A large group of graduates painted the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Fall 2012 Commencement red.
Instead of black gowns, graduates who earned bachelor's and doctoral degrees wore new gowns in an official school color: vermilion. Master's degree recipients wore black but all graduates' gowns featured the university's fleur-de-lis.
UL Lafayette’s Fall 2012 General Commencement Ceremony was held Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Cajundome.
A committee of administrators, faculty and students designed the new gowns, said Dr. Dewayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment Management. "We wanted to incorporate our school colors and create a distinctive look for commencement," he said. The university's colors are vermilion and white.
UL Lafayette's fleur-de-lis is a federally registered trademark. The symbol, which represents Acadiana's French heritage, has been part of the university’s identity since 1926, when three fleurs-de-lis were introduced in the official seal.
Some of this semester's graduates showed off another "first" — graduation rings that feature UL Lafayette symbols. The red stone represents the university's primary color and also features its fleur-de-lis.
Additional imagery includes cypress and oak trees, UL Lafayette’s seal; and Martin Hall, the main administrative building. Inside each ring is the inscription, "heart and hand" — the final three words of the university's Alma Mater.
CONTACT: Charlie Bier
charlie@louisiana.edu