By Al Quartemont, Special to the Message
PINEVILLE – As alumni of Louisiana College gathered on campus recently for the 103rd annual Homecoming, three stood out by being honored as “distinguished.”
At the college’s homecoming chapel, Curt Iles, Ava Nell McWhorter and William Enete Sr. were recognized for the lives of faith they have lived since their graduations from LC.
Iles, who graduated from LC in 1979, came to the school from Dry Creek, La., and returned to that community upon graduation, where he has served in education and mission work and has authored seven books.
In speaking to the students gathered at the chapel service, Iles read from the journal he kept while at LC and listed four things for students to remember: where you came from, that you did not get here (to LC) by yourself, that your education does not end at LC and that you should seek God’s will in all things.
Iles recounted a particular memory with the late Dr. Cavanaugh, when the then-freshman was struggling through his chemistry class and was prepared to drop it.
“You know what God’s will is for you?” Iles said in relating that story. “It’s to buckle down and do the best you can … where you are right now.”
Ava McWhorter graduated from LC in 1952 and then spent 22 years in the Gaza Strip as a missionary nurse.
Her departure came after she chose to adopt a young Muslim girl and was told she could not remain in her role as a missionary and be a single mother. She chose to come back to the U.S. with her adopted daughter, McWhorter said. Today, she is the three-term mayor of Dixie Inn, Webster Parish, La.
Her advice to current LC students: “Study hard, have fun, make life-long friends, get to know your professors and counselors … and you’ll be happy you did.”
Finally, the award to William Enete, Sr., came posthumously as Enete, a 1920 graduate of LC, died in 1967.
His son Billy of Marietta, Ga., was on hand to receive the award. Enete was a self-made man who gave up a growing auto repair business in Jonesville, La., to pursue a degree in ministry from LC.
Upon graduation, Enete spend 40 years in Brazil. He became proficient in ventriloquism and used his “dummy” to minister to children during those years.
Enete also had the distinction of having baptized Jimmy Davis, the singer-songwriter who penned and sang You Are My Sunshine and went on to become Louisiana governor.
Enete’s son, Billy, in accepting the award for his late father said the senior Enete stressed five things he learned at LC: Creativity, leadership, academic pursuit, social skills and volunteering.
The LC homecoming chapel included a performance by the marching band and cheerleaders and the introduction of the homecoming court.
“Let’s show our spirit and pride this weekend,” said LC President Joe Aguillard.