The 小蝌蚪APP 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小蝌蚪APP檚 degrees, 123 master小蝌蚪APP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 小蝌蚪APP set the previous academic year.
Among the total for the 2020-2021 academic year are 731 master小蝌蚪APP檚 and 78 doctoral degrees 小蝌蚪APP the most awarded in a single academic year. Black graduates also received more degrees than ever before, including a record number of master小蝌蚪APP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 小蝌蚪APP渁re part of a historically diverse group, reflecting the 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 unwavering commitment to being a place where everyone is welcomed, where every voice is valued, and where every dream is within reach.小蝌蚪APP
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 小蝌蚪APP and the determination and courage they have displayed during the pandemic 小蝌蚪APP have positioned them to become leaders in their professions and communities.
小蝌蚪APP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,小蝌蚪APP he said.
小蝌蚪APP淭omorrow is in your hands 小蝌蚪APP and that小蝌蚪APP檚 exactly where it belongs.小蝌蚪APP
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 小蝌蚪APP and its ability to affect change and improve lives 小蝌蚪APP threaded her message to graduates.
McClung encouraged graduates to fervently pursue 小蝌蚪APP渟uccess, self-actualization and fulfillment小蝌蚪APP while remembering 小蝌蚪APP渢o lift up and serve others in the process.小蝌蚪APP
小蝌蚪APP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,小蝌蚪APP she said.
View a list of Summer 2021 graduates.
Photo caption: 小蝌蚪APP 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 / 小蝌蚪APP)