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L’Acadien, the student-produced yearbook at UL Lafayette, was named the Best Overall College Yearbook as part of the American Scholastic Press Association’s yearly competition, according to a press release from the University’s .  

In addition to the best overall designation, the 2023-2024 L’Acadien yearbook, titled “Exploration,” also received a “first-place ranking” from the ASPA. 

The ranking designations are bestowed on yearbooks that meet set criteria for excellence, explained Matthew Tarver, director of Student Publications, in an interview. Those areas include content presentation, general page design, photography, creativity and publication structure. 

L’Acadien earned first-place awards in 2020, 2021 and 2022 as part of ASPA competition, along with a second-place award in 2023.

The recently announced ASPA yearbook awards reflect nominations that were submitted in 2024 by schools across the country. The nonprofit ASPA supports student journalism and writing, including with a series of annual contests that recognize a range of schools in categories such as yearbooks, magazines and newspapers.

Of working with students who helped produce the yearbook, Tarver stated in the press release: “The yearbook is a meaningful and valuable way for students to showcase their talents in photography, writing, and graphic design. Our staff members are able to hone their teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and skills, while continuing to produce a permanent record of campus life that allows people to connect and reconnect to our university.” 

Julia McDow Broussard, editor-in-chief of L’Acadien, stated: “I couldn’t be any prouder of the yearbook team and was honored to have worked with such an amazing group of individuals. Our team was willing to learn and try out new ideas, and we faced each challenge head-on together.”

Patricia Cottonham, the University’s vice president for Student Affairs, stated: “The University is so grateful to our professional-level students who yearly publish a memory of campus that the UL community will cherish for generations to come. We appreciate the hundreds of hours the staff puts in to publish the book and are so pleased that their work is recognized nationally.”

Photo caption: L’Acadien yearbook staff members include, front row from left: Adhamm Safford, senior writer; Sarah Guidry, design manager; and Morgan Courville, managing editor. Back row, from left: Meg Norwood, illustrations manager; Julia McDow, editor-in-chief; Ava Blanchard, design editor; and Isaac Henry, writer. Not pictured are Morgan Parker, photography coordinator, and Alyus Dick, photographer. Submitted photo