Locals among LSU graduates

LSU recognized 1,729 graduates at the university’s 288th commencement exercises Dec. 18.

The 1,729 graduates included 1,285 bachelor’s degrees, 3,337 master’s and professional degrees or certificates and 107 doctoral degrees. The graduates represented 54 Louisiana parishes, 41 states and 48 foreign countries. The youngest graduate was 19, while the oldest was 70.

“LSU is constantly working to improve our student outcomes, and seeing consistent record-breaking numbers of diverse graduates means we are making strides and better serving our growing student body and its changing needs,” LSU President F. King Alexander said.

Mass communication major Riley Catherine Lirette, of Houma, was among 14 graduates awarded the LSU Distinguished Communicator Award. Lirette was nominated by Professor Neely Walker.

These students earned this honor by meeting high standards set by faculty in various colleges and by the LSU Communication across the curriculum program. The students earned high grade-point averages in communication-intensive courses – based on written, spoken, visual and technological communication – and have built digital portfolios, displayed as public websites, that include their communication projects from courses, internships, leadership roles and public service.

Local LSU graduates are listed below:

Lafourche Parish

College of Agriculture – Carlie Frances Sternfels, Thibodaux.

College of Humanies and Social Sciences-Jennifer Bich Thao Le, Cut Off.

College of Science – Nicole Ann Dominique, Thibodaux; and Dylan Soderstrum, Thibodaux.

E.J. Ourso College of Business – Derek Paul Knight, Raceland.

Terrebonne Parish

College of Agriculture – Stephanie Anne Alevizon, Houma; and Brandon John Thibodaux, Houma.

College of Art and Design – Mackenzie Elise Theriot, Houma.

College of Engineering – Stephen Paul Doiron, Houma; and Marisa Anne Fanguy, Houma.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

– Blake Michael Allen, Houma; and Destiny Chanel Billiot, Houma.

College of Science – Erin Alison Crane, Houma; and Scott Michael Gaignard, Houma.

Manship School of Mass Communication

– Levi James Bankston, Houma; and Emilie Rayne Hebert, Houma.

School of the Coast and Environment – Shannon Elizabeth Matzke, Houma.

University College Center for Freshman Year – Mason Dominic Arnette, Houma; Shaina Leigh Billiot, Bourg; Taylor Leigh Boudreaux, Houma; Joshua Mark Janway, Bourg; and Lauren Ann Rodriguez, Houma.