Alumni News Fall 2014

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Southeastern Louisiana university

INSIDE: Homecoming 2014 • Nursing’s Golden Anniversary • Lions back-to-back champions d lishe Pub e Sinc 9 194

Alumni

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Southeastern Louisiana University Dr. John L. Crain ’82, ’84 President Dr. Tammy Bourg Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs Sam Domiano, Jr. ’95 Interim Vice President, Administration & Finance Dr. Marvin L. Yates Vice President, Student Affairs Wendy Johns Lauderdale ’93 Vice President, University Advancement Alumni Association Kathy Locascio Pittman ’71 Director Daryl Ferrara ’92 President Josie Mercante, ’69, ’74 President-elect Sally Carlisle ’02 Secretary Randy Vicknair ’04,’07 Treasurer Board Members Brian Babin ’09 Beth Carney Ebberman ’77 Terri Blackwell LeBlanc ’79 Jennifer Seal Haik ’91, ’93 Karen Mack Hoyt ’91, ’97 Jan Tedder Labbé ’75,’91 Ricky Masaracchia ’84 Pete Panepinto ’93 Robert Showers ’86 Kim Soape Walker ’99 The Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni News, published four times annually by the Association, was entered as third-class matter, May 9, 1949, at the Post Office in Hammond, LA, under the amended act of June 11, 1934. The office of publication is Hammond, LA 70402. Annual dues of $30 include subscription to Southeastern Alumni News.

Produced and edited by the Southeastern Louisiana University Office of Public Information.

cover 2014 Alumnus of the Year Craig Huss, a retired senior executive with Archer Daniels Midland, one of the largest agricultural commodities firms in the world, enjoys the crowds as the Homecoming parade moves through Friendship Circle. Huss served as Grand Marshal and participated in several other events while on campus.

A message from President John L. Crain Homecoming 2014 was one of the most successful that anyone can remember. Craig Huss of Decatur, Ill., a double graduate with a degree in finance and an MBA and a retired executive with Archer Daniels Midland, one of the world’s largest agricultural commodities firms, was recognized as the Alumnus of the Year. James “Jay” Prather III of Ponchatoula, a biology graduate who founded a company specializing in environmental services, was cited as the Young Alumnus of the Year. Both men exemplify how a Southeastern education prepares graduates for success in life.

In October, the Southeastern School of Nursing celebrated the Golden Anniversary of its founding. From humble beginnings in a recycled World War II barracks staffed by three faculty members, the program has grown into one of the strongest in the region, being cited as the best in the state on several occasions. With support from our Alumni Association, the School of Nursing proudly celebrated the occasion with a gala for alumni and friends.

Our Southeastern Lions football team made history by winning its second consecutive championship. As co-champion of the Southland Conference, our Lion team set numerous team and individual records while advancing to the first round of the FCS playoffs. Their success on the field and in the classroom make this team a treasured part of our proud Lion nation.

Finally, Southeastern, as well as other Louisiana higher education institutions, stand to benefit from the WISE program, a $40 million fund designed to bolster teaching efforts in several workforce-related fields. Southeastern will gain nearly $1 million to be used in high demand areas such as computer science, industrial technology, finance and accounting. It is a welcome addition for institutions that have been severely impacted by the cuts of the last several years.

We look forward to the coming semester and urge you to LION UP and share in our pride.

A message from your Alumni president Homecoming 2014 was a tremendous success and an event to remember with one of the largest crowds on campus in history. As president of your association, I am proud of how our community demonstrated its support for our great university. The campus never looked better, beaming with Lion Pride.

With 8,766 awesome and very loud fans in attendance, our Lions roared past Daryl Ferrara ’92 Central Arkansas.

I am proud for our student athletes and coaches. The halftime performance by the Pride of the Southland Band and dance team was spectacular. I am also proud of our local businesses that decorated their store fronts in support of the Lions. No matter what entrance you took into Hammond, Lion Pride was everywhere.

It was an honor to host Craig Huss, our Alumnus of the Year, at the Alumni Awards Evening.

Other distinguished alumni were acknowledged for their outstanding service to our community and university. Hearing Craig speak to our students, faculty, staff and alumni about how his time at Southeastern enhanced his career reinforced appreciation for my own degree and made me proud to be a Southeastern graduate. My hope is that all students will value their Southeastern education and life experiences and continue to return to campus for other events after graduation.

This is Our Town, Our Team. I encourage everyone to support our university by becoming a member of the Alumni Association. I also encourage all of our alumni to be the voice for higher education, especially for Southeastern. Your alma mater is a place that has enriched your life forever.

It’s time for all of us to join together and make a difference. There is no better time to be a Lion than the present. Always remember to Pull for the Lions and Push for Success.

Lion Up and Go Lions!

Nursing School celebrates

Golden Anniversary It started as a barebones program in 1964 with three faculty members and a mere $30,000 budget. But over the past 50 years, the Southeastern nursing program has grown in size, scope and reputation to where it is now considered by many as one of the top nursing preparation programs in Louisiana.

More than 250 alumni of the Southeastern School of Nursing gathered on campus Oct. 14 for a Golden Anniversary Gala to recognize the growth of the school and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding.

“The evening provided an opportunity to recognize the importance of the nursing profession and to reflect on the events leading to this monumental occasion in the history of our program,” said Ann Carruth, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and a 1984 graduate of the program.

The program included a presentation depicting major events in history of Southeastern’s program, as well as distribution of a 50th Anniversary Memory Booklet drafted by former deans Elliene Tate and Donnie Booth.

In his message to those gathered, President John L. Crain noted the growth of the program, which now has more than 50 faculty members and more than 1,600 majors. The school has collected numerous honors over the years, including being cited three times in recent years as the Outstanding Nursing School by the Louisiana Nurses Association. He congratulated the many individuals who worked tirelessly over the years to make the Southeastern nursing program a model of academic excellence.

Crain also noted that the School of Nursing has recently moved from a former men’s dormitory into a new building, a $13 million

facility where students learn on state-of-the-art equipment under the supervision of an excellent faculty.

“The vision of the School of Nursing is simply this: to graduate a highly educated and competent, caring and committed nurse,” said Carruth. “That vision is shared by the entire faculty at Southeastern.

It is through the efforts of good communication and capitalizing on the strengths of everyone that we carry out this vision.”

“Over the past five decades, the school’s history has been characterized by phenomenal growth and dramatic change,” added Eileen Creel, head of the School of Nursing. “Our school remains strong and vibrant. Its outstanding reputation continues to attract the best and brightest students, while innovations in practice distinguish our quality in all of our programs.”

Creel recognized the 51 full time faculty and 15 adjunct faculty for their dedication to teaching and mentoring students. Of those faculty members, 42 are alumni of Southeastern bachelor’s or master’s programs, and several have been named to the state Nursing

Above: Many of the nurses selected for the School of Nursing’s “50 for 50” listing announced at the school’s 50th anniversary celebration were able to attend the gala event held in the Student Union’s Grand Ballroom.

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Hall of Fame and received other honors for teaching, research and service; three serve on national professional boards and three are on governor-appointed boards.

Carruth noted that the program has produced more than 40,000 graduates who are filling vital roles in the healthcare system as practitioners and administrators. The program now offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level degrees.

She honored the three original graduates of the program: Ava Ledford Ladell, who was present at the ceremony, Lynn Robinson and the late Maxine Harper.

Carruth also recognized 50 outstanding and distinguished alumni of the program, calling the group “50 for 50” and noting their representation of many years of dedicated nursing service: “for their excellence in bedside care and coordination, for leadership in clinical practice and nursing education, for improving care through advanced practice and research, and for their community service.”

The group was nominated by a committee of faculty, alumni, peers and supervisors.

The gala featured a silent auction that included art created by several nursing alumni: a signed, original folk art painting by Dayna M. Breaud (’97), an original charcoal print of Southeastern and the School of Nursing by Frank Simone (’12); and a metal sculpture “Hearts of Nursing,” by Susie Creel (’77) and her husband Jim.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS – President and former deans were recognized for their contributions to the nursing program. Pictured, from left to right, are Dean Ann Carruth, former Dean Donnie Booth, President John L. Crain, and former deans Ellienne Tate and Barbara Moffett.

Bottom: Ava Ledford Ledell, one of the Southeastern nursing program’s first three graduates in 1968, gets a hug from university mascot Roomie who was on hand to greet visiting nurses for the 50th anniversary gala.

SON names Top 50 alumni at Golden Anniversary gala A select committee of School of Nursing alumni and members of the faculty selected “50 for 50,” a listing of graduates of the school who have distinguished themselves over the past 50 years. Congratulations to Southeastern’s “50 for 50” nursing graduates.

Jennifer Bumm Alleman ‘92 Rachel Fillingame Artigues ‘10 Shani Glorio Aspirion ’00 Nicole Barton Barnum ‘96 Coletta Cooper Barrett ‘91 Cynthia Tolbert Bienemy ‘81 Amy Ibert Binck ‘98 Kenneth E. Byrd ‘04 Lizabeth J. Caminita ‘96 Jackie Himel Carr ‘98 Karla Chenevert Miller ‘98 Beth Guidry Conner ‘06 Susan Laborderette Creel ‘75 Paula Pennington de la Bretonne ‘77 Lisa M. Deaton ‘76 Nicole Square Decuir ‘03 Carolyn R. Himel ‘97 Wanda Gillespie Hughes ’77, ‘92 Jeffrey D. Jarreau ‘91 Charla B. Johnson ’06 Ava Ledford Ladell ‘68 Hal D. Lamb ‘92 Ray J. Landreneau ‘81 Glenn J. Landry ‘10 Jennifer H. LeBlanc ‘03 Ryan D. Lesaicherre ‘04 Terri Lowry Lewis ‘81 Ellie Barker Lomzenski ‘88 Laura E. Lucky ‘03 Janet Planche Morse ’80, ‘12 Tammy Yarborugh Murphy ‘80 Chris M. Perret ‘01 Pamala A. Pourciau ‘11 Sydney Perry Prescott ’85, ‘02 Jennifer Cummins Robinson ’11, ‘03 Terri A. Roussel ‘82 Donna C. Schero ’04, ‘11 Edna Williams Scott ‘93 Betty Sharkey Smart ‘14 Wanda Raby Spurlock ‘84 Clay E. Stanley ‘96 Staci Hammons Sullivan ‘87 Jennifer Holliday Thomas ’11, ‘13 Brinette A. Thompson ‘13 Dennis E. Truxillo ‘96 Justin M. Vermeulen ‘07 Monica Nijoka Winkler ‘77 Cheryl P. Woods ‘06 Dana M. Y’daraga ’93, ‘10 Cynthia A. York ‘00

Homecoming 2014 ADM Executive Craig Huss recognized as 2014 Alumnus of the Year

Craig Huss left his home in Decatur, Ill., to begin his college career at Southeastern. He packed his belongings in a $400 automobile and headed south to Hammond, a 750-mile trek.

After mechanical breakdowns with his aging vehicle, he finally made it to campus and began a six-year journey that would see him play four years of basketball on a scholarship, earn both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA, meet and marry his college sweetheart, and gain entry into a lifelong career with one of the largest agricultural commodities firms in the world.

“When I came to Southeastern in 1970, I knew no one. I had learned, though, that quitting was not an option,” recalled Huss, Southeastern’s 2014 Alumnus of the Year.

Huss was formally recognized at the Alumni Association’s Awards Evening held Oct. 17, the day before Homecoming. During that week, he participated in a variety of activities, including talking to business students and serving as grand marshal in the Homecoming Parade through Hammond and the campus.

Those lessons of perseverance, passion and teamwork he earned playing sports helped him later in life. Finishing Southeastern with a master’s of business administration degree, Huss secured a job with the agricultural firm Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a 31,000-employee, $90 billion company that’s ranked 27th on the Fortune 500 list. Starting as a grain plant manager, over the next 37 years he progressed through various positions with the company until he was appointed to his first vice president’s position in charge of North American processing. Later he was named vice president of transportation and senior vice president of Ag services. His final position before retiring this year was senior vice president, chief risk officer and member of ADM’s Executive Committee, a five-member board responsible for strategic planning for the company.

Recruited to Southeastern to play basketball as a center and forward under new Coach E.W. Foy, Huss carved a niche for himself as a workhorse on a team that won the Gulf South Conference in 1972-73, hosted the Division II South Regionals and came within an overtime loss of making the Final Four.

“That team had chemistry; it was a great group of guys from all socioeconomic backgrounds,” he recalls. “We all graduated, and everyone on that team has been successful.

“I was a pretty aggressive player and actually led the nation in fouls,” he added. “There were players who were much better than me, but nobody played harder. That was one of the life lessons I learned playing sports.”

Huss had known since high school that he wanted to study business in college.

“SLU gave me a good education and was a great place to go to school,” he said. “I was a good student, not a great student, but I

Alumni Honored – Above: As a student at Southeastern in the early 1970s, Alumnus of the Year Craig Huss (No. 53) was a starting forward and center on the Lions’ championship basketball team.

Below: Craig Huss, retired executive with Archer Daniels Midland, was honored as Alumnus of the Year, and James “Jay” Prather was recognized as Young Alumnus of the Year at the 2014 Alumni Awards Evening Oct. 17. Pictured are, from left: President John L. Crain, Prather, Alumni Association Director Kathy Pittman, and Huss.

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Roomie Under the Big Top was the theme of Southeastern’s annual Homecoming parade which rolled through downtown Hammond and Friendship Circle. Following the parade, the Lions defeated Southland Conference foe Central Arkansas 41–24.

always went to class, where you absorb a lot of material.“ He said he realized when he started with ADM the value of his education, remembering and applying many of the principles he learned in the classroom.

“I couldn’t have asked for more from Southeastern. I’ve learned that you get what you want out of education,” he said. “I’m just flabbergasted by this award.”

Others honored Also recognized at the evening event was Southeastern’s Young Alumnus of the Year, James “Jay” Prather III of Ponchatoula, a 2005 graduate with a degree in biology. He is a founding partner of the environmental consulting firm Krebs, LaSalle, Lemieux Envi-

ronmental. Now called ELOS Environmental and based in Hammond, the company provides consulting services covering numerous sectors of the environmental industry, including wetland delineation, remediation and permitting services.

Among the projects he has worked on are preliminary planning on the post-Katrina expansion of U.S. Highway 11, the development of Lakeshore Estates in St. Tammany Parish, and numerous upgrades to the hurricane protection network in Plaquemines Parish.

A native of Killian in Livingston Parish, Prather was elected in 2005 to Killian’s Town Council, serving through the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. During his service, the town dealt with problematic budget deficits, while 4

he obtained grant funding to upgrade the municipal water system and helped establish crisis backup systems to provide drinking water through crises.

Other groups and individuals recognized included: • President’s Loyal Lion Award – to Mayson Foster, outgoing mayor for the City of Hammond.

• Director’s Diamond Award – to David Danel of Hammond, former Alumni Association president and board member, who helped build the Alumni Center.

• L.E. Chandler Award – presented to an individudal who has assisted the university and its student groups. The award went to Brendan Daigle, who works in the university’s office of Multicultural

and International Affairs and who has helped coordinate the activities of the Student Food Pantry.

• Distinguished Service Award – to Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, and the New Orleans Alumni Chapter, celebrating its 50th anniversary. The fraternity served as sponsor of Homecoming 2014.

• Friendship Oak Awards – presented by the Alumni Association to Delta Tau Delta on the occasion of its 45th anniversary; Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity on its 75th anniversary; Sigma Tau Gamma New Orleans Chapter on its 50th anniversary; the School of Nursing on its 50th anniversary; and the Yellow Jackets on their 85th anniversary.

Above: Biology major Katherine Weimer of Thibodaux and and Donovan Thierry, a psychology major from Lake Charles, were elected Southeastern’s queen and king of Homecoming 2014 and recognized at half time of the football game.

Middle: six-year-old Lynn Booth “Lions Up” in the stands during the Homecoming game against the University of Central Arkansas.

Right: Students jump against the Velcro Wall and participated in other activities at Homecoming Week’s Gumbo Ya Ya.

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Campus News FISH RESEARCH BEGINS – Biologist and fish expert Kyle Piller and biology graduate assistant Kim Foster of Shreveport select fish specimens for research from the university’s collection of more than 80,000 specimens.

Biologist awarded $600,000 NSF grant for fish research A Southeastern specialist in the classification of several species of fish has been awarded a grant of $607,800 by the National Science Foundation.

Professor of Biological Sciences and ichthyologist Kyle Piller received the three-year grant to pursue his studies of Cyprinodontiformes, a diverse order of fishes that consists of 10 families and more than 800 species distributed throughout the world.

The grant is one of the largest individual research grants received

by Southeastern. The funds will allow Piller to include two graduate students and several undergraduates in his work.

“This group of fish includes killfishes, guppies and swordtails and is well known among aquarium hobbyists, toxicologists and cancer researchers,” said Piller. “Other groups in the order include the splitfins, or Goodeidae, an imperiled group of freshwater fishes that occur in Mexico and the southwestern United States.”

The splitfins have not been adequately studied, he said, and their relationship with other groups within the order is unclear.

“The lack of a robust family tree has impeded both basic and applied research on the splitfins,” he added. “Resolving the relationships of the families by using DNA within the order has significant implications for furthering our understanding of life-history evolution, their diversification, taxonomy and conservation.”

In addition to graduate and undergraduate students, Piller said he will include a number of international and U.S.-based collaborators.

Specimens and tissue samples will be deposited in research collections in the U.S. and Mexico so they can be used in future studies of these fish.

Piller said the additional specimens will also be added to Southeastern’s Vertebrate Museum, which currently contains a fish collection of more than 80,000 specimens. The collection, started in the 1950s as a teaching aid, includes species from the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and adjacent regions. Piller has also added collections of freshwater fish from Mexico and Belize, where he has performed previous research funded by the National Science Foundation.

Southeastern anticipates nearly $1 million allocation from state’s WISE Fund Southeastern will gain an approximate $1 million allocation for additional teaching personnel, student scholarships and other program support through the state’s newly initiated WISE (Workforce & Innovation for a Stronger Economy) Fund.

The allocation of $965,102 was recently approved by the University of Louisiana System and the State Board of Regents. The funding will be used to enhance efforts in several high demand areas. A total of $40 million was proposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal and approved by the Louisiana Legislature in the 2014 session.

“The WISE allocations have been greatly anticipated by the higher education community in Louisiana, which has experienced significant budget decreases over the past several years,” said President John L. Crain. “This additional resource enhances our ability to meet critical workforce needs in the Louisiana economy.”

Southeastern’s plan proposed to the UL System anticipates spending to boost the numbers of teaching faculty through $467,927,

providing additional merit and need-based scholarships to students in the amount of $450,384, and $46,791 dedicated to operating expenses such as instructional supplies.

Among the departments and programs to benefit from the additional funds are computer science and information technology, accounting and finance, engineering technology, and the occupational safety, health and environment program.

Under the WISE plan, colleges and universities must match 20 percent of the total funding from business partners through cash and in-kind donations.

“Over the years, these programs have increased their partnerships with Louisiana-based businesses, which have contributed funds for academic use and have provided valuable internships for our students to get the real-world experience needed to make them competitive in the job market,” Crain said.

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SPECTROMETER IN USE – Southeastern Professor of Chemistry Debra Dolliver introduces chemistry students Binit Sharma Poudel, left, and Suraj Ayer, both of Nepal, to the operation of the university’s new $274,000 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The equipment was funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Chemistry Program adds new spectrometer Southeastern students and faculty are now utilizing a highly sophisticated nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer in class projects and molecular research.

The $274,000 instrument, funded by the National Science Foundation and installed over the past summer, has become a valuable addition to the program’s equipment arsenal, replacing a much older model donated to the university by an area industrial plant, explained chemistry Professor Debra Dolliver.

“The unit is basically an MRI for molecules,” she said. “We can place a molecule in the magnetic field that’s generated and this allows us to detect a surprising amount of information about the types of bonds and the order of connections between atoms. Compared to the older unit, this one has a higher magnetic field strength and can give us greater detail about the compounds.”

“This new instrument takes us to the state of the art,” said Gerard Blanchard, head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics. “Analytical techniques are getting better, and the new instrument will give more precise information on the samples. This makes faculty and student research easier, faster and opens up new lines of research that were not previously available.”

As part of their research, several Southeastern chemists are involved in making new compounds. The new machine allows scientists to better clarify the compounds and to see the finer structure in the molecules. The instrument will produce high resolution images that are of publication quality.

Undergraduate chemistry students at Southeastern are frequently involved in faculty research projects and will gain valuable experience working with the NMR, experience most often gained as a graduate student at other institutions.

“This allows our students to train on an instrument they will be expected to operate once they graduate and enter the workforce or go to graduate school,” Blanchard added.

Randon crowned Miss Southeastern Emily Randon of Covington, a sophomore kinesiology major, was crowned Miss Southeastern 2015 in a pageant held Nov. 1. She will compete in the Miss Louisiana Pageant in Monroe in June.

Photo by Sara Patrick, The Lion’s Roar

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Education now offering Lekoteck, “Snoezelen®” for special needs children Southeastern officials recently dedicated three play session and sensory rooms in the College of Education, making the university the first in the nation to host both highly specialized facilities.

“Southeastern is proud to offer our community both a Lekotek and a Snoezelen® facility on its campus,” said Cynthia Elliott, head of the Department of Teaching and Learning, which oversees the rooms.

“Lekotek” is Swedish for “play library,” while “Snoezelen®” is adapted from Dutch words meaning to explore and to relax. Both programs will use student teacher candidates to help them gain expertise and hands-on experience in working with children with special needs.

The Lekotek facility is designed to make the world of play accessible to all children, primarily those with disabilities or special needs; the two Snoezelen® rooms are specially designed spaces to encourage relaxation and active exploration by children. Both facilities will be introduced to educators, parents and the general public at the event.

Funding for the facilities was provided through two Louisiana Board of Regents Enhancement Program grants awarded to Associate Professors Colleen Klein-Ezell and Camille Yates, who serve as co-principal investigators for both grants. The Lekotek room was funded through a $112,788 grant, while the Snoezelen® facilities received a $119,976 grant.

“Young children learn and develop through play and exploration,” said Elliott. “Play is innate with all children, but those with disabilities may experience certain roadblocks. We recognize that a student’s abilities, disabilities, hardships and culture can affect their perception of the world and the world around them.”

She said Lekotek uses adapted toys, technology and therapy sessions for families to assist these children in overcoming any barriers they may have to participate in the play experience. Adaptive toys will be provided on loan to participating families.

“Snoezelen® is what is termed a multi-sensory environment (MSE), which provides a calming and interactive environment, as well as an active, exploring experience for children,” explained Klein-Ezell. “The facility is available to all families, especially those with children who have sensory processing disorders, traumatic brain injuries, autism or other special needs.”

Setting the Stage

for Success Graduate thrives in the Big Apple Alumna Emily Stokes has proven a degree from Southeastern can take you anywhere. From a child singing into a hairbrush for family and friends to a grown woman making a living in New York City as a singer, actress and model, Stokes is using her degree as she had always hoped.

Originally from Covington, Stokes began taking private voice lessons from Scharmal Schrock, a former member of the university’s music faculty. When she was ready for college, she said she “could not turn down the opportunity to continue working with her (Schrock).

Because of my previous training, my audition allowed me to attend Southeastern on scholarship.”

Stokes remembers her time at Southeastern fondly and credits the university as a secure place where she could experiment with ideas while learning valuable life lessons before entering her profession.

“Because the music program was smaller, my work led to lead roles in productions and solos in choral concerts,” Stokes said “Without these experiences, I wouldn't be the actress and singer I am today. If I had chosen a larger school, I may have spent much of my time working only in the classroom setting.”

Chuck Effler, director of Southeastern’s Opera/Music Theatre Workshop, remembers Stokes well. “Emily was one of those students who was a joy to work with,” he said. “She was always prepared, always ready to work, and always gave 100 percent in every rehearsal.”

Southeastern offered a variety of classes, as well as experiences, Stokes added. Since she took classes within the honors program and the music department, as well as worked in the math tutoring lab, she had the opportunity to meet a variety of people with various cultural and social backgrounds.

“I continuously interacted with people similar and dissimilar to myself and learned how to communicate, find common ground and create relationships,” she recalled. “I think that alone is such a valuable life skill, and I have Southeastern to thank for that.”

After graduating in 2007 with a bachelor of music degree, Stokes attended graduate school at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she earned a master’s in vocal performance with a secondary emphasis in theatre and dance.

Soon after graduate school, she was hired by a theatre in Atlanta to play Marian in a production of The Music Man. While living in Atlanta, she took courses in theatre and film. She then decided New York would be her next step, where she appears in commercials and short films, provides private vocal and piano lessons, records audio books and works in modeling.

“I can’t say I chose to pursue a career in the arts. Like most people I know in this industry, the career chose me,” she said.

Stokes appears in the Southeastern Opera/Music Theatre Workshop performance of Too Many Sopranos

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COOKIES FOR AFRICA – Southeastern graduate Armelle Kouton shows the cookies she is distributing in her home country, the Republic of Benin in West Africa, to aid in the fight against malnutrition among children.

Cookies for a cure

Southeastern grad attacks malnutrition in her home country

Located between Nigeria and Togo, the Republic of Benin is a small country of about 10 million residents.

Ten years ago, Kouton started a successful business in her country and used the profits to make the nutrient-dense cookies to improve the health of children in her community. Called BB-Nutri, the peanut butter cookies are packed with corn, peanuts and soya flour to give a nutritional boost to children whose parents cannot afford to provide adequate food.

Thousands of children have received BB-Nutri cookies, which are distributed through local pharmacies and health centers. According to Kouton, studies conducted have shown that 72 percent of children have recovered from malnutrition after eating the cookies for two to three weeks.

In addition to her business and humanitarian efforts, Kouton uses her business skills to teach workshops on running an effective business in her country. Her cookie factory currently employs 12 women and eight men.

“My Southeastern MBA has helped me manage my business and given me many opportunities,” she said.

Her work has been recognized from West Africa to Hammond and beyond. This past summer, she was invited to attend the U.S. State Department’s African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program in Washington, D.C., a program that identifies and builds networks of women entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Using a recipe for a nutritious cookie she obtained in Hammond, a Southeastern business graduate is making a personal effort to fight malnutrition in West Africa.

Former international student and 2003 MBA graduate Armelle Kouton is using the cookie recipe she acquired when she attended Southeastern and lived with her host family, Jeanie and Harvey Jones of Hammond.

Upon returning home to the Republic of Benin in West Africa, Kouton began making and distributing the cookies in her home country, where 30 to 40 percent of children under the age of six suffer from malnutrition.

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Keeping In Touth ’65 Joseph L. Cacibauda of Reno, Nev., has retired after 23 years with the Washoe County School District. He now has a book in print, After Laughing Comes the Crying: Sicilian Immigrants on Louisiana Plantations, an historical novel based on family research and records of Sicilians who were recruited to work the plantations of Louisiana. ’67 Dave Marmillion of Terrytown has retired from Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. as vice president of repair after 46 years in the shipyard industry. During his career, he had responsibilities for repair operations at four shipyard facilities at Bollinger. ’67 Michael Mitternight, a Jefferson Parish businessman, has been named chairman of the statewide Louisiana Economic Development Small Business Advisory Council. He is the owner and president of Factory Service Agency, a Metairie business that specializes in commercial air conditioning service and construction. The council advises LED and state officials about issues that affect the competitiveness of small businesses in Louisiana. ’68 Hon. James E. “Jimmy” Kuhn, who has served as a judge on the First Court of Appeal for the past 20 years, has announced his retirement from the court.

After participating in approximately 3,500 decisions on the appeal court, he is looking forward to continuing to teach and be involved with law. ’69 Donald George, professor of music at The Crane School of Music at State University of New York in Potsdam, has co-authored with Lucy Mauro a new book, Master Singers: Advice from the Stage.

To be published shortly by Oxford University Press, the book includes interviews with well-known and celebrated opera singers on the art of singing. ’75 Althea Thompson of Kenner has joined Keller Williams as a real estate agent after working more than 30 years as an environmental technician for Shell Chemicals.

She is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ’75, ’76 Jackie Dale Thomas of Hammond recently began her fourth term as national president of the Gamma Beta Phi Society. She founded the Southeastern chapter and advised it until her retirement in 2012. She is the longest serving president in Gamma Beta history, having served four terms as national president. ’77 BETH CARNEY EBERMAN of Metairie was elected one of four vice presidents serving on the 2014-16 Alpha Sigma Tau National Council. ’79 Sharon Knecht Kline was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame recently in Pearl, Miss. One of only four women inducted into the Hall of Fame, she won 28 titles in track and cross country during a 20-year coaching career at Silliman Institute.

‘81 Karen Coats, Ph.D. has been appointed dean of the graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi. A biologist, she is a native of Springfield and previously served as associate dean of the graduate school at Mississippi State University in Starkville. ’86 Andy Welter, a longtime volunteer coach of Biloxi Youth Sports and former standout pitcher for Southeastern, was named to the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame. He is currently a vice president for Regions Bank in Biloxi.

‘88 Sandra Prats DiPietro has been named senior vice president and chief financial officer of St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. A CPA, she joined the hospital in 1994 as a senior accountant for budget and reimbursement. ’91 Coletta Barrett, vice president for mission at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, received the Franciscan Impact Award from OLOL. The award goes

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to an individual who exemplifies elements of the college’s mission and is active in community service in the Baton Rouge area. ’92 Frank Borne, chief deputy clerk of court with the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court’s Office in Gretna, has written a novel, The Captain and the Queen, a romance set in the inner workings of a Mardi Gras krewe. ’93 Clay Rives of Baton Rouge has been named director of the National Incident Management Systems (NIMSAT) Institute at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. He previously served as associate director for two years and has been instrumental in implementing the National Center for Public-Private Preparedness, an accredited emergency management and homeland security training program. ’93, ’08 Dayne Sherman of Ponchatoula, a reference librarian at Southeastern’s Sims Memorial Library, launched his second novel, Zion, in October. The novel is a mystery based on a true story that takes place in rural south Louisiana. ’00 Shannon Serio has been promoted to assistant vice president of internal audit for Peoples Heath, where she is in charge of operations and financial aspects of the internal audit department. Peoples Health serves about 57,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Southeast Louisiana. ’00 Ken Wells of Houston has been named president of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors.

The founder and owner of Lifeline Strategies, a safety and regulatory management consulting firm serving the oil and gas industry, he is the former president of the Offshore Marine Service Association. ’01 Brett R. Travis, M.D., a diagnostic radiologist, has joined North Oaks Imaging Associates, a radiologic group based at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond.

“I soon found out this wasn’t for me,” said Dugas, who spoke to business students at the College of Business’s Business Perspectives Week during Homecoming this year.

Now vice president of supply chain for Chick-fil-A, a $5.5 billion restaurant chain, Dugas successfully made the transition from the academic world to the world of business.

“What I’ve learned over time is there is a great need for leadership in any business or venture,” he stressed to students and members of the student chapter of the Institute of Supply Chain Management.

He told the students that their time in college is when they should be developing those leadership skills.

In leading the supply chain function for Chick-fil-A, Dugas is responsible for providing supplies for over 1,800 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to joining the company he worked in operations at the unit, market and regional level for companies such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Ruby Tuesday.

In 2011, he completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He currently serves on the advisory board for the National Logistics and Distribution Conference and is an active member of the Council for Supply Chain Management Professionals.

“We frequently invite professionals such as Mr. Dugas to talk to our students,” said Mike Jones, professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management. “They provide our students an inside look into the fields they are studying and offer valuable advice on seeking a place in their prospective careers.”

ALUMNUS OFFERS CAREER ADVICE – Southeastern alumnus Rob Dugas, left, currently in charge of supply chain for the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, talks briefly with student Steven Davis, center, president of the student chapter of the Institute for Supply Management, and Professor of Marketing and Supply Chain Management Mike Jones. Dugas stressed the importance of developing leadership skills while in college.

Logistics expert discusses leadership with Southeastern business students When Rob Dugas graduated with his bachelor’s degree in communication at Southeastern in 1986, he was sure his future career would be in radio. Having worked at KSLU radio, along with classmate and Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts, he accepted a job at Boise State University’s radio station, performing broadcast duties and teaching.

’04, ’06 David Armand, Southeastern instructor of English and author of the novel Harlow, has been named one of Gambit New Orleans’ “40 under 40” for 2014. He also served on a writer’s panel for the Nilsen Visiting Writers Program at Southeast Missouri State University. He anticipates the release of his new novel, The Gorge, early next year. ’07 Jarren “JP” Pierce opened his own fitness gym, named Equip Sports Performance, in New Orleans. A former football player for Southeastern, he has also organized a scouting combine, Just Maximizing Potential, for college recruiters of high school athletes. ’08 Rachel C. Sharpe of New Orleans has published her first novel, Cold Ambition, the first work in the Jordan James PI series, with Soul Mate Publishing of New York.

Book two in the series, Lost Distinction, is set for release later this year.

’09, ’11 Tommie Sorrell, a captain with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Department, has graduated from the 257th session of the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Va. She currently supervises the Criminal Investigation Division of the sheriff’s office. ’10 Chris Mycoskie of McKinney, Tex., has been promoted to the position of assistant commissioner for television and electronic media with the Southland Conference. ’11 Andreanna Jones of Terry, Miss., has been awarded a 3L Merit Scholarship from Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson.

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’12 Larry E. Thomas of Baker has graduated from eight-week basic military training at the Air Force Joint Base in San Antonio, Tex., as an Air Force airman 1st class. ’13 Rebecca Haase, a family nurse practitioner, has joined her husband, physician Dr. Anthony Haase III, in practice at the North Oaks Primary Care Clinic in Independence. ’13 Erin Cowser, Southeastern director of Public and Governmental Affairs, has written a children’s book, Let’s Lion Up with Roomie designed to teach little ones how to Lion Up to show support for Southeastern athletics. The book is available at several shops in the Hammond area.

Athletics

Lions earn football back-to-back championship in Southland Conference when they defeated rival Nicholls State Nov. 30 by a score of 62-3.

During the season, Southeastern was ranked nationally as high as No. 3.

Having won the championship last year and advancing to the third round of the playoffs, Head Coach Ron Roberts said. “We knew we would have the bulls-eye on our back throughout the season, so this one was harder than last year.”

For the second consecutive year, the Southeastern Lions football team claimed the championship of the Southland Conference and earned a berth in the FCS playoffs. With a 9-4 record, the Lions shared the championship with the Sam Houston State. The co-champions met in the first round of the FCS playoffs in Huntsville, Tex., Nov. 29, where Southeastern was defeated 21-17.

The Lions earned their championship and the River Bell trophy

Players named to SLC teams Southeastern senior quarterback and Walter Payton Award candidate Bryan Bennett was named the conference’s player of the year, tying the school career record with 31 rushing touchdowns and 38 passing touchdowns.

Several other Lions were named to the AllSLC first team: offensive lineman Jonathan Braddock, placekicker, Ryan Adams, linebacker Isiah Corbett, and defensive Bennett back Harlan Miller.

Six other players were named to the second team: Devante Scott, Xavier Roberson, Jacob Newman, Denzel Thompson and Tyler Stoddard.

Hall of Famers inducted Two former student-athletes were elected to the Athletics Hall of Fame on Nov. 8. The newest inductees are former baseball pitcher and current Boston Red Sox Wade Miley and the all-time winningest women’s tennis player in school history Emilija Arnaudovska. Miley, a Loranger native, is in this third season with the Diamondbacks. Arnaudovksa was one of only two student-athletes in school history to be named Athlete of the Year in consecutive years. She was a four-time first team All-Conference and All-Louisiana selection. Pictured are, from left, President John L. Crain, Miley, Arnaudovksa, and Athletics Director Jay Artigues.

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Lagniappe Association announces fall election results

Join Southeastern alumni and friends for

A TASTE OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC The Southeastern Alumni Association, in cooperation with Collette Travel, will sponsor a trip Feb. 1–13, 2016, offering A Taste of the South Pacific. The 13-day trip will start in Cairns, Australia, considered the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions, the Great Barrier Reef, where you can take a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion. You’ll visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to meet Australia’s original inhabitants, see the traditional dances, learn how to play a didgeridoo or even throw a boomerang. It’s then on to Sydney for several days and visits to many of its fascinating sites. The trip concludes with several days in Fiji, where you can savor the island lifestyle, enjoy adventurous activities, journey into Nadi’s scenic hinterland to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, and visit Viseisei Village, the legendary landing site of the first Fijians.

By joining with your Southeastern friends, you’ll benefit from special reduced fares.

Don’t wait, though; space is booking up for this exciting trip.

For more information, contact Collette at 800-581-8942 and refer to booking #655744.

The official Southeastern ring and pendant

Panepinto elected mayor of Hammond Pete Panepinto (’93) of Hammond, a member of the board of directors of the Alumni Association, was elected the new mayor of Hammond in the November elections. Most recently, he served as the city’s Director or Administration. He is president of the Tangipahoa Parish Homebuilders Association and a member of the Hammond Industrial Development Board.

Sig Tau honors Pittman

Order yours today.

1-866-Balfour or balfourcollege.com

Daryl Ferrara (’92) of Hammond was elected president of the Southeastern Alumni Association in the Association's fall election.

He holds a degree in marketing and is a vice president of Whitney National Bank. Other officers elected were Josie Crapanzano Mercante (’69, ’74) of Hammond, president-elect; Sally Carlisle (’02) of Hammond, secretary; and Randy Vicknair (’04, ’07) of Hammond, treasurer.

Serving on the board are Brian Babin (’09), St. Amant; Beth Carney Ebberman (’77), New Orleans; Terri Blackwell LeBlanc (’79), Baton Rouge; Jennifer Seal Haik (’91, ’93), Franklinton; Karen Mack Hoyt (’91, ’97), Albany; Jan Tedder Labbe (’75, ’91), Hammond; Ricky Masaracchia (’84), Hammond; Pete Panepinto (’93), Hammond; Robert Showers (’86), Independence; and Kim Soape Walker (’99), Hammond.

Pennington Center: discounted massages Now is the best time for alumni to sign up at Southeastern’s state-of-the-art fitness center!

Visit the Pennington Student Activity Center or call the Membership Desk at 985-549-5734.

Alumni Association Director Kathy Pittman was honored

by Sigma Tau Gamma's Phi Chapter and the New Orleans Alumni Chapter with an Honorary White Rose for her work in supporting the chapter’s 75th and 50th anniversaries respectively. She was the organizations’ first recipient of the Honorary White Rose.

Alumni Center now available for rentals Call 985-549-2150 for information.

Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association 500 West University Avenue Hammond, LA 70401 southeastern.edu

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