Dr. Ray Authement, who served as the president of UL Lafayette for 34 years, has died. Upon his retirement in 2008, he was the longest-serving public university president in the United States. Current UL Lafayette President Joe Savoie says Authement’s impact on the campus can still be seen today.
“He transformed the campus from a strong regional campus to one that is more nationally competitive with areas of expertise in research. His vision changed the place,” said Savoie.
During Authement’s administration, the school’s name changed from USL to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Savoie says it was Autement’s own time in college that guided his handling of a student’s experience.
“He was a first-generation college student from Boudreaux Canal and he was always very sensitive to first-generation students, making sure that they had the kind of support that they needed so that they could be successful,” said Savoie.
Savoie says Authement taught math at the beginning of his employment. Upon his retirement, he came back to the University to teach math again.
“It was a full circle. I think he had a love affair with the University. It was the focus of his professional life and his personal life in many ways. His family grew up on the campus and they’ve all stayed dedicated to the University,” said Savoie.
Authement died Sunday at the age of 91.
Comments