Delgado Foundation Hosts Celebrity Roast of Businessman/Philanthropist Troy Duhon

April 25, 2023

College’s Partnerships with Automotive and Health Care Industries Spotlighted

The Delgado Community College Foundation hosted its annual Roast of the Town fundraising event on Friday, April 21, at the Jung Hotel and Residences, 1500 Canal Street, New Orleans.

About 300 supporters of Delgado attended, including leaders of higher education, health care, government, business and industry. Key speakers included Lee Giorgio, Delgado Foundation Board Chairman; Ann Duplessis, Senior Vice President of Liberty Bank; Missy Sparks, Vice President of Talent Management for Ochsner Health; and Dr. Larissa Littleton-Steib, Chancellor of Delgado Community College.

The event roasted Troy Duhon, Founder of Giving Hope NOLA and President of Premier Automotive Group. Roasters included Tracey Fields, Chief Experience Officer, Premier Automotive Group; Mike Hoss, The Voice of the New Orleans Saints; The Honorable Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor, State of Louisiana; Wayne Skinner, COO/VP Operations, Premier Automotive Group; Todd Trosclair, CEO of All-Star Electric and Chairman of the Board of Galatoire’s Restaurant; and Tommy Tucker, Morning Show Host, WWL-Radio.

Liberty Bank and Ochsner Health were Premier Patrons of the event. The Roast’s Top Patrons included All-Star Electric Inc., Lamarque Ford/Lamarque Lincoln/Lamarque Crescent City, the Office of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, LCMC Health, Park Investments Ltd. and Select Properties Ltd.

Eric Paulsen, WWL-TV news anchor, served as master of ceremonies.

Delgado Dolphins Head Baseball Coach Joe Scheuermann and members of the Dolphins baseball team introduced a fund-raising campaign for Delgado Athletics, the Tradition campaign.

Dr. Steib announced Delgado’s efforts to establish a Center of Excellence in Motor Vehicle Technology. The Motor Vehicle Technology department at Delgado currently enrolls 128 students in associate degree and professional certification programs. In addition to offering education in general automotive repair and collision repair, the department provides factory-sponsored training for technicians at dealerships of these brands: Ford, General Motors, Audi, Chrysler, Subaru, Toyota and Volvo.

In March, Delgado Motor Vehicle Technology announced a new educational and workforce partnership with Mercedes Benz USA. National, regional and local officials of Mercedes Benz USA and representatives of local dealerships attended the kickoff ceremony at Delgado.

Also in March, Delgado Motor Vehicle Technology launched a new pilot automotive technician apprenticeship program created by the NADA Foundation, Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA), the National Urban League (NUL), and the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association (LADA).

The evening began with a reception and silent auction at 7 p.m., followed by dinner and the roast. Food and beverages were donated by Galatoire’s Restaurant, MMI Culinary and 12 Seasons Catering, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, Republic National Distributing Company and Delgado Culinary Arts.

Entertainment was provided by Gina Brown and Anutha Level and by the Knockaz Brass Band.

Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships and programs at Delgado Community College.

There are currently 20 Directors of the Delgado Community College Foundation, all volunteers, plus Chairman Giorgio. Nita Hutter Meins is Executive Director.

A photo gallery from the event can be viewed online.

Delgado Community College celebrated 100 years of service to the New Orleans region in 2021-22. The oldest and largest community college in Louisiana, Delgado provides instruction online and at seven locations. Delgado offers students the most comprehensive array of education and training services available in the New Orleans region. Additionally, Delgado has articulation agreements with most of the state’s four-year colleges and universities that allow students to transfer their Delgado credits to bachelor’s degree programs. As well as offering degrees and transferable college credits, Delgado provides diplomas and certificates in many professional and technical areas. Workforce development is a priority at Delgado, hence the college’s well-known motto: “Education that works!” www.dcc.edu