UL Lafayette President Dr. Ramesh Kolluru

It was a privilege to welcome federal and state leaders, agency officials and industry partners to UL Lafayette this week for Pioneering Louisiana’s Future.

We believe the true value of a public research university is measured by the opportunities it creates for the people and places it serves. What we shared this week is evidence of what’s possible when higher education, government and industry work together with a shared purpose.

I’m grateful to our partners for their trust and investment in UL Lafayette — and to our faculty, staff and students whose expertise and hard work turn that support into real impact for Louisiana.

There is tremendous opportunity ahead, and I’m excited about what we are building together. Geaux Cajuns — and Geaux Louisiana!

The best part and purpose of higher education - elevating and celebrating our students. My cup runneth over!

One of the things that makes me most proud of our student-athletes is their commitment to serving others.

Throughout the year, they collect school supplies, help teachers prepare their classrooms, visit children in local hospitals and volunteer in countless other ways across our community. They understand that representing UL Lafayette means making a difference on and off the field.

Thank you to all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff for the many ways you strengthen our community and represent the best of the Ragin' Cajun spirit. ❤️🤟

Read more: https://louisiana.edu/news/louisiana-football-player-turns-act-kindness-team-wide-effort

Orientation season is officially in the books! This summer, we welcomed more than 3,200 new students and thousands of parents, family members and guests to our campus as they prepared to begin their journey as Ragin' Cajuns.

Welcoming our newest students is truly a University-wide effort. I want to thank the Division of Student Success, our dedicated Orientation staff and the dozens of Student Orientation Staff leaders who volunteered much of their summer to guide and encourage our incoming students. I'm also grateful to the faculty, staff, deans and administrators who spent time meeting with students and their families, answering questions and helping them feel at home at UL Lafayette.

We all look forward to welcoming the Class of 2030 — and all students — back to campus as the fall semester begins in just a few weeks. Geaux Cajuns! ❤️🤟

Great news! S&P Global Ratings' affirmation of UL Lafayette's credit ratings and stable outlook is a significant recognition of the progress our University is making and the strength of our shared commitment to our future.

This reflects the work of our faculty and staff, the success of our students, and the confidence that comes from making thoughtful decisions while continuing to advance our mission. We have more work ahead, but this milestone reinforces that we are moving in the right direction.

Together, we are building a stronger University! Geaux Cajuns!

S&P Global Ratings has affirmed UL Lafayette's credit ratings and maintained a stable outlook. The independent assessment reflects the University's continued financial strength and the progress being made to build an even stronger future for our students, our research enterprise and Louisiana.

Learn more: https://louisiana.edu/news/sp-affirms-ul-lafayette-credit-ratings-maintains-stable-outlook-0

The groundbreaking work of researchers at the Center for Louisiana Studies and Informatics Research Institute was recently featured in The New York Times.

Read more about their efforts to preserve the Louisiana French language by embracing the future of technology.

"UL Lafayette has been a leader in computer science and informatics, as well as Louisiana cultural studies (and cultural informatics), for decades, and we’re proud to be building on that shared legacy." —Dr. Joshua Caffery, director of the Center for Louisiana Studies.

This story is just getting started. Connect with the Center for Louisiana Studies with questions, insights or to help support this important work.

How Teaching A.I. Endangered Languages Can Help Save Them By feeding centuries-old nursery rhymes and folklore recordings into their own model, linguists in Louisiana hope to help a community control its digital destiny.

It was a pleasure to welcome my friend, Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana, to campus today for a thoughtful conversation about the important role the University of Louisiana at Lafayette plays in preserving and celebrating Louisiana's culture.

As an international leader in Cajun and Creole and Francophone studies, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to share Louisiana's story with the world. I'm excited about the possibilities ahead as we explore new partnerships with the lieutenant governor and other state leaders to preserve our heritage, expand its reach and showcase everything that makes Louisiana extraordinary.

The best way to shape Louisiana's future is by honoring its past while creating new opportunities for generations to come.

I was honored to represent the University of Louisiana at Lafayette by contributing a letter to Louisiana's submission for the America250 Time Capsule, which will be buried in Philadelphia and opened in 2276 as our nation celebrates its 500th birthday.

It was a privilege to reflect on our country's history, my own American journey and the important role universities play in preparing the next generation of leaders and strengthening our communities.

Thank you to Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana and the America 250 Louisiana Commission for including UL Lafayette in this meaningful initiative.

Happy 250th birthday, America!

Louisiana is proud to participate in the America 250 Time Capsule, which will be buried this July 4th in Philadelphia!

Louisiana's contributions include memorobilia like beads from the Bacchus parade and Louisiana America 250 commission pins, as well as letters from some of my fellow political and public figures, military veterans, private citizens and more. We all shared our perspective on what it means to be an American, and a Louisianan, in 2026, and our hopes and dreams for our country's future. I know our countrymen in the future will share our American values of liberty and togetherness!

The time capsule includes submissions from all states, territories, and branches of government, and will be opened on the Fourth of July in 2276, when America will celebrate it's 500th birthday!

America 250 Louisiana