It is said that if one has the capacity to believe in something, one has a creed.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe student body gave collective voice to certain beliefs by adopting a new creed, which was unveiled Thursday on a plaque at the entrance to the ULM Library.

ULM President James Cofer (far right) English Department Chair Sandra Hill (front left), and Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications Michael Echols (second from right) join students at Thursday morning's unveiling.

The creed emphasizes social responsibility through Unity, Leadership and Motivation – the acronym for ULM.

A group comprised of several students, two professors and one staff member spent months drafting the creed, which was adopted in early February following a near unanimous vote by the student body.

“We believe that students, faculty and staff should strive to strengthen the bonds between our university and community,” said Joseph Beard, president of the ULM Community Activities Board, reading from the creed.

“(We believe they should) lead through service and learning, and be motivated to grow in intellect and integrity,” read Beard.

ULM President James Cofer noted that results of the recent economic impact survey demonstrate how much the university community appreciates its social responsibility role.

“ULM faculty, staff and students volunteered approximately 255,000 hours last year alone,” he said, after thanking the students for adding another success to a long line of accomplishments.

Student Government Association President Micah Pulliam recognized the committee members involved in the creed, calling Thursday’s unveiling “the beginning of something we’ll do moving forward.”

Pulliam said the goal is to post similar plaques throughout the campus, starting with the entrances to all academic buildings. Pamphlets explaining the creed’s significance will also be distributed to students in the near future.

“Our slogan is Stride, Lead, Be,” he said. “We hope to make a huge impact on our community.”

The following student committee members contributed to the creed’s formation, with input from faculty members, John Sutherlin and Sandra Hill, along with Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communication Michael Echols:

• Michah Pulliam, SGA President
• Joseph Beard, CAB President
• Emily Fuller
• Andrew Hardee
• Chloe Rogers
• Brent Gibert
• Andrew Norwood
• Alison Walker

The new ULM Creed may be accessed at www.ulm.edu/creed.





Photo by Richard Lupo, University Photo Services