Southwestern Louisiana Institute - Lacadien Yearbook (Lafayette, LA)

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VCJtutLJCjcjcucjczjeiteucjeLjejcjczJCJtsJeLJcueLlcJCJ eu t±J tU ejt±J cLTtLI e FIRST ivIARTIN HALL: 190!-1%5 (VLMN BUILDING) SYMBOL OF GROWTH In the year 1976. when the nation gives pause to reflect on 200 years of its history, the University of Southwestern Louisiana also proudly takes note of its 75 years of educational development in Acadiana. A tree, as you know, is an ideal and traditional symbol of growth. It is this concept, perhaps, in addition to his love of Louisiana ' s live oak trees, that prompted Dr. Edwin L. Stephens, first president of this Univer- sity, to plant on the main campus, along Johnston and now University Avenue on the first day of this 20th century, a row of young live oak trees. The University, like these ' 20th Century Oaks, has grown and flourished. Through its graduates it has spread its influence around the world. In this 75th year of providing education for excellence, this Univer- sity is not only celebrating its Diamond Jubilee but also perpetuating its living traditions . . . traditions estabhshed by its students, its faculty and administration, its alumni and the friends of the University. The University of Southwestern Louisiana is dedicated to the principle that educational excellence is one of man ' s noblest works. The University ' s current enrollment of 13.078 is in sharp contrast with the 145 stu- dents who were enrolled on Sept. 18, 1901, when classes began. So, too, is its present physical plant. Through its many diverse facilities and its varied educational, social, cultural and recreational programs, USL, like the live oak trees which border its main campus, will continue to flourish and spread its influence over Acadiana and far-flung places of the world. Students, faculty, administration and friends of USL are sharply aware of the significance of the Univer- sity in the growth of this area and in the promise of its future in continuing to influence the area for the betterment of its people. There will always be those whose love of the University will find them willing and able to meet whatever challenges that will face it in the years to come. Rav Paul Authenient. President