The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association will honor husband and wife Edward Domingues and Rickey Suire Domingues at its 2017 Spring Gala.
The gala will be held from 6:30-10 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, at the UL Lafayette Alumni Center, 600 East St. Mary Blvd.
It will feature entertainment and food, and live and silent auctions. Art, gifts, travel opportunities, and Ragin’ Cajuns merchandise are among items that will be up for bid. Proceeds from the annual gala are dedicated to maintaining and improving Alumni Association facilities.
The Domingues’ many contributions to Acadiana include molding young minds in the classroom, providing jobs and economic stability, and philanthropy.
Both were born in Erath, La., graduated from Erath High School, and earned bachelor’s degrees from UL Lafayette.
Ed Domingues earned a double major, in industrial arts education and in business. He was a team captain and record holder on the University’s track and field team.
Rickey Domingues earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in library science. She was a member of many campus organizations, including the Women’s Student Government Association. She served on the first Women’s Disciplinary Board.
Following graduation, both carved out distinguished careers. Ed Domingues served in the Louisiana National Guard. He was a social worker, and an industrial arts teacher and track coach at Abbeville High School.
He had worked in the oilfield as a young man and returned to the industry in 1980. He became general manager at MarCon, then part-owner of Fluid Dynamics. He eventually bought Fluid Dynamics and renamed it Fluid Crane and Construction.
A founding member of the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation, Ed Domingues is vice chairman of the RCAF board of directors.
Rickey Domingues taught for 12 years at Erath Elementary. She was also the school’s librarian for 19 years.
An active volunteer, she has served with many community and state organizations, including the UL Lafayette Alumni Association.
She was grand marshal of Erath High School’s homecoming festivities. Rickey Domingues received the Golden Apple Award from the Vermilion Parish chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. She earned a National Jr. Beta Award for outstanding service.
Among their many joint achievements, the Domingues opened Eddie’s One Stop convenience store in Erath in 2002.
They were honored as grand marshals of the city’s Fourth of July parade, and Catholic Family of the Year.
UL Lafayette’s Pride of Acadiana Marching Band recognized the couple as honorary drum majors. They were cited by the University as Distinguished Donors in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Their wide-ranging support of University academics and athletics and campus programs includes contributions to student scholarships, the Alumni Association, and the RCAF.
The Domingues have two daughters and six grandchildren. They live in New Iberia, La.
Kyle Bacon, president-elect of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association, is chair of this year’s Spring Gala. Rose Hoffman Cormier is auction chair.
To purchase tickets, become a patron or sponsor, or donate auction items to the UL Lafayette Alumni Association 2017 Spring Gala, call (337) 482-0900.
Learn more about the gala, or the honorees, at the Alumni Association’s web page https://www.louisianaalumni.org/site.php