La Louisiane

Robert Rauschenberg revolutionized contemporary art from New York and Captiva, but his creative vision remained tethered to Lafayette, Louisiana — his adoptive hometown where his family relocated in the 1950s.

This year marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Clifton Chenier, the GRAMMY-winning King of zydeco. To celebrate his life and legacy, La Louisiane welcomes author and cultural advocate Todd Mouton, whose new book, The King of Zydeco, dives deep into Chenier’s musical genius and cultural impact.

Host Marie Elizabeth Oliver sits down with Candice Dazet, UL Lafayette’s assistant director of student engagement, and Kevin Blanchard, CEO of Downtown Lafayette, to talk about the growing connection between the University and downtown. They dive into the upcoming, third annual Ragin’ Cajuns Downtown Alive! event on Sept. 5, and discuss why “third spaces” like Parc Sans Souci are vital for bringing people together.

College is exciting — but it can also be stressful. At UL Lafayette, students have access to mental health resources designed to meet them where they are. Marie Elizabeth Oliver talks with Caemon Scott, founder of the University’s Mental Health Week, and La Louisiane student editor Angeline Mathews about how the University supports student wellness and where to find help on campus.

Artist and UL Lafayette alum, Dickie Landry, joins La Louisiane's managing editor Marie Elizabeth Oliver and senior editorial director for UL, Dr. James Savage, to discuss the profound legacy left by zydeco king, Clifton Chenier, as well as the significance of the new scholarship made to benefit zydeco accordion students in the UL Lafayette Traditional Music Program. Full Interview Transcript

Editor for La Louisiane and senior editorial director for UL, Dr. James Savage, joins La Louisiane managing editor Marie Elizabeth Oliver to discuss what goes into planning a La Louisiane magazine and a future look at the fall issue.

College of Liberal Arts Dean Ani Kokobobo shares with La Louisiane what excites her most about leading UL Lafayette's oldest college, how its research centers foster community connection and why liberal arts thinking is more essential than ever in today’s world.

After 22 years as a founding member of the Emmy Award-winning children's band, Imagination Movers, Scott Durbin knows the music industry backwards and forwards. The Recording Academy of the United States recently selected the assistant professor in UL Lafayette's School of Music and Performing Arts as a Grammy U mentor.

The Office of Veteran & Military Student Services at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette celebrated the grand opening of a new student center in Agnes Edwards Hall during Veterans Week. Office of Veteran and Military Student Services Director Danielle Doucet and Kade Hessler, president of the Student Veterans Organization, discuss its impact.