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The first ever community event for the University of Louisiana at Monroe, “Envision ULM 2004”, brought the community and the university together at the Monroe Civic Center on September 9, 2004. During an auction of several university related items, Monroe Chamber President Eric Hogan and former Monroe City Council woman Ann Raines won the chance to administer the ceremonial pushing of the plunger to implode Olin Hall. Their winning bid was $8,000. Hogan said they paid that much for the privilege because “it is a great opportunity to support one of the best assets we have in our community and have an awful lot of fun doing it.” Hogan continued “I told Ann if she would pay half, I’ll pay half.” Hogan
and Raines imploded the building during “Bringing Down the House” Guests
of Envision enjoyed music by the LA Trio – including Dr. Pearson
Cross, piano; Larry Anderson, drums; and Kevin Riley, bass – and
listened to ULM representatives, including President James E. Cofer and
community leaders during dinner. “This is the most significant event we’ve had at ULM during my administration,” Dr. Cofer said. “The overwhelming response from the community is a clear indication of their support for ULM.” ULM Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs, Don Skelton, said “The Envision ULM 2004 event is the exclamation point to the tremendous changes that have been and are taking place at the university.” Skelton mentioned his surprise at the community support. “I honestly don’t know how it could have gone any better. It was impressive to see the support provided by this community.” The Hall of Distinction Award was presented to Monroe Philanthropist Kitty Degree. Degree is the first-ever recipient of this award. Anne Lockhart, Director of Development at ULM, said Degree was selected through a committee at ULM as the recipient for several reasons. “Through her exceptionally distinguished record of service and support for our University, Kitty DeGree sets the standard for and is most deserving of this inaugural award. With sincerest appreciation, we are proud to welcome her as our first member of the ULM Hall of Distinction.” The Kiwanis Clubs, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the Chambers of Commerce, and the School Boards were also recognized for their role in establishing the university in 1931 as Ouachita Junior College. Sponsors of the event were the ULM Foundation, the City of Monroe, Regions Bank, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the evening, guests at the kick-off event for ULM’s 75th anniversary, placed silent bids for items including: two VIP Passes to the Activity Center, two VIP Passes to the Natatorium, two Madrigal Dinner Tickets with VIP Seating, two Faculty Artist Concert Series Tickets, plus the opportunity to direct the Sound of Today, ULM’s Marching Band, on the field during half time this season. The event was coordinated by Sue Edmunds, assistant vice-president for external affairs, and members of the Envision ULM organizing committee included Veronika Avery; Christy Bailey; Debra Brossett; Deborah Cofer; Vanessa Doherty; Claudia Evans; Valerie Fields; Kim Golden; Jeremy Harrell; Bernard Heflin; Eric Hogan; Linda Holyfield; Kathy Jackson; Keith Joiner; Aimee Kane; Anne Lockhart; Richard Lupo; Megan Makar; Jay Marx; Morris Mintz; Brian Moreau; Greg Nelson; Renee Parnell; Molly Pealer; Cynthia Perdue; Pam Shepherd; Don Skelton; Ernest L. Smith; Kevin Stuart; Sarah Warren; Connie Waterman; Amy Weems; Don Weems; Coby Wells; Del Vines; and Rusty Woods. The university would also like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their support of the event: American Horizons Bank; AmSouth Bank; Aramark; Architecture Associates; Bancorp South; Bank One; Bell South; Breck Construction Co.; CentryTel Solutions; Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corp.; City of Monroe; Community Trust Bank; Denmon Engineering; Dr. John Knesel and Dr. Jenny Savage; Dr. Mike Zambie, M.D.; Entergy, Inc.; French Creative Group; Glazer’s Wholesale Distributors; Guide Corporation; Harvey Hales Insurance; Herbert Land Architect, Inc.; Hibernia Bank; Iberia Bank; J.P. Morgan Private Client Services; J.P. Pierce; John Rea Realty; Jostens; JPI; Luffey, Huffman and Monroe, CPAs; Magnolia Marketing; Mangham Home Care, Inc.; Monroe Chamber of Commerce; Monroe City Councilman, Jay Marx; Monroe Kiwanis; Monroe/West Monroe Hotel-Motel Assoc.; North Louisiana AHEC; OEDC; Office Depot of West Monroe; Ouachita Independant Bank; Ouachita Parish Police Jury District E; P&S Surgical Hospital; Progressive Bank; Regions Bank; Richland State Bank; Scott Companies; Smurfit Stone; Steel Fabricators; Strauss Interests; The News Star; ULM 31 Ambassadors; ULM Alumni Association; ULM Athletic Department; ULM Biology Department; ULM Campus Activity Board; ULM Cheerleaders; ULM College of Arts and Sciences; ULM College of Business Administration; ULM College of Education and Human Development; ULM College of Health Sciences; ULM Continuing Education; ULM Foundation; ULM Graphic Services; ULM Greek Life; ULM Office of Student Affairs; ULM Office of University Relations; ULM School of Construction; ULM School of Pharmacy; ULM Social Work Department; ULM Spirit Groups; ULM Student Affairs; ULM Student Government Association; United Way of Northeast Louisiana; West Monroe /West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce; West Monroe Kiwanis; and WillStaff Worldwide. |
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