ALUMNI NEWS Fall 2012 - Southeastern Louisiana University

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.
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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.