Spring 2013 Volume 87, Number 1 by LSU Alumni Association

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Spring 2013, Volume 89, Number 1

A Message From the

chancellor LSU 2015 In the last edition of the magazine, I wrote to you about the many changes taking place at LSU. I hope you have continued to follow the news about the reorganization of LSU, which we are now referring to as “LSU 2015.” Across the United States today, higher education is being challenged as never before by the changing demands and needs of students, technology-driven innovation, and a growing affordability crisis. LSU must adapt to meet these challenges, and it will take everyone associated with LSU to make this process a success. In the last months of 2012, I held “town hall” forums at each of the LSU System campuses around the state to hear the suggestions and opinions of all our LSU constituents. I have brought that information back to the LSU Board of Supervisors, and the board has set up a Transition Advisory Team and several subcommittees to continue evaluating the best way to reshape the LSU System. Students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders are heavily involved in this historic process that will create a more efficient and more competitive LSU for the 21st century. As matters progress, I will continue to keep you informed about LSU 2015. For continued updates on the realignment of LSU, I invite you to visit www.lsu.edu/LSU2015. You will also be hearing more about new online degree programs that LSU will offer. Technology is having a tectonic impact on higher education, and LSU is taking the necessary steps to be a leader in online education. A remarkable number of traditional and non-traditional students are already taking classes via the Internet, and we must make online degree programs a part of the LSU experience. In this edition of LSU Alumni Magazine you can also read about LSU’s efforts as a leader in coastal research. LSU already has a long and distinguished history in coastal science, but our impact on the coast is about to become even more significant. The LSU Coastal Studies Institute is expanding its mission to bring more support for researchers from different disciplines, produce more trained scientists, and create more collaboration among schools and departments. We already have more than 200 faculty working on more than 450 research projects impacting the coast, but our renewed commitment will bring even more LSU talent to the table, uniting the state and nation around the cause of addressing Louisiana’s coastal needs. To stay informed about LSU’s research efforts and impact on the coast, please visit www.lsu.edu/coast. Much is happening at your university, and I hope you will help us spread the word about the many changes that are setting the stage for LSU to be a leader in the 21st century.

William L. Jenkins, Interim LSU Chancellor

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Publisher Charlie W. Roberts

Contents

Editor Jackie Bartkiewicz Advertising James Fisher Art Director Chuck Sanchez STUN Design & Interactive

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Features

22 The LSU Ring Last November several hundred soon-to-be graduates received their LSU Rings in a newly revamped Ring Ceremony. More than just a piece of jewelry, the LSU Ring is a testament to academic accomplishment, signifying hard work and dedication. Though the rings are inherently valuable, this year’s crop is extra special, having spent the night before the ceremony in Mike the Tiger’s habitat – under his guard. Student writer Emily Herrington takes a look at the new ceremony and the very special LSU Ring.

26 LSU Shines Spotlight on Coast LSU has long led the way in coastal research, developing advances that improve life and work in Sportsman’s Paradise and all along the Gulf Coast, and though our problems are unique to the state’s geography, the repercussions are felt across the nation. To fast-track research and results, the School of the Coast & Environment has joined the College of Science and the College of Engineering to realign the University’s iconic Coastal Studies Institute to reflect the changing face of research today. Science editor Ashley Berthelot explains why the move will enable coastal research to flourish.

In Each Issue 1 A Message from the Chancellor 4 President’s Message 6 LSU Alumni Association News 32 Around Campus 46 Focus on Faculty 48 Locker Room 50 Tiger Nation

Cover design by Chuck Sanchez, STUN Design.

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Editorial Assistants Patti Garner; Brenda Macon, Copy Editor Contributors Ashley Berthelot, Barry Cowan, Bill Franques, Emily Herrington, Brenda Macon, Norm Marcocci, Judson Moore, Tim Rodrigue, Jill Roshto, Daniel P. Smith Photography College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Ray Dry, E.J. Ourso College of Business, Steve Franz, Aaron Hogan/Eye Wander Photo, Inc., Jenn Ocken Photography, Johnny Gordon, Vincent Harris, Larry Hubbard, Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Jude Legiste, Eddy Perez, Jim Zietz Printing Baton Rouge Printing Editorial and Advertising Office LSU Alumni Association 3838 West Lakeshore Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4686 225-578-3838 • 888-RINGLSU www.lsualumni.org / e-mail: jackie@lsualumni.org LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the LSU Alumni Association. A contribution of $50 or more for an annual subscription includes membership in the Alumni Association. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Please write to the address listed above. LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE reserves the right to edit all material accepted for publication. Publication of material does not indicate endorsement of the author’s viewpoint by the magazine, the LSUAA or LSU. © 2013 by LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE, 3838 West Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4686 The mission of the LSU Alumni Association is to protect, promote, and foster the welfare of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College and to create and nurture mutually beneficial relationships between the University and its alumni and friends. The Association, using the talents and resources of alumni and friends of Louisiana State University, supports the University in pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and public service to future and current alumni. NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jack Andonie Chair, Metairie, La. Gil Rew Chair-Elect, Mansfield, La. Michael H. Woods Past Chair, Monroe, La. Scott L. Anderson, Monroe, La. Ted A Martin, Baton Rouge, La. Mary Lou Applewhite, New Orleans, La. Louis R. Minksy, Baton Rouge, La. Jon D. “Jay” Babb, Baton Rouge, La. Richard C. “Ricky” Oustalet, Jennings, La. Gil Rew, Mansfield, La. J. Hals Benhard, Palmetto, La. Beverly Shea, New Iberia, La. C. A. “Buddy” Brice III, Biloxi, Miss. John T. Shelton, Jr., Houston, Texas Guy Campbell III, Monroe, La. Carl J. Streva, Morgan City, La. Gregg Cordaro, Baton Rouge, La. Susan K. Whitelaw, Shreveport, La. Theresa M. Gallion, Tampa, Fla. Lodwrick M. Cook, Director Emeritus Ronald M. Johnson, Baton Rouge, La. Sherman Oaks, Calif. Jan K. Liuzza, Kenner, La.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

President/CEO’s

MESSAGE

Get Involved, Stay Involved The beginning of another year – income tax preparation time, time to store winter clothes, and time to make resolutions for 2013. The first request of you for the year is to ask you to nominate outstanding alumni for membership in the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction. All you need to do is write, call, or e-mail the name of the individual, and we will do the rest. The contact person is Brandli Roberts, 225-578-3852 or brandli@lsualumni.org. Our chapter season will soon be underway with a majority of the events scheduled for the months of April and May. Of significant note is that this will be the 25th anniversary of the San Diego Chapter Crawfish Boil – with an expected attendance of 4,000! The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 26. Upcoming events include the Accolades Banquet on March 1, at which we present the Purple & Gold and Chapter Service awards. The Chapter Leadership Workshop takes place the following day, Saturday, March 2. The 2013 Hall of Distinction banquet will be held on April 12. The date of the main commencement ceremony this spring is Thursday, May 16. This is typically a Friday event but was changed to accommodate the Bayou Country Superfest. With this change, the Golden Tigers Reunion – honoring the Class of 1963 – is set for Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16. Mark your calendars now! We hope you will join us for many of these events. For details, contact Brandli Roberts (contact information above). The year 2013 will, of course, present challenges – first and foremost new tax laws could dramatically affect contributions to 501(c)3 organizations. The economy continues to recover, which could affect contributions, and health care reform looms large with many proposed changes that will definitely affect the lives of people. No matter what the outlook, and even as changes are being proposed at LSU, the Association will continue its forward, positive movement and will always be your alumni association. You, our members and supporters, are what drive this organization. We are able to stay in contact with you through this magazine, the chapter and sports trips programs, and activities such as those mentioned above. We see many of you often at The Cook Hotel and more and more fans and supporters are purchasing apparel and gifts – either in person or online – at the Shelton Gift Shop. Make your plans now for a year of excitement through your LSU connection – the LSU Alumni Association. Come for a visit, take a tour, get involved. The Association belongs to you! Thank you for your steadfast support of the Association and LSU. Forever LSU!

Charlie W. Roberts President/CEO

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From Our Readers Making Tiger Bait

TAMU and LSU

Dear Charlie,

Jackie,

I have such happy memories of working with the Alumni Association. During my years on the faculty at LSU, I served as faculty adviser for the alumni in the School of Home Economics. It fell to our lot to produce a cookbook – Tiger Bait – from the 1,500 recipes submitted by alums in the 1970s. I just finished glancing at the cookbook some of the alums who worked with me presented to me. The following outline is the procedure we went through to make selections to be printed. If I remember correctly, we narrowed 1,500 items down to about 350. Alums in the School of Home Economics agreed to kitchen test them all. Each volunteer was given recipes to test and rank as fair, good, or excellent. We only selected recipes ranked as good or excellent and assembled a broad-based assortment of selected preparations for different classifications of prepared food. The third floor of the Home Economics Building was our workplace. Young mothers who worked with us brought their children. It was a happy place to remember our college days and contribute something to the University. I have no idea how much scholarship money it raised for LSU, but I do know that when ex-Tigers get together, they can generate scholarships, building programs, etc. The list is endless. Thanks, Alumni Association, and Go Tigers!

My dad, Robert W. Moore (LSU BACH 1970), just wrote and posted a poem on his Facebook that I thought was pretty impressive. Just wanted to share it with you.

Dorothy Howell Retired Professor of Human Ecology Editor’s note: The sixth edition of Tiger Bait was released last fall. For your copy, visit shop.lsualumni.org.

Giving the Aggies Their Due I’ve got to give TAMU their due. They whipped LaTech, Hogs, SMU, Gamecocks, Rebels, Auburn, too, The Miss St. Bulldogs, Ole Mizzou, Sam Houston and even ‘Bama, woo hoo! But after giving all that’s due. There’s one thing that’s forever true: The Aggies can’t beat LSU.

Judson L Moore US Peace Corps 2011-13 Volunteer, Bishkek Kyrgyzstan Editor’s note: Judson is a contributor to the magazine (see page 66).

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Alumni Association

news

2013 Hall of Distinction Eight notable alumni will be inducted into the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction on April 12. Alumnus of the Year

Larry Jones Larry Jones, chief fundraiser for the LSU Alumni Association, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from LSU in 1956 and 1961, respectively. A former LSU center and linebacker, he joined Paul Dietzel’s coaching staff at LSU for the 1958 season, the first year the Tigers won the national championship. He followed Dietzel to Army and South Carolina, was the defensive coordinator twice at Tennessee, and an assistant at Kansas, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Jones was the head coach at Florida State University for three years, leading the Seminoles to the Fiesta Bowl. He returned to LSU in 1979 as an associate athletic director/NCAA compliance officer. Since joining the staff of the LSU Alumni Association, he has raised more than $35 million dollars in contributions for scholarships, professorships, and facilities. He was honored in 1983 as National L Club Man of the Year and in 2011 was recognized by the Association as Most Valuable Player at the Accolades Banquet. Young Alumnus of the Year

Michael Tipton Michael Tipton, executive director of Teach for America-South Louisiana, graduated from LSU in 2007 with degrees in political science and history. Under his leadership, Teach for America-South Louisiana has more than quadrupled fundraising, tripled the corps of teachers, increased the number of Teach for America alumni in South Louisiana, and increased the number of alumni in senior state and community roles.

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Keith Comeaux Keith Comeaux, test conductor, team chief, and flight director for Curiosity’s August 2012 entry, descent, and landing on Mars, graduated from LSU in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Comeaux joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in 2006 and in 2008 moved to assemble, test, and launch operation. He also holds master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Business.

Ronald B. Marks, D.D.S. Dr. Ronald Marks graduated from LSU in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and received his dental training at Loyola University. He has held appointments at Tulane School of Medicine, LSU Medical Center-New Orleans, LSU School of Dentistry-New Orleans, and LSU School of MedicineShreveport, where he is a full visiting professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Marks was instrumental in the formation of the James Peltier Chair in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the first endowed chair at the LSU Medical Center-New Orleans.

Kevin Mawae A 1993 LSU general studies graduate, Kevin Mawae is a former National Football League center for the Seattle Seahawks, the New York Jets, and the Tennessee Titans. Mawae was a fouryear starter for the LSU Tigers and was selected second-team All-SEC by Associated Press and SEC coaches when he was a senior. He was selected for the Pro Bowl on six consecutive occasions and selected All-Pro eight times. He was inducted into the LSU Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

LSU Alumni Association

2013 Calendar of Events March Karlynn Peltz O’Shaughnessy

1 2

Accolades Banquet Chapter Leadership Workshop

Brigadier General Karlynn O’Shaughnessy is commander, 2d Battle Command Training Brigade, 75th Battle Command Training Division, Fort Dix, N.J. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from LSU in 1979 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through LSU Army ROTC. O’Shaughnessy was promoted to brigadier general in 2008. She was named Army Woman of the Year by the USO. She also holds master’s degrees from the University of Kansas and U.S. Army War College.

April

Michael Papajohn

September

Michael Papajohn came to LSU on a baseball scholarship and was a twoyear starter for the team that went to the CWS for the first time in 1986. He graduated in 1987 with a degree in general studies and “fell” into the Hollywood stunt business as a stunt double for Dennis Quaid in Everybody’s All-American, filmed at LSU. Over the years, he has worked on more than 75 films and TV shows.

4-5 7 14 21 28

Kevin R. Ward, M.D. A founding member and director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Reanimation Engineering and Science Center (VCURES), Dr. Kevin Ward graduated from LSU in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in physiology and earned his M.D. in 1989 from Tulane University School of Medicine. He is currently professor, chair, and director of research of VCU’s Department of Emergency Medicine.

Alumni Hall of Distinction

May 15-16

Golden Tigers Reunion

July 1

Retired Faculty/Staff July 4th Celebration

August 23 31

Alumni Board of Directors Meeting Board LSU vs. Texas Christian University (Away)

Grad Fair LSU vs. University of Alabama-Birmingham (Home) LSU vs. Kent St. (Home) LSU vs. Auburn (Home) LSU vs. Georgia (Away)

October 5 LSU vs. Mississippi State (Away) 12 LSU vs. Florida (Home) 19 LSU vs. Ole Miss (Away) 24 Scholarship Banquet 25-26 Band Reunion 26 LSU vs. Furman (Home)

November 2 9 16 22 23 30

Open Weekend LSU vs. Alabama (Away) Open Weekend Alumni Board of Directors Meeting LSU vs. Texas A&M (Home) LSU vs. Arkansas (Home)

DecembeR 10 31

Retired Faculty/Staff Christmas Celebration Kickoff 2014 at The Cook – New Years Eve Celebration

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Alumni Association News

Top Scholars Best and Brightest Honored at Scholars Banquet

Photos by Johnny Gordon

Chancellor’s Alumni Scholars, from left, Steven Alexander Olsen, Nickolas James Klinka, Kurt David Ristroph, Alexis Anne Allen, Rachel Anne Rhodes, Samuel Lemoine Justice, Andrew Gage Trahan, Daniel John Gates, and Daniel David Garner.

Corinne Viloria Duplantis, third from left, recipient of the Greater New Orleans Chapter’s Jan Liuzza Endowed Flagship Scholarship, with, from left, her parents, Lawrence and Dana Duplantis, and Liuzza.

Adrienne Spelyng and Association Vice President Cliff Vannoy.

Cathy Mueller, Dorothy Coats, and Michelle Jaeger Jones.

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Morgan Westbrook, center, recipient of the Citizens Bank & Trust Company of Plaquemine Endowed Flagship Scholarship with Bill Blackwood, Jr., senior vice president of Citizens, Chris Blackwood, and Morgan’s parents, Steve and Carla Westbrook.

LSU’s top scholars – Chancellor’s Alumni Scholars, Flagship Scholars, and Global Leaders – and the donors who funded their scholarships were recognized at the Scholars Banquet Nov. 15 at the Lod Cook Alumni Center. Interim President and Chancellor William L. Jenkins was on hand to address the some 250 students, parents, and donors who attended this year’s event. He also presented the most distinguished awards of the evening – the Chancellor’s Alumni Scholars awards – to Alexis Anne Allen, Kenner, La.; Daniel David Garner, Sulphur, La.; Daniel John Gates, Baton Rouge; Samuel Lemoine Justice, Baton Rouge; Nickolas James From left, Linda Young, Dallas Alumni Chapter Ron and Linda Young Endowed Flagship Scholarship Klinka, Muskego, Wis.; Steven Alexander recipient Michael Robert Moore, Dallas Alumni Olsen, Baton Rouge; Rachel Anne Chapter Endowed Flagship Scholarship recipient Kathryn Marie Carr, and Ron Young. Rhodes, Pearland, Texas; Kurt David Ristroph, Baton Rouge; and Andrew Gage Trahan, Baton Rouge. During the program Adrienne Spelyng of the San Diego Alumni Chapter presented a check for $70,600 for the chapter’s Endowed Flagship Scholarship Fund. And taking a special bow was Dorothy Coats, of San Pedro, Calif., who celebrated her 96th birthday with her first trip to LSU since 1945, when she received a master’s degree in speech. She was accompanied by Cathy Mueller, secretary of the Southern California Alumni Chapter, and Alumna-by-Choice Michelle Jaeger Jones.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Alumni Association News

Chapter Events Gumbo in Memphis – Atlanta alumna Sarah Clayton, seated far left in LSU garb, found her “Tiger family” in Memphis, Tenn., the weekend of the LSU vs. Texas A&M game. Johnnie and K.K. Gross, center front and back rows, hosted members of the Memphis Alumni Chapter for the group’s annual gumbo party. “It was SEAUX fun,” Clayton writes.

Memphis alums gather for gumbo and gridiron action.

D.C. Tigers By Norm Marcocci

During football season, members of the National Capital Chapter gathered at Molly Malone’s and the Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill to watch the Tigers play, and they took part in the Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 12. Upcoming chapter events include an NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Hornets at the Verizon Center on March 15 (contact normlsu88@yahoo.com) and the annual crawfish boil with D.C. alumni of other Louisiana universities at Ft. Hunt Park on June 1 (visit www.dccrawfish.com). Join the National Capital Chapter e-mail list at dclsulumni@yahoo.com, and find chapter news at www.lsudcalumni.com.

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LSU Alumni Association

2013 chapter calendar March

April Continued

May Continued

27 Jackson, Miss., Chapter Crawfish Boil lsujacksonalum@gmail.com

New York Chapter Crawfish Boil Tim Gaiennie timgaiennie@gmail.com

Birmingham, Ala., Chapter Crawfish Boil Mark Crain markcrain@gmail.com

Raleigh/Durham Chapter Crawfish Boil Paul Heroy pheroy@yahoo.com

San Diego Chapter Crawfish Boil Pete Terrebonne 619-992-1243

Chapter Leadership Workshop Jason Ramezan jasonr@lsualumni.org

LSU Austin Chapter Gumbeaux Dinner Will Washington president@lsuaustin.com

Richmond, Va., Chapter Gumbo Party Markie Russell carlmarkie@aol.com

April 13 20 20

Dallas, Texas, Chapter Crawfish Boil Garrett Chassee gchassee@irvingconventioncenter.com Miami, Fla., Chapter Crawfish Boil Eric Brumfield eric.brumfield@gmail.com Pensacola, Fla., Chapter Crawfish Boil John Spurny lsupanhandle@hotmail.com

Northeast Oklahoma Chapter Crawfish Boil Scott Gentry k-sgent@cox.net

Tarrant Tigers Chapter Crawfish Boil (Ft. Worth/Arlington, Texas) Gary Taylor lsutarranttigers@sbcglobal.net

Las Vegas Chapter Crawfish Boil Kathy Fives kathyfives@sincitytigers.com

27 Wilmington, N.C., Chapter Crawfish Boil Angie Ball lsuwilmington@gmail.com 27

Memphis, Tenn., Chapter Crawfish Boil Doug Gremillion iamechanic@att.net

May 5

Los Angeles Chapter Crawfish Boil Cathy Mueller cathym@lsusocal.org

Atlanta Chapter Crawfish Boil Chris Tilley chris.tilley@regions.com

Nashville, Tenn., Chapter Crawfish Boil Courtney Nunally lsunashville@gmail.com

Richmond, Va., Chapter Crawfish Boil Sam Rosenthal samlsu@rcn.com

St. Louis, Mo., Chapter Crawfish Boil Marc Tenholder Marctenholder@gmail.com

June 1

Beaumont, Texas, Chapter Crawfish Boil Francis Coker coker@beaumontasset.com

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DeSoto Parish Dr. Don Taylor LSU Alumni Golf Classic Gil Rew gillisrew@aol.com Atlanta, Ga., Sweet Sendoff party Sarah Clayton sleeclayton@comcast.com

Little Rock to Fayetteville – “This pic was taken behind enemy lines,” writes Brad Feller of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter. The chapter chartered a bus for the LSU vs. Arkansas game Nov. 23, and 56 Tiger fans parked close to the stadium, enjoyed a catered tailgate, trekked to the stadium, basked in the team’s victory, and made a pizza stop on the way back to Little Rock. “We had people from as far away as New Orleans join us, and Kelly Carmon and Carrie Peacock ran the show that day,” Feller writes. “We plan to do the same next year for Ole Miss.” LSU Tigers invade Little Rock.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Alumni Association News

Geaux Team A Taste of the Bayou for Game-day Feast

By: Holly Prestidge Photos by Joe Mahoney

“A football feast: No matter who prevails in the LSU-Alabama game, the food is always a winner.”

Bill Bagley, from left, Markie Russell, and Stephen LaHaye get a look at the first turkey out of the fryer.

Janice Guidry with a bag of Zapp’s Spicy Cajun Crawtators.

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MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The prayers of purple-and-gold-clad fans couldn’t change the outcome of Saturday night’s college football show-down between the Louisiana State University Tigers and their conference rivals, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama – the favorite – rallied in dramatic fashion during the last minute of the game to pull out a 21-17 win at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. But tender fried turkey and pork loins, savory crawfish and andouille sausage cheesecake, and spicy jambalaya sure helped ease some of the pain for those hanging out at Markie Russell’s Midlothian home during what’s become an annual event for local LSU alumni. Since 1996, members of the LSU Central Virginia Alumni Chapter have gathered for feasting and fellowship – usually at Russell’s home – as a prelude to the LSUAlabama game. The game is the reason, but the food – most of which is made with recipes straight from the bayou – steals the show. “We love to eat,” said Russell, the chapter’s treasurer. She was decked out in purple-and-gold-striped overalls over a purple LSU shirt. Her fingernails were painted purple and gold, and gold earrings dangled from her ears. Her dog, Bella, also wore an LSU sweater. “We can’t find Louisiana food up here, so we make it ourselves,” she said. Russell said there are about 50 paid members within the area’s LSU alumni organization, though there are upward of 400 who are on her mailing list, and the numbers grow every year. Many have moved here or been transferred for jobs, she said, or they found refuge in Virginia after Hurricane Katrina. Regardless of why they’re here, many show up at Russell’s home for a taste of Louisiana.

And they are not disappointed. Three turkey fryers filled with cottonseed oil sputtered behind her house Saturday evening, into which went turkeys and pork loins and the occasional battered Snickers bar. (There’s no tie between the fried candy and Louisiana – just an idea spawned by leftover Halloween candy a few years ago.) The fryers were manned by guys with gloves – and timers and calculators – who ensured perfectly cooked meat. LSU alum Martha Junkmann and her family brought another fryer for soft-shelled crabs. Creole seasoning was everywhere. Many of the dishes, including Bill Bagley’s crawfish pies, were made with the “holy trinity” of flavors – onions, bell peppers and celery. (The pies were made with the crawfish meat he froze from the group’s crawfish boil earlier this year, for which the crawfish are flown in from Louisiana.) While just about everyone in attendance was wearing purple and gold or something LSU-related, a few nonLSU folks also were there. Wearing a Virginia Tech ball cap, Clota Gerhardt arrived with a savory cheesecake made with crawfish and andouille sausage and topped with a spicy tomato-mustard coulis. An hour before game time, the spread on Russell’s table resembled Thanksgiving dinner – sliced turkey, sweet praline yams, cornbread dressing and more. On another table, Russell had a metal tin filled with popcorn – tinted purple and gold, of course. Janice Guidry showed up with a Louisiana staple – a bag of Zapp’s brand potato chips, which she held gingerly in her arms like a mother carrying her child. The flavor: Spicy Cajun Crawtators. “I’m dressed appropriately,” she said. “I’ve got my best accessory on.” Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Nov. 7, 2012.

LSU Alumni Association News

Tureaud Chapter Honors 2012 LSU Legends

By Rachel L. Emanuel

2012 LSU Legends, from left, Todd Schexnayder, Tureaud Chapter secretary; Todd Tyson and Pat Tyson, son and wife of the late Judge Ralph E. Tyson; Maxine Crump; Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson; and Rachel L. Emanuel, Tureaud Chapter president-elect.

Community activist Maxine Crump, Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson, and the late Judge Ralph E. Tyson were honored as LSU Legends by the A.P. Tureaud, Sr., Black Alumni Chapter of the LSU Alumni Association, during its Annual Legends Forum held Nov. 9, in the LSU Union Atchafalaya Room. Justice Johnson (1969 JD) is the first African-American chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. She was elected to the Civil District Court of New Orleans in 1984, and was the first woman to hold that office. First elected to the During the forum, Tureaud chapter members anLouisiana Supreme Court in 1994, she is the second-longest serving associate justice nounced the 2013 Reunion Celebration set for Sept. 6-7, 2013. Perry Franklin, immediate past president on the court. Johnson was named to the Paul M. Hebert Law Center Hall of Fame in and Melody Robinson, board member and publicity 1996 and received the 2009 Distinguished Jurist Award presented by the Louisiana chair, give a “Here’s To You” salute to the legacy of Bar Foundation. A.P. Tureaud, Sr. Crump, president/CEO of Dialogue on Race Louisiana, is the first black female to desegregate LSU’s residence halls. The late Tyson (1970 BACH H&SS, 1973 JD) was the first African-American judge to serve on the federal bench in the Middle District and was chief judge from 2005-2011. He also served on the Court of Appeal, 19th Judicial District Court, and Baton Rouge City Court. Tyson was memorialized last year when a training room was dedicated in his honor, and his portrait was unveiled inside Russell Long Federal Building and Courthouse. LSU Legends Forum panel members, from left, Mario Garner; Todd Schexnayder; Tia Gipson; Dale The chapter hosted a panel discussion at the Marioneaux, moderator; Dr. Claude Tellis; Ken West; and Shaun Mena, Tureaud Chapter program chair. event, “Affordable Care Act: A Good Thing for the Black Community?,” which examined the president’s landmark legislation and the implications for African Americans. Panelists were Mario Garner, chief operating officer, HCA Fairview Park Hospital, Dublin, Ga.; Tia Gipson, chief executive officer, Independence Heights Community Health Center, Houston; Todd Schexnayder, senior vice president for human resources, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana; Dr. Claude Tellis, head of the pulmonary department, Ochsner; and Ken West, associate chief operating officer at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, Fredericksburg, Va. The forum was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.

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LSU Alumni Association News

Snapshots

HEAVY HITTERS – Lod Cook, Dr. Jimmy Peltier, and Dr. Billy Cannon were among celebrated guests attending a reception at the Andonie Sports Museum prior to the Alabama football game.

Common Ground – Dr. Matt Mauck, quarterback of LSU’s 2003 national football championship team, and Dr. Gil Rew, DeSoto Chapter president and National Fund Chair of the LSU Alumni Association, shared their common interests at a reception before the Homecoming game with Mississippi State. Both are practicing dentists. Both are die-hard Tiger fans.

The Good Ole Days – Brad Davis, hero of LSU’s 17-16 win over Ole Miss in 1972, is flanked by two of his biggest fans – Dorothy Faye McClendon, wife of the late Charles McClendon, LSU’s Hall of Fame Coach of the 1960s and 1970s, and Glenda McCarty, wife of former Tiger player and assistant coach, Dave McCarty. They celebrated one of LSU’s most famous victories, a last-second win over the Rebels, at a reception for Davis at the Andonie Sports Museum in November.

Photos by Johnny Gordon

Outstanding Employee – The 2012 Louis and Lori Minsky Staff Leadership Award went to John Gauthier, manager of the Shelton Gift Shop in The Cook Hotel. Gauthier, who joined the staff in 1997, was honored Dec. 20 at the staff Christmas luncheon, sponsored annually by Kent and Yvonne Anderson. Louis Minsky and Kent Anderson serve on the Association’s National Board of Directors.

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Retired Professor and Alumni Center docent Tony Achacoso and his wife, Linda.

LSU staffers ready to join in Christmas caroling.

Heaux Heaux Heaux â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Some 300 retired University faculty and staff kicked off the holidays at the Retired Faculty/Staff Christmas Celebration Dec. 11 sponsored by the LSU Alumni Association and Peoples Health. The festivities included dinner, door prizes, Christmas caroling and a visit from Jolly Old Saint Nick, and in the spirit of the season, those attending donated $3,000 to benefit the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, a project of the LSU Faculty & Staff Retirees Club.

LSU Alumni Association President Charlie Roberts, retired Professor Dorothy Howell, Peoples Health Vice President John Van Wart, LSU Retirees President Shirley Mundt, and Professor Emeritus Larry Mann. Best Dressed winners Kathleen Bosworth and Dan Fontenot.

Photos by Johnny Gordon and Larry Hubbard

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Alumni Association News

Snapshots Music, Music, Music – Guests and

Lod Cook and Laura Leach greet Coach Les Miles, who dropped by The Cook Hotel as the Men’s Chorus was performing.

staff at The Cook Hotel and Conference Center were treated to a performance by the LSU Men’s Chorus during breakfast in the Shaquille O’Neal Lodge on Nov. 3 before the LSU vs. Alabama game. The chorus performed the Star Spangled Banner, LSU Alma Mater, Hey, Fighting Tigers, and Brothers, Sing Up(!) in the hotel lobby and received a standing ovation. Photo by Alice Stout

Here’s to You – Members of the A.P. Tureaud, Sr., Black Alumni Chapter September 2013 Reunion/Celebration Executive Planning Committee met Oct. 22, 2012, at the home of Ayan and Mike Rubin to make plans for the event set for Sept. 6-7, the weekend of LSU’s first home football game. A.P. Tureaud, Jr., and Ayan Rubin shared the initial toast honoring “Here’s To You – A Salute to the Legacy of A.P. Tureaud, Sr.,” the theme of the kick-off event at the Manship Theatre. The multi-media and live performance reunion production of music, dance, and oration will depict specific events in the generations of African-American enrollment at LSU from 1950 to the present. To participate, visit www.lsublackalumni.com. For reunion information, contact Rachel L. Emanuel at rachele11@cox.net. For sponsorship information, contact Todd Schexnayder, tschex@cox.net. Executive Planning Committee members, from left, Todd Schexnayder, Fernin Eaton, Sylvia Weatherspoon, Ron Johnson, Mathilde Abramson, Cliff Vannoy, Mary K. Scott, Leo C. Hamilton, Rachel Emanuel, Brandon Smith, Chanté Warren, Jada Lewis, Carolyn Collins, A.P. Tureaud, Jr., Ayan Rubin, Gresdna Doty, College of Human Sciences & Education Dean Laura Lindsay, and Mike Rubin.

Development Challenge – In honor of the 2013 Tureaud Chapter Reunion and Celebration of the Legacy of A.P. Tureaud, Sr., College of Human Sciences and Education Dean Laura Lindsay offered to match each $1,000 donation up to $5,000 to support a $10,000 Chapter Scholarship fund. Todd Schexnayder, senior vice president for human resources, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, provided a donation to the chapter development challenge. From left, College of Humanities & Social Sciences Dean Gaines Foster, Mary K. Scott, Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson, College of Human Sciences & Education Dean Laura Lindsay, and Todd Schexnayder.

18 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Ringing in the New Year.

Ringing in 2013 – The Lod Cook Alumni Center was lively with music, dancing, and plenty of good food and refreshments as The Cook Hotel hosted Kickoff 2013 at The Cook, the hotel’s inaugural New Years Eve celebration. Nashville recording star David St. Romain was the featured entertainment as more than 250 partygoers took advantage of the special offer that included a night’s stay at the hotel, a threecourse dinner, open bar, and live entertainment.

Traveling Tigers – Kendal Keifner and Meghan Hunter, pictured at the Traveling Tigers’ pregame party at STATS, were among the hundreds of diehard fans that cheered on the Fighting Tigers at the Chikfil-A Bowl in Atlanta Dec. 31.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Alumni Association News

Homecoming 2012 Showing Your Stripes: Celebrating Traditions and Leaving a Legacy

Photos by Johnny Gordon and Jim Zietz

Michael “Mike” Woods, chair of the LSU Alumni Association National Board of Directors, throws goodies to spectators at the Homecoming Parade.

The University community wrapped up Homecoming Week on Nov. 10 with the crowning of King Taylor Cox and Queen Kendall Knobloch during halftime of the Tigers’ victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. This year’s celebration included a variety of activities, among them CANapalooza, sports tournaments, concerts, LSU Salutes, and the Homecoming Parade. A highlight of this year’s event was a visit by 91-year-old Lillie Mae “Pigeon” Major Thibaut, New Roads, La., the From left, back row, Anna Kate Glath, Ray Glath, Betty Earle Clark, Molly Glath, and Caroline Glath; front, 1942 Homecoming Queen and a 1943 Ann Marie Ellender and Camille Glath. education graduate. Thibaut was a special guest at a luncheon honoring the 2012 Homecoming Court and 2011 Homecoming royalty Mo Isom and Zach Corbin. She shared her recollections of student involvement, leadership, and service as a World War II-era LSU Homecoming Queen, and Isom and Corbin reflected on their year as young alumni and challenged the students and families to celebrate their achievements and leave their legacies as LSU students and alumni.

2012 Homecoming Queen Kendall Knobloch and King Taylor Cox with, from left, Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Enrollment Services Kurt Keppler, National LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors Chair Michael “Mike” Woods, Interim LSU System President William Jenkins, Provost Stuart Bell, 2011 Homecoming King Zach Corbin, and 2011 Homecoming Queen Mo Isom.

Future Tigers parade in the Tiger Train.

20 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Ninety-one-year-old Lillie Mae Major Thibaut, seated, with Homecoming Court members, front row, from left, Maddie Kirkwood, Natchez, Miss; Christine Derbins, Mandeville; Margaret Price, West Shokan, N.Y.; Danielle Rushing, Watson; Bryce Benzine, Gonzales; and Katherine Latham, Metairie; second row, 2011 Homecoming King Zach Corbin, Slidell; 2011 Homecoming Queen Mo Isom, Marietta, Ga.; Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Enrollment Kurt Keppler; Sarah Beth Theriot, White Hall, Ark.; Aaron Ackley, Senior, Lake Charles; Bryce Bourgeois, St . Amant; Vik Singh, Eunice; Dylon Hoffpauir, Erath; 2012 Homecoming King Taylor Cox, Bossier City; 2012 Homecoming Queen Kendall Knobloch, Baton Rouge; and Trey Schwartzenburg, Opelousas.

The

L S U R i ng w

d Tra

B y E m i l y H err i n g t o n Photos by Johnny Gordon

L ess

t ha n

M i ss i ss i pp i defensive as

h o urs

S tat e end

looked

a f t er

Sam

d ow n

On it rested a shiny chunk of purple and gold and his newest trophy – an LSU Ring. “It means a whole lot to me,” said the sixfoot-five defender. “This is more important than any bowl ring.” Montgomery has received mountains of accolades for his on-the-field performance in a Tiger uniform. Just this season, he was selected for the Coaches’ All-SEC first team, named a Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award finalist, twice chosen as an SEC defensive lineman of the week and once as the SEC defensive player of the week. But this honor, an LSU Ring, is different. It is a testament to his academic accomplishments. Montgomery, a sports administration major, admitted it is not easy being a student athlete. Balancing coursework and football can seem to require acrobatics. Montgomery said his ring is tangible evidence of his hard work in the classroom. “It shows

LSU

d e f eat e d

20-point

m ar g i n ,

M o n t g o m er y

bea m e d

his

f i n g er .

that I came to school, went to class, and did what I’m supposed to do,” he said. Montgomery also credited his classmates for their support in his academic success. “I’m not just the guy you see on the field. That’s less than one-fourth of who I am,” he said. “But the guy in the classroom is who I am, and my classmates see that and help me out.”

More than Jewelry Like the rest of this year’s recipients, Montgomery feels his LSU Ring is much more than a piece of jewelry. It signifies hard work, dedication, accomplishment, and more. Though the ring is inherently valuable, this year’s crop is extra special.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Mike’s Blessing

LSU Ring In 1998 the LSU

As part of a new Ring Ceremony tradition, LSU Rings now spend the night before the ceremony “sleeping” in Mike the Tiger’s habitat – protected under the jungle cat’s watch. “I think it’s really neat; it added more to it, knowing my ring has Mike’s blessing,” ring recipient Kathryn Hayes said of the new tradition. Ashley Territo, assistant to the vice chancellor for finance and administrative services and instrumental in the ceremony revamp, said the idea stemmed from student interest. “Mike is such a big part of students’ lives,” Territo explained. “Students are walking by, seeing how he is, and checking on him every day, so to have the rings sleep in the habitat with him is just an unbelievable experience.” “It’s LSU’s way of instilling more pride and making it more of a unique memento for students. You know that your ring spent the night under Mike’s guard,” said Student Government President and mass communication senior Taylor Cox. Territo, Cox, and the LSU Alumni Association worked together to improve and enhance the twice-a-year Ring Ceremony. One of the biggest changes was moving the event to a new venue. The popular ceremony outgrew its previous home in the Lod Cook Alumni Center, and in order to accommodate everyone, multiple ceremonies were held. But now, there’s one cohesive ceremony. The November ceremony took place in the Bo Campbell Auditorium of the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes. Beginning this semester, the event will take place in the LSU Student Union Theater. Territo said she aims for Ring Ceremony participation to go from its current 40-50 percent up to 60 -70 percent. From the planning process to handing out the rings, the new ceremony has increased student involvement. The Tiger Tenors entertained guests with popular hits and classics. Miss LSU Elizabeth Connor helped mascot Mike hand out rings, and Cox and Student Government Vice President Carrie Hebert explained the rings’ symbolism. Cox didn’t just work in the ring ceremony – he was also a senior ring recipient. “My ring represents so much,” he said. “It represents my eight semesters at LSU, all the friends I’ve met during my time at this incredible university, all the hard work I’ve put into achieving my degree … It represents every single memory I’ve had at LSU.” Claire Evans, a political science junior, grew up watching her father’s “ring the size of my thumb” from the University of Texas spark conversations every time he wore it. Seeing her father’s appreciation for his ring led her to get her own this November. Evans hopes to use her LSU Ring the same way her father does, as a networking tool and a conversation starter. “Getting my ring kind of puts into perspective my time at LSU coming to a close,” she said. “It’s a really nice memento that shows you’re still part of the Tiger community.” Evans said she thought the ceremony was intimate and just the right way to begin the end of her time at LSU.

Ring Tradition C o m m i t t ee , composed of student leaders and alumni, established a ring ceremony and ring qualification standards and suggested modifications to the ring design. Fourteen years later, the LSU Alumni Association, Student Life & Enrollment, and Finance & Administrative Services joined to revamp the Ring Ceremony and add new elements to the experience of the LSU Ring. Each meticulously handcrafted ring represents the uniqueness of LSU and serves as a lasting symbol of its proud traditions and values. Oak leaves and magnolia blossoms are carved on both sides of the ring. One side features the degree received, the gates of LSU, and the official seal of the University over the last two words of the LSU Alma Mater – Forever LSU. The other side shows the year of graduation, Memorial Tower, and the face of Mike the Tiger, LSU’s fearless mascot. The letters LSU are emblazoned on top of an amethyst stone. The words Louisiana State University and the founding date of 1860 encircle the stone. Prior to commencement, students wear the ring with LSU facing them as a reminder of the goal that is within reach. Upon the granting of degrees graduates turn the ring so the letters “LSU” face outward. This symbolizes a graduate’s readiness to represent LSU in all his or her endeavors. The LSU Rings are manufactured by Balfour.

Emily Herrington, a junior public relations major in the Manship School of Mass Communication, is managing editor of The Daily Reveille. ON THE WEB www.studentlife.lsu.edu/lsu-ring Top photo: Graduates-to-be place their LSU Rings on their hands at the conclusion of the Ring Ceremony; center: from left, John Wilson, Kristi Guerin, Tracy Hippman, and Kathryn Hayes proudly display their LSU Rings; bottom: Rawley Webber, left, and Harrison Breaud show off their new rings.

24 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Ring Collection

Over the years, the LSU Alumni Association has received about a dozen class and commemorative rings from alumni and friends, the oldest from 1906, the most recent 1989. The rings are tucked away for safekeeping, but we’d like to let the light shine upon them once again, using them as the core of a new collection. As a lasting memorial to LSU Ring owners and a reminder of their unique experience as an LSU Tiger, the Association is planning a permanent LSU Ring Collection, which will be housed in the Lod Cook Alumni Center. We would like to obtain a ring from each graduating class.

We hav e t he f oll ow i ng r i ng s .

1906

1919

1927

Donated by Harold G. Edwards, D.D.S

Robert Joseph Badon, donated by Ruby B. Seguara

Donated by Steve F. Pierce

1930

1941

1950

Donated by Thomas E. Quillman

Dalton Woods, donated by the Sugar Woods Family

Donated by Mary Elizabeth Norckauer

1950

1957

1958

Donated by James Logan Brown

Donated by Carl Streva

National Football Championship Ring

1969

1977

1985

Miriam Coe, donated by Mary Elizabeth Norckauer

Donated by Cindy Traugott

Championship Sugar Bowl Ring, donated by Larry B. Jones

If you have a class or commemorative ring you’d like to donate – your own or perhaps that of a relative or friend – contact Jackie Bartkiewicz at jackie@lsualumni.org. Rings must be appraised by a professional/licensed jewelry appraiser.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

L o u i s i a n a’ s Treasure

LSU Shines Spotlight on Coast, P a s t, P r e s e n t,

& Future

LSU is u n iq u e in the true sense of the word. At first glance, a lot of the basics appear similar to those at any top-tier research institution, but it’s the particulars that set this university apart from all others, making it as one of a kind as the state of Louisiana. Everything from the research to the classroom curriculum is shaped by a creative base of citizens, a distinctive geographical location, and tremendous native assets. Unfortunately, though, while this gumbo of ingredients makes for a colorful campus, a rich research base, and a culture that’s second to none, it also leaves us vulnerable to certain threats specific to a coastal state: hurricanes, erosion, saltwater intrusion, and more. As the flagship university of the state, LSU has long led the way in coastal research, developing advances that improve life and work in Sportsman’s Paradise and all along the Gulf Coast.

By Ashley Berthelot Photos by Jim Zietz and Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism

26 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Standing Alone, Supporting our Nation

ven though our problems are unique to the state’s geography, the repercussions are felt across the nation. For instance, Louisiana has the world’s largest port system, is the endpoint of the world’s most traveled waterway (the Mississippi River), serves as the nation’s top producer of domestic oil, and is also the top fisheries producer in the lower 48 states (source http:// coastal.louisiana.gov). Combined, these superlatives result in an approximately $108 billion contribution to the economy each year, producing countless jobs for the state. Because our coastal systems directly inject much needed dollars into the nation’s finances, the health of our country’s economy is directly tied to the health of Louisiana’s coastal ecosystems. Currently, more than 200 LSU faculty members are directly involved in coastrelated research, studying ways to protect the state’s culture, ecosystems, and assets, and bringing in more than 450 grants to the tune of $73 million into Louisiana’s economy. These grants provide much-needed support for studies determining better ways to preserve our wetlands, ways to improve evacuations during the approach of hurricanes, and ways of keeping our seafood safe to eat. These funds also allow faculty to provide small businesses in coastal parishes with assistance and to help communities preserve their past while also planning for a better future. In short, LSU’s coastal research strengths are aimed at supporting our state and helping our neighbors toward a strong today and an even better tomorrow. While LSU has been internationally known and respected for its involvement and expertise in all things coastal for more than 60 years, the University has recently recommitted itself to coastal and deltaic research on Louisiana’s coast and rivers in light of recent natural disasters and the impact of our coastal health on the state’s economic strength. “Rapidly

E x pan d i n g t h e C oas ta l S t u d i e s I n s t i t ut e a u g m e nts LSU’s g r eat e x pe rti s e i n c o astal s c i e n c e s an d e n g i n e e r i n g . . . h e r e a n d a r o u n d t h e w o r l d. increasing our already impressive coastal research portfolio can have a direct effect on our state,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Stuart Bell. “Louisiana’s economy is dependent upon having a healthy coast. Our industry needs it – our citizens need it.” To fast-track the path to more research – and more results – the School of the Coast & Environment recently joined forces with the College of Science and the College of Engineering through a memorandum of understanding realigning the University’s iconic Coastal Studies Institute, or CSI, to reflect the changing face of research today. CSI, which is entering its 60th year, has an illustrious history that set the framework for the way scientists look at coastal processes through the work of scientific superstars such as R.J. Russell, James Morgan, James Coleman, and Harry Roberts – names known around the world for excellence in coastal and deltaic research, and synonymous with LSU. “Coastal processes are complex in nature and require a broad approach to deliver results,” said Christopher D’Elia, dean of LSU’s School of the Coast & Environment. “Bringing together these three key players in coastal research will allow us to conduct interdisciplinary research while sharing resources and controlling costs. It’s a very important step that will allow impactful coastal research to flourish at LSU.” Samuel Bentley, the Billy and Ann Harrison Chair in Sedimentary Geology in the Department of Geology & Geophysics, was selected to head this ambitious new endeavor. Bentley is a marine sedimentologist whose recent research activity includes analyzing the impact of sediment flow and flux after the Mississippi River flooding in 2011. “In restructuring and expanding the Coastal Studies Institute, we want to highlight and augment LSU’s great expertise in coastal sciences and engineering, particularly as that expertise applies to river deltas, both here and around the world,” said Bentley. This reorganized CSI will serve as a primary point of contact for interdisciplinary coastal research at LSU and will actively work to share the University’s coastal activities with state and federal agencies. These agencies need such data to make informed public policy and safety decisions, and this cooperative effort promises to form a streamlined conduit for communications and interaction with outside agencies. It will also work hand-in-hand with complementary organizations such as the Water Institute of the Gulf. Perhaps most importantly, CSI will provide new opportunities for training and supporting the next generation of leading researchers, paving the way for continued advancements in coastal sustainability. The institute now funds three doctoral students who will conduct research and train with faculty from a variety of backgrounds. “The multidisciplinary aspect of CSI is incredibly important for several reasons,” said Thomas Klei, interim vice chancellor in the Office of Research & Economic Development. “First, it allows the research we conduct at LSU to be as thorough and comprehensive as possible. Second, major funding institutions such as the National Science Foundation are looking for interdisciplinary programs when they’re considering supporting a largedollar grant. This type of support is essential as we continue to move forward.”

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

DCRT

Louisiana’s economy is dependent upon having a healthy coast. Our industry needs it – our citizens need it.

28 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013 DCRT

A Multidisciplinary Approach

SI directly complements another coastal focus at LSU – the Coastal Sustainability Studio, which also takes a multidisciplinary approach to envision and design sustainable systems that reduce vulnerability associated with increased storm strength, land subsidence, habitat degradation, and global environmental change, reducing risk to Louisiana’s social, economic, and natural resources. The studio, led by Jeff Carney, was recently awarded a $600,000 contract to oversee the Resiliency Assistance Program for the State of Louisiana’s Office of Community Development, Disaster Recovery Unit, or DRU. “Our Resiliency Assistance Program will assist the smallest and most underserved communities to access planning efforts locally,” said Carney. “But we’ll also develop and present a clear vision for resiliency planning in Louisiana to the rest of the state and the nation.” Faculty who participate in the studio also work on cultural projects meant to provide records of the history and heritage of a community and its people. For example, Michael Pasquier, assistant professor of religious studies at LSU, teamed up with the Coastal Sustainability Studio, the LSU Libraries T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, and the Communication Across the Curriculum Studio to conduct oral history interviews in the Bayou Lafourche area, which has experienced considerable environmental changes over the past hundred years. “My students interviewed a diverse group of community residents to determine some of the cultural consequences of environmental change in South Louisiana,” said Pasquier. “Everyone gained from the experience. Natives of the area got a chance to record their memories, and the students really gained knowledge about Louisiana and a variety of other skills. In fact, one

Lou isiana’s disti nctive g eog raph ical location leaves th e state vulnerable to certain threats specific to a coastal state: hurricanes, e rosion, saltwate r i ntr usion, an d mor e. of them went on to intern at a magazine in New York and e-mailed me to say thank you for teaching her how to prepare, conduct, and edit interviews.” Pasquier and LSU Screenwriter-in-Residence Zack Godshall recently partnered to develop and produce a documentary chronicling life in the community of Leeville, La., in its losing battle against erosion, providing a historical testament to the strength of its people. “The people and the physical place are both vanishing away,” said Godshall. “That’s the reason we chose to make this film. Leeville won’t continue to exist as it is. It will have to change. We want to share this story with as many people as possible.” Every college and department at LSU has faculty focused on coastal work. For instance, the Louisiana Business & Technology Center, or LBTC, provides support and training for businesses in small, coastal areas. While the LBTC Mobile Classroom visits these areas on a regular basis throughout the year, they make concerted efforts to get there in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters in order to help each community’s economy get back to normal as soon as possible. “We mobilized from Cameron to Chalmette for Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike, as well as during the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” said LBTC Executive Director Charles D’Agostino. “We were the first to bring Internet in the vehicle to St. Bernard after Katrina and assistance in helping business owners reconnect with employees, contact suppliers and customers, and fill out disaster loan applications. We also provided laptop computers and an air-conditioned spot for business owners to regroup.” And researchers help the economy – and the environment – in more indirect ways. A recent advance in civil and environmental engineering, for example, allowed Associate Professor Zhiqiang Deng and his research team to become first in the world to accurately predict an outbreak of norovirus in oyster harvesting areas of Cameron Parish through collaboration with NASA and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. Outbreaks of norovirus, a virus that causes stomach and intestinal pain and vomiting, have been a significant problem for the oyster farming industry in Louisiana and elsewhere, and pose a public health threat for those who consume raw oysters. “Our predictive model is capable of producing an oyster norovirus outbreak alert a couple of weeks in advance,” Deng said. “If the model prediction shows that the probability of an outbreak will be high in a particular time period, then we can warn oyster management organizations like DHH to close certain harvesting areas.” As the University moves forward with its coastal initiative, LSU will continue to support work that directly impacts the citizens of Louisiana, from planting trees along the coast to helping stabilize our wetlands to analyzing the impact of the oil spill on our fisheries, and everything in between. Ashley Berthelot is a research editor in the Office of Communications & University Relations and editor of LSU Research. Visit www.lsu.edu/coast to keep up with coastal research at LSU or to share your stories about the importance of this valuable Louisiana asset. On Twitter or Instagram? Check #LSUCoast for details.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Thanks

for your support of the

the LSU Alumni A ss o c i a t i o n

volunteer

the cook hotel w

Banquets & Meetings 30 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

special events

Alumni Gift Shop

alumni chapters

student events

touring tigers

traveling tigers

the andonie sports museum

F a c u l t y & A l u m n i A w a r d sLSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013 31

reunions

Noteworthy

Around

campus

Julia Chan

David Baker

Susanne Brenner

Rongying Jin

Marcia Newcomer

Kenneth Schafer

32 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

David Baker, director of the School of Veterinary Medicine Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine; Julia Chan, Alumni Professor of Chemistry, Frances C. Lawrence, associate dean of the E.J. Ourso College of Business; and Clinton Willson, professor of civil and environmental engineering were among Frances C. Lawrence Clinton Willson 46 faculty and administrators from Southeastern Conference universities selected as 2012-13 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program fellows. The professional development program seeks to identify, prepare, and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. Several College of Science researchers received honors from prestigious organizations. Four were honored with the rank of Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest scientific organization: Susanne Brenner, Michael F. and Roberta Nesbit McDonald Professor of Mathematics, for advances in finite element, multi-grid, and domain decomposition methods, and for service to the computational and applied mathematics community; Rongying Jin, professor of physics, for significant contributions to materials physics, including science-driven materials development and pioneering studies of their underlying physics; Marcia Newcomer, George C. Kent Professor of Biological Sciences, for distinguished contributions to the field of structural biology, particularly for her recent elucidation of the structure of human 5-lipoxygenase; and Kenneth Schafer, Ball Family Distinguished Professor of Physics, for seminal contributions in the field of laser-matter interactions through extensive theoretical studies of high quality and great innovation.

The LSU Alumni Association congratulates former William E. “Bud” Davis Endowed Alumni Professor

James G. Oxley on his appointment as a Boyd Professor.

Department of Mathematics, College of

Science

January 2, 2013 Dr. Jack Andonie, Chair Board of Directors LSU Alumni Association 3838 West Lakeshore Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Dear Dr. Andonie:

ni William E. “Bud” Davis Endowed Alum ciation voted to appoint me as the Asso ni Alum the the of , rd 2012 Boa er the emb , In 1999 e to me ever since. In Dec honor has been a source of great prid this Professor of Mathematics and this both thrilled and surprised to receive was I r. appoint me as a Boyd Professo to d vote rs elf rviso mys Supe call of er rd long Boa no LSU e, I am sad that I can such an appointment has no downsid ed nam g bein erts, Rob new honor. While one may feel that once told Charlie meant so much to me. Indeed, as I my iving rece g bein r an Alumni Professor for that position othe that point, the highlights of my academic career to an Alumni Professor was one of two essor as my third highlight. Prof d Boy a ed nam I can now add being doctorate from Oxford University. t ni Professorship as a goal that I migh r faculty member that I saw the Alum d Boy the and rship esso I can remember when I was a junio Prof ni the Alum many named chairs on the campus, ni one day achieve. While there are now Association in establishing the Alum ni Alum the of om wisd e. I applaud the ut ugho thro ived rece I Professorship stand out among thes ort supp the erely for in teaching, and I thank the Board sinc look Professorships to honor excellence w that many of my colleagues also kno I and me, to deal t grea a nt mea It r. esso Prof ni Alum an thirteen years as for which they can strive. to the Alumni Professorship as a goal Thank you again and best wishes,

James G. Oxley Boyd Professor

Your contributions to the LSU Alumni Association

help fund stipends for the Alumni Professorships, which are awarded to tenured full professors in recognition for excellence in instruction. LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Noteworthy

Around Campus

Jeffrey Blackmon, professor of physics, was named a Fellow by the American Physical Society for his vision and innovation in exploiting radioactive nuclear beams to advance our understanding nuclear processes that govern astrophysical phenomena.

Jeffrey Blackmon

James Oxley

Guillermo Ferreyra

Susanne Brenner and James Oxley, the William E. Davis Alumni Professor of Mathematics, were recognized as inaugural Fellows of the American Mathematical Society, and Oxley was awarded the rank of Boyd Professor by the LSU Board of Supervisors. Brenner has published more than 75 papers on computational mathematics, is the managing editor of Mathematics of Computation, and sits on the editorial board of a dozen other journals. Oxley, a member of the faculty for more than 30 years, has published more than 140 papers in matroid and graph theory, is author of the standard text book Matroid Theory, and is on the editorial boards of several journals. The Boyd Professorship is the University’s highest rank recognition for a career marked by outstanding research, teaching, and creative achievement. Guillermo Ferreyra, professor of math and associate dean for science education in the College of Science, has been appointed interim dean of the LSU College of Science. Ferreyra has been with LSU since 1983 and previously served as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (now Humanities & Social Sciences) from 2004-2009, after an interim term as dean from 2000-2004. In his 29 years with the University, Ferreyra has also served as chair of the Department of Mathematics from 2000-2003, and deputy superintendent of the Office of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM, education for the Louisiana Department of Education from 2010-2012.

Back by Popular Demand Now in Hardback

The LSU Alumni Association is proud to announce the sixth printing of the

Louisiana Tiger Bait

Selected Recipes from L.S.U. Alums... Available at the LSU Alumni Gift Shop located in the lobby of The Cook Hotel 225.383.0241 shop.lsualumni.org

34 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Order for Moth today e Graduatr’s Day, Father’s Dion, ay!

a l u m n i

m a g a z i n e

Advertise

with us!

LSU’s graduation rate surpasses the average of its peers in the latest available Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) report. Should LSU maintain that position when the SREB report is issued that calculates the same cohort reflected in LSU’s new mark, it will be the first time in LSU history that its graduation rate is higher than the average of its SREB peers. The grad rate has nearly doubled over the past 20 years. In 1993, the University reported a graduation rate of 39.4 percent for freshmen who entered in 1987. New freshmen who entered in 2006, represent this year’s graduation rate of 66.7 percent, a jump of nearly 5 percent from last year’s reported graduation rate of 61.9 percent. This marks five years in a row that LSU has reported a graduation rate of more than 60 percent, and the 66.7 percent is a new all-time high graduation rate percentage for the University. The Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture undergraduate program was ranked number one by DesignIntelligence for the third consecutive year and boasts a number three ranking – in a tie with Cornell University – for its graduate program. The biggest issue of DesignIntelligence ever published, “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools 2013,” presents a definitive analysis of architecture and design programs across the United States. The rankings are compiled by researchers from DesignIntelligence, who interviewed nearly 400 leading practitioners who rank the schools best preparing students for practice in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and industrial design.

More than

70,000

readers Four issues annually Competitive rates For more information visit www.lsualumni.org/magazine or contact James Fisher at 225-578-4529 or James@lsualumni.org

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Around Campus

In Focus The new Barnes & Noble at LSU. B&N at LSU â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The new Barnes & Noble at LSU opened Oct. 22. In addition to items customers find at other Barnes & Noble retail outlets, the new bookstore offers textbooks, course materials, apparel, and other University items. A cafĂŠ serving Starbucks products is also housed in the store, as well as a Clinique cosmetics counter and Computer Tech store. Photo by Jim Zietz

36 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Tiger Trivia 1. When was LSU’s first football game against Clemson? The 1944 Orange Bowl The 1959 Sugar Bowl The 1968 Peach Bowl The 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl 2. Who was LSU’s coach in that game? Bernie Moore Charles McClendon

Artist Sam Corso with his piece titled “Oculus.”

‘Oculus’ Honors Plakidas – The newest addition to the LSU Student Union Art Gallery’s Permanent Art Collection comes from artist Sam Corso in honor of former Union director, Shirley Plakidas, who retired after 44 years of service. The stained glass window is titled “Oculus,” inspired by the “Great Eye” of the Pantheon of Ancient Rome. Corso explains, “I felt that the center panel of the front of the Union Theater’s newly expanded lobby offered an ideal location for this work in her honor. Inspired by the abundance of natural light streaming through the facade, I envisioned the panel as being the ‘eye’ of the theater.” The piece can be found above the front doors of the LSU Student Union Theater. Photo provided by LSU Student Union Art Gallery

Paul Dietzel Les Miles

3. What did LSU President James Monroe Smith, Louisiana Governor O.K. Allen, and Georgia Governor Eugene Talmadge do prior to the 1935 LSUGeorgia football game? They wagered a one-dollar silver They made a pot of jambalaya certificate on the outcome of the game They shook hands and wished each They escorted the tiger and bulldog other good luck mascots onto the football field 4. What was the Tigers’ first bowl game? The 1923 Rose Bowl The 1935 Sun Bowl The 1936 Sugar Bowl The 1937 Cotton Bowl 5. According to the 1881 cadet regulations, what types of behavior were prohibited? Issuing or accepting a challenge to Keeping a dog, horse, or servant fight a duel Playing musical instruments during All of the above study hours None of the above 6. Where was the Audubon Sugar School founded? At Audubon Park in New Orleans In St. Gabriel, Louisiana In Chalmette, Louisiana None of the above 7. When was the School of Music founded? 1893 1906 1915 1926 8. When did the first women students enroll in military science courses? 1956 1967 1972 1976

Cinderella Project Leadership Academy – LSU and the Cinderella Project teamed up last October to co-host a college-prep workshop for 20 underserved high school girls. Co-sponsored by the Office of Equity, Diversity & Community Outreach, the inaugural event provided an opportunity for students to learn about applying to college and securing financial aid. They also audited a class, met with counselors, and took part in a community service project. Each “graduate” of the academy received an $80 stipend to offset the cost of ACT testing fees and will be eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Cinderella Project if they are accepted and enrolled at a college or university in Louisiana. Photo by Larry Hubbard

9. What Baton Rouge golf course did the University own from 1935 to 1956? City Park Golf Course Howell Park Golf Course The Country Club of Louisiana Westdale Golf Club 10. In the Huey Long Fieldhouse is a mosaic with the Latin phrase “mens sana in corpore sano.” What does that mean in English? A healthy mind in a healthy body To your health Early to bed and early to rise makes None of the above you healthy, wealthy, and wise 11. By what technique were the murals in Allen Hall painted? Oil on canvas Watercolor Fresco Pen and ink 12. For what purpose was the Dean French House originally used? The campus day care center Home of the dean of students Practice rooms for the School of Music The campus infirmary

Tiger Trivia is compiled by Barry Cowan, assistant archivist, Hill Memorial Library. Answers: 1.b, 2.b, 3.a, 4.c, 5.d, 6.a, 7.c, 8:b, 9.d, 10.a, 11.c, 12.b

Participants in the inaugural Cinderella Project Leadership Academy.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Around Campus

In Focus

Left to right, front row, John Dan McNeil; Inez Shaw, wife of the late Lt. Col. Stanley Shaw; Robert “Mac” Wallace; Col. Kirby Allen; Col. John Pugh; and Edward Capron, Jr.; back, left to right, Capt. Franklin Foil; Lt. Col. Stephen Harmon, Jr.; Col. Don Bulloch; Interim System President and Chancellor William L. Jenkins; Clifton Lee, grandson of the late Maj. Gen. Joseph Redding; Laurence LeSueur, representing his late father, Judge Leon LeSueur; and Andrew Meyers, representing his father, William Meyers, who was unable to attend.

LSU Salutes – As the nation celebrated Veterans Day 2012, LSU paid tribute to its military history at LSU Salutes Nov. 9-10 sponsored by LSU and Cadets of the Ole War Skule. As part of the weekend-long celebration, a dozen distinguished alumni were inducted into the military Hall of Honor during ceremonies at the LSU War Memorial on the Parade Ground. Photo by Ray Dry

Celebrating 25 – The College of Agriculture’s Les Voyageurs program recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, with more than 50 alumni, current students, faculty, staff, and family members attending a reunion event held at the LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Resource Center. Les Voyageurs is a carefully selected group of students from the College of Agriculture who represent the college and LSU in recruitment efforts, such as high school college fairs, science fairs, 4-H and FFA events, and alumni and development activities. A highlight of the reunion was the unveiling of the K.C. Toups Memorial Les Voyageurs Award honoring Les Voyageurs alumnus Toups, who tragically passed away in January 2011. Photo provided by the College of Agriculture

38 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Preview Day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nearly 200 black male students took part in the second annual Black Male Leadership Initiative (BMLI) LSU Preview Day in November. The program provides an opportunity for black male students to experience the rich opportunities available to them as they begin preparing for college. The day included a campus tour, an information session with staff from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions & Student Aid, the opportunity to meet BMLI Fellows and LSU faculty and staff, and a tour of the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes. The BMLI program is sponsored by the Office of Equity, Diversity & Community Outreach and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

LSU Preview Day participants.

Photo by Jude Legiste

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Around Campus

The south end zone scoreboard comes down.

In Focus

Taking part in groundbreaking were, from left, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Joe Alleva, Mayor Kip Holden, Rick Kearny of Capital One Bank, Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) Board of Directors Chair Jimmy Maurin, LSU Interim President/Chancellor William Jenkins, TAF President/CEO Maj. Gen. Ron Richard, Brasfield & Gorrie President/CEO Jim Gorrie, and The Lemoine Company CEO Lenny Lemoine.

South End Zone Redo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tiger Stadiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s south end zone scoreboard was taken down in December as work began on stadium expansion. The improvements are expected to be completed by the start of the 2014 football season kickoff and will push seating capacity to nearly 100,000. In October contractors The Lemoine Company/ Brasfield & Gorrie joined University and city officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the project. Scoreboard photo by Steve Franz/LSU Sports Information

40 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

In Focus

Around Campus

Steimel Awarded Honorary Doctorate â&#x20AC;&#x201C; During the College of Engineering commencement ceremony Dec. 14, a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree was awarded to Ed Steimel. Steimel has been a tireless fundraiser for LSU and each year, thanks to his generosity, the college awards the Ed Steimel Staff Excellence Award to an outstanding employee. Photo by Jim Zietz

National Diversity Board â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LSU

Photo by Vincent Harris

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National Diversity Advisory Board members include, from left, front row, Chaunda Allen, director of multicultural affairs; Lois Smyth, administrative compliance officer, Baton Rouge Area Foundation; Sevetri Wilson, founder/ consultant, Solid Ground Innovations; and Katherine Rasy Grainer, budget administrator, Louisiana Department of Education, Baton Rouge. Second row, Monica Leach, assistant vice provost for enrollment management services and interim department chair, social work, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.; Christine Bruneau, president, Cotton Schmidt & Abbott LLP, New Orleans; David Sickey, vice chairman, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Elton, La.; and Julia Dickinson, philanthropist, Baton Rouge. Third row, Beliota Hawkins, human resources manager, Shell Chemicals, Humble, Texas; Mark Goodson, executive vice president, East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority; Jaimee Pangburn, community advocate, New Roads La.; Dr. Julie Morial Cruz, corporate medical director, Peoples Health, Metairie, La.; Jyric Sims, associate chief operating officer and ethics compliance officer, Clear Lake Medical Center, Webster, Texas; and Katrice Albert, former vice provost for equity, diversity and community outreach. Fourth row, Todd Schexnayder, senior vice president, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Baton Rouge; Tasha Shamlin, medical director, Medical Spa of Baton Rouge; Dr. Mario Garner, chief operating officer, HCA Regional Medical Center, Dublin, Ga.; and Rod Teamer, director of diversity and inclusion, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Metairie, La.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Huey P. Long Field House

Around Campus

Renovations Planned for Historic Building By Brenda Macon Interior photos by Johnny Gordon

“The Huey P. Long Field House carries with it more than 80 years of memories.”

Once the center of student life on the LSU campus, the Huey P. Long Field House today stands in need of some serious TLC. Laura Lindsay, dean of the newly reorganized and renamed College of Human Sciences & Education, and directors in the college are working hard to bring on that loving care. Plans are underway to reclaim this historic building so that it can serve future generations of LSU students as it did in its heyday.

The Huey P. Long Field House – yesterday and today. Vintage photo circa 1932 from the Jasper Ewing Photograph Collection. Recent photo by Jim Zietz.

Vandals and time have taken their toll on the once grand campus landmark.

44 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

The building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places, having been first occupied in 1932, and carries with it more than 80 years of memories. The Long Field House served as LSU’s first student union and included a post office, ballroom, gymnasium – and a pool. The building was part of the second phase of construction on campus and was supported by Huey P. Long himself. During its construction, according to legend, Long visited the site and asked the contractor about the size of the pool. “It’s an Olympic-size pool,” the contractor purportedly replied. “But is it the biggest in the nation?” Long asked. “Well, no…,” was the response. “Then add ten feet to it – I want the biggest pool in the country!” Long ordered. This enormous pool was the site of several campus entertainment events such as the 1946 Aquacade, an occasion that was documented in an issue of Life magazine at the time. Through the years, until the new student union was completed in the late 1960s, the Field House was the hub of campus life, where students gathered between classes, for social events, and for recreation. The building is still in a central location, adjacent to classroom buildings, libraries, residence halls, and one of the main cafeterias on campus. However, today, the building is underutilized because parts of it have deteriorated from lack of maintenance and have become dangerous. The pool, as well as its locker rooms, is one such area. Vandals and time have taken their toll on this once grand and glorious campus landmark. Today, preliminary plans are being developed to bring this lovely old building back into full use. Currently, the Field House is home to the School of Social Work and the School of

Kinesiology, which has one of the fastest growing programs at LSU. Lindsay anticipates that the renovated structure will contain two more schools from the College of Social Sciences & Education: Library & Information Science and the School of Human Resource Education & Workforce Development (better known as SHREWD). Additionally, the building will include classrooms for all academic units on campus and a state-of-the-art distance learning center. Chad Seifried, J. Franklin Bayhi Endowed Professor in the School of Kinesiology, explains the importance of this project: “Renovation of the Huey P. Long Field House presents a great opportunity for LSU to pay homage to those who helped establish the University as the flagship school of Louisiana while simultaneously meeting the growing and changing needs of a dynamic Louisiana and evolving global economy.” The project to restore the Field House is in the beginning LSU’s first student union in its heyday. Photo from 1954 Gumbo stages, with a feasibility study currently underway and fundraising efforts scheduled to begin later this year. For additional information, contact Seifried at cseifried@lsu.edu. Brenda Macon is a writer/editor living in Baton Rouge and the former editor of Kaleidoscope, the magazine of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Art Bedeian

Focus on

Faculty

The Art of Memory

By Brenda Macon Photo by Aaron Hogan/Eye Wander Photo, Inc.

Art Bedeian

“The more I teach, the more I enjoy it – especially the undergraduates.”

Arthur Bedeian, Boyd Professor of Management in the E.J. Ourso College of Business, understands the ups and downs of time and memory. He has written several articles that touch on memory, including a compelling memoir that recalls his grandparents’ arrival in the U.S. as Armenian immigrants and his almost idyllic childhood among his large extended family. Bedeian’s penchant for memoir and reflection may seem out of character for a professor in the field of business management, but this avocation serves him well in his quest for acquiring and sharing knowledge. For nearly 30 years, Bedeian has pursued that quest at LSU as a teacher, researcher, administrator, and as a Boyd Professor, the highest professorial rank achievable at LSU. In 1984 Bedeian’s career was already in full swing after 11 years as a professor at Auburn University. At the time, Auburn was undergoing some turbulent times, and Bedeian found himself “developing a mild case of claustrophobia,” as he later recounted in his memoir. He and his family were beginning to outgrow the small university town in Alabama, so he began to look for openings at other universities. As luck would have it, LSU had just established the Ralph and Kacoo Olinde Distinguished Professor of

Management position and, in spring 1985, offered it to Bedeian. Bedeian also served as the chair of his department from 1988 to 1997 and was instrumental in building it into one of the top units of its kind in the nation. “For my own part,” he recalls, “from the beginning of my chairmanship, I had determined that the department would have high standards and have them on honest terms. The only thing that matters is excellence. Excellence in teaching, research, and service.” To attain these lofty goals, he determined to surround himself with talented faculty, staff, and students and to give them the freedom to achieve their own objectives, which, in turn, added to the stature of the department. This management style seems to derive from Bedeian’s own work ethic and appreciation for independent thought. The author of numerous books, hundreds of book chapters, articles, and seminar papers, he also finds time to write personal reflections that dovetail exceptionally well with his professional life and career. Because the nature of his field allows him to indulge his interest in psychology and human behavior – one of his primary courses continues to be Human Behavior in Organizations – these articles serve a dual purpose for him. Intellectual curiosity and the need to find answers have fueled a number of articles that also add to the academic literature in his field.

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46 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

One such work explores his consternation with the limits of memory. Given his prolific output and the longevity of his teaching career, one does not wonder at a few memory lapses, but when the relative of a student commented on how much he had influenced the student’s life – inspiring her to improve her grades and to finish her degree – and he could not recall the student, he was fascinated by the difference between the student’s recall and his own. “I could not remember the student or what I had said that caused her to change direction,” he marvels. “How can you have that kind of impact on another life and not notice? But it can happen with teachers, and most often they never know it.” His interest in these student epiphanies became the focus of “Critical

Moments in Learning: A Teacher’s Ultimate Reward and Glory” (in Journal of Management Inquiry, December 2007) in which Bedeian takes on the literature related to those rare moments when teachers make an indelible impression upon their students that may not take on significance until well after the event. He found that his experience is one shared by career educators at all levels. Because, as he says, “The more I teach, the more I enjoy it – especially the undergraduates,” new generations of his students are likely to experience these “critical moments.” Meanwhile, LSU is very fortunate to have Art Bedeian around to challenge their thinking. Brenda Macon is a writer/editor living in Baton Rouge and the former editor of Kaleidoscope, the magazine of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

High Expectations

Locker

ROOM

3 Pre-Season All-Americas, Lofty National Ranking Excite Baseball Tigers

By Bill Franques Photos provided by LSU Sports Information

Coach Paul Mainieri.

“We can be outstanding in all phases of the game – hitting, pitching, and defense.”

48 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri likes the preseason attention the 2013 Tigers have received; however, he knows his team must satisfy high expectations with exemplary performances on the field. LSU was ranked No. 4 in the 2013 Collegiate Baseball newspaper preseason poll released in December. The preseason ranking is LSU’s highest since 2010, when the Tigers began the year at No. 2. The Tigers are the reigning SEC champions and were the NCAA Tournament No. 7 National Seed last season. “The No. 4 ranking is certainly a compliment to our program, but we realize we can’t just pick up this season where last season ended,” said Mainieri, who has directed the Tigers to one national championship and two SEC titles in six seasons. “We have a lot of work to do to get where we need to be at the end of the season, and we feel like we have a talented ball club with a First baseman Mason Katz. very experienced pitching staff.” The 2013 roster features 19 lettermen, including nine position players with starting experience and nine pitchers who recorded innings last season. The LSU veterans are complemented by a talented class of 14 newcomers, including two players that were selected in the 2012 Major League Draft. “I think our fall practice period demonstrated that we can be outstanding in all phases of the game – hitting, pitching, and defense,” Mainieri said. “We had a very good fall, and I’m convinced we’ll be in the hunt for everything we’d like to accomplish this spring.” LSU features three 2013 preseason all-Americans – senior outfielder Raph Rhymes, the 2012 SEC Player of the Year, senior all-SEC outfielder/first baseman Mason Katz, and sophomore pitcher Aaron Nola, a 2012 first-team Freshman all-American. Rhymes, a 2012 first-team all-American and the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, hit an NCAA-leading .431 (100-for-232) last season, establishing an LSU record for single-season batting average. The Monroe, La., native recorded 11 doubles, four homers, 53 RBI, a .530 slugging percentage and a .489 on-base percentage. Rhymes led the conference in hits (100) and on-base percentage (.489), and he was No. 5 in the league in RBI (53), No. 6 in slugging percentage (.530) and No. 8 in total bases (123). Katz, a 2012 second-team all-SEC selection, hit .320 last season with 15 doubles, one triple, a team-high 13 homers and 52 RBI. Katz, a product of Harahan, La., led the SEC in runs scored (65), and he was No. 3 in the league in home runs, No. 4 in slugging percentage (.552), No. 4 in total bases (133) and No. 6 in RBI. Nola, a right-hander from Baton Rouge, was voted to the Freshman all-SEC team by the league’s coaches. He was 7-4 last season with a 3.61 ERA in 89.2 innings, recording 89 strikeouts and only seven walks. Nola finished No. 1 in the SEC in fewest walks allowed and in batters struck out looking (40), and he was No. 9 in the league in overall strikeouts. He was named to the 2012 NCAA Regional All-

Tournament Team after defeating ULMonroe in the Tigersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opening game of the regional on June 1. Other returning position players include junior second baseman JaCoby Jones, junior catcher Ty Ross, senior outfielder Alex Edward, sophomore outfielder Chris Sciambra, sophomore infielder Tyler Moore, senior infielder Casey Yocom, and sophomore outfielder Jared Foster. Nola is joined on the pitching staff by a stable of seasoned veterans including junior right-handers Ryan Eades, Kurt McCune, and Nick Rumbelow; senior left-handers Chris Cotton and Brent Bonvillain; and senior right-handers Joey Bourgeois and Kevin Berry.

Bill Franques is a senior associate sports information director with LSU Athletics.

Outfielder Raph Rhymes.

ON THE WEB www.lsusports.net

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Tiger

NATION

1940s

John P. Laborde (1947 BACH H&SS, 1949 JD, 1955 HON), New Orleans, has been recognized with the naming of a newly established academic and research facility at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in his honor. This recent enhancement to LSU’s acclaimed law school will be known as the LSU John P. Laborde Energy Law Center, acknowledging his commitment to the center and the school.

1950s

Mose Allison (1952 BACH H&SS, 2010 HON), a pianist, vocalist, and composer, was one of four musicians selected by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), for the 2013 NEA Jazz Masters,

Degrees BACH Bachelor’s Degree MAST Master’s Degree PHD Doctorate DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine JD Juris Doctorate (LSU Law School) MD Medical Doctor (LSU School of Medicine) DDS Doctor of Dental Science (LSU School of Dentistry) Colleges/Schools AGR Agriculture A&D Art & Design H&SS Humanities & Social Sciences SCI Science BUS Business HS&E Human Sciences & Education ENGR Engineering M&DA Music & Dramatic Arts MCOM Mass Communication SCE School of the Coast & Environment SVM School of Veterinary Medicine SW Social Work

50 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

recognizing their lifetime achievements and significant contributions to the development and performance of jazz. Each received a one-time award of $25,000 at an awards ceremony sponsored by the NEA and Jazz at Lincoln Center Jan. 14. Allison, known as the “William Faulkner of Jazz,” has performed around the country and compiled a catalog of more than 55 albums and 240 songs. Adept in both the blues and jazz, he defies categorization and has been a major influence on musicians, regardless of genre, for more than 50 years.

1960s

Eugene R. Groves (1967 BACH H&SS, 1970 JD), a partner in the Baton Rouge law firm of Taylor, Porter, Brooks and Phillips, LLP, was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 in the areas of commercial litigation, litigation-construction, and litigationreal estate. He was also named by Best Lawyers as the “Lawyer of the Year” in his litigation field of specialty in the Baton Rouge area. Only a single lawyer in each practice area in each community is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” He was also selected for inclusion in Louisiana Super Lawyers 2013 in his fields of specialty including civil litigation defense, construction, and appellate practice. W. Henson Moore (1961 BACH H&SS, 1965 JD, 1973 MAST H&SS, 2011 HON) was named the LSU Law Center 2012 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in October. Moore retired as president and CEO of American Forest & Paper Association in 2006. Immediately prior, Moore was a partner in the Washington office of Bracewell & Patterson. He was deputy

secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy from 1989 until 1992, when he became deputy chief of staff for President George H.W. Bush. From 1975 to 1987, Moore represented the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives where he served on several committees, including Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Budget, and Ways and Means. He served as chair of the successful Forever LSU Campaign that was concluded in 2010 and is a member of the LSU Law Center’s Chancellor’s Council. Moore was named Alumnus of the Year and inducted into the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction in 2011. Roger Ogden (1968 BACH BUS) was one of four recipients last year of the Weiss Award, presented by the New Orleans Council for Community and Justice for exceptional civic and humanitarian contributions to the New Orleans area. Ogden is past president of the Audubon Park Commission and has served on the International House of Blues Foundation Board, the LSU Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center Board and elsewhere. He is cofounder of Stirling Properties, past chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, and serves on the development committee of the E. J. Ourso College Dean Advisory Committee. He was inducted into the college’s Hall of Distinction in 2003 and into the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction in 1998. Harold B. Reiter (1964 BACH H&SS), professor of mathematics at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, received the Award for Excellence in Public Service from the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North

Tiger Nation

Carolina System. The $7,500 award was to encourage, identify, recognize, and reward distinguished public service and outreach by faculty. Reiter joined the UNC Charlotte faculty in 1972 and over the past 40 years has made it his personal mission to enhance and advance the field of mathematics education not only at the college level but also as a community volunteer. He is involved at the local, state, and national levels in the MATHCOUNTS program, which is sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Additionally, for the past decade, he has served as state director for American Mathematical Competition – the nation’s oldest and most prestigious math competition program for middle and high school students. He founded the Charlotte Math Club to provide math competition experiences for students in grades 7-10 and the Mecklenburg Mathematics Club

52 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

for grades 4-6. He also founded the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival, which brings middle-school girls from across the state to UNC Charlotte for a day of working math puzzles and programs in a fun atmosphere. Reiter earned master’s and doctoral degrees from Clemson University.

1970s

Jan M. Hayden (1976 BACH H&SS), an attorney with Baker Donelson’s New Orleans office, is listed in the 2013 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights. Hayden was also named among the top 50 attorneys in Louisiana and earned the special distinction of being ranked

number one among the top 10 attorneys in the state. She was also named among the top 25 female attorneys in Louisiana. Sparky Harry Koerner (1974 BACH M&DA) recently judged the Blinn College “Buccaneer Jazz Festival” in Brenham, Texas, listening to fifteen 4A and 5A high school jazz ensembles. “American jazz is alive and well in Texas high schools,” says Koerner, who is chair of the Fine Arts Department at College of the Mainland, Texas City, Texas. He is also principal trumpet in his thirtieth year with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, leader of Sparky’s Jazz Express, which performs in the Houston/Galveston area, and president of the Texas Jazz Educators Association. Visit him at www.sparkysjazzexpress.com.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Tiger Nation

M. Jack Sanders (1976 BACH BUS) will become president and chief executive officer of Sonoco effective April 1. Sanders was also elected to Sonoco’s Board of Directors. He is currently president and chief operating officer of Sonoco and has global leadership, sales, and operating responsibility for the company’s diversified businesses. Sanders joined Sonoco in 1988 as national sales and marketing manager for Sonoco’s reels business. He became general manager of the protective packaging business and was promoted to division vice president and general manager. He was elected a corporate officer; named vice president, industrial products, North America; then vice president, global industrial products; and then assumed responsibility for all

industrial converting businesses as senior vice president. Sanders was named executive vice president, industrial, in 2008. Prior to assuming his current position, Sanders served as the executive vice president of Sonoco’s global consumer businesses. Ron Thibodeaux (1979 BACH MCOM) has joined the staff of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) as associate editor for Louisiana Cultural Vistas magazine and KnowLA.org, the online encyclopedia of Louisiana history and culture. His first book, Hell or High Water: How Cajun Fortitude Withstood Hurricanes Rita and Ike, was published in June 2012 with the aid of a Louisiana Publishing Initiatives grant from the LEH.

Dennis Trombatore (1975 BACH H&SS, 1977 MAST HS&E), head librarian for the Walter Geology Library and the Tobin International Map Collection at the University of Texas at Austin, was named the 2012 winner of the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to American Geosciences Institute (AGI). Trombatore began his career as the common curriculum librarian at Loyola University and then served as physical sciences bibliographer at the Science Library of the University of Georgia. The University of Texas at Austin Department of Geological Sciences awarded him the Distinguished Service Award in 1997. He received the University of Texas Staff Excellence Award in 2001 and a Jackson School of Geosciences Staff Excellence

Coming Spring 2013

to a City Near You As part of The Tour, LSU’s football coaching staff and other LSU personalities welcome Tiger Fans to participate in photo areas, trivia challenges, and many other interactive experiences. Also featured is a silent auction from the Tiger Athletic Association and LSU gear from the LSU Alumni Association.

Geaux Tigers! for more information www.lsutaf.org | www.lsutigertour.com

54 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Award in 2006. He is a member of Geological Society of America and the Geoscience Information Society and president-elect of the Austin Geological Society. A longtime member and chair of the GeoRef Advisory Committee, Trombatore has helped to strengthen and improve the GeoRef Database, an AGI service that provides subscribers with access to more than 3.3 million geoscience references. He also represented AGI on the GeoScienceWorld Publisher’s Advisory Council. Paul S. West (1977 BACH H&SS, 1980 JD, 2005 MBA), an attorney with Baker Donelson’s Baton Rouge office, is listed in the 2013 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of gaming.

1980s

Edward H. “Hank” Arnold III (1983 BACH H&SS), an attorney with Baker Donelson’s New Orleans office, is listed in the 2013 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of bankruptcy and creditor/ debtor rights. Gregory E. Bodin (1984 BACH BUS), an attorney with Baker Donelson’s Baton Rouge office, is listed in the 2013 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of business litigation. Phyllis G. Cancienne (1985 BACH MCOM, 1989 JD), an attorney with Baker Donelson’s Baton Rouge office, is listed in the 2013 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of employment and labor.

Ruffin B. Cordell (1985 BACH ENGR), a principal in Fish & Richardson’s Washington, D.C., office, has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship is extended by invitation only to those trial lawyers with at least 15 years of trial experience who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality. Cordell’s practice emphasizes all aspects of intellectual property litigation, including patent and trade secret cases. He regularly serves as lead counsel in major patent litigation matters before the International Trade Commission (Section 337 proceedings) and in district courts throughout the country. In 2011, he was recognized as a leading litigator in Intellectual Asset Magazine’s international patent litigation survey. Cordell was also named one of the “Top 50 Under 45” attorneys by IP Law & Business, one of the “Top Lawyers: Intellectual Property” by Washingtonian, and a Chambers USA Best Lawyers in America from 2006-2012. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, from Georgetown University Law Center. Timothy F. Daniels (1982 BACH H&SS, 1985 JD), an attorney at Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore LLC, was installed as president of the New Orleans Bar Association in November 2012. Daniels is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, Defense Research Institute, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, American Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, Texas State Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, and LSU Law Center Board of Trustees. He has also served as a member and vice president of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater New Orleans and as a member of the Louisiana Supreme

Court Indigent Defender Board. An author, guest lecturer, and teacher, he most recently served as a faculty member for the LSU Trial Advocacy Training Program and will serve as a faculty member for the NARTC Trial College. Daniels was named to New Orleans’ City Business Leadership in Law Class of 2009, listed by New Orleans Magazine as one of the Top Lawyers in 2009 and 2010, and included in the 2010 and 2011 editions of the Best Lawyers in America. He is admitted to practice before all Louisiana and Texas state courts, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana. Arthur J. “Jamie” Ensley (1987 BACH H&SS) has joined Evolve Bank & Trust’s SBA division in the Atlanta office. Ensley has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry. He is the current chair of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

Monica A. Frois (1987 BACH H&SS), an attorney with Baker Donelson’s New Orleans office, is listed in the 2013 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of health care. Frois was also named among the top 10 attorneys in the state and recognized as one of the top 25 female attorneys in Louisiana. Susan Halsey (1980 BACH BUS, 1983 JD) was selected by Fort Worth, Texas magazine as one of Tarrant County’s 2012 Fort Worth “Top Attorneys” in the field of real estate. The attorneys are chosen as the best in their field by their peers.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Tiger Nation

John M. Selser (1982 BACH ENGR, 1985 BACH ENGR) has been elected chair of Gastar Exploration Ltd. Board of Directors on which he has served since 2007. Selser was most recently a managing director of IBERIA Capital Partners LLC, a subsidiary of IBERIA Bank Corporation, a position he had held since 2009. Previously he was a partner at Maple Leaf Partners, an equity hedge fund; an equity analyst at Howard Weil Incorporated, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., and Johnson Rice and Company LLC; and a petroleum engineer for Mobil Oil and Chevron in various domestic drilling, production, and reservoir engineering assignments. He also serves as a member of the board of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. Selser holds an M.B.A. from Tulane University. Lisa Traina (1982 BACH SCI), president of Traina & Associates, was one of only 25 selected to receive the inaugural Most Powerful Women in Accounting Award presented by CPA Practice Advisor and the American Society of Women Accountants. Winners were judged on their contributions to the profession, initiatives they have started that made a difference within their organizations, leadership, community involvement, and mentorship of future women leaders. Traina’s firm was honored this year for the second time as a member of the LSU 100. Traina received the Society of Louisiana CPAs (LCPA) Outstanding Discussion Leader Award in 1999 and 2000 and will become only the fourth woman in the LCPA’s 102-year history to hold its top elected position. She is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking and is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Information Technology Professional, and Chartered Global Management Accountant.

1990s

Jeff Aucoin (1999 BACH BUS, 2000 MAST BUS) has been named partner in HORNE LLP. Aucoin works from the firm’s Baton Rouge office where he specializes in fraud, forensic, and litigation services. Aucoin is certified in financial forensics, is a Certified Fraud Examiner, and is a Certified Internal Auditor. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. Amy Groves Lowe (1992 BACH H&SS, 1994 MAST H&SS, 1997 JD), a partner in the Baton Rouge law firm of Taylor, Porter, Brooks and Phillips, LLP, was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 in the area of education law. Alan Marks (1996 BACH H&SS) has been named assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs and athletics counsel for the University of Texas System. As assistant vice chancellor, Marks oversees administrative and policy issues at the system’s nine academic institutions and monitors a wide range of issues related to higher education policies and practices. As athletics counsel, he is responsible for drafting and negotiating employment contracts for athletics personnel at the academic institutions, negotiating conference affiliations for the institutions, and overseeing athletics compliance matters.

2000s

Ryan Cooney (2008 BACH BUS) has been named director of corporate relations and economic development for the LSU College of Engineering. Cooney previously was director of business development for East Baton Rouge Parish. He is currently working toward his Certified Economic Developer designation through the International Economic Development Council. Cooney is a member of the LSU Alumni Association, the Southern Economic Development Council, and the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association. A member of Leadership LSU 2008, he is a Pi Sigma Epsilon alumni member, a St. Aloysius Youth volunteer, and a CYO coach. Ellen Burris DeCuir (2003 BACH H&SS, 2006 MAST EDUC, 2008 CERT EDUC) was named East Baton Rouge Parish School System Middle School Counselor of the Year for her work as a counselor at Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School. Nominees must possess the personal qualities thought to be desirable in a school counselor; have been responsible for creating innovations in counseling and guidance programs, for providing leadership in the further development of existing school counseling services; and for performing an outstanding service to the school and/ or community within the past five years. DeCuir was also on the team that won the RAMP (Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program) Award at Sherwood Middle, which is only the second school in the state to receive this prestigious award.

Share Your News Share news of your new job or promotion, your wedding, honors, awards, new babies, and other

celebrations with fellow alumni. To submit an item and photos for publication, e-mail jackie@lsualumni.org or call 225-578-3370.

56 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Tiger Nation

Sarah Y. Dicharry (2009 BACH H&SS) has joined Liskow & Lewis in the firm’s New Orleans office as a member of the environmental law and energy and natural resources law sections. Dicharry received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2012. At Loyola, she served as managing editor of the Loyola Law Review. Erin St. Pierre England (2002 H&SS, 2005 MAST H&SS), of Covington, La., has returned home after six years working for the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. England moved to the nation’s capital with aspirations of gaining skills and knowledge in communications, public affairs, and legislation to bring home to Louisiana. She was a member of the D.C. alumni chapter and served as member services chair and events chair. She participated in more than 15 endurance competitions while coordinating events and raising an estimated $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Now home in Louisiana, England is working at Ochsner Clinic Foundation as a budget and contract coordinator and has started her own events planning business, It’s Your Time – Events by Erin. Visit www.itsyourtimeevents.com.

Tia Gipson (2002 BACH H&SS, 2004 MPA) is chief executive officer of Independence Heights Community Health Center in Houston; CEO of Gipson Consulting, LLC, which specializes in executive management and grant writing; and is a part-time faculty member at the

58 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

University of Phoenix College of Nursing and Health Care Administration. She is a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner and is pursuing credentials as a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives. Gipson is a member of the Junior League of Collin County and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and serves on the A.P. Tureaud, Sr., Black Alumni Chapter Board of Directors. Andrew G. LeJeune (2008 BACH A&D), along with 5,500 sailors and marines assigned to the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) recently arrived in Norfolk, Va., following a seven-and-a-half-month deployment supporting operations in the Mediterranean and the Arabian seas. While deployed, Enterprise CSG served in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility, conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. LeJeune was also among nearly 12,000 past and current crew members, family, and friends who attended the inactivation of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN 65). Jonathan A. Moore (2005 BACH H&SS, 2012 JD) has joined Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips as an associate focusing primarily on commercial litigation and business matters. He was the 2010 Robert Lee Tullis Moot Court Competition winner and served as the vice president of external competitions on the Moot Court Board. Before attending law school, Moore was project manager for business development in Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. Prior to his work at BRAC, he was assistant to the business manager in the LSU Athletics.

Bonnie Pendergraft (2001 BACH BUS, 2012 MAST BUS) has been named office manager for the College of Engineering’s Research Facilitation Office. In her new role, Pendergraft will manage the review and approval of all sponsored programs, grants and contracts, and other researchrelated agreements and will be responsible for coordinating research endeavors among the college’s seven engineering departments and schools and eight research centers with approximately $19 million in annual research expenditures. Prior to her appointment, Pendergraft worked as a grants and contracts specialist and electronic research administrator for the LSU Office of Sponsored Programs. She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies. In 2000, she received Phi Kappa Phi’s George Robertson Award. She has volunteered at Special Olympics and with Hurricane Katrina relief, and she currently volunteers as a children’s church and young adult leader. Greg Rouchell (2000 BACH BUS), a litigation partner in Adams and Reese, has joined the board of directors of the Pro Bono Project in New Orleans. He will serve a two-year term. Rouchell currently serves on the board of the New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel (NOADC) and is a member of the New Orleans, Louisiana, and Federal Bar associations. In the community, he serves on the board for Boys Hope/Girls Hope of New Orleans and is a member of its Development Committee. He is a past member of the Young Leadership Council, where he previously co-chaired “Project Prodigy,” a six-week summer music camp for New Orleans inner-city youth. The Pro Bono Project provides

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Tiger Nation

free, quality civil legal services to clients in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, and Washington parishes. Laura E. Springer (2009 BACH H&SS, 2012 JD) has joined Liskow & Lewis law firm in the New Orleans office. Her practice focuses primarily on the areas of energy litigation and environmental law. At the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, she graduated summa cum laude and first in her class and was a member of the Louisiana Law Review and Order of the Coif. Jennifer W. Terry (2005 MAST H&SS) has joined Mill & Martin PLLC as an associate in the Labor & Employment Department in its Chattanooga, Tenn., office. Terry earned a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University, studied abroad at the University of Havana (Cuba), and received her J.D. from Mercer University Walter F. George

60 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

School of Law. Prior to attending law school, she worked at the law firm of Davis & Hoss PC. While in law school she was the senior managing editor of Mercer Law Review, treasurer of the Legal Aid Volunteer Association, and named Mercer’s 2012 Outstanding Law Student by the National Association of Women Lawyers. Laura Weems Ybarra (2009 BACH MCOM), Georgetown, Texas, finished treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer on Oct. 17, 2012, at age 25 after six months of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Less than a year after diagnosis, Ybarra is now training for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego, Calif., to raise funds and awareness to fight blood cancers through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s TeamIn-Training program. She also serves on the steering committee for LIVESTRONG’s support group for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and fighters in Austin, Texas,

and recently appeared in television interviews for CNN and ITV News in the United Kingdom to discuss LIVESTRONG and cancer survivorship issues. To learn more about Laura’s journey through cancer and recovery, visit her online blog at www.thelymphomaletters.com.

2010s

Cody Worsham (2011 BACH MCOM) has been named editor of Tiger Rag and will oversee content for the paper’s print edition and Web site, as well as co-host the weekly Tiger Rag Radio Show. Baton Rouge native Worsham is well versed in Tiger athletics. His experience includes covering college sports for Rivals.com and prep sports as a contributor to The Advocate. Most recently, he served as sports editor for DIG magazine, where he also managed its Web site, blog, and social media channels.

BABY

BENGALS

Proud parents Damien Chustz (2003 BACH ENGR) and Kimberly Propes Chustz (2000 BACH MCOM) announce the birth of future Tiger Madison Avery, who arrived on July 19, 2012. Madison weighed 9 lbs. 3.5 oz. and was 22 in. long. Madison was welcomed home by big sister Emma. Andrew Halphen (2004 BACH HS&E, 2008 MPA) and his wife, Stacey LeBlanc Halphen (2004 BACH HS&E), announce the birth of their son, William David.

William was born Aug. 17, 2012, weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 in. long. Stacey is assistant director of communications for LSU Career Services and Andrew is a counselor in the E.J. Ourso College of Business. Venessa (1999 BACH MCOM) and Brent (2003 BACH HS&E) Lewis announce the birth of their daughter, Londynn Layne, on Nov. 28, 2012, at 6:26 p.m. Londynn was 9 lbs. 8 oz. and 22 in. long. She was welcomed home by big brother Layden. Venessa is an adjunct professor in the Manship School of Mass Communication and serves on the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alumni board.

Brad Mathews (2005 BACH BUS) and his wife, Maria (2005 BACH H&SS, 2008 MAST H&SS), announce the birth of their daughter, Victoria Ann, on June 5, 2012. Victoria weighed 6 lbs. 10 oz. and was 18 1/2 in. long. Her grandparents are former LSU Professor of Music Victor and June (1973 BACH SCI, 1980 PHD SCI) Klimash, and her great-grandfather is Thomas Walachy (1951 MAST M&DA). Maria is a research associate in the office of Research & Economic Development.

The LSU Alumni Association is proud to announce the launch of its new website. Along with the new look, we have included some features that will make visiting the site quicker, easier, and more user-friendly. The new site will continually be updated with the latest information about the Association and our alumni. We hope you enjoy!

www.lsualumni.org LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Tiger Nation

Tigers in Print Edgar “Ted” Cox (1947 BACH AGR) The Men of Fox Company: History and Recollections of Company F, 291st Infantry Regiment, Seventy-Fifth Infantry Division (iUniverse) Edgar Cox’s The Men of Fox Company: History and Recollections of Company F, 291st Infantry Regiment, Seventy-Fifth Infantry Division includes the personal stories of some of the men who survived the experience, providing a view of the war not often seen. The infantry rifle company was sometimes called the “Diaper Division” because the mean age of the men was just 22 years versus the average age of 26 years for most other divisions. Fox Company, part of Second Battalion, 291st Infantry Regiment of the Seventy-Fifth ID, was formally activated at Fort Leonard Wood on April 15, 1943. The division was thrown into combat soon after arriving in Europe in December 1944, and over the next 94 days fought three campaigns in Europe. Paul Doerner (1977 BACH AGR) The Pop Pop Man (Trafford Publishing) Paul Doerner’s The Pop Pop Man is about a three-year-old who dreams of spending his day playing in the park with his nanny. The book is based on a true life story from Doerner’s childhood and is dedicated to his brother, who died at a young age. His brother was fascinated with the man who cut grass in the Louisiana State Capitol gardens across from the Doerner home and called him “the pop pop man” because of the sound the lawnmower made. The color picture/ read along is fun to read to children or for children to read by themselves.

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John Mese (1986 BACH MCOM, 1989 MFA) and Chanler Holden (1990 BACH A&D) Flippy and Friends Flippy and Friends is all about making people smile and laugh while inspiring children and adults of all ages to use their imaginations and to truly believe “You can be anything!” – just like the amazingly happy tadpole Flippy, who can turn into anything. Meet Flippy and his friends Toadpole, the halfgrown frog; Halimagator, the alligator; Crawdaddy the crawfish; Eartha the earthworm, and Duke the Duck in Flippy and Toadpole, On the Flippy Side, Through Flippy’s Eyes, Flippy Goes on a Road Trippy, and Flippy’s Fast Friends. The thick, sturdy board pages are just right for little hands to turn. Jackie Simien (1993 BACH MCOM) Bonjour, Tee Belle (Cush Communications) Jackie Simien’s first children’s book, Bonjour, Tee Belle, released last October – Creole Heritage Month – is a tribute to the culture and to Simien’s mother, Annabelle Simien Amos, a Mallet, La., native, whose childhood nickname was Tee Belle. The book is the first in what the author hopes to be a series of Creole children’s books featuring her mother as the heroine. The real-life Tee Belle spoke only Creole French until the age of six and still prefers French to English when speaking. She never attended school and cannot read or write, which has led to Simien’s long campaign to fight illiteracy. In addition to highlighting Creole culture, young readers will learn words in French on each page.

Frank J. Wetta (1977 BACH H&SS) The Louisiana Scalawags: Politics, Race, and Terrorism during the Civil War and Reconstruction (LSU Press) During the Civil War and Reconstruction, the pejorative term “scalawag” referred to white southerners loyal to the Republican Party. With the onset of the federal occupation of New Orleans in 1862, scalawags challenged the restoration of the antebellum political and social orders. Derided as opportunists, uneducated “poor white trash,” Union sympathizers, and race traitors, scalawags remain largely misunderstood even today. In The Louisiana Scalawags, Frank J. Wetta offers the first indepth analysis of these men and their struggle over the future of Louisiana. A significant assessment of the interplay of politics, race, and terrorism during Reconstruction, this study answers an array of questions about the origin and demise of the scalawags and debunks much of the negative mythology surrounding them.

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BiG rewards! Join the LSU

Alumni Association for as little as $10 a month and get autographed memorabilia from LSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gridiron greats!

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Profile

Tiger Nation

A Plan for Success

By Jill Roshto Photo provided by the College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Crystal Glover

“Continue to progress professionally and personally – this is the best reflection of LSU.”

It is a long way from Alexandria, La., to Chicago, but Crystal Glover has made the transition to the cold weather and the Midwestern lifestyle in order to fulfill a dream that began to come together during her undergraduate years at LSU. At the urging of her father, Glover came to LSU to enjoy the best of what college life had to offer – the opportunity to become a scholar, get involved in leadership activities, and have fun – all of which she took full advantage. Glover remembers the “Quad” as being the center of life at LSU. “I loved spending time with my sorority sisters, boyfriend, and other friends just hanging out in the Quad while rushing to and from classes or during late nights studying at the library. The LSU campus just always felt like home.” Glover was always a serious student and, upon arrival at LSU, was interested in both psychology and philosophy. After she decided to focus on psychology, Professor Gary J. Greguras encouraged Glover to apply to graduate school and assisted her with applications. She credits him with mentoring her beyond the time she was in his course and guiding her toward a career in psychology. In graduate school at Howard University, Glover shifted her focus to social psychology and its relation to mental health and psychiatry. After receiving her Ph.D., she completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center and joined the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she is currently an assistant research professor. Glover manages the Diabetes Registry Project, a collaboration between Thresholds, the team with which she works at the university, and the university’s College of Nursing. The teams provide integrated health care services to people with serious mental illness issues and diabetes. Glover credits her time at LSU with providing her with a template for how to maximize her time. “During my years at LSU, I developed the knack for planning my academic pursuits, such as making a career timeline, as well as learning to plan my daily activities efficiently and effectively to accomplish smaller goals, such as knowing how much to study and when to be the best student that I could be.” Glover is proud of her time at LSU as well as that at other institutions and is always glad to hear from friends and family back home. She believes LSU helped to prepare her for great success and urges fellow alumni to stay involved and give back. “First, continue to progress professionally and personally – this is the best reflection of LSU. Second, stay in touch with fellow alumni and LSU faculty and staff and stay abreast of LSU developments. Third, give back, through mentoring, volunteering, or donating financially.” Jill Roshto is director of development for the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

225.383.3663 l www.uniquecuisine.net

Never settle for less than Unique! 64 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

As the official caterer of the LSU Alumni Association, we offer a myriad of choices for catering any event in Baton Rouge’s best location - The Lod Cook Alumni Center. Whether it is a wedding reception, corporate meeting, crawfish boil or cocktail party, we will make it truly UNIQUE!

In Memoriam 1930s Louise Miller Alton, 1936 BACH HS&E, Dec. 29, 2012, Denton, Texas Mary Ada Hardy Coffee, 1938 BACH H&SS, Dec. 31, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Mary Ann St. Amant Scarle, 1939 BACH MCOM, Jan. 7, 2013, Hammond, La.

1940s Carolyn Gillespie Abernethy, 1942 BACH HS&E, 1954 MAST HS&E, Dec. 28, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Joyce Kurtz Babb, 1949 BACH M&DA, 1969 MAST M&DA), Dec. 9, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Herbert Sam Benjamin Jr., 1948 BACH ENGR, Nov. 2012, Los Angeles, Calif. Julius Wilson “J.W.” Cole, 1949 BACH ENGR, Dec. 27, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Eunice Edna Heitman Cotton, 1949 MAST HS&E, Dec. 16, 2012, Hammond, La. George Harvison Deer, Jr., 1953 BACH ENGR, Dec. 21, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Miriam Scales Garrett, 1940 BACH H&SS, Oct. 17, 2012, St. Francisville, La. James Edgar Hundemer, 1949 BACH ENGR, Jan. 8, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. Delos Hall Jones, 1940 BACH AGR, 1959 MAST H&SS, Jan. 13, 2012, Amite, La. Dorothy Ann Goodman Merritt, 1943 MAST H&SS, Nov. 30, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Pearl “Pam”Autin Miller, 1941 BACH HS&E, 1947 MAST HS&E, Nov. 5, 2012, Franklinton, La. Hugh D. Mitchell, 1947 MD, November 2012, Fort Mill, S.C. John H. Mitchell, 1948 BACH AGR, 1953 MAST AGR, 1959 PHD AGR, Nov. 29, 2012, Lafayette, La. Doris Gates Rankin, 1946 BACH H&SS, 1959 JD, Oct. 30, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Alvin William Simpson, 1948 BACH ENGR, Jan. 14, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. Mary S. Tobin, 1940 BACH AGR, March 1, 2012, Glade Park, Colo. Nell-Pape Williams Waring, 1947 BACH H&SS, Oct. 20, 2012, New Orleans, La.

1950s Robert Carwin Alford, 1957 BACH ENGR, Nov. 27, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Calvin Jewel Browning, 1956 BACH ENGR, Dec. 2, 2012, Jacksonville, Fla. Betsy Gissel Dombourian, 1952 BACH HS&E, Nov. 25, 2012, Metairie, La. Philip Conrad Girlinghouse, 1956 BACH BUS, Jan. 5, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. Blanche Eleanor Wilkinson “Boots” Green, 1952 BACH HS&E, Dec. 25, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Thais Trinchard Johnson, 1953 BACH HS&E, 1971 MAST HS&E, Dec. 25, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Edgar David Kendrick Jr., 1954 BACH AGR, Oct. 24, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Thomas J. “Tom” LeBlanc, 1956 BACH BUS, Oct. 26, 2012, Port Allen, La. Jack Velton Lord, 1954 BACH MCOM, Jan. 11, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. W.J. “Bill” Mattox, 1957 BACH ENGR, January 2013, Baton Rouge, La. Judith Ann “Judy” McBride, 1958 BACH HS&E, Nov. 5, 2012, Prairieville, La. Neveda Brooks “Veda” Norfolk, 1950 BACH H&SS, Dec. 2, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Donald R. Sams, Sr., 1956 BACH ENGR, Dec. 14, 2012, Gonzales, La. Margaret Vaughan Sisson, 1957 BACH HS&E, Dec. 2, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Lois Anne Richard Sumrall, 1957 BACH HS&E, 1961 MAST HS&E, Jan. 1, 2013, Baton Rouge, La.

Ian Crystal Associate Professor of Philosophy & Religious Studies Nov. 14, 2012 Baton Rouge, La.

Jimmie Wax, 1955 BACH H&SS, 1962 PHD BUS, Nov. 6, 2012, Denham Springs, La. Fredrick Homer Wiegmann, 1950 MAST AGR, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, Dec. 20, 2012, Lake Charles, La.

1960s Hubert M. “Hugh” Berthelot, 1967 BACH ENGR, Dec. 3, 2012, Brusly, La. Zita David Blackwell, 1964 BACH EDUC, Dec. 10, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Ann Estes Blessey, 1967 BACH HS&E, Nov. 22, 2012, Jackson, Miss. Clyde Louis Carter, 1962 BACH HS&E, Jan. 13, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. Samuel “Sammy” Couvillon, 1964 BACH BUS, Jan. 4, 2013, Marksville, La. Glynn Gerald Dietrich, 1969 BACH H&SS, 1969 MAST AGR, Dec. 28, 2013, Arlington, Texas Nancy Larson Gennuso “Dr. G.” Eversberg, 1967 BACH, 1974 MAST, 1981 PHD, Baton Rouge, La. Phyllis Brodnax Heroy, 1967 MAST MLS, 1978 CERT HS&E, Nov. 26, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Jerri Lynn Henley DiVincenti, 1964 BACH HS&E, 1984 MAST HS&E, Dec. 3, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Zelda Klein Long, 1969 BACH HS&E, Jan. 1, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. Anna Belle Tolleson, 1962 BACH HS&E, 1973 MAST HS&E, Nov. 21, 2012, Denham Springs, La. Ray J. Yount, 1963 BACH, Nov. 3, 2012, Lafayette, La.

1970s Carl E. Cutrer, Jr., 1974 BACH BUS, Dec. 31, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Larry G. Ferachi, 1976 MD, Oct. 19, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Sharon Daniel Eaton Fife, 1971 BACH H&SS, 1974 MAST MLS, 1992 MAST H&SS, Oct. 17, 2012, Gonzales, La. Margaret D. Halphen, 1976 MAST HS&E, Dec. 17, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Robert Eugene Prejean, Jr., 1979 BACH H&SE, Sept. 26, 2012, Chico, Calif. Emilie Marie “Ripple” Rausch-Huth, 1967 BACH EDUC, 1970 MAST H&SS, Oct. 3, 2012, Monterey, Calif. Thomas McKennon “Ken” Shea, Sr., 1976 BACH BUS, Nov. 29, 2012, Dumas, Ark. Vernon Marion Sims, Jr., 1973 BACH HS&E, Dec. 18, 2012, Baton Rouge, La. Jeanette Pearl Lowery Watson, 1975 BACH HS&E, Jan. 3, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. David O. Willis, 1978 BACH MCOM, Nov. 26, 2012, Atlanta, Ga.

1980s William R. Simon, Jr., 1988 BACH BUS, Jan. 9, 2013, Baton Rouge, La.

1990s Norman Lee Fleming, Jr., 1999 MAST HS&E, Dec. 26, 2012, Denham Springs, La. Barton Browning Johnson, 1991 BACH H&SS, Jan. 6, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. Barry Edward LaFleur, 1997 BACH H&SS, Jan. 12, 2013, New Orleans, La. Kathryn Louise Wilkinson, 1996 DVM, Jan. 8, 2013, Baton Rouge, La. David William “Dave” Womack, 1995 BACH ENGR, Nov. 16, 2012, Prairieville, La.

2000s Jason Donald Elkins, 2005 BACH ENGR, Dec. 13, 2012, Baton Rouge, La.

Jack Gilmore Roy G. Goodrich Kevin P. Reilly Former Assistant Athletic Professor Emeritus of Physics Honorary Doctor of Humane Director/Business Manager Oct. 11, 2012 Letters 2002 Oct. 22, 2012 Washington D.C. Oct. 28, 2012 Baton Rouge, La. Baton Rouge, La.

Ronald Erle Sheffield Marion David “Soc” Associate Professor of Socolofsky Biological & Agricultural Alumni Professor Emeritus of Engineering Microbiology Nov. 24, 2012 Nov. 2, 2012 Prairieville, La. Baton Rouge, La.

If you would like to make a gift to the LSU Alumni Association in memory of a family member, friend or classmate, please contact our office for additional information at 225-578-3838 or 1-888-746-4578.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Profile

Tiger Nation

Update Kyrgyzstan

By Judson Moore

Greetings Tiger Nation,

I hope 2013 fulfills all of your hopes and dreams! The holiday season in Kyrgyzstan was, strangely, both very familiar and very new. Bringing in the new year was a spectacular series of events. Unlike in America, New Years Eve is a formal family affair. Imagine combining Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all together: Santa Claus (Father Frost) and his granddaughter deliver presents to children on New Years Eve, every house has a New Years tree decorated almost exactly as westerners would expect to find a Christmas tree, and at midnight there are fireworks and champagne to bring it all to a close. All of this is celebrated with family; friends rarely get into the mix. New Years Eve started as usual until I heard the sound of a marching band (unheard of around here) passing my window playing Jingle Bells! I looked out and saw a parade of hundreds of Santas, clowns, and city officials. The mass of characters parades from the main square to city hall where the mayor dishes out presents to the parade participants. Then the parade turns around and returns to the main square where children (mostly orphans and top students) wait to receive the presents. At midnight, fireworks abounded. I live only two blocks from the main square, so going there to see the fireworks was easy. Alongside the citysponsored fireworks, an equal amount of personal fireworks were set off, which was not entirely safe, but no one seemed hurt in the process. I have no resolutions to declare as I subscribe to the philosophy of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!” And things so far are going just fine. January 7 was Orthodox Christmas. I wrangled up about 15 foreign friends and we went to the Bishkek Orthodox Cathedral to observe the holiday service. While waiting for the service to begin I took in the vast collection of artwork and relics of the church. I also took some time to light a few prayer candles and send up some wishes to a few folks. I lit a candle for my mom, dad, Dezmond Meeks (my best friend and up-andcoming musician), and Alice Suzanne Harrington (newborn daughter of my Judson and the skiing abominable snowman. friends Eddie and Emily Harrington, LSU ‘06 and LSU ‘09). I met a Russian guy who spoke English and was well-versed in everything related “The holiday season in to the church. He was kind enough to stay with us for the duration of the event and Kyrgyzstan was both very explain what was going on. He also gave us the expectation that this would last not familiar and very new.” less than five hours, and we would stand the whole time. Of course this makes me appreciative for the one-hour church services in America where we get to sit! For more details and photos about both of these holidays, please visit my blog at http://JudsonLMoore.com where you can also continue to follow my adventure! Yours in Service & Geaux Tigers! Judson L. Moore U.S. Peace Corps 2011-13 Volunteer, Bishkek Kyrgyzstan

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LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Profile

Tiger Nation

LSU’s Fun-infused Culture Spurs Grads’ Entrepreneurial Concept

By Daniel P. Smith

Charles Willis, Beth Willis, Craig Ceccanti

68 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Though growing a young enterprise brings its challenges, smiles persist on the faces of Craig Ceccanti (2003 BACH BUS, 2003 BACH SCI) and Charles Willis (2004 BACH ENGR). The friends founded Pinot’s Palette in 2009 and, with an assist from their LSU roots, have expanded their BYOB art studio from a single Houston-based location into a swelling national operation. “Driving a brand that’s fun at its core is something we learned fundamentally at LSU, where the culture inspires you to get out and have fun,” Ceccanti says. Like many entrepreneurial ideas, Pinot’s Palette owes its existence to a mix of fate and timing. During the 2005 holiday season, Ceccanti and his family attended a local art class, albeit with a beverage-filled cooler in tow. A surprisingly enjoyable experience, Ceccanti recalls the studio owner walking in, collecting money from the teacher, and exiting. “The fun and sense of discovery I had stuck with me as did the business aspect,” Ceccanti says, who found comfort in recognizing that artistic skill wasn’t required to run an art studio. While working as a tech consultant in Houston, Ceccanti met Willis, an engineering project manager, through mutual LSU connections and the two later became roommates. Though often bantered about, Ceccanti’s entrepreneurial idea lingered until early 2009 when Willis’ then-girlfriend and current wife, Beth, mentioned a similar paint-and-sip concept in the Carolinas. Suddenly, the potential seemed real. “We saw the possibilities if we could bring business acumen to the rough idea,” Willis says. In May 2009, Pinot’s Palette opened its first studio. Success was immediate. “We were selling out four weeks in advance,” Ceccanti says.

Leaving their corporate jobs behind, the co-founders hustled to build Pinot’s Palette. They answered phones and crafted advertisements; built relationships with artists and customers; cleaned the studio; and catered to bachelorette parties, couples, and corporate events. “It’s the quintessential sweat-equity startup,” Ceccanti says. Convinced of the business’ growth potential, the partners self-examined efficiencies and scalability, which led Ceccanti to create a custom software program akin to an airline scheduling system. With technology addressing reservations and payment, the co-founders were free to focus on consumers and commercialization, including opening new company-owned studios and offering franchise opportunities. In 2012, Pinot’s Palette signed franchising agreements with 20 new partners, deals that will bring the concept to markets from California to New York. This year, they hope to add 50 new studios to their development pipeline. “And over the next three to five years, we want to be in every major U.S. market,” Willis chimes. As exciting as the future may be, Ceccanti and Willis say they owe much to the past, particularly LSU. Both have retained tight ties to LSU and remain actively involved with the LSU Alumni Association’s Greater Houston Chapter. Ceccanti is currently the group’s president and Willis its public relations chair. Pinot’s Palette, meanwhile, frequently hosts chapter events. “LSU has given us so much on the experience and academic level that we want to build those ties and continue being a part of the University’s vitality,” Willis says. Chicago-based journalist Daniel P. Smith specializes in writing about business and entrepreneurship and has penned thousands of articles for commercial and trade publications. He is also the author of On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Profile

Tiger Nation

Like Father, Like Son . . . and Daughter

By Tim Rodrigue Photo provided by the E.J. Ourso College of Business

“The accounting department allows you to go anywhere, compete with anyone, and become very successful.”

Tom Piland (1979 BACH BUS) has worked in large accounting firms, owned his own successful firm, and serves as the first vice president of Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch. His proudest feat, however, is raising two LSU accountants – his son, Stan (2009 BACH BUS), and his daughter, Ashton (2012 BACH BUS). Piland recalls his time at LSU as a special era for the Department of Accounting. “The accounting department gave me a strong accounting background heading into the CPA exam and very much aided me in passing the exam on my first try,” Piland said. Piland managed a highly successful firm for more than two decades until he sold his business in January 2005. He joined Merrill Lynch that same year.

The Next Generation More than a year into his construction management degree, Stan Piland left LSU for the U.S. Navy and SEAL training. After suffering a leg injury, he returned to major in finance, but grew restless during a stint with Merrill Lynch. “My dad provided perspective on some of the benefits of switching as well as some ideas of what opportunities are out there,” Piland said. Piland works as a business modeling consultant at Ernst & Young in New York. He earned his CPA in 2011 and has passed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam.

There Is Another Tom Piland’s daughter, Ashton, began her LSU career majoring in mass communication but soon realized that she couldn’t escape the pull of accounting. “In talking to accounting students from other universities, I do not believe my transition from school to work would have The Piland family, Stan, Dana, Ashton, and Tom. gone as smoothly had it not been for the preparation I received from the accounting department at LSU,” she said. Ashton Piland graduated summa cum laude, has passed two parts of the CPA exam, is waiting on results of the third, and is currently studying for the final section. Like her brother, Piland was scooped up by Ernst & Young. She works in the firm’s Houston office.

The Tie that Binds When Ashton Piland graduated last May, she and her family toured the newly completed Business Education Complex. The moment brought them full circle. Tom Piland was in the first class to use the then newly opened Center for Engineering and Business Administration (CEBA), now Patrick F. Taylor Hall. Stan Piland earned his accounting degree in the same classrooms, and Ashton Piland was a part of the final E.J. Ourso College class to call Patrick F. Taylor Hall home. Much has changed at LSU since Tom Piland was a student, but he still feels the same deep connection with the university he calls home. “The accounting department allows you to go anywhere, compete with anyone, and become very successful,” he said. “LSU has just as much to offer as any other school. It is up to you whether you want to take advantage of the opportunities. Plus, we have Tiger Stadium to boot.”

70 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Profile

Texas Tigers – Licensed to Brag! Tigers in the Lone Star State share photos and information about their special LSU license plates.

Top 100 – Driving around Dallas with LSU 100 tags on their cars are Alumnus-byChoice Robert Byrnes, Pantego, Texas, and David Braddock, Coppell, Texas. Brynes, the No. 1 2012 LSU 100 honoree, was surprised on his birthday with a Texas LSU TOP 100 license. Also boasting an LSU 100 plate, Braddock (1974 BACH H&SS) was the No. 1 2011 LSU 100 recipient. LSU 100: Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses is sponsored by the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute.

GEAUX – “No funny messages but love that in Texas my plate still reads ‘Geaux Tigers,’” writes Peter Kazmir (1995 BACH SCI), Austin. TGRGRL – Alyssa Washington (1999 BACH AGR) writes: “I was born and raised in Baton Rouge. I have lived in Austin for six and a half years now. Not only did I want to show my enthusiastic loyalty by serving on the [board of the] Austin chapter of the LSU Alumni Association, but I wanted everyone to know who I was, where I was from and what I bleed.”

A•EEEE – Ken

4Tigers – “As you

Hill (1975 BACH A&D), director of LSU Alumni Dallas, gives a shout out to Texas chapters that worked hard to get the license program approved for the state. “Much to the chagrin of University of Oklahoma, we were the first out-of-state university to have an official Texas license plate,” he writes.

can see, I’m a Texas Tiger,” writes Patrick L. McGrievy (1987 BACH ENGR), Houston, who sports LSU tags on both of his cars.

LAW – “I have the LSU alumni plate personalized LSULAW here in Austin,” writes Dorothy Butler (2008 JD). “Prior to moving here, I was LSULAW8 in Baton Rouge, as I graduated in 2008.”

DIVA – “The minute I got my vintage Saab convertible, I knew she had to wear a specialized license plate,” writes Allison Andreyk Kullenberg (1985 BACH SCI), Frisco, Texas. “LSUDVA pretty much says it all. My CyberTigers friend Cindy has Louisiana’s LSUDIVA on her car and it’s something we share across state lines.” Kullenberg is a member of the LSU Alumni Dallas board.

Tiger Fan –

TGR – Trina

Linda Taylor (1974 BACH EDUC, 1978 MAST EDUC), Benbrook, Texas, an active Tarrant County Tiger, proudly displays her Tiger plate as she drives around the Fort Worth area.

Wesley (2001 BACH BUS) and husband Joe, a former LSU linebacker, are “a Tiger family,” she writes. “We proudly display our purple and gold in the state of Texas. You can spot us a mile away due to the personalized LSU tags on our rides.” The Wesleys reside in Richmond, Texas.

To share a photo of your special plate with readers, send it to jackie@lsualumni.org. ON THE WEB www. lsulicenseplates.com

Bragging Rights Fund Scholarships. The LSU License Plate Program has generated more than $2.8

million since its inception in 1992; in 2011, it generated $405,990. In Louisiana $25 of the $26 annual fee goes to the scholarship fund. Currently non-revenue-generating plates are in Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas. A second Texas plate released in September 2010 generates $5 per year per plate in royalties for the University.

LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

Tiger Nation

Profile

Tigers Around the World BIG – Jason Ramezan (2002 BACH MCOM) and wife Loree (2002 BACH BUS) had a big time in the Big Apple over the Thanksgiving holidays – and made it onto the big screen! While taking in shows, shopping, and sightseeing, the couple took part in Google’s Chromebook project “For Everyone.” “We made it big time ‘For LSU’,” says Ramezan, who is vice president of alumni relations with the LSU Alumni Association. Jason and Loree Ramezan.

Michael G. “Mickey” Olivier

72 LSU Alumni Magazine | Spring 2013

On Tour – Michael G. “Mickey” Olivier (1963 BACH H&SS) and his wife, Cathy, of Melbourne, Fla., enjoyed stops in Normandy and Bordeaux, France; the Basque and Galician regions of northwest Spain; and Portugal and the Azores during a recent cruise. He’s pictured at Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy enjoying a glass of wine with dinner, at the Parador de Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, and in front of the Basilica at Fatima, Portugal.

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAI D Baton Rouge, LA PERMIT 159 Louisiana State University and A&M College 3838 West Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808