Ray Authement wasn't always a university president.

In 1957, he began his 51-year career at UL as a teacher.

And on Wednesday, along with four of his faculty members, Authement was honored for his first passion found in the classroom when the university's Foundation renamed its excellence in teaching award in his honor.

The Foundation celebrated Authement's contributions during its annual distinguished professors banquet Wednesday, which recognized the three distinguished professors of 2008: John Hathorn, professor of visual arts; Hector LaSala, professor of architecture; and Ardith Sudduth, assistant professor of nursing.

The Foundation's first Dr. Ray Authement Excellence in Teaching Award was received by L. Dwynn Lafleur, physics professor, and one of Authement's former students.

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Marsha Sills
msills@theadvertiser.com