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				Contact: Christine Payton	Dec. 13, 2006
				(337) 482-6397, payton@louisiana.edu
				FIRST STUDENT TO EARN Ph.D. RETURNS FOR GRAD SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY
				The Graduate School at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will kickoff its 50th anniversary with Dr. John C. Peck, who earned the first Ph.D. given by the university. Peck will give the keynote address during commencement exercises for Graduate School on Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Cajundome. Peck, a 1971 graduate from then University of Southwestern Louisiana, earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science, affording him a job at Clemson University as an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. After a series of promotions and appointments, he now serves as an emeritus professor in the Computer Science Department at Clemson University. He is also chairman of the board of the Foxfire Technologies Corporation. “ It's wonderful to have Dr. Peck back as we begin celebrating our 50th anniversary,” said Graduate School Dean Dr. C. Eddie Palmer. “He will serve as an inspiration to our graduates earning degrees this semester.” In addition, students earning graduate degrees will wear gold cords during commencement signifying the anniversary. Graduate School plans to continue celebrating its anniversary with a series of events during the Spring 2007 semester. A bill before the Louisiana Legislature authorizing Southwestern Louisiana Institute to grant masters' degrees in education was introduced by the late Senator Rexford McCullough in 1956. It became Act 284 and was eventually signed into law by Governor Earl K. Long. The Graduate School was established in 1957 and a total of 125 students registered for classes, including 18 who enrolled on a full-time basis registered for the fall semester of 1957-58, when graduate courses were offered for the first time at the institute. A schedule of other commencement ceremonies and keynote speakers planned on Dec. 16 is as follows: Cajundome 9 a.m. College of General Studies. Kathleen Bergeron will be the keynote speaker. Bergeron is a 1993 graduate of the College of General Studies and she currently serves on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Diversity Advisory Committee. She also serves as preservation specialist of Native American artifacts for FEMA. She has served as Native American Demonstrator, Living History Presenter and Native American Cultural Interpreter in Mississippi and Louisiana for the Native American Center, Natchez Grand Village Historical Park and in Vermilionville. Bergeron has also served as curator for two museums in the Lafayette area. She is the current Historic Preservation Specialist for the Federal Emergency management Agency, US Department of Homeland Security. Bergeron's research interests include American Indians of the Southeastern United States, Louisiana Indian Basketry and American Indian Policy. Noon College of Liberal Arts. Dr. Irby J. Gaudet Jr., professor of psychology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, will give the keynote address. Gaudet earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Auburn University. He has been published in several journals and magazines for his research practices including a survey piece on Lafayette's public attitude on drinking and driving, a three-year study done in the late 70s. He is also a member of the American Psychological Association. 3 p.m. B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration. Flo Guidry Meadows, CPA, CCIM Coldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate, will serve as the keynote speaker. Meadows is the 1994 Outstanding Graduate of the then-USL College of Business Administration, the former President of the Acadiana Chapter of the Society of Louisiana CPAs and SLCPA Board member. Meadows is currently on the Executive Committee of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, a Chamber Board of Directors member, and Vice-Chairman of the Operations and Finance Division. Prior to her present position, she was a significant force in the education advocacy arena and has served Lafayette in many ways. 5:30 p.m. Graduate School. John C. Peck is the keynote speaker. Peck, a 1971 graduate from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, earned the first Ph.D. given by the university. Convention Center Festival Ballroom (second floor) 12 noon College of Sciences. There is no keynote speaker. Convention Center Exhibit Hall (first floor) 9 a.m. College of Nursing and Applied Health Professions. There is no keynote speaker. 12 noon College of Education. Keynote speaker for the College of Education will be Shana Sampia, the top graduate from the college. During her college career, Sampia majoring in music education, was a member of the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band and Sigma Alpha Iota International Women's Music Fraternity, Iota Omicron Chapter. She also participated in the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Flute Choir at the University. Sampia is a member of the Louisiana Flute Society and the UL Lafayette Chorale. She serves as an instrumental mass musician for St. Pius Catholic Church as well as a private piano accompanist and flute instructor. A resident of Lafayette, she is the daughter of the late Robert J. Sampia and Debra Sams. 3 p.m. College of Engineering. Gregg Gothreaux, president and CEO of Lafayette Economic Development Authority will be the keynote speaker. A Louisiana native, Gothreaux received his BS degree from LSU in 1980. He went on to become a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas. Gothreaux is also a graduate of Leadership Lafayette V and Leadership Louisiana. He began his career as an economic developer with Gulf States Utilities in Lake Charles. In 1992, Site Selection and Industrial Development Magazine selected GSU's business development group as one of the top ten economic development groups in the United States. Angelle Hall Auditorium - UL Lafayette Main Campus 11 a.m. College of the Arts. Allison Bohl will serve as the keynote speaker. She is the Outstanding Graduate for the college. The daughter of Al and Doris Bohl, she will graduate with a bachelor's degree in visual arts. A recipient of The Marvin and Ann Dubose Scholarship, Bohl is a member of the Honors Convocation and has been on the Dean's List since 2002. Bohl is a founding member of the Mise en Scéne Society and a member of Students Promoting Environmental Action and Knowledge. She is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi and the UL Cinematic Arts Program. Her community service included creating a documentary on “The Building Character Workshops” for the Robinson Film Center, Shreveport Regional Arts Counsel and Volunteers of America. Bohl is the Director, Co-director, Cinematographer and Editor of six films that have been shown around Louisiana, including “I Always Do My Collars First” which will premier in Bayou Bijou and the University Art Museum. Also, to welcome and introduce the fashion design major that has been added to the College of the Arts, senior fashion design students, under the direction of Dr. Jacquelene Robeck, will showcase their work in a fashion show.

Document last revised Wednesday, December 13, 2006 10:36 AM

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