The Lafayette Alliance is an organization founded in 2017 and based in LaGrange, Georgia that seeks to inspire, illuminate, and unite, all in the Spirit of Lafayette. Each year the Lafayette Alliance hosts a wreath-laying ceremony on the LaGrange square to commemorate the life and legacy of Lafayette.
Lafayette’s story is America’s story. It never loses voltage, never becomes cliché. Read Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29, or even Sonnet 94, out loud; its rhythm and rhyme drives you to corner complete strangers and force your findings on them. So it is once you know fine points of Lafayette’s life. Your talent, however meager, wants to take a crack at a blank page, to score lyrics, to script drama. It’s not just about chronology, though I obsess over dates; it’s about people and ideas. Telling Lafayette’s
“I participate with the Lafayette Alliance because a conversation with Dr. Ingram piqued my curiosity and I found there was much about Lafayette – regarding his values and actions; his position on slavery and other issues – that I did not know. I am interested in helping the Alliance to teach and share some of those stories of his life and influence.” Linda McMullen moved to LaGrange with her family in 1999 to become the Director of the LaGrange College Evening College. A full-time
“I constantly pass the statue of General Lafayette during my day-to-day. The more I learn about Lafayette, with the inspiration of Dr. Ingram, the more I realize that Lafayette is someone we can point to as a man who was ahead of his time. This is why I give my time and talents to the Alliance and its mission.” Hughes holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Alabama where he was invited to join Beta Phi Mu. Hughes earned a
“As a young girl, I read Elswyth Thane’s novel Dawn’s Early Light and the following summer, my parents took me to Colonial Williamsburg for summer vacation. Ever since, I have been enamored by the Revolutionary Era. When I began to study history in college, that love developed into a deep respect for the men and women who, albeit flawed individuals, sacrificed greatly to make a country out of a colony. Lafayette Alliance allows me an opportunity to educate our community, and hopefully beyond one day, of
“My awareness of Lafayette, his amazing history and his unparalleled importance to America and the world goes back over fifty years. My father, Waights G. Henry, Jr., who served as President of LaGrange College 1948-1978, became interested in learning about the mid-18th to mid-19th century hero and honorary American citizen, the French Marquis de Lafayette, whose beloved home southeast of Paris was the Chateau de LaGrange. Being aware that the founders of our city had named it in honor of Lafayette, my father read much
Kerri Vice is the Executive Director of the Lafayette Society for the Performing Arts. Originally from Athens, Alabama, Kerri moved to LaGrange in 1994. She earned her Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering degree from Auburn University. Kerri worked for Milliken & Co. for thirteen years in Greenville, South Carolina, and then here in LaGrange. There she worked as a Manager and Process Engineer before working in Human Resources and Marketing with the organization. Following her love of entertaining, she started a business, Table Toppers Catering
Chris was born in Berlin, Germany, spent her AFS sponsored Senior High School year in Greenville, South Carolina and upon her return to her home, finished “Abitur” and MA requirements in French, English, and American Literature at the Freie Universitaet Berlin, including a year-long “Propedeutique” at the Sorbonne, Paris. Chris was invited to come back to Greenville to teach German at Furman. There, she met and married Dr. Bill Price who had lived five years in Germany. Establishing life together in Atlanta, teaching and pastoring,
Zeke Weldon is a native of LaGrange, Georgia. Weldon is an Auburn University alum with a degree in English Language Arts Education. He is a local educator who has taught middle school and high school students. He finds it rewarding to watch his students thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. Weldon says he enjoys serving on the board because of his love for connecting and creating meaningful relationships with diverse people and exploring Lafayette’s life and ideals with his background in fine arts.
As a resident of LaGrange since 1977, John Cipolla has enjoyed the aesthetics of the square of Lagrange with its impressive statue of Lafayette. The ideals and vision of the Marquis have been used to inspire the students of Lafayette Christian School in Lagrange where Mr. Cipolla serves as Superintendent. John is the treasurer of Lafayette Alliance.
“It was a proud day when LaGrange College loaned the statue of the Marquis de Lafayette to the City Of LaGrange to be placed on a pedestal in the center of the fountain in the square changing the name from Court Square to Lafayette Square. It was a sad day when Dr. Richard Ingram, asked people in downtown Lagrange who the statue was in the fountain, discovering a few people knew Lafayette. The Lafayette alliance was founded to educate our citizens on the importance of
As a Brit, studying the American Revolution “from the other side” when I came to school in the US was quite eye-opening compared to what I had previously learned. But Lafayette is a perfect example of an immigrant who came and helped to enrich the history of the United States, and I’m honored to be continuing that legacy.” Bethany Miller-Urroz is Vice President at Lyniate, an international healthcare technology integration company. Bethany is from Glasgow, Scotland, and grew up all over the UK, before moving
“The installation of the statue of the Marquis de Lafayette in our town square was when my curiosity was first peeked about this patriot. The more I learned about his visit to our area, the more I wanted to know about this man who left his homeland to help further the independence of America. With George Washington as his mentor, he stated ‘I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I reflect, and out of all of this I try to form an idea into
“The more I study history, the more the people and events of the past fascinate and inspire me. No one person has done more to inspire my life than the Marquis de Lafayette. The life he led was odd at the time but stood for modern-day ideals and I enjoy the opportunities I have to educate students about the Marquis and through my work with the Lafayette Alliance, educate professionals about him as well so that Lafayette’s story can be spread to all.” Mandi Nash
My degree is in Science and I have always shared Lafayette’s views of the importance of human dignity and human rights. As an occupational therapist, I encourage people to be as independent in their lives as physically and emotionally possible. Society plays an important role in allowing and facilitating people to be independent, but it can also be a barrier to reaching this independence. I celebrate differences in people and cultures. Despite what I know about slavery, I can not imagine my heart and mind allowing the enslavement of another human being. After listening to one of the Alliance’s presentations, I was moved to seek further involvement with this group. Additionally, I have the utmost respect for Dr. Ingram and thoroughly enjoy his style of communication.
Denise Fine, Alliance Member
As a new resident of LaGrange, I “discovered” the story of the Marquis de Lafayette. I hold a degree in American History and have done postgraduate work specializing in the American Civil War. I began reading The Marquis by Laura Auricchio after seeing her on Public Television. I want to know more regarding Lafayette after discovering the LaGrange Lafayette Alliance.
Ken Fine, Alliance Member
Just a few blocks from here we have Sweetland Amphitheatre, and we have rock stars that come from all over the world that come and entertain us. But right here on our square we have what many historians have called the rock star of the American Revolution.
Bill Hunnicutt, Executive Director, LaGrange Development Authority
“It really says something about the people of LaGrange and Troup County that we would continue to honor his legacy, that we would continue to honor the struggle for liberty.”
Jim Thornton, Mayor of LaGrange
“When people come to our town, as has recently happened through the election campaigns we’ve had, we’ve had visitors from all political parties coming through LaGrange…They always want to come to Lafayette Square, because this is what’s associated with our town.”
Jim Thornton, Mayor of LaGrange
It was an intentional statement by the leadership of this community in 1828 that we wanted to honor this man in some way. As an older gentleman at that point, he had become in his lifetime a symbol of liberty.
Jim Thornton, Mayor of LaGrange
In LaGrange, you have the statue of Lafayette here that’s a copy of the statue that is in Le Puy-en-Velay in France. That’s an obvious connection that very few cities have with General Lafayette.
Julien Icher, Lafayette Trail Project
Our Members
Thank you to the following for their generous support
Richard and Janice Ingram
Callaway Foundation, Inc.
Updated 5 May 2022
Adrienne Society Members – $1000
George Henry
Nick Vlachos, MD
Updated 5 May 2022
Cur Non! Society Members – $500
Ann & Ted Beason
Judith and Taylor Merrill
The Georgia Society, Sons of the American Revolution
Updated 5 May 2022
Robert M. and Cathy S. Stout
Updated 5 May 2022
Cadmus Society Members – $300
$250
David Evert
Linda H. McMullen, PhD
Updated 5 May 2022
Redoubt #10 Society Members – $200
Ellen Hudson Harris
Jerry and Nita Overall
Zachary and Mary Ellen Taylor
Colonel George Edward Thurmond
Updated 5 May 2022
Commander Glenn Quiggle USN (Ret)
Jason & Stacey Weldon
Updated 5 May 2022
La Victoire Society Members – $100
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Acree
Dr. John A. Beyers
Graham J. Brent
Lauranne Buchanan
Carol and Ellis Cadenhead
Dorthy and Bobby Cammon
Bobby and Molly Carmichael
Gary and Raylene Carter
John Cipola
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Copeland
Jane Alice Craig
Coleman and Amy Foss
Mr. Sydney Gay
Mr. Ralph Howard, Jr
Gail Hunnicutt
Dr. Shawn and Kathy Mathews
Mickey and Carolyn McCoy
Eve and John McKibbin
Dodie Patterson
Margaret Schaufler
Nancy K. Stevens
Martha Thom
Robert Tucker
Zachry Family
Lafayette Christian School
Updated 5 May 2022
$75
David & Ann Blackwell
Updated 5 May 2022
L’Hermione Society Members – $50
Beverly Bartley
Joanna Baxter
John Becica
Ken and Lisa Boatwright
Bob and Judy Ellis
Oliver & Annie Greene
Mr & Mrs. Thelon Hamby
Dr. Jane D. Hollis
Charlotte Houze
Alex Hughes & Katie Still
Tony & Janet Hughes
Meredith Ingram
Forrest & Shannon Gavin Johnson
Kelly R. & Carole D. Lunch
Margaret Lukken
Julian & Linda Mack
Alfred and Beverly McNair
Freeman and Carlene Mills
Mandi Nash
Christiane Price
Don Russell
Laura Shedd
Sandy & Debbie Simmons
Ann F. & John W. Stewart
Ernest and Janet Sutton
Joe H. Thompson
Kerri Vice
Calvin and Pat Wingo
Updated 5 May 2022
Murray Schine
Updated 5 May 2022
Lafayette Supporter – $25
Gerald Breed
Jeff & Shirley Brown
Mrs. J.W. Carr
Tim Chislom
Denise and Ken Fine
Jane Fryer
Patricia Gilbert
Tommy and Marcine Gresham
Mr. Barry N. Jackson
Dr. and Mrs. John M. Jackson, Jr
Mr. and Mrs. Julian M. Jones IV
Chris and Emily Joseph
Sue S. Larkin
Mary Katherine Moon Fogg
Michael Sanderson, Marquis de Lafayette Chapter, GSSAR
Hubert R. Shepherd
Anne H. Stich
Mrs. Gail C. Walsh
Zeke Weldon
Andy and Clairnelle Wilkerson
Mary Ann Wilson