Discover the Why: Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni assumes Association presidency

Dear alumni and friends,

Why are you loyal to your alma mater?

Ask any UL Lafayette alumnus that simple question, “Why?” and you will get very different answers. Naturally, our experiences at the University differ so greatly from alumnus to alumnus, depending on the department where we studied, the time period during which we attended, historical events and societal change at the time, what sort of activities drew us in and who we met along the way.

And that’s why, as an Alumni Association, we’re taking note of these differences as we seek to answer our own “Why?” in rethinking what engagement looks like moving forward.

By way of introduction, here’s my “why.”

It’s because UL Lafayette is where I learned the fundamentals of journalism and political science that shaped my career. It’s because UL Lafayette is where I learned to appreciate my own potential and explore new paths to civic leadership. It’s because two generations of my family before me – including two generations of women – also graduated from this University. It’s because this is where I learned ballroom dancing, where I perfected procrastination, where I came to appreciate and treasure diversity and where I fell in love.

Like you, I owe so much to this University, and it’s why I feel compelled to give back and ensure future generations enjoy the same opportunities.

I’m Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni, a 2000 graduate of UL Lafayette with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a minor in political science. On campus, I was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and served as Greek Council president, SGA treasurer and was honored as the first homecoming queen of the newly-minted UL Lafayette in the fall of 1999.

I began my career as a political reporter for KLFY TV, then headed to our nation’s capital to pursue a master’s in legislative affairs from George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, where I was able to work as press secretary to a U.S. Congressman. I moved home to Louisiana as a Capitol correspondent for WAFB TV before joining Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco as her communications director. Following that historic experience, I founded Centanni Communications, a strategic communications consulting firm that helps to tell the story of candidates and causes to reach their goals in the world of issue advocacy.

It's that strategic storytelling that I hope to bring to the table at this particular time as your Alumni Association president. As you know, we’ve spent the past few years restructuring, retooling and rethinking our association to ensure we’re properly equipped to serve a truly global Ragin’ Cajuns family. I must acknowledge the vision and nimble dedication of our talented staff guided by our CEO Amy Armstrong, and the tenacity of the recent string of presidents, including Mark Mouton, who is handing over command of quite a ship. It’s been no small endeavor to outfit and steer that ship in the right direction, and now I’m tasked, as he puts it, with ensuring that ship is full.

That means rethinking how we engage with you in every manner – from how we tell our story to how we gather as we seek to implement the four pillars of our strategic plan:

• Connect alumni to the University
• Connect alumni to students
• Connect alumni to the community
• Connect alumni to each other

You’re going to be offered a new slate of experiences from the Alumni Association, including volunteer opportunities, celebrations, mentorship connections and virtual conversations that link alumni across the world, all designed to identify, unify and amplify our global family for mutual benefit. That unified family and its four strategic connections are the Alumni Association’s new value proposition. It is our “Why?” And the answer is, with a strong, engaged network, we can truly serve our University, our students and each other.

So come aboard and join us as we launch this new adventure.

In Ragin’ Cajuns pride,

Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni, President
UL Lafayette Alumni Association, 2024-2025

Photo Caption: Marie Centanni speaks at the Alumni Association's 2024 Annual Spring Gala. Photo credit: Paul Kieu / University of Louisiana at Lafayette