Carlos Fandal touched many lives through his words and actions during his 43 years at ULM..

Fandal, known as a professor, dean and mentor, died at the age of 76 on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Fandal started the foreign language department at ULM in 1967 under direction of former ULM President George T. Walker.

The department now includes courses in Chinese, Latin, Spanish and French.

Fandal became dean of the College of Liberal Arts in 1993.  Fandal later helped to consolidate two colleges into the College of Arts and Sciences in 2002.  Fandal served as dean for 13 years before returning to the foreign language classroom.

Morgan Smith said Fandal’s contribution to the university opened up “a whole new world” for students.

“Different cultures are expanding and mixing more by the minute! He has given so many students throughout the years the opportunity to learn a skill they can benefit from for the rest of their lives,” said Smith, a senior Spanish major and president of the ULM chapter of Phi Tau Gamma..

Fandal started the ULM chapter of the foreign language club, Phi Tau Gamma, for students.

Smith said Phi Tau Gamma gave students who share love of culture and language “a place to call their own.”

“They get to be surrounded by people who love and appreciate such an important aspect of human interaction,” Smith said.

Fandal was recognized for his hard work by many, including the French government.

Fandal helped in founding the Louisiana Foreign Language Association.  The committee he served on developed the Council on the Development of French in Louisiana.

He also helped establish a program for recruiting elementary and middle school teachers from Belgium, Quebec and France to teach in Louisiana.

Charles Holloway, professor of world languages at ULM, said Fandal’s impact as both professor and administrator is “still clearly evident” at ULM and beyond.

Holloway said Fandal’s students who studied with him remember him as a “skillful and dedicated teacher.”

Some of these students also became teachers, including three current faculty members in the Department of World Languages.

“Dr. Fandal always made it clear that excellence in teaching was the top priority of the department,” Holloway said.

Holloway said Fandal was a role model for professors and administrators and a “steadfast supporter of academic quality.”

He described Fandal as a gracious and caring person who valued respect.

Fandal will be warmly remembered by those who attended ULM and had the pleasure of taking his classes.

He is survived by his wife and children.

Fandal was a Slidell, Louisiana native.