Recent graduation recaps
Photos: 10 a.m. ceremony

        NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics delivered another memorable performance Saturday at XULA's 94th annual commencement. The department produced 35 graduates, its second most in the 11 years it has tracked the numbers.
        "Our goal for every new Xavier student-athlete is to get a chance to compete for national championships and receive an outstanding and valuable education," said Jason Horn, assistant vice president for student affairs/director of athletics. "Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has taken a significant amount of effort to get to this point. Xavier is grateful to its students, faculty and staff for working together to persevere and reach this day where we honor academic success."
        The total number of athletic-related degrees included 26 student-athletes.
        The 2020 commencement was online because of the pandemic. This year it returned to the Convocation Center with equal numbers of graduates honored in ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Graduates were permitted two guests apiece.
        "The ceremonies ran smoothly," Horn said, "and it was beautiful to watch graduates celebrate their achievements.with their families and friends."
        Student-athletes graduating (with high schools in parentheses where available) were:
        •  Asha Abiade, Chicago, Ill. (Whitney Young Magnet), competitive cheer, bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in mathematics, honors in sociology.
        •  Cayla Adams, Belleville, Ill. (Belleville East), competitive cheer, bachelor of science.
        •  Kayla Black, Houston, Texas (St. Pius X), women's volleyball, bachelor of arts.
        •  Alexis Burke, Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern), women's basketball/track and field, bachelor of science . . . magna cum laude, honors in English.
        •  Carlie Calais, Breaux Bridge, La. (Cecilia), women's track and field/cross country, doctor of pharmacy.
        •  Ed Carter, Detroit, Mich. (Edison), men's basketball, bachelor of arts.
        •  Kiara Davillier, Calhoun, La. (West Ouachita), competitive cheer, bachelor of science . . . cum laude.
        •  Raven Davis, Jackson, La. (West Feliciana), women's track and field, bachelor of arts.
        •  Jaida Dowd, Aurora, Ill. (Metea Valley), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
        •  Anica Gacevic, Pljevlja, Montenegro (West Oaks Academy), women's basketball, bachelor of science . . . magna cum laude, honors in mathematics.
        •  Khalil Gallien, Detroit, Mich. (Bloomfield Hills), men's track and field, bachelor of arts.
        •  Ethan Gipson, Memphis, Tenn. (Houston), men's track and field, doctor of pharmacy.
        •  Aaron Grundy, Union, N.J. (Oratory Prep), men's track and field/cross country, bachelor of science . . . honors in English.
        •  Ireyon Keith, Tickfaw, La. (Independence), women's basketball/track and field, master of public health.
        •  Eva Le Guillou, Velizy-Villacoublay, France (Lycee Emmanuel Mounier), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
        •  Kyle Logan, Hampton, Va. (Hampton), men's track and field, bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in English.
        •  Angele McClain, New Orleans, La. (Newman), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
        •  Thomas Ortique, Hartford, Conn.(Windsor), men's basketball, doctor of pharmacy.
        •  Tiffany Phillips, Gardena, Calif. (Bishop Montgomery), women's volleyball, bachelor of science . . . honors in philosophy.
        •  Taylor Price, Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point), women's track and field/cross country, bachelor of arts.
        •  Vivica Price-Spraggins, Chicago, Ill. (Whitney Young Magnet), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
        •  Olivier Siewe, Douala, Cameroon (Piney Woods), men's basketall, master of arts.
        •  Evan Simmons, Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls), men's track and field, bachelor of science.
        •  Kelsee Singleton, New Orleans, La. (Karr), women's basketball, master of arts in teaching.
        •  Caprice Taylor, Hayward, Calif. (Encinal), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
        •  Calah Williams, Baton Rouge, La. (Woodlawn), women's track and field, bachelor of science.
        Also graduating were:
        •  Jean Claude Biayi, women's basketball manager, bachelor of science . . . honors in business.
        •  Amyre Brandom, spirit group (Gold Star dance), bachelor of arts . . . cum laude.
        •  Angelica Franklin, spirit group (Golden Girls pom), bachelor of science . . . honors in mathematics.
        •  De'Ahn Huddleston, spirit group (Gold Star dance), bachelor of science.
        •  Sydney Hughes, spirit group (Gold Star dance), bachelor of science . . . cum laude.
        •  Jordyn Jackson, men's basketball manager, bachelor of science . . . honors in business.
        •  Iesha Moreland, spirit group (Golden Girls pom), bachelor of arts . . . cum laude, honors in sociology.
        •  Ayanna O'Neal, home event employee, bachelor of science.
        •  Quincy Rasin, track and field graduate assistant, master of public health.
        XULA Athletics in 2020-21 tied a school record by winning nine conference/group championships. The department also produced three NAIA top-10 teams: competitive cheer, women's tennis and men's tennis.