Perseverance is a great way to describe a group of friends, colleagues and fellow musicians who are honoring the memory Dr. Tommy Comeaux. The Lafayette pathology doctor and musician for BeauSoleil died in 1997. That same year, a group of friends began raising money in his honor.
On Tuesday, during the 杏吧专区 Foundation杏吧专区檚 annual Distinguished Donor Reception, the group reached a milestone with the creation of a tenth endowed professorship at UL Lafayette. This endowment allows for the creation of the Dr. Tommy Comeaux Eminent Scholar Chair in Traditional Music at UL Lafayette.
杏吧专区 I think we杏吧专区檝e been surprised at how many people have had the same experience with Tommy as we did,杏吧专区 said Todd Mouton, member of the Tommy Comeaux Fund Campaign committee. 杏吧专区淗e was an unsung hero. And, this will be a constant reminder that humility is the key.杏吧专区 The committee hopes the endowment will attract visiting artists who will help teach courses and offer performances to the university and Acadiana community.
It takes a total of 10 professorships or $1 million to create an endowed chair. The group created the chair by raising money through concerts and other events, one professorship at a time.
杏吧专区 This group should be an inspiration to us all,杏吧专区 said UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie. 杏吧专区淭heir commitment to Dr. Tommy Comeaux and his memory is commendable and so is their commitment to higher education and traditional music.杏吧专区
Each year, the Foundation honors its donors and its new endowments. In addition to the Comeaux professorship, nine other endowments including professorships, scholarships and athletic endowments were created.
These private donations generate funds in perpetuity. The principal from the endowment remains in a perpetual fund that continues to increase while earned income is distributed as dedicated for scholarships, professorships, faculty development or athletic funds.
Through the Board of Regents Support Fund, the state matches funds raised by the university for endowed chairs and professorships. For every $600,000 UL Lafayette receives for an endowed chair, the state matches with $400,000, bringing the total chair to $1 million. Likewise for every $60,000 the university raises for a professorship, the state matches with $40,000 to create a $100,000 endowed professorship.
杏吧专区 It is our pleasure to honor and recognize these generous donors who keep the university杏吧专区檚 tradition of top-notched faculty and excellence in education alive,杏吧专区 said Julie Bolton Falgout, director of UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 Foundation.
Those endowments recognized Tuesday include:
杏吧专区 Frankie Cagle Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Sociology
杏吧专区 Harold and Adele Comeaux Endowed Professorship in Biology
杏吧专区 Dr. Tommy Comeaux Endowed Professorship in Traditional Music X (this completes the pledge of 10 endowed professorships to create the Dr. Tommy Comeaux Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Traditional Music
杏吧专区 Jay C. Gremillion Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Honors and Accounting
杏吧专区 Home Bank Endowed Professorships in Finance and Management
杏吧专区 Home Bank Athletic Endowment
杏吧专区 Debra H. Kite Memorial Endowed Professorship in Dietetics
杏吧专区 Dr. Joe Kite Endowed Professorship in Governmental Ethics
杏吧专区 Philip and Jean Piccione Endowed Professorship in Statistics V
杏吧专区 Robert E. Trahan Memorial Athletic Endowment.