The University of Louisiana Lafayette Foundation welcomed seven inductees into the Hall of Honor at the annual Distinguished Donors Reception. These generous donors have made a contribution of at least $50,000 to the University. Plaques recognizing their creation of an endowment are displayed in the Hall of Honor at Martin Hall.

The newly created endowments include:

• The Paul A. Callais Memorial Endowed Professorship in Economics and Finance
• The Paul A. Callais Memorial Endowed First Generation Scholarship in Economics and Finance
• The Dr. Robert B. Hitchcock Chemistry Lab Equipment Fund
• The Mr. and Mrs. E.P. "Pat" Nalley Endowed Professorships in Business Administration V and VI
• The Phillip and Jean Piccione Endowed Professorship in Statistics VI
• The Jack and Gladys Theall Endowed Professorships in the College of Liberal Arts I and II
• The Jack and Gladys Theall Endowed Professorship in the College of Sciences
• The College of Engineering Eminent Scholar Chair in Bioprocessing
• The College of Engineering Endowed Professorships in Bioprocessing I and II
• The College of Education Endowed Teacher Development Scholarship Fund

Gloria Callais established the Paul A. Callais Memorial Endowed Professorship in Economics and Finance in memory of her youngest son, Paul. Paul was born into the family business and was raised with a strong sense of commitment to both family and business.  It was only natural that Paul follow in his fathers footsteps and attend UL.  Paul received his bachelors degree in Business Administration from UL, his MBA from Tulane, and graduated from the Louisiana School of Banking, a program of the Louisiana Bankers Association and the LSU Graduate School of Banking.

As the president and CEO of United Community Bank in Gonzalez, Callais helped grow the bank from two locations and $40 million in assets to seven locations and $127 million in assets.  In 2002, Callais was named to the "Top 40 under 40" by the Baton Rouge Business Report and in 2006, United Community Bank was named one of the top performing community banks in the country.  In addition to his strong business presence, Callais was very active in the community as well as the Catholic Church.  Callais served as a Lector at St. Teresa in Gonzales, where he and his family lived.

Plaque presented to Bradd Clark, Dean of College of Sciences for the creation of the Dr. Robert B. Hitchcock Chemistry Lab Equipment Fund.

Dr. Hitchcock came to the Chemistry department at UL Lafayette in 1962 and remained until 1978. Over his 16 year tenure, he taught analytical and freshmen chemistry.  Dr. Hitchcock was a demanding professor and many of his students admired and respected him.  He was always available to answer student questions, but he would not sit with them unless they knew enough to ask a question.

From Kansas originally, Dr. Hitchcock received his Master of Science degree in Chemistry from Wichita State University in 1958 and his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in 1962, under the direction of one of the best known analytical chemists, Dr. Dean.

The Hitchcock Trust Fund could not have come at a better time for the Chemistry department. As soon as approval was given, the Chemistry Department was able to put a major piece of equipment back into service that had been out of commission for some time.  The Professor truly understood the real needs of a Chemist.   Thanks to the diligent work and thoughtfulness of Dr. Bob Hitchcock, the Department of Chemistry can continue to offer a quality curriculum and cutting edge research for its undergraduate students. 

Plaque presented to Col. Phillip and Jean Piccione for the creation of The Phillip and Jean Piccione Endowed Professorship in Statistics VI.

5 years ago, Colonel Philip Piccione and his wife Jean pledged to establish 10 endowed professorships to create a virtual chair in Statistics.  This year we  recognize the completion of their 6^th professorship.

Col. Phillip Piccione was a math and science major and his wife Jean studied nursing.   Both of these fields value the importance of quantitative thinking and doing a job with complete accuracy.  This is why they chose to create their virtual chair in Statistics.  Col. Piccione believes math has a negative connotation from the public and teachers, since most people do not like the subject or feel they are not good at it.  However, he recognizes that everyone can appreciate the importance math brings in our daily life.

UL holds a special place in the Picciones hearts.  Although Col. Piccione says he can never repay what he owes to this great University, creating six professorships is certainly a start.

Plaque presented to David Barry, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts for the creation of The Jack and Gladys Theall Endowed Professorships in the College of Liberal Arts I and II and The Jack and Gladys Theall Endowed Professorship in the College of Sciences.

Jack Theall, an Abbeville native attended UL Lafayette while our country was fighting in World War Two.  With just one course short of graduation, Theall was called into service.  Although he had planned to return to school after the war, a leg injury changed his plans.  He remained in the armed forces until he retired in 1971.

In 1998, the Thealls were among the first Charter Member inductees of the Heritage Society.   Later that same year, 56 years after Mr. Theall last walked on the University campus, he was awarded a 1942 Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts.  Because Theall was unable to travel to Lafayette due to his health, President Ray Authement made a trip to Theall's home in Crystal Beach Texas to confer the degree and present the S-L-U Class of 1942 diploma.  Theall was also awarded with a duplicate of the brick which bore his name that now resides in the Walk of Honor on campus. 

Plaque presented to Judge Richard Haik and wife Kathleen for The College of Engineering Eminent Scholar Chair in Bioprocessing, The College of Engineering Endowed Professorships in Bioprocessing I and II  and The College of Education Endowed Teacher Development Scholarship Fund.

Although Judge Richard Haik did not personally donate the funds for the College of Engineering Eminent Scholar Chair in Bioprocessing, the College of Engineering Endowed Professorships in Bioprocessing I and II, and the College of Education Endowed Teacher Development Scholarship Fund, he was instrumental in obtaining the funds to create these awards.  Judge Haik presided over a class action lawsuit against Union Pacific Corporation.  The lawsuit was filed on behalf of thousands of evacuees who were forced to leave their homes in Eunice, after a train derailment caused approximately 15 chemical-laden cars to explode and burn.

Judge Haik started his education at UL in 1968 on a full football scholarship. He was a 4 year letterman on the football team while earning a degree in Economics and Finance.  He became a state judge in 1984 at the young age of 34, and less than 10 years later he was appointed to a Federal Judgeship by President George Bush Sr.  In 2002, Haik was named Chief Judge of the Western District.

Haik still carries a strong passion for UL, as much of his family attended the University.  He says he received an extremely solid education that prepared him for law school and life.  He believes UL offers a great environment where the coaches and teachers truly care about the kids as players and students.