Smooth Start — August 23, 2011

Dear Faculty & Staff,

I’m pleased to announce that the academic year is off to a smooth start.  It is exciting to have the university buzzing with activities and have our students, faculty and staff back on campus.  To all who are new to UL Lafayette, I extend a warm welcome and wish you the best on behalf of the entire university family.

This past Sunday, the UL community welcomed over 2,500 first-time freshmen who attended the New Student Convocation held at the Cajundome Convention Center.  This is an outstanding freshman class, eager about the start of this next phase in their lives.

As I greeted students at the Cajun Field bus stop yesterday morning and walked about campus today, excitement and anticipation about the promise of a new semester were palpable.  It is my hope that your experience is similar as you greet our new and returning students.

Those of us fortunate enough to work in higher education have the privilege of affecting lives, and we share a responsibility to affect those lives in a positive way.   I recently received the attached article written by your colleague and the university’s director of orientation, Paul Eaton.  Paul’s words are a poignant reminder of the impact each of us has on the young people we encounter every day.  I invite you to read Paul’s article, aptly entitled, Impact.

I look forward to seeing you on campus and working with you this year.  Thanks for all you do for our students and the university.

Sincerely,

E. Joseph Savoie
President
president@louisiana.edu