Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Saturday, May 9
Congratulate the class of 2026
by sharing your commencement photos today on social media using #LoynoJD26
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Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
May 9, 2026 • Smoothie King Center
Arts, Letters, Humanities
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Economics
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Journalism
Crimson Law
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Library Science
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Medicine
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Pink Nursing
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Philosophy
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Public Administration, including Foreign Service
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Science
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Theology
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Ceremonial Regalia
Universities have held ceremonies for the awarding of degrees since the eleventh century. Over these many hundreds of years, considerable tradition has evolved around these commencement exercises and the procedure by which degrees are awarded.
Authorization for the awarding of a degree is complex. In the United States, each state has laws that permit the state to recognize and acknowledge the worthiness of an institution to award a degree. The Louisiana Legislature granted a charter to Loyola University on July 10, 1912, recognizing the university’s right to grant degrees. Regional associations set standards and after careful examination will recognize an institution through accreditation. Loyola is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
The sequence of events that leads to the awarding of a degree consists first of a statement by the faculty of a college that an individual has completed all of the requirements and a recommendation to the dean that the individual be awarded a degree. The dean then certifies to the president of the institution that the student has completed the course requirements. The president, who has been authorized by the Board of Trustees, then confers the degree. A degree is a title that a college grants an individual upon completion of scholarly work. As proof of that title, a diploma is issued. The diploma repeats the sequence of faculty recommendations, certification by the dean, conference by the president, and the authority of the Board of Trustees as shown by the presence of the seal of the university.
In today’s ceremonies, the name of each candidate for graduation present will be announced publicly. Each individual will come to the stage when their name is announced. The president of the university will congratulate the recipient. The diploma cover symbolizes the academic achievement that the individual has attained. Those who have completed undergraduate degree requirements move the tassel on the mortarboard from right to left, another symbolic custom. The president will wait until all of the names of degree recipients and candidates are announced and then will confer a degree collectively upon each individual in a real or prophetic way. At many universities today, diplomas are not issued until some weeks after commencement exercises.
Academic Gowns And Hats
Academic gowns and hats are a custom that dates back to the Middle Ages. Since early European and English universities were founded by the church, students and teachers were required to wear distinctive gowns at all times. Although the custom was brought to this country in colonial days, the requirement for students was soon dropped. The custom for professors was confined to special occasions such as graduation exercises and inaugurations of college and university presidents.
With the increase in the number of educational institutions and the development of new fields of study, confusion arose about the type of gown and the color to denote various degrees. To introduce uniformity and set up a clearinghouse for new disciplines, a commission representing leading American colleges produced The Intercollegiate Code in 1895. In 1932, a national committee of the American Council on Education revised this code into The Academic Costume Code. It was revised again in 1959. Although not obligatory, most of the educational institutions in the country follow it in awarding their degrees, earned and honorary.
The most significant part of the academic dress is the hood. While there are bachelor’s degree hoods, many institutions reserve the wearing of hoods for graduate degrees. Each successively higher degree carries with it a longer hood. The doctoral hood also has side panels on the back. The color of its velvet border indicates the academic field, and it is lined with the color or colors of the institution granting the degree.
Although most doctoral gowns are black, with black velvet bars and panels, in some cases the color of the gown is that of the university conferring the degree—blue for Yale, crimson for Harvard, slate for Columbia. All such gowns have black bars and panels.
Academic fields also may be indicated by the color of velvet on the doctoral gowns: three two-inch bars on the sleeves and a five-inch border extending from the back of the neck down the two sides in front.
Caps are black. Gowns for bachelor’s and master’s degrees are plain black, but sleeves of the latter are short with trailing “elbows.” Doctoral gowns of European universities are usually very colorful. The caps often are not of the conventional mortarboard shape.
Distinction Cords
Undergraduate students graduating with honors wear distinction cords symbolizing the following honors:
Gold Cords — Summa Cum Laude (3.8 GPA)
Silver Cords — Magna Cum Laude (3.6 GPA)
Bronze Cords — Cum Laude (3.4 GPA)
Ceremonial Mace
Loyola University’s Ceremonial Mace is an ornamental mace traditionally carried at the head of academic processions as a symbol of educational authority and institutional identity. Its design and appearance typically resemble a metal torch or cross decorated by carvings including the university seal.
The Loyola mace was designed in 1995 by then Department of Visual Arts faculty member Erik Johnson. It is carried as a symbol of authority in processions at commencement and other academic ceremonies. During other times of the year, it is on permanent display in Marquette Hall. It was utilized for the first time October 28, 1995, at the inauguration of the Rev. Bernard P. Knoth, S.J., as 15th president of the university.
The iconography on the mace is derived from the seal of the university as designed in 1929 and stylized in 1970. The arms of the Loyola family consist of two gray wolves suspending a kettle between them. This is seen as a symbol of generosity because it signifies such abundance that after everyone was fed there was always something left in the pot upon which the wolves could feast.
The fleur-de-lis represents the French origins of the state and city.
The pelican feeding her young with her own blood affiliates Loyola with the state of Louisiana.
The wolves, fleur-de-lis, pelican, and bottom termination are of cast bronze. The kettle, with the facade of Marquette Hall in low relief, is cast iron. Overall length is approximately thirty-three inches.
The staff is inscribed with the following significant dates in Loyola University New Orleans history:
2012 — the 100th anniversary of Loyola’s charter; MCMXII — 1912 — chartering of Loyola University; MDCCCXLIX — 1849 — founding of the College of the Immaculate Conception; MDCCCXXXVII — 1837 — founding of St. Charles College; and MDCCXXVI — 1726 — arrival of the Society of Jesus in Louisiana.
HONORARY DEGREES
Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals because of contributions the individual has made to their community and beyond. These degrees carry the distinction honoris causa, which means “cause of honor.”
The sequence of events is slightly different and is somewhat more ceremonial than for traditional degrees.
A committee of faculty, staff, and student representatives considers individuals for this honor, examining both the careers and the contributions of the nominees. This group presents its recommendations to the president, who forwards them to the Board of Trustees. The board selects the recipients and authorizes
the preparation of a diploma for each honoree. The diploma bears the signatures of the chair and secretary of the Board of Trustees, the president, and the provost.
The diploma notes the actions of the individual that the committee and the board considered. The president confers the degree. The honoree wears an honorary degree hood, bordered in velvet and lined in the maroon and gold colors of the university.
The Reverend Thomas P. Greene, S.J., ’86, J.D. ’89
Father Thomas P. Greene, SJ, ’86 BA, ’89 JD, is the provincial superior of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province, serving since July 31, 2020, with his term concluding this July. In this role, he has led key apostolic initiatives grounded in a faith that does justice.
With the support of Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, he established a border ministry in the Rio Grande Valley to provide pastoral care for detained migrants and those in shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border. He also launched the Jesuit Prison Education Network, expanding access to higher education for incarcerated individuals across Jesuit institutions, and created a retreat scholarship fund to broaden access to Ignatian spirituality among Black Catholics.
Father Greene’s ministry has included legal advocacy for detained immigrant children and asylum seekers in Chicago, Houston and New Orleans. He has served as provincial assistant for international ministries, superior of the Jesuit Community of Belize, and rector of Bellarmine House of Studies at Saint Louis University. He is a founding member of Loyola’s Jesuit Social Research Institute and serves on the boards of Jesuit Refugee Service International and JRS-USA.
A native of New Orleans, he is a graduate of Jesuit High School, Loyola University New Orleans, and its College of Law. He practiced law before entering the Jesuits in 1997 and was ordained in 2007.
Order of Proceedings
Presiding
Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D. President, Loyola University New Orleans
Procession.............................................................................................. Candidates for Degrees College of Law Faculty and Staff Presidential Party
Mace Bearer ................................................................................ Sarah Allison, Ph.D. Hutchinson Distinguished Professor, Associate Professor of English, Director of Composition, and Chair of the University Senate
Gonfalon Bearer Alysse Arceneaux Assistant Director, Law Records and Chair of the University Staff Senate
Call to Order .............................................................................................. Ryan Haas ’99, M.S. Chair, Board of Trustees
Invocation The Reverend Lawrence W. Moore, S.J., J.D. Professor of Law
National Anthem ............................................................................... Jessica Mulgrew, J.D. ’26
Welcome and Presidential Remarks .................................................... Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D.
Fulbright Scholar’s Commencement Message ............Selwyn Wayne Theodore Rukero, LL.M. ’26
2026 Commencement Message Eduardo Chamah Nicolas, J.D. ’26
Presentation and Conferring of Honorary Degree ................................................................................ Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D. Thomas A. Chambers, Ph.D. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
2026 Commencement Remarks ................ The Reverend Thomas P. Greene, S.J., ’86, J.D. ’89 Provincial of the Jesuits’ USA Central and Southern Province
Dean’s Remarks and Charge to the Candidates ............... The Honorable Madeleine M. Landrieu, J.D. ’87, H ’05 Dean and Judge Adrian G. Duplantier Distinguished Professor of Law
Presentation of Candidates The Honorable Madeleine M. Landrieu, J.D. ’87, H ’05
Reader .............................................................................
Mary Garvey Algero, J.D. ’89 Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development, Philip and Eugenie Brooks Distinguished Professor of Law, and Warren E. Mouledoux Distinguished Professor of Law
Conferring of Degrees Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D.
Blessing ..................................................................... The Reverend W. Penn Dawson, S.J., J.D. Visiting Assistant Professor of Law
Recessional ..................................................................................................... Presidential Party College of Law Faculty and Staff Graduates
Announcer Tom Evison University Athletics
Guests may meet their graduates outside on Dave Dixon Drive between the Arena and the Superdome.
COLLEGE OF LAW
William T. Aguillard Lake Charles, Louisiana
Ashlyn Elise Alack Madisonville, Louisiana
Una Anderson ◊ New Orleans, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Gabrielle E. Armstrong New Orleans, Louisiana
Rilley Rose Arreola Corpus Christi, Texas
Peter James Bagley Wayne, Pennsylvania Cum Laude
Ashley D. Bailey Colorado Springs, Colorado
Spencer Allan Bargas Albuquerque, New Mexico
Zakaria J. Barhoush Ocala, Florida
Brylon D. Batiste St. Martinville, Louisiana
Brandon L. Becerra Miami Lakes, Florida
Julie Marie Belanger Metairie, Louisiana
Hector R. Belarmino Bel Air, Maryland
Jonathan Louis Benit Mandeville, Louisiana Cum Laude
Emily A. Berthelot ◊ Harvey, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Ivana Betances Juarez San Antonio, Texas
Juris Doctor
Jean-Paul B. Bezou Covington, Louisiana
Alayna Lynn Blanda Marrero, Louisiana
Sophia Patricia Boudreau Atlanta, Georgia
Madison Bourgeois
New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude
Crayton Lee Bowie Oxford, Mississippi
Ashley C. Bowler Lake Charles, Louisiana
Charles Arlen “Trey” Braud III Covington, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Brianna L. Brewer ◊ Violet, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Emily Sarah Brouillette Metairie, Louisiana
Gage C. Broussard Erath, Louisiana
Jillian Christine Brown Shreveport, Louisiana
Breanna L. Burkhead ◊ Lake Charles, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Anika Olympia Butler New Orleans, Louisiana
Christopher J. Caldarera ◊ Laplace, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Eugene Thomas Calongne IV New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude
Cole Thomas Carmouche
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Cum Laude
Shelby Paige Cascio Gonzales, Louisiana
Hannah I. Cavazos Weslaco, Texas
Clélie Colleen Chachere Opelousas, Louisiana
Eduardo Chamah Nicolas Mayagü, Puerto Rico Cum Laude
Marryn Mikayla Chaney Lancaster, Pennsylvania Cum Laude
Jack Mitchell Chapoton Mandeville, Louisiana
Nicole Ourso-Chetta Baton Rouge, Louisiana
James Chilimigras ◊ Bay St. Louis, MS Summa Cum Laude
Madeline Annalise Clay Gardendale, Alabama
Elizabeth Mary Coman ◊ New Orleans, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude
Julián J. Contreras Mandeville, Louisiana
Catherine V. Cool Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Phillip Hampton Brock Creel Franklinton, Louisiana
Joleen Rivera Dacula New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude
Hannah Catherine Daniel ◊ Pineville, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude
Macy Louise Debnam West Monroe, Louisiana
Alexander Manuel DePascual New Orleans, Louisiana
Maryam A. Diaab Detroit, Michigan Cum Laude
Patricia Victoria Diaz San Juan, Puerto Rico
Kimberly Ann Dickerson Harvey, Louisiana
Lacey C. Dodson Haughton, Louisiana
Donavan M. Donahe Bossier City, Louisiana
Sophia Yiannopoulos Dooley Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Alicia M. Ducksworth Dallas, Texas
Kelsey D. Ferguson Beaufort, North Carolina
Brenna Kay Ferrell Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Daniel T. Field
Saint Francisville, Louisiana
Gina Marie Flores Alice, Texas
Tracey D. Ford
Carlisle, Massachusetts Cum Laude
Allen C. Foss Cincinnati, Ohio
Allison Zoglio Foy New Orleans, Louisiana
Elizabeth Walsh Gainer Nashville, Tennessee Cum Laude
Dara Martiné Gallion
Shreveport, Louisiana Cum Laude
Olivia Grace Gillis Dallas, Texas
Lee John Gilyot New Orleans, Louisiana
Kyle T. Godeaux Lake Charles, Louisiana
M. Belen Goicoechea Ruiz ◊
Necochea, Argentina
Magna Cum Laude
Alexandra A. Gomez-Resendiz Ponchatoula, Louisiana Cum Laude
Katera R. Green Memphis, Tennessee
Abigail Groom Kansas City, Missouri
Christopher A. Guerra Houston, Texas
Hannah Emilia Guerra ◊ Hammond, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude
Robert G. Haik II New Orleans, Louisiana
Jack Elliot Hamilton Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Margaret Elizabeth Head Montgomery, Alabama
Warren Alexander Hedrick Harahan, Louisiana
Max T. Henson San Antonio, Texas
Dennise Jackeline Hernandez Plascencia Snellville, Georgia
Grace Elizabeth Herring New Iberia, Louisiana
Kennedy Imani Hood Atlanta, GA
William Theis Huckabay Shreveport, Louisiana
Maeve R. Hurson ◊ Austin, Texas Summa Cum Laude
Lindsey C. Ingram Syracuse, New York
Henri Lloyd Jacobs New Orleans, Louisiana
Jacob A. Jimenez Pflugerville, Texas Cum Laude
Cameron Rashad Johnson New Orleans, Louisiana
Andrew Darwin Jones II Waxahachie, Texas
Riley Claire Joyner Shreveport, Louisiana
Karam Preet Kaur Clinton, Mississippi
Amari William Kelly Bowie, Maryland
Tyler Wesley Kennemore Chattanooga, Tennessee Cum Laude
Abigail Claire Kilgore Crowley, Louisiana Cum Laude
Katherine Jane Kimbrell Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Kelli Kirkland Slidell, Louisiana
Ann Marcelle Lafranca New Orleans, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Bradley K. Lane Mobile, Alabama
Nicolle Elizabeth Lanson New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude
Carianne McClellan Lewis Daphne, Alabama
Madison Elizabeth Lively Las Cruces, New Mexico
Vallerie Lockwood Williamsburg, Virginia Cum Laude
Christopher Lucore Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Cum Laude
Matthew D. Maier Prairieville, Louisiana
Rachel H. Male North Yarmouth, Maine
Alec C. Maraldo New Orleans, Louisiana
Marissa Isabel Marrero Houston, Texas
Mahalie Belle Matassa
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Morgan Layne Matte Lafayette, Louisiana
Christian May Birmingham, Alabama
Tavaziva C. Mazhindu Harmony, Pennslyvania
Owen McCall
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Cum Laude
Alejandro H. Medina ◊ Wesley Chapel, Florida Magna Cum Laude
Marshall Gregory Meek Minden, Louisiana
Kimberly N. Meikalike Houston, Texas Cum Laude
Gabriel Lewis Miciotto Shreveport, Louisiana
Adam P. Miller
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Mindy L. Miller New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude
Lydia Valentine Mollerup Memphis, Tennessee
Caroline Elisabeth Monies Covington, Louisiana
Nicolas Allen Montalbano Metairie, Louisiana
Sal Edward Montalbano Metairie, Louisiana
Robert Lee Moore III ◊ Helena, Alabama Magna Cum Laude
Ashtyn Kirk Morgan Covington, Louisiana
Madison Francis Morgan St. Amant, Louisiana
Ta’Jonn Marie Morris Gramercy, Louisiana
Analise Kathryn Morrow Tampa, Florida
Patrick Thomas Moss, Jr. Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Jessica Mulgrew Lake Charles, Louisiana
Kevin J. Mulgrew Los Angeles, California
Ava C. Myers
Upper Township, New Jersey
Eric P. Napier Dayton, Ohio
Danita Davis Nash New Orleans, Louisiana
Myles J. Nash Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Tamara A. Nassar Houston, Texas
Isabella Christina Navarro Miami, Florida
Holly Gayle Neely New Orleans, Louisiana
Peter Joseph Nelson-Broderick Atlanta, Georgia
Abigail Renee Newman New Orleans, Louisiana
Rachel Avery Norwood ◊ Biloxi, Mississippi Magna Cum Laude
Ryan Joseph O’Connor New Orleans, Louisiana
Sadie Elizabeth Odom Birmingham, Alabama
Andru Okun Canton, Massachusetts
Malaak Jamal Ottallah Metairie, Louisiana
Kathryn Mary Parker New Orleans, Louisiana
Alex Joseph Perera ◊
Pierre Part, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude
Breanna M. Pina
Boynton Beach, Florida
Keemiya Pourmonir Pittston, Pennsylvania Cum Laude
Francesca G. Prejean Lafayette, Louisiana
Gordon Hobson Rand New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude
Ethan B. Rapoport Petaluma, California Cum Laude
Lauren Olivia Resendiz Harlingen, Texas
Olivia An Richards Oregon, Missouri Cum Laude
Piper C. Richman Monroe, Louisiana
Kyle R. Robbins Kenner, Louisiana
Wyatt Richard Salters Metairie, Louisiana
Sarah Antoinette Sanchez Mandeville, Louisiana
Madison Aline Scanlan Church Point, Louisiana
Grace Farnsworth Schaumburg ◊ River Ridge, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude
Elysa Schroeder Las Vegas, Nevada Cum Laude
Hannah Holliday Schumacher New Orleans, Louisiana
Grant James Segar Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Alyce Cymone Simien Lafayette, Louisiana
Alexander M. Smith Metairie, Louisiana
Madison E. Smith Laplace, Louisiana
Mark W. Smith II Metairie, Louisiana
Alexander Hof Sobel New Orleans, Louisiana
Macy Mackenzie Sparks Crawford, Mississippi
Anna K. Steckler Saint Landry, Louisiana
Ashton Clark Stevens New Orleans, Louisiana
John J. Stockstill Lafayette, Louisiana
Olivia Leigh Stonecipher Memphis, Tennessee
Jacob Storey Jackson, Mississippi
Abigail Elizabeth Strohmeyer ◊ Gretna, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Alicia Cristina Sucre Fort Lauderdale, Florida Magna Cum Laude
Andrew C. Sutton Lacombe, Louisiana Cum Laude
Ramin Talebloo New Orleans, Louisiana
Burnett Tappel III New Orleans, Louisiana
Noah Emile Thibodeaux Lafayette, Louisiana Cum Laude
Jordan Lindi Torgerson Phoenix, Arizona Cum Laude
Elizabeth Jane Treadaway New Orleans, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Eleni Grace Tsaoussidis New Orleans, Louisiana
Mary Helen VanHoy ◊ Shreveport, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Holly Alexis Vrettos Covington, Louisiana
Crowe Scholar (top 10 percent)
James Montague Wakeland Houston, Texas Cum Laude
Cathryn G. Weldy Beaumont, Texas
Benjamin S. Wessel Metairie, Louisiana
Anne Marie Wherritt New Orleans, Louisiana
Dymon Desteney White New Orleans, Louisiana
Maggie T. White St. Louis, Missouri
Matthew C. White West Monroe, Louisiana Cum Laude
Tanner Morgan White ◊ Cedar City, Utah Magna Cum Laude
Hampton Hunter Williams Metairie, Louisiana
Joshua Paul Joel Williams Mobile, Alabama
Kayla Ann Wilson San Antonio, Texas
Patrick C. Winters ◊ New Orleans, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Alexandra Elise Zengel ◊ New Orleans, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude
Master Of Business Administration
Christopher A. Guerra Houston, Texas Summa Cum Laude
Master of Laws
Naydi J. Alvarez Martinez La Ceiba, Honduras
Oscar Gerardo Arroyo Torpey Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
Bryant N. Autin Elmwood, Louisiana Cum Laude
Rawan Barakat Palestine
Selwyn Wayne Theodore Rukero Windhoek, Namibia
Adrienne Lee Sanders Baton Rouge, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude
Brandon Michael Tate New Orleans, Louisiana
Madushika Nadeeshani Weerasinghe Pathiranage Sri Lanka
Yaribelky Cedeño Work Panama City, Panama
Master of Arts in Environmental Law
Johnetta Shenay Bell Mound Bayou, Mississippi
Adelind Claire McGoldrick River Forest, Illinois
Meghan Kathleen Smith New Orleans, Louisiana
Master of Arts in Health Law and Administration
Amari Allah New Orleans, Louisiana
Natalie C. Dugan New Orleans, Louisiana
Fred Kaddu New Orleans, Louisiana
Samantha Jo Vignes Belle Chase, Louisiana
Elyssa Willis Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Fulbright Scholar
Fulbright Scholars attend the Loyola College of Law as part of the U.S. Department of State’s prestigious, merit-based, cultural enrichment program that supports foreign students interested in pursuing graduate study in the United States.
Selwyn Wayne Theodore Rukero, LL.M. ’26 Windhoek, Namibia
Wayne Rukero is a foreign Fulbright scholar from Namibia who holds an LL.B. (Honours) degree from the University of Namibia; a certificate in International Law from the National University of Singapore; and, today, he is an LL.M. graduate in United States Law.
He is also a qualified lawyer of the High and Supreme Court of Namibia and, having taken his MPRE in March 2026, he is a prospective candidate of the New York State Bar Examination. His prior legal experience includes having practiced as an Associate Attorney at two of Africa’s largest law firms in their respective corporate and commercial departments.
Finally, Wayne is a co-founder of a start-up that is developing Namibia’s first chlor-alkali chemical production plant.
Faculty Emeriti
Loyola considers granting emeritus status upon retirement to all assistant and associate professors, professors, and academic administrators who normally have given 15 years or more of service to the university and who have made contributions to the university. The following individuals were granted emeritus status during the 2025–2026 academic year.
D. Majeeda Snead, J.D. Clinical Professor of Law Emerita
Bachelor of Arts, 1981, University of New Orleans; J.D., 1984, Loyola University School of Law.
Professor William L. Crowe, Sr., Scholars
In 2000, the faculty at the College of Law established an honor in memory of their late colleague for students graduating in the top 10 percent of the class (based on fall 2025 senior rank). These students, in grade point average rank order, are designated the 2026 William L. Crowe, Sr. Scholars.
Maeve R. Hurson
Grace Farnsworth Schaumburg
Hannah Catherine Daniel
James Chilimigras
Alex Joseph Perera
Elizabeth Mary Coman
Hannah Emilia Guerra
Mary Helen VanHoy
Alexandra Elise Zengel
Emily A. Berthelot
Rachel Avery Norwood
Alejandro H. Medina
Patrick C. Winters
Breanna L. Burkhead
Abigail Elizabeth Strohmeyer
Tanner Morgan White
Christopher J. Caldarera
Robert Lee Moore III
Una Anderson
Brianna L. Brewer
M. Belen Goicoechea Ruiz
The Order of Barristers
The Order of Barristers is a national honor society that encourages effective oral advocacy and brief writing. Schools selected to have chapters are those nationally recognized for outstanding Moot Court and Trial Advocacy programs and for successful participation in regional, national, and international interscholastic oral advocacy competitions. The following graduates have been inducted as members of this prestigious group for the 2025–2026 academic year:
Grace Farnsworth Schaumburg
Phillip Hampton Brock Creel
Nicolas Allen Montalbano
Sal Edward Montalbano
James Montague Wakeland
Marryn Mikayla Chaney
Carianne McClellan Lewis
Tavaziva C. Mazhindu
Rachel Avery Norwood
Eduardo Chamah Nicolas
Ashley D. Bailey
Marshall Gregory Meek
Law Review
Editorial Board 2025–2026
Editor-in-Chief
Hannah Catherine Daniel
Managing Editors, Print
Peter James Bagley
Emily A. Berthelot
Managing Editor, Online
Molly E. Payne
Articles Editors
Christopher J. Caldarera
Olivia Grace Gillis
Online Editor
Alejandro H. Medina
Casenote and Comment Editors
Maeve R. Hurson
Rachel Avery Norwood
Managing Substance & Citation Editor
Elizabeth Mary Coman
Substance & Citation Editors
Hannah Emilia Guerra
Thomas A. Natal, Jr.
Mary Helen VanHoy
Candidate Development & Symposium Editor
Jacob A. Jimenez
Members 2025–2026
Breanna L. Burkhead
James Chilimigras
John F.M. Donovan
Ann Marcelle Lafranca
Grace Farnsworth Schaumburg
Abigail Elizabeth Strohmeyer
Matthew C. White
Patrick C. Winters
Journal of Public Interest Law
Editorial Board 2025–2026
Managing Editor
Maryam A. Diaab
Chief of Staff
Vallerie Lockwood
Substance & Citation Editors
Ethan B. Rapoport
Cathryn G. Weldy
Comment Editors
Marryn Mikayla Chaney
Owen McCall
Editor-in-Chief
Tracey D. Ford
Articles Editor
Alexandra Elise Zengel
Symposium Editor
Hector R. Belarmino
Online Editor
Kimberly N. Meikalike
Community Outreach Editor
Amanda M. Duhe
Members 2025–2026
Zakaria J. Barhoush
Kari Elgin
Tally Follins
Dara Martiné Gallion
Katera R. Green
Tyler Wesley Kennemore
Robert Lee Moore III
Alicia Cristina Sucre
Jordan Lindi Torgerson
Joshua Paul Joel Williams
Maritime Law Journal
Editorial Board 2025–2026
Editor-in-Chief
Gordon Hobson Rand
Chief of Staff
Elizabeth Walsh Gainer
Managing Editors
Christopher Lucore
Alex Joseph Perera
Case Note & Comment Editors
Charles Arlen “Trey” Braud III
Morgan Layne Matte
Adam P. Miller
Noah Emile Thibodeaux
Substance and Citation Editors
Sophia Yiannopoulos Dooley
Abigail Claire Kilgore
Online Editor
Riley Claire Joyner
Members
2025–2026
Rilley Rose Arreola
Jonathan Louis Benit
Eugene Thomas Calongne IV
Cole Thomas Carmouche
Phillip Hampton Brock Creel
Kelsey D. Ferguson
Alexandra A. Gomez-Resendiz
William Theis Huckabay
Jacob Storey
Elizabeth Jane Treadaway
Executive Board 2025–2026 Moot Court
Chair
Grace Farnsworth Schaumburg
Chief of Staff
Sal Edward Montalbano
Intramural & Selection Chair
Katera R. Green
Alumni & Events Chair
Nicolas Allen Montalbano
National Competition Coordinator
Marshall Gregory Meek
Graduating Members 2025–2026
Una Anderson
Ashley D. Bailey
Jillian Christine Brown
Breanna L. Burkhead
Eugene Thomas Calongne IV
Marryn Mikayla Chaney
James Chilimigras
Elizabeth Mary Coman
Sophia Yiannopoulos Dooley
Tracey D. Ford
Elizabeth Walsh Gainer
Maeve R. Hurson
Jacob A. Jimenez
Riley Claire Joyner
Abigail Claire Kilgore
Kelli Kirkland
Ann Marcelle Lafranca
Alejandro H. Medina
Robert Lee Moore III
Isabella Christina Navarro
Rachel Avery Norwood
Ethan B. Rapoport
Madison Aline Scanlan
Alexander M. Smith
Abigail Elizabeth Strohmeyer
Alicia Cristina Sucre
Dymon Desteney White
Alexandra Elise Zengel
Becnel Trial Advocacy Program
Executive Board 2025–2026
Chair
Phillip Hampton Brock Creel
Chief of Staff
Carianne McClellan Lewis
Intramural & Selection Chair
Tavaziva C. Mazhindu
Alumni and Events Chair
Macy Louise Debnam
Graduating Staff Members 2025–2026
Una Anderson
Peter James Bagley
Ashley D. Bailey
Hector R. Belarmino
Christopher J. Caldarera
Shelby Paige Cascio
Marryn Mikayla Chaney
Joleen Rivera Dacula
Sophia Yiannopoulos Dooley
Kelsey D. Ferguson
Elizabeth Walsh Gainer
Dara Martiné Gallion
Kennedy Imani Hood
Henri Lloyd Jacobs
Andrew Darwin Jones II
Marissa Isabel Marrero
Adam P. Miller
Nicolas Allen Montalbano
Sal Edward Montalbano
Patrick Thomas Moss, Jr.
Gordon Hobson Rand
Alexander M. Smith
Ashton Clark Stevens
James Montague Wakeland
Matthew C. White
Joshua Paul Joel Williams
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Board 2025–2026
Chair
Sarah Antoinette Sanchez
Chief of Staff
Eduardo Chamah Nicolas
Communications
Lydia Valentine Mollerup
Alumni & Events Chair
Sadie Elizabeth Odom
Graduating Members 2025–2026
Alayna Lynn Blanda
Marryn Mikayla Chaney
James Chilimigras
Kimberly Ann Dickerson
Daniel T. Field
Tracey D. Ford
Elizabeth Walsh Gainer
Margaret Elizabeth Head
Henri Lloyd Jacobs
Cameron Rashad Johnson
Abigail Claire Kilgore
Ann Marcelle Lafranca
Adam P. Miller
Andrew C. Sutton
Student Bar Association
Officers and Class Representatives 2025–2026
President
Brandon L. Becerra
Vice President
Dennise Jackeline
Hernandez Plascencia
Secretary
Abigail Claire Kilgore
Diversity Chair
Isabella Christina Navarro
3L Day Representatives
Catherine V. Cool
Margaret Elizabeth Head
3L Evening Representative
Megan Kihnel
2L Day Representatives
Ethan Jeffus
Taylor Johnson
2L Evening Representative
Lauren Labostrie
1L Day Representative
Roy Rancatore
1L Evening Representative
Joshua Mitchell
Wellness Chairs
Jorge Quintana Benitez
Destiny Reavis
Social Chairs
Marshall Gregory Meek
Anura Namachchivaya
Community Engagement Chair
Mary Banks
Officers and Class Representatives 2025–2026 Honor Board
Chief Justice
Karam Preet Kaur
Co-Chair
Julia S. Cleveland
Secretary
Megan Reynolds
3L Representatives
Kimberly Ann Dickerson
Margaret Elizabeth Head
Abigail Claire Kilgore
Bikhari Miguel Reyes
2L Representatives
Corneilius Clemons
Harbour-Anne Gamble
Alexandra Nelson
2L Evening Representative
Sarah Manowitz
1L Day Representatives
Elise Karcher
Natalie Aptaker
1L Evening Representatives
Erica Denoux
James Laforge
Law Clinic Students 2025–2026
Child Welfare & Domestic Violence
Clélie Colleen Chachere
Marryn Mikayla Chaney
Dara Martiné Gallion
Kennedy Imani Hood
Andrew Darwin Jones II
Rachel H. Male
Lydia Valentine Mollerup
Analise Kathryn Morrow
Isabella Christina Navarro
Civil Litigation
Hector R. Belarmino
Eduardo Chamah Nicolas
Madeline Annalise Clay
Alicia M. Ducksworth
Brenna Kay Ferrell
Kelli Kirkland
Ashley D. Bailey
Madison Elizabeth Lively
Tavaziva C. Mazhindu
Holly Gayle Neely
James Montague Wakeland
Matthew C. White
Disability Justice
Nicolle Elizabeth Lanson
Crayton Lee Bowie
Jillian Christine Brown
Grace Elizabeth Herring
Family Law
Nicole Ourso-Chetta
Gina Marie Flores
Katera R. Green
Abigail Claire Kilgore
Caroline Elisabeth Monies
Mindy L. Miller
Abigail Renee Newman
Cathryn G. Weldy
Patrick Thomas Moss, Jr.
Ava C. Myers
Tamara A. Nassar
Sarah Antoinette Sanchez
Immigration Clinic
Peter James Bagley
Ivana Betances Juarez
James Chilimigras
Catherine V. Cool
Patricia Victoria Diaz
Allen C. Foss
Anika Olympia Butler
Tyler Wesley Kennemore
Alejandro H. Medina
Sadie Elizabeth Odom
Andru Okun
Youth Defense
Karam Preet Kaur
Christian May
Malaak Jamal Ottallah
Macy Mackenzie Sparks
Dymon Desteney White
Alicia Cristina Sucre
Jordan Lindi Torgerson
Holly Alexis Vrettos
Maggie T. White
Tanner Morgan White
A Message from Dean Landrieu
Dear Graduates of 2026,
Welcome to our 2026 graduation ceremony. We have come together to celebrate your successes and to send you forth, equipped in mind, body, and spirit, to make a difference in the world.
As you have made your way to this moment, I trust you have learned something about yourself and about one another. Together, you have worked hard to maintain a sense of community. You engaged in meaningful, thoughtful, and often difficult conversations in and out of class. You learned the written law, but you also learned that the law moves and bends as people come to rightfully expect more from each other, our society, and our systems.
You might notice that St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order, is often depicted in photographs and statues in mid-stride – in motion. He has one foot planted firmly on the ground, and one foot moving purposely forward. His head is level, his gaze fixed ahead, into the future. We never know where our lives will take us, but in the spirit of St. Ignatius, I pray that you too will plant your feet firmly in the truth and gaze forever forward in search of justice.
On behalf of President Xavier A. Cole, the Board of Trustees, and the faculty and staff of the College of Law who have walked with you, worked with you, challenged you, and supported you, congratulations!
We are so very proud of you!
Dean and Judge Adrian G. Duplantier Distinguished Professor of Law
Board of Trustees
Ryan Haas ’99, M.S. Chair
Dennis Lauscha, Sr., M.B.A. ’93 Vice Chair
Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D. President
The Reverend Penn Dawson, S.J., J.D. Secretary/Treasurer
Toya Barnes-Teamer ’86, M.S. ’88, Ph.D.
Lisa Baudot ’85, M.B.A. ’89
Michael Bell, M.B.A.
The Reverend John Brown, S.J., M.Div.
The Reverend John Cecero, S.J., Ph.D.
The Reverend Thomas Curran, S.J., J.D.
The Reverend Andrew Downing, S.J., Ph.D.
Benjamin C. Fields ’18
Joe George, M.P.S. ’16, M.B.A.
Caroline Gonzalez ’17
Sonja Greenbaum ’94
Nancy Hairston ’90
Deborah Jones, PMHCNS-BC, M.B.A
Rachel Kent ’74, Ph.D.
The Reverend Brian Linnane, S.J., Ph.D.
Diana Pallais ’91, Ph.D.
Gregory Rattler, Sr. ’81, M.B.A. ’85
Lisa Osborne Ross
Jared Schoch ’97, M.B.A.
Christopher Schouest ’99, J.D.
Leonardo Seoane ’91, M.D.
Tod Smith ’84
Cherrell Simms Taplin ’98, J.D. ’02
The Reverend John Thiede, S.J., Ph.D.
Conrad “Duke” S.P. Williams III ’75, J.D. ’84
Trustees Emeriti
Adelaide W. Benjamin, H ’08
Donna D. Fraiche, J.D. ’75
Theodore “Ted” M. Frois, J.D. ’69
S. Derby Gisclair ’73
Anthony Laciura ’74
Jerome J. Reso, Jr., ’58, J.D. ’61
Jeanne Wolf
President Emeritus
The Reverend James C. Carter, S.J., Ph.D.
University Administrators
Xavier A. Cole Ed.D. President
Thomas A. Chambers, Ph.D. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Alicia Bourque, Ph.D. Vice President of Student Affairs
Aariel Charbonnet, Ph.D. Vice President of Marketing and Communications
The Reverend John Cunningham, S.J., Ph.D. Vice President for Mission and Identity
Stuart Gay, M.B.A. Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Stephanie Hotard ’04, M.B.A. ’10 Vice President for University Advancement
Anthony E. Jones, M.Ed. Vice President of Enrollment Management
Julien Meyer Deputy General Counsel
Desirée Rodriguez, M.B.A. ’25 Chief of Staff
Leonard Kahn, DPhil Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Michelle Collins, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Nursing and Health
Sheryl Kennedy Haydel, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Music and Media
Robert A. Savoie, M.B.A. ’81, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Business
Paul Cesarini, Ph.D. Dean of Online and City College
The Honorable Madeleine M. Landrieu, J.D. ’87, H ’05 Dean of the College of Law
Trish Nugent, M.S. Dean of Libraries
The preceding program lists candidates eligible to participate in the spring 2026 commencement. Participation in this commencement exercise is not restricted to those who have completed all requirements for graduation. All candidates for the degree in spring participate without consideration of their final semester grades. Therefore, the program may not be a true list of degree recipients and their date of graduation. Likewise, the honor distinctions are based on current grade point averages.
The academic distinctions listed in this program are based on work completed through fall 2025. Distinctions may change based on spring and/or summer grades.
Graduation distinctions for transfer students who complete 60 or more Loyola quality hours will be based solely on the Loyola cumulative grade point average.
Transfer students who complete fewer than 60 Loyola cumulative quality hours are not eligible for graduate distinctions.
Spring 2026 graduation candidates will be awarded their degree upon approval of their dean on June 1. Candidates for summer and fall 2026 will be awarded their degree upon approval at a later date.