On the evening of Thursday, November 3rd in Lake Charles, LA, the King, Queen, Duke and Duchess of the Louisiana Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers were crowned and inducted into the state association’s royal court. They are, left to right: Megan Carrigee (Duchess), LA Tech,Associate Director of Admissions and Director of Recruiting and Data Processing; Stephanie Tarver (Queen), Associate VP for Enrollment Management McNeese State University; Kelly Rodrigue (King), University Registrar at Nicholls State University, and W. Bryant Faust (Duke), University Registrar Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans.
Clearly informed by the King and Queen of Carnival Mardi Gras traditions, the LACRAO court emerged in the 1990’s as a fun way for admissions road warriors in the state to recognize colleagues who performed in some exceptional way during the fall travel season. The first LACRAO kings and queens were given crowns of paper from the local Burger King. As the tradition gained momentum, the registrars in the association began to be recognized, and a duke and duchess were added to the court.
What began as a lark has evolved into a coveted honor for admissions, enrollment management and records professionals in the state of Louisiana. The responsibilities and adornment of the royals have become more elaborate over the years. Court members are chosen for service to the organization, enthusiasm for the conference, or exceptional professional work in the previous year by a semi-secret committee made up of previous court members. The immediate past court is in charge of the crowning of the new court, as well as the obtaining of the actual physical crowns given to the new royals. The induction ceremony includes a reading of poems crafted by the current court that give clues to the identity of the newly chosen royals, with a big reveal at the end of each one.
Ryan Garrity, Associate University Registrar of Tulane University of Louisiana and 2015 King of LACRAO introduced the new King with the following poem:
Along Bayou Lafourche’s gentle waters
A colonel resides, with two sons, no daughters
With a lovely wife who shares both his names
He’s almost always down to business, no fun and games.
The truth is he’s funny, witty and smart
And sings excellent bass, a truly musical art.
With 20 years in our profession and four degrees to boot
It’s about time our new king’s reign finally takes root.
For all you newbies who might still be intrigued…
The 21st King of LACRAO is Kelly Rodrigue!
Does your state or regional association have a unique tradition? Contact Brooke, editor of the Connect newsletter, and tell us about it!