Denise Theriot Brown – Health and Physical Education, 1982; M.Ed., 1984

Ed will post Denise.

Denise Theriot Brown

B.S. – Health and Physical Education – 1982

M.Ed. – Education  –  1984

To all the world:

            Having grown up as an Air Force brat, USL was my first “permanent” residence — and rightfully so because it was like a home to me. The hardest thing I ever had to do was move to Texas and leave my “home.” I have so many wonderful memories of my seven years at USL — seven years and two degrees.

            Football games, Lagniappe Day, crawfish boils, final exams, Pizza Hut, the R department, dorm rooms, cafeteria food, Chemistry labs at four in the afternoon, naps in the library, roommates, panty raids, and, oh yea,  — not to mention my classes — of course!

            I’ll never forget the first roommate I ever had. Her mom helped her unpack and they put her name on everything from her underwear to her stapler. I’ll also never forget the time I put my head down in the library for a two minute nap only to wake myself up 20 minutes later because I was snoring — which I guess was why everyone was looking at me at the time!!!

            Now that I am a veteran teacher of 15 years, I truly appreciate and admire those professors that I had in college, specifically in the Education department. It seemed as if each of them took a genuine interest in every student there. There was no one who wasn’t willing to help when asked. Their caring, fun loving, patient attitudes were an inspiration to me. I truly believe that their attitudes were an inspiration to me.  I truly believe that my attitude toward the high school kids I teach today reflects the positive influence I had from teachers at USL.

            I tell my seniors that I teach today, “College needs to be a fun, growing experience for you. At first it smacks you in the face. Then, in the end, all the trials and tribulations and turmoil and fun you go through is worth it.”

            USL is a great place because it has that “down home” atmosphere. It has tradition in Lagniappe Day, Blackham Coliseum, a real Ragin’ Cajun homecoming and cajun cooking. Those are all things you can’t get or experience anywhere else in the country.

I’ve watched USL grow tremendously through the years when I was there and it hasn’t stopped since. I am so proud of the university and all of its accomplishments. It truly makes my heart burst  with pride to be able to say I’m a Ragin’ Cajun. My college experience at USL has always and will always be part of the favorite memories in my life. The adventures, the lessons I learned, the people I met, the security I felt, and the fun I had, will always and forever be in my heart. Thank you USL, for giving me something of which to be proud, of which to be a part I love you!!

Denise Theriot Brown