Dear students, faculty and staff members,
This year, the University is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its founding. And while the past century and a quarter have been monumental, I believe strongly that our best days are yet to come.
Today, we’re launching our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan – “Vision. Louisiana.” – that provides a blueprint for even greater success.
Dear students, faculty and staff members,
Welcome to the fall semester and the new academic year!
The fall semester is a special time in the life of any university. It’s when new students find their footing as they begin their academic journeys, when returning students rejoin old friends and make new ones, and when clubs and organizations and athletic teams again enjoy the camaraderie of events and competition.
Dear students and faculty and staff members,
Friday is the anniversary of one of the most consequential moments in the history of our region and the state of Louisiana.
On July 14, 1898 – 125 years ago – Gov. Murphy J. Foster signed a bill, authored by state Sen. Robert Martin, to establish Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The governor’s pen set in motion a century and a quarter of progress and growth – both for the institution itself and for the region and state it’s served since its creation.
Dear students, faculty and staff members,
More than a century ago, in the years following the First World War, wounded veterans of the conflict participated in educational training courses on our campus. As part of their recovery, the students collected acorns from live oak trees around the property and planted them in other spots on campus. Many of those oaks are still standing, and we continue to enjoy their shade and beauty today.
Dear faculty and staff members,
Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of our designation as an R1 University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Achieving this top-tier status – shared by just 3% of the nation’s colleges and universities – affirmed the promise we’ve made as an institution to seek excellence in research, teaching and service.
Each of you embodies this commitment and, today, I am as grateful for you and as proud of our shared success as I was a year ago.
Dear students, faculty and staff members,
Have you seen the new Louisiana.edu?
The University’s redesigned flagship website launched today. Along with a fresh and inviting look, the site has several new features that will improve the user experience for employees and current and prospective students.
Dear members of the University community,
As you may know, one of our students was injured last week during an off-campus shooting across the street from Huger Hall. He is recovering at home with family members, and they have given us permission to report that he is doing well and is looking forward to returning to campus soon. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Dear students, faculty and staff members,
Welcome to the fall semester!
At the start of every academic year, I like to spend some time thinking about what we’ve accomplished over the preceding 12 months. These reflections help lay the groundwork for what we hope to achieve over the next 12 and beyond.
By any measure, the academic year we concluded earlier this month was filled with success that’s comparable to any this institution has known in its nearly 125-year history. Consider this:
Dear friends,
My family and I have been deeply touched by the expressions of support and sympathy so many of you have shown since Gail’s passing.
The incredible outpouring of love from every corner of our community has sustained us, and while we continue to mourn her death, your acts of kindness have reminded us of the extraordinary person Gail was, the beautiful legacy she left, and the caring nature of the University family she proudly served.
Dear friends,
Today, my family lost its center, and the University lost its greatest cheerleader.
Gail Heinbach Savoie passed away peacefully this afternoon surrounded by family and friends. She was my wife for 44 years and my best friend for more than a half century.
