Each year the Departments of Criminal Justice, Sociology, Social Work, and Gerontology award honors to the outstanding students in each department. This year's annual Honors Banquet was held on Friday, May 7, 2004 on the 7th floor of the ULM Library. The Gerontology Department honored three students at this year's event. Ms. Manda Mountain, Ms. Elizabeth Faulk and Ms. Muriel Ryder were honored.

Dr. Bulot and Mrs. Billie Haacker presented the award for Outstanding Gerontology Student to Ms. Manda Mountain. The Outstanding Gerontology Student Award is given to a gerontology student who excels in leadership, commitment to gerontology and academics. "Manda was the obvious choice for this award," said Dr. Bulot. She has a 4.0 GPA, is involved in all departmental and community activities and has been President of the Gerontology Association for the past 2 years.

Ms. Elizabeth Faulk was honored as the first recipient of the Stephanie Pepper Memorial Scholarship. The Stephanie Pepper Memorial Scholarship was established by friends and family of Stephanie Pepper to provide scholarships for deserving students in Gerontology. The eligibility requirements of this scholarship are: the recipient must be a female Louisiana resident, must possess a 3.5 graduate grade point average or higher and must be a graduate student working towards a Master's degree in Gerontology. Mr. and Mrs. Pepper were in attendance along with Dr. Chris Johnson to present the scholarship to Ms. Faulk. Mr. David Sims, husband of the late Stephanie Pepper was also in attendance.

Ms. Muriel Ryder was honored as the first recipient of the Dr. Robert Haacker Award/Scholarship in Long-Term Care Administration. The Dr. Robert Haacker Memorial Award/Scholarship in Gerontology: Long Term Care Administration was established by friends and family of Dr. Robert Haacker to provide scholarships for deserving students. To be eligible for this award/scholarship, the recipient must: be a Louisiana resident, be a graduate student, be pursuing a Master's degree in Gerontology, be in the Long-Term Care concentration, and possess a 3.25 graduate grade point average or higher. Dr. James Bulot, along with Mrs. Billie Haacker presented the award to Muriel. Chris Haacker, son of the late Dr. Haacker, was also in attendance representing the Haacker family.