The Hall of Honor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has surpassed the 400 mark.
The number of plaques in the Hall grew by 10 more recently, when the UL Lafayette Foundation honored its distinguished donors during a reception at La Marquise in Parc Lafayette.
The event celebrates all donors who have given at least $10,000 and recognizes businesses, alumni and supporters who have given gifts of $50,000 in the past year.
Endowed gifts of $50,000 or more are each represented with a plaque in the Foundation’s Hall of Honor in Martin Hall. Endowed funds are invested. The capital is not spent; only a portion of the interest earned is tapped. So, endowments are perpetual sources of funding.
At this year’s reception, the Foundation commemorated 10 endowed gifts that total more than $800,000. An additional 37 non-endowed gifts of $50,000 or more were also recognized. Those gifts total $9 million.
“This support is allowing us to retain and attract outstanding faculty members, faculty members who make a difference, and to make campus improvements,” Dr. Joseph Savoie, University president, told supporters at the reception.
“We all know we’re experiencing challenging economic times, but, with your help, the University continues to progress,” he added.
Savoie touched on several areas. They include:
- the University’s historic Campaign for Scholarships, which raised over $10.2 million dollars, an amount more than double its initial goal of $4.5 million;
- a record total enrollment during the Fall 2015 semester; and
- the Education Trust’s recent “Rising Tide” report, which ranked UL Lafayette among the nation’s top 26 institutions for increasing graduation rates for underrepresented minorities over the last decade.
Julie Bolton Falgout, president and CEO of the Foundation, thanked the distinguished donors. “Both endowments and non-endowed gifts continue to grow each year and this speaks to the commitment of our generous donors to the University and their commitment to higher education.”
Endowments to be acknowledged with plaques in the Hall of Honor are listed below:
- Anne M. and Dwight T. Coles Endowed Honors Scholarship (TRIA)
- Russell Dailey Memorial Endowed Softball Scholarship
- Houston Ragin’ Cajun Club Endowed Scholarship
- T. Michael Maher/Board of Regents Professorship in Communication
- Gregory McClelland Memorial Endowed Scholarship
- James D. Moncus Endowed Graduate School Scholarship
- D. Keith Mosing Endowed Scholarship
- Gregory Stanton Mosing Endowed Scholarship
- Melanie Christine Mosing Endowed Scholarship
- William Bradford Mosing Endowed Scholarship
The following individuals and corporations were recognized for their non-endowed contributions:
- Acadian Ambulance Service and Richard and Elaine Zuschlag;
- Bryan and Michelle Hanks and Beta Land Services LLC;
- Kenneth and Jane Blanchard;
- Cabot Corporation;
- Chevron;
- Cox Communications Inc.;
- Ed and Rickey Domingues;
- DSF Wealth Management LLC;
- Reggie Dupré and Dupré Logistics LLC;
- Wayne and Connie Elmore;
- Falcon Rice Mill;
- Garett and Mallory Gauthier;
- C. Paul Hilliard;
- Home Bank;
- IBERIABANK;
- Marc and Michelle Judice;
- Sam and Cindy Landers;
- The Lemoine Company;
- Richard G. Zepernick Jr. and Marlin Energy;
- McDonald's of Acadiana;
- Robert W. Merrick and Van Eaton and Romero Inc.;
- MidSouth Bank;
- Charles and Rhonda Moncla;
- James D. Moncus;
- Donald E. Mosing;
- Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center;
- Park Place Surgery Center;
- Bo and Jerry Ramsay;
- Tommie and Janice Rogers;
- Chris and Mamie Russo;
- Rodney L. and Cindi M. Savoy
- Sherman Scott and Delmar Systems Inc.;
- Set-Hut LLC;
- Eddie and Gerry Soileau;
- SPE Evangeline Section;
- Claire M. Tauzin; and
- Donnie and JoeRenda Williams.