PILLARS Spring 2012

SPRING 2012, VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2

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Contents

2012 Foundation Board of Directors Officers 3..........From the Desk of the President

Bob Davidson, President Judy Fuller, Vice President

4.........Discern and Learn as an Intern

Willie Mount, Secretary James Taussig, Treasurer

5...........A Song That Moves You...Literally

Emma DiCarlo-Vincent,

Immediate Past President

6/7.......Mirror Images (cover story) Members Glen Bertrand

8..........Small Steps Can Make All the Difference

Roxie Boxie Tom Henning

9..........The Horse Tales Literacy Project

Joe T. Miller, Sr. Lee J. Monlezun, Jr.

10.........Knowing Your Language Is KnowingYour Culture

Ryan Navarre George Paret

11.........Make No Bones About It

Patricia Prebula Billy Rose

12/13....Grooving to the Steel Drum Beat

John Scofield Jim Serra

14/15....McNeese Opens CAMPP

David Stine Charles Timpa

16/17....Green, Silver and Orange - The New Campus Colors

Ray A. Todd, Jr. Tom Tuminello, Sr.

18.........The Things He’s Seen!

Aubrey White

19.........McNeese Data

Ex Officio Members Philip C. Williams Richard H. Reid Advisory Board Members Billy Blake Coral Crain Byrd David Drez Fred R. Godwin Marilyn Hays Charles Viccellio 2

 

Scanning this mobile QR-code into your smart phone links you to the McNeese State University Foundation website. A scanning application/QR-code reader, such as Scanlife, a free application, is required. Simply take a picture using your smart phone camera.

From the desk of the President Ervin Cutright Conoco, Dupont, Lundy and Davis Mossville Scholarship

Ginger Robertson College of Nursing Scholarship and Blanche and Robert F. Michel Memorial Scholarship1-2

Christopher Gunter Dr. Sam Emerson Music Scholarship, Pawnee Keelen Meek Scholarship in Music and Paul R. Stevenson Scholarship in Music Performance

Recently we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the social meet and greet for McNeese Foundation scholarship donors and their recipients. What began as a simple reception in 1992 has grown to become a marvelous Sunday brunch with excellent entertainment for more than 325 donors and students!

When it incorporated in 1965, the original mission of the McNeese Foundation was to raise funds to support endowments for student scholarships. Today, 550 students receive varying amounts of scholarship assistance from the Foundation.

These scholarship recipients have achieved an average grade point of 3.32 with 94 of the recipients earning a perfect 4.00 last semester. They also participate in many aspects of campus life including student government, residence life, performing arts, athletics and professional and social organizations, all while maintaining excellence in the classroom. One, Gabrielle Basone, was just named the McNeese Student Employee of the Year and Sean Hicks won the campus-wide design contest for the official McNeese holiday card!

We owe a debt of gratitude to the business, industry and civic leaders who volunteered their time and gave generously during the early years to provide a solid footing for today’s organization. With the dedication, leadership and personal generosity of so many through the years, the assets of the Foundation have grown from $1 million to in excess of $53 million.

Over the course of 47 years, the Foundation’s mission has expanded to include support for endowed professorships and awards for teaching excellence, cultural programming, research and other specific needs that are critical for McNeese to remain a strong and viable university.

Sean Hicks Gladys Clooney Stevenson Fine Arts Scholarship

Gabrielle Basone Eugene R. Cox Scholarship in Chemistry

On behalf of the students, administration, faculty and staff of the University, thank you to our donors, volunteer board of directors and advisory board members for your personal generosity, leadership and dedication.

Dr. Philip C. Williams

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Discern and Learn as an Intern Northwestern Mutual Financial Network inter

ns

“I believe that the top students at McNeese State University are just as good as students at any large university with an excellent chance of success within our profession,” stated McNeese alumnus and McElroy, Quirk & Burch director, Jason L. Guillory.

Internships provide students with the hands-on experience to take the theoretical concepts learned in the classroom and put them into practice. Employers hiring interns are given a first-hand look at the skills, abilities and personalities of potential employees. Internships help students discern whether the workplace where they are serving is a good fit with their ultimate career aspirations.

The McNeese College of Business internship program has been successful in part due to the work of Mary Kaye Eason, an instructor and the facilitator of the program. Mary Kaye serves as the go-between in speaking with potential employers and advising student applicants.

Jason Guillory with McElr

MQB places a high value on the COB internship program, making the program its preferred employment pool for first-time hires. According to Guillory, “All of our partners are McNeese graduates and the majority of them were also once interns themselves. It is part of who we are.” MQB has hired COB interns for the past 10 years, generally hiring between four and six students each year to assist during tax season.

oy, Quirk & Burch interns

“The College of Business internship program might very well be the greatest opportunity that has ever been given to me. It proved extremely beneficial in allowing me to test the waters of my profession and gain perspectives on which areas of accounting I prefer. In my case, the internship produced an entirely new me. I went in as a quiet and shy college sophomore, unsure of my potential, and came out as a collected young adult with confidence in my education and ability to work in a fast-paced environment,” stated Beth Raley, a December 2011 McNeese graduate and now a full-time employee of MQB. Beth was the recipient of the Langley, Williams & Co. – Lillie Mae Langley Scholarship and the McElroy, Quirk & Burch Scholarship while at McNeese.

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Interns receive three credit hours for their work, with positions both paid and unpaid, depending on the employer. Some students are willing to take unpaid internships in sought after areas such as sports management and marketing. Nonprofit organizations may not be in a position to pay their interns, but the students can still gain valuable experience from their employment.

An intern’s work assignment must include a fairly high level of responsibility so that the student truly gains real-world experience. Paid internships can be at minimum wage or as high as $17 per hour, and the time commitment and length of internship varies by employer.

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Lake Charles is another ardent supporter. According to Becky Girola, development director, “Students applying for our internship undergo an extensive interview process. Once hired, they become fully engaged in our culture, receiving extensive hands-on training and making face-to-face calls with seasoned veterans.” Interns can earn life and health insurance licenses, paid commissions and additional stipends based on productivity.

For further information, contact Eason at 337.475.5554 or email meason@ mcneese.edu.

A Song That Moves You…Literally

Joli Blon

Picture this: It’s Saturday night and you’re enjoying a McNeese football game in Cowboy Stadium. The Cowboys score a touchdown, and you immediately start to think, “Do I first sway to the left or to the right?” Of course we’re talking about swaying to Joli Blon, McNeese’s unofficial fight song that is played after every touchdown.

Joli Blon is a popular Cajun waltz and is often referred to as the Cajun National Anthem. Where the song originated is up for debate, but the earliest recording of Joli Blon was made in 1929 by the Breaux Freres. Freres is the French word for brothers. In the mid to late 1920s Cajun bands started playing Joli Blon in Southwest Louisiana, and The Hackberry Ramblers recorded it in 1935. Since then, the song has been recorded numerous times by many artists.

The song made its way to McNeese in the late 1940s when band director Eddie See heard student Bob Landry playing Joli Blon on the piano, and See asked him to write down the melody. See then arranged the tune everyone hears on Saturday nights. The opening, which comes from the opera, Pagliacci, by Verdi, was added by See. At the time band members thought the song was a joke, but Joli Blon caught on and has been part of the University’s song set for over 60 years.

McNeese is part of a handful of universities in the United States to have a spirit song that is three-fourths waltz, according to Bill Rose, associate professor of music.

“Spirit songs are the songs that carry weight and emotional meaning,” said Rose. “Joli Blon is a song that has become the soul of the band, and it must be played well every time.”

Another unique fact about Joli Blon, Rose added, is that it is one of the few traditions that involve everyone. “When the music starts, it’s amazing to see 15,000 to 20,000 people clapping and moving to the music.”

While the crowd may not be moving in the same direction at the same time, the love and pride for McNeese evoked when Joli Blon is played is shared by all.

And for the record, the tradition is to sway to the LEFT first.

Acceptable spellings include Jolie Blonde, Jolie Blon and Joli Blonde.

The McNeese State University song set includes Joli Blon; On McNeese, the official fight song; and the Alma Mater. To hear all the songs, visit www.mcneesebands.com 5

FOUNDATION TIES Ashlyn Baggett • Recipient • Edgar “Mano” and Melba Stine Athletic Scholarship

It is often said that twins are so much alike that they can finish each other’s sentences.

The Urban Dictionary calls this phenomenon “twintuition.”

In the case of McNeese seniors, Ashlyn Kay and Caitlyn Lee Baggett, twintuition is very real.

The Baggett twins have mirrored one another’s actions for the past 20 years, not just in appearance, but in life choices. Their father, Stan, a coach at Iota High School, gave them a basketball when they were toddlers, and by 2 years old they were playing the sport. The girls’ bedroom doorknob was even shaped like a basketball.

Photo by Steven Chambers - McNeese Freshman

While Stan was teaching Ashlyn and Caitlyn the fundamentals of hoops, mother, Cheri, was teaching them the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic. As an assistant principal at Armstrong Middle School in Rayne, Cheri stressed to the girls the need for good grades.

High expectations from both parents meant high achievements for the Baggett twins. Ashlyn and Caitlyn played softball, soccer and basketball while at Iota High School and also ran track. They served on student council and participated in Beta Club, all the while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Fiercely competitive, they even scored the same on Louisiana’s LEAP test.

The Baggett twins were actively recruited by several universities, including the University of Mississippi where Brooks Donald Williams was an assistant basketball coach and recruiting coordinator. At the time, Coach Donald Williams was also interviewing at McNeese for its head coaching position. When she was awarded the position at McNeese, Brooks wasted no time in recruiting Ashlyn and Caitlyn to play for her new university on athletic scholarships.

Ashlyn and Caitlyn were also recruited for their academic prowess, receiving TOPS (Taylor Opportunity 6

Program for Students) awards and Enrollment Management Academic Scholarships. Being family oriented and with several relatives having attended McNeese, their decision to stay close to home was sealed.

Their academic and athletic talents that freshman year were obvious, but excelling competitively both on and off the court took its toll. After their freshman season, the girls withdrew from basketball for a year to focus on their studies. When Ashlyn and Caitlyn returned to the court, it was to the delight of their fans and Coach Donald Williams.

Ashlyn and Caitlyn major in nursing, a curriculum Photo by Steven Chambers - McNeese Freshman that can be difficult to mesh with other time commitments. They live together in Sallier Residence Hall and take the same classes on the same day and at the same time. “The nursing faculty expects a lot from us and we are not given a free ride; however, they do help us out with our basketball schedules and support us by coming to the games,” said Ashlyn. “It would be virtually impossible to complete a nursing degree while playing collegiate basketball at any other school. Here, everyone is willing to take the extra step to help you out,” added Caitlyn.

Ashlyn was also awarded the Edgar “Mano” and Melba Stine Athletic Scholarship through the McNeese Foundation in 2010-11. Both girls will graduate with honors in December 2012 and plan to pursue their graduate studies in the nurse practitioner program.

Recently in Old Navy, Ashlyn was looking through bathing suits on a rack. Unbeknownst to her, Caitlyn was on the other side looking through the same rack. Each noticed what they thought was their reflection on the other side, thinking it was a mirror. They both laughed when they realized that they were looking at each other.

The Baggett twins were members of the history making Cowgirls basketball team in 2010-11, winning the first outright Southland Conference title, only the second time in school history (the 1985-86 team was cochampions). That same year the team also won the program’s first Southland Conference Tournament and received the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth. In 2011-12, the team won its second Southland Conference Tournament championship and made its second appearance at the NCAA Tournament.

Ashlyn and Caitlyn are exceptional students. Succeeding in the nursing curriculum and playing full-time basketball prove their commitment to our university and the community. They have positive attitudes, motivation and determination, and a willingness to learn and excel in all their endeavors. Their enthusiasm is contagious which makes them awesome role models for our school and community. We are very blessed to have them.

Mary Dubriel

Assistant Professor, Undergraduate Nursing

Thoughts from Women’s Basketball Coach Brooks Donald Williams Caitlyn is a competitor and a pleaser. She wants everything to be just right for everyone and at the same time she is competing at an extremely high level. She is one of the best point guards in the game right now and I would put her up against the best in the country. She has a special feel for the game. Caitlyn makes our offense work and does a phenomenal job of creating opportunities for others. Off the court, Caitlyn is a great ambassador for our program and McNeese. She serves this community very well.

Ashlyn is determined and confident. She plays with that mentality on the court as well as in the classroom. Ash has a passion for the game which you can see in her eyes.

She is a competitor. She brings those qualities to the gym every day and is constantly working on her shot. Ashlyn wants to do her best and wants her team to win. I loved her mentality when she came back on the team last year with such determination. She was determined to help this program, and wow, did she! Just like Caitlyn, Ashlyn is a superb student and ambassador for McNeese.

The girls are special young ladies and players, playing with a passion for winning in their hearts. They have different personalities and talents in basketball, but both share a passion for winning in basketball and excelling in the classroom. Their tremendous work ethic leads them to go above and beyond in everything they do. Ashlyn and Caitlyn always have their books with them. I am proud of the work they have done and what they have helped this program accomplish thus far – and they are far from done.

7 Photo by Steven Chambers - McNeese Freshman

FOUNDATION TIES Albertson’s LLC Inaugural Community Partners Challenge • Donor

Small Steps

Can Make All The Difference

“I find myself bending over backwards, making the silliest noises and making myself look more ridiculous than I ever thought I would just to hear those little laughs,” said Britni Page, a psychology graduate student working with children served through the McNeese Autism Program.

The MAP, a state-of-the-art treatment facility, was founded in spring 2008 under the direction of psychology professor, Dr. Cameron “Cam” Melville. With the psychology program in the process of a curriculum redesign, the idea for

Lettie Alexander, spring ’12, and Amber Myers, staff behavioral analyst The estimated number of U.S. autistic kids has skyrocketed by 78 percent since 2000, according to a report from the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in 88 American kids has autism, according to the new figures. Among boys, it’s one in 54. Why? One expert says: “Better diagnosis, broader diagnosis, better awareness and roughly 50 percent of ‘We don’t know.””

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creating an applied behavior analysis treatment program came into focus after Dr. Melville had crossed paths with a student seeking guidance for her autistic child.

MAP serves two needs: first, it provides hands-on training for graduate psychology students to take the methods they learn and put them into practice; and second, it provides direct care services and consultation to families and children in need.

“Our goal is to transition a child back into the school environment, to improve that child’s quality of life, and to bring that child to a point where behaviors are relatively indistinguishable from a peer’s behavior,” stated Scott Williamson, board certified behavior analyst and MAP director.

difference in the lives of the clients, as well as their families. What I didn’t expect is that it would be making such a difference in my life, too. I’ve learned to look past the diagnosis to see each client as an individual,” stated Britni.

“McNeese’s autism program is the only university-based treatment provider in this region. The next closest university-based facility is located at Florida State University,” stated Dr. Melville.

The autism program is completely self-funded. While some insurance companies cover treatment, those families without insurance pay based on a sliding-fee scale. The MAP staff also has consulting contracts with area schools and other agencies to garner additional support.

Services are provided by a qualified team of experts, comprising two full-time BCBA, four part-time consultants, including a doctorallevel applied behavior analyst, and about eight graduate student interns majoring in psychology with concentrations in applied behavior analysis.

The Albertson’s LLC Inaugural Community Partners Challenge recently awarded the program a $7,500 grant. Contributions may be made to the McNeese Foundation, Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609, memo: MAP or visit www. mcneesefoundation.org/giving to contribute online.

“The MAP internship exposed me to populations and experiences that were previously only discussed in textbooks and by professors. I knew that my work being done through the autism program was making a

The McNeese Autism Program falls under the umbrella of the Kay Doré Counseling Center. Funding for the Center was provided by the William J. Doré Family Fund Communities Foundation of Texas.

By two and a half years old, *Brady was still unable to speak. Evaluation and assessments led his physician to a diagnosis of pervasive development disorder, an illness that falls within the spectrum of autism disorders. When Brady’s parents learned about his condition, they considered relocating to a larger city with an applied behavior analysis program – but then they learned about the MAP. “There is never a day without challenges with Brady,” stated his mother, *Emily, “but the small steps he takes make such a big difference in his life. Now 4 years old, Brady can sound out words and read, thanks to this program. Brady recently said, ‘Daddy and I want to have a surprise birthday party for you and get you a birthday cake and balloons.’ To hear Brady say those words brought tears to my eyes. I am so gratified by the program at McNeese. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything the staff is doing for Brady and I wouldn’t trade the program for the whole world,” stated Emily.

Names changed to protect client anonymity.

THE HORSE TALES LITERACY PROJECT With thoughtful collaboration among volunteers and staff of McNeese, Steeds of Acceptance and Renewal (SOAR) and The Stables at LeBocage, The Horse Tales Literacy Project began. The Horse Tales Literacy Project helps children in first, fourth and fifth grades to improve their reading, writing and language skills. The national program, based on author Walter Farley’s book, The Black Stallion, combines educational instruction with hands-on learning.

Dr. Linda W. Hurst, McNeese assistant professor of teacher education and project sponsor, received a $5,000 stipend as one of seven recipients of the Pinnacle Excellence Awards* in 2010-11, the year the awards focused on service-learning.

“Service-learning links what McNeese students are currently learning in a particular class to fill a particular community need. Learning and doing are accomplished in conjunction with one another,” stated Dr. Michael Buckles, service-learning coordinator.

This wonderful experience would not have been possible without the help and support of the McNeese students. They provide the manpower and educational expertise which makes it all possible, from the “First Touch” at school to the “Second Touch” during the field trip.

Nathalie Miller, SOARS volunteer and Henry Heights Teacher

The Department of Education Professions modified the worksheet-based national curriculum to become more interactive. With funding and resources limited, The Horse Tales Literacy Project was only introduced to first-grade students enrolled at Henry Heights and T.H. Watkins elementary schools.

The “First Touch” experience brought a miniature horse to each school wearing a saddle bag containing the hardcover book, Little Black, A Pony, for each child. A photo was then taken of each child petting the horse. This experience was followed by SOAR volunteers bringing a black horse and a chestnut colored horse, representing “Little Black” and “Big Red” from Farley’s books, to the classrooms.

The following six weeks, McNeese students enrolled in Methods of Teaching Language Arts courses (EDUC 321 and 328) visited classrooms to work with the children either oneon-one or in small groups using activity-themed instruction.

At the semester’s end, the first-graders, accompanied by McNeese and SOAR faculty and staff, attended a field day at The Stables at LeBocage for the “Second Touch.” They made crafts, rode stick horses and “Buckley,” the mechanical horse, and practiced roping the “air.” After lunch, show jumping, barrel racing and side saddle riding demonstrations were performed. The final activities of the day included reading to a horse, followed by delivery of their second book, Little Black Goes to the Circus.

The children’s success, tracked through the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) test scores and the accelerated reader program, showed marked improvement and progression in reading skills.

Dr. Hurst hopes to continue the program based on authentic Louisiana horse stories, such as that found in Molly the Pony. Molly survived Hurricane Katrina, waiting in her stall to be rescued. She found new life on a farm and made many animal friends, with one exception – a wild dog that attacked her. She lost her foreleg and was fitted with a prosthetic limb. Molly had to learn to walk all over again and she now spends time making new friends. *The Pinnacle Excellence Awards are funded by Pinnacle Entertainment, parent company of L’Auberge Casino Resort. Pinnacle has provided a total of $210,000 since 2003 to fund the awards.

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Knowing Your Language Is Knowing Your Culture

Since 2007, McNeese has partnered with the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana e fac the to ensure that the of ts par er ov Heather Williams goes tribe’s language in Koasati – Koasati – does not become extinct. Koasati is an endangered language with fewer than 300 fluent speakers among the Tribe’s 800 plus members.

The Koasati Language Project was developed to preserve the tribal language. McNeese has received two grants totaling $581,000 from the National Science Foundation’s Documenting Endangered Languages program for documenting and revitalizing the spoken language among the Coushatta tribal members.

An initial three-year $450,000 grant, “Kowasa:ton il:halas – Let Us Hear Koasati: A Filmic Documentation Project of Koasati,” called for the creation of a Web-based electronic archive, audio-dictionary and searchable database of word lists, personal narratives and naturally occurring conversation for the endangered Koasati language.

An additional NSF grant of $131,000 is funding the first phonetic study of Koasati.

Serving as co-principal investigators for these grants are the husband-wife team of Bertney Langley, director of the Coushatta Tribe’s Heritage Department, and Dr. Linda Langley, McNeese research professor of anthropology.

The project has resulted in the creation of a 1,200 word topical dictionary, an audio CD of sounds and word pronunciation, and a children’s picture book. “Project leaders and volunteers continue to work to transcribe and translate almost 100 hours of recorded interviews and conversations with tribal members,” said Linda.

These materials will provide additional content for a website, new books and teaching materials, as well as the Coushatta Heritage Center. The Center will house a theater, interactive digital exhibits and video displays, genealogical materials and a Koasati language library.

McNeese students and tribal members, Heather Williams, an elementary education major, and Crystal

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Williams, a government major, have assisted in the project.

Heather’s fascination with her culture began while watching her mother and grandmother create pine needle and raffia baskets. She would listen to their conversations, but not fully understand it. “I was concerned that the language was dying. Working with the Langleys while in high school, I was able to research and document the language and to develop a children’s picture dictionary and phrase book,” said Heather.

Crystal’s focus was on researching traditional tribal dance. “Years ago, Christian missionaries visited Indian communities and brought their own teachings and beliefs.

That influence resulted in the banning of our traditional dances, such as the Stomp Dance. Being involved in this project, I’ve learned that it is possible to restore culture and value, as long as the community is dedicated to the future (our children). Our elders say ‘Knowing your language is knowing your culture,’ and in order to keep it alive within our community, we have to keep practicing it,” said Crystal The Langleys are now working with Jack Martin, a professor at the College of William and Mary, and Matthew Gordon, a professor at the University of California Santa Barbara, on the phonetic study of the Koasati. “Jack is an expert in the Muskogean language family, while Matthew’s area of expertise is phonetic analysis,” said Linda.

“Our studies suggest important differences between our tribal language and both Creek and Chickasaw. The finding of our work will contribute to knowledge of sound patterns in Koasati, Muskogean languages, North American languages and language in general,” said Linda.

Crystal Williams displays a fan made of turkey feathers used in traditional tribal dances of the Coushatta Tribe

Foundation Ties Connie Young • Recipient •

Judge Edwin F. Hunter Jr. Endowed Professorship in Health and Science

M ak e N

o

Make no bones about it – Connie Young loves her profession. Since 1989, she has instructed students as an assistant professor of radiologic technology and clinical coordinator in the biology and health sciences department at McNeese.

McNeese alumni make up 60 percent of the X-ray technologists in Southwest Louisiana.

n o B

e

s

Ab out it

Connie’s path to teaching began in a hospital.

After graduating from McNeese with a Bachelor of Science degree in radiologic technology, she worked at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, first as a staff radiographer in surgery and mammography, and following a promotion, as a clinical instructor and mammographer.

Her job duties included providing clinical instruction to radiologic sciences students assigned to the hospital site.

Connie’s interaction with the students combined with the accolades from her supervisor piqued her interest in becoming an educator. In 1989 she began working on a Master of Education degree and teaching at the university level, and she hasn’t looked back.

As a recipient of the Judge Edwin F. Hunter Jr. Endowed Professorship in Health and Science, Connie utilized the award to hire two radiologic sciences students to assist with research and data gathering for a project studying breast cancer disparities in women based on race and economics. Connie and her assistants compiled data based on age, ethnicity, mammogram date and result, need for follow-up and patient insurance status. Positive mammogram results were further analyzed by reviewing treatment plans and studying the patient’s health records.

This project is Connie’s first foray into the research aspect of teaching. “This professorship has helped me become more confident professionally to seek out other research avenues,” she said. “It was also a beneficial experience for those two students to be a part of this.”

The radiologic sciences program at McNeese started in 1978 and currently more than 200 students are enrolled. Radiologic sciences majors receive both classroom and real-world experience. The pre-professional phase of the program includes three semesters of general education courses. The professional program comprises the remaining five semesters and includes student rotation through area hospitals and clinics.

After completing the program, students are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification examination. McNeese graduates have had a 99 percent pass rate on the national exam since 1980.

Connie also worked part-time as a radiologic technologist at W.O. Moss Regional Hospital on weekends. “Working on weekends enabled me to understand more of what my students go through,” she explained.

Currently, Connie is finalizing the follow-up data collected from the patients and will be incorporating the data to be presented at a local professional meeting.

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GROOVING TO THE

STEEL DRUM BEAT

McNeese is making music with 55-gallon barrel drums, and it sounds pretty good, too.

The music of Trinidad and Tobago, funk and pop are brought to Southwest Louisiana by the McNeese Steel Drum Band.

The steel drums, also called pans, are constructed from the bottom of a 55-gallon barrel, sunk down in a concave fashion and tuned with precision.

The idea for a steel drum band originated with Lonny Benoit, assistant professor and percussion coordinator, and his predecessor, Dave Walton. The only obstacle that prevented the band from forming was a lack of funding to purchase the drums. When funding became available in 2006, their idea became a reality and the McNeese Steel Drum Band was born.

Dr. Michael Buckles, department of performing arts head, has credited the Steel Drum Band with being the most active performance group in the department, which has enriched both students and audiences.

“In some ways, this group embodies what I might call ‘traditional’ music training, in that students learn the fundamentals of ensemble work – which is an essential skill for professional musicians and can only be gained through performance,” Michael explained. “In other ways, the steel band is also a good representative of music from other cultures, cultures different than traditional western music. So as a pedagogical tool, the steel band also broadens the mind for both our students and audiences.”

The number of students playing in the band varies, but the maximum number performing at any one time is limited to six. Freshmen wishing to enroll in the Steel Drum Band must wait until their second semester so that performances don’t interfere with the Freshman Foundations course. Other than that requirement, participation is open to anyone. According to Lonny, “You don’t have to be a music major - you just have to be able to groove.”

Mathew McMillen, a junior K-12 instrumental music education major from Sulphur, is in his fourth semester as an ensemble member and instantly fell in love with the music the first time he heard it. “The steel drum music is fun and relaxing and has a great groove,” he said. “It seemed truly unique to me at the time. I waited and jumped in when I had the opportunity to join in my second semester.”

Steel Drum Band members are enrolled in Music 389, Percussion Ensemble, and meet every Friday afternoon for two hours. “This is not your typical structured class,” Lonny 12

explained. “It’s very loose and fun, and the students are encouraged to dance and move.”

The band has performed at campus events, such as the grand opening of the Shearman Fine Arts Annex and the McNeese retired faculty/staff picnic, and at recruiting events, as well as at other venues such as church masses.

Mathew’s favorite performance was when the Steel Drum Band played the St. Francis in the America’s mass along with the St. LukeSimpson Methodist Church choir. “The work was a Caribbean spin on the traditional Catholic mass and was a blast to play as a double second player because of its complexity,” stated Mathew. “That performance was an amazing experience that was amplified by the positive reception at the church and with their choir.”

The band will have the opportunity to play with Andy Narell, the world’s foremost pan authority, as part of the Banners Cultural Series 2013 season. “We’re excited because this will take the steel drum ensemble to the next level,” said Lonny.

Lonny would like to increase the number of drums so that more students could participate. With more drums the group could venture into playing classical music, keep up with the current trends and possibly try a world fusion ensemble.

One steel drum costs approximately $3,500, and McNeese currently owns 15 drums. Lonny supplies three of his personal drums for performances. Anyone wishing to contribute towards the purchase of steel drums may donate through the McNeese Foundation.

Added Michael, “Without a doubt, the Steel Drum Band is simply fun for our students to participate in and enjoyable for our audiences.”

According to the website,ehow. com, “The steel drums or ‘steel pans’ were invented on the small Caribbean island of Trinidad (now Trinidad & Tobago) in the late1940s.The cultural significance of the steel drum’s evolution traces back to British colonial rule on the island.

Drumming served as a tangible link to the past, or more poignantly, to “home” for the enslaved Africans, and was utilized as a form of communication. The colonial elite deemed this practice dangerous (for fear of an organized uprising) which led to the banishment of drumming. The eventual resurgence of drumming on the island (and ultimate creation of the steel drum) acted as a means by which African heritage could be reborn and cherished freely. Read more at: http://www.ehow.com/facts_4963522_ what-origin-steel-drums.html.

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McNeese Opens CAMPP

McNeese Meats? Cowboy Cuts? Rowdy’s Roast?

It is possible!

McNeese has officially opened the Center for Advancement of Meat Production and Processing (CAMPP). While CAMPP is not offering retail products to the public today, it may be possible to purchase fresh beef, pork and lamb products in the future.

For now it will serve as a hands-on teaching and research facility and offer limited custom meat processing.

Located on a 16-acre tract of land just off I-10 in Jefferson Davis Parish, CAMPP is just a short 25-minute ride from the McNeese main campus. The 7,350-squarefoot facility is a satellite campus under the administration of the Harold and Pearl Dripps Agricultural Sciences Department.

The center will be used to support workforce development by preparing students for a wide variety of jobs in the agricultural and food science industry, according to Dr. Chip LeMieux, associate professor and department head.

“This is a modern meat processing facility that contains equipment capable of processing beef, swine, sheep, goats and deer. There is equipment for sausage making, custom meat processing and commercial refrigeration. A retail sales area is also part of the facility,” LeMieux said.

The McNeese agricultural sciences department maintains

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approximately 1,000 acres of farmland in three operating areas of Allen and Calcasieu parishes. In addition to growing rice, corn, soybeans and hay, livestock including cattle, sheep, goats and swine are produced and raised on the farms.

“Our existing facilities allow us to breed and raise animals to weaning and market weights but we were unable to harvest these animals. With this meats laboratory we can complete the production cycle and provide valuable education and training that will make our graduates more marketable and job ready,” LeMieux said.

Students from other academic programs and departments including nutrition and food science, business, biology, chemistry and engineering can also benefit from the CAMPP. “Access to this unique facility will open doors to a variety of diverse job markets including meat producers, U.S. Department of Agriculture and state inspectors, plant managers, sales representatives, food service distributors, quality control, marketing managers or live animal buyers,” Dr. Jeanne Daboval, McNeese provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, explained.

“Education and training in meat harvesting and processing are segments of the agricultural industry that have been neglected in Southwest Louisiana due to a lack of available space to hold seminars and clinics.

No training program exists in any state that focuses on meat processing and all of the related aspects such as packaging, preservation, marketing, transportation and food safety,” said LeMieux.

Southwest Louisiana is rich in livestock production. According to the Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, livestock produced in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes had a one-year gross farm market value of $48 million.

The CAMPP facility will also be used for community outreach and to provide workforce training workshops and continuing education seminars on food safety, basic meat processing, product preparation, packaging and food industry marketing.

High school students, particularly those involved in Future Farmers of America, home economics or family and consumer sciences programs throughout the five-parish area will benefit from the center. “Each year, our department hosts numerous school clinics, field days and short courses and we can use the facilities at the center to introduce these students to the meat processing segment of the agriculture industry,” LeMieux said.

The McNeese agricultural sciences program prepares students for careers in many facets of the agricultural industry including agribusiness, animal science, food science and nutrition, dietetics, natural resource conservation management, plant and soil science, preveterinary medicine and equine science.

According to McNeese President Dr. Philip Williams, “This is a unique opportunity for McNeese to enhance the agriculture industry and economic development in Southwest Louisiana. The vision for the Center for Advancement of Meat Production and Processing also includes collaborating with SOWELA Technical and Community College to develop and offer meat processing programs.”

The McNeese Foundation assisted the University with acquiring the shuttered meat processing plant and surrounding property. Funds to purchase the property came from a $775,000 Louisiana Hurricane Recovery/ Economic Development Grant and a $110,000 donation to the McNeese Foundation from Jeff Davis Bank.

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CONSTRUCTION

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Green, Silver and Orange - The New Campus Colors Nearly everywhere you look these days you see green, silver and orange construction fencing on the McNeese campus.

With more than $65 million in planning, construction, renovation and major repairs in progress, traversing the campus is almost as difficult as finding a parking space!

Funding for the projects comes from a variety of sources including the state capital outlay budget, federal and local money, construction bonds, grants, private donations and student self-assessed fees.

The inconveniences won’t last forever, but the results will change the future of McNeese.

Here is a snapshot of what’s happening.

1) Kaufman Hall, one of the original campus buildings, is getting a complete makeover including energy efficient lighting, painting, new ceilings and floors, ADA accommodations and elevator repairs. This $6.1 million project was scheduled to begin in September 2005 and was delayed due to Hurricane Rita.

Offices were relocated to other buildings and construction began in January 2011. This building should be back on line for the spring 2013 semester.

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2) The Band Rehearsal Hall was will accommodate 148 students and built in include a multi-purpose classroom, 1982 and computer lab, and study and McNeese State University Parking Garage has been recreation areas. The $7.2 million completely project is expected to be ready for gutted for students in summer 2013. this $1.7 million project to reconfigure the space to improve the acoustical treatments, lighting, heating and air conditioning units and make ADA improvements. This project began in April and is expected to be completed for spring 2013.

5) Construction on a three-story parking garage that will accom3) Work on John McNeese modate 800-900 student cars will Memorial begin this summer on the east side Park began of the campus.

The facility will have in 2010 entrances and exits on Common, when a Cameron, Vermilion and Vernon streets statue and is expected to be completed for the of the spring 2013 semester. renowned Students voted a self-assessment educator and namesake was unveiled. fee of $75 each semester to pay for the Sidewalks, seating areas, landscaping $13.8 million garage that will include and lighting will complement the an elevator, system to tell drivers the recently completed Quad renovation number of remaining spaces on each when this $265,000 project wraps up floor, and security cameras. in summer 2012.

Improving pedestrian safety by increasing parking on the main campus 4) Burton Residence Hall has been has been a priority for several years. shuttered since 2005 due to damage Issue Date 21 March 2012

from Hurricane Rita. The five-story building will be demolished and replaced with a three-story residence hall that

6) The McNeese Foundation has facilitated the purchase of nearly five acres of property on Sale Road that was formerly the site of the Charles

CON

NSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Cinema. This property may be used as a temporary parking lot while the parking garage is under construction.

7) Planning for the $14 million Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial & Economic Development (SEED) Center began in 2009. Located on seven acres of McNeese property on the west side of Ryan Street, this is a joint project with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the Chamber Southwest Alliance for the fiveparish area, the city of Lake Charles and McNeese State University to centralize economic development and entrepreneurial activities for Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes.

The 50,341-square-foot SEED Center will house the Chamber Southwest Alliance, 10 business incubator sites, the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese, IMCAL, Workforce Investment Board, H.C. Drew Center for Economic Development Information Services, as well as accommodations for training, conferences and classrooms 8) Nearly $3 million in ADA improvements to sidewalks, parking lots and elevator upgrades and repairs are in progress campus-wide.

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUC

Upcoming Projects 1) Renovations to the Frazar Memorial Library will begin in spring 2013 and are expected to continue for 22 months. Library personnel are in the process of boxing and storing some books and materials and relocating others to accessible locations on campus to prepare for this $7.8 million project that will improve lighting, make necessary ADA accommodations, repair and replace flooring and install new ceilings. Named for the first president of McNeese, the original building was completed in 1961 and a four-story addition was added in 1974.

2) The $6.5 million project to replace the heating and air conditioning system and install new lighting in Frasch Hall Annex has been delayed to spring 2013 because faculty and staff from Kaufman Hall had to relocate to this building.

3) The older portion of the Shearman Fine Arts Building will be renovated and updated pending funding approval of the $3.4 million project. The original facility was built in 1950 with an extension added in 1962. Named for Flora I. and Thomas B. Shearman Sr. in 1991, the 56,000-square-foot building houses the 220-seat Ralph Squires Recital Hall, built in the 1950s and named for the former dean of fine arts in 1963, the band rehearsal hall, built in 1982, and the Abercrombie Exhibition Gallery named in memory of Lillie Frank Abercrombie in 1983.

4) Chozen Hall, named for area businessman and philanthropist David Chozen, is a former residence hall. It is being revitalized and will reemerge as a new one-stop shop for prospective students bringing together several offices currently located in three buildings. Phase I is complete and Phase II, at a cost of $1.7 million, includes repairing and replacing all finishes, modifying old shower rooms for restrooms, installing an elevator and repartitioning dorm rooms into offices, meeting and reception areas.

Recently Completed Shearman Fine Arts Annex - $17.8 million Doland Field House Expansion and Renovation - $10.5 million Quad Renovation - $1.3 million 1717

Save the Date Louis Bonnette Roast 20

The Things He’s Seen!

1966-

The Texas Western Miners defeat the No.1 ranked Kentucky Wildcats to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

Muscle cars are king and the price of gasoline is 32 cents per gallon.

Groundbreaking takes place for the World Trade Center.

Gemini 9 launches into space and astronaut Gene Cernan completes the second U.S. spacewalk.

Peggy Fleming wins the Ladies’ World Figure Skating Championships.

Billy Casper amassed $121,945 to become the leading money winner on the PGA tour.

Jack Nicklaus wins the British Open and becomes the fourth player to win all four major professional golf championships.

Steve Spurrier wins the Heisman Trophy.

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He has worked at McNeese State University for five presidents and every athletics director in its history.

(For the record, that is eight.) Since he started working at McNeese in April 1966, Louisiana has elected seven different governors, including one man four times, and Americans have sent nine men to the White House. In the sports world, the first Super Bowl would be played after he finished his first football season with the Cowboys.

Louis Bonnette, the legendary McNeese sports information director, has announced his retirement after 46 years at the university. An event to celebrate Bonnette’s career will be held on July 24.

“Louis is the only sports information director that has served McNeese athletics,” Tommy McClelland, athletics director, said. “It is appropriate that we honor him with a celebration and by raising funds to endow a scholarship in his name.”

The Pineville native, and Louisiana Tech graduate, has received numerous professional honors in his career.

Twice he served as president of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and the LSWA presented him with its highest honor--the Mac Russo Award.

He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in the sports journalism division, and in 2009, he was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame.

Through the years Louis has seen McNeese win many different conference championships and play at the national level, cheered on McNeese athletes that made the leap to the pros and learned to adapt

to changing conference names and opponents. One of those opponents, then University of Southwestern Louisiana, beat the Cowboys 7-0 in 1966, his first football season. After a 21-year hiatus, Louis would also work the last meeting of the two teams, a McNeese win in 2007. By then the “Bulldogs” had become the “Ragin’ Cajuns” and USL had changed its name to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Later in that 2007 season, local businessman Robert Noland committed to fund the completion of the artificial turf project and surprised Louis by asking that the football field be named in his honor. Bonnette worked his 500th consecutive football game on Oct. 24, 2009, and no one knew that he would end his streak on Nov. 20, 2011, at 527 in Conway, Ark. “I have enjoyed my career at McNeese and am looking forward to retirement and spending more time with my family,” Bonnette said.

Finding family time is a challenge with sons Michael serving as Louisiana State University’s associate athletics director and SID and Matthew serving as associate SID at Northwestern State University. “My daughter, Anne, chose nursing,” Bonnette quipped, “and my wife, Willene, is a teacher.” Soon, at least one member of the family will have an easy schedule to work around.

Louis is compiling some interesting stories from his career at McNeese to share with friends at his retirement party. “I’ve seen some of the greatest coaches and players in all sports and we’ve had some interesting travel adventures!”

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Pillars Staff EDITOR Marianne White Coordinator of Planned Giving and Donor Research mariannewhite@mcneese.edu

STAFF WRITER Jennifer Pitre Planned Giving and Donor Research Specialist jpitre2@mcneese.edu

ART DIRECTION, DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY Anne Cobb Graphic Designer/Multimedia Specialist cobb@mcneese.edu

Renee LeLeux Public Information Officer II rleleux@mcneese.edu

OTHER FOUNDATION STAFF Pam McGough Coordinator of Athletic Development pmcgough@mcneese.edu

Melissa Ellis Northcutt Director for University Advancement Operations and Special Events mnorthcutt@mcneese.edu Richard H. Reid Vice President for University Advancement/ Executive Vice President, McNeese Foundation rreid@mcneese.edu

McNeese Data

Enrollment and Student Profile • Fall 2011 Enrollment - 8,791 • 74% are full-time students • 72% are from Calcasieu, Allen, Beauregard, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes • Over 40% are first generation college students • 62% are female • 22% are minority • 71% work an average of 11-20 hours per week • 89% are commuters • 70% are under 25 years of age Tuition and Fees* • $2,200 per semester Louisiana resident • $6,611 per semester out-of-state resident

*Does not include optional or special course fees, on campus housing or meal plans.

McNeese Quick Facts • Annual economic impact: $335 million • Awards nearly 70% of the public four-year college degrees earned by residents of Southwest Louisiana.

• Students who graduated during 2009-2010 had an 86% acceptance rate into medical schools—double the national average of 43%.

• McNeese is one of the few four-year universities, and the only university in the University of Louisiana System, to have a model chemical plant to train future engineers and technicians.

• More than 600 high school students from Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis

and Pointe Coupee parishes are taking dual enrollment courses in courses in English, history, biology, college algebra, pre-calculus, calculus, communications, Spanish, psychology, art appreciation, sociology, introduction to engineering, statistics and nursing that will give them both high school and college credit.

• McNeese is just the second university in the country to offer the Innovation Engineering Career Accelerator Program. These unique courses in the creation, communication and commercialization of innovative ideas are open to students of any major.

• The 59,918-square-foot addition to the Shearman Fine Arts Building was named the Best Higher Education Project for 2010 by South Central Construction Magazine.

• The McNeese CALL (Center for Adult Learning in Louisiana) Program offers four online baccalaureate degrees that provide accelerated course work and offer the flexibility and convenience of online course delivery for adult learners.

• The Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing is ranked at No. 40 in the nation in the 2012 Poets & Writers Top 50 MFA Programs. McNeese ranks higher than programs at Columbia, Boston University, University of South Carolina and University of Massachusetts. The program is celebrating its 30th anniversary this academic year.

Beryl Romero Administrative Specialist bromero@mcneese.edu

Pam Tate Gift Management Specialist pamtate@mcneese.edu

Shanie Miller Administrative Assistant smiller2@mcneese.edu

Candace Townsend, Director of Public Relations, contributing writer/photographer

PILLARS is published biannually by the Division of University Advancement, McNeese State University, a member of the University of Louisiana System and an affirmative action, equal opportunity educational institution.

Contact Information Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609 Phone 337.475.5588 Fax 337.475.5386 Email: mcneesefoundation@mcneese.edu Website: www.mcneesefoundation.org

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McNeese Foundation, Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609

20th Annual McNeese Foundation Scholarship Donor and Recipient Brunch

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