LSU College of Engineering Confers 248 Students at Fall Commencement

December 22, 2014 | LSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

The LSU College of Engineering graduated 248 students at its commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 19, 2014, in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

“Graduation is the capstone of many years of hard work and is a day you all should be very proud,” said Sherif Ishak, associate dean of academic affairs and professor of civil engineering. “In this season of celebration, it gives me great pleasure to celebrate this milestone with you, and I speak on behalf of the entire College when I say job well done.”

The College conferred 168 Bachelor of Science degrees, 58 Master of Science degrees and 21 received doctoral degrees and the first post baccalaureate certificate in construction management. The graduates represented 24 Louisiana parishes, 11 states and 18 countries. Among the graduating class, 82 percent are men and 18 percent are women.

Class representative and biological engineering graduate Hillary Elaine Prevot from Shreveport, La. addressed students and guests at the ceremony. “Today, engineers are working together to solve some of the world’s current problems – like finding renewable energy sources, securing cyberspace, providing worldwide access to clean water, and handling exponential population growth,” said Prevot. “As recent engineering graduates, it is our responsibility to step up to the plate and become the engineers of today and take on these perplexing challenges that the world is presenting us. To solve such immense problems, we must work together, we must take advantage of all of our resources, and most importantly, we must never stop learning.”

Evan Michael Luke, civil engineering graduate, received the McLaughlin Medal to recognize his 3.976 grade point average, the highest in the College.

An additional nine students were recognized as honor graduates, achieving outstanding cumulative grade-point averages (GPA) throughout college. In total for fall 2014 graduates, five students achieved Cum Laude honors: Corey Benefiel, Charles Bryan, Douglas Guidry, Luke Holloway and Emily Rinaldi; two students achieved Magna Cum Laude honors: Jeffrey Brown and Mary O’Brien; and three students achieved Summa Cum Laude honors: Jessica Hunt, Evan Luke, and Hillary Prevot.

Of note, chemical engineering graduate Frank Turk, of Baton Rouge, is also part of four generations to receive a chemical engineering degree from LSU. Frank Paul Turk, June 1934; Frank Paul Turk Jr., June 1957; and Fredrick Joseph Turk, May 1983, preceded Frank in receiving a chemical engineering degree.

Six graduates received the Certification as Distinguished Communicators, as part of LSU’s Communication Across the Curriculum program. Biological engineering graduates Kevin Hooter and Brandon Smith, civil engineering graduate Jabari Landry, construction management graduate Christia Willis who was recognized at the College of Art & Design ceremony, electrical and computer engineering graduate Edward Lynch, and computer science graduate Jordan Lunda were awarded this distinction.

Frank J. Turk and Matthew James Pennison were recognized at the Diploma Ceremony for becoming newly commissioned officers in the United States Air Force and Army, respectively.

“Graduates, you are now officially part of an esteemed family of alumni that spans the globe. It is my sincere hope that your education from LSU serves you well through life’s many journeys – that you always hold your alma mater close to heart – and that your actions continually reflect the true spirit and character of LSU,” Ishak said.

Chris Rosborough and the Louisiana Brass Quintet led the national anthem and alma mater.