Eight students earn the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal in Fall 2025

October 31, 2025

Eight medalists standing along a staircase

The Fall 2025 class of LSU Distinguished Communicators were awarded their medals during a December 17 ceremony.

During December 2025 Commencement, eight graduates across six colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal. Recipients of this honor are outstanding writers and speakers who possess a strong command of visual literacy and technological communication. They have earned high GPAs in their communication-intensive courses throughout their baccalaureate years, sought 1-1 mentorships with faculty, and have built websites that display their communication competencies and professional talents, both in and beyond the classroom. LSU Distinguished Communicators also graduate with the LSU Communicator Certificate, launched in Fall 2018.

To celebrate the accomplishments of these exceptional students, CxC will host a medal ceremony honoring Distinguished Communicators, as well as share their achievements on social media and cxc.lsu.edu.

This distinction is the first of its kind in the nation. It is sponsored by LSU Communication across the Curriculum (CxC), a nationally recognized program for its excellence in enhancing learning experiences and improving students’ communication skills across all disciplines.

College of Agriculture

Alivia Quirk, Agricultural & Extension Education

Minor: Agriculture Communications
Hometown: Slidell, La.
Advisor: Annabelle Lang

Louisiana’s agricultural impact might not always be recognized on a global scale, but Alivia Quirk is positioned to change that. Whether she’s making connections with legislators at the Capitol or meeting high-profile leaders, such as USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small and US Ambassador Victoria Kennedy, she’s committed to communicating the role agriculture plays in our daily lives. As an advocate, she strives to bridge gaps between urban and rural communities and “help shape a future where farmers are supported, communities are connected, and food security is prioritized for all.” After graduation, Alivia begins the search for her next adventure, continuing her passion for storytelling, public relations, and agricultural sciences.

Michael Wilcher, Agricultural & Extension Education

Minor: Agriculture Communications
Hometown: Bowie, Md.
Advisor: Lisa Arcemont

Michael is a pro at taking big chances. He moved to LSU with no one he knew nearby and his family back in Maryland, completely starting over his freshman year. His proudest achievement, taking first place at the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANNRS) impromptu public speaking tournament, is a symbol of what he calls “the moment he trusted himself.” During his time here, he has been everything from the MANNRS President and general assemblyman to the LSU Agriculture Students Association Service and Community Outreach Chair, all while holding internships with CGB Enterprises and the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

College of Art & Design

Ella Madura, Studio Art and Chemistry

Minor: Art History
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Advisor: Allison Young

At the intersection of art and science, Ella is already making an impact in cultural materials research. Both a chemist and artist, Ella conducted research in multiple chemistry labs at LSU, co-authoring a peer-reviewed publication. While interning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Ella studied chia seed oil as a paint medium with the museum's scientific research department, gaining valuable experience in cultural heritage as she continues in the field. "Getting to be surrounded by people passionate about art and science while also living in New York was an incredible experience," she says. After a short break, Ella is applying to graduate programs with the ultimate goal of continuing research in an art museum or academic institution while also continuing painting as an artist.

College of Engineering

Cristina Barcena-Ponguillo, Industrial Engineering

Minor: E-Commerce Engineering
Hometown: Santander, Spain
Advisor: Isa Nahmens

If you’re looking to find your way around an unfamiliar city, Cristina is the person you want to bring along. She loves to visit new places and is adept at navigating unfamiliar situations. During her senior design project with EMS in Baton Rouge, Cristina navigated a high-pressure environment to conduct interviews with dispatchers and other stakeholders, integrating processes to achieve faster response times. As an international student from Santander, Spain, Cristina is proud of “managing to balance school, work, research, social life, and campus involvement while being far from home.” She is also proud of her academic and personal growth, particularly her role as treasurer for the Society of Women Engineers. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in industrial engineering.

Tiara Britten, Biological Engineering

Minor: Robotics Engineering
Hometown: Port Allen, La.
Advisor: Nick Totaro

Tiara approaches biological engineering with an artist’s imagination and the discipline of someone who knows her work impacts real people. Whether redesigning clinical devices, programming an autonomous robot, or sitting eye-level with children to create accessible playgrounds, Tiara builds with empathy and intention. An artist, a former left-field softball player, a choir singer, an avid reader, and the only STEM major in her immediate family, Tiara has completed over 150 service hours and was selected as the Fall 2025 Engaged Citizen Dossier Spotlight Candidate. After graduation, she will join Medline Industries as a Quality Engineer in Illinois.

Colin Templeton, Mechanical Engineering

Minor: Nuclear Power Engineering
Hometown: Central, La.
Advisor: Salar Saadatian

Before Colin talks about engineering, he’ll tell you about the stories he collects from people of all ages and hidden histories behind objects, because he believes these lessons serve engineers just as much as equations. His own story is a lesson in discipline and determination—he committed to staying in Louisiana after his family moved out of state and supported himself through college. Since then, he’s also completed a successful and immersive co-op and served in the military, all while still graduating within five years. Post graduation, he continues his engineering work with the nuclear engineering consulting firm ILD, Inc., with the long-term goal of identifying potential sustainable energy solutions for society.

College of Human Sciences & Education

Lilette Schmitt, Kinesiology

Minor: Biological Sciences
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Advisor: Christopher Hill

Like a lot of kids, Lilette hated going to the doctor. Now that she’s on the other side, she recognizes her responsibility in making that experience less intimidating for young patients—and loves it. Whether working as a medical assistant in a pediatric clinic or volunteering at Woman’s Hospital, Lilette focuses on her youngest patients to ease their fears. Lilette is not only a first-generation college student, but is also graduating a full semester early with a minor. Her journey continues with school to become a physician assistant.

College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Brynali Marshall, Interdisciplinary Studies

Minors: Analytics, Arabic, Computer Science
Hometown: Opelousas, La.
Advisor: Juan Rodriguez

Brynali approaches every challenge like a puzzle—an outlook that shapes her academic work and life itself. She proudly highlights her capstone on Arabic Natural Language Processing, noting that it neatly combined her three minors: Analytics, Arabic, and Computer Science. Brynali is a Tiger Twelve recipient (yes, one of only twelve graduating LSU seniors recognized for their contributions to campus, community, and society), an avid outdoorswoman, and a dedicated teacher who discovered her passion while volunteering in the United Arab Emirates. In Spring 2026, she looks forward to solving new puzzles as she begins her Master’s in Computer Science at LSU.