Dr. Florent Hardy Jr.СAPPs explanation for his role in LouisianaСAPPs history is simple.
СAPPIСAPPm a believer in fate. The older I get, the more I believe in fate,СAPP he summarized during a visit to his alma mater in October.
He recalled that he was working in the then-budding Louisiana Community and Technical College System in 1999 when a friend placed a job application for state archivist on his desk. СAPPDr. Hardy, this is you,СAPP she said emphatically, as she urged him to apply for the post.
The timing of the job opportunity, and her prompting, are plausible support for the theory that his professional journey has been steered by a supernatural force.
And, a review of his family ties and career shows that Hardy probably could not have scripted a background more suited for the keeper of LouisianaСAPPs public documents and artifacts.
But the concept of fate doesnСAPPt take into account a huge reason for the state archivistСAPPs positive impact: hard work.
His exhaustive résumé is a testament to a high-energy work ethic and remarkable attention to detail. Since taking office in 2000, for example, he has made more than 120 presentations to groups and visited archives in six other states. He has welcomed guests to the State Archives from every state in the nation, two territories and many other countries. HeСAPPs a member or officer of numerous state and national professional or service organizations.
Hardy grew up in Cecilia, La. His maternal grandfather was Drauzin Angelle, a constable and deputy sheriff, who is described in A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography as a Democratic power broker in St. Martin Parish during much of the first half of the 20th century.
HardyСAPPs brother, Paul, was lieutenant governor of Louisiana from 1988 to 1992.
And, his late mother was Agnes Angelle Hardy, СAPP28. Angelle Hall on campus was named for her brother, Bob Angelle, who was a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1934 to 1964 and House Speaker from 1957 to 1960.
Hardy recounted an anecdote about the buildingСAPPs origin:
Bob Angelle was attending a luncheon in his honor by Dr. Joel Fletcher, then-president of the СAPP of Southwestern Louisiana (now known as UL Lafayette.) СAPPDuring the luncheon, President Fletcher joked: СAPPWe surely do need a music building.СAPP My uncle said, СAPPGive me a minute,СAPP and went and called Baton Rouge. He came back and announced that USL just got the money for a music building.СAPP
Florent Hardy earned a bachelorСAPPs degree in political science/history in 1966, with a minor in French, from USL. He was a member of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Walking past Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel on campus brought back memories. СAPPEvery Sunday, for 11 oСAPPclock Mass, our fraternity would wear blazers and attend Mass as a group. That was impressive,СAPP he recalled. He keeps in touch with his fraternity brothers; they have lunch in New Orleans once a year.
As a USL student, Hardy attended every home football game at McNaspy Stadium and went to track meets to watch his brother compete in the high jump.
Hardy earned a bachelorСAPPs degree in three years. While pursuing a masterСAPPs degree in history at USL, he took an American history seminar that required an extensive research paper. The paper he wrote, which chronicled the СAPPСAPPs history, became the foundation of his masterСAPPs thesis.
He spent two years conducting research at Edith Garland Dupré Library and received a masterСAPPs degree. His masterСAPPs thesis, СAPPA Brief History of the СAPP of Southwestern Louisiana, 1900-1960,СAPP was published by ClaitorСAPPs Bookstore in 1973.
Hardy also earned a bachelorСAPPs of social studies education in 1972 from USL and a doctor of philosophy in secondary education, with a minor in history, from LSU in 1974.
He began his career as a teacher in Breaux Bridge, La., and describes that time as СAPPsome of the happiest days of my life.СAPP After teaching for several years, he was employed by the Louisiana Department of Education for over 20 years and the community and technical college system for about a year before being named state archivist in 2000. Hardy believes the experience gained while conducting in-depth research in Dupré Library helped him land that position.
The State Archives is a division of the Louisiana Secretary of StateСAPPs office. Secretary of State Ted Schedler graduated from UL Lafayette in 1971.
The state legislature created the Louisiana State Archives in 1956 to be the official repository for the stateСAPPs historical records.
One of HardyСAPPs first major tasks as state archivist was renovating the State Archives building. The $1.5 million project was completed in 2003.
Over the years, he has expanded accessibility to archival collections and worked to raise public awareness of the State Archives.
Hardy noted that interest in historic documents has grown, as more people pursue genealogy. СAPPNow, many people come to the State Archives to research ancestorsСAPP medical history,СAPP he observed.
Under his leadership, the Louisiana State Archives was voted one of the hidden gems of the stateСAPPs art community by Southern Living Magazine. It was named one of the 101 Best Web Sites for Genealogy by Family Tree Magazine.
One of the Louisiana ArchivesСAPP biggest challenges has been dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which damaged or destroyed countless public documents in south Louisiana in 2005.
Soon after Lake Pontchartrain breached levees that encircle New Orleans, inundating the Crescent City with filthy, toxic water, Hardy received a call from a Louisiana Supreme Court official. The courthouse is in the heart of the French Quarter, just steps away from St. Louis Cathedral. СAPPTheir records were all in the basement and it flooded. So, they called and said, СAPPDonСAPPt worry, Dr. Hardy, weСAPPre getting all of that out.СAPP I said, СAPPDonСAPPt touch it because the ink will run!СAPP СAPP He encouraged the official to hire a firm that specializes in document rescue and restoration, rather than risk further damage.
The State Archives has a lab where a conservator uses the latest in preservation techniques to extend the life of historical treasures. ItСAPPs also a source of information about the preservation, protection and recovery of valuable documents.
A gallery at the State Archives is used to display rare documents, photos, artifacts and to host art exhibits.
The Secretary of StateСAPPs Multimedia Archives collects and preserves film about Louisiana and gathers oral histories. Its Records Management program helps agencies comply with state laws regarding the retention, storage and disposal of public documents.
Although Hardy hasnСAPPt lived in Lafayette since he was a USL student, he remains a loyal supporter of the СAPP. СAPPEvery time I come to Lafayette, I try to drive by to see the campus and how itСAPPs grown,СAPP he said. When the RaginСAPP CajunsСAPP competed in the New Orleans Bowl in 2012, a previous commitment kept him from attending the championship game. But he traveled to the Superdome beforehand to celebrate the occasion with other CajunsСAPP fans and friends.
He said he enjoys telling others about what UL Lafayette offers, from academic programs to exciting athletic competitions.
СAPPSomeone asked me what my dream job would be. I have the dream job as state archivist. Another dream job would be to serve as one of the people who goes to high schools to recruit students to come to UL Lafayette. That would be my dream job,СAPP he said.