Huey S. McCauley – Social Studies Education, 1960

Huey S. McCauley

1960 – Social Studies Education

                My name is Huey S. McCauley. I became a student at SLI in the fall of 1956 after three years of service with the U.S. Army. I pursued a teacher education program in social studies with a major emphasis in history. Upon completion of the baccalaureate in 1960, I remained on campus for graduate studies and to teach freshman level history courses as a graduate assistant. While still in Lafayette, I participated in a summer A institute at LSU in French immersion.

                In 1961, I left the area to teach in Texas. After five years of secondary school teaching and administration work, I returned to USL to join the faculty in the department of geography. A year later, I accepted an International Paper Company Foundation Fellowship at Auburn University. With the doctorate certificate in the trunk of our car, our family returned to Lafayette in 1969 so I could join the faculty of the College of Education. Subsequent to that time, I have had the opportunity to hold every administrative level job in the College of Education, including dean in 1980 – 81.

                Joel Lafayette Fletcher towers easily over the other presidents I have known in thirty four years at SLI/USL. As a freshman and student aid worker in Mouton Hall where President Fletcher maintained his office at the time, I remember fondly the almost daily greetings of “hey young man” or “hey Mac”, as our paths crossed. My best recollection is that he never failed to acknowledge or greet anyone he met on the path from Mouton to old Martin Hall. In later years as a member of Blue Key and student government, the Fletchers were gracious hosts at gatherings in their campus residence.

Every student needs mentors and role models. There was no shortage of either at SLI. My personal advisors and benefactors were Walter Robinette, Amos Simpson, and Robert Crisler. Many others played important but less significant roles. As a junior faculty member, I was greatly assisted by Walter Robinette, Robert Ducharme, Lawrence Green and Louis Coussan.

Being a military veteran was not without its rewards. One, there was no hazing of vets. Two, you made the short list for married student housing in Vet Village. Lee Anna and I thoroughly enjoyed Vet Village. The neighbors were not only close, but they also became close friends. Our two sons, Shawn and Michael, were born during the years in the village.

College is for learning, maturing, and developing lifelong friendships. The latter is far more important than generally appreciated at the time. One can cherish for a lifetime the people who enriched your life during college days.  I do!