizes made it easy to build strong relationships with both peers and professors. I am especially thankful to the professors who have allowed me to work closely with them in my roles, as well as those who have supported me with letters of recommendation. I am continually inspired by the passion and dedication that the professors at UCO have for their students. It shines through not only in the classroom, but also through their involvement across campus,” Mahathey said.
“Additionally, UCO provides excellent support for student veterans. I am particularly grateful to the faculty and staff at the VetHERO Center for their advocacy and support of our student veterans. I attribute my success to the supportive and transformative learning environment UCO provides, preparing me to succeed in both professional and academic environments.”
Brooklynn Riley is a criminal justice major with a 4.0 GPA in the College of Liberal Arts. A native of Yukon, Oklahoma, Riley was awarded the Parker Award for the School of Criminal Justice, was named to the President’s Honor Roll and is completing her degree in just three years.
Following graduation, she has accepted a role as a probation support technician with the United States Probation Office and hopes to pursue a career as a full-time federal probation officer.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the University of Central Oklahoma. I have been fortunate to learn from exceptional professors and advisors who supported me in achieving all my goals. Through relationships and opportunities I gained at UCO, doors were opened for me that I never imagined possible,” Riley said.
First presented in 1994, the Class Marshal title has become a proud tradition at Central. During the commencement ceremonies, each honoree will wear a bronze graduation gown and a special stole, signifying the highest degree of academic excellence.
For more information about UCO, visit www.uco.edu.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma has named five students as Class Marshals of their respective colleges for the spring 2026 semester. Students earn the title of Class Marshal for achieving the highest academic records within their colleges during their time at Central. Pictured, left to right, Brooklynn Riley, Lisa Brown, UCO President Todd G. Lamb, Benjamin Kastama, Alaina Gunn and Chloe Mahathey.
