2018-2019 Southeastern Foundation Annual Impact Report

2 0 1 8 / 1 9 S O U T H E A S T E R N F O U N D AT I O N

Annual Impact R E PO R T

A Message FROM THE PRESIDENT

The current state of Southeastern is strong; our trajectory is upward, and our progress is positive. In the past year we have grown our freshman class, increased its academic profile, witnessed some of the best academic performances in our history from our student athletes, and been noted in several academic and collegiate rankings—including top 30 EMBA in the nation, top 50 online Criminal Justice program in the nation, and top Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Louisiana. These and other accomplishments and accolades help confirm that Southeastern is on the right path.

The Southeastern family—current students, faculty and staff, as well as alumni, friends and supporters—have much of which to be proud. Through our cumulative efforts, our university is fulfilling its purpose, impacting the lives of thousands of students every year by providing a caring personal environment, while offering each student an excellent academic experience that is second to none.

The famous Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” This Annual Impact Report provides a great opportunity to look back, review accomplishments and reflect on the important impact of our work on the success of our students.

Clearly, your support, and that of other benefactors of the Southeastern Foundation, is making a difference in the lives of our students. But as the quote above points out, life is lived forward. While our past successes help us understand the importance of our work and serve as examples of specific actions that support it, there is always more to do in the future.

You are a part of a Southeastern Family that extends all the way back to our first days in 1925 and forward as far as we can see. Your help ensures that the future of the university, especially the future of our students for generations to come, will continue to be bright.

Sincerely, John L. Crain

2019 FOUNDATION BOARD Top row, from left: Randy Moffett, Jared Riecke, Tom Akers ‘73, Investment Committee Co-Chair Tony Volz, Toby Cortez ‘98, Wallace Lewis ‘76, Barry “Beezie” Landry ‘00, Investment Committee Co-Chair Stan Dameron Middle row, from left: Real Estate Committee Chair Mike Sharp ‘70, Jack Gautier, Philanthropy Committee Chair Helen Dufreche ’01, Terry LeBlanc ‘79, Marcus Naquin ‘87, Marcia Galatas ‘79, Board Treasurer Robert Watkins ‘75, Johnathon Wong, Board Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect Bill Kingsmill ‘76 Bottom row, from left: Shelby LaSalle, Board Chair Dawn Cantrell, ‘84 Not pictured: Board Secretary Marcia Barr ‘72, Troy Broussard ‘05, Past Board Chair Barry Brown ‘79, Rodney LeBlanc ‘69, Governance Committee Chair Cynthia Nesser ‘89, John Poteet

A Message FROM THE CHAIR Thank you for your continued support of Southeastern. Your generosity benefits the University and the students it serves.

As students graduate and move on from their college days to a future that is wide open with possibility, it makes me proud to be a part of something that goes far beyond just me. I hope you feel the same way. We are helping build futures.

This past fiscal year was yet another strong one for both the Foundation and the University. The Foundation has been working diligently to make sure success continues. As you will see, the endowment yet again has grown, putting us on a strong foundation that ensures University support for years to come. Overall fundraising also shows positive momentum, and we continue to have a true impact through our efforts. The Foundation has pursued funding for new facilities that will continue to evolve campus into a cutting-edge place that is responsive to the needs of students, both present and future. This spring we had the best Chefs Evening ever, generating nearly $125,000 that will directly support the University. All signs are pointing in the right direction.

As I began my tenure last year, I hoped to focus on three areas: 1. Fundraising and advocacy for the University 2. Engagement with and support to the University 3. The Foundation Board’s operational effectiveness and service to the University I am happy to tell you that we have been working on these initiatives and are already seeing positive results.

As a student here years ago, I am sure my experience was no different than yours. I was welcomed with open arms, made life-long friends and experienced a supportive faculty that gave me personalized, caring attention. Students today have the same experience. Southeastern has maintained its focus on students first and offers a high quality education in a personalized environment. The support you give through the efforts of the Foundation helps preserve and grow that unique and special environment.

I ask you to continue to help us raise the bar of giving and support. We each play a key role in helping Southeastern be the best university it can be. Your support makes a difference and has an impact.

Sincerely, Dawn Cantrell ’84

MAKING A

DIFFERENCE

Just as each individual student is unique, each stage of a student’s academic journey has its own particular characteristics and needs. The Southeastern Foundation is proud to provide support all along the way.

As a partner with the Division of University Advancement, the Foundation takes an active role in engaging and building relationships with donors, supporters, and businesses; implementing fundraising efforts; bolstering Southeastern’s brand and identity; and much more for one ultimate goal—to strengthen the University and the success of its students.

From scholarships and hands-on learning opportunities to program and facility enhancements, students benefit from these efforts every day and at each stage of their academic career. They are able to experience a quality education that allows them to grow both personally and academically, preparing them for futures with unlimited potential. As a friend of the Foundation, your support is what makes this possible.

This Impact Report contains a few of the personal stories of students who have forever been positively effected. Please take a few minutes to share in their stories and explore just a sampling of the powerful opportunities that the Foundation and you have helped bring to life.

ENSURING AFFORDABILITY THROUGH GENEROSITY

For many students, the costs associated with attending college can make the idea of fully achieving their academic goals seem daunting. Scholarships can help break down that barrier. For junior accounting student Prince Gurung, the Charles and Patricia O’Drobinak Excellence in Accounting Scholarship did just that. Prince was able to not only concentrate more on his studies, but he was also able to pursue his dream of earning a concurrent degree in finance.

“I had always wanted a dual degree in accounting and finance,” said Prince. “Yet, I was hesitant to take on a second major due to financial constraints. The O’Drobinak scholarship changed that and has allowed me to work toward earning this second degree. This has meant a great deal to me. I am acquiring more knowledge and experience from the additional classes, and perhaps, even more importantly, it will expand and strengthen my career options in the future. I am very grateful for the opportunities it has helped give me.”

Prince, originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, is dedicated to his studies and achieving his career goals, but he also takes time to give back to Southeastern. Along with maintaining excellent grades, he is a College of Business Ambassador and an active member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, the Student Government Association, and the Student Conduct Hearing Board.

The scholarship, made possible by former Southeastern accounting student and 1997 Alumnus of the Year Charles O’Drobinak, has provided Prince with the support he needed to achieve his goal of earning a dual degree in accounting and finance, giving him a solid foundation for a path to success.

THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

Communications major Raychelle Riley rounded out her 2018-2019 school year with a summer internship for Good Morning America (GMA) in New York City. Raychelle served as an intern for Southeastern alumna and award-winning television journalist and news anchor Robin Roberts.

Robin and the Southeastern Foundation joined together to help make this outstanding, hands-on learning experience possible. Recognizing the high caliber of Southeastern’s students and the supportive, quality education that they receive, Robin began a recurring internship in which her personal intern each summer will be a Southeastern student. The Southeastern Foundation provided a grant to help with living expenses in order to help make this phenomenal educational opportunity a reality.

During her internship, Raychelle was able to gain insight into top-ranking television news production and broadcast journalism while working with some of the best in the field. In addition to receiving mentoring, she acquired unparalleled, first-hand experience while performing a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in various types of segments for this awardwinning television broadcast.

“My internship at GMA was both personally and academically enriching. The fast-paced, hands-on environment combined with the opportunity to learn directly from some of our country’s most talented, successful professionals—including my role model Robin Roberts— has helped prepare me to confidently hit the ground running in both my classes and career. It has opened new doors for me, and it was an unforgettable learning experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life.”

Thanks to the support provided by the Southeastern Foundation and its close ties with Robin, Raychelle was able to get a jump-start on a successful career by acquiring knowledge, networking contacts, and practical experience in her chosen field at the highest possible level.

SENIOR PROJECTS BUILT ON PARTNERSHIPS

Support comes to Southeastern’s students in many ways. A growing area of support is coming from industry and companies in the private sector that view their efforts as both altruistic and wise investing. This kind of support ensures that students in key fields are prepared to enter the workforce at a level the companies need, ready to make an impact from day one of employment.

“We are seeing more interest from companies in key industries that see the needs they have both now and in the future. These partnerships help Southeastern, its students and the company,” said Mohammed Saadeh, department head for Industrial and Engineering Technology. “Intralox, a global conveyor system company headquartered here in Louisiana, has become one of these great partners.”

Intralox donates supplies for senior projects in the Industrial Technology program.

Zachary Kamm is a senior working with a team of two other students, Alex Mills and Monroe McCarty, on a project to study and suppress vibrations. “Our project is a Vibration Analyzation System. This can have a great deal of implications on vibration suppression in equipment, machinery and surroundings. Once the project is fully assembled we will be able to perform multiple experiments on it to find things such as the natural frequency of the system, as well as the theoretical values of a separate mass and spring constant that would attach underneath our cage to eliminate the vibrations,” explained Kamm.

The project and the experience these students will receive from this level of hands-on learning will be invaluable. Kamm stated, “If it wasn't for Intralox’s financial support we wouldn't be able to build this project at all.”

“Our manufacturing business requires employees with strong academic and practice knowledge of the many mechanical, electrical, computer control, and logic systems we utilize daily. Providing Southeastern with resources to connect classroom learning with hands-on application along with being able to align courses that are relevant to our business through participation in their advisory board helps meet our current and future needs. Our Southeastern graduates have been instrumental to our ongoing success.” said Chris Verdigets, Intralox Hammond Manager.

HELPING WOMEN ATHLETES REACH THE FINISH LINE

Addie Shafer was looking for an opportunity to continue competing while she finished her degree. The Hammond native javelin thrower had started her college career at another university, but she was interested in transferring to Southeastern to work with the great coaching staff and athletic program she came to know. Transferring in her junior year, she began to immediately make an impact on the women’s track and field team with numerous tournament placements.

Many athletes attend college with partial or full scholarships.

Those scholarships are only in place for a limited number of years. Because of the intense schedules of class, practice, working-out, studying and competing, student-athletes often require more than four years to graduate. Many athletes will leave school after scholarships run out.

Five years ago, Dr. Nancy Joyner, a 1967 Southeastern graduate and college administrator with a passion for students and women’s sports, decided to do something to help. “I knew the struggle it could be to continue a college career after the athletic scholarship ends,” said Joyner. So she endowed a scholarship she named “Reach for the Finish Line” that would be awarded to female athletes in their fifth year of college. “I wanted to help a fifth year student-athlete “reach the finish line” of attaining a college degree.”

Addie was one of those recipients. “Not only was I able to compete for one more year, but it made a huge difference in my life. Many positive outcomes started when I received this scholarship. Dr. Joyner’s generosity has made a difference, and I was so honored to receive her scholarship,” said Shafer, who graduated with a bachelor’s of science in health and physical education for grades K–12. She now teaches in Livingston Parish.

Success stories often start with the kindness of one person who wants to make a difference. According to the NCAA, less than two percent of student-athletes make a career out of their sport, the rest depend on their academic degree for their future. Dr. Joyner has ensured that each year at least one more student-athlete will succeed.

A COLLEGE EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Students with intellectual disabilities often face few educational and training options after high school. Lions Connected was developed at Southeastern to provide these young adults with an inclusive college experience while preparing them to become contributing members of society—and it would not have been possible without the generosity of a donation from the Adam Danos family.

The program has its own special courses, combined with college level courses, which focus on “learning by doing.” Students prepare for a career and life beyond school while working directly with a mentor and through inclusive university classes and activities. This program gives students with intellectual disabilities a robust and meaningful college experience to prepare them for the future they choose.

“Lions Connected is all about helping students that would otherwise have few post high-school options to take their next step in life, but in an inclusive environment that encourages intellectual development, socialization, job training and life skills. This program has been so beneficial for our students,” said Dr. Gerlinde Beckers, associate professor in the College of Education and the program’s director. “And it would not have been possible without the generosity of the Adam Danos family. Their kindness has had a direct impact on the lives of these students. What a great legacy they have created.”

With the commitment of Southeastern, the Danos family, faculty, mentors and others, Lions Connected has been a great success that will only continue. Just recently the program received national recognition as an “Exemplary Program” in the area of Vocational Training and Transition from the American Council on Rural Special Education. But even more importantly, the future of each participant is enhanced on a personal level through greater confidence and opportunities. In its four years, 18 students have experienced this benefit so far.

Theresa Danos, parent of former Lions Connected student Adam Danos, said, “Adam is on the autism spectrum and although he functions at a very high level, he would not have been successful attending a traditional college program; however, he really expressed a desire to attend college, and the program provided him with this avenue. We are thrilled!” She added, “So many individuals with learning issues end up unemployed. Having these students leave with job skills and experience will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

Lions Connected reaches a population outside of the traditional student and expands the number of lives impacted because of the generosity of Adam Danos and his family.

$2 20 3, 09– 65 2 1,9 010 50 $2 201 7,1 0– 40 20 ,3 11 70 $2 20 8, 11 34 –2 3, 01 52 2 6 $3 20 0, 12– 51 2 5,0 01 5 3 $3 20 0 4, 13– 21 2 8, 01 45 4 $3 20 3 5, 14– 51 2 0, 01 95 5 4 $3 20 6, 15– 61 2 8, 01 82 6 $4 20 8 9,7 16 78 –20 ,3 17 9 $5 20 6 2,6 17 06 –20 ,7 18 95

10 Year Endowment Value 2009 – 2019

$60,000,000

$50,000,000

$40,000,000

$30,000,000

$20,000,000

$54,965,962

132

Growth over ten years

% %

Growth from FY 2017-18 to 2018-19

4

2018–2019

Financial Support

PROVIDED TO THE UNIVERSITY 18/19

8.8%

Campus Construction and Improvement $239,558

29.1%

Student support $794,765

16.5%

University support $450,848

27.5%

Program/Academic support $750,055

18.1%

Outreach $495,432

Endowments

65 15 451 22.4

%

Endowed Professors and Chairs

Endowed First Generation Scholarships

Endowed Scholarships and Programs

Endowment growth over five years

Revenue

Sources OF REVENUE

EARNED

RAISED

Net investment income $2,522,227

Donations $2,067,041

48% 7%

Administrative fee – Endowments $370,504

39% 5%

Special events $239,314

1%

Royalties $71,044

16%

34%

University support $495,432

Colleges/Department support $1,085,403

14%

29%

Administrative expenses $431,335

Scholarships $910,265

7%

Campus Improvements $239,558

Uses

OF REVENUE

Statement of Assets

2018 2019

Cash

$200,570

$105,219

Accounts Receivables

$210,451

$62,254

Unconditional Promises to Give, Net

$65,355

$38,155

Prepaid Expenses

$7,641

$16,574

Investments

$58,346,660

$61,694,899

Donated Land

$1,635,630

$ 1,821,630

Total Assets

$60,466,307

$63,738,731

FOUNDATION SLU 10293 • Hammond, La 70402 985-549-2239 southeasternfoundation.org