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November 10, 2006

Community celebrates Envision 四色AV 2006

Those who attended Ouachita Parish Junior College in 1931, and those who attended Envision 四色AV 2006 in the Monroe Civic Center Nov. 9, share a common attribute: perseverance, said Rob Carroll, 2006 president of the 四色AV Student Government Association.

鈥淲e are scholars, athletes, musicians, artists, partners in the community. We are dedicated to the ideals of this university and to its continued excellence. We are just the same as that abundance of excited students in 1931. We continue to be a rising force of nature. We are the Bayou鈥檚 Gem.鈥�

The event, which marked the culmination of 四色AV鈥檚 75th year, featured remarks by Carroll, 四色AV Alumni Association Golden Arrow Award Recipient Joe Farr and a performance by Miss 四色AV Katherine Joy Putnam. Don Skelton, vice president for university advancement and external affairs, honored Nelson D. and Bennie Hughes Abell with the 2006 Hall of Distinction Award, an honor given to an alum, friend or supporter of 四色AV who has admirably served the university.

President James Cofer praised the Abells for their tireless support of the university and for recognizing the vital role 四色AV plays in the educational, economic and cultural vitality of this region.

It鈥檚 that kind of support that helps 四色AV prosper. 四色AV faced many challenges last year, but in the end, the university鈥檚 resilience emerged, said Cofer.

Last year brought storms, budget cuts, program closure and enrollment challenges. 鈥淎s a result, we emerged this year a stronger institution, better prepared for the challenges of the future, more efficient, and more focused than ever before,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are now working collectively to develop an even better institution with widespread input into the decisions that shape our present and our future.

Our students are better prepared鈥�Young people recognize the value and excellence at 四色AV and we are quickly becoming the institution of choice in Northeast Louisiana.鈥�

Cofer thanked 四色AV鈥檚 faculty and staff for believing in where the university was going and for remaining committed to 鈥渁cademic excellence and intellectual inquiry鈥� by bringing valuable knowledge and prestige to the university for the benefit of the students.

He listed numerous faculty and staff awards and honors. Cofer also stated that the faculty received a record $21.8 million dollars in extramural funding last year and noted several of the individual projects and their effect on the region. He also listed and praised the many significant scholarly contributions made over the year by 四色AV faculty and students.

鈥淎nd last year was a difficult year. Envision what a good year will be like. 四色AV is at a crossroads. Change has been constant and we are now better positioned financially, physically, academically, and organizationally to address the future.鈥�

Cofer encouraged everyone to build on 四色AV鈥檚 strong foundation so that the impact on today鈥檚 students 鈥� and the children of today鈥檚 students 鈥� is positive. 鈥淲e must now shine the facets of the bayou鈥檚 gem.鈥�

Future goals include attracting and retaining a diverse and engaged faculty, prioritizing academic programs, attracting and retaining the best and brightest of Louisiana鈥檚 students, insuring that 四色AV is fiscally and physically sound and lastly, engaging friends and alumni support of the institution.

Cofer closed by paraphrasing Winston Churchill鈥檚 "Never Give In" speech in 1941, as it fits his vision of where 四色AV is and where it can go.

鈥淭hese are not dark days; these are great days--the greatest days our institution has ever experienced; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of 四色AV.

Very different is the mood today. Many had drawn a sponge across our slate. But instead we stood strong. There was no flinching and no thought of giving in; and by what seemed almost a miracle to those outside this campus, though we ourselves never doubted it, we now find ourselves in a position where we can be sure that we have only to persevere to conquer.鈥�

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