Pothier Jean (P.J.) Voorhies received his diploma from Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute in 1903, along with 17 other members of the institution's inaugural graduating class. His imprints can still be found across Lafayette – from a Legacy Park apartment building on campus to a tiny plaque on a side door at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist to vintage photographs at multiple Raising Cane's restaurants.

Voorhies served as a founding member of the basketball and baseball teams and the first president of the now-University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association in 1903. A few years ago, Voorhies' descendants donated his original diploma to the Alumni Center. Dan Hare, the association's director of community engagement, said the artifact is especially meaningful because it represents the rich traditions and growth initiated by that first graduating class.

By: Marie Elizabeth Oliver
Louisiana.edu