Congratulations, ECP Spring 2023 Graduates!
5/10/2023.
BATON ROUGE – The Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership (CCELL), in conjunction with LSU Campus Life, is pleased to announce 25 seniors will graduate with the Engaged Citizen distinction for Spring 2023, the program's largest cohort to date.
Twenty-six graduates will receive Engaged Citizen Program medals in Spring 2023. Our 25 seniors represent seven LSU Colleges and four are members of the Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College. Photo Credit: Alison Paz, LSU Campus Life
Collectively, the Spring 2023 graduates have earned 395 service-learning credit hours and have volunteered approximately 3,240 hours across their local and global communities during their academic tenure at LSU. Some of this cohort’s volunteer opportunities include working with campus entities such as the LSU Food Pantry and the Office of Multicultural Affairs MLK Day of Service.
Their individual engagement efforts also extend off-campus with organizations such as the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS), Companion Animal Alliance, and several East Baton Rouge Parish schools. One student served abroad on an international medical volunteer trip to Honduras.
“We are so proud of this illustrious cohort of graduates who completed required, optional, and contract-optional service-learning coursework during their time at LSU,” CCELL director Dr. Sarah Becker said. “They have gone above and beyond to contribute to and learn from a wide set of communities. The world ahead of us looks brighter as they carry themselves into their post-LSU lives."
CCELL and LSU Campus Life established the Engaged Citizen Program to support and recognize the accomplishments of undergraduate students who engage significantly with their communities to address critical community needs. Any undergraduate student can apply to be a part of the program.
“Graduates with the Engaged Citizens Distinction have dedicated a collective 3,340 hours to effecting positive change in their community. These individuals have exhibited leadership skills and have made a significant impact not only in Baton Rouge but also in other areas. I am eager to see how these exceptional individuals will continue to create a positive impact in the world as alumni of LSU,” said Josh Finch, Director of Campus Life.
Our 26 seniors represent seven LSU Colleges and four are members of the Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College. The Spring 2023 Engaged Citizens are:
COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
Kayla Hall, Studio Art, Baton Rouge, La., Honors College
E.J. OURSO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Iyan Carter, General Business, Houston, Texas
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Zoe Elam, Biological Engineering, Metairie, La.
Chloe Heitmeier, Biological Engineering, Austin, Texas, Honors College
Gracie Hufft, Biological Engineering, Baton Rouge, La.
Andre Mira, Biological Engineering, Alexandra, La., Honors College
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Tatum Carver-Dews, Communication Disorders, Whitehouse, Texas
Jeffery Farrar, Psychology, Alexandria, La.
Robert Laperle, History, Leesville, La.
Angel Puder, African & African American Studies and Political Science, Houston, Texas
COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES AND EDUCATION
Conlie Banker, Early Childhood Education, Prairieville, La.
Alexandra Clay, Kinesiology, Arlington, Texas
Meghan Fontana, Early Childhood Education, New Orleans, La.
Caroline Hargrave, Early Childhood Education, New Iberia, La.
Alexandria Jarquin, Kinesiology, Meraux, La.
Mary Koenenn, Kinesiology, Atlanta, Ga.
Kristen O’Connor, Dual Certification: General & Special Education, West Haverstraw,
New York
Amber Patin, Child and Family Studies, Baton Rouge, La.
Logan Robert, Elementary Education, Broussard, La.
Caitlin Smith, Early Childhood Education, Prairieville, La.
Molly Tassin, Dual Certification: General & Special Education, New Orleans, La.
Chloe Winstead, Child and Family Studies, Ruston, La.
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Obidimma Chibuzo, Biological Sciences, Owerri, Nigeria
Jason Huang, Biological Sciences, Buford, Ga., Honors College
MANSHIP SCHOOL OF MASS COMMUNICATION
Bridget Cotten, Mass Communication, Durham, Nc.
To earn this distinction, the students must meet the high standards of the Engaged Citizen Program. Requirements for the semester’s cohort include completing a minimum of seven credit hours of service-learning designated coursework, a minimum of 100 hours of community service with approved organizations, and a reflective paper detailing how the work fulfills LSU’s Commitment to Community.
Visit www.lsu.edu/engagedcitizens for more information about the program.
CCELL fosters the scholarship of community engagement by integrating teaching, research, and service that emphasize civic responsibility and social accountability. For more information about service-learning at LSU, visit CCELL’s website at lsu.edu/ccell.
Campus Life works closely with more than 400 student organizations, countless student organization leaders and advisors, and is home to some of LSU's biggest traditions. The department's mission is to enhance student learning through innovative initiatives focused on the tenets of involvement, leadership, and service that enrich the LSU experience. Campus Life serves a diverse student population and strives to make LSU an increasingly vibrant campus community.
Media note: Please contact Taylor Armer (tarmer@lsu.edu) for headshots.