Announcing the Distinguished Graduates of the CHSE Class of May 2023

May 19, 2023

CHSE Class of 2023 Statistics

Bachelor's Degrees | 461
Master's Degrees | 349
Education Specialist Certificate | 5
Graduate Certificates | 43
Doctoral Degrees | 7

University Medalists

The University Medal is awarded to the undergraduate student (or students) graduating with the GPA of 4.0 or higher, provided that the student (or students) earn all A-level grades and more than 50 percent of the credits required for the degree has been earned at LSU A&M. Grade-point averages will be computed for (1) all work completed and (2) all work completed at LSU A&M with the lower of the two averages determining eligibility for the medal.

Distinguished Dissertations

The College of Human Sciences & Education dissertation award recognizes research at the highest level of scholarship that makes a significant contribution to a field of study associated with one of our five schools. Each school has a nomination process for this award and the winners at the school level are then evaluated at the college level by a committee for this distinguished award. What makes this process even more special is that in CHSE, those questions addressed by our candidates directly reflect our college’s mission to improve the quality of life across the life span. 

CHSE Ambassadors

In 2014 the College of Human Sciences & Education Ambassadors Program began with a group of high achieving, diverse, and well-rounded students who declared a major within the College. Since that time, the Ambassadors program has helped: increase student enrollment; promote student diversity; increase community awareness of CHSE  programs; and develop leadership density within the College. Students in the Ambassadors program are the face of our College at recruitment events, campus activities, service projects in the community, and advocacy and alumni initiatives.

 

 

Active & Veteran Military Challenge Coin Recipients

LSU has a proud military tradition since the founding of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy in 1853, often called the Ole War Skule. Following World War I, the University moved to its present location and built Memorial Tower. Over 12,000 individuals from LSU served during World War II, 5,000 of which were officers—only West Point, Annapolis and Texas A&M exceeded LSU. Students and graduates served in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The College of Human Sciences and Education recognizes and honors its veterans and military service members at our diploma ceremonies every fall and spring. Since 2018 we present each graduating veteran and service member with a unique college challenge coin. Although its origin is disputed (either World War I or as recent as Vietnam), the modern American military challenge coin tradition rewards hard work, excellence, and improves esprit de corps. Coins are awarded for outstanding service, and milestone achievement.

The College of Human Sciences & Education challenge coin obverse side is a field of LSU purple with the college logo, a fleur-de-lis, the word “Service” and the phrase “Geaux Change Lives.” The reverse is an image of the tiger mosaic from the Huey P. Long Field House with the Latin phrase, “Mens sana in corpore sano” or “A sound mind in a sound body.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doctoral Graduates

The highest mark of academic achievement is the Doctoral Degree. Students in our PhD programs develop skills needed to conduct rigorous research and teach at the university level.

 

Distinguished Communicators

Recipients of this honor are outstanding writers and speakers, with a strong command of visual literacy and technological communication. They have earned high GPAs in their communication-intensive courses throughout their baccalaureate years, sought 1-1 mentorships with faculty and have built websites that display their communication competencies and professional talents, both in and beyond the classroom.

Claire Surek | Child & Family Studies

 

Discover Day

LSU Discover Day is a university-wide undergraduate conference that provides a platform for students from all disciplines to share their research and creative projects. Student presentations include readings, posters, visual displays, art exhibitions, and oral presentations.

Mary LoGiudice | First Place Monetary Prize Winner | Kinesiology
Jill Meyer | Second Place Monetary Prize Winner | Kinesiology
Ethan Abbenante | Third Place Monetary Prize Winner | Kinesiology

 

Engaged Citizen Honors

The Center for Community Engagement, Learning, & Leadership, in conjunction with LSU Campus Life, established the program to support and recognize the accomplishments of undergraduate students who engage significantly with their communities to address critical community needs. Students must complete a minimum of seven credit hours of coursework designated as service learning, 100 volunteer hours, and one reflective essay over their academic tenure at LSU to receive this distinction.

Conlie Banker | Education
Alexandra Clay  | Kinesiology 
Meghan Fontana | Education
Caroline Hargrave | Education
Alexandria Jarquin | Kinesiology
Mary Koenenn | Kinesiology
Kristen O'Connor | Education
Amber Patin | Child & Family Studies
Logan Robert | Education
Caitlin Smith | Education
Molly Tassin | Education
Chloe Winstead | Child & Family Studies

 

Back row (left to right): Logan Robert, Conlie Banker, Alexandra Clay, Kristen O'Connor, Alexandria Jarquin
Front row: Meghan Fontana, Mary Koenenn, Amber Patin, Caroline Hargrave, Caitlin Smith