UL Lafayette awards degrees to 1,362 graduates

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette awarded degrees to 1,362 graduates during Fall 2015 Commencement ceremonies on Friday.
It was the largest fall semester graduating class in the history of UL Lafayette.
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees were conferred at ceremonies that were held at different campus locations. Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 1,161 graduates. Master’s degrees were awarded to 180 graduates. Nineteen graduates received doctoral degrees. Two graduates received graduate certificates.
“Go make your mark on the world. Aim high. You’re a Ragin’ Cajun and that’s what we do,” said Dr. Joseph Savoie, University president, during the General Assembly at the Cajundome.
Six students who earned bachelor’s degrees were recognized as summa cum laude graduates for achieving perfect 4.0 GPAs. They are: Annie Beth Briley, marketing; McKenna Elizabeth Andrepont, political science; Emily Marie Gauthier, a double major in sociology and English; Hugh Anthony Prats, history; Caleb Dean Rink, organizational communication; and Rachel Lieberman, nursing.
Leondre’ Queen was named UL Lafayette’s Outstanding Graduate. A kinesiology major, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Education.
Nadine Bayard was recognized with the Outstanding Master’s Graduate Award. She received a Master’s of Business Administration from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
Jake Delhomme, a 2001 graduate of the University, was guest speaker. The retired NFL Pro Bowl quarterback led the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2004.
Delhomme, who is from Breaux Bridge, and played at Teurlings Catholic High School, was a four-year starter at UL Lafayette.
In 1993, he was the only true freshman to start at quarterback for a Division I school. He guided the Ragin’ Cajuns to three winning seasons and two conference championships.
He wasn’t selected by a team in the 1997 NFL draft, and signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. Delhomme honed his game in NFL Europe and on the Saints practice squad for a couple of seasons. He eventually earned a roster spot as a backup and bided his time. The Carolina Panthers signed him in 2003.
Delhomme, who retired in 2011 after short stints in Cleveland and Houston, holds many Panthers team records, including passing yards (19,258) and touchdown passes (120).
He told graduates that dedication, hard work, and a positive outlook enabled him to overcome his status as an unheralded player, with a questionable future, during his first few seasons in the NFL.
“Being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated, that’s optional,” Delhomme said.
The following are area students earning degrees.
Acadia Parish
Arts — Jakob E. Bollich, Logan Gabriel Frederick, Laura Dee Kibodeaux, Trevor Jon Meche and Ethan B. Pelsia.
Business Administration — Morgan Brenke, Annie Beth Briley, Dayton Blake Clement, Ann M. Credeur, Tylor Christian Fontenot, Theodore Constantinus Gall, Corey James Hulin Jade Lane Meaux, Cody Paul Richard, Courtney Anne Richard, Carl J. Stelly Jr., and Tyler Paul Trahan.
Education — Phillip Jacob Credeur, Leah Elizabeth Emmons-LeBlanc, Jazzmin Evans, Meredith Kate Faul, Haley Istre Gorham, Matthew Glen LeLeux, Corde Mccall, Kassie Ellen Richard and Jamaine Wingate.
Engineering — Wesley J Gaspard, Will Yates Guidry, Christopher Jude Kratzer II, Claire Elizabeth Maraist and Jonathon Keith Smith.
General Studies — Sean Bezdek, Nina Gossen, Kathleen Robideaux, Charles Edward Ropp, Adam J. Schexnayder, Angel Rechel Sennet and Christina Mary Zeringue.
Graduate School - Masters — Nicholas Paul Cahanin, Hallie Viola Emley and Benjamin David Magallon.
Liberal Arts — Andrea Broussard, Daniel Brunson, Caitlin Simone Clayton, Joshua Faulk, Kylie L. Garber, Kaitlyn Higginbotham, Gordon Michael John, Angelle Zhene Manshack, Shelby Senegal and Alessandra M. Waguespack.
Nursing and Allied Health Professions — Madelyn Elaine Boone, Emily Mae Olivier and Melissa C. Plattsmier.
Sciences — Amanda Gail Bertrand and Monique Lynn Miller.
St. Landry Parish
Arts — Erin J. Despanie and Skyler Benjamin Pham.
Business Administration — Kathryn Poston Clavelle, Paul Allen Doucet, Naomie Rae Faul, Amber Renee Higginbotham, Aaron Lane Latiolais, Jobe Taylor Lee, Elizabeth Hegeman LeJeune, Mckenzie Mcgee, Christopher Ryan Meche, Brooke M. Melancon, Briant Christopher Owens, Matthew Scott Soileau, Luke James St Romain, Janie Mechelle Stelly and Jamar Keith Thomas.
Education — Kristen Danae Champagne, Courtney Mae Comeaux, Brandi A. Frank, Kallie Lynn Guidry, Kirk Thomas Lastrapes, Kimberly Jo Livingston, Morgan Olivia Matte, Emilee P. Quebedeaux, Lauren E. Sovie and Brooke Elizabeth Thibodeaux.
Engineering — Bryce Adrian Badeaux, Zachary Martin Boone, Dimetrie Chopin, Grant Michael Hollier and Harold Wesley Nero.
General Studies — Jonathan Lee Bostic, Sylvia Ann Carmouche, Karmichael Mackenzie Dunbar, Nancy A. James, LaJeanne Janea’ Malbrough, Naomi C. Marks, Brooke Nele, Brian Owens, Sandy Gail Rideaux and Laney Welch.
Graduate School - Masters — Zachariah J. Hebert, Candace L. Richard and Alex Jeffery Sylvester.
Liberal Arts — Macy Alexander Augustine, Rachel Leanne Baum, Kylie Elizabeth Bihm, Katelyn Claire Casanova, Erin J. Despanie, Paris Flannigan, Jacob Paul Fontenot, Caleb Dale Fruge, Kelli R Henry, Lindsay Ann Horton, Lionel A. Lafleur, Kaitlyn Marae Melancon, Hugh Anthony Prats III, Christy Ronshelle Reed, Dylan Ryan Richard and Alexandra Jane Schexnayder.
Nursing and Allied Health Professions — Sarah Grace Charrier, Alexandra Elise Connell, Megan Antoinette Olivier, Amy Marie Porter and David S. Savoie.
Sciences — Travis N. Aucoin, Chelsea Bertrand, Luke Daniel Doucet, Jancee Layne Rice and Camille M. Smith.
Evangeline Parish
Business Administration — Jonathon Blake Guillory and Ethan Joseph Loga.
Education — Aubree Layne Fontenot, Billie Manuel, James Taylor Veillon and Megan Renee Velek.
Engineering — Zachary Elijah Arnold.
Graduate School - Masters — Spencer M. Bordelon and Jhuan Rene Marcantel.
Liberal Arts — Abbie Denee Deville, Taylor Lynn Deville, Brittany Michelle Fontenot, Lauren Nicole Fontenot, Lindsay Noel Manuel, Elysha Lafaye Spriggins.
Nursing and Allied Health Professions — Dana Dupre Veillon.