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November 12, 2001

ULM dedication ceremony honors four families

The University of Louisiana at Monroe formally dedicated four areas on campus at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2001. The four areas are: The Mayme and Tom Scott Plaza; The Kitty DeGree Tower; The Clarke M. Williams, Jr., Seminar Room; and The Catherine and William R. "Billy" Boles Terrace. These dedications were made based on private donations from these individuals. The families and friends of the four benefactors were formally invited to this public ceremony along with other dignitaries and all ULM faculty, staff, and students.

One of the areas dedicated was The Clarke M. Williams, Jr., Seminar Room. It is one of the three seminar rooms on the 7th floor of the ULM Library. The room is set up for use in a variety of ways from meetings to lectures. The plaque bearing the name, Clarke M. William, Jr., hangs on the wall right beside the room.

The Catherine and William R. "Billy" Boles Terrace is also on the 7th floor of the ULM Library. The plaque bearing their names is mounted on the center column of the eastside of the terrace of the Conference Center.

The Kitty DeGree Tower is recognized as the Bell Tower of the Library. The inscription on the plaque, which is on one of the outside columns of the tower, reads:

"Placing others before self has endeared this extraordinary individual to thousands who know of and have benefited from her philanthropic spirit. The ULM family numbers among the many who have been beneficiaries of the generosity of Kitty DeGree's time, talent, and resources. In 1989, the University of Louisiana at Monroe granted to Mrs. DeGree the honorary Doctorate of Laws in recognition of her legacy of dedication and support.

To date, no single individual has provided more financial resources to enhance the University. She has endowed one Eminent Scholars Chair and five Professorships, has funded the renovation of the University House, has provided the funds for the bells and clock in the ULM Library Tower, and has established numerous scholarships. Still a leading benefactor of the Annual Fund and a member of the ULM Foundation Board of Directors, Kitty DeGree is truly a Louisiana treasure. Dedicated November 12, 2001."

There is also a picture of Mrs. DeGree above the writing.

The Mayme and Tom Scott Plaza is the area surrounding the fountain in front of the library in the central part of campus. The plaque on a large boulder in the plaza reads:

"Mayme and Tom Scott moved to Monroe in 1939 at which time they established their first farm equipment dealership, Scott Truck and Tractor. As their business grew, so did their impact on the economy, education, culture, and quality of life for the citizens of the entire Northeast Louisiana region.

Through their generosity in giving of their time, talents and resources to the University of Louisiana at Monroe over a period of four decades, they were instrumental in the growth and progress of the institution they so dearly loved. In 1961, Mr. Scott became a founding member of the ULM Foundation and later a charter member of he Northeast Louisiana Land Corporation, an entity that played an integral part in the expansion of the University's campus.

Mayme and Tom Scott embodied the qualities of character which made their lives exemplary. It is therefore fitting that the aesthetic beauty of this plaza reflect those enduring qualities, which are displayed throughout it, and serve as a timeless legacy of this exceptional couple. May all those who pass through the Mayme and Tom Scott Plaza in the pursuit of their dreams and life ambitions embrace these qualities as their own.

"Education has for its object the formation of character."
Herbert Spencer.
Dedicated November 12, 2001."

These qualities of character, which you can see displayed as one word per rock on stones surrounding the fountain are: honesty, grace, courage, dignity, compassion, generosity, wisdom, loyalty, perseverance, and prudence.

ULM President, Lawson L. Swearingen, Jr., says, "I ask you then to remember always this day and this hour when the University was honored by, and in turn honored, these uncommonly generous members of our community. Generations to come will know not only the names of Clark Williams, Jr., Catherine and Billy Boles, Mayme and Tom Scott, and Kitty DeGree---but will also know through these gifts that they were caring, thoughtful individuals who invested in what is man's best hope: education."

The dedication ceremony was made possible by the ULM Foundation.

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