A large group of graduates painted the ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ's Fall 2012 Commencement red.
Instead of black gowns, graduates who earned bachelor's and doctoral degrees wore new gowns in an official school color: vermilion. Master's degree recipients wore black but all graduates' gowns featured the university's fleur-de-lis.
UL Lafayette’s Fall 2012 General Commencement Ceremony was held Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Cajundome.
A committee of administrators, faculty and students designed the new gowns, said Dr. Dewayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment Management. "We wanted to incorporate our school colors and create a distinctive look for commencement," he said. The university's colors are vermilion and white.
UL Lafayette's fleur-de-lis is a federally registered trademark. The symbol, which represents Acadiana's French heritage, has been part of the university’s identity since 1926, when three fleurs-de-lis were introduced in the official seal.
Some of this semester's graduates showed off another "first" — graduation rings that feature UL Lafayette symbols. The red stone represents the university's primary color and also features its fleur-de-lis.
Additional imagery includes cypress and oak trees, UL Lafayette’s seal; and Martin Hall, the main administrative building. Inside each ring is the inscription, "heart and hand" — the final three words of the university's Alma Mater.
CONTACT: Charlie Bier
charlie@louisiana.edu