College of Arts & Sciences

Board of regentsRossanna Salazar, Chairman AustinWilliam F. Scott, Vice Chairman NederlandCharlie Amato San AntonioVeronica Muzquiz Edwards San AntonioJaime R. Garza San AntonioDavid Montagne BeaumontVernon Reaser III BellaireAlan L. Tinsley MadisonvilleDonna N. Williams ArlingtonDylan J. McFarland, Student Regent Huntsville

Brian McCall, Ph.D., Chancellor

University administrationKenneth R. Evans, Ph.D. PresidentJames Marquart, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Academic AffairsKevin B. Smith, Ph.D. Senior Associate Provost Brenda S. Nichols, D.N.Sc. Vice Provost for Digital LearningE. Craig Ness, M.B.A. Vice President for Finance and OperationsJohn Bello-Ogunu, Sr., Ph.D. Vice President for Diversity and InclusionPriscilla Parsons, M.B.A. Vice President for Information TechnologyVicki McNeil, Ed.D. Vice President for Student EngagementJuan Zabala, M.B.A. Vice President for University AdvancementJason Henderson, M.B.A. Athletics Director

academic deansWilliam E. Harn, Ph.D. Dean of Graduate StudiesJoe Nordgren, Ph.D. Interim Dean of Arts and SciencesEnrique “Henry” Venta, Ph.D. Dean of BusinessRobert Spina, Ph.D., FACSM Dean of Education and Human DevelopmentSrinivas Palanki, Ph.D. Dean of EngineeringDerina Holtzhausen, Ph.D. Dean of Fine Arts and CommunicationKevin Dodson, Ph.D. Dean of Reaud Honors CollegeDavid J. Carroll, M.L.S. Director of Library Services

Welcome and Congratulations!

Excitement surrounds you this evening; the processional stage awaits. As the event gathers momentum, you will undoubtedly reflect upon your journey to this moment in time; perhaps an uncertain beginning followed by events that have challenged your resolve. You will also reflect upon your loved ones, your family, and your closest friends—those people whose mutual faith in your dream have kept you going. That dream is now irrevocable.

As you have experienced, a university diploma symbolizes high achievement. However, it also symbolizes a promise that you will apply your knowledge and talent to the fullest of your abilities. Complacency is not an option; do not undervalue or disappoint yourself in this regard.

By definition commencement is a beginning, not an end. You are a diverse and accomplished group of scholars, and from this day onward your lives will always be interconnected with the Lamar University Graduating Class December 16, 2016. Yes…celebrate, rejoice, wear out your cell phone cameras, and party until the lights go down. But do know that we eagerly await your future accomplishments.

Sincere Best Wishes,

Dr. Joe NordgrenInterim Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Ceremony Program

Musical Prelude Lamar University Brass Ensemble Scott Deppe, Ed.D. Director of Bands

Academic Processional* Thomas Sowers, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Political Science Crown Imperial Lamar University Brass Ensemble Walton

The National Anthem* Debra Greschner, M.M.The Star Spangled Banner Instructor of MusicFrancis Scott Key

Welcome/Introductions Joe Nordgren, Ph.D. Interim Dean

Commencement Address Vernice Monroe Associate Social Work Professor Emeritus Special Assistant to the President University Multicultural Enhancement

Undergraduate Address Miroslava Estefania Zendejas Criminal Justice Major Certification of Graduates Joe Nordgren, Ph.D.

Conferring of Degrees Kenneth R. Evans, Ph.D.

Presentation of Graduating Joe Nordgren, Ph.D.Class

Announcement of Jesse Doiron, M.A.Graduates Instructor of English and Modern Languages Catalina Castillon, Ph.D. Associate Professor of English and Modern Languages

Concluding Remarks Joe Nordgren, Ph.D.and Awards

Lamar University Debra Greschner, M.M.Alma Mater*G. Rhodes Smartt Lamar to thee we’re singing We will ever need thee Voices raised on high. As our guiding star. We will forever love thee To us you’ll always be Laud thee to the sky. Our glorious Lamar. Academic Recessional* Thomas Sowers, Ph.D.

Please join us for an informal reception under the tent, located in the front of the Montagne Center, following the ceremony.

*Audience please stand.

To maintain the dignity of the program, guests are requested to refrain from unnecessary noises (air horns, etc.) and movement during the ceremony.

Joe Nordgren, Ph.D., Interim Dean

Paul Bernazzani, Associate Interim Dean

BiologyPaul Nicoletto, ChairJames ArmacostAna Christensen (Marshal)Matt HochIan Lian

Chemistry/BiochemistryXiangyang Lei, ChairRoland BarbosaOzge Gunaydin-Sen

(Marshal)Christopher MartinSuying Wei Computer ScienceStephan Andrei, ChairJane Liu (Marshal)Kami MakkiBo SunJing Zhang

Earth/Space SciencesJim Jordan, ChairJoe KrugerJim Westgate (Marshal)

English/Modern LanguagesJim Sanderson, ChairJerry BradleyCatalina Castillon (Card

Reader)Lloyd DaigrepontJesse Doiron (Card Reader)Elia Hatfield Charles Popp (Marshal)

Arthur Stewart Steve Zani (Head Marshal) HistoryMary Scheer, ChairJimmy BryanJeff ForretTina Kibbe (Marshal)Yasuko Sato

Liberal ArtsJulie Alford, DirectorEmilee Davis

Applied Arts and SciencesEileen Burch (Marshal)

General StudiesRachel Klauss (Marshal)

MathematicsMaryE Wilkinson, ChairValentin Andreev (Marshal)Kumer DasWen LiuRobert Vallin

NursingCindy Stinson, Interim ChairDeborah CamakGlynda CochranMary FordIva Hall (Marshal)Carol HammondsMichelle Hutto Elizabeth LongNancye McAfee Cindy PipkinsRuthie RobinsonJ.T. Seaman

PhysicsRichard Lumpkin, Interim

ChairCristian BahrimRafael de la MadridGeorge IrwinCengiz Sen (Marshal)

Political ScienceTerri Davis, ChairSara GubalaBoyd Lanier (Marshal)James NelsonThomas Sowers (Mace

Bearer)Craig Tahaney (Assistant

Marshal)Brian Williams

PsychologyEdythe Kirk, ChairElizabeth AronsonEli BarclayJudith MannJeferson ScheidemandelJeremy Shelton (Marshal)Martha Rinker (Security

Marshal)

Criminal Justice/Sociology/Social WorkStuart Wright, ChairEric Bronson Jesse GarciaMichael SullivanRobert Worley (Marshal)Vidisha Worley

College of arts and sCienCes faCulty

direCtors of graduation CeremonyDavid Short Jr., Registrar

Barbara Price, Assistant Registrar Jenny Wagner, Assistant RegistrardireCtors of reCords & registration

Summer Rather Natasha Walkergraduation Coordinators

Elisabeth Brown Mildred Piert

Vernice Monroe is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Missouri at Columbia. She joined the Lamar University faculty in 1970 as an instructor, which allowed Lamar University to offer a minor in social work. After assisting in developing the minor, a baccalaureate degree in social work was formed and Professor Monroe was appointed director of the Social Work Program in 1976. She was able to obtain funding and accreditation to help develop and maintain the program over the years. During her time as director,

she served on various university, college and department committees, including the Faculty Senate. Additionally, she has conducted numerous lectures, workshops and seminars, to help foster a diverse environment and to start conversations about cultural sensitivity. Her focus as director and instructor was to produce beginning level social work practitioners, who were confident and competent and graduates who were proud to be alumni of Lamar University’s Social Work Program. To recognize her contributions in social work at the university, an endowed scholarship was established in her name.

Upon retirement in May 2008, the TSUS Board of Regents awarded Professor Monroe the honorary title of Associate Social Work Professor Emeritus. She currently serves as special assistant to the president for multicultural enhancement, and works in collaboration with administration, faculty, staff and students, to build a community that values and respects the unique perspective that every individual brings to Lamar University. With more than four decades dedicated to the students of Lamar University, Professor Monroe is one of the longest-standing faculty/staff members in the history of the institution.

Professor Monroe also serves on the board of managers for the Beaumont Independent School District, and as a member of the board of directors for CASA, IEA and CrimeStoppers. In addition to service on these community boards, she has served on regional and state committees. Governor Ann Richards appointed her to serve as a commissioner for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in 1993. In 1983-1989, she served on the State of Texas Mental Health Advisory Committee, a 13-member statewide advisory committee to the Texas Commissioner of Mental Health.

Miroslava Estefania Zendejas, daughter of Jose and Martha Zendejas, is a Native of Mexico, who has made Texas her home. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, Texas, in 2013. She is graduating from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Legal Studies. Throughout her college journey, she participated in numerous organizations such as serving as Vice-president of the Criminal Justice Student Association and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, served as secretary of the Lamar Community Garden, was

a member of Lamar University’s Reaud Honors College, Alpha Phi Sigma-Criminal Justice Honor Society, the Moot Court team, the Model United Nations team, the Criminal Justice Fraternity- Lambda Alpha Epsilon, the Pre-Law Society and served as a leader for students by being a Resident Assistant for Cardinal Village for three years.

During her three and a half years at Lamar, she maintained a 4.0 GPA while receiving numerous honors such as the Lamar University Academic Excellence Student Award for two consecutive years, the Outstanding Community Leader Award, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award, the “Honorable Delegation” award at the Model United Nations conference in UT Austin, and was selected to participate in the Reaud Honor’s College ‘Partners in the Parks’ program. She was also a Beck Fellowship finalist, a McNair Scholar, and a recipient of the Tom F. Jones Scholarship and the Academic Undergraduate Scholarship.

master of sCienCe in Chemistry

Vahini Reddy ChamalaSrinivas DavuSamaikya GaddeBanusree GourinenyVarun Sairam GuttikondaGowtham KanyadharaRegina Elise KuebodeauxSubbareddy LakkuDineshkumar MakarlaHarish MelamEshwar MuleHaritha Reddy NagidiDeepak PeruruMd Arif RafidSreenath SriramPrashanthrao SurabhiNaveen TakkalaAnvesh TorraVenkatasatya Shalini VandavasiSurya Prakash VeeramachaneniLauren Danielle Harrison Ware

master of sCienCe in ComPuter sCienCe

Najar AryalRajesh Kumar BansalGayatri BhattaHarsh Anilkumar BhavsarTejaswini BuddhirajuMadhur Kumar ChaurasiaAnudeep DaliboyinaAnvesh DammalapatiAbhinay DarlaHari Prasad Dhonju Shrestha

Anand Amit Kumar FnuLeeladhar Sharma FnuNiroop Reddy GaddamKomal Bhaskar GadeNeha GaikwadPrakash GaireSandesh Kumar HardallyYogesh JagarlamudiAnit JyotishiSai Mithun KalvalaFarhana Akhtar KhanSameer KhanVijay KonarM V R Satya Ganesh KotaAmit KumarPraveen KumarSai Siddharth Reddy KuntaManideep LingalaGaurav MahajanHarish MahankaliAmit Kumar MallaVikram Reddy MeruguKrishnakanth MididoddyShafi MohammadVenkat Raju NomulaKarthik PamidimukkalaMonica PandeyRahulbhai D. PandyaMeet ParikhBhumit Parsottambhai PatelPrawalika Reddy PatlollaSandeep PendyalaBala Raju PeramNeha RacharlaSindhu RaghavarajuSojibur RahmanSreejith RajeevanChandrakant Babubhai Rudani

Amit SahaPoonam Raghunath SangleShahayaz ShaikSaifuddin SyedBharatkumar Jagdishbhai TejwaniNirajan ThapaSai Kishen ThentuNaman RajanKumar TurakhiaVinay Kumar VanamPavithra Kumar VandavasiDinesh VaradarajuAparna Damodar WaradeAaron Michael WelbornYing Yang

master of arts in english

Jill E. CrosbyLynn Ellen DroddyCeleste Nicole Montoya

master of arts in teaChing sPanish as a foreign language

Mary Carmen AlvarezErika Faviola PattersonMireille Shalhoub Pavez

master of sCienCe in mathematiCs

Audrene Shawda’ Edwards

master of sCienCe in nursing

Lana S. Cillie

Corie Nicole CooperGabrielle Osterman DavisAngela Joyce KayCandace Gabrielle Renfro

master of PubliC administration Hector A. FloresMiriam Wyatt Morgan

master of sCienCe in aPPlied PsyChology

Maxwell Taylor Smith

master of sCienCe in Criminal JustiCe

Racquel Young AlexanderChadwick Jerome AllenTracey Perry AllenJeffrey Hunter ChapmanLakeia Denise ColemanJoseph Dewane EubanksAaron Kade EwingToyice D. GardinerMichael Edward GuntherCourtney Elizabeth HamptonBrent Stephen HandRamona Yvette HebertDeidre S. HolmesDanielle Irene JohnsonWilliam Jermaine JonesJulisa Julaya LouperChelsia MatthewsMiles Harper McCallTranell Lynn Mitchell

Roberto Peralta Jr.Kris Ryan PersadJohn Michael RinebergAngel Lasette RushEva Colette ShelanderEric Roderick Templeton IIMichael Scott WashingtonSusan Michelle West

baChelor of sCienCe in biology

Katherine Lugtu Arriola*Juana Julieth Becerra CardenasDatron Aomon Brown Jr.Jami Elizabeth BrownMaria Guadalupe CoronaJessica Joanna GonzalezLauren Elizabeth HuffJimmy HuynhLinh Thuy NguyenLinda Ky PhamJennifer Lee RaymerDavid RivasNadria Cyleste RobinsonKristi BreAnne SonnierCasey Alan Toohey

baChelor of sCienCe in environmental sCienCe

David Michael Devers*Sarah ShimBenjamin Gray TaylorCandice Lauren Vigil

baChelor of arts in bioChemistry

Harman Preet Kaur

baChelor of sCienCe in ComPuter sCienCe

Minh-Nhat Phuoc DuongJoseph Dewayne JordanChristopher Thomas LaChanceHannah Mae LeleuxJerin Keith LewisKyle Mitchell MurrellJames White OchiengSeth Alan SoileauAlexander James Evans Strong

baChelor of sCienCe in geology

Jude Samuel Jean

baChelor of arts in english

Evon Marie Amman-SaavedraJacqueline Monique Benavides*Katie Louise ChambersHarmony Jasmine DixonSteven Ellis GonzalesCaroline Michelle GrayAbreya Sharmaine JosephLauren Taylor MartinJohn Russell McGinnisShelby Lee Murphy*Chelsea Elaine SistrunkMaegan Rebecca White

baChelor of arts in modern languages

Ana Lilia Gaytan CejaRamiro NunezGicela Galilea Trejo

baChelor of arts in history

Reagan Miles BlockKatherine Elizabeth DanielNicholas Adam LegeEmma O. NelsonMorgan Brittney Williams

baChelor of aPPlied arts and sCienCes

Ana Gabriela AlmonteAshlee N. ArceneauxTrena Loren Vincent ArceneauxDontae Da’Juan ArmstrongBrittany Nicole AustinMarti Lee BallingerChesney K. BechtelJack Bryan BoeckSara Lee BroughtonGena Sheree BrownNathaniel Brown IIITiffany M. BuckleyPaul Isaac ByersDavid Jesus Campos Jr.Sharon Layton CottenTodd Patrick CrawleyRandall Alvey Creel IIJohn Anthony Danek IIHetal Desai

Denise Dale DillardTram Thu DinhCatherine E. DoyleJocelynn Yuvonne EvansMelonee Ann FifeCynthia A. FonteneauxPreshette Lavel FrohmAshley Ann GeraldDavid Patrick GoodwinKrista Alyse GuzmanTeena Louise HancockLandry James HarrisSteven Jennings HarrisJennifer Dawn HinoteLou Ann HumphreyRoger Lynn HuntRyan Tyrome HunterCourtney Diann JacksonTanya Kaye JacksonBrian Patrick KirkChace Ellis LeassearComalita LeShun LeeTommy Joe Mann Jr.Andres MarinElizabeth MarquezJayme L. McGlothinMichelle Denise MerchantRhonda Austin MeredithJennifer Brooke MilamJolene R. MonseJorden Adrienne MooreKesandra Nicole MorinRoshonda Sharvette NellisonMichael Daniel NewmanAshlee Elizabeth PaganJames Jean-August PalloneStormy Lynne PhillipsRosa Maria Resendez

Taylor Michele RobersonJarrod Raymond RobertsAmber Emily Robinson FantPaul Andrew SchofieldSue Anne SmithKaley Christine SpellMonica Marie StephensonJoshua Travis TauzinNetobia N. TaylorMeagan Nicole ThierheimerSuzy Laneice ThomasRandy Paul Valcin IIBrenda Hill WalkerMichael Wayne Wickman Jr.Sarah Alexander WilksMarsha Kay Wright

baChelor of general studies Zachary Robert AitkenAshton Michelle BreauxKaylee Marie BridgesCarisa A. BrownJillian D. Brown-LewisLatridia Monéy ByrdEmily Elizabeth CongerCassandra M. EldridgeDavid Lee FaustMarta Denise FlemingErika Dawn FortenberryDan Logan FugateMonica Olivia GarciaHeather Renee GilbertJordan Blake GodeauxKellen Denise GomezChelsea Barbrianna GrantMichael Handy

Jaycie Leanne HarrisonNadira Medina JohnsonGrady RicQuan Allen JonesRonnie D. Jones Jr.Thomas Chase JordanBrendan Hasan LangleyChristine R. MarioneauxSamantha M. MaxeyMercedes Fontaine McClainCharles Blake McKenzieScott Ray McLemoreDanielle A. MedleyShay Nicole MichonKaleena Ann MooreNadia MusaKayla Donette NealAlicia Lyn NunezBrandi Nicole OlesMatthew Anthony OubreMelinda Miller PettigrewSedkeithdrick Trevell Pickard Sr.William Austin PowellBetty Lois RavenAmanda R. ReynoldsKassandra Laird RileyHaley Danielle RobinsonDaniela Hayde SanchezJimmy Keith SandersMontra Davon ScottCrystal Lynn StahlTaylor Michelle StephensBrooke Lynn TaitAlejandra Joadan TizolAmanda Paige WaldenKayla Renee Wells

baChelor of sCienCe in mathematiCs

Ingrid Sofia BeckmanChristopher W. Hagner*William Leo HillLevi Kent Morris Jr.*Christian Alexander Stewart

baChelor of sCienCe in nursing

Melissa Esther AlaybeyogluTaylor Jhanae AlexanderOkechukwu Michelle AmajirionwuOlanma Destiny AnozieJamie LeBlanc AtterberryTeresa Lashun BatisteAlycia Rene BearOnetta Demetric BellamyLana Fay BelzYamileth C. BenitezCatherine Ann BihmErin A. BoninBrettnay JoLin BouseChelsea Collette BowserRobert Joe BriscoeMaggie Lacresa BrooksJessica Fragstein BroussardReagan Michelle BrownAllyson R. BureRick Anthony CamposKatherine Keistler CarperChristopher Robert CarusoMichelle A. CharlesYashica Redo CharlesDean Joseph ChessonSharolyn R. ChittyMaria de Jesus Cruz

Jaylon Dianne DanielsErin Rene DomingueHolley Sherice DukeGabrielle C. DunnOnome EdokunSheri Dawn FayazMuhammad Waqar FazailSara-Ann Patrice FearonEvan James FitchMiracle LaToi FreemanShannon Thomas GranthamDevyn McCaul Gravley*Tiffany Renee GreeneJan Elizabeth GuidryKristie Michelle GunnSamantha Marie HaberleTiffany Monique HatchSamantha Joseline

Hernandez-LeyvaMeredith Francis HicksTorrey Edward HillHolly Ann HolcombKaitlin Nichole HuckebaJennifer Lynsey HuneycuttSarah Jane JacksonKamryn L. JohnsonIvy Nakuweza JonesMichelle Suzanne KarstenCaitlin Renee KnightMaggie Helen LeJuneMorgan Elizabeth LeblancBrenda Abigail LesterKaylee R. LewisTori Denise LewisSharon K. LinneyBrittany Nicole LongApril Nicole LuquetteKelli Marie McInnisMelanie Brooke McCrary

Kayla Sade’ McGaryMiltasia Annessa MillerChelsey Nicole MoutonLe Sebra J. MurdockJamie Danielle NolenLawrence Oluwaseun Oke Jr.Bethany Anne OzunaSurajan PandayStefanie Ann ParkersonCheryl Lynn PateBreanna F. PaulGabrielle Vunshay PeaAmy Elizabeth PeltLehongdiana Thi PhamCatherine Latasha PinaBrianna Lynn PittsDeborah Gail PoeMaryclare PorterMaribel RamirezKassidy Lane ReneauJolonda Yvonne RhinesCale Aaron RichKrystal Irene RichardEfua Mbrobah RichardsonChristopher Benjamin RicoSatrina Rochelle RobinsonKagen Nicholas RoseWarren RoseKrista Lynne RozellJocelyn Grace SayersBrooke Nicole SchexniderEmmanuel Kossi SeddohJulie Lane ShawSydney Dawn ShepherdNorene Elizabeth SheppardSara Doll SikoraMichael Medford Smith Jr.Shontessa Denee SpellSavannah Emily Steiner

Lindsey Bree StevensCourtnay Danielle StocktonCarin Anne TerranceCourtney R. ThomasWilliam Taylor ThomasAdam Joseph TillerBrooke Rose TownsendDavid Huntington Towson Jr.April Simone Tyrrell-HendersonDenesha D’Shane TysonJordan Marie WalkerAlise Carol-Summers WarnockHeather Renee WilsonKatherine Elizabeth WoodringKhadija Salim YemofioStephen Cody Zwahr

baChelor of sCienCe in PhysiCs

Mark Roy Worth

baChelor of arts in PolitiCal sCienCe

Lindsey Leeann Darby*

baChelor of sCienCe in PolitiCal sCienCe

Love Osahenrumwen Osemwegie

baChelor of arts in PsyChology and danCe

Nikki La’Trice Pritray Dixon

baChelor of arts in PsyChology

Kathryn Lee Ann Williams

baChelor of sCienCe in PsyChology

Robin Mastell CrossHannah Kay DerouenBrianna Nicole DouglasMatthew Elisha GlennKaneisha Janét GreenShalandra Shena GuilloryTempist L. CollinsEvelyn Alicia Denise HoustonGabrielle Paige Johnson

Madeline Ruth KujawskiMichael Thanh LaJacob Joseph LomonteKara Brianne MaceChassidy Janae MayoJazzmun Roze McIntyreJessica Ann MuglestonKelsey Michelle NicholsJonathan David SanchezMadison Bailey SmithKevin Wayne Zabala*

baChelor of arts in Criminal JustiCe

Milagro Elisabeth ContrerasJavier Flores Jr.Miroslava Estefania Zendejas*

baChelor of sCienCe in Criminal JustiCe

Henry Alfred Bebon IIIWileen R. BenjaminJames Shawn Keith BlackwellDevonn Giovanni BrownJohn Leonard BurtonMichael A. BurtsGabriel CandelariaIsaiah A. ChaviraJazzlynn Lydian ConwayMignon Denyse Davis

James Edward DodsonJustin Edward DuckLauren Fay DuhonEddie L. EvansDemarcus Javon FranklinKatherine Claire FulbrightJazman M. GibsonCynthia Denise JacksonAkeria Shanique Jordan ListerMelissa Annette KaiserLakisha Lynn LewisPamela Davis LiedyTeresa Marie MillardPhillip Aaron Pollock

Dontaya Tatiana PowersTaylor Austin ReynoldsDavid Alan Schellberg Jr.Asija P. SpurlockRobert Lee Tyler Jr.William Mansfield Tyler IVMariano ValleEmerie Denise WattsKade Ellis WeaverDre’La Shavon WillardJazmine Yvette Williams

baChelor of sCienCe in soCiology

Celeste ChapmanDarla Raye Collins

Paisley Celest HilburnBailey Victoria LaDayMary Katlyn LynchCheryl Renee WagnerWei Xiong

baChelor of soCial Work

Brianny I. ButlerKinley Jessica OwensBriana Shani’ WilliamsErica Lashae Williams

*Reaud Honors College Graduate

masters theses

Dhonju Shrestha, Hari Prasad – Contiki Based Multihop Routing Protocol – Bo Sun, Supervising Professor

Droddy, Lynn Ellen – Tall Girl and Other Stories – James Sanderson, Supervising Professor

Edwards, Audrene Shawdá – Using Statistical Approaches to Model Crude Oil Data – Kumer Das, Supervising Professor

Khan, Farhana Akhtar – Numerical Analysis of Enhancement in Gas Pumping to Generate Corona Wind – Stefan Andrei, Supervising Professor

Kuebodeaux, Regina Elise – Cytotoxic Effects of Ultraviolet Irradation and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and the Study of Cholesterol and DNA Alterations on Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells – T. Thuy Minh Nguyen, Supervising Professor

Rafid, Md Arif – Optimization of the Conditions for the Solubilization of the Native RNA Binding Protein Hfq – Maxim Soukhodolets, Supervising Professor

Rahman, Sojibur – Design Pattern: Obligation Link Pattern – Stefan Andrei, Supervising Professor

Saha, Amit – Bangla Sentence Parsing Using Traditional Parser – Stefan Andrei, Supervising Professor

Smith, Maxwell T. – The Effects of Ego Depletion on the Presentation of Nonverbal Deception Cues – Elizabeth P. Aronson, Supervising Professor

alPha lambda deltaFreshman Honors

Red, White and Gold Triple Cord

beta Xi ChaPter of Phi beta delta

International Student HonorsGold Medallion with Red and

Yellow Ribbon

College of arts and sCienCes Arts and Sciences Majors

with a 4.0 GPAGold Medallion on Red Ribbon

gamma nu ChaPter of sigma tau delta

English Honor SocietyCardinal Red Stole with Black

Embroidered Seal, Brass Medallion on Red Ribbon, Cardinal Red and

Black Double Cord

lu ambassadorsStudent Ambassadors

Red and Gold Double Cord

lu honorsLatin Honors

Red and White Double Cord

lu veteransUS Military Veteran

Red, White and Blue Double Cord

national student nursing assoCiation

Student Nursing AssociationBlue and White Cord

order of omegaGreek Honors

Gold Stole with Logo, Gold and Ivory Cord

Phi beta deltaInternational Honor Society

Gold Medallion with Red and Gold Ribbon

Phi eta sigmaFreshman Honors

Black and Gold Double Cord

Phi kaPPa PhiJunior/Senior Honor Society

Yellow Stole with Insignia on White Background, White Medallion with

a Blue Ribbon and Blue Cord

Pi mu ePsilonMath Honor Society

Purple, Lavender and Gold Triple Cord

Psi ChiPsychology Honor Society

Platinum and Dark Blue Cord, Platinum Stole, Platinum Medallion

on Navy Blue Ribbon

honors

An Honor Graduate must have completed 60 hours at Lamar University for a 4-year degree. A student with a GPA of 3.5 or higher on all LU

undergraduate work will be awarded honors. Cum laude is 3.5 to 3.64, magna cum laude is 3.65 to 3.79 and summa cum laude is 3.8 to 4.0.

reaud honors CollegeGraduate who has completed

23 hours of honors coursework, including an honors thesis, or 26

hours with eight hours of upper-level credits while maintaining a 3.25 GPA.

Bronze Medallion with Red and White Ribbon

ronald e. mCnair sCholarFirst generation, low income, and

underrepresented graduate who has completed graduate-level research internship, including undergraduate

thesis and research defense.NASA Blue Stole with Lettering,

Lamp of Knowledge Medallion with Red, White, and Blue Ribbon

sigma delta PiSpanish Honor Society

Red and Gold Double CordsGold or Red and Gold Stole

sigma theta tau internationalInternational Nursing Honor Society

Purple and White Double Cord

smith-hutson sCholarSmith-Hutson Scholarship Recipient

Black Stole with Red Trim

uPsilon Pi ePsilonComputer Science Honor Society

Medallion on Maroon Ribbon, Maroon and White Double Cord

Pi sigma alPhaNational Honor Society in

Political ScienceRed, White and Black Cord Medallion on Red Ribbon

the aCademiC regalia

In its essential features, the academic regalia worn at American college exercises had its beginning in the Middle Ages. The oldest universities in Northern Europe grew out of church schools, and both faculty and students were regarded as part of the clergy. Hence, as their regular costume, they wore clerical garb borrowed largely from the monastic dress of their day.

The academic gown and hood were first regularly adopted by the University of Cambridge in 1284 and by the University of Oxford a little later. The custom transplanted to this country in Colonial times by King’s College in New York, now Columbia University. In 1895, American universities and colleges decided to standardize their academic styles and developed the intercollegiate code of academic costume. The style follows in the vein of the Cambridge tradition. The distinctive caps, gowns and hoods worn at present-day college and university functions denote the institution that granted the degree, the field of learning in which the degree was earned and the level of the degree – bachelor, master or doctorate.

The gown is usually of black material (serge or worsted for bachelors, the same or silk for masters and silk for doctors). Bachelor’s gowns have pointed sleeves and master’s have long pouch-like sleeves, which reputedly were once used to carry books. Doctor’s gowns are faced with panels of velvet down the front and three bars of velvet across each sleeve.

The hood, worn around the neck so as to hang down the back, is the principal emblem of the nature and source of the degree held. The colors in the hood lining are the colors of the school conferring the degree. The color of the border indicates the scholarly field of the wearer. Hoods may be worn only after the degree has been granted.

The cap, the square mortarboard in American universities, but a round, short, flat velvet hat in British, Canadian and some European universities, bears a tassel which may be black, or it may be colored

according to the scholarly field of the wearer. Only the doctors’ cap may be of velvet.

The degree colors are used for the edging of all hoods and may be used for the velvet facing and sleeve bars of doctors’ gowns and tassels on bachelors’ and masters’ caps. This includes: Arts and Letters – White, Commerce – Drab, Education – Light Blue, Engineering – Orange, Fine Arts – Brown, Humanities – Crimson, Law – Purple, Library Science – Lemon, Medicine – Green, Music – Pink, Pharmacy – Olive, Philosophy (Ph.D.) – Dark Blue, Physical Education – Sage Green, Science – Golden Yellow and Theology – Scarlet.

university maCe

Originally a medieval weapon and later carried by Sergeants at Arms guarding kings and high church officials, the mace has gradually assumed a purely ceremonial character symbolizing authority. As used in formal academic processions, the mace derives from the early university history. The Lamar University mace is traditional in design. The mahogany shaft is crowned by a head on which are mounted four representations of the university seal. The president of the Faculty Senate, who leads the academic procession, carries the mace in today’s ceremony.

aCademiC gonfalons

Gonfalons, banners that are designed to hang from a crossbar, have historical roots dating back to the 12th century when they served as the official emblems to represent the various districts of Florence, Italy. In more recent times, gonfalons have been adopted by academia to serve as symbols to represent each college within a university. Each college has their own representative banner with the dean from the respective college carrying the gonfalon in the academic processional.

Lamar University engages and empowers students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in their personal lives and chosen fields of endeavor. As a doctoral granting institution, Lamar University is internationally recognized for its high quality academics, innovative curriculum, diverse student population, accessibility and leading edge scholarly activities dedicated to transforming the communities of

Southeast Texas and beyond.

Special appreciation is extended to volunteers for serving as ushers for today’s commencement ceremony.

This program is not an official graduation list. This printed program lists students who are eligible to graduate pending the outcome of final examinations and final grades. Therefore, it should not be used to determine a student’s academic or degree status. The student’s permanent academic record is kept by the Records Department, P.O. Box 10010, Beaumont, Texas 77710. Students, faculty and staff members are selected without regard to their race, color, creed, sex, age, disability or national origin, consistent with the Assurance of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Executive Order 11246 as issued and amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.