The University of Louisiana at Lafayette conferred 271 degrees during its Summer Commencement ceremony on Friday at the Cajundome Convention Center.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, encouraged graduates to embark on the next chapters of their lives with the confidence that they will continue to be successful. “You have the opportunity to use your abilities to solve problems and to help others,” he said.
Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 205 graduates and master’s degrees were awarded to 51 graduates.
Fifteen graduates also earned doctoral degrees. Two of them, who both earned doctorates in computer science, share the same parents.
Brother and sister Anurag Singh, 30, and Sumi Singh, 32, began pursuing doctoral degrees at the same time, in the fall of 2011. They also both hold master’s degrees in computer science from UL Lafayette.
The siblings, who are from India, won’t be together much longer, however. Anurag Singh has accepted a job as a software analyst in New York.
Sumi Sing will continue in higher education, as an assistant professor at the University of Central Missouri, near Kansas City, although she isn’t ruling out reuniting with her brother at some point. “You never know, I could always move,” she joked while waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Keynote speaker Chan Kiat Lim, a recipient of the UL Lafayette Foundation’s 2015 Distinguished Professor Award, urged students not to let self-doubt cause them to leave doors unopened.
“Today, you are standing at the edge of a new dawn, confronted with exciting opportunities, and crucial decisions,” Lim said. “Embrace your challenges with enthusiasm. Don’t let fear hold you back.”
Kathrynn Renee Knott was recognized as summa cum laude graduate for achieving a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Knott, who majored in marketing, received a bachelor of science degree from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration. She is the daughter of Cynthia Thibodeaux of Forest Hill, La., and Scottie Knott of Sunset, La.
Cajun folklorist Dr. Barry Jean Ancelet served as Summer 2015 Commencement grand marshal. He recently retired after nearly 40 years at the University.
Ancelet joined the UL Lafayette faculty in 1977 and began carving out a reputation as one of the most renowned Cajun folklorists in the world. He has been director of the Center for Acadian and Creole Folklore, and a professor of francophone studies and folklore. He also chaired the Department of Modern Languages.
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Photo: Brother and sister Anurag Singh, 30, and Sumi Singh, 32, earned earned doctorates in computer science during Summer 2015 Commencement ceremonies on Friday.