On Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing celebrated 110 graduates during its 2025 commencement ceremony at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette. The ceremony recognized students completing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs.

Dr. Demetrius Porch, vice chancellor of academic affairs and dean of the School of Nursing, presided over the ceremony. BSN candidates Teresa Lai and Corinne Carnaggio delivered the invocation and the benediction, respectively. BSN candidate Jonah Munch served as gonfalonier.

“As the only nursing school in Louisiana within an academic health sciences center, our graduates train side by side with future physicians, dentists, public health leaders and allied health professionals,” said Dr. Porche. “They are entering the workforce ready to lead in complex care environments and to improve health outcomes for patients and communities across Louisiana.”

LSU Health is consistently recognized among the top nursing schools in the nation. It is the only nursing school in Louisiana to twice be named a “Stellar School” by the National Student Nurses’ Association.

This year’s commencement follows a series of national honors for the School of Nursing community. Traditional BSN student Stephen Douglass was awarded the AACN2 Pathway to Critical Care Nursing Scholarship, one of only 15 nursing students nationwide selected for the competitive program. In addition, Dr. Benita Chatmon and Dr. Jennifer Manning were inducted as Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, recognizing their leadership in advancing health, shaping policy and transforming care through nursing education and research.

Academic Honors
School of Nursing Valedictorian – Margaret Breerwood
School of Nursing Salutatorian – Layla Marrero

Graduating with honors were:
cum laude – Madison Claire Richardson, Samantha Leigh Vercher
magna cum laude – Layla Elizabeth Marrero
summa cum laude – Margaret Aimee Breerwood

Award Presentations
Dolores H. Scheerle Memorial Entrepreneurial Award (Undergraduate) – Samia Shorts
Dolores H. Scheerle Memorial Entrepreneurial Award (Graduate) - Shirleen Watson Pannia
Sigma Theta Tau Distinguished Undergraduate Award – Teresa Lai
Sigma Theta Tau Distinguished Graduate Award – Rachel Bond
Alumni Association Recognition of Class Spirit Award (Undergraduate) – Rocky Lai
Alumni Association Recognition of Class Spirit Award (Graduate) – Angela Bradley Byers
Community Engagement and Impact Graduate Award – Briana Burras
Men in Nursing Excellence Award – Rocky Lai
Student Government Association Outstanding Graduate Award – Hailey Allen
Student Nurses Association Outstanding Graduate Award – Teresa Lai
Student Veterans of America Outstanding Graduate Award – Teresa Lai
New Orleans District Nurses Association Student Leadership Award – Teresa Lai
Jo Ellen Smith Memorial Award – Chenell Madison
MUSES (Mentoring Undergraduate Students for Excellence in Scholarship) – Samia Shorts
Outstanding Doctor of Nursing Practice Award – Nishta Ramasamy
Nursing Caring Award (BSN Student) – Chenell Madison
Nursing Caring Award (Faculty) – Danielle Rogers, MSN, RN
Dean’s Award – Teresa Lai     
Nursing Workforce Peer Mentor Recognition – Brianna Burras, Amelia Fritsche, Teresa Lai, Shaila Murphy, Tavioncye’ Riggins
Student Ambassador Recognition – Alexis Jones, Teresa Lai, Saphyre Pounds, Shakeila Samuels, Samia Shorts, Emberlynn Spring, Hope Von Eberstein

Graduates

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About LSU Health New Orleans
LSU Health New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment   and cure disease.