Dean's Inaugural Spring Brunch

This past spring, the UL Lafayette Office of Development, in collaboration with the College of the Arts Dean's office, hosted a Dean's Brunch at the Dean's Suite and Gallery within Fletcher Hall. The event coincided with the opening of Jim Firmin's '66 exhibition of Photographs and Drawings. Attendees included UL Alumni, major donors to the College of the Arts, and Architecture faculty. The brunch served as an opportunity for our community to celebrate Jim Firmin's contributions to the School of Architecture and Design, as well as his creative achievements. The College of the Arts aims to make this event a regular fixture each spring.

Jim Firmin, an AIA Architect from Morgan City, LA, graduated from Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin, LA. Although he has resided primarily in Morgan City, he began his academic journey at "USL," where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1966, followed by an MBA degree in 1987. During his time as a student, he played a pivotal role in rallying fellow students to advocate for the accreditation of the University's Department of Architecture, ultimately achieving success in this endeavor. Jim fondly recalls the enduring impact of this achievement whenever he returns to the department.

Presently, he continues to practice architecture in Morgan City and actively engages in various boards and national and international organizations. Alongside his numerous pursuits, he has spearheaded scholarship programs to support public housing students in pursuing higher education and has aided underprivileged students in China in accessing high school education.

Jim cherishes the memory of receiving unsolicited assistance during a financially precarious period before his final year of architectural studies. A modest scholarship awarded to him during that critical time significantly altered the trajectory of his life. Grateful for his time at USL, Jim is committed to paying it forward through the establishment of the Jim Firmin Endowed Scholarship for Architecture and the Jim Firmin Endowed SOAD Enhancement Fund. He hopes these initiatives will assist students in need, particularly those who demonstrate a strong work ethic, engage in activities that benefit others, and may grapple with self-confidence issues.