List of University of Louisiana at Lafayette people

This is a list of University of Louisiana at Lafayette people, alumni or faculty affiliated with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a public research university in Lafayette, Louisiana. To be included in this list the person must demonstrate notability by having an article and the article must state a connect the person to the school.

Academia, scholars
• Barry Jean Ancelet (born 1951), ULL faculty since 1977; ULL alumni, graduated in 1974; folklorist of Cajun culture and expert of Cajun music and language.

• Carl A. Brasseaux (born 1951), historian that helped pioneer the field of Cajun history; University of Louisiana at Lafayette professor and director of the Center for Louisiana Studies and the Center for Eco-Tourism, also an alumnus.

• Irene Whitfield Holmes (1900–1993), ethnomusicologist, educator, and a significant collector of Cajun, Creole, and Louisiana French folk songs.

• Ann Metzinger (1931–2022), ULL class of 1951; public health researcher and nutritionist who taught at Tulane University for 42 years

Actors, models
• Felecia Angelle (born 1986), voice actress affiliated with Funimation

• Judith Ford (born 1949), beauty pageants, Miss America 1969

• Adrianne Frost (born 1978), comedian, author, and actress

• Leigh Hennessy, film stuntwoman, former trampoline champion

• Ali Landry (born 1973), Miss USA 1996, actress, model

• Monty Lopez (born 1975), actor, entrepreneur, online celebrity

• Richard Simmons (1948–2024), television personality, exercise guru; he transferred to and graduated from Florida State University

• Daniel Sunjata (born 1971), film, television and theater actor, Tony Award nominee, winner of Theatre World Award in 2003

Artist and designers
• Rob Guillory, comic book artist, writer

• Gregory Krikko Obbott, Nigerian-American artist and architect

• George Rodrigue (1944–2013), artist known for his "Blue Dog" painted series and early art depicting Cajun life

• Floyd Sonnier (1933–2002), Cajun pen and ink artist

• Keith Sonnier (1941–2002), Postminimalist sculptor, performance artist, video and light artist.

• A. Hays Town (1903–2005), architect

Filmmakers
• Royd Anderson, filmmaker

• Marc Breaux, choreographer of movies such as Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

• Saad Khan, film director, screenwriter and acting teacher; founder of FirstAction Studios.

Journalists
• David Begnaud, journalist and news correspondent

• Isiah Carey, television news reporter (KRIV, Houston, Texas)

• Farooq Kperogi, journalist, media scholar at Kennesaw State University

Musicians
• D'Jalma Garnier (born 1954), musician, composer, he is best known for Creole and Cajun fiddle

• Frank Ocean (born 1987), singer, songwriter, record producer, photographer, and visual artist

• Eddy Raven, singer and songwriter; six no. 1 songs on the country music charts

Writers, poets
• James Lee Burke, novelist, writer; The Lost Get-Back Boogie was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize

• Wiley Cash, author

• Kody Chamberlain, comic book writer

• Hedwig Gorski, poet, author

• Gary Lavergne, non-fiction novelist

• Matthew R. Miller, novelist

Law, government, and politics
• Scott Angelle, U.S. Director of Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement since 2017; former member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission (2013–2017); Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (2010); Louisiana Secretary of Natural Resources (2004–2012) (R)

• Lottie Beebe, Superintendent of St. Martin Parish School Board; former member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for District 3 (R)

• Charlotte Beers, former undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs (2001–2003)

• Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (deceased), Louisiana governor (2004–2008), Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (1996–2004), member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission (1986–1996); Louisiana Representative from the 45th District (1984–1989) (D)

• Gerald Boudreaux, Louisiana Senator from the 24th District (2016–present) and Minority Leader of the Louisiana Senate (2021–present) (D)

• Charles Boustany, former U.S. representative from Louisiana's 3rd congressional district (2013–2017); former U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 7th congressional district (2005–2013) (R)

• John Breaux, former U.S. senator (1987–2005); former U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 7th congressional district (1972–1987) (D)

• Jefferson Caffery (deceased), former U.S. ambassador to Egypt, France, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, and El Salvador (1926–1933, 1933–1955); U.S. Assistant Secretary of State (1933)

• Patrick T. Caffery (deceased), former U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 3rd congressional district (1969–1973); Louisiana State Representative from Iberia Parish (1964–1968) (D)

• Thomas G. Clausen (deceased), last elected State Superintendent of Education, 1984–1988; received bachelor's degree from ULL (D)

• Page Cortez, Louisiana State Senator for Lafayette Parish (District 23) (2012–present) and President of the Louisiana Senate (2020–present); former Louisiana State Representative from Lafayette Parish (District 43) (2008–2012) (R)

• Cindy Courville, 1st U.S. ambassador to the African Union (2006–2008); Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council (2001–2003)

• Jesse C. Deen (deceased), Louisiana State Representative from District 9 (1972–1988); former member of the Bossier Parish Police Jury (1960–1972) (R)

• James "Jimmy" Domengeaux (deceased), former U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 3rd congressional district (1941–1944;, Louisiana State Representative from Lafayette Parish (1940) (D)

• Gil Dozier (deceased), Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry 1976–1980; graduated from ULL and played basketball for the Ragin' Cajuns prior to 1956 (D)

• Joey Durel, former Mayor-President of City of Lafayette and Lafayette Parish (2004–2016) (R)

• William T. Dzurilla, international attorney and law clerk to Justice Byron White of the United States Supreme Court (1982–1983)

• Julie Emerson, Louisiana State Representative for District 39 (2016–present) (R)

• Lether Frazar (deceased), former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (1956–1960); Louisiana State Representative for Beauregard Parish (1936–1940) (D)

• Josh Guillory, Lafayette Mayor-President (2020–present) (R)

• Richard T. Haik, Class of 1971, United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, based in Lafayette (1991–2015); Judge of the Louisiana 16th Judicial District (1984–1991)

• Ted Haik, former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 49 (1976–1996) (D)

• Paul Hardy, former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (1988–1992); Louisiana Secretary of State (1976–1980); Louisiana State Senator for Iberia and St. Martin Parishes (1972–1976) (R)

• Jimmy Hayes, former U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 7th congressional district (1987–1997) (R)

• David Heitmeier former Louisiana State Senator for District 7 (Orleans Parish) (2008–2016) (D)

• Donald E. Hines (deceased), former Louisiana State Senator from Avoyelles Parish (1993–2008); President of the Senate (2004–2008) (D)

• Mike "Pete" Huval, Louisiana State Representative from District 46 (2011–present); former member of St. Martin Parish Council from District 4 (1996–2011) (R)

• Jeff Landry, 57th Governor of Louisiana (2024–present), 45th Attorney General of Louisiana (2016–2024), U.S. Representative from LA's 3rd congressional district (2011–2013) (R)

• Dudley J. LeBlanc (deceased) former Louisiana State Senator for Vermillion and Acadia Parishes (1940–1944; 1948–1952; 1964–1971); President Pro Tempore of the Louisiana State Senate (1948–1952); Louisiana Public Service Commissioner (1926–1932); Louisiana State Representative for Vermillion Parish (1924–1926) (D)

• Charlie Melancon, former Louisiana Secretary of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (2016); former U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 3rd congressional district (2005–2011); former Louisiana Representative for District 60 (1987–1993) (D)

• Roderick Miller (deceased), former Louisiana State Representative for Lafayette Parish (1966–1968) (R)

• Ellen Bryan Moore (deceased), former Louisiana Register of State Lands (1952–1956, 1960–1976) (D)

• Robert L. Mouton (deceased), former U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 3rd congressional district (1937–1941), Mayor of Lafayette, Louisiana (1919–1927; 1931–1935) (D)

• Sandra Peuler, Utah's Third District Court judge in Salt Lake City, former Chief Judge of Utah Third District Court (2001–2007)

• Ed Rand (deceased) Louisiana State Representative from Rapides Parish (1960–1964) (D) →

• Joel Robideaux, former Lafayette, Louisiana City-Parish President (2016–2020), former Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives (2010–2012), former Louisiana State Representative for District 45 (2004–2016) (R)

• Craig Romero, former Louisiana State Senator for District 22 (1993–2008), President of the Iberia Parish Commission (1984–1992) (R)

• Tom Schedler, former Secretary of State for Louisiana (2010–2018), former Louisiana State Senator from District 11 (1996–2008), Member of the Slidell City Council from District F (1990–1996) (R)

• Sam H. Theriot, member of the Louisiana House of Representative from Vermilion Parish (1979–1996) (D)

• J. Emile Verret (deceased), former lieutenant governor of Louisiana (1944–1948) (D)

Military
• Steven L. Bennett, posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart in the Vietnam War

• Charles B. DeBellevue, first Air Force weapon systems officer to become a flying "Ace" and most successful American flying ace of the Vietnam War

• Jefferson J. DeBlanc, World War II ace fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient

• Bennett Landreneau, major general, director of the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

• Felix "Gene" Moncla, Jr., US Air Force pilot who disappeared over Lake Superior in 1953.

• Clifford Schoeffler (deceased), former brigadier general, United States Air Force

• Brod Veillon, brigadier general, assistant adjutant general-air for Louisiana

Science and technology
• Meredith Blackwell, biologist, mycologist, former president of the Mycological Society of America and former president of the International Mycological Association

• Albert H. Crews, former U.S. astronaut (1962–1988)

• Jay F. Honeycutt, former director of the Kennedy Space Center

• Alex McCool, manager of NASA Space Shuttle Projects Office (1960–)

• Wilma Subra, environmentalist, 1999 MacArthur Fellow

Religious

 * Roy Bourgeois, priest; founder of the human rights group SOA Watch (1990–)
 * Sam Seamans, bishop, Reformed Episcopal Church

American football
• Michael Adams, cornerback, Arizona Cardinals (2007–2012), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013)

• Louis Age, offensive tackle, Chicago Bears (1992)

• Patrise Alexander, linebacker, Washington Redskins (1996–1998), Philadelphia Eagles (1999)

• Boris Anyama, linebacker, Atlanta Falcons (2015)

• James Atkins, offensive tackle, Seattle Seahawks (1994–1997), Baltimore Ravens (1998–1999), Detroit Lions (2000)

• D'Anthony Batiste, offensive tackle, Carolina Panthers (2006), Atlanta Falcons (2007–2008), Washington Redskins (2008–2009), Denver Broncos (2009–2010), Arizona Cardinals (2010–2012), Pittsburgh Steelers (2013)

• Bill Bentley, cornerback, Detroit Lions (2012–2015)

• Bill Blackburn (deceased), center, Chicago Cardinals (1946–1950)

• C. C. Brown, safety, Houston Texans (2005–2008), New York Giants (2009), Detroit Lions (2010), Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)

• Chris Cagle (deceased), halfback, New York Giants (1930–1932), Brooklyn Dodgers (1933–1934), College Football Hall of Fame (1954)

• Anthony Clement, offensive tackle, Arizona Cardinals (1998–2005), San Francisco 49ers (2005), New York Jets (2006–2007),

• Kenyon Cotton (deceased), running back, Baltimore Ravens (1997–1998)

• Richie Cunningham, place kicker, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars (1997–2002)

• Joe DeForest, linebacker, New Orleans Saints (1987)

• Jake Delhomme, quarterback, New Orleans Saints (1998–2002), Carolina Panthers (2003–2009), Cleveland Browns (2010), Houston Texans (2011)

• Michael Desormeaux, quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars (2009), Calgary Stampede (2009), currently serving as the university's head football coach

• Tyrell Fenroy, running back; Chicago Bears (2009) school, state and Sun Belt Conference all-time leading rusher; one of eight NCAA FBS players with four consecutive 1,000 yd seasons

• Chris Gannon, defensive line, San Diego Chargers (1989), New England Patriots (1990–1993)

• Ladarius Green, tight end, San Diego Chargers (2013–2015), Pittsburgh Steelers (2016)

• Mark Hall, defensive end, Green Bay Packers (1989–1990)

• Kyries Hebert, defensive back, Minnesota Vikings (2002), Houston Texans (2002), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005) Cincinnati Bengals (2008–2010)

• Keno Hills, tackle, New Orleans Saints (1996–1998), Chicago Bears (1999), Miami Dolphins (2000)

• Weldon Humble (deceased), offensive lineman, Cleveland Browns (1947–1950), Dallas Texans (1952), College Football Hall of Fame (1961)

• Elvis Joseph, running back, Jacksonville Jaguars (2001–2002)

• Randy McClanahan, linebacker, Oakland Raiders (1977), Buffalo Bills (1978), Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1980–1982)

• Elijah McGuire, running back, New York Jets (2017–2018), Cleveland Browns (2019), Kansas City Chiefs (2019–2020, 2021–present), Dallas Cowboys (2020), Miami Dolphins (2020)

• Brian Mitchell, running back, Washington Redskins (1990–1999), Philadelphia Eagles (2000–2002), New York Giants (2003)

• Elijah Mitchell, running back, San Francisco 49ers (2021-present)

• Donovan Morgan, wide receiver, New York Jets (2004), Houston Texans (2005), Kansas City Chiefs (2007), Buffalo Bills (2007)

• Todd Scott, defensive back, Minnesota Vikings (1991–1994), New York Jets (1995), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995–1996), Kansas City Chiefs (1997)

• Rafael Septién, place-kicker, New Orleans Saints (1977), Los Angeles Rams (1977), Dallas Cowboys (1978–1986), Denver Broncos (1989)

• Antwain Spann, cornerback for the New York Giants (2005), New England Patriots (2006–2008), Buffalo Bills (2009), Denver Broncos (2009)

• Brandon Stokley, wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens (1999–2002), Indianapolis Colts (2003–2006), Denver Broncos (2007–2009), Seattle Seahawks (2010)

• Ike Taylor, defensive back, Pittsburgh Steelers (2003–2014)

• Orlando Thomas (deceased), defensive back, Minnesota Vikings (1995–2001)

• Charles Tillman, cornerback, Chicago Bears (2003–2014), Carolina Panthers (2015)

• Clarence Verdin, wide receiver, Washington Redskins (1986–1987), Indianapolis Colts (1988–1993), Atlanta Falcons (1994)

• Melvin White, cornerback, Carolina Panthers (2013), St. Louis Rams (2015), Minnesota Vikings (2016)

Baseball
• Jose Alvarez, player for the Atlanta Braves (1977–1978)

• Gene Bacque, only non-Japanese player to receive the Eiji Sawamura Award; Hanshin (Japan) Tigers (1962–1968), Kintetsu Buffaloes (1969)

• Paul Bako, player for the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Florida Marlins, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals (1998–2009)

• Alvin Dark, former shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball

• Phil Devey, Canadian baseball pitcher

• Scott Dohmann, player for the Colorado Rockies (1999–2000)

• Ron Guidry, 1978 Cy Young Award winner; player for the New York Yankees (1975–1988)

• Gary Haught, player for the Oakland Athletics (1991–1997)

• Xavier Hernandez, player for the Toronto Blue Jays (1984–1989), Houston Astros (1990–1993, 1996), New York Yankees (1994), Cincinnati Reds (1995–1996), Texas Rangers (1997–1998)

• Chris Howard, player for the Seattle Mariners (1988–1991, 1993–1994)

• Jonathan Lucroy, player for the Milwaukee Brewers (2010–2016), Texas Rangers (2016–2017), Colorado Rockies (2017), Oakland A's (2018–present)

• B. J. Ryan, player for the Cincinnati Reds (1999), Baltimore Orioles (1999–2005), Toronto Blue Jays (2006–2009)

• Blake Trahan, former Cincinnati Reds shortstop; 2015 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year

• Donne Wall, player for the Houston Astros (1995–1997), San Diego Padres (1998–2000), New York Mets (2001), Anaheim Angels (2002)

Basketball
• Frank Bartley (born 1994), player for Ironi Ness Ziona of the Israeli Basketball Premier League

• Kevin Brooks, former player for the Denver Nuggets (1991–94)

• JaKeenan Gant (born 1996), player for Hapoel Be'er Sheva of the Israeli Basketball Premier League

• Orien Greene, player for Boston Celtics (2005–2006), Indiana Pacers (2006–2007), Sacramento Kings (2007), and New Jersey Nets (2011)

• Bo Lamar, former Indiana Pacers (1975–76), Los Angeles Lakers (1976–77), and ABA player

• Shawn Long, player for Philadelphia 76ers (2017)

• Elfrid Payton, player for Orlando Magic (2014–18), Phoenix Suns (2018), New Orleans Pelicans (2018)

• Kim Perrot (deceased), former player with Houston Comets

• Fred Saunders, former Phoenix Suns (1974–1976), Boston Celtics (1976–78), and New Orleans Jazz (1978) player

• Johnathan Stove (born 1995), player for Hapoel Galil Elyon of the Israeli Basketball Premier League

• Andrew Toney, former player for Philadelphia 76ers (1980–88)

• Bryce Washington (born 1996), player in the Israeli National League

• Marv Winkler, former player for Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1971), Indiana Pacers (1971–1972)

Golf

 * Mike Heinen, former professional golfer
 * Craig Perks, former professional golfer, 2002 New Zealand Sportsman of the Year

Tennis

 * Tony Minnis, UL Lafayette's all-time winningest singles player with a 94–40 college career; Louisiana Coach of the Year 1995 and 1999

Track and field

 * Hollis Conway, high-jump athlete; Olympic medalist, 1988 silver, 1992 bronze
 * John McDonnell, UL Lafayette track athlete (1966–1969); coached Arkansas to 42 NCAA championships

Other

 * Dorien Llewellyn, three-time Water Ski World Championships gold medalist; won 2021 men's collegiate overall national title while competing for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns water skiing
 * Alan Jouban (attended), professional mixed martial artist, currently for the UFC's Welterweight Division
 * H. Micheal Tarver, Latin American historian; Commissioner on the Arkansas History Commission and the Arkansas Historical Records Advisory Board

Faculty

 * Barry Jean Ancelet (born 1951), ULL faculty since 1977; ULL alumni, graduated in 1974; folklorist of Cajun culture and expert of Cajun music and language
 * Carl L. Bankston (born 1952), former professor; sociologist, author, immigration expert
 * Carl W. Bauer (1933–2013), lawyer, politician and businessman; chief ULL lobbyist 1990–2010; member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature from St. Mary Parish 1966–1976
 * Carl A. Brasseaux (born 1951), historian who helped pioneer the field of Cajun history; University of Louisiana at Lafayette professor and director of the Center for Louisiana Studies and the Center for Eco-Tourism, also an alumnus
 * Michael Doucet (born in 1951), Cajun fiddler; winner of National Heritage Fellowship; designed and taught the first college course on Cajun music
 * Phebe Hayes, ULL faculty in speech pathology from 1986 until 2013, and she also served as a dean; and an independent historian of Iberia Parish.
 * Jeff Hennessy (1929–2015), associate professor of Physical Education 1959–1986; former trampoline coach to world champions
 * Elemore Morgan, Jr. (1931–2008), associate professor 1965–1998; landscape painter
 * Paul Prudhomme (1940–2015), chef famous for his Cajun cuisine; former adjunct
 * Burton Raffel (1928–2015), former professor and Chair in Humanities department 1989–2015 and professor emeritus of English starting in 2003; poet, noted for his translations of Beowulf and Cervantes' Don Quixote
 * John Kennedy Toole (1937–1969), former professor in 1959; novelist, author of A Confederacy of Dunces

Artists in residency

 * Ernest Gaines (1939–2019), writer-in-residence; nominated for the 2004 Nobel Prize in Literature and the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for fiction; author of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and A Lesson Before Dying
 * Jesse Glass (born 1954), former resident poet