Commencement 2024 | College of Law

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

Friday, May 10

Congratulate the class of 2024

by sharing your commencement photos today on Twitter and Instagram using #LoynoJD24

Use your phone’s camera app to scan this code for closed captioning of today’s event.

Use your phone’s camera app to scan this code for a digital version of this event program.

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

May 10, 2024 • UNO Lakefront Arena

Arts, Letters, Humanities

White

Commerce, Accountancy,

Business

Drab Olive

Economics

Copper Education

Light Blue

Fine Arts

Brown

Journalism

Crimson Law

Purple

Library Science

Lemon

Medicine

Green Music

Pink Nursing

Apricot

Philosophy

Dark Blue

Public Administration, including Foreign Service

Peacock Blue

Science

Golden Yellow

Theology

Scarlet

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 Honorable Ivan L.R. Lemelle, J.D. ’74

Senior Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle has served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (EDLA) since his appointment by President Clinton in 1998. Prior to this, he made history as the first African American United States Magistrate Judge in Louisiana’s Federal Courts. With over four decades of trial and appellate experience, Judge Lemelle remains active in adjudicating cases within the EDLA and assisting other federal courts facing caseload challenges.

Judge Lemelle’s commitment extends beyond the bench, with a passion for education and mentorship. He has mentored over 200 former judicial law clerks and legal externs and remains engaged in community and professional organizations, including the Federal Judicial Center and Loyola College of Law.

His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including Mentor of the Year awards and induction into the National Bar Association Hall of Fame. Judge Lemelle is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.

Guided by the principle “to whom much is given, much is required,” Judge Lemelle, alongside his wife Patricia Waddell, remains dedicated to their family and community. Commencement Speaker

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 ............................................................................. M. Isabel Medina, J.D. Ferris Distinguished Professor of Law and Chair, University Senate

Invocation The Rev. Lawrence W. Moore, S.J. Professor of Law

National Anthem Elizabeth McGovern, J.D. ’24

Welcome and Presidential Remarks ............................................................... Xavier A. Cole

2024 Commencement Message .............................................................

Presentation and Conferring of Honorary Degree

Alex J. Bellow, J.D. ’24

Robért LeBlanc ’00 Chair, Board of Trustees Xavier A. Cole

2024 Commencement Remarks ......................................

The Hon. Ivan L.R. Lemelle, J.D. ’74

Senior United States District Judge, Eastern District of Louisiana

Dean’s Remarks and Charge to the Candidates ........................

The Hon. Madeleine M. Landrieu, J.D. ’87, H ’05 Dean and Judge Adrian G. Duplantier Distinguished Professor of Law

Presentation of the Favorite Professor Award and Presentation of Candidates for Degrees

The Hon. Madeleine M. Landrieu

Reader Mary Garvey Algero, J.D. ’89 Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Academic Affairs, Philip and Eugenie Brooks Distinguished Professor of Law, and Warren E. Mouledoux Distinguished Professor of Law

Conferring of Degrees ...................................................................................... Xavier A. Cole

Blessing

The Rev. John Cunningham, S.J., Ph.D. Vice President for Mission and Identity

Recessional ..................................................................................................... Presidential Party Faculty and Staff Graduates

Announcer

Tom Evison

University Athletics

There will be a brief celebratory noise at the end of the show. Guests may meet their graduates outside the arena following the recessional.

COLLEGE OF LAW

Juris Doctor

Yael Zefferine Acker-Krzywicki New Orleans, Louisiana

Malkeisha Keezy Allen Memphis, Tennessee

Amneh Raid Abeer Attallah New Orleans, Louisiana

Emma Levert Aucoin Morgan City, Louisiana

Janet A. Austin Honolulu, Hawaii

Stephen L. Beck Jonesboro, Arkansas

Alex Julian Bellow Waggaman, Louisiana

Julian G. Bernard Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Dominic M. Berthelot Lafayette, Louisiana

Cheyenne Brandi Blackburn Covington, Louisiana

Courtney Marie Blevins Butler, Missouri

Alexander Hilton Bolanos Harahan, Louisiana

Mason Charles Bonnaffons Metairie, Louisiana

Garrett Michael Boudreaux Lafayette, Louisiana

Jeffrey Jay Brainard Shreveport, Louisiana Cum Laude

Lale U. Brown Milwaukee, Wisconsin Cum Laude

Lucy Jacqueline Brown ◊ Eunice, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude

Christopher James Bruno, Jr. New Orleans, Louisiana

Joshua H. Burkart Mandeville, Louisiana Cum Laude

Walter Nicholas Burtanog IV ◊ Mandeville, Louisiana

Lucy Butterbaugh New Orleans, Louisiana

Claire A. Campbell ◊ Lexington, South Carolina Summa Cum Laude

Kristian A. Caruso Denham Springs, Louisiana

Vincent Chen Torrance, California

Taylor M. Cleveland Las Vegas, Nevada

Emma Collin ◊ Centerport, New York Summa Cum Laude

Brooke Nanette Crochet New Orleans, Louisiana

Ally Elizabeth Crosby Franklinton, Louisiana

Nicholas C. Danna Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Ann-Kathryn Dartez ◊ Maurice, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude

Seema Narendra Dave ◊ Baton Rouge, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude

Andres L. de Anda

San Antonio, Texas

Dominic P. Dewey

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Cum Laude

Tristan Killgore Diermann New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude

Michael M. Distefano, Jr. Baton Rouge, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude

Justin Michael Dodd Spring, Texas

Lacey C. Dodson Haughton, Louisiana

Garrett J. Doizé Atlanta, Georgia

Jada Catherine Doucet ◊ Church Point, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude

Tyiler Jude Dufresne LaPlace, Louisiana

Jane F. Dugal ◊ New Orleans, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude

Brice J. Duhe New Orleans, Louisiana

Timothy M. Duncan, Jr. New Orleans, Louisiana

John Edward Lee Dunford Bossier City, Louisiana

William Christian Edwards Metairie, Louisiana

Cameron A. Ensari Atlanta, Georgia

Claire M. Evans New Orleans, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude

Emma Rose Evans Stratham, New Hampshire

René Felipe Fabré New Orleans, Louisiana

Franklin T. Fehrman

New Orleans, Louisiana

Kenly M. Flanigan Nevada City, California

Shavon Adrienne Fletcher New Orleans, Louisiana

H. Ryan Flood ◊ Mandeville, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude

Aaron Vincent Flores Hammond, Louisiana

Abigail L. Floresca Chicago, Illinois Magna Cum Laude

Caden N. Foreman Lafayette, Louisiana

Kallen Forster New Orleans, Louisiana

Erin E. Fortier Gretna, Louisiana

Shantrell Orieal Frost River Ridge, Louisiana

Dylan M. Futrell ◊ Madisonville, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude

Raegan Mackenzie Gallegos Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Austin Joseph Galy II New Orleans, Louisiana

Mallory Garcia Sylacauga, Alabama

Blake Joseph Gardner Corona, California

Samuel M. Gartman Abita Springs, Louisiana

Kodie E. Gaspard Ragley, Louisiana

Hannah N. Gauthreaux New Orleans, Louisiana

Dominique N. Geraci Kenner, Louisiana

Gavin T. Giosa Lafayette, Louisiana

Christian J. Gremillion Alexandria, Louisiana

Joseph William Groves Lake Charles, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude

Gabriel Guajardo III San Antonio, Texas

Margaret M. Hallauer Virginia Beach, Virginia Magna Cum Laude

Carissa D. Harlow Destrehan, Louisiana

Parker Marie Harrell Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Tyrus Alexander Hartford Jupiter, Florida

J. Michael Haupt, Jr. New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude

Kenneth Karl Heinlein Novato, California

Jailyn Juliet Heisser New Orleans, Louisiana

Sarah Elizabeth Helmstetter New Orleans, Louisiana

Michael Joseph Hickey New Orleans, Louisiana

Madeline Marcelle Hicks Austin, Texas

Robert S. Hinyub III New Orleans, Louisiana

Hannah M. Hunter St. Louis, Missouri

Reese E. Ingram Covington, Louisiana Cum Laude

Jakob R. Jackson Cibolo, Texas

Noah T. Jackson Pismo Beach, California

Paris A. Jean Pearl River, Louisiana

Savannah M. Johnson Mobile, Alabama

Anna S. Jones Slidell, Louisiana Magna Cum Laude

Stone Kasten Fayetteville, Georgia

Lauren M. Klemm New Orleans, Louisiana

Nicholas M. Klemm Metairie, Louisiana

Chloe Louise Krake New Orleans, Louisiana

Brenna Ashley Landis Biloxi, Mississippi

Bradley K. Lane Mobile Alabama

Logan Langlois Prairieville, Louisiana

Ryan Gregory Lavelle ◊ Metairie, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude

Fletcher William Lavie New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude

Cheyenne Elizabeth Lawson Willis, Texas

Brian L. Lenfant New Orleans, Louisiana

Molly Critchlow Liberto Columbia, Missouri

Jessica A. Longacre New Orleans, Louisiana

Sarah E. Lyles Sieper, Louisiana Cum Laude

Branagan Carl Mabry ◊ Richmond, Virginia Summa Cum Laude

Chloie Kay Bell MacGregor Salt Lake City, Utah

Christian Andrew Marks

New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude

Michael J. Martinez Denver, Colorado

Lelund D. Marzell Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Samuel James Marziotti Richmond, Texas Magna Cum Laude

Gabrielle E. Massey New Orleans, Louisiana

Elizabeth Anne McGovern Phoenix, Arizona

David E. Mendoza Dallas, Texas

Taylor M. Meyer New Orleans, Louisiana

Anna Colleen Louise Miner Houston, Texas

Ariel Encalade Mitchell Belle Chasse, Louisiana

Bryanna L. Moland Denver, Colorado

Jywana Moore Lake Charles, Louisiana

Mary Margaret Hyer Moore Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Gideon Charles Sylvestor Moorhead Oxford, Mississippi

E. L. “Elijah” Morrell Los Angeles, California

Alexandra Morris Annapolis, Maryland

Amanda Marie Munguia Destrehan, Louisiana Cum Laude

Jackson Henry Myers Apex, North Carolina

Jessica M. Natal New Orleans, Louisiana

Courtney Nicole Newberry

New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude

Anna H. Nguyen

New Orleans, Louisiana

Magna Cum Laude

Cole Nicosia St. Bernard, Louisiana

Patara Ogunc Rockwall, Texas

Michelle Caitlin Owen Arlington, Texas

LindseyAnna Pardue Clinton, Mississippi

Simren Patel Atlanta, Georgia

Graham E. Peavy Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Renea R. Pellegrino New Orleans, Louisiana

Jordan T. Percy St. Francisville, Louisiana

Julian Pina Anaheim, California

Parker Alexandra Pinnell McKinney, Texas Magna Cum Laude

John Frederick Pontin V Metairie, Louisiana

Francesca G. Prejean Lafayette, Louisiana

Samantha L. Quinones Sykesville, Maryland

Magna Cum Laude

Riley Victoria Rao Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pravina Kaavya Ravi Chennai, India Cum Laude

Samuel Riase III Montgomery, Alabama

Michelle Paré Ricca ◊

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Magna Cum Laude

Caitlyn M. Roberts Crestview, Florida

Miles A. Roppolo ◊ Covington, Louisiana

Summa Cum Laude

Tyler J. Rosen Sequim, Washington

John Michael Rossi, Jr. ◊ South Kingstown, Rhode Island

Magna Cum Laude

Hunter L. Rulf Houma, Louisiana

Sydney G. Rusovich ◊ Hattiesburg, Mississippi Summa Cum Laude

Diamond B. Salako Monee, Illinois

Jasmin M. Sanders Walled Lake, Michigan

Logan Saint Germaine Satter Jacksonville, Florida

Magna Cum Laude

Wyatt Paul Savant Ville Platte, Louisiana

Leigh Julienne Scaglia Weston, Connecticut Magna Cum Laude

Danae Scheuing ◊ Westchester, Illinois

Magna Cum Laude

Helen M. Scully New Orleans, Louisiana

Erin M. Sellberg Ames, Iowa

Steven A. Sheesley Atlanta, Georgia Cum Laude

Rudra Bhargav Shukla Lacombe, Louisiana

Taylor Phuong Anh Smith

New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude

Dalton G. Smith Woodstock, Georgia

Olivia M. Spagnolo Chicago, Illinois

Benjamin G. Spears New Iberia, Louisiana

Brianna M. Spikes Columbus, Georgia

Sophie Squire Berkeley, California Cum Laude

P. Casey Stokes ◊ The Woodlands, Texas Magna Cum Laude

Patrick H. Stone ◊ New Orleans, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude

Tyler S. Sudderth Marietta, Georgia

Charles Christian Szeszycki Metairie, Louisiana Cum Laude

John D. Szwak Bossier City, Louisiana

Richard H. Taylor, Jr. Mobile, Alabama

Aeron T. Tisdale Monroe, Louisiana

Alexis Rose Topel New Orleans, Louisiana

Sarah May Town Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Tri-An Tran-Nguyen New Orleans, Louisiana

Garry C. Tucker, Jr. New Orleans, Louisiana

Andrew Enrique Valbuena Douglasville, Georgia

Daniel B. Vaughan Torrance, California

Kenneth L. Verlander, Jr.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Nicki L. Villarrubia ◊

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Magna Cum Laude

Sarah Elizabeth Waguespack Metairie, Louisiana

Christopher Gunnar Walker ◊ Lexington, Tennessee

Magna Cum Laude

Sophie A. Walker Albuquerque, New Mexico

Christiana Waskom Abbeville, Louisiana Cum Laude

Lydia Claire Weaver Monroe, Louisiana

Howard Matthew Weinstock Metairie, Louisiana

Christian M. Westholz New Orleans, Louisiana

Jacob L. Whitlow New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude

Brandon Michael Womac Metairie, Louisiana

Stephanie Sean Young Bridgewater, New Jersey

Juris Doctor / Master of Business Administration

Walter Nicholas Burtanog IV ◊ Mandeville, Louisiana

Nicholas M. Klemm Metairie, Louisiana

Master of Laws

Enrique Antonio Contreras Brownsville, Texas Cum Laude

Clifford Edward Fields, Jr. Laurel, Maryland

Magna Cum Laude

Nadia A. Kamoona

Great Falls, Virginia

Magna Cum Laude

Soren Tiberius Lannes Slidell, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude

Daniel Travis Marler

Sieper, Louisiana Summa Cum Laude

Kate F. Robinson New Orleans, Louisiana

Master of Arts in Environmental Law

Magnisha Alice Casseus Silver Spring, Maryland

Jacob W. Derusha Corrales, New Mexico Magna Cum Laude

Jacquelynn Gail Desouza France Waveland, Mississippi Summa Cum Laude

Marie Anastasia Haddad Covington,Louisiana

Sydney Marie Lowman Brandon, Florida Summa Cum Laude

Claire Elise Neal Dunwoody, Georgia Magna Cum Laude

Gabriel Itzhak Porges Plantation, Florida Cum Laude

Michael Christopher Richard II New Orleans, Louisiana

Grace O. Zelle Chicago, Illinois Summa Cum Laude

Master of Arts in Health Law and Administration

Shanola Cross New Orleans, Louisiana

Taylor Marie Rogers New Orleans, Louisiana Cum Laude

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 2023 senior rank). These students, in grade point average rank order, are designated the 2024 William L. Crowe, Sr., Scholars:

H. Ryan Flood

Jada Catherine Doucet

Sydney G. Rusovich

Claire A. Campbell

Jane F. Dugal

Ryan Gregory Lavelle

Branagan Carl Mabry

Emma Collin

Ann-Kathryn Dartez

Patrick H. Stone

Miles A. Roppolo

Nicki L. Villarrubia

Christopher Gunnar Walker

Dylan M. Futrell

Lucy Jacqueline Brown

John Michael Rossi, Jr.

Michelle Paré Ricca

Seema Narendra Dave

P. Casey Stokes

Danae Scheuing

Walter Nicholas Burtanog IV

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 2023-2024 academic year:

Jessica M. Natal

Courtney Nicole Newberry

Tristan Killgore Diermann

Anna S. Jones

Kenly M. Flanigan

Miles A. Roppolo

Margaret M. Hallauer

Nicki L. Villarrubia

Taylor M. Meyer

Jailyn Juliet Heisser

Joshua H. Burkart

Nicholas C. Danna

Law Review

Editorial Board 2023-2024

Managing Editors, Print

John Michael Rossi, Jr.

Sydney G. Rusovich

Managing Editor, Online

Joseph William Groves

Articles Editors

Lucy Jacqueline Brown

Michael M. Distefano, Jr.

Online Editor

Nicki L. Villarrubia

Editor-in-Chief

H. Ryan Flood

Substance & Citation Editor, Online

Fletcher William Lavie

Substance & Citation Editors, Print

Claire A. Campbell

Jane F. Dugal

P. Casey Stokes

Candidate Development & Symposium Editor

Anna S. Jones

Casenote and Comment Editors

Dylan M. Futrell

Christian Andrew Marks

Members 2023-2024

Jada Catherine Doucet

Ryan Gregory Lavelle

Branagan Carl Mabry

Elizabeth Anne McGovern

Michelle Paré Ricca

Danae Scheuing

Patrick H. Stone

Journal of Public Interest Law

Editorial Board 2023-2024

Editor-in-Chief

John Frederick Pontin V

Chief of Staff

Taylor Phuong Anh Smith

Managing Editors

Tristan Killgore Diermann

Jessica A. Longacre

Comment Editors

Lale U. Brown

Anna H. Nguyen

Articles Editor

Kristian A. Caruso

Print Editor

Logan Saint Germaine Satter

Online Editor

Tyrus Alexander Hartford

Symposium Editor Sophie Squire

Community Outreach Editor

Samantha L. Quinones

Members 2023-2024

Hannah N. Gauthreaux

Sarah E. Lyles

Gabrielle E. Massey

Courtney Nicole Newberry

Patara Ogunc

Pravina Kaavya Ravi

Leigh Julienne Scaglia

Steven A. Sheesley

Andrew Enrique Valbuena

Daniel B. Vaughan

Maritime Law Journal

Editorial Board 2023-2024

Chief of Staff

Lydia Claire Weaver

Managing Editors

Ann-Kathryn Dartez

Jacob L. Whitlow

Comment Editors

Dominic P. Dewey

Claire M. Evans

Editor-in-Chief

Charles Christian Szeszycki

Symposium Editor

Madeline Marcelle Hicks

ALJ Survey Editor

Amanda Marie Munguia

Event Chair

Reese E. Ingram

Technology and Blog Editor

Jeffrey Jay Brainard

Substance and Citation Editors

Emma Levert Aucoin

Howard Matthew Weinstock

Longshore Conference Editor

Nicholas C. Danna

Ad Hoc Board Members

Timothy M. Duncan, Jr.

Jakob R. Jackson

Members 2023-2024

Garrett Michael Boudreaux

J. Michael Haupt, Jr.

Molly Critchlow Liberto (2022-2023)

Alexandra Morris

Rudra Bhargav Shukla

Sarah May Town

Moot Court

Executive Board 2023-2024

Chair

Margaret M. Hallauer

Chief of Staff

Nicki L. Villarrubia

Intramural & Selection Chair

Jailyn Juliet Heisser

Alumni & Events Chair

Taylor M. Meyer

Graduating Members 2023-2024

Cheyenne Brandi Blackburn

Jeffrey Jay Brainard

Claire A. Campbell

Dominic P. Dewey

Tristan Killgore Diermann

Jada Catherine Doucet

Cameron A. Ensari

Claire M. Evans

Shavon Adrienne Fletcher

H. Ryan Flood

Dylan M. Futrell

Margaret M. Hallauer

Jailyn Juliet Heisser

Anna S. Jones

Sarah E. Lyles

Taylor M. Meyer

Amanda Marie Munguia

Courtney Nicole Newberry

Anna H. Nguyen

Julian Pina

Miles A. Roppolo

John Michael Rossi, Jr.

Brianna M. Spikes

Aeron T. Tisdale

Alexis Rose Topel

Nicki L. Villarrubia

Jacob L. Whitlow

Becnel Trial Advocacy Program

Executive Board 2023-2024

Chair

Kenly M. Flanigan

Chief of Staff

Jessica M. Natal

Intramural & Selections Chair

John Frederick Pontin V

Alumni and Events Chair

Parker Alexandra Pinnell

Graduating Staff Members 2023-2024

Alex Julian Bellow

Dominic M. Berthelot

Cheyenne Brandi Blackburn

Courtney Marie Blevins

Tristan Killgore Diermann

William Christian Edwards

Cameron A. Ensari

Franklin T. Fehrman

Kenly M. Flanigan

Gavin T. Giosa

Reese E. Ingram

Anna S. Jones

Elizabeth Anne McGovern

E. L. “Elijah” Morrell

Jessica M. Natal

Courtney Nicole Newberry

Anna H. Nguyen

Parker Alexandra Pinnell

John Frederick Pontin V

John Michael Rossi Jr.

Taylor Phuong Anh Smith

Tyler S. Sudderth

Alexis Rose Topel

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Board 2023-2024

Chair

Blake Joseph Gardner

Chief of Staff

Joshua H. Burkart

Alumni & Events Chair

Courtney Nicole Newberry

Communications Chair

Nicholas C. Danna

Graduating

Janet A. Austin

Joshua H. Burkart

Nicholas C. Danna

Erin E. Fortier

Blake Joseph Gardner

Anna S. Jones

Members 2023-2024

Stone Kasten

Jessica M. Natal

Courtney Nicole Newberry

Brianna M. Spikes

Christiana Waskom

Student Bar Association

Officers and Class Representatives 2023-2024

President

Taylor M. Meyer

Vice President

Stone Kasten

Secretary

Paige Bahnsen

3L Representatives

Yael Zefferine Acker-Krzywicki

Julian Bernard (evening)

Jakob R. Jackson

2L Representatives

Angelica Pickens

Wesley Webre

1L Representatives

Gage Broussard

Megan Kihnel (Evening)

Eduardo Chamah Nicolas

Honor Board

Officers and Class Representatives 2023-2024

Chief Justice

Aeron T. Tisdale

Co-Chair

Myles Hopkins

Secretary

Zoie Spears

3L Representatives

Samuel M. Gartman

Anna S. Jones

Anna Colleen Louise Miner

2L Representatives

Sarah Battaglia

Mary Norsworthy

Bikhari Reyes

1L Representatives

James Chilimigras

Abigail Kilgore

Karam Kaur

Law Clinic Students 2023-2024

children’s rights clinic

Janet A. Austin

Kenly M. Flanigan

Raegan Mackenzie Gallegos

Lauren M. Klemm

LindseyAnna Pardue

Simren Patel

John Frederick Pontin V

Miles A. Roppolo

Jasmin M. Sanders

Rudra Bhargav Shukla

criminal defense clinic

Alex Julian Bellow

Courtney Marie Blevins

Lale U. Brown

Cameron A. Ensari

Abigail L. Floresca

Erin E. Fortier

Mallory Garcia

Margaret M. Hallauer

Sarah Elizabeth Helmstetter

Jakob R. Jackson

Chloie Kay Bell MacGregor

Lelund D. Marzell

Taylor M. Meyer

Amanda Marie Munguia

Jackson Henry Myers

Jessica M. Natal

Courtney Nicole Newberry

Renea R. Pellegrino

Olivia M. Spagnolo

Sophie Squire

family law clinic

Alexander Hilton Bolanos

Kristian A. Caruso

Chloe Louise Krake

Anna Colleen Louise Miner

Bryanna L. Moland

Alexandra Morris

Michelle Caitlin Owen

Parker Alexandra Pinnell

immigration clinic

Amneh Raid Abeer Attallah

Emma Collin

Samuel M. Gartman

Hannah M. Hunter

Sarah E. Lyles

Michael J. Martinez

Anna H. Nguyen

Julian Pina

Pravina Kaavya Ravi

John Michael Rossi, Jr.

workplace justice clinic

Andres L. de Anda

Franklin T. Fehrman

Shavon Adrienne Fletcher

Dominique N. Geraci

Madeline Marcelle Hicks

Gabrielle E. Massey

Steven A. Sheesley

Alexis Rose Topel

Lydia Claire Weaver

youth justice clinic

Yael Zefferine Acker-Krzywicki

Cheyenne Brandi Blackburn

Lacey C. Dodson

David E. Mendoza

Caitlyn M. Roberts

A Message from Dean Landrieu

Dear Graduates of 2024,

Welcome to our 2024 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.

You entered law school during a still uncertain time, when the world remained challenged by a worrisome virus that might have impacted your undergraduate experience. Your orientation in Fall of 2021 was our first in-person orientation post COVID. It is hard to articulate the joy your presence brought us. We were so happy to have you! In my remarks to you then, I assured you that we would do everything we could to see you to your dream of earning this law degree. And, here we are. You approached your new adventure with a steadfast desire to learn and a heartfelt desire to serve.

As you 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 even in the face of Hurricane Ida that challenged your very first weeks with us. 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 to send you off knowing that you will go forth and “set the world on fire.”

Dean and Judge Adrian G. Duplantier Distinguished Professor of Law

Board of Trustees

Robért LeBlanc ’00 Chair

Ryan Haas ’99, M.S. ’06 Vice Chair

Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D. President

The Rev. Gregory Waldrop, S.J., Ph.D. Secretary/Treasurer

Michael Bell

Catherine “Michie” McHardy Bissell ’64

The Rev. John Brown, S.J., Th.M.

The Rev. John Cecero, S.J., Ph.D.

The Rev. Thomas Curran, S.J., J.D.

The Rev. Brian Dunkle, S.J., Ph.D.

Benjamin Fields ’18

The Rev. Michael Garanzini, S.J., Ph.D.

Joe George, M.P.S. ’18, M.B.A.

Nancy Hairston ’90

Morton Katz, J.D. ’69

Stephen Kent ’73, Ph.D.

Dennis Lauscha, Sr. ’93, M.B.A.

Gregory Rattler, Sr. ’81, M.B.A. ’85

Scott Rodger

Leah Schlater-Brown ’93, M.B.A.

Jared Schoch, ’97, M.B.A.

Leonardo Seoane ’91, M.D.

Michael Skehan ’76

Tod Smith ’84

Stephanie Stokes, M.S.

Conrad “Duke” Williams ’74, 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 Rev. James C. Carter, S.J., Ph.D.

University Administrators

Xavier A. Cole Ed.D. President

The Rev. Justin Daffron, S.J., Ph.D. Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Strategy

Carol Markowitz, M.B.A. Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration

Alicia Bourque, Ph.D. Vice President of Student Affairs

The Rev. John Cunningham, S.J., Ph.D. Vice President for Mission and Identity

Sharonda Williams, J.D. ’01 Vice President, General Counsel, and Director of Government Affairs

Stephanie Hotard ’04, M.B.A. ’10 Interim Vice President for University Advancement

Robert A. Savoie, Ph.D. Interim Dean of the College of Business

Paul Cesarini, Ph.D. Dean of Online and City College

Michelle Collins, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Nursing and Health

Sheryl Kennedy Haydel, Ph.D. Interim Dean of the College of Music and Media

Leonard Kahn, DPhil Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

The Hon. Madeleine M. Landrieu, J.D. ’87, H’05 Dean of the College of Law

The preceding program lists candidates eligible to participate in the spring 2024 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 undergraduate academic distinctions listed in this program are based on work completed through fall, 2023. 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 2024 graduation candidates will be awarded their degree upon approval of their dean on June 1. Candidates for summer and fall 2024 will be awarded their degree upon approval at a later date.