Three time alumnus steps up to fill the presidential role after 17 years 

Three-time graduate Dr. Jaimie Hebert has accepted the role of interim president for the Fall 2025 semester as of Aug. 1. 

Hebert is originally from the Abbeville, Louisiana area and attended UL Lafayette for his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree in statistics. 

He served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Sam Houston State University and the president of Georgia Southern University, until he returned to his alma mater in 2018 as the provost and vice president of academic affairs. 

According to The Advocate, “In his first address to University of Louisiana at Lafayette stakeholders, interim president Jaimie Hebert said the administration’s top two priorities are fiscal stability and process efficiency.” 

The job of president is a demanding and work-intensive role that requires excellent communication skills, along with time management skills, patience, delegation and a deep understanding of the institution. 

According to the Office of the President, two years after the founding of UL Lafayette in 1898, Edwin Lewis Stephens became the very first president and had a lasting impact on the school. 

The name of the school was Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute at the time. 

Other than leading the construction of Martin Hall, DeClouet Hall, Foster Hall and O.K. Allen Hall, Stephens also planted the first oak trees on campus, some of which are still standing today. 

After Stephens retired in 1938, Lether Edward Frazar took on the role of president and led the construction of Mouton Hall, Broussard Hall, Earl K. Long Gym, Stephens Memorial Library and many other buildings. 

He made many decisions and added many programs to expand the school during his short time in office. 

Frazar added the departments of agriculture and engineering, along with music, commerce and publicity. 

The third president, Dr. Joel Lafayette Fletcher Jr., started his term in 1941 and remained in office through World War II until he retired in 1965. Fletcher Jr. took an interest in helping soldiers get their college degrees after the war ended. 

During his term, he led the construction of F.G. Mouton Hall, Montgomery Hall, Oliver Hall, Madison Hall, Griffin Hall and Coronna Hall. 

He also officially changed the name of the school to University of Southwestern Louisiana. 

In 1966, Dr. Clyde L. Rougeou became the fourth president of the university and managed to increase the number of students enrolled by almost 4000. Rougeou added Maxim Doucet Hall, Wharton Hall, the Student Union, Cajun Field, the Athletic Complex and expanded the Edith Garland Dupré Library. 

Many graduate programs were implemented during Rougeou’s term, along with the addition of the doctoral program. 

Succeeding Rougeou, Dr. Ray P. Authement earned the title of longest sitting president of a public university in the United States, beginning in 1973 and retiring from the position in 2008. 

Due to his background, in which his parents had limited education, Authement took special interest in first-generation students at UL Lafayette. 

During his 34 years as president, Authement changed the name of the University to University of Louisiana at Lafayette, established multiple research centers, earned the school many awards and new titles and constructed over 30 new buildings. 

The most recent president of UL Lafayette was Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, who served in the role for 17 years until he retired from the position on Aug. 1 of this year. He is now serving as president emeritus. 

Savoie led the university to becoming a part of the top five percent of research institutions in the U.S., added new degree programs, expanded fundraising efforts and opened a new health sciences portion of campus. He also initiated the renovation of many existing buildings and facilities, including the fitness center, research centers and student housing across campus. 

The Board of Supervisors is currently working on finding the right person to become the next UL Lafayette president and lead the school to even greater heights. 

Until the next permanent president is chosen, Dr. Jaimie Hebert will continue to take on the role of interim president during the Fall 2025 semester.