The University of Louisiana at Lafayette conferred 345 degrees during its Summer Commencement ceremony on Friday at the Cajundome.
Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 270 graduates and master’s degrees were awarded to 60 graduates. Thirteen graduates earned doctoral degrees. Two graduate certificates were awarded.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, told Summer 2018 graduates that universities enable “dreamers to dream, and offer the knowledge and confidence they need to reach those aspirations.”
“I hope that you will continue to dream. But don’t just dream – do. Take your dreams and put them to use, for yourselves, for your communities and for your families,” Savoie said.
Keynote speaker was Jennifer Lemoine, an assistant nursing professor at the University.
Lemoine, who earned the University’s 2018 Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award, told graduates that as they look to the future, they should remember that they embody the qualities and character of past generations.
“Although your parents and grandparents may have fought for civil rights and the rights of women, you are the first generation to truly embrace inclusion and diversity,” she said.
“You also believe in the value of education and, as a result, you are the most educated generation obtaining more undergraduate degrees than any preceding generation.”
The University held its first summer ceremony since 1949 in 2014. Summer Commencement was reintroduced to give graduating seniors an opportunity to participate in a ceremony without having to wait until the end of the fall semester.
View a list of Summer 2018 graduates.