Alumni Association honors trailblazer with TRIO alumni chapter

The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) has commended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the UL Lafayette Alumni Association for establishing the RL Carmouche TRIO Alumni Chapter. Named in honor of the late Robert L. Carmouche, a trailblazing advocate for TRIO students and dedicated educator, this association stands as a testament to his lifelong commitment to educational equity and student success. 

The new chapter was formally announced on Aug. 30 at a special ceremony at the University. The event brought together alumni, students, faculty and community members in celebration. 

COE President Kimberly Jones stated, “The establishment of the RL Carmouche TRIO Alumni Chapter honors the profound legacy of R.L. Carmouche and underscores the power of TRIO programs. His dedication to education and mentorship has left an indelible mark, and this alumni chapter will continue his work, providing a network of support and inspiration for TRIO students and alumni.”

Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, added, “We are deeply honored to inaugurate the RL Carmouche TRIO Alumni Chapter with the UL Lafayette Alumni Association. Throughout his long career at the University, Mr. Carmouche inspired others through his commitment to students and service to our community. This alumni chapter will ensure that his legacy of excellence and dedication to student success endures.”

Robert Lee (R.L.) Carmouche, who passed away on March 31 at the age of 83, was a beloved figure in the educational community and one of the first Black employees at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His career was marked by unwavering dedication to increasing educational opportunities for low-income and first-generation students, particularly African American students. Carmouche secured millions of dollars in funding for the University’s TRIO programs, positively changing the trajectories of countless lives.

Carmouche’s legacy includes earning his bachelor of science degree in mathematics education from Southern University in Baton Rouge in 1965 and his master’s degree from UL Lafayette in 1970. His roles at UL Lafayette included counselor, assistant director of Student Support Services and Upward Bound, and director of Special Services. He was also a dedicated public servant in his hometown of Sunset, serving as the first African American elected official and as alderman for over 25 years.

TRIO programs have made a significant impact nationally by supporting more than six million first-generation, low-income students and helping them achieve their academic and career goals. The RL Carmouche TRIO Alumni Chapter at University of Louisiana at Lafayette is among the first university-established alumni societies specifically for TRIO participants. It will provide a platform for alumni to connect and share experiences, while also supporting current TRIO students in their educational journeys. 

For more information, contact the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s TRIO Programs Office at (337) 482-6828 or the UL Lafayette Alumni Association at (337) 482-0900.

Photo caption: Amy Armstrong, associate vice president for Alumni Engagement and chief executive officer of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association, and Tommy Walls, director of Alumni Relations and Career Opportunities at the Council for Opportunity in Education, share the stage on Aug. 30 during the formal announcement of the RL Carmouche TRIO Alumni Chapter at UL Lafayette. (Photo credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette)