Employee Awards

Congratulations to the 2025 Employee Award winners!

Bon Ami Award - Mentorship Award, Lauren Landry
This award honors an individual who demonstrates outstanding dedication to mentoring others. A true team player, they inspire and motivate colleagues while prioritizing collective success over personal recognition. Their positive attitude and cooperative approach create a supportive environment for all.

Joie de Vivre Award - Staff Morale Award, Amy DesOrmeaux
This award honors an individual who cultivates a welcoming and supportive work environment, fostering camaraderie and a positive team dynamic. Through their optimism and enthusiasm, they inspire colleagues to engage in their work with a shared sense of purpose. Their presence enhances the workplace, contributing to a more uplifting and unified atmosphere.

Lagniappe Award - Leadership/Collaboration Award, Dr. Brian Bolton
This award honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, teamwork, and collaboration while making significant contributions to the University’s success through innovative efforts. This person goes above and beyond, fostering a spirit of cooperation and belonging while advancing initiatives that promote fiscal and environmental responsibility. Through exceptional creativity, forward thinking, and ingenuity, they have introduced transformative solutions, practices, or initiatives that significantly enhance the academic environment, student experience, or operational efficiency.

Louisiana Rising Award - Emerging Leader Award, Andrez Joseph
This award recognizes an individual with 1 to 5 years of service who has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, dedication, and potential within their role. Through their contributions, work ethic, and commitment to excellence, they have made a meaningful impact on their team and the University. This individual exemplifies the qualities of a future leader, setting a high standard for performance.

Milestone Recognition: Years of Service

45 Years

Dr. Suzanne P. Ward
Department of Accounting
B.I. Moody III College of
Business Administration

40 Years

Patricia A. Frilot Cottonham
Office of Student Affairs
Student Affairs

Dr. Anthony J. Greco
Department of Economics & Finance
B.I. Moody III College of
Business Administration

35 Years

Paula W. Breaux
Information Technology
Administration & Finance

Albert T. Crownover
Marine Survival Training Center

Roxanna Guillory
Department of
Communicative Disorders
College of Liberal Arts

Charlene T. Hamilton
Human Resources
Administration & Finance

Dr. Arun Lakhotia
School of Computing and Informatics
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences

Dr. Robert W. McKinney
School of Architecture & Design
College of the Arts

Monica L. Meaux
University Libraries
Academic Affairs

Harvey L. Ozbirn
Department of Engineering Technology
College of Engineering

Dr. Nabendu Pal
Department of Mathematics
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences

Susan M. Richard
University Libraries
Academic Affairs

William H. Welsh
Ira Nelson Horticulture Center
School of Geosciences

30 Years

Dr. Garth Alper
School of Music & Performing Arts
College of the Arts

Raymond Cormier
Office of Facility Management
Administration & Finance

Tina Jacques
New Iberia Research Center
University Research

Dr. Valanne MacGyvers
Department of Psychology
College of Liberal Arts

Mary Pourciaux
Information Technology
Administration & Finance

Thomas Sammons
School of Architecture & Design
College of the Arts

Dr. Xiaoduan Sun
Department of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering

25 Years

Kin Cheung
Information Technology
Administration & Finance

Kendal Fontenot
Office of Facility Management
Administration & Finance

Bernice Francis
Office of Facility Management
Administration & Finance

Dr. Michael Gervais
Department of Communication
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Lisa Graley
Department of English
College of Liberal Arts

Fonda Guillory
Office of Student Health Services
Student Affairs

Dr . Yuling Huang-Davie
School of Music & Performing Arts
College of the Arts

Nona Istre
School of Computing & Informatics
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences

Brian Kelly
Department of Visual Arts
College of the Arts

Dr. John Laudun
Department of English
College of Liberal Arts

Lorita Raymond
Procurement Department
University Research

Stacy Smith
Office of Administrative Services
Administration & Finance

Kimberly Tanner
Office of Student Financial Aid
Enrollment Management

Dr. Douglas Williams
Educational Curriculum & Instruction
College of Education &
Human Development

Catherine Young
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Athletics Department
Athletics

Dr. Gregory Zerangue
Office of Student Affairs
Student Affairs

20 Years

Keith Alleman
New Iberia Research Center
University Research

Dena Battaglia
Department of Chemistry
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences

Jeremy Breaux
New Iberia Research Center
University Research

Jason Cavallaro
New Iberia Research Center
University Research

David Chretien
Department of Special Services
University College

Dr. Toby Daspit
Educational Curriculum & Instruction
College of Education &
Human Development

Dr. Jo DeRouen
Department of Sociology,
Anthropology, and Human
Development & Family Science
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Lucian Dinu
Department of Communication
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Michele Feist
Department of English
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Afef Fekih
Department of Electrical &
Computer Engineering
College of Engineering

Dr. Richard Frankel
Department of History,
Geography and Philosophy
College of Liberal Arts

Linda Garber
Department of Modern Languages
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Rose Honegger
Office of International Affairs
Academic Affairs

Colbie Lancelin
New Iberia Research Center
University Research

Jill Lemaire
Administration
B.I. Moody III College of
Business Administration

Shelly Leroy
Department of English
College of Liberal Arts

Jeffrey Lush
Department of Visual Arts
College of the Arts

Vinca Rampen-Duhon
Office of International Affairs
Academic Affairs

Dr. Josh Smith
New Iberia Research Center
University Research

Laura Stelly
LHC Group • Myers School of Nursing
College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Carl Wininger
Office of Facility Management
Administration & Finance

Dr. Richard Winters
Department of Modern Languages
College of Liberal Arts

Retiree Recognition 2024-2025 Honorees

Bobby W. Adkisson
Office of Facility Management
Administration & Finance
2013 - 2025

Christy L. Alford
Student-Athlete Academic Center
Academic Affairs
1989 - 2024

Pennie B. Babin
Academic Success Center
Academic Affairs
1984 - 2024

Jerry W. Baker
Union Building Services
Administration & Finance
2018 - 2024

Dr. Gaëtan A. Brulotte
Department of Modern Languages
College of Liberal Arts
2016 - 2025

Beverly E. Craig
Counseling and Testing Center
Student Affairs
1998 - 2024

Karen D. Faber
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Academic Affairs
1982 - 2025

Dr. Julia C. Frederick
University Honors Program
Academic Affairs
1991 - 2024

Jamie R. Guidry
University Libraries
Academic Affairs
1984 - 2024

Gerald L. Hebert
Office of Development
University Advancement
2002 - 2025

Carla Hodge
College of Engineering
Academic Affairs
2015 - 2025

Tommy K. Howard
Office of Facility Management
Administration & Finance
1993 - 2024

Barbara S. Hunt
Americorps
Academic Affairs
2004 - 2024

Dr. Joby John
Department of Marketing
B.I. Moody III College of
Business Administration
2007 - 2024

Dr. Joe D. Jordan
Department of Engineering Technology
College of Engineering
2019 - 2025

John V. Joubert
Information Technology
Administration & Finance
2014 - 2025

Michael P. Lawrence
Office of Facility Management
Administration & Finance
1990 - 2025

Dr. Gwen Leigh
LHC Group • Myers School of Nursing
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
2013 - 2025

Dr. Gholam H. Massiha
Department of Engineering Technology
College of Engineering
1996 - 2024

Susan M. Miller
Human Resources
Administration & Finance
2000 - 2025

Dr. Bertha T. Myers
Educational Foundations and Leadership
College of Education & Human Development
1998 - 2025

Melanie K. Nelson
New Iberia Research Center
University Research
1999 - 2024

James Oliver
New Iberia Research Center
University Research
2018 - 2025

Chad J. Perez
New Iberia Research Center
University Research
1992 - 2024

Dr. Durga Poudel
School of Geosciences
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences
2000 - 2025

Dr. Daniel Povinelli
Department of Biology
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences
1991 - 2025

Martha Prejean
Post Office
Administration & Finance
2014 - 2025

Jennifer A. Provost
New Iberia Research Center
University Research
1997 - 2025

JoAnn Puissegur
Information Technology
Administration & Finance
2014 - 2025

Rhonda T. Richard
Department of Criminal Justice
College of Liberal Arts
1994 - 2025

Shirlane Sam
B.I. Moody III College of
Business Administration
Academic Affairs
2009 - 2025

Deanette L. Simoneaux
Office of Facility Management
Administration & Finance
2005 - 2024

Loretta L. Singleton
Gifts and Records Management
University Advancement
2009 - 2025

Joan Speyrer
Dean of Students Office
Student Affairs
2008 - 2025

Odillia P. Tauzin
University Libraries
Academic Affairs
2001 - 2025

Dr. Cynthia S. Watson
LHC Group • Myers School of Nursing
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
2012 - 2025

Sam Whitmire
School of Music & Performing Arts
College of the Arts
1989 - 2025

Dawn Williams
Educational Foundations and Leadership
College of Education & Human Development
2011 - 2025