Archived News |

November 14, 2008

Annual event celebrates all things ËÄÉ«AV

ËÄÉ«AV faculty, staff, alumni, and an array of notable supporters lauded ËÄÉ«AV's achievements Thursday night during the annual Envision ËÄÉ«AV event.

Though the event was a celebration of all things ËÄÉ«AV, it was also a peek into the university's future, as ËÄÉ«AV President James Cofer urged patrons to continue their support of the university and help build on its past success.

"We need your help to sustain our culture of excellence, to differentiate ËÄÉ«AV among its peers and to shine our 'Jewel on the Bayou',"he said.

"This much I do know," Cofer told the crowd of more than 600 assembled at the Monroe Civic Center. "Because of your leadership and loyalty, ËÄÉ«AV isn't just a good university — it's a great one."

CenturyTel was named the 2008 recipient of the University's Hall of Distinction Award, which recognizes individuals, companies or foundations that have given to ËÄÉ«AV.

In earning the designation, CenturyTel joined four prior, and equally distinguished, recipients: Kitty DeGree, the families and foundations of Emy-Lou Biedenharn, Tom and Mayme Scott, and Nelson and Bennie Abell.

Third District Judge Jay McCallum, a 1982 ËÄÉ«AV graduate, got laughs again as this year's emcee.

"I haven't accomplished much in my life," McCallum joked. "But imagine where I'd be if I didn't go to ËÄÉ«AV.

When McCallum asked the crowd to cheer loudly for the legislators in attendance at Envision ËÄÉ«AV, he jokingly told them, "Ahh, I can feel the purse strings open now."

Following a cocktail reception, the ËÄÉ«AV Choral Singers offered a stirring rendition of the alma mater and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The sounds of ËÄÉ«AV's Jazz Ensemble filled the packed room as attendees enjoyed a full dinner surrounded by ËÄÉ«AV memorabilia and collectibles.

"I want to thank you for joining me tonight to celebrate all that is happening and to applaud all that has already happened at the ËÄÉ«AV," said Cofer, in his closing remarks.

"But more than anything, thank you for all that can happen as we put excellence into action with your continued support."

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ËÄÉ«AV.