LSU graduates record numbers with Class of 2015-16

LSU’s class of 2015-16 was a groundbreaking one for the university in many areas with new records for African American, Hispanic, female, veteran and overall graduation numbers.
At the spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 13, at total of 4,102 degrees were awarded – the largest amount of degrees awarded at a single commencement surpassing last year’s 3,977 degrees awarded in the spring. The overall class of 2015-16 – students receiving degrees in previous summer and fall commencements combined with the current spring commencement – is also a record breaker for the university with 6,508 students receiving degrees. The previous high was 2011-12 with 6,251 degrees awarded for the full academic year.
Some other records for the overall class of 2015-16 include 697 African-American graduates; 336 Hispanic graduates; 3,485 female graduates; and 148 degrees being awarded to veterans. Other record highs include the largest number of degrees awarded to Pelican Promise Award recipients at 612 students and the highest number of undergraduate degrees awarded to TOPS recipients at 3,338 students.
LSU’s May 2016 graduating class represents 61 Louisiana parishes, 46 U.S. states and 61 foreign countries. Women made up 54.16 percent of the class, and men made up 45.84 percent. The oldest graduate is 81, and the youngest is 20.
LSU President F. King Alexander presided over the main ceremony and delivered the keynote address. LSU Board of Supervisors member James Moore conferred degrees, and LSU Faculty Senate President and Professor of English Kevin Cope served as mace bearer. The processional and recessional music was provided by the Brass Quintet.
During his speech to the graduates, Alexander talked about how the graduates are needed to make the world a better place and how by using their skills, talents and tools, the graduates can have “ripple effects around this nation and globe.”
Four-hundred-and-sixty-nine students graduated with honors, including 64 students who received University Medals for graduating with the highest undergraduate grade-point average in the class.
For more information on commencement, visit www.lsu.edu/commencement. The following list includes May graduates who have authorized the release of their names.
Acadia Parish
College of Agriculture: Mayme E. Cook, Rayne; Emily Claire Courville, Rayne; and Peyton Alexius Miller, Crowley.
E.J. Ourso College of Business: Julie Claire Reggie, Crowley.
College of Engineering: Phillip Ignatius Reed, Iota, and John Kaleb Rollins, Church Point.
College of Human Sciences & Education: Keyaire Marie Robertson, Duson.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Samantha Marie Schiro, Carencro.
Manship School of Mass Communication: Caroline Elizabeth Beslin, Rayne.
College of Science: Sydney E’lise Breaux, Rayne; Austina Michelle Coolman, Rayne; and Lexus Lea Trosclair, Rayne.
Graduate School (Master’s): Stephanie Nicole Carriere, Church Point; Claire Marie Dore’, Crowley; Peter Maximilian John, Crowley; Candace Laci Lantier, Rayne; Caroline Haley Orillion, Rayne; Natalie Renee’ Thibodeaux, Rayne; and Rebecca Guidry Vidrine, Rayne.
Graduate School (Doctorate): Mark Louis Spell, Crowley.
Evangeline Parish
College of Art and Design: Emily Kaye Miller, Mamou.
College of Engineering: Alec Joan Rozas, Mamou.
College of Human Sciences & Education: Sara Kathleen Fontenot, Mamou; and Haley Danae Ortego, Pine Prairie.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Luke Daniel Chaddick, Ville Platte; and Silas Robert-Paul Fontenot, Ville Platte.
Manship School of Mass Communication: Payton Layne Morein, Ville Platte .
College of Science: Jacob Sebastien Bordelon, Ville Platte.
Graduate School (Master’s): Tyler Craig Aguillard, Ville Platte; and Taylor Nicole LaHaye, Ville Platte.
School of Veterinary Medicine (Doctorate): Kelli Bogard Cobbs, Chataignier; and Matthew Paul Fruge, Basile.
St. Landry Parish
Catherine Claire Briley, Grand Prairie.
College of Agriculture: Dallas Paul Ardoin, Melville; Chance Devon Bazar, Krotz Springs; Mara Christa Colomb, Arnaudville; James Burton Prather, Opelousas; and Travis Cody Stanford, Port Barre.
E.J. Ourso College of Business: Lainey Faith Latiolais, Arnaudville; and Johanna Angelle Menier, Opelousas.
College of Engineering: Conner Ray Ardoin, Eunice; Laura Emily Guillory, Eunice; Cameron Louis Smith, Leonville
College of Human Sciences & Education: Karley Marie Boagni, Opelousas; Abbie Claire Brown, Eunice; and Anatia Symone Ceasar, Eunice.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Chelsea Michaela Barker, Eunice; Catherine Claire Briley, Grand Prairie; Krissy Jo Dupre, Eunice; Mehgan Breanne Fontenot, Eunice; Wesley Benjamin Lafleur, Opelousas; Byron James Stelly, Arnaudville; and Jamaal Garrett Thompson, Opelousas.
Manship School of Mass Communication: Jordan Christopher Hicks, Lebeau.
College of Science: Christopher Luke Boagni, Opelousas; and Seth Alan Richard, Church Point.
Graduate School (Master’s): Eric Micheal Dupre, Opelousas; Jacob Brice Fusilier, Eunice; Shawna Danielle Joseph, Washington; Brittani Rideaux, Opelousas; and Angette Antoinette White, Opelousas.
School of Veterinary Medicine (Doctorate): Erin Bergeron Manuel, Eunice.
Online graduates
St. Landry Parish
Graduate School (Master’s): Shawna Danielle Joseph, Washington; and Angette Antoinette White, Opelousas.