Local Achievers Honored: McNeese Awards Honorary Degrees to Distinguished Alumni

McNeese State University held its 162nd commencement ceremony on May 10 at the McNeese Legacy Center, where it awarded honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to two notable alumni, U.S. District Judge James D. Cain Jr. and ASM Global Executive Vice President Doug Thornton. University President Dr. Daryl V. Burckel stated that these honorary degrees are the highest honors the university awards, acknowledging significant contributions to the university and the state of Louisiana.

Judge James D. Cain Jr., who graduated from McNeese in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in economics and finance, later earned a Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center. He co-founded the law firm Loftin, Cain, and LeBlanc and has served in various legal roles in Louisiana and Mississippi. Appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in 2019, Judge Cain has also been active in the McNeese Alumni Association and local public service boards.

Doug Thornton, a 1980 McNeese graduate in business administration, has significantly impacted the sports and entertainment industry. His key role in the $225 million renovation of the Caesars Superdome after Hurricane Katrina helped revitalize New Orleans. Thornton's leadership has brought major events like the NFL Super Bowl and NBA All-Star games to the city, boosting tourism and the economy.

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