The Center for Louisiana Studies at UL Lafayette recently awarded the James William Rivers Prize to author James Lee Burke. The annual award honors individuals who have contributed or rendered, recently or over the course of their careers, outstanding scholarly study, work, or teaching about the culture, history, art, architecture, crafts, flora, fauna, music, literature, law, performing arts, or geography of Louisiana or about its people.
The Rivers Prize, consisting of a cash award and other acknowledgments, was established with private funds donated in memory of Mr. Rivers, a New Orleans architect and graduate of UL Lafayette, who died in 1991.
Among the past recipients are A. Hays Town, Ernest Gaines and Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
Pictured from left are Carl Brasseaux, Director of the Center for Louisiana Studies; David Barry, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; James Lee Burke, recipient of the 2007 Rivers Prize; and James Wilson, Chairperson of the Rivers Prize Selection Committee.