2018 Spring Gala honors Wayne & Connie Elmore

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association will honor husband and wife, Wayne and Connie Elmore, at its Spring Gala on April 7, at the Alumni Center. 

The Elmores will also welcome their guest, Nick Saban, for a special appearance. Spring Gala offers fine food, entertainment, and silent and live auctions including a variety of attractive items up for bid such as artwork, gifts, travel opportunities and Ragin’ Cajuns merchandise.

Tickets are $100 per individual. Sponsor tables are available for $5,000 and patron tables are $2,000.

D. Wayne Elmore and Connie D’Aquin Elmore have served as leaders, philanthropic activists, and overall supporters of the Acadiana community for decades. As USL alumni, they are also proud advocates for the University. Whether it’s through giving back to charity or volunteering their time in the community, Wayne and Connie Elmore have always made it a priority to contribute to the advancement of Acadiana.   

Wayne was born in Graceville, Florida. After living as a military brat in Germany, Japan and numerous military bases across the United States, his family eventually ended up in Louisiana. Wayne graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1971 where he studied business management and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduation, Wayne returned to USL to earn his Masters in Business Administration leading him to the world of banking.

Wayne was hired by B.I. Moody, III in 1973 as a management trainee and graduated with his MBA in 1978. He continued to work at First National Bank of Lafayette through 1984 when his career began to skyrocket. Throughout his career he’s held titles such as Vice Chairman, President/CEO, Co-Founder, and Managing Partner through companies like Commerce Energy Bank, the Louisiana Physician Corporation, and Knight Oil Tools.  Currently, Wayne serves as the CEO/Owner of Mello Joy Coffee, CEO/Owner of ChairSlippers LLC, Managing Partner for numerous real estate holdings, and chairman for the D. W. Elmore Family Foundation.

Connie D’Aquin Elmore was born and raised in Crowley, Louisiana. Connie was an active student at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where she served as a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and a cheerleader. Connie was honored as one of the University Favorites, as a Kappa Sigma Star and Crescent Girl and was Kappa Sigma Sweetheart. She graduated from USL in 1971 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and shortly after began to work for the Lafayette Parish School Board as an elementary school teacher.

After many years of working in the education system, Connie returned back to her roots and worked for the University. She was a Union Program Council Advisor and the USL Cheerleader Advisor from 1988 to 1998. In her role as UPC Advisor she actively guided many student activities including the Homecoming Court, the Lagniappe Day, Spirit, and Travel Committees.

The Elmore Camellia Room of the UL Lafayette Alumni Center was dedicated to the memory of Connie’s parents, Myrtis McCutchan D’Aquin who reigned as the first Camellia Queen in 1934, Edmond D’Aquin, and her brother, William “Bill” Arthur D’Aquin. The dedication was made possible through the generous donation of Connie and Wayne Elmore.

Like his wife, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has always held a special place in Wayne’s heart. He is a past board member and treasurer of the UL Alumni Association; board, executive committee member and Chairman of the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation; and Co-Chairman of Investing in our Future Campaign Athletic Division.

Wayne’s civic involvements also include Kiwanis Club of Lafayette, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Board, Junior Achievement of Lafayette, and St. Thomas More School Board. Currently, he volunteers his time to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the UL Lafayette Foundation, a Board Member for the Community Foundation of Acadiana, a member and investor of One Acadiana, and a member and elder of Grace Presbyterian Church.

Connie has continued to stay very active in the Acadiana community over the years. She is a member of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association, Kappa Delta Sorority Alumni Chapter, and a member of the Grace Presbyterian Church. Connie has also been actively involved in Mardi Gras activities through the years. A former member of the Krewe of Bonaparte, she was honored as a Royal Maid in the krewe’s coronation ball.  Most importantly, Connie is a devoted mother and grandmother.

Wayne and Connie are proud parents of Jeff Elmore, married to Jan Knox, and Greg Elmore, married to Brittany Patterson. They are also proud grandparents of six grandchildren, Caroline (Quinn Salmon), Bradley, Libby, Nelson, Stella, and Virginia. Wayne and Connie currently reside in Lafayette, LA.

President-elect of the Alumni Association, Chantelle Aaron, serves as chairwoman of Spring Gala with Rose Hoffman Cormier serving as auction chairwoman. Proceeds from the evening are dedicated to Alumni Association initiatives and facilities.

Photo: Wayne and Connie Elmore (by Jay Faugot)