Alton E. Broussard Collection Now Accessible

Special Collections has acquired the collection of local newsman and former UL Lafayette journalism professor Alton Broussard. Born in St. Martinville in 1911, Mr. Broussard's journalism career began when he was in high school, where he established their first student newspaper. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Louisiana State University, both in journalism. Newspapers he worked for included the Lake Charles American Press, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and the Daily Advertiser, among many more.

Starting in 1947, Mr. Broussard joined the staff at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) as the director of public relations. He then joined the faculty teaching journalism. After 37 years, he retired with the rank of associate professor.

Mr. Broussard published many different newspapers during his career. One such was a local paper called the Lafayette Guide, which he produced out of his own garage between 1962 and 1964. The paper covered stories on various topics, including the French Renaissance, race relations. Cajun culture, and police reports.

This collection contains the writings of Alton Broussard, including the entire Lafayette Guide newspaper. There are also two scrapbooks containing articles from other newspapers, such as the Daily Advertiser.

Special Collections thanks Alton Broussard’s children, Mary Perrin, Sam, and Alton “Skip” II, and his son-in-law, Warren Perrin, for donating this collection. Classified as Collection 509 – Alton E. Broussard Collection, this collection is accessible in the Jefferson Caffery Reading Room on the 3rd floor.