The graduation class at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette this Spring is a record-breaking one. The class is graduating 15 students who finished their undergraduate college careers with perfect 4.0 gpas.
The group was honored during Graduate School commencement ceremonies on May 14 at the Cajundome. They are the largest 4.0 gpa group in recent university history. In Spring 2004, the graduating class included 13 top grads.
“ This is pretty incredible,” said Dr. Steve Landry, vice president of Academic Affairs at UL Lafayette. “It’s exciting to have 15 students graduate with perfect 4.0 gpas. It indicates the university’s strong focus on recruiting students.
“ I believe of much of this has to do with a convergence of several items: better prepared students, our selective admission and recruiting more scholarship students,” he continued.
Landry said this all contributes to a very important cycle. “When we have good students, the university can recruit high caliber faculty. This then helps improve the university's identification,” he said.
The Spring 2005 group includes Ashley Albarado of Scott who plans to attend medical school later this year.
“ I’m really proud of myself,” said Albarado, a chemical engineering major. “I knew I had to prepare for medical school, so I knew I had to do well.”
Burton Durand of St. Martinville really began preparing for his perfect gpa after his sophomore year. “I realized at the end of my sophomore year that I could really do this,” said Durand, a fine arts major. “That’s when I really thought I might as well keep this up.”
The Spring 2005 group of graduates with perfect grade point averages include:
• Lauren Elizabeth Abshire, daughter of Danny and Faye Abshire of Lafayette. She majored in visual arts and earned a degree in fine arts from the College of the Arts.
• Ashley Jade Albarado, daughter of Ron and Ellen Albarado of Scott. She earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the College of Engineering.
• Steven Paul Bellanger, husband of Stephanie Rousse Bellanger of Lafayette and son of Steven Paul Bellanger Sr. and Kellie Bellanger of Lockport. He earned a bachelor of science degree in architectural studies from the College of the Arts.
• Natalie Anne Breaux, daughter of Conrad and Kathy Breaux of Lafayette. She earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in secondary education (concentration in mathematics) from the College of Education.
• Alison Marie Champagne, daughter of Brent and Charlene Champagne of Breaux Bridge. She earned a bachelor of arts degree with a major in speech pathology and audiology in the College of Liberal Arts.
• Christina Maria Cifelli, daughter of Tony and Donna Cifelli of Pineville. She earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in secondary education (concentration in English) from the College of Education.
• Burton Paul Durand, son of Gerald and Connie Durand of St. Martinville. He earned a bachelor of fine arts with a major in Visual Arts from the College of the Arts.
• Kristie Marie Fontenot, daughter of Michael Louis and Julie Fontenot of Chataignier. She earned a bachelor of arts degree with a major in elementary education from the College of Education.
• Sarah Elizabeth James, daughter of Gordon and Madeline James of New Iberia. She earned an honors bachelor of science degree in business administration with a major in marketing from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
• Julie Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Ashton and Diane Johnson of Youngsville. She earned a bachelor of arts degree with a major in English from the College of Liberal Arts.
• Kelly Michelle Johnson, daughter of Ashton and Diane Johnson of Youngsville. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from the College of Education.
• Amy Elise Landry, daughter of John Landry Sr. and Krista Landry of Erath. She earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in kinesiology (concentration in exercise science) from the College of Education.
• Tamatha Gay Fontenot Martel, wife of Pierre Martel of Eunice and daughter of Harold and Lora Fontenot of Eunice. She earned a bachelor of arts degree with a major in elementary education from the College of Education.
• Julie Michelle Roy, daughter of Clyde and Karen Roy of New Iberia. She earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in mathematics from the College of Sciences.
• Abby Renee Thevis, daughter of Monte and Melanie Thevis of Duson. She earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a major in accounting from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.