Southeastern Louisiana University Magazine - Fall 2014

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 733 BATON ROUGE, LA

Office of Advancement, SLU 10293 Hammond, LA 70402 southeasternfoundation.org

Nursing Turns 50

G OOD MOR N I N G , ROB I N

The Jazz Man

A half century of nursing excellence, pg 26

ABC’s Robin Roberts receives honorary doctorate at Southeastern commencement, pg 12

Bill Evans’ career began in Pottle Hall, pg 16

SOUTHEASTERN F A L L

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Stay Involved W I T H

S O U T H E A S T E R N

You may have been away for a while, but there are many ways to support Southeastern.

1

follow

Follow us on social media and be a part of our virtual community. f facebook.com/southeastern t twitter.com/oursoutheastern instagram.com/oursoutheastern

2

attend

Homecoming is just around the corner! A great way to be a part of it all! October 16th – 18th.

3

join

Join the Alumni Association or Lion Athletic Association and be a part of a great community.

4

give

From planned estate gifts to annual gifts, your financial support will help build a legacy of student success.

southeastern.edu/homecoming

southeastern.edu/alumni | lionup.com

southeasternfoundation.org

S O U T H E A S T E R N

L O U I S I A N A

U N I V E R S I T Y

M A G A Z I N E

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY F A L L

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M A G A Z I N E PRESI DENT

Dr. John L. Crain PROVOST & VIC E PR E S I D E N T FO R ACAD E MI C A FFA I RS

Dr. Tammy Bourg VIC E P R E SID EN T FO R AD MI N I ST R AT I O N & FI NA NCE

Sam Domiano VIC E P R E SID E N T FO R U N I V E R S I T Y A DVA NCEM ENT

Wendy Lauderdale, CFRE VI C E PR E S I D E N T FO R ST U D E NT A FFA I RS

Dr. Marvin Yates EXEC UT IVE D I R ECTO R , PU B L I C & G OV E R NM ENTA L A FFA I RS

Erin Moore Cowser D IR ECTO R , MAR K E T I N G & CO MMU N I CAT I ONS

Mike Rivault

Letters: Southeastern Magazine welcomes letters of 300 or fewer words. Letters may be used for publication unless the author states that it is not to be published. Letters may be edited for publication. Send submissions to Editor, Southeastern Magazine, Office of University Advancement, SLU 10293, Hammond, LA 70402 or mrivault@southeastern.edu.

D I R ECTO R , PU B L I C I N FORM AT I ON

Rene Abadie PH OTOG RA P HY

Randy Bergeron, Roberto Polillo

Printing and distribution for the Southeastern Magazine provided by the Southeastern Foundation – southeasternfoundation.org.

CO N TRI B U TORS

Tonya Lowentritt, Kemmler Chappelle, Danny Heitman Laura Brooks, Graduate Student

COVE R A RT: Quintessence - Bill Evans by David Lloyd Glover Original painting acrylic on canvas 30” x 24” Portrait of Bill Evans in studio during a recording session.

David Lloyd Glover is a versatile artist and known to art collectors internationally. His series of Jazz legends and pop icons have been collected for the past 27 years by art and music fans in many different countries. His work is widely published and highly regarded throughout Europe, Asia and South America.

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY F A L L

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M A G A Z I N E

table of contents 6

10 6

N E W ST U D E N T U N I ON

The new student union opened in February to better serve students.

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N URS IN G : 50 YEA R A NNIVERSA RY

Southeastern’s nursing program opened its doors on a shoestring budget 50 years ago and has become one of the most noted programs in the state.

TOP 3 0 E D U CAT I ON P ROG RA M

The secondary education program here at Southeastern was recently ranked in the top 30 nationwide by National Council on Teacher Education.

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YOU SAI D I T

Ever wonder what your fellow alumni and friends think? What kind of car they drive? Check out our almost scientific poll.

16 B I LL E VAN S C H AN G E D T H E SOU N D OF JAZ Z

The late Bill Evans formulated who he was and what his musical style would be, in large part, while at Southeastern.

34

THE G IF T OF A LIF ETIME

Journalist Danny Heitman reflects on how a simple gift from a professor made an impact on him.

36 ATHLETIC S 2013/ 14 – A YEA R TO REMEMB ER

Last year was one of the best ever for Southeastern Athletics. AD Jay Artigues reflects back.

44

SOUTHEA STERN FOOD PA N TRY

As students face so many challenges, Southeastern ensures that food insecurity is not one of them.

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president’s

MESSAGE

Alumni, Friends and Supporters, I hope you enjoy our new Southeastern Louisiana University Magazine. We’ve given it a new look as well as some interesting new features.

Our hope is that the magazine will gain new readers and increase the engagement of current readers. It is important that those closest to us know more about us, and this magazine should help achieve that purpose. There are amazing stories from all corners of the campus, and we want to continue to improve how we communicate them.

The articles and stories in the pages ahead speak to the impact the university has on so many lives, on the region, and in many ways, on the world. The theme of this first issue of the re-launched magazine is that of “Changing Lives.” In the end, that is what Southeastern is here to do.

It is certainly our job, but in my opinion, our vocation. As a student completes his or her degree here, we know that is one life which has a greater potential and opportunity to succeed; that is one person who can experience a richer, fuller life through the critical thinking skills and career preparation obtained; and that is one person who can impact the lives of others.

As I talk to people, with great regularity the common theme that comes up in our conversation is the fact that Southeastern is very unique in how focused it is on its students. The article regarding our search for the university’s “brand” illustrates that for decades we have been a caring place for people from diverse backgrounds, and we still hold true to that ideal today.

We are known for it.

Other articles follow the theme - from the impact that Southeastern had on the music of Bill Evans, and through that, the nation, to the successes of our computer science students - Southeastern has placed its mark on so many. I am sure you have stories of your own to relate, and that is where the magazine serves as only the beginning.

We want you to engage. Tell your stories.

Share your experiences. Share the magazine.

Be a part of our renewed effort to spread the word about Southeastern. You can be an advocate for your university.

It’s time to Lion Up!

John L. Crain P RESI DENT

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

OUT

&

ABOUT

kayla hoover Ponchatoula, LA // Senior // Accounting

current leadership roles Alpha Sigma Tau: President 2014 SGA: Student Life Committee Member

in 15 words or less, what is great about Southeastern

currently involved in Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Order of Omega Phi Kappa Phi Beta Gamma Sigma Lion Legacy Association SGA Senator

The close ties of Southeastern are built on a growing legacy of excellence.

FAVOR IT E C L A SS

H OW SOU T H E ASTERN

MY FAVORITE THIN G

My favorite class so far would be Marketing 303 with Mr. Faucheux and Accounting 200, my very first accounting class!

C H AN G E D M E

A B OUT MY MA J OR

When I came to Southeastern, I had no intention of being involved with anything other than school. Organizations, Greek Life, even having leadership roles were scary thoughts. Southeastern really encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself.

After joining Alpha Sigma Tau, I knew I needed to keep pushing myself to try new things and new organizations on campus.

Southeastern helped me become a leader and realize my true potential as I continue to grow in my life experiences.

My favorite thing about my college is the close community that is built inside Garrett Hall. I have never felt as connected or included until joining the College of Business. Every professor I have taken remembers me after class is finished. I have been able to meet students within my major and even recognize and connect with those I knew previously. The College of Business does a wonderful job including all students and maintaining a close bond, despite different majors or choices of study.

FAVOR IT E SP OT ON CA MP US

Greek Village. Whether I am outside playing volleyball or in my sorority house with my sisters, I always feel like I am home.

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SOCIAL

MEDIA

POSTINGS & COMMENTS FROM YOU

“ My son is a

“

So cool! I miss this place so much it hurts! Had such a wonderful college experience here, and I would go back in a heart beat!”

freshman this year and we are so excited!”

– Stacie Ruffin FACEBOOK

“ Wow! My SLU

bound kids and the kid that is already there will have the chance to enjoy this beautiful addition to campus.”

-April Thompson-Ocaña FACEBOOK // ON OPENING OF UNION

-Karla Culbertson FACEBOOK // ON OPENING OF NEW STUDENT UNION

“ Congratulations and welcome!”

– DeAnna Rowan FACEBOOK // NEW LIONS FROM DENHAM SPRINGS HIGH

“Wow! Everything looks great.” – Chris Gross

“Love that tree!”

FACEBOOK // ON CHEFS EVENING

– Andy N Becky Tennison-Merritt SLU FACEBOOK // ON IMAGE OF TWO ON FRIENDSHIP OAK

“I spent my college career in the POTTLE BUILDING. Countless rehearsals, study groups, and fellowship time. Great times!”

– Bennette Davis FACEBOOK // ON #TBT POST

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

“$800” – Kristin Williams ALUMNI FACEBOOK // BIDDING TO HAVE ROBERT ALFORD AS CELEB SERVER

“LION UP”

“Go Gold Go Green Go Lions Lion Up Lion Nation.

Let us make some noise Saturday night”

-Matthew Plavidal ATHLETICS FACEBOOK // ON NEW BASKETBALL COACH

-Albert Hays Town III JD ALUMNI LINKEDIN // ON FOOTBALL VICTORY

“Awesome...

Lions are reeking havoc in the Southland Conference...

Go Lions!!!!!!!”

“AWESOME!” -Chelsea Mayor

-Ervin Gordon

SLU FACEBOOK // ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PLAYOFFS

SLU FACEBOOK // ON MENS TRACK AND FIELD SC CHAMPIONSHIP

“It makes me so proud to be a Southeastern alumni when I am greeted with a hug and called by name by a professor after having graduated two years ago. It just shows how much they really care about you. #LIONPROUD #LIONUP”

“You all know I love y’all.... right?” -Gretchen Twickler ALUMNI FACEBOOK

– Whitney Tisdale

“If only I were a Southeastern student. I’m currently in the Connect to Success program through Northshore Tech. Next year, I’d love to be a part of student government!”

“Those cupcakes were DELICIOUS! Thank you to whoever made them.

There was a jubilee celebration in my mouth.”

– Elliott Simms ON STRAWBERRY JUBILEE

– Eric Ballard SGA FACEBOOK

“Cool with me.”

- Colton Vickers SGA FACEBOOK // ON VOTING ON FEE INCREASE FOR ATHLETICS FA L L 2 0 1 4

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NEWS

6

in LEARNING

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

NEW

student union opens The first phase of the $32 million renovation and construction of the Student Union opened at 7 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17 to great accolades. The project is being financed by self-assessed student fees and vendor rentals. It offers over 90,000 square feet of new space for students to eat, study, relax, meet and play.

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NEWS

in LEARNING

COL L EGE O F SC IE N C E AN D TEC H N O LO GY

Southeastern computer science students earn top honors at regional competition

BY RENE ABADIE

A team of Southeastern computer science students took home the top prize at the 2014 Deloitte Consulting Programming Competition held this past spring at the company’s Hattiesburg, Miss., facility.

Twenty teams representing eight universities participated in the four-hour competition where they wrote software programs to solve specific problems. In addition to Southeastern – which entered five different teams in the competition – institutions participating included LSU, Tulane University, the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State University, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, and University of South Alabama.

ment of Computer Science and Industrial Technology. “ We are thrilled to nab the top spot in this highly competitive event this year. I am especially proud of our newest computer science faculty member, Dr. John Burris, whose tutelage and leadership guided our students to this success.”

Southeastern’s winning team, the “Void Avengers,” included members Sunil Shahi, Santosh Aryal, and Saket Khatiwada who are majoring in computer science at Southeastern. They were coached by Burris, assistant professor of computer science.

Burris also prepared the other four Southeastern teams in the competition, which placed fifth, eighth, ninth and 17th in the competition. “The performance of our students continues to show the quality of our program and our graduates in the region, and obviously I am very proud of our students’ performance,” he said.

“Southeastern rocks!” exclaimed team member Santosh Aryal, a senior computer science major with a minor in mathematics. “All of the faculty members are very helpful and willing to help us with anything at any time.

Dr. Burris organized a warm-up session to go over strategy, rules and problems solving.

That was a huge boost for us. We worked very hard to achieve the first place position.”

“Our students knocked this one out of the park, and we’re extremely proud of their performance in this prestigious event,” said Sebastian van Delden, head of the Depart-

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

“Southeastern’s victory at the Deloitte Programming Competition highlights the high quality computer science program offerings in the Greater New Orleans region,” said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “This win proves to digital media companies considering locating here that a talented workforce pipeline is growing.”

(photo left) Computer champs The “Void Avengers,” a team of Southeastern Louisiana University computer science students, took first place in the Deloitte Programming Competition in an event involving 20 teams from eight universities from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Pictured are, front, Sunil Shahi, and back, from left, Saket Khatiwada; Assistant Professor John Burris, who coached the team; and Santosh Aryal.

southeastern

teams

In all, Southeastern entered five teams in the Deloitte Programming Competition, claiming the championship and earning the fifth, eighth, ninth and 17th places.

Lion Up in China A study abroad group from the College of Business recently returned from a trip to China. While there, the students, led by Professor Mike Jones of the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, spent time with a group of local Chinese students, all seniors at a Chinese high school who plan to come to the United States for college. The Chinese students are in a

special class based upon their interest in learning English. After touring the school, both groups of students played a basketball game in the school gym.

Pictured giving the “Lion Up� sign are both groups of students in Guangzhou (near Hong Kong), a Chinese city of

The two groups also visited a site in the mountains, spending the entire day together.

As a result, many of the students made contacts with whom they are staying in touch.

approximately 15 million.

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NEWS

in LEARNING

E D UCAT IO N P ROG R AM

Ranked in

30

T OP

IN NATION

!

Southeastern Louisiana University’s program in

secondary education was ranked among the best in the nation in a report issued by the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Southeastern’s program was ranked 28th in the nation among secondary education programs, the best ranking in the state in that category with the next highest Louisiana institution at 127. The university was among the few institutions the report recommends to aspiring teachers as top-rated schools with low tuition.

The report, “2014 Teacher Prep Review,” is an annual assessment of the nation’s teacher preparation programs. In the report, NCTQ conferred Top Ranked status to 26 elementary and 81 secondary programs, accounting for only seven percent of all programs.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

This is the second year Southeastern has been recognized for its secondary education program by NCTQ. Last year, in a different ranking system, Southeastern earned 3.5 stars on a 4.0 scale, placing the university on the NCTQ national honor roll.

“It is encouraging to be recognized by a national body for our efforts in recent years in redesigning our teacher preparation program,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain.

“Southeastern has always been recognized as one of the largest preparation centers for teachers in the state, but the quality of our graduates has always been first and foremost in our priorities.”

Shirley Jacob, interim dean of the College of Education, said the NCTQ report gave

Southeastern especially high marks in the areas of middle and high school content, student teaching, and outcomes. Southeastern was also recognized for its teaching of classroom management skills.

“We have to share credit with other academic programs at Southeastern, which teach the content the teachers need to grasp and which is essential in the ability to provide students with a high level of instruction. We also recognize the important roles that our affiliated middle and high schools play in providing excellent teacher supervisors who mentor and oversee the work of our teacher candidates in their schools in the various districts in the region. Much of a new teacher’s success depends upon the support they receive during their student teaching experience.”

Faculty ExcellenceAwards FIVE FACULTY, STAFF RECEIVE AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Five Southeastern individuals are being recognized this year with the President’s Award for Excellence, the highest honor bestowed on Southeastern faculty and staff.

THE 2014 AWARDS IN RECOGNITION OF ARTISTIC ACTIVITY, RESEARCH, TEACHING, FACULTY SERVICE AND UNCLASSIFIED STAFF SERVICE GO TO:

Louisiana Studies, is recognized

spectrometer. She has also

with the President’s Award for

served on numerous university

Excellence in Research. He is

committees, chaired efforts to

the author of several books,

recruit new students and has

articles and films, mostly

accompanied students to more

on the history of southeast

than 25 scientific meetings and

Louisiana and the South. Hyde

conferences.

was recognized several years

DALE NEWKIRK, MFA, professor of visual arts, is

ago with the same award for

CONNIE C. DAVIS, MBA, Southeastern director

research.

recognized with the President’s

of Auxiliary Services, is

Award for Excellence in Artistic

recognized with the President’s

Activity. In addition to being a

Award for Excellence in

well-respected artist himself

Service-Unclassified Staff.

with more than 20 one-

A member of the staff at

person exhibitions, Newkirk

Southeastern since 1999, she

serves as director and curator

LORINDA J. SEALEY, PH.D., professor, holder of

of University Art Galleries, including the Contemporary Art Gallery.

DEBRA D. DOLLIVER, PH.D., professor of organic chemistry, is recognized with the President’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. A previous winner of the Award for Excellence in Research, Dolliver has made major contributions to the Department of Chemistry and

SAMUEL C. HYDE JR., PH.D., professor of history, Leon Ford Chair for Regional Studies and director of the Center for Southeast

Physics by volunteering to write grants for the department to obtain a new nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and a gas chromatography mass

the Sarah K. Thornhill Endowed Professorship in Nursing and graduate coordinator for the School of Nursing, is recognized with the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. A member of the faculty since 1989 with a strong love for nursing and education, she has been recognized for her teaching abilities at the undergraduate and graduate

is active in various community and church organizations, including as a founding board member for the Octavian Foundation for the Arts. In addition to volunteering for numerous campus events and committees, she is active in several professional associations, St. Albert the Great Catholic Student Center, St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic High School and Holy Ghost Catholic School and Church.

levels by supervisors, students, peers and professional organizations.

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Southeastern Recognizes ROBIN ROBERTS with Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

NEWS

I am so honored to be here ... and I am proud to call Southeastern home.

Southeastern’s most visible alum, ABC’s Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts was obviously moved when she was awarded an honorary doctor of humanities degree at her alma mater’s recent spring commencement ceremony.

“It wasn’t that long ago that I was sitting where you are,” said the 1983 communication graduate and former basketball star.

“Commencement is both an end and a new beginning. Back then, like many of you, I just wanted a J-O-B. “This day isn’t about me ... it’s about you,” she said. “You’ve put yourselves in a position for great things to happen.

in LEARNING

The secret to getting ahead is getting started. When fear knocks, let faith answer the door.” Roberts also gave each graduate a copy of her latest book Everybody’s Got Something.

Crain said. “She has remained close to her alma maters, and has become Southeastern’s greatest ambassador, never hesitating to recall the great experiences she enjoyed here.

In presenting the honorary doctorate, President John L. Crain said Roberts climbed the broadcasting career ladder from part time work as a studentathlete working at Southeastern’s KSLU radio and Hammond’s Northshore Broadcasting to a career with ESPN and later the ABC Network. Named Southeastern’s Distinguised Alumna of the Year in 1996, Roberts has been inducted into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame by the WNBA. Her jersey was retired by Southeastern in 2011.

“No introduction of Robin would be complete without noting the bravery she has demonstrated in life as a fighter against breast cancer and in her most recent challenge in dealing with pre-leukemia,” Crain said. “She used both challenges to better educate the public about these diseases and what can be done through prevention and modern medicine.

“Through her climb up the media ladder, Robin has remained the humble individual she was when she left Pass Christian High and Southeastern,”

“Her genuine, down-to-earth good nature allows her to relate to anyone ... from presidents to children,” Crain added. “Her personal and professional achievements make her a true role model for young people everywhere and an inspiration to us all.”

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YOU S A I D I T

A somewhat scientific P OLLING of ALUMN I

What kind of car do you drive?

53.1%

Do you own your own business?

Domestic

(Made in USA)

46.9%

Foreign

Do you work in the field in which you graduated from Southeastern?

6.5%

14

Yes

80.4%

No

How often do you check social media?

48.9%

More than twice per day

52.4%

Yes

25.8%

Once per day

27.0%

No

14.0%

Once per week

20.6%

Sort of

11.4%

What is social media?

Your favorite season.

40.3%

19.6%

Fall

Winter

Did you know that Southeastern Football won the Southland Championship last year?

36.1%

Spring

72.7%

Yes

17.0%

Summer

27.3%

No

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

DID YOU KNOW?

of

CAMPUS GROUNDS

are managed organically

amount of WASTE that was recycled or repurposed last year

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fea ture

STORY

changing the

sound of jazz

BY MIKE RIVAULT & LAURA BROOKS (Graduate Student)

The late Bill Evans, a 1950 graduate of Southeastern’s music program and a seven-time Grammy Award winner, is now considered the most influential jazz pianist of his generation.

Evans helped define jazz piano, a consensus shared by numerous music critics and writers.

Photo by Roberto Polillo

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Evans from the 1949 Le Souvenier, Southeastern’s yearbook.

“He is, quite simply, one of the most important pianists in modern history,” host Nancy Wilson of NPR states in her documentary, Jazz Profiles. A worldrenowned artist, Evans was a natural talent, a product of strong family influence, raw genius and several formative years at Southeastern studying music.

anything but ordinary; he sounded like a classical pianist, and yet he was playing jazz. I was captured there and then – the archetypal pivotal moment.

The concept of the ‘Bill Evans sound,’ instantly enshrined and distilled what I had always hoped to hear.

Peter Pettinger summarized Evans’ sound in his biography, Bill Evans: How My Heart Sings:

It was the plaintive harmony, the lyrical tone, and the fresh texture that captivated so; it was the very idea that one style of music could be played with the skills and finesse normally only brought to the other; it was a timeless quality, a feeling that the music has always been there; and above all, it was a yearning behind the notes, a quiet passion that you could almost reach out and touch.”

“In 1958, my friend brought along Miles Davis’ latest – something called Jazz Track. The piano on this stunning record was being played by an unknown musician with an ordinary name: Bill Evans. But the way he was shading his tone was

Having grown up with musical instruction in violin, flute, and piano, Evans nurtured a natural ability and gained exposure to many facets of music. He was influenced by his brother Harry, also a musician who had attended Southeastern. As a boy taking elementary piano lessons, Evans

fea ture

STORY

was taught in the classical style but with no specific technical approach.

He was always thankful to his teacher for presenting music this way because it allowed him to mature his own style and freely incorporate his method of playing in many genres. It was during Evans’ youth that he was introduced to jazz recordings. One day while sitting in for a high school rehearsal in New York, Evans decided to change up a standard chord to a jazz chord. He did and got a huge thrill from the improvisation along with the sounds of changing notes and rhythms. Still in high school when the musical jazz era of bebop was starting to boom, he was close to the type of

music that was then flourishing in New York City.

Evans made the decision to leave the area to pursue musical studies at Southeastern along with several other musicians who had been offered scholarships by Music Department head Ralph R. Pottle. Evans wanted to delve into the full spectrum of music and explore various theories and styles of music that he felt he could pursue at Southeastern.

In the grand scheme of things, small decisions in life can play pivotal, life changing roles. In Evans’ case, the choice to attend Southeastern

One of the great mysteries of music is the possibility of breathing life into a story without needing to use words... in order to get there you have to completely abandon yourself to it, and in this Bill Evans was clearly a master.

-Enrico Pieranunzi

John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis and Bill Evans

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

played an enormous role in cultivating his musical and social identity. The journey to Louisiana had a positive impact on the boy from Plainfield, New Jersey, who openly credited much of the success and joys of his lifetime to his time spent at Southeastern - a period he described as his most joyous. He was always up front about the influence Southeastern and his professors had on him. In Hanns Petrick’s 1989 biography, Bill Evans - Sein Leben, Seine Musik, Seine Schallplatten, Evans explicitly noted this by praising Gretchen Magee, an associate professor of music at the time, “I have always admired [Magee’s] teaching as that rare and amazing combination – exceptional knowledge combined with the ability to bring that same knowledge, that lies deep within the student, to life. You were certainly my biggest inspiration in college, and the seeds of the insights that you have sown, have in practice born fruit many times over.”

Posters from Southeastern’s festival honoring Evans

Coming to Southeastern in 1947, Evans found a small college with just over 1,000 students. Students felt then they knew everyone on campus because of the small size and close knit environment. Classmate of Evans and later a writer and editor for the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper, Annabelle Armstrong, describes the atmosphere of late 1940s Southeastern, saying: “We were all part of a family. He [Bill Evans] was part of my family.”

Evans relished the opportunity to be on his own in a place that was so different from his origins. He appreciated the tempo of the Southern lifestyle and said he always felt relaxed and peaceful while living in Louisiana. He never felt pressured about being any certain person, important to his

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fea ture

STORY

developing character at 17 years of age.

There was clearly something special about his music. His classmates and teachers recognized his talent immediately, and he was cast as an accompanist for many school productions early on.

Gretchen Ott Magee, associate professor of music who greatly influenced Evans

Classmate Kitty Laiche of Hammond, wife of Evans’ college roommate Felix Laiche, recalls the first time she encountered Evans as the piano accompanist for a play production her sorority, Kappa Ro, was producing. She described his playing as fantastic, especially so for a freshman.

According to Laiche, Evans was a popular student at Southeastern, involved in numerous activities on campus, including helping establish the musical fraternity, Sigma Phi Alpha.

While he was certainly a man-aboutcampus, Evans led somewhat of a double life - student by day, performer by night.

He and his group, “The Casuals,” would play gigs on the weekends in New Orleans and the surrounding areas to make extra pocket money. Friends and schoolmates would frequently carpool to see the group perform.

EVANS WAS KNOWN FOR BEING INCREDIBLY FOCUSED ON HIS MUSIC. Felix Laiche noted, “He would just start rubbing his hands the first thing when he got up, the same as someone else might smoke a cigarette or drink a cup of coffee.

Then he would go downstairs to play the dormitory piano for five to 10 minutes. He

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

did this every morning, rubbing his hands all of the way down the stairs. It was like he had this stuff in his hands, and he just had to get it out. He would go down and just move it out of his hands.”

In school, Evans practiced every day on his own and with his teachers. His instructors recognized his talent as he mastered some of the greatest piano pieces written. His senior recital included pieces by Bach, Brahms, Chopin, finishing with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto.

However, his friends noted that while Evans was a master at performing the classics, jazz remained his favorite and he worked diligently to understand its complexity and nuances. He was able to pair his deep understanding of the traditions of European composers with the dynamism of the African-rooted sounds of jazz that eventually led to his own sound and expressions. His appreciation for music and art that broke the norms, but were still rich and smooth in quality, played out in his own compositions.

Armstrong tells a story that sheds light on Evans’ interest in the written word as his means of inspiration. An established writer for the school newspaper, The Lions Roar, Armstrong was asked to write a poem for the new issue of the university literary magazine. Excited at the chance to be creative, she said she came up with a poem about dreams. After the publication, she recalls that Evans himself was the

first person to comment about her writing, a memory she still holds dearly.

Events like this point to the artist in Evans as he was able to appreciate all of the beautiful art forms around him at Southeastern. It has been noted that Evans professed much admiration for the poet William Blake, with whom he felt a deep connection based on the poet’s ability to write of beautiful things found in simplicity. Evans stated, “The simple things, the essences, are the great things, but our way of expressing them can be incredibly complex.”

Music critics and jazz musicians have also noted Evans’ ability to weave conceptually between the word and note. Famed jazz pianist Enrico Pieranunzi wrote, “A melody has powerful narrative potential. One of the great mysteries of music is the possibility of breathing life into a story without needing to use words. It’s as if the melody had its own silent words that turn it into a song. But in order to get there you have to completely abandon yourself to it, and

in this Bill Evans was clearly a master. It is no easy thing to make the piano sing the way he was able to.”

Evans applied this interplay of narrative, simplicity and complexity to writing and playing his music. He believed the best way to express a certain emotion through music was to have a natural technique that is invisible so the sound does not get lost in a complicated structure. Perhaps the most beloved expression of natural technique in a complex structure reverberates in “Waltz for Debby,” an exquisite piece written for his neice.

After earning two degrees from Southeastern, Evans was offered the opportunity to perform with a group in New York with a well-known guitarist from New Orleans, Mundell Lowe. Evans was playing the piano in a cramped rehearsal room on campus in Pottle Hall when Lowe told him he was going to line up playing dates for Evans in New York. Evans’ professional career was soon underway with performance dates and recording sessions. His career and impact on American music never abated.

After leaving Southeastern, Evans would go on to world fame, recording over 70 albums, receiving 31 Grammy nominations, winning seven Grammy

Awards, and having a devoted following. Despite his impressive musical career, his life outside of his music was often difficult. Battling addictions and health conditions long neglected, he tragically succumbed to heart failure on September 15, 1980 at the age of 51. Biographer Peter Pettinger asserts, his “agony was defied to the end by his artistic ecstasy.” He is buried in Roselawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Baton Rouge, and, according to Armstrong, his grave continues to be visited by individuals who loved his music.

Even with all of Evans’ success in his eminent career, he never forgot the place where he received a transformational education that helped develop his unique talents. Thirty years after graduating, Bill Evans came to have a performance at Southeastern.

IT WAS HERE THAT HE TOLD THE AUDIENCE THAT HIS LAST TWO YEARS AT THE COLLEGE WERE THE BEST OF HIS LIFE. Evans’ bond to Southeastern continues in the annual Bill Evans Jazz Festival held annually at Southestern over the past 14 years, in the memories of his presence in the practice rooms and music halls of Pottle, and in the music that he created from that combination of talent, genius and time spent as a Lion.

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LOOK AT

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us NOW

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SATURDAY NIGHT in STRAWBERRY STADIUM

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at the

HEART OF IT ALL

BY MIKE RIVAULT

R

oger Wang came to Southeastern from Taiwan to pursue his MBA after graduating from the Chinese Culture University in 1969. Growing up and being educated in Taiwan, Wang looked for a university to provide him with a business specific degree.

Southeastern was his choice. As he has noted, Southeastern helped him understand what he was truly capable of by providing a caring and supportive environment where a person is safe to take the risks necessary to learn who they are. Today, Wang has built an international real estate and retail conglomerate and is listed on the Forbes 400 as #166 of the wealthiest people in the United States. While his accomplishments are out of the ordinary, his story and experience at Southeastern is not.

If you were asked to think of words that describe Southeastern, many things would come to mind, but very

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likely, “community,” “caring,” “family,” “friendly,” or the like will be ideas that are within those words. The voices from those who graduated over 50 years ago to those who are still taking classes today are remarkably consistent when recounting what Southeastern is. “[Southeastern] is an intimate familylike place with all the benefits of a larger university.” This was said by an alumnus who graduated in the mid 60’s.

“This place is friendly; people really seem to go out of their way to help you as a student.” This was from a current junior.

When the first quoted graduate was here at Southeastern, the student population was under 4,000, tuition was $37 per semester, Lyndon Johnson was president, color TV was just becoming the norm and women were still required to wear skirts while on

Southeastern’s campus. The current student has a most assuredly different life experience and with that a different set of expectations and criteria by which to judge Southeastern. However, their understanding of Southeastern is the same. Southeastern is student-focused and cares about its students as people and individuals it wants to see succeed.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO SOUTHEASTERN? In today’s uber-commercialized world, every company has a logo, every car has an emotive or aspirational name, and even people are encouraged to “build a personal brand.” We see over 3,500 advertisements in one form or another per day. Think about that – if you are awake for 17 hours a day, you see an average of 205 per hour or 3.4 per minute. In that cluttered, noisy world, what all of these companies are truly looking for is a unique identity -

something that separates them from their competitors and tells prospective customers or clients that they stand for something and they will deliver that something to you.

In this modern reality, universities are no different. The forces at work have created a new reality that universities are now competing with one another for students. While some see this as a monumental shift, it can bring about better opportunities for students and has certainly allowed Southeastern to shine. Many economists will tell you that competition breeds innovation, efficiency, effectiveness, and many more business sounding adjectives and adverbs. This is true, but it also makes universities look at themselves with a tougher eye and try to understand what it is that is special or unique about a

place. They ask the question, “Why do students choose to come here?”

Southeastern started this process two years ago, by asking, “What makes us special?” Through a months-long process, a campus-wide committee dug into understanding this question. Research was done, surveys administered and focus groups conducted. The results were both amazing and refreshing. Just as already mentioned, the consistency reached across the decades, gender, race, occupation and discipline – Southeastern has been caring for its students since day one.

Some universities have to work hard, or even reach far to understand who

they are, but Southeastern did not. It is difficult for the best-performing most well managed Fortune 500 companies to maintain a solid positive brand or personality for decades. Yet, Southeastern has done just that for nearly nine decades.

Through all of the leadership changes, growth, visions and strategies, we have been the university that cares. It has touched the hearts of its alumni and friends alike. Its strength is in providing a second to none education while also providing personal attention and hands on learning. That is so much more than seeing an ad or a logo. That is a true purpose and calling, and it is at the heart of Southeastern Louisiana University.

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N U R S I N G

S

T O

C E L E B R AT E

50th GoldenAnniversary

outheastern’s nursing program started 50 years ago as a barebones program with only three enrollees.

Today it has evolved into one of the university’s most popular academic disciplines, having graduated over 4,100 students since those early days.

“The recognition the School of Nursing and its faculty have earned over the years has been impressive, including being named the Best Nursing Program in Louisiana three times, the Best Nursing Program in Advanced Practice in the state and numerous others,” said Ann Carruth, the current College of Nursing and Health Studies dean.

“The quality of our program means our students are eagerly recruited by hospitals and other health care facilities and have no trouble finding employment.”

First proposed in 1951, the program took 13 years to come to fruition. In 1964, Southeastern was authorized to begin planning the program.

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Opal Carl was appointed the program’s first director. Working out of an old wooden building with a budget of less than $15,000, she began piecing the parts together: developing a curriculum, recruiting faculty and finding adequate facilities for clinical training. In its first year, three students were admitted: Ava Ledford, Lynn Robinson and Maxine Harper. The program quickly began moving forward.

“Tuition was only $94 a semester when we started with 12 people in our first class. By the next year we were down to the three of us,” said one of those first students, Ava Ledell (formerly Ledford). “Miss Carl taught us our first class, and later new faculty were added. As classmates, we did everything together so we were very close.” The three did their clinical training at Seventh Ward Hospital – now North Oaks Health System – and at West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero.

“On Monday evenings we would drive to the Westbank with our instructor and stay on the hospital campus through Thursday evening,” recalled Ledell, now retired from a nursing career at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and living in Hammond. “No time was wasted, because our clinical instructor basically conducted class in the car. I am very proud to have been a member of that first class,” she added.

“The nursing program has grown so much as has its reputation for quality.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years.

For me, it led to an excellent career choice and the best job ever. Thank you, Miss Carl!”

As the program matured in the 70’s and 80’s it saw significant achievements. Accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission in 1976, opening of the Baton Rouge Nursing Center in 1982 and the development of a master’s program in 1989 proved that the program was continuing

Nursing Directors & Deans Opal Carl 1966-1967 Betty Messersmith 1967-1970 Ellienne Tate 1970-1998 Donnie Booth 1998-2009 Barbara Moffett 2009-2011 Ann Carruth 2011-

on a positive trajectory. By 1990, it had grown in both reputation and in student numbers.

“Most gratifying was working with exceptional faculty and witnessing the success of our graduates in diverse areas of health care. Our faculty was extraordinary, and each played a significant part in making Southeastern a great nursing program,” said Elliene Tate, the program’s director starting in 1970 and retiring in 1998 as dean.

continues to accomplish great things due to supportive administrators, excellent faculty and motivated students.”

Booth retired in 2009 and was succeeded by Barbara Moffett as interim dean until her retirement two years later. Moffett had served as a member of the faculty since 1976 and director of the school for many years.

Her term as interim dean saw a partnership expansion of clinical facilities, increased availability of online courses, development of an alternative program to assist students with prior bachelor’s degrees complete the nursing curriculum, and development of a doctorate in advanced nursing practice, which was approved in collaboration with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2012.

“Even now that I am retired, I still meet people who tell me about the outstanding nursing program

at Southeastern or of a student or graduate who has made a difference to them or their family,” she said. “It reminds me of how proud and grateful I am to have spent most of my life in the School of Nursing at Southeastern.”

Carruth admits she inherited a solid program with an excellent tradition.

“The previous directors and deans – from the very planning of the program to where we are now 50 years later – placed tremendous emphasis on hiring quality faculty who could research and teach,” she said. “Our reputation in the community with area health care facilities and professionals make it easy to recruit highly qualified students. In addition, the college has finally moved into a new, long-awaited, state-of-the art facility. Having experienced the Southeastern program as a student, instructor and administrator, I can attest to the level of quality in all areas that will allow the program to only get better in coming years.”

In 1998 Donnie Booth became dean, and under Booth’s leadership the program enjoyed continued growth of both the graduate and undergraduate programs, accreditation by the Collegiate Commission for Nursing Education, initiation of honor societies in nursing and development of a new, completely online RN to BS degree program.

Booth has fond memories for the impact the program had on the area and the impact it had on her. “I cherish my years at Southeastern and am proud to have been a part of such a program,” she added. “The program

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ensuring OPPORTUNITIES

BY RENE ABADIE

W

hen MICHAEL ELDRIDGE first entered Western Illinois University several years ago, he will tell you himself that he was unprepared for the college experience.

“At the time, school just wasn’t right for me, or I wasn’t mature enough to actually try,” says the Bogalusa resident, now a sophomore at Southeastern Louisiana University. “There was lots of partying and skipping class. I ended up dropping out of college and joining the Army.”

AFTER SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MILITARY – which included two combat deployments to Iraq between 2007 and 2010 – Eldridge attempted to enroll at Southeastern; his poor grades from his first college attempt, however, made him ineligible for admission. A friend suggested he enroll at Northshore Technical Community College, which now offers general education courses on Southeastern’s campus.

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Eldridge was one of the first students admitted into the Connect to Success program, a joint venture between NTCC and Southeastern that expands access and preparation of NTCC students who have the opportunity to eventually transfer to a baccalaureate program at Southeastern or some other university. The program was initiated in 2012 and allows NTCC students to take developmental and general education courses on Southeastern’s campus in order to earn the credits necessary to be formally admitted to a four-year institution. Currently, approximately 300+ students participate in the program.

“Connect to Success was developed to provide postsecondary educational opportunities for students in our region who are seeking to attend a college or university, but don’t yet meet admission criteria,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain. “Admission standards at Southeastern have risen over the last several years, and some prospective students aren’t eligible for admission.

We want to provide these students an efficient and effective opportunity to meet those standards. Our partnership with NTCC is achieving that goal.”

“Access and student success are central to the design of the Connect to Success program, said NTCC Chancellor William Wainwright. “University and college faculty and staff crosstrained to assess students’ needs and implement strategies for their success has led to the explosive growth of this

Eldridge with biology professor and department head, Christopher Beachy

most important program serving the greater northshore region.”

Crain and Wainwright agree the partnership is a win-win for both institutions and, most importantly, for their students.

Southeastern certifies faculty credentials and curricula for the courses offered through the program to ensure they are transferrable. Students enrolled in the program are entitled to use Southeastern’s Textbook Rental program, which allows students to rent rather than purchase books used in their courses. They also have access to the university’s computer labs, library and Student Union, as well as other amenities and services.

ANOTHER BENEFIT OF CONNECT TO SUCCESS IS THE JOINT ADMISSIONS AND REGISTRATION PROCESS AND ACADEMIC AND CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH THEIR ENROLLMENT. “NTCC made enrolling in the program very simple, and the program helped me get back into the student mindset,” said Eldridge, now a biology major with

plans to eventually become a physician’s assistant. “The classes are small, so the instructors had lots of time to deal with the students individually.

Connect to Success made transitioning from solider to student incredibly easy.”

“Michael is a great example of how this program can help students be ready to succeed when they come to Southeastern,” said Chris Beachy, head of the Department of Biological Sciences who also serves as Eldgridge’s academic advisor. “ Transitioning is usually a really difficult challenge, and the classes in his curriculum are especially demanding. Being prepared is essential. It’s really cool to have a program in place that helps a student – especially one that served our country the way Michael has – gain the education necessary to move forward.”

After successfully completing his first semester this past spring with good grades in all his courses at Southestern, Eldridge is taking a full load of courses this fall.

“I know I have a long way to go, but I’m determined to finish out my degree in the next year or so”, he states confidently.

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media SHELF

NOVELIST ARMAND

finds his voice in

‘OWN LITTLE POSTAGE STAMP’

N

ovelist and Southeastern faculty member David Armand has been receiving a great deal of notice as a significant young writer with a unique voice reminiscent of some of the literary greats. Armand’s first novel, The Pugilist’s Wife , earned the George Garrett Fiction Prize, and his second novel, Harlow, was cited as among the top 10 favorite books of 2013 by the Richmond (Va.) Times Dispatch and on Amazon’s list of best novels about dysfunctional families. Both novels have received many positive reviews.

While Armand’s talent and ability to tell a story are obvious, the authenticity of his novels comes in part in his understanding of place. He is quite faithful to the advice frequently given to young authors: “Write what you know.”

The Folsom native’s two novels – with another one nearing completion – take place in Louisiana’s Florida parishes and feature the language style common to the region and characters he has met in his life. Emphasizing his love for the South, especially Louisiana, as a location for his novels, Armand says, “My stories are grounded in the same locale in which I grew up.”

The Southeastern graduate notes that acclaimed author William Faulkner referred to this sense of place as “my own little postage stamp of soil.” But unlike Faulkner and other writers, who invent their own reality-based locales, Armand uses the actual towns and parishes that he has become so familiar with over his 34 years. It allows him to paint vivid pictures of a town or region, bringing the location into the story not just as a background, but as an integral character to the narrative.

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“I see these areas every day, and they have become so real to me,” said Armand, whose writing has been compared to three of his favorite writers: Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor and Cormac McCarthy. “Instead of making up fictional areas, I prefer to use the actual locales in my stories, as well as the unique names for places and people you find in the area.

And we have a lot of unique names in Louisiana.”

Using his own unique writing style – characterized by minimal punctuation and other irregularities of grammar – Armand says he likes to experiment with language, an

“Write what you know.” approach some people like while others find disconcerting.

As William Wright wrote in his review of Harlow in the literary magazine, Shenandoah, “… what separates a book such as Harlow from the myriad Southern novels that straddle the line between popular and literary fiction—and indeed, what makes Harlow undoubtedly literary—is the tonal maximalism, the luxuriating in evocative words and long sentences, the obvious love and care for language.

Indeed the dichotomously brusque plot and the highly lyrical execution create a harmony that induces a kind of synesthesia. Reading Harlow feels like biting into a juicy peach freshly plucked from the orchard.”

While Armand, as many Southern writers, are often judged under the filter of other regional greats, his style does transcend

regionalism alone to blend a completely unique tone that brings forth multiple dimensions demonstrating the skill of a true craftsman.

“Armand writes in a comfortingly familiar literary voice that blends Ernest Hemingway’s laconic but rhythmically complicated explorations of the mysteries of masculinity with William Faulkner’s more fabulist, Southern Gothic twang,” wrote Doug Childers of the Richmond Times Dispatch.

His next novel, The Gorge, is a bit more “mainstream” in writing style, he said.

Armand worked on a tight deadline over the spring and summer to complete a draft of The Gorge. Based in Bogue Chitto State Park near Franklinton in Washington Parish, the murder mystery loosely draws its plot from a real homicide that had taken place in the park. He is hoping the novel will be published in early 2015.

A resident of Hammond and graduate of Southeastern with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English, Armand acknowledges the effect his time at Southeastern has had on his career. While an undergraduate, he earned an award for writing named after now-retired faculty member and author Tim Gautreaux. Among the faculty he credits for having a major influence are novelist Norman German who, he said, taught him the proper use of words; and poet Jack Bedell, who emphasized the economy of words.

“I had great fortune to have had some excellent teachers when I was in college, particularly my writing teachers who showed interest in my early work,” he said. “They were all more than generous with their time and support.”

Armand teaching - fall 2014

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after OFFICE

HOURS

an

band

american

BY TONYA LOWENTRITT

“WE’RE COMIN’ TO YOUR TOWN, WE’LL HELP YOU PARTY IT DOWN, WE’RE AN AMERICAN BAND,” SO GOES THE LYRICS OF GRAND FUNK RAILROAD’S ICONIC ODE TO BEING THE ONES THAT BRING THE MUSIC VENUES TO LIFE. IT’S ALSO A FACT OF LIFE FOR THESE COLLEGE PROFESSORS. In the case of an odd-matched group of faculty members at Southeastern Louisiana University, it’s a love of music, as well as a desire to give back something to the arts.

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The new rock group, calling themselves “Impaired Faculties,” consists of Southeastern’s Bill Robison, guitarist and vocalist; Joe Burns, guitarist and vocalist; Ralph Wood, drummer; Randy Settoon, bassist and vocalist; and Dan McCarthy, keyboards and vocalist. This past spring they premiered their act to benefit Fanfare and Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts at the downtown Hammond theatre.

According to Robison – whose day job consists of serving as head of the Department of History and Political Science – the group was born of the common desire for the five members to return to playing before live audiences,

which they all did with various bands when they were considerably younger.

Other members’ academic credentials include McCarthy, dean of the College of Science and Technology; Settoon, former dean of the College of Business and now professor of management; Burns, communication professor and founder of the popular KSLU radio show “Rock School;” and Wood, professor of health education and promotion.

As for the name, Robison says it is, “an exercise in self-deprecating humor.”

While the band takes the music very seriously, they do not take themselves very seriously at all.

With Impaired Faculties, there is an element of surprise. Will we be good or will the wheels come off onstage? The only way to find out is to come to the show.

Bill Robison, Guitarist and Vocalist

“The ‘faculties’ part of the name is pretty obvious,” he explained. “Impaired refers to what the budget has done to us in the last six years, which is also the reason why a benefit concert is necessary in the first place. ‘Impaired Faculties’ might also be a joke about our age, but it is not a reference to substance abuse, unless you count caffeine.”

Robison said he is having the time of his life playing in the most congenial

and talented group of which he has ever have been a part.

“The members’ maturity, sobriety, and restrained egos combine with a shared enthusiasm to make every moment a joy,” he added.

In 2013, Robison approached Columbia Theatre Interim Director Roy Blackwood with the idea of a rock concert to benefit the Columbia and Fanfare featuring a band made up of entirely non-music faculty, and Blackwood accepted.

ROBINSON SAID THEY FORMED A GROUP EXCLUDING MUSIC FACULTY FOR A SPECIFIC REASON. “The music faculty are, by definition, capable; thus, any excitement associated with one of their performances is a comfortable, complacent excitement based on the certainty they will be good,” Robison explained. “With Impaired Faculties, there is an element of surprise. Will we be good or will the wheels come off onstage? The only way to find out is to come to the show.”

Burns shares Robison’s enthusiasm for the group.

“This is a project I think we’re all proud to be part of. People are going to be impressed when they hear it,” he said.

“The five of us started doing it just for kicks but it’s jelled into something bigger than that. It rocks pretty good. You know what they say – it’s only Rock and Roll, but we like it.”

Although the band plays cover songs, they have written and recorded music and will begin work on original songs later this year to perform and record their own music.

“Like you would expect for a bunch of guys in their 40s and 50s,” Burns said.

“We have the ’70s classic rock songs covered.” The group has even been known to take a classic and remake it in their own image. The classic – in every respect, non academic – “Summertime Blues,” has become a lyrically reincarnated – and definitely academic – “Faculty Blues.”

“We’re doing this for fun,” Burns explained. “We don’t want to be a wedding band. How many times can we play ‘Brown Eyed Girl’? We’re going to play the music we want to play because we like doing it. It’s just a good time.”

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TheGift of a Lifetime

EACH YEAR, A LOT OF US WONDER WHAT KIND OF GIFT TO GIVE OUR FAVORITE GRADUATE. THIS MAKES ME THINK OF A SPECIAL PRESENT I RECEIVED AFTER GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE NEARLY THREE DECADES AGO – A BOOK THAT CONTINUES TO SHAPE HOW I THINK ABOUT LIFE AND WORK.

Danny Heitman, a columnist for The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge and a frequent writer for national publications, is the author of “A Summer of Birds: John James Audubon at Oakley House.” This essay, in modified form, originally appeared in The Christian Science Monitor.

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At the close of my undergraduate career at Southeastern Louisiana University in 1986, I managed to nab an award for excellence in liberal arts studies. Alas, no cash prize was involved – just a certificate noting my accomplishment. But Delmas Crisp, who was then the chair of the university English department, wanted me to have something else: a deluxe edition of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s best novels.

The book was bound in blue, bonded leather, with embossed lettering across the front and gilt pages inside. The physical quality of the volume told me that literature was something valuable, high-minded, worth defending and passing down from one generation to the next. That was a good thing to know as I left campus and entered a world in which literature doesn’t always or even usually command a high place of honor in national life.

Seeing that blue book on my shelf all these years, as I’ve pursued a life full

BY DANNY HEITMAN (‘86)

of reading and writing, has been a source of encouragement for me. It’s a touchstone, a telling reminder that books matter.

In giving me a nice book on graduation, Dr. Crisp was also, in a small but profound way, treating me like a peer.

He was telling me that he thought I could grasp and be enriched by good books on my own, away from the directed learning of college instruction.

The Hawthorne book wasn’t assigned reading; it was a text shared between one avid reader and another. I was being acknowledged as a fellow grownup, which is a flattering thing for any graduate.

Dr. Crisp was also telling me, as he pressed the book into my hand, that books are more than sources of classroom instruction. They are also there for us to savor, to cherish, to enjoy. This new book I was holding, unlike the blandly manufactured college texts I’d been lugging around, was clearly designed for pleasure.

Just as Hawthorne gave pleasure in novels such as The Scarlett Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, so I would be expected to in my own life as a writer to give pleasure, too.

There was another message in the gift that Dr. Crisp had made of Hawthorne.

I was now being told, not so subtly, that

my job as a reader of literature wasn’t finished, even though I had my college diploma now. I had, instead, embraced the work of a lifetime.

Dr. Delmas Crisp 1986 Crisp joined Southeastern’s faculty in English during the 70’s, ultimately serving as director of freshman English and department chair before leaving in the late 80’s. Since, he has served as vice president for academic affairs and dean

Not all of this was clear to me as Dr. Crisp handed me Hawthorne’s collected works on that bright, spring day. Truth be told, I didn’t fully know what to make of the gift I’d been given. The book sat unopened on my shelf for many years, as I moved from apartment to house to house, marrying and having children. I have finally read its pages now, grasped at least some of the lessons inside. After all this time, I’m still a student, as any reader is when he opens a text and asks an author to talk to him for a while.

The SLU graduates of my generation are now old enough to watch their own children graduate from college. Maybe, along with the usual stuff, we should consider giving each of them a good book, too.

Who knows? You just might change a life, as Dr. Crisp changed mine.

at Wesleyan College and is currently executive vice president and academic dean at Methodist University.

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ATHLETICS

SOUTHEASTERN ATHLETICS BUILDING ON HISTORIC 2013-14 36

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

BY KEMMLER CHAPPLE

W

hen Jay Artigues stepped down after eight successful seasons as head baseball coach to begin a new phase in his career as Director of Athletics, he knew he was taking over a department on the verge of unprecedented success. He was right on the money. The 2013-14 year, Artigues’ first year as the leader of Southeastern Athletics, was also the most successful in school history.

The Lions and Lady Lions combined to win five Southland Conference Championships – the most by any league institution. Prior to this season, Southeastern had never won more than three league titles in the same athletic year. Artigues was pleased with the accomplishments, but not entirely surprised.

“Since I’ve been here at Southeastern, people have said, ‘Southeastern Athletics is a sleeping giant’ and, honestly, I was tired of hearing about our potential,” Artigues said. “With the success we’ve had this year, we don’t have to talk about potential – we have arrived. We’re blessed to have good people in all areas – student-athletes, coaches and staff – and when I came in as AD, my job was no different than taking over a baseball program.

We needed to change our mentality.

We’ve embraced the winning mentality throughout our department, and that’s one of the main reasons we’ve been successful.”

Perhaps no program embodied the winning mentality Artigues preached more than the Lions’ football team under the direction of Southland

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ATHLETICS

Conference, Louisiana and AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year Ron Roberts. After a promising 5-2 Southland record in 2012, Roberts brought the Lions to new heights in 2013. The Lions, who finished ranked sixth in the final national polls, ripped off 10 wins in a row on the way to an 11-3 record and their first-ever Southland Conference championship – the program’s first league title of any kind since 1961.

Southeastern’s historic season netted it the No. 4 national seed and, in its firstever trip to the NCAA FCS Playoffs, SLU advanced to the quarterfinals.

Artigues believes last year’s success on the gridiron was just the beginning. “Coach Roberts has obviously done a tremendous job,” Artigues said. “One of the keys to being a leader of a great program is to put the right people around you, and Ron has done that by building a great staff. Nobody is going to outwork our coaching staff when it comes to recruiting quality young men and student-athletes to our university. With Coach Roberts at the helm, we think our program will continue to grow and improve every year.”

While the football team earned its first taste of

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championship success in 2014, the Lady Lion soccer team continued to build on its winning tradition. Facing off with three-time defending Southland Conference champion Stephen F. Austin in the championship match, SLU won in penalty kicks to earn its second berth in the NCAA Championships and the program’s seventh league championship under head coach Blake Hornbuckle.

“Blake does an outstanding job getting his team prepared in practice professionally,” Artigues said. “The quality of talent he is able to recruit year in and year out speaks to the quality of program he’s built. That program consistently competes for conference championships.”

Another program consistently in conference championship contention has been the men’s track and field program under head coach Sean Brady. The Lions had their best year of Brady’s tenure in 2014, first by taking home the indoor league title in February. Southeastern then pulled off the first sweep in school history in May, when it rallied to take the outdoor championship, edging Stephen F. Austin by one point in a thrilling finish.

“Sean’s a great coach and has been producing AllAmericans throughout his

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ATHLETICS

time here,” Artigues said. “One of the things that has helped us in track is building the new Southeastern Track Complex. We already had the right coach in place with Sean and providing a first-class facility as a recruiting tool has helped take the program to the next level.”

The achievements of a program near to Artigues’ heart helped cap a memorable 2014 season. In his first season at the helm, Lion head coach Matt Riser led Southeastern to the Southland Conference Tournament championship and the first NCAA Regional berth since 1994. While at the regional in Baton Rouge, Southeastern defeated Bryant, 2-1, in a 10-inning elimination game, giving the program its first regional victory since 1992. Artigues was not surprised at what his long-time assistant was able to accomplish in is his first season. “The same qualities that made Matt a great player are what makes him a great head coach,” Artigues said. “Our players know they have a leader who believes in them, and it shows in how hard they play for him. We’re

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fortunate to have our baseball program in the hands of one of the premier young coaches in the nation.”

While football, soccer, track and baseball brought home conference hardware, several other programs can boast outstanding seasons or individual accomplishments.

Men’s golf shot the low round of the tournament on the final day of the Southland Conference Championships, ultimately finishing second under head coach Tim Baldwin. Junior Grady Brame represented Southeastern in the NCAA Regionals and won the Louisiana Amateur, while earning first team All-Southland Conference, All-Louisiana and CoSIDA Academic All-District VI honors.

Like Brame, Renee Villarreal of the Southeastern tennis team also was a first team selection by the Southland, LSWA and CoSIDA. Volleyball’s Megan McMillin earned the Southland Conference’s F.L. McDonald Postgraduate Scholarship and also was bestowed the President’s Medal for Academic

Excellence – the highest honor a Southeastern graduate can receive – at spring commencement exercises.

In April, Artigues took the next step in building Southeastern Athletics into a power, bringing in new blood to the hardwood. New coaches Jay Ladner and Yolanda Moore are dedicated to providing excellence to the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

While Artigues is pleased with the accomplishments, neither he, the coaches, nor the student-athletes plan to rest on their laurels. Artigues knows the department has to continue to improve to become the elite athletic program in the Southland Conference. “We’ve made some improvements in this first year, but we can still be better,” Artigues said. “We won the most conference championships in school history in 2013-14, but that’s not a record I want to stand for long. Next year, we’re shooting for six or more.

We are going to continue to get better and improve in everything we do on and off the field.”

Distinguished Alumni of the Year C O L L E GE S R E C O GN I ZE ALUM N I

Every year, Southeastern’s Alumni Association joins with the university’s five academic colleges at their spring honors convocations to recognize their distinguished alumni for the year.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

THOMAS BELLAVIA is the current assistant superintendent of administration for the Tangipahoa Parish School System. He is a 1967 graduate with a degree in secondary education in social studies and science and earned a master’s in administration and supervision in 1970. A native of Amite, Bellavia taught at Amite High School from 19671970 and then served as principal of Roseland Elementary from 1970-1987 when he moved to Amite High School, serving as principal until 1990. In 1990 he moved to the Tangipahoa Parish School System central office. Bellavia recently celebrated his 48th year in the school system.

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

COL. JOHN WHIDDEN a 1971 and 1973 graduate at both the undergraduate and graduate level, has had a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, serving in senior U.S. government positions. He earned doctorate degrees in multiple sciences at Auburn University and a doctor of Medicine degree in Mexico.

While serving in the Army he led several international reconstruction and reconstitution plans across the globe. His military experience also includes 40 years in the Army Special Forces as a Green Beret civil affairs officer. His military awards include the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.

He currently serves as the chief medical officer and CEO for Veracity Solutions, LLC. COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES

DR. CYNTHIA BIENEMY, a 1981 graduate, currently serves as director of the Louisiana Center for Nursing. She is a member of the national Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers’ Research Committee, where she works with other state nursing professionals to develop methods for standardizing and reporting nursing workforce data. A

registered nurse for more than 30 years, she has taught in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at Southern University. She earned a master’s degree in cardiovascular adult health nursing from McNeese State University, and a doctorate in nursing from Southern University. She is credited with helping to develop Louisiana’s Multi-Regional Statewide Nursing Workforce Model and Simulation Tool.

COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

DANNY HEITMAN, a 1986 graduate is now an award-winning columnist for the Baton Rouge Advocate and serves as editor of the newspaper’s editorial page.

His weekly column, “At Random,” documents his life as a husband and father and has become a reader favorite since its debut in 1991. His essays regularly appear in national publications, such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and the Christian Science Monitor. His writing has won numerous awards, including the H.L. Mencken Memorial Award and the Templeton Foundation “In Character” Prize for Distinguished Commentary.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

BRUCE BRUMFIELD, is a 1984 graduate and currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Founders Federal Credit Union in South Carolina. Brumfield is also a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Development Program. His civic activities include serving as chair of the Board of Trustees for the Lancaster County Commission for Higher Education and as a member of the board of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. His awards and recognition include the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in South Carolina, U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint’s South Carolina on the Move Award, and the Hula Bowl Humanitarian of the Year Award.

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notes

KEEPI NG

in touch

CLASS

’ 5 3 | N E L SO N P R I C E , Pastor Emeritus at Roswell Street Baptist Church in Kennesaw, Ga., has written a new book, Heaven: Earth’s Ultimate Mystery, a work that combines scripture and science to provide his answers to questions about heaven. It is the latest of 19 books he has authored and his first ebook. ’ 82 | RO BIN T. DAY, a teacher at Little Oak Middle School in Slidell, has been named Teacher of the Year by the St. Tammany Parish Public School System and will be in the running for the state teacher of the year awards program. She has taught at Little Oak since 1983 and serves as the sponsor of Northshore High School’s cheerleader program. ’ 83 | RO BIN RO BERTS , co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America, will receive the 2014 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism from Arizona State University’s Cronkite School in October for her contributions to journalism and her great personal courage. In the spring, she was awarded an honorary doctor of humanities degree by Southeastern. ’ 84 | AN N CARRUTH of Hammond, dean of Southeastern’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, was recently inducted into the Louisiana Nurses Association Hall of Fame. She has been a member of the Southeastern nursing faculty since 1990 and was appointed dean last year. She was recognized by the LNA for her service to the nursing profession. ’ 86 | L IN DA SM ITH CR A I N has been named the Citizen of the Year for the City of Franklinton.

Crain retired after a 30-year career in the Washington Parish Public School System, including service as principal of Franklinton Junior High and Enon Elementary School. ‘ 86, ‘ 87 | THO M AS MORGA N of Amite, a CPA and former member of the Southeastern Alumni Association Board of Directors, served as national president of fraternity Sigma Tau Gamma. He is a member of the Phi Chapter, which this year celebrated its 75th anniversary. ’89, ‘95 | SAM B. DOMIANO JR. of Hammond has been appointed vice president for administration and finance at Southeastern. A staff employee at the university since 1995, he serves as the chief financial officer, overseeing budgeting, the controller’s office, purchasing and operational entities, including the physical plant, facility planning, safety, human resources and all auxiliary services. ’ 91 | CO L ETTA BARR E TT, R N, of Baton Rouge and vice president of mission at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, was recognized by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation with a Nightingale Award as Nurse Volunteer of the Year. ’98 | MARCI K. D ICKE R SON of Las Cruces, N.M. will be opening two new eating establishments in the Sonoma Area, the Game Sports Bar & Grill and the M Five Martini Bar and Grill. A graduate of Southeastern in history, she later earned a MBA degree at New Mexico State University. Under the umbrella of The Dickerson Group, she owns several other businesses in the area, including restaurants, bars and a catering business. ’ 99 | SUSAN D. MUSTA FA of Baton Rouge is co-author of the recently released book, The Most Dangerous Animal of All: Searching for My Father and Finding the Zodiac Killer, written with Gary L. Stewart. The book chronicles Stewart’s search for his biological father and the shocking discoveries he makes along the way. She has written several other non-fiction crime books, including Dismembered and Blood Bath.

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K E E PI N G

in touch

’ 99, ‘ 02 | ASH L EY D. DI R ECTOR , a school counselor for 12 years and now working at Levi Milton Elementary School in Walker, has recently authored the children’s book Maria, The Timid Lion Tamer. The book is based on personal experiences and focuses on bullying among school children. The book includes a self-help section that can aid in encouraging victims of bullying. It is available through Amazon. ’ 01 | J ESSICA KAPOTA has earned her master of arts degree in history at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. ’ 01 | GARY MARL BROUGH, principal of Chata-Ima Elementary School in Lacombe, was named a Principal of the Year by the St. Tammany Parish School System. ’ 01 , ‘ 06 | KEN N ETH OE RTLI NG of Des Allemands, principal of Hahnville High School since 2010, has been named Principal of the Year for St. Charles Parish Public Schools and will be entered as a finalist in the state Principal of the Year competition. Prior to becoming principal, he served as a physical science and biology teacher, coach, administrative monitor and assistant principal. ’ 02 | PAUL CATAL ANOTTO of Hammond, a film writer and director, will have his film Proof of the Devil distributed through Wal-Mart, Amazon and Netflix. The film was shot in Hammond and Baton Rouge. He is the owner of the company Untitled Films. ’ 03 | CH RISTO PHER R . LE VI NE has been appointed director of sales and marketing for the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort and Spa in Cambridge, Md. after having worked as director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Regency Sarasota (Fla.). A veteran of the hospitality industry, he has also worked at Hyatt Regency O’Hare (Ill.) and Hyatt Regency New Orleans. ’ 06 | VAL ARIE CY PR I A N, a teacher at Madisonville Elementary School, was named a Teacher of the Year by the St. Tammany Parish Public School System. ’ 03 | N O RMAN M O RR I S has been named chief executive officer of the Louisiana Realtors Association, having served as interim CEO since March. He previously served 18 years as senior vice president and chief lobbyist for the Baton Rouge-based organization, which is one of the largest trade associations in the state with nearly 11,000 members. He is currently presidentelect of the Louisiana Society of Association Executives. ’ 05 | PATRICK MACKI N, principal at Slidell Junior High School, has been named St. Tammany Parish School System’s Principal of the Year. A principal since 2009, he is a finalist in the state’s principal of the year awards program. ’ 1 1 | J O DY C. M CMILLA N of Ponchatoula has graduated summa cum laude in his class from the Louisiana State University School of Law. He was also named to the Order of the Coif.

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GIVING BACK FOOD PANTRY OPENS TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN NEED As an institution focused on student success, Southeastern often turns to its nonprofit organization, the Southeastern Foundation, to help address various needs expressed by its students. The Foundation has worked to secure scholarships, professorships and unrestricted dollars to support the university where it needs it most.

Last year, the foundation took the call of the university’s vision to be as student-centered as possible when it launched the Student Food Pantry in partnership with the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs.

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The typical depiction of hunger usually focuses on the homeless or families in poverty. Concerns about having enough to eat are also evident among other, less obvious groups, including some college students. THOSE FAR FROM THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES OR ON SEVERELY CONSTRAINED BUDGETS OCCASIONALLY SUFFER FROM WHAT HAS COME TO BE KNOWN AS “FOOD INSECURITY.” University staff members were hearing that food insecurity could be an issue among some Southeastern students with particular concern for international students. Vice President for Advancement Wendy Lauderdale decided to take a first step to addressing the problem by learning more about it. “We heard stories about some of our students having trouble making ends meet and sacrificing their health. We know this goes on nationwide but wanted to understand the extent of the problem here,” said Lauderdale. A survey was conducted and results indicated that about 60% of

respondents said they knew someone who had to skip meals because of financial reasons; another 35% reported that they themselves have gone hungry due to food insecurity. Fortunately, these are not life- threatening situations, but they do dramatically increase the level of difficulty placed on succeeding as a student.

Lauderdale said Southeastern’s primary goals are to see its students succeed academically and to find success and happiness in the world after graduation.

Success can be difficult for a student who starts the day with the worry of having enough food to eat, she added.

To help alleviate this hardship, the foundation partnered with the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs and through donations secured from individuals and corporations, opened the Student Food Pantry. The pantry opened just before Thanksgiving last year and has been operating successfully since. The pantry is located

in Mims Hall and is open twice a week.

Volunteers and university staff manage the pantry, and donations continue to come from a variety of sources, including the students themselves in a fundraising campaign specifically targeting student donations for the pantry.

“We wanted students to participate in the support of the pantry and launched a “Green Pig” campaign to do this,” said Lauderdale. WITH THE SUPPORT OF FIRST GUARANTY BANK, HUNDREDS OF GREEN PIGGY BANKS WERE GIVEN TO STUDENTS TO COLLECT SPARE CHANGE IN AND THEN GIVE THAT TO THE CAUSE. As of this summer, thousands of dollars have been received, over 3,100 food items have been distributed and 4,357 items have been donated. “The pantry has been a great success, both in terms of aiding students and teaching students the value and benefits of giving,” noted Lauderdale.

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OUT

there

12

SOUTHEASTERN CHANNEL SERVING STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY FOR

years

BY RENE ABADIE

“IN THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM, EXPERIENCE IS THE KEY. I CHOSE TO ATTEND SOUTHEASTERN BECAUSE I WOULD BE ABLE TO DIVE IN AND GET PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE RIGHT AWAY, BOTH ON CAMERA AND BEHIND THE NEWS DESK. THE HANDS-ON TRAINING AT THE SOUTHEASTERN CHANNEL REALLY HELPED JUMPSTART MY CAREER, AND I CREDIT SOUTHEASTERN FOR HELPING ME GET WHERE I AM TODAY,” said alumna and New Orleans

WDSU-TV news anchor Randi Rousseau.

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Twelve years ago, Southeastern officials gathered in a small University Center TV studio, flipped a ceremonial switch, and launched the university’s educational access television station.

Since then, the Southeastern Channel, in a partnership with Charter Communications, has evolved to earn national and regional recognition for excellence in programming. It has a stellar reputation for graduating students who have gained real-world experience in television reporting, editing and production. Through the Charter Cable distribution, the station is seen in five parishes, reaching into more than 90,000 homes with nearly a quarter-million potential viewers.

“The Southeastern Channel is a valuable asset that provides collegelevel coursework to prepare students very well for the media marketplace.

It also showcases our strong academic and cultural programming while providing outreach to area communities,” said President John L. Crain.

Using modern industry-standard equipment with the guidance from experienced professionals gives broadcast students a valuable edge when competing in a tight job market.

“THE CHANNEL IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF COMBINING ACADEMIC STUDIES WITH PRACTICAL, HANDSON LEARNING EXPERIENCES,”

explained Karen Fontenot, former head of the Department of Communication and now dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

As it turns out, what is good for the students is good for the university.

The Southeastern Channel has become a significant asset to highlight Southeastern and benefit the community.

“While most college TV stations are limited to closed-circuit systems broadcast to a college-only audience, by partnering with Charter we are able to reach thousands throughout the region. Such exposure is a tremendous opportunity for our institution that few university stations can come close to matching,” said Crain.

Soon after launch, the channel quickly developed and expanded a full-time staff to produce original programs, and a contingent of students was recruited to assist in operations and production. According to General Manager Rick Settoon, 95 percent of the programming is original, including 40 original series spread among educational, entertainment and cultural, community and sports programs. With a focus on serving the Northshore region, many of the programs cover the news, issues and history of the area, including Northshore News, Northshore Gems and The Florida Parish Chronicles among others.

“The university made a real commitment to establishing the Southeastern Channel by providing the resources that allowed us to hire experienced television professionals and to purchase the same quality equipment used in professional television operations,” explained Settoon.

“Today, we try to reach a broad audience with a wide variety of program tastes and preferences,” said Settoon. “As a result, we produce and air programming which is quite diverse. While our primary focus is educational programming, we like to think we offer a little bit for everyone.”

THE SOUTHEASTERN CHANNEL IS NOW CONSIDERED ONE OF THE NATION’S BEST COLLEGE STATIONS AND HAS MORE THAN 200 INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL AND REGIONAL AWARDS TO ITS CREDIT INCLUDING: EMMY AWARDS, TELLY AWARDS, COMMUNICATOR AWARDS, AURORA AWARDS, ADDYS AND MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS, AS WELL BEING NAMED THE “BEST COLLEGE TV STATION IN THE SOUTH” AND A TOP FOUR COLLEGE STATION IN THE NATION.

Working at such a strong and respected channel has certainly paid off for a growing number of graduates who are now employed professionally in television, film and movie production and related industries, Settoon said. Among former students are Daniel Brown, now an executive news producer in the major media market of Atlanta; Chris Mycoskie, now director of electronic media and TV for the Southland Conference; and Daren Waller, currently postproduction coordinator at eFilm in Hollywood. Most recently, graduate Jessica LeBlanc has started as a general reporter at WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge. The Southeastern Channel has become an important part of the university benefitting students, the Northshore region and the university itself in a multitude of ways.

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2014

back to school

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY F A L L

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M A G A Z I N E PRESI DENT

Dr. John L. Crain PROVOST & VIC E PR E S I D E N T FO R ACAD E MI C A FFA I RS

Dr. Tammy Bourg VIC E P R E SID EN T FO R AD MI N I ST R AT I O N & FI NA NCE

Sam Domiano VIC E P R E SID E N T FO R U N I V E R S I T Y A DVA NCEM ENT

Wendy Lauderdale, CFRE VI C E PR E S I D E N T FO R ST U D E NT A FFA I RS

Dr. Marvin Yates EXEC UT IVE D I R ECTO R , PU B L I C & G OV E R NM ENTA L A FFA I RS

Erin Moore Cowser D IR ECTO R , MAR K E T I N G & CO MMU N I CAT I ONS

Mike Rivault

Letters: Southeastern Magazine welcomes letters of 300 or fewer words. Letters may be used for publication unless the author states that it is not to be published. Letters may be edited for publication. Send submissions to Editor, Southeastern Magazine, Office of University Advancement, SLU 10293, Hammond, LA 70402 or mrivault@southeastern.edu.

D I R ECTO R , PU B L I C I N FORM AT I ON

Rene Abadie PH OTOG RA P HY

Randy Bergeron, Roberto Polillo

Printing and distribution for the Southeastern Magazine provided by the Southeastern Foundation – southeasternfoundation.org.

CO N TRI B U TORS

Tonya Lowentritt, Kemmler Chappelle, Danny Heitman Laura Brooks, Graduate Student

COVE R A RT: Quintessence - Bill Evans by David Lloyd Glover Original painting acrylic on canvas 30” x 24” Portrait of Bill Evans in studio during a recording session.

David Lloyd Glover is a versatile artist and known to art collectors internationally. His series of Jazz legends and pop icons have been collected for the past 27 years by art and music fans in many different countries. His work is widely published and highly regarded throughout Europe, Asia and South America.

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NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 733 BATON ROUGE, LA

Office of Advancement, SLU 10293 Hammond, LA 70402 southeasternfoundation.org

Nursing Turns 50

G OOD MOR N I N G , ROB I N

The Jazz Man

A half century of nursing excellence, pg 26

ABC’s Robin Roberts receives honorary doctorate at Southeastern commencement, pg 12

Bill Evans’ career began in Pottle Hall, pg 16

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Stay Involved W I T H

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