Obituaries: Dr. Joel L. Fletcher, 1972, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483

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From: May 3, 1972 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

Dr. Joel Fletcher, Ex-Pres. Of USL Died Apr. 25

Dr. Joel L. Fletcher, president of the University of Southwestern Louisiana
for 25 years before he retired in 1965, died in Lafayette Tuesday night of
last week.  He was 75.

Last rites were held Friday in Lafayette with burial in Lafayette Memorial
Park.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Fannie McLees Fletcher, three
daughters, Mrs. O. L. Meadors of Baton Rouge, Mrs. Roy Elliott of Berkley,
Calif., and Mrs. Maurice Rimkus of Midland, Tex.; a son, Joel L. Fletcher III,
and four sisters, Misses Willie and Francis Fletcher, both of Ruston, Miss
Kathleen Fletcher of California, and Mrs. Sarah Fletcher Bordelon of Kaplan,
La.

Dr. Fletcher came to Southwestern in 1920 as an assistant professor in
agriculture.  Early in his career he dedicated himself to the idea that no
Louisiana boy or girl should be turned away from an education at Southwestern
because of lack of financial ability.

During the depression years Fletcher started what became known as a "Co-Op"
club which enabled many students to receive an education at nominal cost.

The club gave housing and shelter to students at minimal cost.

Fletcher also began a practice of publishing in a college newspaper, The
Southwestern Agriculturist, lists of Southwestern students with jobs which
they would be qualified to hold.

From the few courses in agriculture that were being taught when Fletcher came
to USL, he and his faculty saw their growth of a department directed by him,
and finally a college of agriculture of which he became dean.

He was responsible for adding registered cattle to the USL herd, set up a
model creamery, developed nursery stock for flower growers, created a poultry
farm, and put in a vegetable farm.  Produce from these efforts is still being
used in campus dining halls.

For the community of farmers, cattlemen, and dairymen served by Southwestern,
President Fletcher also provided opportunities to learn the best methods for
making agriculture and the cattle and dairy industry provide a full life.

Working with county agents, he held farmer's courses, held exhibits and
otherwise practiced good principles.  He founded the Mid-Winter Fair and
Camellia Pageant.

He was named "man of the year" by Progressive Farmer in 1948.  In 1955 he set
up the USL Foundation, a non-profit organization to promote the material
welfare of Southwestern.

After retirement, Fletcher was president emeritus of USL, Louisiana state
coordinator for international education, and wrote a weekly column on
education.