Outstanding Graduate
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Every spring and fall semester, deans from the eight academic colleges each nominate a student as an Outstanding Graduate, based on leadership, scholarship and service. These eight students are honored at the commencement ceremonies as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association's Outstanding Graduates. An Alumni Association selection committee interviews the eight candidates and selects one for the overall Outstanding Graduate Award.
Fall 2023 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Zachary Beau Phillips is the Fall 2023 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Zachary Phillips is a biology major with a 4.0 GPA. He presented research at the college’s Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium. He co-authored a peer-reviewed academic paper titled “Flood-driven increases in phytoplankton biomass and cyanobacteria abundance in the western Atchafalaya-Vermilion Bay System, Louisiana.” The paper examines the impact of the 2019 Mississippi River flood on coastal communities and estuaries.
Phillips served as president of the University’s Chess Club. He has distinguished himself as a player, too. Phillips placed first at the Houston Chess Festival and at the Lone Star Open Chess Championships. He was also the Lafayette Chess Club’s city champion.
Phillips, whose interests include neurology and oncology, has interned at LSU Health Shreveport’s pathology laboratory. He plans to attend medical school. His parents are Gina Marie Phillips and Richie Duchamp Phillips of Stonewall, La.
Spring 2023 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Amy Maronni Dartez is the Spring 2023 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Amy Dartez is a biology major. She was recognized for academic excellence by the Black Faculty and Staff Association four times; she was selected one of the Top 50 undergraduate students in the College of Sciences three times.
She tutored fellow students for the college’s Academic Mentoring Matters program. She also mentored K-12 students in Science, Engineering, Technology and Math, or STEM, subjects during interdisciplinary summer camps. Dartez was a member of Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students.
She plans to attend medical school and become a pediatrician, a career choice shaped by her volunteer work with Healing House. The nonprofit organization provides support and resources for grieving children. Her parents are Carlene and Ronnie Dartez of Sunset, La.
Fall 2022 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Ruby Shrestha is the Fall 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
She is a computer science major. Her GPA is 4.0. Shrestha was president of the Nepalese Student Association and vice president of the Association of Computing Machinery. She belongs to the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, Students for the Advancement of Women, the International Student Council and the Nepali Women in Computing. Shrestha has volunteered for the University’s Science Day and provided tutoring for an Office of Disability Services program. She also participated in The World at UL Lafayette Exhibit. The event was a joint effort of the University’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. Shrestha completed internships at CGI and at Ochsner Health. Her parents are Ratna Krishna Shrestha and Krishna Kumari Shrestha of Nepal.
Spring 2022 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Madeleine Angerdina is the Spring 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
She is a mathematics major minoring in political science and economics. Her GPA is 4.0. Angerdina was selected as a Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics Scholar. She was among eight students who placed second in Mathematical Association of America regional competition. Angerdina has been vice president of the Math Society, vice president of finance for Alpha Delta Pi, and secretary and treasurer for Young Democratic Socialists of America. She belongs to Students for the Advancement of Women, the Association for Women in Mathematics, the Student Public Policy Organization and Students for the Autism Society. Angerdina conducted research for the Department of Mathematics and at the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center. She will work in data analytics and pursue a master’s degree in public policy. Her parents are Colleen Angerdina of Madisonville, La., and David Angerdina of Covington, La.
Fall 2021 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Sydney Boudreaux is the Fall 2021 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
She will earn her degree in biology. Her GPA is 4.0. Boudreaux examines trace and heavy metal samples collected from water sources to assist with research she conducts on plants. She was a math mentor as part of a National Science Foundation research initiative to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM education. Boudreaux was a biology and chemistry tutor for Academic Mentoring Matters. She also served in vice president and treasurer roles for the mentoring program. Boudreaux assisted with the University’s LIFE, or Learning is for Everyone, program. It provides students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities an academic foundation, work experience and social opportunities. She worked as an emergency room technician at the Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, helping physicians and nurses treat patients. She plans to attend medical school. Her parents are Jude and Josepha Boudreaux of Lafayette, La.
Spring 2021 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Maxwell Reigner Kane is the Spring 2021 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
He will earn a bachelor's degree in mathematics. His GPA is 4.0. Kane was among eight University students who earned first- and second-place finishes in 2020 and 2021, respectively, in Mathematical Association of America team competitions. Each of those years, he placed first in individual competitions for research presentations about biomathematics and game theory. Kane has also presented research during the Louisiana Council on Excellence in Undergraduate Research Conference. He contributed research in applied mathematics to two papers that will be submitted for publication to peer-reviewed academic journals. Kane was twice chosen a Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics scholar. CURM scholars conduct research in applied mathematics. He will pursue a master’s degree in economics through the MAPSS program at the University of Chicago. Kane also intends to earn a Ph.D. in economics. His parents are Michael and Kimberly Kane of Cookeville, Tennessee.
Fall 2020 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Nicholas Henderson is the Fall 2020 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
He will earn bachelor's degrees in physics, mathematics and chemistry. His GPA is 3.92. Henderson was twice recognized as one of the College of Sciences' Top 50 undergraduates. He was among eight University students who earned second place in a Mathematical Association of America team competition. Henderson was a Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics scholar. Five CURM scholars conducted research with a Department of Mathematics professor. He has been a student researcher for the Louisiana Accelerator Center, and for the departments of Chemistry and Mathematics. Henderson belongs to several University organizations, including the Chemistry Academic Mentoring Matters program, the Society of Physics Students and the UL Lafayette Math Society. He plans to attend medical school. His parents are Jim and Tonia Henderson of Baton Rouge, La.
Spring 2020 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
April Pruitt is the Spring 2020 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
She is a biology major with minors in chemistry and psychology. Pruitt has a 3.95 GPA. During a nine-week summer research program, she worked with researchers at Stanford University to uncover possible causes of a condition that’s common in people with autism spectrum disorder. The California institution is among the world’s most prestigious universities. Pruitt also received an undergraduate research fellowship from the University of California San Diego for medical scientists in training.
She was the University’s Homecoming Queen in 2019. Pruitt was a representative on UL Lafayette’s Quality Enhancement Plan committee. The QEP is a campus-wide initiative that measures the University’s commitment to improving what and how students are learning. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in neuroscience at Yale University or Johns Hopkins University. Pruitt is the daughter of Ronald and Corlette Pruitt of Opelousas, La.
Fall 2019 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Victoria Furka is the Fall 2019 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences and the overall Outstanding Graduate for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Furka is a biology major minoring in chemistry. She has a 4.0 GPA. She participated in the STEM2 project, which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between STEM students and students from the College of Education who create lesson plans for elementary and middle school students. Furka has logged over 1,120 hours of research, focusing on energy flow, biogeochemical cycles and trophic interactions in coastal ecosystems. She has presented research at the University’s Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium. She recently coauthored a manuscript titled “Food Web Response to Foundation Species Change in a Coastal Ecosystem” that will be published in the scientific journal “Food Webs.”
She has taken mission trips to India, Cambodia and Tanzania. Furka plans to attend medical school and become a medical missionary.
Her parents are Marie and Joseph Furka of High Bridge, N.J.
Spring 2019 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Ada F. Tusa is the Spring 2019 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. In addition to this honor, Ada was selected as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association’s overall Outstanding Graduate.
A biology major with a minor in chemistry, Tusa has a 4.0 GPA. She presented research about the model sea anemone – a stinging creature that clings to underwater rocks or coral – at University conferences and symposiums. Tusa co-authored an article about anti-cancer compounds with Dr. Salah Massoud, a chemistry professor. It was published in the New Journal of Chemistry. She was one of five students selected to attend the Tulane National Primate Research Center Summer Fellowship Program for Undergraduate Students. Tusa is a licensed pharmacy technician. She will enroll at the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans to become a physician.
Tusa is the daughter of Dr. Joseph E. and Ms. Maria Tusa of Mandeville, Louisiana.
Fall 2018 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Dahlia Khalifa is the Fall 2018 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Spring 2018 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Jaden Danos is the Spring 2018 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Fall 2017 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Peace Eze is the Fall 2017 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. In addition to this honor, Peace was selected as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association’s overall Outstanding Graduate.
She is a geology major with a concentration in petroleum geology and a minor in mathematics. Eze has a 3.82 GPA. She was vice president of the University Honors Council, multicultural officer for the University Program Council, and secretary for the African Students Association. She was named Outstanding Senior at Ragin' Recognition and Miss Umoja Scholarship Queen. Eze collaborated with faculty members from Stanford University on a research project called "Seismic Characterization of the Terrebone Mini Basin: A hydrate rich depositional system in the Gulf of Mexico." At the University, she conducted research in paleoclimate studies. Her scholarships include the Fleur des Lis International Scholarship and a National Association of Black Geoscientists Scholarship. She is a member of the UL Lafayette Honors Program, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society and the National Collegiate Honors Council. Eze is vice president of the UL Lafayette National Society of Black Engineers. She developed a tutoring program in math, science and English for underprivileged students, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Big Event and New Hope Community Development of Acadiana. Eze plans to pursue a master's degree in geology from the University.
She is the daughter of Peter and Lillian Eze of Lafayette.
Photo: Kyle Bacon, Alumni Association president with Fall 2017 overall Outstanding Graduate Peace Eze. (Photo credit: Courtney Bergeron / UL Lafayette Alumni Association)
Spring 2017 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Alyssa Bienvenu is the Spring 2017 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
She is chemistry and mathematics major with a 4.0 GPA. She has appeared on the President's List every semester of her undergraduate studies. She is the recipient of the College of Science's Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship, the Keith Lindley Honors Scholarship and the UL Lafayette Outstanding Student Scholarship. Bienvenu coauthored three upcoming publications in refereed journals, and presented her research findings at local and national conferences nearly 20 times. She participated in summer research programs funded by the National Science Foundation at Texas A&M University in 2015 and at Pennsylvania State University in 2016. She is president of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society and is the student vice president of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. In addition, Bienvenu was a member of the University Chorale and is the assistant choral director at First United Methodist Church in New Iberia, La., where she performed as a soloist, chancel choir member and bell choir member.
She is the daughter of Troy and Chrys Bienvenu of New Iberia.
Fall 2016 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Juliane G. Mahoney is the Fall 2016 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. She is a biology major with a 3.92 GPA.
She has been on the President's and Dean's lists. She received a TOPS Honor Scholarship, a UL Lafayette Academic Scholarship, a Tommy Comeaux Traditional Music Scholarship, a Student Government Association Scholarship, and a David Caffery Mills Scholarship. Mahoney is president of the University's Chi Alpha Christian Ministry, which received the Most Philanthropic Organization at the 2015 Ragin' Recognition Awards ceremony. Mahoney has guided other students through the Department of Biology's mentoring program. She is active in Acadiana's Cajun music scene and art organizations. Mahoney is a guitarist and vocalist with the Angelle Aces, UL Lafayette's Cajun music ensemble. A dancer and choreographer with Lafayette Ballet Theatre, she choreographed ballets for the UL Lafayette Symphony Orchestra for four years. Mahoney volunteers for Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Louisiana Folk Roots, a nonprofit cultural preservation organization. She is a member of Redeemer City Church in Lafayette.
Mahoney plans to apply for graduate school to study coastal ecology or folklore. She will live, work, and play music in Lafayette.
She is the daughter of John and Jill Mahoney of New Iberia, La.
Spring 2016 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Ashley Duhon is the Spring 2016 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. In addition to this honor, Ashley was selected as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association’s overall Outstanding Graduate. She is a biology major with a 4.0 GPA.
Duhon was vice president of the University's chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta and a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society, and the UL Lafayette Honors Program. She also was a member of Rho Lambda and the Order of Omega leadership and honors societies for Greek students. In 2015, she received an honorable mention in the UL Lafayette Honors Essay Contest. Duhon was a maid on the University's Homecoming Court, and was nominated for 2015 UL Lafayette Greek Woman of the Year. She was treasurer of Phi Mu Fraternity and of the University's Pre-Professional Society. Duhon also was president of CampusCats, an animal rescue organization. She served as senator for the College of Sciences in the Student Government Association. Her community service work includes working with Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic, Children's Miracle Network, and the American Heart Association.
Duhon will enroll at the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans in the fall.
She is the granddaughter of Terrie Tycer of Lafayette.
Fall 2015 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Gage Seaux is the Fall 2015 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. A geology major with a 3.8 GPA, he is a member of the UL Lafayette Honors Program. Seaux conducted fieldwork during excavations in Fossil Lake, Ore., and, as a research assistant, processed specimens collected there. He is vice president of the UL Lafayette Geological Society. Seaux participated in community service projects with Acadiana Animal Aid, the Lafayette Geological Society, Episcopal School of Acadiana's Junior Science Club, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, and Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church. He received the Altar Server of the Year Award from the Diocese of Lafayette. Seaux will enroll at his alma mater in the spring to pursue a master’s degree in geology. He plans to become an exploration geologist. His parents are Preston and Angela Seaux of Lafayette.
Spring 2015 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Zadid K. Haq is the Spring 2015 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. In addition to this honor, Zadid was selected as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association’s overall Outstanding Graduate. Zadid also received the Bradd Clark Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Southwest Louisiana’s Outstanding Undergraduate Award in Arts and Sciences.
Zadid K. Haq plans to attend medical school, now that he’s earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. In addition to earning a 4.0 GPA, Haq was president of the UL Lafayette Honors Program and vice president of the UL Lafayette Pre-Professional Society. He has already had research results published in an international journal.
He founded the UL Honors Orphan Outreach program, which in 2014 raised $8,850 for Syrian orphans. His community service work includes working at the Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic, and with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana. He received the Big Brother of the Year Award in 2014. Haq was a patient aide for Heart of Hospice, and a team captain for Relay for Life, an event that raises money for cancer research. He worked with the Phi Kappa Phi Book Drive, Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, and Special Olympics. He received a UL Lafayette Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship, a Lafayette Parish Medical Scholarship, a Lafayette Parish Academic Rally Scholarship, a Dr. John Tolson Jr. Memorial Scholarship, a Dr. Ben and Clare Roy Thibodeaux Scholarship, and an International Association of Drilling Contractors Chapter Scholarship. Findings of research conducted by a faculty mentor and Haq were published in an international journal in the field of bioinorganic DNA cleavage and modeling. He is the son of Ema and Zakia Haq of Lafayette, La.
Fall 2014 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Merlin Dartez Jr. is the Fall 2014 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. A chemistry major with a 3.6 GPA, he earned American Chemical Society certification and a minor in mathematics. His work has already been published twice in two prestigious chemistry journals. Since 2010, Dartez has been promoting science and chemistry to students of all ages. He has visited more than 15 elementary, middle and high schools in the area to coordinate a Science Day or offer demonstrations intended to interest students in chemistry. From August 2011 until 2013, he was a chemistry tutor on campus. Dartez, three other students and two faculty members, participated in a foreign exchange program in Yinchuan, China, during the summer of 2013. They conducted research with the chemistry and biosciences department at Beifang University there. He is the son of Helen and Merlin J. Dartez Sr. of Crowley, La.
Spring 2014 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Kristy Langlinais is the Spring 2014 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. A biology major with a 4.0 GPA, she has been on the President's List and is a member of the University Honors Program and the Blue Key Honor Society. Langlinais received the TOPS Performance Scholarship, UL Lafayette Centennial Scholarship, UL Lafayette High School Valedictorian Scholarship, Dr. Bernard and Marie Lahasky Scholarship, and Student Government Association Scholarship. She has been a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, the Pre-Professional Society and Ragin' Cajun Catholics. In 2011, Langlinais was an ambassador for the Student Alumni Association. In 2010, she served as public relations chairperson for the Junior National PanHellenic Council. Langlinais has performed community service work with Girl Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, Prevent Child Abuse America, St. Pierre's Center for the Arts, Family Christian Center, Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She has volunteered at Iberia Medical Center, Iberia Rehabilitation Hospital and the Pediatric Therapy and Learning Center. She is active in her church as a music minister and retreat team member. Langlinais plans to enroll in the occupational therapy program at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. She would like to return to the Lafayette area for a career as an occupational therapist. She is the daughter of Justin and Monica Langlinais of Erath, La.
Fall 2013 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Daniel Gould is the Fall 2013 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. A chemistry major with a 4.0 GPA, he has been on the President's List and is a member of the University Honors Program and Blue Key Honor Society. Gould attended the prestigious Animation Fundamentals Program during the summer of 2013 at Capilano University in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he maintained a 4.24 GPA. He was president of the University's AmeriCorps program, received the Segal Education Award from AmeriCorps twice, and earned the Dr. Eddie C. Palmer Outstanding Service Award. As a member of AmeriCorps, Gould performed more than 1,000 hours of community service, helping organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together Acadiana, Earthshare Gardens, New Hope After-school Tutoring, and the Boys and Girls Club. He also helped with disaster relief efforts in New Orleans and coastal restoration efforts in Chauvin, La. Gould plans to finish his UL Lafayette AmeriCorps service year in the spring of 2014 and possibly attend graduate school. He is the son of Judith Meriwether and Philip Gould, both of Lafayette.
Spring 2013 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Kelsey Etheredge is the Spring 2013 Outstanding Graduate for the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. She is a chemistry major with a minor in biology. She has a 4.0 GPA and has been on the President's List. Etheredge has been a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, UL Lafayette's Honors Program and the Student Advisory Committee. She has served as treasurer of the Pre Pre-Professional Society, and secretary of both the UL Lafayette Honors Board and the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society. She has received the UL Lafayette Foundation Scholarship, Jefferson Caffery Scholarship, Centennial Valedictorian Scholarship, Distinguished Freshman Scholarship and the TOPS Honors Scholarship. Her community service includes working with Miles Perret Cancer Services and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Acadiana. She has also tutored an area elementary student. Etheredge plans to enroll in the Houston College of Optometry. She is the daughter of Jim Etheredge of Lafayette, La. and Nona Istre of Lafayette, La.
Fall 2012 College of Sciences Outstanding Graduate
Megan Waterman is the Fall 2012 Outstanding Graduate in the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. She is biology major who completed her degree in three and a half years. She has a 3.93 GPA and has been on the President's List. Waterman is a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, Phi Beta Delta, UL Lafayette's Honors Program and the Student Advisory Committee. She received the Teagle Scholarship, was named an All-American scholar/athlete for three years as a member of the UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns softball team and to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List. Her community service has been with Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Miles Perret Cancer Services, Women's and Children's Hospital, and Food Net, as well as the Reading in Red and Buddy Ball programs. She was a volunteer biology tutor at the Student-Athlete Academic Center. Waterman's goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon. She plans to enroll in the master's program in biology at UL Lafayette while continuing her softball career and before enrolling in medical school. She is the daughter of Douglas and Theresa Waterman of Ashburn, Va.