LSUA Generals Briefing (Summer 2023) by lsualexandria

GENERALS BRIEFING SUMMER 2023 EDITION

MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR Paul Coreil, Ph.D.

LSUA has witnessed significant growth in the past quarter, a trend we’re thrilled to share. I am pleased to announce that LSUA has set enrollment records for nine consecutive semesters, with nearly 4,000 students enrolled in Spring 2023! In addition, the Spring graduation class was the largest in LSUA’s 63-year history, with almost 400 graduates. With this expansion, LSUA has sustained its position as the fastest-growing four-year university in Louisiana. These remarkable achievements reflect the robust community support, the exceptional faculty and staff at LSUA, and the outstanding administrative leadership team. It is an honor to serve with this incredible team that is working collectively to support our community and future workforce. At the Spring 2023 Commencement ceremonies, we presented Mr. Roy O. Martin III with the prestigious LSUA Distinguished Service Award. Roy and his wife, Kathy, have been staunch supporters of our university, making this recognition apt for a family that has significantly impacted LSUA and higher education in Louisiana. Their $2 million contribution to the Student Success Center prompted us to honor their generosity further by naming the new building the Martin Family Student Success Center. We are deeply grateful to Roy Martin and the entire Martin family. Concerning the new LSUA Student Success Center, we held a successful groundbreaking for the LSUA Martin Family Student Success Center on April 21. Governor John Bel Edwards, most of our Central LA Legislative Delegation, local elected officials, and many Martin Family representatives and supporters were in attendance. We anticipate construction to start this fall and be completed by late 2024.

Another highlight is our first LSUA Professional Aviation student, Nathan Blackwell, who completed his Check Flight and earned a Private Pilot License from the FAA as part of his LSUA aviation degree training. Our aviation enrollment continues to grow, and we’re proud to report success across the board. Congratulations, Nathan! In the previous Chancellor’s Report, I mentioned a $600,000 investment from the Alexandria Business Foundation (ABF) for an Endowed Chair of Accounting in the LSUA College of Business. We aimed to leverage this generous donation by applying for a $400,000 LA Board of Regents match, creating a $1 million LSUA Endowed Chair of Accounting. I am thrilled to report we were successful in obtaining this match. We are immensely grateful to the ABF board, the LSUA Board of Supervisors, and the LA Board of Regents for supporting this $1 million Endowed Chair and look forward to seeing the many benefits that will result from this generous endowment. In closing, I want to express our deep appreciation for your unwavering support and encouragement. We are genuinely touched by the progress we have made on our campus, and it is all thanks to you. Our goal is to reach 5000 students by 2025, and with your help, we can achieve this goal. Go Generals!

Paul D. Coreil, Ph.D. LSUA Chancellor

Governor Edwards Breaks Ground with Community Supporters for New Martin Family Student Success Center LSUA broke ground on the new Martin Family Student Success Center, thanks to the support from the LSU System, the Louisiana State Legislature, Governor John Bel Edwards, and the local community. The $12 million center will be a central hub for student services, improving campus appearance and adding new facilities to accommodate the growing student body and academic offerings. In addition, the Martin Family Student Success Center will house Admissions, Financial Aid, Advising, First-Year Experience, and a Career Development Center, all aimed at enhancing LSUA’s retention efforts and connecting students with career opportunities upon graduation. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Governor John Bel Edwards, LSU President William F. Tate IV, and other prominent figures, all of whom emphasized the importance of student success for the community and state. Roy O. Martin III, President, CEO, and CFO of RoyOMartin, who contributed $2 million to the project, expressed his family’s commitment to elevating the educational level of citizens across the state. LSUA Student Government President Sophi Borhi thanked the supporters and challenged future generations of students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new center.

(L-R) Roy O Martin III, Chancellor Paul Coreil

Roy O. Martin III Honored with LSUA Distinguished Service Award Roy O. Martin III was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor from LSUA, during the Spring 2023 Commencement ceremony. Martin follows in the footsteps of his father, Roy O. Martin, Jr., a founding member of the LSUA Foundation, who was the first recipient of this prestigious award 29 years ago. The Martin family is renowned for their dedication to higher education and philanthropy, including endowed professorships, scholarships, and the LSUA Nurses for the Future and LSUA Accountants for the Future programs to address workforce needs. LSUA immensely appreciates Roy, Kathy, and the Martin family for their unwavering and generous support.

(L-R) Governor John Bel Edwards, Roy O Martin III, William F. Tate IV, Donna Bailey

LSUA Provides Crucial Economic Impact in Central Louisiana A new LSU impact report reveals that LSUA contributes $109.1 million in annual economic impact to Central Louisiana. As an essential part of the LSU System, LSUA directly contributes $52.1 million in output, $16.8 million in earnings, and employs 475 people while indirectly impacting the local economy with $57.0 million in output, $14.9 million in earnings, and 382 additional indirect jobs. In addition, LSUA’s work-ready degree programs play a critical role in providing Louisiana with an educated and qualified workforce, boosting graduates’ lifetime earnings, and attracting businesses to the area.

LSUA Listed by U.S. News and World Report in the Top 100 Best Regional Colleges in the South LSUA proudly shares that U.S. News and World Report has listed the university in the Top 100 Best Regional Colleges in the South. This recognition reflects our commitment to providing high-quality education and academic excellence to our students. Congratulations to our faculty, staff, and students for this achievement!

Roscoe Bolton and Elsie Mae Moreau Hyde Honored with Legacy Oak Dedications The LSUA Foundation held two Legacy Oak Dedication ceremonies near the LSUA Baseball complex to honor the memories of Roscoe Bolton and Elsie Mae Moreau Hyde, respectively. The first event celebrated the legacy of Roscoe Bolton, a local community champion whose contributions have left a lasting impact. The second ceremony commemorated the life and contributions of Elsie Mae Moreau Hyde, a beloved figure whose memory continues to inspire the LSUA community.

(L-R) Shelby Johnston, Elizabeth Beard, Carolina Quast, Mark Hammond, Chancellor Paul Coreil

Bolton Family

LSUA Announces 2023 Mulder Scholarship Winners LSUA recently celebrated the recipients of the Howard and Eloise Mulder Endowed Scholarship. Shelby Johnston, an incoming freshman with plans to major in nursing, and Carolina Quast majoring in mathematics, are the 2023-2024 Mulder Scholars. Howard and Eloise Mulder staunchly supported the university and pioneered the establishment of the LSUA Foundation. Now in its fifth year, the scholarship is made possible by the generous donation from the Mulder estate honoring the couple’s support for LSUA. The scholarship will cover the total cost of each semester’s tuition, fees, books, on-campus housing, and meal plans incurred directly from the recipient’s attendance at LSUA.

Hyde Family

LSUA Welcomes Elizabeth Beard, Ph.D., as New Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs LSUA has appointed Elizabeth Beard, Ph.D., as its new Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. With nearly 20 years of experience at LSUA, including her most recent role as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Beard will provide leadership and direction for all academic programs and services at the university. The Office of Academic Affairs oversees academic programs, curriculum development, faculty development, and student support services, supporting LSUA’s mission to provide high-quality education. LSUA’s community is excited to collaborate with Beard as she leads the academic team in promoting growth and success for the university.

LSUA Launches Career Center & Hosts Career Fair with 43 Employers and Over 300 Students in Attendance LSUA has launched its new Career Center designed to connect students with academic and professional development opportunities. In addition to offering workshops, career fairs, and networking events, LSUA has partnered with Forage, a leading virtual career platform, to provide students access to top companies through virtual experience programs. This collaboration enables students to develop practical skills, discover career paths, and increase their job chances. The Career Center recently hosted its first-ever Career Fair that featured 43 companies and was attended by over 300 students. The event showcased career opportunities and internships, with students and employers expressing satisfaction and a desire for more internship and job shadowing opportunities. LSUA’s Career Center, now working closely with different departments, integrates relevant courses offered by Forage into the curriculum of specific academic programs, allowing students to apply what they have learned through assignments.

LSUA Hosts 300+ Future Educators at the 5th Cenla Educators Rising Convention Over 300 junior and high school students attended the 5th Annual Educators Rising Regional Conference, hosted by LSUA’s School of Education in partnership with the Rapides Parish School Board. Students competed in various teacher-skill competitions, with the top three winners in each category receiving LSUA scholarships. The conference also featured guest speakers, Judge Michael Williams and Congresswoman Julia Letlow, and provided professional development seminars for attending teachers.

Judge Michael Williams

(L-R) Chancellor Paul Coreil, Arlene Duos, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, Maegan Schopper

Nathan Blackwell Earns LSUA Professional Aviation’s First Private Pilot License LSUA student Nathan Blackwell became the first private pilot license holder from the Professional Aviation program. Blackwell hopes to fly commercially after accruing the necessary flight hours post-graduation. He credits his success to the rigorous training and support from LSUA’s aviation faculty and Gulf Coast Aviation’s flight instructors, with whom LSUA has partnered for ground and flight training. Amid a nationwide pilot shortage, LSUA’s Professional Aviation program aims to produce competent pilots to alleviate this issue in Louisiana annually, and Blackwell’s recent accomplishment underscores the program’s potential.

LSUA Professional Aviation & England Airpark’s ACE Host Open House Event LSUA hosted an Aviation Open House on Thursday, April 27, at the Million Air facility at England Airpark. Prospective students met with flight instructors, discussed financial aid, and got hands-on with the planes they would be flying soon. Additionally, attendees received a behind-the-scenes look at AEX. LSUA offers Introduction to Aerospace, a course open to students who wish to begin their aviation careers.

Artist Morris Taft Thomas Donates $10,000 to Establish the Willola Johnson-Sigur Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund Louisiana artist Morris Taft Thomas has donated $10,000 to the LSUA Foundation to establish the Willola Johnson-Sigur Thomas Memorial Scholarship fund in honor of his late wife. Willola, a dedicated teacher and coach, served the Rapides Parish school system for 33 years. The scholarship aims to support LSUA students in education, nursing, physical therapy, and criminal justice and commemorate Willola Johnson-Sigur Thomas’s passion for teaching and coaching.

128 Undergraduate Research Presentations Delivered at LSUA’s Scholar Day 2023 LSUA recently held its 5th annual Scholar Day, featuring undergraduate research presentations. This multidisciplinary event showcases the scholarly achievements of students and faculty, celebrating their research and creativity. Students collaborated with faculty mentors during the semester to conduct research projects inspired by course material or personal interests within their major. This year’s presentations covered various disciplines, from nursing and biological sciences to education and psychology. Judges from the community, faculty, and staff evaluated presentations throughout the day, and the event concluded with awards for outstanding presentations and faculty mentorship.

(L-R) Joni Deville, Morris Taft Thomas, Isabella Deville, Haywood Joiner, Jr.

LSUA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Hosts 29th Annual Black History Month Scholarship Luncheon The LSUA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted the 29th Annual Black History Month Scholarship Luncheon. The LSUA Ebony Endowed Scholarship was awarded to sophomore Psychology student Anais Callegari of Los Angeles, CA. The event featured the inspiring words of Ted James, President Biden’s U.S. Small Business Administration’s Region 6 Administrator. James, a Baton Rouge native, served as a Louisiana State Representative for over a decade. In addition, a moving musical performance was given by members of the cast of Alexandria Senior High School’s performance of “Legacy.”

(L-R) Connie Cooper, Anais C., Rob Wright

Ted James

(L-R) Elizabeth Beard, Deron Thaxton, Abbey Bain, Haley Bryant, Paul Coreil (Below) Carol Corbat

LSUA Recognizes Outstanding Faculty and Staff at Annual Employee Recognition Dinner The annual Employee Recognition Dinner was held at LSUA to honor the hard work and dedication of the faculty and staff. The Bolton Award for Teaching Excellence, the most prestigious recognition, was awarded to Carol Corbat, Professor of Biological Sciences. LSUA also presented the Outstanding Staff Service Awards to Kristie Jacobs and Haley Bryant who received a plaque and cash award for their exceptional service to the university. In addition, several other faculty and staff members were recognized with various awards for their dedication, service, and innovation, as well as acknowledging those who have retired and completed milestone years of service to the university.

6 6

LSU Baseball Legends Skip Bertman and Warren Morris Speak to LSUA Athletes at Walker Automotive Event LSUA Baseball and Men’s Soccer team members attended an event at Walker Automotive where they heard inspirational wisdom from national champion LSU Baseball Coach Skip Bertman and 1996 College World Series hero Warren Morris. Morris shared insights about hard work and perseverance, while Bertman emphasized being a better person than a ballplayer. Lawrence Searcy, President and Dealor Operator of Walker Automotive hosted the event and donated a signed copy of Bertman’s book to each LSUA student-athlete. Skip Bertman

Dimario Jackson Named LSUA Men’s Basketball Head Coach LSUA Director of Athletics Tyler Unsicker announced the hiring of Dimario Jackson as the Men’s Basketball head coach. Jackson, known for his passion for basketball and positive impact on student-athletes, has an impressive coaching background, including two state championships as the head coach of Port Allen Boys’ Basketball. He was named District 8-2A Coach of the Year and Class 2A Coach of the Year. Dimario Jackson

LSUA Strategic Communications Assistant Vice Chancellor Adam Lord Earns Practitioner of the Year The Public Relations Association of Louisiana-Central Chapter has named Adam Lord, LSUA’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for the Division of Strategic Communication, this year’s Practitioner of the Year. Lord leads a small team focused on communication strategy, design, content creation, and social media monitoring for LSUA. His work supports the chancellor’s goal of 5,000 students by 2025 and has contributed to consecutive years of enrollment growth. In addition to his role in Strategic Communication, Lord also teaches as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of History, Political Science, and Disaster Science.

Heather Gagnard Crowned 2023 Ms. LSUA LSUA held its annual Ms. LSUA pageant, crowning Heather Marie Gagnard as Ms. LSUA. Seven contestants were recognized for their contributions to student life at LSUA. Ariana Dolores Cruz Harris was named the first runner-up, and Gracelyn Kaley Adams was named the second runner-up. Additional awards were given for People’s Choice, Ms. Photogenic, Ms. Congeniality, Top Ad Sales winner, Director’s Award, and the Scholastic Achievement Award. The winners also received Chancellor’s Scholarships as part of their recognition. (L-R) Ariana Cruz Harris, Heather Gagnard, Gracelyn Adams

8100 Hwy 71 South Alexandria, LA 71302