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Dec. 14, 2002

Fall 2002 Commencement at 蜜桔直播

Fall 2002 Graduates of the University of Louisiana at Monroe received their degrees Saturday, December 14, 2002. The ceremony began at 2:00 p.m. in Fant-Ewing Coliseum on the campus of 蜜桔直播.

Dr. Daniel Reneau, President of Louisiana Tech University, addressed the 467 graduates at 蜜桔直播. He said he was honored to be at 蜜桔直播 today. He mentioned that 蜜桔直播 and Tech were sister institutions and sometimes sibling rivalry is the strongest, though siblings often truly wish the best for each other.

During his commencement address, he told the graduates about courage as it related to 9-11-01. He said each generation has a defining moment, and for these graduates, 9-11-01, was theirs.

"The last conversation Giuliani had with his dyeing father was about courage and fear. Rudy asked him, 'Were you ever afraid of anything?' His father replied, 'Always. Courage is being afraid but then doing what you have to do anyway.'

That's what I'm sure that you, this generation, can do," said Reneau.

"Look to the past for leadership. Build your lives. Continue to build this country on the deeds and dreams of all those preceding Great Generations. And I know you'll carve a place in history for yourself right next to them. Courage. Congratulations, " he said.

Reneau is a graduate of Tech and has been President there since Feb. 20, 1987. He earned his B.S. and Masters degrees in Chemical Engineering. He received his doctorate from Clemson University. Before becoming President, he served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs of Tech. He has published approximately 80 technical papers in books and journals, edited five books, attended over 100 international meetings and conferences, and established Tech's Biomedical Engineering Department. The department became the fifth accredited department for its undergraduate curriculum in the United States, and the Ph.D. program was awarded a commendation of excellence by the Board of Regents. Since October 1990, Tech has been listed in U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 200+ national universities. In the Shreveport-Bossier metropolitan area, Dr. Reneau is a member of the Committee of 100, Member of CERT, a board member of the Biomedical Research Foundation, and a board member of InterTech.

蜜桔直播 President, Dr. James E. Cofer, Sr., addressed the graduates today.

He said, "Today marks the end of this phase of your education and the beginning of the next chapter in your life. It is an exciting time of change and new challenges, and we are confident that you are ready to meet all of those that come your way."

"For 蜜桔直播, today marks the singular celebration that represents the most important work that we --- students, faculty, staff, and students --- do here. The conferral of academic degrees means that many people have worked together to see that each of you is prepared to take your place as a productive member of society. We congratulate you, and we wish you well. We also ask that you come home often, and that you stay in touch with us. We want to know how you are doing, and we want you to know how we are doing," said Cofer.

The top graduate is Leslie Erin Harrington of Mandeville, La. She has a 3.943 GPA and is getting a BA in speech communication. She is the daughter of Kevin and Cathy Harrington.

Students earning advanced graduate degrees are:
Pamela Gail Clark who is receiving the Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy and Elizabeth Ann Guice who is receiving the Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy. Receiving the SSP (specialist in school psychology is Tricia Skipper Wilson. We also have one student receiving the Pharm.D., Mara Norine Lewis.

蜜桔直播 ROTC Graduate, Charlie Warren Presley, is graduating as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army. He will be stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and will be an active duty army lieutenant.

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