On-site house named after generous giver
The Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) held a special night of dedications and ceremonies on Thursday, Oct. 20, to honor outstanding students as well as the memory of a ULM benefactor.
The dedication of the Ellen Randall House, the annex by the CCM, began that night. Carl Thameling, head of the Communications Department, and Father Job Edathinatt of the CCM dedicated the house following the ribbon cutting done by Eric Thibodeaux. Bishop Michael Duca performed the blessing. A close friend of Randall’s named Carol Christopher, a former director of Music Education at ULM, shared a speech about Randall.
According to Christopher, Randall was a Monroe local who was originally from Michigan. She and her husband, Warren, moved down here so he could open the Piccadilly restaurant. She lived to be almost 100 years old and was a regular member of Our Lady of Fatima even in her old age. Randall’s passion was to save up money not for herself but for the benefit of others. When she passed away three years ago, she donated money to numerous churches. Although she never had kids of her own, she wanted this money to benefit the future generations to come.
“Ellen always did what she said she was going to do. This house will be a sacred place for anyone to come to worship, study or hang out,” said Christopher. “She wanted to share her passion for God with others.”
The Scholar’s Mass followed the blessing of the house.
Seven students received scholarships for their academic achievements and hard work presented by professors Laurie Babin, Sean Chenoweth and Karen Frye. The scholarship recipients for their academic successes included: Jenae’ Clay, atmospheric sciences major; Fernando Cordova, accounting major; Robert J. Esponge, doctoral pharmacy student and Robert Connor Wofford, history major. The meritorious service awards included: John Michael Lon, pre-pharmacy major; Kevin Mues, general business major; and Tyra Rivera, biology major.
All seven students chosen from the CCM were required to write an essay about how faith is helping them in this phase of their lives.
“I feel so honored. It is a truly humbling award to be given,” said Clay. “I love serving the CCM because it gives you a sense of peace to work with this wonderful family of love.”
