Paul John Gaudet – Biology and Chemistry Education, 1934

Paul John Gaudet

1934 – B.S. in Biology and Chemistry

                My years at SLI were quite enjoyable and proved to be the important foundation for the rest of my life.  I was born on a farm near Thibodaux in 1912, and graduated from Thibodaux High School in 1930.  My boarding the train to enter SLI for the summer session in 1930 right after high school graduation was quite an adventure.  I was fortunate enough to have been given employment and lodging at the university farm by Dr. Joel Fletcher and worked hard to prove to myself and others that I could make it.

                In the1930 Fall session, the SLI farm gave way to the dining hall on campus.  My duties were to take care of four tables there–setting places, serving the food, and then clearing the tables.  I performed those tasks throughout my stay at SLI.  One episode that I vividly remember is this:    Several months after I was on the job, a new dietician was assigned to the dining hall.  “Cajun Food” was not on her menu items, and she failed to serve gravy with rice.  She expected the students to eat rice with butter.  The students protested by gathering on the porch and noisily chanting, “We want rice and gravy.”  Needless to say, rice was always served with gravy after that.

                After I was reassigned to the dining hall, my lodging changed from the farm housing to Judice Hall. I remained there for the duration of my days at SLI, except for a brief stay in the barracks.

                Of all the people who helped me as a student, the outstanding one is Dr. Joel Fletcher.  Because of him I was able to attend college and get the scholarship that provided employment, tuition, room and board.   were hard, and my family just did not have the money for college.

                Dr. Fletcher helped many students like me in his day–students who have gone on to become outstanding achievers in many fields of endeavor.  We owe Dr. Fletcher and his colleagues profound gratitude for their help and encouragement during our youth.

By attending summer sessions I was able to complete my degree work in the College of Education in August of 1933, but was not awarded my degree until June of 1934.  I began my career in Education in the fall of 1933 as an elementary school teacher in Lafourche Parish and progressed upward over the years.  My assignments included high school science teacher, assistant principal and coach, elementary school and then high school principal, parish elementary school supervisor, and finally parish GED Coordinator and high school supervisor.  I retired in June 1973, after 40 years of service to the Lafourche Parish School System.

Over the years, I have enhanced my education by attending graduate school at LSU where I received my Masters of Education degree in August 1949.  I subsequently attended Nicholls State University and earned my “30 hours plus” from that institution.

Among the honors I have received, one stands out in my memory.  On November 12, 1977 at the USL Homecoming, I was presented the Outstanding Alumnus Award for the College of Education.  My wife and I enjoyed the weekend of festivities on campus, meeting old friends and making new ones.

My life outside the education field has been busy and quite varied.  I have been actively involved in Boy Scouts, 4-H Clubs,  and Retired Teachers Association and civic and religious projects too numerous to mention.  A few years ago I suffered a slight stroke, and since then my activities have been limited.

I have been married to Lucille Dolese for 57 years, and we are the parents of two sons and two daughters.  They have given us 14 grandchildren, and just two weeks ago we welcomed our first great grandson.  We are a big, happy and successful family.