Top 10 University news stories of 2014

Published

The year 2014 was a banner one for the 天美传媒安卓破解版. 

It was also a great one for the city, which gained honors as the 鈥渉appiest city in America鈥� by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research, USA Today鈥檚 No. 1 鈥渂est college town weekend,鈥� and the No. 2 鈥渂est college town鈥� by Travel + Leisure.

Students, faculty and staff members moved the University forward on several fronts. Here are highlights to recognize some of those accomplishments:

10. New Provost
Dr. James Henderson kicked off the year at 天美传媒安卓破解版 Lafayette as the provost and vice president for academic affairs. He鈥檚 already making positive impacts鈥�

9. Emergency Effective
University and local officials successfully responded to a bomb threat over the summer. The University鈥檚 bomb dog walked 18 miles, and she was just one of the heroes鈥�

8. Interdisciplinary Emphasis
The College of General Studies became University College. Other changes were made to the Honors Program and the new University Connection program to emphasize interdisciplinary studies鈥�

7. Soaring Graduations
The University's graduation rate has risen over 49 percent during the last decade. Ragin鈥� Cajun student-athletes bested peers鈥� rates at other Louisiana and conference schools, and the University held its first Summer Commencement since 1949鈥�

6. Officially Geaux
鈥楪eaux Cajuns庐鈥� earned federal trademark protection. Geaux Cajuns!鈥�

5. Lane Change
Cyclists traveling campus along St. Mary Boulevard gained new bike lanes. The city also installed bike lanes along St. Landry Street this year鈥�

4. Gaining Respect
The Louisiana Ragin鈥� Cajuns Athletics Department ranked No. 34 overall in the U.S., which was partly a nod to its multiple championships wins. Athletics added new seats to the Cajun Field end zone and broke ground on a student-athlete performance center鈥�

3. Landmark Enhancements
The University added public art to its main campus. A statue was revealed to honor its first president. Also, a wall with the University鈥檚 name was constructed on the lawn in front of Martin Hall鈥�

2. Historic Enrollment
Total enrollment at the University this Fall was 18,796 students, the highest in the school鈥檚 history and the largest increase among colleges in the state. And, there鈥檚 a growing trend of students from out of state鈥�

1. Silicon Bayou
Three IT companies announced they are bringing about 1,000 new jobs into the local economy through partnerships with the University. The average pay is even more impressive鈥�


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