NEW ORLEANS—Dillard University’s Office of Academic Affairs has announced its selections for valedictorian and salutatorian ahead of the 2024 commencement exercise, which will take place on Saturday, May 11, at 8 a.m. on the Avenue of the Oaks.
George Alvarez, Ashley Brown, Travionne Bob, Rajah Thomas, and Callia Thompson have received the distinction of valedictorian, and Covay Joseph has the distinction of salutatorian.
Alvarez, a San Antonio, Texas native, will receive a bachelor of science in business administration and plans to work following graduation. He is a proud member of the Dillard University Baseball team, which won the GCAC Championship during its inaugural season.
Bob, an Opelousas, Louisiana native and first-generation college graduate, will receive a bachelor of science in mathematics and actuarial science with a minor in accounting, with plans to pursue a career in actuarial science. He is currently studying for his preliminary actuary exams. While at Dillard, he was a member of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge quiz bowl team, Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation in Research (LS-LAMP), DU Community Service Committee; Volunteer Experience DU, and the Daniel C. Thompson/Samuel DuBois Cook/ Honors Program. Bob credits his high school English and Social Studies teacher, Pastor Junius Egby, Jr., for recommending that he attend Dillard.
Brown, an Upper Marlboro, Maryland native, will receive a bachelor of arts in film with a minor in business administration, in three years, with plans to pursue a career in entertainment law. Upon graduating, Brown will pursue a Juris Doctorate at the University of California at Los Angeles Law School in the fall. While at Dillard, she was a Red Bull Student Marketeer, Junior Fellow and program co-chair for the US Hub with the Melton Foundation, an HBCU in LA Intern, Administrative Director for the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, Chief of Staff for Dillard University Film Society, Experiential Liaison and Member of the Daniel C. Thompson/Samuel DuBois Cook/ Honors Program, Director of Internal Affairs for Student Government Association, Associate Justice for Student Government Association and a member of Leading Ladies of DU.
Thomas, a Las Vegas, Nevada native, will receive a bachelor of arts in political science with a minor in urban studies and public policy. She has a full-ride to George Washington University to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration. While at Dillard, she was Vice President of National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, Member of the Thompson & Cook Honors Program, Member of Pi Sigma Alpha National Honors Society, Member of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honors Society, Former Student Government Association Junior Class Justice, Center for Racial Justice Intern, eight times Dean’s List Scholar and Member of the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Thompson, an Austin, Texas native, will receive a bachelor of arts in criminal justice, with plans on attending Baylor University School of Law. While at Dillard, she was vice president of the Political Science Society, a member of SKIRTS (Sisters Keeping It Real Through Service), a dean’s list scholar, an Alpha Chi National Honors Society member, Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society, and the Daniel C. Thompson/Samuel DuBois Cook/Honors Program.
Joseph, a Lutcher, Louisiana native, will receive a bachelor of arts in music and plans to attend graduate school for a Master’s degree in Music Theory. Upon graduating, Joseph will take a gap year to explore his interests. He is a member of the Dillard University Concert Choir and the Daniel C. Thompson/Samuel DuBois Cook/ Honors Program. “I am incredibly thankful to the professors who have inspired and instructed me at Dillard.”
During the commencement ceremony, valedictorians will receive the Benjamin E. Mays/ Samuel DuBois Cook Scholarship, and the salutatorian will receive the Michael L. Lomax award. The Benjamin E. Mays – Samuel DuBois Cook Presidential Scholarship is a $750 award presented annually to the top graduating seniors who have maintained an exemplary academic record. The Michael L. Lomax Presidential Scholarship, which is a $500 award presented annually to the salutatorians of the class for having maintained an exemplary academic record.
About Dillard University
Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private faith-based liberal arts university that offers 22 majors and two certificate programs. Ranked 5th on the 2021 The New York Times Overall Mobility Index and 14th in 2022 by Academic Influence for Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship, Dillard’s call to future leaders is to Write Your Legacy. Find out more about Louisiana’s oldest HBCU by visiting www.dillard.edu.
