LSUE plans to honor its first chancellor, Anthony Mumphrey

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The Acadian Center on the LSU Eunice campus is to be renamed in honor of the first chancellor, Dr. Anthony Mumphrey.
The renaming request is to be presented at the LSU Board of Supervisors meeting in December.
Current Chancellor Nancee Sorenson stated, “Chancellor Mumphrey was a visionary leader who understood the promise and opportunity for the citizens of the Acadiana region with the establishment of Louisiana State University at Eunice.”
Mumphrey guided the establishment of LSUE beginning in 1965. In 1977, he was promoted from dean to chancellor of the university and served until his retirement in 1988.
“It is fitting that the Acadian Center, the hub of student and community activities, be named for him. His commitment and passion to bring higher education to all past, present and future students in order to improve the lives of families and the economy of the region and state will never be forgotten,” Sorenson said.
The presentation to the LSU Board states, “Dr. Mumphrey guided planning of the campus, assembled the initial faculty and staff, and developed the administrative structure and continued to lead the university until his retirement in 1988. Dr. Mumphrey set the goal to make LSU Eunice a comprehensive community college, serving all segments of the population in addition to traditional four-year college students.
“During his more than two decades as head administrator of the college, Dr. Mumphrey worked to expand the physical facilities to accommodate the growing enrollment. His early leadership is reflected today in continued success of LSU Eunice.”
Mumphrey died in 2016. He as 94.
Mumphrey and his wife, Amelie, raised eight children in Eunice.
Scott, one of four sons, said, “He would be absolutely humbled by it. He put so much of his life into that school and education in general.”
His father considered it the ultimate opportunity to start LSUE.
“My dad would be very pleased. We are obviously very excited about him being recognized in this way and after all the hard work that he put in that university there will be something carrying his name now as a reminder of his commitment,” Scott Mumphrey said.