Drumbeat - Alumni Newsletter - University of Louisiana at Monroe

Drumbeat is published for the alumni & friends of the University of Louisiana
at Monroe by the ULM Office of Public A ffairs. Correspondence should be
sent to this email: drumbeat@ulm.edu
Or addressed to:
E d i t o r, Drumbeat
Admin. 1-32
The University of Louisiana at Monroe
700 University Av e .
Monroe, LA 7 1 2 0 9
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Executive Editor
Georgiann Potts
Phone: 318-342-5440
Fax: 318-342-5446
E-mail: PA P o t t s @ u l m . e d u
E d i t o r, Story Development and Copywriter:
Kara Hatten
Contributing Copywriter:
Danielle DeCelle
Hank Largin
G r a p h i c / Webpage Design:
Erin Gilbert
P h o t o g r a p h y :
Richard Lupo
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a member of the University of
Louisiana System and is an A ffirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
The policy extends to all programs and activities supported by the University.
ULM Names Shepherd
Director of Alumni Relations
University of Louisiana at
Monroe alumna, Pam Shepherd,
has been named Director of Alumni
Relations (pending University of Louisiana System Board of
Supervisors approval). Shepherd has previously served the
University as an instructor, as Coordinator of Development
Services, Annual Fund Coordinator, and as Interim Director of
Alumni Relations.
Shepherd began her educational career with an academic
scholarship to ULM in 1965 where she was a member of Alpha
Omicron Pi sorority and the Student Government Association.
She then left school in 1967 to marry and start a family. In
1976 Shepherd earned a B.A. in general studies as a nontraditional
student while holding a full-time job at American
Bank.
Shepherd enjoyed a 16-year career with BellSouth,
holding several managerial positions, with the last one being
Manager of the Monroe Residential Customer Service Office.
She left BellSouth and earned an M.Ed. from ULM in 1996,
while holding a graduate assistantship in Exercise Physiology.
After earning her Master's degree, Shepherd served as an
adjunct instructor at ULM in Health & Human Performance for
two semesters.
She then joined the ULM Advancement and External
Affairs Division as the Coordinator of Development Services
with responsibility for the Phone-a-Friend Center and the
telethons. She was then promoted to Annual Fund Coordinator
in 2000 and most recently served as the Interim Director of
Alumni Relations.
Shepherd is married to ULM graduate, Mike Shepherd (BS
68, M.Ed. '72). They have two sons, Matt, who graduated from
ULM in 1993, and Michael, who graduated from the University
of Arkansas. They also have three grandchildren.
Letter from the President
Aren’t these exciting times! With today’s
technology offering a multitude of new opportunities,
it can seem that the world is spinning out of control
making it impossible to keep up. And that, of course,
is the challenge: not being left behind in a world that
is moving forward at the speed of light!
Nowhere is this challenge more evident than in
higher education. Providing a superior quality
education for today’s and tomorrow’s students
necessitates visionary thinking and progressive agendas in order to provide a
continuum of growth. "Maintaining the status quo" is simply not good enough.
Living in a world that is fast-forwarding, "maintaining…" would be the same as
r e g r e s s i n g .
The administration, faculty, and staff here at the University of Louisiana at
Monroe, have not only accepted the challenge, but also excelled in their eff o r t s
to keep this University viable and highly competitive in the twenty-first century.
This, however, has not come without the proverbial "growing pains". ULM has
taken its share of thumps and bruises this past year. Unfortunately, that is all part
of the growth process. The good news is, however, that we took our licks and are
emerging stronger for it and continuing our quest for superiority.
How does all of this affect us as alumni of this University? Very early on in
our formal education, we learned that "the whole is equal to the sum of its parts".
We, as alumni, are an integral "part" of the University "whole" and it cannot be
functionally or monetarily "whole" without us. It is similar to being part of a family.
Once we are born or adopted into it we are forever a part of its history and it a
part of ours no matter how brief or extended that history. Even if we move away,
or change our name (as in marriage or for professional purposes) it is still our
family and we are still a part of it. Unlike our biological family, though, we had the
privilege of choosing the "university family" of which we became a part.
Today we still have the privilege of choosing to make an impact on the
history of our alma mater and all of the young adults who are plotting out their
futures there. By generously sharing our "time, talent and treasure" we can help
ensure the future success of our students in a world that is changing at "breakneck"
speed. Although many ways exist to be supportive, there are three support
organizations whose very existence depends on your generosity. They are the
ULM Foundation, the ULM Athletic Scholarship Foundation (Boosters), and the
ULM Alumni Association. As President of the Alumni Association, I encourage
you to experience the wonderful opportunities offered by these organizations as
well as to be part of the huge variety of ways in which they support the University.
Please become an active member of the "University Family" again, if you’re
not already, by supporting at least one or all three organizations if possible.
Remember the strength and success of any university is directly proportionate to
the support of its alumni!
Judy Zaunbrecher
President, ULM Alumni A s s o c i a t i o n
ULM Credit Card
The new ULM credit card is now available through MBNA!
Remember…each time you use your ULM credit card, you will be
giving something back to our University. Sign up today!
Join the ULM Alumni Association
as we travel in 2002!!
Swiss Winter Escapade
February 8-15, 2002
Kinsale, Ireland
June 16-24, 2002
Louisiana-Monroe captured four Southland
Conference Championships between 1983 and 1993.
However, following a 6-1 second-place league finish in
1993, the Indians moved up to NCAA Division I-A and
for the past seven seasons, the Indians have operated
as a I-Aindependent.
That all ends on September 22 when the Indians
play host to Middle Tennessee at Malone Stadium in
what will be the first Sun Belt Conference football game
in history. With a conference championship and an
automatic bid to the New Orleans Bowl up for grabs, the
Indians are looking forward to pursuing their first league
title in almost a decade.
"One of the goals we set was to be competitive in
our Sun Belt Conference and have an opportunity for a
Sun Belt Championship and bring that here to our
University," head coach Bobby Keasler said, as he
prepared to begin his third year as the Indians’ head
coach. "It’s a very reachable goal and we’re working
hard to make sure those things happen for us."
For those things to happen this season, the Indians
are going to have to receive some big years from some
young players and avoid the injury plague which
shelved 16 first or second-teamers for at least one
game last season. However, a successful spring, fueled
by the implementation of a new offense, has Keasler
and his staff convinced the Indians are heading in the
right direction.
Q . What were your primary reasons for
moving from the business world into this
role as Director of Athletics at ULM?
A . The big and simple answer is because I
think the University is important to our
community and its future. By community I
mean northeastern Louisiana. Three other
reasons impacted the decision. First, ULM is
important to me personally, as it is my
u n i v e r s i t y. Second, I have had lifelong passion
for athletics and I believe the athletic program
is important to ULM. Third, a few people
convinced me that I could make a positive
contribution. I certainly hope those people end
up being correct.
Q . What can ultimately lift ULM athletics
back to a plateau of consistent success
financially and on the playing field?
A . Success doesn't come easy. It is a journey
that takes hard work. It will come one step at a
time through the efforts of a lot of people. It
takes quality people who care in positions to
make it happen. As with anything, it takes
talent, hard work and teamwork. A plaque I
have reveals what I believe is necessary: "Yo u
need people who care more than others think
is wise; risk more than others think is safe;
dream more than others think is practical; and
expect more than others think is possible."
Again we have to focus on the future and not
on the past.
Indians to Play
Sun Belt Conference
Football Game in History at Home
"We felt like we had a very productive spring. We
made a lot of headway with our young guys," Keasler
said. "We’ll be a young football team again. Coming out
of the spring I was really excited about the things we’re
doing offensively. I think the key for us defensively is
overall team speed. I think we’re a lot faster and quicker
on defense."
The first season of the Sun Belt Conference action
means the Indians will be playing at least six games
against similar-sized programs. While last season’s first
four weeks included games at Minnesota, Memphis and
Tennessee, this time around it’s Sam Houston State,
Florida, Cincinnati and Middle Tennessee in the first
month.
ULM will open the season at home on September 1
against Sam Houston State and the Indians will also be
at home for the first Sun Belt Conference game ever
played, against Middle Tennessee, on September 22.
"I’ve always felt that it was important for any football
team to kickoff the season at home," Keasler said. "We
need to open the season on a positive note and I think
being at home will help us do that. After that we have
Florida and Cincinnati, but I think what also is important
again is that our first conference game is at home against
Middle Tennessee and that will probably be the team
picked to win the Sun Belt."
A Visit with ULM Director of Athletics Bruce Hanks
Reprinted courtesy of the Indian Insider.
by Hank Largin
Q . How will our affiliation
with the new Sunbelt
Conference fit into future
hopes for ULM athletics?
A .I believe our affiliation with
the Sunbelt for football is a tremendous event.
For the first time since ULM went I-A, we have
a chance to compete in a conference for a
championship and we have the opportunity to
go to a Bowl game. It gives the players,
coaches, and fans something to shoot for.
Q . What is your No. 1 concern about ULM
a t h l e t i c s ?
A . In the short term it has to be the financial
challenges we face. These challenges are not
uncommon to other universities but we have
certain rules in our state that could pressure us
to take short-term actions that may slow us
down in achieving our long-term objectives.
The secondary concern is returning pride and
positive feelings about our program.
Q . What are you enjoying most about your
new job?
A . There are two things. One is being around
athletics on a full-time basis and working with all
the people associated with ULM athletics. T h e
other is being involved with our support group
and seeing how deeply they care about this
University and our athletic program.
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For more information contact us at
(318) 342-5420 or 800-261-0174.
3
Annual Ouachita Parish
Chapter Shrimp Boil in
The Grove
Saturday, September 22, 2001
Shrimp and Trimmings
Beer/Cold Drinks
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the
ULM Alumni Association and
Cypress Inn
Tickets:
$12.50 per person in Advance
$15 per person at The Grove
$2.50 discount for dues paying Alumni
Come join our Indians at the
first Sunbelt Conference
Game in History.
ULM vs Middle Tennessee
6:00 p.m. Kick-Off
Shrimp Boil Tickets may be purchased
from the ULM Alumni Center.
Contact us at
318-342-5420 or 800-261-0174.
ULM Alumni Association invites
everyone!!