June 9, 2003
College Graduates
Nicholls State Univeristy
THIBODAUX - Nicholls State University held its spring commencement exercises May 17, graduating 468 students who completed coursework this semester. Degrees were conferred and presented by University President Donald J. Ayo.
Dr. Nolan P. LeCompte Jr., professor and vice president for Academic Affairs emeritus at Nicholls State University, presented the address to the graduates at the morning ceremony. The commenscement speaker at the afternoon ceremony was state Rep. Hunt Downer, a seven-term representative of District 52.
Local graduates Allison Laura LaChute of Covington, received an associate degree in Child Development and Preschool Management; and Candice L. O'Meallie of Mandeville received a bachelor's degree in Special Education, graduating magna cum laude.
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches - Northwestern State University awarded degrees to 674 graduates at their spring commencement exercises. During the 2002-2003 academic year, 1,473 students received degrees from NSU, the largest number for any academic year in school history.
Local graduates were, Jennifer Ann Stokey of Abita Springs, Bachelor of Arts; Danielle Lynn Steele of Covington, Bachelor of Arts and Erica Rae Casnave of Lacombe, Bachelor of Social Work.
Texas Christian University
FORT WORTH, Texas - Avery V. Zollinger of Mandeville graduated with a Biology Bachelor of Arts Degree after successfully completing degree requirements at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Commencement exercises were held May 10 with 1,185 graduates honored at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Xavier University
NEW ORLEANS - One west St. Tammany Parish student received a degree at Xavier University of Louisiana's 76th annual commencement exercises held at the UNO Lakefront Arena on May 10.
Civil rights activist and former mayor of Atlanta Andrew Young was the keynote speaker.
Robin LaPorte Cathcart of Covington received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
LSU-School of Veterinary
Medicine
BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine conferred 74 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at its 27th annual Veterinary Medicine Commencement Exercises on May 19. Dr. William L. Jenkins, president of the Louisiana State University System, gave the commencement address at the 2 p.m. ceremony.
Chancellor Mark Emmert presided over the ceremony and LSU Board of Supervisors member Perry Segura conferred the degrees. Also present were Clifford Vannoy, senior vice president of the LSU Alumni Association; Dr. Phillip A. Cancilleri, School of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association; Dr. Patrick F. Thistlethwaite, president of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association; and Dr. Michael G. Groves, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.
After the degrees were conferred, the graduates recited the Veterinarian's Oath, adopted by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 1969. Dr. Amanda Beck Fulmer closed the ceremony with the benediction.
Among those receiving Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from St. Tammany Parish was David L. Moores of Covington.
Graduates who were recipients of senior awards and internships included James R. Talbot of Abita Springs, Pharmacia and Upjohn Equine Clinical Proficiency Award; and Maya M. Bewig of Mandeville, Kaytee Outstanding Senior Award in Avian and Exotic Medicine.
UL-Lafayette
LAFAYETTE - The University of Louisiana at Lafayette held its Spring commencement exercises on May 23 for more than 1,300 graduation candidates.
The following are graduates from St. Tammany Parish:
Applied Life Sciences - Kristy Leigh Satter.
Arts - Kristopher Chebul, Jason Scott Core, Rachel J Granier, Steven Michael Hadley II, Jessica Lynn Larsen, Jeffrey Michael LaRosa, Jonathan B Swift.
Business Administration - Laura Elizabeth Hargrave.
Education - Christy Gayle Harrington, Katherine Sue Woodling.
Engineering - Jason Austin Crosby.
General Studies - Hope Michelle Devillier, Brent Stephen Haynes.
Graduate School - Barry Craig Ellis Jr., Rebekah Dione Lloyd.
Nursing & Allied Health Professions - Stephanie S Velez, John K. Voisey.
