Southeastern Magazine: Fall 2019

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE FALL

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CHEFS EVENING

LIONETTES ON THE MOVE

Each spring hundreds of people come together for a delectable evening with an immense impact.

A new Southeastern research project is helping set children on a path to life-long healthy habits.

2019

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THE SWEET LIFE

A Southeastern faculty member combines her experience and passion for chocolate to create a unique business.

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY FALL

2019

MAGAZ I N E P RESI D EN T

Dr. John L. Crain 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. 52-53

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 E XECUTIV E DIREC TO R , P U BLI C & G OVE R NME N TA L A F FA I RS

Erin Moore Cowser S E N I O R D I R EC TO R , U N I VE R S I TY M A RKET I N G

Mike Rivault MARKETING CO O R D I N ATO R , P U BLI C ATI O N M A N AGER

Sheri Gibson P H OTO GRA P H Y

Randy Bergeron

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 Letters may be used for publication unless the author states that it is not to be published.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 sheri.gibson@southeastern.edu.

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

CO N T RI B U TO RS

Ashley Richardson, Chris Yandle, Grace Butzman, Kemmler Chapple, Tonya Lowentritt

COV ER P H OTO : Around 1,000 Southeastern students, faculty, staff, and alumni came together for this year’s The Big Event, setting a new record and giving back to the community in a big way.

Contents.

15 19 26 32 CHEFS EVENING

Southeastern Foundation’s annual event brings together the region’s top chefs for a great night and amazing cause.

LIONETTES ON THE MOVE

A new Southeastern research project and running program aims to raise the bar for physical activity and health.

37 44 GIVING BACK

Alumnus John Regan reflects on how his time at Southeastern impacted his future—and why he chooses to help the next generation.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Southeastern studentathletes excel in and out of the classroom, with more on the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll than ever before.

FOOD PANTRY

THE SWEET LIFE

Southeastern’s Food Pantry is serving a critical need by helping students fight hunger and better focus on school.

After hours, Assistant Professor Alissa Dickey has found a way to turn a love for chocolate into a thriving business.

president’s message

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Alumni, Friends, Supporters, As this magazine reaches you, Southeastern is already a month into the new academic year. This is always one of my favorite times of the year.

Campus transforms from the relative quiet of summer when a fraction of our students and faculty are here, to a place bustling with activity and thousands of brand new faces of students ready to start the next phase of their lives with optimism and excitement. It is truly an exciting time that I find invigorating—a time that reaffirms my choice to be part of Southeastern.

In today’s world, there are endless websites, books, programs, and groups

dedicated to helping us all become the “best person we can be.” As I see all of these eager students around campus, it makes me realize that a college education is the original and most effective “self-improvement” program possible. And, a Southeastern education is beyond comparison, combining our caring personal atmosphere and excellent programming, resulting in positive outcomes for our students and graduates.

In each issue of the Southeastern Magazine, we highlight some of the great things that go on both here

on campus and with our graduates. These stories never cease to impress me. There are things that occur—both large and small—because of Southeastern that make the world a better place, and that make each of us better for having been a part of the Southeastern family.

This issue includes examples of new initiatives we have launched, as well as student, faculty, and alumni successes.

I hope you take the time to stay informed about Southeastern and its excellence and influence by reading the great articles in this issue. Our academic

programs and faculty have earned national rankings, our alumni stretch across the globe, and we have positively impacted thousands upon thousands of lives. Great things happen here, and we need you to help us continue to spread the word.

As always, don’t keep it to yourself. After you’ve read the magazine, please share it with a friend!

John L. Crain PRES ID EN T

Ali

out & about

LETO Sophomore // Integrative Biology Hometown // Hammond, LA How Southeastern changed me Southeastern and its people have allowed me to grow to the person I am today. I have never been hindered or discouraged in my endeavors, which is important in my success thus far.

Southeastern has given me the ability to surround myself with successful, genuine, and supportive people that have already made an impact on my life.

Favorite spot on campus The Student Union Ballroom—that’s where it all started for me! Orientation, SE 101 seminars, sorority events, formals, and DSA Convocation have all been held in that room. Some of my greatest memories from my first year at Southeastern came from that spot on campus.

Dream job A dentist, right here in Tangipahoa Parish

What do you think of Southeastern’s faculty and staff?

Amazing. They are all-around incredibly supportive, caring, and selfless.

Favorite thing about my major Learning about the human body

Current involvement on campus Alpha Omicron Pi Secretary, Campus Activities Board Committee Member, Student Government Association Senator, Office for Student Engagement Greek Life student worker, and recipient of the Most Outstanding Freshman Award for 2019

In 15 words or less, what is great about Southeastern?

The comfort I feel from those surrounding me. It feels like home.

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social media

Create a ROA R BRINGING THE GREEN AND GOLD TO SOCIAL MEDIA

cajunhomesweets Graduation sets headed out #cookies of instagram #oursoutheastern #lionup

jennywoz622 Lion Up

Southeastern Alumni Association Our Southeastern Louisiana University Almuni: New Orleans Chapter recently held two Meet and Greets for our Southshore alumni.

It was great to connect with our #loyallions!

southeasternadmissions Peiton is ready to join the Lion family! We could not be more excited that she is #southeasternbound Thanks for visiting campus today! #lionup

dom_lamm Signed #lionup ashlin_0530 #chefsevening 4

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

slu_rsw Congrats to our *undefeated* Women's Softball champions: Balls Out! #back2backchamps Chris Lachney Had a blast watching the Astros and Rockies, especially with @sluathletics alum Wade Miley picking up the win!! #lionup

sluossa Our hands of hope sheet sign had a great turnout!

slukappasigma It's always a good time when there is community service involved with the brothers of Kappa Signa! #slubigevent

lyssakat18 I love hammond so much and cannot wait to be able to call it my new home in just about a week #southeasternbound

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news in learning

Southeastern Ranked a Top Military Friendly School For the seventh consecutive year, Southeastern Louisiana University has been named a Military Friendly School.

Viqtory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs, states that the listing honors the top colleges, universities, and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace the nation’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and to ensure their success on campus.

“This listing demonstrates Southeastern’s ongoing commitment to our veterans and their educational success,” said President John L. Crain. “It is an honor to be named and to know that we are among the top institutions helping those individuals who have made great sacrifices in service to our state and nation.”

Southeastern enrolls over 400 veteran and active duty military. The University maintains a Veterans Upward Bound program; has an Office of Veterans Affairs, and has recently hired a director of military and veteran's affairs, that assists students in obtaining benefits and with other issues; provides academic and other counseling services; offers scholarships specifically for military students and veterans; and maintains a wide range of online and distance learning programs that provide students with flexibility in scheduling.

Southeastern’s ROTC program, which is a sub-unit of the Southern University Army ROTC program, returned to Hammond in 2016 after more than a 20-year hiatus, and continues to grow. Approximately 60 students now participate in the program.

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A recent addition to campus is the Southeastern Student Veterans & Military Interest Association, a group open to veterans, reservists, spouses, dependents, and ROTC participants attending both Southeastern and Northshore Technical Community College. The association was founded to help the school administration better understand and meet the needs of veterans, offer advice from experienced to incoming veterans, help civilians better understand the military experience, and provide opportunities for veterans to meet one another and connect.

Additionally, in August 2018 Southeastern began serving as a resource center for thousands of Louisiana veterans in an effort to help active-duty military service men and women successfully transition to college through a new program called LaVetCorps. The program will open 30 resource centers on campuses statewide to increase a student veteran’s access to state and federal benefits.

“Post-secondary institutions earning the 2019 Military Friendly School award have exceptionally strong programs for transitioning service members and spouses,” said Daniel Nichols, chief product officer of Viqtory Media.

“Our Military Friendly Schools are truly aligning their military programs and services with employers to help students translate military experience, skills, and training into successful careers after graduation.”

Nursing School of the Year for Advanced Practice The Southeastern Louisiana University Doctor of Nursing Practice Program has been recognized by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation as the Nursing School of the Year in Advanced Practice. The award recognizes a school of nursing offering formal education for registered nurses seeking a graduate degree for advanced clinical practice roles, as well as nursing administration, nursing education, and research.

This is the second time Southeastern has been recognized with a Nightingale Award for an advanced practice program, with the master’s program being recognized as program of the year in 2013. Also, Southeastern’s undergraduate nursing program has been recognized with the Nightingale Award three times.

The competition is evaluated by a panel of out-of-state judges who review the nominations submitted by nursing programs throughout the state. The Nightingale Awards are the foundation’s highest recognition for quality, service, commitment, and excellence among Louisiana registered nurses.

Ann Carruth, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said nursing programs are evaluated for the award by a wide range of criteria, including accreditation status; innovations in education and teaching; nursing examination passage rate; and comments solicited from graduates, faculty, and area employers.

news in learning

Lions Connected Earns National Honor Lions Connected, a Southeastern Louisiana University Department of Teaching and Learning program that provides personalized, post-secondary educational experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities, has received national recognition.

A comprehensive transition and post-secondary program approved by the US Department of Education, Lions Connected was named the Exemplary Program for Vocational Training and Transition from the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES).

Gerlinde Beckers, program coordinator and associate professor of education at Southeastern, said Lions Connected works closely with on-campus inclusive vocational opportunities, community partnerships, parents, and college-age peer mentors. Socialization with typical peers, independent living and selfadvocacy, career development and experience, knowledge, personal health, skills, and enrichment are some specific goals with the ultimate goal to increase the quality of life for students through a college experience, she added.

“Lions Connected serves five parishes in southeast Louisiana, four of which meet rural population indicators,” said Beckers. “The program aims to address students from high poverty, rural parishes with limited resources and opportunities. I am thrilled Lions Connected received this award. So many people at Southeastern have worked very hard for Lions Connected to become a program worthy of being considered exemplary.”

Now in its third year, Lions Connected is certified by the Department of Education and must meet student academic progress goals set according to the federal standards in the areas of class attendance, class participation, assignment completion, and life skills curriculum.

Theresa Danos, mother of Lions Connected charter member Adam Danos, said her son completed the program and has now moved on to employment.

“Adam is on the autism spectrum, and although he functions at a very high level, he would not have been successful attending a traditional college program. Adam really expressed a desire to attend college, and the program provided him with this avenue. We are thrilled!”

Danos added that the inclusive vocational opportunity is a vital part of the program. “Having the students leave with job skills and experience will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” she said. “So many individuals with learning issues end up unemployed, and we are so happy to support a program that provides hope and life-long learning skills.”

For more information on Lions Connected, contact Gerlinde Beckers at gerlinde.beckers@southeastern.edu.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Setting a Record at The Big Event A record number of approximately 1,000 Southeastern students, faculty, staff, and alumni put in a day of community service in the City of Hammond and nearby communities on Saturday, March 30, as part of The Big Event.

Sponsored by the Student Government Association, The Big Event is intended to give students and other volunteers the opportunity to help the communities and organizations that support Southeastern in many ways. This is the ninth year the SGA has sponsored The Big Event.

Sending the group out with a “Lion Up” sign of encouragement, Southeastern President John L. Crain told the students that their efforts send a tremendous message that Southeastern cares and seeks to make the neighboring communities a better place for all to live.

The students included individual volunteers; alumni groups; and representatives of several student organizations, fraternities, and sororities. They worked at sites such as Our Daily Bread Food Bank, the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce, TARC of Hammond, Ministries of Hope, and the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center.

Jobs included beautification and landscaping projects, clean-up efforts in downtown Hammond, sorting materials, and conducting inventory for nonprofit organizations.

news in learning

1,100 Graduate at Spring 2019 Commencement On May 18, 1,100 individuals officially crossed over from Southeastern students to alumni during Spring 2019 Commencement.

Candidates for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees were honored. In his welcome, President John L. Crain noted that the 1,100 individuals being recognized at commencement included 385 men and 715 women who were receiving 16 different degrees. They also represented 27 states and 24 countries.

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The University awarded its highest academic honor, the President’s Medal for Academic Excellence, to 11 students with the highest cumulative grade point average in the University’s five colleges.

Former Louisiana House and Senate member Ben Nevers was also presented with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree as part of the ceremony.

EMBA Program Named One of the Top in the Nation Southeastern’s Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) has earned recognition as one of the top 30 EMBA programs in the nation. The only Louisiana university among those selected, Southeastern ranked ninth, ahead of such schools as Brown University, University of Alabama, Kent State University, University of Missouri, and Howard University.

Southeastern earned its ranking based on finances, academic rigor, and student satisfaction.

“We are pleased that our program is ranked among the top 30,” said Dean of the College of Business Antoinette Phillips. “Our students are motivated, accomplished professionals seeking to build their skills. We’re happy to provide relevant curricula taught by involved, caring faculty who help them achieve their goals.”

Southeastern offers an EMBA program for working professionals seeking convenient online education mixed with weekend face-to-face classes, Phillips said. The program is 60 percent face-to-face, 40 percent online, and accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Students can choose from a general curriculum or a concentration in health care management. Classes include accounting for business decisions, business law and negotiations, business policy and strategy, and statistical methods in business and economics. The program can be completed in 17 months with classes on Saturdays only.

For more information on Southeastern’s EMBA program, visit southeastern.edu/emba.

Award-Winning Southeastern Magazine!

Southeastern Magazine was recently honored with a Merit Award in the 34th Annual Educational Advertising Awards, sponsored by Higher Ed Marketing’s Higher Education Marketing Report.

The Educational Advertising Awards are a national competition that recognizes the best in the field of educational marketing and advertising.

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news in learning

Meeting Students’ Needs with Summer Smart

This past summer Southeastern modified its Summer Smart programming to reflect later class start times, further adapting to the requirements and preferences of today’s students.

Now with course offerings at 8 a.m. or later, Summer Smart will continue to benefit students by reducing the net cost for a three-credit course to less than $900 and expanding highdemand offerings with an increased number of online and hybrid courses. These hybrid courses combine face-to-face and online instruction for students, which is embraced by traditional and non-traditional students alike who are able to schedule their time around fewer physical trips to campus.

The changes in the summer semester were implemented to help students advance progress toward their degrees in a timelier manner, while reaping significant financial savings, said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Tena Golding.

The idea of starting summer classes 30 minutes later came from focus groups and individual discussions with students, she said.

“Many students felt 7:30 a.m. was just too early, especially in the summer, and wondered why the first class could not start at 8 a.m., the same time as regular semesters,” she said. “In addition, there was a concern for the students with child care needs. It was difficult to get children to daycare and be on time for a 7:30 a.m. class. In some cases, students were paying an extra cost for early arrival at daycare.”

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Before officially making the change, former Student Government Association (SGA) President Richard Davis Jr. worked with SGA to survey students during his tenure. The results confirmed that students overwhelmingly agreed with the time change.

“When this potential change was brought to my attention, I worked with the SGA to create a survey that went out to various student groups,” said Davis. “Out of the 80 students who completed the survey, 96 percent indicated they agreed with changing the class start time for the summer semester from 7:30 to 8 a.m. I personally believe that this change will be welcomed by most students as they choose to continue their studies while being Summer Smart.”

Since Summer Smart’s inception in 2017, summer enrollment has been on the rise, said Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Kay Maurin. Last year the program enrolled 3,757 students.

“With offering a $300 Summer Smart scholarship for undergraduates, enrollment grew by 7 percent the first year and 6 percent the following year, equating to a 13 percent increase over a two-year period,” she said.

Summer Smart savings result in reduced net cost of attendance for typical undergraduate students, and terms range from four to eight weeks.

Home to the Largest Regional Literary Rally in the State More than 3,480 students from 84 different high schools converged on Southeastern on February 23, 2019, for the Southeast Louisiana District Literary Rally and Rock ‘n Roar, the University’s annual campus-community festival.

Southeastern currently has the largest regional literary rally in the state.

The Louisiana High School Rally, an academic competition held throughout the state since 1909 with the regional competition held at Southeastern for over 40 years, is an academic competition in which high school students compete by taking exams on a variety of subjects. The Southeast Louisiana District Literary Rally at Southeastern featured 48 different tests on subjects ranging from agriculture to calculus.

Southeast Louisiana District Literary Rally participants came from public and private high schools in East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, and West Feliciana parishes.

Students who earned qualifying scores on their tests advanced to compete at the State Literary Rally at LSU in Baton Rouge in April. At the Southeast Louisiana District Literary Rally

held at Southeastern, over 825 students qualified to attend the State Literary Rally, and 370 students qualified for the Freshman Scholastic Achievement Award, which comes with a Southeastern scholarship if the student chooses to attend the university within one year after graduating from high school.

When they finished their tests, students were able to gather information from hands-on academic displays and financial aid and career booths at Rock n’ Roar.

Now in its 23rd year, Rock n’ Roar provided a day of family fun for both the Literary Rally visitors and the community, said Southeastern Director of Recreational Sports and Wellness and Rock n’ Roar Chairman Seth Thomas.

“Rock ‘n Roar is an event with something for everyone, and a great way to invite the community, campus, and regional high school students to have fun while visiting and learning about Southeastern,” said Thomas. “We appreciate the efforts of students, faculty, and staff to share Southeastern’s offerings with future Lions."

news in learning

Scholarship Endowment Creates a Big Impact for Accounting Students The Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants’ (LCPA) Northshore Chapter recently reached the milestone $100,000 level in its scholarship endowment, creating a legacy that will have a significant impact on future accounting students.

Bryan Ehricht, CPA, a current LCPA Member At-Large and past Northshore Chapter President, explained how the endowment was established. “Several years ago, our chapter decided we needed to ‘make a difference’ in the lives of accounting students—future CPAs—and looked for a way to raise the necessary funds to do just that,” said Ehricht. “A likely source was revenue collected from the continuing education programs our chapter hosted for regional accountants. We realized that this type of ongoing education was an ideal means of meeting the immediate needs of our CPA members, and an opportunity to fund accounting scholarships.”

Ehricht credits other past Northshore Chapter board members, including Rick Simpson, Stella Helluin, Paul Riggs, Stephen Toups, and Brian Gallagher, for laying the groundwork for the scholarship plan and making the essential connection with the Southeastern Foundation in 2014.

The plan’s initial goal was to reach the $25,000 mark for the endowment. However, within a short time that initial goal was met and soon surpassed. “We saw attendance at our continuing education events increase, at least in part because members knew we were donating the profits to the endowment,” added Ehricht. “To ensure that the scholarship awards kept pace with tuition costs in the future, the new goal was raised to $100,000. We’ve met that goal and are pleased at how the endowment has grown.”

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Additionally, some members have made personal donations to the endowment, which shows the commitment level of both the organization and its members. “We’ve all heard about college students’ mounting debt and the stresses that come along with it. By helping accounting majors deal with education-related expenses, we’re letting them know we’re investing in their future. For Southeastern students, for CPAs, for our profession—it’s a win for us all,” said Ehricht.

The scholarship has now been received by nine students over the past four years.

CHEF'S Evening

BY SHERI GIBSON

Every spring since 1984, hundreds of people from across the region have flooded onto Southeastern’s campus for a bountiful evening of food, wine, shopping, and comradery. This great mix combines in perfect balance to create an unforgettable night—and a powerful positive impact.

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Chefs Evening, organized by the Southeastern Foundation, has established itself over the past 35 years to become one of Southeastern’s most beloved—and tastiest—annual traditions.

Some visitors extend the experience by attending the more intimate precursor event, the President’s Toast. This power hour of hors d’oeuvre delicacies and specially chosen wines in the campus residence of President Dr. John L. Crain serves as an appetizer for the main course.

For the main event, the Student Union Ballroom is elegantly decorated for the evening, and surrounding the room’s border dozens of popular restaurants and caterers proudly present their culinary creations. The air is filled with both sweet and savory aromas, while bartenders freely poor fine wine and cocktails.

In a side space outside of the ballroom, where a view of sunset over Southeastern’s campus pops from a wall of windows, attendees are met with a shopper’s paradise. Tables are covered with a diverse array of silent auction packages that range from jewelry and art to opportunities for exploration and adventure. A table of raffle items is also present, giving attendees an additional way to take home a shiny reminder of the evening.

After guests have enjoyed a round or two of drinks and a few warm bites, an emcee takes center stage and the energy in the room is elevated even more as patrons begin taking part in the high-end live auction.

Rounding out the event is an awards presentation for the best cuisine of the night. As attendees sample all that is on offer, they have the opportunity to vote on both their favorite main dish and dessert. Each chef brings their “A” game in hopes of taking home a coveted Taster’s Choice Award. The 2019 Best Entrée recognition was garnered by Downtown Hammond’s Blackened Brew for seared sesame tuna on a fried wonton with a wasabi crème fraiche and teriyaki honey drizzle, while The Cakery captured Best Dessert for presenting four different moist and flavorful signature cakes.

The food, drinks, bidding, and conversation continues throughout the remainder of the evening, creating a special night out in the heart of Southeastern’s campus.

But while those in attendance are savoring all that the event has to offer, they are also contributing to and making an impact on something much bigger than one celebration, and even bigger than the University itself. They are helping bring to life the dreams of current and future Southeastern students and supporting the success of emerging graduates.

Proceeds from Chefs Evening benefit vital student scholarships and academic programs.

“Chefs Evening has become a tradition of the University and an essential part of the Southeastern Foundation’s mission to secure financial resources for the critical needs of our students and academic programs,” said Vice President for University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale. “Students benefit from Chefs Evening in many ways. Funds raised help provide tuition support through scholarships, academic enhancement and career preparation programs, research opportunities, and state-of-the-art tools and facilities that promote the best learning opportunities. Contributions from Chefs Evening help elevate our students’ competitive edge.”

Scholarships help students better focus on their studies, and can even be the financial tipping point to help them complete their college education—potentially forever changing the course of a life. Other students are able to improve their grades and grasp previously elusive concepts through extracurricular tutoring, and are better prepared for the job market thanks to resume and skill-building support. Students with a hunger for discovery and research are allowed to follow their passions, in the process contributing to not only their future careers but our universal body of knowledge.

Better facilities and equipment allow for the expansion of programs and hands-on learning. One example is the purchase of new high-definition and remote studio equipment for the

Southeastern Channel, allowing Southeastern television, video, and film students to gain real-world experience. By increasing their skills and familiarity with this now industrystandard equipment, these students will be met with broader and stronger job prospects upon graduation.

Through sponsorships, ticket sales, auction proceeds, and raffles, the 2019 Chefs Evening, with an attendance of over 525, raised more than $130,000. Since it first began in 1984, the event has pulled in millions of dollars in support funds.

These big numbers allow for huge impact.

Yet there are still more ways in which Chefs Evening creates positive vibes. The event promotes and brings together the rich culinary traditions and innovative chefs of Southeast Louisiana, with a particular focus on the sometimes overlooked Northshore area. This spotlight on one of the region’s most unique, beloved cultural aspects helps local businesses and chefs showcase their talents, residents embrace a sense of pride in both their heritage and home, and visitors discover the true culinary heights that the region has to offer.

“Chefs Evening is more than a great night out within our community; it’s also a great way to positively impact Southeastern, which is an anchoring economic as well as educational entity in the region,” commented Todd Burrall, senior vice president of government and institutional banking for Regions Bank, the Premier Sponsor of the 2019 event.

Food brings people together. And Chefs Evening serves as a highly anticipated annual event for people from across the region and beyond to come together and share in their love of good food—and love for both Southeastern and the community in which it resides. From students to restaurants and individual guests to the community as a whole, everyone benefits.

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The popular Southeastern tradition of Chefs Evening continues to live on and grow. March 29, 2020, will mark the event’s 36th year—and another opportunity for everyone to experience some of the region’s best food while creating a positive, far-reaching impact in support of Southeastern and its students.

Stay tuned for more information on the next Chefs Evening via southeastern.edu/chefs and Southeastern Foundation’s Facebook (@southeasternfoundation) and Twitter (@slufoundation) pages. For questions, press inquiries, or to participate as a sponsor or vendor, email chefsevening@southeastern.edu.

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Lionettes on the

Making an Impact on Healthier Lifestyles Through Research and an Innovative New Program

BY SHERI GIBSON

Louisiana is a state known for many great things—amazing food being one of them. Unfortunately, a prevalence of sedentary lifestyles is another. This inactivity can lead to significant consequences. Through studying the effects of activity on children while working with and encouraging local youth, Southeastern researchers are striving to help create a healthier way of life for everyone.

feature story

“By scientifically understanding what obstacles there may be to children moving more and by moving more of them, we can help public and private entities design environments (physical, emotional, and psychological) for health and wellness throughout the lifespan,” said Assistant Professor Ryan Green.

In United Health Foundation’s widely-publicized 2018 report, Louisiana ranked 45 out of 50 for obesity—36.2 percent for adults. Overall, when including other health factors, Louisiana was determined to be the least healthy state in the nation.

opportunities and real-world skills in working with youth and their families to build healthy lifestyles. The children who have been participants in the program are all volunteers from the Southeastern Lab School.

According to Pennington Biomedical Research Center, childhood obesity is an epidemic in Louisiana, with approximately one in three now falling into the obese category.

Yet the problem spans beyond our state as well. The National Center for Health Statistics found in their 2015-2016 survey on the “Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults and Youth” that childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since their 1976-1980 survey.

Before each semester a theme and research questions are determined. In the Fall 2018 semester, physical activity intensity and enjoyment were compared between exergaming (a combination of exercising and video games) and real life activities. “Data points were collected while the children participated in an exergame version of soccer, and the same data points were collected while the children participated in soccer with the assistance of the SLU Women’s soccer team,” said Kihm. “Over the semester, the children had the opportunity to participate in several sports with many different SLU athletic teams.”

These trends create a serious negative impact. The Mayo Clinic states that “childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once considered adult problems— diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Many obese children become obese adults, especially if one or both parents are obese. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.”

Aside from the physical toll, obesity also creates an economic drain. United Health Foundation continues by saying that “the costs associated with obesity and obesity-related health problems are staggering. A 2017 study estimated the medical costs of obesity to be $342.2 billion (in 2013 dollars). Adults with obesity spend on average $3,429 more per person annually on medical care, compared with healthy weight adults.”

In 2015, Associate Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences Holly Kihm was awarded a Board of Regents Enhancement Grant to develop IPAL, an interactive physical activity lab for youth. IPAL was implemented to address these larger concerns and increase Southeastern student research

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For Spring 2019 semester, a new project was chosen in collaboration with Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Health Studies Ryan Green, who is also a certified athletic trainer. Kihm and Green, both endurance sports enthusiasts, were excited to work together with IPAL—bringing together their two different departments within the College of Nursing and Health Sciences to help advance the health and well-being of surrounding communities.

They decided to focus on a girls’ progressive running program, which they titled Lionettes on the Move. “Lionettes on the Move is an initiative to understand children’s behaviors and attitudes towards physical activity and nutrition in an effort to design environments that promote health and wellness,” Green explained.

The importance of and potential positive impact from this study is substantial. “Much of today’s society is designed to encourage a sedentary lifestyle (order ahead service, drivethru windows, food / product delivery service to your door,

Top right image: Callie Lambert (far left), Holly Kihm (second from left), Emilee Hickman (back row second from right), and Ryan Green (back row far right) with members of the SLU track team and 2019 Lionettes on the Move.

Other images: Southeastern students work with Lab School volunteers in the IPAL lab, and Lionettes on the Move participants compete with their track team running buddies in a race around Southeastern's campus.

etc),” Green said. “It is a challenge to reverse that. Decades ago you were an outlier if you were sedentary. Today, you are an outlier if you are constantly moving. We would like to help reverse that thinking."

With participants selected and Kihm and Green setting the pace, assisted by graduate assistant Emilee Hickman and research assistant Callie Lambert, the study was carried out throughout the semester and culminated with a race around the perimeter of Southeastern’s campus on May 7, 2019.

Kihm discussed the process. “At the beginning of the study, the girls participated in baseline assessments, including how much distance they could cover in 20 minutes. Based on those results, a progressive running plan was developed to help the girls reach the end of semester goal of completing the twomile fun run. Distance was measured using activity trackers, and heart rates were collected using wrist-based heart rate monitors. Each week during the semester, the girls completed their prescribed running activity and were asked to complete additional activities throughout the week at home. The girls also learned about proper running form, stretching, and pacing with the assistance of the SLU track team. At the end of the semester, final data was collected.” This data was submitted for publication during the summer.

For the girls who participated, the benefits were not only physical but mental as well. According to both Kihm and Green, the girls’ boost in confidence was evident. “I feel the project gave the girls an extra boost of confidence in that they were capable of making a goal, working toward the goal over the course of a semester, and then meeting that goal,” Kihm said. “Most of the girls thought running the perimeter of the entire campus was not doable for them. To see each one cross the finish line was very exciting for them and for us!”

The girls’ confidence, enthusiasm, and high energy was evident when watching them take off on their big race around campus at the end of the semester-long program. The firstplace winner, 8-year-old Jasmine Dejean, completed the two-mile course in only 23:36. This even beats out the average 5k running speed for a 16- to 19-year-old female by 21 seconds a mile.

Southeastern track student-athletes were buddied up with the girls for this run, motivating them throughout the course—and throughout the program prior to it. They served as mentors and spoke to the girls about the lifelong benefits of strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular wellness. “Sometimes getting this important information from a college athlete is more exciting than getting the same information from a parent or teacher,” Green noted.

“We must make a positive impact on the health of the next generation. It is our responsibility.”

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21

“It was so nice to see our students encouraging their running partner in a positive way during the event,” said Kihm. “I really believe our girls hold our student athletes in high regard, and I know there will be girls from the IPAL program on SLU sports teams in the future.”

Seeing the glowing look of accomplishment on not only the face of the first-place finisher but all of the participants, the true personal impact that such a program can have—in addition to its potential influence on a larger cultural shift towards better health through increased evidence and knowledge—was apparent. “The girls were able to complete the fun run with smiles on their faces! It is our hope they will continue to participate in running activities, and it will become a lifelong healthy habit,” said Kihm.

Lambert said that being a part of helping facilitate this type of personal enrichment was what she loved most about the project. “My favorite part of working in the lab is getting to witness the progress and growth of each participant.

Each semester every participant shows intellectual growth regarding nutrition, proper exercise habits, and how to maintain a balanced lifestyle, along with increased physical activity levels and enjoyment while performing exercise.”

The impact of IPAL and research projects like this that use it has indeed been profound on both undergraduate and graduate Southeastern students as well.

Lambert discussed her own experience, saying that “being involved in IPAL the past two years has opened my eyes to research. I never considered the possibility of conducting my

own experiments or realized the true value of everything that could be accomplished and discovered in a lab setting. I now have a deeper appreciation for research and have developed a desire to investigate traits, characteristics, and variables regarding nutrition and physical activity in children that could one day impact the lives of many children.”

As a result, Lambert now has goals of earning a doctorate in physical therapy and becoming a pediatric physical therapist, eventually opening her own pediatric clinic near her hometown. She is currently in the next step on her path to achieving this by attending physical therapy school.

Southeastern students who participate in the program receive more than just hands-on experience. They receive encouragement to use their experience and research to help make a positive difference in the world. “Students need to understand that taking research and applying it to the benefit of real people is the most important part of the scholarly process,” Green said. “Though this program took place through calculated prescription so that the results would be valid, it is critical to take these results and figure out the most useful way for them to be applied to the community. Research does no good if it is kept in a research journal and the general public cannot make sense of it. I think that this study has a tremendous amount of real-world applicability.”

Dependent on IPAL grant funding and undergraduate student participation, both Kihm and Green hope to continue Lionettes on the Move every spring semester.

“With a new, impressionable group of girls involved and the success of the program, Lionettes on the Move has a chance to make significant differences in our youth,” said Green. “It is programs like this one that can make a health difference in the next generation . . . and the next . . . and the next. And that is something that will benefit us all.”

look at us now

Homecoming wouldn’t be the same without you here.

During Homecoming Week we’re launching a new tradition—Southeastern Giving Day, a 24hour, one-day event to come together in support of Southeastern and its students. Be a part of this monumental day of giving back, and then join us for reunions, pep rallies, events around campus, and tailgating before helping fill Strawberry Stadium during the Homecoming Game on October 12. Visit southeastern.edu/homecoming for Homecoming Week details.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

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out there

FOOD P

BY GRACE BUTZMAN, ASHLEY RICHARDSON, AND SHERI GIBSON

Combating Hunger at Southeastern

Graduate Assistant Johannes Verhaegh helps stock supplies at the Southeastern Food Pantry.

PANTRY

For some who choose to pursue their dreams of achieving a college education, worrying about grades is only one of the stressors they face. Hunger continues to be an issue in the United States and can sometimes be a major burden on college students. This burden can easily become an impediment to focusing on school and earning a degree, holding one back from reaching their goals. To help prevent this, the Southeastern Foundation established, and continues to fund, a Food Pantry to better serve those in need of this area of support—filling bellies as well as brains to help all students achieve success.

Many college students across the country deal with food insecurity, a state of not having a sufficient amount of affordable and nutritious food. Although reports vary, a 2016 study by The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness estimates that close to half of college students in our country have struggled to afford meals. First generation college students were found to be even more at risk, with 56 percent facing food insecurity.

“The food pantry is an awesome resource for Southeastern Students,” said Marjorie Parker, coordinator for Southeastern’s Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs (MISA) and interim director of the Office for Student Engagement. “We have hundreds of students who use the pantry throughout the year. Many students are silently fighting battles that we know nothing about, and it is great that we have a resource for them to go to if they need it.”

This can result in much more than a rumbling stomach. The study also noted that food insecurity can be linked to an inability to buy a required textbook, missing a class, or even dropping a class altogether.

Now managed under MISA, the Food Pantry provides nonperishable food items and hygiene products to Southeastern students, who can visit once per week and choose up to 15 items. No personal information is necessary, and students only need to show their Southeastern ID to access the program.

In addition to putting their education at risk, hunger also puts a student’s health in jeopardy. “Hunger and health are deeply connected,” claims Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. “People who are food insecure are disproportionately affected by diet-sensitive chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and according to research, food insecurity is also linked to many adverse effects to overall health.”

Food insecurity can be temporary, such as when an illness or change in working hours means a student's paycheck is less than usual. But for students who struggle to keep up with the cost of tuition and housing, it is an ongoing situation.

Where are these scenarios happening? Everywhere—even on our own campus. According to Tasha Cooper, a University Advancement employee who helped establish and manage the Food Pantry when it was operated by the Southeastern Foundation, a 2013 survey found that more than half of Southeastern students either knew someone who faced food insecurity or experienced the issue themselves.

No matter the circumstances, students who are focused on where their next meal is coming from cannot fully focus on school. To help students fight food insecurity, more than 500 universities across the nation have opened their own campus food pantries. The Southeastern Food Pantry was established in 2013 and has been a model for other Louisiana universities starting their own programs.

Over the years, the Food Pantry has become more accessible and organized. It now has an email address (foodpantry@southeastern.edu) to help students who may want to learn more about the service or schedule an appointment. This has improved opportunity as well as comfort for students to take advantage of this important resource.

Each year since its inception, more students have utilized the service. As of publication, April 2019 was the busiest month for the Food Pantry yet, with almost 300 students acquiring over 2,000 items, according to MISA Graduate Assistant Johannes Verhaegh.

Many of the items that the students receive are a result of donations, and the uptick in use of the food pantry requires increased donations to keep items in stock. Most donations are received from Southeastern athletics and campus-based organization food drives, especially during the Thanksgiving season. But with hunger a concern throughout the year, personal and organizational donations, as well as help spreading the word about this on-campus resource, are always gratefully welcomed.

By providing food and much-needed items, no questions asked, the Southeastern Food Pantry is helping alleviate the burden of hunger for students—allowing them to better concentrate on their studies and remain on a path to success.

A somewhat scientific polling of ALUMNI

you know it you said it

Are you a night or morning person?

What is your favorite type of sweet treat?

11.7%

ICE CREAM

NEITHER, LET ME SLEEP!

COOKIES

CAKE

51.9%

36.4%

MORNING

PIE

14.2%

9.8%

33.7%

19%

CANDY

FRUIT

14.7%

8.6%

NIGHT

Tea or Coffee?

TEA

37%

What do you still own from when you were a young child?

COFFEE

7.1% BLANKET

LEGOS / BUILDING BLOCKS

2.6%

15.6%

37.7%

DOLL OR ACTION FIGURE

BOOKS

STUFFED TOY

63%

SOMETHING ELSE?

24.7%

12.3%

*

PICTURES, CLOTHING ARTICLE, BASEBALL CARDS, AND MEMORIES

When do you prefer to dine out?

My car is . . .

WEEKEND BRUNCH

27.8% MY BABY

5.5%

LUNCH

28.1%

1.2%

A PROJECT

71%

JUST A WAY TO GET AROUND

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

BREAKFAST

6%

DINNER

60.4%

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE

H ME Generations of Graduates Come Together for an All-Alumni Theatre Production

BY TONYA LOWENTRITT

The saying “there’s no place like home” rang true this summer for several Southeastern Theatre alumni as they returned to their alma mater for a collaborative theatre production of Moon Over Buffalo.

Associate Professor of Acting and Directing Jim Winter directed the comedy play written by American playwright Ken Ludwig. Well-known for slapsticks and comedic innuendos, Moon Over Buffalo is also famous for being the one play that successfully tempted Carol Burnett back to the live stage after a 30-year absence from Broadway.

It seems she was not the only one lured back to the stage through this production.

"Our first effort featured the talents of over 20 of those graduates. Nine appeared on stage, and the rest served as designers and crew members for the production,” he said.

“Our ultimate goal is to make this an annual event the entire community can look forward to, with each new show featuring the talents of different alumni."

Winter explained that although the NEH Endowment funded this first production, ticket sales and community support are the only way to guarantee funding for future alumni productions.

With a span of 25 years of Southeastern theatre alumni coming together to celebrate their time at Southeastern, Winter described this particular production as a special and unique event.

Theatre alumni cast in lead roles were Shane Stewart of Greensburg as George and Kace Parker of Covington as Charlotte. Additional alumni cast members included Olivia Waguespack and Ben Norman of Covington, Lindsey Ehricht of Hammond, Chelsea Krause of Gonzales, Trey Lagan of Ponchatoula, Karista Filopoulous of Mandeville, and Jeff Polito of Lake Charles.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

"

Winter applied for his second Endowed Professorship from the National Endowment for the Humanities two years ago to get funding to produce the show, and he was successful.

His staff then reached out to 100 Southeastern alumni, and over 80 replied with an interest in working on or supporting the endeavor.

Not only was this project two years in the making, but the entire cast and crew of Moon Over Buffalo happily agreed to participate in the unprecedented production for free,” Winter said. “The whole production was spawned from the close ties we maintain with our alumni. They always come back and support new generations in theatre. How amazing is it for a student who graduated in the '90s to act alongside a student who graduated in 2015?

"

A 2014 Southeastern graduate, Krause was excited to be one of the first to have the opportunity to work on a production with theatre alumni across decades.

“What I enjoyed the most was returning to the Vonnie Borden stage to act on a more professional level with former peers and other alumni from both before and after my time,” she said.

“The first few rehearsals we were just playing and discovering the world, but it was so much more seamless because of the experience everyone brought to the table. I was incredibly thankful for the opportunity because it allowed me to work on my craft with old friends and put on, what I believe, was a really hilarious show for the department that I called home for four years.”

Ehricht, a 2008 and 2011 Southeastern graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling, respectively, was also delighted to return to the stage that brought her so many pleasant memories as an undergraduate and to reconnect with fellow students.

“I was really excited to work with this particular cast and crew,” she said. “Some people I am so close to that they are practically my family, and some people I met for the very first time.”

A 2001 graduate, Stewart said he became very nostalgic while working on the play and thoroughly enjoyed his return to the stage for Moon Over Buffalo, his walk down memory lane, and catching up with former classmates and teachers.

“Working on the production certainly reminded me of how much Hammond and Southeastern meant to me and helped me as a theatre professional when I was young and just learning,” he said. “It’s amazing the amount of talent that has passed across the stage of Vonnie Borden, and it is a rare occurrence to have that much talent in one place at one time.

“Having attended graduate school with Jim Winter and learning under Professor of Theatre Design and Technical Directing Steve Schepker, it is nice to know that the theatre I loved so much in my youth is in such good hands,” Stewart continued. “There is no theatre community like Southeastern’s in the state of Louisiana.”

Top left image: Chelsea Krause and Shane Steward. Right image: Ben Norman and Kace Parker. Bottom left image: Jaimee Rome, behind the scenes.

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after hours

t e e Sw THE

LIFE

Alissa Dickey and Zocalisa Fine Chocolates

BY SHERI GIBSON

Assistant Professor of Health Systems Management Alissa Dickey utilizes her decades of managed care experience, coupled with a caring, supportive attitude, to help Southeastern students excel in both their courses and the real world. But her current accomplishments don’t end there.

Alissa, along with her husband of 31 years Jeff Dickey, owns and operates Zocalisa Fine Chocolates.

Founded by the couple in 2014, Zocalisa sells gourmet, hand-crafted chocolates and caramel sauces made from fresh, natural ingredients. The products, often inspired by the unique culture and flavors of Louisiana, are created in Hammond—in the kitchen of The Rind, only about half of a mile from Southeastern’s campus.

Like the products themselves, the origin of the business was a sweet adventure. “In October 2013, my husband Jeff and I took a trip to Costa Rica

for our 25th wedding anniversary,” Alissa began.

“While we were there, we overheard one of the B&B owners where we stayed talking to other guests about sourcing cacao beans. That same week we saw a cacao tree in the wild with small football-shaped cacao pods growing straight out of the trunk! We were fascinated . . . and hooked on learning about chocolate.”

A few months later, Jeff enrolled in an online class with Ecole Chocolat, through which he became a certified chocolatier, and began making artisan chocolate in their home kitchen. When he brought some of these test batches to his workplace, Jeff’s coworkers raved about the treats—even stating that they had “never tasted chocolate like this before.”

Seeing how much people loved their unique creations, the couple decided to bring their product to market.

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When it came time to name the company, Alissa and Jeff paid homage to the history and culture surrounding cacao as well as the experience that sparked their love for it. “‘Xocatyl’ (zocatyl, shocatyl) was the Aztec / Mayan / Olmec word for a drink made from cacao beans,” Alissa said.

“These were the first people known to have used cacao, the bean from which chocolate is made. The ‘Zócalo’ is the name of the central square in Mexico City and in many other cities in Mexico. So we are centered on chocolate and chocolate is the center of the community.” And when the couple was on their Costa Rica trip, the one during which they first discovered wild cacao, their guides would shout encouragement during new adventures like rappelling down a waterfall as “Aleeesa! Way to go Aleeesa!” The couple then creatively put it all together as “Zocalisa” and registered the name with the US Patent Office.

experience in starting and managing a business. When the couple first met, Alissa owned a computer consulting business, which she operated until giving birth to a set of twins. They have owned rental property and, most notably, opened the popular PJ’s Coffee on W. Thomas St. in Downtown Hammond, which they owned and operated for nine years.

Relying on their business foresight and market research, the couple opened this location in 1992 as only the third franchised PJ’s Coffee, a company which today boasts over 100 locations in nine states and growing.

making chocolate,” Jeff said as he began to demonstrate the very delicate process by making a batch of pecan caramel chocolates.

Alissa regularly draws on this entrepreneurial experience in her role with the company. “My primary work with Zocalisa is marketing, sales, packaging, strategic planning, and finance. Jeff says that he makes the chocolate taste good, and I make it look good.”

While this was their first venture into the world of chocolate production, Alissa and Jeff had plenty of

This perfectly balanced partnership does indeed result in a chocolate that is both melt-in-the-mouth delicious and beautifully packaged. When each batch is completed, the chocolates are also carefully inspected for any imperfections. Alissa and Jeff are left with the hard job of “disposing” of any that have even a minor flaw on their surface to ensure an even, quality product.

The fillings are made ahead of time, often drawing on Louisiana flavors such as Ponchatoula strawberries, cayenne pepper, and Pointe Coupee pecans.

Their most popular flavor is the pecan caramel, which is available as a caramel sauce in addition to a filled chocolate.

“This is a true caramel made by heating sugar until it turns a rich reddish brown, like the color of strong tea, then adding butter, cream, some flavorings, and pecans,” explained Alissa.

Alissa and Jeff Dickey

Jeff mentioned that people often comment on how they’re surprised he doesn’t gain weight making and taste-testing so many sweets. But a lot of work and energy goes into making the products, sometimes with him spending an entire evening after his primary job, and occasionally even an entire day.

Chocolate making can be very temperamental, and the often hot and humid Louisiana weather does not always play nice. “There is an art and science to

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

The chocolates are all made using either a milk or dark chocolate base, heated to a precise temperature then poured into specialty molds. These molds form a delicate shell for the filled chocolates.

When cooled to the right stage, the filling is meticulously piped into the cup of each chocolate. More warm, melted chocolate is poured over the mold to form the bottom of the chocolates to protect the sweet, gooey filling.

But everyone has their own favorite, including Alissa. “I’m a purist—I like the simply dark, just chocolate and butter,” she said.

After more cooling, the chocolates are tapped out of the molds, inspected, placed in individual paper cups, and either placed on trays for catering and wholesale or into upscale packaging complete with a hand-tied ribbon.

Along the way, there is a lot of scraping and banging on the molds to help the chocolate settle just right and remove excess, waiting on heating and cooling to exact temperatures, and cleaning.

Through all of this effort, the couple can produce 400 chocolates and six cases of caramel sauce per week. It has become a labor of love. Alissa explained that “trying new flavor combinations; the sheer joy on someone’s face when they bite into our chocolates; the sense of accomplishment when perfectly tempered, glossy chocolates just fall out of the molds; and when a customer comments on how pretty our packaging is” makes the hard work worth it.

This love for making chocolates, entrepreneurial spirit, and the happiness they get to bring to people through their products has kept them going despite the challenges they have had to overcome. Following flooding from the devastating “no-name storm” of August 2016, Alissa and Jeff had to take a break from Zocalisa to get their home back together. They also faced difficulty in finding the right commercial kitchen space before settling in to their current location at The Rind.

The location has worked well for the couple, but they hope to eventually move the center of operations even closer to home and keep growing. “We have plans to build out our own commercial kitchen space on our property in Ponchatoula,” Alissa said. “And we have a marketing plan in place to attract more wholesale accounts in general and more corporate accounts for the Christmas gift-giving season.”

Alissa’s passion for Zocalisa is evident—as is her love for research and teaching in her field. She reflected on why she chose to continue her career at Southeastern, joining the faculty of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences in the fall of 2018. “Southeastern provided an opportunity for me to integrate my information technology background with my managed care experience. It seemed like a job made just for me. I’m a good example for students to see that it’s possible to have a wonderful career in healthcare without being a clinician (e.g., nurse, doctor, therapist, and so on). We need clinicians,

but we need non-clinicians, too, to solve the challenges we face in the healthcare industry.”

While she loves and believes in the work itself, Alissa has also been moved by the caring, supportive environment she has encountered since calling Southeastern home. “My department head, Dr. Jacqueline Guendouzi, and my dean, Dr. Ann Carruth, are amazing. My awesome colleague in the Health Systems Management program, Ms. Susan Tufts, has been generous with her time and knowledge more than I can say. And I don’t know what I would have done this past year without all the folks at the Center for Faculty Excellence. These people allow me to be the best I can be for our students.”

And at the end of a long day, there’s always chocolate.

Alissa and Jeff’s products are available for online orders, catering, and wholesale, and they can also be found in select stores across the region. To find out more about Zocalisa Fine Chocolates, visit zocalisa.com or follow @zocalisa on Facebook and Instagram.

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35

IE N T S :

b utte r salte d n u , d e en s so f t r 2 stick s ' suga tio n e r c e f n o c 1 1/2 c.

IN G R E D

t 1 eg g extrac an illa v . p s t ) 1 1/2 usting ract n d ext l fo r d a o n m l io a . it p (ad d 1 1/2 ts flou r u r pos e p ll a .

2 3/4 c owd e r aking p 2 ts p. b alt 1 ts p. s

Our signature sugar cookie recipe is perfect for baking during the holidays—or all year long! Whatever the occasion, celebrate in true Lion fashion with this little gift from your Southeastern family.

Try the recipe below, or visit southeastern.edu/SweetSoutheastern for the how-to video. Enjoy!

INSTRUCTIONS: *MIX WITH EXCELLENCE • In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and confectioners' sugar • In a separate bowl, mix egg and extracts; incorporate into main mixture • In a separate bowl, sift together all dry ingredients; slowly add to main mixture • Mix dough thoroughly until most of it sticks to spoon *BAKE WITH CARE • Roll dough until about 1/4 inch thick; use flour for dusting as necessary • Cut and place on parchment lined baking sheet • Bake at 400˚ for 7-8 minutes *DECORATE WITH PRIDE!

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

John Regan

giving back

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

BY MIKE RIVAULT

What makes success? What mix of nature, nurture, surroundings, and events come together to create a person’s life? Most importantly, once successful, what does one do with that success?

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John Regan, a 1969 business graduate in marketing, considers these things as he reflects on his life to this point.

"

“Over and over I think about just how truly blessed I am,” he said as he looked off the balcony of his home atop the building he lives in on Walnut St. in New Orleans that overlooks both the Mississippi River and Audubon Park with views of downtown.

John considers his road to success and thinks back to his days at Southeastern.

It opened up my life to opportunities to do what I wanted to do. It provided a launching pad for my career in the financial industry.

"

He noted that some of his professors had a major impact on him. Mac Mitchell was one of them. “I was not as outgoing as I am today. Mitchell taught his class in a very interactive way. He got you participating in class.” This helped John become more outgoing and find his ability to eventually lead others. Another was Odies Ferrell. Today, Dr. O.C. Ferrell is the James T. Pursell Sr. Eminent Scholar in Ethics at the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University.

John noted how challenging Ferrell’s tests were and how it seemed the entire class struggled. “His tests were so hard he always had to curve the grades significantly," he said. The challenging level of this class encouraged John to be creative in how he approached obstacles.

Southeastern gave John the foundation and confidence he needed to venture out in the business world. As his career moved into the very competitive and highly networked financial trading sector, he never felt his degree from Southeastern, in spite of it being a small regional university at the time, was ever a hindrance to his career. He used what he learned, worked hard, and could compete with colleagues from Ivy League schools and larger state universities.

Around the time of graduation, John was considering a marketing position with Campbell’s Soup, but he began getting more and more interested in becoming a stock broker.

Encouraged by an acquaintance with the Howard-Weill brokerage, John’s interest was piqued. Also, John’s wife, Francelle Bryant, who he met at Southeastern, was working in an office with other stock brokers and she told John, “There are a lot of these guys who are not all that smart making a lot of money.” He decided to move in that career direction.

With his family just beginning and a college degree in hand, John spent a short time in the Navy before pursuing an MBA and stock broker training at Northwestern University in Chicago. From there, the sky was the limit. John became a successful stock trader and financial services entrepreneur. In his long career, he worked with Howard, Weil, Labouisse, Friedrichs Inc; South Coast Capital; and Sterne Agee & Leach, for whom he started the Institutional Equities Department. Now partially retired, John keeps his eyes on the future.

John has named Southeastern’s Bloomberg Lab the John and Francelle Regan Bloomberg Lab in loving memory of his beloved wife of 47 years to help ensure that students choosing a career in the finance industry have the greatest opportunity for success. Half of his gift is dedicated to the current needs of the lab and the other half has been placed into an endowment to provide perpetual support for the lab. He hopes his gift will inspire other successful Southeastern grads to remember the University by giving something back.

John reengaged with Southeastern by When asked what he would tell others helping to establish the KDT fraternity considering a gift to benefit students, John endowed scholarship. It was important clearly stated, “Do it!” When he learned to him and his fraternity brothers that what a Southeastern semester costs today the name of the fraternity, which is no he was surprised. He remembered his longer on campus, continue to exist at tuition being significantly lower; it was Southeastern. As he reconnected, he $93 per semester, and now it is $4,500 learned things about the University he per semester. He knows firsthand that was not aware of, among them, that coming up with this amount of money can Southeastern had a Bloomberg Lab. He be hard for many students.

John Regan during his junior year at Southeastern had just visited another major university with his granddaughter and had seen a Bloomberg Lab, and John hopes his story opens students’ eyes that a degree from was pleasantly surprised to learn that Southeastern had one.

Southeastern can take them anywhere they want to go, and Bloomberg software perfectly mirrored what he had done in that they can compete for jobs at any level. He encourages his career as a broker, only he used a Bunker Ramo machine, them to just be persistent and go after what they want. He where you could only get one quote at a time. also hopes that his gift can inspire others to support the University in ways that are important to them.

Coincidentally, as he was contemplating investing in Southeastern, he serendipitously got to know a student in the John knows that a great deal went into his success, and he MBA program who was using the Bloomberg Lab, and who knows what to do with it. was holding down a full-time job while attending school. The work ethic of that young man and the information he shared inspired John to invest in Southeastern’s College of Business for the benefit of future students.

"

We all should help the next generation find their own opportunities.

"

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39

Did you KNOW?

by the

numbers

Dining on campus 15

places to get food

DURING A TYPICAL FALL SEMESTER:

175-200,000

visits to The Mane Dish

1

dining hall: The Mane Dish

2

coffee shops: Starbucks and Java City

6

fast-food restaurants: Mooyah, Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, Pizza Hut, & Subway

6

markets

50,000

cups of coffee and tea served at Java City in Sims Memorial Library and Starbucks in the Student Union

7

buildings across campus with food locations

30,000

sandwiches sold at Subway Café in Tinsley Hall

1

late-night market: Ascension Market

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

60,000 125-150,000

3,800

cookies baked in The Mane Dish pounds of food served in The Mane Dish

students, faculty, and staff with meal plans

media shelf

Lucky Enough The Story Behind Chris Yandle’s New Book

BY CHRIS YANDLE

Lucky Enough: A Year of a Dad's Daily Notes of Encouragement and Life Lessons to His Daughter is a recently published non-fiction book by Chris Yandle, an adjunct instructor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Sport Management program. After penning notes of encouragement and guidance to his young daughter that went viral when he shared them on social media, he wove them into a heartfelt publication which was released this past fall.

Yandle shared with us the story behind what led to that first note, the publication of his book, and what the project has meant to him.

Not every story starts like a fairy tale, and the story behind why I started writing notes is paved with good intentions—although it’s a story at times I didn’t think would ever be written.

In my previous career, I spent more than a decade chasing my life’s dream of being a college athletics director. Chasing that dream required moving my family all across the country from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Waco, Texas, to Miami, Florida, to—finally— Atlanta, Georgia. When we arrived in Atlanta in 2014, I thought this was the most important stepping stone to achieving my career goals. At the age of 32, I thought I was getting closer to “making it” while putting my wife and two young children in a position to succeed.

Through our many moves as a family and the many moves I made before as a young adult, I learned many life lessons— some without pain and regret, while others were dripping in difficulty, heartache, and results that were oftentimes difficult to swallow. The most difficult lesson came in 2016 when I lost my job. My dream career path abruptly ended. We were some 600 miles from home with no plan in regard to what’s next.

My wife Ashleigh and I ultimately decided it was time to come home to Louisiana. We decided to move to Mandeville in St. Tammany Parish to give our kids a great education and stable quality of life for the first time. When we enrolled our kids in school, Ashleigh and I suddenly had the realization that our daughter Addison would start third grade at one elementary school and then begin fourth grade at another school. That would be her fourth school in five years. This was not how we planned, and if we could do it all over again, we would have strived for more stability in our children’s school environment.

Nevertheless, she excelled in third grade and had been a resilient young lady through all of this transition . . . until fourth grade. She began exhibiting signs of anxiety, and since Ashleigh and I both battle anxiety and depression, we knew we didn’t want her anxiety to consume her. What’s a dad to do?

After I made Addison’s and our son Jackson’s lunches for the first day of school, I wrote their names on their new lunchboxes—because kids need new everything for the first day of school!—and after I wrote her name, I had an idea. I grabbed the Sharpie and wrote a message on her sandwich bag: Addy—Treat everyone like they are the most important person you’ll ever meet. Love, Dad. I took a picture of it, posted it on my social media platforms, and after that, I didn’t think twice about what I had done.

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I kept doing this for the next few weeks, seeing if Addison would say anything about the messages I wrote her. At least give me an ‘Ugh, dad!’ response. One morning, we were running late for school, and as I was hastily putting together their lunches, Addison reminded me: “Dad, don’t forget my lunch note!” On the outside, I was playing it cool, but on the inside, I was dancing and singing loudly! She does notice what I’m doing!

It was in that same week that her fourth-grade teacher asked me if it were OK if she used one of the notes to share with her class. Soon, her principal was following me on Facebook and lamenting that these notes were the highlight of her week.

They were the first two people who suggested that I collect these notes and put them in a book.

Midway through Addison’s fourth-grade year in March 2018, I started a Kickstarter account to raise money to publish my book through an independent publisher out of New York City.

In six weeks, I raised $3,500, and my dream of writing a book became a reality.

My book, Lucky Enough: A Year of a Dad’s Daily Notes of Encouragement and Life Lessons to His Daughter, was published in September 2018 and hit the shelves at Barnes & Noble locations in Metairie, Mandeville, and Lafayette in early 2019.

Since that first note I penned, I have written more than 300 notes to my daughter that range a variety of topics—but most importantly, they are a daily opportunity for me to tell Addison how much I love her.

More information on Yandle’s daily notes to his daughter can be found via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @chrisyandle.

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athletics

BY KEMMLER CHAPPLE

The 2018 / 2019 academic year saw Southeastern Athletics place in the top five Southland universities for the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll for both the fall and spring semesters.

Southeastern placed 117 students in the spring, representing the highest single-semester total in school history.

Fall 2018 Southeastern placed 81 student-athletes on the Fall 2018 Honor Roll.

Just under 1,000 student-athletes from the league’s 13 institutions landed a spot on the Fall Honor Roll overall. To be included, student-athletes from the sports of football, soccer, cross country, and volleyball had to post a grade point average of 3.00 or above for the semester.

Southeastern's contingent was the fifth largest among the league's schools. For the semester, 198 Lions and Lady Lions had a 3.0 GPA or higher in the fall semester, as SLU Athletics posted a combined 3.13 department-wide GPA for the semester—the highest in school history.

The Southeastern football team led the way with 34 studentathletes, while 22 Lady Lion soccer players were among those honored. Southeastern was fourth among cross country programs with 15 members on the honor roll, while the SLU volleyball program featured 10 representatives.

Spring 2019 Building on the success of the fall semester, Southeastern placed 117 student-athletes on the Spring 2019 Honor Roll.

The 117 honor roll selections represented the highest singlesemester total in school history. Southeastern has placed 100 or more student-athletes on the spring honor roll for each of the last four years.

Every Southeastern spring sports' honor roll total was in the top half for their respective sport when compared to the other institutions' programs. Leading the way was the Southeastern baseball team, which had 25 representatives on the honor roll— the most among the 13 Southland baseball programs.

Coach Matt Riser's squad's contingent was highlighted by Academic All-American and Southland Student-Athlete of the Year Corey Gaconi. The league's Pitcher of the Year was joined by fellow Southland All-Academic selections Jared Biddy, Mason Knopp, Kyle Schimpf, and Bryce Tassin. Gaconi and Schimpf were among five Lions who posted a 4.0 GPA this spring.

The women's track and field program tied for department-high honors with 25 selections. Sixth among Southland women's track programs, SLU was led by Southland All-Academic performers Ashley Davis and Grace Walford. Walford was one of four Lady Lions with a 4.0 spring semester GPA. Walford and company's male counterparts added 20 representatives to the honor roll, good for fifth among Southland men's track and field programs. Southland AllAcademic selection Gerald Coleman is among the Lions' contingent, which also includes six 4.0 students this spring.

Southland All-Academic members Rebecca Skains and Madisen Blackford highlighted a 15-member contingent from the SLU softball program. Tanner Wright carried a 4.0 semester GPA for the Lady Lions, who had the fifth-highest honor roll tally among league softball programs.

The women's basketball team was also fifth among league women's basketball programs with nine honorees. Ashailee Brailey represented her team with a 4.0 GPA, while AllSouthland and All-Louisiana performer Celica Sterling was also among the Lady Lion representatives.

The men's golf and women's tennis programs each had eight honorees, ranking second and third, respectively, in the Southland among their respective sports. Head coach Jake Narro's golf team had 100 percent representation on the honor roll, as all eight Lion golfers posted a 3.0 GPA or higher this semester, led by Southland All-Academic performer Joris Etlin.

The SLU tennis team maintained its top team GPA in Southeastern Athletics. Of its honor roll contingent, five had a 4.0 GPA this spring, including Southland All-Academic honoree Katya Cornejo.

Among Southland men's basketball programs, SLU was fifth with seven honorees. Key contributors Kajon Brown and Pape Diop were among the Lion contingent.

“We want a culture of victory and success—victory in competition and success in the classroom. These record numbers demonstrate that we continue to ensure that wherever our athletes go in life, they will be well prepared for their future,” said Athletics Director Jay Artigues.

Join Us for This Sampling of

COMING EVENTS OCTOBER MON–SAT

7- 12

HOMECOMING WEEK

FRI

11

ALUMNI AWARDS EVENING | 7 pm Student Union Ballroom

SAT

12

HOMECOMING GAME: LIONS FOOTBALL VS. INCARNATE WORD | 4 pm Strawberry Stadium

Full Schedule: southeastern.edu/homecoming

WED

9

FRI

25

WOMEN’S SOCCER VS. CENTRAL ARKANSAS | 7 pm

SOUTHEASTERN GIVING DAY | 24 HOURS

Strawberry Stadium

SoutheasternGivingDay.org

THU

10

HOMECOMING REUNION PEP RALLY | 5 pm Santa Fe Cattle Co., Hammond

THU

10

SOUTHEASTERN ROTC 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION | 6 pm Oak Knoll Country Club, Hammond

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

SUN

27

JAZZ AMBASSADORS OF THE U.S. ARMY FIELD BAND PRESENT: THE GREATEST GENERATION | 3 pm Columbia Theatre

WED

30

PANEL DISCUSSION: DETERMINED TO RISE: THE CIVIL WAR & ITS EFFECTS ON THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT | 6:30-8:30 pm Student Union Theater

NOVEMBER FRI

TUE–FRI

CONCERT: DURAND JONES AND THE INDICATIONS | 7:30 pm

THEATRE: THREE SISTERS | 7:30 pm

1

19-22

Columbia Theatre

Vonnie Borden Theatre

SAT

THU

LIONS FOOTBALL VS. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | 4 pm

OPENING RECEPTION: SENIOR EXHIBITION | 5-7:30 pm

2

21

Strawberry Stadium

Contemporary Art Gallery

THU

TUES

7

FANFARE LECTURE: WHY THE ALLIES WON WWII | 2-3 pm Student Union Theater

FRI

8

FRIENDS OF SIMS MEMORIAL LIBRARY WINE TASTING: WINE WITH FRIENDS | 7 pm Sims Memorial Library

SAT

9

JOLLY JINGLES MARKET | 9 am-4 pm Pennington Student Activity Center

SAT

16

INDOOR VOLLEYBALL VS. SAM HOUSTON STATE | 1 pm University Center

MON

18

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT | 5-7 pm Student Union Ballroom

26

DANCE PERFORMANCE: TO ENRICH OUR SOUL | 7:30 pm Vonnie Borden Theatre

DECEMBER FRI

6

MISS SOUTHEASTERN 2020 | 7 pm Vonnie Borden Theatre

FRI

13

GOLDEN GRAD REUNION LUNCHEON | 11 am Alumni Center

SAT

14

GOLDEN GRAD BREAKFAST | 8 am COMMENCEMENT 1 | 10 am COMMENCEMENT 2 | 5 pm University Center Programs and times are subject to change.

FA L L 2 0 1 9

47

MICHELE SUTTON

Alumna of the Year MICHELE SUTTON, A 1984 AND 1988 SOUTHEASTERN GRADUATE AND THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF NORTH OAKS HEALTH SYSTEM, HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION’S 2019 ALUMNA OF THE YEAR.

Sutton earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and master’s degree in business administration from Southeastern. She began at North Oaks Health System in 1988 as community resources officer and was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2006. In 2012, she took on the additional responsibility of administrator and chief executive officer for North Oaks Medical Center. The North Oaks Board of Commissioners appointed her president and chief executive officer of the health system in January 2017.

She is a previous president and vice president of the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Southeast Louisiana chapter and led the merger of both state chapters. She also serves on the American Hospital Association’s Foster G. McGaw Committee and is a longstanding member of the Louisiana Hospital Association, where she is currently a member-atlarge for the association’s board of trustees and its political action committee board of directors, as well as its trust fund’s board of directors.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Sutton gives back to her alma mater through the Alumni Association, for which she is a lifetime member; the Lions Athletic Association, for which she is a board member; and Southeastern’s FeLions, of which she has been a member since 2003.

Through its Annie Awards endeavor, the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce bestowed upon Sutton both an Outstanding Woman in Business Annie Award (1999) and a Legacy Annie Award (2018). Other honors include recognition in 2007 as a Woman of the Year by New Orleans CityBusiness and as one of the Most Influential Women in Tangipahoa Parish by The Daily Star. She was also the recipient of the 2007 Golden Pelican Marketer of the Year Award from the Louisiana Society for Hospital Public Relations and Marketing.

Roberts graduated from Southeastern in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and in 2005 with a master of business administration degree. He contributed to the creation of Connect to Success, a partnership between Southeastern and NTCC that provides a seamless and supportive bridge program on Southeastern’s campus for NTCC students. It is the largest two-year to four-year partnership in the state and is considered a national model for similar programs.

He is also a founding board member of Southeastern’s Lions Connected, a transition and post-secondary program that provides young adults with intellectual disabilities an inclusive college experience while preparing them to become contributing members of society.

Beth Carney Ebberman. “Dr. Roberts’ service and support to Southeastern is evident in his work related to the Connect to Success and Lions Connected programs and his dedication to student success in achieving educational and career goals through transfer pathways to Southeastern.”

Roberts was named to the list of Ones to Watch in Education in 2016 by New Orleans CityBusiness, and in 2005 he was awarded Southeastern Outstanding Man of the Year for his demonstrated excellence in driving student success in his role as a transfer recruiter / admissions counselor.

During Homecoming Week’s Alumni Awards Evening on October 11, both Roberts and Sutton, along with other Southeastern faculty, staff, and alumni, will receive special recognition.

“We are pleased to honor Daniel Roberts as our Young Alumnus of the Year,” said Alumni Association President

DANIEL ROBERTS

Young Alumnus of the Year DANIEL ROBERTS, PROVOST OF NORTHSHORE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HAS BEEN NAMED THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION’S 2019 YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR.

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49

KEEP I N G

class notes

'65 JOHN AL AR IO JR. completed

his third term as a Louisiana senator and his second term as the president of the State Senate. He was previously a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972 to 2008, and is only the second person in Louisiana and the fourth in the US to have been elected both president of his state senate and speaker of his house of representatives.

' 90 DONAL D MONIS T ER E

was selected as the chief operating officer of Imaging Industry Machines LLC., headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Monistere, who brings 29 years of experience to the position, is accountable for the day by day operations of the company’s gross sales, advertising, and IT products and services.

' 75 S USAN ( S UE) N IC H O L S

published a book on the Louisiana Northshore quilt trail, titled Only in Louisiana: A Guide to It's One-of-a-Kind Quilt Trail, that examines the trail and the regions that inspired it. As well as being an alumna, Nichols taught at Southeastern for 25 years before retiring in 2007.

' 94 TAMAR A DAY TO N was

designated Lane Regional Medical Center’s 2018 Most Valuable Player of the Year. Dayton works in the Social Services Department to assure timely suitable assistance to patients and their families. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Zachary and an avid runner who has completed several marathons.

'8 9 CO L . ST UA RT N .

B U R R U SS relinquished command

of the Louisiana National Guard’s 139th Regional Support Group in November.

Burruss’ awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal among many others.

'96 LT. CO L . R IC HA R D D O U G E T, a 25-year veteran of

'8 9 L AW R E N C E CA RT ERLO N G was awarded the Polaris

Award for Patriots by Terre Haute North Vigo High School. A lifelong disabilities activist, Carter-Long was the curator / co-host of the groundbreaking festival “The Projected Image: A History of Disability on Film” on Turner Classic Movies, reaching 87 million people.

'96 K A S W IL L IAMS was named

the Louisiana Army National Guard, was named the new commander of the 773rd Military Police Battalion.

Among the numerous awards he earned during his long career are the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Army Good Conduct Medal.

new chief diversity officer at South Dakota State University. She previously held the role of interim director for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Access and was the AfricanAmerican programming and retention adviser for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. She also recently received her master’s of education in the administration of student affairs.

'0 1

' 98

' 99

'00

BRIAN AINSWORT H was promoted to vice president of business development and community relations at Campus Federal. He has been with Campus Federal more than 20 years and has extensive experience in sales and marketing.

S TAC EY DUK E was appointed dean of The Graduate School at John Brown University. She has taken on this appointment in addition to her current role as dean of online undergraduate programs and strategic initiatives.

J O HN G O O DW IN was named

partner of Daigrepont & Brian APAC. Goodwin was a senior accountant and began his career with the firm in 2008. He has experience working with not-for-profit and governmental clients, as well as a variety of businesses in the private sector, and has a particular focus in charter schools.

E DWA R D FREDERICK was

named Teacher of the Year at Lee Road Junior High in Covington. He teaches eighth grade history and also serves as the physical education teacher, football and basketball coach, and school athletics director.

in touch ’ 02 & ’ 08 RASHANDA R . B OOK ER ,

CEO and founder of Premier Inspirations as well as the director of Institutional Equity and Partnerships at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, published a new book titled Groundlessness: From Pain to Peace.

'04 LAUREN R HODUS

was selected as Teacher of the Year at Fontainebleau High in Mandeville.

Rhodus teaches business and English honors and is an instructor for the virtual academy of the district.

She is also a member of the Dance Project Alliance, which provides arts education opportunities.

' 13 LT. COL JACQUE CO ME AUX

assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 199th Regiment of the Louisiana National Guard. His numerous recognitions include the Master's Aviator Badge, Bronze Star, and Air Medal.

'02 LI NDS EY B R I C K EEN is

Lakeview Regional Medical Center's new RN and director of case management. Before her promotion, Brickeen worked ten years as an emergency room nurse at Touro Infirmary and Slidell Memorial Hospital and the last four synchronously as a case manager.

'06 B R AND ON B OX earned a

place in the 2018 Florida Business Observer’s 40 Under 40 class. Box currently serves as executive vice president and market president for IberiaBank in Naples, FL. He also serves on the University of Florida Real Estate Advisory Board and is chairman of the board for the United Way of Collier County.

' 13 J OS H PR EJ EAN has been promoted to senior vice president of loan production at the Bank of Zachary. Prejean most recently served as vice president and team leader of commercial and smallbusiness lending.

'03 J E FF L E E was promoted to

assistant secretary of Mississippi’s Business Services. He was a senior attorney in the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Securities Division since 2017, and he previously served as general counsel to a private equity firm in the Greater Chicago area.

'06 B R IA N R IC H A R D is

the new chief financial officer and equity partner of the inland maritime Tankerman Company, Team Services, LLC. He has held a variety of occupations such as logistics coordinator, quality assurance, and accountant.

' 14 M IK E W H IT T IN GTO N

was named chief executive officer of Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite.

With nearly 30 years’ experience, Whittington has held many roles in the North Oaks Health Care System, including assistant vice president of acute care informatics and family nurse practitioner.

'04 D E R R E K G A SPA RD has been named head of operations for the New Orleans office of Bezou Financial Planning Group. He has worked in the banking and financial services industry since 2006.

'07 ST E P HA N IE W HETSONE,

a fifth-grade teacher at Bains Elementary, is a recent winner of the nationally prestigious Milken Educator honor. Whetstone was recognized by the Milken Family Foundation for the dynamic modernization of her classroom and her students' success.

'15 B R IT T N I C A R RO L L , an

instructional data specialist at Central High School, has been chosen to be the 2019 ACT K-12 Champion for Louisiana in recognition of her work to enhance student performance on the ACT.

See Yourself ?

MANY THINGS MAY CHANGE THROUGH THE YEARS, BUT LION SPIRIT DOESN’T. These historic snapshots have captured a snippet of Southeastern’s story and people over the past several decades. If you know the names and details that go with these pictures, please share them by emailing editor@southeastern.edu.

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

Success: Southeastern’s Sustainability Center has been nationally recognized by the Environmental Leadership Program for its pollution prevention and commitment to environmental protection.