NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development recognized outstanding students during an honors convocation April 7. 

 

The College includes the School of Education, Department of Health and Human Performance, Department of MiIitary Science, Department of Psychology and Addiction Studies and Department of Social Work.  The College collectively includes includes 33 degree programs and graduates the highest number of students who become educators and leaders that empower and uplift individuals and communities, said College Dean Dr. Neeru Deep. 

 

School of Education awards were presented by Dr. April Giddens, interim director.

 

Excellence in Teaching in Undergraduate Education:  Corynn LaCaze of Natchitoches and Alaina Norris of Deville

 

Dr. Marie Shaw Dunn Award in Early Childhood Education:  Macy Dowden of Many

 

Esther Cooley Memorial Award:  Taylor Roberson of Natchez

 

Excellence in Music Education:  Molly Laird of Wake Village, Arkansas 

 

Outstanding Senior Award in Child and Family Studies:  Samantha Austin of Natchitoches 

 

T.P. Chaplin Award:  Lona Aucoin of Deville 

 

Educators Rising Outstanding Service Award:  Olivia Horrell of Shreveport

 

Dill Perseverance Award:  Krista Cholvitee of Natchitoches and Latasha Kennedy of Westwego

 

Excellence in Counseling Award:  Christine Ferrell of Natchitoches

 

Outstanding Master’s Degree Candidate: Beverly Warren of Robeline

 

Rising Educational Leader Award: Jabain August of Abbeville

 

Outstanding Research in Education: Martina Malone of Baton Rouge

 

Excellence in Teaching in Graduate Teacher Education (MAT): Mariah Pellerin of Franklin

 

Excellence in Teaching in Graduate Teacher Education (PREP):  Katelyn Morace of Deville

 

Outstanding Doctoral Research Award:  Larry Arant of Benton

 

Department of Health and Human Performance awards were presented by Dr. Tara Tietjen-Smith, department head.

 

2025 American Kinesiology Association (AKA) Undergraduate Scholar Award: Latyriona Jones of Evergreen

 

Outstanding Female Athlete in Health and Human Performance: Madison Brown of Natchitoches

 

Outstanding Male Athlete in Health and Human Performance: Caleb Billiot of Schriever

 

Outstanding Health and Exercise Science Undergraduate Student: Kaci McDaniel of Frierson

 

Outstanding Sport and Recreation Management Student:  Honor Camus of Baton Rouge

 

Outstanding Health and Physical Education Student: Lauren Menard of Scott

 

Outstanding Sport Administration Graduate Student: Kendrioun Boatman of Natchitoches

 

Outstanding Public Health Graduate Student: Reese Lipoma of Gonzales

 

Health and Human Performance Graduate Assistant of the Year: Maya Lucas of Natchitoches

 

2025 American Kinesiology Association (AKA) Master’s Scholar Award: Maya Lucas of Natchitoches

 

Bill E. Stewart Health and Human Performance Scholarship: Honor Camus of Baton Rouge

 

Allen R. “Buddy” Bonnette Scholarship: Lauren Menard of Scott

 

Chris Roper Memorial Scholarship: Lalaina Wood of Oak Ridge and Abigail Coker of Meraux

 

Cindy Poole Davis Health and Exercise Sciences Scholarship: Kamryn Babineaux of Lafayette

 

2025 Human Performance Leadership Club (HPLC) Professor of the Year: Dr. Lauren Mitchell, associate professor

 

Department of Military Science awards were presented by LTC Joshua Drake, department head. 

 

Superior Cadet Decoration Award – MS I: Joao V. Dos Santos of Fort Johnson

 

Superior Cadet Decoration Award – MS II:  Jacob P. Mullican of DeRidder

 

Superior Cadet Decoration Award – MS III: Layla L. Theriot of Gheens

 

Superior Cadet Decoration Award – MS IV:  Caiden E. Matthews of Shreveport

 

Department of Psychology awards were presented by Dr. Charles King, interim department head. 

 

Maureen A. McHale Outstanding Junior Award in Psychology:  Grace Culpepper of Sulphur

 

Terry Isbell Outstanding Senior Psychology Major Award:  Shae Wetzel of Pitkin

 

Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in Addiction Studies:  Hilary Bennett of Natchitoches 

 

Hurst Moreland Hall Jr., Research Award:  Elayna Gardiner of Iowa

 

Donald O. Games Psi Chi Honor Graduate Award:  Emma Gonzales of Bossier city

 

Robert L. Breckenridge Graduate Student Award: Greere Koehler of Alexandria

 

 

Department of Social Work awards were presented by Dr. Susan Campbell, interim department head.

 

Malcolm C. Braudaway Award:  Jana Couvillion of Pineville

 

Outstanding Social Work Student Award:  Briannah Stansberry of Jennings

 

Social Work Senior Summer 2024 Academic Award:  Allie Ainsworth of Boyce

 

Social Work Senior Fall 2024 Academic Award:  Kelly Sax of Eagan, Minnesota

 

Social Work Senior Spring Academic Award:  Briannah Stansberry of Jennings

 

Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholars:  Tamera Burney of Benton, Jana Couvillion of Pineville, Ragini Brooke Delasalle of Baton Rouge and Shelby Sutton of West Monroe

 

 

 

Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development Faculty and Staff Awards were presented by Dr. Neeru Deep, dean

 

Distinguished Teaching Awards:  Dr. Michelle Brunson, professor of Early Childhood Education, and Dr. Lauren Mitchell, associate professor of Health and Human Performance

 

Distinguished Scholar Awards:  Dr. Sunggun Jeon, assistant professor of Health and Human Performance, and Dr. Laura Beth Norman, assistant professor, Adult Learning and Development

 

Distinguished Service Awards:  Dr. Haley Blount, assistant professor of Health and Human Performance; Dr. Debra Jo Hailey, assistant professor in Child and Family Studies, and Dr. Jennifer Shaw, research associate for Social Work

 

Distinguished Staff Member Awards:  Jennifer L. Cowan, scholarship coordinator for Child and Family Studies; Sid Hall, military affairs coordinator/ROTC program manager, and Helen Tousek, administrative assistant, Department of Psychology