Southeastern Magazine: Spring 2021

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING

14 20 38

2021

CATCHING THE STORM

A student relentlessly chases storms and knowledge of them, becoming “Southeastern’s first meteorologist”

RETURN TO COMPETITION

Athletics’ postponed fall and regular spring seasons merge for one of the most exciting springs in program history

BEAUTY IN THE CHAOS

Keeping the visual arts alive as a resource, respite, and tool for reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY SPRING

2021

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. 48-49

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

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

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

Sheri Gibson P H OTO GRA P H Y

Randy Bergeron CO N T RI B U TO RS

Kemmler Chapple, Allen Cutrer, Mary Grace Kelley, Tonya Lowentritt, D. Emile Stretcher Jr.

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.

C O V ER P H O T O : Southeastern’s Contemporary Art Gallery recently featured the 2021 Art + Design Faculty Exhibition, continuing to serve as a resource for the visual arts, as well as a space for reflection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pictured artwork are costumes created in 2020 by Christine Crook, assistant professor of theatre.

Contents.

14 20 29 32 CATCHING THE STORM

RETURN TO COMPETITION

Freshman Coby Sanchez has turned a childhood fear into a budding career and way to help others by chasing storms and information about them.

Athletics’ postponed fall and regular spring competitions have come together for one of the most exciting springs in program history.

DRIVE TO WIN

LEAPING FORWARD

Business administration student Darian Boesch is not just accelerating his future through his studies, he’s also become an NHRA World Champion.

The Vertebrate Museum is enhancing its collection and creating new resources to elevate research and student learning.

36 38 LEAVING A LEGACY

Jim McClimans continued and grew a family tradition of supporting Southeastern and student success, leaving a lasting legacy.

BEAUTY IN THE CHAOS

The Contemporary Art Gallery has kept the visual arts alive as a campus resource and refuge during the pandemic, including through an exhibition featuring inspired faculty contributions.

president’s message

&

Alumni, Friends, Supporters,

I hope, to date, 2021 has seen you in good health and with an optimistic spirit.

It’s hard to believe we are just over one year out from the onset of the pandemic. Throughout these four semesters, starting with last spring, our faculty, staff, and students have diligently and creatively worked to ensure continuation of both personal and University successes. All of us have learned a great deal during this challenging time. Fortunately, with the vaccine distribution process moving forward, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel, and the trajectory is clearly turning in a more positive direction. I am confident that the future of Southeastern is stronger and brighter than ever before.

The current Spring Semester is progressing briskly. Although we still cannot gather as closely or in groups as large as normal, and virtual platforms remain an indispensable tool for many classes and meetings, it has been uplifting to see the campus once again bustling with students— socially distanced and wearing masks, of course. Many classes are utilizing hybrid instruction that employs a combination of face-to-face as well as virtual or online delivery. Athletics has also been in full swing, including football and other sports that traditionally compete in the fall.

The alumni, students, faculty, and staff of Southeastern continue to accomplish great things, standing out in their chosen fields of study and endeavors. This issue of the Southeastern Magazine provides a brief taste of some of the recent successes and contributions to the world around us, from science to art, literature, and much more. It also provides information on news and activities from across campus, as well as stories about Lions that are as close as the local community and as far away as across the country. But the common element is that all of these Lions have taken a part of Southeastern with them no matter where or how far they go.

Please spend some time reading these stories and reconnecting with your University and the people who help make it such a special place. When you are finished with this copy, I invite you to be aen advocate for Southeastern by passing it along to someone else to explore. Be sure to also visit our Southeastern Magazine webpage to digitally share individual articles with your friends and family.

Thank you for your continued friendship and support, throughout this past year and always.

John L. Crain PRES ID ENT

2

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Darnell

BUTLER JR. Senior // Business Management Hometown // New Orleans, LA

out & about

How Southeastern changed me Southeastern has overall made me a better individual. Throughout my time here, I have had so many unbelievable experiences. Being involved at Southeastern has allowed me to develop many leadership skills, become more personable, and it has given me the ability to be an influence on those who come after me.

Favorite spot on campus My favorite spot on campus during warm weather is definitely the seating area outside Starbucks in the Student Union. It is a great place to converse with friends and enjoy the outdoors. In colder weather, my favorite spot is the Student Leadership and Governmental Affairs office. It is a nice and quiet area where I can be productive and get a lot of work done.

Dream job My dream job is to be a full-fledged, polished entrepreneur owning several businesses. Furthermore, I want to continue to develop my design and visual art skills to continue to build my very own fashion brand into something unimaginable.

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

Southeastern's faculty and staff are phenomenal. They truly work extremely hard on behalf of the student body each and every day. Sometimes it may go unnoticed, but our faculty and staff are constantly striving to provide resources and opportunities for all students to be successful beyond college.

Favorite thing about my major My favorite thing about my major is that the management courses I have taken have shown me, as well as other students, the importance of networking and interviewing. Being a business major has helped me become more transactional when making connections, building relationships, and interviewing for jobs. It has also helped me grow within the realms of leadership and communication. I was a tad bit shy growing up, and now it is relatively easy for me to have a conversation with just about anyone.

Current involvement on campus Student Government Association Vice President and 2020 Homecoming King

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

The spirit of the students, faculty, and staff make Southeastern one big family away from home.

SPRING 2021

3

social media

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

Southeastern Baseball What a fun day we had playing baseball. Thank you @MiracleLeagueNS for having us as your guests. #LionUp

slu_alum Presenting your 2020 Homecoming court! #LionUp #SoutheasternSGA

drewjones76 BS in Industrial Technology Life doesn't get much better than completing something other people said you can't do!

lionup_football Fall practice number 7 is in the books! #LionUp

dariib Y'all guess who I found today! @drgabewillis #ourdeanisthebestdean #lionup 4

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

slu_alum Ring Ceremony is more than just an event, it is a rite of passage for our students. We are honored to host a safe Ring Ceremony this semester for our ring recipients! @#Lions4Life

slu_rec An amazing turnout to the Cornhole tournament!

Congratulations to @slukappasigma for their victory!

Ross Jenkins We added our newest Lion to the family yesterday! #LionUp

SPRING 2021

5

news in learning

Growing Enrollment Southeastern has marked its fifth year of consistent growth in retention of new freshmen. Year-over-year growth in first-year retention has increased by 5.9 percent, and the five-year increase is 15 percent.

Chief Enrollment Management Officer Kay Maurin said initiatives developed in multiple disciplines to enhance retention have borne fruit. Programs offered through each academic college, the Center for Student Excellence, and the Division for Student Affairs, along with scholarship and financial opportunities and enhanced communications from Enrollment Management, are all part of the strategy to increase retention.

“Retention and progression of students is a key focus of the University. This increase in retention is the result of our focus on quality advising in the first year and beyond and an emphasis on faculty/ student interaction in the classroom, through research opportunities, and experiential learning,” she explained. “Outside of the classroom, we’ve created high quality, relevant programming that engages students and allows them to put what they are learning inside the classroom into practice outside of it.”

The Honors program at Southeastern has seen significant growth in recent years and has shown a positive outcome in retention as well. Year-over-year growth in retention has been 8.7 percent.

6

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Southeastern’s large dual enrollment program has helped prepare students for college. Students starting with dual enrollment credit have seen a 5.6 percent year-over-year growth in retention and a 12 percent growth in retention in the past four years.

Efforts have also focused on increasing overall AfricanAmerican student retention. The one-year rate of increase has been 7.5 percent and the five-year rate 13.2 percent.

Additionally, Southeastern has spent considerable effort in upgrading both its capacity for on-campus housing and the residence halls themselves.

Nationally, students who live on campus show better academic results, Maurin said. As in other categories, on-campus residential students consistently show higher retention and progression rates. Those rates have risen even more in recent years. The year-over-year rate of increase is 6.1 percent and the five-year rate is 12.2 percent.

“Southeastern’s commitment to the success of our students reflects our institutional core values of caring and excellence, and the rate at which our new freshmen are retained is a fundamental indication of their success,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain. “Every department and every faculty and staff member plays an important part in student success and retention.”

Southeastern Giving Day Continues to Grow Southeastern Giving Day, an annual online event facilitated by the Southeastern Foundation in support of Southeastern Louisiana University, was held Oct. 21, 2020. The 2020 Giving Day achieved both more participants and more funds raised than the 2019 event, itself a record-setting year.

This year’s event provided University supporters with a way to help students and Southeastern in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. While originally scheduled as a 24hour event, due to a torrent of participation the giving platform remained open through Oct. 28 to provide more University supporters with an opportunity to donate to the cause.

Over the years, Southeastern Giving Day has garnered over $500,000 combined for Southeastern and Southeastern students.

“We are appreciative of the remarkable outpouring of support during 2020 Giving Day, especially during this difficult time,” said Development Coordinator Austyn Finnk. “Over 1,000 individuals, a 33 percent increase since last year, have voiced their commitment to ensuring the continued success of our University, our students, and our community. Together we have raised $163,407, about a 60 percent increase over 2019.”

This past year’s event allowed donors to select an individual college, department, organization, or project important to them, directly giving back to the areas toward which they feel most passionate.

To learn more about Southeastern Giving Day, visit southeasterngivingday.org.

news in learning

Nursing Programs Named Top in the State Two Southeastern nursing programs have been recognized by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation with the Nightingale Award as the Nursing School of the Year—the master’s degree in nursing, which is offered in a consortium with three other state institutions, and the undergraduate program in nursing. The awards recognize the achievements of both nursing programs’ students and faculty.

This is the third time Southeastern has been recognized with a Nightingale Award for an advanced practice program, with the master’s program being recognized as program of the year in 2013 and 2019. In addition, Southeastern’s undergraduate nursing program has been recognized with the Nightingale Award three previous times; this time marks the fourth.

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

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

Carruth added that being recognized for the BSN and MSN programs was especially significant this past year because 2020 8

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

was the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife and the 200th year of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

“The fact that 2020 also highlighted the prominence of nurses as healthcare heroes during this pandemic was an additional testament to the profession. I’m proud of our graduates as they start their careers as nurses and advanced practitioners,” Carruth said. “At the suggestion of the President of the Alumni Association, Dickie Whitson, and to commemorate this special year and honor faculty and alumni, Mike Legendre, an alumni and friend of Southeastern, designed a special nursing pin.”

Southeastern’s master’s program is offered in a consortium with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State University in Lake Charles and Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

“The consortium has been recognized by the Louisiana Board of Regents as a model of collaboration, articulation and the wise use of scarce resources,” said Carruth. “Through a sharing of resources—including creative collaboration by committed faculty—we are able to offer top quality, cost effective postgraduate education in an easily accessible online model.”

“Our best assets are our faculty and students,” she added. “Together we have graduated advanced practice nurses to meet the healthcare needs of the region, nurse leaders to solve complex health care management crises and nurse educators to train future nurses.”

The program offers concentrations leading to a master of science degree in nursing in three different areas: family nurse practitioner, family psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, and nurse educator. The program is accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education.

“Since 1992, this program has helped prepare a steady number of professionals to meet the growing health and wellness needs of the state,” Carruth said. “Most of our students work full time and require some degree of convenience and flexibility in their graduate program.

By offering our courses online through web-based distance learning, the consortium is meeting the needs of these professionals and allowing them to learn at their own pace and time.”

School of Nursing Department Head Ken Tillman attributes the nursing faculty and teaching resources to the ultimate success of the undergraduate program’s students and graduates.

“Our nursing faculty are dedicated to the success of our students,” he said. “Teaching resources, such as great instructional spaces, skills practice labs and patient simulation labs, both on campus and at the Baton Rouge Center, is another top feature of our program.”

“The nursing program’s clinical affiliation agreements with leading healthcare systems located in the Northshore and Baton Rouge regions is another advantage for students. Our nursing students have an opportunity to learn and apply their knowledge by working sideby-side with some of the best nurses and healthcare professionals anywhere.”

Southeastern’s nursing school also operates a completely online RN to BSN degree program that allows registered nurses with an associate’s degree or nursing diploma to complete courses leading to a bachelor of science in nursing degree.

SPRING 2021

9

news in learning

Teacher Prep Programs Named Among the Best in the Nation Southeastern’s undergraduate and graduate elementary teacher preparation programs have been named among the top in the country by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a nonpartisan, not-for-profit research and policy organization, for strong training in classroom management strategies and high-quality clinical practice experiences.

NCTQ recently released its 2020 Teacher Prep Review: Clinical Practice and Classroom Management, which finds encouraging progress in teacher preparation programs’ adoption of evidence-based classroom management strategies that are universally effective, regardless of student age or the subject being taught. For the first time since NCTQ began publishing ratings in the 2013 Teacher Prep Review, half of the nearly 1,000 traditional elementary teacher preparation programs evaluated earn an A or B grade, up nearly 30 percent from seven years ago.

Southeastern’s programs stand out as among only 17 elementary programs in the country that earn an A in both clinical practice and classroom management and serve as a model of excellence for others.

10

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

“We’re delighted the National Council for Teacher Quality recognizes the hard work College of Education faculty and school partners have devoted to making sure our teacher candidates are prepared for the classroom,” said College of Education Dean Paula Summers Calderon. “We take pride in ensuring our teacher candidates have the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions to deliver quality instruction in any school district in the country.”

Southeastern’s program was recognized for its strong clinical experience requirements.

The evidence for the importance of high-quality clinical experience is undeniable. A National Research Council report said that clinical practice experience is one of three “aspects of preparation that have the highest potential for effects on outcomes for students,” and recent research has found that having a high-quality clinical practice experience can mean a first-year teacher starts out as effective as a typical teacher in their third year.

Strengthening Business Outreach

Efforts in St. Tammany Parish Southeastern President John L. Crain and St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill recently formalized a coordinated effort to expand access to services and resources to the business community in St. Tammany Parish through an innovative agreement. The partnership will provide enhanced technical assistance and increased collaborative efforts to best support businesses in St. Tammany Parish.

“One of the hallmarks of effective regional universities is a close alignment of the mission of the institution and the needs of the region,” said Crain. “An integral part of the mission of Southeastern is to support economic development across our region, which includes St. Tammany Parish. The award-winning Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at Southeastern is one of the University’s most effective means by which we bring this part of our mission to life. Through this agreement with St. Tammany Corporation, I am thrilled to affirm Southeastern’s commitment to support economic and business development in St. Tammany Parish. I look forward to continuing to expand and enhance our support and services for businesses located here in conjunction with our partners at St. Tammany Corporation.”

Through this agreement, partners will work toward accomplishing specific outcomes, with the overarching goal being stronger businesses, more jobs, and a resilient economy.

Both organizations have an interest in strategically aligning support for the St. Tammany Parish small business community.

St. Tammany Corporation will serve as the primary partner in St. Tammany Parish with LSBDC. St. Tammany Corporation and the LSBDC will promote the joint efforts established under the agreement.

“Southeastern’s Small Business Development Center has been working closely with St. Tammany Parish Development District for over 20 years,” said Director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Bill Joubert. “When St. Tammany Corporation was formed, Chris Masingill reached out to formalize our relationship and articulate the ways to leverage our resources for St. Tammany businesses to continue benefitting from our collective efforts. From projects and training to individual one-on-one business consulting, our center stands ready to assist the community.”

The agreement establishes a framework for both agencies to facilitate its commitment to not only move relationships with business and industry beyond a transactional level, but truly build relationships, partnerships, and coalitions that are transformational, creating an environment in which businesses can grow and people and communities in St. Tammany can thrive.

St. Tammany Parish Development District Board President Marty Mayer, seated at left, and Southeastern President John L. Crain, seated at right, sign a formalized agreement to expand access to services and resources to the business community in St. Tammany Parish. Looking on, from left standing, are Northshore Technical Community College Chancellor William Wainwright, Director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Bill Joubert, and St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill.

news in learning

Celebrating 2020 Graduates

On Dec. 8 and 9, Southeastern honored spring, summer and fall 2020 graduates during an in-person ceremony in Strawberry Stadium. The pandemic and statewide event limitations previously prevented the University from holding a face-to-face commencement for spring graduates in August as originally planned, but Southeastern was able to develop and carry out a plan that incorporated current health and safety guidelines to honor all 2020 graduates in four separate, inperson, outdoor ceremonies.

“In order to maximize the safety of our graduates and their guests, the format was updated to include multiple ceremonies at an outside venue,” said Chief Enrollment Management Officer Kay Maurin. “Every candidate had the opportunity to cross the stage as a proud Southeastern graduate.”

12

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Southeastern held two commencement ceremonies on both Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. So that all guests were able to be safely accommodated according to current capacity limitations, each graduate was able to invite two guests. All participants and guests were required to wear masks and follow social distancing measures.

“Our mission is to work diligently every day to help our students achieve success,” said Maurin. “Their success is our success, and we enjoy nothing more than celebrating and commemorating their achievements with them.”

Spring 2021 commencement will be held in Strawberry Stadium on May 18 and 19 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

To learn more or watch the ceremonies, visit southeastern.edu/commencement.

•S

N•

O

A E S H TER T U

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Each year, Southeastern President John L. Crain bestows the University's most prestigious honor, the President's Excellence Award, to faculty and staff excelling in the areas of research, teaching, faculty service, and staff service.

Award-winners are normally honored during the University’s faculty and staff Convocation, a traditional Southeastern event held each August to kick off the academic year, but due to COVID-19 restrictions it was not able to take place in 2020.

Recipients of the 2020 awards include Brian Crother, President’s Excellence Award for Research; Margaret Gonzalez-Perez, President’s Excellence Award for Teaching; Gerlinde Beckers, President’s Excellence Award for Faculty Service; and Paulette Poche, President’s Excellence Award for Unclassified Staff Service.

Crother is a second-time recipient of the honor, receiving the first one in 1999. He has been a part of the faculty at Southeastern since 1991 and is a dedicated graduate student mentor, as well as a renowned expert in herpetology, phylogenetics, systematics, and biogeography.

faculty member since 2008. Excelling in teaching, research, and professional service, she now has a trifecta of the President’s Excellence Awards, including for Faculty Service in 2009 and Research in 2016, in addition to this year’s recognition for Teaching.

Beckers, who joined Southeastern in 2012, has since 2016 been the director of Lions Connected, a post-secondary educational experience for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She has also successfully worked to obtain grants to establish three other impactful initiatives: Entergy for Project Lion: Learning In Our Neighborhood, Project ROAR: Rediscovering Opportunities and Attitudes for Reading, and the Louisiana Post-Secondary Inclusive Education Alliance.

Poche began working at Southeastern as a student worker in Southeastern’s Publication Office in 1970 and has since then worked mainly in human resources and enrollment services, demonstrating a life-long commitment to the success of Southeastern and its students. During her tenure, Poche contributed to many projects on campus, such as the implementation of the PeopleSoft and WorkDay systems.

Gonzalez-Perez is best known for her research on international politics and women in terrorism and has been a

From left to right: Brian Crother, Margaret Gonzalez-Perez, Gerlinde Beckers, and Paulette Poche

SPRING 2021

13

feature story

CATCHING THE

BY SHERI GIBSON

Southeastern student Coby Sanchez has turned a fear of storms into a passion for understanding them and sharing information to help others—becoming “Southeastern’s first meteorologist.”

After hours of white-knuckled fear, watching towering trees fall and roofs ripped off of homes, the pounding rain and roaring winds finally subsided—and Coby knew that if he were to ever conquer his biggest fear, he would have to better understand it.

Eventually, instead of cowering from storms, he would seek them out, chasing them and studying their mysteries. No longer just to put himself at ease, and above even an unquenchable thirst for more knowledge, his ultimate mission has evolved to help others better prepare for and survive the wrathful monsters that so terrified him as a child.

“The importance of studying storms and meteorology to me is saving lives,” said Coby. “As humans, we’re curious about nature. We want to have a visual within a storm to see what’s going on, what’s happening. But being prepared and preparing other people, residents in cities and states that will be impacted, that’s the whole point of meteorology. Because these are dangerous storms.

They can take lives. I’d love to help prevent that.”

When Southeastern freshman and Baton Rouge native Coby Sanchez was a small child, storms were the boogeyman. As the wind roared and the tinny sound of rain reverberated off the windows and roof, little Coby would become more and more frightened, the outside world seeming to slide into dangerous, uncontrollable chaos. “Momma, I don’t want there to be a tornado!” he would cry inconsolably.

Then in 2008, Coby experienced a storm that would forever change his life: Hurricane Gustav. Gustav tore across Hispaniola, Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba before making landfall in the U.S. near Cocodrie, Louisiana, as a category two hurricane. It lashed the Gulf Coast, creating about $6 million (in 2008 dollars) in damages in the U.S., 1.5 million power outages in Louisiana alone, and a spark in one local boy who lived through it.

Over the ensuing years, Coby has pursued countless storms, from riding them out and investigating their aftermath to studying their characteristics and patterns from afar. While still in high school, he even received certification as a National Weather Service (NWS) SKYWARN® storm spotter, a program that, according to NWS, allows volunteers to “help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.” He additionally shares the information that he gathers as a certified member of the Spotter Network.

Coby plans to one day turn his passion for storm chasing into his career, informing mass audiences by becoming a meteorologist and television weatherman, hopefully even following in the footsteps of renowned Weather Channel oncamera meteorologists like Jim Cantore and Tevin Wooten. So when it came time to begin choosing a college, the opportunities presented by Southeastern and the Southeastern Channel— winner of over 400 awards since its inception in 2002 and the only university channel in Louisiana to have ever won an Emmy, let alone have done it 20 times—immediately caught his attention. The Southeastern Channel has won first place in the nation 11 times at the National Student Production Awards given by College Broadcasters, Inc. and has been named “Best

SPRING 2021

15

Television Station in the South” eight times by the Southeast Journalism Conference. Southeastern’s strong reputation of caring was also a plus for Coby.

“I heard a lot of great things about Southeastern,” said Coby. “At Southeastern, in my experience, they care. They definitely care to help and better you as a student and as a person for the future.”

Along with this, he recognized how the Southeastern Channel would be a perfect fit with his career goals. “After college, I’d love to go straight into meteorology, if possible. Working with the Southeastern Channel will give me that experience which would better my chances of getting a job.”

So in the fall of 2020, as the most record-breaking hurricane season ever recorded was still gearing up, Coby enrolled at Southeastern.

The Southeastern Channel, which Coby knew would be the perfect way to gain invaluable, hands-on experience while also sharing some of his own expertise, did not currently have a weather segment. Undaunted, he approached Southeastern Channel General Manager Rick Settoon about incorporating one.

“I’ve always wanted to have a weather segment for student training and experience at the Southeastern Channel, especially for those who would like to do the weather, and a lot of things have come together to make that happen,” said Rick. “One is having a student who’s knowledgeable enough about weather with a strong career focus of becoming a TV meteorologist, someone who’s dedicated to developing a regular segment. Coby has that laser focus and can become the real trailblazer in this regard.”

Rick and Coby are partnering together to begin building a program for adding weather segments to the Southeastern Channel, identifying and learning the appropriate programs, tools, and approach. Since Coby is not yet a certified meteorologist, he will convey rather than create weather predictions in order to effectively bring local forecasts and weather reports to Southeastern students and the surrounding community.

16

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

“I tell students all of the time that at the Southeastern Channel our mission is to help make their dreams come true,” said Rick.

“We’ve done that for students who’ve become professional news anchors and reporters, sportscasters, producers, writers, directors, videographers, editors, and filmmakers. We plan to do that for Coby with weathercasting. So it’s the perfect fit.”

Although he’s still in his first year at Southeastern and the weather segment at the Channel is still taking shape in development, Coby, who plans to one day round out his experience at Southeastern by attending meteorology school, has already learned a great deal.

“Working with the Channel has given me first-hand experience of working for a news channel. That’s the closest I’ll get until actually landing a job like that,” he said. “It’s taught me how to work programs like Premiere Pro, which is a computer-based program for video editing. And most importantly, it’s taught me to be more open and step out of my comfort zone. Because when interviewing people or anchoring segments, you can’t be scared. You’ve got to just do it. And if you mess up, you keep going.”

“A weather segment will help students like Coby who plan to eventually attend meteorology school and also those who can get jobs at local stations where they don’t require a meteorology degree to do weather,” said Rick.

“I went to Slidell and was getting some footage for the Southeastern Channel, and a Doppler radar temporarily lost signal, so I was not able to get that radar feed from my velocity radar like I wanted. By the time it updated and came back online, it was too late. The eyewall was hitting, so we had to pull over at a gas station near the Twin Spans. And when it hit, it came with a punch. There were winds that topped off at maybe 100 miles per hour. I was actually planning on getting out to get footage for the Channel of me in that wind. I could not open the door. I actually tried using my feet to open it. I could not push the door. The car was shaking.”

With nothing else around but a gas station, Coby and his aunt moved to hunker down behind the gas station, away from the awning which Coby feared could be snapped off and lifted away like an umbrella at any moment.

Despite the precarious situation that Coby found himself in during Zeta, which certainly also caused some nail-biting worry and fervent prayer on the part of his parents, Coby did say that safety is at the top of his mind when planning to go out into a storm.

He begins the process by watching the news, checking the radar, plotting where he will be and where all of the exits and alternate routes are, and checking to see which radars he will use and if any are damaged or out of service. Food, water, and battery for recharging his phone are packed. Throughout the storm he uses RadarScope, which has two radar feeds—velocity radar for understanding the wind speed and identifying spinups or tornados and a precipitation depiction for seeing the rain.

In addition to helping build the weather segment so that future students with a similar passion can also gain such an experience, Coby dove into the chance to capture the historic, seemingly endless, 2020 hurricane season, reporting on Hurricane Zeta from the field for the Channel’s Northshore News program. He chased a total of five hurricanes that came into the Gulf and was in Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Zeta as the eyewall actually came ashore.

While the season was one that he will definitely never forget, his venture into Zeta was particularly eventful. Coby described how, despite careful planning, downed equipment left him and his aunt, who shares his love of storm chasing, to ride out the hurricane in their vehicle.

SPRING 2021

17

Coby mentioned that there is always an unpredictable aspect to storms, which is why preparing as much as possible is so important. However, it’s also part of their beauty. “It’s always a new experience with each storm. Each storm has its own feeling—own unique aspect, or character, within it.”

By the time it was over, the 2020 season produced 30 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes (with top winds of 111 mph or greater). Records were broken for the most named storms, the most named storms to make landfall in Louisiana (five), the strongest storm (Hurricane Laura) to hit Louisiana since 1856, the first time a hurricane eye has passed over New Orleans in more than half a century (Hurricane Zeta), the most storms to form in a single month (five in September), only the second time in history forecasters had to move to the Greek alphabet for names, and more.

Coby has experienced and tracked other storms, including being caught in a few isolated tornados and interviewing survivors in the aftermath of an EF4 tornado in Southern Mississippi. But hurricanes remain the most intriguing to him. And he sees plenty of opportunities in the future for studying them.

“For future hurricane seasons, or any type of weather, I do think they could potentially get stronger over time,” commented Coby. “I think it will be years, maybe even decades, but I do believe climate change and global warming will eventually fuel future hurricanes. I think they will strengthen in size and category. I believe even the way meteorologists predict the weather or the way we learn about the weather could eventually change.”

But for now, Coby is continuing to soak in all he can about meteorology while gaining real-life experience on how to effectively inform others of what may lie ahead.

18

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

“I wake up, and I’m excited to go to work and learn something new,” Coby said of being at Southeastern and a part of the Southeastern Channel. “I’m excited to get this thing started, working on the green screen and eventually adding that weather segment. It’s a dream come true.”

Through a yearning for knowledge and a desire to help others, Coby has transformed his dark, incomprehensible monster of wind and water into what appears to be a radiant and deeply fulfilling future.

See More

Did you KNOW? CAMPUS LIFE

112

Figures as of Fall 2020

18

Student Organizations

16

Greek Organizations

Athletic Teams

2,359

14

Students Living on Campus

Residential Facilities

146

500

Buildings

by the

numbers

Contiguous Acres SPRING 2021

19

athletics

20

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Return to Competition

By Kemmler Chapple

WITH SPORTS RETURNING TO ACTION IN FULL FORCE, SOUTHEASTERN ATHLETICS IS IN THE MIDST OF ITS MOST EXCITING SPRING IN PROGRAM HISTORY. The jam-packed spring came as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last August, all of the seasons of the fall sports— cross country, football, soccer, and volleyball—were postponed and moved to the spring.

SPRING 2021

21

The spring is already quite busy in a normal year with the conclusion of the men’s and women’s basketball seasons, as well as the start of track and field, baseball, softball, golf, beach volleyball, and tennis—all sports that had their seasons halted at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. A year’s worth of athletics entertainment has been condensed into one three-plus month period that gives Southeastern fans plenty of ways to support the Lions and Lady Lions.

Fans have had the opportunity to return to the stands this spring, with state and local guidelines strictly adhered to. On March 3, sporting events in the state of Louisiana moved from 25 percent capacity limitation to 50 percent.

22

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

“We’re excited about the spring and for our studentathletes to be able to return to the field and for our fans to create a great atmosphere for competition,” Southeastern Director of Athletics Jay Artigues commented. “Our student-athletes need it and our community needs it. Our student-athletes train to compete, they don’t train to train.”

The limited capacity set forth by the state has given fans an opportunity to safely support the Lions and Lady Lions this spring, according to Artigues.

“We need our fans to follow all the safety and health protocols in place,” Artigues said. “We will provide a great environment for student-athletes and fans that everyone can enjoy safely.”

Southeastern head tennis coach Jason Hayes and his squad opened their season on Jan. 30. Hayes said he and his team looked at the extra time to prepare for the season as a positive.

“Not playing matches in the fall will have an effect on us, but we try to take a positive outlook on our situation,” Hayes said. “We benefitted from the extra practice time, and we’re a better team for it. This group has a great attitude and wants to put the work in and get better every day. I don’t know where we’ll end up, but I’m really pleased with where we’re starting.

We’re just excited to have the opportunity to play again.”

Southeastern head soccer coach Chris McBride echoed many of Hayes’ sentiments in terms of the Lady Lions using the extra time to prepare for their Feb. 12 opener.

“It’s been a little different,” said McBride. “By not playing in the fall, we had about two or three months to prepare for the season and to allow the freshmen to get acclimated to the college lifestyle. Normally they have to just jump right into the season as soon as they get on campus. But this year we’ve had the time to prepare for months with the entire team able to bond and play together.”

Southeastern head football coach Frank Scelfo, whose team opened its spring schedule on Feb. 27 at Sam Houston, is excited to have his team back on the field.

“We’re excited to get back playing,” Scelfo said. “After the disappointment of no fall season, we’re just really thankful to have the opportunity to compete for a championship this spring.”

Head women’s basketball coach Ayla Guzzardo, whose team has gone through many obstacles since opening its season on Thanksgiving Eve, said the situation has made Southeastern student-athletes appreciate the privilege of competition even more. Perhaps no Southeastern squad received a bigger gut punch than the Lady Lions, who earned a spot in the 201920 Southland Conference Tournament—its first postseason appearance in eight seasons—only to have the tournament canceled right before tip-off.

“We know what it’s like to have a game taken away from us,” Guzzardo commented. “It’s made our players realize what a blessing it is to be able to play every time we take the court.”

look at us now

Student Union and Memorial Fountain As dusk settles over the heart of Southeastern's campus, the warm glow radiating from the Student Union; gentle breeze carrying the fresh smell of oak trees and cut grass; and steady, comforting sound of falling water at the Memorial Fountain create a calm and reflective space at the end of a busy day.

out there

TikTok Cop

By Allen Cutrer

SOUTHEASTERN UPD HAS FOUND A NEW WAY TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AND MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE—AND IT’S GOING VIRAL. Community policing is a challenge for every police department across the United States. This is no different for campus police departments. They deal with the same challenges as every police department in the country when trying to connect to the community. Southeastern, through the work of one dedicated individual, has found itself at the forefront of community policing in the digital age.

Officer Madison “Madi” Morse had an idea back in March of 2020. With the University shutting down because of COVID-19, the University Police Department (UPD) was presented with a challenge. How were they going to stay connected to a community that was experiencing a shutdown like never before? One Word: TikTok. TikTok is a short-form video platform that allows users to upload videos of any subject imaginable. The user can then edit the video, put music to it, and add effects and stickers.

Creativity is the limitation of the platform. TikTok has over 800 million users as of January 2021, 41 percent of whom are between the ages of 18 and 25.

With those demographics in mind, Officer Madi saw that TikTok was the perfect platform to reach students while they were working from home. The options were limitless in ways she could connect with students. From dancing in Friendship Circle to offering a 60-second tour of campus and everything in between, Officer Madi started to build up the platform as a great tool for UPD. Students loved to see the places they knew around campus and what Officer Madi was going to do next. Then a fellow officer dared Officer Madi to put a traffic cone on her head for a video.

Big, small, and every color you could imagine. Officer Madi had a cone for every situation. Through quick wit and some creative replies, Officer Madi became known as the “Cone Cop.” She is a viral sensation with some of her videos seen as many as five million times.

Officer Madi put Southeastern and UPD on the map in the law enforcement world when it comes to community policing. Departments from across the country have been reaching out to UPD to find out how it reached 170,000 followers.

Chief Michael Beckner believes that this sort of interaction is crucial when it comes to developing a rapport with the people you police.

It “humanizes the badge” and shows that police officers are just men and women doing a job and trying to keep the public safe. Southeastern UPD also has the “Blue and You” initiative, which is a program that encourages a partnership between campus police and the Southeastern community.

Campus officers encourage interactions with students by patrolling high pedestrian areas and conducting events such as handing out water the first week of classes.

As the University has opened back up, Officer Madi has used her new platform to expand awareness of the goings-on at the UPD by producing videos on safety classes, campus events, and community awareness. For her efforts Officer Madi was recently named Southeastern Police Department Officer of the Year.

So whether it’s online or on campus, take a moment to congratulate our very own “TikTok Cop,” Officer Madi Morse. You can also follow Officer Madi and the Southeastern UPD on TikTok via @SoutheasternUPD. SPRING 2021

27

media shelf

Angela Wood's The Motivational Interviewing Workbook Assistant Professor of Social Work Dr. Angela Wood’s new book, The Motivational Interviewing Workbook: Exercises to Decide What You Want and How to Get There, was released this past fall—and it couldn’t be more timely.

Between COVID-19, the economic downtown, natural disasters, and other world events over this past year, it’s hard to imagine anyone who hasn’t felt some emotional toll. And when feeling a bit down, it can become even easier to get stuck in a rut. This self-help book seeks to motivate readers and, in particular, anyone who is struggling to make a lifestyle change.

Wood, who is one of two members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers in Louisiana in addition to

28

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

being a faculty member at Southeastern, uses concepts from motivational interviewing and a plentiful amount of exercises to guide readers through the change process. Along with mainstream audiences, this book can also be useful for health coaches and behavioral health providers in practice.

Wood’s The Motivational Interviewing Workbook is available in both paperback and e-book formats through Amazon.com.

Southeastern student Darian Boesch has mastered the formula for combining his business education and passion for speed—becoming an NHRA World Champion.

By Sheri Gibson

From video or pick-up games to art, yoga, or getting lost in the great outdoors, most students have a hobby, a way to unwind and recharge at the end of a long day or week. But Southeastern senior and Ponchatoula resident Darian Boesch has accelerated his hobby to another level.

Outside of his studies, Darian channels his time and energy into racecar driving. At the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Finals held in Las Vegas this past fall, engines and spectators roared as Darian tore across the finish line in his carbon fiber Jerry Haas Camaro SS to become the NHRA World Champion in the Top Sportsman category. This would be an epic achievement for anyone, but for someone only 21 years old and a fulltime college student it’s even rarer.

“For me, it’s the biggest thing you can do in racing,” Darian said of the competition. “Everybody shoots for the world championship. Whether it’s Formula-1, NASCAR, or any other kind of competition, you want to have a world championship and have that big ‘#1’ on everything.”

Racing is in Darian’s blood. His dad, Mario Boesch, began racing when he was close to Darian’s age and introduced him to the sport. Darian began competing in Jr. Dragsters when he was 7, earning 18 championships in that category alone.

“Pretty much my earliest memory is in the shop,” said Darian. “One of our cars was in there, and my dad had just put the motor back in. He fired it up and actually let me crack the throttle a couple of times, so I got to hear the motor rev up… And from there I have not looked back.”

While Darian is mainly the one behind the wheel while on the track, his family is part of his secret weapon for success. In honor of this, their self-funded team is named MKD (Mario, Karen, and Darian) Racing. Mario, a New Orleans business owner who also still occasionally competes with the team, pitches in with tuning the cars and driving the team trailer to all of the events, most of which are at least nine hours away.

Since weather plays a significant role in how the cars run, one of Karen’s biggest roles is managing the computer weather

30

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

acquisitions. “A five-degree temperature difference, or the humidity or density altitude, makes a big difference,” said Darian.

And as for Darian, racing takes much more than just jumping in the car, and for vehicles to be pushed hard and continue to perform at such a top level they take a lot of maintenance.

While the fabrication, painting, and motor and transmission assembly are outsourced to professionals, putting the cars together and preparing them for racing on a weekly basis is mostly up to Darian—whether it’s changing out motors, fluids, or various parts and pieces at his home racing garages.

MKD Racing owns and maintains a total of six competition vehicles, including four dragsters, the Camaro, and a Top Sportsman S-10 truck/grudge car.

Darian has reached 235 mph in the dragster and 230 in the Camaro, but in NHRA, there is also much more to being behind the wheel than crossing the finish line the fastest. Competitors must set a predicted finish time and come in as close to it as possible, and if they cross faster than it they lose.

“To do that I’m not actually looking down the track,” explained Darian. “I’m looking at my opponent the whole way. You want to make the race as close as possible. You can use the gas pedal, the brake pedal, the parachutes—anything to get as close as possible without going too fast. Generally my car can go about 230 mph, but I usually cross the finish line at about 205-210 because I’m killing so much ET (elapsed time) to go slower. A lot of times I’ll get to the finish line a foot or two in front of my opponent, which is hard to get that close at 230 mph.”

“Basically, it’s like a 200-mile-per-hour chess match,” he said. “They’re making moves. You’re making moves. It’s all about who can outsmart the other one going that fast. And you have 6 seconds to figure it out.”

in working with him if he needs to miss a class or turn in an assignment or test early due to travel for a competition, he said that most actually get excited when they learn of his level of racing, even before the National Championship win. Their personal support and the proximity of campus to his home garages have allowed him to pursue his dream of racing, not to mention becoming a national champion, while earning a quality education.

He has also been able to translate what he has learned in his studies into his racing career. “My business administration major has made me think about how to make things function a little bit better,” said Darian. “Some of my management classes, for example, have taught me how to make things run smoother and to cut out parts you don’t need, which has really helped a lot, not just in terms of getting things done better with racing, but also with work. Every little extra you can cut off that will save you time or money helps; it’s so much work, you need every little bit you can get. There’s definitely a lot that I can apply from my classes into this.”

As for work and the future, Darian plans on taking on more with his father’s company when he graduates, eventually running it. But he is far from done with racing. With one World Championship under his belt, he is revved up to keep firing for more, such as winning the World Championship in two different cars in the same year.

“I have a very long future ahead of me in this,” he said.

To learn more about MKD Racing, visit mkdracing.com.

See More

Darian and his parents regularly travel together across the country for races, whether it’s Florida, the Carolinas, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, or everything in between. Doing this and preparing the cars— in addition to working for his family’s business—takes a lot of time, but Darian remains on track to graduate in December 2021.

Along with learning how to fine-tune his timemanagement skills, Darian noted that the support from his professors has been instrumental in helping him to academically succeed. Not only have they been helpful SPRING 2021

31

feature story

32

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

LEAPING FORWARD

BY TONYA LOWENTRITT

The Southeastern Vertebrate Museum is growing, curating, digitizing, and sharing its collection to enhance ichthyology and herpetology research. he National Science Foundation has awarded a Southeastern specialist in the diversity of fishes a grant of $409,200.

Professor of Biological Sciences and ichthyologist Kyle Piller received the three-year grant to improve the Southeastern Vertebrate Museum. The project will focus on curation of existing museum specimens and tissue samples, digitize and georeference specimen data, and integrate the data with online repositories, making the data available to the general scientific community.

“Southeastern has an Ichthyology and Herpetology collection that initially was developed for teaching and research in the 1950s,” said Piller. “The bulk of the collection is comprised of fishes—more than 120,000 specimens and over 7,000 tissue samples—with the majority of the specimens from the Lake Pontchartrain Basin in southeast Louisiana and, more recently, from throughout Mexico and Central America. We also have an ever-growing herpetology collection, part of which was recently obtained from the orphaned Tulane University herpetology collection.”

In addition to the reptile, amphibian, and fish collection, Piller said the museum also has birds and mammals, although their numbers are much smaller. Specimens in the collection include sea turtle shells, a whale vertebrate, and alligators.

“We actually have alligator purses and shoes to show our guests what is done with alligator skins once they are harvested,” Piller said. “We have a whooping crane, which is hard to come by, and a couple of toucans that are mounted. We are slowly growing in all areas, but the fish collection has grown the most because that’s what I study.”

College of Science and Technology Dean Daniel McCarthy said the grant will be transformative for the Ichthyology and Herpetology collection at Southeastern.

“The museum is much more than a collection of jars to look at; rather, it contains a record of the reptiles and fishes from our region from decades ago, which will prove to be an invaluable resource to scientists studying this ecosystem,” he explained. “Furthermore, the educational outreach component of the grant will expose thousands of students to the importance of reptiles, amphibians, and fish to the Gulf Coast.”

SPRING 2021

33

Both undergraduate and graduate students use the specimens in the museum for research and study as part of undergraduate honors and graduate theses. Many students, Piller said, use the specimens to study their diets.

“Students can cut open the belly of a 20- or 30-year-old specimen and see what the species was eating back then versus what they are eating now,” he explained. “It also gives us a record of the presence of species now versus what they were 30 or 40 years ago, so we can look at change in communities in our region.”

Piller said the project will help revitalize interest in the natural world by using natural history collections to highlight the unique organismal diversity in Louisiana and beyond.

Southeastern personnel will develop a traveling fish, reptile, and amphibian program titled “The Bone Sheaux.”

“This outreach program will be used to stimulate interest in organismal biology for K-12 students in southeastern Louisiana, which includes some of the most impoverished parishes in Louisiana,” he said. “A permanent loan will also be made available to Southeastern’s field station, Turtle Cove, which hosts more than 3,000 visitors annually for public outreach and teacher training workshops.”

Southeastern Professor of Biological Sciences and fish expert Kyle Piller has been awarded a three-year grant of $409,200 by the National Science Foundation to improve the Southeastern Vertebrate Museum.

“Although the bulk of the vertebrate museum is comprised of fishes, with five herpetology researchoriented faculty on staff and herpetology oriented graduate students in the department, the herpetology collection will continue to grow in the coming years, as our specimen growth primarily has been a by-product of ongoing research and thesis projects, as well as for specimen usage in the classroom,” he explained.

Piller said a natural history museum course will be developed for Southeastern’s undergraduate students to provide them training in museum curation and specimen preparation.

“This team-taught course will focus on collection care and curatorial techniques and will give students first-hand experience in a research collection,” he explained. “The course will culminate in the development of a museum website and a small working museum exhibit that will be displayed in the lobby of the biology building.”

Well-curated collections will continue to serve the scientific community for decades to come, Pillar said, and the value of scientific collections and data they contain are becoming increasingly important as major initiatives push the bounds and usefulness of museum data.

“Beyond hard-core science initiatives, natural history collections represent reservoirs of knowledge that need to be promoted and publicized to the general public,” he said.

“Southeastern has specimens with scientific value, and this study will assure that these specimens are curated and available for study by the scientific community.”

See More

SPRING 2021

35

giving back

a L g n e i v a e L AMES McCLIMAgNaScy J

By Mary Grace Kelley

Southeastern was home to alumnus James “Jim” McClimans (class of ’58) from a very young age, and it remained a place to which he contributed and supported throughout his life.

Jim was the son of Dr. Jay W. McClimans and Martha Orr McClimans, who raised their family in Hammond down the street from Southeastern’s beautiful campus. In 1942, Jay began serving as a mathematics professor at Southeastern. He eventually became the University’s first department head of mathematics.

“Our entire family went to athletic and cultural events at the college,” Jim once said, reflecting on his childhood memories with his sister Mary Lee McClimans Bass.

When he moved to Hammond as a young child, Jim began his journey at Southeastern’s Laboratory School in second grade. He continued his education on Southeastern’s campus, attending Southeastern High School and graduating in 1953. This all happened within the same hallways as what is now McClimans Hall, which was at that time the education building.

After graduating high school, he continued to pursue his education by studying engineering at both Texas A&M and LSU and building his work experience with Chance Vaught Aircraft. In 1956, he returned home to Southeastern and, following his father’s passion, majored in mathematics. In 1958, Jim graduated with a bachelor of science in mathematics and a minor in physics.

After graduating from Southeastern, Jim began his career at Shell Oil Company as a geophysicist, gaining experience

36

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

Above: Jim McClimans Below: Jim and his wife, Marilyn McClimans

with the oil and gas company. He traveled around the world managing projects for Shell Oil Company and became the manager of Geophysics Research at Shell Development Company. This led him back to Louisiana, working as the chief geophysicist of the Southeast region.

Jim had many career achievements, including record Shell Exploration and Production Company profits from the Michigan Play in the 1970s, significant commercial discoveries in Cameroon and Syria, and in 1989 record Shell (U.S.) discoveries in the deep water Gulf.

On July 24, 1981, Jay W. McClimans Hall was dedicated in honor of his father Jay’s commitment to education and support of the mathematics program.

Jim carried on his parents’ love and support of Southeastern throughout his life, making his own mark by giving back to the university that helped set him on a path to lifelong success and breaking down financial barriers for current and future generations. Over the years he positively impacted the lives of countless students through his philanthropy.

Southeastern named Jim the Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Science and Technology in 2006 in recognition of his success and contributions to the community. He established significant endowments in STEM, including support for the University’s Mathematics Department to continue to honor his father’s legacy.

About his support for Southeastern, Jim previously said, “Marilyn [my wife] and I initiated this gift to Southeastern in the form of retirement fund assets as a way to honor my father. It is a symbol of the love my family has for this fine institution.”

Jim passed away July 15, 2020, but many can learn from his example of hard work, dedication, and giving back to the community that helped shape his future.

“Sharing a friendship with Jim was one of the greatest blessings of my career,” said Vice President of University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale.

“His devotion and commitment to Southeastern was evident in every initiative he supported. He will be greatly missed.”

The McClimans’ legacy will live on, especially through the ongoing learning within McClimans Hall across from historic Friendship Circle.

Left: James McClimans Below: McClimans Hall on Southeastern's Campus

SPRING 2021

37

feature story

Beauty in the Chaos THE VISUAL ARTS HAVE BEEN HARD HIT BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, BUT SOUTHEASTERN’S CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY IS TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN KEEPING THEM ALIVE AND STRONG FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

By Sheri Gibson

Image: Vanessa Centeno, instructor of 2-D design, Neon Tears (detail).

Acrylic on canvas, wood, LED light, 2021.

Throughout this past year of world-wide uncertainties brought on by the pandemic, there has perhaps never been a better time for both creating and engaging with the arts. As Thomas Merton once said, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

Southeastern’s Contemporary Art Gallery has remained a valuable resource for students and the entire community throughout this difficult time—providing physical and digital spaces for both education and reflection. Importantly, it has also served as a venue for Southeastern faculty to showcase their own recent works and artistic processes, such as during the Gallery’s recent 2021 Art + Design Faculty Exhibition.

This exhibition, which was held from January 20-February 24, is an annual event open to all Southeastern faculty. This year’s installment featured approximately 20 artists, many of whom are working in series, and their wide-ranging works that include photography, video, sculpture, ceramics, fashion or costume design, theatre design, and more.

Associate Professor of New Media and Animation and Director of the Southeastern Contemporary Art Gallery Cristina Molina explained that the goal of this exhibition “is to highlight the work of faculty so that students in the Visual Art + Design Department have an idea of what their professors and instructors are making creatively. It’s to support the idea that we, as teachers, are also engaged in a creative practice, and that is part of our research which we also then bring to the classroom.” Moreover, it is also created to allow the larger community to become more familiar with the recent artistic work coming out of the studios of Southeastern faculty.

The work presented in the exhibition is indeed quite diverse— in terms of media, but also in terms of concepts and concerns being explored. While there can sometimes be a lack of understanding when it comes to contemporary art, Molina explained how each piece displayed is deeply thought out.

“I’d like viewers to appreciate the efforts and the talents of our faculty, but also to appreciate the amount of research and scholarship that goes in to creating these works, and to see that each artist is really considering theme and subject matter as they’re making these works,” said Molina. “It’s a very thoughtful and carefully considered process.”

Every artwork has its own unique story to tell, but some of the pieces in this exhibition were directly influenced by the subject matter of the pandemic. One of these, by Professor of Art Education Dr. Kim Finley, is a monochromatic, abstracted landscape that directly references the number of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. “It’s a very thoughtful piece, a very current and poignant piece for us to consider the gravity of this pandemic and to remember to take care and take precautions, because it is a very serious problem right now,” said Molina.

Other featured artists and faculty members including Christopher Burns, Tom Walton, and Vanessa Centeno reference the pandemic in their artwork as well.

Burns’ work, a photographic survey of the rural South Louisiana landscape, uses vibrant colors while also being quiet, dark, and omitting people. According to him, “This reflects not only the coronavirus restrictions placed on my practice, but the way outsiders struggle to relate and understand the landscape here, geographically and socially.”

SPRING 2021

39

experiences are also because of the conditions of the space.

For example, it’s very quiet [in the Gallery]. Part of the role of the Gallery is to create these conditions where artwork can be viewed in a contemplative space free of any distraction and offer space and time for that kind of viewing participation.”

The art community has been one of the hardest hit by the economic repercussions of the pandemic, with many museums and galleries being forced to close their doors and artists’ sales in steep decline. Following a 2020 national survey of COVID-19 impact on museums in the United States, the American Alliance of Museums, the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community and the premier museum accrediting body in the U.S., concluded that one out of three museums in our country may close forever.

Yet, there is a great benefit to maintaining a physical space for the arts. “I think a physical space is important, especially for viewers, because there are certain facets of artworks that can’t be translated via a screen,” said Molina. “This can be especially true for three-dimensional media, the materials and dimensionality of which can be documented but are hard to translate. Additionally, the space itself helps create a heightened level of experience and engagement with the art.

I think that anyone who appreciates art can remember being confronted with an artwork that really blew them away. That was meaningful to them. They felt transcended by it. And such

While maintaining this physical space for the arts is vital, implementing associated programming to enhance understanding of and engagement with this and other exhibitions is also essential, especially during the pandemic.

At the Contemporary Art Gallery, this has been done through continuing the visiting artist talks, including in a new virtual format while in-person gathering has not been possible. The Gallery also traditionally provides exhibition tours, catalogs, and more. “It’s very important to have these peripheral programs so that they inform the current exhibitions,” said Molina.

The development of virtual programs like the Gallery’s visiting artist talks is just one way in which the arts community has developed innovative methods to survive and reach others during this past year. “I think that the artist community is very resilient,” said Molina. “We’re trained to solve problems creatively. So I’m hopeful that out of this will come some new, innovative ways to get work distributed, but also to engage audiences.”

From students to the wider community, Southeastern’s Contemporary Art Gallery does indeed continue to serve and engage audiences. With new exhibitions to explore almost every month, both in person and virtual programming for enhanced experiences, and a serene space for reflection with free admission for all, it remains a respite in the arts, both from afar and in person in the heart of Southeastern’s campus.

See More

A somewhat scientific polling of ALUMNI What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?

you know it you said it

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

17.07%

FOOTBALL

21.95%

CHOCOLATE

69.61%

BASEBALL

7.07%

OTHER: none, soccer, golf GYMNASTICS 12.01%

6.71%

VANILLA

5.23%

20.91%

STRAWBERRY

2.13%

1.06%

1.41%

BASKETBALL

HOCKEY

BOXING

OTHER: Buttered Pecan, Cookies & Cream, Pecan Pralines/Pralines & Cream

14.63%

COOKIE DOUGH

7.72%

26.32% ONCE A MONTH

ROCKY ROAD

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP

How often do you wash your car?

ONCE A WEEK

15.33%

4.88%

Have you ever gotten to school or work and realized you were wearing mismatched shoes?

YES!

23% 0.70%

22.81%

EVERY DAY EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS

42.45% LET THE RAIN WASH IT NO

77% How do you get your morning coffee?

23%

Were you in Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts as a child?

NO COFFEE FOR ME, THANKS!

8.36%

COFFEE SHOP OR CONVENIENCE STORE

35.54%

36.93%

YES, FOR A WHILE

AN INDIVIDUAL 28.92% USE CUP COFFEE MAKER

0.70% YES, I'M NOW

BREW A FULL POT

16.72% BRIEFLY

2.79% POUR A GLASS OF ICED COFFEE

A SCOUT LEADER

47.04% SPRING 2021

NO

41

In Memoriam Cameron Boyd Barr Cameron Boyd “CB” Barr (class of ’70 and ’71) was a strong supporter of and friend to Southeastern, from his days as a student on campus until his passing on December 9, 2020, at the age of 73.

Cameron earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Southeastern, where he was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, as well as a master’s degree in public health from Tulane University. Most importantly, Southeastern was where Cameron met his wife Marcia Comeaux Barr. The two shared a full life together, filled with cherished moments with their two children, six grandchildren, and other family and friends; a passion for both travel and Major League Baseball, which resulted in visits to every baseball park in America; and a love of Southeastern and commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for others.

Together they established the Marcia C. Barr Endowed Scholarship in Kinesiology and The Marcia and Cameron Barr First-Generation Endowed Scholarship, which will continue in perpetuity to impact countless students.

Cameron once said of this, “It is our hope that the students who eventually receive our scholarship will treasure their education and will then, in turn, give back to the University, benefiting future generations of students.”

Cameron also gave back to Southeastern as an active member

Cameron and his wife, Marcia Barr

and supporter of the Alumni Association and as a member and a president of the Lion Athletics Association. He was instrumental in establishing for Athletics the Riverbell Classic for football, Cypress Trophy for softball, and the Pontchartrain Bowl for baseball. In response, he was honored with numerous awards over the years, including the Friendship Oak Award and five Sigma Tau Gamma New Orleans Alumni Chapter Man of the Year awards.

Before retiring, Cameron, a New Orleans native who loved cars and occasionally played golf, enjoyed a successful career characterized by helping others. He served as an administrator at both Southeastern Baptist and Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, as the executive vice president of hospital operations at Methodist Hospital, and as the executive vice president of the Methodist Health System Foundation.

FORMER AND CURRENT FACULTY AND STAFF LOST IN 2020 Dr. Jeffrey W. Totten Carlon R. Andre Dr. James O. Morgan Dr. Gwendolyn "Gwen" Hastings Autin Delmas P. Baham Orella Bunce Davis Fred L. Lavigne Scharmal K. Schrock Dr. Eleanor D. Wells Dr. Thomas C. Terrell Jr.

Mercedes Munson Mary Grace Traylor Lamonte Frances Cardinale Cicet Carol Sue Casanova Overmier Dr. Gwendolyn Effler Traylor Dr. Thurrell O. McClendon Roosevelt Austin Don V. Prevost Dr. James F. "Jim" Walter

ROCK THE SOCKS —— CAMPAIGN ——

The support and generosity of the Southeastern community has always gone a long way toward benefitting our students.

With a new recurring monthly gift of at least $5 or more, you'll receive a free pair of limited-edition Lion Up socks.

Become a monthly donor and support our students today!

Get yours now: southeastern.edu/socks

Scan this code with your smart phone camera to go to our webpage.

alumni spotlight

Alumni Spotlight

Jasmine C. Tate

By D. Emile Stretcher Jr.

After living her life in the South, Southeastern graduate Jasmine Tate found her way to Southern California, growing in her dream career as marketing and communications manager at TGR Foundation—a Tiger Woods Charity located in Irvine, California.

Tate graduated Southeastern in the fall of 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with concentrations in public relations and organizational communication and a minor in Spanish. She finished her undergraduate program decorated with accomplishments.

44

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

She always knew she had a passion for communication. “I knew when I applied to Southeastern and was accepted that I wanted to study and later practice public relations,” she said.

After graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi, she began working at Inland Empire United Way in Southern California, starting on her new adventure away from home. While there, she learned about the position with TGR Foundation through LinkedIn. She was offered the job and has been there ever since.

It takes courage for a person to take the steps to pursue a career away from home. Tate was ready for the experience and the challenges to come. She believes her education primed her for the real world.

Tate said, “Southeastern prepared me for my career through knowledge, support, and hands-on experience.

There is nothing that I’ve done in my career that I didn’t do at Southeastern. Although internships and experiences outside of the classroom helped me learn and prepare for success, what I learned in the classroom was equally important.” Her job at the TGR Foundation consists of writing, editing, photography, social media management and many other responsibilities.

Tate believes Southeastern classes, such as Dr. Carol Madere’s special events planning class, Dr. Amber Narro’s convergence media class, and Dr. Joseph Mirando’s public speaking class, all prepared her for the future. She said she uses things she learned in those classes in her work today. From video editing in Narro’s class to planning events in Madere’s class, she said the skills she learned will stay with her forever.

Tate especially noted how Mirando’s public speaking class helped her along the way. “I gained confidence and comfortability speaking in front of audiences and grew to love it,” she said. “I got to use those skills in Comm 498 when I was starting PRSSA [the Public Relations Student Society of America] to speak to students in Comm 101 about the organization and why they should join and later to lead chapter meetings. When I was working at United Way, leading tours of our facilities was one of my favorite responsibilities.”

Tate believes that she owes it to Southeastern for laying the foundation for her to launch her career and be successful. She also believes that it is important to remember the things she learned and to hold on to them.

Mirando says that Tate was a wonderful student who was very involved and passionate about what she was doing. He pushed her to start the first Southeastern PRSSA chapter.

This PRSSA chapter remains today, allowing her to leave her mark on Southeastern.

Along with PRSSA, Tate was involved in many other organizations. She was in the Organizational Communication Association (OCA), Press Club, Spanish Club, and other religious and service organizations. At the University of Southern Mississippi, she continued her involvement in PRSSA and eventually became president. She also gained awards for herself in PRSSA along with chapter awards.

After she started her professional career, she joined the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and is still a current member. Tate recently attended the International Conference.

“I was fortunate enough to attend the PRSA International Conference last year in San Diego,” she said. “It was awesome to see the Southeastern PRSSA chapter in town for its national conference as well. It was truly a full-circle moment.”

Tate says it is important to pay attention to what one learns in school and be involved to learn as much as you can. “Although it’s hard to say what my future looks like for sure, I know God has great plans for me,” she said. “If I could choose, I’d definitely say it includes working in community relations, teaching adjunct and speaking to students around the world through keynote presentations, panels and workshop facilitation opportunities. That’s a dream life for me in terms of my career.”

KEEP I N G

class notes

' 92 ROBERT SCHAFF, assistant

principal at John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School, has recently been named Louisiana Assistant Principal of the 2020-21 year by the Louisiana Association of Principals.

' 01 TYR A WIL SON has recently

released her first book, A'Tiffa's Mystery Adventure, in remembrance of her late sister A’Tiffa. Wilson is also an entrepreneur, a Columbia Theatre Board Member, and a literacy advocate.

' 06 CAR I CAR AMONTA is the

co-founder of Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. Gnarly Barley was recently named one of the top 50 fastest growing breweries and continues to grow and gain positive feedback from the beer community.

' 93 & '08 MI C H ELLE B OU RQ U E has

27 years of education experience.

After serving as principal of Galvez Middle School, Bourque was recently promoted as the new instructional supervisor for the Ascension Parish Public School District.

'04 DI ANE R AB ALA IS was

recently employed at Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology as a certified women’s health nurse practitioner. Rabalais has over 15 years of experience in healthcare.

'06 AMB ER MI LLER most recently

served as the administrative assistant for Title Programs and Special Education. She was recently promoted as the new supply and chain supervisor of the Ascension Parish Public School District.

'00 J U L IE SA N TA N G E LO P O N D E R has practiced as a

nurse practitioner on the Northshore for 15 years. Ponder recently accepted a position at Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology in Hammond as a certified women’s health nurse practitioner.

'05 C A SE Y L A M B E RT is the CAO of Jani-King Gulf Coast. A business and technology major while at Southeastern, she continues to grow her father’s business and now has over 100 employees.

'0 0 M E L RO B E RTSON is

the assistant vice president— community development and community reinvestment officer for The First, A National Banking Association in Baton Rouge. He is also a managing partner consultant at 3M Global, LLC.

'0 6 DA R RYL A L EL LO, a teacher of 14 years, has recently been named the Louisiana Art Teacher of the Year.

He is the recipient of many awards and accolades, including a 2013 Fund for Teachers grant for his Italia Rivisitato exhibit.

'07

'0 8

SH AW N TO R R E S, a marketing

DAVID DYK ES recently opened

graduate from Southeastern, is the CEO of In-Telecom. He has grown his business over the years and now supports over 900 customers in multiple locations.

Green Light Urgent Care in Hammond, next to Southeastern. He previously worked for the Advanced Pain Institute since 2013.

in touch '09 SA RA H EADS has written her

second book, Dream About Me, a novel about love, loss, and selfdiscovery. She is also currently serving as a substitute teacher while working on a master’s degree.

' 12 TY LE R KINCHEN is a

bandleader, vocalist, and songwriter for his band, Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces. He has recently been performing throughout the United States and gaining global popularity.

' 15 JUSTI N HANSON,

an accounting graduate from Southeastern, was recently promoted to senior accountant at Ericksen Krentel CPAs and Consultants in the firm’s consulting services section.

'09 AMB ER S H EPPAR D is an

attorney and owner of Sheppard Law. Named “Best Attorney in East St. Tammany” by readers of Edge Magazine, she also provides free business webinars and serves on the Board of East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity.

'12 PAUL T I T US is the director of

sales at Cretin Townsend Homes.

Titus, co-owner of the popular Blackened Brew restaurant in downtown Hammond, recently also opened Pour House Pizza and Beer Garden in Hammond.

' 15 C H R I S T I ANNE R I C A R D has been awarded “Newcomer of the Year” and “Elementary School Counselor of the Year” for her work as a school counselor in the East Baton Rouge School System. She is also the owner of Renewed Mind Counseling and Consultation LLC.

' 10 & ' 18 M E L ISSA L A N G LO IS has 16

plus years of experience as a teacher in Ascension Parish. She was recently promoted as the new supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance for Ascension Public Schools.

' 14 A L ISHA T HO M A S is a

teacher at Enon Elementary School and was recently awarded Teacher of the Year for her district. She plans to continue her education so she can mentor others.

'18 C HE YE N N E W IL SO N

recently took over the girls’ basketball program at Mt. Hermon School.

While at Southeastern, Wilson played intramural basketball and continues her passion for the sport as the new head coach at Mt. Herman.

'12 CO DY K E N N E DY was

recently announced as the University of Southern Mississippi’s new offensive line coach. He will also serve as run game coordinator for the new head coach.

' 14 M O Q U ITA W IN E Y, a current

doctoral student at Southeastern, has 20 years of experience in education.

Winey was recently appointed Principal of the new Sugar Mill Primary School in Ascension Parish.

'19 P H IL IP T R A H A N is a writer for Game Rant, starting in Game Guides.

A Southeastern communication major with a love of video games since childhood, he has launched his career by combining his passions of gaming, writing, and storytelling.

See Yourself ?

ONCE A LION, ALWAYS A LION. Since Southeastern’s founding in 1925, generations of students have made Southeastern their home. These historic snapshots provide just a glimpse at some of their stories.

If you know the names or details behind any of these photos, please share them by emailing editor@southeastern.edu.

48

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

IDENTIFIED

Shalan Melton Randolph (center), class of 1998, gave us the scoop behind this photo featured in our Fall 2020 issue.

“This picture was taken during 1994 Homecoming Court Celebrations at the UC. Monique Bourgeois (right), Jennifer Thomas Stewart (left), and I were all students at this time and best friends, with continued relationships through the present.”

Shalan recently had the opportunity to return to Southeastern to teach a suturing class to nursing students.

“It felt so great to be back home and support upcoming students,” she said.

SPRING 2021

49

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 51 HAMMOND, LA

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

Success: Southeastern’s MBA program has been named by College Consensus as one of the Most Affordable MBA Programs in the nation, a consensus ranking of MBA programs in top business schools. Southeastern was chosen for offering students a top business education, a great MBA brand, and important networks without breaking the bank.