SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE FALL / WINTER 2023
19 A NEW ERA OF LEADERSHIP
President William S. Wainwright is boldly leading the University into its next 100 years.
26 THE WRITE BUSINESS
Two alumni have created a thriving business while also bringing a love for reading to others.
38 TAKING A BITE OUT OF LIFE
The success of former student and Vampire Academy star Jonetta Kaiser stretches far beyond the screen.
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY FA LL/WINTER
2023
MAGAZ I N E P RESI D EN T
Dr. William S. Wainwright PROVOST & VI C E P R E S I D E NT F O R AC AD E M I C A F FA I RS
Dr. Tena L. Golding V ICE PRE S I D E N T F O R AD MI N I S TR ATI ON & F I N A N C E
Sam Domiano V ICE PR E S I D E N T F O R U N I VE R S I TY ADVA N C EM EN T
Wendy Lauderdale, CFRE
See Yourself?, pg. 48-49
VI C E P R E S I D E N T F O R S TU D EN T A F FA I RS
Dr. Eric Summers S E NI O R D I R EC TO R , U N I V ERSI T Y MAR K E TI NG AN D CO MM U N I C AT I O N S
Mike Rivault E D ITO R I N C H I EF
Sheri Gibson P H OTO GRA P H Y
Randy Bergeron CO N T RI B U TO RS
Calmer Dighton, Tonya Lowentritt, Aleigh Sanders, Brock Sanders
Submissions: Southeastern Magazine welcomes photographs, alumni news, story suggestions, and letters of 300 or fewer words. Items may be used for publication unless the author requests otherwise and are subject to editing. Send submissions to Editor, Southeastern Magazine, Office of University Marketing and Communications, SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402 or editor@southeastern.edu. Southeastern Magazine Online: Visit southeasternmagazine.blog to view and share the stories in this magazine or explore past issues. Printing and distribution for the Southeastern Magazine is provided by the Southeastern Foundation—southeasternfoundation.org.
COV ER P H OTO : Dr. William S. Wainwright has taken the helm as Southeastern’s 15th president.
Contents. 19 26 33 38 A NEW ERA OF LEADERSHIP
With a bold vision for Southeastern’s future, Dr. William S. Wainwright is now at work as Southeastern’s 15th president.
42 GIVING BACK
By giving to others, one member of the Southeastern community has also created a renewed purpose for herself.
THE WRITE BUSINESS
CATCHING A DREAM
Southeastern alumni are following their passion for books while achieving entrepreneurial success.
Alumnus Billy Andrews forges a path from Strawberry Stadium to one of the NFL’s most historic moments.
TAKING A BITE OUT OF LIFE
Former student Jonetta Kaiser is achieving epic success as an actress, while also embodying the entrepreneurial spirit.
president’s message
&
Alumni, Friends, Supporters,
I’ve always known what a special place Southeastern is, and my first few months as president have only reinforced that knowledge. While the beauty of our campus is something to be proud of, our uniqueness goes deeper. From the studentcentered and caring culture to the passion for mission and excellence, it is obvious that it’s our people—including you— who truly help set Southeastern apart and make the University what it is. Our schoolyear is off to a very strong start, and I’m excited to report that the path ahead is even brighter. Fall 2023 enrollment is up from last year in most student categories, and, importantly, we have seen progress by increases in our student retention. Our residence halls are full, which is back to the pre-COVID-19 norm. And numerous campus enhancements, including to dining, expansion and renovation of D Vickers Hall to include the Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center, renovation of The Inn, and new athletic and athletic training facilities, are well underway, with even more improvements being planned for the future. Our academic programs are also expanding to meet the continually evolving needs of both students and our world, with recent additions including a fully online MBA program with a technology focus and an accelerated nursing degree program available in Covington, LA, in partnership with St. Tammany Health System. The accomplishments of those within our Southeastern family, including alumni and friends as well as students, faculty, and staff, continue to impress me. I’m excited to share this issue of the Southeastern Magazine with you, giving you a glimpse at 2
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some of their intriguing stories and recent achievements, as well as more news from throughout the University. As you will see in the following pages, Lions are leaving a positive impact on others and the world around them every day. And most of their stories start at the same place: here at Southeastern. I’m filled with a deep pride in our University when I hear stories of students and other members of our community going on to lead extraordinary lives that set an example to others after being challenged, mentored, and inspired at Southeastern. As you will also see in this issue, and each one through our Centennial in 2025, this legacy of impact is not new—it’s become a distinctly ingrained characteristic. Southeastern has undergone sweeping changes throughout it’s nearly 100 years, but the ambitious and innovative spirit of its people continues unwaveringly. Please enjoy these stories of where we are now, where we’ve come from, and what still lies ahead. When you are done with this copy, I invite you to be an advocate for our University by passing it on to someone else. Thank you for taking the time to explore our stories and stay connected with Southeastern, and I can’t wait to share with you all the amazing things that are still to come.
Dr. William S. Wainwright PRESIDENT
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out & about
Carrington Wynn
get there
INTO REVOLUTIONIZING TECHNOLOGY Carrington Wynn was hooked on coding from the moment she took her first computer science class. Recognizing technology as one of the most powerful and quickly changing forces in the world, she knew she wanted to one day make her mark by influencing it in a positive way for people and society. With a love for the field and an entrepreneurial drive, she is now one step closer to achieving this mission — and to her dream career of building and running her own tech firm.
Carrington’s action plan
Get to know others with similar interests by joining an Honors Living Learning Community. Become a master of time management and hit the books to earn a 4.0 GPA. Stay active and shake off any stress as a member of the Flipside dance group. Learn to lead as an officer in the Association for Computing Machinery—Women.
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social media
Create a ROAR BRINGING THE GREEN AND GOLD TO SOCIAL MEDIA
slu_lionsconnected Proud doesn't even begin to cover it! We are so happy to have spent the past few years watching the four of you grow together. #Lion4life
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samalvarez823 This handsome boy helped me get my books for my FINAL semester! Lion Up! southeastern_sga Outgoing SGA officers celebrated Dr. Crain's retirement at his residence. Thank you for your years of service! We wish you nothing but the best.
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news in learning
Home to Louisiana’s POET LAUREATE Southeastern writer-in-residence Alison Pelegrin is the 20232025 Poet Laureate for Louisiana. Pelegrin assumed the post on August 14 and will serve for two years. “The Poet Laureate acts as Louisiana’s literary ambassador, and Alison’s long record of teaching, sharing, and producing poetry that engages readers makes her a perfect fit as the preeminent poet of our state,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “Her work is both beautifully crafted and appeals to a broad range of readers, and it will undoubtedly help elevate poetry in the public consciousness. She has been celebrated both statewide and nationally for good reason. Congratulations to Alison on this welldeserved honor.” Pelegrin, a Covington resident, is the author of Our Lady of Bewilderment (2022); Waterlines (2016); Hurricane Party (2011); and Big Muddy River of Stars (2007), which was the winner of the 2006 Akron Poetry Prize. Her chapbook Our Lady of the Flood won the Diode 2018 chapbook prize and an Eric Hoffer Award.
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Pelegrin is the recipient of a literature fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and an ATLAS Grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents. Her work has appeared in Bennington Review, The Southern Review, and Ninth Letter, and as printable broadsides at Broadsided. As Louisiana Poet Laureate, Pelegrin will travel the state encouraging fellow Louisianans to explore and engage with poetry. The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is charged with overseeing the Poet Laureate process. According to selection guidelines, nominees must have published works in books, anthologies, literary journals, or magazines. In addition, the selection committee must seek information from the general public and the literary community. The committee must select nominees who reflect the diverse cultures and heritage of Louisiana.
Introducing a New ONLINE MBA DEGREE
Southeastern now offers the Master of Business Administration – MITech (Managing Innovation and Technology) degree, a new 100 percent online program offered through a partnership between the College of Business and the College of Science and Technology. Dean of the College of Business Tará Lopez said the faculty from both colleges brought together their expertise to build a program that prepares its students to be at the forefront of innovation. “This program addresses a critical skills gap among organizational leaders today,” she said. “Modern leaders must not only have business and interpersonal skills, but they must also have technology literacy to successfully help their companies navigate the future.” In addition to traditional MBA courses in accounting, marketing, management, finance, economics, and statistics, students will take courses such as cybersecurity policy and infrastructure and managing the software project life cycle.
The courses are taught by the same faculty who teach in the University’s other programs, which means they share Southeastern’s values of excellence and caring, Lopez explained. “Students can expect smaller class sizes than many online MBA programs and a highly engaged faculty,” she said. “Coursework can be completed in as little as one year, and courses are offered in an accelerated eight-week format with multiple start times—August, October, January, March and June—to make it convenient for students to start without having to wait on traditional semesters.” The program will equip students with the skills to add value to their organization’s digital transformation strategy, Lopez added. For more information about the program, email mba@southeastern.edu, call 985-549-2146, or visit southeastern.edu.
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Launching a New Accelerated Nursing Degree Program IN ST. TAMMANY PARISH In an effort to address the critical need for nurses in St. Tammany Parish, St. Tammany Health System and Southeastern’s School of Nursing have partnered to establish an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree program tailored specifically for Northshore residents. The Northshore-based program will be housed in two places—primarily at the St. Tammany Academic Center, strategically located near St. Tammany Health System’s flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, with additional classes at Southeastern. The program is open to students with non-nursing bachelor degrees, allowing them to earn a BSN in just 18 months. Beyond hands-on learning opportunities, the ABSN degree offers extensive preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination. “Through this academic partnership with Southeastern, we hope to broaden the opportunities for individuals— especially our Northshore neighbors— who want to explore a nursing
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career path through building on the degrees they have already earned,” said President and CEO of St. Tammany Health System Joan Coffman. “We see it as opening a new door for another valuable workforce population, and we hope potential students see it this way as well.” “We want to expand access to nursing education in St. Tammany, with the goal of increasing the number of nurses in our community to meet the growing demand for qualified, caring nurses in healthcare today,” added Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of St. Tammany Health System Kerry Milton. “This partnership builds on what we already have—nursing colleagues who set the standard for nursing care in the region. We look forward to welcoming future colleagues who want to join our spectacular team.” Bronwyn Doyle, the health system’s assistant vice president of workforce strategy, underscored the program’s commitment to nurturing local talent by providing ABSN students with early opportunities to apply for academic scholarships and nursing positions within the health system, explaining that program graduates would be given priority consideration. Southeastern Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Ann Carruth stressed the importance of preparing students for today’s competitive job market. “By forging meaningful connections with healthcare institutions, we can bridge the gap between evidence and practice, ensuring students receive an exceptional education and valuable clinical experience,” she said. As part of the partnership, St. Tammany Health System will offer nursing students critical clinical training at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, eliminating a common barrier nursing programs encounter when seeking experience for students. Through this partnership, we hope to cultivate a shared vision of compassionate, patient-centered care, where nurses play a vital role in improving health outcomes and advancing the overall quality of healthcare delivery in our communities,” added Lindsay Domiano, department head of Southeastern’s School of Nursing. Students interested in the program can apply online through southeastern.edu/admissions. Scholarships from St. Tammany Health System are available. Southeastern will launch the program’s first courses at the Academic Center in Covington beginning in January 2024.
“Our staff has committed itself to not only student growth, but also professional growth,” said Southeastern Lab School Principal Stephen Labbe. “Our Cognia accreditation shows the hard work of our teachers, our students, and our school community. Also, the feedback we received from the review will help us to continue to grow in all areas of our school.”
Laboratory School ACCREDITED BY COGNIA Southeastern Laboratory School recently announced that it has earned accreditation by Cognia™, a non-profit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.
To earn Cognia accreditation, a school district also must implement a continuous process of improvement and submit to internal and external review. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a five-year term.
Formerly AdvancED, Cognia nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school meets the upmost standards of quality and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.
“Cognia accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish,” said President and CEO of Cognia Mark A. Elgart. “Southeastern Laboratory School is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards and is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”
“School accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides the Southeastern Lab School a nationally recognized mark of quality for the school,” said Dean of the College of Education Paula Calderon. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”
Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.
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The Lions Roar Wins 13 LOUISIANA PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARDS
The student staff of The Lion’s Roar, Southeastern’s studentrun digital news outlet, received 13 awards from the 2022 Louisiana Press Association Better Newspaper Competition.
Awards included second place for Best Overall Website and Best Breaking News Story; first place for Best Sports Story, Best Feature Photo, and Best Headline; and more.
“Having the work of the staff be acknowledged by such a long-standing institution like the Louisiana Press Association is a source of pride,” said Coordinator for Student Publications Lorraine Peppo. “The Lion’s Roar staff work hard to provide quality news and information to the Southeastern and surrounding communities. To have their efforts recognized in this way is invaluable for their continued success as student journalists and Southeastern students.”
Thirty LPA member publications and college and university student newspapers submitted 830 entries for the Better Newspaper Competition. The MDDC Press Association, representing Maryland, Delaware and the DC area, judged the competition.
Alumna Selected as NEW TEACHER OF THE YEAR Southeastern alumna Phoenix LeBlanc (’22) of Denham Springs has been selected as the Louisiana New Teacher of the Year by the Louisiana Department of Education. LeBlanc, who teaches at Albany Middle School, was one of only nine finalists selected from across the state. This is the second year of the state’s New Teacher of the Year program, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of first-year classroom teachers. LeBlanc received a bachelor of science degree in biology with a concentration in education from Southeastern, and she strives to engage students in the practice of science through utilizing meaningful real-world phenomena that students investigate both inside and outside the classroom. 10
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In addition to her teaching duties, LeBlanc also serves as the head cheerleading coach and is a sponsor of the Science Club. The club focuses on exploring various fields of science and improving the community. Along with the other eight New Teacher of the Year finalists, LeBlanc will serve as a New Teacher Advisor for the New Teacher Experience.
President’s Awards FOR EXCELLENCE Each year the University's most prestigious honor, the President's Award for Excellence, is bestowed to faculty and staff excelling in the areas of research, teaching, faculty service, and staff service. This year’s winners are Jeffrey Bell, Gerard Blanchard, Cherissa Vitter, and Ron Abel.
Jeffrey Bell EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH Professor of Philosophy Jeffrey Bell, a 29-year employee of Southeastern, first won Excellence in Research in 2010. Since then, his research has begun to have a substantial influence on philosophy. In particular, he says, his most important contribution in philosophy has been the work he has written that details the need for overcoming the divisions in the field between analytic and continental philosophy.
Gerard Blanchard EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING Beginning at Southeastern in 1998, Gerard Blanchard says his teaching career has been one of continual growth. Once he was exposed to the concepts of active learning and self-correcting materials, he decided to apply those to his courses. Since 2018, he has been providing realworld geophysics experiments to students as co-curricular activities through Project ROOMIE (Remote Observations of Many Interesting Events).
Cherissa Vitter EXCELLENCE IN FACULTY SERVICE Cherissa Vitter, an assistant professor of IB education, has been a faculty member since 2015. She is responsible for coordinating the International Education Programme and teaching courses leading to the IB Educator Certificate in Teaching and Learning. Vitter also fosters communication between the University and the IB Organization, completes reviews of online courses, and researches experiential learning online as part of the EL Leadership Team.
Ron Abel EXCELLENCE IN STAFF SERVICE Ron Abel has been at Southeastern for 32 years in various capacities, all of which were through grant monies that have come to campus as a result of his grant writing efforts. He has served thousands of students for the past 25 years through TRIO, established the Tangipahoa Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, and is also very active in several organizations.
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SERVING CHILDREN Through CHAMP Camp
The Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies held their second annual CHAMP (Camp for Health Activity and Motor Skill Promotion) Camp this past summer. This burgeoning program serves local children ages 6 through 12 with autism spectrum disorder and language, learning, mild intellectual, and physical disabilities, allowing participants to have a summer day camp experience in an educational, nurturing, and supportive format. Campers learn about healthy nutritional choices and participate in fun, physical activity opportunities, including sport skills, recreational activities, games, and special surprise events such as visits from Roomie. The department has partnered with community businesses and organizations to help make the camp a success, including Downtown Yoga and Chappapeela Sports Park, and hopes to
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continue to extend and strengthen these area partnerships for future camps, providing the community with a way to directly get involved and give back. Participants are also able to enjoy access to University facilities, such as The REC and the kinesiology pool, through campus-wide partnerships. The program is also part of an adaptive physical education course practicum, with Southeastern students majoring in physical education or seeking an APE add-on to their teacher credentials helping to directly run the camp and mentor the young participants. For more information on becoming a partner or enrolling your child, contact the program’s director at kristen.morgan@southeastern.edu.
Giving Day Receives RECORD-BREAKING SUPPORT Southeastern Giving Day, the University’s annual 24-hour giving campaign that inspires all supporters of Southeastern to come together, show their Lion Pride, and provide essential funding to programs across the University, was held September 13. Organized by the Southeastern Foundation, the 2023 Giving Day achieved both more participants and more funds raised than the 2022 event, itself a record-setting year.
This year’s event allowed donors to select an individual college, department, organization, or project important to them, directly giving back to the areas toward which they feel most passionate. For more information, contact the Southeastern Foundation at 985.549.2239 or advancement@southeastern.org.
“We are appreciative of the remarkable outpouring of support during this year’s Giving Day, and we are grateful for the support of our Premier Sponsor Parker Layrisson Injury Attorneys,” said Assistant Director of Donor Engagement Karley Fontenot. “Well over 1,900 individuals, a 30.3 percent increase since last year, voiced their commitment to ensuring the continued success of our University, our students, and our community. Together we have raised over $360,000, a 19.4 percent increase since last year, and we are excited to see the level of positive impact it will make.”
A NEW LIFE for The Inn
The Inn, which in the past has provided temporary housing for faculty in residence and originally served as the home of Southeastern presidents, will soon feature a refreshed look and house University Advancement offices. The renovation will preserve the historical integrity of the structure, while also providing for an increased strategic use, creating a more easily accessible space for visitors to external-facing Advancement personnel and facilities. This renewed building is expected to reopen in early 2024. FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 3
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Recipient of $1.5 MILLION GRANT
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Southeastern and Northshore Technical Community College each received a three-year, $1.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities initiative. Southeastern’s grant is to address the growing shortage of nurses and nurse educators in Louisiana, including increasing the number of nurses from underrepresented populations. “The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities initiative is an essential element to strengthening local workforce ecosystems and economic vitality throughout our region,” said Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Corey Wiggins. “Delta Regional Authority’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor ensures that residents receive industry-driven skills training for high-demand jobs in their communities, helping to create pathways to highquality careers and economic mobility in some of the most persistently impoverished areas of the United States.” Southeastern and NTCC represent two of only three higher education institutions in Louisiana to receive Delta Regional Authority awards, totaling a $3 million combined investment on the Northshore. The parishes that will be served by the grant include Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Point Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana. “The strategic partnership between Tangipahoa Economic Development, Southeastern, and NTCC has been an integral part of the economic growth and prosperity of Tangipahoa Parish over the last several decades,” said Executive Director of Tangipahoa Economic Development Ginger B. Cangelosi. “With this grant, both institutions will be able to continue supporting local industry by providing advanced educational opportunities to our residents that will help build wealth and provide financial stability for our citizens. In turn, we will all continue to reap the benefits of a relationship that has vastly improved the economic landscape of Tangipahoa Parish, as well as the entire Northshore region, and we are pleased to support them in their efforts.” “Southeastern and NTCC are our closest partners in higher education and workforce training in our region, and this investment into some of our key industry sectors on the Northshore—healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and logistics—will strengthen economic competitiveness, career advancement, and job creation opportunities for the entire region,” said Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Corporation, the economic development organization for St. Tammany. “Workforce development, talent retention, and talent recruitment are at the top of the list of considerations for businesses when making investment decisions, and 14
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Southeastern and NTCC are both cultivating a strong pipeline of talent in these important industry sectors for Southeastern Louisiana.” Southeastern’s Louisiana Education Advancement Program (LEAP) for Nurses will achieve four goals over the threeyear grant period. First, LEAP for Nurses will assist Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Registered Nurses (RN) in increasing skills, attaining good jobs and increasing wages. Second, it will provide access to workforce development programs for veterans and individuals from historically marginalized and underserved communities. Third, it will also increase the number of nurse educators prepared at the graduate level. Last, LEAP for Nurses will promote economic transformation through increased employment and retention in RN positions within the care economy of the region served. LEAP for Nurses will target newly graduated or incumbent nurses (LPNs and RNs) who are residents of one of the 10 rural Delta Regional Authority parishes. Priority will be given to nurses who are veterans or eligible spouses of veterans, followed by those from historically underserved groups adversely affected by persistent poverty, discrimination, or inequality, including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and individuals with disabilities.
“We are thrilled to have received this grant, as it will not only help us provide programs for underserved and marginalized communities, but for veterans as well,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “As an economic driver for our surrounding communities, Southeastern prioritizes workforce development opportunities and seeks to provide them whenever possible. We are fortunate to have strong partnerships with Hood Memorial Hospital, Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Lallie Kemp Medical Center, North Oaks Health System, and St. Tammany Health System that serve as training grounds and educational resources for our students.” As part of Southeastern’s grant, NTCC will receive subawards to provide assistance with tuition and fees. In return, NTCC will provide an LPN-to-RN (ADN) education program, promote the program to LPN and RN students, and participate in advisory council and strategic planning meetings.
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ENHANCING LEADERSHIP with Emerging Leader Training Series
news in learning
Southeastern’s College of Business recently launched the Emerging Leader Training Series for new, rising, and current high-potential leaders. This program consists of five instructor-led, two-day modules that are delivered in a workshop format over the course of a year. It tackles the trickiest “people” parts of leadership, helping professionals gain new skills to become successful leaders. For more information, visit southeastern.edu/emergingleaders or contact the College of Business at business@southeastern.edu or 985.549.2258.
MARCH 24, 2024 Mark your calendar now for our most vibrant event of the year, Chefs Evening. At this annual tradition, now in its 39th year, you can delight in colorful selections from some of our region's finest restaurants and caterers while also supporting vital student scholarships and programs. Reserve your spot now by visiting southeastern.edu/chefs.
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EXCITING NEW CHANGES for Campus Dining After completing an extensive process, Aramark Educational Services, LLC has been awarded a contract for the management and operation of all dining and catering services for Southeastern. Aramark was chosen from among several other food service providers, and the new agreement will extend a long-existing business partnership between Aramark and Southeastern. “We are excited about the plans Aramark has committed to in this new food services agreement. Their focus on student choice, nutrition and service will bring about significant upgrades to the student experience on campus,” said Southeastern President William Wainwright. Aramark has committed to upgrading or expanding physical spaces at most dining options, bringing in fresh new dining brands, supporting student meal plan scholarships, and partnering with campus entities to benefit student retention. As an added new service, this fall Aramark also introduced robot delivery service, allowing delivery from campus dining retail locations.
“With all of the new efforts that will be put forth in this partnership with Aramark, we are moving Southeastern forward in being focused on creating the best student experience possible,” said Assistant Vice President for Operations and Auxiliary Services Connie Davis. In addition to bringing robot food delivery to campus, Starbucks will soon reopen in a larger space that also provides walk-up window service. Changes to physical spaces and services will be seen throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, including a renovation of the Mane Dish during the summer of 2024. “Our partnership with Southeastern has been a source of pride for Aramark over the past years as we worked together to focus on providing students with award-winning food options,” said District Manager for Aramark Educational Services, LLC Martin Balisteri. “The enhancements planned over the next few semesters will make students’ choices and experiences even better.”
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GROWING Enrollment and Retention
Southeastern has experienced growth in two key areas this academic year—enrollment and retention. The University realized solid increases in enrollment across both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate enrollment rose by 2.1 percent, while graduate enrollment experienced an increase of 13.3 percent. “Reaching my 100th day in office bears with it the great news of our fall 2023 enrollment report. Southeastern has been working on a concerted and University-wide effort to strengthen purposeful enrollment,” said Southeastern President William Wainwright. “Seeing growth in so many student categories indicates that we are certainly moving in the right direction and have a post-pandemic path forward. I know this is only the beginning.” With an overall enrollment of 13,888, an increase of 2.9 percent, Southeastern experienced growth in several categories. New or incoming student increases included transfer students, graduate students, dual enrollment students, and reentry students. Southeastern experienced
GIVING RETIREMENT ASSETS
its largest ever dual enrollment of high school students, and the Honors Program had a significant increase of 16.2 percent, resulting in the largest enrollment in the program’s history. Also, the University saw a 30.9 percent increase in international students. “While growing our new student base is important, having gains in retention demonstrates our commitment to student success. Ensuring every student has the greatest possibility to graduate is one of our paramount goals,” added Wainwright. In addition to enrollment growth, Southeastern also reported successful increases in retention of students. The freshman retention rate, for example, was the highest ever at 76 percent. A significant increase in retention of minority students was realized, as well as increases in retention of male and dual enrollment students. Southeastern currently offers over 150 programs of study, including many that are regionally and nationally ranked.
Did you know you can create lifelong opportunities for students while also providing for your loved ones and avoiding unnecessary taxes? Contact us today to find out how you can achieve this through these types of gifts: Charitable Bequest — Consider naming Southeastern as the beneficiary of your IRD assets while leaving your cash and other investment assets to your heirs. Charitable Remainder Trust — Funding a CRT with your IRA or other IRD assets as part of your estate plan can help you provide for your heirs and lessen their tax burden. Charitable Gift Annuity — You can leave your IRD assets to fund a charitable gift annuity that will benefit a friend or family member with lifetime fixed payments. IRA Charitable Rollover — If you are 70 ½ or older, you can make a gift of up to $100,000 from your IRA this year to create an impact.
We are here to help! Please contact Senior Director of Development Katherine Rose at 985.549.2239 or advancement@southeastern.edu to learn more. Copyright © 2023 Crescendo Interactive, Inc. Used by permission.
A NEW ERA OF
LEADERSHIP PRESIDENT
William S. Wainwright, PhD
On April 27, 2023, within the neutral-colored stadiumlike chamber of a state office building in downtown Baton Rouge, the next chapter in Southeastern’s epic story began. Dr. William S. Wainwright was officially named the University’s next president—the 15th in its long 98-year history. BY SHERI GIBSON
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“When I found out that I was going to be the next president of Southeastern, my first reaction was gratitude,” said Wainwright. “Gratitude to the search committee and to the Southeastern family for heavily vetting their next president. To have been selected is a true honor, and it’s one that I take very seriously. It's an incredible responsibility. It's one that I wake up and go to bed with top of mind every day.”
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This changing of the guard began in January 2023 when Southeastern’s 14th president, Dr. John L. Crain, announced his retirement after leading the institution for the past 15 years and being a member of the faculty and staff for a total of 37 years. To find the right person to next take the helm and help guide the University into the future, the University of Louisiana System, under which Southeastern is a member, quickly began an extensive presidential search process. After an open application period, followed by selection of qualified applicants then a first round of interviews, four semifinalists were selected. These candidates, including Wainwright, visited campus for public forums, as well as closed interviews. From there, the final two were selected, moving on to one last round of interviews and then awaiting a decision on that breezy, sunny April day. And as fate would have it, it was Wainwright’s name that would reverberate through the room. The Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System had officially named him Southeastern’s 15th president. “Southeastern has been a pivotal part of our family since our children were little,” Wainwright explained when asked why he wanted to be part of the Southeastern family. “We've had opportunities to engage in Southeastern through STEM summer camps and through having our children attend athletic events, but also as a prior college leader over the Northshore’s community college, many of the faculty and staff who've built [NTCC] are graduates of Southeastern. So, I've had firsthand knowledge of the success of Southeastern’s graduates.
“When the opportunity came about for me to consider applying for president, it was really the only opportunity that my wife and my family and I felt would have been best for us at this time. I'm excited to dive into the mission, and the last few months with our Southeastern family, since my start on June 5, have been incredible. I couldn't ask for more.” Wainwright is indeed uniquely qualified for the post. Prior to his time at Southeastern, he had accrued over 24 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education. Most recently, he served for 12 years as chancellor of Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC). During his tenure at NTCC, he helped lead exponential growth and success for the institution, expanding campuses and tripling enrollment, causing NTCC to become one of the fastest growing community colleges in the nation. “Serving as chancellor of Northshore Technical Community College has certainly prepared me for the role [of president] at Southeastern, as many of our Northshore students were on a transfer path to the University. By virtue of alignment of transfer pathways into the critical demand programs at Southeastern, [at NTCC] we’ve been able to walk the journey with our students and collaborate with many of the faculty and staff at Southeastern.” Prior to NTCC, his positions have included faculty member, dean, grant facilitator, vice president of business development and training, and chancellor, as well as interim chancellor at Delgado Community College.
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Additionally, Wainwright has received national and global recognition. He has served as a Salzburg Global Leadership Fellow and as a Harvard Institute for Educational Management Fellow. In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he applied his expertise to help community colleges seeking accreditation and was a self-study trainer for Jeddah Community College. He also led innovative, multi-college study abroad initiatives to Costa Rica, Amsterdam, and Dubai. Scholarly contributions have also been abundant and include presentations pertaining to higher education institutions’ strategies and successes, which were given across the state, nation, and globe. His formal education encompasses a bachelor of science in criminal justice from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, a master of education in adult and continuing education from Northwestern State University, and a doctorate of philosophy in higher education administration from the University of New Orleans. In addition to being the recipient of numerous awards and honors, Wainwright has also been deeply involved in professional and community organizations, including having served on the boards of Workforce Investment Area 20; Washington Economic Development Foundation; Northshore Charter School Inc.; GNO, Inc; Northshore Business Council; St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce; Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System; and, most recently, United Way of Southeast Louisiana. He is additionally the president of St. Tammany Corporation; former president of COMBASE, Conference of Louisiana Colleges and Universities, and Board of Family Promise of St. Tammany; and has served as chair of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Finance and Administration Committee, Louisiana Community and Technical College System Advancement, Public Affairs, and Legislative Affairs Committee, and Louisiana Community and Technical College System Finance
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Committee. Most recently, he was selected as a member for the Committee of 100 for Economic Development, Inc., Louisiana’s business roundtable promoting public policy that makes Louisiana more competitive in retaining existing business and industry and attracting more innovative businesses to Louisiana. The importance of education to Wainwright, who grew up in the then small rural community of Broussard, Louisiana, is clear—and it’s something for which he gives a lot of credit to his family. “My father graduated high school and went on to work in the oil and gas industry,” he said. “And the reason education is so important to me is because my mother stopped out of high school and at a later age went on to earn her GED. And if she would not have earned her GED, I certainly would not have achieved the level of education that I've had today.” Wainwright’s first dream path was quite different than the one he ended up choosing, though with interesting overlap. “I wanted to be a meteorologist,” he said. “I was fascinated by the weather. Still today I’m fascinated by the weather. And it is not uncommon that in my job as president, I'm watching the weather and making sure that we're taking proper precautions for the safety and health of our students.” In college, his second passion, criminal justice, took hold, and Wainwright majored in the subject as part of his initial pursuit of a career in law. But the plans one envisions as a child and young adult often diverge down a different road as experience, inner reflection, and opportunities unfold. And for Wainwright, it was a love for and belief in higher education that eventually won out— creating an unmistakable and well-worn path he has now unwaveringly traveled for decades.
“My best days are when I'm able to engage with our students. I'm able to see the impact of our faculty on our students, whether it's through their success in the classroom, their success after graduation in the community, or their success as they rise through the ranks in business and industry,” said Wainwright. Settled into his new position and home on campus for a few months now, he’s already well into leading the University forward, drawing on personal experience, current research and market trends, partnerships, and an understanding of where we’ve come from to determine our path forward. “I always like to look at lessons learned through looking at where we began,” Wainwright explained. “Southeastern Louisiana University was founded as a junior college, and at the time that was critically important to build a future for this region. And quickly, the University emerged from junior college status to four-year university, and then you began to see incorporations like the lab school and other significant infrastructure developments that were critically important. “One of the lessons learned from this is that progress takes time. It takes intentionality. It takes strategic focus and vision. And so, as we enter the next 100 years, I look forward to leading our university and implementing a bold vision and strategic plan for our future that will carry us to the next 100 years.” To this end, on August 11, 2023, at Southeastern’s annual Convocation, a long-established tradition of all University employees coming back together before the start of a fresh academic year, Wainwright announced a shared vision and shared responsibility for Southeastern. This came from conversations about Southeastern’s strengths; listening to students, faculty, and staff; learning from regional leaders; and much more with the intent of serving as a guide and a roadmap to Southeastern’s future.
This plan purports that “In 2025, Southeastern will celebrate 100 years of excellence in higher education. In 2125, Southeastern will be a global leader in higher education innovation by design and dedication to mission.” Additionally, four pillars were established to help guide the way: 1. The Student Experience; 2. Faculty and Staff Investment; 3. Competitive Edge; and 4. Educational, Economic, and Cultural Development. “I have a bold vision for the future of Southeastern for us to be the leading university in the University of Louisiana System and in the state of Louisiana,” Wainwright said. “And we do that through research. We do that through continued analysis of markets and ensuring that the programs we're providing are relevant and important to our regional economy, that we can build successful communities and, most importantly, prepare families for success in our region. That's critically important to ensure that our students have the foundation that's necessary for them to be successful.” “I do not believe in challenges; I believe in opportunities,” he added. “And if you look across the spectrum of all of higher education, there are enrollment concerns. However, Southeastern is bucking the national trends with a recent 2.9 percent enrollment growth. The real opportunity for Southeastern is truly knowing our students, understanding our markets, and also positioning Southeastern to be a global player in higher education.” Wainwright credits his wife and children for his success in higher education. His wife Misty is an accomplished licensed mental health therapist who has championed women’s mental health and helped thousands on the Northshore. He counts his son Zachary and daughter Ella Grace as he and Misty’s greatest accomplishment. “Our children challenge us, keep us relevant, and inspire us in countless ways,” he said.
look at us
then
1960s
COMING TOGETHER FOR NEARLY A CENTURY
The first section of Southeastern’s War Memorial Student Union was completed in 1966, featuring student affairs offices, meeting rooms, a post office, and a snack bar. Six decades of growth and evolution later, the facilities may look quite different but the outcome of bringing together all members of the campus community forever remains the same.
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THE WRITE BUSINESS The Story of Cavalier House Books Two Southeastern alumni have followed their joy to create a thriving business, while also bringing a love for reading to those around them. BY BROCK SANDERS
In the heart of old Denham Springs resides a bookstore named after a couple who graduated from Southeastern and chose the community above everything—even books. John and Michelle Cavalier met through a mutual friend at a local bookstore before embarking on their daily commutes to Southeastern. After spending countless hours in Sims Memorial Library, drafting ideas, business plans and friendship, Cavalier House Books was created by the pair in 2005. “We used the heck out of the computer labs,” John said about starting his business while enrolled at Southeastern. “In between classes I was always in the computer lab doing schoolwork, but then, also, starting our business.” John and Michelle (maiden name Badeaux) both graduated in 2009 and married that same year. John chose a degree in political science and Michelle a liberal arts degree. Both picked their degrees for their versatility and the University for its modest class size options. Southeastern provided the two with a more engaging experience and homey atmosphere compared to other larger institutions, according to John and Michelle. Michelle originally chose to study English when she arrived on campus, but eventually transitioned to liberal arts after developing an attraction to Southeastern’s Italian courses. To make room for more courses in that field, Michelle opted to switch majors and provide herself with opportunities to “go where her curiosity takes her.” “Being able to dig into whatever my intellectual curiosity was at any given point was what the [liberal arts degree] afforded me and let my life continue in that direction,” Michelle said.
Michelle credits Dr. Lucia Harrison for her passion in Italian culture. That passion took her on a study abroad trip to Italy through Southeastern. Dr. Harrison initially stimulated her mind to explore different experiences and a different language as Michelle traveled to central Italy and Rome, while writing essays and gaining credit hours for her new degree back home in Hammond. John also was in a different degree before settling on political science, wanting to first acquire a history degree. After taking a course taught by Dr. Pete Petrakis in the Department of History and Political Science, John became hooked and switched to a degree he says he uses daily at his business. Through their years at Southeastern, John and Michelle spent countless hours in the private study rooms at the library and at the Contemporary Art Gallery. Opening a business is a difficult task as it is. Opening one while still enrolled in school? Daunting to say the least. “Throw your hand over the wall and do it,” John advises those on the fence about taking on the endeavor he and his wife undertook years ago. Michelle’s curiosity and John’s passion led the two toward operating a business together. From best friends to mister and missus, Cavalier House Books was born. The two initially operated their business without a physical store and eventually acquired institutional records from their previous boss at Book Warehouse of Baton Rouge, where John and Michelle worked. The Cavaliers opened their store’s original location in Denham Springs in 2009, staying at the building for the next 13 years.
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The two have now operated as a business for close to two decades and in 2022 moved to a building nearly double in size to accommodate an ever-increasing clientele.
door. The couple moved to a larger facility and expanded Cavalier House Books for “a dedicated event space and flexible space.”
Beginning in 2011, the Cavaliers started traveling to various schools ranging from elementary to university to provide book fairs to the masses. The pair have totaled close to 70 book fairs, averaging 15 to 20 per year depending on scheduling.
“Every time that something bad happens, we've always managed to add something good to our repertoire. Do something differently; do something new,” John said.
Other additions like various book clubs keep the Cavaliers on their toes all days of the week. An average day at Cavalier House Books, according to John and Michelle, is what makes their business unique. Every bookstore has a piece of uniqueness that stems directly from the community it is surrounded by, according to John. “It's focusing on place, focusing on the community that you serve, and really trying to be an asset to that,” John said. Despite the amount of time spent at the store, John and Michelle still find time to post what books they are reading on the business’ website. Michelle’s favorite book is 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. John recommends Burmese Days by George Orwell, his favorite book to date. However, countless other options could have easily gained the same title of “best,” according to the couple. After enduring the 2016 flood, countless hurricanes and other natural disasters, John and Michelle took their business next
“I LIVE A LIFE IN BOOKS, AND I AM ABLE TO GO WHERE MY CURIOSITY TAKES ME AND FOLLOW THE LEAD OF OTHERS.” - MICHELLE CAVALIER 28
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With a change in scenery and a building, John and Michelle now operate with more room and bigger possibilities for their brand. While John hopes to eventually create a pizza restaurant in the unused second story of the shop, both have visions of a more book-centered goal. “One of the big things that we kind of have in front of [our] mind is opening a publishing company,” Michelle said about plans for Cavalier House Books. “It is another big, new scary thing, but it's something that is very exciting.” Through the success and struggles of Cavalier House Books, John and Michelle admit it was a culmination of many factors that got them to own their business. From their relationships with their professors at Southeastern to giving back to the community, the Cavaliers created a consistently growing business in Livingston Parish. However, the glue that has kept the two operational past the struggles and looking onward to bigger plans are the books themselves.
Scan here to see more.
“EVERYTHING I AM IS IN PART AT LEAST BECAUSE OF BOOKS.” - JOHN CAVALIER
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PAVING A
ROAD TO SUCCESS Through bravery and determination, alumna Patricia Campbell was able to create a successful future for herself and her child. BY SHERI GIBSON
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Alumna Patricia Campbell reminisces over Southeastern yearbooks with her son Paul Matthews.
During Hurricane Katrina, alumna Patricia Campbell’s house was engulfed in water, and her cherished Southeastern yearbooks were lost. Earlier this year she was presented with these pieces of memorabilia. As she carefully pored over the pages, taking them in, her recollections of life at Southeastern in the 1970s came bubbling to the surface, and a stirring story of determination began to unfold. Patricia, who always excelled in school, was originally from New Orleans. At 13, she and her family relocated. “My mom moved us to Springfield, and we lived in a little shack back in the woods. She was gone most of the time, and I had three younger siblings. I had one older sister, but she married and moved out after we got there. So, I was basically taking care of my three other siblings from the time I was 13. Through all of that, I just didn’t see that life for the kids I might have one day. For me, that was my focus, and I knew that my only way out was education. So, I did what I had to do.” Patricia knew she wanted more, for both herself and her future children, and to guarantee that she would need to rely on herself. Driven by this realization and determination, she continued to shine academically, even through being part of the first integrated class in Springfield in 1970. She took the ACT test, applied to Southeastern, and was accepted to begin that fall. During her freshman year, Patricia commuted daily via bus from Springfield to Hammond. “I would get up, do what I could to help my siblings prepare for the day before I left, and then catch that bus,” she said. “The bus would stop in the middle of Hammond, where the bus station was by the railroad tracks, and I would walk the rest of the way to Southeastern. I did that for an entire year. And at the end of the year, my mom decided to move the kids back to New Orleans. I made the decision that I wasn’t going.”
When her family left, Patricia applied for student loans then packed up her own belongings and moved onto Southeastern’s campus, first in Livingston Hall then eventually Hammond Hall. She also changed her major from education to business accounting.
“I just knew I had to go to school. So whatever challenges I faced, I took them on. Because I knew I had to do this, and whatever needed to be done I had to deal with it and stick it out,” Patricia said. And her dedication indeed paid off. Upon graduation in 1974, she began her first job as an accounting clerk, and only a couple of years later she accepted a position as an accountant for the Superdome. Upon her retirement, she held the position of assistant director of accounting services for Tulane University, where she worked for 34 years. But perhaps even more importantly, she was able to fulfil the wish she had when still only a teenager. When she did have a child, she was able to give him a warm life and bright future. Her son is Paul Matthews, the current CEO of the Port of South Louisiana. This bond she has with her child is so great that it seems impermeable even to the torrential waters of Hurricane Katrina. “Everything in my house was totally underwater, except one thing,” she reflected. “When I finally got to go to my house, his baby picture was on the wall. I couldn’t believe it. Everything else was on the floor—but that picture was on the wall, and it gave me hope.” Today Patricia is able to enjoy a well-earned retirement, volunteering her accounting services for her church, indulging in mystery novels and shows, and, especially, watching her son enjoy an amazing life of his own. FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 3
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by the numbers
Did you KNOW? ECONOMIC IMPACT Visit southeastern.edu/impact to learn more.
*Numbers based on ’21-’22 fiscal year Economic Impact Report
$1,000,000,000 15,564 added to area economy
jobs supported
$2,800,000,000 $22,500 total benefit to society
more in annual earnings with a Southeastern bachelor’s degree
$2,200,000
$2,500,000
$15,200,000
$73,400,000
research spending impact
in savings for taxpayers through reduced demand for government-funded services
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visitor spending impact
benefit to taxpayers through students’ higher earnings and increased business output
athletics
A Southeastern alumnus with a love for football and a dream to make it in the big leagues takes an unforgettable journey from Strawberry Stadium to helping win the first NFL Monday Night Football game. BY CALMER DIGHTON
Billy Andrews with the Lions Football team, c. 1966
On September 21, 1970, the Cleveland Browns played against the New York Jets, the champions of the previous year’s Super Bowl, in the first-ever televised Monday Night Football game. In the fourth quarter, the Browns led the game with a score of 24 to 21. With less than a minute on the clock Joe Namath threw a pass that was intercepted by Browns’ number 52 Billy Andrews, a Southeastern alumnus. Billy returned the interception for a touchdown, securing the Browns lead and earning them the first televised Monday Night Football win. Born and raised in Clinton, Louisiana, Billy Andrews knew from a young age that he wanted to play football. “When I was eight years old, our school hired a coach, Coach Russo, and he started a peewee football program. The minute I stepped on that field I fell in love with football. Maybe a bit too much.” Billy was not particularly built to play football, but that didn’t dissuade him from his dream. “I was the skinny kid. Very slow, very small. I set my sights on playing in the NFL when I was probably nine years old.” Billy would dedicate much of his young adult life to accomplishing this goal. At age 12, he began weight training. “My daddy drove me when I was 12 years old to Baton Rouge three times a week to train with Alvin Roy. He was one of the great athletic weight trainers in the NFL and the college ranks.” He also credits this move as the impetus for his spiritual growth, which is today an important part of his life. “I see [Alvin Roy] being in Baton Rouge as providence of God to get me to the NFL, which ultimately is where I found the Lord.”
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When it came time to decide on a school to attend for college, Billy’s high school coach from Silliman Institute, Coach H. L. Polk Jr., encouraged him to attend Southeastern. “Coach Polk was a Southeastern Hall of Famer,” Billy explained. “He helped the head coach Stanley Galloway recruit me.” Billy attended Southeastern from 1963 through 1967. During his time in Hammond, he worked towards graduating with a bachelor’s of science degree focused on veterinary medicine, acquiring knowledge which he would later apply when working for his family’s dairy farm. But playing football at Southeastern is what prepared him for the first steps in his future and that legendary televised win in 1970.
“Playing Football at Southeastern prepared me very well to go to the NFL because of the quality of football there,” Billy said. “Coach Galloway had a great impact on me and he was tough on us, but that’s what we needed. I came to Southeastern weighing 162 pounds and grew from the training to 215. The entire coaching staff at that time helped me get to where I needed to be.”
His time at Southeastern and the relationships he built with his fellow players and students as a whole have stayed with him through his life. “I still talk to a good many of the people I played with back when I was at Southeastern. It was a closeknit group of players, and we all still stay in contact.” Billy was first drafted into the NFL by the Cleveland Browns in 1967, the same year he graduated from Southeastern. The goal he had set for himself when he was only nine years old was now accomplished. He continued to play for the Browns for eight seasons, becoming their Defensive Player of the Year in 1971, the year after he had scored that game-winning touchdown. After his time with the Browns, Billy played for the San Diego Chargers for a season and then the Kansas City Chiefs for his last two seasons as a professional football player. Throughout his professional career, he played in almost 150 games.
Even with all of those accomplishments, the thing that had the biggest impact on his life while playing in the NFL was something else. “I worked hard and played myself into becoming a great player, and when I intercepted the ball in the Monday Night Football game it was like, this is it, but in my heart I was empty. I was an empty man though I had accomplished the high dream. But then I realized what God had done; he had worked in my heart.” After he retired from playing football in the NFL, he returned to Clinton, Louisiana, to work his family’s dairy farm—an entirely new challenge for which he found himself unprepared but quickly adapted. After everything he has done and accomplished, Billy’s love for Southeastern, football, and his God stick with him. To this day, Billy still occasionally helps coach football at his old high school and continues to stay active with Southeastern Football.
“Southeastern has become a university that is renowned,” he said. “The football program has been in the playoffs numerous times in the previous years. The academics have just excelled. I love Southeastern. It is a great thing that we still have going right here.”
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THE NEW COLLEGE OF HONORS AND EXCELLENCE For the first time in decades, Southeastern has established a new college to further broaden students’ pathways to success. BY ALEIGH SANDERS
Southeastern has a new college. Approved by the University of Louisiana System and Louisiana Board of Regents in March 2023, the new College of Honors and Excellence houses the University Honors Program and the Center for Student Excellence.
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“In the College of Honors and Excellence, we are focused on helping our students get the most out of their collegiate experience,” said Claire Procopio. “We have opportunities for them to connect inside and outside of the classroom with each other and with faculty and staff who provide the supportive framework they need to achieve their goals.”
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Tena Golding cited several elements that contributed to and advanced the installation of this sixth college at Southeastern. “Several factors have prompted the decision, including the continued growth of the Honors Program, the success of Center for Student Excellence initiatives, the recommendations surfacing in the work of the Strategic Enrollment Management Task Force on specialized recruiting and retention efforts, and the unexpected departure of Chief Student Success Officer Lorett Swank,” Golding explained. In announcing the potential installation of the new college, Golding emphasized the significance of the College of Honors and Excellence. “Creation of the College of Honors and Excellence provides a banner to showcase Southeastern’s core values of excellence and caring, increases recognition of the Center for Student Excellence efforts, enhances the prestige of our Honors Program, extends successful initiatives and resources to more students, and will help attract and retain highly qualified and diverse students,” she said. A longtime faculty member, Interim Dean of the College of Honors and Excellence Claire Procopio began teaching at Southeastern in 2005 and was instated as the undergraduate coordinator of the Department of Communication and Media Studies in 2008. She maintained the role until 2016, when she was appointed as the Honors Program director.
Procopio’s dedicated efforts to teaching and aiding students have been an asset to the University. These efforts were recognized by the University in 2017 with the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In fact, the Honors Program has recently excelled under Procopio’s leadership. Enrollment reached a record high in 2022-2023, with a 41 percent increase in the size of the Honors Program. “Students in our college have the opportunity to take small classes around a theme, interact with an academic advisor focused on their success, participate in living-learning communities that build connections, conduct research, enjoy mentoring, and emerge as leaders on campus and beyond,” said Procopio. She also stated, “I am incredibly proud of the students who join our college and their impressive achievements.” The future of the College of Honors and Excellence is bright, and it will continue to positively impact the University community for years to come. For more information regarding the College of Honors and Excellence, email cse@southeastern.edu.
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TAKING A
Bite Out of Life Jonetta Kaiser Ever since Jonetta Kaiser was a small child, she knew she wanted to be a professional actress. But in addition to this resolute determination, she embodied something else that would help reach this goal and much more: a diversity of interests and an unstoppable entrepreneurial spirit. BY SHERI GIBSON
By the time she was 13, Jonetta Kaiser was designing Myspace pages for clients, creating websites, and earning money through Google AdSense. While this alone could be considered a major accomplishment for someone so young, and was indeed an indication of the entrepreneurial drive that would remain a part of her life, for Jonetta it was also a way to help her reach her ultimate goal. She invested the small income she received in photo paper for printing and mailing headshots, taken by her sister in her grandma’s backyard, in hopes of landing roles as an actress.
Horror Story, the “Coven” season. I did a Miley Cyrus movie called So Under Cover, a Will Smith movie called Focus, and a CW TV show about aliens.” Knowing how important STEM-related skills could benefit her throughout life, though, at the end of the gap year Jonetta, a Hammond native, enrolled at Southeastern to major in biochemistry and minor in computer science.
After seeing the movie Salt starring Angelina Jolie, she knew for sure she had found her path.
While gaining science skills is important in its own right, at first glance this field can seem quite disparate from acting. But to Jonetta, there are actually a lot of similarities, with both science and acting alike in process.
“That's when it kind of clicked: I could actually do this,” Jonetta said. “So, when I graduated high school, I did. I took a gap year and did extra work on sets in New Orleans. I did American
“I genuinely just love the process of figuring things out. I like challenges,” she said. “It’s the same reason I love acting so much, too, because it's looking at something and figuring
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“I knew I needed to go to college; that was the way to do this,” she explained. “I knew I wanted to learn something in STEM, because that's where jobs are going. That's where the world is heading. Technology, and for example AI, is increasing at such a level that if you're not paying attention, then you should be. I always knew that that's where things would be 20 years from now. So, I decided that I'm going to study this, and then somewhere along the line I'll figure out how to pivot. And I did. I really did.”
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out the problem and solution. How can I get an end result? With coding, it's starting a project and talking to a client and identifying how we can get from point A to point B. It's the same thing with acting—you look at a script, you have a character, and then you have to figure out how can I get to the end of the script and create a journey for this part.” Jonetta enjoyed her time at Southeastern, where she studied with her two best friends from childhood—who are great friends to this day. And while most of her time in college was spent hustling between two jobs, one at PJ’s Coffee and one at La Carreta, and being a fulltime biochemistry student, she noted that when she did have time to go to games and other events “it was always such fun. The school spirit at Southeastern was great.” Jonetta also loved the quality of instruction at Southeastern, noting how the University had “the best teachers” and giving an anecdote about the calculus class she took. “My calculus teacher didn't rely on calculators, and the way he explained calculus was next level; I still have those memories with me forever. And I grew to love calculus—which no one loves calculus. But it was because I really understood the why behind the course.” After three years of acquiring a solid base of science and technology skills, in 2018 Jonetta suddenly woke up one day with an instinctual pull that it was time for her to make her pivot back to acting. With new professional headshots in hand, she boldly made the trip by herself to California in chase of her dream. Because of how expensive Los Angeles is, she first lived on military base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside while commuting three hours to the city for acting classes and auditions. But she was soon able to start landing parts, and after only six months, she made the move to Los Angeles. While she was able to start seeing her goals as an actress come true, Jonetta discussed how she couldn’t have done it without the technology skills she had earned as a student— with almost all working actors and actresses needing other revenue streams as they get started or to keep busy between jobs. “Los Angeles is so expensive, and you really need to figure out how you’re going to get by,” she said. “The reality is that actors can make a lot of money, but if you have no other skills and you just come out [to Los Angeles] and want to be an actor, you're going to have a tough time. You have to figure out how you’re going to make money and acquire some skills until you become the next Angelina Jolie. “I've been fortunate to consistently work since I moved out here in 2018. I started working right away as an actress, but most of the time as an actor, you're unemployed. So, it's been incredibly helpful—the skills that I acquired when I went to Southeastern, to learn how to create websites because I took computer science classes as a biochemistry major.
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“I'm so grateful for that time. Honestly, I wouldn’t have known what to do otherwise.” While parts started rolling in remarkably quickly for Jonetta, her favorite one so far has been Sonya Sharp in the Peacock series Vampire Academy, based on the best-selling book series. Not only did Jonetta identify greatly with the character as a fellow bookworm, but the series was also both one of her favorites as a child and her gateway into the genre. “The reason I loved Twilight and The Vampire Diaries was because of Vampire Academy books,” she said. Learning that she would get to play Sonya was a surreal realization for Jonetta—and the start of an amazing new experience. With the series filming in Spain for seven months in 2022, she was able to learn Spanish, a useful skill which she is grateful to now have for wherever she may go in the future— and more travel is a definite on her list. She was able to do greenscreen work and be on wires, which she loved. Since her character can communicate with birds, she was also excited to get to feed and interact with trained crows. And as with all her roles, it was the work and process of finding the character that also really spoke to her. “The prep work is my favorite because that's where you do the work. You're finding the character and then it comes alive when they call ‘action,’” she said. Since Vampire Academy, Jonetta also starred in the movie A Party to Die For before the SAG-AFTRA strike. And with this development, having other skills has become even more essential than ever for actors. “Right now we're seeing that if you have no skills, what are you going to do?”, Jonetta commented. “Hollywood is completely shut down right now. No one is working. If you're not an A-list star to have made millions of dollars to support your home, you have to figure out how you're going to survive. You have to have a skill. And going to school and learning how to survive in the real world first is probably your best bet.” During this acting downtime, Jonetta has indeed kept busy with not only hobbies but also other work. In addition to some of her favorite activities, such as reading, making jewelry, and taking Pilates classes, she’s been working on a couple of AI-based startups with her boyfriend and also building websites for clients, doing coding. While she has been lucky enough to have worked on a popular show that helps pay the bills, it hasn’t put any damper on her drive to continue to achieve more. And while her acting prospects are indeed bright, her potential for success in other fields is also limitless. Her positive attitude, down-to-earth and friendly personality, and energetic dedication to work, coupled with her belief in education, also serve to enhance this. “I always knew if I were to pursue acting that my skills I acquired while I was at Southeastern, learning coding and other things, would come in handy and would be essential for me to know,” she said.
A somewhat scientific polling of ALUMNI
you know it you said it
How do you take your coffee?
How many Southeastern shirts do you currently own?
CREAM
ONE OR TWO
18.18%
29.31%
SUGAR/SWEETENER
A FEW
11.66%
30.65%
SWEET AND CREAMY
GOTTA COLLECT ’EM ALL!
51.05%
11.19%
BLACK
NONE—TIME FOR A TRIP TO THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE!
19.11%
28.85%
What type of campus group were you most involved with as a Southeastern student?
Do you know how to whistle?
ATHLETIC TEAM, CHEER, LIONETTES OR SPORTS CLUB
16.07%
YES
BAND, CHOIR, DANCE, OR THEATRE
80.58%
6.47%
NO
19.42%
SGA, PROFESSIONAL, OR SERVICE ORGANIZATION
30.70% SPECIAL INTEREST OR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION
22.54% SORORITY OR FRATERNITY
24.22%
What’s your vacation style? STICK TO THE ITINERARY AND SEE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
38.79% KICK BACK AND RELAX
If you could magically gain any talent, what would it be? STAR ATHLETICISM
10.54% ARTISTIC, MUSICAL, OR LITERARY BRILLIANCE
52.24%
40.58%
COMEDIC GENIUS
HIT THE ROAD AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS
SUPERB MEMORY
20.63%
4.04% 33.18%
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giving back
Jeanne BROOKS In the darkest of times, one member of the Southeastern community was able to create a new light through giving to others. BY TONYA LOWENTRITT
For Southeastern alumna Jeanne Brooks, the spring and summer of 2014 forever changed her life. In May she lost her husband of 30 years after two major heart attacks. Just nine weeks later, her son Jordan was tragically killed in an ATV accident on the job as an interpretative ranger at Bogue Chitto State Park in Franklinton. In 2014, Brooks had been working at Southeastern as the Library of Congress Coordinator and continued in that role for one more year. “I was a mother and wife for 30 years, and overnight I wasn’t either one. Though she lived just a few doors from me, I was the primary caregiver of my mother, now in her 90s,” Brooks recalled. “I knew I couldn’t continue. I did all the things grief counselors say not to do. I quit my job, put my home on the market, and connected with a tour group as a counselor for students touring the United Kingdom.” Brooks had worked at Southeastern as a “retired rehire,” having retired from both Louisiana and Mississippi schools. She worked with literally hundreds of people rebuilding schools, libraries, communities and lives after Hurricane Katrina. This time, however, it was time to rebuild herself. Upon her return from the UK, Brooks contacted Southeastern because she felt she belonged there. “I knew I needed to work with students, and I needed to make a difference in the lives of others,” she said. “The timing was perfect. An opening in the College of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning had become available just the day before my call. This time though, it was not with the Library of Congress program; it was as a full-time faculty member. I was exactly where I belonged!” After a long and rewarding career, Brooks retired once again after having been a teacher for decades, reaching thousands of students. “Retirement” though did not mean
sitting in a rocking chair and knitting—not for Brooks. With no children or grandchildren, she chose to establish the Jordan Brooks Smith Endowed Scholarship to give back to those who had given her so much. Established in honor of Jordan, himself a Southeastern graduate, the scholarship will go to a student who has been admitted to Southeastern and is majoring in one of the teacher preparation programs in the College of Education. “Education enriched my life and Jordan’s life. Even on my darkest days, it was the medical staff at University Hospital who became my family. And yes, many of those were Southeastern graduates,” Brooks recalled. “I have a deep love for Southeastern. Across campus, across departments, Southeastern gave me so much. It is only fitting that I give back.” After the establishment of the endowment in memory of her son, Brooks still felt like she needed to do more. She began to ask herself what she could give as a visual reminder of Jordan and what his legacy entailed. “We were both ‘teachers,’ but in different ways, so there must be something to continue to teach generations of children,” she thought. Therefore, after nine years of talking, researching, volunteering, fund raising and mountains of paperwork, the Interpretative Ranger Jordan Brooks Smith Kids Trail in Bogue Chitto State Park was born. The trail is an accessible children’s trail complete with animal sculptures created for inquisitive children’s minds. Its purpose, Brooks said, is to connect children and families to nature through environmental education and hands-on experiences with native flora and fauna. One of the animal sculptures, the fox, a central part of Jordan’s legacy, includes Brooks’ handprints and those of Jordan as a child.
“SOUTHEASTERN HAS ETCHED ITS HANDPRINT ON MY HEART,” JEANNE SAID. “WITH THE JORDAN BROOKS SMITH ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP AT SOUTHEASTERN AND THE INTERPRETATIVE RANGER JORDAN BROOKS SMITH KID’S TRAIL AT BOGUE CHITTO STATE PARK, JORDAN AND I HAVE ETCHED OUR HANDPRINTS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.”
Jeanne Brooks opens the Interpretive Ranger Jordan Brooks Smith Kids Trail alongside Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in Bogue Chitto State Park.
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Alumni of the Year ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR Robby Miller Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, a 1984 Southeastern graduate, was selected as the Alumni Association’s 2023 Alumnus of the Year. “An alumnus of the year is someone who demonstrates Lion pride, excellence, caring, and service. This year’s recipient does just that,” said Vice President of University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale. “Robby Miller loves his community and shares core values with his alma mater.” As a lifelong entrepreneur and community activist, Robby applied his business skills to parish government. His #TeamTangi approach has focused on streamlining parish services, increasing communication between parish agencies, and delivering better, faster service to citizens.
Scan here for Robby’s video story.
Robby has served on the Alumni Complex Building Committee and chaired the Operations Subcommittee. He has also served on the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, the President’s Community Advisory Committee, and the Lions Athletic Association. He is active in the SLU Former Football Players Association, and he received the Distinguished Service Award in 1998 for his service to the University. During his tenure as Tangipahoa Parish President, Robby has served as the 2019 vice chairman of the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry; secretary for the Regional Planning Commission, which he chaired in 2018; and multiple terms as president of the Parish Presidents of Louisiana. He is a member of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana’s Executive Board, and he remains an active voice on the state’s Connect LA Broadband initiative.
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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE
The true measure of a university’s greatness can be found in the achievements of its alumni, and the accomplishments of Southeastern’s graduates are innumerable. To honor and celebrate some of these most outstanding members of our community each year, the Alumni Association established its awards program in 1969. Honored at Alumni Awards Evening on Oct. 13, 2023, as part of Homecoming week and one of Southeastern’s most esteemed traditions, this year we celebrated all of our outstanding alumni along with our top Alumni of the Year recipients: Robby Miller and Jason Latiolais.
YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR Jason Latiolais Barriere Construction President/CEO Jason Latiolais is Southeastern’s 2023 Young Alumnus of the Year. Jason graduated from Southeastern in 2017 with a master’s degree in business administration. “This year’s young alumnus of the year, Jason Latiolais, is a shining example of giving back to his community,” said Vice President for University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale. “He credits Southeastern for allowing him to advance his career.” Jason attended Southeastern as an undergraduate from 2001 until 2003. While he was a student, he was active as a member of the Student Government Association and was selected as a member of the Homecoming Court in 2002. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from LSU in 2006.
Scan here for Jason’s video story.
In 2008, Jason began working for Barriere Construction, the largest asphalt producer in Louisiana and one of the oldest highway construction businesses in the state. He worked his way up through the family-owned business, serving in many different roles. He decided to return to school at Southeastern in 2016, joining the EMBA program. Barriere Construction was sold in 2021 to CRH, a Fortune 500 company that is the leading provider of building materials solutions in the world. In 2022, Jason became Barriere’s President/CEO, representing a new era of leadership for the previously family-owned business.
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KEEPING
class notes
' 91 BILL SHEA has been elected Board President of Louisiana Appleseed, a non-profit social justice and advocacy organization dedicated to solving the state’s toughest legal problems.
' 94 GERALD COMEAUX JR.
was named principal at Ovey Comeaux High School in Livingston Parish.
'94 MATT SULLIVAN, director of Athletic Communications at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, won the 25 Year Award from College Sports Communicators.
' 97
' 99
'99
LORI VAN MOER was named principal of Pecan Grove Primary in Ascension Parish.
SONJA RAGUSA NEWMAN
MELISSA SKINNER was named executive director of leadership at Ector County ISD in Odessa, Tex.
' 02
'02 & ' 14
'04
KELLY ARNETT was appointed director of admissions and alumni for the 2023-2024 school year at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace.
' 0 7 & ' 16 ELISE TUREAU FREDERIC, a teacher at
Lakeside Primary School in Ascension Parish, received a Miliken Family Foundation award.
has assumed the new role of Northshore executive director of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana.
BECKY TEMPLET was named principal of Donaldsonville Primary School in Ascension Parish.
'08 & ' 14 COURTNEY KEREK MANCUSO was named associate principal of Prairieville High School.
AMIR ABDUR-RAHIM
was selected as head coach of the University of South Florida Men’s Basketball team.
'08 ANDREW ROSS has been named creative director for Golden Chick, becoming the first person to hold this title in the company’s 50+ years in operation.
' 97 CARLI FRANCOIS was appointed chief instructional director for Ascension Parish School System.
'0 0 BENJAMIN NECAISE was named superintendent of Zachary Community School District.
'06 & ' 0 7 CARI AND ZAC CARMONTA, owners of Gnarley Barley Brewing Company, saw their business win Louisiana’s Attraction of the Year.
'09 & ' 1 3 RACHAEL BOURGEOIS GREEN joined Alpha Sigma Tau as
director of advisor development.
in touch ' 09 KATIE GRAVOIS PLAISANCE has been hired as
general counsel for Investar Bank.
' 10 CHRIS MYCOSKIE has
been promoted to communications coordinator at Community Independent School District in Nevada, Tex.
' 14 ERIKA FERRANDO, a reporter with WWL-TV, won an Emmy award for Weather—Survival on the Water.
' 16 MELISSA ZELLER was appointed assistant principal of the Early College Option program in Ascension Parish.
'09 & ' 14 SARAH RICK joined North
Oaks Primary Care-Livingston as a Nurse Practitioner.
' 12 FELTON HUGGINS was
named Kentucky State University head football coach.
' 14 LAUREN LAMBERTTOMPKINS was appointed
executive director of Baton Rouge Blues Festival and Foundation.
'2 0 ZACHARY WEBER was named director of development at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace.
'09
' 10
ANTHONY RUTLEDGE has
SHELLY CHAUVIN was named the new head of school for St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace.
been promoted to the role of director of audit and assurance services at LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors.
'13 CARLY FLYNN was selected as
assistant principal of curriculum and communications for the 2023-2024 school year at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace.
'15 MIKE MIRANDA was named Cancer Center administrator for the Northshore Region for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
'22 EDITH WALKER was named new superintendent of Ascension Parish School System.
' 14 CASSANDRA ROBINSON DYSON was named Tangipahoa
Parish School System Middle School Teacher of the Year 2023.
' 16 LANCE BANKSTON recently joined Robins, Eskew, Smith and Jordan as tax manager.
'22 CATHERINE WOOTEN
placed in the Top 10 at Miss Louisiana USA 2023.
See Yourself?
NEARLY A CENTURY OF LION SPIRIT
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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE
These historic snapshots have captured a snippet of Southeastern’s story and people over the past 10 decades. If you know the names and details that go with these pictures, please share them by emailing editor@southeastern.edu.
Identified: Thank you to our readers who wrote in to share information on photos in our Spring ’23 issue.
Barbara McKaskle
Heidi Rudiger LoCicero Submitted by Missy Kennedy
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Southeastern’s College of Business and accounting program recently received international reaccreditation by AACSB, the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate business and accounting programs and a hallmark of excellence in business education.