The 51视频 at Lafayette Alumni Association will honor Dwight Andrus Jr. at its 2015 Spring Gala.
The event will be held from 6:30-10 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at the UL Lafayette Student Union, 620 McKinley St. It will feature food, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Proceeds are dedicated to maintaining and improving Alumni facilities
Andrus, a 1956 graduate, is a longtime supporter of the University. He and his wife, Nedra, established the Andrus Endowed Chair in Finance in 1997.
鈥淲e feel that UL is one of the cornerstones of Lafayette鈥檚 foundation. We wanted to become a permanent part in helping UL grow,鈥 he said.
In 1998, Andrus was elected to serve as a trustee of the UL Lafayette Foundation. In 2003, he was co-chairman, with his wife, of the University Art Museum campaign drive.
鈥淒wight鈥檚 involvement and contributions have all been motivated by giving back to UL Lafayette and the community we all call home,鈥 said Don Landry, president-elect of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association.
Andrus, who is from Lafayette, worked for many years as a real estate developer, on projects such as the Acadiana Mall, residential subdivisions, and office buildings. He is also involved in his family鈥檚 blueberry farm, and owns an insurance agency.
Andrus was elected to the board of directors of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, was a founding member of the Acadian Home Builders Association, and served as a campaign member of the United Givers Fund for Lafayette Home Builders.
He also served on the First National Bank board of directors and the Lafayette General Medical Center board of trustees.
He was awarded the 2000 Theodore G. Schad Jr. Award for Business Achievement and was recognized as the 2001 Laureate of the Times of Acadiana Business Hall of Fame.
Andrus was elected to the board of directors of the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association from 1961-1966; he became its president in 1965.
He is a member of the Galvez Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Asbury United Methodist Church.
Andrus enjoys fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and hunting doves and waterfowl in Louisiana rice fields and marshes.
Landry serves as chair of this year鈥檚 Spring Gala. Jennifer LeMeunier is chair of the auctions.
To purchase tickets, become a patron or sponsor, or donate auction items to the 2015 Spring Gala, call (337) 482-0900 or visit