Columns Winter 2014

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Therefore...

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CASKEY STUDENT SEES GOSPEL CHANGING THE NATIONS

The Magazine for Louisiana College Alumni & Friends Winter 2014

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BE A

SMALLER CLASSES, BIGGER FUTURE. Editorial Staff: John Willie Editor / Director of College Communications Al Quartemont Contributing Writer / Instructor of Journalism Jordan Meisner Sports Information Director

Layout/Graphic Design: Amanda Chenevert, Kinetix Solutions

Correspondence:

Columns – Louisiana College P.O. Box 584 Pineville, LA 71359-0584 E-mail Columns at: cunningham@lacollege.edu john.willie@lacollege.edu Columns is the official publication for alumni and friends of Louisiana College.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list or would like to update your information, please send email to: cunningham@lacollege.edu

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Winter 2014 3

President’s Pen

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Distinguished Alumni Recipients

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Hall of Fame Inductees

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Student Spotlight : Haley Kern

9 Hitting the Right Note: LC Music Department 10

Professor Spotlight: Wade Warren

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Off to a Great Start: LC Debate

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Go Therefore...

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Athletic Update

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Alumni News

18 Alumni Spotlight: David & Donna Cavanaugh 20

Department/Faculty News

22 Faculty Spotlight: Meet Your Vice Presidents 23

Reaffirmed: LC reaffirmed by SACS

Dear Friends President’s Pen

The Prophet Isaiah said in Chapter 28 verse 16, Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.”

For almost 107 years, Louisiana College has stood on the Unchanging Foundations of the Kingdom of the Living God. Louisiana College believes in the Power of God, the Unchanging Nature of God, the Majesty of God, and the Love, Mercy, and Grace of God.

would receive Jesus Christ, even before their prayer for them to receive a diploma. I believe that our faculty and staff believe in the foundational beliefs of the Holy Bible: that it is inerrant, inspired, and infallible - and that they each affirm without reservation The Baptist Faith and Message. I believe that each and every one is unashamed to tell anyone who they are in Jesus Christ. I believe that when each one signs a contract, they know that he or she has signed up for the Army of the Living God, and none other. I believe that they teach our students that our battles are with powers and principalities and not flesh and blood and that those battles are won on our knees before God.

Yes, and we hold to the truth that “the one who believes will be unshakable.” I know that Louisiana College is possibly the greatest I believe that the best days are ahead for Louisiana College. I tool available today against the wiles of Satan. Who would he believe that “What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what rather silence than this College whose mission is to Change the has never come into a man’s heart, is what God has prepared for World for Christ by the those who love Him.” LOUISIANA COLLEGE SHOULD GIVE STUDENTS AN Power of the Holy Spirit!

Over the last eight years, EXPERIENCE THAT NOT ONLY CHANGES THEIR LIVES God has blessed LC As your President, I believe with a 50% increase BUT GIVES THEM A WORLD VIEW OF in that Mission “to change in enrollment, a 70% the World for Christ by CHANGING THE WHOLE WORLD FOR CHRIST. increase in our budget, the Power of the Holy international programs Spirit.” I believe that He meant what He said when He called us that are leading the lost to Christ, academic programs that are to the Great Commission and that Louisiana College should give raising up warriors in even more fields of service for Him, and students an experience that not only changes their lives but gives athletic programs preparing young men and women to reach them a world view of changing the whole world for Christ. others shamelessly and courageously. I believe in God’s promises.

I believe we stand on the promise that He wishes that every single I believe in our Louisiana College students. I believe that each one would be saved and that He has commissioned us to share His one is sent here by God and that each has a special and personal Gospel. I believe that when the winds of conflict blow from those calling from Him. I believe that when our students are led to see antithetical to our Mission, that He always prevails. I believe Him what God has in store for them, that miracles happen as when John -when He said “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called Wesley said, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but you by your name, you are Mine!” sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of I believe because I have lived to see “the mountain covered with hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth.” I believe that horses and chariots of fire all around!” I’ve felt the grip of ‘His we are preparing them to fulfill our motto that: “Louisiana College Unchanging Hand.” And I’ve felt your prayers as those winds is Satan’s Worst Nightmare”. That’s why I believe in Louisiana antithetical to our mission have blown.

College students!

Yes, I believe and will always believe in Louisiana College, because I believe in Louisiana College faculty, administration, and staff.

I believe in that “sure foundation; and the one who believes will I believe that Almighty God Himself has chosen our faculty, be unshakable.” Louisiana College will continue to stand on the administration, and staff for “such a time as this.” I believe that Unchanging Foundations of the Living God! these men and women love God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. I believe that their life’s calling is to share Christ Dr. Joe Aguillard, through the craft and skill set that He has placed in their hands President, Louisiana College and hearts. I believe that our faculty prays that our students

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI RECIPIENTS 2013 - 2014 Dr. Thomas Wade Akins graduated from Louisiana College with a B.A. in Sociology in August of 1965. He went on to receive a Master’s in Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry in Missions from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Akins has faithfully served the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, for 26 years, in Vietnam, Brazil, and around the world.

He has served as a Global Church Planting Trainer teaching in 67 different nations.

Dr. Thomas Wade Akins Class of 1965

Currently, Wade is serving with Pioneer Missions, which he founded, based in Jackson, TN, teaching Pioneer Evangelism Training worldwide. Thus far, in the year 2013 alone, there have been 8,823 baptisms in the nations where Pioneer Evangelism is being utilized plus 348 new churches have been started in these nations. These represent Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Benin, India and Paraguay. Akins preaches missions conferences and Lordship revivals across America and serves as an

Dr. Michael Lee Cook graduated from Louisiana College in 1973 with a degree in Health and Physical Education. He went on to receive a Master’s of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1980 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary in 1992.

Dr. MICHAEL LEE COOK Class of 1973

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During the time Cook was a student at Louisiana College, he was known for his abilities and leadership on the basketball court. Upon graduating from Louisiana College, Cook began to exhibit a passion for the ministry, which continues through the present time.

Cook has served on church pastoral staff positions for 32 years as Youth Pastor, Single Adult Pastor, Pastor of Education/Administration, and Executive Pastor. He is currently serving as Executive Pastor at Government Street Baptist Church in Mobile, AL.

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Adjunct Missions Professor at Union University, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Akins has been the author of six books including Streets Aflame; Be a 24/7 Christian; Sharing Your Faith with Muslims; and Pioneer Evangelism, among others. Akins married Barbara Hawthorne, a graduate of Howard Payne University, Southwestern Seminary, and University of Texas. Wade and his wife, Barbara, continue to minister together. They have three children and five grandchildren.

For these examples of impacting the world for Christ by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, equipping disciples, and facilitating new churches, Louisiana College proudly issues this citation and honors Dr. Thomas Wade Akins as Distinguished Alumnus in the year 2013-2014.

For eight years, Mike has hosted a nationally televised hunting show and evangelism ministry called “One80 Outdoors”. Through this ministry, over 1200 professions of faith have been made.

Using the real-life adventure of the hunt as a vehicle, this television show connects with sportsmen and communicates God’s truth in the familiar language of the outdoors to its viewers.

Mike Cook married Teresa Diane Robison, a 1973 Louisiana College graduate and they have been married for 39 years. They have a son, Michael, a daughter, Suzanne, and six grandchildren.

For the above reasons and for his stature in the community as a man of honesty, integrity and honor, Louisiana College is proud to issue this citation as Distinguished Alumnus in the year 2013-2014 to Dr. Michael Lee Cook.

Awarded on

October 26, 2013 Dr. Jonathan D. Hunter graduated from Louisiana College in 1995 with a degree in biology. Hunter attended Louisiana State University Medical School upon graduating from Louisiana College. After his residency, Dr. Hunter joined the Brian Family Clinic to begin his family practice.

Dr. Hunter was named the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians’ Physician of the Year in August 2012. This award recognized his years of service to his patients, his dedication to Family Medicine and his contributions to developing and improving the profession for future physicians and their patients.

Shortly after joining the Brian Family Clinic Hunter was deployed to Kuwait and Bagdad as a physician in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 256th Infantry Brigade. Two years after serving overseas Hunter was redeployed to Alabama to supervise rehabilitative efforts for wounded guardsmen and reservists.

Currently, Hunter practices as a family physician at the Brian Clinic, as medical director at Crossroads Regional Hospital, as deputy coroner in Rapides Parish, and medical director for Lagniappe Home Health and Oasis Hospice, among many other affiliations.

Dr. Hunter documented his life experiences in his book, Make ‘Em Well, Doc. According to Hunter, “That book is about everything that led me to a career in medicine, to the specialty in internal medicine, to how I became involved in the military … and my work with Katrina efforts between deployments.” Hunter said, “It’s a very personal story; it’s not a war story.” “It is just a … story about my journey, what put me where I am and how I see medicine beyond that.”

Jonathan, his wife Melissa and their daughters are members of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria where he presently serves as a Deacon.

Ruth Granger O’Quinn graduated magna cum laude from Louisiana College in 1960. Mrs. O’Quinn went on to receive her Master’s degree plus 30 graduate hours from Northwestern State University.

Beginning in 1960, Mrs. O’Quinn served as a teacher in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, and Granada County, Mississippi, for 25 years. Throughout that time, she was active in national, state and local professional organizations including the Association of Professional Educators and the Louisiana Association of Classroom Teachers where she served as president of both state and local organizations.

– teaching chose me,” O’Quinn commented.

Louisiana College recognized Ruth O’Quinn in 2000, dedicating the Ruth O’Quinn Center for Liberal Arts and Professional Studies on the LC campus. Among her many professional, civic and religious activities, Ruth has been an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where she is a former teacher of the Chapel Bible Class, and former chairman and present member of the Board of Trustees. Ruth Granger O’Quinn married Hansel B. O’Quinn, now deceased, a 1954 graduate of Louisiana College. They had two children, Hansel “Chip” O’Quinn, Jr., deceased in 1980, and Carol A. O’Quinn, a 1977 Louisiana College graduate, as well as a nephew and surrogate son, John M. O’Quinn, deceased in 2009.

In 1972, Ruth O’Quinn was named an outstanding secondary educator. During the 1970’s and early 1980’s, until her retirement from active teaching in 1985 and her election to the School Board in 1986, Ruth represented teachers on various School Board committees. In 1991-92, Ruth was listed in Who’s Who of American Women and in 1994-1995, she was listed in Who’s Who in American Education. In 2000, Ruth O’Quinn was recognized by Governor Mike Foster and by the State of Louisiana, for her “lifetime of dedicated service in the field of education serving the citizens of Louisiana as a teacher and as a school board member.”

“I think it’s fair to say that I did not choose teaching

Dr. JONATHAN D. HUNTER Class of 1995

Dr. Hunter’s achievements and honors are numerous. For these reasons, Louisiana College and the Alumni association proudly issues this citation and honor to Dr. Jonathan D. Hunter as Distinguished Alumnus 2013-2014.

Ruth and her family have a long association with Louisiana College. Her parents, James Andrew and Ruth Clinton Granger, could count two daughters, two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, six grandchildren, one granddaughter-in-law, one grandson-in-law and one great granddaughter as Louisiana College graduates.

RUTH GRANGER O’QUINN Class of 1960

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HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 2013 - 2014

Matt Byrnes Baseball | Era: 2000’s

Bobby Rucker

Baseball & Basketball Era: 1950’s

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Following in the footsteps of his father, legendary Louisiana College head baseball coach Mike Byrnes, Matt Byrnes has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success for the Wildcat baseball program both as a player and coach. A 2006 graduate of Louisiana College, Byrnes was a three-time All-ASC selection as a second baseman as well as a three-time All-ASC Academic Honor Roll selection. As a player, Byrnes was a fiery competitor who holds LC season and career records for stolen bases and hit-by-pitches as well as the career record for most runs scored. He was selected by his teammates as a team captain during his senior campaign. Byrnes also won the prestigious Townsend Award at Louisiana College his senior year, one of the highest honors a Louisiana College student can receive.

Following his playing career at LC, Byrnes went on to play professionally for the Alexandria Aces of the United League. After a two-year stint as assistant baseball coach at LSU-Alexandria, Byrnes joined his father in 2011 as assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator for the Wildcats, and his impact was immediately felt.

During his first season as assistant coach, Byrnes helped guide the Wildcats to a 26-win season on the diamond on the way to being part of the 2011 ASC coaching Staff of the Year. Byrnes would be a part of even more history during the 2013 season, as he helped guide LC to yet another 26-win season and their first ever ASC Runner-Up finish and first-ever appearance in the ASC Championship Tournament. For his efforts, Byrnes was yet again a part of the 2013 ASC Coaching Staff of the year, his second in three years.

A staple of the Central Louisiana basketball community since transferring to Louisiana College from Sunflower Junior College (now Mississippi Delta Community College) in 1959, Bobby Rucker is a 1959 graduate of Louisiana College. Rucker, who played both baseball and basketball for the Wildcats from 1956-1959, racked up an extensive list of achievements and accomplishments during his coaching career, including coaching two State Runner-Up teams, three District champions, three Co-District champions, and three District Runner-up teams. His success as a

coach netted him an amazing nine District Coach of the Year awards and the 1970 State Coach of the Year. The former Alabama high school sports star is also a member of the Lawrence County (MS) and Mississippi Delta Community College Athletic Halls of Fame.

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This year’s Hall of Fame class Inducted on

October 26, 2013

includes former Lady Wildcats’ basketball player Kristi Small (representing the 1990’s era),

Widely regarded as one of the best and most complete guards in LC women’s basketball history, Kristi Small finished her prolific playing career in 1999. The 19951996 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference’s Newcomer of the Year, a two-time All-American selection, and four-time All-Conference selection, Small was pivotal in leading the Lady Wildcats to the NAIA National Tournament in 1998 and 1999. Small, a native of Marksville, LA, finished her career in the top 5 all-time on LC’s career scoring list and still holds the LC career record for both assists (863), steals (338), and assists per-game average (7.3). Small saved her best for last during her 1998-1999 senior campaign when she set LC single season records for assists (301) and assists per-game (9.12).

former Wildcat baseball player and current baseball assistant coach Matt Byrnes Kristi Small Womens’ Basketball Era: 1990’s

(representing the 2000’s era), and former LC

baseball/basketball player Bobby Rucker (representing the 1950’s era), who made his mark in the Central Louisiana area for his high school basketball coaching exploits at Pineville High School, Oak Hill High School, and Menard High School.

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

H o m e t o w n Houma, Louisiana W h a t a r e y o u p l a n s a f t e r s c h o o l ? attending medical school and

later specializing in pediatric neurology W h a t i s y o u r f a v o r i t e s p o t o n c a m p u s ? the swing in the quad.

It has a beautiful view of the campus so I love going to sit out there on a nice day.

W h a t i s y o u r f a v o r i t e e v e n t o n c a m p u s ? Cochon de lait.

It’s great having students and their families on campus together to participate in one of LC’s greatest traditions.

What have you learned the most from LC?

LC has taught me the value of community. The size of the campus has allowed me to develop close relationships with my professors and peers, and these relationships have greatly impacted my life.

I b e l i e v e … . that the professors at LC not only care about their students’ education, but more importantly about their walk with The Lord.

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Hitting the Right Note: LC MUSIC DEPARTMENT GRANTED MEMBERSHIP TO NASM In an effort that was years in the making, the Louisiana College Department of Music learned July 3 that they have been granted membership into the prestigious National Association of Schools of Music.

As an accrediting organization, NASM has more than 600 members, and its acceptance of Louisiana College into that membership came after a review of both the college and music department that culminated in a final report filed by LC in May. “I was elated,” Dr. Fred Guilbert, Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Media said after hearing the news. ”There was just a ton of effort that went into it. “ According to Dr. Gabriel Miller, Department of Music Coordinator, the process to apply for NASM membership and accreditation started five years ago. LC had been a member previously, but let that membership lapse when the number of music majors had dwindled.

But, with a recent upturn in music majors – currently more than 40 in the program – LC sought to regain accreditation from NASM as a way to not only validate the effectiveness of its program, but also to ensure that current curriculum offerings would be up to standard moving forward.

Under the initial leadership of Dr. Loryn Frey and then in the last two years under Miller, LC had to clear a number of hurdles for that to happen. Those hurdles included an on-site visit by a committee of member schools more than two years ago, the issuing of a report by that committee that identified seven areas in which LC was lacking, and finally the systematic response to those seven areas by the college.

That response took place over the last two years after LC had asked for a deferment in order to make sure all areas of requirement were properly addressed. In fact, in its July 3 Commission Action Report, NASM commended LC for the decision to defer as well as for its strategic planning during the entire process.

“It’s not easy to be reaffirmed after you let it lapse because the stipulations and requirements are much more strenuous than they were when you first got in,” Guilbert said.

Now that LC is in NASM once again, here are some of the things it will mean for LC and its music students.

First, there has been a tweaking of degree programs and offerings

within the Music Department to meet NASM standards. In short, accreditation assures that what a degree is offered as, it will actually be both in form and substance. For LC, that translates into two degrees – one in liberal arts, the Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA) and the other in a professional track, the Bachelor of Music in Music Education (BM).

“They don’t tell you, ‘this is the way it has to be,’ but it’s a framework,” Miller said. “We build the courses following their standards, but there is flexibility for us.”

“What it’s done is that it’s made us more career-minded rather than just giving someone a degree,” Guilbert added. “The old church music program was a music degree with a couple of added church music courses. Now, the worship leadership program that we designed through this effort for NASM is designed to create information that will help that student go out into that church and actually be a worship leader in that church.”

Second, the NASM membership means that LC’s Music Department has much broader access to current trends and teachings within its field. Data sharing in areas such as curriculum and budgeting will help LC continue to shape its program, and professional opportunities such as the annual NASM Conference each November will provide LC faculty networking opportunities to learn from what is working at other schools.

“You get to be around other music administrators and get to ask them questions or hear them speak about what works for them,” Miller said. “That’s invaluable.”

And finally, the NASM membership will continue to lend credibility to a music program that has seen steady growth in recent years. Now that LC has gained accreditation for its music program, it will also have to work to keep it. The department will continue to file progress reports and undergo another full review in the 2018-19 academic year. All that, Miller said, validates and gives credibility to what the music faculty have been doing in their classrooms all along.

“What we do in 2013-14 will not be very much different at all from what we did in 2012-13,” he said. “It does not mean that we are all of a sudden better. It just simply validates that what we have been doing and continue to do and grow in are at standard.”

“It keeps us accountable to be better at what we do, and to do those things well,” Guilbert said. “We now have to maintain those criteria to give (students) the best education we can give them.”

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PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT

I believe… that the Louisiana College Biology

faculty members are motivated and driven to excellence because of

their love for and dependence on

the Creator, Jesus Christ.

that students studying in the biological sciences at Louisiana College learn from scholars who are experts in the disciplines

I believe…

they teach, professors who intend for their students to excel both academically and in life.

I believe… in the mission of Louisiana College to integrate faith and learning. In fact, I believe that faith and leaning are not only compatible, but they are also inseparable in higher education. Faith provides a window from which understanding and knowledge can occur. In a world that is saturated with Postmodern thought about no absolute truths, relativism, and pragmatism, it is imperative that Christian institutions, like Louisiana College, instill truths from the perspective of Christian faith. By integrating faith and learning in our academic courses, students can learn and recognize that man is created in the image of God which is mirrored in man’s ability to reason and to think logically, analytically, and creatively.

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Off to a Great Start: LC DEBATE WINS FIRST TOURNAMENT AT HENDERSON The Louisiana College Debate team received first place in its first tournament of the year at Henderson State University.

LC’s winning effort included that half the team made it to the out-rounds, which is the playoff system for the International Public Debate Association.

“It takes a lot of pressure off of ourselves,” Andrew Dufour, LC debate team captain, said. “It puts it toward our opponents showing how strong LC will be this year.”

LC Debate competes with schools all over the southern United States, many of which are larger division I schools. Despite LC having a smaller enrollment, Dufour said it hasn’t limited the team from becoming successful.

“It always feels amazing - showing what God can do on such a small campus compared to most of our rival schools,” Dufour said. “Not only are we competing, but we are winning for our school.”

IPDA style of debate is separated into three different categories. Those categories are novice for beginners, varsity for students who have completed ten tournaments and professional division for those who are no longer an undergrad student.

Four from the category novice, Dalton Adger, George Guild, Allie Lindberg and Jeremy Brister, made it to the out-rounds.

Joseph Buzzetta won the varsity tournament, and in the professional division, Zach Veuleman finished second.

“Older members continue to do great, and many new faces are showing that they will be a great addition to our team,” Dufour said.

LC Debate’s next tournament will be Oct. 25-27 at John Brown University near Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Anyone interested in joining LC debate can attend their weekly meetings on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in the Martin Performing Arts Center, room 206.

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GO

Therefore...

For Christians in American churches, the notion that God would add thousands to His Church in one day might seem the mark of a bygone era. But for one Central Louisiana pastor, he and his wife have seen the promise of Acts 2:39 very much alive in the African country of Malawi.

Lucas Lacour, 35, of Dry Prong, La., is a 2013 graduate of Louisiana College’s Caskey School of Divinity and was recently named pastor of Alpine Baptist Church in Tioga, La. LaCour and his wife, Ashley, recently returned from a trip to Africa where they got to see first-hand the work The Lord is doing there. Lucas said that in the last eight years, more than one-million people in the littleknown country have come to faith in Jesus Christ. Their latest trip in September, his fifth and her second, saw more than 26,000 conversions and three new church plants.

Ohio as a platform for the preaching ministry of evangelist Joe Veal.

You Turn’s stated mission is, “to share the love of Jesus Christ through Biblical evangelism and Christian benevolence.”

Veal’s teams have gone to Malawi for the past 12 years between the months of February and September. They work with local churches and their pastors, and have built “lighthouses” where orphans and church leaders are trained both Biblically and vocationally.

LaCour said the purpose of the missionary trips he has made have been three-fold: evangelism, church planting and leadership training.

“…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

(Acts 2:47 KJV)

“The impact on people who go the first time is indescribable,” Lucas said. “To see whole villages that have changed because of the Gospel.”

“It’s like walking through the Book of Acts,” Ashley said. “I can’t read through a chapter without thinking about it because you actually get to see it.”

Lucas made his first trip to Malawi in 2010 as part of short-term mission teams that are led throughout the world each year through You Turn Ministries, an organization started in 2004 in Lebanon,

Most of the evangelism consists of working with You Turn’s staff in Malawi and their six teams who travel throughout the country showing the “Jesus Film.” On a typical day, LaCour said the teams target villages that have a local school as that provides the best place for the film to be shown to a larger crowd. Most, he said, have never seen any kind of a film, and as word spreads that a movie will be shown that evening (usually at 6 p.m.), nearly everyone in the village will come.

Before the film showing takes place, there is time for door-to-door evangelism, which is more personal. Each team member has an interpreter so that language barriers can be broken down. Whether it is door-to-door witnessing or playing soccer (including giving out new soccer balls) with village children, Lucas said the message of the Gospel is typically met with stunning acceptance.

“We want to make the opportunity available to everyone. I want to keep taking people from here and showing them what God can do there.”

Lucas said he is planning to take another trip to Malawi this summer and would invite anyone who would like to go to contact him at (318) 452-7653.

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“Hardly anyone rejects it,” he said. “That’s what’s hard to explain to people – just how hungry those people are for the Truth.”

That is where the second aspect of the missionary trips – church planting – comes in. Knowing that the profession of faith is just the beginning of a journey to follow Christ, LaCour said one of the biggest problems facing new converts in Malawi is the lack of churches and properly trained church leaders.

Despite that, many of the Christians in Northern Malawi meet in groups every Sunday anyway, and are given training by deacons from one church, Chibavi Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Brasswell Nkhonjera. The deacons often ride their bikes many miles to assist these fledgling churches, and that is where the final purpose of the missionary trips – leadership training – is implemented.

During his recent trip to Malawi, LaCour was part of five church “replants” made necessary due to churches that were dying off or needed starting up again all because of the lack of training of church leaders. This is also the area of the ministry that LaCour said his training at the Caskey School has proven to be invaluable.

Noting that he didn’t even know how to write a sermon when he began attending Caskey in 2011, LaCour said Caskey taught him how to properly preach the Gospel and evangelize by the time he earned his Master of Pastoral Ministry as part of the first graduating class of Caskey students in Spring, 2013.

“I never had a foundation,” Lucas said. “They taught me how to bridge the hermeneutical gap. Having a then and now statement for each point and illustrations.”

LaCour is using the principles he learned at the Caskey School to teach young pastors in Malawi. In fact, he along with Veal and Louisiana College Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, Dr. Brandon Bannon, are in the process of writing materials for a new pastor leadership training center that will be built in Lilongwe, the capitol city of Malawi, in 2014.

Both Lucas and Ashley said there were defining moments on each missionary trip they have taken to Malawi. They recalled two specific moments from their latest trip.

The first was the planting of a church in Usisya. Usisya is a remote, landlocked area of 32,000 people where a group of Christians had waited some 15 months for the church plants to occur. All have signed their names into a notebook until they knew more about what to do. After completing his work among them, Lucas was asked by the new church to provide a name. Recalling their warm hearts toward him, one name immediately came to LaCour’s mind: Friendship Baptist Church.

For Ashley, the other moment occurred on a day where little opportunity seemed to be taking place – even their vehicle broke down. But after their team traveled several miles into a village, they found more than they could have ever imagined. As Ashley described, “friendly people… they didn’t want us to leave without telling them more.”

By the end of that day, more than 6,900 were saved in that one village alone. “I had to repent of my grumpiness that day,” she recalled – one of many details that comprise the journal she recorded from the trip.

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ATHLETIC UPDATE Football Season Review Continuing their tradition in recent years as one of the American Southwest Conference’s rising powers, the Louisiana College football team finished the 2013 season with their fifth 7-3 season in the last six years as well as their third ASC Runner-Up title in the last four years. The Wildcats were well represented on the ASC’s postseason All-Conference awards list, as 16 members of the team were honored. Senior running back Ryan Montague, who set new school records for career rushing touchdowns and career rushing touchdowns during the season, was named the

ASC Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,080 yards and totaling 15 touchdowns.

Freshman quarterback Easton Melancon was named the ASC Freshman of the Year after leading the conference in passing touchdowns with 24. Senior offensive lineman Hunter Feibel was the Wildcats’ representative on the ASC’s Outstanding Sportsmanship Team. The Wildcats also gained national recognition when junior receiver Kyle Galyon amazing one-handed touchdown catch in an October 19th matchup against Mary Hardin-Baylor was named the D3football.com National Play of the Week.

Soccor Season Review Both the Louisiana College men’s and women’s soccer teams continued their rise in the American Southwest Conference’s pecking order, with the men enjoying the finest season in school history.

Prince Borde’s men’s team would set numerous school records in 2013, including most wins in a single season (10) and most goals scored in a single season (38), on top of becoming the first ever LC team to reach the ASC Tournament, where they won their tournament debut over rival East

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Texas Baptist 3-2 in a thrilling double overtime match. The Wildcats’ dramatic last-second October 24th victory over ninth ranked Texas-Dallas was the program’s first ever win against a nationally ranked opponent, and would prove to be Texas-Dallas’ lone loss of the regular season. For his efforts and incredible leadership during the season, Borde was named the ASC’s Coach of the Year while freshman Rodrigo Neves was named the ASC Freshman of the Year. Five other Wildcats were named to the All-ASC team, capping off the best season in school history to date for the LC men’s soccer program.

Cross Country Review The Louisiana College men’s and women’s cross country teams would enjoy yet another exciting and successful season in 2013 under the leadership of men’s head coach Daniel Greenhouse and women’s head coach Sonia Tinsley. Both teams would progress throughout the year and make strong appearances in the ASC Championships, where the men finished seventh while the women finished sixth. The strongest showing for both teams occurred in Shreveport, LA at the Centenary College meet, where both squads would turn in some of their finest individual and team times of the season.

Golf Review The Louisiana College men’s golf team had a stellar 2012-2013 performance winning their home tournament at Links on the Bayou and placing third in the conference championship. Both finishes were the best recorded in school history. Freshman Daniel Deloach finished fifth at the conference championship firing a 72-78-82 for a three-day total of 232. Louisiana College’s.

Men’s golf started the fall season exactly how they finish the 2012-2013 campaign with a third place finish at their home tournament shooting a team best score of 282, even par, on the day.

Women’s golf is a new addition to the 2013-2014 school year. Five women have joined the Lady Wildcats golf team and played in fall competition.

The team is made up of beginning golfers who are excited to learn the game and be a part of LC history as the first ever women’s golf team.

On the women’s side, the Lady Wildcats saw one of their most athletic and explosive teams in program history narrowly miss out on their chance to make their first ever ASC Tournament appearance. The Lady Wildcats’ 7-0 victory over LeTourneau on October 3rd set a new program high for largest offensive output in a single match. Sophomore forward Taylor Bergeron picked up where she left off in 2012, as she went on to score a team-leading seven goals in 2013, following a team-high six goals in her freshman campaign. Bergeron’s 13 goals set a new LC career record for the Lady Wildcats’. Four members of the 2013 unit were named AllASC: Pamela Usry (2nd Team), Taylor Bergeron (3rd Team), Anna Champagne (3rd Team), and Brandi Martin (Honorable Mention).

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From the

ALUMNI DIRECTOR Dear Alumni Family,

Luana Cunningham Alumni Director

Each of you makes up a vital part of Louisiana College’s 107 year heritage. We would like to reinforce your relationship with the college by improving and enriching the way we relate to you. Louisiana College mails out Columns, a quarterly publication, to all alumni and friends. In addition to Columns, LC e-mails information to alumni on a regular basis. The LC web page, lacollege.edu, keeps you updated on events and activities on campus. If you do not receive our written publication or our electronic e-mail blasts, please send us your contact information including your physical address as well as your e-mail address on the form below. We are continuously updating our address information and desire to be as accurate as possible.

There are many ways that you can become involved with Louisiana College. Theatre Louisiana College offers a number of performances for the public throughout the year. You can enjoy concerts, sporting events, shopping at the bookstore, senior adult events and homecoming activities on campus as well as the annual “Follow the Star” Christmas event. On September 30 of this year, Louisiana College, in conjunction with the Louisiana Baptist Convention, hosted A Gospel Celebration, a musical event that was enjoyed by over 300 people from around the State. Nationally acclaimed performers entertained this crowd of music lovers.

The 2013 Homecoming Celebration Banquet, one of many homecoming events, was attended by 175 alumni and friends who enjoyed hearing our Distinguished Alumni and Hall of Fame Inductees share their experiences since graduating from Louisiana College.

There are so many opportunities for you to become involved with Louisiana College – the above being just a few. Please make 2014 the year you engage more fully with your alma mater by visiting our campus often and enjoying what Louisiana College can offer you.

In His Service, Luana Cunningham, Director of Alumni Relations cunningham@lacollege.edu | 318.487.7301

In Memoriam • • • • • •

Hon. Jack Holt, Class of 1948 Lorraine Gaskey Cason, Class of 1950 Richard Fluker, Class of 1950 Jerry Poston, Class of 1951 Patsy Ann Brister Lewis, Class of 1955 Dan Colvin, Class of 1959

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• • • • • •

Suhshine Boone Hickman, Class of 1961 Benton Carol McGee, Class of 1961 David Corley, Class of 1965 George Emberly, Class of 1968 Alra Edmond Reeves Rev. A. Louis Strain

ALUMNI NEWS CLASSES OF THE ‘40s:

Love of Christ and of music sent alum, Bill Ichter, Class of ’49, and his son, Carlos, to Aracaju, Sergipe Brazil recently. Father and son were invited by the Brazilian Baptist Church Music Conference in celebration of 30 years since the founding of the organization. Bill was a founding member of the music department in Brazil. Bill stated, “At 87 years of age, I thank God that He gave me the privilege of coming back and seeing the progress of the work in Brazil and the progress of the music work.”

CLASSES OF THE ‘50s:

Paul Brewer, Class of ’56, has been honored by Marquis Who’s Who for being listed in their biographies for over 25 years. Currently, Mr. Brewer is listed in: Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in Finance and Industry; Who’s Who in American Art; and Who’s Who in the Midwest.

CLASSES OF THE ‘60s:

Bill King, Class of ’60, and his wife, Lynn Bagley King, have recently moved to Erickson’s Eagles Trace Active Retirement Community in West Houston, TX. Bill retired from Chase Bank in 1994 after more than 40 years in the banking industry. Bill and Lynn have two sons and four grandchildren.

CLASSES OF THE ‘70s:

Austin “Butch” Reviere, Class of ’72, has assumed the position of Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Franklinton, LA. He was formerly Associate Pastor for Worship/Discipleship at First Baptist Church of Kentwood, LA. Ray Baxter, Class of ’74, practices law in Benton, AR and has done so for 35 years. He has had the privilege of serving as a Special Circuit Judge and as Special Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court twice, being appointed by two governors. He handles a general practice with primary focus on criminal defense and personal injury.

Curt Iles, Class of ’79, and his wife, Dee Dee, are serving as missionaries to

Zambia for the next month after which they will return to their home in Entebbe, Uganda where they will continue our Lord’s work.

CLASSES OF THE ‘80s:

Rev. Ronald C. Oliver, Ph.D., Class of ’82, has been elected a director of the Association of Professional Chaplains which has more than 4,300 members and is the chief certifying body of the chaplaincy profession. The Association of Professional Chaplains is a multi-faith association established to promote quality chaplaincy care through advocacy, education, professional standards and service to its members.

Bobby Powell, Class of ’87, and Janet Elliott Powell, Class of ’83, live in Morgan City, LA where Bobby serves as Minister of Music and Education at Bayou Vista Baptist Church. He has served there for over 17 years. Janet teaches piano in their home. Oldest son, Matthew, is a junior at Louisiana College and sings with Voices of LC. Their second son, Mark, will start at Louisiana College in the Fall of 2013, and their youngest, Cari, is a sophomore in high school and plans to attend Louisiana College when she graduates.

CLASSES OF THE ‘90s:

Debbie Jean Wilks Letzring, Class of ’90, and her husband of 18 years, John Wilks, have started “Above and Beyond Multi-Surface Cleaning” in the Pineville/Alexandria area. They specialize in cleaning tile and grout, brick, patios, natural stone, concrete and carpet for commercial or residential. www. abovenbeyondclean.com

CLASSES OF THE 2010s:

Tamera Branham, Class of 2011, of Alexandria, LA, was recipient of the Mission First Top Student Volunteer Award, given to a student selected by Patty Gandy, director of the Mission First Legal Aid Office at Mississippi College.

She also received the Frisby Griffing Marble Scholarship which is awarded to a student who is in the top one-third of their class and who has shown potential for outstanding service to the legal profession.

Alumni Information Request Form (please fill out and mail to: Louisiana College, Attn: Luana Cunningham, 1140 College Drive, Box 588, Pineville, LA 71359)

Name: Class Year: Spouse: Class Year: Address: Phone: (

)

Cell Phone: (

)

Email Address:

Name of Church Attenting: Address: Employer: Address: Occupation:

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

We b e l i e v e …

in Louisiana College because first and foremost, its mission is to provide excellence in education. We are both second generation LC alumni, and are products of the excellent education described in the mission statement of the college. The fact that this excellent education prepares students for all walks of life and is given in a caring Christian environment makes Louisiana College the special institution we know as our alma mater. Nothing in this world, when humans are involved, is without problems, and LC is no exception. However, when we see

the students on the campus or entertaining alumni at a meeting, see the excitement in their faces and consider their potential, we know the faculty and staff of LC are preparing them for the next phase of their lives. Then, we are reassured that the mission of providing an excellent education at a Christian campus will continue at our alma mater. That is why we believe in Louisiana College.

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1

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BEST REGIONAL COLLEGES

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DEPARTMENT NEWS PHYSIOLOGY LAB Funded through internal and external grants, the Louisiana College Exercise Physiology Lab is housed in the H.O. West Fieldhouse and serves students in the Health and Physical Education Department. It gives students “hands on” experience with topics such as electrocardiogram testing, body composition assessment, biomechanical analysis, performance testing and exercise prescription. Through classes like HP 446 Exercise Physiology and HP 344 Qualitative Motor and Skill Analysis students are exposed to state of the art equipment which is normally reserved for larger institutions.

Originally funded through a Louisiana Board of Regents grant in 2006 to include funds that would create both a new physiology laboratory and accompanying classroom, the Ex Phys Lab was later expanded to include biomechanical and qualitative skills analysis equipment. This expansion was made possible through Louisiana College Faculty Development grant funds and partially lay the groundwork for an instructor to attend a highspeed video course at M.I.T. The Lab uses high speed, slow motion video under specific lighting conditions in order to capture motor and sports skills. The student’s skills are then evaluated in the H.O. West computer lab using software specific to biomechanical analysis by their classmates. Together these experiences make for a truly unique experience that help Louisiana College graduates gain a competitive edge.

DIVISION OF BUSINESS In the spring 2013 semester, the Division of Business welcomed a new accounting professor, Dr. Adena LeJeune.

Dr. LeJeune came to LC with ten years of experience teaching accounting.

In January 2013, Dr. LeJeune was recognized for her publication “An Examination of the Accounting Profession’s Influence Over Its Members During the Transition to IFRS.” Her article has been accepted for publication in the fall 2013 issue of International Journal of the Academic Business World.

Dr. LeJeune’s article received positive comments from three peer reviewers, with the representative reviewer stating “This is one of the best papers I have reviewed...over the years. It is very timely, well organized and very well written. It is an interesting and revealing read.”

The IJABW is a new journal devoted to providing a venue for the distribution, discussion, and documentation of the art and science of business.

LOUISIANA COLLEGE DIVISION OF HISTORY PHI ALPHA THETA HONOR SOCIETY

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PHI ALPHA THETA HISTORY HONOR SOCIETY: http://www.phialphatheta.org/

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Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. Phi Alpha Theta seeks to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by members in a variety of ways.

The Greek letters, PHI, ALPHA, THETA, - Philia, Anthropos, Theos - signify Love, Humanity, God. LC’s Chapter Name: Alpha-Mu-Tau Membership is by invitation only to full time students who have completed twelve hours in history, have a GPA of 3.1 in history and an overall GPA of 3.0. Two students were inducted into LC’s Alpha-Mu-Tau chapter in April 2013: Leah Marshall, a senior French major, History and English minor; and Megan Prestridge, a senior History major. The faculty adviser for Phi Alpha Theta is Dr. Christine Reese, Assistant Professor of History.

HUMANITIES DIVISION The Humanities Division is bustling with scholarly activity, cultural events, and community involvement. Dr. Cheryl D. Clark, Chair of the Humanities Division and Secretary of the North American Burney Society, attended the United Kingdom Burney Society meeting in Cambridge this summer. In addition to participating in lively scholarly discussions, the members traveled to King’s Lynn, Frances Burney’s homeplace. Here they visited St. Nicholas’s Chapel, the church where she was baptized, and St. Margaret’s Church, the church where Frances’s father, Charles, served as organist and composer. Members enjoyed an organ cornet voluntary that was composed by Charles Burney and performed on the Snetzler organ that was also commissioned by him in 1754. In February, Dr. Clark will be presenting her work on Burney and material culture at the SCECS Conference in Galveston, TX, and in March, she will be chairing a panel “The Wanderer at 200” at ASECS in Williamsburg, VA. Humanities faculty members are actively sharing their work through conference presentations and publications. Both Dr. Neil Johnston and Dr. Jeannie Gauthier participated in the Conference on Christianity and Literature in both New Orleans and Houston. More recently at the Southwest CCL, Dr. Johnston spoke about “Creating Virtuous Readers: Milton and Paradise Lost,” and Dr. Gauthier focused on “The Virtuous Woman: Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Agnes of Sorrento.” In the past year, Assistant Professor of English, Jill Reid, who is completing her MFA at the rigorous Creative Writing program at Seattle Pacific University, has seen her poetry published in four different prestigious journals, Big Muddy, Tipton Poetry Review, Ruminate Magazine, and Relief Journal. Most recently, she was a quarter finalist in the Janet McCabe poetry contest. Her poem, “Piney Woods, Beauregard Parish” was featured in the awards issue of Ruminate Magazine.

Other faculty members are currently pursuing terminal degrees. In her dissertation “The Utopian Impulse and Marriage: A Transatlantic Conversation,” Associate Professor Lillian Purdy is examining the role of marriage in four literary utopias.

Assistant Professor of English Kim Harper is also working on her Ph.D. at ULL. Her research interests include southern women writers, race relations during the Civil Rights Movement, and the role of women within the home and workplace.

The Foreign Language department faculty members are also exploring research interests and participating in academic conferences. Assistant Professor of French Cecile Barnhart participated in an institute entitled “Exploration de la péninsule acadienne” June 23-30, 2013. The institute was sponsored by the CanadianAmerican Center at the University of Maine and offered academic presentations, seminar-level discussion, and briefings by site curators, historians, and folklorists on the topic of “Acadie.” The institute was conducted entirely in French and allowed participants to experience the history and culture of Acadia as well as its very vibrant francophone presence. The institute culminated in a discussion with acclaimed Acadian novelist France Daigle about her novel Pour sûr. Assistant Professor Nancy Whitlock’s research focuses on early exploration texts written by the members of Spanish expeditions on the Gulf Coast and U.S. Hispanic literature. Recently, she presented her research at the International Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage Conference in Houston. During spring and summer breaks, Ms. Scataglini used her Spanish- speaking skills at Christian conferences in Switzerland, Norway, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and the United States.

In keeping with its high standards and academic expectations, many faculty members take part in supporting four honor societies. Lillian Purdy, Jill Reid, and Neil Johnson sponsor Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society. In addition, Alpha Mu Gamma, the foreign language honor society is sponsored by Cecile Barnhart and Nancy Whitlock. Purdy and Whitlock also sponsor the Freshmen’s Dean List, which honors freshmen with a 3.5, while Dr. Julie Driessen and Jill Reid co-sponsor Alpha Chi Honor Society, which admits only the top ten percent of the institution’s juniors and seniors.

During the Spring Convocation, the Division of Humanities awarded scholarships to ten outstanding students who distinguished themselves through superior scholastic achievements, creative manuscripts, and researched analytical compositions. The scholarships and awards presented were drawn from endowments created to honor and to remember individuals who have fostered academic achievement and success in the Division of Humanities. These awards not only help students pursue their academic studies, but also honor the legacy of those who established the highest standards of academic achievement. Students who earn awards and scholarships are held to these high academic standards and are expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. However, all this year’s recipients hold a GPA of 3.6 or above. The Humanities Division continually sponsors activities to broaden students’ cultural experiences.

Assistant Professors of Spanish Nancy Whitlock and Kathleen Scataglini introduced students to Spanish culture by hosting the Spanish Immersion Night. Through this cultural event students practiced conversational skills while enjoying Spanish food, culture, and music. In addition, Café Night provides a forum for writers to share creative work with an audience eager to be delighted by all that finely crafted writing has to offer. Café Night pieces are author-read in the tradition of an “open mic” night, and students, faculty, and staff are all warmly invited to participate.

Participants read both original work and pieces written by their favorite authors.

Café Night is also a time of community as faculty, staff, and students enjoy coffee, refreshments, and conversations. Café Night is held the last Tuesday night of each month at 5:30 in the Formal Lounge in the Granberry Conference Center.

CHRISTIAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT Dr. Marvin Jones has written a book entitled, “Basil of Caesarea.” It will be released Spring 2014 by Christian Focus Publishers (United Kingdom). The book is scheduled for publication in the United Kingdom in January with a publication date for the U.S. in March or early April.The book focuses upon the life, ministry, and theological contributions of Basil. His epic work, “On the Holy Spirit,” resolved the Arian controversy and helped contribute to the Trinitarian theological foundation of orthodox Christianity.

Each year Caskey students take part in an Evangelism practicum professing the Gospel to LC’s surrounding community. The purpose of the practicum is to provide students hands on training and prepare them to give an account of the hope that is within them (1 Peter 3:15). Since the inception of the Caskey school students have witnessed to 3,023 people with 642 conversions.

The Caskey School of Divinity began its third year this fall with 78 students with 11 of these students attending the Baptist Association of South East Louisiana Equipping Center. As a part of the Caskey curriculum, each semester students share the gospel in their communities. In this fall semester, Divinity school students shared the Gospel 798 times resulting in 197 people professing Christ as Lord.

The Caskey School of Divinity is named after a Southern Baptist minister who tirelessly worked and evangelized in Louisiana. Most classes are offered through a unique delivery system including the evenings, weekends, and over holidays. The Caskey family has made it possible for qualified students who are admitted to pursue the degree programs tuition free.

Dr. Justin Langford’s book entitled Defending Hope: Semiotics and Intertextuality in 1 Peter (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2013) is an exploration in the use of semiotics-or the study of signs and how they communicate--as a viable approach to the New Testament’s use of the Old Testament. The references to Isaiah that appear in 1 Peter are the test case for an application of the method. Moreover, the investigation of 1 Peter’s use of Isaiah provides a fresh perspective on how Peter utilizes this important source in the construction of his epistle and the communication of his message.

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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

MEET YOUR

VICE PRESIDENTS Dr. Argile Smith Executive Vice President Degrees: B.A., William Carey College; M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; Ph.D., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Dr. Argile Smith has been named the Executive Vice President of Louisiana College. Dr. Smith also serves as the Dean of the Caskey School of Divinity.

Dr. ARGILE SMITH

Dr. Smith was born on July 9, 1955, in Poplarville, MS. He married Connie Saucier of Poplarville on August 15, 1975. They are the proud parents of three sons (grown and married): Joshua, David, Dustin and grandparents of one fairly perfect granddaughter: Lily Anna Smith. He was ordained at Juniper Grove Baptist Church, Poplarville, MS, in December 1975.

Dr. Rod Masteller Vice President of External Institutional Effectiviness Degrees: Bachelor of Arts from Southwest Baptist University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Divinity from California Graduate School of Theology, a Doctor of Sacred Theology from Southwest Baptist University, and a Doctor of Humanities from Louisiana Baptist University.

Dr. Rod Masteller

Dr. Rod Masteller has been named the Vice President of External Institutional Effectiveness. Masteller has been pastoring churches throughout the southwest for the past 40 years. On November of 2011, he retired as Senior Pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Dr. Masteller is widely known for his role in helping and teaching leadership skills throughout America. Prior to his going to Shreveport, Dr. Masteller was Vice President with John Maxwell’s Enjoy Stewardship Services in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Masteller is married to the former Linda Jones and they have four beautiful daughters, Michelle, Kimberly, Crystal and Heather. He is also a grandfather to ten wonderful grandchildren.

Dr. Fred Guilbert Vice President of Internal Institutional Effectiveness Degrees: BA in Sacred Music from Louisiana College, Master of Divinity in Music from Covington Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Music from Covington Theological Seminary.

Dr. Fred Guilbert 22

Dr. Fred Guilbert has been named the Vice President for Internal Institutional Effectiveness. Dr. Guilbert serves as the Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Media at Louisiana College. Dr. Guilbert also serves as Minister of Music at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, Louisiana.

Dr. Guilbert is married to his wife Karen. Together they have four daughters Suzanne, Melissa, Rebecca and Kristin.

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Reaffirmed: LOUISIANA COLLEGE IS REAFFIRMED An issue that has hung over the campus of Louisiana College for the past two years is no more.

Tuesday, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges announced that LC has earned reaffirmation of its accreditation.

According to the SACS website, accreditation is “a statement of the institution’s continuing commitment to integrity and its capacity to provide effective programs and services based on agreed-upon accreditation standards.”

The announcement was made following a vote of the SACS Board of Trustees at their annual December meeting in Atlanta, Ga., and in light of the comprehensive on-site review of LC in October by a five-member SACS committee of academic professionals. LC had been played on warning status after the

accrediting body’s two previous meetings in 2011 and 2012.

In a statement released by the school, LC President Dr. Joe Aguillard said the reaffirmation was a recognition of the “commitment demonstrated by our dedicated faculty and staff over the past three years.”

“Parents and students can rest assured that the high-quality of education and programs offered by Louisiana College have never faltered and our passion to ‘change the world for Christ’, has never diminished,” Aguillard said.

Like all SACS member schools, LC will undergo another reaffirmation review at the completion of its current term in the year 2020. Louisiana College has been continuously accredited since 1923.

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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 77 Alexandria, LA

Office of Alumni Relations 1140 College Drive, Box 588 Pineville, LA 71359

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