Through the generosity of three donors, a young Live Oak tree was purchased, planted and soon to be dedicated on the grounds of the University of Louisiana Lafayette Foundation in memory of philanthropist Forrest K. “Dick” Dowty.  A long-time resident of Lafayette, Dowty had a love for the University and that will continue to thrive through the planting of this young Live Oak.   His many years of generosity, community activism, and leadership remained the forefront of his career.  Before he passed, he and his wife, Chantel LeClere Dowty made a generous donation that allowed for the construction of the new UL Foundation building. He had also funded the F.K. Dowty Endowed Chairs for the Foundation.  

The donation was possible thanks to the generosity of Foundation Board Trustee and former Secretary-Treasurer, Gerald Dubroc, along with Francis Burleigh, and Howard Patin.  As Chairman of the Foundation’s Building Committee, Dubroc had wanted to replace the tree for some time.  They were honored to dedicate the tree in Mr. Dowty’s memory. He hopes others are also inspired to make donations like this to help beautify the UL campus. 

The Live Oak replaces an over 50-year-old Magnolia tree that was lost in Hurricane Lily in 2002.   Lily left damage and destruction along her path with high winds and rain. During the storm, the Magnolia tree was ripped from its root but somehow managed to fall without damaging any structure or power lines.  A Live Oak was chosen to blend in with the rest of the landscape around campus.  When Dr. Edwin Stephens began his presidency at Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute over 100 years ago, he had a vision for the beautification of campus. He planted a grove of live oaks named the Twentieth Century Oaks in the first year of the new century. He had enlisted in the help of J.C. (Jack) Nickerson, who is the grandfather of former UL Foundation Board of Trustees President, John Chappuis.  Stephens later founded the national Live Oak Society, an association whose members were the trees themselves with dues of 25 acorns a year. 

A tree dedication ceremony will take place at the UL Foundation in the Spring.