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Systems Technology M.S. student T.J. Wisham and Communication M.S. student Cheramie Wagoner have been chosen to serve on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s 2021 Homecoming Court.

Wisham will reign as Homecoming King.  He was nominated by the Black Student-Athlete Association, and serves as vice president of the organization.

“This is officially our first year,” Wisham notes. “The goal of our organization is to use our platform to do community service and outreach for younger kids, and continue bettering the experience that we have here at UL.”

Wisham is a running back for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football team and a member of its leadership council.

He has served on the University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and was twice named to the Sun Belt Conference’s Academic Honor Roll.

Wisham is completing his first semester in the , and earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies from UL Lafayette in 2020.

He chose the Systems Technology program for the many options it will provide him in the future.

“Most of my coursework focuses on environmental impacts and on efficiencies when it comes to the workplace,” Wisham notes. “There's a bit of management in there, and environmental impact is huge when it comes to all engineering realms. It's all things that will be useful for me, regardless of what which route I take.”

For Wisham, serving as Homecoming King has been another great opportunity to be involved in the University community.

“It's such a huge honor to be a homecoming king, and represent the university and its alumni,” Wisham says.

“Being a part of all the festivities and talking to a lot of old grads and alumni has been a lot of fun.”

Wagoner was nominated to the court by Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. She is in her second year of the , and earned a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication in 2020.

“In undergrad, I changed my major going into my senior year--I was not a communications major all the way through. And once it came time to graduate, I really just had a thirst to learn more.” Wagoner says.

“I thought grad school be the perfect option for me, because it would give me the time to really feel like an expert in my field.”

She currently works as a graduate assistant in the University’s Office of Communications and Marketing, and previously interned with the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership.

While serving as a mentor and lead staff member for SOUL Camp, Wagoner co-chaired staff development and recruitment efforts. She was also a member of the Student Government Association.

“I attended undergrad at UL, and even then I was very aware of the impact that graduate students had on the campus community, whether that be in their graduate assistantships, their research, or even as involved student leaders,” Wagoner says. “To be able to represent that group of people that are such a core part of this campus really means the world to me, and especially on to be a part of a court that is such a timeless tradition within the university itself.”

The Graduate Schools congratulates these students on being recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the University.