THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University celebrated its students’ achievements and academic dedication during its 118th Commencement Ceremonies, awarding 667 degrees.
Among the graduates, 65 achieved summa cum laude honors, 55 graduated magna cum laude, and 72 earned cum laude distinctions. Additionally, 35 graduate students completed their master’s degrees or specialist certifications with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
“Every degree awarded reflects a student who is ready to step into the workforce or advance into high-level graduate programs,” said President Jay Clune PhD. “Our graduates leave Nicholls not just with a credential, but with the practical skills and regional connections necessary to make an impact on our community, economy and beyond.”
The university presented the President’s Medal of Honor to 19 undergraduates who maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout their collegiate careers:
| Bellina William, Double Major, Business Administration – Pre-Law & Accounting, Ascension Parish | Grace Forrestier, Birth to Five Early Interventionist/Special Education, St. James Parish |
| Abby Landry, Health Sciences – Communicative Disorders, Assumption Parish | Carsyn Fabre, Psychology – Pre-Counseling, St. Mary Parish |
| Kate Clement, Mass Communications – Public Relations, Lafourche Parish | Emily Terrebonne, Nursing, St. Mary Parish |
| Breanna Gros, Biology – Pre-Medicine/ Pre-Dentistry, Lafourche Parish | Giulianna Chinchilla Leon, Biology – Pre-Medicine/ Pre-Dentistry, Terrebonne Parish |
| Mattie Lee, Nursing, Lafourche Parish | Emily Green, Studio Art, Terrebonne Parish |
| Karishma Nathaniel, Biology – Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry, Lafourche Parish | Carley Pinel, Chemistry – Pre-Medicine/ Pre-Dentistry, Terrebonne Parish |
| Peyton Ponson, Nursing, Lafourche Parish | Emily Poiencot, Health Sciences – Communicative Disorders, Terrebonne Parish |
| Gracie St. Pierre, Psychology – Pre-Counseling, Lafourche Parish | Katie Sevin, Nursing, Terrebonne Parish |
| Kylie Vigie, Health Sciences – Health & Wellness, Lafourche Parish | Eurico Cosme Da Silva Neto, Music – Performance, Recife, Brazil |
| Charley Falgoust, Health Sciences – Communicative Disorders, St. James Parish |
The variety of fields represented by these top graduates shows that no matter what career a student wants to build, they can find the foundation for it at Nicholls.
Links to the full list of Spring 2026 graduates and those graduating with academic honors can be found here.
Nicholls State University is a regional university serving Louisiana’s coastal communities and beyond, with a focus on high-demand programs like healthcare, business, education, marine and environmental sciences, culinary arts and more. Learn more at www.nicholls.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 18, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Suire
Media Relations & Publications Coordinator,
985.448.4141 or payton.suire@nicholls.edu