LSU University College’s Summer Scholars Honors 22nd Cohort, Aids Minority Students in Transitioning to College Life

BATON ROUGE – LSU University College’s Summer Scholars program presented its annual “Celebration of Excellence” closing ceremony and banquet on Friday, Aug. 2, at The Club at LSU Union Square. At this event, University College awarded $3,000 through 12 book awards.

The closing ceremony and banquet enables students to share highlights from the summer program, as well as to reward the scholars’ on their academic achievements.

“Summer Scholars Class of 2013 has been another engaging experience for the 37 participants,” said Paul Ivey, executive director of University College. “This cohort has embraced the concepts of this program, and we expect to see each of them flourish in their academic careers at LSU.”

Administered by University College, Summer Scholars is an eight-week summer bridge program that prepares selected high-achieving, under-represented minority students to make a successful transition from high school to the university. This experience offers students the opportunity during the summer semester prior to their college freshman year to become adjusted to the academic, personal and social challenges that they may encounter at LSU.

“In Summer Scholars, we have a saying – ‘Once a Scholar, Always a Scholar,’” said Annette Yancy, coordinator of Summer Scholars and counselor with University College’s Center for Advising & Counseling. “Students develop friendships here that can last for the rest of their lives.”

“It is gratifying to see former Summer Scholars and invested community leaders committed to our program. The philanthropic concept of ‘paying it forward’ with these generous book awards is a testimony to the impact that the Summer Scholars program makes in our LSU students’ lives,” said Ivey.

University College salutes these deserving LSU students in succeeding in their academic achievements, and expresses our gratitude to parents and friends for their continued support.

Awards announced during the banquet include:

• Benson, Walker, Smith Book Award winners Erika Brown of Violet, La., and Kelleigh Berryhill of Marrero, La.;

• Campus Federal Credit Union Book Award winners Natalie Dupuy of Zachary, La., and Zaida Salame of Kenner, La.;

• Antonio Cousin Book Award winner Alex James of Baton Rouge;

• Dillion-Dotson Book Award winners LaJae Coleman of Baton Rouge; Courtney Ellis  of St. Francisville, La., Isis Landry of Sorrento, La., and Bryanna West of Youngsville, La.;

• Shagari Jackson Book Award winner Paige Vaughn of Fordoche, La.;

• Saundra Yancy McGuire Book Award winner Ashunti Chase of West Monroe, La.; and

• Philip Micah Thomas Book Award winner William Pleason Underwood IV of Zachary, La.

The Summer Scholars Class of 2013 included:

LOUISIANA
Arcadia
Jeremy D. Mason

Baker
Denzel Alexander

Baton Rouge
Valencia Chatman
LaJae Coleman
Maurice Coleman
Che’La Fleming
Alex James
Phillip Rodman

Duson
Jayda N. Malveaux

Fordoche
Paige Vaughn

Geismar
Kristen White

Kenner
Zaida Salame

Lafayette
Tyler Anderson

Lake Charles
Tyriana Griffin-Nims

Lake Providence
Carlante Emerson

Leesville
Jesse Dunn

Luling
Rogene’ LeBeauf

Marrero
Kelleigh Berryhill

Morganza
Porsha Blackmore

New Roads
Chassidy Francois

Port Allen
Rodney J. Hebert

Prairieville
Kortlan Brown

Shreveport
Kristian Stringer

Sorrento
Isis Landry

Violet
Erika Brown

West Monroe
Ashunti Chase

Youngsville
Bryanna West

Zachary
Amber Bienemy
Natalie Dupuy
William Pleason Underwood IV
Alaina Young

TEXAS
Grand Prairie
Chad J. Vasquez

Little Elm
Kendrell Anderson
Terrell Anderson

Since 1933, LSU University College has served as the portal of entry for students enrolled at LSU. Academic and personal success is the hallmark of a well-rounded student, and University College provides a foundation of support services for students beginning their academic careers at LSU. University College has two enrollment divisions: The Center for Freshman Year and The Center for Advising and Counseling. Additionally, University College offers retention-specific programs: Student Support Services, Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars, and Summer Scholars. These academic support programs focus on particular student populations and are a significant part of the role and mission of University College.

For more information on LSU University College, visit www.uc.lsu.edu or follow the conversation at www.facebook.com/LSU.UniversityCollege.

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Contact Jacquelyn Craddock
LSU University College
225-578-5342
jcraddock@lsu.edu

Contact Aaron Looney
LSU Media Relations
225-578-3871
alooney@lsu.edu