Louisiana Tech University conferred degrees upon 325 graduates in the Class of Fall 2025 — a group of students who join nearly 118,000 Tech alumni worldwide — during commencement on Saturday in the Thomas Assembly Center.
Misti S. Cordell, chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents, owner COR Consulting, LLC, and a 1997 Human Resources Management graduate of Louisiana Tech, served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
She left the graduating students with three key pieces of advice during her speech:
Be the person who finds the “yes” – “If you are the cooler head in the room, the well-prepared, and the ready problem-solver, you will become a crucial part of your organization.”
Know your passion and potential and fight for both – “Stand firm on your foundations and operate with honesty and integrity every day … focus on your goals, not distractions.”
Challenge yourself to do what’s hard – “Risk is well worth the reward … believe in and commit to your purpose and hang on for what’s next; you are ready.”
Cordell also took a moment to acknowledge her mother for “creating a legacy of learners and achievers” by working hard to earn her nursing degree at age 38 and becoming a first-generation graduate. A round of applause followed for all the parents of graduating students in attendance.
During the ceremony, University mascot Champ presented one student from the Krewe of Champ organization, Jensen Adams, with his degree. Another student, finance graduate Aaron Peel, became a fifth-generation alum in his family. And multiple Louisiana Tech faculty and staff earned advanced degrees, including Dr. Devonia Love-Vaughn (Dean of Cultural Engagement and Student Success) and Dr. Ashley Owen (Director of Counseling Services), the latter earning her second doctorate and third degree overall from Louisiana Tech.