Catherine L. Stemmans – Health and Physical Education, 1994

Catherine L. Stemmans

1994 – Health and Physical Education

                On May 14, 1994 I graduated from The University of Southwestern Louisiana with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education. Looking back, I do not remember the commencement speaker or where I have since put the “perfect graduation dress” for which I spent months looking. When I think of USL I remember the countless practices spent interning with the Ragin Cajun Football team and then rushing to the Alpha Omicron Pi house for the last twenty minutes of our chapter meeting. I remember Bourgeois Hall… and my perfect attendance in Dr. Lyman’s Human Sexuality class. I remember an article about old wine in old bottles. I remember two faces that continue to inspire me… Dr. Martin Bourg and Mr. William “BJ” Landry. I remember the USL Athletic Training Room (No Shoes Allowed!)… Tea and crumpets with Jen Lamabe and the Inside Linebackers. I remember a road trip with the Ragin Cajun Volleyball team to The University of Texas – Pan American… it seemed to never end. I remember packing the Cajundome for the USL vs. University of Massachusetts basketball game.

                I remember watching the Ragin Cajun Baseball Team beat LSU, in Lafayette, the year that LSU won the College World Series. I remember Marty Fletcher’s tie. I remember the Ragin Cajun Softball Team and the endless line of All-Americans that Yvette Girouard brought to Lafayette. I remember John Morgan’s jokes that NEVER seemed to get old, even though we heard them every Sunday night at the Pub. I remember the Monday 4:00 meetings with Dr. Authement where students were always able to voice their ideas and concerns… it was during one of those meetings that I became intrigued with the organization of higher education. I remember the endless Student Government Association meetings where we took turns standing on our community soapbox. Most of all, I remember a spirit of Vermilion and White which can only be characterized as “Ragin’ Cajun”.

Since then, I have moved to Monroe, Louisiana; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and most recently Terre Haute, Indiana; all in the name of education. At least now I am being paid to go to college. I am employed with Indiana State University as a professor of Athletic Training. It’s a fantastic appointment where I am able to use my USL experience to research, educate and serve students. The chill of Indiana weather has not yet graced my four-month-old home, but as the semester draws to a close, I wonder if my students have had as much fun as I did.

Sincerely,

Catherine L. Stemmans