Clubs & Chapters News: March 2018

Association of Future Alumni

The Association of Future Alumni, known around campus as AFA, is an Alumni Association chapter open to all students in any major at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The Association of Future Alumni is a student organization that encourages and educates students about what giving a gift does from their university and promotes becoming active young alumni upon graduation.

AFA recently restructured the organization in order to be more active on and off campus. On Wednesday, April 25, AFA will be hosting a Student Giving Program called "Popcorn for Postcards" at the Student Union from 10 am to 2 pm. Students will be personally reaching out to prominent donors to thank them for their support to the University.

Atlanta Ragin’ Cajun Club

The Atlanta Ragin' Cajun Club hosted a basketball outing in February when our men's and women's basketball teams played Georgia State. The club is preparing to also welcome our softball and baseball teams to Atlanta when they play Georgia State in April. There will be a special meet and greet at the baseball game on April 28 with our Director of Athletics, Dr. Bryan Maggard, and our new head football coach Billy Napier.

The Atlanta Ragin’ Cajun Club’s 31st Annual Crawfish Boil will be held on Saturday, April 21 at Atlanta Waterworks Park. Registration is now live through April 9.

Plans are also underway for fall events that include a fan bus trip September 29 when the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns travel to Tuscaloosa, AL to play defending College Football Champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

California Ragin’ Cajun Club (Greater Los Angeles)

The California Ragin' Cajun Club is starting the planning process for a crawfish boil this year. It will be the first in many years so we’re hopeful for a high attendance. Tentative plans are for a May date somewhere in LA or Orange County near or on the beach/water. If you are interested in helping with planning, attending, and/or volunteering at the event, please contact Steve Siegwein at no1driller@yahoo.com or (562) 240-7938. Let’s get together and pass a good time celebrating our University and the Cajun food and culture we love!

Christiana Smith African-American Alumni Chapter

The Christiana Smith Chapter of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association celebrated 25 years of service to the Lafayette and surrounding communities during its 26th Annual  Sweet Sounds of Sharing, held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Alumni Center.  Sweet Sounds of Sharing is an evening of networking, great food and musical entertainment.  This event is held during Homecoming week, where outstanding African-American alumni are recognized.  The  2017 Outstanding Alumni Honorees were Col. Karen Briggman,  Dr. Bobbie Decuir,  Judge Lori Landry, Dr. Herman Hughes, and  Harold B. Porter.  The 2017 Trailblazer Award recipient was Dr. Ray P. Authement. All proceeds go to the Christiana Smith endowed scholarship fund.  The chapter awards three $1,000 scholarships to current UL Lafayette students each year.

On Tuesday, November 21, 2017 the Christiana Smith chapter members were recognized at the Lafayette City-Parish Council meeting for the accomplishment.  President Joel Robideaux read the proclamation and declared the day the UL Christiana Smith African-American Alumni Chapter Day!

The Christiana Smith African-American Alumni Chapter is named for the first African-American graduate from Southwestern Louisiana Institute in May of 1956.  SLI was the first previously all white, state supported college or university in the south to allow black students to enroll.  The purpose of the Christiana Smith Chapter of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association is twofold; first, to cultivate interest in and maintain contact with the activities and welfare of UL Lafayette and to promote fellowship among UL Lafayette alumni; and second, to encourage and foster interest in and create better understanding of the University and its purpose among prospective students and friends of UL Lafayette.

Gridiron Alumni Chapter

The Gridiron Alumni Chapter is gearing up for a busy weekend beginning on April 20, 2018. The Friday will start with their biannual team meal where alumni help feed the current football team. Following the meal, Gridiron alumni are invited to the Alumni Center for a Meet ‘N Greet with Head Football Coach Billy Napier. The following day is the Spring Game at Cajun Field.

If any Gridiron alumni did not receive an invitation to the weekend’s events, please contact the Alumni Association to check current contact information.

Newman Alumni Chapter (Ragin’ Cajun Catholics)

Join members of the Ragin’ Cajun Catholics and the Newman Alumni Chapter for Our Lady of Wisdom’s 34th Annual Boilin’ Bash on March 10 at Blackham Coliseum.

Tickets can be purchased here.

West Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun Club

The West Louisiana Ragin Cajun Club will be hosting a watch party at Darrell’s in Jennings to cheer on your Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns baseball team as they play the LSU Tigers in the annual Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic on March 27, 2018.  This will be an opportunity to watch a great game and eat good food with fellow alumni and fans.  West Louisiana alumni are encouraged to check their emails for info and RSVP.

West Louisiana Ragin Cajun Club now has a Facebook Page!  Please check us out to stay involved and meet other alumni in our area.

Photo: Toni Brown '97, chapter president, Patricia Cottonham, Vice President for Student Affairs, and members of the Christiana Smith African-American Alumni Chapter receive a proclamation from Lafayette City Parish President Joel Robideaux, declaring November 21 "UL Christiana Smith African-American Alumni Chapter Day."