The University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette awarded degrees to 1,435 graduates during Fall 2016 Commencement ceremonies on Friday.
The graduates are part of the largest fall semester graduating class in the history of UL Lafayette.
Bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees were conferred at ceremonies that were held at different campus locations on Friday. Bachelor鈥檚 degrees were awarded to 1,226 graduates. Master鈥檚 degrees were awarded to 177 graduates. Twenty-three graduates received doctoral degrees. Five graduates received graduate certificates. Four graduates earned post-baccalaureate certificates.
鈥淭he world needs what you have to offer, critical thinking skills and the determination to stay the course,鈥 said Dr. Joseph Savoie, University president, during the General Assembly.
Savoie also urged graduates to remain positive when dealing with adversity.
鈥淭here is an overabundance of critics these days. And it鈥檚 easy to be negative, because not much in life is perfect. But you can decide to take a positive approach to almost any challenge that you face. You can choose to lift up, rather than put down. You can work toward finding solutions to problems, instead of just complaining about them. That may not be the easiest path, but it will always be the right path.鈥
Lloyd J. 鈥淩ed鈥 Lerille, a 1987 graduate of the University, gave the Commencement speech. He received an honorary doctorate of educational leadership. He founded and operates one of the largest health clubs in the south, Red Lerille鈥檚 Health & Racquet Club.
Lerille told graduates that a strong work ethic, passion for their jobs, attention to detail, and determination are some of the attributes necessary for successful careers and lives.
Most importantly, he said, 鈥測ou can鈥檛 ever stop learning.鈥
Donald Mosing also received an honorary doctorate, in systems engineering. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering from the University in 1950, which was known then as Southwestern 棉花糖直播 Institute.
Mosing was the longtime president of the family business known today as Frank鈥檚 International, N.V. The publicly traded company has 3,000 employees in 40 locations across the U.S. and around the world. He retired in 2011.
Am茅lie Desormeaux was named UL Lafayette鈥檚 Outstanding Graduate. A political science major with a concentration in international relations, Desormeaux received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Liberal Arts. She is the daughter of Catherine and Scott Desormeaux of Abbeville, La.
Jude Monte was recognized with the Outstanding Master鈥檚 Graduate Award. He received a Master鈥檚 degree for the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
Four students were recognized as summa cum laude graduates for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
- Meredith Broussard, who majored in sociology, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Am茅lie Desormeaux, who majored in political science, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Angelle Patout, who majored in nursing, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
- Olivia Savoie, who majored in English, received a received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
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