Announcing the Distinguished Graduates of the CHSE Class of May 2021
May 6, 2021
CHSE Class of 2021 Statistics
Bachelor's Degrees | 432
Master's Degrees | 298
Education Specialist Certificate | 6
Doctoral Degrees | 6
University Medalists
At each commencement, the University Medal for “Highest Academic Achievement” is awarded to the undergraduate student (or students) graduating with the highest GPA, provided that more than 50 percent of the credits required for the degree has been earned at LSU-BR. Grade point averages will be computed for (1) all work completed and (2) all work completed at LSU-BR, with the lower of the two averages determining eligibility for the medal.
Julianne ChastainBaton Rouge, LA
Jennifer JohnsonLafayette, LA
Colyn PetryBaton Rouge, LA
Undergraduate Distinguished Scholars
In 2014, the college began a program to promote research and discovery for undergraduates in our College. The College of Human Sciences & Education’s Undergraduate Distinguished Scholars Program provides opportunities for undergraduate students to develop research competencies and conduct research studies with ongoing support from College faculty volunteers and graduate student mentors. Undergraduates participating in the Distinguished Scholars Program receive funding support to present research posters at LSU’s Discover Day undergraduate research fair. The program is open to any student enrolled in a CHSE undergraduate degree program, but it is not a program requirement, nor is it a program that earns program or course credit. This is a co-curricular experience above and beyond the academic classroom learning experience.
The four overarching goals of the program underlying student learning outcomes include: (1) Application of Research Seminar instruction, (2) Participation in Faculty Research, (3) Personal Inquiry and Discovery through Self-Initiated Research, and (4) Dissemination of Findings to a Broad Audience.
Raleigh BentzAtlanta, GA
Jillian Bethel
Baton Rouge, LA
Karley DoyleBaton Rouge, LA
Katie EstesMemphis, TN
Kaylor GoodyearNew Iberia, LA
Dawn KleinpeterPrairieville, LA
Candice Miller WilkinsonGreenwellSprings, LA
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.
Jackie V. CalhounGretna, LA
Susan KarimihaAtlanta, GA
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.
Anna Claire BrockDenham Springs, LA
Cassie BroussardAbbeville, LA
Carlie CormierSugar Land, TX
Emmalyn HoughtbyNatchitoches, LA
Jahraya JeanlouisLoreauville, LA
Kamryn Alise KingDenham Springs, LA
Adam SchmidtNew Orleans, LA
Pooja ShahKenner, LA
Jordon Brooklyn SmithGarland, TX
Logan Townsend-EblenWalker, LA
Mallory Von LottenAtlanta, GA
Katilyn Tierra WilliamsDonaldsonville, LA
Alyssa WinklerBaton Rouge, LA
Active and Veteran Military Challenge Coin Recipient
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.”
Raymond Louis Blunt, Jr.Stonewall, LA
LSU City Year Scholar
LSU is a proud partner with City Year—having made history in 2011 as the first public university in the country to formalize a University Partnership. Civic engagement and community service are central to LSU’s mission and remain highest priorities that guide our strategic plan. LSU represents the largest institution of higher education in the state and is the only public university in the state to be designated a Carnegie Research University with Very High Research Activity. Among a handful of distinguished universities to enjoy Land, Sea, and Space Grant status, LSU offers vital research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students as it transforms new technology into enterprise and lends expertise to solve endemic problems. We are honored to have two awardees as CHSE students.
Patricia SayeLancaster, PA
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.
Karley Doyle | Early Childhood Education
Haley Fremin | Early Childhood Education
Cassandra Harmon | Child & Family Studies
Emily Paufler | Kinesiology
Discover Day
The LSU Discover Day undergraduate symposium provides a forum for undergraduate students from any major to share their research and creative works. This year, 100 intrepid undergraduate students braved the frontier of remotely presenting their research online. Congratulations to CHSE's Karley Doyle, Abigail Caffey and Stephen Lopez, who were recognized for their topnotch poster presentations.
Iyana Charles | 1st Place Monetary Prize Winner
Michelle Veillon | 2nd Place Monetary Prize Winner
Paola Colmenares | 3rd Place Monetary Prize Winner
Engaged Citizen Honors
The Center for Community Engagement, Learning, & Leadership, in conjunction with 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.
Raleigh Bentz | Education
Karley Doyle | Education
Morgan Font | Education
Sarah Hassinger | Kinesiology
Monique Theriot | Education
Alyssa Winkler | Kinesiology