Esponge honored as ‘Rising Star’ by SoLAcc

A Declambre native and now the mayor of his hometown, Christopher “Tipper” Esponge is one of two Distinguished Alumni honored by South Louisiana Community College.
South Louisiana Community College (SoLAcc) and the Foundation for SoLAcc honored Tim Marks and Christopher “Tipper” Esponge as the College’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni during the Legacy Luncheon on Aug. 28. The awards recognize graduates whose leadership, service and professional achievements reflect the lasting impact of a SoLAcc education.

Rising Star Award –
Christopher “Tipper”
Esponge

The Rising Star Award recognizes alumni who graduated within the past 15 years and have achieved notable early career success while making meaningful contributions to their professions and communities.
Christopher “Tipper” Esponge, a 2013 graduate of SoLAcc’s Industrial Technology (IDNT) program, returned to school after suffering a life-changing injury at age 18 while serving in the Louisiana National Guard. He went on to establish E&L Construction Group, LLC and today serves as Mayor of Delcambre. His path from the classroom to entrepreneurship and public service reflects the resilience, leadership and commitment to community recognized by the Rising Star Award.
“I am truly honored to be recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus. This recognition means so much to me because South Louisiana Community College played an important role in my personal and professional journey and helped build the foundation for my future,” said Christopher “Tipper” Esponge, owner of E&L Construction Group, LLC and Mayor of Delcambre. “Honoring alumni achievements inspires current and future students to believe in their potential and demonstrates what can be accomplished through hard work, perseverance and education. It also showcases the strength of the College’s mission and reminds us that when you invest in students, you create leaders who make a positive difference in their professions and communities.”
“At SoLAcc, we believe our greatest measure of success is found in the achievements of our graduates,” said Dr. Vincent June, Chancellor of South Louisiana Community College. “Tim and Christopher have each used their education as a foundation for lives of purpose, leadership and service. Their stories remind our current students that where you begin does not define where you can go, and we are proud to recognize them as our 2026 Distinguished Alumni.”
Established in 2025, the Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize graduates whose accomplishments reflect the transformative power of education and whose leadership continues to strengthen the communities SoLAcc serves.

Guiding Light Award – Tim Marks

The Guiding Light Award recognizes alumni who graduated 15 or more years ago and have demonstrated sustained professional excellence, leadership and service.
A 1997 Practical Nursing graduate of the former T.H. Harris Campus in Opelousas, Tim Marks has built a career focused on improving healthcare access and strengthening communities across Louisiana. Today, he serves as Director of Network & Partnerships for Opelousas General Health System and continues his connection to SoLAcc through service on the Foundation for SoLAcc Board of Directors and Opelousas Campus Advisory Board (CAB).
“This recognition means a great deal to me because SoLAcc is where opportunity first met direction in my life,” said Tim Marks, Director of Network & Partnerships for Opelousas General Health System. “The access it provides to students right here in our community changed my future and led me into healthcare. I’m honored to be part of the legacy of what this institution makes possible.”

ABOUT ACADIANA’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE

South Louisiana Community College (SoLAcc) is a comprehensive community college with campuses in Abbeville, Crowley, Franklin, Lafayette, Morgan City, New Iberia, Opelousas, St. Martinville, and Ville Platte. Serving approximately 12,000 students annually, SoLAcc offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates, and industry-based certifications that prepare students for in-demand careers and strengthen workforce pipelines across Acadiana. SoLAcc and its graduates generate $294.9 million in added income for the Acadiana economy, supporting one out of every 97 jobs in the region. The College’s impact and commitment to student success have also earned national recognition, including being named among the Top 200 U.S. community colleges eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize and selected as a Top 10 national finalist for the 2026 Bellwether Award. Learn more about SoLAcc’s impact at solacc.edu/impact.