McNeese to Host Two Commencement Ceremonies

McNeese State University will hold two ceremonies this Friday, May 9, to confer degrees on the graduates at the university’s 164th commencement in McNeese’s Legacy Center. The ceremony for the colleges of agricultural sciences, liberal arts and science, engineering and mathematics will be held at 9 a.m. and the Burton College of Education and colleges of business and nursing and health professions will be held at 1:30 p.m. 

Commencement speaker for both ceremonies is McNeese Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Kedrick Nicholas. Nicholas received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McNeese and his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  

As the senior vice president, Nicholas works closely with McNeese President Dr. Wade Rousse on broad conceptual efforts on campus, university-wide budget management, partnerships with external entities, and relationships with governing authorities on the system and state levels.  

The Outstanding Graduate Award – sponsored by the Student Government Association and the McNeese Alumni Association – will be presented during commencement to two McNeese students to recognize them for their academic achievements. One undergraduate student and one graduate student from each of McNeese’s six colleges were nominated for the award.  

Guests will not be allowed access to the floor at any time before, during or after the ceremonies. 

Graduates will not be allowed access to the guest seating areas at any time before, during or after the ceremonies. 

The spring class of 2025 includes 624 graduates from 38 parishes, 17 states, one U.S. territory and 15 countries and 650 degrees will be awarded, including 35 associate degrees, 536 bachelor’s degrees, 78 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree. 

Doors will open one and one-half hours before each ceremony. For the safety and security of everyone in attendance, only clear bags not to exceed 12”x 6”x 12” will be allowed inside the Legacy Center and all bags are subject to search. Diaper bags are an exception. 

The McNeese commencement ceremonies will be live streamed on McNeese’s YouTube channel for family members and friends unable to attend commencement. For notifications when the events go live, subscribe to our channel here: www.youtube.com/mcneesestateu.  

The ceremony will also be broadcast on the Calcasieu Parish Government Channel at a date to be announced.