University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Liberal Arts

On June 19, 1865, news of freedom finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom, even when declared, has not always been immediate or equal.

Today, we remember that history, honor the resilience it took to endure it, and continue the work toward a more just and informed society.

“...[A] champion for this culture long before it was in style, and she never needed credit for it,” said filmmaker, photographer and Creole Culture founder Milton Arceneaux referring to acclaimed journalist and historian, Ruth Foote. Ruth lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday, June 9.

Born in Opelousas, Louisiana, Foote remained deeply rooted in Acadiana’s Creole community. She used her voice, her time, and her skills to provide a voice for those often silenced.

After graduating from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) with a Bachelor of Arts in English (Journalism), she worked for local publications such as Opelousas Daily World, The Advocate, and The Current. Her diligence contributed to the publication of Creole Magazine launched in the 1980s.

After returning to UL Lafayette to obtain her master’s degree in public history, Foote published her thesis as the book, “Just as Brutal but Without All the Fanfare: African American Students, Racism, and Defiance during the Desegregation of Southwestern Louisiana Institute, 1954-1964.”

Foote was a champion and friend to many, and while she is gone, her work will continue to speak volumes for the people and the region she cherished.

Obituary for Ruth Foote at Kinchen Funeral Home, Inc. Lafayette, LA - Funeral services for Ruth Foote are scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026, for 1200 A.M. at Kinchen Funeral Home Chapel -- 1011 N Saint Antione Street. Visitation will be from 1000 A.M. until time of service.

Today, we take a moment to pause and remember the brave individuals who have given their lives in service. We honor their sacrifice, the families who continue to feel its impact, and the gratitude we carry for both.

Some of the best moments in a classroom are when someone says, “I’ve never thought about it like that.”

That usually means someone else brought a different way of seeing things.

That’s what cultural diversity actually looks like in COLA. We show up as ourselves and create influence just by joining the conversation.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will celebrate its Spring 2026 graduates during Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 15, at the Cajundome.

Spring Commencement will feature three ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students, with distinguished Louisiana leaders serving as speakers throughout the day.

🎓 The 9 a.m. ceremony for all graduates in the UL Lafayette B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration, the UL Lafayette College of Education & Human Development, and the UL Lafayette College of Nursing & Health Sciences will feature Bruce Greenstein, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

🎓 At 1 p.m., graduates in the UL Lafayette College of Engineering and the UL Lafayette Ray P. Authement College of Sciences will hear from Julie Emerson, chief of staff for Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.

🎓 The 5 p.m. ceremony for graduates in the UL Lafayette College of the Arts, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Liberal Arts, and University College will feature Mark E. Romero, chairman of the University of University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

Tickets are not required, and ceremonies will be livestreamed on the CAJUNDOME website and the University’s main page. Guests attending in person should park at Cajun Field and note that the University’s clear bag policy will be in effect.

Celebrate the Class of 2026 and share your favorite moments using .

Read more at https://bit.ly/4tBrdK6

Yesterday the College of Liberal Arts hosted a special pre-commencement reception recognizing distinguished undergraduate award recipients, graduating master’s and doctoral candidates, and faculty honorees. President Kolluru also joined us as we celebrated the outstanding scholarship, service, research, and academic achievements that exemplify the heart of our college.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s recipients of the College of Liberal Arts faculty and advising awards. These individuals represent the very best of the college through their scholarship, teaching, service, mentorship, and commitment to student success.

We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary work these colleagues do on behalf of our students, departments, and broader university community. Their accomplishments reflect the strength, dedication, and impact of the liberal arts at UL Lafayette.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients on these well-deserved honors!

Congratulations to Emma Thomas (back row, second from left) for being named the College of Liberal Arts' outstanding graduate for Spring 2026. Thomas, of Metairie, has also been named our department's Outstanding Graduate, as well as winner of the W. Magruder Drake Senior Award for Excellence in History, the Guilbeau/Cusimano Award for Best Undergraduate Paper in History, and the Charles B. Allen Award for Contributions to Phi Alpha Theta and the History, Geography, & Philosophy Department.

Read more about Thomas’s outstanding work at the Outstanding Graduates announcement page: https://louisiana.edu/news/eight-ul-lafayette-students-recognized-spring-2026-outstanding-graduates