Southeastern Magazine: Fall 2020

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE FALL

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25

FORGED IN FAMILY

CREATING A SOLUTION

A member of our Southeastern community is achieving epic success while continuing a family blacksmithing legacy.

Southeastern researchers are striving to build a greener planet by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

2020

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THE LEGACY OF STRAWBERRY STADIUM

Opened in 1937, one of Southeastern’s most recognizable and beloved landmarks has many stories to tell.

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY FAL L

2020

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. 44-45

VI C E P R E S I D E N T F O R S TU D EN T A F FA I RS

Dr. Eric Summers S E NI O R D I R EC TO R , U N I V ERSI T Y MAR K E TI NG AN D CO MM U N I C AT I O N S

Mike Rivault E D ITO R I N C H I EF

Sheri Gibson P H OTO GRA P H Y

Randy Bergeron CO N T RI B U TO RS

Kemmler Chapple, Brianna Hawkins, Tonya Lowentritt, Ashley Richardson

Submissions: Southeastern Magazine welcomes photographs, alumni news, story suggestions, and letters of 300 or fewer words.

Items may be used for publication unless the author requests otherwise and are subject to editing. Send submissions to Editor, Southeastern Magazine, Office of University Marketing and Communications, SLU 10784, Hammond, LA 70402 or editor@southeastern.edu.

Southeastern Magazine Online: Visit southeasternmagazine.blog to view and share the stories in this magazine, or explore past issues.

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

Look for the film icon throughout this magazine for accompanying online videos.

COV ER P H OTO : Cade Jenkins has been merging heritage and innovation to become a renowned blacksmith, even winning on the hit History Channel reality show Forged in Fire while a full time freshman Southeastern student.

Contents.

12 16 22 25 COVID-19 AND HOMELESSNESS

What are the intersections of COVID-19, homelessness, and capitalism? An associate professor of sociology at Southeastern is striving to find out.

FORGED IN FAMILY

OUT THERE

A member of our Southeastern community is achieving success, including winning Forged in Fire, by following his passion and keeping a family legacy alive.

Southeastern’s Centennial Woman's Suffrage Project has generated new opportunities for exploring the stories behind the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.

28 38 THE LEGACY OF STRAWBERRY STADIUM

Over the past 83 years, Strawberry Stadium has made its imprint on generations of Lions while becoming an inseparable part of both Southeastern and sports history.

GIVING BACK

Even the smallest of donations can add up to a colossal impact on students at each stage of their academic journeys.

CREATING A SOLUTION

A Southeastern professor and student researchers are searching for a better way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

president’s message

&

Alumni, Friends, Supporters, I hope this magazine finds you in good health and good spirits.

Normally, I would expect that statement to easily elicit positive responses. But in this “new normal” we can all be less assured that such a benignly positive greeting will produce the expected result.

Nevertheless, I still say it, because I want to remind you that Southeastern is still here for you. Of course, our primary focus will always be on our students, but our Southeastern family reaches well beyond our current students. We care about you as well and want you to know that you matter to us.

This has been both a challenging and heartening time as we work our way through a period that feels like the world is shifting from underneath our feet. There was, and is, no playbook for us, or any university, to follow. We worked diligently as things arose and, I am happy to say, we have done a yeoman’s job at making things work—and work well.

I have always been proud of our faculty, staff, and students, and I can say that during this time my confidence in them has only grown. While this situation is far from over and many obstacles lay ahead, to date we have met the challenge and achieved positive results.

We published a special online only summer issue of the magazine that focused entirely on how we and alumni have adapted to the pandemic. If you have not seen it, please visit southeastern.edu/magazine.

The successes have only continued since its publication.

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Our summer enrollment grew by over 10 percent, and fall enrollment grew by 1.4 percent..

We have over 2,000 classes this fall that are adapted to a flexible or hybrid model that combines face to face and online / remote instruction. Despite the necessity to move our new student orientation and student advising operations to virtual delivery, we processed over 3,000 individuals as potential new students.

While I am not sure that things will ever move completely back to the “old normal,” I am confident things will eventually calm down and normalize. Even so, we can be assured the future will always hold uncertainties for which we have to be prepared. Despite whatever the future brings, I have every confidence the can-do spirit of Southeastern, together with our long-standing core values of excellence and caring, will ensure the University’s continued success.

John L. Crain PRES IDENT

Katya

out & about

CORNEJO Senior // Engineering Technology Hometown // Aguascalientes, Mexico How Southeastern changed me Southeastern has changed me in so many personal ways! I have met incredible people and lived amazing experiences with my teammates and friends on and off campus that have given me more confidence in myself and my future goals.

Favorite spot on campus My favorite spot on campus is definitely Friendship Circle. I love having a place where I can just relax with my friends and enjoy the nature of our beautiful campus.

Dream job Electrical engineer for Tesla or any type of company that develops new technologies that are friendly to the environment.

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

I really like the faculty and staff here at Southeastern. I feel like we all are a big family and they are always trying to give you the best attention and opportunities for your future.

Favorite thing about my major What I like the most about my major is that I am able to develop ideas using amazing technologies, and there is no limit for creativity.

Current involvement on campus I am part of the tennis team at Southeastern and a teaching assistant for some of the engineering courses.

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

My teammates, coaches, staff, and friends make Southeastern a second home to me!

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social media

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

Mattie Hawkins Welcome back, Lions!

Don't forget to mask up! #protectthepride #LionUp

katiehoss123 Showing off my Lion Pride! #LionUp2024 #LionUpTuesday

hannahgautreau SLU Nursing School here we come! I'm so proud of all we have accomplished so far, and excited to see what's next! #LionUp #RNBSN #maurepasproud 4

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

fitnessbysav Officially a college grad!

lauren.81 Quarantine Signing Day #LionUp FA L L 2 0 2 0

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news in learning

Embracing all 72,000+ Alumni The Southeastern Alumni Association has made a significant change to its membership guidelines. Dues are no longer required to join, and all graduates will automatically become part of the Alumni Association.

Executive Director of the Alumni Association Michelle Biggs said the new open structure allows the organization to embrace all 72,000+ alumni as members of the Southeastern community, while also increasing numbers for better networking and meaningful social opportunities. It enables the staff to better focus resources on providing more of the innovative, career-focused programming that so many have requested, she said.

“Being part of a strong, supportive community is more important now than ever,” Biggs said. “The Southeastern Alumni Association is proud to help foster such a community, one where all alumni can come together to mentor younger generations, engage in career advancement opportunities, share in celebrations, and much more—whether physically distanced or face to face.”

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Alumni will be able to participate in the core engagement activities that are at the center of what the association does, Biggs explained. Opportunities include advancing careers and networking with alumni on SoutheasternConnect.org; mentoring a young alumnus or student; connecting with friends—old and new—at social events, such as reunions, crawfish boils, football tailgates, and wine tastings; and celebrating the accomplishments of Southeastern’s most distinguished alumni at the annual Alumni Awards Evening.

For more information, visit southeastern.edu/alumni to explore the full list of benefits and find ways to stay engaged with peers and the University.

KSLU Named Best College Radio Station Southeastern’s KSLU took home top honors in the Best College Radio Station and Radio News Reporting categories at this year’s Southeast Journalism Conference competition.

KSLU sportscaster and Half Time Adjustments host Adam Cortez of El Paso, Texas, represented KSLU during the on-site competition, placing first in Radio News Reporting. A junior communication major and Southeastern track athlete, Cortez took home first place honors for his news package covering the African American History Museum.

Recent Southeastern graduate Connor Ferrill of Mandeville helped KSLU earn the Best College Radio Station title for the second year in a row. His daily newscasts featured exclusive stories with in-depth interviews from newsmakers.

“Connor Ferrill’s high level of professionalism and ability to convey complex information in an easy to understand manner set him apart from other competitors in the field,” said KSLU General Manager Todd Delaney.

The Southeast Journalism Conference celebrates student journalism and offers an opportunity for participants to develop relationships with students from schools across the Southeast United States.

“KSLU regularly participates and places in conference events, taking home Best College Radio Station and Best Radio Journalist in the 2019 competition,” Delaney explained.

Available on terrestrial radio, online, and through digital streaming apps, KSLU opens the door for student broadcasters to pioneer their own programs, creating something uniquely their own, and uniquely Southeastern, Delaney said. Programming includes music, live broadcasts of sporting events, and community-oriented talk shows.

“KSLU provides Southeastern students with the real world experience necessary to be successful in their chosen fields,” said Delaney.

Center image: Southeastern student Adam Cortez received the first place award in both the on-site competition and for his news package covering the African American History Museum at the Southeast Journalism Conference.

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news in learning

UL System Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award-winning novelist and Southeastern Assistant Professor of Creative Writing David Armand has been named the University of Louisiana (UL) System’s Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.

“The Universities of Louisiana Outstanding Faculty Award is intended to recognize faculty with a commitment to higher education from within the University of Louisiana System. This award recognizes superior accomplishments in teaching, research, and public service,” said UL System Communication Director Katelyn Wilkerson. “David Armand was selected from a highly eligible pool of nominees for his exemplification of the qualities of an outstanding faculty member.”

A native of Folsom and resident of Hammond with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in English from Southeastern, Armand is the author of four novels, two books of poetry, and a memoir based on the mental health struggles of his mother. His latest novel, The Lord's Acre, was published this year.

Armand has spoken at a number of universities as a visiting writer, including James Madison University, Southeast Missouri State University, and the Mississippi University for Women, where students studied his work and attended readings and workshops that he conducted.

Armand served as Writer-in-Residence at Southeastern from 2017-2019 and has been recognized as a Gambit Magazine “40 Under 40” recipient. In 2016 he was honored with Southeastern’s President’s Award for Artistic Activity, the Southeastern Faculty Senate President’s Award, and was named the St. Tammany President’s Artist of the Year. His first novel, The Pugilist’s Wife, earned the George Garrett Fiction Prize, and his second novel, Harlow, was listed on Amazon’s best novels about dysfunctional families. His other publications include the novel The Gorge, the memoir My Mother’s House, and the book of poetry The Deep Woods.

Armand has been recognized by reviewers as an up-and-coming Southern author whose works have been compared to William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, and Cormac McCarthy. He draws heavily from his experiences in South Louisiana in his work.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Two Online Nursing Programs Ranked #1 in the U.S. Two Southeastern online nursing programs have earned recognition as the top programs in the nation by NPSchools.com, an online resource for prospective students interested in the nurse practitioner (NP) field. Southeastern was recognized for its online MS in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner and online Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner programs.

According to the website, only those programs deemed affordable were recognized, meaning that the program’s cost, factoring in both in-state and out-of-state tuition, placed it in the upper third of all online NP programs in terms of affordability.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of students and faculty in the School of Nursing,” said Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Ann Carruth. “The online Nurse Practitioner programs combine quality and convenience. Full and part-time options are available depending on students' work schedule—and the faculty work closely with graduate nursing students to maintain Southeastern’s tradition of excellence.”

For more information on Southeastern’s online nursing programs, contact the School of Nursing at nursing@southeastern.edu.

news in learning

Ranked a Tier 1 Institution for Career Planning

Southeastern has been listed as a Tier 1 institution for career planning by Educate to Career (ETC), a non-profit organization that serves as a resource for educational attainment; outcomes-based personalized college and career planning; and related financial planning, data, and programs in the U.S. Southeastern was selected as one of the Best Colleges for Career Planning Curriculum.

Schools chosen as Tier 1 institutions had to meet the following criteria: a physical campus for in-classroom instruction; robust software and systems to support distance learning programs; faculty experience in teaching online; and reasonable tuition and fees on a relative basis.

“Students and their parents are extremely cautious about college value today,” said Educate to Career President Michael R. Havis. “They want an affordable education that will put them on a pathway to a real career. Southeastern has proven

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

its ability to deliver a meaningful education, while keeping tuition affordable.”

According to Educate to Career’s website, Best Colleges for Career Planning Curriculum was created to help students prepare for the new normal in college and, ultimately, the labor market.

“Our employment model shows the industries that will provide the strongest job opportunities in coming years, and the colleges that will best prepare students for those jobs,” Havis said. “Again, Southeastern is listed as a Tier 1 institution for being up to the task.”

Lab School Expands Offerings with New Pre-K The Southeastern Laboratory School began offering a Pre-K curriculum this fall. Lab School Director Stephen Labbe’ said that with the implementation of Tier 1 curriculum in grades K-8, the school wanted to make sure all students are prepared and ready for the rigors of the curriculum.

“By offering a Pre-K program, we will be able to ensure when students enter kindergarten they have the necessary social, emotional, cognitive, language, literacy, and math skills to be successful,” Labbe’ said. “All other schools in our district have Pre-K programs. We want to keep with the University’s mission by leading in educational development, as well as following the University’s core value of excellence.”

Parents have been requesting adding a Pre-K for a few years, Labbe’ added. Last fall, the school sent out an interest survey, and the results were very positive.

“Adding a Pre-K class to the existing Lab School ensures student readiness for kindergarten and the grades beyond,” said Dean of the College of Education Paula Calderon. “The credit for this development goes to Mr. Labbe’, who, with the support of Dr. Crain and the University administration, was instrumental in making this happen. Not only are we filling a gap in the community, but we are also advancing the core values of excellence and caring.”

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news in learning

Researching the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

As COVID-19 spread around the globe, Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Marc Settembrino worked to develop international research agendas to study the intersections of COVID-19, homelessness, and capitalism.

Settembrino served as the co-lead of the Homelessness, Housing Precarity & COVID-19 working group and as a member of the Social Science Extreme Events Research (SSEER) network, supported by the National Science Foundation; the CONVERGE facility at the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado Boulder; and the Disaster Capitalism and COVID-19 working group.

“Our team brought together researchers and practitioners from around the globe to examine the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and housing precarity during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Settembrino said. “The pandemic and homelessness present as dual crises and many individuals and organizations are developing innovative strategies to provide services for those who are homeless.”

JOIN US OCTOBER 19-24 FOR

southeastern.edu/homecoming 12

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

The Homelessness, Housing Precarity, and COVID-19 working group’s research agenda seeks to document and evaluate the implications of government and communitybased interventions across scales and borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They hope to inform emergency managers and other practitioners to cultivate understanding of the intersections between COVID-19, housing precarity, and other hazards.

At Southeastern, Settembrino worked with Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Lisa Olson to organize a research team of graduate students to study transnational actors’ responses to the global pandemic. Currently, they are studying how GEO Group, one of the world’s largest private prison companies, has responded to the pandemic in Australia, South Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

New Professorship and Endowed First-Generation Scholarship Established This fall we celebrate the establishment of two Board of Regents matched funds: the Edgar R. Smith, III Endowed Professorship in Business and the Peggy Jacob–First Presbyterian Church of Ponchatoula First Generation Scholarship.

Smitty’s Supply Inc., one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of lubricants and greases in the world, established the professorship as part of a significant gift benefiting four specific areas of the University—business, supply chain management, accounting, and the professional sales program..

“This generous donation demonstrates Smitty’s Supply Inc.’s commitment and partnership with Southeastern,” said Senior Director of Development and Advancement Services Katherine Rose. “Smitty’s investment in Southeastern is an investment in transforming the lives of students.”

Long-term educator Peggy King Jacob and her husband Raymond “Biddie” Jacob, a decorated WWII veteran, established the Peggy Jacob–First Presbyterian Church of Ponchatoula First Generation Scholarship through a bequest to the First Presbyterian Church of Ponchatoula.

It was Raymond and Peggy’s desire to bequeath their family home to the church and that scholarships be established in his wife’s memory benefiting education majors at Southeastern. The proceeds from the sale of their family home have established two significant education scholarships, a general one for education majors and the First Generation Scholarship, which requires recipients to be the first in their families to attend college.

The legacy of Peggy and Biddie Jacob, who actively cared for young people in the area, is perpetuated in the establishment of these scholarships.

Endowed professorships and first generation scholarships are established with a donor’s contribution of $80,000 that is matched with $20,000 from the Board of Regents Support Fund. For more information about these types of endowments, contact the Office of University Advancement at 985.549.2239 or advancement@southeastern.edu.

news in learning

Returning to Campus During COVID-19 The Fall 2020 Semester officially launched in August, with classes beginning on Monday, August 17. While this time of year remains characterized by many of the traditional sights and occurrences—with on-campus classes underway, students studying or enjoying lunch under the shade of historic oak trees, and campus offices buzzing with activity—there have also been several operational changes in response to ongoing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The academic calendar was modified to feature a slightly earlier start date and the elimination of semester breaks and holidays to allow class instruction to end prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Final exams will occur remotely after Thanksgiving. Many colleges and universities have adopted similar calendar changes out of concern about a possible resurgence of COVID-19 cases in late fall coinciding with the regular flu season.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

While some classes are being offered in person, with safety measures that include social distancing and required use of masks while in the classroom or any campus indoor space, there are also expanded online, virtual, and hybrid course offerings. Should the need occur due to an acceleration of the pandemic, all classes are prepared to transition to remote delivery on short notice.

Additionally, large events and athletic competitions will not be physically held. Fall team sports’ seasons, including that of football, are postponed until Spring 2021. Other events, such as Welcome Week (August 14-20) and Homecoming Week (October 19-24), have been given a virtual refresh with online ways to stay engaged.

Despite the many obstacles presented by COVID-19, the semester has launched with much success and the University, faculty and staff, and students continue to overcome the challenges. Fall enrollment reached 14,461, a 1.4 percent increase and the most in three years.

A somewhat scientific polling of ALUMNI When is the last time you rode a bike?

3.15% TODAY

54.55%

you know it you said it

What color ink do you prefer to write in?

10.84%

WITHIN THE LAST FEW WEEKS

31.46%

TOO LONG AGO TO REMEMBER

WITHIN THE PAST YEAR

BLACK

BLUE

GREEN

RED

WHO STILL WRITES ON PAPER?

33.45% 64.11% 0.35% 0.70% 1.39%

Android or Apple?

On a long drive, what do you prefer to listen to?

ANDROID

25.71%

13.68%

7.72% PODCASTS

TALK / NEWS RADIO APPLE

74.29%

3.16%

9.12%

SILENCE

AUDIO BOOKS

66.32% MUSIC

Have you ever been SCUBA diving?

9.15% YES, AND I LOVE IT

8.10% YES, BUT I PROBABLY WON’T AGAIN

38.74%

When did you decide to attend Southeastern?

JUNIOR HIGH

1.06%

FRESHMAN OR SOPHOMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

AS AN ADULT

7.39%

26.76%

NO, BUT I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY IT.

44.01% NO, AND I DON’T EVER WANT TO

2.82% AS A YOUNG CHILD

10.92% JUNIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

51.05% SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

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feature story

forged IN

family

BY BRIANNA HAWKINS AND ASHLEY RICHARDSON

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

W

hile some students start their college journey wondering what their purpose in life will be, others have it all figured out, with a stop at university as just part of the game plan. But even then, life can be full of surprises.

While a freshman at Southeastern in the College of Science and Technology, industrial technology major Cade Jenkins earned the title of Champion on History Channel’s hit reality show Forged in Fire thanks to his incredible blacksmithing skills and his decision to continue a family legacy.

In January, the Loranger resident competed against three other bladesmiths in four rounds to create the best blade and was crowned Champion of the episode titled “French Pioneer Sword,” winning a grand prize of $10,000.

“My grandfather was a full-time blacksmith for 30 years, and he is unable to continue because of health issues,” said Jenkins. “So, I decided to carry on the legacy.”

However, Jenkins’ decision to join the show was not an idea he came up with on his own. It was really his mother’s.

“I was watching the show with my family, critiquing the contestants and the things they were doing wrong,” said Jenkins. “My mom said, ‘Why don’t you do it then and show them how it’s done?’ So, I applied for the show.”

Jenkins calls his time on the set of the reality show the greatest experience of his life.

“I competed against three great smiths and even better men,” said Jenkins. “We are still friends to this day. It was a huge challenge to complete, but in the end it was so worth it.”

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When Jenkins was announced the winner, he and his family were excited, of course. However, the best reaction he received was from his grandfather.

“I was still in New York, which is where we filmed the show,” said Jenkins. “I called my grandparents and said ‘I just wanted to let y’all know I won,’ and heard my grandpa in the background holler like a little girl.”

Jenkins started out as an architectural blacksmith, but he has since come to specialize as a bladesmith. He started learning blacksmithing at the age of 12, after spending much of his childhood doing carpentry and woodwork with his father, who works as a hobbyist carpenter. Woodwork would not turn out to be Jenkins’ niche, but it would lead him on the path to blacksmithing.

“I love making things,” said Jenkins. “When I was a kid, I started learning different crafts. I started casting metal, which is a little different. I actually learned how to crochet and how to sew. I just started picking up things really, really easily.”

Jenkins would soon seek out his grandfather to learn how to forge and would eventually master the skill, creating items like stair railing furniture, hinges, and custom knives.

“With blacksmithing, I never stopped learning,” said Jenkins. “So that's why I fell in love with it—I just couldn't stop learning new things.”

Jenkins is currently taking some time off from school to manage the demands of his business, but he is committed to completing his degree in industrial technology with a concentration in welding technology at Southeastern. He’s noted that his time at Southeastern has helped him learn even more about his craft. His future plans are to merge his skill set as a blacksmith with the new information he learns in his program at Southeastern to create works of art.

“When learning how to blacksmith, I learned how to heat, treat, and temper metal, but I never knew the science behind my craft,” said Jenkins. “I only knew how to physically do it. In the little time I was at Southeastern, I have learned so much information that I have brought to my shop, and it has made me a better bladesmith and blacksmith.”

After graduating from Southeastern in the future, Jenkins hopes to combine his current knowledge of metallurgy through blacksmithing to become the best in the business.

As for now—business is booming! Since the episode’s airing in early 2020, Jenkins’ blacksmithing business, Jenkins Blacksmithing, has received much exposure, which gave the business a major increase in customers and in Jenkins’ workload.

Jenkins expressed that during the taping of the show, he learned many new skills, most importantly time management and getting out of his comfort zone.

For many 18-year-olds, running a successful business solo at such a young age could be seen as “out of your comfort zone.”

However, in Jenkins’ case, it seems more like something that comes with the territory of doing something you love.

When it comes to Jenkins’ favorite thing about blacksmithing, he explains that it is his passion, along with the desire of his inner child.

“I may be 18, but like every man, I still have a 13-year-old boy inside of me who loves fire and beating on things,” said Jenkins. “It is a passion of mine, and every project has its own little story, because everything I make is made from scratch by hand.”

Cade’s advice to others interested in blacksmithing?

“Blacksmithing is not easy,” he says. “It's really hard work.

You've got to really love it to do it.” In terms of business advice, Jenkins advises to always remain focused: “Remember what your main goal is and keep that in mind.”

It’s evident in the craftsmanship and passion for his work at Jenkins Blacksmithing that he does love his craft. His main goal is clear: Even though he is a Champion, he will always work to become a better blacksmith than he already is.

For more information on Jenkins and his work, visit jenkinsblacksmithing.com.

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out there

BY SHERI GIBSON

A group of Southeastern faculty and staff are helping commemorate 100 years of women’s suffrage in the U.S. through a multidisciplinary, multifaceted approach—and sharing it with people across the region.

On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, securing for all American women one of the most fundamental rights of citizenship: the right to vote.

With the U.S. movement for women’s enfranchisement fully kicking off decades earlier in 1848 during the Seneca Falls Convention and the Louisiana movement launching in 1878 in New Orleans, the long road to this pivotal moment in history was strife with a variety of social, racial, economic, legal, and political challenges. Yet, it is also a story characterized by unwavering fortitude that created sweeping changes both in Louisiana and throughout the entire country.

To commemorate 100 years since the 19th Amendment’s ratification and shed light on associated underlying themes through an array of disciplines, Southeastern’s Centennial Woman's Suffrage Project (CWSP) was launched in 2019

by Carol Madere from the Department of Communication and Media Studies and Angela Dunnington from Sims Memorial Library. Other members include Samantha Cavell (Department of History and Political Science), Amber Narro and Elizabeth Hornsby (Department of Communication and Media Studies), Lisa Moody (Department of English), Jordan Ahrend (Department of Teaching and Learning), 20

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Elizabeth Sanders (Sims Memorial Library), Sheri Gibson (Office of Marketing and Communications), Megan Sanders (graphic design specialist), and Stephanie Katz (media and photography specialist).

CWSP has developed several ways for members of the community to join in the centennial commemoration and connect with the associated topics throughout 2020.

Following presentations leading up to 2020 in alliance with the National Women's History Museum, the group partnered on February 13, 2020, with Preserve Louisiana (formerly the Foundation for Historical Louisiana) to provide a panel discussion. The program, held in Baton Rouge in the Old State Capitol as part of Preserve Louisiana’s popular monthly Heritage Lecture series, overviewed the suffrage movement both in the state and the U.S. as a whole.

A few weeks later, on March 5, CWSP’s largest event of the year was held—a one-day conference titled Determined to Rise: 100 Years of Grit and Grace. The conference, hosted

by Southeastern in the Student Union, featured individual research papers, panel discussions, round table discussions of works in progress, and poster presentations that addressed

women’s issues and progress across the disciplines of history, English, communication, political science, and sociology.

The conference will become an annual Southeastern event, drawing academics, students, and anyone with an interest from across the region, with each year’s occurrence featuring a different theme.

A Determined to Rise traveling exhibit was also officially launched during the conference. The now-touring exhibit presents through eight panels a timeline of significant events, the movement from the African-American woman’s perspective, laws that have changed since women gained the vote, and Louisiana women who have made their mark on history, accompanied by historical artifacts, further reading material, suffrage music, a short video, and on occasion a Zoom panel discussion with Madere and Moody. This resource is provided to public venues, including libraries and cultural centers, free of charge thanks to an LEH Rebirth grant, affording everyone with an opportunity to connect with material in their own community. The exhibit is consistently booked through June of 2021 and will have been on view at dozens of venues across Louisiana by that time.

A Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources regional grant program funded an open course institute to help K-12 teachers design lessons and work with teaching primary sources dedicated to gender equality and the suffrage movement. Originally a face-to-face institute, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the project to an online component, and teachers will be able to share their experiences through online activities with their colleagues.

Top image: Early twentieth century suffragists celebrate while waving flags.

Middle image: Educator and activist Nannie Helen Burroughs holds a banner reading, "Banner State Woman's National Baptist Convention" as she stands with other African American suffragists, c.1905 to 1915. Library of Congress.

Bottom image: In 1912 New York City, women, accompanied by their young children, line up for a suffrage march. Library of Congress.

Together, these various initiatives serve as an avenue for all members of the public to not only commemorate the women’s suffrage movement but to also better understand their current world by exploring the past and bridging disciplines.

For more information on CWSP programs, visit gritandgrace100.com.

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look at us now

TINSLEY HALL A campus landmark for over 60 years, Tinsley Hall serves as a center for both student learning and student resources that help provide tools for success.

Did you KNOW?

by the

numbers

FALL 2020

New Semester. New Normal.

Continued success.

80

hand sanitizer stations installed

457

100% online classes

reusable masks purchased

2,224

44,700

partial online or flex classes

24

18,300

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

disposable masks purchased

14,461 total enrollment

3,001

new students completing online orientation

2,901

new students advised online / via Zoom

Southeastern Professor of Organic Chemistry Jean Fotie is trying to make the world a better place by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and recycling the CO2, while also providing unparalleled student research opportunities in the process. That task became easier when he received a $265,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to develop greener and sustainable catalytic methods for the reductive functionalization of carbon dioxide. In other words, the goal of the project is to develop better ways to turn CO2 into useful commodity materials.

“Reducing the emission of carbon dioxide, one of the most significant long-lived greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere is one of the major challenges of our time,” said Fotie, a resident of Ponchatoula. “The alarming rate at which the concentration of carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere has already prompted the scientific community to develop strategies to either limit the emission and / or remove this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.”

Fotie explained that one of these approaches, known as capture and sequestration, is a technique through which carbon dioxide from power plants, combustion, and other industrial sources that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere is captured, compressed, and injected into underground geologic formations for safe, secure, and permanent storage. Despite the high cost associated with this process, the CO2 captured through this technique is stored, not transformed or recycled for other usage. Consequently, it is still susceptible to create serious environmental issues in the future.

CREATING A

SOLUTION

BY TONYA LOWENTRITT

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There have also been a number of regulations designed to reduce the release of CO2 into the atmosphere, notably The Paris Climate Agreement. However, integrating economic viability as an important parameter for a more sustainable outlook has emerged as a convenient approach in recent years, focusing primarily on the conversion of this abundant and nontoxic feedstock into valued-added chemicals, Fotie said.

“For example, imagine that CO2 is incorporated into other molecules through simple and safe transformations to create new pharmaceuticals, textiles, fibers, or any useful materials for a common purpose,” he explained. “Better yet, imagine a car that can transform the CO2 released from burning fossil fuels into methanol through a simple catalytic convertor. Then imagine that this car stores the methanol and then burns it as a fuel in a circular recycling system to further a morning commute or a long trip.”

“More than the obvious environmental remediation, this approach will be like turning CO2 into cash, and there is no better incentive than that for the chemical industry,” Fotie said. “Of course, this requires the development of practical and sustainable catalytic systems that can enable a streamline fixation and conversion of CO2 into these useful chemicals, preferably via continuous flow industrial processes.”

“Dr. Fotie has been one of our most productive researchers for years, so it is no surprise that he has received this prestigious award,” said Dean of the College of Science and Technology Dan McCarthy. “It is not just the quality of the work that distinguishes his research, but it is the fact that he includes so many of our students in his research. This grant will not only help the scientific community, but will also lead to an outstanding educational experience for our students.”

“The project objective is to develop a better understanding of how a number of active precious metals on one hand, and

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

less active but earth-abundant metals on the other hand, respectively nano-dispersed in a range of sol-gel-derived organically modified silicates, would behave toward the reductive functionalization of CO2,” Fotie explained. “Our hope is that, one day, one of these new materials we are developing could be used in the transformation previously mentioned or as a catalytic convertor in a new and greener generation of cars.”

More importantly, Fotie said, these activities will provide a unique opportunity to create a research environment that combines three very different groups of students at different stages of their education, namely the high school students enrolled in Southeastern’s Math-Science Upward-Bound program, Southeastern undergraduate students, and Southeastern integrated science and technology master’s students.

“Chemistry is an applied science, and ‘learning by doing’ is the best educational approach to make our students ‘real world ready,’” he said. “So, besides the development of a new catalytic system, there is an important educational aspect associated with this project.”

Fotie said the grant provides tuition and wages for an industrial science and technology master’s student, wages for undergraduate students, and summer stipends for high school students from the Southeastern Math-Science Upward-Bound program who will be involved in the project.

“This is very important because it enables these students to quit their off-campus jobs and focus exclusively on the task at hand,” he said. “This unique learning environment is designed to enable the younger generation to mirror their future through the lenses of their observations and interactions with the advanced generation.”

In fact, the groundwork for this project was laid by Southeastern alumni, who were all supported by a previous grant and have now all graduated and advanced to industry jobs or graduate school.

“Their success is, in part, attributed to the fact that they did not have work off campus, and could focus on school, while conducting their research in between classes,” Fotie said. “This unique opportunity allows them to be exposed early on to important applications of the concepts they learn during lectures and enables them to make informed decisions about their futures.”

Fotie obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and master’s degree in natural product chemistry from the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon, where he also started his doctoral degree.

He was a visiting doctoral student at the University of Potsdam in Germany before returning to Cameroon to defend his thesis. After, he was a postdoctoral fellow in bioinorganic chemistry at McGill University in Canada and a World Health Organization research scholar in medicinal chemistry at The Ohio State University School of Pharmacy.

See more at SoutheasternMagazine.blog

Above right image: Southeastern Professor of Organic Chemistry Jean Fotie researches ways to turn CO2 into useful commodity materials and reduce its emission into the atmosphere.

Below left image: Southeastern student Clynesia Ann Huff conducts CO2 research under the supervision of Dr. Jean Fotie thanks to a National Science Foundation grant.

“HOPEFULLY, THIS AMAZING GROUP OF RESEARCHERS WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP A NEW CATALYTIC SYSTEM THAT CAN ENABLE THE CONVERSION OF CO2 INTO IMPORTANT CHEMICALS, A METHOD THAT COULD EVENTUALLY FIND APPLICATION IN CONTINUOUS FLOW INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES.” FA L L 2 0 2 0

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athletics

BY KEMMLER CHAPPLE

The current home of Southeastern men’s football, as well as women’s soccer, Strawberry Stadium has a rich 83-year history. Throughout the decades, it has stood as a solid testament to both the fierceness of true Lion Spirit and our ever-changing world. Generation after generation have battled for victory on its turf, cheered on their school with pride or reconnected with Southeastern and fellow classmates in its stands, experienced some of the best years of their lives living in its housing or forging friendships in its social spaces, celebrated a new school year on its grounds, and so much more.

In honor of the more than eight decades of tradition, we look back at some of the most monumental moments and triumphs in the story of Strawberry Stadium.

workers from other government construction projects in the area to work on the stadium. Leche initially planned to name the stadium after himself, but it instead was decidedly named in honor of the local strawberry farmers. A plaque still remains on the north end of East Stadium in honor of governor Leche’s contribution.

1946

From 1942-1945, the excitement and celebration in Strawberry Stadium is put on hold as players and other members of the Southeastern community heroically serve their country during World War II. When the roar finally resumes in 1946, it does so epically.

1937

On May 12, ground is broken on Strawberry Stadium as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) program. Under project #1304, the construction cost $144,000 ($2.95 million in 2020 dollars).

Edward F. Neild, D. A. Sondal, and E. F. Neild Jr. were the architects of the two buildings that would collectively become known as Strawberry Stadium. The structures were designed to hold 8,200 fans.

Strawberry Stadium is completed and the first game is held in the new facility on September 17, during which time thenGovernor Richard Leche dedicated it in person. The Lions, fresh off an 8-0-1 season in 1936 under head coach A. L. “Red” Swanson, face off against the LSU freshman team for their first game in the stadium.

They celebrate their first landslide win in it a week later, defeating Southwest Mississippi Junior College 52-7. The Lions finish their first season in Strawberry Stadium with a 6-1-1 home record and an overall mark of 8-2-1.

In addition to providing an exciting new venue for the community to cheer on their team and school, the new stadium also serves as one of the campus’s first student housing facilities and much-needed space for auxiliary services. The first floor of the East Stadium building held a cafeteria, post office, and social room—a precursor to the first War Memorial Student Union completed in 1950, although it continued to be used as a gathering spot even beyond then and served as a meeting room for student organizations. A men’s dormitory occupied the second floor. West Stadium housed athletic offices and training facilities on the first floor and a football player dormitory on the second floor. To this day, the two buildings continue to provide space for campus operations, with East Stadium’s first floor now housing University Advancement’s Office of Marketing and Communications and its second floor serving as additional office space for the Department of Visual Art + Design, while West Stadium remains home to athletic offices and training facilities.

The stadium was completed in only 16 weeks, due in part to the eagerness of Governor Leche, who reputedly pulled

The returning Lions achieve a perfect 9-0 season, becoming the first undefeated and untied football team in the University’s history. Southeastern outscores the five visitors to Strawberry Stadium by a combined total of 159-19 and end the victorious returning season by winning the only bowl game in Lions football history, the Burley Bowl in Johnson City, Tennessee.

1960

Strawberry Stadium's field was named Carroll Field in honor of longtime Southeastern supporter Eldridge Carroll (18671960) who passed away in October. Carroll, a prominent Hammond real estate developer who became known as "Coach" for his tutelage of the football team, served for many years as a dedicated volunteer in several leadership roles on campus, including as superintendent of the Strawberry Stadium building.

1967

Two of football’s most legendary players take on the Lions, but Strawberry Stadium plays witness to their defeat.

2003

The roar returns to Strawberry Stadium! Following the success of the Campaign for Excellence, which raised $5 million, and an outpouring of support from the Southeastern and local communities, the first Lions football game in nearly 18 years is played in Strawberry Stadium on August 30. A 24-minute lightning delay followed by a losing deficit threaten the celebration, but the Lions rally and go on to achieve victory as cheers once again echo throughout the beloved facility.

2004

Playing in a driving rain due to Tropical Storm Matthew, on October 9 Southeastern soundly defeats the University of Northern Colorado and wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who goes on to make the Pro Bowl three times during a 12-year NFL career playing for the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2005

With Coach Pat Kenelly at the helm, Southeastern triumphs over Pensacola Navy College and quarterback Roger Staubach on October 28. The next week, on November 4, a Terry Bradshaw-led Louisiana Tech squad is outmatched during the 1967 Homecoming game. Staubach (with the Dallas Cowboys) and Bradshaw (Pittsburgh Steelers) both go on to be members of the NFL Hall of Fame and win a combined six Super Bowls in the 1970s.

1970

Halloween 1970 proves to be scary for another future NFL quarterback when Southeastern defeats Youngstown State University, led by Ron Jaworski, who would later play for the Philadelphia Eagles and in Super Bowl XV.

1980

On October 18, Southeastern ties a national record as three Lions—Mack Boatner, Kendall Denmark, and Charlie Thomas—make history by all topping 100 yards rushing in a 47-6 Homecoming victory. A few weeks later, fans go crazy as Boatner rushes for a school-record 275 yards, a mark that stands until today.

1981

The largest crowd ever in Strawberry Stadium, 12,000 fans and visitors, packs the stands while cheering the Lions on to victory against Jackson State University on October 3.

1985

On November 23, the final Lions football game of the twentieth century is played in Strawberry Stadium. Due to budget constraints, football is discontinued for nearly a generation to come as the first of many chapters in Strawberry Stadium’s story comes to a close.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s disastrous impact on South Louisiana, the start of the football season is delayed as members of the Southeastern community address their own devastating losses or aid in recovery efforts for others.

The Southeastern campus warmly welcomes and shelters those who have been displaced, including McNeese State University’s football team. Games resume on September 10, helping provide a sense of normalcy and a spark of happiness to those who are able to attend. Crowds witness the Lions win both this delayed home opener against Alcorn State University on September 10 and their big game against new neighbor McNeese on October 22.

2008

Southeastern unveils new renovations at Strawberry Stadium on September 13. The much-anticipated additions include the Victory Club, which features 116 additional outdoor seats and six luxury suites seating 15 people apiece. The top level of the new structure is dubbed the John A. Chauvin Press Box. As part of the project, a parking garage with a 500-vehicle capacity is constructed adjacent to the west side of Strawberry Stadium to better meet the needs of Southeastern’s growing student body.

2012

On September 22, the Lions earn their first win under head coach Ron Roberts in dramatic fashion by earning a touchdown and two-point conversion against McNeese State University with only 2:39 remaining. Future NFL starter Robert Alford clinches the win with an interception on his opponent’s final possession.

2013

The first-ever Lady Lions soccer match is held in Strawberry Stadium. The team celebrates their August 23 debut on the facility’s turf by defeating Jackson State University, and they eventually become a fresh staple of Strawberry Stadium.

They make their full-time move to the facility for their home matches prior to the 2015 season.

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Strawberry Stadium also witnesses a momentous year in Southeastern’s football history. On November 16, a win against Sam Houston State University clinches the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAA FCS playoffs. Southeastern then secures its first football conference championship since 1961 with a 51-27 win over Nicholls State University on November 2. A month later, on December 7, playoff football makes its debut at Strawberry Stadium as Southeastern defeats Sam Houston State University in a second-round game.

2019

Over 10,070 fans storm the stadium for the River Bell Classic on November 21, becoming the second-largest crowd in program history. Over a week later, spectators witness the return of playoff football to Strawberry Stadium as the Lions triumph over Villanova University and a school-record three players—CJ Turner, Javon Conner, and Bransen Schwebel—all top 100 yards receiving.

2020

The rampant rise of COVID-19 throughout the world halts all fall Southeastern athletic competitions, including football, along with other annual large celebrations in Strawberry Stadium, such as the traditional school year kick-off party Strawberry Jam. But there is no stopping the roar, and Strawberry Stadium’s story still has many chapters ahead that are waiting to unfold among both current and future generations. As the sounds of football and soccer practice continue to reverberate across its evergreen field and throughout its history-steeped walls, with players fiercely readying themselves for the return of competition and victory, Strawberry Stadium remains a steadfast reminder of the indomitable Lion Spirit, of the unforgettable times lived and shared within its steadfast structure over the past 83 years, and of the exciting moments that still lay ahead.

Congratulations to Our Spring 2020 Graduates DOCTORAL DEGREE Tashawna Nicole Feast Travis Reynard Ford Jennifer Renee Bernard Leslie H. Brown Elizabeth Keys Casselberry Eleanor Barker Lomzenski Cassandra Danielle McElroy Gloria Vanetia Peters Constance Shannon Pfingstag Alicia Richard Quirk Maura Catherine Slaven Tabitha Accardo Watkins

MASTER’S DEGREE Danielle Marjorie Adams Sidney Mercier Adams Rashaan Rakeem Albert Lois Ann Allmon Cassandra Ann Anthony Sara Thompson Ballard Robyn Barrios Kimberly Linton Billiot Brooke Lynn Boggs Kara Honaker Bourn Christopher Paul Bourque Anne-Elise Taylor Brian Adrienne Elizabeth Brown Hayley Thomas Brown Brittney La'Drago Brumfield Payton Elizabeth Bryant Katie Ann Burgess Caitlin Rose Callais Katie Ann Camp Lauren Rhodes Carbo Sarah Elizabeth Carollo Cindy Anne Case-Brown Patrick Robert Cashman Anna L. Cazenave Michelle Rae Cloud Kayli Alphonso Coleman Katelynn Aline Coleman Jordan Elizabeth Colona Alexander Harden Colton Andrew Joseph Cowan Elliot Anson Crosby Jordan Roberts Cunningham Alexandra Nicole Daniel Lauren Nicole Daniel Kirsten Paige Dantin Gregory Michael Davis Bruna Delima Benjamin Lynn Dixon Michelle Huyen Lan Do Brittani Arielle Doakes Heidi B. Dubreuil Aaron Paul Dupont Kathryn Lynne Durrett Briana Deshun Dyson Virginia Marie Enlow Cody Michael Favaro Kylie Michelle Foret Cory Daniel Fulks Hannah Marie Furlan Paige Antoinette Gauthier Jaime Marie Gelpi Erin Elizabeth Genovese

Cabrina Madelaine Gordon Lee Ann Gordon Madison Leigh Guidry Christy Coulon Guillot Timithia Di'Endia Shavon Hall Aimee Sandifer Hampton Autumn Rosemarie Hand Courtney Elizabeth Hart Shelia V. Haywood Samantha Dione Hood Anna Arceneaux Howington Brian Patrick Jakes Hilary Christena Johnson Shannon Faucheux Jordan Amanda Claire Jordan Megan Zeneta Kim Victoria Reneé Kinchen Lisa Michelle LaFerrara Lindsay Ann LaGarde Allison Kay Laird Callie Jo Leblanc Christian Olivia Ledet Megan Frances Lee Sheila Marie Likes Amy Schulin Long Ian Scott Mackenzie Erin Gaspar Madere Erin Renee Marchesseault Melanie Duhe Marse Kierstin Elizabeth Marshall Lindsey Marie Marx Stacey Lynn McLean Alex Ross Mcmorris Taylor Meades Christopher James Melton Andrea Valeria Mena Hirlemann Lesley Ann Meng Cecilia Magdalena Mercier Casaretto Jessica Nicole Miller Carl Anthony Monvoisin III Juaquin Mercer Moraga Alden Joseph Morange III Todd Joseph Mule Eric Anthony Neal Jade Lyn Ngo Bailee Amorette Owens Tristian LeBlanc Owens Raphael Arturo Palacios Katie Michelle Payne Kimberly Pikes Todd Joseph Primo Cynthia Louise Fitzmorris Quigley Pradeep Ratakonda Luke DeSha Ratcliff Elisabeth LeeAnn Raynes J. Rees Jason Isaac Rich Tracie Lyn Richard Ericia Denise Richardson Kristin Michelle Ripley April Valore Rodriguez Katelynn Sara Ryals Jason Anthony Savoy Kase Joseph Savoy Madeline Claire Schexnaydre Olivia Nicole Schouest Michael Patrick Schroeder

Gina Maria Schulte Rebecca Bass Seale Christen Severson Shea William Joseph Siener Gary Ray Sims James Elliott Smith Samantha Marie Smith Laura Kristin Squires Louis Jerome Stanley Alexandra Elizabeth Steib Jessica L. Stevens John Norman Summers Aaron Chandler Sumner Jessica Smith Taylor Samantha J. Toranto Riley Joseph Trisler Jane Frances Troescher Garrett Charles Voisin Blake Michael Vullo Krystal Lynn Waddell Kasey Danielle Winder Sungkyung Woo Earl Bernhardt Zahn IV Julie F. Zeno

BACHELOR’S DEGREE

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Ariane Lynn Adams Christina Kay Ainsworth Chad Alello Lydia J. S. Alexander Blair Alexis Jordan Alexander Alfred Briyana Alece Anderson Kaylan Allessandra Arcediano Serena Michelle Arnold Cherie Nicole Arthur Bernadette Nicole Aucoin Isabella Eloise Bairnsfather Marietta Barnes Katelynn A. Bartholomew Chynna Alexa Bartlett Natajah Roanne Batiste Destiny Marie Beane Jessica Marie Bell Deondra Denise Bell Keith Maurice Benjamin Cherie' Elizabeth Bergeron Christian Micahla Beter Taylor A. Bice-Denicola Michelle M. Blanchard McCall Alexandra Boone Karley Nicole Bordelon Lonnie Anthony Borrouso Brennan Elizatbeth Bourgeois Danielle M. Bower Jazzlynn Marshawn Nicole Boyd Camille M. Brady Mackenzie Marie Breaux Sydney Frances Breaux Victoria Anna Brigalia Catherine Savage Brindley Emma Rose Brock Grace Ann Butzman William Slade Caldwell Janasia Jaceé Callahan

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Hunter Christian Callihan Marissa Gayle Canterbury Kelly Michelle Carroll Allison Denean Carubba Devin Olivia Casnave Ashley Danielle Cauble Alexis Alice Chaisson Jake Tyler Charpentier Maryssa Nell Chartier Robyn Christina Collins Alan D. Comardelle II Annabel Diana Copping Benjamin T. Corkern Landon Michael Cormier Samantha Paige Coulon Gabrielle Marie Cox Stevon Winston Crooks Kyla B. D'Arensbourg Adrianna Trinette Dalton Alayna Danielle Dansby Samantha Madison Day-Hoover Joshua Shane Dehler Kamri Demourelle Janie S. Dick Keri Devilynn Disedare Dylan Micheal Domangue Brandon Paul Domingue Allie R. Dorsey Kevin Joseph Drez, Jr. Alexis Marie Dudas Carley Teresa Duet Christina Hope Duffaut Chandler Morgan Elvir Kathryn E. Etheridge Wyatt Parmer Evans Elizabeth Anna Farizo David Andrew Fields Belinda Flores Shinshillas Ashley Elizabeth Folse John Michael Fontenot Avery Celeste Foster Nukimbria Monaisha Frier Dominique Nicole Geraci Taylor Rae Gifford James J. Gillette Julianne Reece Glotfelty Shelby Szelei Gonlag Hanna M. Gonzales Brandon Anthony Gonzalez Terrence Donaldvan Gordon Ashley Dupuy Goss Logan Michael Graffia Nicole Francesca Grant Amelie Ann Gremillion Caitlin Elizabeth Griffin Ava Marie Guastella Catalina Danielle Guillory Tyler Brandon Guillot Alyssa Zinna Gutierrez Caroline Rebecca Haik Thomas Archer Gifford Hailey Brittany Nicole Hampton Deijanee Unique Handy Christian J. Hansen Kaylan Alexis Harding Savannah Lynn Hays Harley Marie Henderson Elizabeth Ory Henriott Makala Ashley Henry Katherine Anne Hernandez Sabrina J. Hewick Alyssa Michelle Hickey Cullen Wesley Hinkle Gabriela LaQueena Holifield Amber Nicole Howard Leslie Michelle Huffman

Andria Marshan Hunt Jessica Mae Hymel Anthony Lloyd Jackson, Jr. Jordan N. Jacob Shemira MonĂŠt Jefferson Timothy Karl Johnson Elijah Thomas Johnson Haley Marie Johnson Shelbie Lynn Joiner Brandon Lee Jones Courtney Parker Jones Amber R. Jordan Raeleigh Elaine Joshlin Tyler Warren Justo Jacelyn Deshae Keller Kayci Kenney Stephen Kerry II Randi Leigh King Gilford Leonard Kizzee Joshua Jesse Knox Michael Kade LaBarthe Jennifer Caronna Labit Kirsten Taylor LaMulle Shana Ann Lamy Elizabeth Richbourg Langley Daniel C. Larson Micheala Jade Lauland Alexander Pierce Ledoux Jourdan Christopher Lee Jeanne C. Levet Sarah Deuante Lewis Tyler M. Loewer Alayna Kathryn Lovell Lawrence Miller Maestri Ashley Nicole Mallett Dillon Robert Mancil Mia Catherine Maniscalco Abigail Kay Margavio Miranda Marie Marquez Berkley Renee Martin Carlie Ann Martinez Rebecca M. Maurin Alexis LaElle May Micah Andrew May Max Aaroan Mazik Vivian Ladeira McCalman Major Stephen Mcelveen Lynsey H. Mckinley Rivers Holden Mclain Kayli Elizabeth McLaughlin Breana Noel McManus I'Sis Miller ZIgian Espree Miller Mollie Marie Millet William Malik Deshaun Mobley Paige E. Modicut Jonah Christian Mollere Stephen John Montelepre Michael Eurreal Montgomery II Allen David Moody Cheyenne Ravyn Moore David R. Morgan Taylor Nicole Morgan Janeva Marie Morris Victoria L. Moss Ashlyn Faith Mott Keara Dominique Muhammad Candace Megan Nall Andria Coulter Nasset Olivia Alexandra Nesom Jace Lee Nini Victoria Shaye North Latrice M. Numa-Morris Olivia Elizabeth Oalmann Kyle Glen Orleans Aylin Victoria Padilla

Tyler Allen Page Aaron Thomas Patterson Gregory Charles James Patton Pablo P. Pena Keri Michelle Perrone Tyler Thomas Pertuit John Louis Picone Emily Elizabeth Ponseti Paige Marie Porter Alex Joseph Price Jacq'co Javonte Price Alice McKenzie Rainey Anniah Patrice Ranel Dylan K. Reeves Madeline Alejandra Rey Bartels Paige Lynn Richard Ronda R. Richardson Olivia Maria Rivera Ashley Marie Rivet Madison Alminte Robert Michael Thomas Robinson Anna Michelle Robinson Toby Rae Rosenthal Ryker W. Rowe Katie Gene Rylee Heather Marie Sarrazin John Carroll Sartori Mackenzi Lynn Saucier Cheria Scaffidi Jenna Catherine Scholvin Marcell Lee Selmon, Jr. Jahmar Reane Sexton Charley' Joelle Shaffer Christopher P. Shields Jeremiah Kevin Shorts Madeline Claire Silvio Justin Kinsey Simanek Tijana Simovic Baylee Michelle Smith O'Treasure-Mee Lord Smith Alyssa Dawn Smith Brittaney E. Snyder Madeline E. Snyder Lane Reilly Solow Alexis Noelle Sparacello Cody Allen Stafford Cody Fletcher Standridge Alexia Marie Stein Abbie Michelle Stevenson Evangeline Still Meghan Christine Sumrall April Christina Sutton Demond William Taylor La'Toya Rachelle Taylor Tabitha Leigh Taylor Ande Lee Thomas Dwaine Anthony Thomas Brianna Leigh Thompson Shakendra Shanee' Thorn Emily Ann Tickner Thomas Marvin Tolar Taylor Tonguis Lindsay Codi Toole Aria Rechel Toussaint Breanna Elizabeth Trosclair Brittany Nicole Turner Hannah Marie Turner Leamenia Marie Veal Dwan Pitre Veillon Laine Van Allen Vicaro Gio Von Czar Villania Chrystina Lizet Villanueva-Galo Alexia Claire Wallace Ian J. Waller Dillon Wesley Wang Ann Wesley Wannamaker

Anna Marie Watkins Lindsey C. Watkins Lorraine C. Weiskopf Tamara Deshay Welch Aubree Elizabeth Weldon Juliana Kristine Wellman Quinton Paul Williams Tamela Louque Williams Adrian Adriel Williams India Charlese Williams Marquis Sherard Williams Robin Ashley Wilson Ra'Jae' Angelique' Wolf Ashley Marie Wolfe Darius Dion Woodfork Steven Deval-Smith Wright Nicolas Wulfe Gabrielle L. Ybarzabal Asia M. Young Mark Thomas Young Undrea Lenise Young-Fland Simon Douglas Zachary Corrine B. Zelaya Molly Elizabeth Ziegler

College of Business Meghan Adams Stephen J. Aguda, Jr. Chase Randall Albin Adelle Rene Allen Aileen Javellana Alvarez Jeremy Daniel Amerson Madison Leigh Amos Logan Andrus Kaitlyn Rose Bach Lauryn Olivia Bagley Lauren M. Bateman Lane R. Bertheaud Conner Berthelot Gabrielle Marie Billingsley Dawson T. Blalock Chelsey Marie Blank Grason Scott Blau Corey Allen Blow Chad Joseph Breaux, Jr. Conner Blaine Brian Kailey Rose Brown Philip Michael Brown Jade Bushell Joshua L. Calderone Andrew P. Calmes Nicholas Joseph Carbo Haley Breanna Caruso Jamison Alexander Cascio Kayla Nicole Chategnier Breanne N. Choate Amanda Michelle Clark Maci M. Copeland Olivia Gabriella Currie Tiffany L. D'Avion Noah Randolph Danburg Taylor Ann Dawson Tanab Devkota Aagya Dhakal Connor James DiMarco David Peter Dipol Jessica Marie Dison Brian Donna Cameron Alexander Duhon Emma Grace Dupaquier Andrew Lance Failla, Jr. Kameryn Fairchild Tess Marie Fell Barron McWhorter Ferguson

Kyle Anthony Flettrich Heulette Clovance Fontenot Blaise R. Frederic Tara Elizabeth Freeze Andrew Allen Fulton Emily Che' Garafola Alan Garcia Soria Amber Grace Garrard Lexie Nichole Gauthreaux Jenna M. Gautreaux Charlotte Kathleen Geisler Jean Maria Girdwood Maygan Gonzales Mary Elizabeth Graves Raychelle Antonasia Grimes Shane Joseph Guidry Zyria Dynisha Guillory Mary Cassidy Guillory Brooke Shawn Guillot Victoria E. Guitreau Alainna Danial Haddad Kaitlyn Nikole Harrell Blake Harris Hebert Kyle Herrera Sherlitha Y. Hills Nicholas Holt Ally E. Howard Adam H. Howington Haley Brooke Hudson Troy Akil Hughes Noah James Hughes Dominic Iovenitti Connor Gerald Isbell Reaghan Grace Ivey Martavius C. James Shelby Kate Johnson Brooke Genell Johnson Kelsey Danielle Jones Chelsea L. Kelley Joshua Lee Kling, Jr. Kristin Michelle Krummel Chance Paul Lacinak Madeleine Camille Landry Danielle Elizabeth Lavergne Rachel Nicole Lesley Lindsay Nicole Lightfoot Reagan Alexander Lilak Preslee Jo Lones Joshua P. Madere Sophie Salena Maggio Bailee Lorraine Maillet Brandon Joseph Martin Landon Lavon Maulden Benjamin McClain Karlie Nikole McDonald Madison Victoria McEntee Micah David McHugh Jordyn Ashlee McKey Tyron Joseph McLemore Jacob W. Middleton Mason Matthew Miller Kerry Kamron James Moore Emily Marie Morgan Tyler Mikal Morrison Katelyn Ann Moss Jillian M. Murphy Haley M. Natal Robert Kenneth Nelson Allie A. Newstrom Zackery H. Norton Miriam Nzegwu Christian Tyler O'Brien Andrew Nicholas Parkin Mary Alexandra Passman

Sarah Rebekah Payne Garrett Reed Pechon Jonas Paul Pedreira Kyle PeĂąa Jonathan T. Pepperman Darian Niva Perrin Chase Joseph Pertuit Ashley Stinson Pigrenet Lawson Joseph Pisher Andrew Jason Rabalais Karli Renee Raffray Walker Tyler Ray Kevin M. Reichart Kenya Meshell Ridley Claire Marie Roberts Spencer Rose Rodriguez MaKayla Corrin Rodriquez Raleigh Antoinette Rogers Shelby Alexis Rome Dominick Orin Ros Olivia L. Ruffino Johnny Allen Ruiz Isabella Jeanne-Ann Sanchez Sara Raed Saymeh Bransen John Schwebel Chaz Nicholas Scivicque Hailey A. Sellers Chaix Noelle Sharp Shayla Brooke Shaw Stephen B. Sheets Rebecca Denise Faith Shyrer Chloe Susanne Sicignano Brent Austin Siebert Allan Andres Silva Russell Leonard Simmons Malika Itionia DayJo'Nia Simms Alex Smith Samuel James Smith Steven Warren Smith AnnMarie Michelle Smith Alexandra Ray Smith Michael Alan Smith II Zoei MarkeĂŠ Sonnier Abyssinia Spruel Brooklyn M. Starkey Ryan M. Steed Justin Garrison Taylor Niall Stuart Thomas Star A. Torregano Ainsley Lynn Townsend Daniel David Vaccaro Amanda D. Vallot Eduardo Vargas Vicente Jose Luis Vasquez-Salazar Emily Olivia Wainright Timisiha La'Tale Walker Brittanie Wallace Jasmine Dionne Whitfield Avery Ashton Williams Morgan Elizabeth Williams Christopher M. Williard Connor S. Wilson Sarah Nicole Wilson Kyle Logan Wimberley Taylor R. Windom Tanner Paige Wright Matthew Scott Wright Abadesa Melisa Zelaya

College of Education Becka Quebedeaux Albin Tori Ann Armstrong Samantha Barrera Lundon Paige Barrilleaux

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Alyse Marie Belanger Baylee Ann Black Brennan Michelle Boudreaux Kirsten Michelle Bourgeois Raegan Celeste Bourgeois Trenee Christian Calamia MaKenzie Lee Chauvin Elizabeth Laughton Clark Tyler E. Dawsey Tristin Alise Disedare Natalie Lynn Dupre Mary Katherine Dykes Kelly Ann Erp Morgan Leigh Fish Victoria Elizabeth Foret Barbara Jean Fritter Maya Alexandria Garnier Joanna Beth Gautreaux Dominic Antonio Giavotella Caitlyn E. Gonzalez Allison Marie Gressaffa Benjamin M. Hewett Cali Sue Hover LeeAnna Jane Humphrey Catelyn Joy Icenogle Kameron Nicholas Jackson Byronesha Ar'Destany Jackson Leanne Elizabeth Jenkins Haley Deanne Johnson Reagan S. Laborde Courtney Assavedo Lachney Karen Marie Laird Shelby L. Langford Zana L. Langley Emily Guinevere Lapara-Hebert Alyssa Kate Larose Brice Nicholas Larson Anna K. Leach Mikayla N. Martin Kaleigh Elizabeth McCullough Katie Nicole McKinney Casey Marie Melerine Taylor Meng Katie Lynne Miceli Madison Paige Mincey Micah Brynne Moore Destiny Nicole Morales Savannah Marie Normand Stacie Lynn Noto Jennifer R. Paille Leslie Parrish Robin Crystal Reynolds Yesenia Hidalgo Sanchez Kaitlyn Sandlin Kirby Taylor Seal Brittany Smith Kristen Maree Stringfellow Madeleine Elizabeth Templet Courtney Alexis Teska Kaitlin Brianne Tuttle Nicole McCarter Walker Kelsie D. Whittington Angelle Nicole Williams Shyanne Odean Wilson Sarah Elizabeth Worchel Brailie Younger Sarah Anne Zeringue

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doreen Seiser Adams Samantha Grace Albert Precious Singleton Alexander Chloe Rose Alicea Kassidy Allyn Alise Chelsea Alexis Allen William Dean Allen

Erin Lee Antie Alyssa Mary Arceneaux Courtney Elizabeth Arceneaux Blair Frances Atkins Antreon Martez Bennett Marissa Noelle Bergeron Chelsea Alyse Bernard Miranda Claire Bickford Jasmine L. Bickham Tamira N. Bickham Craig Michael Billiot, Jr. Kaitlyn Renee Birch Kaitlyn Leigh Blohm Ryan A. Bobinchuck Brittany P. Bobzin Antonio J. Boies Olivia Robbin Bourgeois Kassidy Lee Braddy Ashton Montana Rose Brady Riana L. Braselman Kayla Chyanne Breaux David Ian Brian Ashlyn Dale Bridges Kaitlun Michelle Bridges Jazmine Alexis Bright Madison Faith Brownell Ami Michelle Brumfield Jared Joseph Bryant Kaylee Michelle Burns Colin Valsin Buttone Teresa Grace Caire Angela E. Calico Ryleigh Grace Carr Brianna Virginia Carter Julia Nicole Castaneda Ashley Kent Catanzaro Tayla Rochelle Celestine Christopher James Chambers Ranique M. Chandler Christian Andrew Chustz Blake Alistair Coburn Gerald Sean Coleman, Jr. Draven Paul Collins Camryn E. Comeaux Skylar Gabrielle Cook Kaitlyn Beth Cooke Kelsey Ann Cooke Kellee M. Costa Brooke Leigh-An Costanza Leah Marie Cross Jebarri Andre Darien Cumberbatch Devan Wiley Dale Catherine Alexandra Darden Mary L. David Brooke Lauren Dawson Randi De La Cruz Jordan Elizabeth Deaton Lauren Elayna Decoteau Brooke Lynn Deeks Caroline E. DeJohn Harley Michele Dellsperger Shannon Denise DeMarco Estrella Arisbeth Diaz Hannah M. Dixon Emma Claire Duffy Charlesha JeneĂŠ Dugas Brynne L. Dugas Jennah Elizabeth Duncan Madison Anna Durr MaRanda Marie Ernest Nicholas Alexander Ernst Taylor Marie Estain Melissa Marie Fisher Savannah N. Folse Odessa Julia Foster-Smith Thecie Nathalie Fotie

Brittany Lynn Gallagher Victoria Dana Garcia Larsen Lane Glover Sarrah Francess Gore Lauren Kate Gorman Taylor Lynn Graves Chanda Danielle Martina Green Jessica Paige Greer Madison A. Gregoire Jared James Grier Johnathan Ray Griffin Anna C. Guillory Shaun Elise Guillory Alexandra Nicole Gundersen Sarah Elizabeth Haltom Ladijesh Harr Bruce Harrison, Jr. Alexis Monet Hayes Keagan Paige Haynes Coleden Michael Heckmann Brianna L. Henby April Michelle Hodges Claudia Cecile Holcomb Colton Jude Hollier Reggie Renee Holloway Macie Catherine Howell Tyler E. Hymel Mason Elizabeth Jackson Morgan Elizabeth Jacobs Mary Anna Jambon Madeline Rebecca Jenkins Casey Johnson Kristen Alyssa Johnson Ashley Johnston Brandy Jones Regan Elise Jones Aminat Oluwakemi Jubril Broc Zachary Kelleher Ryan Keller Megan Elizabeth Kerr Alesce A. Kimble Kaytlin Larrial King Jamie Lynn Kiral Grace Elizabeth Klein Peyton Marie Knapps Abby Elizabeth Ann Knight Allana Cyrea LaGrange Demonte Darnell Lang Kelsey Danielle Lavigne Nicole Jean Laviolette Barbara Jane Le Auldyn Marie LeBlanc Kelsey Elizabeth LeBlanc Kylene M. LeBlanc Kalyn Renee LeBlanc Alexa Michelle Lonibos Rhagan Ashley Lowe Shelby Dykes Magee Amber V. Marinero Morgan Elizabeth Marlbrough Ryder C. Matherne Ally Frances Mavor Kyle Derek Mayo Morgan L. McClendon Londyn Faith McCoy Michael S. Melancon, Jr. Melissa Nicole Merritt Benjamen David Messina Kaitlyn Michelle Miller Helen Monteiro Minkin Queantae Re'a Mobley Jada De'Lane Nathan Amy Marie Newsom Abagail S. Nicaud Jayla Jean Notestine Madison Marie Nunnery

Leia Elise O'Connell Baylie Monet Odom Tori L. Oestriecher La' Tonya V. M. L. Osborne Rachel Conover Parker Chelsea O'lexus Partman Megan Hope Passaro Brady Joseph Perque III Kyron Pitts Lauren Emily Prestenback Yushequa Anquinnet Quinn Katie Becnel Rager Guadalupe Ramirez Templos Danielle Marie Rankin Charles Rappold Hannah Olivia Rehm Madelyn Leigh Richardson Caitlin Gene Riviere Brandon Kyle Robichaux Crystal Rashelle Rock Claudia Alexandra Rome Madison C. Rooney Jason Michael Rusk Chloe Taylor Ryder Lindsey Shay Saacks Destiny Wrae Sadler Lyndsey R. Sallinger Callie C. Sander Jacob Matthew Schmaltz Alicia Marie Schouest Quiante Jaimon Scott Hailey M. Sculthorp Alisia Devan Senegal Madeline Kacey Shelton Shandra'Neka La'Sha Singleton Megan E. Smith Kayla E. Smith Hannah Hawkins Snell Cecily Solar Laci Lynne Solar Julie Ann St. Paul Jasmine Tenea Stansberry Aimee Marie Stewart Rachel Lynn Sullivan Sarah Marie Swenson Garrett Rodney Taylor Amber Nicole Thomas Ty Michael Timphony Ja'Mesha Alexandria Tobias Alexandra Danielle Tomchek Kelly E. Turner Matthew R. VanAmburg Caridad Vanessa Vindel Emily Ann Waddell Jasmine R. Washington Natalie K. Wells Brooke Nicole Williams Derek Mareze Williams Ryan Alan Williams Jody L. Workman Kylie M. Yglesias

College of Science and Technology Erin Marie Ainsworth Amy Angele Arceneaux Zachary J. Armand Rebekah Jordon Arriaza Keenan J. Austin Nurideen Amin Awadallah Brittany Babin Martiana OnjeneĂŠ Beach Mia Davangeline Bell Hallie Mechelle Betz Utsav Bhattarai Maygen Elizabeth Bonner

Brennan Richard Booth Aaron J. Bourgeois Brycee Boyette Colton Alan Brown Hannah Marie Brown Stephen Gregory Brown Kristen Burrick Dalton J. Cambre Matthew Maurice Carter, Jr. Hailey S. Castiglione Cole Thomas Clement Terrance G. Coleman Autumn Noelle Collins Dylan Joseph Compton Carven August Corbett Damodar Dahal Corey Lynn Davis Ryan J. DeBlanc Robert D. Demourelle Jeevan Devkota Alexus Di'Amori Dillon Gabriel N. Doan Henry Joseph Doucet Mason A. Dugas Sarah Michelle DuRapau Nicole L. Ferrara Hannah Caroline Fersch Breanna Marie Finnell Zackery A. Fortier Christian Jayson Fortner Alex Thomas Fournier Brandon Joseph Fournier Jeremy Keith Gajan Andrew James Galbo Kirstyn Raine George Austin C. Girod Douglas Anthony Goss Trent David Grabert Courtney Raylette Grigsby Jonas Grunditz Hannah E. Guilbeau Austin Allen Guinot Gus Gutierrez II Chelsea Cayla Hambrick Kasey Jo Harris Briana Nicole Heffker Blake V. Henry Austyn Scott Hodge Katelynn Louise Hofmann Michael T. Hogan Eric Vaughan Homiak Caleb Vann Hooter Dustin Garland Hunt Katharyn Claire Jenkins Marissa Kayla Jenkins Pedro Manuel Jimenez Antenucci April Marie Jones Zachary David Kamm Patrick John Kelly Lennon Joseph King Shawn Kuntz Jacob Matthew Lacaze Antonio Giuliano Lachin Birat Lamichhane Caroline Helton Lee Tiffany Lynn Lewis Denver York Leyba Brandon Thomas Lundy Tristan Aubrey Maklary William E. Maley Seth Aaron Malley Anish Manandhar Harrison Locke Marcello Nishma Maskey Michael Sean Mason, Jr.

Connor W. McCrory Conor Stewart McGibboney William Mcmanus Alexis Joy Melerine Christy L. Miller Avash Mishra Bryan Alexander Molina Chad Davis Moore Angel C. Myers Phuc D. Nguyen Veronica Diemchi Nguyen Austin M. Noel Kaelen Eugene Novak John David Nugent Chiranjeevee Ojha Thomas Ortiz Caroline Elizabeth Ott Joshua Caleb Pace Tristan Joseph Paille Tiara R. Palmer Morgan Gayle Parker Terry Lee Parker, Jr. Jillian M. Parks Ben Victor Peco Rebecca Nicole Penn Kelsey Perret Devin Michael Peters Keaton Gabriel Pierson Dawson Chandler Pinion Stafford Wade Primeaux Christian Wayne Purpera Sebastian Ribbeck Nicolas Cooper Richards Amelia Nicole Richardson Shawn Michael RichĂŠ John Patrick Ritchie, Jr. Hannah Nicole Roberts Avelina Yamilet Rodgers Hunter Thomas Rodwig Michael Q. Ryals Cody M. Saltaformaggio Darilynn D. Sampson Steven Anthony Samrow Luke C. Savoie LaQuea NiCole Schiele Angelica Marie Schiffer Alexis M. Schultz Andrew Naruhiko Sherman Kiran Shrestha Pawan Shrestha Luke Snyder Bikash Subedi Sujit Subedi Amanda J. Swymn Steven Patrick Taff Lane Henry Taillon Lily S. Tanner Saugat Thapa Sims L. Thompson Ajay Tiwari Sijan Tiwari Katie Nicole Tyson Alberto A. Valenzuela Leon P. Vial II Connor R. Vincent Bradley Edward Walch Hunter M. Waldridge Randi Michelle Waller Marquez Anthony Way Phillip Jeremiah Weaver Benjamin James West Taylor Beon Westbrook Ahmad Emad Zayed Stephanie Dawn Zito

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giving back

You Are Responsible for Record-Setting Kindness

BY MIKE RIVAULT

Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation’s motto is “Building a Legacy of Student Success.” This is more than an expression; it’s a way of life. Each year the University’s Division of University Advancement and the Foundation facilitate events, engage with donors and supporters, conduct fundraising efforts, grow relationships with regional businesses, and work to aid the University in its focus on student success.

These efforts build the opportunity for access to a university education and successful outcomes for students upon graduation. From scholarships and hands-on learning opportunities to program and facility enhancements, students benefit every day and at each step of their

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academic journey. Recent successes in fundraising showcase the benefits students receive throughout their academic careers, each stage of which has its own unique characteristics and needs.

Often we think of philanthropic support as something that only the wealthy among us engage in with large sums of money, but that is only part of the story. Countless students have benefited from innumerable donations that start at the same level as a large cup of coffee. The funds provided by the generosity of supporters make an immediate and ongoing impact on Southeastern students, creating opportunities for them to succeed in their daily lives and future careers.

DIRECT IMPACT OF GIVING DAY

Southeastern’s most recent Giving Day was a roaring success and helped scores upon scores of students directly—with donations as small as $5.

Across campus, academic programs, student organizations, and campus initiatives were all engaged in seeking supplemental funding for specific purposes. Over 40 “micro-campaigns” were initiated to support things as various as athletic equipment to honors student travel to classroom technology and academic simulation programs. Because of the direct nature of this type of support, 767 people donated, surpassing previous years by over 240 percent.

FACULTY SUPPORT

BY INDUSTRY SUPPORT A key aid to the student experience is that the faculty are able to do their jobs with excellence.

Recently, this kind of faculty support was enhanced through a donation of $25,000 from Contractors’ Educational Trust Fund to establish a Faculty Enhancement Fund in the Industrial and Engineering Technology Department. The funds will help department faculty attend workshops, training, industry meetings, and conferences to keep them ahead of the technology and new trends in their fields of study. The contribution will also help support faculty research.

Philanthropy comes in many shapes and sizes, from many, many supporters.

These examples show that financial support does make an impact, regardless of amount, across campus and across the student careers of so many.

STUDENT RESEARCH FROM A BEQUEATH

The Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies at Southeastern completed a partnership with the Young Sanders Center to advance scholarly research on Louisiana and surrounding regions of the South.

The merger includes the creation of two scholarly awards—the J.Y. Sanders Research Scholar Award, designed to advance the research of an established scholar by providing a $10,000 stipend, and the Young Sanders Center Graduate Assistantship, which supports student research through a $13,000 stipend and full tuition waiver. Both awards are based in the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies.

Supported by a bequeath from Mary Elizabeth Sanders, the partnership and the accompanying awards program began this spring.

ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, THROUGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Southeastern received a newly endowed scholarship from the HammondPonchatoula Sunrisers Rotary Club. A $30,000 commitment, the endowed scholarship provides a minimum $1,000 annual award to a deserving Southeastern student who is a resident of Hammond or Ponchatoula and is involved in community service.

“This is an exciting day for the Hammond-Ponchatoula Sunrisers Rotary Club.

Over six years ago our club made a commitment to Southeastern to underwrite an endowed scholarship that will benefit a deserving student from our community each year,” said Rotary President Deek DeBlieux.

“That commitment has been fully-funded, and we are excited to be a partner with Southeastern.”

By providing for a scholarship, this regional Rotary Club helps to ensure today’s students become future community advocates and volunteers.

MEETING THE IMMEDIATE NEED

After the floods in the region in 2016, the Southeastern support community jumped into action to help students in need. The same can be said for the current COVID-19 pandemic, with students finding themselves in a quickly changed environment with much uncertainty.

Each year, Southeastern appeals to donors for various causes and needs on campus. This spring, the annual appeal requested help for the Student Emergency Fund or areas of greatest need. Donors and supporters, like you, offered assistance like never before. Such funds can help students who find themselves in a short-term problematic situation needing immediate monetary resources. There are students who are one flat tire away from having to leave school. The Student Emergency Fund works to prevent unseen challenges from stopping student success.

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GENEVIEVE MAY

Alumna of the Year A PUBLIC SAFETY EXECUTIVE AND RETIRED U.S. MARSHAL HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE SOUTHEASTERN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2020 ALUMNA OF THE YEAR. A longtime trooper who served as deputy superintendent with the Louisiana State Police’s Bureau of Investigations, May was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the U.S. Marshal for Louisiana’s eastern district. May rose through the ranks to lieutenant colonel and was the highestranking woman serving with the State Police at the time of her appointment. She is the first woman in Louisiana to be presidentially appointed to serve as a U.S. Marshal and retired from service in 2018. May is currently the intelligence director for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Sept. 11, 2001. As a result of May’s contributions while serving on active duty, she was awarded the prestigious Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

“Excellence and caring are the two pillars of Southeastern success. Genevieve May exemplifies these two attributes in an extraordinary way,” said Southeastern Alumni Board President Richard “Dickie” Whitson. “Her professional accomplishments shine as beacons of excellence, while her commitment to community is an example of caring that we can all emulate.”

May gives back to her community in various ways. She has been involved and volunteered with the Girl Scouts for many years, volunteered for several Habitat for Humanity projects in both the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas, served as the Girls Camp Director for the LSP Camp-WinA-Friend for disadvantaged girls, and actively participated in numerous professional and service organizations. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans Board of Directors; the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Policy Administration Council Committee; the International Women’s Forum; and the Louisiana Center for Women in Government and Business Board of Directors.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy, May began her educational path at Southeastern, earning a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice in 1974. She earned her master’s degree in public administration from Louisiana State University, and a master of science degree in criminal justice from Southern University. May also earned master and doctor of philosophy degrees in urban studies from the University of New Orleans.

Honors and distinctions for May include, but are not limited to, the Louisiana Center for Women in Government and Business Hall of Fame Award; the University of New Orleans Distinguished Alumni Award in the College of Liberal Arts; the University of New Orleans Dr. Fritz Wagner Prize for Excellence in Planning in Urban Studies; and the Crimestoppers GNO Sheriff Harry Lee Lifetime Achievement in Criminal Justice Award.

In addition to serving public safety as an innovative leader and manger, May has served her country as a reservist in the U.S. Navy since 1986. She was called to active duty to serve the Defense Intelligence Agency and Joint Chiefs of Staff after

Wong graduated from Southeastern in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in international business. He is cofounder and team leader of Cate Street Seafood Station in Hammond and The Boston Restaurant in Amite.

member of the Hammond Downtown Development District and a local community advisor to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Hammond, and was honored by the Hammond Daily Star in 2018 as a “Future 40 Under 40.”

“We are pleased to honor Jonathan Wong as our Young Alumnus of the Year,” said Southeastern Alumni Board President Richard “Dickie” Whitson. “Jonathan is an exceptional young man and a thriving business owner. As an alumnus of Southeastern, Jonathan continues to support the university and hires many students in his restaurants.”

In November 2019, Wong treated Southeastern’s international students to dinner at the Mezzanine Event Center. The purpose of the dinner was to connect international students to the Hammond community and to discuss student possibilities.

Wong is a member of the 2019-20 Southeastern Foundation Board of Directors, served as a 2017 board

JONATHAN WONG

Young Alumnus of the Year AREA BUSINESSMAN JONATHAN WONG HAS BEEN NAMED SOUTHEASTERN’S 2020 YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR.

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KEEP I N G

class notes

' 53 N EL SON PR ICE, pastor

emeritus of Roswell Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, and newspaper columnist, has authored 19 books, held many community leadership positions, and earned numerous honors during his exceptional career. Recently, he became a Fellowship of Christian Athletes 2019 Hall of Champions Inductee

' 87 JAM ES WASKOM was recently promoted to Brigadier General of the State Guard, a branch of the Louisiana Military Department. Waskom is a retired U.S. Army colonel and was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards in 2016 as the director of Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

' 97 K ER RY BAB IN has recently

been promoted to consumer lending director, senior vice president, of Investar Bank in Baton Rouge. Kerry has over 20 years of experience in the banking industry and received her bachelor’s degree in banking from Southeastern.

' 79 LAZ ET T E WAT T E R SO N was recently named the first vice president of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association (LRTA). She is also the state membership chair of LRTA.

' 90 K I R S T EN R I NEY was

recently promoted to chief nursing officer of North Oaks Health System. A member of the executive leadership team, she was appointed to the position after 26 years of demonstrated dedication and expertise at North Oaks.

' 97 DI EDR E PER K I N S has taught for over 20 years at Folsom Junior High, where she also oversees the student council organization and is the assistant basketball coach. Perkins was named District Teacher of the Year by the St. Tammany Public School System.

'8 0 & '06 L E SA B O D N E R has served as the principal of Folsom Elementary School since 2008. Bodner was recently recognized as Principal of the Year by the St. Tammany Public School System.

' 91 M A J O R J O H N R IL E S, was

recently promoted to Louisiana State Police Region I Patrol Major, which incorporates four troops throughout the southern Louisiana area. He began his career with the Louisiana State Police in 1990.

'00 C H R IS B E L M O N T has

been named vice president / chief information officer of Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi. He joins Memorial Hospital with more than 35 years’ executive leadership, business development, and consulting experience in healthcare and information technology.

'8 2 STA N TO N CA DOW was recently appointed vice president of institutional advancement of St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, North Carolina. While Cadow was at Southeastern, he was named “Most Outstanding Male Greek” during his membership in Theta Xi National Fraternity.

'93 A N T HO N Y ENT ERA NT E III, former executive director of

Tangi Academy Charter School and former executive director and annual fund manager at UNO Alumni Association, was recently promoted to the position of annual fund director at Educare New Orleans, also known as the Kingsley House.

'0 0 T ROY G R E E N was recently appointed as coach of the Destrehan High School boys basketball team. He has coached for 19 years, including 15 as a head coach with a 289-199 record.

in touch ' 04 MO N I QUE J. ROTH was recently appointed as lifestyles editor for the St. Charles Herald-Guide, which has focused on local news affecting St. Charles Parish since its beginnings in 1993.

' 06 BRI AN R ICHAR D, the chief

financial officer and partial owner of Team Services LLC in Baton Rouge, has been recognized by Waterways Journal as an outstanding contributor to the marine transportation industry and honored with their “40 Under 40” award.

' 12 K AY LA TAMPL AIN

has built an outstanding record in the nursing field, holding a variety of positions since receiving her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southeastern.

Most recently, she was promoted to director of care management at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge.

'05 & '06 COR EY DI NK EL has

accepted the position of vice president of construction at Repcon, Inc. in Baton Rouge. He is also a 2019 graduate of the Baton Rouge Executive Leadership Academy.

'07 K EV I N JAC K SON was

named Undergraduate Advisor of the Year at The University of Texas at Dallas. He also was awarded this honor in 2019 due to his outstanding service and support.

' 12 B R I AN YOUNG, a former

Southeastern football quarterback, is the new South Lafourche High School head football coach. He previously held the position of assistant coach at East Ascension High School.

'05 D O N N A M A N SFIE L D is an experienced teacher at Covington High School and has served as a lead mentor and educator in her community. She was recently awarded District Teacher of the Year for Covington High School by the St. Tammany Public School System.

'07 FR E D E R IC K “ R IC K ” M E L A N CO N has served since

2016 as an instructor at Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he teaches English reading and composition as well as creative writing. He is also a published author, with works including The Book of Lost Innocence.

' 17 B RO O K E RO B IC HAU X

is an author and news editor for L’Observateur. She was recently awarded second place honors for best news article and third place recognition for best feature story from the Louisiana Press Association.

'05 L AU R A RO U SSE L was

recently appointed by the superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools as the new chief academic officer. Prior to the promotion, Roussel was the executive director of school services and innovation for The National Institute of Excellence in Teaching.

'07 P HAO N SP U R LOCK was

recently featured in a Forbes Magazine article titled “15 Black Travel Writers to Read Now.” Spurlock is a successful entrepreneur, marketer, speaker, writer, and philanthropist who has been featured in additional publications such as Black Enterprise, Men’s Health, Gotham Magazine, and more.

' 17 JAVO N DA SH A NKS, an investigator in Pike County, Mississippi, was recently awarded the Deputy of the Year award from the McComb Exchange Club in Mississippi. She received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Southeastern.

See Yourself ?

EACH GENERATION OF OUR LION PRIDE HAS A UNIQUE STORY TO TELL. These historic snapshots give voice to the moments they experienced and created during their time at Southeastern. If you know names or details that correspond with any of these pictures, please share them by emailing editor@southeastern.edu.

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Success: Southeastern has been named a top Military FriendlyÂŽ School for 2020-2021 by Viqtory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs. This marks the eighth consecutive year the designation has been awarded to Southeastern, which has established numerous initiatives in support of military and veteran students, employees, and alumni, including the Office of Military and Veteran Success, ROTC, LaVetCorps, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Veterans and Military Interest Association, and much more.