Zachary Richard to Receive Honorary Degree from UL

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  The University of Louisiana will issue internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter and poet Zachary Richard an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts during the Graduate School commencement ceremony on Dec. 20. The ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Cajundome.

Richard was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. He began his musical career at 8 years of age as a soprano of the Bishop’s Boys Choir at St. John’s Cathedral in Lafayette and scored his first record contract in 1972. He has since recorded 15 albums and is influenced by the musical styles typical of the region – Cajun, Zydeco and New Orleans rhythm and blues.

He grew up in a typical Cajun family, learning to speak from his grandparents. Completely bilingual, Richard composes both in English and French. He is a committed defender of the native French language of Louisiana and is a founding member of Action Cadienne, a volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion of the Cadien language and culture.

In recognition of his contribution to French language culture, Richard was decorated Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the Republic of France in 1997. He is also the recipient of five Félix (French Canadian Grammies) in the category of chanteur francophone le plus illustrié au Québec (the most illustrious French language singer in Quebec).

“ It is fitting that Zachary Richard receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette – the Universitié des Acadiens,” said University of Louisiana President Dr. Joseph Savoie. “He is a defender of Southwest Louisiana’s culture and heritage and he deserves to be honored in this way.”

Richard produced and narrated “Against the Tide,” a one-hour documentary detailing the history of the Cajun people from their origins in France to the present day in collaboration with UL professors Dr. Carl Brasseaux and Dr. Barry Ancelet. The film was awarded the Best Historical Documentary by the National Education Television Authority in 2000. The French version of the documentary was awarded the Prix Historia the same year. Richard is also committed to the preservation of the natural environment as well.

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, he collaborated with French singer-songwriter Francis Crabrel to organize a concert in Paris. This concert raised a considerable contribution to the relief efforts. The pair co-wrote a song, “La promesse cassée” (The Broken Promise) which appears on his most recent album “Lumiere dans le noir.” The artists’ royalties are devoted to aiding New Orleans musicians impacted by the hurricane.

UL Press Release

[Turbine]

Congratulations Mr. Richard.

Q: If Alvin Dark was given an honorary degree, (he tried to come back after WWII) could we induct him in the UL Hall of Fame?


igeaux.mobi

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  Zachary Richard has long been a champion for the preservation of the French language and culture through his song writing and poetry. And while Richard has spent most of his career working to shine a spotlight on Acadian culture, he now finds himself in a spotlight of his own.

Richard will receive an honorary doctorate of Fine Arts during UL's Graduate School commencement ceremonies Dec. 20 in recognition of his tireless work as an ambassador of music and language of the area.

For Richard, the honor elicits simple emotion.

"It's an honor, and I'm very pleased," Richard said. "Yeah, that's about it."

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Cody Daigle • cdaigle@theadvertiser.com • December 13, 2008