Published May 12, 2021
ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ will have four commencement ceremonies on Saturday,
May 15, 2021, to recognize the graduating class of Spring 2021.Ìý
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The four colleges, Arts, Education, and Sciences, Business and Social Sciences, Health
Sciences, and Pharmacy, will have separate ceremonies in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. State
COVID-19 requirements limit the number of people allowed in public buildings.Ìý
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Each graduate is allowed to have 10 guests. Guests must wear facemasks inside the
coliseum and are asked to maintain social distancing from other parties. Graduates
are required to wear a solid color or ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥-branded mask.ÌýÌý
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The schedule for Saturday's commencement exercises:Ìý
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· 9 a.m. – College of Arts, Education, and SciencesÌý
· 11 a.m. – College of Business and Social SciencesÌý
· 1 p.m. – College of Health SciencesÌý
· 3 p.m. – College of PharmacyÌý
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Each ceremony will be livestreaming onÌýulm.edu.ÌýÌý
For information on ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ commencement, please visitÌý/commencement-info/.Ìý
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Commencement speakersÌý
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College of Arts, Education, and SciencesÌý
Eric Davis, Ed.D., principal of Carroll High School, is the guest speaker for the
College of Arts, Education and Sciences commencement at 9 a.m.Ìý
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Davis has been an educator for 23 years, serving as a teacher, coach, and administrator.
He was assistant principal at Richwood High School for 11 years and principal at Wossman
High School for three years. Davis was honored as the 2019 Louisiana State Principal
of the Year.Ìý
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Davis earned his Master of Education from ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ in 2003 and his Doctorate of Education
from Walden University in 2018.Ìý
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"My passion for children and education runs deep in my belief system that affords
students the opportunity to truly understand that there is a bright future ahead of
them, and I feel an obligation to provide a platform for them to get there," Davis
said. "Education is more than just students, teachers, and books. It is an experience
that individuals will remember for the rest of their lives."ÌýÌýÌý
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College of Business and Social SciencesÌý
Peggy Lane, Ph.D., Interim Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, is
addressing the graduates on behalf of the CBSS faculty. Through a survey, conversations
and research, she has compiled Words of Wisdom to share with the students on behalf
of the CBSS faculty.
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Lane is a Professor of Computer Information Systems and has been a university educator
and administrator for 30 years.ÌýÌýLane served as Associate Dean for two years and has served as Interim Dean since September
2020, when former dean Ron Berry was named president. ÌýShe is looking forward to returning
to teaching duties this fall.
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She earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, MBA, and Ph.D. in Business
(Information Systems) from the University of Arkansas.
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Lane is active in the professional organizations of Southwest Decision Sciences Institute
(SWDSI) and Federation of Business Disciplines (FBD). She is the past president of
SWDSI and received both their Outstanding Educator Award and their Distinguished Service
Award. She is the current president of FBD.
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College of Health SciencesÌý
Alice M. Profit, president and CEO of the Living Well Foundation, will deliver the
graduation address at the College of Health Sciences commencement at 1 p.m.Ìý
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The Living Well Foundation is a nonprofit organization to enhance the quality of life
and health of the citizens of Ouachita Parish and the seven surrounding parishes.
The foundation has granted more than $733,000 to ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ for initiatives that assist people
in need, those under or uninsured, with little access to medical care, and other health
services.Ìý
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Profit received her Bachelor of Science from ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ and Master of Science from LSU. She
is the inaugural chair of the ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ College of Health Sciences Dean's Community Advisory
Board.Ìý
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Profit has written, recorded, and produced Christian music. As a professional singer,
she has performed with Lauren Daigle, Francesca Battistelli, and Steven Curtis Chapman.Ìý
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College of PharmacyÌý
The ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ College of Pharmacy welcomes Dean Emeritus William "Bill" Bourne, Ph.D., as
the keynote speaker for the 3 p.m. commencement. Bourne served as Dean of Pharmacy
for 17 years (1986-2003).Ìý
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Bourne earned his undergraduate from the University of New Mexico and doctorate from
the University of Arizona. He came to ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ as an assistant professor in 1974.Ìý
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Commenting on his 47 years in pharmacy, Bourne said, "My entire career has been at
ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥. I can't imagine a different or better way to have spent my working years than
to have served the profession of pharmacy through my efforts at ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥."Ìý
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In 1991, he founded the Dufilho Society, an endowed fund for the support and advancement
of the ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ College of Pharmacy.ÌýÌý
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Bill and Marsha Bourn Endowed Pharmacy Superior Graduate Scholarship was established
in 2018 to honor Bourne and his late wife.Ìý
