The numbers were telling at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s 161st Commencement ceremonies Friday at the Cajundome and Convention Center.
The 1,786 degrees awarded to UL Lafayette graduates make the Spring 2019 class “one of the largest in school history,” said Dr. Joseph Savoie, University president, during the General Assembly.
Bachelor’s degrees were presented to 1,535 graduates. Master’s degrees were awarded to 216 graduates. Thirty-three graduates received doctoral degrees. One graduate certificate and one post-baccalaureate certificate were bestowed.
The Spring 2019 class is also one of the most diverse in University history, Savoie said. The 1,109 degrees conferred on women are the most ever awarded to females at a single ceremony.
UL Lafayette also awarded degrees to the second-largest number of African-Americans and Hispanic graduates in University history, Savoie said. A total of 287 degrees were presented to African-American students, and 62 degrees were awarded to Hispanic students.
Spring 2019 graduates represented 50 Louisiana parishes, 34 states and 30 countries. The youngest graduate was 20; the oldest was 63.
Doctoral candidates were hooded at the General Assembly bachelor’s and master’s degrees were conferred at ceremonies that were held at different campus locations.
At the General Assembly, Savoie encouraged graduates to “please take time to thank the people who helped you reach this moment. And in the years ahead, I hope your diplomas will serve as a reminder and an inspiration. Remember the support you were given, then emulate that example by helping someone else realize their ambitions as well.”
Ada Tusa was named UL Lafayette’s Outstanding Graduate. A biology major, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Jacob LeBlanc was recognized with the Outstanding Master’s Graduate Award. He received a master’s degree in systems technology.
The 25 undergraduate students who were recognized as summa cum laude graduates for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages were the most in University history. They are:
- Sarah Elizabeth DiLeo, who majored in performing arts, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Arts.
- Victoria Louise Roux, who majored in industrial design, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Arts.
- Zachary Michael Lewis, who majored in finance, received a bachelor’s degree from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
- Marylou Major who majored in marketing, received a bachelor’s degree from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
- Taylor Elizabeth Bourliea, who majored in secondary education and teaching, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
- Nicholas Michael Broussard, who majored in art or music education, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
- MiKel Alexis LeBlanc, who majored in early childhood education, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
- Alyssa Michele Smith, who majored in early childhood education, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
- Derek Matthew Boutin, who majored in electrical engineering, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.
- Chad Anthony Donohue, who majored in chemical engineering, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.
- Kyle Scott Farmer, who majored in chemical engineering, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.
- Jennifer Nicole Thibodeaux, who majored in mechanical engineering, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.
- Elizabeth Amber Daspit, who majored in anthropology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Jacob Jude Delahoussaye, who majored in political science, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Elizabeth Michelle Hollier, who majored in speech pathology and audiology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Miranda Lynn Howes, who majored in speech pathology and audiology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Abigail Gatzy Morton, who majored in political science, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Lexie Ranae Mouton, who majored in speech pathology and audiology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Lauren Ann Short, who majored in psychology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Katelynn Maritza Sprague, who majored in mass communication, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Sydney Corryn Escott, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
- Hannah Elizabeth Istre, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
- Lindsey Claire Schexnailder, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
- Ada Francesca Tusa, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
- Catherine Rose Weber, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
See a list of Spring 2019 graduates.
Photo: A total of 1,786 degrees were awarded during the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s 161st Commencement ceremonies Friday at the Cajundome and Convention Center. Credit: Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette