Published Oct. 20, 2021
The University of Louisiana Monroe Alumni Association will host the annual Alumni
Awards Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 23, as part of ULM’s Homecoming festivities. The Alumni
Awards Brunch will be held from 10 a.m.-noon at Bayou Pointe Event Center. Tickets
can be purchased online at alumni.ulm.edu/events or by calling 318-342-5420.
This year, the brunch will also incorporate the Alumni Association Annual Meeting.
At this event, recipients of the prestigious Rising Young Alumni and Golden Arrow
awards are recognized for their commitment, advocacy, and dedication to the Alumni
Association and the university. Alumni and community members nominate recipients,
and a committee reviews submissions and announces award winners.
Rising Young Alumni Award - DeAndre Alexander
The Rising Young Alumni Award was established in 2013 and is given to an alumnus involved
in community organizations and philanthropy, a general supporter of their community,
and actively seeks ways to positively impact ULM programs and influence others on
behalf of ULM. This year, the Alumni Association will recognize DeAndre Alexander.
Alexander received his Bachelor of Science in General Studies from ULM in 2008 and
holds an M.S. in Sports Administration plus 30 from Grambling State University. While
attending ULM, he was a standout basketball player under legendary coach Mike Vining.
Alexander carried this experience with him to Arcadia High School, where he is currently
employed and has previously coached state champion sports teams. Alexander has served
as an elected public servant in various capacities, including a city councilman, one
of the youngest in Louisiana, and Bienville Parish Constable. Alexander currently
serves on the ULM Board of Directors, is a Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce Top
40 and under 40 Young Professionals nominee, and is deeply involved in his hometown
of Arcadia.
Alexander volunteers in programs such as Men Standing Up against Domestic Violence
and Tea Time for The Cure Breast Cancer. He is the founder of Calling All Young Men,
which stands up to gun violence, and the Adopt-A-Son Mentoring program for ages 7-16
in Arcadia and surrounding areas. Alexander was nominated four times during the call
for nominations for this award.
Golden Arrow Award - Tag Rome
Presented since 1981, the Golden Arrow Award is the highest honor from the ULM Alumni
Association. This award goes to someone who has distinguished themselves through personal
and professional achievement while serving the Alumni Association, going above and
beyond the call of duty over a period of years. This year’s winner is Tag Rome.
Anthony “Tag” Rome earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ULM in 1984 and
1987. He was a member of the ULM football team from 1980-83, receiving the All-Conference,
All Louisiana, All American (twice), and all Conference Academic awards. He played
professional football for the NFL and CFL. Rome served as assistant football coach
at ULM from 1989-96. He was inducted into the ULM Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
Rome is a true advocate of ULM, having memberships as an Alumni Association Lifetime
member, L Club Lifetime member, George T. Walker Heritage Society member, Kitty DeGree
Bell Tower Society member – Ouachita Society, and constantly supporting ULM in the
Shreveport area where he currently resides.
With this success, Rome is just as dedicated in his career. As a State Farm Insurance
agent in the Shreveport/Bossier area, he has developed three different locations,
is in the top one percentile of State Farm agents in America, and was recognized by
State Farm as a Million Dollar Round Table recipient.
The Alumni Association is honored to have these two advocates among their alumni base.
