The following can be attributed to Dr. Joseph Savoie, Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ at Lafayette president. He succeeded Dr. Ray P. Authement as president in 2008. Dr. Savoie served as vice president of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Advancement and in other roles during Dr. Authement’s presidency.
Dr. Ray P. Authement was president of this Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ for 34 years, yet longevity alone is an insufficient measure by which to assess the transformational nature of his tenure.
Through dedication, determination and selflessness, he changed how the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ saw itself and how others perceived it as well. He guided our growth from a strong regional Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ to one recognized nationally and globally for its research and scholarship.
During Dr. Authement’s presidency, we became the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ at Lafayette, a significant center of learning, an engine of economic growth, and a place that prioritizes Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ success and academic excellence.
Our Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s achievements today – and its importance to Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s future – are rooted in the foundation he built. UL Lafayette stands as a monument to his visionary leadership.
Gail and I join the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ community in offering our condolences to Barbara, Julie and the entire Authement family.
Photo caption: Dr. Ray P. Authement greets spectators at Cajun Field in an image from 2007. (Photo credit: Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ at Lafayette)