Tulane honors outstanding students with Tulane 34 Awards

Thirty-four exceptional graduates from the Class of 2026 were honored at the Tulane 34 Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life.

Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, the Tulane 34 Awards are among the most prestigious honors bestowed upon graduating students across Tulane University. Named in honor of the year Tulane was founded - 1834 - the award celebrates 34 extraordinary students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service and academic excellence throughout their time at Tulane.

This year's recognition united a variety of undergraduate, graduate and professional students across Tulane's nine schools and included a set of twins and a married couple. The recipients represented 16 states and eight countries.

Tulane President Michael A. Fitts commended the students for their outstanding accomplishments during their time at Tulane and for upholding the university's core values and traditions. He highlighted the wide-ranging achievements of this year's graduating class, from producing original research on congenital disorders, African migration and social memory, to serving as leaders in student government, student media organizations and Green Wave athletics.

"Your achievements across academics, leadership and service have distinguished you among your peers," Fitts said. "Each of you embodies the values and traditions we can trace all the way back to our origins in 1834.

"In keeping with Tulane's motto, 'Not for Oneself but for One's Own,' you've also contributed hundreds of hours of service to the Tulane and the broader community."

Fitts also reminded the graduates that they possess all the intelligence, drive and leadership skills needed to solve the challenges of tomorrow.

"Recognize your extraordinary abilities and all the hard work that got you to this point and continue to hold yourself to the highest standard in all that you do," Fitts said.

Proud families, friends, faculty and other Tulane leaders celebrated the graduates as they each received their honors.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Robin Forman described the impressive accomplishments of each award recipient. Vice President of Student Affairs Sarah Cunningham and her team bestowed certificates and special Tulane 34 stoles that honorees wore during Unified Commencement.

The Tulane 34 Award recipients are:

Adella Bartoletti, School of Science and Engineering

Garrett Bartoletti, School of Science and Engineering

Luke Thomas Broussard, School of Liberal Arts

Victoria Layne Bustamante, A. B. Freeman School of Business

Veronica Nicole Catanese, School of Law

Serena Deutch, A. B. Freeman School of Business

Pari Mihir Dhruva, School of Medicine

Emily Eckerman, A. B. Freeman School of Business; School of Liberal Arts

Austin Ezzard, School of Social Work

Joanna Fashjian, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, School of Liberal Arts

Ian Faul, School of Science and Engineering; School of Liberal Arts

Taylor Friedman, A. B. Freeman School of Business

Jonathan Hall, School of Architecture and Built Environment

Olcaytu Hatipoglu, School of Science and Engineering

Avik Hegde, A. B. Freeman School of Business

Kosisochukwu Ifeji, School of Liberal Arts

Juwon Isaac Ishola, A. B. Freeman School of Business

Paresh Kolluru, School of Science and Engineering

Roma Kolluru, School of Science and Engineering

Cameron Kowitt, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

João Lacerda, A. B. Freeman School of Business

Meryl LaRue, School of Science and Engineering

Miriam Emily Toy Lerner, School of Science and Engineering

Alexandra Jean Mack, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Justin W. Magrath, School of Medicine

Katina M. McGinnis, A. B. Freeman School of Business

Denys Symonette Mitchell, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Rubén Morales Forte, School of Liberal Arts

Kelly Nguyen, School of Professional Advancement

Mariana Victoria Pirela Ramirez, School of Science and Engineering

Autumn Sommers, School of Liberal Arts

Eli Henry Tsakiris, School of Medicine

Bin "Jason" Wang, A. B. Freeman School of Business

Ruchi Mitali Wankhede, School of Law

Read more about the Tulane 34 Award recipients and their accomplishments on the Student Affairs website.