Office of College Communications
Linda Hutson, Director of College Communications
K. Michele Trice, Associate Public Relations Director
Phone: (318) 487-7194
Email:
March 8, 2006
Louisiana College Plans Aguillard Inauguration
Dr. Joe Aguillard will be inaugurated as the eighth president of Louisiana College on March 23. Aguillard has been serving as president of the Christian liberal arts school since January of 2005. His formal installation as president will feature several activities and the involvement of the Board of Trustees, alumni, and the campus community.
The celebration was originally scheduled for last September, but as the state was dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Aguillard chose to postpone his inauguration in order for the campus community to redirect their focus to assisting those who were displaced and in need.
The rescheduled Inauguration will be held on March 23 at 10:30 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. The theme of his Inauguration is “Unchanging Foundations in Changing Times,” which was taken from the Scripture verse of Malachi 3:6.
"For I am the LORD, I do not change.” Malachi 3:6, New King James Version of the Bible
Several thousand invitations have been sent to Louisiana College Trustees, alumni, and supporters as well as to Louisiana Baptists and ministers throughout the state. Everyone is welcome to attend the inauguration activities.
Additional inauguration activities include an Inaugural Worship Service to be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 22 in Guinn Auditorium with a reception afterward and a Prayerwalk to be held on campus at noon on March 25.
David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, will serve as the keynote speaker at the Inaugural Worship Service.
Tony Perkins is serving as the honorary chair of the Prayerwalk. Perkins is president of the Washington, D.C. based Family Research Council. A former member of the Louisiana legislature, he was recognized as a legislative pioneer for authoring measures such as the nation’s first Covenant Marriage Law. Under his leadership, FRC has worked to affirm and defend Judeo-Christian values.
At the time of Aguillard’s election as president, Tim Johnson, chairman of the Louisiana College Board of Trustees, said, “I have utmost confidence in Dr. Aguillard and his ability to lead Louisiana College to its greatest days. Not only does Dr. Aguillard have the head for education, but his heart is definitely intertwined with LC.”
Aguillard has been on faculty at Louisiana College since 2000, but his personal history with the College is a long and storied one. Both of Aguillard’s parents attended Louisiana College and met at the Pineville school. He and his wife met at Louisiana College, and all three of their children have attended their parents’ alma mater.
“Louisiana College stands in a unique position as an academic and spiritual ‘Louisiana Treasure,’” Aguillard says. “With the full support of our alumni and Southern Baptist churches, our beloved LC will continue to grow in value as a gleaming treasure chest of opportunity for our children across the state.”
Holding an Ed.D from Nova Southeastern University, Aguillard also holds two McNeese State University master’s degrees and his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana College. Prior to joining the Louisiana College faculty, he was the Superintendent of Schools in Beauregard Parish.
“Dr. Aguillard has a proven academic track record and spiritual base that will serve Louisiana College well,” says Cecil Picard, state education superintendent.
Jimmy Draper, president emeritus of the Southern Baptist Convention’s ministry enrichment, education, and publication agency, Lifeway, will deliver the inaugural charge.
Draper was the eighth president of Lifeway and has served the denomination as president of both the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and the SBC Pastors Conference. He retired from Lifeway in Feburary. Well-known throughout the SBC, he has served as chairman of such agencies as the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Southern Baptist Annuity Board.
The public is invited to participate in all of the Inauguration activities. For more information, contact the Office of the President at 318.487.7401.
-LC-