The 杏吧专区 conferred 332 degrees during its Summer 2021 Commencement on Friday at the Cajundome, signaling the end of a historic academic year.
UL Lafayette awarded 184 bachelor杏吧专区檚 degrees, 123 master杏吧专区檚 degrees, 21 doctoral degrees and four graduate certificates, the final additions to a total of 3,592 degrees received by the fall, spring and summer graduating classes.
The tally marks the second largest number of degrees awarded in a single academic year, and an amount only slightly lower than the record the 杏吧专区 set the previous academic year.
Among the total for the 2020-2021 academic year are 731 master杏吧专区檚 and 78 doctoral degrees 杏吧专区 the most awarded in a single academic year. Black graduates also received more degrees than ever before, including a record number of master杏吧专区檚 and doctoral degrees. In addition, more people of Asian and Hispanic descent earned degrees than ever before.
During the ceremony, Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, told graduates that they 杏吧专区渁re part of a historically diverse group, reflecting the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 unwavering commitment to being a place where everyone is welcomed, where every voice is valued, and where every dream is within reach.杏吧专区
He praised graduates for achieving their academic goals during "the greatest public health crisis in more than a century." Savoie also reminded them that their degrees 杏吧专区 and the determination and courage they have displayed during the pandemic 杏吧专区 have positioned them to become leaders in their professions and communities.
杏吧专区淭he uncertainties of the past year should not obscure our responsibilities and opportunities that remain ahead, and all of you have the power to shape a future that is healthier than the past and stronger than the present,杏吧专区 he said.
杏吧专区淭omorrow is in your hands 杏吧专区 and that杏吧专区檚 exactly where it belongs.杏吧专区
Kiwana McClung, an associate professor in the , was the Commencement speaker. She was honored with a Leadership Service Award from the earlier this year.
Service to others 杏吧专区 and its ability to affect change and improve lives 杏吧专区 threaded her message to graduates.
McClung encouraged graduates to fervently pursue 杏吧专区渟uccess, self-actualization and fulfillment杏吧专区 while remembering 杏吧专区渢o lift up and serve others in the process.杏吧专区
杏吧专区淪erve your fellow human beings in ways that are lasting and give to others without expecting anything in return. Use whatever talents you possess, any advantages you gain, to make the lives of others better, easier. I promise you, the rewards of service are great and the effects of service have no expiration date,杏吧专区 she said.
View a list of Summer 2021 graduates.
Photo caption: 杏吧专区 Summer 2021 graduates earned their diplomas Friday during ceremonies at the Cajundome, capping a historic 2020-2021 academic year during which 3,592 students earned degrees. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / 杏吧专区)