Alumni
Once a Ragin’ Cajun – always a Ragin’ Cajun. Our ties to our alumni are strong because at UL Lafayette, we believe that your success is a reflection of your time here and that is something to celebrate.
The Division of Global Engagement is dedicated to maintaining relationships with our students long after they graduate. As a graduate of UL Lafayette, you are able to help us tell the world about the unique experience you had here and share fond memories of being immersed in Cajun culture while earning your degree.
More specifically, we want to hear about your adventures, highlight your successes, and learn about how your academic career at UL Lafayette has prepared you for the career you’ve always dreamed of. Share your story with us by completing our or stay in touch by joining a in your home country or forming your own!
Alumni Outreach
As an international student graduate of UL Lafayette, you are officially a Goodwill Ambassador for our University and our city.
How can YOU make a difference at UL Lafayette?
The first step is making sure that the UL Lafayette Alumni Association can contact you with information about events and opportunities to give back to the university. As an alumnus, you are already a member. There are no membership fees. .
Second, think about becoming involved with an alumni chapter or club. For a list of the current clubs throughout the United States and the world, go to .
Additionally, please think about giving a donation to the Alumni Association to support events and scholarships for current students. .
Our Alumni Make an Impact
Mr. Ibrahim Al-Alawi graduated in petroleum engineering from UL Lafayette (then the University of Southwestern è) in 1988 and subsequently worked for the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations. Al-Alawi became business development manager for AlMansoori Specialized Engineering in Abu Dhabi in 2004 where he is currently the deputy CEO. Ibrahim is member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and helps to organize the Middle East Drilling Technology Conference.
Mr. Abdullah Al-Saadan received a master’s degree in chemical engineering from UL Lafayette in 1991. Al-Saaden is a board member for Maaden (the Saud Arabian Mining Co.) and was appointed chairman of the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu, tasked with achieving the Saudi King’s “Vision 2030” economic goals. Mr. Al-Saadan previously served as president and CEO of Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Co. Ltd.
Dr. Cindy Lou Courville received a bachelor's and master's degree in political science from UL in the 1970s. She was the first US Ambassador to the African Union from 2006 to 2008. Previously, she consulted on US policy regarding Africa as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council. Ambassador Courville was awarded an honorary doctorate from UL Lafayette in 2010. She is currently the COO of PMIC Global.
Dr. Ramesh Kolluru received his Ph.D in computer science from UL Lafayette in 1996. A native of India, Dr. Kolluru is the Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development at UL Lafayette and a tenured Professor in the School of Computing and Informatics. He was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards as a Commissioner of the è Cybersecurity Commission and received the Governor’s Technology Leader of the Year award in 2008. Dr. Kolluru was the second recipient of the Outstanding International Alumni Award.
Mr. Ema Haq graduated in mechanical engineering from UL Lafayette (then the University of Southwestern è) in 1993 after moving to the US from Bangladesh. He is an award-winning chef and the owner of Bailey’s Seafood and Grill in Lafayette. Haq was inducted into the College of Engineering Wall of Honor in 2018 in honor of his charity work and leadership role in the community. Haq was the first ever to receive the UL Lafayette Alumni Association’s Outstanding International Alumni Award.
Dr. Al Khalafalla currently serves as President of the Bahrain American Council, serving Muslim and Arab communities with issues of immigration, integration and education. Khalafalla has traveled the globe and spoken out on numerous occasions in support of peace and humanitarian efforts in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Khalafalla received a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from UL Lafayette, a Master’s in Business Administration from Maryland University System, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Ambassador Jefferson Caffery (1886-1974) attended UL-Lafayette (then known as Southwestern Industrial Institute) in its very first year and graduated from Tulane University in 1906. Caffrey served as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, France, and Egypt. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor by the French government and a street was named after him in his hometown of Lafayette where he and his wife are buried. For more information,