Leon C. Moncla – Business Education, 1950

Leon C. Moncla, Sr.

1950, BS Degree in Business Education

I would like to begin with my enrollment in the United States Navy in which I served for four years. I enrolled in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946. During my time in the Navy, I participated in the European Theater and South Pacific wars. After I was discharged, I attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Beginning with the faculty, some of the teachers that I would consider as my favorites were Dr. Malison and Dr. William Phillips; in the Business Education classes there were Hilda Erath, Mrs. Edith Nugent and George Rader. In 1946, I was a member of the first class of C (Reserved Officer Training Corps) when it was organized on the SLI campus. As a veteran, I was enrolled into C as a Second Lieutenant because of my past military service. While attending school, I lived in Vet Village, which was a housing complex for World War II veterans. I was also a member of the Deserters Club. This club consisted of members who left fraternities to be independent. Our team won 90 of all athletic activities in a two year period. At the present time, I can remember only one outstanding player, who was Spots Porter from New Orleans.

After graduation, my first job was teaching at Cathedral  High School. I taught Business Education and lower elementary classes. I also coached basketball, football, baseball, and boxing. After five years of teaching, I accepted a higher paying position as secretary to J.C. Landry, who was Lafayette Parish School Superintendent. This position paid $666.00 monthly. I served in this position for two years.I then started a private business in insurance and real estate, which I have owned for the past forty-five years.

               I am a proud parent of three sons and two daughters who are all graduates of the University of Southwestern Louisiana. As of today, I have two grandsons who are scheduled to graduate in the year 2000.

                CIVIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

                                1976       Civic Cup Award

                                1969       USL Basketball “Best Friend” Award

                                1980       Chamber of Commerce Award

                                1981       Distinguished Service Award

                                1982       Outstanding Alumnus Award

                                1983       Acadiana Volunteer Activist Award

                                1993       Sertoma Award – Service to Mankind

                SOCIAL AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

1. Chamber of Commerce – Chairman of Presidents Club, Member of Membership Committee, Member of Sports Committee, Board of Directors
2. Optimist Club – Past President (1957)
3. Acadiana Home Builders – Program Chairman, Board of Directors
4. Lafayette Playground & Parks Commission – Chairman (1981)
5. Lafayette Parish Insurance Exchange – Member
6. United Givers Fund – Board of Directors
7. Fine Arts Foundation – Member
8. Acadiana Opera Society – Member
9. Boys Club – Board of Directors
10. Lafayette Young Mens Business Club- Past Vice President
11. American Legion – Past Jr. Vice President
12. Veterans of Foreign War – Member
13. USL BAM Club – Past President (1969)
14. Lafayette Municipal Auditorium – Member of Original Executive, Committee for development of Municipal Auditorium
15. Lafayette Life Underwriters Association – Past Vice President
16. Lafayette Midget Football
17. Southwest Louisiana High School Football Association – Past President
18. City Softball Team – Past Head Coach of team to attend World Championship in New York
19. National Association of Home Builders – Member
20. Lafayette Board of Realtors – Member
21. National Association of Realtors – Member