(Seguin) — Nearly 190 graduates crossed the stage Saturday as Texas Lutheran University celebrated its Spring 2026 commencement exercises on the university’s Library Lawn.
The ceremony also included recognition of two special honorees: senior Emerald “Emei” St Laurent, who was named the university’s 2026 Student of the Year, and alumnus Dave Sather, who received the Distinguished Alumni Award.
St Laurent, a psychology and theology double major from TLU, was presented with the David and Anna (Teggeman) Stock Student of the Year Award. The honor recognizes a student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service to the university community.
Throughout her time at TLU, St Laurent maintained a spot on the Dean’s List while serving in a variety of campus leadership roles, including senior resident assistant and student activities leader. She was also a member of the university’s women’s basketball team and helped the Bulldogs capture the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament title in 2025.
Sather, a 1989 TLU graduate, was honored as the university’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus. He is the founder and CEO of Sather Financial Group and has played a major role in supporting TLU’s business and finance programs.
Among his contributions to the university is the creation of the Bulldog Investment Company, a student-led investment program that gives students hands-on experience managing a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Sather also serves on TLU’s Board of Regents.