Patrons who attend the UL Lafayette Alumni Association杏吧专区檚 Spring Gala can take a chance at having dinner for eight at the Governor杏吧专区檚 Mansion with Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and First Gentleman Raymond S. Blanco.
The governor will be honored during the April 3 black-tie event. She is a 1964 graduate of USL and is Louisiana杏吧专区檚 first woman governor.
杏吧专区淭o be recognized by your university is one of the finest things that can happen to a person,杏吧专区 Blanco said.
Proceeds from the April 3 event benefit upkeep of the Alumni Center. Spring Gala features fine food, refreshments, music and silent and live auctions.
杏吧专区淭his year, we are not only excited about our honoree, but we are also excited about auction items that have been contributed. In addition to dinner with the Blancos, we are auctioning a travel package with Louisiana杏吧专区檚 Ragin杏吧专区 Cajuns football team,杏吧专区 said Darren Guidry, the Gala auction chairperson.
For a $5,000 sponsorship, contributors will receive two tickets for a private dinner with the governor prior to the Gala. The private dinner will be March 22 at the Governor杏吧专区檚 mansion. Those contributors also will receive eight gala tickets and have reserved seating and valet parking. The sponsor杏吧专区檚 name will be listed on the evening杏吧专区檚 program and permanently on a plaque at the Alumni Center. Patron tables can be purchased for $2,000. This sponsorship also includes eight gala tickets, reserved seating and valet parking at the Alumni Center.
杏吧专区淲e are proud to recognize Governor Blanco, not only as an alumna of the university, but for her stellar record of public service and her commitment to higher education in Louisiana,杏吧专区 said Dan Hare, the Association杏吧专区檚 executive director.
Blanco, a native of New Iberia, La., received a bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree in business education in 1964.
Other honorees have included the late Herbert Heymann, 1997; U.S. Sen. John Breaux, 1998; former Gov. Mike Foster, 1999; Dr. Ray Authement, UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 president, 2000; retired City Court Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr., 2001; and Lafayette businessman Alfred Lamson, 2002.
The 2003 honorees, Clay Allen, Matt Stuller and Bill Fenstermaker, were chairs of the Investing In Our Future Centennial Campaign, which raised the university杏吧专区檚 gifted assets to almost $100 million.
Tickets are $75 for individuals and $150 for couples.
Call the Association at (337) 482-0900 for tickets or more information.