NEW ORLEANS – Dillard University will award an honorary doctorate to community partner Edgar Poree. He, along with media maven Warren Bell Jr. and commencement speaker Ayo Davis ’98, will receive the Doctor of Humane Letters at the University’s 2024 Commencement on May 11, 8 a.m. on the Rosa Freeman Keller Avenue of the Oaks.
Edgar F. Poree, Jr. earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Xavier University in 1958. He was also a Fellow of Tulane University’s Issues Forum, Loyola University’s Institute of Politics, and Louisiana State University’s Executive Program.
While working as a sixth grade teacher in the New Orleans Public School System, Mr. Poree submitted a comprehensive strategic revenue proposal to the school district, which was adopted as the district’s Strategic One-Cent Sales Tax Campaign Plan. In the summer of 1966, Poree was appointed Director of Total Community Action’s Neighborhood Youth Corp and Anti-Poverty Initiative. The US Department of Labor adopted his youth development handbook as the Southwest Region’s official handbook.
In the fall of 1971, Poree was appointed Staff Manager of Operator Services for South Central Bell Telephone Company. In that role, he was responsible for a thirty-member management team, and 260 operators. In 1986, Poree was promoted to District Manager of Corporate and Community Affairs of BellSouth Telecommunications, and served as Chief Spokesperson for BellSouth in Metro-New Orleans.
Since his retirement in 2001, Mr. Poree has remained activing in business, educational, civic and community affairs, serving on numerous boards and committees including: Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman Business Council, UNO Business Council, SUNO Foundation, Downtown Development District, Advisory Board of Louisiana Colleges, Dryades Street YMCA, Downtown Rotary, Salvation Army, New Orleans Symphony Orchestra, and Bethany United Methodist Church Administrative Board.
Mr. Poree has received numerous awards and recognitions for outstanding community service, and has served as guest lecturer, motivational, and commencement speaker for business, religious, educational, social and community events throughout the state.
Edgar F. Poree, Jr. was married to the late Gloria Guichard, is the father of Deidra Poree Pierre and Edgar, III. He is the grandfather of Troy Pierre, II and Alexis Pierre, and is father-in-law of Tyra Mitchell Poree.
About Dillard University
Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private faith-based liberal arts university that offers 22 majors and two certificate programs. Ranked 5th on the 2021 The New York Times Overall Mobility Index and 14th in 2022 by Academic Influence for Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship, Dillard’s call to future leaders is to Write Your Legacy. Find out more about Louisiana’s oldest HBCU by visiting www.dillard.edu.
