NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's largest post-Hurricane Katrina graduating class of current and former student-athletes — 29 in all — received degrees Saturday at the 2017 commencement at XULA's Convocation Center.
     It was Xavier's 90th annual commencement. The total number of athletic-related degrees was 35.
     "At Xavier University, our primary mission is for our student-athletes to make the most of their time here — both in the classroom and with their teams — and then to graduate and excel in the next chapters of their lives," Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn said. "Congratulations to all Xavier graduates, especially our student-athletes. We are extremely proud of you."
     Student-athletes graduating (with high schools in parentheses) were:
     •  Devin Emile Andrew, Harvey, La. (Vandebilt Catholic), men's basketball, master of arts.
     •  Eliqua Dianna Brooks, Upper Marlboro, Md. (Wise), women's basketball, bachelor of arts.
     •  Bianca Patricia Brown, Springdale, Md. (Charles H. Flowers), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Sha'Nel Eleeza Bruins, Colfax, La. (Grant), women's tennis, bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in theology, honors in business.
     •  Jasmine Perneicius Bush, Meridian, Miss. (Southeast Lauderdale), women's basketball, bachelor of arts.
     •  Manav Chakma, Agartala, India (Kendriya Vidyalaya Maligaon), men's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Kevin Chaouat, Sarcelles, France (home-schooled), men's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Terri Cinclair Cunningham, Nashville, Tenn. (Martin Luther King Magnet), women's track and field, bachelor of science . . . cum laude.
     •  Roland Warren (RJ) Daniels, New Orleans, La. (St. Augustine), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Clarke Caran Evans, Baton Rouge, La. (Redemptorist), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Keenan Cornel Gay, New Orleans, La. (Sam Houston), men's basketball, doctor of pharmacy.
     •  Darian Janae Harris, Gretna, La. (McGehee), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Claudia Ann Haywood, Memphis, Tenn. (Cordova), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Kayla Jeree' Jones, Kansas City, Kan. (Piper), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Kelsey Amanda Joseph, LaPlace, La. (Riverside Academy), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Brent Anthony Kitto (Holy Cross), men's cross country/track and field, doctor of pharmacy . . . magna cum laude.
     •  Donyeah Danielle Mayfield, Vicksburg, Miss. (Vicksburg), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Katelyn Terrell McMorris, Baton Rouge, La. (Christian Life Academy), women's track and field, bachelor of arts.
     •  Kaylee Alexis Moore, Erwinville, La. (Catholic of Pointe Coupee), women's track and field, bachelor of science . . . summa cum laude, honors in biology, honors in chemistry.
     •  Brandi Ashley Nelson, Jonesboro, Ga. (Faith Academy), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Wesley Joshua Pluviose-Philip, Albany, N.Y. (Albany), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Taylor Lindley Reuther, Metairie, La. (Dominican), women's volleyball, doctor of pharmacy . . . cum laude.
     •  Devinn Kristen Rolland, Harvey, La. (Cabrini), women's track and field, doctor of pharmacy . . . magna cum laude.
     •  Karan Salwan, New Delhi, India (Modern School), men's tennis, bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in business.
     •  Kelsee Lenee' Singleton, New Orleans, La. (Karr), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Ralitsa Asenova Slanchev, Razlog, Bulgaria (Kanazirevi), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Gary Edward Smith, Sugar Land, Texas (The Village School), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Riley Cleveland Smith, Sacramento, Calif. (Rio Linda), men's basketball, bachelor of science . . . honors in English.
     •  Jana van der Walt, Houston, Texas (de Aar), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     Also graduating were:
     •  Sierra Nichol' Blanchard-Hodge, cheerleader student coach, bachelor of arts . . . Mother M. Agatha Ryan Award for appreciation for the spirit and standards of XULA through reverence, personal integrity, loyalty, service and scholarship; university service key award.
     •  William Thomas Green, women's basketball student manager, bachelor of science.
     •  Gia Genae Jennings, track and field/cross country manager, bachelor of science.
     •  Alethia I. Love, spirit group (Golden Girls pom squad), bachelor of science.
     •  Ashlyn Janae Pinkins, spirit group (cheerleader), bachelor of science.
     •  Amanda Tillie Ware, women's volleyball student manager, bachelor of science . . . summa cum laude, honors in communication studies, honors in theology, honors in business, university service key award.
     XULA is one of 47 colleges listed as a "Best Buy School" in the 2017 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. XULA's intercollegiate teams compete in the NAIA and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
     NOTES:  Andrew is an XULA men's basketball assistant coach . . . Chaouat is a XULA tennis student assistant . . . Bruins, Nelson and Salwan will compete for XULA next week in the NAIA National Tennis Championships at Mobile, Ala.