Mark D. Mouton begins Association presidency with letter to alumni

Dear Alumni and Friends,

I am honored and thrilled to serve as president of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association during the 125^th anniversary of this outstanding University. My name is Mark D. Mouton, a 1996 graduate of the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. Being a Ragin’ Cajun runs in my family as both of my parents and my brother are also proud alumni.

As a student, I was unaware of the impact this University had on our community and economy. Now, I know that our institution contributes billions of dollars annually to the state’s economy; is a major employer; has a positive impact on area businesses; is an economic engine for Lafayette Parish, Acadiana, and Louisiana; and more. These are the reasons I proudly give back to the University that gives us so much. 

From its founding as an industrial institute in 1898 to our recent designation as a Carnegie R1 university, UL Lafayette has become internationally recognized thanks to strong leadership and a commitment to improvement.

Similarly, the Alumni Association recognized the need to identify how it can change and improve to better meet the needs of our alumni. Our Executive Boards — led by past presidents Beverly Black, John Pere, and Chris Richard — engaged a task force of alumni that provided insights and feedback. We followed up with additional research and analysis by UL Lafayette MBA students who then presented recommendations to the Executive Board and University leaders.

As chair of the Strategic Plan Committee, the Executive Board members and I collaborated with Amy Armstrong and an incredible team of alumni and key stakeholders to produce a strategic plan for the Alumni Association.

Today, your Alumni Association is focused with a clear vision and ready to implement the strategic plan.

This plan will engage alumni and strengthen their connection in these four areas:

• Connect Alumni to the University          
• Connect Alumni to the Community
• Connect Alumni to Each Other
• Connect Alumni to Students

These pillars will guide how the Alumni Association creates opportunities for engagement, specifically through programming and events. I look forward to working with the Alumni Association’s talented staff — Amy Armstrong, Dan Hare, John Claude Arceneaux, Kayla Hebert and Maci Quebedeaux — to implement the strategic plan and bring innovative ideas to reality.

This is where you come in.

For years, I have heard people share that they wished someone would invite them to participate and to get engaged. Consider this your invite! I want you to be an active member of your Alumni Association, and I ask that you get engaged.

In the next year, I want us to start, develop, and enhance our clubs and chapters and increase their membership. The Alumni Association is in the process of hiring someone who will assist with that task. I want us to develop and offer new events, programs, and promotions with a focus on the four pillars. I want to work with you.

I know that together, we can build a stronger Alumni Association and have more engaged members. Through our connection, we can build a stronger community, and we can celebrate the enormous impact we can have on our students, alumni, and friends.

I want to hear about your interests and your ideas. I want to hear that you’re ready to get engaged. You can email me at alumniboardpresident@louisiana.edu. Find out where you can engage and let us know you’re interested in volunteering here.

Finally, it’s now easier than ever to become a member and support the Alumni Association with your annual gift to the Loyalty Fund. All memberships will now run annually July 1 through June 30. We also have new membership levels that give alumni and supporters the option to choose the benefits they want to receive: traditional, affiliate, collegiate, and corporate. 

Thank you for your support.

Geaux Cajuns!

Sincerely,

Mark D. Mouton, President
UL Lafayette Alumni Association, 2023-2024

Photo Caption: Mark D. Mouton addresses the crowd at the 2023 Annual Spring Gala. Photo Credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette