Blog
Tales from the Lions
As graduation approaches at Southeastern Louisiana University, the Class of 2026 is reflecting on the memories, friendships and defining moments that made their time in Hammond unforgettable.
By: Brock Sanders
To Our Graduating Lions
Congratulations to our graduating Lions, who will be donning their much-deserved robes and walking across that University Center stage as official Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni. Years of hard work, exhilarating events and incredible connections all lead to May 16, 2026. As the commencement ceremonies approach, your family at Southeastern wants to highlight you and your classmates. As you take with you all of the opportunities, knowledge and experiences, take a look at what our graduating seniors had to say about their countless memories in Hammond, America. Although your time as a student concludes on May 16, you’ll always be a Lion, and Southeastern will always be your home.
What is your favorite memory while attending Southeastern?
Time with friends
“Being in the library late at night, studying with my friends, doing homework.”
Yasmin Taylor, Bachelor of Arts in Communication
"Game days at the Berry and UC"
Paige Bigelow, Bachelor of Arts in World Languages
“Homecoming tailgate my junior year in 2024. I was surrounded by all of my friends and we were all dancing and eating yummy food and laughing together. To me, those moments where you aren’t thinking about anything else except your happiness and your friends are the most important to cherish.”
Baylee Baker, Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology
The Tailgates
“Last semester, the tailgate before the football game was a fantastic memory and a fantastic time to spend with friends.”
Michele Zanolla, Master of Business Administration
The Games
“Facilitating the homecoming events for the football game, and I was out on the field helping.”
Patrick O’Neill, Master of Arts in Psychology
Centennial Premiere
“Working on the Centennial Documentary Premiere and watching it on opening night.”
Callie Stansbury, Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
Real World Experience
“Getting to work with the adolescent treatment facility in Baton Rouge. Instead of just learning theories, you actually have to work with real people, and it feels like you’re making a difference.”
Jacks Dowdy, Master of Business Administration
Nursing Connections
“Being in the nursing and health sciences LLC, my freshman year. I made amazing connections there. It helped me as a freshman starting college, which is terrifying. I made a lot of great friends and had a lot of great experiences with the Dean of the Nursing College.”
Kyndall Gilmore, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN
"Finding such an incredible group of friends who I know will be in my life forever"
Abigail DuPont, Bachelor in General Studies
"Being a Lion with my own cubs together at SLU."
Christine Rogers-Porter, Bachelor of General Studies
As many of our graduating seniors have chosen Southeastern, this university and this campus have chosen them. The Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies will mark the end of our Lions’ time as students, but it is only the beginning of a prosperous future. From successful careers to furthering their education, Southeastern Lions are bound for success thanks to the memories they made while on campus.
On May 16, 2026, there will be two ceremonies in the University Center. The College of Business and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences will begin their ceremony at 10 a.m. Graduates will need to assemble in their caps and gowns at 9 a.m. on the lower level of the University Center.
The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Education and College of Science and Technology will begin their ceremony at 3 p.m. Graduates will need to assemble in their caps and gowns at 2 p.m. in the same location as the morning ceremony.
There will be a live stream of both ceremonies on the Southeastern Channel YouTube. For information regarding clear bag policies and more, please refer to the Southeastern Commencement page.