LSU University College Hosts Phi Eta Sigma’s Annual Initiation Ceremony for 234 Freshmen Scholastic Achievers

BATON ROUGE – LSU University College hosted its annual Phi Eta Sigma Initiation Ceremony on Tuesday, April 21, in the LSU Student Union’s Royal Cotillion Ballroom. University College’s Chapter of Phi Eta Sigma inducted 234 freshmen scholastic achievers and presented the L. B. Lucky Award and Senior Award.

Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society rewarding first-collegiate-year scholarships. Since 1928, the LSU Chapter of Phi Eta Sigma has inducted more than 10,500 students. The goal of the society is to encourage and reward academic excellence among full-time freshmen students in institutions of higher learning who have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average. Inductees receive national recognition, membership and undergraduate and graduate scholarship opportunities of more than $300,000.

“Phi Eta Sigma is a well-respected honor society of which I am pleased to be the advisor for the LSU Chapter,” said R. Paul Ivey, executive director of LSU University College. “This year’s induction of 234 students is one of our largest and is another means for University College to recognize the academic excellence of our freshmen.”

The oldest and largest first-year honor society, Phi Eta Sigma was founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923. Since its founding, more than 1 million scholars have been inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, and more than 370 collegiate chapters have been established throughout the United States.

“Phi Eta Sigma is pleased to recognize our outstanding sophomore and graduating senior members for their academic achievement,” Ivey said. “These annual awards are an important part of our Spring Induction Ceremonies and hopefully provide our newest members with inspiration to continue their academic excellence.”

Nikki Khorsandi of Carencro, La., received LSU University College’s Phi Eta Sigma L.B. Lucky Award. Khorsandi is pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences with a minor in business administration. She has amassed 121 credit hours while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Khorsandi is conducting research with Evanna Gleason in neurobiology with a focus on the retinal cell types of alligators and chickens. She is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, pre-medicine honors society, Tri-Beta Biology honors society and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Established in 1959, the L.B. Lucky Award recognizes a Phi Eta Sigma member who achieved the best overall academic performance during the first three semesters of work taken at LSU.

Ellen Landry of Lake Charles, La., received LSU University College’s Phi Eta Sigma Senior Award. Landry will graduate with her Bachelor of Science degree in anthropology and Spanish, and a minor in biological sciences. She is graduating with 156 credit hours while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Landry participated in LSU Study Abroad twice, visiting both Spain and Argentina. She is a member of the LSU dance program, and is enrolling in the LSU School of Medicine in August 2015.

Established in 1992, the Senior Award recognizes a Phi Eta Sigma member who is a graduating LSU senior and has maintained the best cumulative grade point average and overall academic record at LSU.

Students inducted into the LSU Chapter of Phi Eta Sigma at the event include:

Ruwa M. Abu Farsakh of Baton Rouge, La.
Eosa Agbongiator of Baton Rouge, La.
Elizabeth Claire Alexander of Beaumont, Texas
Victor Alvarado of Baton Rouge, La.
Andrew William Ammons of Lake Charles, La.
Cameron Anderson of Denham Springs, La.
Hailey Marie Andras of Schriever, La.
Martin Alejandro Aviles of Natchitoches, La.
Ashley Elizabeth Babin of Metairie, La.
Molly Jane Baggett of Lake Charles, La.
Rachel Elizabeth Barbaro of New Orleans, La.
Matthew James Begue of Brusly, La.
Savannah Kay Bell of Shreveport, La.
William Ward Belleu III of Saint Amant, La.
Ashley N Berluchaux of Kenner, La.
Kayla J Berniard of Baton Rouge, La.
Alex Berthelot of Denham Springs, La.
Jaron Lee Bertrand of Patterson, La.
Andrew John Bevolo IV of Mandeville, La.
Brooke Alexandra Blackshear of Mandeville, La.
Londyn Blumrich of Gonzales, La.
Mary Caroline Bonin of Madison, Miss.
Josie Elizabeth Bonnette of Denham Springs, La.
Mary Alice Booker of Shreveport, La.
Ashleigh Bordelon of Metairie, La.
Stephanie Catherine Bossier of New Orleans, La.
Owen Robert Bouchon of New Orleans, La.
Ani Hart Boudreaux of Reserve, La.
Ashley Marie Bran of Bridge City, La.
Ashley Rosalia Brignac of Walker, La.
Gabrielle Bruno of Broussard, La.
Hailey A. Buller of Ellicott City, Md.
Wesley Callaway of Ferriday, La.
Amanda Lynn Capritto of Slidell, La.
Caitlin H. Carlos of Baton Rouge, La.
Carolyn Nicole Cash of Shreveport, La.
Lorenzo Castro of New Orleans, La.
Nicole R Champagne of Metairie, La.
Diane Susi Chan of Baton Rouge, La.
Jared Lee Chandler of Manchester, Tenn.
Katelyn Sumlin Clark of West Monroe, La.
Tylen Clark of Baton Rouge, La.
Tanner Wade Clouatre of Denham Springs, La.
Mason L. Cockerham of Greenwell Springs, La.
Katie Renee Como of Broussard, La.
Grant P Connolly of Mandeville, La.
Gary Charles Cooper, Jr. of Destrehan, La.
Phillip Michael Cooper of Bossier City, La.
Catherine Therese Corder of Baton Rouge, La.
Lauren Courville of Lake Charles, La.
Henry Joseph Crull of Metairie, La.
Elizabeth Adams Cunniff of Lafayette, La.
Taylor A. Cupples of Alexandria, La.
Logan John Daigle of Broussard, La.
Megan Kathleen Daley of South Seaville, N.J.
Jarred Davis of Lafayette, La.
Katy Beth DeBellevue of Union, Ky.
Kylie Marie DeBoer of Denham Springs, La.
Raven Symone DeCuir of Baton Rouge, La.
Taylor Elizabeth Diaz of New Orleans, La.
Kelsey Ann Donahue of Mandeville, La.
Mason John Drouant of Kenner, La.
Camille Aimee Dufore of Lafayette, La.
Braxton Duhon of Reserve, La.
Connor Fitzgerald Dunn of Dallas, Texas
Heather M. Duplessis of New Orleans, La.
Sarah Michelle DuRapau of Covington, La.
Madison Taylor Esenwein of Fort Worth, Texas
Andrew Robert Evangelisti of Memphis, Tenn.
Camille Faircloth of Pineville, La.
Joshua William Farr of Mandeville, La.
Winston Faulk of Crowley, La.
Ashley Marie Fisette of River Ridge, La.
Taylor Ann Fisette of River Ridge, La.
Denzel Flores of Covington, La.
Emily Clare Fontenot of Covington, La.
Leah Rose Forsyth of Alpharetta, Ga.
Audrey M. Free of Bossier City, La.
Michael Webb Furrow of Houston, Texas
Pablo Santiago Ga.rcia Rodriguez of Baton Rouge, La.
Taylor Nicole Gatson of Bossier City, La.
Kendall Elise Gaudin of Baton Rouge, La.
April Ranee' Gaydos of Hammond, La.
Andrew Charles Genois of Belle Chasse, La.
Anthony. Genova of Metairie, La.
Eleanor Gilbert of Minden, La.
Kenneth Lane Goodwin of Shreveport, La.
Emma Louise Gordon of Baton Rouge, La.
Jasmin Leshawn Gosey of Baton Rouge, La.
Sarah Elizabeth Grand of Baton Rouge, La.
Benjamin Alcede Grandy of Baton Rouge, La.
Jamie Lynn Granier of Baton Rouge, La.
Madeline Jane Griffin of Kennesaw, Ga.
Madeleine Griffin of Jackson, Miss.
Adam Paul Guarisco of Baton Rouge, La.
Alyssa Brooke Guillory of Baton Rouge, La.
Stephen William Guillory of Alexandria, La.
Clayton Haley of Luling, La.
Mary Catherine Halphen of Allen, Texas
Mason A. Hanzo of Sugar Land, Texas
Emily Holmes Hargis of Lafayette, La.
Brianna Nicole Hayes of Baton Rouge, La.
Oscar Eduardo Hernandez of Spring, Texas
Brandon Xavier Hollier of Tomball, Texas
Madison Kaitlin Hopper of Merryville, La.
Kelsey Amie Howard of Prairieville, La.
Gracie Hubacek of Flowood, Miss.
Ashlee Anna Huval of Covington, La.
Emile Jeunesse of Kenner, La.
Tysharah Kandace Jones of Baton Rouge, La.
Tia K. Jones of Southington, Conn.
Christian John Karam of Belle Chasse, La.
Allison Kelly of Metairie, La.
Erica Elizabeth Kenworthy of Rowlett, Texas
Samuel Andrew Kimbrell, Jr. of Baton Rouge, La.
Spencer Douglas King of Powder Springs, Ga.
Mason Crenshaw Klotz of Slidell, La.
G. Walter Klumpp of Lake Charles, La.
Madison Marie Kotara of Covington, La.
Morgan Elizabeth Lagasse of Belle Chasse, La.
Caroline Marie Lamonte of Baton Rouge, La.
Hannah Marie Lampo of Metairie, La.
Travis M Landriault of Baton Rouge, La.
Samantha Nicole Lanjewar of Valhalla, N.Y.
Kalin Kristopher Larousse of Thibodaux, La.
Matthew Paul Lauto of Metairie, La.
Emma Margaret Lavergne of Crowley, La.
Erin LeBoeuf of Houma, La.
Madison Jade LeDoux of Madisonville, La.
Tara Angelle Leger of Walker, La.
Mingyue Li of Baton Rouge, La.
Camille Amanda Lillie of Smyrna, Ga.
Charles David Loupe III of Slidell, La.
Carter Joseph Lovins of Kingwood, Texas
Alexandra Angelle Lowe of St Francisville, La.
Julia Lowry of New Iberia, La.
Austin Joseph Maidlow of Slidell, La.
Masab Mansoor of Alexandria, La.
Samantha Ellen Marshall of Prairieville, La.
David Alexander Martin of Gorum, La.
Jesse P. Mayeaux of Baton Rouge, La.
John Patrick McGovern of Prairieville, La.
Delaney L. McNorton of Baton Rouge, La.
Robert Scott McPherson of Lake Charles, La.
Mason Locke Meredith of Baton Rouge, La.
Ashley N. Merriweather of Portland, Ore.
Lawrence Brennan Messina of Baton Rouge, La.
Robert Michalik of Slidell, La.
Nicholas Miller of Breaux Bridge, La.
Alexis Ann Morel of Destrehan, La.
Emily Rachel Nall of Opelousas, La.
Paul F. Naquin of Plano, Texas
Gabriel James Navar of River Ridge, La.
Saolam Nguyen of Lacombe, La.
Darla Nguyen of Gretna, La.
Kirkley Marie Norton of Baton Rouge, La.
Meredith Kate Norton of Harvey, La.
Brooks Michael O'Dell of Alexandria, La.
Annie O'Keefe of Houston, Texas
Sara Grace O'Krepki of Covington, La.
Robert Dean Oldham III of Hermitage, Tenn.
Lindsey O’Neal of Slidell, La.
Jordan Casey-Marie Owens of Kenner, La.
Alyssa Anderson Parker of New Orleans, La.
Tristin N. Paul-Olivier of New Iberia, La.
Marie Peaslee of Alexandria, La.
Sarah Peytavin of Reserve, La.
Pham Hoang Khang of Houma, La.
Victoria Anne Pipes of Baton Rouge, La.
Michelle Poole of Prairieville, La.
Emily Christine Pratt of Arnaudville, La.
Amanda Lynn Prochaska of Baton Rouge, La.
Lauren Rando of Harahan, La.
Brandelyn Ann Rauch of Metarie, La.
Alyssa Rauchle of The Woodlands, Texas
David Reedy of Baton Rouge, La.
Emmaline Elizabeth Rice of Shreveport, La.
Austin Taylor Riecke of Baton Rouge, La.
Kali Dawn Rogers of Winnfield, La.
Kacie Noel Rome of Baton Rouge, La.
Samantha Marie Roop of Eagle River, Wisc.
Alexander J. Rozas of Jennings, La.
Kristina Nicole Sak of Baton Rouge, La.
Keylia H. Savage of Bogalusa, La.
Colleen Ann Louise Schilling of Metairie, La.
Samuel H Sciortino II of Hammond, La.
Anna Claire Sightler of Franklinton, La.
Turner John Ogden Simmers of Prairieville, La.
Jordan Paige Simmons of Prairieville, La.
Jasmine Jenai Simmons of Houma, La.
Kia Sims of Ellenwood, Ga.
Manjot Singh of Eunice, La.
Brennan David Skinner of Mandeville, La.
Keion RayLloyd Smith of Baton Rouge, La.
Katelyn Smith of Katy, Texas
Garland Grace Smith of Baton Rouge, La.
Sarah Marie Sonnier of Pride, La.
William Alfred Spencer III of Jarreau, La.
Kelli Renee Speyrer of Opelousas, La.
Mason James St. Pierre of Gonzales, La.
Shea P. Stahnke of New Orleans, La.
Sarah Ann Stalnaker of Haughton, La.
Connor Schierberg Stang of Baton Rouge, La.
Tori Stanton of Kenner, La.
Sierra Alisa Sterling of Clinton, La.
William Kade Stewart of Shreveport, La.
Jackson Edward Stewart of Helotes, Texas
Reed Hampton Stoess of Louisville, Ky.
Ann C. Stolzle of Baton Rouge, La.
Samantha Marie St. Pierre of Poplarville, Miss.
Katherine Tanner of Baton Rouge, La.
Mon Christian Angelo B. Tapalla of Denham Springs, La.
William Stevenson Tebbe of New Orleans, La.
Sean Alexander Thomas of Slidell, La.
Matthew Thompson of Duluth, Minn.
Marissa Merle Torres of Slidell, La.
Latrissia Torres of Slidell, La.
Kendra Mariel Ventura of Metairie, La.
Lauren Elizabeth Verret of Lockport, La.
Paul Edward Videau of Pensacola, Fla.
Kathryn Reed Waggenspack of Baton Rouge, La.
Adam T. Waguespack of New Orleans, La.
Madeline Nicole Walker of Shreveport, La.
Andrew Thomas Watkins of Houma, La.
Logan Alexis Weber of New Orleans, La.
Marissa Nicole Wehrer of Kenner, La.
Francesca Marie White of Belle Chasse, La.
Casey Wick of River Ridge, La.
Ella F Williams of Leatherhead, Surrey, England
Mallory Williams of Lacombe, La.
April Lashay Williams of Garland, Texas
Logan Thomas Woods of Shreveport, La.
Kayla Rachelle Yarborough of Maurepas, La.
Dylan Michael Zeringue of Prairieville, La.

Since 1933, LSU University College has served as the portal of entry for students enrolled at LSU. Academic and personal success is the hallmark of a well-rounded student, and University College provides a foundation of support services for students beginning their academic careers at LSU. University College has two enrollment divisions: The Center for Freshman Year and The Center for Advising and Counseling. Additionally, University College offers retention-specific programs: Student Support Services, Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars and Summer Scholars. These academic support programs focus on particular student populations and are a significant part of the role and mission of University College.

For more information on LSU University College, visit www.uc.lsu.edu or follow the conversation at www.facebook.com/LSU.UniversityCollege.