ATL DUNAA Spotlight

In This Issue

Message from
The President’s Corner
Dr. Monique Guillory

Bleu Devil Profile:
Veterans & Active Duty Military
Campus Affiliations
Personal Celebrations
Contact Information
Mentorship Interest
Business Owners
Royal Court

Bleu Ink:
The Dillard Woman, Alumna Valda La Stewart-Williams ’81

Bleu Spotlight:
Alumnus Eugene Lamb, Jr. ’71
Alumna Virsa Perkins ’17

Bleu Pulse:
Welcome, Class of 2029!

Bleu Horizons:
NEW Career Connection

The President's Corner

A Message from Dr. Monique Guillory

Dear Bleu Devils,

I am thrilled to share with you that my Investiture as the 9th president of Dillard University will be held October 30 – November 2, 2025, during our Homecoming weekend. It is an extraordinary honor to serve as the first native New Orleanian president of this great institution, and I could not be more excited to celebrate this moment with you.

The theme I have chosen for my investiture is “Dare to Dream.” This theme reflects how I see Dillard and the incredible community that surrounds it. Our students dare to dream boldly as they prepare for bright futures. Our faculty and staff dare to dream of the profound impact they make in the lives of students each day. Our alumni dare to dream of a university that continues to grow, thrive, and uplift the next generation of Bleu Devils. And as your president, I dare to dream of leaving a legacy that creates lasting and powerful impacts for generations to come.

The weekend will be filled with moments of pride, celebration, and community. I invite you to join us:

Thursday, October 30—Join us as we will cut the ribbon on the NEW Innovation Collective Residence Hall.
Friday, October 31—Experience the Investiture Ceremony on the Avenue of the Oaks, followed by the Investiture Gala (Theme: Twilight on the Oaks) in the Professional Schools Building (PSB).
Saturday, November 1—While on campus enjoying our Homecoming Parade and Tailgate, join us at the Celebration of NOLA Music Festival in Lawless Chapel.
Sunday, November 2—Before you return home, join us for the Ecumenical Service at 10 a.m. in Lawless Chapel.

I am deeply honored to serve Dillard University and to stand alongside each of you as we charter new courses and embrace new opportunities. With great Bleu Devil pride, I look forward to celebrating this historic weekend with you—making memories, honoring our past, and dreaming together of the future.

With gratitude and pride,

Monique Guillory, Ph.D.
President, Dillard University

ARE YOU A BLEU DEVIL VETERAN, CURRENTLY SERVING, OR ON ACTIVE DUTY, Sonia?

We want to honor your service and celebrate your contributions to our nation and the Dillard family. Update your alumni profile today and let us recognize you in future features and events.

Update Your Veteran Info

The Dillard Woman

by Alumna Valda La Stewart-Williams ’81

She’s one of a kind, of poise and grace,

She doesn’t have to wear furs, diamonds nor lace.

She’s seen as THE ULTIMATE WOMAN OF GLEE,

Cynthia, Pam, Lisa, Denise – YOU and even ME!

She chose this school at a very young age,

Didn’t know what to expect when she saw the KEARNY stage.

The students were gathered and enjoying the sun,

Her heart was set at ease for she thought “this is going to be fun!”

The campus was BEAUTIFUL like nothing ever seen,

She now had proof from the reading -Yes, it was “Gleaming White and Spacious Green”

The buildings were marked STERN and ROWSENWALL HALL,

She wondered “How would she get up the stairs with books without taking a fall?”

From its radiant beauty “too much” to handle soooo much to behold,

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE was expected she had been told.

But…she’s only a teen – she’ll run across the grass”,

NO NO young lady – The Dillard Woman walks with class.

OH MY GRACIOUS how will she fit in?

An upperclassman whispered – “no worries home girl – soon you will blend in”.

Things began to feel right…things began to come together,

My dorm, my friends and even Louisiana’s humid weather.

I heard names like – Dr. Cook, Dr. Thompson, Dr. Sudden and someone named
“SPEARS”,

Before my graduation I could be in a shamble maybe even in TEARS!

In a crowd of thousands it is SHE that causes you to take a double look,

YES, OH YES…”that’s THE Dillard Woman who was in the Ebony book”.

The girls were in abundance, the males not so much,

However…the few that I saw seemed to have the magic touch.

They charmed us, opened doors and asked some for “their hand”,

THE DILLARD WOMAN got a degree and the icing…..well, some got THEIR MAN”!

No football, no marching band nor sports like some others,

But male professors were like fathers, the females like our mothers.

They taught us, empowered us, they loved us you see…

I’m THE DILLARD WOMAN – A pace setter…wouldn’t you agree?

EUGENE LAMB, JR. ELECTED CHAIR OF TSC BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Alumnus Eugene Lamb, Jr. '71

Congratulations to Eugene Lamb, Jr. on being elected Chair of the Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees for the fifth time. First appointed in 2007, Lamb has served in education, athletics, and public office, including roles as a teacher, basketball coach, Gadsden County Commissioner, and Midway mayor. Recognized nationally with awards such as the 2024 AACC Trustee of the Year, he is also a member of both the TSC Alumni and Friends Hall of Fame and the Dillard University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Your decades of dedication to education, athletics, and community service continue to inspire, and we look forward to the impact your leadership will bring to TSC, Eugene!

FROM DILLARD TO DIPLOMACY: VIRSA PERKINS LEADS ABROAD

Alumna Virsa Hurt Perkins '17

Congratulations to Alumna Virsa Perkins ’17 on being appointed as the Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka, Japan. Since joining the State Department in 2008, she has served in Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Afghanistan, Japan, and India, including roles as Chief of Staff in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and Political/Economic Chief in Chennai. A Memphis native, Perkins credits Dillard, where she majored in Japanese Studies and studied abroad, for shaping her path to foreign service and encourages HBCU students to dream big and pursue global opportunities.

Congratulations to Virsa on this remarkable achievement and her continued leadership on the world stage!

You can keep the Bleu Devil community updated on your latest news. Click the button to the left to share any news such as new career moves, marriages, births, or more!

DILLARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

Nominations Deadline is APPROACHING!!!

September 1 is the final day to submit nominations for a Bleu Devil who helps celebrate those who embody the future spirit of Dillard.

Submit your nomination here.

Contact: Athletic Director, Dr. Linda Bell at lbell@dillard.edu.

Submit your nomination here.

Contact: Athletic Director, Dr. Linda Bell at lbell@dillard.edu.

EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

The 2026 UNCF National Alumni and Pre-Alumni Councils Leadership Conference in Houston will bring together students, alumni, and HBCU leaders to inspire growth, leadership, and opportunity. Your support helps provide students with workshops, networking, and recognition that can transform their futures.

Join us in giving back to empower the next generation of Bleu Devils and HBCU leaders!

Empower our students TODAY.

INTRODUCING DILLARD'S NEW CAREER CONNECTION

We’re proud to launch a brand new career connection platform designed to connect Dillard alumni with career opportunities, professional resources, and each other. As part of our pilot phase, alumni are getting early access to explore and engage.

Whether you’re looking for your next career move or hoping to give back, this platform offers powerful tools to:

Search and apply for curated job opportunities
Post job openings if you’re hiring. Your first listing is FREE with code DILLARDFREE
Mentor current students and young alumni seeking guidance and inspiration
Build your profile and connect with fellow Bleu Devils across industries

This is more than a job board. It’s a space to unmask the power of us by advancing careers, opening doors, and nurturing the next generation of leaders!

Sign Up & Explore the Platform TODAY!

Your experience, insight, and connections can make a lasting difference. It’s part of how we remain bright, bold, and bleu.