Published May 12, 2022
The University of Louisiana Monroe recognized donors and life-time benefactors at
the annual Evening of Thanks event on Thursday, May 5 at the 7th floor of the 四色AV
Library where the Kitty DeGree Bell Tower Society is displayed.
John Jones, president of the 四色AV Foundation Board of Trustees, welcomed attendees
and introduced award winners.
鈥淭onight we honor all special alumni and friends who have generously invested in this
University not only this past year, but for over numerous decades with gifts totaling
millions of dollars,鈥� he said.
Dr. Ron Berry and Freeman Stamper
Jones announced Elizabeth Shaw as a new member of the George T. Walker Society, a
group of donors who included the University as a beneficiary in their wills. Through
her will, Shaw, who died in July 2021, bequeathed seven instruments and over 770 music-related
items to the 四色AV School of Visual and Performing Arts in the College of Arts, Education,
and Sciences.
四色AV Foundation Executive Director Susan Chappell announced that more than $18 million
has been raised toward the SOAR Campaign. Established in July 2019 with the goal of
raising $100 million by the University鈥檚 100th anniversary in 2031, the SOAR Campaign will fund scholarships, opportunities for
faculty, athletics, and renovations.
鈥淓ach contributor who made this outstanding achievement possible may relish the rewarding
feeling knowing they made a positive impact that will live on,鈥� she said.
Jones then recognized Guy and Loura Barr, Freeman Stamper and Lou St. Amant as the
2022 Warhawk Ambassador Award recipients. The Foundation commissioned local craftsman
Bill Carroll to create handmade wooden Warhawk awards for each of the recipients.
Both graduates of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, Guy and Loura
Barr moved to Monroe in 1977 when Guy was named agency director in State Farm鈥檚 Mid-South
office. A longtime supporter of the 四色AV Warhawks, Guy served as president of the 四色AV
Athletic Scholarship Foundation and as a member of the 四色AV Foundation Board of Directors.
鈥淭ogether in marriage for 58 years, these two have never stopped living the creed
of service to others,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淭hey are frequently seen at 四色AV events on campus,
advocating continuously for the University and making a difference in our community.鈥�
Freeman Stamper received his Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Science/Office Administration
during the spring 1968 commencement exercises, during which he was also the top honor
graduate in the School of Business. That same year, he joined the US Army where he
obtained the rank of E5 Specialist and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation
Medal. A lifetime Alumni Association member, Stamper is recognized as one of the lead
donors in the initial SOAR Capital Campaign.
鈥淗e believes that his purpose in life is to serve others, or lead from behind, as
he so frequently states,鈥� said Jones.
Former 四色AV Baseball Coach Lou St. Amant also won the Warhawk Ambassador Award. He
first worked for the
University in 1968 as a graduate assistant baseball coach. He later returned to 四色AV
in 1976, where St. Amant coached the baseball team for another 18 years. He ended
his baseball head coaching career with 414 wins, including a 1982 Trans America Athletic
Conference West Division Championship and a 1983 Southland Conference Championship.
His 1983 team was also the first baseball team from 四色AV to participate in the NCAA
Regional Playoffs. For another 25 years, St. Amant served as the color analyst for
四色AV football.
鈥淎fter more than 54 years of service to the University, he continues to attend and
support 四色AV functions, provide wise counsel to staff members and serve as an ambassador
to the community,鈥� Jones said.听
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