Spring 2022 Southeastern Magazine

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING/ SUMMER 2022

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BECOMING AN INSPIRATION

ESL PROGRAM

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

A unique program is bringing together students from around the world to learn English and expand their horizons.

Physics and engineering technology students are blasting into real-world-ready learning experiences.

Southeastern’s first astronaut Hayley Arceneaux has made history as part of the first allcivilian crew to visit space.

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY

S PRIN G /SU MMER

2022

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

Olivia Graziano, Mindy Gremillion, Kati LeBreton, Tonya Lowentritt

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.

COV ER P H OTO : Hayley Arceneaux, class of 2014, has become the first Lion to visit space.

Contents.

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GRADUATE NURSING Two new graduate nursing programs are providing in-demand career and healthcare leadership opportunities.

BECOMING AN INSPIRATION

Alumna Hayley Arceneaux made history as a member of the first all-civilian crew, Inpiration4, to visit the cosmos.

36 40 LIONS CONNECTED

GIVING BACK

A Southeastern initiative is helping students with intellectual disabilities achieve an inclusive college experience.

Edward “Brent” Dufreche has left a legacy that will continue to eternally impact and benefit Southeastern and its students.

ESL PROGRAM

Students from across the globe are coming together to learn English and expand their horizons in the ESL Program.

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

Physics and engineering technology students are blasting into unique real-world-ready learning opportunities.

president’s message

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Alumni, Friends, Supporters, As this magazine reaches you, we are in the midst of another active year.

Our campus has been buzzing with the multitude of activities of students, staff, faculty, and visitors who are now able to fully gather together for in-person classes, events, and activities. Based on the declining incidence of COVID-19 cases, the campus indoor mask mandate was lifted in the spring semester, and it has been a joy to once again see the smiling faces of members of our Southeastern community.

Our campus is also the site of recent and ongoing facilities projects. The majority of repair and renovation projects stemming from damage caused

by Hurricane Ida have been completed. Cardinal Newman Hall is being converted from a student residential facility into a temporary home for faculty from Communication and Media Studies and other academic departments from D Vickers Hall as we prepare to initiate a major renovation project to that iconic building. In this issue, you will also get a sneak peek at the major improvements underway at the Alumni Center, which will make that facility much more event-friendly in support of expanding student and alumni engagement.

While there are other major facility projects on the horizon, we continue to move forward boldly in other areas as well.

This issue of the Southeastern Magazine brings you a sampling of stories from across our University, including ones exploring the remarkable accomplishments of our dauntless alumni, students, faculty and staff, and community. From reaching new heights through awards and research honors to heroically visiting space, the feats and accomplishments of our Southeastern family members never cease to amaze me.

Yet, even as we reach new levels of success, we also remain grounded in what makes Southeastern such a special place. From stories of where we have come from to stories of where we are going, as well as stories about what brings us all together, I hope you will enjoy this issue and the glimpse it provides into the life of our University.

When you are finished reading, please be an advocate for the University by passing this copy along to someone else. You can also individually share your favorite articles and videos online by visiting southeasternmagazine.blog.

John L. Crain PRES ID EN T

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KeRon

JACKSON

out & about

Senior // English Education Hometown // Destrehan, LA How Southeastern changed me Southeastern has helped to develop my inner ability to be a versatile person of intellect. I have had the opportunity to grow in my professionalism by working with various departments and University committees.

Favorite spot on campus The library when I am feeling studious, the Katrina Fountain when I am feeling like I just want to think and be alone, and Friendship Circle when I want to reflect.

Dream job My dream job has always been to be a teacher; however, after exploring my capabilities in college, I know that I will expand my career beyond the classroom.

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

Southeastern’s faculty and staff are amazing people. There is a general spirit across this University to help you succeed.

Favorite thing about my major My major has allowed me to dive into the connections of literature with today’s world. It has helped me understand how literature can give us insight into politics, wars, expressions, and things that may otherwise be hard for us to comprehend.

Current involvement on campus I am the vice president of Student Government Association, treasurer for Southeastern Gospel Choir, president of the Student Senate, and on various committees.

What is one of your favorite things about Southeastern?

Community! You can simply belong to a family here at Southeastern. Professors know my name and my personality.

In fact, in all my time at Southeastern, I have never had a professor let me drop their class because they all believed in me.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022

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social media

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

Gregory L Thompson Congratulations to my middle child. He's now a Southeastern Alumnus! #lionup

slusoccer Restart. Refocus. Repeat. #lionup

Robert Valdez Today was a good day in beautiful downtown Vacherie. Congratulations Alec Maher on your signing with Southeastern. #lionup

Cherie Carbo Berget So super proud of this young man...Dad and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you! Tonight we went to Southeastern to receive his scholarship offer. Way to go Ethan! #lionup

news in learning

Renovating the Alumni Center The Southeastern Alumni Center is currently undergoing an extensive renovation.

Originally opened in 1994, the building will be reopened by this September as a modern space that better reflects Southeastern’s brand identity and serves Alumni programming. It will also act as a welcome center, the “front door to the University.”

The over $1 million series of changes, funded through donations and grants made to the Southeastern Foundation, include exterior updates, a renovated ballroom and meeting space, the addition of an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area, and much more.

What was previously storage space on the building’s second floor is also being converted into additional offices. Along with administrative offices for the Alumni Association, the building will house the Office of University Marketing and Communications, bringing together two departments in University Advancement under one roof.

“We're excited that the new Alumni Center will serve as a centerpiece for alumni engagement activities, as well as become a welcoming space for our students to begin thinking about their journey to become future alumni,” said Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs. “The state-of-the-art events space will be a hub of campus activity, allowing our Southeastern Family a place on campus to gather, and also serving as a dynamic venue to host community celebrations and meetings."

While construction is underway, Alumni Association offices will be temporarily located in rooms 28-131 of White Hall, 300 W. Dakota St, Hammond, LA 70401.

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Giving Day Growth Endures Due to impacts from Hurricane Ida, Southeastern’s 2021 Giving Day was moved from September 14 to October 5.

Despite the lingering challenges faced by supporters from across the region, the eighth annual fundraising event reached record numbers in support of Southeastern and its students.

“Many students faced great hardships resulting from Hurricane Ida, and the support received during Southeastern Giving Day has gone a long way toward helping them and the University get through such a difficult time,” said Vanessa Prentice, Southeastern Foundation director of development. “Every donation, no matter how small, truly does help make a difference.”

Last year’s event garnered nearly $250,000 with 1,121 donors supporting over 70 initiatives. This is a growth of 66 percent in donations and 9 percent in participants over 2020 Giving Day, which was itself a record-setting year.

Since its inception in 2014, Southeastern Giving Day has raised a combined total of over $750,000 —creating a tremendous impact on students and the University.

SAVE the DATE 9.14.22

SoutheasternGivingDay.org

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news in learning

Introducing Two New Graduate Nursing Programs

Two new graduate-level offerings in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences—the BSN-DNP Nurse Executive Leadership (NEL) program and a master’s of science in athletic training— are providing enhanced opportunities for students, while also producing healthcare leaders and better meeting the needs of today’s healthcare industry.

The BSN-DNP NEL program prepares expert leaders to bring evidence-based knowledge into the practice arena, improve health care outcomes, and strengthen the executive nurse leadership role in guiding complex care delivery. In addition to nurses with baccalaureate degrees who wish to pursue graduate-level nurse executive leadership education leading to the DNP degree, the NEL concentration allows nurse leaders with non-nursing master’s degrees (e.g. MBA, MPH) to attain the DNP degree.

"This program uniquely provides nurse executive leaders with an advanced nursing doctoral degree to complement their expertise in related areas of business, public health, and health administration,” said Ann Carruth, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “It brings together skills that leverage excellence in health care networks in our region.”

The NEL track was approved in December 2021, and the first cohort of students begins this summer. Courses will be taught in the fall, spring, and summer semesters, accelerating the time to completion of the DNP degree.

In addition to this doctoral program, Southeastern’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies is now offering a master’s of science degree in athletic training.

Department Head Charity Bryan said the degree will provide a comprehensive, progressive, educational and clinical foundation to prepare graduates for a career in athletic training, which is recognized by the American Medical Association as a healthcare profession.

“Certified Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients in professional and collegiate sports, public and private schools, sports medicine clinics, occupational health settings, and physician offices, as well as many other emerging and developing settings,” she said. “Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities.”

Classes in the program are taught by nationally recognized experts in their fields who hold doctoral degrees, she explained. Program students can gain clinical experience with high school, college, and professional teams, as well as various other settings, and will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification national credentialing examination. Upon completion of the program, students will have graduated from a nationally accredited athletic training program.

MSAT Program Director Ryan Green said jobs associated with the degree include athletic trainer, orthopedic specialist, sports medicine assistant, physician’s assistant, physical therapist, exercise physiologist, health coach, strength and conditioning specialist and teacher.

news in learning

Designated as One of Louisiana’s Only Play Therapy Education Sites

Southeastern has been designated as a new Approved Center of Play Therapy Education. In earning the designation, one of only three in the state, Southeastern demonstrates an offering of extensive play therapy curriculum to mental health faculty, students and practitioners, said Associate Professor of Counseling and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor Laura Fazio-Griffith.

“The Counseling Program became an approved provider for play therapy education by the Association for Play Therapy in 2018, which means that we can provide play therapy workshops for master’s level clinicians and students who are pursuing the registered play therapist credential,” she said. “The Counseling Center offers at least one workshop per year in Hammond, Baton Rouge, or virtually that is specific to play therapy education.

The approved center is the next step in recognizing the Counseling Program’s commitment to play therapy education and research.”

Named the Southeastern Louisiana University Play Therapy Education and Training Site, the center, through the Counseling Program, will develop more play therapy instruction, conduct research, and contribute to the advancement of play therapy in the community. Centers are approved for a three-year period.

Competing in First Southland Title Game Southeastern women's basketball team achieved an historic postseason run, making their first-ever Southland title game appearance at the Southland Conference Tournament championship on March 13 at the Merrell Center in Katy, TX. Their excellence continued throughout the final game, with a close 56-52 loss in overtime to Incarnate Word.

The Lady Lions ended the season with a 16-11 overall record and a 10-4 conference record.

While five players will be graduating after this season, head coach Ayla Guzzardo believes the team is well prepared for the next season to potentially be an even bigger success. "We've gotten the taste of the big stage and the feeling from this last game is going to make our returners hungrier this offseason," Guzzardo commented. "We've built this program by recruiting not only good players, but good people, and we're going to continue to add quality to our roster."

news in learning

Banking Finance Team Ranks Among Top in the U.S. While Giving Back to the Community Southeastern finance students recently served our regional banking community while engaging in challenging, motivating, and relevant academic experiences.

Under the guidance of Dr. Danielle Lewis, student Community Banking Project team members Lonica Wallace, Greyson Labasse, and Sage Mulkey competed in a semester-long, nation-wide case study competition hosted by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank. The team partnered with Liberty Bank & Trust, the largest African American owned minority bank in the U.S., to examine how Liberty responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and addressed its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The students provided the bank with quantitative data demonstrating the substantial economic impact of its loan program supporting underserved communities. External judges from the Federal Reserve System, CSBS, FDIC, OCC, and bankers’ associations judged Southeastern’s Team in multiple rounds, ultimately ranking them third in the country out of 56 teams.

For the project, students worked directly with bank representatives to write a case study. The process included meeting with bank representatives to understand their unique challenges and perspectives, conducting interviews with external bank stakeholders, analyzing bank financials using statistical tools and software, writing the case study, and presenting to bank representatives and stakeholders, as well as to the CSBS judges, including representatives of the Federal Reserve and FDIC. Southeastern’s Community Banking

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Project seamlessly ties together the finance degree program’s academic goals with the College of Business’s mission to positively impact the community.

In addition to providing an outstanding learning experience for students, the Community Banking Project helps to support banks in the region (who do not have the same resources as national banks) by providing them with research, analysis, and inspiration. Participating in the CSBS case study competition serves as a conduit for community banks to help tell their individual stories.

Working with Liberty Bank & Trust, the Southeastern team learned about what inclusion and diversity truly means. Not only did the team have the opportunity to tell an inspirational story about their African American owned partner bank’s struggles and achievements, but by helping the bank quantify their performance and the economic impact on their communities, they found that Liberty Bank’s commitment to lending to underserved communities has a large economic impact on the entire community, not just African Americans.

Having ranked nationally in the top five for five out of six years, Southeastern students have met an impressive number of highly successful people in the industry, including Jerome Powell, the current Federal Reserve Chair; James Bullard, St. Louis Federal Reserve President; Charles Evans, the Chicago Federal Reserve President; countless bank executives and regulators; and Steve Scalise, U.S. House of Representatives.

In prior years, Southeastern’s students worked with local banks to address other topics, including small business lending (2016), succession planning (2017), financial technologies (2018), regulatory relief law (2019), and the Bank Secrecy Act (2020).

news in learning

Addy Award Winner Southeastern's Office of University Marketing and Communication’s Assistant Director of Creative Michael Trahan recently won Silver in the American Advertising Federation (AAF), Baton Rouge’s American Advertising Awards.

The winning piece then went on to achieve Silver in AAF’s District 7 (“South” states) competition, earning an entry to compete in this year’s national awards. These wins demonstrate not only excellence in design and marketing, but also the ability to excel in adapting to and overcoming unprecedented challenges.

Columbia Theatre has produced a traditional brochure, designed by University Marketing and Communications, to promote each season since 2002. When COVID-19 caused multiple cancellations to the ’20/’21 season, the current brochures became obsolete shortly after printing. A new way was needed to print this popular piece while incorporating the ability to adjust information during these uncertain times.

As a solution, the ’21/’22 brochure was reimagined into a series of “show cards” which are housed in a box/sleeve.

Each card features custom poster art on the front and performance information on the back. These cards not only function as a series of collectible art, but each one can be used as a separate flyer or handout. Most importantly, each card is easily replaceable if a show is canceled or changed in the future.

The piece has additionally won gold in the Collegiate Advertising awards and silver in the Communicator Awards, for a total of four awards and counting.

BY SHERI GIBSON

Class of 2014 alumna Hayley Arceneaux has been living her dream to help childhood cancer patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. But an opportunity to visit space as part of Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth, has brought her goals and accomplishments to an even more cosmic level.

Photo courtesy of Hayley Arceneaux

On September 15, 2021, the late afternoon Cape Canaveral air was typically blustery and humid as Hayley Arceneaux looked out to the swelling crowd assembled on the grounds of Kennedy Space Center. To those gathered, the hours of heat and anxious waiting was a trivial detail that faded further and further into translucency as time slowly ticked by. They were there to witness an important moment in history, one they could proudly tell stories about for the rest of their lives: the launch of humankind’s first all-civilian spaceflight to orbit Earth, Inspiration4. It would also be the farthest flight for a human spaceflight since the Hubble missions.

Hayley, at only 29 years old, was about to play a significant role in bringing this monumental step in space travel to fruition. At 8:02 p.m. that evening, she would do something many people don’t even dare to dream of. She would launch into the cosmos, orbiting the planet for nearly three full days.

But if taking a place in history as a member of the first allcivilian space crew weren’t enough, Hayley would personally soon lay claim to two more titles: the youngest American and the first person with a prosthesis to ever visit space.

And even more than that, above and beyond being part of this next step in human spaceflight, she was doing it to raise money for a cause she had believed in with all her heart since she was a child, one that could help save the lives of little ones who were dreaming of one day setting off on their own amazing paths. She was doing it to help fund cancer research and treatment for St. Jude. As a childhood cancer survivor herself who had dedicated her career to helping others make it through what she had, she was also inspiring her patients and all youngsters to always keep reaching for the stars.

Hayley knew she would soon need to put on her full spacesuit and fulfill this destiny. The initially incomprehensible event this small-town girl from St. Francisville, La., had arduously and excitedly been training for during the past several months would soon begin.

But just before she went in to start her final preparations, as she glanced out at the rustling crowd of supporters in the still bright late-afternoon Florida sun, something caught her eye.

And then something else. Again, and again.

They were uniform speckles of powder blue. Looking closer, they were t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Hayley’s Ground Krewe.” As Hayley recognized the faces above them, she was swept up in even more warmth and joy. They were all her best friends, the ones who had been there for her since they first met while students together at Southeastern. They had come a long way together, and now they were there to support her as she made history. From Southeastern to space, and beyond.

Taking this Lion Pride with her, a short time later Hayley entered the capsule of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft Resilience.

She took her seat in the monochrome interior’s far left and prepared for countdown—and a history-making, life-changing experience she would never forget.

Hayley’s journey to space truly began nearly two decades earlier. At age 10, she began to feel an ache in her knee. When the pain kept coming back, she underwent a series of tests that revealed a devastating diagnosis: a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital soon became home away from home for Hayley and her family. It was there she received limb-saving surgery, which included implantation of a prosthesis in her leg and chemotherapy. The treatment she underwent ultimately not only saved her life, it sparked in her a dream to one day work for St. Jude and help other children fighting cancer.

Years later when it came time to choose a college to help her get there, Hayley put Southeastern at the top of her list—following in the footsteps of her grandmother who was also an alumna.

“I was initially impressed by Southeastern when a representative came to speak at my high school, and I learned about the different colleges and scholarships. And then when I visited campus, I thought it was just beautiful,” said Hayley. “I also liked the size of the classes and being able to get to know my professors.”

“I loved it even more than I thought I was going to," she continued. “I rushed right before I started school, and my first day of school I already had new friends. Those were some of the best years of my life. I absolutely loved Southeastern, and I made all the best friends there that are still my best friends.” These are the same friends that would be there to cheer Hayley on at Kennedy Space Center as she prepared to make history.

“We got close so fast and have remained life-long friends,” Hayley remembered fondly. “From living together in a sorority house to living off-campus when they were right next door and I could just walk over in my slippers. We would eat all of our meals together in the Union and different places, and we would go to the football games together. I loved being in my sorority—it was just such a great way to meet people and to stay busy, which I love doing, and to really get to enjoy everything that Southeastern has to offer.”

Hayley lived life to the fullest while a Southeastern student, becoming actively involved in many on-campus and community organizations including Alpha Sigma Tau, Up Till Dawn, Order of Omega, and Spanish Club.

“Southeastern definitely gave me interpersonal skills.

Especially through my sorority, I met so many different people and had leadership roles,” she said.

Photo by John Kraus

But she never let go of her core focus to become a physician assistant (PA) and work for St. Jude. So while she minored in biology and successfully completed all the prerequisite coursework for PA school, in an interesting turn Hayley decided to major in Spanish after a unique internship experience.

“I met some Spanish-speaking patients when I interned at St. Jude the summer after my freshman year, and they had a really big impact on me. I saw the challenges that they navigate in cancer treatment in a second language, and I knew I wanted to go back and work with these kids and just help them feel more comfortable by treating them in their native language,” she explained.

“Through studying Spanish the whole world has been opened up to me. I’ve gotten to experience new things I never would have before and see places that I probably wouldn’t have explored if I hadn’t studied Spanish. And, I get to work with Spanish-speaking patients now, which has been my dream.”

Hayley credits her time at Southeastern for preparing her well for PA school and beyond. Not only was she ready academically, but she was able to learn life skills, think in new ways, and find new interests.

As a Spanish major she participated in two study abroad programs through Southeastern, a summer one as part of a

group and one on her own for a full semester. She said of this experience, “It really taught me to go out of my comfort zone, which I think was a great skill I learned then that has served me later in life. And also that’s when I really fell in love with international travel and seeing the world.”

“I loved my time at Southeastern. It definitely made me who I am,” she added.

After graduating from Southeastern then PA school, Hayley eventually landed her dream job at St. Jude and moved to Memphis, Tenn.

“I love getting to work with these kids and their families, especially when they’re newly diagnosed,” Hayley said of her work. “They are so overwhelmed, and just getting to sit with them, answer their questions, give them knowledge, and tell them ‘I know you’re overwhelmed; I’ve been there too.’ Just getting to be on the team that helps cure these kids from their cancer is the most rewarding thing that I could ever be part of.”

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But destiny still had even more in store for Hayley. Her skills and knowledge, luminous personality, and caring dedication to her patients and her work caught the attention of St. Jude administration for an exciting, one-of-a-kind task.

In February of 2021 Jared Isaacman, a then 38-year-old tech billionaire who had founded private air force provider Draken International and payment processor Shift4 Payments, announced he would be funding the first private human spaceflight comprised only of civilians. The aim was to raise life-saving funds for St. Jude. He would serve as commander, alongside three others still to be chosen. Their four seats were dedicated to representing the pillars of leadership, hope, generosity, and prosperity: Inspiration4.

Jared, who filled the slot of leadership, approached St. Jude to identify a member of their staff who represents hope and could fulfill the role of mission chief medical officer. They knew Hayley would be the perfect fit.

Hayley recalled how the offer to visit space hit her completely out of the blue. “I was absolutely shocked when I was asked to go to space. St. Jude had told me in an email they wanted to talk to me about something. They said it was a unique opportunity. And so I join a conference call with St. Jude, and they start telling me about this all civilian mission to space.

The first all civilian mission. And how it was going to be used as a fundraiser for St. Jude.

Photo by John Kraus

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“I’m thinking, ok, what do I have to do with this? And then I was absolutely shocked when they said we want to send you to space. I actually laughed, and I said ‘what, are you serious?’ And then I said ‘yes.’ But then I thought for a second and said, ‘Let me check with my mom. But my answer is yes.’ I got done, and my hands were shaking.”

When she did run it by her mom and the rest of her family, they were not only elated for her, they also helped calm some of her nerves. “My family was so supportive. My brother and his wife are both aerospace engineers. And so they definitely made me feel more comfortable about the safety of space travel.”

Despite this reassurance, it was still a huge surprise to process. “I never imagined it would be possible for me to go to space. And until this mission, it wouldn’t have been. Because I have an internal prosthesis in my leg I would not have been qualified to be a NASA astronaut, so I had never really considered it. All I ever wanted to do was work at St. Jude.”

The remaining two members of the crew were soon chosen, with Chris Sembroski representing generosity and Dr. Sian Proctor, who became the first black female spacecraft pilot through this mission, representing prosperity. The next

Photo courtesy of Hayley Arceneaux

few months were a whirlwind as they embarked on raising awareness for the fundraising purpose and participating in astronaut training.

“We did water survival training, hiked a mountain together, did fighter pilot training so that we became very accustomed to G-forces, and also we became accustomed to G-forces through centrifuge training. We did do a zero-gravity flight, and it was a good introduction, but space zero gravity felt very different to me, and then it was just constant in space. The majority of what we did was studying and spending time in the simulator for our Dragon spacecraft.”

The world became fascinated with this mission, following the crew’s stories and preparations. Media attention became a norm for Hayley, who was even featured on the cover of Time magazine and in the Netflix documentary Countdown: Inspiration 4, Mission to Space. But throughout the rocketing attention, she stayed grounded in who she was and what she was setting out to accomplish.

The moment she and her Inspiration4 colleagues had anxiously awaited finally came on September 15. As people across the globe watched, a flight-proven SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched Inspiration4 out of Earth’s atmosphere.

The group soon reached orbit, and Hayley’s amazement continued to grow. “We had the most incredible views of Earth. We had this large dome window, called a cupola, which was the largest window ever flown in space. From it we would see an entire 360° view of the planet, with the blackness of space around it and stars and the moon; it was gorgeous. I could see lightning from space and even a wildfire, which was really crazy to see.”

“Seeing the Earth from space changes a person,” she added. “Getting that perspective of our planet. When I saw the Earth, I was just overwhelmed by how beautiful it was. And I also felt the most intense feeling of gratitude that I’ve ever felt. Gratitude for being alive, for getting to experience something that so few people have gotten to experience. And that feeling of gratitude will stay with me forever.”

But Hayley was not only impacted personally; she was able to be part of creating an impact on the world and on the children she was dedicated to serving. “We were not there to just be tourists,” Hayley said. “We did several types of biomedical research. The main thing we were assessing was the human body and microgravity, and how short duration space missions affect the human body. We also called the St. Jude patients from space, which was the highlight of the mission for me— getting to talk to my patients from space and telling them that they can do this too.”

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From eating cold wet pizza with jalapenos and catching some sleep in a sleeping bag hovering over her seat with a seatbelt around it so she wouldn’t float off in the night, to conducting monumental research and talking to those back on Earth, Hayley's time in orbit soon flew by. On September 18, 2021, at 7:06 p.m. EDT, the Dragon capsule splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Canaveral. Hayley was the first to exit the spacecraft when SpaceX’s recovery ship Go Searcher picked them up about 40 minutes later.

While the mission was completed, the impact it had on Hayley would stay with her forever. “Through the past year, I’ve been put in some very stressful situations,” she said. “And it showed me that I’m stronger than I think I am. And it gave me skills and taught me how to manage difficult situations.”

The end of Inspiration4 was also not the end of Hayley’s role with SpaceX. In December she accepted a position as part of their medical team—helping medically train and support commercial astronauts.

Hayley has also taken up public speaking and will soon become a published author. Her book Wild Ride, a memoire that recounts her time as a healthy kid to her cancer diagnosis and treatment, days at Southeastern, and her experiences with Inspiration4, drops September 6 and is now available for preorder.

Even in the midst of all of her work and accomplishments, Hayley continues to pursue new endeavors to become as well-rounded as possible. “I love international travel—that is my biggest hobby,” she said. “I really love enjoying a local restaurant scene. And I’m a wanna-be mixologist. I’m trying to learn how to make cocktails. And then of course seeing my friends.”

But even though she continues to play a role in the future of space exploration and pursue new dreams, Hayley is not letting go of her original dream of helping children at St. Jude, for which she helped raise nearly $242 million as part of Inspiration4. Today she continues to serve as a PA at the place that helped save her own life, uplifting those she works with in big ways, and she wouldn’t trade it in for anything.

“What has been most inspiring to me has been the kids I work with who have cancer telling me that they now want to be an astronaut. I really wanted to go on this mission to show them what life after cancer can look like. And it can be full, and it can be full of accomplished dreams. And no matter what they want to do, if they want to be an astronaut and go to the moon or whatever else they want to do in their life, I just want to show them it’s possible. So when I have a patient tell me they want to be an astronaut now, it just fills my heart.”

There have been countless experiences that have helped Hayley get to it where she is today, living her dream and accomplishing things most could only imagine, inspiring others. But Southeastern still always remains close to her heart.

“I HAVE SO MUCH GRATITUDE TO SOUTHEASTERN FOR EMPOWERING ME AND FOR MAKING ME FEEL LIKE I WAS CAPABLE OF SO MUCH. I’M THE FIRST LION TO GO TO SPACE, BUT HOPEFULLY NOT THE LAST.” Scan here to learn more.

Photo by John Kraus

look at us now

A FRESH NEW LOOK Southeastern’s visual identity was recently reinvented through the launch of new logos for both the University and Athletics. These emblems can now be seen across campus, including on the field of Strawberry Stadium.

Along with these updates, a series of enhancements are underway across the University’s physical landscape as Southeastern moves closer to its centennial in 2025. The student seating of Strawberry Stadium was recently removed and the foundation made spotless, creating a fresh base for new fixtures and a rare view of this historic campus landmark.

out there

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

ESL Program

Creating a World of Opportunities for NonNative English Speakers, Southeastern Students, and the Community

BY SHERI GIBSON

Four days a week on Southeastern’s campus, people from across the globe gather together in one place to converse and build their path to a successful future. As they listen, share, and learn from each other and those around them, they come one step closer to achieving their goals.

This is the Southeastern English as a Second Language (ESL) Program: An immersive, multi-faceted way for students of all backgrounds to become fluent in English. Participants who work through the program are able to grasp limitless career opportunities while also forging life-long friendships in a welcoming, supportive environment. Enhanced by conversation volunteers, the program also opens up the world to Southeastern students and members of the wider community.

“All these students from different countries are meeting up in one place, and they’re all having to navigate the same language together,” said Jerry Eaglin, a Southeastern senior and program volunteer. “It’s a beautiful thing once they really start to get the hang of it, once they start getting to know each other.”

The ESL Program launched in 2005 as a web-based non-credit program. In 2008 live, interactive classes were added, and it became a part of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences’ Department of World Languages and Cultures.

The program helps participants improve their English skills through curriculum focused on “speaking skills, listening pronunciation, reading, and writing—all the skills students would need for continuing on to an academic program at Southeastern, to build a career in the United States, or to learn English and then return to their countries,” said Danielle Perez de Corcho, director and instructor for the ESL Program.

For those who are choosing to forge a future in the U.S., becoming fluent in English can be a critical component to a smoother life. The program seeks to help all such participants on a personal level, while consequently

addressing a growing issue in the country. One in 15 people living in the U.S. have Low-English Proficiency (LEP), and it is predicted that by 2050 this number will increase to 67 million—nearly equivalent to the entire population of France. Not only can language barriers stand in the way of individual success, they can also create obstacles to navigating life in general in the country, sometimes directly yielding negative consequences. With healthcare, for example, LEP patients generally have a lower return rate for followup visits, which can lead to poorer health.

“One of our biggest goals is making sure students get the confidence they need to go out there and speak English in the community, meet people, and come out of their shell,” said Perez de Corcho.

She also noted that one of her favorite things about the program is “watching students progress and the difference it makes in their lives as they’re able to reach their goals.”

The students this program serves and benefits represent a great variety of backgrounds and goals.

“This is a really unique group because it’s one of our most diverse groups ever,” said Perez de Corcho about the spring sessions. “We have students coming from 15 countries, representing five different continents. They speak over 15 languages combined.”

Some of the native languages of these students include Vietnamese, Spanish, French, Arabic, Japanese, Thai, Garifuna, and Portuguese.

The career fields of those coming to Hammond for the Southeastern ESL Program are just as extensive, encompassing locals working as Catholic priests, in the restaurant industry, and in technology security; experienced teachers from other countries who are working toward earning their teaching licenses in the U.S.; a Japanese accountant who is seeking to acquire a new skill to bring back to his career in his home country; and even a professional violinist who will soon be enrolling in a master’s degree program in music at Southeastern.

Many participants have likewise used the ESL Program as a stepping stone to become a Southeastern student. Upon completion of the curriculum, they are able to use their ESL Program Certificate to demonstrate English fluency in their Southeastern application.

The stories of students who have gone on to achieve their goals are countless. Perez de Corcho recounted one recent example. “We have a student who started the ESL program about two and a half years ago at the beginner level, having never before formally studied English, and worked up to intermediate and then advanced. She’s built up her English skills so well she is in the process of opening her own business.

She has taken a food safety course in English and is getting her license to open a food truck, which is going to bring delicious Cuban food to Baton Rouge. It’s been very exciting to see her reach her goals.”

There are students who arrived in the country for the first time mere days before the program began, while others have been progressing through the courses for years. While it does vary, a majority of students remain in the program for one to three years.

To help these wide-ranging students effectively learn English, a variety of strategies and tools are utilized. In the mornings are formal classes with lessons, interactive activities, and tests and quizzes to check progress. Afternoons are comprised of an English language lab with games and speaking activities for students to learn in a more relaxed environment and to allow them to have fun using English with their classmates and volunteers.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

There are currently about 20 native-English-speaking volunteers, who act as conversation partners.

“It’s great to see students be able to use what they learned in class, in real life situations, talking with their volunteers about their interests and things they have in common,” said Perez de Corcho.

“Having conversation partners gives [program participants] a chance to become a little more comfortable with the language.

They get a little more immersed in it,” said Eaglin, who began volunteering with the program three years ago for service hours and then developed a passion for it— getting to know people from across the globe while also enhancing his own communication skills.

According to Perez de Corcho, it is “a great opportunity for Southeastern students to meet people from all over the world, learning about new cultures, customs, and traditions from other countries, and they’re able to make new friends as well.”

Gissell Zelaya, who began Southeastern’s ESL Program in January 2022 with hopes of one day becoming a nurse, commented that the program has already helped her develop great friendships in addition to expanding her skills and mindset.

For five-year veteran volunteer Barry Chance, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hammond, being able to interact with and learn from such students from across the world is the highlight of his week. But even beyond that, “I think the ESL program is incredibly important,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for these students to become who they’re

becoming in the world. Most of them have plans to go on and become nurses or doctors or teachers, and I’ve spent much of the last two years talking to several men from Vietnam who plan to be Catholic priests. They want to make a difference in the world, and I get to help them do that by being a volunteer with the program.”

Perez de Corcho agreed that in addition to helping students reach their goals, the Southeastern ESL Program has an impact on Southeastern and the surrounding community by providing an opportunity for cultural enrichment to all. “Volunteers have the chance to meet people from all over the world and hear about their experiences, and unite our campus. Even if we come from all over the world, we can still connect.”

For more information about Southeastern’s ESL Program or to become a volunteer, visit southeastern.edu/esl.

Scan here to learn more.

Ring of Tradition The official Southeastern Ring, a symbol of achievement for generations of alumni, has many stories to tell.

BY OLIVIA GRAZIANO/ SOUTHEASTERN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Over 72,000 alumni have called Southeastern’s campus home since the University’s inception nearly 100 years ago.

Countless unique experiences paint one cohesive picture inspired by the deep-rooted traditions of our University. One such tradition is the official Southeastern Ring.

The official ring of Southeastern is issued exclusively by the Southeastern Alumni Association and distributed by the Southeastern Bookstore. This special token of Lion Pride symbolizes the academic success of our alumni and soonto-be graduates while also capturing the uniqueness of our beloved University.

The official Southeastern ring is not only attractive but also holds great meaning. Our official colors, green and gold, 28

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

highlight the ring. Gold, the most precious of metals, represents value, endurance and education. Green symbolizes new life through earning a degree. The bold Southeastern “S,” which stands proud atop the ring, reminds those who wear it of the everlasting friendships and memories made on our beautiful campus.

On one side of the ring is the degree earned, followed by Roomie, our lion mascot. The three columns represent the three names by which Southeastern has been known: Hammond Junior College, Southeastern Louisiana College, and Southeastern Louisiana University.

A rendering of Friendship Oak is a reminder of the very heartbeat of our University, where our roots run deep. Its broad branches spread wide just as our alumni take their knowledge and share it throughout the vast world.

Below Friendship Oak is the year 1925. This designates the founding year of Hammond Junior College, September 14, 1925. The brick and mortar symbolize continuous growth on campus. Our buildings and classrooms have kept our University growing strong for nearly a century.

On the reverse side of the ring is the wearer’s graduation year. Surrounding the year are two oak branches with six oak leaves. These represent the 12 live oak trees that grace our campus.

Below the oak leaves is Southeastern’s formal seal with the Latin words “integritas, fortitudo and fidelita.”

Translated: integrity, fortitude, and fidelity—these words are the basis upon which our founders built our state and our University. And of course, “Lions” is proudly emblazoned below the seal, marking the spirit that endears us to our alma mater.

The band that connects the two sides of the ring reminds ring holders that they will be connected to Southeastern for the rest of their life.

This relationship is reflected in the ring oath, a message that is a staple of the Southeastern Ring Ceremony.

Students wear the rings with the school name facing toward them.

Upon the granting of the degrees at commencement, graduates turn the rings around, with the name facing outward. This symbolizes that the new alum is now ready to face the world as a proud Southeastern graduate.

Students and alumni alike are invited to take part in this tradition. For more information or to purchase your official Southeastern ring, visit Balfour.com/Southeastern.

THIS RING DENOTES MY PRIDE, IN THE TRADITION, EDUCATION AND JOY OF BEING ETERNALLY A PART OF THE SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY FAMILY

SPRING/SUMMER 2022

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To Infinity and Beyond

LAUNCHING INTO REAL-WORLD-READY EDUCATION

BY TONYA LOWENTRITT

Southeastern physics and engineering technology students are blasting into unique real-world-ready experiences thanks to a couple of grants totaling almost $16,000 from LaSPACE— (the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium), LaACES (Louisiana Aerospace Catalyst Experiences for Students), and Senior Design Programs.

Dubbed ROOMIE-4 (Remote Observer Of Many Interesting Events), the first year-long project is a simulated NASA mission taken on by two student teams—one composed of undergraduate physics students and the other engineering technology students. Throughout the course of the year, the students design a balloon payload (scientific instrument) that utilizes sensors for taking temperature, light, pressure and humidity readings at the edge of the atmosphere—around 100,000 feet. The goal is to develop a system that interprets input from multiple sensors and stores the data for analysis upon return of the payload.

Grant Principal Investigator and Professor of Physics Gerard Blanchard said the physics students are measuring the effect of the atmosphere on sunlight and explaining physically the changes that they see, while the engineering technology students are measuring the response of the instruments to physical stresses.

“We are currently in the middle of the project,” Blanchard said. “The students have gone through the design phase and are having that reviewed. Now they are in the building phase, which will be followed by the testing phase, and then operation. We have been doing this in physics for about four years now.”

Starting from scratch with no prior knowledge, Blanchard said the students are first trained in electronics, data acquisition using a microcontroller, data analysis, project management, and reporting. “That takes up the fall semester,” he explained.

“In the spring, they first design their experiment. This results in the preliminary design review report, which is reviewed by the LaACES program management that makes suggestions for improvement. Then they build a prototype of their experiment that results in the critical design review report.

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As part of the project, the team needed to design a suitable housing for the payload that can withstand the extreme temperature and pressure of space, as well as the rigorous turbulence of flight.

“Next up they build and test their actual instrument, which includes a one-day trip to LSU to undergo a mission simulation in a thermal/vacuum chamber,” Blanchard continued. “This results in the flight readiness review that is a go/no go decision for including the team’s experiment on the balloon.

The experiments are then launched by balloon from NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility and returned by parachute, which means they have to track and recover the experiment somewhere in East Texas. Finally, they present the results of their experiment.”

Consisting of members Justin Woodring, Joshua Davies, and Luc Allain from physics, and Bryce Henry, Ethan McMullan, and William Lamonte from engineering technology, the teams have been working collaboratively since August, and they went through training and hands-on practice activities to prepare them to design, fabricate, and program the payload and launch it in May. The engineering technology team presented their work virtually at the University of Louisiana System’s Academic Summit in April.

“In the process of completing this project, team members have developed many useful skills, such as soldering, electronics, SolidWorks, programming, and 3D printing,” explained Assistant Professor of Industrial and Engineering Technology Ahmad Fayed. “The project provides students with experience in working on a team, which they will be able to utilize in their engineering careers.”

“This project has given me a lot of opportunities to implement some of the things I’ve been learning throughout my four years at Southeastern. It is also exciting to be challenged to complete tasks and solve problems using what I’ve learned,” Lamonte said. “This project has taught me to be confident in the things I know and rely on that to solve problems and learn the things I don’t. There have been challenging moments,

but overall it has been enjoyable to have the opportunity.

This project has helped me learn things that hopefully will be beneficial for life after college.”

Blanchard said this is essentially a senior design experience that is standard for engineering programs but that it is an addition to the physics program, and a needed one for 21st century physics education. “The students also must apply the physics theory that they learned to this experience,” he explained. “It is definitely a real-world-ready experience."

The project will enhance the education of physics and engineering technology majors, Blanchard explained. Physics majors will gain valuable experience not provided otherwise in the curricula, such as in electronics, CAD, Earth science, and the engineering design process.

“This project is expected to have wider benefits for the Department of Chemistry and Physics by serving as a spotlight project for recruiting and retention of students in the physics major,” he explained. “Engineering technology students will benefit by being provided with an interesting design project with scientific applications.”

The students, he said, will use the data to calculate the atmospheric transmittance spectrum as a function of altitude.

The solar spectrometer will also be suitable for re-use for experiments during the upcoming North American solar eclipses, he explained.

The second project involves testing 3D materials for space applications and is supervised by Fayed. The team, including student Brandon Cannella, learned the skills of 3D printing and customization using the MakerBot Replicator + printer, as well as applied the American Society of Testing of Materials standards to test the specimens in both tension and impact settings. The work currently being done was started by former student and now Southeastern graduate Zacharie Day, currently a Crane Systems Engineer at TechCrane International, LLC. Cannella recently presented his work at the 96th Louisiana Academy of Science in March and was awarded the best oral presentation for his work. He additionally presented his work at the National Council on Undergraduate Research conference virtually in April.

“During this project, I learned how to utilize testing equipment and apply the engineering standards to measure material properties. I also got experience with professional presentations in which my work was reviewed by others,” Cannella said. “I have more confidence in performing professional testing procedures and presenting my results at professional venues.”

In the past decade, 3D printing has been improving significantly, and the use of 3D printed parts has been extending to more crucial industrial and scientific applications, including space applications, Fayed said.

Investigations of mechanical properties of different 3D printed materials have been done, but they were limited to some aspects and configurations, he explained.

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“There are two types of experiments being used to determine the properties of 3D printed materials. The first is tensile testing, which is accomplished by a machine with two jaws that attempt to pull a specimen apart. Based on the force and elongation, we can determine tensile strength and ductility of the material,” Fayed explained. “The second is impact testing, which uses a large hammer pendulum that breaks notched specimens. The potential energy left after the first swing minus the initial potential energy reveals how much energy was required for breaking, which is an indication of material toughness.”

Cannella said high tensile strength indicates that a material will have higher resistance to pulling forces.

“High impact strength means a material can withstand quick applications of force, or impulse in physics language,” Canella said. “If the materials meet a certain requirement, then they can replace metals.

“In the aerospace industry, weight reduction is a key factor because it allows for lower fuel consumption. Small items, such as springs, screws, buckles, containers, and clamps, can be manufactured out of the PLA (Polylactic acid) materials being tested instead of metal,” Cannella added. “This will reduce costs and production time, which will allow us to launch more spacecraft and, therefore, conduct more research opportunities in our solar system and beyond.”

Acknowledgment: This research was supported in part by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Grant and Cooperative Agreement Number 80NSSC20M0110 through Subaward Agreement PO-0000172372 with the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium (LaSPACE).

Did you KNOW?

by the

numbers

LION ATHLETICS

777 9999 222 33

MEN’S TEAMS Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track & field, outdoor track and field

WOMEN’S TEAMS Basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball

SPIRIT GROUPS Cheerleaders and Lionettes

CONFERENCE TITLES

YEARS IN THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE

ACADEMIC ALLAMERICAN STUDENTATHLETES SINCE 2000

82 25 25 25 3.17 3.17 82 99 223 82 82 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

163 163 SLC HONOR ROLL MEMBERS

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

STUDENT-ATHLETE CUMULATIVE GPA

4290 4290

STUDENT ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS

WILL YOU LEAVE A LEGACY AT SOUTHEASTERN? With a simple gift that costs nothing during your lifetime, you can make a transformational impact.

It can be as easy as including language in your will or trust stating, “I give ten percent of the net value of my estate to the Southeastern Foundation.”

It’s also simple to designate the Southeastern Foundation as the beneficiary of part or all of your IRA, other retirement account or life insurance policy by obtaining a beneficiary designation form from your plan custodian or insurance company.

Leaving a legacy can additionally have significant tax benefits.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the benefits of making a charitable bequest or for sample bequest language to complete your charitable plan, please visit southeasternlegacy.org or call Katherine Rose at 985.549.2239. As a member of our Southeastern community, you can also visit freewill.com/southeastern to create your will for free today.

Lions Connected Providing an Inclusive College Experience for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

BY MINDY GREMILLION

Tucked away within Southeastern’s Cate Teacher Education Center lies one of Southeastern’s hidden gems: Lions Connected. The program helps those who might not otherwise be able to attend college due to certain disabilities break down barriers and thrive in a university setting.

Lions Connected is designed to accommodate students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, and/or those with cognitive disabilities. Currently, there are only six programs like it in the state of Louisiana. Lions Connected is now in its fifth year and is truly blossoming.

This program gives these students the opportunity to have the full college experience, with an emphasis on social and life skills. Each participant has their own schedule that is based on personal interests. This encourages students to grow and maximize their abilities in order to engage in their adult lives.

Individuals with intellectual disabilities are typically underemployed resources. “Being able to have our students engage in employment [not only] gives meaning to their lives, but it also benefits the community,” said Jim Zimlich, director of the Lions Connected program. “They are demonstrating their abilities and not just their disability. They are being productive in their communities in ways that are beyond the income they would earn.”

All Lions Connected students are able to fully engage across the University community. They have access to the Counseling Center, Career Services, Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, and much more. All of these Southeastern resources are readily available to them as part of the program.

Equally important, not only do the individuals who participate in Lions Connected benefit, but traditional students are also able to gain from it. ”We have a lot of collaborative relationships too,” Zimlich said. “We work with the adaptive physical education (PE) courses. Students who are taking the adaptive PE courses can work with our [Lions Connected] students so that they can learn how to effectively adapt the exercises and games that they play to maximize the abilities of those in Lions Connected.”

Also, many Lions Connected participants utilize Southeastern’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic in Campbell Hall. In addition to serving members of the community with communication disorders, including members of Lions Connected, this resource serves communication sciences and disorders students as a teaching facility for the application of clinical methodology based upon sound theoretical principle. The clinic also affords students the opportunity to employ scientific methodology of research to the clinical and supervisory processes. This brings forth interaction between traditional Southeastern students and Lions Connected students for the benefit of both parties. “Being able to communicate effectively helps [Lions Connected students] in adult life to be more productive and engaged in our community and their lives,” Zimlich added.

The support of traditional Southeastern students is indeed one major component of what helps make this program so successful. Lions Connected would not work without mentors, who are the “heart and soul of our program,” Zimlich said.

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Mentors are students at Southeastern who have expressed an interest in working with the program. They work directly with Lions Connected participants, with an average mentor to student ratio of 1:2. Mentors accompany Lions Connected students throughout their time on campus, attending class, going to lunch, and engaging fully in peer-mentoring life and social skills.

“Mentors provide authentic and engaging social experiences.

They also offer support to those who may become overwhelmed to help and motivate the students to be active and engaged in their courses to the maximum extent of their abilities,” said Zimlich.

In addition to being a powerful academic institution and center for learning, Southeastern seeks to serve all within the community, and through Lions Connected, it is able to fill one more niche in doing so. The program helps facilitate more opportunities for participants to have meaningful, productive lives.

“These students are being given such a unique opportunity to gain real life experience in an academic and social setting that will help them exponentially in the future,” said Lions Connected mentor Caroline Garrett. “Society in general does not expect them to succeed and be productive members of society, but this program is helping to prove that wrong. It can be exhausting, but it’s important work that is changing lives.”

A somewhat scientific polling of ALUMNI Do you prefer Coke or Pepsi products?

you know it you said it

What type of event would you rather go to?

ART EXHIBITION OPENING

4.26% SPORTS GAME

THEATRE OR DANCE PERFORMANCE

28.36%

16.67%

COKE

89.86%

CONCERT

24.82%

PEPSI

MOVIE

25.89%

10.14%

Tea or Coffee?

Where was your favorite place to study while attending Southeastern?

10.51%

46.30%

STUDENT UNION

DORM/HOME

COFFEE

62.96%

TEA

37.04%

6.15%

37.04%

LOCAL COFFEE SHOP/ RESTAURANT

LIBRARY

Crunchy or creamy peanut butter?

What is your favorite holiday?

CREAMY

61.73% CRUNCHY

38.27% CHRISTMAS THANKSGIVING

63.80%

21.47%

HALLOWEEN

EASTER

FOURTH OF JULY

6.13%

4.92%

3.68% SPRING/SUMMER 2022

39

giving back

Service in the Swampland EDWARD B. DUFRECHE

BY KATI LEBRETON

Edward “Brent” Dufreche was a life-long resident of Tangipahoa Parish, born in 1922. A true native son of South Louisiana, he spent his formative years exploring swamps with his family. His uncle, who served as game warden before nation-wide logging efforts decimated much of the area in the late 1890s, always claimed the “most beautiful place on Earth was the swamp between Ponchatoula and Manchac before all the cypress trees were cut.” Upon hearing those stories, Brent’s love for South Louisiana took root and only grew stronger for the rest of his storied life.

Brent joined the U.S. Army at 18 and was awarded the Bronze Star during WWII. After he returned to civilian life and his beloved family (wife Ruth and sons Roy and Lucien), Brent set up a law practice in his hometown. He went on to serve the community in many capacities: as city attorney, Hammond City Court judge, and several terms as 21st Judicial District Court judge, to name a few. “The Judge,” as he became known, led with a philanthropic attitude and knack for problemsolving.

“My dad was a visionary, a man far ahead of his time,” said Roy. An example of Brent’s unique vision still stands today—less than five miles away from Southeastern’s campus. In 1954, he helped secure the property that would become home to Seventh Ward General Hospital, which is known today as North Oaks Health System. Many other organizations in the area benefited from his involvement, including the Tangipahoa Parish Library System. Time and time again, Brent proved that he had a unique ability to assess potential and fill the needs of his fellow citizens.

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“My dad just cared about people,” said Lucien. “He wanted to help people as much as he could.”

Over the years, Brent continued to share his love for the Louisiana swamplands. He took his sons on countless fishing and hunting trips.

After retirement, he took up woodworking— fashioning tables and other furniture from the “tidewater red cypress” he’d fallen in love with as a boy.

Surrounded by his loving family, Brent passed away in 2015 at the age of 93. Three years later, Roy and Lucien honored their father in a way that was truly unique to his philanthropic legacy—by donating a 233-acre tract of land in his name to the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station through the Southeastern Foundation.

"The donation of this land to Southeastern and the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station is a remarkable gift to students, faculty, and staff here,” said Dr. Robert Moreau, instructor of biological sciences and director of Turtle Cove.

Dr. Gary Shaffer, wetland ecologist and instructor of biological sciences, will guide students at the site in preserving and protecting South Louisiana’s unique ecosystem through cypress tree reforestation and other environmental studies.

“It checks all of the boxes needed for this sort of work,” said Gary, “including the soil properties; low soil salinity levels; overall habitat potential; and, of course, accessibility.”

Brent’s family is proud that his legacy of generosity, service, and vision will live on at Southeastern—through learning enhanced by the swampland.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022

41

KEEP I N G

class notes

' 87 JOHN EASON is the founder and CEO of Sidewalk Side Spirits and the highly successful Gambino’s King Cake Rum Cream, with over $1 million in sales in only 13 months.

He is also active in serving the community, recently working in conjunction with Tales of the Cocktail in support of bartenders during COVID-19-related closures.

' 90 DON MONI S T E R E is the CEO and president of General Informatics, which is continuing expansion. The company has recently made several successful acquisitions, including Dallas-based private equity company Rosewood Private Investments and Charlotte-based Versiant.

' 00 MARC JONES is a leader in

rooftop solar and energy storage solutions. His company SunPro Solar was recently acquired by ADT, which plans to expand SunPro Solar’s current operations in 22 states to even more markets under the name of ADT Solar, with Jones at the helm as executive vice president.

'00 K ENDAL T UR NE R was appointed executive vice president and CFO for Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).

She has over 15 years of experience in accounting and financial management.

' 03 THOMAS TAYLOR serves as vice president for employee programs and as an advancement consultant for Bank of America in St. Louis, MO. He works to identify and implement process improvement, drive resource allocation and efficiency, and ensure adherence to risk and compliance policies and regulatory standards.

42

'05 SAMANT H A CO K E R was recently appointed chief of human resources officer at Apache Industrial Services. She has over 16 years of work experience in human resources and professional service industries, having previously served as senior director of U.S., Trinidad and Mexico people operations at Worley and director of human resources at Jacobs.

SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

' 97 B R IT TA R A B A L A IS W IL SO N has launched Chosen: a

' 97

Bridal Boutique in Denham Springs, LA, specializing in the transformation of plus size and curvy brides. She is also the Practice Administrator at Bruns Family Dental in Baton Rouge.

B R E E W E AVER, MD, has been elected as the chief of internal medicine at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, IN, and was recently named the Joseph J. Mamlin Scholar in Medicine. She previously served as the medical director of the Eskenazi Health Infectious Diseases Clinic and chief of infectious diseases.

'01

'02 & ' 0 4

P R E STO N SIN G L E TO N is

owner and managing shareholder of Singleton, Clark & Company, PC - CPAs in Austin, TX, an independent audit firm specializing in governmental entities, such as school districts, cities, counties, and other special governmental districts.

'06 & '07 respectively

SH A N N O N A N D SH AW N TO R R E S are co-owners of In-Telecom, founded in 2009. CEO Shawn was recently credited as a leader who gives back in a Forbes article on The Most Influential Teach Leaders of Our Era, and the company has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies.

T IFFA N Y R AUSCH KOL B

has joined the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association staff as director of ticket operations for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. She previously spent 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys organization as a senior event specialist.

'0 8 EBONY BLACKWELL, PHD, is director of the Biology

Academic Success Center at University of California, Davis. With a passion for fitness, she also uses running as a platform to promote positivity among women and runs a blog, livinginthebreeze.com, with her young daughter.

in touch ' 08 K I MBER LY UZEE has been named associate principal of East Ascension High School, where she previously taught English and also served as a coach. She has worked with Ascension Public Schools for over 23 years.

' 11 EB ONY MOR R I S has become a successful attorney, currently practicing in New Orleans at Garrison, Yount, Forte, & Mulcahy, L.L.C. Her practice areas include personal injury, product liability litigation, premise liability litigation, retail and hospitality litigation, and mass tort defense.

' 16 TAN YA CROWE is a professional model and cheerleader for the New Orleans Saintsations. She was named 2021 Miss Louisiana and made the top 16 in this past year’s Miss USA Pageant. She is also actively involved in her family’s fourth generation farming and agriculture businesses.

' 17 ROBY N S I MMONS has been named the new supervisor of child welfare and attendance at East Ascension High. She previously taught at Dutchtown High School and served as a mentor teacher for the instructional leadership team before being appointed assistant principal.

IN ME MOR IAM Former and Current Faculty and Staff Lost in 2021

' 13

'15

C I A R A M A R T I N was appointed as director of annual giving at The Dunham School in Baton Rouge. Prior to her new position, Martin served as a philanthropy officer at Women’s Hospital.

TAYLO R R U B AC H has been selected as a reporter for 2une In on WBRZ in Baton Rouge. Prior to her new position, Rubach worked as a multimedia journalist at KLAX-TV in Alexandria, LA, before becoming an anchor for WXXV-TV in Gulfport, MS.

'19

'19

T YL E R G U ID ROZ was recently

M AT T IE HAW K INS was recently named regional manager for early detection and education at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

appointed as the marketing coordinator for Louisiana’s 1st choice Auto Auction in Hammond. He formerly served as WAFB Television’s marketing producer in Baton Rouge.

WA LTER BA RZ EN IC K

ERMA B AILEY HARP ER

DO LO RES D. P ESEK

DR. MA RGA R ET N . B O LDT

SEN A SIMO N SO N HAW ES

RO B ERT G. " B O B " P R I E Z

ERIC JA MES " J IM" BURNTHORNE, SR.

DR. MARY B. K AAC K

J O HN MIC HAEL " MIK E" Q UARLES

HY MES BUTL ER

PAU L M. MAREK

BRIA N KEV I N C ALMES DR. V I CKIE JO C LAFLIN RONNI E DEVALL DR. JA MES S. DU N N , SR. DR. LA RRY J. FREDERIC K

DR. RO N ALD B. K EN N EDY LAU RA TATAR MELAN CO N

FRAN K S. REST IVO J OYC E SC HLOT T ER SAVOI E

DR. LU K E J O HN MILLER

DR. G. WARREN SMIT H , I I

DR. W ILLIAM G LEN N MO RG AN

C HARLEY B. TAY LO R P HILLIP G. T RAP EN

W ILLIAM EARL " B ILL" N O O N AN , J R.

JAMES E. VARN ADO

SPRING/SUMMER 2022

43

See Yourself ?

COUNTLESS EXPERIENCES. ONE SHARED STORY. Since 1925, people from across our region, country, and even world have made Southeastern their home while working toward fulfilling their dreams. Their own unique experiences are vast, but when combined they also help shape one monumental story of a caring community, determination, and how it is truly possible to achieve anything that can be envisioned. These snapshots provide a brief glimpse into this.

If you know any names or details that correspond with these pictures, please share them by emailing editor@southeastern.edu.

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SOUTHEASTERN MAGAZINE

SPRING 2022

45

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

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PERMIT NO. 51 HAMMOND, LA

Hammond, LA 70402 southeasternfoundation.org

Success: Southeastern was named one of 2021’s best schools in the nation for online programs and courses in advanced practice nursing by edumed.org. It is among only eight percent of colleges and universities across the country to earn a position in these higher education rankings.