Distinguished Graduates of the Class of December 2025
December 18, 2025
CHSE Class of 2025 Statistics
Bachelor's Degrees | 165
Master's Degrees | 292
Education Specialist Certificate | 3
Graduate Certificates | 67
Doctoral Degrees | 11
University Medalist
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.
Rachel Hunter
Central, LA
School of Kinesiology
CHSE Ambassadors
In 2014, the College of Human Sciences & Education Ambassadors Program began with a group of high-achieving, well-rounded students who declared a major within the College. Since that time, the Ambassadors program has helped increase student enrollment, enhance community awareness of CHSE programs, and foster leadership development within the College. Students in the Ambassadors program are the face of our College at recruitment events, campus activities, community service projects, and advocacy and alumni initiatives.
Adrianna Cebellos-Rivera
Gonzales, LA
School of Kinesiology
Semaria Cheatham
Thibodaux, LA
School of Kinesiology
Carly Clement
New Orleans, LA
School of Kinesiology
Kennedy Guidry
Baton Rouge, LA
School of Social Work
Active & Veteran Military Challenge Coin Recipients
LSU has a proud military tradition dating back to the founding of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy in 1853, often referred to as the "Ole War Skule." Following World War I, the university relocated to its present location and constructed Memorial Tower. Over 12,000 individuals from LSU served during World War II, with 5,000 of them being officers—only West Point, Annapolis, and Texas A&M had more officers than 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 have presented each graduating veteran and service member with a unique college challenge coin. Although its origin is disputed (dating back to either World War I or the Vietnam War), the modern American military challenge coin tradition rewards hard work, excellence, and enhances esprit de corps. Coins are awarded for outstanding service, and milestone achievement.
The College of Human Sciences & Education challenge coin's obverse side features a field of LSU purple with the college logo, a fleur-de-lis, the word “Service,” and the phrase “Geaux Change Lives.” The reverse features an image of the tiger mosaic from the Huey P. Long Field House, accompanied by the Latin phrase, “Mens sana in corpore sano,” or “A sound mind in a sound body.”
Devin Jenkins
Denham Springs, LA
School of Kinesiology
Justin Strickland
Walker, LA
School of Leadership & Human Resource Development
Distinguished Communicators
Recipients of this honor are distinguished writers and speakers who possess 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.
Lilette Schmitt | 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.
Hailey Beard | Human Development & Family Science
Catherine Blondiau | Kinesiology
Distinguished Undergraduate Researchers
The LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher designation recognizes the achievements of outstanding LSU undergraduates who participate in a track of educational and research activities leading to a final and public presentation or publication of a faculty-mentored undergraduate scholarly project. An LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher is a student who has demonstrated outstanding ability as an advanced student researcher in their field of study.
Catherine Leigh Sorrels | Kinesiology
About CHSE
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The college is comprised of the School of Education, the School of Information Studies, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, and the School of Social Work. CHSE has two model demonstration schools: the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool, which enrolls children from birth to age four, and the University Laboratory School, which enrolls students from Kindergarten through grade 12. The college also has four centers and institutes: the Early Childhood Education Institute, the Healthy Aging Research Center, the Leadership Development Institute, and the Social Research & Evaluation Center. The college is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service, and aims to improve quality of life across the lifespan. Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education website.