NEW ORLEANS — Loyola University New Orleans awarded 532 degrees at its 96th commencement ceremony on May 12 in the New Orleans Arena.

University President Kevin Wm.Wildes S.J., presided over the ceremonies.

Julian Bond, a revolutionary for social change for almost 50 years and a leader of the American civil rights movement and chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, addressed the 2007 graduating class during the unified ceremony. He also received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters.

The following local students were among those receiving degrees:

•Nicole Sanders, from Daphne, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Humanities and Natural Sciences.

•Thomas Shoultz, from Spanish Fort, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Humanities and Natural Sciences.

Founded in 1912, Loyola University New Orleans is a Jesuit-Catholic institution with a total student enrollment of 4,724, including 800 law students.

(Submitted by Rachel Ritter)