The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association will honor D. Wayne Elmore and Connie D’Aquin Elmore at its 2018 Spring Gala.
The gala will be held from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, at the UL Lafayette Alumni Center, 600 East St. Mary Blvd.
Nick Saban, head football coach at the University of Alabama, will be a guest of the honorees. Saban has compiled a 223-62-1 record as a college football coach and has won six national championships.
The gala will feature entertainment, 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 funding Alumni Association initiatives.
Chantelle Aaron, president-elect of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association, is chair of this year’s Spring Gala. Rose Cormier is auction chair.
The Elmores will be recognized for decades of leadership, philanthropy and support for the community and the University. Both are alums.
Wayne Elmore earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1971 and a master’s degree in business administration in 1978. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Connie Elmore earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1971. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and a cheerleader. She was a University Favorite, a Kappa Sigma Star and Crescent Girl, and a Kappa Sigma Sweetheart.
Wayne Elmore is CEO/owner of Mello Joy Coffee and ChairSlippers LLC. He is managing partner for numerous real estate holdings, and chairman of the D.W. Elmore Family Foundation.
Previously, he was senior executive vice president for First National Bank of Lafayette. He also was vice chairman and president/CEO of Commerce and Energy Bank; cofounder/CEO and cochairman of the board with his partner, Thomas R. Galloway Sr., for Communications Corporation of America; cofounder/managing partner of the Louisiana Physician Corporation; cofounder/managing partner of the Mississippi Physician Corporation; and recently, CEO of Knight Oil Tools.
Connie Elmore began her career as an elementary school teacher. After working for several years in the Lafayette Parish School System, she returned to the University as Union Program Council adviser and cheerleader adviser from 1988 to 1998.
Wayne Elmore is past president of the Kiwanis Club of Lafayette and was Kiwanian of the Year. He was a board member, board chairman, and Executive Committee member of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. He served on the boards of Junior Achievement of Lafayette and St. Thomas More High School.
He also volunteers as chairman of the board of trustees for the UL Lafayette Foundation; board member for the Community Foundation of Acadiana; a member and investor of One Acadiana; and is a member and elder of Grace Presbyterian Church.
The Elmores are active in Mardi Gras activities. Wayne Elmore was a royal duke for the Krewe of Gabriel, Krewe of Bonaparte, and Krewe of Attakapas. He was king of the Washington, D.C., Mardi Gras.
The couple are members of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association. Wayne Elmore is a past board member and treasurer of the Association; past board member, executive committee member and chairman of the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation; and was cochairman of the Athletics Division of the Investing in Our Future Campaign.
The Elmore Camellia Room of the UL Alumni Center was dedicated to the memory of Connie Elmore’s parents, Myrtis McCutchan D’Aquin, who reigned as the first Camellia Queen in 1934, and Edmond D’Aquin, and her brother, William “Bill” Arthur D’Aquin.
The Elmores, who live in Lafayette, have two children and six grandchildren.
To purchase Gala tickets, become a patron or sponsor, or donate auction items, call (337) 482-0900.
Learn more about the Gala and the honorees at alumni.louisiana.edu