Since Dr. Ray P. Authement杏吧专区檚 death Sunday, higher education leaders, former students, public officials and members of the business community have paid tribute to the former 杏吧专区 president.
Authement served as 杏吧专区 president from 1974 to 2008. He was the longest-serving public university president in the United States at the time of his retirement.
The 杏吧专区 he led for 34 years will be the site of a memorial from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. The public may drive past Martin Hall to pay their respects, leave notes and other small tokens of remembrance and view a commemorative display.
What follows is a sample of how Authement is being remembered by those who knew him.
杏吧专区淭hrough dedication, determination and selflessness, he changed how the 杏吧专区 saw itself and how others perceived it as well. He guided our growth from a strong regional 杏吧专区 to one recognized nationally and globally for its research and scholarship.
杏吧专区淥ur 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 achievements today 杏吧专区 and its importance to Louisiana杏吧专区檚 future 杏吧专区 are rooted in the foundation he built. UL Lafayette stands as a monument to his visionary leadership.杏吧专区
Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president
杏吧专区淎s the longest serving public university president in the United States, Dr. Authement laid the foundation for the extraordinary advancement of UL Lafayette into a national model and a source of pride for Louisiana. Countless students and multiple generations were blessed by his leadership.杏吧专区
Dr. Jim Henderson, president of the 杏吧专区 of Louisiana System
杏吧专区淒r. Authement lived an extraordinary life. During his presidential tenure, he influenced thousands of students杏吧专区 lives, including mine. It was an honor to be a student under Dr. Authement杏吧专区檚 leadership. He fostered a learning environment that made all students feel valued.杏吧专区
Mark Romero, chairman, UL System Board of Supervisors and UL Lafayette alum
杏吧专区淒r. Authement brought his sharp mind, vision for academic excellence and student dedication to the role he cherished. As we mourn his passing, we at the Board of Regents celebrate an educator for the ages and reflect on his rich legacy.杏吧专区
Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana commissioner of higher education
杏吧专区淲hen serving as SGA president, I had a standing 4 o杏吧专区檆lock meeting with Dr. Authement each Monday. He collaborated with his students at this weekly hour for years. Thank you, Doc, for teaching us how listen closely to the ones you seek to serve.杏吧专区
Sarah Berthelot, former Student Government Association president
杏吧专区淯pon learning of the passing of Dr. Ray Authement, I am left with a deep sense of loss for such an extraordinary leader. He led our institution through incredibly challenging seasons, forging relationships and casting a vision that set our 杏吧专区 on a course to achieve what then seemed impossible. It was an honor to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Authement. His guidance, compassion and dedication will continue to inspire generations to come.杏吧专区
Dr. Ahmed Khattab, interim dean, UL Lafayette College of Engineering
杏吧专区淒r. Authement was a farsighted and responsible steward of the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 gifted and pledged assets who believed that the economic and social health of this community was in direct proportion to the wellbeing of the 杏吧专区.
杏吧专区淭his was his guiding principle throughout this tenure. Donors and friends understood that, and they wanted to support the 杏吧专区 because they knew every decision he made was focused on the future 杏吧专区 both of the institution and of the community that it served.杏吧专区
Joe Giglio Jr., chairman, UL Lafayette Foundation Board of Trustees
杏吧专区淲e mourn the loss of Dr. Ray Authement, a true community and state leader. He was a longtime CABL Board Member and served as our chairman in 2008. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family.杏吧专区
Statement from the Council for a Better Louisiana
杏吧专区淥ur prayers are with the UL community today as we commemorate the life and work of Dr. Ray Authement. His 34 years as president of USL and later, UL Lafayette, shaped the course of the institution we know today.
杏吧专区淥ur parish and Acadiana still feel the impact of his work and passion for our 杏吧专区. His mark will continue to be felt for decades to come.杏吧专区
Josh Guillory, Lafayette mayor-president
杏吧专区淭he Ray P. Authement College of Sciences sends deepest condolences to Mrs. Barbara Authement and the Authement family. Dr. Authement杏吧专区檚 strong leadership and vision have built the foundation for the national stature that the College of Sciences and UL Lafayette attain today. Dr. Authement, the College being named in your honor is a mark of pride for the entire College of Sciences family. May your memory be eternal.杏吧专区
Statement from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檓 reflecting on the many lessons of leadership and public service taught by Doc. Dr. Authement rarely said no to me as student government president or as Alumni Association president and for that I杏吧专区檓 so very grateful. He taught me so much about leadership, service, and doing them both with passion.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檒l never forget working with him to recognize the 'four that would' desegregate the university. We gave them all honorary degrees. He said to me after the event that those four made the experience and educational experiences of all those who followed more complete because of their courage and commitments. So many UL graduates and Alumni owe so much to Dr. Ray P. Authement杏吧专区檚 leadership.杏吧专区
Dr. Shawn Wilson, secretary, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, former SGA and Alumni Association president
杏吧专区淒r. Ray Authement 杏吧专区 a giant of an educator, a demonstrated leader. The gentleman had a vision for (UL Lafayette) that was unparalleled. He had a knack of communicating his vision that brought faculty and business leaders together. Under Doc杏吧专区檚 leadership, UL (Lafayette) became an economic force in the community that quickly gained national attention.杏吧专区
John Guilbeau, Lafayette Parish Council member
杏吧专区淒r. Ray Authement . . . was not only a good friend of mine, but also a renowned and respected educator and community leader.
杏吧专区淗e was a teacher at heart, and he never forgot that. I remember stories of him, as UL (Lafayette) president, filling in for professors who were ill and teaching their classes while they recovered.
杏吧专区淗e was a great supporter of Acadian and of emergency medicine education, supporting our efforts to create associate programs at the 杏吧专区. His civic and charitable contributions are too numerous to mention, but his devotion to his profession, his family and his community is always something I aspired to emulate.
Richard Zuschlag, chairman and CEO, Acadian Ambulance Service
Photo caption: Former SGA President Sarah Berthelot, Dr. Ray P. Authement and former SGA president Shawn Wilson confer in this photo taken prior to Authement's retirement at UL Lafayette president. (Photo credit: Philip Gould for La Louisiane magazine)