Electrical Engineering graduate, Molly Goforth, selected as the University’s Fall 2025 Outstanding Graduate

Ms. Molly Goforth has been named the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Fall 2025 Outstanding Graduate.  Selected from among eight award finalists, she will be recognized during the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony.  Molly will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in just two and a half years, with a 4.0 grade point average throughout her time at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a 3.98 grade point average across her entire career in higher education.

Nominated by the College of Engineering and Dean Ahmed Khattab, the award is based on leadership, scholarship and service which serve both the University and the community. Molly was also named the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Graduate, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s Outstanding Graduate.

‘Molly’s path to engineering is anything but ordinary, and that’s exactly what makes her so extraordinary,” said Dean Ahmed Khattab. “From performing on stage with Grammy-nominated artists to mastering complex electrical systems in our labs, she has brought the same passion, precision, and creativity to every challenge she’s faced. Her remarkable academic achievements, technical accomplishments, and dedication to serving both the University and the community embody the very best of what it means to be an engineer and a leader. Molly represents the very best of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and we are thrilled that she was recognized as the University’s Outstanding Graduate for Fall 2025."

Born into a family of engineers in Alabama, Molly initially pursued her passion for music, earning a Bachelor of Music from the University of Louisville and a Master of Music in cello performance from DePaul University in Chicago. She performed with major symphonies, collaborated with Grammy-nominated artists, and taught as an adjunct instructor at UL Lafayette.

A health related circumstance eventually led her to explore a new direction. Drawn back to her love of mathematics and problem-solving, Molly discovered electrical engineering through random conversations with faculty in engineering and quickly excelled in the program. Before graduating, she completed two internships that highlight her ability to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, including operational technology and PLC systems work at Morton Salt and engineering projects with Braeden Engineering and Consulting, where she will begin her full-time career upon graduation as an Electrical/Controls Engineer.

Molly’s research and design projects further demonstrate her talent and ingenuity. From analyzing the economic benefits of solar panels on commercial rooftops to developing automated environmental monitoring systems, her work reflects a deep understanding of technical concepts and a commitment to practical solutions.

Beyond academics and research, Molly has made significant contributions through leadership and service. She has coordinated music for Indivisible Acadiana, led student ensembles in nursing homes, and helped found the community-focused initiative Love Your Neighbor, organizing voter education and resource drives.

Molly’s achievements reflect the values UL Lafayette holds dear: perseverance, innovation, leadership, and service. Her story is a testament to the power of adaptability and the pursuit of excellence, and she leaves a lasting legacy for future generations of students.

Congratulations Molly! We are so very proud of you.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Magdy Bayoumi, Department Head of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Molly Goforth, Outstanding Graduate, Dr. Ahmed Khattab, Dean of the College of Engineering

For more information on all the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Outstanding Graduate nominees →https://louisiana.edu/news/eight-ul-lafayette-students-recognized-fall-2025-outstanding-graduates