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Former Homecoming Queen: First black UL homecoming queen crowned in 1973Daily Advertiser, Open Forum, Nov. 16, 2013 THE QUESTION: Who was the first African-American homecoming queen at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette? Where is she now and what has she been doing since then? — Barbara Spencer, Lafayette Joyce Ozene Porter was the first African-American woman to be selected homecoming queen at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1973. / Submitted photoTHE ANSWER: Joyce Ozene, a Grand Coteau native, was the first black homecoming queen at what was then called the University of Southwestern Louisiana. She was awarded that title in 1973. A graduate of the College of Business, she worked in Lafayette for a while, then married and moved to Baton Rouge, while maintaining her ties to this area. Now known as Joyce Ozene Porter, she worked for the Albemarle Corp., previously known as the Ethyl Corp., for 37 years. She plans to retire next year and spend more time with her three grandchildren. Porter said she was “totally shocked,” when she got the call informing her she had been named homecoming queen. At the time, she was involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Black Culture Association. She was also named to the Blue Key Court one year. Although she was surprised at being named homecoming queen, Porter said it was not so surprising that USL would choose a young black woman for that honor. “Lafayette always was a progressive town and USL was a progressive school,” she said. “Growing up in Lafayette, we didn’t have some of the problems other places were faced with,” she added. The administration, some of its members, in particular, fostered an atmosphere of acceptance, she said. “Dean (Raymond) Blanco and Dean (Mary Olive) McPhaul — it was a time when they tried to include everybody. Dean Blanco — everybody called him ‘Coach’ — went out of his way a lot.” Porter has fond memories of her time at the university. “It was a fun time. I made some of the best friends who are still friends.” Athletic Network Footnote: • Got a question?: We address some of our readers’ questions and comments through this weekly spot we’re calling “Open Forum.” We’ll answer questions about our news operation and news coverage, and we’ll also try to find answers to questions you have about the issues you read about in our newspaper. Look for this feature each Saturdayon the Opinion page.
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