BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Olney Friends School in Barnesville will award diplomas to seven graduating seniors during its 188th commencement ceremony on June 6.
The ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Stillwater Meetinghouse on the school’s campus along Sandy Ridge Road.
School Head Christian Acemah praised the Class of 2026 for its academic growth and commitment to the community.
This year’s commencement speaker will be Nelson K. Sewankambo, an emeritus professor of Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology at Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Uganda. Sewankambo is recognized internationally for his leadership in medical education, public health, and HIV/AIDS research.
Officials say Sewankambo helped identify some of the first HIV/AIDS cases in East and Central Africa and has spent decades advancing health research and workforce development throughout Africa.
Graduating members of the Class of 2026 include:
- Giselle Jimbo of Otovalo, Ecuador, attending The College of Wooster
- Jerry Kibwika of Kampala, Uganda, attending Wittenberg University
- Vickie Kirabo of Kampala, Uganda, attending The College of Wooster
- Denise Kobel of Kampala, Uganda, attending St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Malaika Namatovu of Kampala, Uganda, attending The College of Wooster
- Salma Owor of Newark, New Jersey, attending Soka University of America
- Ingabua Tusiime of Newark, New Jersey, attending Rutgers University
Acemah said the school is honored to welcome Sewankambo as commencement speaker and hopes graduates will be inspired by his example of leadership, scholarship, and service.
