Colvert was model first lady at ULM

Originally published in The News-Star newspaper, October 1, 2006

In the 1935 Chacahoula, there is a photograph taken during the fall 1934 Northeast Center football season. It shows a lovely lady in a hat and coat looking to her right. Sitting to her left is U.S. Senator and former Governor Huey P. Long and C.C. Colvert. I thought that it would be nice to devote some time to Mrs. Colvert, Lottie Mae, since C.C. Colvert described his marriage to her as the most important act of his life

We are introduced to Mrs. Colvert by the Feb. 24, 1932, PowWow (the fourth issue produced at the new Ouachita Parish Junior College). Accompanied by a photo, we learn that Mrs. Colvert was reared and educated in Arkansas. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas, where she met (as the writer puts it) "him" in the summer of 1919. In the fall of the same year she accepted a teaching position in DeWitt, Ark. Quite accidentally (so Mrs. Colvert insisted) Mr. Colvert became the superintendent of the city schools in DeWitt shortly afterward. Very soon, a romance began, which culminated in Christmas wedding. The next year the Colverts moved to positions in Carlisle, Ark., where Mrs. Colvert taught history in the high school. Two years later, Mr. Colvert became the dean of Central College at Conway. They came to Monroe in 1931.

From the time of her arrival, until she and Mr. Colvert left in the fall of 1944, Lottie Mae Colvert was a staunch supporter of the college. There are many stories, but one small one is especially nice. In fall 1934, the PowWow reported that Mrs. Colvert was planting purple and gold sweet peas at their house on Spurgeon to reflect the school colors and reported that it was another example of splendid school spirit. The February 1932 issue of the PowWow provided this description of her, "Mrs. Colvert is an attractive brunette of great personal charm. Her graciousness of manner easily wins for her friends wherever she goes. She modestly denies any claim to accomplishments, despite the fact that her home is decorated with lovely paintings from her own brush. She also admits that she has 'dabbled' in music and drama. Needless to say she has completely captured the hearts of both students and faculty members in Ouachita Junior College."

Let's see, attractive, planting school colors, supporting the president, capturing the hearts of faculty and students - it is wonderful to see how history repeats itself from 1932 in 2006.

We would love to hear from anyone who has stories to share about Mrs. Colvert during this anniversary year.

By the way, according to Thomas Hatfield, who knew the Colverts well, Lottie Mae had an extreme dislike for that photograph. It seems to have shown way too much of her neck than was deemed proper.

Dr. John Knesel, ULM Professor

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