NATCHITOCHES – Just as capacity expanded to 100 percent to watch Northwestern State student-athletes compete on fields, NSU supporters attended en masse this week to watch student-athletes on a different stage – the graduation stage.
 
Seventy-five NSU student-athletes and staff received diplomas this week in six socially distanced graduations in Prather Coliseum.
 
The large batch of spring graduates includes All-Americans, conference champions, NSU record holders and one player of the year.
 
NSU track and field sprinters Kie'Ave Harry and De'Shalyn Jones highlight the graduating class as the lone All-Americans in the group.
 
Harry, a general studies graduate, ran a leg of the men's 4x100 relay that placed seventh nationally at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, posting an NSU record 38.92 in 2018. He won his first individual gold in the 60 meters this Southland Conference Indoor season.
 
Jones earned her masters in sports administration while also serving as the head cross country coach and distance coach on the track team. Jones made her mark as a sprinter, breaking five different NSU records and ran a leg on a 4x100 that finished 22^nd nationally, earning honorable mention All-American status.
 
Former javelin thrower Kelsey Frank also received a masters in sports administration after setting the school record in her specialty.
 
Thirty-nine of the 75 graduates earned a 3.0 GPA or higher, accounting for 52 percent.
 
Three such graduates are also at the heart of NSU's softball lineup in Cayla Jones, Alexis Perry and E.C. Delafield.
 
Jones and Delafield are multiple All-Southland Conference members, and the trio has combined for 281 hits, 181 RBIs and 37 home runs.
 
Perry (addiction studies and psychology degree) is one of five summa cum laude graduates, which requires a 3.9 or higher GPA.
 
The other four include tennis All-Conference performer Patrycja Polanska, men's basketball's Dalin Wililams, volleyball's Darria Williams and former cross country runner Adam Courville.
 
A total of 18 graduates finished with at least a 3.5 GPA.
 
Others contributed to historic team accomplishments.
 
Tyler Thibodeaux and Tyler Gatewood were members of the 2018 NSU baseball team that beat San Diego State in an NCAA Regional after winning the program's first Southland Conference Tournament.
 
Alexis Weaver (All-Southland Conference) and Kiara Padilla were part of the 2019 soccer team that advanced to the tournament championship game and helped NSU to two top-four finishes in the regular season.
 
Other all-conference performers include linebacker Ja'Quay Pough, tennis player Emilja Dancetovic and former jumper Ceaser Stephens.
 
 
Spring 2021 Athletic Graduation List (75)
 
Baseball (8)

1. Tyler Gatewood (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Industrial Engineering Technology
2. Peyton Graham: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Honors:  Honor Roll
3. Austin Kirkpatrick: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Psychology; Honors: Honor Roll
4. Cameron Parikh: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Honors: Honor Roll
5. Charles Payne Rodgers (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Honors:  Magna Cum Laude
6. Marshall Skinner: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Honors:  Honor Roll
7. Tyler Thibodeaux: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Concentration: Marketing; Honors:  Cum Laude
8. Ryan Zimmerman: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Concentration: Finance; Honors:  Magna Cum Laude

 
Men's Basketball (4)

1. Parron (C.J.) Jones: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Child and Family Studies; Concentration: Child Development & Family Relations; Minor: Social Science; Honors: Honor Roll
2. John Norvel (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Exercise Science; Concentration: Pre-Physical Therapy; Honors: Honor Roll
3. Jairus Roberson: Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science; Honors: Honor Roll
4. Dalin Williams: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Industrial Engineering Technology; Honors: Summa Cum Laude (perfect 4.0 GPA!); Also earning Post Baccalaureate Certificates in Quality Control and Project Management

 
Women's Basketball (3)

1. Halei Gillis: Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science; Honors: Honor Roll
2. Kalen Green: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Psychology; Honors: Honor Roll
3. Lacee Savage: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Electronics Engineering Technology; Concentrations: Electronics and Biomedical; Honors: Cum Laude

 
Football (15)

1. Bishop Breaux: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Industrial Engineering Technology; Honors: Honor Roll
2. Dustin Burns (former student-athlete): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
3. Parker Fink: Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
4. David Fitzwater: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
5. Jalen Garrison: Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: History; Minor: Pre-Law & Paralegal Studies; Honors: Honor Roll
6. Savon Gipson (former student-athlete):  Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Industrial Engineering Technology; Honors: Honor Roll
7. Jake Gore: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Honors: Honor Roll
8. Landon King: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Industrial Engineering Technology; Honors: Cum Laude
9. JaQuay Pough: Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
10. Rashuad Powell: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Industrial Engineering Technology
11. Kendrick Price: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Exercise Science
12. Carl Randall (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration
13. Kenneth (Kenny) Sheldon: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Computer Information Systems; Concentration: Application Development; Honors: Cum Laude
14. Jabari Walters (former student-athlete): Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
15. Keldrick Ward: Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Communication; Concentration: Broadcast & Digital Media Production; Minor: Social Science

 
Soccer (3)

1. Brittany Cecil (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Exercise Science; Minor: Psychology; Honors: Honor Roll
2. Kiara Padilla: Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Criminal Justice; Minor: Psychology; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
3. Alexis Weaver: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Majors: Accounting and Business Administration; Minor: Computer Information Systems; Honors: Cum Laude
4. Alexis Gomez: Bachelor of Science: Business and Technology; Major: Accounting

 
 
Softball (4)

1. Ryann Bizette (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Honors: Honor Roll
2. Emma (E.C.) Delafield: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Exercise Science; Honors: Honor Roll
3. Cayla Jones: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Honors:  Honor Roll
4. Alexis Perry: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Majors: Addiction Studies and Psychology; Honors: Summa Cum Laude

 
Tennis (2)

1. Emilija Dancetovic: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Concentrations: Finance and Management; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
2. Patrycja Polanska:  Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Majors: Addiction Studies and Psychology; Honors: Summa Cum Laude

 
Men's Track (8)

1. Ray Anikwue: Bachelor of Science; College: Education and Human Development; Major: Psychology
2. Adam Courville (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Exercise Science; Concentration: Pre-Physical Therapy; Honors: Summa Cum Laude
3. Yannik Gerland: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Honors: Honor Roll
4. Kie'Ave Harry: Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
5. Jeremy Lawson: Bachelor of General Studies; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: General Studies; Concentration: Social Science; Minor: Social Science
6. Hayden Robertson (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Concentration: Finance; Honors: Cum Laude
7. Daveon Rogers: Bachelor of Science; College: Education and Human Development; Major: Psychology
8. Ceaser Stephens (former student-athlete: Bachelor of Fine Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Fine and Graphic Arts; Concentration: Graphic Communications; Honors: Honor Roll

 
Women's Track (9)
 

1. LeAndrea Allison (former student-athlete: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Concentration: Finance; Honors: Honor Roll
2. Robyn Byrd: Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Psychology; Honors: Honor Roll
3. Jasmine Dansby: Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Business Administration; Concentration: Marketing; Honors: Honor Roll
4. Kelsey Frank (former student-athlete: Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
5. Isabella Hudson: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Minor: Chemistry; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
6. Kori Levingston (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Communication; Concentration: Journalism, Broadcasting & DM Production; Minor: Social Science
7. Kristen Prejean (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Honors: Summa Cum Laude
8. Jasmyn Steels: Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
9. Ariel Watson: Bachelor of Arts; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: History; Minor: Social Science

 
Volleyball (4)
 

1. Aiyana Bean (former student-athlete): Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Industrial Engineering Technology; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
2. Charli Fouts:  Bachelor of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Exercise Science; Minor: Business Administration; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
3. Emily Ornelas (former student-athlete: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
4. Darria Williams: Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Minor: Spanish; Honors: Summa Cum Laude

 
Administration (14)
 

1. Luke Cabell (Asst. Director/Facility and Event Management): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
2. Kara Gandy (Student Worker/Sports Information): Bachelor of Science; College: Business and Technology; Major: Accounting; Minor: Business Administration; Honors: Magna Cum Laude
3. Chavez Hemphill (GA/Marketing): Master of Arts; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Student Affairs in Higher Education
4. Martin Iddon (GA/Facility and Event Management): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration; Honors:  Perfect 4.0 GPA!
5. De'Shalyn Jones (Asst. Coach/Track & Field; Also former student-athlete): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
6. Jordan Luna (Head Graduate Manager/Men's Basketball): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration; Honors:  Perfect 4.0 GPA!
7. Hannah Morales (GA/Sports Medicine): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Health Promotion
8. Kristina Overholt (GA/Sports Medicine): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
9. Kalevi (Kal) Pajuluoma (Asst. Director/Sports Medicine): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
10. Alexis Ring (GA/Sports Medicine): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Health Promotion
11. Reagan Rogers (Asst. Coach/Volleyball; Also former student-athlete): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
12. Emmanuel Slaughter (Ticket Office/Associate): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
13. Sydney Warren (GA/Sports Medicine): Master of Science; College: Education & Human Development; Major: Health and Human Performance; Concentration: Sport Administration
14. Tequilla Winston (Student Worker/Sports Information): Bachelor of Science; College: Arts and Sciences; Major: Biology; Concentration: Biomedical; Minors: Chemistry and Business Administration