Tri-Parish LSU graduates listed

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LSU has record-breaking class at 295th commencement
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BATON ROUGE — LSU alumnus Rep. Steve Scalise, U.S. House Majority Whip and the third ranking House Republican leader, delivered the keynote address, and LSU graduated one of its largest and most diverse classes at the university’s 295th commencement exercises on May 11.
At the spring commencement ceremony, a total of 3,967 degrees were awarded — the third largest amount of degrees ever awarded in the spring. The overall class of 2017-18 — students receiving degrees in previous summer and fall commencements combined with the current spring commencement – saw 6,497 degrees awarded, the second most ever awarded in an academic year.
LSU President F. King Alexander, who presided over the main commencement ceremony, said, “We know that with an LSU education behind you, your potential is endless. We have witnessed our graduates land rovers on Mars, write Academy Award winning scores and New York Times best sellers, be awarded Pulitzer Prizes and lead Fortune 500 companies. That is the community to which you now forever belong.”
This spring saw the most degrees ever awarded to African-American students, Hispanic students, Asian students and veterans. Records were also set for these student groups for the overall 2017-18 academic year as well.
For spring, a new record of 402 degrees were awarded to African-American students, with a total of 755 degrees being awarded for the academic year. Among Hispanic students, a new record of 232 degrees were awarded this spring, with a total of 371 degrees being awarded for the academic year. For spring, a new record of 161 degrees were awarded to Asian students, with a total of 248 degrees being awarded for the academic year. Seventy-eight degrees were awarded to veterans this spring, setting a new high, and a total of 160 degrees were awarded to veterans for the academic year.
LSU’s May 2018 graduating class represents 57 Louisiana parishes, 45 U.S. states and 58 foreign countries. Women made up 54.37 percent of the class, and men made up 45.63 percent. The oldest graduate is 67, and the youngest is 19.
The 3,967 total graduates are made up of 3,193 students who received bachelor’s degrees; 554 who received master’s degrees; 31 who received education specialist or graduate certificates; 96 who received a Ph.D.; eight who received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree; and 85 who received Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Also, 22 LSU employees were among those who received degrees this spring.
Scalise congratulated the class of 2018 and recognized them for joining alumni around the world as part of the great tradition of being an LSU graduate.
“I still keep that LSU pride with me everywhere that I go,” he said. “I think more than any school in the country, LSU teaches us how to blend both that renowned school spirit with its proven academic excellence.”
Scalise highlighted some of LSU’s recent academic achievements, including being part of the 2017 Nobel Prize for Physics; Landscape Architecture being the top ranked program in the nation; and the university’s status as a Land-, Sea-, and Space-Grant Institution.
Scalise talked about the injuries he sustained during a shooting during practice for last year’s congressional softball game. He spoke about the support he received from his family, friends and the LSU community that got him through that difficult time.
“You are not going to be defined by the times that you are knocked down, but you are going to be defined by how you get back up,” he said. “We all are going to have some kind of setback in our life, but ultimately, what will define us is how you get back up from those setbacks.”
Scalise challenged the graduating class to make a difference in the world and encouraged them in a number of areas: stay in Louisiana if at all possible to help make it a better state; be a champion for LSU and always come back; maintain the friendships made during college; stay engaged in government; and “most importantly, I would challenge you to find something you love and go do it.”
LSU Board of Supervisors member Scott Ballard conferred degrees, and LSU Faculty Senate President Ken McMillin served as mace bearer. The processional and recessional music was provided by the Brass Quintet. Kevin Thomas Harvey, candidate for Master of Music, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the LSU alma mater.
During the main ceremony, an honorary degree was presented to Rainer Weiss, 2017 Nobel Laureate in Physics, MIT Physics Professor Emeritus and LSU adjunct professor in physics and astronomy. LSU College of Science Dean Cynthia Peterson presented the honorary degree to Weiss, who also served as keynote speaker at the College of Science’s diploma ceremony.
“Of all the universities in the United States, LSU was one of the very first to take a gamble on the idea that you might find — this exodus idea Einstein had — gravitational waves,” Weiss said. “The discovery that was made by LIGO and the discoveries that continue to be made by LIGO are your discoveries as much as everybody else’s. They belong to you because you made that investment, and I’m forever grateful for it.”
In addition to Weiss, speakers at other diploma ceremonies include:
A.P. Tureaud Jr., who in 1953, was the first person of color to attend the LSU undergraduate school, spoke at the College of Art & Design ceremony;
Claire Like, a civil engineering graduate with a minor in structural engineering from Lake Charles, who spoke at the College of Engineering ceremony;
Former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, who spoke at the Manship School of Mass Communication ceremony on May 12.
Leah Sanders, immediate past student body vice president, also provided remarks during the main commencement ceremony.
“We all play a part in contributing to the story that is LSU,” said Sanders, a native of Jackson, Tenn. “Those that came before us laid the groundwork, and those that come after will add to it. But the class of 2018 will always be a part of the legacy of LSU.”
During the College of Science graduation ceremony, the Sean O’Keefe Leadership Award was presented to James Mickler, a microbiology major with a minor in classical guitar from New Orleans, La.
The Sean O’Keefe Leadership Award was created by LSU donors who recognized the leadership in former LSU Chancellor Sean O’Keefe during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The award is designed to recognize and reward the outstanding LSU undergraduate student leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the past and possesses the character, capability, vision and motivation to be a leader in the future.
More than 550 students graduated with honors including 125 students who received University Medals for graduating with the highest undergraduate grade-point average in the class.
LSU graduates included the following.
Acadia Parish
College of Agriculture: Macey Anne Comeaux, Eunice; and Lynzi Glasscock, Eunice.
College of Engineering: Hillary Clair Holland, Crowley; and Hannah Louise Redlich, Eunice.
College of Human Sciences & Education: Rachel Marie Fogleman, Crowley; Jada Elizabeth Fontenot, Eunice; and Courtney Blaire Phillips, Eunice.
College of Humanities & Social Sciences: Jennifer Marion Burleigh, Church Point; Winston Michael Faulk, Crowley; Lauren Noelle Raggio, Lafayette; and Malarie Ann Zaunbrecher, Rayne.
Manship School of Mass Communication: Anthony Elie Falcon, Morse; and Katie Lane Hebert, Eunice.
College of Music & Dramatic Arts: Gavin Scot Dietz, Crowley.
College of Science: Michael Anthony Herpin, Rayne.
School of Veterinary Medicine (Doctorate): Carolyn Croughan Benedetto, Crowley; and Lauren Rothermel Reiners, Crowley.
Evangeline Parish
College of Agriculture: Aimee Makayla Soileau, Barber Spur.
College of Art & Design: Olivia Paige Fontenot, Pine Prairie.
E. J. Ourso College of Business: Anastasia Katherine Aucoin, Ville Platte.
College of Engineering: William John Saunders, Pine Prairie.
College of Human Sciences & Education: Thea Christine Fontenot, Basile.
College of Humanities & Social Sciences: Anne Christian Ardoin, Ville Platte; and Jordan Isabella LaHaye, Ville Platte.
Manship School of Mass Communication: Christopher Jacques Vidrine, Ville Platte.
College of Science: Amber Nicole Lavergne, Ville Platte.
St. Landry Parish
College of Agriculture: Catherine Morgan Bowie, Eunice; and Evan Clifford Wagley, Opelousas.
E. J. Ourso College of Business: Isaiah Joseph Guillory, Opelousas; and Lauren Nichole Sellers, Cankton.
College of Engineering: Grant Matthew Carrier, Opelousas; Ruby Elizabeth Clancy, Eunice; Grant Noel Doucet, Opelousas; and Triston Joseph Lamonte, Eunice.
College of Human Sciences & Education: Alyssa Nicole Aymond, Port Barre; Khristian Dorian Chavis, Opelousas; Sydney Elizabeth Dean, Opelousas; and Kyler Torhan Guilbeaux, Opelousas.
College of Humanities & Social Sciences: Brennan Dean Ardoin, Eunice; Tizna Antonia Sadie Harrison, Opelousas; and Kristalyn Morgan Richard, Opelousas.
College of Science: Sydnei Nicollette Hall, Opelousas; Carlee Elizabeth Myers, Eunice; Gabriel Luis Ortego, Eunice; Manjot Singh, Eunice; and Megan Anyse Stelly, Arnaudville.
Graduate School (Master’s): Anatia Symone Ceasar, Eunice; and Jared Paul Joseph, Eunice.
Dean’s list
Undergraduate students who earned grade-point averages of 3.5 to 3.9 in at least 15 credit hours are listed on the Dean’s List. They included the following.
Acadia Parish
College of Agriculture: Griffin Dorr, Crowley.
College of Art and Design: Mattie Rachel Brown, Rayne.
College of Engineering: Caroline Ann Bergeron, Rayne.
College of Human Sciences & Education: Abigail Peggy Howie, Crowley.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Jules Broussard, Crowley; Cecelia Camille Ledoux, Iota; and Madison Schexnayder, Crowley.
College of Science: Constance Victoria Schaefer, Morse; and Joseph Paul Stringfellow, Crowley.
Manship School of Mass Communication: Morgan Kathryn Oliver, Rayne.
University College Center for Advising and Counseling: Jacob Paul Meyer, Crowley.
University College Center for Freshman Year: Caroline Ann Zaunbrecher, Rayne.
Evangeline Parish
College of Human Sciences & Education: Anna Michelle Jackson, Pine Prairie; and Nicholas Lahaye, Ville Platte.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Kara E Aguillard, Ville Platte; Keri Danielle Fuselier, Basile; and Kelsey Leigh Jenkins, Basile.
College of Science: Megan A Morein, Ville Platte.
E. J. Ourso College of Business: Anastasia Katherine Aucoin, Ville Platte; and
Dylan Thomas Scully, Ville Platte.
Manship School of Mass Communication: Christopher Jacques Vidrine, Ville Platte.
University College Center for Freshman Year: Anne Catherine Fruge, Ville Platte.
St. Landry Parish
College of Agriculture:
Erin Blanchard, Arnaudville.
College of Art and Design: Alex P Marcantel, Eunice.
College of Engineering: Amari J Baker, Opelousas; and Lindy Blair Fortier, Opelousas.
College of Human Sciences & Education: Alyssa Nicole Aymond, Port Barre; and Taylor Ann Boagni, Opelousas.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Madeleine L Hansen, Sunset; Allison Llaine Purser, Opelousas; and Kristalyn M. Richard, Opelousas.
College of Science: Cy Bennett Bryson, Palmetto. E. J. Ourso College of Business: Leslie James Miguez, III, Washington.
Manship School of Mass Communication: James A Smith, Grand Coteau.
University College Center for Advising and Counseling: Camila Castillo, Krotz Springs; and Maci Lynn Quebedeaux, Arnaudville.
University College Center for Freshman Year: Jordan Paige Badeaux, Opelousas; Caroline Elizabeth Chachere, Opelousas; and Charley A Minyard, Opelousas.
President’s list
Undergraduate students enrolled in at least 15 credit hours who earned grade-point averages of 4.0 or higher during the semester are listed on the President’s Honor Roll. They included the following.
Acadia Parish
College of Agriculture: Phyllis Elliot Dore, Crowley; and Laura L Stevens, Crowley.
College of Engineering: Jacob Thomas Miller, Crowley.
College of Humanities and Social SciencesJohn Matthew Dubose, Iota
College of Music and Dramatic Arts: Gavin Scot Dietz, Crowley.
College of Science: Anne F Faulk, Crowley; and Hunter Jon Lambert, Crowley.
University College Center for Advising and Counseling: Tristan J Fruge, Crowley.
University College Center for Freshman Year: Benjamin James Thomas, Crowley.
Evangeline Parish
College of Engineering: Joseph E Lahaye, Ville Platte.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Logan B. Fontenot, Ville Platte.
College of Science: Andee L. Fontenot, Ville Platte; and Joshua John Lahaye, Ville Platte.
E. J. Ourso College of Business:Ainsley Loyce McDaniel, Ville Platte.
St. Landry Parish
College of Agriculture: Lynzi Glasscock, Eunice.
College of Human Sciences & Education: Jada E Fontenot, Eunice,
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: April Alyce Belleau, Krotz Springs.
College of Science: Shelby Myers, Opelousas; and Emily Rachel Nall, Opelousas.
Manship School of Mass Communication: Hunter James Thibodeaux, Eunice.
University College Center for Advising and Counseling: Pierre DeRouen, Eunice.
University College Center for Freshman Year: Lucy Jacqueline Brown, Eunice; Erick Phi Ho, Opelousas; and Tyler Paul Stelly, Arnaudville.

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