ALUMNI NEWS Fall 2012 - Southeastern Louisiana University

ALUMNI NEWS Fall 2012
• Alumnus of the Year honored
• Swabbin’ 4 Robin campaign launched
• Media Animation program named
one of best in the South

Alumni NEWS
Southeastern Louisiana University
Dr. John L. Crain ’82, ’84
President
Dr. Tammy Bourg
Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs
Sam Domiano, Jr. ’95
Interim Vice President, Administration & Finance
Dr. Marvin L. Yates
Vice President, Student Affairs
Wendy Johns Lauderdale ’93
Vice President, University Advancement
Alumni Association
Kathy Locascio Pittman ’71
Director
Dick Covington ’71
President
Stacey Neal ’91
President-elect
Emily McNeely ’02
Secretary
Stephen Anderson ’87
Treasurer
Board Members
Melissa Bordelon ’89
John Watson ‘82
Cindy Faller ’73
Betsy Hood ’04
Dan Brewer ’69
Brad Stevens ’01
Josh Taylor ’05, ’06
Chuck Toney ’06
Tony Licciardi ’93
Josie Mercante ’69, ’74
A message from President John L. Crain
This year, the Southeastern Alumni Association reached another milestone,
celebrating its 85th anniversary. Founded only a few years after Southeastern
opened its doors as Hammond Junior College in 1925, the Association has
served as a valuable link between the university and its former students, graduates
and friends. With more than 60,000 alumni in all 50 states and as many
foreign nations, the impact of a Southeastern education is felt worldwide.
Starting with five faculty members and 40 students, Southeastern cultivated
from the outset an atmosphere of close student-faculty interaction in a family
style environment, qualities of the institution that students and graduates continue to experience
today. As much as things have changed over the years, it’s refreshing to note the original character
of Southeastern continues to thrive.
At the university’s recent Homecoming, two accomplished graduates were recognized:
Steven Cossé, president and CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation, as the Alumnus of the Year, and John
Lejeune Jr., North Shore entrepreneur and actor, as the Young Alumnus of the Year. Both expressed
their fond memories of the university, the faculty who had instructed, encouraged and mentored
them, and the foundation they gained at Southeastern that allowed them to flourish in their respective
careers.
Those comments were neither unexpected nor surprising. Despite the challenges brought about
as a result of dwindling state resources, the university’s focus to help our students achieve their
educational goals while solidifying a foundation for their future growth remains paramount.
The Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni News,
published four times annually by the Association, was
entered as third-class matter, May 9, 1949, at the Post
Office in Hammond, LA, under the amended act of
June 11, 1934. The office of publication is Hammond,
LA 70402. Annual dues of $30 include subscription to
Southeastern Alumni News.
Produced and edited by the Southeastern Louisiana
University Office of Public Information.
cover
Murphy Oil Corporation President and CEO
Steven Cossé was honored as this year’s
Alumnus of the Year during Homecoming Week
in October. A 1969 graduate of Southeastern,
Cossé has spent his entire professional life in
the oil business, holding numerous positions
with ODECO and Murphy Oil.
A message from your Alumni president
This fall we experienced a fantastic Homecoming and the perfect culmination
of the 85th Anniversary of the Alumni Association. It was reminiscent of many
years ago when football was at its peak, and alumni flocked to campus.
The Alumni Awards Evening was outstanding, as Alumnus of the Year Steven
Cossé spoke to a sold-out crowd. He was an inspiration to both our students
and alumni and epitomized what success can come when caring faculty members,
like those we have at Southeastern, nurture young students. They do
Dick Covington, ’71
indeed make a difference.
On Saturday, our campus hosted Lion Pride Preview, enveloping 800 prospective students and
their parents, and presented itself in the warm and friendly environment for which Southeastern
is known. We were all entertained by the Spirit of the Southland Band, which instilled that excitement
in all of us as our cheerleaders, Lionettes and flag corps led the way for a great parade and
the football game. It took the efforts of many individuals and groups coming together to make
this Homecoming Week such a successful event. Your attendance and that of so many old friends
reunited again made me remember why I love Southeastern so much.

New
media - animation
program
cited as
one of best
in the South
The New Media and Animation program at Southeastern has been
recognized by Animation Career Review as one of the top such programs
in the South.
Initiated only a few years ago in the university’s Department of
Fine and Performing Arts, the program was ranked 20th by the web
site.
“This extraordinary recognition of Southeastern’s New Media
and Animation concentration is most deserved,” said Ken Boulton,
interim head of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. “The
faculty and students associated with this program represent some of
the most inventive and imaginative individuals in our department.”
Nearly 75 students are majoring in the program.
Associate Professor John Valentino said the computer studios and
other equipment available for student use are among the best, providing
students with valuable experience that easily translates into
workforce skills. The program, he said, combines artistic talent with
technical proficiency.
“With Louisiana’s tax incentives attracting movie production and
digital media companies to the state, there are increasing employment
opportunities for our students and graduates,” said Valentino,
who, with Assistant Professor Cristina Molina, teaches most of the
courses in the concentration. “As the film industry grows in this
region, they need talented and technically trained artists to meet
production needs.”
He said the university is working to enhance its relationship with
area digital media and film post-production companies to provide
students with internships and other practical experiences that open
the doors to career opportunities.
According to ACR’s post, the program “encourages students to
leverage media and materials outside of their comfort zone, while
still taking coursework in 2D and 3D animation, digital video and
computer art technologies. Recent graduates exhibit a balanced approach
indicative of the program’s objectives.”
ACR formulates its rankings by considering academic reputation,
feedback from industry firms on which programs they value, the
depth and breadth of the program, and geographic proximity to
the industry’s leading firms. The full review of the top programs in
the South can be found at animationcareerreview.com.
Assistant Professor of Art Cristina Molina, left, discusses a project with student Abby
Morrow of Covington, a junior studying in the New Media and Animation program.
The program was recently rated one of the best in the South by Animation
Career Review.
1

Homecoming
2012
The Southeastern Alumni Association
celebrated its 85th anniversary with a
week’s worth of activities for students,
faculty, alumni and other visitors.
Activities included the usual events for students, faculty and staff,
including the Phi Kappa Phi Quiz Bowl pitting student and faculty
teams against each other, the annual Gumbo Ya Ya fest, bonfire
and block party, tailgating, recognition of donors, Homecoming
parade, and crowning of the student king and queen.
Highlighting the week was the Alumni Awards Evening, where
Southeastern President John L. Crain toasted the association on
its milestone anniversary and assisted in the recognition of several
major award winners.
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Recognized as the 2012 Alumnus of the Year was Steven Cossé, a
native New Orleanian who rose through the ranks of ODECO and
Murphy Oil Corporation over 41 years to his current position as
president and chief executive officer of the El Dorado, Ark.-based
oil giant with 10,000 employees worldwide.
Following his graduation from Southeastern in 1969, he was
hired as a junior accountant at ODECO in New Orleans, a subsidiary
of Murphy Oil.
“My job with ODECO was a direct result of the company’s previous
experience with other Southeastern graduates,” he told the
audience. “I later learned from my boss that it was the reputation
of Southeastern’s accounting program that had a major influence in
my getting the job.”
After receiving his law degree from Loyola University in New
Orleans, he gradually rose through various positions at Murphy Oil,
including executive vice president, senior vice president, and principal
financial officer while also serving as general counsel throughout
most of his career there.
Cossé praised the quality of education and the values he learned
as a student at Southeastern.
“The hallmark of any learning institution is the quality of its
teachers,” he said. “At Southeastern, I had many great professors.
Not only did Southeastern give me a great jump in my initial
career, but it also gave me lifelong values, and for that I am forever
grateful.”
He said those values he learned include concern for others.
“Our parents brought us up to realize that life isn’t just about
you, it’s not just about me, it’s about other people as well,” he said.
“You have to look to your neighbor and you have to help others as
much as you can.”
At the event, the Association announced the establishment of the
Murphy Oil Endowed Scholarship, funded by Cossé and the corporation.
Cossé serves on the boards of the Arkansas Research Alliance,
Simmons First Bank of El Corado and Simmons First National
Corporation. He is a member of the board of the SHARE
Foundation, a not-for-profit public charity focused on building a
healthier community by improving health and wellbeing through
Above: Alumnus of the Year Steven Cossé, and Young Alumnus of the Year John
Lejeune Jr. were recognized during Homecoming Week. From left are Alumni
Association Director Kathy Pittman, Lejeune, Cosse and President John L. Crain.
2

access to primary health and dental care, medication
assistance and health education for low
income populations. A member of the SHARE
board since 1998, he has been recognized by
the Foundation for his business acumen and
legal expertise, as well as a deeply held compassion
for the less fortunate.
OTHER AWARDS
At the banquet, North Shore entrepreneur
John Lejeune Jr. of Bogalusa was recognized as
the Young Alumnus of the Year, while Louisiana
appeal court Judge James E. “Jimmy” Kuhn was
honored with the association’s Distinguished
Service Award
Lejeune started his own disc jockey business
as a teenager, working dances at area
high schools. He now owns and operates
Rock-It Productions, a high-tech DJ company
he founded shortly after his graduation from
Southeastern in 2002. Shortly afterward he
started See Hear Productions, a company that
offers lighting, sound and staging for large
events such as festivals, concerts and the Super
Bowl.
Lejeune was the co-star of the VH1 reality
television show “Tough Love” that was set in
New Orleans, and he has appeared in HBO’s
popular “Treme” series. In 2007 he opened a
Snap Fitness center in Bogalusa and added a
second Snap Fitness franchise in Lacombe.
Kuhn, a 1968 Southeastern graduate, was
elected to the First Circuit Court of Appeal in
1994 and re-elected in 2005. He began his
public service career in 1980 as an assistant
district attorney in the 21st Judicial District. He
was elected a district judge in 1990.
Prior to his public service, Kuhn practiced
law, representing clients in the insurance industry,
as well as agencies such as the Livingston
Parish Police Jury. A member of the board of
the Southeastern Foundation, he was honored
with the College of Arts, Humanities and Social
Sciences’ Alumnus of the Year Award in 2010.
He is an active member of both the Sigma Tau
Gamma and Ponchatoula alumni chapters.
President Crain presented the first Loyal Lion
Award to Dennis James, a former president of
the Alumni Association and the Southeastern
Foundation. He praised James for his williness
to assist Southeastern whenever asked.
The L.E. Chandler Award, which goes to
faculty, staff or alumnus for his or her work in
assisting students, was presented to Amanda
Robbins, assistant director for residential life.
The Association’s Friendship Oak Award was
presented to English Instructor Alan Marsh in
recognition of his playwriting accomplishments,
and to Theta Xi fraternity and Phi Mu sorority
in honor of their 50th anniversaries.
HONOREES RECOGNIZED – President John L. Crain, center, recognized two other alumni at the
Awards Evening: Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals Judge James “Jimmy” Kuhn, left, with the
Distinguished Service Award, and Dennis James with the first Loyal Lion Award.
Above: Alumni Association President Dick
Covington leads the annual Homecoming
parade through Friendship Circle.
Right: A special quilt designed and made as a
gift to the university by alumnus Kim Howes
Zabbia is on the Louisiana Quilt Trail. The pattern
features an abstract Roomie with eight
claws and five teeth, commemorating the
Alumni Association’s 85th Anniversary and is
in the university colors of green and gold. The
lion’s nose doubles as Friendship Oak, while the
roar signifies the association’s passionate support
of the university. It also features mortar boards
and the Alumni Center. The quilt will ultimately
be displayed outside of the Alumni Center.
Alumni Association announces Eternal Chapter
During Homecoming, the Southeastern Alumni Association announced the
organization of the Eternal Chapter, a living web site designed to preserve the
memories of deceased Southeastern family members.
Association Director Kathy Pittman said the web site allows family members
to record information on the passing of Southeastern alumni as a way of sharing
with other members of the Southeastern family. Names recorded during the year
will be read at the association’s annual Golden Silence ceremony held each spring
in the War Memorial Student Union Park.
“We like to think that every person who has passed through Southeastern
leaves a part of themselves that makes our university special,” she said. “With this
web site, they will always be remembered.”
Visit southeastern.edu/alumni/eternalchapter for more information.
3

Student leaders gather under Friendhship Oak to
send a message of support to alumna Robin Roberts.
Project initiated to recruit potential bone marrow donors
When senior organizational communication major Whitney Christy
heard about an effort forming on the Southeastern campus to help
recruit potential bone marrow donors in honor of alumna Robin
Roberts, she was eager to get involved.
A native of Donaldsonville, Christy had personal reasons to join
the effort, called Swabbin’ 4 Robin. Her father and namesake, Whitney
Joseph Christy, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia
and received a bone marrow transplant from his sister. The successful
transplant was performed in 2002.
Student leaders at Southeastern are joining with Be the Match, a
national bone marrow donor program, in a year-long effort to educate
the public and recruit potential donors for patients diagnosed
with leukemia and other life-threatening blood diseases.
The program is being conducted in honor and support of Roberts,
the Good Morning America anchor and Southeastern communication
major and basketball star who recently underwent a bone
marrow transplant to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disease
also known as pre-leukemia. Roberts’ sister, WWL-TV morning
anchor Sally-Ann Roberts, provided the marrow for the transplant
procedure.
The Swabbin’ name refers to the DNA collection method that
requires a simple, painless cheek swab. There is no need to draw
blood or any other samples.
“Our goal is to help educate the campus and the general public
about the need for potential donors and to sponsor at least one
DNA collection event at competitions of all Southeastern athletic
teams,” said Christy. “We will also sponsor collection events on
campus where students will be encouraged to participate.”
Whitney and senior organizational communication major Chris
McKinley of Baton Rouge are spearheading the student-led project.
4

Both have undergone training to be DNA collectors and have
trained other student leaders from various fraternities, sororities,
student organizations and athletic teams.
“It’s a very simple process, just a matter of swabbing the inside
of the cheek to collect cells for DNA analysis and typing,” McKinley
said.
Once the swabs are collected, the information will be coded into
the national database of potential donors. There is a particular need
for African American donors.
“African Americans are more genetically diverse than those of
other heritages, so it’s more difficult to find a donor match,” Christy
said. “And while the registry has more than nine million potential
donors in its database, only about seven percent of these are of African
American or black heritage. Only about 66 percent of African
American patients ever find a donor match. In fact, the database
needs more representation from all minorities.”
According to Be the Match, patients are most likely to match
someone who shares their racial heritage.
McKinley said the goal is to collect as many strongly committed
donors as possible from all ethnic groups, particularly those
between the ages of 18 and 44. He emphasized the importance of
recruiting strongly committed potential donors.
“The cost of processing the DNA is expensive, about $100 per
sample, so it’s not anything to be considered lightly or on a whim,”
he added.
On-campus partners include the Southeastern Foundation,
Athletics Department, Student Government Association, Greek and
other student organizations. The campaign plans to also include
T-shirt sales and fund raising activities to help offset costs for Be the
Match.
The goal for the yearlong campaign is to have a collection event
held at one athletic event for each team, as well as periodic swabbing
collections in the Student Union and other locations. The most
successful event yet was held at the Lions’ final home football game
Nov. 10. Teams of student volunteers from Sigma Alpha Pi National
Society for Leadership and Success and the Lady Lions women’s
basketball team staffed booths at Strawberry Stadium before and
during the game, registering 97 people for Be the Match. The
Students, alumni and friends line up in Friendship Circle on Homecoming day to
sign an over-sized “Get well, We missed you” card for Robin Roberts, 1983 alumna
and host of Good Morning America who recently underwent a bone marrow transplant
to treat myelodysplastic syndrome, also known as pre-leukemia.
Swabbin’ campaign is approaching nearly 250 people in the database
through several events this semester.
Be the Match is the world’s largest, most diverse registry of
potential marrow donors and has facilitated more than 50,000
transplants since 1987.
McKinley said more than 10,000 patients a year are diagnosed
with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, and for many of
these individuals a marrow transplant from an unrelated donor may
be their best hope for a cure.
For more information, go to the web page southeastern.edu/
swabbin4robin or on Facebook at facebook.com/Swabbin4Robin.
Junior nursing student Charles Fahrenholtz of New Orleans swabs his cheek at
Homecoming as part of the Swabbin’ 4 Robin campaign. Sophomore nursing student
Taylor Daigrepont of Baton Rouge completes necessary paperwork under direction from
Natalie Rowe of Be the Match.
Christopher McKinley demonstrates the swabbing technique for DNA
collection for fellow student Whitney Christy as they prepare to launch the
Swabbin’ 4 Robin campaign designed to increase awareness and the number
of potential bone marrow donors.
5

CAMPUS NEWS
Enrollment, retention
rates increase in fall
The overall student headcount at Southeastern
this semester shows an increase over last fall,
while the university appears to be on track to
meet important student success targets established
by the GRAD Act, according to the university’s
fall semester report.
The total headcount this semester, including all
classifications, is 15,602, compared to last fall’s
15,414, a 1.2 percent increase. New freshmen
increased three percent, rising from last fall’s
3,376 to this year’s 3,476. An increase among
high schools participating in Southeastern’s dual
enrollment program helped to boost the overall
figures.
President John L. Crain said he was pleased to
note the university seems on track to continue
meeting its GRAD Act goals in the area of student
success. Under the GRAD Act, Louisiana
universities are evaluated on several performance
measures, including improvement in graduation
rates, student retention rates, and a number of
other benchmarks related to success of students.
Meeting the goals allows universities additional
autonomy in setting tuition rates, while failure to
reach the goals can result in significant penalties
in the institution’s funding.
Southeastern named
Military Friendly School
For the second consecutive year, Southeastern
has been named a Military Friendly School by
Victory Media, publisher of G.I Jobs, the premier
magazine for military personnel transitioning to
civilian life.
According to the company, the 2013 listing
honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities
and trade schools that are doing the most to
embrace the nation’s military service members
and veterans as students and to ensure their
academic success.
“Southeastern is proud to be recognized for
the second time as a Military Friendly School,”
said President John L. Crain. “Members of the
military and our veterans have made tremendous
sacrifices in service to our state and nation. We
are honored to be recognized as an institution
that makes a strong effort to embrace them and
assist them in reaching their educational goals.”
At Southeastern, more than 350 veterans, veterans’
dependents and members of the military
are currently enrolled.
THANKS, ENTERGY – Entergy Customer Service Manager Craig Schimpf, right, accepts thank you
cards created by students at the Southeastern Lab School in appreciation for a $10,000 grant to the
Southeastern College of Education and Human Development to assist in follow up meetings to its
Education Summit held in October. Presenting the cards are, from left, John Fischetti, dean of the college;
Mary Ballard, associate dean; and Southeastern President John L. Crain. About 400 stakeholders
from across the region gathered at Southeastern for the summit, which focused on the conditions of
children, families, schools and society in southeast Louisiana. Attendees included educators, counselors
and social workers, non-profits that provide services for children, government officials and concerned
community members.
University approved by SACS to offer
advanced nursing practice doctorate
The Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools’
Commission on Colleges
has approved Southeastern
to offer its nursing doctoral
program.
The university’s Doctor
of Nursing Practice degree
program is offered in partnership
with the University
of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Southeastern began enrolling
students this fall and
currently has 11 participants
in the program.
“This program is an important element in helping to meet Louisiana healthcare
workforce needs, particularly in the southeast region of the state. The SACS approval
demonstrates the university has met the accrediting agency’s various requirements
intended to ensure academic quality,” said President John L. Crain.
He said the program prepares professionals to provide hospital and communitybased
care for patients and families, redesign and evaluate nursing and health care
systems, and address severe shortages of faculty to mentor and educate new nurses.
The program, in which courses are delivered totally over the Internet, accepts
nurses who have already earned master’s degrees as nurse practitioners or nurse
service administrators, explained Ann Carruth, dean of the College of Nursing and
Health Sciences. Under the partnership with ULL, students can take courses at either
institution with the degree being awarded by the home university.
Carruth said the program builds on a highly successful masters in nursing practice
program that the two institutions have offered for years in a consortium that also
includes McNeese State University and Nicholls State University.
“The partnership allows Southeastern and ULL to combine the strengths and resources
of each institution, including faculty in various specialties and library support
services,” said Carruth. “This represents an excellent use of limited state resources
and allows us to offer a much-need program in a cost effective manner.”
6

Nursing program receives grant to target medically underserved areas
Southeastern’s School of Nursing is now offering an Advanced
Education Nurse Traineeship Program (AENT) for nursing students
pursuing a graduate degree.
The AENT is made available through a $637,350 grant awarded
by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, according to university
officials.
“Through this grant, we can completely support 15 students for
two years,” explained Graduate Nursing Coordinator Lorinda J.
Sealey. “Once students apply and we make the awards, it will be
retroactive for the fall 2012 semester, starting September 1.”
Sealey said the impetus behind applying for the grant was the
need to increase the number of healthcare providers in Louisiana’s
underserved areas.
“With the Affordable Care Act, we’re predicting a greater demand
for primary care providers because more people will be eligible for
healthcare,” Sealey said. “The federal government determines where
there are professional health care shortages. This includes almost all
of Louisiana, particularly rural areas.”
Sealey said the funding should provide enough financial support
for graduate nursing students to complete the program at a fulltime
pace, rather than extending their studies over a longer period.
Interested applicants must show interest in working in rural and
medically underserved areas. The program encourages applications
from veterans who are registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees and
are looking to become nurse practitioners, said Sealey.
Additional information on the scholarship is available at southeastern.edu/graduatenursing.
Chefs Evening gets new look
Southeastern’s major public fundraising
event, Chefs Evening,
will be sporting a whole new
look for 2013.
While the popular auction
and dining event will maintain
the concept that brings people
back year after year, invitations,
posters and other materials will
reflect a new logo and identity
created by Andre Ladegaillerie, a
senior graphic design student from Mandeville.
His design is in black and white with simple, clean lines similar
to silver on a white tablecloth. That was the image, he says, that
inspired him.
“I chose white as a background because it gives the design a
clean, upscale, modern look,” he said. “They were looking to reach
out to a younger audience, and I wanted to create an identity for
Chefs Evening that everyone could relate to.”
The new logo and materials resulted from a design contest in
faculty member Gary Keown’s class in advanced print design. University
Advancement, which hosts Chefs Evening, asked Keown to
partner with them to help develop a fresh look for the event, while
providing a hands-on learning experience for his 15 class members.
The students met with university staff to find out what they were
looking for, created design ideas based on what they heard, and
then presented those ideas back to the clients.
“This was a complex design assignment in which there were
multiple parts,” said Keown. “The students had to be extremely
organized and focused to complete the job. They had to work at an
expedient pace with a deadline that was similar to what they will
experience in the real world. Presenting their ideas to the client was
important for coherent communication skills and professionalism.”
Ladegaillerie will graduate in May with a concentration in graphic
design. He said this kind of assignment helps students build a portfolio
of work and learn to work effectively with clients.
TESTING AIR QUALITY – Ephraim Massawe, center, assistant professor of occupational,
safety and health, checks a monitoring device designed to test the quality of
indoor air in the cafeteria of Woodland Elementary School in Hammond. Assisting
are Sharon Watkins, technology specialist, left, and Southeastern graduate assistant
Laura Vausut. With a $38,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Massawe and his team are working in area schools to develop an air
quality improvement program based on the EPA’s “Tools for Schools” Program.
“Louisiana has a relatively high rate of lung diseases, which is made worse by poor
indoor air quality,” said Massawe. “Poor air quality has been highly correlated with
respiratory diseases, such as asthma, and affects children, elderly and the infirm
more than healthy individuals.” The intent is to identify cost effective measures
designed to improve the quality of indoor air, he said.
FANFARE LECTURE SERIES HONORS MOFFETT – History and Political Science
Department Head William Robison, left, presents a plaque to former Southeastern
and University of Louisiana System President Randy Moffett as the annual “Then
and Now Lecture Series” kicked off its 12th presentation. The free series was dedicated
to Moffett, who recently retired after a 41-year career in education.
7

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS
COWSER CITED BY CITYBUSINESS
AS ONE OF WOMEN OF THE YEAR
Erin Cowser, Southeastern
executive director of
public and governmental
affairs, was named one of
New Orleans CityBusiness’
Women of the Year.
Cowser is a recipient of
the Hammond Chamber of Commerce’s
2011 Chairman’s Award and the 2009 Community
Service Award. Named a member of
the “Northshore’s Finest,” she is a recipient
of the Edwin Crawford National Award for
Leadership in State Relations and Institutional
Advocacy.
ENNIS ELECTED PRESIDENT
OF REGIONAL EDUCATION GROUP
aspects of the history and cultures of the
Gulf South and the Caribbean Basin. GSHA
is a consortium of universities and historical
organizations and agencies in the Gulf South
and Latin America.
CHEMISTRY PROFESSOR RECEIVES
PHI KAPPA PHI LITERACY GRANT
Linda Munchausen, professor
of chemistry, has been
awarded a Phi Kappa Phi
Literacy Grant.
One of 14 recipients
nationwide to receive the
award, Munchausen is
president of the Southeastern chapter of Phi
Kappa Phi.
As part of the grant, the Phi Kappa Phi
chapter at Southeastern has partnered with
the Kiwanis Club of Hammond and the Zeta
Kappa chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an education
honor society, to provide “Blessings in
a Backpack” to students at Woodland Park
Elementary Magnet School.
The “Blessings in a Backpack” program is a
national movement that provides snacks and
reading material to low-income children.
“Poverty affects a child’s physical, social
and academic well-being,” said Munchausen.
“When children, especially young children,
experience poverty, they are at great
risk for difficulties throughout life.”
Currently, the Southeastern collaboration
of “Blessings in a Backpack” provides 80
at-risk students at Woodland Park Elementary
Magnet School with backpacks filled with
healthy snacks and meals each weekend.
Willie Ennis III, associate
professor of educational
technology leadership, has
been elected president
of the Southern Regional
Council on Educational
Administration.
Ennis is a specialist in educational technology
and mass communication. His research
interests include technology integration,
multimedia production and design and
computer lab development and design.
Michael D. Richardson,
professor and head of the
Department of Educational
Leadership and Technology,
was recognized at the
same meeting for service
to the organization. He
received the Jack Greer Lifetime Achievement
Award for his long time contributions
to SRCEA, including serving as president and
conference program director.
HYDE ELECTED PRESIDENT
OF HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Professor of History Samuel
C. Hyde has been elected
president of the Gulf South
Historical Association.
Southeastern’s Leon Ford
Endowed Chair in Regional
Studies and director of the
university’s Center for Southeast Louisiana
Studies, Hyde was elected at the recent Gulf
South History and Humanities Conference
held in Pensacola, Fla.
The conference is an annual event
sponsored by the GSHA and explores all
Southeastern Channel honored with Emmy
Manager Rick Settoon, right, and Operations Manager Steve Zaffuto display
the regional Emmy Award won by the Southeastern Channel.
Southeastern’s educational
access television station has
been recognized with another
regional Emmy Award.
A promotional spot for the
Southeastern Channel-produced
“Strength, Endurance, Tradition”
image campaign won the
prestigious award in the “Commercial”
category. Channel Operations
Manager Steve Zaffuto
produced, directed, videotaped
and edited the commercial.
The National Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences
made the award after reviewing
nominations from entries submitted
by television stations and production companies in the Suncoast Region, which includes
Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Puerto Rico.
The Southeastern Channel has now won eight Emmys and received 31 Emmy nominations for
both professional and student productions in its 10-year history and is the only college television
station in Louisiana to have won the award.
“The Emmy is the most prestigious and sought-after award in television; it means your're producing
at the highest level,” said Rick Settoon, general manager. “It's a terrific honor to again
receive such unique acclaim for a university television station among large commercial and
public stations and production companies.”
The spot promotes academic areas, such as physics, education, communication, nursing, digital
arts and theater. Elements of the commercial include faculty and student interviews, along
with footage used in the recruiting video “Strength, Endurance, Tradition.”
“Some spots, such as the one promoting the nursing program, utilize footage from actual
hands-on classroom situations,” Zaffuto said. “When promoting artistic achievements, I thought
it important to show material actually produced by the students themselves.”
The Southeastern Channel has won more than 150 national and international awards in the
last 10 years. It’s been named “Best College Television Station in the South,” and its student
programs have been selected as among the top three in the nation.
8

FAUST HONORED WITH PHI KAPPA PHI
LOVE OF LEARNING AWARD
Joan Faust, professor of English
who also serves as the English
Department’s undergraduate
coordinator, has been presented
with a Love of Learning Award
by The Honor Society of Phi
Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest
and most selective collegiate honor society for all
academic disciplines.
She was one of 140 recipients nationwide to
receive the award and a $500 stipend, which
helps fund post-baccalaureate studies and career
development. She plans to use the award to help
fund reproduction rights for a book project on
17th Century British poet Andrew Marvell.
Faust was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi as an undergraduate
student at Nicholls State University.
She has held numerous offices in the Southeastern
Chapter, including president, and currently
serves as chapter secretary. Faust is the founder
of Southeastern’s annual Quiz Bowl Tournament,
which pits student teams against faculty teams
during Homecoming week. The event has been
recognized nationally by the honor society.
NEW TEXTBOOK ON ACTING
PUBLISHED BY JAMES WINTER
James Winter, assistant professor
of acting and directing, has
had a new textbook on acting
published. Act One; Scene One:
An Actor’s Workbook marks Winter’s
first acting textbook and
his third textbook overall. The
work was published and released by Kendall Hunt
Publishing Company.
“Of the three books I’ve written, I’m most
proud of this one because I think it’s unique to
what it is,” said Winter, the 2011 recipient of the
Southeastern President’s Award for Excellence in
Artistic Activity. “From what I’ve heard from my
peers in both acting and education, there really
isn’t another acting text like it.”
Act One; Scene One lives up to its name. The
work includes monologues and scenes from a
variety of plays but includes space for students to
record personal observations and reflections.
The book will be used in acting courses at
Southeastern. Royalties from the textbook sales
help fund Southeastern’s James Winter Endowed
Theatre Scholarship and The Hymel Falgoust Jr.
Scholarship in Technical Theatre.
ALUMNI CENTER NOW
AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS
Call 985-549-2150 for information.
Rock School host and Communication Professor Joseph Burns, left, and Chad Pierce of KSLU review notes
for another episode of the award-winning radio program.
KSLU’s Rock School wins award for excellence
To former disc jockey and rock music historian Joseph Burns, the only thing that matters
in the world of radio is the next show.
Although the Southeastern communication professor no longer sits at a mic full
time, he gets his weekly fix spinning records and hosting Rock School, a program on
rock n’ roll history that airs twice weekly on the university’s public radio station, KSLU-
90.9 FM.
What started as a fund-raising gimmick several years ago — Burns donated $50
for an hour to talk rock music on the station — has evolved into a highly anticipated
weekly broadcast in which Burns and his sidekick and former student Chad Pierce
focus on little-known facts around a topic, group or artist and showcase associated
classical rock music. The program this year has been recognized with an International
Communicator Award of Excellence.
The Communicator Awards is a competitive awards program honoring creative excellence
by communication professionals. The awards are judged and overseen by the
International Academy of Visual Arts, an organization of more than 200 professionals.
“When Chad invited me to participate in a fund drive, I had not been on the radio
for a long, long time,” said Burns, who started as a freshman DJ at WWNW, the student-staffed
radio station at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa. “I attacked
it. I played the music I wanted to play and talked about the songs. It all came back to
me. When it’s in your blood, you have to do it. It’s the heroin of media.”
In preparing for the show, Burns works up a play list of at least 14 songs, knowing
he’ll probably play nine or 10. While avoiding a script, he arms himself with facts and
figures about the artist and group being profiled or the topic up for discussion.
“Joe is a preparer, a musical encyclopedia,” explained Pierce. “I purposefully don’t
prepare for the show. We find our delivery works best when I sit down not knowing
what we’re talking about because you get an honest to goodness reaction from me.”
Rock School has aired nearly 285 shows with no duplication of topics. Many are tied
to events such as the anniversary of Woodstock or holidays like Halloween. Burns has
notes and ideas for many more in his briefcase and on sticky notes throughout his
office. Occasionally he gets topic suggestions from fans, especially through the Rock
School page on Facebook. In addition to the KSLU broadcast, the hour-long program
is streamed live over KSLU.org every Thursday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. (CST).
It airs on four affiliate stations, including the LSU radio station, KLSU in Baton Rouge,
and a station in Salamanca, Spain.
9

STUDENT NEWS
Miss Southeastern 2013
crowned in pageant
Members of a Southeastern public relations class put together a 30-second public service announcement
on voter registration that won a competition sponsored by the Louisiana Secretary of State. Pictured are,
front row, from left: Anna Guillot, Melissa Daigle, Stephony Mark, Rachel Montoya, Adrienne Rousse,
Maya Miller and Marco Scott; back row, from left: Taylor Thornton, Dan Marchese, Megan Romaire,
Stephani Holloway, Hillary Cowart, Regan Lesaichere, Nikki Cowart, Malik Harness and Ryan Zellner.
Students win state PSA contest
A team of Southeastern communication students took first place in a statewide competition
to produce a 30-second public service announcement encouraging citizens
to register to vote.
Amber Narro, associate professor of communication, received a notice about the
contest from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, the agency in charge of elections,
and presented it to the students in her public relations writing class as an optional
project. The students elected to accept the challenge and began brainstorming
ideas for the PSA.
“I am so proud of the students at Southeastern Louisiana University for submitting
the winning entry in our Voter Registration and Participation PSA competition,” said
Secretary of State Tom Schedler. “The public service announcement they submitted
was informative, creative, and well-produced. I hope this learning experience
enhanced the students’ interest in the Presidential Election and will inspire them to
become lifelong voters.”
“I was very excited about participating in the contest,” said senior Malik Harness of
New Orleans, who is majoring in organizational communication and public relations.
“I’m a firm believer that people remember things they see a lot longer than things
they hear. Registering to vote is so important and it affects everyone.”
Narro said the group had limited time to brainstorm, consolidate their ideas, and
then produce the video. She challenged them to find a way to work together under
the stress of a tight deadline.
The video features students writing various issue-related key words — such as
health care, defense, and national debt — on their hands, while a narrator emphasizes
that “when you vote, everything is in your hands.” The video can be seen on
YouTube under the key term “Southeastern Voter Registration” and has been distributed
to media statewide by the Secretary of State’s Office.
HOMECOMING ROYALTY CROWNED –
Shawndreka Gatlin, a senior fashion merchandising
major from New Orleans, and Brandon
Nettles, a junior communication major from
Baton Rouge, were crowned 2012 Homecoming
Queen and King during half time of the Southeastern
vs. Central Arkansas football game.
Gatlin is president of the NAACP Southeastern
Chapter, an Orientation Leader for 2012, and a
member of Gamma Beta Phi and Sigma Alpha
Lambda. Nettles is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, a 2012 Orientation Leader, and a
mentor for Project Pull.
Southeastern sophomore
biology major Reneé Picou of
Livingston has been chosen Miss
Southeastern for 2013.
She received her crown from
Miss Southeastern 2012 Jennifer
Jarreau at the annual pageant in
September.
Picou also received the Evening Gown Award,
the Lifestyle and Fitness Award and the “People’s
Choice” Award. She will advance to the Miss
Louisiana pageant, which will be held in Monroe
in June.
First runner up was Erin St. Pierre, junior
kinesiology major from Larose, who also received
the Miss Congeniality Award, the GPA Award for
the highest grade point average, and the Miracle
Maker Award for her fund raising efforts in connection
with the Miss America Pageant’s charity,
the Children’s Miracle Network.
Crystal Gonzalez of Hammond, a sophomore
kinesiology major, was second runner-up.
Third runner up was freshman communication
major Hailee Webber of Destrehan, who also won
the Talent Award for her lyrical dance routine
to “Turning Page” from the well-known movie
“Breaking Dawn.”
National award presented
for community service
A Southeastern student is one
of 40 college students across the
nation to receive a scholarship
for her dedication and efforts to
better her community.
RBS Citizens Financial Group
awarded Sonya Davis $2,500 as
part of the TruFit Good Citizen Scholarship challenge.
She was the first runner up to the grand
prize in the competition that attracted more than
5,000 applicants.
Davis grew up in Bayou Goula in Iberville Parish
and is currently enrolled at Southeastern as she
applies to nursing school. She previously earned
a degree in psychology at the University of South
Florida in Tampa.
Upon her return to Louisiana, Davis devised a
plan to help teenaged mothers. She designed a
curriculum with information on Medicaid, medical
insurance and family planning. She started an
ACT prep class to help high schoolers prepare for
the test and later launched a similar initiative for
younger students practicing for LEAP tests.
10

CHAPTER NEWS
THETA XI CELEBRATES 50 YEARS –
Fifty years ago, the Theta Xi Fraternity
was founded on the Southeastern
campus, and the group celebrated
the anniversary in the Student Union
Ballroom Oct. 20. Since its founding
at Southeastern, the fraternity initiated
777 men, many of whom reside
and or work in the Hammond area.
Approximately 185 members and
their wives attended the event, where
brothers Jim Faust, Howard Nicholls,
and Chris Miaoulis were honored with
the Order of the Golden Star.
Coaches Caravan
Enjoying the Coaches Caravan in Baton
Rouge were, from left, U.S. Judge
James Brady, Head Football Coach Ron
Roberts, Glen Bowman and Earl Baron.
Alumni and fans of Southeastern
Athletics gathered in Amite, Baton
Rouge and Mandeville this year
for the Alumni Association’s annual
Coaches Caravans. Attendees
heard from Southeastern coaches
about their programs and enjoyed
visiting with new football coach
Ron Roberts. Many thanks to
Brad Stevens and the North Tangi
Chapter, Mike Hackler and the
Red Stick Chapter, and Denis Bechac and the St. Tammany West
Chapter for helping to organize and welcome the coaches to their
areas.
Convocation Picnic
The Alumni Association welcomed
Southeastern faculty
and staff back to campus for
the start of the fall semester
with the annual Convocation
Picnic on August 10. The picnic
was possible thanks to the
generous sponsorship of Aramark, La Capitol Federal Credit Union,
First Guaranty Bank and North Oaks Health System.
Lone Star Chapter at the Ballpark
The Lone Star Alumni Chapter enjoyed
an evening at Houston’s Minute Maid
Park in August during the Astros vs.
Diamondbacks baseball game. Alumni
connected with each other and cheered
former Southeastern pitcher Wade Miley
as he led his team to a victory. Southeastern
fans were treated after the game with
a special visit from Wade and Katie Miley.
Above: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher and former Southeastern baseball star Wade
Miley, left, poses with another strikeout leader from Southeastern, Bob Hardy.
FE-Lions Salute the Lions
The FE-Lions Chapter of the Alumni Association hosted the annual
“Salute the Lions” dinner for all Lion athletes. Over 300 athletes
enjoyed a meal that included homemade desserts prepared by FE-
Lions members. Special thanks go to Kelly Coudrain and Suzanne
Gautier for their help in coordinating the event.
Alumni Goes to the Fair
The Alumni Association joined
Washington Parish alums as
they celebrated at the 101st
Annual Washington Parish Free
Fair. Alumni and their families
stopped by the Association’s
tent October 17 and enjoyed
delicious refreshments during
the parade. They also cheered for Roomie and Miss Southeastern
Reneé Picou, who rode in the parade. The Association thanks Pam
Cook Forrest and Jan Branch for hosting Southeastern alumni and
friends.
New Orleans Chapter meets
The New Orleans Area Alumni Chapter hosted alumni and friends
at Bozo’s Restaurant in Metairie. Alumni enjoyed getting together
again with great food and lots of fun. Thanks go to Chapter President
Beth Ebberman and chapter members for a great event.
Alumni Tailgating in the Circle
The Alumni Association brought back its tailgate in Friendship Circle
with a new format and help from the chapters. Thanks go to the
following chapters for sponsoring tailgates during home football
games this season: African American, North Tangi, Alpha Sigma Tau,
Sigma Tau Gamma, Tangi, and Red Stick Chapters. We could not
do what we do without your help.
FE-Lions Host Luncheons
The FE-Lions have had lively luncheons this fall during their 10th
anniversary year. Every luncheon has been packed with activity and
fun. Football Coach Ron Roberts has joined them and filled them
in on the Lions’ progress each week. Thanks so much to President
Bettye Magee and the officers for their hard work putting together
great programs.
11

KEEPING IN TOUCH
’54, ‘65 Hubert Polk, a member of the
Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame, was
recognized recently when the football
stadium at Silliman Institute in Clinton,
La., was dedicated in his honor.
‘62 Frank Misuraca, a member of the
Southeastern Hall of Fame, was recently
inducted into the Sugar Bowl Hall of
Fame in New Orleans. He has served as
athletic director at Jesuit High School in
New Orleans for 25 years.
‘68 Clark Forrest Jr. has been appointed
director of the Hammond Area Economic
and Industrial Development District.
Previously he worked with the Louisiana
Department of Economic Development in
various positions.
’75 Mignhon Tourne, president and CEO
of ASI Federal Credit Union, was profiled
in the New Orleans CityBusiness feature on
2012 Moneymakers.
Alumnus Donald George presents masterclass
Operatic tenor and Southeastern alumnus Donald George (’69) returned to his alma mater
during Fanfare, where he performed in concert with Lucy Mauro on piano and later conducted
a masterclass for students. The former 2010 Alumnus of the Year also presented the first Donald
George Vocal Scholarship to student Sarah Bertrand. George is an associate professor of voice at
The Crane School of Music at State University of New York in Potsdam.
‘79 Michael Skalos has been named to
Stanford Who’s Who, a network of leading
professionals in various fields. For the
last 13 years, he has served as district
sales manager with the Robert Bosch Tool
Corporation, covering the region from
Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.
’82 Mark Rosa, CEO of Jefferson Financial
Credit Union, was profiled in the
New Orleans CityBusiness feature on 2012
Moneymakers.
‘87 Patsy Powell Lofstrom
of Norwood, La., has been
named director of Lane
Nursing Home at Lane
Regional Medical Center in
Zachary. She is responsible
for coordinating all aspects of nursing
care for the facility. Prior to her appointment,
she was a coordinator at Lane
Rehabilitation Center.
’87, ’99 Melissa Stilley,
the former chief academic
officer at the Tangipahoa
Parish School System, has
been named a network
director in the Louisiana
Department of Education. She will lead a
team of 13 people in working with superintendents,
principals and teachers in the
transition to common core education and
in the implementation of a new evaluation
system.
’89, ‘90 J. Steven Covington has been
appointed director of the Office of
Stewardship and Development for the
Archdiocese of New Orleans. He has held
senior fundraising positions with the
LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts,
Loyola University in New Orleans, and the
University of Alabama.
‘89 Nanette Greer McCann, principal of
Baton Rouge Magnet High School for the
past 11 years, was named the Louisiana
Department of Education High School
Principal of the Year. She will be entered
in the MetLife National Association of
Secondary School Principals competition
for Principal of the Year.
’92 Regina “Ginny” Galloway
Crow has been named
chief nursing officer at
River Region Health System
in Vicksburg, Miss., after
previously serving as assistant
chief nursing officer. Before joining
River Region, she served as vice president
of clinical services/director of nursing for
North Oaks Health System in Hammond.
‘92 Carole Elliot has been
named the new central
office liaison for elementary
schools by the Office of
Catholic Schools in the Diocese
of Orleans. Previously
she served as an associate superintendent.
‘95 Maria Mateu Ward has been named
principal of St. Isidore School in Danville,
Calif. She joined the school’s staff 10
years ago as a fourth grade teacher and
most recently served as the school’s vice
principal.
’98 Tyler Smith, an instructor
of voice and vocal pedagogy
at Loyola University in
New Orleans, recently sang
the title role in the New
Orleans Opera’s production of Pagliacci.
He has presented recitals throughout the
United States, South America and Europe.
‘99 Nancy Boutte has joined Apex Innovations
of Lafayette as director of clinical
compliance. With more than 37 years of
clinical and administrative health care
experience, she has worked in hospital
administration, perioperative management
and nursing services. She holds her
master’s in nursing from Southeastern.
‘99 Richard Palisi Jr. of Hammond,
former postmaster of the Covington Post
Office, has been named the new postmaster
for Hammond.
’00 Erin Bendily has been named assistant
superintendent for policy and
external affairs at the Louisiana Department
of Education.
12

‘00 Daniel Edwards has been appointed
principal of Woodlawn High School in
Baton Rouge. He previously was assistant
principal at McKinley Middle Academic
Magnet School.
‘01 Myles B. Gill has been promoted
to the rank of major in the U.S. Army
Reserve. He is an operations engineer staff
officer assigned to the 377th Theater Sustainment
Command in New Orleans.
’02, ‘06 Michael DeArmond, formerly of
Hammond and Tickfaw, was ordained into
the Dominican Order of Deacons in St.
Louis on Sept. 15.
’02 Krassen Karagiozov is a resident
principal artist with Opera San Jose and
has also sung with New York City Opera
and at the Caramoof Festival, among others.
This year he will make debut appearances
with Liverpool Opera and Opera
Santa Barbara.
’03 Angelina Drago, the
ProStart instructor at Fontainebleau
High School in
Mandeville, was awarded
the James H. Maynard
Excellence in Education
Award in Chicago. She was one of two
ProStart educators to receive the $5,000
cash prize from the National Restaurant
Association Education Foundation and
Golden Corral. ProStart is a high school
program that offers training in the restaurant
industry.
‘05 Essie Cockrell, academic
adviser and recruiter
for the LSU Health Science
Center School of Nursing,
has retired after 17 years of
service. “The pre-nursing
students who interacted with her on a
regular basis can certainly attest to her
value,” said Paul Ivey, executive director
of LSU University College.
‘05 Dawn Long, a certified pediatric
nurse practitioner, is working on Slidell
Memorial Hospital’s Pediatric Patient
Care Unit. She previously worked with
Children’s International Group, a pediatric
practice in Slidell.
’07 Dustin “Dusty” Thomas is the
kitchen manager for Mr. B’s Bistro in New
Orleans.
’08 Freddie McClendon
has been named a partner
at Faulk & Winkler accounting
firm in Baton Rouge.
He oversees the Client Accounting
Services Department
and provides consulting services
to many of the firm’s governmental
organizations.
‘08 Mike Sevante, who
has served as St. Tammany
Parish Council administrator
since 2000, has been
appointed deputy council
attorney. In addition to an
MBA from Southeastern, he holds a law
degree from Southern University.
’08 Athen Sweet has been
named a partner at Faulk
& Winkler accounting firm
in Baton Rouge, where he
leads the firm’s health care
consulting practice.
’09 Lacey Pyle of Atlanta is
currently graphic designer
and web coordinator for
North Georgia College and
State University of Atlanta,
where she is responsible
for maintaining the visual identity of the
university.
‘10 Ashley Lemoine, a Southeastern
organizational communication graduate,
has been appointed public relations coordinator
for Zehnder Communications,
an advertising agency with offices in New
Orleans, Baton Rouge and Nashville. She
recently earned a master’s degree in mass
communications from LSU.
’10 Chris Mycoskie has been appointed
assistant commissioner of the Southland
Conference, where he has administrative
oversight of the Southland Conference
Television Network, managing game production
and affiliate relations.
’11 John Favaloro has been named a
financial services representative with Creative
Financial Solutions in Lafayette.
‘11 Lance Harrell has been
named principal of O.W.
Dillon Elementary School
in Kentwood. An educator
for 13 years, he previously
served as assistant principal
and disciplinarian at Ponchatoula Junior
High School. He is currently working on
his doctorate in educational leadership at
Southeastern.
’11 Gary Marlbrough, a former teacher
in the St. Tammany Parish School System,
has been promoted to principal of Chahta-Ima
Elementary School in Lacombe.
ROOMS AVAILABLE IN JAMESTOWN AREA
Alumnus D.B. “Bert” Gray and his wife
Vickie, who live just across the James
River from Jamestown and Williamsburg,
Va., are offering free rooms to friends of
Southeastern who are visiting the area.
Their home is approximately three hours
south of Washington, DC, and includes
a two-acre stocked pond and 1,500-acre
lake. For information, contact Bert at
dbgray@hughes.net
The official
Southeastern
ring and
pendant
Order your’s today.
1-866-Balfour or
balfourcollege.com
Rec Sports – Join now!
Now is the best time for alumni to sign
up at Southeastern’s state-of-the-art fitness
center featuring exciting new renovations
and equipment to whip you into shape!
Visit the Pennington Student Activity
Center or call the Membership Desk at
985-549-5734.
13

PHILANTHROPY
AT&T, Whitney Bank
support new Completer
Scholarship initiative
More than 80 percent of Southeastern undergraduates
receive some form of financial
aid. In some instances, that aid is exhausted
before students are able to complete their
degrees. Southeastern is embarking on a
major initiative with donors to provide “completer”
scholarship aid for students who may
be unable to finish school without financial
assistance.
Two corporate donors have stepped up to
provide initial funding for completer scholarships.
AT&T has provided a $43,000 gift, and
Whitney Bank has given $10,000. Both companies
are generous supporters of Southeastern
that wanted to focus their gifts on one of
the university’s highest priority initiatives.
“It is vitally important to both our students
and the university that we continue to grow
our graduation rates,” said President John L.
Crain. “We want our students to know that
if they make academic progress, they can
afford to complete their degrees.”
A number of demographic factors make it
challenging for many students to complete in
four years:
• 67 percent of our students work at jobs
outside the classroom
• 32 percent are working more than 30
hours a week while attending college
• 20 percent are married and 22 percent
have dependent children under the age
of 18
• 37 percent commute 30 or more miles
one way to campus to attend classes
• 26 percent are first generation college
students who may have fewer support
systems at home.
Extending completer aid through support
from private, foundation and corporate gifts
is one of the university’s financial priorities.
Together, Southeastern and our donors can
address the need for a highly skilled and
educated workforce in Louisiana.
Several donors have also contributed
to completer aid specifically for studentathletes,
who lose their athletic eligibility and
scholarships after four years. These include
the Marcia & Cameron Barr Fifth Year Aid to
Athletes Endowment, the Daigle Fifth Year
Aid to Athletes Endowment and the Trapp
Fifth Year Aid to Athletes Endowment.
For information about how you can support
students at Southeastern in completing
their degrees, contact the Foundation at
866-474-4438. Your gift will truly change a
student’s life for the better.
The Smith Family: Support from parents key
to Southeastern success
Southeastern parents Mike and Pamela Smith pose with their
daughter, Abbey, a member of the Queen’s Court during
Homecoming 2012. The Smiths have made several financial
gifts to Southeastern to help other students receive the high
quality of education the university has provided to Abbey.
Southeastern is fortunate to
count the parents of its students as
some of the university’s strongest
supporters. With the continuing
decrease in state financial support,
the university must depend even
more on the parent members of
the Southeastern family for its
future success.
Mike and Pamela Smith, parents
of junior kinesiology major Abbey
Smith, are highly involved parents
who believe strongly in helping to
give back what their daughter is
receiving from Southeastern. The
Smiths note that Southeastern was
Abbey’s first choice because she loved the campus and she was treated like an individual.
“She chose Southeastern,” said Pamela Smith of Abbey. “She had a high GPA and SAT
score so doors were wide open for her, but she wanted to go here. She loved the beautiful
campus and the modern student housing, and it’s been very easy for her to have
access to her professors. Southeastern is a hidden jewel.”
Abbey Smith has taken advantage of all of the opportunities Southeastern has to offer
and has been very involved on campus. She was named Southeastern Freshman Woman
of the Year, Alpha Omicron Pi’s New Member of the Year, and she received the Southeastern
Green “S” Award. This year, she was a member of the Homecoming Court. The
Smiths credit Southeastern with providing a welcoming and encouraging environment
in which Abbey has thrived, and they want to preserve that legacy for other students
through their philanthropic gifts.
“It’s all about relationships,” said Mike Smith. “Southeastern does a great job of that.
When we see how well Abbey has done here and the quality of education she has received,
we want to help make that happen for other students. It’s so easy to give back. It
doesn’t take much time, just a little effort.”
The Smiths have made several gifts to Southeastern in support of student scholarships.
To find out how you can make an impact for students at Southeastern, call 985-549-2239
or email advancement@southeastern.edu.
Watch for Swabbin’ 4 Robin events
on campus and like us on Facebook!
Southeastern is in the midst of a student-led
campaign to educate people about the critical
need for bone marrow donors, particularly
minority donors, and to register people
for the National Marrow Donor Database
through the nonprofit Be the Match. (See
story in this issue on page 4) Watch for a
listing of Swabbin’ 4 Robin events on campus
in the spring, and come support this
effort on behalf of Southeastern alumna and
Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, who is currently recovering from a bone
marrow transplant. Be sure to “like” Swabbin’ 4 Robin on Facebook (facebook.com/
swabbin4robin) and check the website (southeastern.edu/swabbin4robin) frequently
for updates as the campaign continues through May 2013.
14

Southeastern alumni strongly represented at First Guaranty Bank
Alumni of Southeastern can be found across the country and around
the globe. However, many graduates have also found successful
positions close to home. One major employer is First Guaranty Bank,
which employs 44 of our alumni or current students.
“Southeastern graduates are not only well educated, but they are
also well prepared for the business world, enthusiastic, dependable
and innovative,” said Alton B. Lewis, First Guaranty’s chief executive
officer. “They provide leadership at all levels of the bank and offer a
wide range of perspectives.”
Recently, Dean Randy Settoon of the College of Business visited
with the Southeastern alumni at First Guaranty, updating them on
activities within the college. Settoon noted that the college strives to
bring a balance between theory and practice to its curriculum, and
he welcomed the input and participation of regional businesses.
“It’s so important that we constantly communicate and engage in
substantial ways with the business community,” he said.
Southeastern and First Guaranty Bank have a mutually beneficial
longstanding relationship. The bank partners with Southeastern to
support a number of programs and initiatives, including Business
Perspectives Week, Chefs Evening, Columbia Theatre and Athletics.
First Guaranty also provides internship opportunities for Southeastern
students through the College of Business.
Project Friendship bricks
placed during Homecoming
The first set of personalized engraved bricks, part of Southeastern’s
Project Friendship brick campaign, were laid in Friendship Circle
during Homecoming 2012.
It’s not too late to purchase a brick and have your name and message,
or that of a loved one, forever preserved on campus.
Proceeds from Project Friendship support Southeastern’s programs
through the Annual Fund and are tax deductible to the
extent allowed by law. Bricks are priced at $100 for a 4" x 8" (three
lines) or $250 for an 8" x 8" (six lines). For more information or to
order a Friendship brick, call 985-549-3770 or visit southeastern.
edu/projectfriendship.
Projec
Friendship
Sunday, March 3, 2013
CHEFS EVENING • 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Pennington Student Activity Center
PRESIDENT’S TOAST • 4 – 5 p.m.
featuring Chefs Marc Lyons and Jenna Pecoraro
of Covey Rise Lodge
sponsored by La Capital Federal Credit Union
Hosted by the Southeastern Foundation, Chefs Evening
provides financial support for the university’s five colleges.
Join us for a wonderful evening featuring many of the
area’s top chefs serving their best dishes, a live band, and
live and silent auctions with spectacular prizes.
For tickets and sponsorship opportunities visit
southeastern.edu/chefsevening • 985-549-2420
15

ATHLETICS
All-Southland soccer team
features 8 Lady Lions
HALL OF FAMERS RECOGNIZED – Southeastern honored three new inductees into the Athletics Hall
of Fame earlier this season. Shown, from left, are Athletics Director Bart Bellairs, President John L. Crain,
and honorees Donald Dykes, Kim McNally and Kendra Oney.
Three are named to Athletics Hall of Fame
Three former Southeastern athletes were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in
September at halftime of Southeastern’s 25-24 win over McNeese State.
Entering the Hall of Fame were former soccer players Kim McNally and Kendra
Oney, along with two-sport standout Donald Dykes. The induction of the trio
increased the all-time membership to 128. They were formally inducted in an
afternoon ceremony in the Hall of Champions at the University Center before being
introduced at halftime of the football contest.
The addition of McNally, who played for the Lady Lions from 2002-04, and Oney,
who played from 2000-03, marked the first time two players from the same sport
were inducted in the same year since former Lady Lion basketball players Queen
Brumfield Nard and Pam Cook Forrest were enshrined in 1998.
In a brilliant three-year career in which she was a first-team All-Southland Conference
selection each season and 2002 SLC Newcomer of the Year, McNally set Southeastern
and SLC career records for points scored (127), goals (55) and hat tricks (7).
She scored a single-season school-record 52 points in 2002 for the Lady Lions, which
included a school-record 21 goals. McNally added school career records in shots
taken (272) and game-winning goals (15).
Oney teamed with McNally to help Southeastern to a pair of Southland Conference
regular-season titles (2002 and 2003) and was the league’s Player of the Year in
2003. She concluded her Lady Lion career second in points scored (93), goals (38),
game-winning goals (13) and shots taken (240). A two-time All-Southland selection,
Oney recorded seven game-winning goals in 2003 to set a school and SLC singleseason
record.
Dykes, a Hammond native, excelled both on the track and the football field. A
four-year letterman in football, Dykes blocked 12 kicks and recorded six interceptions
during his career that saw him become a third-round draft choice by the New
York Jets in the 1979 NFL Draft. Dykes played four seasons in the NFL, including
three seasons with the Jets (1979-81) and one with the San Diego Chargers (1982).
In 1980, he was third on the Jets’ team with five interceptions and added an interception
in the 1981 NFL Playoffs against Buffalo.
On the track, Dykes was an eight-time All-American and was one of the top long
jumpers in the world. He won three national championships at Southeastern, including
twice in the long jump, and helped the Lions to the 1975 national championship.
In 1977, he set a school and the state record with a long jump of (26 feet, 3
inches), which was 17th best in the world at the time. He was also an NAIA outdoor
champion in the event posting a mark of 25-11 at the 1977 meet. He also holds the
outdoor record in the triple jump (52 feet, 9.5 inches) and the indoor school record
in the long jump (24 feet, 7 inches) that he set at the 1975 NAIA Indoor Championships.
Southeastern senior forward Maiya Cooper and
senior goalkeeper Lacey Bockhaus were named
to the first team to highlight an eight-player
Lady Lion contingent on the 2012 All-Southland
Conference Soccer Teams.
Cooper and Bockhaus were joined by second
team selection and junior midfielder Kelsey
Salcido. Senior midfielders Karly Dagys and
Lauren Stillians, junior defender Shaynce Shaw,
freshman defender Cheyenne Maxwell and
freshman forward Kayla Vera were named to
the Honorable Mention team.
Cooper, of Hawthorne,
Calif., is the second Lady Lion
and fifth player in Southland
history to earn first team All-
Conference honors four times.
Cooper The first player in school
history to post four seasons
of double-digit goals, she leads the team with
10 goals and ranks second in school history in
career goals (47).
Bockhaus made history of
her own with her third firstteam
All-Southland nod and
her fourth All-Southland selection
overall. She is second
Bockhaus in the Southland with nine
shutouts.
Salcido earned a second All-Southland nod.
The Lakewood, Calif., native is second on the
team with five goals and three assists.
Highlighting the honorable mention selections
is Dagys, who was named All-Southland
for the fourth consecutive year. With two goals
and two assists on the season, the Oakville,
Ont., native is the school’s career leader with
27.
Stillians was selected All-Southland for the
second time in her career. The versatile Manhattan
Beach, Calif., native ranks fifth in school
history with 19 career assists.
Shaw also is a two-time All-Southland
Conference honoree. The Ajax, Ont., native
led a defense that shutout five of its final six
opponents of the regular season.
Making their first appearance on the team
are freshmen Maxwell and Vera. Maxwell, of
Sacramento, Calif., led a 4-1-1 stretch to close
the regular season. Vera rounds out the Southeastern
All-Southland contingent. The Vancouver,
Wash., native was an immediate impact
player up top during the regular season, sitting
at second on the team with five goals to go
with a team-high six assists.
16

1
Schedules
2012 – 2013
Men’s Home Basketball
DATE OPPONENT TIME
DECEMBER
29 SPRING HILL 4 pm
JANUARY
3 ORAL ROBERTS* 7:15 pm
5 CENTRAL ARKANSAS* 4 pm
12 NICHOLLS STATE* 4 pm
24 SAM HOUSTON STATE* 7:15 pm
26 TEXAS A&M 4 pm
-CORPUS CHRISTI*
2
FEBRUARY
14 NORTHWESTERN STATE* 7:15 pm
16 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN* 4 pm
3
MARCH
7 MCNEESE STATE* 7:15 pm
9 LAMAR (SENIOR DAY)* 4 pm
4
Women’s Home
Basketball
JANUARY
3 ORAL ROBERTS* 5:15 pm
5 CENTRAL ARKANSAS* 2 pm
12 NICHOLLS STATE* 2 pm
24 SAM HOUSTON STATE* 5:15 pm
26 TEXAS A&M 2 pm
-CORPUS CHRISTI*
FEBRUARY
14 NORTHWESTERN STATE* 5:15 pm
16 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN* 2 pm
MARCH
7 MCNEESE STATE* 5:15 pm
9 LAMAR (SENIOR DAY)* 2 pm
5
Get your
Green
& Gold
!
* Southland Conference game
All times Central
For a complete schedule,
go to lionsports.net
For the Lion Fan on your gift giving list... Items available at RaceTrac
include: (1) I am a Lion message bracelet, $1.50. Items available from Mandeville Party
Company include: (2) assorted bottle cap jewelry, $9.99. Items available from Connie's
Impessons and C.I. Sports include (3) Southeastern hat, scarf and gloves set, $19.95; (4)
Southeastern flannel pajama pants, $15.50; and (5) Southeastern wind resistant jacket, $56.95.
Southeastern is proud to showcase merchandise from our retail partners. If you would like to
include merchandise in a future edition of Alumni News, contact Executive Director of Public
and Governmental Affairs Erin Cowser at 985-549-5861.

Southeastern Louisiana University
Alumni Association
500 West University Avenue
Hammond, LA 70401
southeastern.edu
Non-Prof. Org.
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Hammond, LA
Pardon our progress
Southeastern students and staff dedicated the construction of a new $32 million renovation and enlargement of the War Memorial
Student Union during Homecoming Week. Phase I construction, which is scheduled to conclude in November 2013, occurs in the
background. The project is being funded through a self-assessed student fee and revenues obtained from participating commercial
providers that occupy space in the building. The project is expected to be completed in late 2014 and will add approximately
90,000 square feet of new construction and renovation of a similar area of the current structure.