LSU’s fall graduation class will be the most diverse in the university’s history.
Among the LSU graduates receiving diplomas at commencement ceremonies next week will be: 223 African-Americans, 74 Hispanics, 69 Asian-Americans and 446 Pell Grant recipients, all of which are record highs for fall graduation.
LSU will also graduate 53 veterans next week, the highest number in 15 years, and will award a near-record number of master’s and doctorate degrees to women, 152 and 49, respectively.
LSU President F. King Alexander announced the statistics during his report today to members of the Board of Supervisors at its final meeting of the year. It was one of several positive announcements Alexander made to the board, highlighting awards the university and its faculty have earned recently.
‘These records are getting broken because of the hard work of our chancellors, our deans and our faculty,” Alexander said.
The focus on LSU’s academic achievements came just a week after the university’s administration was thrust into the national spotlight over its handling of football coach Les Miles’ future. No mention of the Miles saga was made at this afternoon’s meeting, though the recent events were clearly not far from the minds of those present.
“There are many important components that make LSU successful,” Alexander said. “Nothing is more important than creating an environment that enables our students to succeed.”
—Stephanie Riegel
