McNeese Announces Outstanding Graduates for Spring 2026 

McNeese State University students Erik Roy, of Iowa, and Kayla Warner, of Houston, Texas, were named the overall McNeese Outstanding Graduates for spring 2026.  

The McNeese Student Government Association and the McNeese Alumni Association worked together to create the Outstanding Graduate Awards. Students are nominated on the basis of scholarship, leadership, service and the nominee’s impact on the college or on campus.    

Each of the five colleges at McNeese may nominate an outstanding undergraduate and a graduate student in their final semester. A committee from the McNeese Alumni Association then selected one undergraduate and one graduate student for the overall award. 

Roy, an undergraduate student in the College of Engineering and Sciences, is earning his degree in biological science with a concentration in pre-medicine. He is the vice president and co-founder of the Students to Serve McNeese and is a member of the McNeese Concert Chorale Choir, biology club, American Chemical Society, McNeese Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Society and the McNeese Honors College. Roy participated in tardigrade research and presented at the International Symposium on Tardigrada in Japan, at the Louisiana Capitol, at the Louisiana Academy of Sciences and the McNeese Undergraduate Research Symposium. He plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. 

Warner, a graduate student in the Burton College of Education, will earn a master’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports performance. While she was earning her degrees at McNeese, she engaged in research and shadowed professionals in orthopedics and gastroenterology issues. Warner was involved with Order of Omega, Student Government Association, NAACP, McNeese Black Alumni Chapter, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Etta Pete Sickle Cell Anemia Walk. Her plans include attending medical school and becoming a physician who prioritizes preventative care and embraces a holistic, patient-centered approach. 

The outstanding graduates from the College of Business are Isabella Bradley and Darcy Lavergne. 

Bradley is an undergraduate student from Lake Charles majoring in accounting. She is involved with Chi Omega, McNeese Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was a McNeese cheerleader. Bradley has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and is active in her church. Her plans include earning a master’s degree in accountancy, obtaining a CPA license and pursuing a career in education. 

Lavergne is a graduate student from Roanoke earning a Master of Business Administration. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from McNeese in 2024. During that time, she was active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers group and chaired its 2024 Southwest Regional Conference at McNeese. Lavergne is a full-time engineer with Phillips 66 and plans to continue there after graduation. 

The outstanding undergraduate student from the Burton College of Education is Lucy Bellon. 

Bellon, from Moss Bluff, is majoring in kinesiology, health and physical education grades K-12. She is a member of Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (LAHPERD) and was named Outstanding Future Professional Finalist in 2025. Bellon is the head volleyball coach at Bishop Noland High School, where she led the team to the playoffs. She has also been involved with intramural sports, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Moss Bluff Little League. Her future plans include earning a master’s degree in kinesiology from McNeese and then becoming a physical education teacher. Bellon wants to inspire students and change the narrative around physical education to a lifelong health and wellness curriculum for students of all abilities.  

The outstanding graduate student from the College of Engineering and Sciences is Mark Hoag.  

Hoag, of Jennings, is earning a master’s degree in mathematical sciences. He was a cheerleader, a member of Cowboy Catholics and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Hoag is a business owner with diverse experience in mathematics, engineering, computer science and statistics. He plans to continue his education by finishing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at McNeese, followed by earning a doctorate degree in mathematics or engineering. 

The outstanding graduates from the College of Liberal Arts are Keyon Jolivette and Gwenyth Wheat.  

Jolivette is an undergraduate student from Lake Charles who is earning a degree in music performance. He plays the trombone and has been part of The Pride of McNeese marching band, jazz band, pep band, wind symphony and alphorn ensemble. Jolivette has shared his talent with Lake Charles Symphony, Lake Charles Community Band, multiple churches and several high schools in the area. He plans to earn a degree in process technology, eventually move out of state and ultimately become an entrepreneur.  

Wheat is a graduate student from Merrill, Wisconsin, who is earning a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and a master’s degree in English. Focusing on poetry, she was the poetry editor for The McNeese Review and is a part of Dr. Robert Cooper’s poetry series. Wheat was a Joy Scantlebury Poetry Award runner-up in 2025 and a Best New Poets 2024 nominee. Her poetry has been published in SWIMM Every Day, Sweet Lit, Honey Literary, Voicemail Poems, Great Lake Review and ZAUM. At McNeese she teaches English 102 and served as a teaching assistant for English 100 and 101. Wheat plans to return to Wisconsin after graduation to continue her career in advertising and marketing, and she hopes to find a teaching position at a nearby college. She also plans to publish her first poetry collection.  

The outstanding graduates from the College of Nursing and Health Professions are Shaun-Lee Peynado and Victoria Lantz. 

Peynado is an undergraduate student from Lake Charles majoring in nursing. She is active in the Student Nurses Association. Peynado was a nursing assistant and extern at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Her plans include working as a registered nurse with the goal of working in a critical care setting and then pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree. 

Lantz is a graduate student from Moss Bluff earning a master’s degree to become a family nurse practitioner. A McNeese alumna, she has been an emergency department nurse for nine years where she earned Certified Emergency Nurse and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse. Lantz is also involved in Stop the Bleed, a program that equips individuals with the knowledge to treat life-threatening bleeding before professional help arrives. She plans to work as a family nurse practitioner.