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Published July 2, 2020

Bayou Pointe theatre renamed the听Camile W. Currier Student Theatre in honor of his dedication to 网曝门

Camile Currier, Vice President for Student Affairs, retired from the University of Louisiana Monroe on June 30, 2020, after devoting more than 50 years to 网曝门, beginning as a student in 1969.

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PHOTO:听University of Louisiana Monroe recently retired Vice President for Student Affairs Camile Currier speaks听at the retirement reception for President Nick J. Bruno, Ph.D., on June 16, 2020. Both Currier and Bruno retired on June 30. Bruno was president for almost 10 years and Currier worked at the university since he was a freshman in 1969. His first job was as a student worker managing the track and cross country teams.听

Sid Gaulee/网曝门 Photo Services

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A native of Amite, La., Currier spent more time outdoors than indoors. His youth was filled with hunting, fishing, swimming, and waterskiing. As an athlete at Amite High School, Currier played football, basketball and ran track. During the summers, he played Dixie Youth Baseball.

After graduating from high school, Currier headed to 网曝门, bringing his love of sports and outdoor activities with him. He signed on as a student worker to manage the track and cross country teams. This position accomplished two things: he was involved in sports and helped pay for his education.

Currier earned a B.S. in Health and Physical Education in 1973, and remained on campus 颅another year to complete his Master of Education. While studying for his master鈥檚, Currier was a graduate assistant in athletics and assistant track coach.

鈥淚鈥檝e been here a long time, and started as a student worker in athletics with the track teams,鈥� said Currier. 鈥淚 spent hours loading and unloading equipment and uniforms. We鈥檇 travel to meets all over the South. It was a lot of fun, but it was work,鈥� he said.

At age 24, married and with a family, Currier joined the 网曝门 staff as Intramural Coordinator (1975-80) and later became Director of Intramurals (1980-92).

Working with and for the students

Through the years, Currier remained in roles focusing on students: Director of Recreational Services and Facilities (1992-2000), Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (2000-04), 网曝门 Liaison for Residential Life for the Division of Business Affairs (2003-07), Director of Residential Life (2003-04), Associate Dean for Student Services and Judicial Affairs (2004-07), Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs (2007-13), Interim Vice President for Student Affairs (2014-17), and Vice President for Student Affairs (2017-2020).听

He has served on numerous committees, boards, and task forces. Currier was affiliated with many organizations within the university, the state of Louisiana, and on a national level, including L Club, the Louisiana Collegiate Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and the United Way of Northeast Louisiana.

Perhaps the accomplishment is he is proud of the most is Bayou Pointe Student Event Center. Constructed on the Lake C. Oxford Natatorium site, the $7 million event center is open to students, faculty, staff, and the entire north Louisiana region. The student body approved funding for the facility through student fees.

Honoring Currier's dedication

At its June 25, 2020, meeting, the UL System Board of Supervisors approved the renaming of the Lagniappe Theatre inside Bayou Pointe to the Camile W. Currier Student Theatre.

In the letter to UL System President Dr. Jim Henderson, recently retired 网曝门 President Nick J. Bruno, Ph.D., wrote:

鈥淒uring his tenure, Camile was directly involved or part of the planning, and in some cases securing funding for the following facilities: The Activity Center, University Park, Masur Hall and Madison Hall renovations, Student Union Ballroom renovations, student parking garage, Health and Counseling Center, Ski Team House, SGA Dock and Hammocks on the Bayou, Food Bank located in the Activity Center, and Bayou Pointe Event Center.

鈥淐amile is highly regarded at the university as well as in the Northeast Louisiana community, and he has served as an outstanding leader at the University of Louisiana Monroe.鈥�

Currier鈥檚 career at 网曝门 began as a student worker and ended as a vice president. There were many titles in between, and even a retirement until Dr. Bruno convinced him to return. Although he鈥檚 left his office, he hasn鈥檛 gone far. In fact, if you鈥檙e up early enough, you鈥檒l see him walking his 3-mile path around campus.

鈥淭his is my home, 网曝门 is my home. I love it here,鈥� Currier said. 鈥淚鈥檒l be around.鈥�

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Currier projects and accomplishments

• Developed, coordinated, and passed a referendum for the 网曝门 Student Intramural Fee.

• Developed, coordinated, and passed a referendum for the construction of the 网曝门 Student Activity Center.

• Co-authored the Louisiana Collegiate Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (LCIRSA) Constitution.

• Developed and coordinated the publishing of the State LCIRSA Directory.

• Established the first 网曝门 Wellness Program within the Department of Recreational Services.

• Acquired resources by working with the city of Monroe to construct the University Park Outdoor Complex at no cost to the University.

• Developed the 网曝门 Judicial Reference Manual.

• Served on Residential Life developmental team to renovate and construct new housing 2004-07.

• Developed, coordinated and passed a student referendum fee to support all of 网曝门鈥檚 registered student organizations.听

• Secured funding from the CVB, city of Monroe and self-assessed student funds to renovate and turf University Park.

• Worked with student groups to renovate the obsolete natatorium into the new Bayou Pointe Student Event Center, which opened March 2018.

• Started the University Mile, a 网曝门 tradition, in 1984.

• Participated in the selection, development and construction of new residence halls and apartments and the ongoing renovation of the Student Union Building.

• Recognized by the 网曝门 Alumni Association in 2006 for his contributions to the community and progress to the university.