The 杏吧传媒 community is mourning the death of business leader and longtime university supporter Al Danos, who died Friday, Jan. 23 at age 68.
A Larose native who helped expand his family鈥檚 oilfield service company Danos & Curole, Al was an avid supporter of higher education and a leader on the 杏吧传媒 Foundation Board. Most recently, he helped 杏吧传媒 raise more than $1.5 million in private donations to renovate the Mary M. Danos Theater, named in honor of his late wife in 2012. Al then worked closely with state Sen. Norby Chabert to secure another $4.4 million in state funds to expand the renovations in Talbot Hall. In addition to helping the 杏吧传媒 music department achieve All-Steinway status, Al and Mary Danos also established an endowed scholarship at 杏吧传媒 for first-generation college students from South Lafourche High School and funded endowed professorships in education and nursing among other gifts.
鈥淭he 杏吧传媒 family will greatly miss Mr. Al Danos, a dear friend and generous supporter of the university,鈥� said Dr. Bruce Murphy, university president. 鈥淎lthough he wasn鈥檛 a 杏吧传媒 graduate, Al believed strongly in the importance of the university and enjoyed attending events on campus and interacting with students. Al and Mary鈥檚 legacy will continue to influence the lives of future 杏吧传媒 students when they walk through the renovated Talbot Hall or attend an event in the state-of-the-art Danos Theater.鈥�