LSUA confers degrees on several local residents in January

ALEXANDRIA – LSU at Alexandria conferred degrees on 163 graduates at its fall commencement Thursday, January 18, in the Alexandria Riverfront Center. Dr. David Manuel presided over his first graduation as LSUA chancellor and delivered the commencement address.

Former LSUA chancellor H. Rouse Caffey was presented the university’s Distinguished Service Award. He is the 11th recipient of the award and the first since 2003. Caffey was LSUA’s fifth chancellor from 1981-84 and for 13 years was chancellor of the LSU AgCenter. Caffey is recognized as one of the world’s leading researchers on rice production and has visited some 50 countries as an agricultural consultant.

Rita D. Martin of Pineville, a psychology major, earned the Chancellor’s Award for Highest Academic Achievement among those receiving baccalaureate degrees, and Irene Alexandre of Alexandria, a nursing major, received the same award for associate degree students.

The graduates, which include 23 students who completed their course work in the summer, are listed by degree:

Associate in Nursing: Brandon Byrd, Saint Landry; and Lyndi Roark, Urania; Nikita Ardoin and Robin Deshotels, Ville Platte.

Associate of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science: Cora Lynn Firmin, Morgan Sheri Fontenot Manuel and Meghan Elizabeth Roberie, Ville Platte.

Bachelor of General Studies: Dorothy Delores Doulet, Ville Platte.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies: Danielle Kay Bertrand, Ville Platte.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: Adrienne E. Garrett, Ville Platte.