SHAPING THE FUTURE THROUGH giving 2024
UL LAFAYETTE FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT REPORT & CAMPAIGN UPDATE
The past year marked a special milestone for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, one over a century in the making. The University spent the year celebrating its 125th anniversary, honoring the theme, “Service. Vision. Leadership. Louisiana.”
The year-long celebration was undoubtedly a time for joy and excitement. It was a time for our University community — students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters — to honor how far we’ve come since July 1898, when Act 162 established the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. For me, UL Lafayette’s anniversary was also a time to reflect on philanthropy’s role in the history of our esteemed university.
This University was built with philanthropy as its cornerstone. When Dr. Edwin Stephens cast the vision for what this institution could be, he knew he couldn’t do it alone. And because of the community’s generosity, he didn’t have to. Through the kindness of the Girard family, 25 acres were gifted to serve as the home of what would become the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. And it didn’t stop there. The Lafayette community came together and raised $8,000 to create SLII.
None of what you see today would be possible without the power of giving. This very University is a testament to the impact of generosity. One hundred twenty-five years later, that sentiment still rings true.
Thanks to your generosity, endowed gifts impact all facets of UL Lafayette, building a solid foundation for the world’s next great leaders. In this year’s Endowment Report, we’ve shared stories demonstrating your endowments at work. Along with your individual account activity for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, you’ll also see the latest information on our Together campaign and updates on two major capital projects. It’s a snapshot of your generosity in action.
Should you have any questions regarding your account statements and investment performance documents, please contact UL Lafayette Foundation Chief Financial/Administrative Officer Karl Meche at (337) 482-0700 or Karl.Meche@louisiana.edu.
With gratitude,
The generosity of donors like you is at the heart of our University. Thank you for your continued support of our students, faculty and staff.
As of June 30, 2024, the value of the Foundation’s endowment was approximately $222.6 million, representing an increase of $17 million over last year. Despite significant market volatility in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the Foundation’s commitment to a disciplined, long-term investment strategy delivered positive returns for fiscal year 2024 and over the trailing three, five and 10 years.
REACHED OF
30,239 INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE MADE CAMPAIGN GIFTS
FISCAL YEAR 2023–2024
AMOUNTS AWARDED FROM ENDOWED FUNDS $6,676,000
NUMBER OF ENDOWMENT FUNDS RECEIVING GIFTS AND PLEDGES IN FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
166
Endowment market value AS OF JUNE 30, 2024 $222.6M # of donors who made ENDOWED PLEDGES AND GIFTS
FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 219 IN TOTAL
7,323
ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP FUNDS AWARDED
$2,094,000
ENDOWED CHAIR FUNDS AWARDED
215 18
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
$1,988,000
% UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS FUNDED BY ENDOWMENT STUDENT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP HOLDERS ENDOWED CHAIR HOLDERS
OTHER PROGRAM SUPPORT
$2,017,000 $577,000 3.4% 1,114
Total Endowment Portfolio (in millions) Fiscal Years 2014-2024
125 TH ANNIVERSARY year in review
DISTINGUISHED DONORS
Honoring the generosity of our donors has been a long-standing tradition. The 2024 celebration held special significance as the honorees were recognized as an essential part of the University’s 125th anniversary.
When UL Lafayette reached its 125th year anniversary, a year-long celebration was in order.
Beginning July 2023, the University held events for the University community to celebrate the occasion. And throughout the year, many events honored the 125th anniversary in their themes.
Take a look at some of the highlights from the past year.
ACADEMIC SHOWCASE
There’s no better way to honor UL Lafayette’s 125-year history than reflecting on how far we’ve come. Academic colleges and offices throughout the University displayed their research and innovative work for community members to learn, experience and enjoy.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
How do you kick off a 125th anniversary celebration? You host a Founding Day Ice Cream Social! The event was a cool way to celebrate on a hot July day.
ACADIANA RED AND WHITE DAY AT THE CAPITOL
This year’s Acadiana Red and White Day at the Capitol celebrated with the 125th anniversary theme. The event brings together Acadiana’s higher education, civic, business, economic development and chamber partners to promote the shared interests of the region.
PLANTING OF THE OAKS
On the first day of 2024, members of the University and local communities gathered on the Health Sciences Campus and planted five live oak saplings. Only twice before in our history has the University observed New Year’s Day with a treeplanting ceremony – in 1901, when our founding president, Dr. Edwin Stephens, planted 40 live oaks near the intersection of what is now Johnston Street and University Avenue, and again in 2001, when Dr. Ray Authement concluded our centennial celebration with a tree planting at University Research Park.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES STADIUM UPDATE
The renovation of Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium (previously Cajun Field) is the most significant improvement made to the facility since its inception in 1971.
According to Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Bryan Maggard, the project “will transform the gameday experience for Cajun Nation.”
The west grandstands will be completely reconstructed and create an incredible, modern facility that embraces the rich history of festivity within the Cajun culture.
30,000+ TOTAL CAPACITY
34
HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS
POISED FOR GROWTH
In Fall 2023, more than 200 juniorand senior-level students began courses on the Health Sciences Campus on the fourth floor of the 501 Building – now known as James D. Moncus Hall – on the property. Extensive renovations created six classrooms, two conference rooms, a student lounge and wellness space, a faculty and staff lounge, and office space for faculty.
The beginning of classes in the building marked a significant milestone and paved the way for the next step in the development of the Health Sciences Campus.
Renovations to the sixth floor of Moncus Hall continue, which will assist with accommodations for additional students on the campus.
The University is also working on the design and programming for a Regional Simulation Center. This state-of-the-art facility will provide opportunities for simulation experiences for undergraduate and graduate nursing and health sciences students. The College of Nursing & Health Sciences is also looking forward to partnering with area health systems and providers for workforce development and training programs.
FAMILY’S LEGACY CREATES LIBRARY’S FIRST ENDOWED CHAIR
On a university campus, libraries are much more than the place where books and historical documents are stored. They serve as a gathering place for students as they prepare for an exam, a quiet spot to conduct research or a place to study with fellow scholars.
The Edith Garland Dupré Library on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s campus is no different, providing students with access to information since the early days of the university.
Now, thanks to a family legacy started by one alumnus, the library has received its first endowed chair.
The Duhon Family/Board of Regents Support Fund Endowed Chair in Librarianship was made possible by the generosity of the Estate of Andrew Duhon, Dr. James Griffin, Jr. and Tiffany Griffin Pontiff.
The family’s gift created an endowed chair with $600,000, to be matched by $400,000 in state funds, resulting in a $1 million endowment.
The road to the endowed chair began many years before on the campus of what was then the Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI).
The family’s history with the University began with Grace O’Bryan Duhon, an Abbeville, LA native who attended SLI. During Grace’s time as a student, she studied education and became a public school teacher for 40 years. She and her husband, Andrew C. Duhon, Sr., later became successful business
owners, which were passed on to their two children.
Together, Grace and Andrew raised a family with strong ties to UL Lafayette. Today, the Duhon family boasts 10 UL Lafayette graduates from four generations, spanning over 100 years of attendance.
When the family decided to honor Grace as an educator, they chose to establish the Duhon Family/Board of Regents Support Fund Endowed Chair in Librarianship to recognize the gift of learning she passed down to subsequent generations.
The endowed chair will specifically provide support to the faculty librarians, which in turn strengthens the services it offers to students during their academic journeys.
“The library supports an R1, top tier [research] university,” Dr. Brian Doherty, dean of University Libraries, said. “We’re working towards a budget that matches and supports the University’s level of research and teaching, including expansion of our doctoral programs. This endowment helps us in that way.”
Thanks to the endowed chair, the family’s wish for the library to remain a place where students learn and connect with those in other academic disciplines has become a reality.
Grace O’Bryan’s 1929 yearbook photo
REMEMBERING JAKELYNN AMMONS
How a Nursing Student’s Passion for Helping Others Lives on Through Philanthropy
Jakelynn Ammons will always be remembered as a bright light in the lives of those who knew her. The Alexandria native and University of Louisiana at Lafayette nursing student passed away unexpectedly on January 27, 2018, in her hometown. Jakelynn was described as “an avid lover of life who enjoyed making people laugh and feel important. She always tried to find the positive in everything and everyone.”
In her 18 years, Jakelynn developed an affinity for helping others. “She was a natural nurturer,” her mother, Melissa Socia, and grandmother, Ann Harrell, said. “She took her career choice [as a nurse anesthetist] very seriously.”
Together, her mother and grandmother created two endowed funds: the Jakelynn A. Ammons Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing and the Jakelynn Ammons Student Life Center Endowed Fund.
nurse with our financial assistance. We decided to pour into other students’ futures and watch them grow.”
The Jakelynn A. Ammons Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing helps middle-income students who are enrolled full-time pursue a nursing degree. Fourteen students have received the scholarship since its creation in 2021.
In addition to student scholarships, the pair is donating generously toward the Jakelynn Ammons Student Life Center Endowed Fund. This contribution supports programming, renovations and facility enhancements for the new Jakelynn Ammons Student Life Center, which will be housed in Moncus Hall on UL Lafayette’s new Nursing and Health Sciences Campus.
Socia said that creating the scholarship and naming the Student Life Center in memory of Jakelynn helped create something good out of a tragedy. “We had a vision of what her life would be like, and we knew with her hard work, determination and our financial backing, the sky was the limit,” shared Socia.
“When her life was cut short, we did not want to lose track of our vision. We asked ourselves what she would do if she were here. The answer was helping others. So, we decided to do exactly that. We want to help others reach their goals of being a
The center will house student support services, including advising, offices and meeting spaces for student organizations, scholarship and financial aid support, student engagement opportunities and resources for prospective and current students.
“This gift is truly transformative. It will materially change the programming we offer nursing and health sciences students, providing them the recourses, support and programs they need to succeed in and out of the classroom,” said Rebecca Doucet, associate vice president for development. “It’s the perfect example of the power of philanthropy, not just for UL Lafayette and its students, but for her family by permanently honoring Jakelynn.”
THE POWER OF A SCHOLARSHIP
Giving Back Helps Students Move Forward
As a 2024 graduate of the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration’s MBA program, Grayson Stepanek understands the importance of scholarships first-hand.
Stepanek, who is a recent recipient of the F. Stan Hardee, Jr./ Board of Regents Support Fund Endowed Superior Graduate Student Scholarship, believes that “scholarships provide people with opportunities and provide them with financial security through their academic journey as they pursue their dreams and aspirations.”
While Stepanek’s particular award is meritbased and factored in his GPA, career
experience, achievements, campus and community involvement and leadership qualities, many scholarships based on talent, service or financial need are also available to UL Lafayette students.
For Stepanek, who also received his undergraduate degree in marketing from UL Lafayette in 2022, the scholarship provided a financial security that alleviated stress so he could focus on completing the traditional MBA program while simultaneously building a career in marketing. “It allowed me to pour my heart into what I truly care about,” he said. “My family, friends, University and community.”
Scholarships play a vital role in making higher education more attainable for those who face challenging financial circumstances – and this education makes it possible for students to pursue academic and career opportunities that may not be attainable otherwise.
“Without scholarships, many people would not be able to afford higher education or have opportunities to pursue various ventures, which would disproportionately hurt intelligent and skilled individuals who [have a difficult] financial situation,” Stepanek added.
Stepanek’s scholarship donor, F. Stan Hardee, Jr. ‘66, created the fund to provide an academic scholarship to eligible students pursuing a graduate degree, specifically a Master of Business Administration. Hardee,
“It allowed me to pour my heart into what I truly care about: My family, friends, University and community.”
– G REYSON STEPANEK , on the impact of his scholarship
who studied economics at UL Lafayette and serves on the UL Lafayette Foundation Board of Trustees, endowed the fund in conjunction with the State of Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund. As an endowed scholarship, it will generate earnings annually and be awarded in perpetuity.
Scholarships like the one created by Hardee and the University’s many generous donors are critical. It relieves the financial burden some students feel, and allows them to have more time to dedicate to their studies and extracurricular activities.
Stepanek says he would not be who he is today without the organizations—and the people—who have supported him.
“I think that’s a very important aspect of scholarships that people don’t often mention. Yes, you’re supporting a student’s academic journey, as we’re all here to get an education. But, you’re also supporting a student in their efforts to develop, grow and experience life,” he shared. “I think that investment in personal growth and experience pays dividends far larger than any dollar amount could ever quantify.”
Today, just a few months after graduation, Stepanek’s academic achievements and personal development have led him to help others pursue their dreams and aspirations, too. In June, he became the director of
marketing and communications for Goodwill Acadiana. In this role, he will contribute to ensuring those in need have access to employment services, adult education classes and more to improve their quality of life.
Stepanek says he is sincerely thankful for Hardee’s “generosity and community involvement, as his contributions have impacted me more than I can express and truly set me up for success.”
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2023-2024
Officers
Bryan Hanks, Chairman
Donna Landry, Vice Chair
Camille Poché, Secretary/Treasurer
Board Members
Georges Antoun
Jeanne Billeaud
John Blohm, Ex-Officio
Donald Broussard
Adam Champagne
Dr. Jason Cormier
Ed Domingues
Howard “Eddy” Dupuis
Raymond Goodrich, II
F. Stan Hardee, Jr.
Randy Haynie
Troy Hebert
Dr. Amelie Hollier
Don Washington Foundation
Dr. Herman Hughes
Sam Landers
Dr. Jim Lipstate
Wendy Lopez
Bill McElligott, Sr.
Charlie Moncla
Harold “Took” Osborn
Steve Oubre
Marshall Pierite
Jeanine Piskurich
Jerry Prejean
James “Jim” H. Prince
Josh Proffitt
Rosalind “Roz” Robertson
Dave Romagosa
Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, Ex-Officio
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ENDOWMENT REPORT
FISCAL YEAR: Your report contains data about the indicated fund from the UL Lafayette Foundation’s most recent, audited fiscal year (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024).
MARKET VALUE OF ENDOWMENT: Fair market value of your endowment account as of the indicated date(s).
GIFTS RECEIVED: Total amount of contributions received during the fiscal year. Gifts from donors can be in the form of cash, stocks/ securities, real estate and other assets.
NET
INVESTMENT
INCOME, GAINS
& LOSSES: Interest, dividends, realized and unrealized gains (losses), net of investmentrelated expenses.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE FEE:
The fee paid to the UL Lafayette Foundation to partially fund operational costs, including oversight and administration of endowment accounts. For Fiscal Year 2024, this fee was 1.5% of the average monthly balance of the market value of your endowment.
The following information provides terms and definitions to assist you in reading your endowment report.
ENDOWMENT EXPENDITURES: Funds provided by your endowment to the University in support of and in accordance with the endowment’s purpose. Each fiscal year, the UL Lafayette Foundation provides a spendable amount to the University, in accordance with the UL Foundation’s endowment spending policy. For Fiscal Year 2024, the spending policy amount was 4.0% of the average quarterly market value of the endowment through June 2023.
TRANSFERS (if applicable): Funds transferred to or from another endowment or non-endowed account, typically at the directive of the donor.
FY 2025 ENDOWMENT BUDGET:
Amounts available for spend by the University, from your endowment account, during the current fiscal year 2025.
For more information on the UL Lafayette Foundation endowment reports, please contact:
KARL MECHE Chief Financial/Administrative Officer
UL Lafayette Foundation Karl.Meche@louisiana.edu (337) 482-0700
