THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University inducted 12 students and alumni into its Hall of Fame and awarded 7 Outstanding Graduate Students at its Student Awards for Excellence program, sponsored by the Nicholls Alumni Federation, on April 16.
Sarah Abshire, a fall 2023 Master of Education graduate, was the recipient of the overall 2023-2024 Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Abshire was part of the Educational Leadership program and concentrated her studies in Higher Education Administration. She is currently the Academic Planning and Completion Coordinator at Fletcher Technical Community College.
“My Master’s program at Nicholls State University successfully prepared me for this employment opportunity. I also have a heart for teaching and plan to teach in the elementary school setting one day. My dream job would be to teach future teachers in the higher education setting,” said Abshire.
The 2023-2024 Outstanding Graduate Students were selected by graduate faculty, department heads and deans from their respective departments and colleges and represent the very best in their programs. The 2023-2024 Outstanding Graduate Students were:
- Sarah Abshire, Franklin, College of Education & Behavioral Sciences – Department of Teacher Education
- Kevin Cope, Schriever, College of Business Administration
- Carly Cretini, Larose, College of Education & Behavioral Sciences – Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Studies
- Rachel Lefort, Thibodaux, College of Sciences & Technology – Department of Mathematics
- Shelby Truckenbrod, Wonder Lake, Illinois, College of Sciences & Technology – Department of Biological Sciences
- Katie Vedros, Thibodaux, College of Sciences & Technology – Department of Allied Health Sciences
- Christopher Williams, Thibodaux, College of Nursing
The Nicholls State University Hall of Fame honors is one of the highest awards a graduating senior can receive. Faculty and staff nominate students who have distinguished themselves and the University through academic and extracurricular achievements and maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students from both the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 graduating classes are considered for the honor.
The University is proud to announce this year’s Hall of Fame inductees:
- Abigail Arceneaux, Thibodaux, Elementary Education
- Emily Beck, Donaldsonville, Marketing & Management
- Makayla Bynum, Cut Off, Allied Health
- Meegen Cedotal, Thibodaux, Health Sciences – Pre-Professional
- Alaina Clement, Thibodaux, Allied Health Sciences
- Mallory Hines, Westwego, Nursing
- Anna-Claire LaRose, Houma, Allied Health – Communicative Disorders
- Taylor Martin, Raceland, Chemistry – Pre-Medicine
- Kylie Martinez, Gheens, Chemistry – Pre-Dental
- Angelle Romero, Houma, Political Science & Social Sciences
- Alea Roy, Westwego, Dietetics
- Blenda Son, Marrero, Dietetics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 19, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Suire
Media Relations & Publications Coordinator,
985.448.4141 or payton.suire@nicholls.edu
