University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette graduate Kayla Dixon left the Spring 2015 Commencement General Assembly at the Cajundome on Friday ready to embark on the next chapter of her life.
Dixon, of New Roads, La., earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science. She plans to attend graduate school to study public policy or comparative politics, then enroll in law school.
鈥淚鈥檒l be able to apply what I鈥檝e learned as I move forward with my education. I feel like I鈥檓 well versed in a lot of subjects,鈥 Dixon said.
UL Lafayette conferred 1,641 bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral degrees, a school record.
Among that group were the first graduates of its doctor of nursing practice program, Dr. Linda Green, and Dr. Robyn Ray, both of Alexandria, La.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, told graduates during his General Assembly address that whether they enter the workforce, or seek another academic degree, he is 鈥渃onfident that what you鈥檝e learned at the University will serve you well.
鈥淚 encourage you to take the same sense of hope, optimism, hard work and tenacity that brought you to this day and carry it with you in whatever you do,鈥 Savoie said. 鈥淵ou have the opportunity to use your abilities to solve problems and to help others.鈥
Savoie also recognized members of the Classes of 1965 and 1940, many of whom attended the General Assembly. The group included two members of the Class of 1940, Geraldine Beaullieau Angers and Dracos Burke, whose grandsons received bachelor鈥檚 degrees Friday.
Savoie鈥檚 mother, Grace Boudreaux Savoie, is also a 1940 graduate, but was unable to attend the General Assembly.
Commencement speaker Jeremiah C. Sulunteh, Liberian ambassador to the United States, congratulated students on what he described as 鈥渙ne of the most important and significant days of your lives.鈥
He urged graduates to become 鈥済lobal citizens,鈥 in a world made 鈥渟maller鈥 by technology. Sulunteh also said that nations have a mutual responsibility to deal with important issues, such as the Ebola virus.
An outbreak of the Zaire strain of the virus last year killed thousands of people in West Africa, primarily in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. There were international concerns about its potential to spread to other parts of the world.
鈥淵our challenge as you leave (this ceremony) is to determine what your impact as an individual, and as a collective group of University graduates, will be on the world,鈥 Sulunteh said.
Zadid Haq was cited UL Lafayette鈥檚 overall Outstanding Graduate. A biology major, he received a bachelor of science degree.
Chasah West was recognized with the first Outstanding Master鈥檚 Graduate Award. West received a master鈥檚 degree in communication.
Fourteen students were recognized as summa cum laude graduates for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
They are:
- Kallie Elizabeth Broussard received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in performing arts. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Broussard of Lafayette, La
- Katie Lynn Leleaux received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in architecture. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Leleaux of Duson, La.
- Mariah Day Hukins received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in secondary education. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Colin Hukins of Carencro, La.
- Katie Elizabeth Stefan received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stefan of Lafayette, La.
- Wadie Chalgham received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in petroleum engineering. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Riadh Chalgham of Lafayette, La.
- Andrew Michael Roche received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Roche of Lafayette, La.
- Natalie Claire Loomis received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Francophone studies. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Loomis of Lafayette, La.
- Ashley Anne Poirrier received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communicative disorders. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Poirrier of New Iberia, La.
- Leah Michelle Ray received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ray of Carencro, La.
- Michael Nicholas Artigue received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Artigue of Lafayette, La.
- Victoria Lee Bolgiano received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Bolgiana of Lafayette, La.
- Andrea Page Cantrell received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Les Cantrell of New Roads, La.
- Amy Marie Dekerlegand received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Dekerlegand of Lafayette, La.
- Zadid Kamrul Haq received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ema Haq of Lafayette, La.
View a list of .
Photo info: Jeremiah C. Sulunteh, Liberian ambassador to the United States