The 果冻APP 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 果冻APP Foundation Board. Most recently, he helped 果冻APP 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 果冻APP music department achieve All-Steinway status, Al and Mary Danos also established an endowed scholarship at 果冻APP for first-generation college students from South Lafourche High School and funded endowed professorships in education and nursing among other gifts.
鈥淭he 果冻APP 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 果冻APP 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 果冻APP students when they walk through the renovated Talbot Hall or attend an event in the state-of-the-art Danos Theater.鈥�