Tulane honors 34 outstanding graduates with prestigious Tulane 34 Awards

Thirty-four exceptional graduates from the Class of 2025 were honored at the Tulane 34 Award Ceremony on Thursday, May 15, at the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life.

The Tulane 34 Awards are among the most prestigious honors bestowed upon graduating students university-wide. Named in honor of Tulane’s founding year, 1834, the award celebrates 34 extraordinary students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service and academic excellence throughout their time at the university.

This year’s recognition united a varied group of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from across the university’s schools and two countries (other than the United States) and 15 states.  

“You are among the most accomplished of the honorees we recognize during Commencement week. And you truly embody the values and traditions we can trace all the way back to our origins in 1834."

Tulane President Michael A. Fitts

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 graduating class, from leading student government to pursuing interdisciplinary studies and launching their own nonprofit organizations.

“The Tulane 34 Awards recognize graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence, service and leadership during their time at Tulane,” Fitts said. “You are among the most accomplished of the honorees we recognize during Commencement week. And you truly embody the values and traditions we can trace all the way back to our origins in 1834.

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

“Before you embark on your next adventure, take the time to reflect on your years at Tulane, recognize your extraordinary abilities and all the hard work that got you to this point, and continue to hold yourself to 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 moment in the spotlight. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Robin Forman described the impressive accomplishments of each award recipient, and Vice President of Student Affairs Sarah Cunningham and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Carolyn Barber-Pierre bestowed their certificates and special stoles to wear during the Unified Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17 at the Caesars Superdome.

The Tulane 34 Award recipients are:

Luke Anderson
Bobbie Baker
Aryanna Baytop
Nate Beech
Alexis Block
Janae Burney
Richie Cantwell
Jason Chen
Katie Chong
Jared Christian
Maria Cordero
Jack Dean
Michael DeGuzman
Catherine Donaghey
Isiah Epstein-Bagneris
Pablo Gonzales
Catherine Hawkins
Abbey Hochreiner
Domini Johnson
Kaitlyn Lewis
Avery Liggon
Kayleigh Macumber
Jack McDonnell
Rachel Moody
Anne Catherine Nussbaum
Gabriella Olivieri
Charlotte Osterman
Stephen Randle
Samantha Ratakonda
Ezra Remer
Hannah Rubinstein
Maya Shields
Benjamin Singer
Ben Yoss

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