Pillars
THE START OF ANOTHER
YEAR
As McNeese State University looks toward celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2014, Banners at McNeese is entering its 22nd year of providing quality arts and humanities programming and education to Southwest Louisiana. Banners founding director, Mary Richardson, was instrumental in building this successful program before stepping down to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Taking over the helm as the captain is Patricia Prudhomme with support from the same dependable crew of Tami Chrisope, LaDonna McKnight and Bill Mungai. In plotting its future course, Banners will navigate under the guidance of the University’s five-year strategic plan. McNeese’s strategic plan evolved from a series of brainstorming sessions conducted by President Philip C. Williams with employees, alumni, students and community members. The sessions were designed to consider input into how McNeese could be improved. The process culminated in the development of a
five-year strategic plan with clearly defined goals and objectives, goals which include Banners need for strengthening community collaborations and brand cultivation.
reality is Banners began at McNeese in 1993 where it is a yearlong program and one of the University’s most successful community collaborations.
Community collaboration is unquestionably Banners’ greatest strength. Having grown from a budget of $2,000 in year one to over $300,000 today, Banners is succeeding on the wings of its corporate sponsors, season subscribers, committee members and K-12 school partners.
“Banners at McNeese brings artists, performers, authors and other talent to the community and schools that could not be seen in any other way. While many cultural programs have experienced significant budget cuts due to decreased federal and state appropriations, Banners is striving to continue the same level of quality programming through the support of our Southwest Louisiana partners,” stated Patricia.
While Banners outreach to area school children is already vast, the University’s strategic plan calls for additional expansion over the next five years in K-12 schools and through McNeese campus-based visits. Brand cultivation is possibly Banners greatest opportunity, according to Patricia. Some people think that Banners is a cultural program of interest only for patrons of the arts. Others believe Banners to be a stand-alone program offered in spring and associated with Rouge et Blanc, but with no affiliation to McNeese. The
Rouge et Blanc, with its affiliated wine dinners the week prior to the event, is the only fundraiser for Banners. “All proceeds from Rouge et Blanc are dedicated to support cultural programming and education,” said Patricia. For further information, contact the Banners office at 337.475.5123 or email banners@mcneese.edu or www.banners.org. Fall 2013 11