Published May 10, 2014
A packed house at Fant-Ewing Coliseum cheered on another class of University of Louisiana
at Monroe spring graduates at the 2014 ULM Spring Commencement Ceremony. ULM President
Dr. Nick J. Bruno conferred 748 degrees to 747 students looking to begin the next
chapter of their lives.
West Monroe Mayor Dave Norris gave the keynote speech reminding students that their
university is more than just a place of higher education.
He said, “When your nursing students graduate from a program that is among the top
ten nationally, and when the university itself is named the most underrated in the
whole state, you know you are graduating from a special place.”
Norris also told a sobering story about the rising costs of higher education and student
loan debt, prompting students to keep in mind that their journey does not end at commencement.
“Never think your education is over,” he said.
“There will always be a need to keep learning. You may be back here sooner than you
think.”
Norris is a West Monroe native and graduate of West Monroe High School. He earned
a Bachelor of Arts in Government from ULM in 1963, and taught at the university from
1966-1998.
Also during the ceremony, Tex Kilpatrick, the CEO of Kilpatrick Enterprises, was honored
with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for service to the university.
Tex has served as a member of Louisiana State University’s Alumni Board—his alma mater—and
shown unwavering support to his wife Carole Eady Kilpatrick’s alma mater, ULM.
Tex was appointed to the University of Louisiana System Board where he served from
1997-2002, has aided ULM in many capacities including service as the Vice President
of the ULM Foundation, and has shown continued support for ULM’s Lyceum Series.
He has served as a member of the West Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe Chamber
of Commerce, West Monroe’s Lion’s Club, and the United Way.
Tex and Carole have been married for fifty-five years. They have three daughters and
four grandchildren.
ULM also honored the top GPA earners.
Four students were honored as the top students of the spring ’14 class.
Emily Ballew earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. Ballew finished her career
with a 4.0 GPA. She is a native of West Monroe and is the daughter of Shannon Ballew
and Larry and Carmen Ballew.
Lauren Chandler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. Chandler
finished her career with a 4.0 GPA. She is a native of Bossier City and is the daughter
of Wade and Felicia Chandler.
Katelyn Hogan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management. Hogan
finished her career with a 4.0 GPA. She is a native of Monroe and is the daughter
of Ron Hogan and Rena’ Davis.
Jessica Stanley earned and a Bachelor of Science degree in radiologic technology.
Stanley finished her degree with a 4.0 GPA. She is a native of Knoxville, Tenn., is
the daughter of Larry and Nancy Sexton, and the wife of Sean Stanley.
To view the list of gradautes, visit ulm.edu/spring2014-degree-list.pdf
