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August 3, 2007

ULM’s Otis LoVette retires after serving 44 years as an educator

Otis LoVette is retiring after 44 years as an educator, 13 of those spent instructing and inspiring students at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. A retirement reception celebrating his career was held Aug. 2.

He served as a science teacher, principal, superintendent (12 years), and dean at a community college before coming to ULM in 1994 as an associate professor in administration and supervision. Prior to his arrival at this university, he left Southeastern Louisiana University after a three-year stint in the educational leadership program teaching various administration courses

LoVette has made over 100 presentations at all levels, has numerous publications, and also has a published book, “If it’s not broken…polish it.”

He has served as Endowed Professor in Educational Leadership for five years, was president of the Louisiana Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (four years), past president of the State Leadership Academy Council, served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-South Educational Research Association, worked with numerous state initiatives, and was the principal writer of ULM’s nationally recognized program in educational leadership.

One of LoVette’s doctoral students, Susie Watts, received the award for the best dissertation from the American Educational Research Association, beating out Stanford University for the honor.

LoVette has many other awards and accolades, according to Charles Pryor, head of the ULM Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling. “Dr. LoVette took the lead in our program redesign. He’s always been my go-to man, keeping his commitments to the letter. He’s a fantastic bridge player, and his work ethic is summed up by his book title—even when things are going well, take the opportunity to hone your craft. I have had some really strong, complimentary letters from our students about their experiences with him and his classes. He’s a heckuva guy with an excellent sense of humor, and he’s going to leave a hole in my faculty when he walks out.”

LoVette and his wife Senna, retired secondary special education supervisor for Ouachita Parish, will make their retirement home in Monroe where they have many friends. LoVette says his biggest regret is that he will miss the relationship he had with his students.

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