Alumni News Summer 2012

ALUMNI NEWS

Summer 2012

• SB D C c i te d w i th re g i o n a l aw a rd • B l o o m b e r g l a b o p e n s fo r b u s i n e s s • R e m e m b e r i n g a So u th e a st e r n l e g e n d • Co m m e n c e m e n t 2 0 1 2

Alumni

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Southeastern Louisiana University Dr. John L. Crain ’82, ’84 President Dr. Tammy Bourg Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs Sam Domiano, Jr. ’95 Interim Vice President, Administration & Finance Dr. Marvin L. Yates Vice President, Student Affairs Wendy Johns Lauderdale ’93 Vice President, University Advancement Alumni Association Kathy Locascio Pittman ’71 Director Gayle Neal ’74 President Dick Covington ’71 President-elect Emily McNeely ’02 Secretary Amy Verbene ’99, ’01 Treasurer Board Members Wayne Booker ’85 John Watson ‘82 Cindy Faller ’73 Sally Carlisle ’02 Daryl Ferrara ’92 April Field ’10 Dick Whitson ’71 Stephanie Kropog ’86 Tony Licciardi ’93 Josie Mercante ’69, ’74 The Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni News, published four times annually by the Association, was entered as third-class matter, May 9, 1949, at the Post Office in Hammond, LA, under the amended act of June 11, 1934. The office of publication is Hammond, LA 70402. Annual dues of $30 include subscription to Southeastern Alumni News.

Produced and edited by the Southeastern Louisiana University Office of Public Information.

cover EMBA Director and Associate Professor of Finance John Cresson observes senior Toni Bonura of Madisonville as she works at a Bloomberg terminal in a new, highly specialized computer laboratory in the College of Business.

The new lab gives business students a competitive edge by exposing them to one of the modern tools used in business today.

A message from President John L. Crain With another academic year behind us, Southeastern is now focused on the upcoming fall semester with the anticipation of another exciting but challenging year. This fall will see the implementation of additional admission standards with a focus on enrolling students who are well prepared to meet the demands of today’s higher education curricula.

In spite of decreasing state support, the university continues to focus on the strength of our academic programs and success of our students. As illustrated in this issue of Alumni News, a new computer laboratory equipped with highly sophisticated Bloomberg terminals has opened in the College of Business. This enhancement was funded by self-generated revenues from our EMBA program and a grant from the Student Government Association. It is one of the many creative uses of our limited resources that we are employing to provide our students with access to the latest technological infrastructure.

Southeastern prides itself on the judicious use of its resources, always giving priority to what will best help our students be successful. In the past four years, however, after a cumulative reduction of approximately $40 million in state allocations, Southeastern — along with all of public higher education in Louisiana — faces increasing challenges associated with limited funding. Even annual tuition increases fail to close the gap left by the cumulative reductions in state support.

While we appreciate the support we receive from our alumni and friends, our alumni participation needs to be stronger. We urge you to recruit your fellow alumni and colleagues in discovering what Southeastern offers and provides, not just for our students, but for our area communities as well. Now, more than ever, we need that support.

A message from your Alumni president I had the opportunity to participate in the Southeastern Spring Commencement exercise, where 1,200 new graduates celebrated a milestone of achievement. This group will join approximately 60,000 proud alumni. It is so gratifying each year to read in the Alumni News the accomplishments of so many Southeastern alumni. I’m certain that this new group of graduates will have many achievements to report and will receive many accolades as they begin very exciting career paths. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated facGayle Neal ’74 ulty and staff at Southeastern to facilitate this career process. Each graduating class produces outstanding contributors and leaders on the state, local and national levels. These accomplishments can be attributed to the foundation they have received at Southeastern.

The Alumni Association has just completed a membership drive in May. Considerable planning, time and effort have gone into increasing the membership and the involvement of our dedicated alumni with the university. The board is committed to building and maintaining a strong and active Alumni Association. We have called on you many times in the past, and you have always supported the Southeastern cause. Our mission states that the association is to preserve the bonds of friendship existing among Southeastern’s former students. I encourage each of you to assist the Alumni Association in getting our graduates involved in supporting the efforts of this campaign.

In closing, as my term as president comes to an end, I have been honored to serve in this capacity. It has been an exciting year with many activities and alumni events. I have had the opportunity to meet numerous Southeastern alumni and make many new friends within the Southeastern family. Again, I express my gratitude to the Association, our Alumni Board and especially our Alumni Association staff. You all have been great in offering your support. Thank you for a memorable year.

Bloomberg Lab

The new lab — which includes licenses and computers — was financed with self-generated funds by growing enrollments in the EMBA program, as well as a grant from the Southeastern Student Government Association.

The look and feel of a Bloomberg keyboard is similar to a standard computer keyboard, with the addition of several yellow “hot keys” that identify market sectors, such as government securities, money markets, preferred and equity shares, commodity markets and currency markets. The terminal functions as an application in the Windows environment.

While Bloomberg is known primarily in the financial world, it’s not just used for finance. It’s also used for business.

Giving students a competitive edge in the real world

When most people think of a laboratory, images of test tubes and beakers come to mind. However, a different kind of lab was recently installed at Southeastern — one with special computer terminals linked to immediate stock quotes and related data needed for intense business analysis.

It’s the same kind of equipment and access to data that high powered stock brokers are using to analyze fast moving markets, explained John Cresson, associate professor of finance.

“It’s all about the students separating themselves from the competition,” said Cresson, who is the director of Southeastern’s Executive MBA program. “They can use this system for their projects — where they get real-time, up-to-the-minute data — or they can use the Internet, which is what was being used 15 years ago.”

The new lab, located in a reconfigured portion in the College of Business’ Garrett Hall, features 11 terminals that link to the Bloomberg Professional Service, a global provider of 24-hour financial news and information, real time and historic price data, financials data, trading news and analysis, and general news. Bloomberg services also offer analytic tools that are typically used by financial specialists.

The lab, according to Cresson, gives Southeastern students valuable experience in working with one of the high-tech tools of the modern financial world.

“At a recent conference in New York, participants using Bloomberg Professional Service noted how it helps separate them from other schools of business,” Cresson said. “With our smaller class sizes, our students are getting more opportunities to work on these specialized terminals.”

“It allows the students to put into practice what we teach in the classroom.”

“There is supply chain management information, economics, accounting, and statistical data. Students can research a company they may be interested in working for in the future,” Cresson said.

“Bloomberg has in-house analysts. It’s not a substitute for finance; it compliments it. It allows the students to take theory and put it into practice. We don’t have to make up numbers or give them cases that happened five years ago. It’s all current information. It allows the students to put into practice what we teach in the classroom.”

Southeastern MBA student and Bloomberg lab graduate assistant Wayne Crawford couldn’t agree more.

“This is a great way for students to gain an advantage,” he said.

“The students who use the Bloomberg lab for projects or research and dedicate the extra time are definitely gaining an advantage.”

Senior Vernon Blackledge of Covington, right, works at one of the new Bloomberg terminals as EMBA Director John Cresson advises.

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Business center honored as one of the best in the nation

It’s official: the Louisiana Small Business Development Center

the Southeastern group of experienced business consultants.

It is the second time the center received the top state award and its first regional award.

Southeastern President John L. Crain said the university is proud of the center’s recognition.

“The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern has a long history of providing vital consulting services to individuals and organizations planning business start-ups or expansions,” said Crain.

“The Northshore area is the fastest growing region in the state, and the SBDC, along with the services provided through the university’s Southeast Louisiana Business Center, has created an environ-

at Southeastern is now considered one of the best in the nation.

The center was recognized in May at a reception in the Governor’s Mansion with the SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award, given annually to the program that demonstrates excellence in improving value to small businesses and advancing program delivery and management through innovation.

That places it among the top such centers in Louisiana and the five-state SBDC Region VI, which also includes Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico.

After being named the top center of the year out of 10 centers in the state, the Southeastern SBDC was nominated for the SBA regional award.

“This is a well-deserved recognition of the entire team and exceptional work with small businesses and entrepreneurs in southeast Louisiana,” said LSBDC State Director Mary Lynn Wilkerson.

She said the center’s productivity, professionalism and dedication to entrepreneurship have been noted by the community, clients, resource partners, media and many others who have worked with

Above: The Southeastern Louisiana University Small Business Development Center was recognized with the SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award. Serving on the Southeastern team are, from left, Ginger Cangelosi, business continuity consultant; Scott Uffman, sales consultant; Director William Joubert; Wayne Ricks, senior business consultant; Steven Baham, business consultant; and Assistant Director Sandy Summers.

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ment that facilitates fast service to clients,” he added. “The efforts of this team, with strong university support, have resulted in a model of private-university-public partnership that is proving to be highly successful in helping develop the economic potential of the region.”

“We hired some great people, and they have done great work,” said Southeastern SBDC Director William Joubert. “This award is about our entire staff, the university and the LSBDC State Office all working together to better serve the business community and other Small Business Development Centers.”

In addition to Joubert, other staff members recognized at the award ceremony were Assistant Director Sandy Summers and consultants Wayne Ricks, Steven Baham, Ginger Cangelosi and Scott Uffman.

The SBDC at Southeastern has been at the helm of economic development on the North Shore for more than 10 years. In 2001, Joubert proposed the university adopt an innovative plan to create a one-stop shop for regional economic development, with the SBDC as the linchpin. That vision became a reality in 2003

SBDC

by the numbers

Since 2008, the Southeastern SBDC has: • served more than 1,760 clients • trained more than 4,200 individuals • helped clients create 2,027 jobs and

save 612 • secured more than $217 million in

capital • helped start 108 new businesses • aided businesses in increasing sales

by $100 million.

with the opening of the Southeast Louisiana Business Center. Located in its own building near the campus, the center houses the SBDC, a business incubator, the Business Research Center and various economic development organizations.

The center serves the five-parish region of Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.

Envoc’s national reputation grows with assistance from Business Center A computer applications operation in Southeastern’s business incubator is gaining national attention for its development of a new product that allows businesses to create customized mobile apps with ease.

Envoc, a Louisiana-based company that specializes in creating customized software and applications unique to individual businesses, is growing its business through the development of a product called “AppMelt.” The company moved to Louisiana from Houston in 2001 and joined the business incubator, housed in the Southeast Louisiana Business Center, in 2010.

With customers ranging from oil and gas companies to a 44,000-acre deer ranch, Envoc has become so successful that Geeknet — the online Microsoft network that provides content and news for 53 million tech-savvy users each month — interviewed Envoc founder Calvin Fabre for a website posting.

“AppMelt came about because companies want to extend their brand into the mobile space,” said Fabre. “AppMelt is a place where graphic designers can easily assemble a mobile app for iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile without the need of a programmer. It takes care of everything, including servers, firewalls, databases, and backup.”

Fabre credits Southeastern with providing him the environment that has helped Envoc grow and achieve success.

“The entrepreneurial side of Envoc needed a place to launch its ideas. As a graduate of Southeastern, I knew there was passion for programming here,” he said. “When Southeastern offered us the ability to come into an incubator environment – where we have access to development resources, business coaches, and people who hold us accountable for our marketing goals – we applied to be a part of the incubator and were approved.”

“The incubator provides us with space and other amenities at a low cost,” he added. “It’s a great environment with access to college professors and to the talent of the university, including excellent student workers who we’ve hired and who are gaining valuable experience working for us. We see that as a great jump start to our entrepreneurial work.”

“Companies like Envoc are exactly what Louisiana is hoping to build and retain, as the reputation for the expanding ‘Silicon Bayou’ starts to take hold in the nation,” said William Joubert, director of the business center. “Digital media and software development are important business sectors that Louisiana Economic Development is working hard to entice.”

“The Small Business Development Center brought to light key factors we did not consider in our business decisions,” Fabre said. “Their input has been critical to the expansion and success of our business.”

Envoc founder Calvin Fabre is interviewed at the Southeast Louisiana Business Center by Chris Yeich, director of strategic content for Geeknet, an online Microsoft network that provides news and content to millions of tech-savvy users.

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A Legend Remembered “Ned McGehee Drive” dedicated in Friendship Circle

One of the legends of Southeastern athletics — the late Edward L. “Ned” McGehee — was recognized for his contributions to the university and the community when Western Avenue that runs through the university’s Friendship Circle was dedicated as “Ned McGehee Drive” in April.

As members of the extended family surrounded the covered street sign, McGehee’s great granddaughter Darby Maurin pulled the gold cord to unveil the sign as a crowd of friends from the community and the university watched and applauded.

“Ned McGehee has to be considered one of the true legends of the Southeastern athletics program,” said Professor Emeritus of History C. Howard Nichols, who told stories about the honoree’s life. “He held so many positions at Southeastern and had such a strong, positive influence on so many young people over the years.

It’s appropriate that he be recognized in this way.”

“What an iconic figure in Southeastern’s history that we honor here today,” said President John L. Crain. “He was indeed a great man, and we are honored to recognize him this way.”

The nephew of one of Southeastern’s founding fathers, Dr. Lucius McGehee, he was a graduate of Hammond High and Tulane University, where he played quarterback on the Green Wave team. McGehee would later earn a master’s degree in physical education at LSU. He joined the Southeastern staff in 1934 as a trainer and assistant football coach. He was named head football coach in 1946, leading one of Southeastern’s strongest teams to an undefeated 9-0 season and a win in the Burley Bowl.

“This was a time when veterans flocked to the campus on the G.I. Bill,” Nichols said. He recalled McGehee’s comments about that first team: “They were a mature ball club. We had some 26-year-olds and most of them veterans of the war. We didn’t have any trouble getting

them ready for the season. The came back ready to play.”

McGehee served as Athletics Director from 1951 to 1971, while continuing to coach teams in tennis and golf. During his tenure at Southeastern, he coached football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis and golf.

“Southeastern had a very small faculty then, so my father also would teach other subjects when he was needed,” recalled one of McGehee’s daughters, Gurley McGehee Maurin of Hammond. “As head football coach, he took responsibility for nearly everything: mowing the grass on the field, mending and washing uniforms, and preparing the field for games.”

Maurin said her grandfather, Dr. Ed McGehee, discouraged his son from following in his footsteps as a physician.

“My grandfather convinced my dad that the life of a country doctor was not easy, and you often had to accept payment in the form of sweet potatoes or venison,” Maurin said. “And my father saw this first hand; he often rode ‘shotgun’ on his dad’s buggy when house calls were being made to protect against thieves looking for the doctor’s drugs.”

McGehee IV would ride in shows; bred all kinds of birds, including quail, pheasant and parakeets; and cultivated an interest in grafting various species of camellias at the LSU Research Station in Hammond and in the yard of his Hammond home.

At the ceremony, Vice President for Advancement Wendy Lauderdale praised Gurley Maurin, also a graduate of Southeastern, for her years of service as an educator, a real estate developer and entrepreneur and for her philanthropy to Southeastern.

“Ms. Gurley is a true philanthropist; she has chosen to establish a legacy in honor of her father,” she said. “In doing so, she is shaping the future for Southeastern students for generations to come.”

He had such a strong, positive influence on so many young people…

In addition to his work at Southeastern, McGehee was active in the community, forming Hammond’s first Little League, Pony League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball teams. He organized the area’s first Boy Scout troop and volunteered for the American Red Cross for more than 55 years, teaching swimming, water safety, and first aid. A pilot with his own airplane, he was one of the founders of the area’s Civil Air Patrol. Before veterinarians became established in Hammond, he would vaccinate animals for free at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Thomas Street.

He was a self-taught taxidermist, turning his skills into a successful business; raised Tennessee Walking horses that his son Edward

Above: A “life-sized” photo of the late Edward L. “Ned” McGehee was on display in the Strawberry Stadium Victory Club, where a reception was held in honor of the McGehee family. Pictured from left are President John L. Crain, Ned McGehee’s daughters Rosamond McGehee Posey and Gurley McGehee Maurin, and Professor Emeritus of History C. Howard Nichols.

Below: Members of the Ned McGehee family, along with President John L. Crain and Vice President for University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale, center, unveil the new street sign, “Ned McGehee Drive,” at the dedication in Friendship Circle.

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COMMENCEMENT Students urged to do what they love Urging students to do what they love in life, Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler told approximately 1,200 Southeastern graduates at their spring commencement to be open to the thrill of discovery.

“Satisfaction comes with doing your best with passion and enjoying it,” Schedler told the students and their families assembled in the University Center for Southeastern’s 87th commencement.

“Love what you do, no matter what it is,” he said. “Make yourself proud at the end of the day, and be the best in your field of work.”

Noting that studies indicate most college graduates will have a minimum of five or more careers in their lives, he told the graduates to think outside of the box and not be afraid to venture into unfamiliar waters.

“Life has a way of directing you in spite of yourself,” said Schedler, a former Louisiana Senator for 12 years. “Right now some of you may know exactly what you want to do; some of you may feel like drifting ships. But you walk out of here with the tools to face your future. The most important part of your life remains ahead of you.

“You are our future leaders, and you have the power to surmount obstacles that will bring forth more strength and creativity than you knew you had in you,” he added.

Quoting author Mark Twain, Schedler told the assembly: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

In opening remarks, Southeastern President John L. Crain noted that the class included more than 400 men and nearly 800 women, receiving 16 different degrees. Eighteen international graduates from 15 countries received degrees, and 128 graduates represented different states in the country.

Among the graduates were 13 students who received the President’s Medal for Academic Excellence, the university’s highest academic honor: • Donald L. Bastoe – accounting major from Slidell who plans to sit for the CPA exam; • Ryan A. Bermudez – kinesiology major from Slidell who has been

accepted into the physical therapy school at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans; • Elyse Marie Bond – computer science major from Covington who has applied to graduate school at Purdue University; • Mary Elizabeth Cristina – elementary education major from New Orleans who is currently seeking a teaching position; • Natalie Dodds – marketing major from Franklinton who plans to pursue an MBA at Southeastern; • Nicholas Jake Foto Jr. – biological sciences major from Covington who will begin LSU Medical School in August; • Larissa J. Graves – accounting major from Ponchatoula who plans to pursue an MBA with a concentration in accounting at Southeastern; • Devan L. Gray – accounting major from Ponchatoula who plans to attend graduate school at Southeastern in the fall; • Katelyn E. Kelley – accounting major from Covington who will continue her internship at a CPA firm in Metairie and begin working toward her master’s degree; • Stephen T. Pfeil – history major from Hammond who intends to pursue a master’s degree in film directing at the University of Southern California; • Chelsea Scarpuzzi – psychology major from Chalmette who plans to pursue a master’s degree at Southeastern; • Mary Tate – English major from Franklinton who will attend Loyola Law School; • Angela Mae Threeton – communication sciences & disorders major from Hammond who plans to attend graduate school at Southeastern.

Above, left: Southeastern awarded its highest academic honor, the President’s Medal for Academic Excellence, to 13 students with the highest cumulative grade point averages in the university’s five colleges. Pictured on the front row, from left, are: Angela Threeton, Mary Cristina, Donald Bastoe, Devan Gray, Larissa Graves and Katelyn Kelley; back row, from left: Natalie Dodds, Nicholas Foto Jr., Stephen Pfeil, Ryan Bermudez, Chelsea Scarpuzzi, Elyse Bond and Mary Tate.

Above, right: Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler

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CAMPUS NEWS Web-based tool developed to aid agencies seeking student, faculty service Community agencies in the area are being offered a free web-based database designed by a Southeastern business instructor to link organizations with student groups willing to volunteer and faculty initiating service-learning projects.

The Community Development Collaboration Service was developed by Minh Huynh, associate professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, along with the assistance of several student assistants: MBA student Nilesh Chitrakar and computer science major Arjun Sharma, both of Hammond, and recent MBA graduate Oliver Escheverry of Katy, Tex. Huynh said CDCS was developed from open source software. Its goal is to serve as a web portal providing information on the resources and needs within the community. Non-profit organizations can use it to create their web presence, as well as to advertise their specific needs for students and organizations looking to volunteer their services.

He said the database is ideal for faculty who look for local organizations to serve as partners in service-learning projects in their classes.

“Students can also use it to seek needs within the community,” he said. “This can help them in making choices about involvement in possible service-learning activities or civic engagement work tied to courses they may be taking.”

The CDCS can be accessed at http://cob.cdcs. southeastern.edu/.

TURF FACELIFT – Workers this spring applied new artificial turf to the field in Strawberry Stadium. The $525,000 project, which included removal of the existing turf and track and installation of new turf, is being funded by the Lion Athletics Association. The new turf was used for one year in the 2010 season in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome by the New Orleans Saints. Southeastern was able to get the professional quality turf at a greatly discounted price. It is the first turf upgrade since football was returned to the university in 2003.

GOLDEN SILENCE – Southeastern's Alumni Association sponsored its annual Golden Silence ceremony in April at the Student Union Park to honor deceased members of the Southeastern “family” — faculty, staff, students and alumni who died during the past year. Southeastern freshman Tayler Bastian of Slidell, left, lights the candle of Cynthia Barksdale of Livingston, who attended the ceremony in remembrance of her deceased husband Kenneth Barksdale, a graduate of Southeastern who died in January.

UL System releases Beyond Economic Impact

EXAM STRESS RELIEF - Students Kristen Shelton of Gonzales and Stephen Rutherford of Covington play with Bowie, a rescue dog brought to the campus in May by the St. Tammany Humane Society to provide some exam time stress relief. “Puppy Therapy” was sponsored by the Sims Memorial Library and successfully helped students de-stress with some furry friends.

The University of Louisiana System has released Beyond Economic Impact, a companion publication to its economic and community impact report. The electronic publication features, profiles of faculty members, service-learning activities, and a look at days in the lives of faculty.

An independent study showed that UL System schools have a $3.5 billion annual economic impact, said UL System President Randy Moffett. The publication extends that work by spotlighting the power behind that economic impact: committed and talented faculty and staff, he said.

Beyond Economic Impact was created collaboratively with the nine UL System universities with a special section devoted to each institution. Southeastern’s section includes features on David Norwood, associate professor of physics; Suzette Bryan, associate professor of communication, and Ed Gautier, director of purchasing and Special Olympics Summer Games chairman.

To view Beyond Economic Impact, visit www.ulsystem.edu/BeyondEconomicImpact.

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS DOMIANO TO SERVE AS INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT

Carruth named dean of Nursing & Health Sciences

Sam Domiano has been appointed interim vice president for Administration and Finance while a search is conducted to fill the vice president position recently vacated by Stephen Smith, who retired from the university after 35 years. Domiano previously served as assistant vice president for operations.

A member of the staff since 1995, most recently as Assistant Vice President for Operations in the Division of Administration and Finance, he has supervised the Budget Office, the University Center, Safety and Hazardous Waste Management, as well as all Auxiliary Operations of the university.

He is a graduate of Southeastern with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and an MBA. He has held several supervisory positions, including Director of New Student Enrollment and Student Aid, Associate Director of Auxiliary Services and Director of Career Development Services.

Ann Carruth, who has served on the Southeastern College of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty since 1990, has been named dean of the college. Carruth had been serving as interim dean of the college since January 2011. A professor of nursing since 2002, she has also served as graduate coordinator for the School of Nursing.

“Dr. Carruth is highly respected by her colleagues and in the healthcare community in general,” said President John L. Crain. “Over the years, she has developed a significant body of scholarly work and has received a number of grants related to various healthcare issues.”

A graduate of Southeastern with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, Carruth earned a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and doctor of nursing science degree from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including being named a “Top Nurse” in 2011 by the Tangipahoa District Nurses Association. In 2003, she was the recipient of Southeastern’s President’s Award for Excellence in Research and a Nightingale Award as the Outstanding Nurse Researcher by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation.

The author of numerous nursing and scientific publications, she serves on the board of the North Oaks Health System Rehabilitation System and the Northshore Healthcare Alliance. She is also a member of the board of the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences enrolls more than 2,850 students in the areas of nursing, kinesiology and health studies, and communication sciences and disorders.

SHERMAN’S NOVEL IS RANKED IN ‘COUNTRY NOIR’ LISTING

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC LIBRARIAN AWARD PRESENTED BY LLA TO STAHR

FISCHETTI ELECTED TO HEAD EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH CONSORTIUM

Welcome to the Fallen Paradise, a novel by Southeastern author Dayne Sherman, has been listed in the 16th annual “Hard-Boiled Gazetteer to Country Noir” by the American Library Association’s Booklist magazine.

Sherman is the only Louisiana writer on the list of 23 authors in the United States.

County Noir is generally recognized as a style of fast paced crime fiction characterized by high intensity and emotion usually set in a rural environment.

The novel was previously named a Best Crime Novel Debut of the Year by Booklist and a Best Debut by the New Orleans Times Picayune.

Welcome to the Fallen Paradise, published in 2004, is the story of a young man’s return to his hometown in fictional Baxter Parish, Louisiana, after serving 12 years in the military.

The move home leads to confrontations with a variety of shadowy figures.

Sherman is an associate professor and coordinator of user education in Southeastern’s Sims Memorial Library. A graduate of Southeastern and LSU, he has published numerous book reviews, essays, columns and short stories.

Beth Stahr, head of reference at Sims Memorial Library, was the recipient of the 2012 Louisiana Library Association’s Outstanding Academic Librarian Award.

The award is given to one who has made contributions to further the development of academic librarianship in the state. Stahr was recognized for her involvement in library organizations, her record of professional articles and presentations and her teaching experience.

Stahr is a member of several organizations, including the American Library Association and the American College and Research Libraries Association.

John Fischetti, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, has been named presidentelect of the Consortium for Research on Educational Accountability and Teacher Evaluation (CREATE).

He will assume the position in October at the organization's national conference. He has been a member of CREATE since 2001 and has served on its board for four years.

The consortium was formed to advance the field of educational evaluation and is focused on improving student learning, development and achievement in pre-K through 12 schools, higher education institutions and other educational settings.

“The importance of effective teacher and leadership evaluation methods has never been more evident. Not only in Louisiana are these efforts ‘real time,’ but across the country and globe as well,” Fischetti said.

“CREATE has a long history as the leading think tank and scholarly hub for issues of teacher effectiveness and building and disseminating appropriate evaluation tools.

The appointment is an honor for me and for our college.”

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McGRAW ELECTED TO BOARD OF PERMAFROST ASSOCIATION Molly McGraw, associate professor of geography at Southeastern, was named to the board of directors of the U.S. Permafrost Association (USPA).

McGraw had been conducting geomorphologic research in the Colville River delta located in the Alaskan arctic with LSU Professor Jesse Walker of LSU for over a decade.

The USPA is focused on scientific and engineering research of permafrost, permanently

STUDENT NEWS frozen ground, in both the U.S and abroad.

Permafrost is found in higher latitudes and higher elevations worldwide and is at the forefront of climate change and global warming. Headquartered in Fairbanks, Alaska, the organization includes scientists, engineers and students.

SOUTHEASTERN BIOLOGIST TO HEAD INTERNATIONAL SEA TURTLE GROUP A Southeastern biologist has been named president-elect of the International Sea Turtle Society.

Roldán Valverde, associate professor of biology, has served on the board of the organization for two years and as a member for more than 20. As president-elect, he will be a primary organizer of the ISTS Symposium to be held in New Orleans in April 2014. It is the first time the organization is meeting in New Orleans.

The organization is comprised of more than 1,200 scientists and others linked by their interest in sea turtle biology and conservation.

“ISTS is a very diverse organization, representing various cultures, national origins, professions and organizations,” he said. “We are united in our vision of the importance sea turtles play in our environment and are dedicated to preserving their habitats and improving conservation measures for these endangered species.”

A member of the Southeastern faculty since 2004, Valverde has worked for the Caribbean Conservation Corp. — now the Sea Turtle Conservancy — as a field leader of the green sea turtle tagging project in Costa Rica, the oldest sea turtle project in the world. He has led tropical ecology and sea turtle study-abroad courses to Costa Rica. His lab at Southeastern fosters international collaborative programs, especially with Latin American institutions.

BOUND FOR JAPAN – Four Southeastern science students will have the opportunity of a lifetime when they travel this summer to Japan for seven weeks of research with scientists at Tokyo Denki University. Funded by a National Science Foundation grant, the students will be conducting materials science research. Pictured from left, are: Professor of Physics Sanichiro Yoshida, students David Strickland Jr., Justin Wright, Brittany Williamson, Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry William Parkinson, and student Lauryn Winstead. All of the students are from Covington.

COMMUNITY SERVICE – Sophomore history major Kegan Hayes of Baton Rouge, left, and sophomore sport management major Blake Borgstede of Metairie help clear a site in a house scheduled for demolition. Approximately 800 Southeastern students assembled April 21 to perform community service activities for area non-profit organizations as part of The Big Event sponsored by the Student Government Association. The students represented 25 organizations and teams and worked at over 50 area jobs sites.

Lions Roar students honored at LPA Several students were recognized by the Louisiana Press Association for their work on the student newspaper, The Lion’s Roar.

Michael Dinino of Prairieville swept all three prizes awarded for his advertising design work in the Staff Generated-Black and White category, as well as first place in the Staff Generated-Color category. Nick BeJeaux of Denham Springs, editor in chief, claimed first place in the Best News Photo category; Katelyn Robillard of Brusly took third place in the Best Feature Photo category; and Christopher Martin of Albany took second place for Most Effective Use of Graphic Design on a Single Page. In addition to the student awards, The Lion’s Roar placed second in General Excellence.

Social Work student secures aid for program Senior social work student Brittany Boudreaux of Mandeville helped secure $80,000 in aid for Southeast Advocates for Family Empowerment (SAFE), a local non-profit organization that works to combat domestic violence.

Boudreaux was working as an intern at SAFE and created a PowerPoint presentation outlining domestic violence and the evidence-based program, Safe Date.

Heidi Kulkin, Southeastern Social Work Program coordinator, commented: “Brittany exemplifies what we strive to impart in our students – the value of service and the promotion of optimal social functioning in and for our region. During her internship at SAFE, she has certainly contributed to the surrounding community by helping to secure a grant that will positively affect our youth.”

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ALUMNI FEATURE

Mark Whitehead making the right call

Southeastern alumnus Mark Whitehead referees the Kentucky-Kansas game in the NCAA’s Final Four basketball championships held this year in New Orleans. Pictured alongside him is Kansas Coach Bill Self.

When alumnus Mark Whitehead was deciding where to pursue his college education, he made the call to attend Southeastern.

“There were many reasons for choosing Southeastern,” he said. “I loved the atmosphere and the people, the class sizes, the quality of education, and the convenience to home.”

During his tenure at Southeastern, Whitehead learned invaluable leadership skills through an on-campus job as a resident assistant and different university groups, such as his fraternity, Theta Xi, and the Student Government Association.

opened Whitehead Travel Service in his hometown of Denham Springs. During that time, Whitehead also officiated various basketball games, something he has done since his father encouraged him at the age of 15.

To devote full time to college basketball officiating, Whitehead sold the travel agency in 2006. He now works in seven different Division I conferences and officiates between 80 and 85 games a year.

In April he was selected to work his third NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, this one in New Orleans.

“What a blessing to be chosen for the championship game played only 90 minutes from home,” he said. “Officiating in front of 70,000 fans and hundreds of millions of TV viewers can be overwhelming, but my wife Terri and my son Matthew had great seats from which to cheer me on. Having family, friends and my peers calling me for several days with congratulations was a humbling experience.

“As officials, we know there is never a perfect game, but we strive to be consistent and fair. Hopefully, when the game was over and fans were leaving the Superdome, no one remembered who the referees were.”

An honor graduate, Whitehead credits Southeastern with providing him the opportunity and skills to develop and grow.

“Southeastern has been an integral part of my life. I arrived in 1978 not knowing what my future held,” he said. “My college years at Southeastern were amazing, and I only wish I were 30 years younger and could do it all again.”

Southeastern has been an integral part of my life ... I loved the atmosphere and the people.

“Working on campus afforded me an opportunity to meet many students and also develop leadership and communication skills,” he said. “Joining Theta Xi Fraternity gave me many life-long friends and later, being elected president, gave me life skills and helped prepare me to open my own business.”

An active participant in Theta Xi's Championship Intramural Sports activities, Whitehead graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1982 and immediately returned to Southeastern to pursue his MBA, which he earned in 1984. Shortly thereafter in 1985, he

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KEEPING IN TOUCH ’63 Rev. Leland Hogan was honored in May with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss. He has served as pastor for the Carterville Baptist Church in Petal, Miss., for 43 years and has led 31 medical mission teams to Honduras and Nicaragua.

’76 Elsie Burkhalter of Slidell is the recipient of the 2012 Trailblazer-Next Generation Award given by the Ministerial Alliance of Greater St. Tammany. She is only the second woman to receive the award.

’70 Martin Needom of Slidell recently had his sculptures displayed at the Oak Street Gallery in Hammond. At the Slidell Mixed Media show earlier in the year, he was given an Award of Distinction.

’76 David Kimball of Lake Charles has been promoted to Chief Felony Prosecuter in the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office. A history graduate at Southeastern, he earned his law degree from LSU School of Law and began working with the Calcasieu office in 1981.

’71 Lydie Finley Vick of Brandon, Miss., is working as a ministry assistant at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss. ’72 Philip Groce of Macon, Ga., has celebrated the 20th anniversary of his company, HPS, which stands for Helping Planetariums Succeed. In his business, he has worked with more than five dozen planetariums throughout the world.

’87 Alan Stevens of Belton, Tex., has been named by Texas Gov. Rick Perry as a member of the board of directors of the Texas Institute of Health Care Quality and Efficiency. He is the director of Scott

Alumnus named ‘Best Warrior’ in grueling Army competition

Photo: U.S. Army Reserve

Southeastern alumnus Miguel Larrea of Slidell proved he is among the best in the U.S. Army Reserve this spring after winning a grueling 10-day competition against medic Reserve soldiers from around the country.

A combat medic with the 7232nd Medical Support Unit from New Orleans, Spec. Larrea beat out several competitors to be named “Best Warrior” in the competition held at Camp Blanding and Pinellas Park, Fla. He is a 2011 graduate of Southeastern, earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science.

The competition taxed each soldier’s mental and physical mettle, as the event is designed to demonstrate how individuals can do more than they think they can.

“Competition drives excellence,” said Larrea, who works as a performance coach at Parisi Speed School in Slidell. “This competition gives me a chance to demonstrate that I live by the Warrior Ethos.”

Participants had to complete numerous events that were scored on time or accuracy including an obstacle course, rappelling towers, weapons qualifications, hand-to-hand combat, a written essay, and other challenges. In all, the soldiers ran about 20 miles in a two-day period, packing more than 50 pounds of gear on their backs while wearing a 40-pound bulletproof vest.

“The ruck march was the hardest part,” Larrea said. “It’s all about overcoming obstacles and being resilient.”

He will compete in the national Army Reserve competition in July at Fort McCoy, Wis.

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and White Healthcare’s Center for Applied Health Research and a professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine at Temple. ’87 Richard Wales was recently promoted to supervisor of operations at Mexichem Fluor, Inc., a chemical plant in St. Gabriel, La., where he has worked since 1992. ’88 Ronald A. Gitz, CPA, of Covington, La., has been appointed executive director of the Society of Louisiana CPAs. A partner in the Covington firm of Reagan, Reagan & Gitz, he began his career with companies such as Graham Resources and the Laitrim Corp. The organization represents over 6,300 certified public accountants. ’90, ’98 Chanda Rigby has been named head women’s basketball coach at Troy University in Troy, Ala., after completing her seventh season at Pensacola State College where she led her teams to a combined 64-6 record over the last two seasons. She has won 16 Coach of the Year awards at the conference, district, regional, and state levels, ’95 Nicole Weber, a first grade teacher at New Sarpy Elementary School, has earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, earning recognition among the nation’s top educators. She earned certification as an early childhood generalist.

She also serves as the school’s technology site coordinator and School Improvement chairwoman. ’98 Kevin P. Johnson of Metairie, La., is an independent comic book artist and graphic designer. He will soon publish “The Adventures of the Golden Cape,” featuring the main characters of his earlier work, “Strange City Heroes.” ’05, ’06 Josh Taylor has been appointed city planner for the Hammond City Department of Planning. A native of Denham Springs, he previously worked as the Livingston Parish Planning Director for several years. He played on the Southeastern football team from 2003 to 2005.

ALUMNI NEWS ’07 Anthony Adams, a teacher and coach at Lakeshore High School in Mandeville, La., was honored in April by the City of Mandeville with “Anthony Adams Day” in recognition of his efforts to save the life of a student from another school who was trapped in a car that had been driven into a ditch and filled with water.

Adams pulled the student from the car and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. ’08 Stephanie Schexnayder Chichester is residing in Boston, Mass., and has recently published three novels and a short story under the pen name “Stephanie Void.” Her two latest fantasy novels, Halfway and Wanderer’s Shadow are part of a series she titled “Wizards and Faeries.” She credits her experience at Southeastern for helping her develop as a writer: “I was in two very creative departments – English and art. I couldn’t help but always be inspired.” A former resident of Hammond, she resides with her husband, web designer and Southeastern graduate Dakota Chichester. ’09 Amber Sheppard of Slidell, La., received the Frisby Giffing Marble Scholarship from the Mississippi College School of Law during the school’s annual Law Day ceremony. The scholarship is presented to a student in the top third of their class who has shown potential for outstanding service to the profession.

The official Southeastern ring and pendent Order your’s today.

1-866-Balfour or balfourcollege.com

Red Stick Chapter The Red Stick Chapter hosted Southeastern alumni and baseball fans on April 25. The special tailgate, organized by Jimmy DeFranceschi, Clif Murphy, and B.J. Lorio, featured jambalaya and a special “LIONS” king cake compliments of Doughlicious Donuts in Hammond. From left are Julie Perise, Dwayne Judice and Rachel Dunn.

Welcome New Alums!

The Alumni Association is doing its part in welcoming the May graduates into the Southeastern alumni family. The association helped host Grad Fair on March 14 and 15 at the Alumni Center, where graduates were able to purchase caps, gowns and graduation supplies to get ready for the big day. The Association also feted graduates at Senior Salute on May 9, where they were treated to a special gumbo dinner, door prizes and a picture with President John L. Crain.

Ag Alumni Chapter

The Ag Alumni Association enjoyed a crawfish boil at the home of Randy and Regina Bracy on March 17. Chapter president and chef Allen Owings coordinated the event.

The finale of the day was a tour of the Bracey Nursery, a wholesaler that services customers from Texas to Georgia.

New Orleans Chapter New Orleans alumni gathered at Serrano’s in Metairie for a networking social. and enjoyed hearing an update on Southeastern from Alumni Director Kathy Pittman. Special guest was football coach Ron Roberts, who assured the crowd he plays to win. Chapter President Beth Ebberman encouraged the group to stay active and involved.

West St. Tammany Social Southeastern alumni gathered again this year at popular night spot N’Tini’s on April 26 for an alumni social, hosted by Southeastern Alumnus Mark Benfatti, left, and Chapter President Denis Bechac. Guests had a great time socializing with other alumni and listening to live music by Southeastern alumnus Ched Reeves. The group also met new football coach Ron Roberts.

SOUTHEASTERN VISITS FLORIDA – Representatives of Southeastern visited with university alumni in Fort Meyers, Fla., recently.

Pictured are, from left, David McCormick (’51), Barry Brown (’79), Vice President for University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale, Jim McClimans (’58), Ann Glaser (’57), Sid Glaser (’58) and Steve Lauderdale.

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join us

YELLOW JACKETS/KAPPA RHO LUNCHEON – The Yellow Jacket/Kappa Rho Sorority hosted its annual reunion luncheon at the Alumni Association on April 19. Members of Southeastern’s oldest social organization enjoyed seeing each other and hearing from a student recipient of the soror-

Southeastern Alumni Association Membership Dues: ❏ $30 Individual ❏ $50 Dual (alumnus spouse)* ❏ $60 Dual (non-alumnus spouse)

ity’s scholarship.

Tom Sharp Memorial Golf Tournament Delta Tau Delta Fraternity alumni joined together with collegiate chapter members April 27 for a day of golf and fun, organized by Randy Tricou, at Money Hill Golf and Country Club in Abita Springs. All proceeds from the tournament go toward the fraternity’s endowed scholarship.

Name

E-mail *Spouse name

Ponchatoula welcomes Coach Roberts Southeastern alumni and friends from the Ponchatoula area hosted a reception to welcome new football coach Ron Roberts. Attendees dined on delicious jambalaya from Creole and Company and drinks compliments of Champagne Beverage. Participants also enjoyed hearing Roberts’ plans for the upcoming football season and meeting assistant coaches who joined them at the Kiwanis Log Cabin. Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs in Ponchatoula, the Ponchatoula Chamber and Noelle Vaughan, Ponchatoula Chapter president, all contributed to the successful event.

RING CEREMONY – Southeastern’s graduating seniors received their class rings in a special ceremony held at the Student Union Theatre on April 25. Family members joined them as they participated in the Southeastern tradition and enjoyed the reception that followed.

*Spouse e-mail Address City/State/Zip Home phone Work phone ❏ Check (enclosed) ❏ Master Card ❏ Visa

Account # Signature Expiration date

Young Alumni Networking Social This year, the Alumni Association greeted our newest alums at an informal social at La Carreta. They enjoyed good food and live music, while celebrating their new alumni status and meeting other brand new Southeastern alums.

Today’s date

Online at: southeastern.edu/alumni

Tangi at the Races The Tangi Alumni Chapter enjoyed a day at the fairgrounds recently. Those in attendance had a great time and enjoyed being in the Winner’s Circle for the race dedicated to Southeastern Alumni.

Baseball Tailgate The Alumni Association hosted a tailgate before baseball on March 27. Retirees received free tickets to the baseball game, compliments of the Alumni Association. Former Alumni president Rita Bertolino threw the first pitch on this special day — her birthday!

Rec Sports – Join now!

Now is the best time for alumni to sign up at Southeastern’s state-of-the-art fitness center featuring exciting new renovations and equipment to whip you into shape!

Visit the Pennington Student Activity Center or call the Membership Desk at 985-549-5734.

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PHILANTHROPY Bricks to be revealed at Homecoming. Place your order NOW! The first set of personalized engraved bricks will be placed in Friendship Circle as part of Homecoming 2012. These bricks, part of the “Project Friendship Campaign,” provide an opportunity to show Southeastern pride, while being forever etched in the heart of our campus.

Bricks will contain special messages chosen by you. Paw prints and greek letters are also available to compliment your message.

Friendship bricks are a great opportunity to congratulate a recent grad, celebrate a degree or accomplishment, or honor your loved ones.

Bricks are available in 4”x8” (3 lines of text) and 8”x8” sizes (5 lines of text) and are priced at $100 and $250 respectively.

Proceeds from Project Friendship support the Southeastern Annual Fund, a key source of support for Southeastern’s programs, and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Leave more than a memory… Leave a legacy. *Brick orders placed by August 1, 2012 will be part of the Homecoming 2012 reveal.

Name: _________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ Charge cards accepted:  Mastercard

 Visa

________________________________________________________ Card No. Exp. Date ________________________________________________________ Signature Make check payable to Southeastern Foundation Mail to: Southeastern Foundation

SLU Box 10293

Hammond, LA 70402

Fax to: (985) 549-5079

Or order by phone or online: (985) 549-3770 southeastern.edu/projectfriendship 4x8 Brick Inscription: Please use grid to the left, which allows up to three lines of text and a maximum of 16 characters per line. Spaces, punctuation and standard symbols each count as one character.

Planning the future of education

Dean Randy Settoon, left, accepts a check from NSLCPA supporting accounting program scholarships. With him are, from left, Accounting Department Head Rick Simpson, Vice President for Advancement Wendy Lauderdale, Louisiana Society of CPAs Executive Director Ronald Gitz, and Stella Helluin, assistant controller of the NOLAN Power Group.

Partners in education One of the strategic objectives of the Northshore Chapter of the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants (NSLCPA) is to develop links to its members, accounting students and the community.

NSLCPA has a long history of supporting Southeastern through annual student events and scholarships. The NSLCPA is perpetuating this partnership by endowing a Southeastern scholarship.

“The Louisiana Society of CPA’s Northshore Chapter Accounting Scholarship creates a permanent link between the NSLCPA and the university and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to building the accounting profession and contributing to a fund that will have a lasting impact on students’ lives.”

The Southeastern Foundation provides opportunities to engage invested partners in the life of the university. Two such opportunities occurred this past spring involving the College of Business and the College of Education and Human Development.

Dean of the College of Business Randy Settoon hosted a roundtable in the Bloomberg conference room to discuss the current and future state of business education. Out of this focus group came an executive team that will actively participate in the college’s efforts to “re-imagine” business education at Southeastern.

“The members of the executive team bring perspectives that will help the college better execute its mission of providing a contemporary, relevant business education to better prepare students to meet the needs of their employers,” Settoon said.

Dean of the College of Education and Human Development John Fischetti also recently presented his vision of the future of education at Southeastern.

“In the collaborative, global, innovation age, we are faced with the reality that too many of our young people are not reaching their potential. We have to engage students in powerful learning experiences that empower them to develop keen minds and to make a difference,” Fischetti said. “The good news is that with effective teachers, school leaders and parent involvement, it can be done. The urgency of the moment is upon us, and Southeastern’s College of Education and Human Development is poised to be part of helping children, families, schools and our community.”

To find out ways you can make an impact at Southeastern, call 985-549-2239 or email advancement@selu.edu.

Above: Recent Southeastern MBA graduate Wayne Crawford, left, explains some of the elements of the new Bloomberg Laboratory in the College of Business to Glenn Mueller, Owner/ President, CEO of RPM LLC.

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Lion Legacy founders, MJ Ahmad and Heather Miletello share information about the campaign with freshman Taylor Petit.

Making the

difference Southeastern students begin first student giving campaign Determined to pay forward their Southeastern experiences, graduate students MJ Ahmad and Heather Miletello established Lion Legacy, the first student driven philanthropic initiative in the history of the university.

“I consider myself fortunate to have experienced all that I have at Southeastern,” Miletello said. “To be able to make a difference and leave my mark on this great institution, in other words, to leave my ‘Lion Legacy,’ is an honor.”

Lion Legacy’s mission is to promote a spirit of philanthropy; the giving of time, talent and treasure throughout the student body that will last beyond the years spent at Southeastern. The goals are to: educate the student body on the importance of philanthropy and the Southeastern Foundation; raise funds for scholarships, campus improvement, technology and student recruitment; and to unify the student body in a common cause.

For the first time ever, Lion Legacy donors were recognized at commencement as they wore the newly created “Southeastern Philanthropy Cords.” In addition, these students had the opportunity to place a word of thanks next to their name in the commencement program indicating appreciation to someone special in their life.

Instructor Paul Simoneaux said he was touched by the gift made in his honor.

“A very special thank you to my student donor for contributing to Lion Legacy in my honor. I am both honored and humbled by

this recognition. Today we celebrate; tomorrow we educate!”

Since its inception in March, Lion Legacy has raised over $7,000 through the generosity of Southeastern students and Southeastern Foundation Board member Marcia Galatas, who challenged the students through a matching gift.

To learn more about the Lion Legacy initiative, visit southeastern.edu/give and click on the Lion Legacy link. Like and share us on Facebook at facebook.com/lionlegacy.

Over 40 seniors donated to Lion Legacy. Pictured are those students who chose to receive their cords at DSA Convocation from Foundation Board Member Marcia Galatas (center).

Chefs Evening student volunteers treated to lunch with the President Chefs Evening, Southeastern’s annual “dinner party for a cause,” raised over $93,000 this year, the largest amount since its inception 28 years ago. As a special thank you for their efforts, President John L. Crain hosted a gathering at his home for students who volunteered at this year’s event.

The students, members of the Student Foundation Board, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Phi Mu Sorority, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, the Southeastern Jazz Band, and Southeastern Foundation phonathon callers, took on various responsibilities, such as serving hors d’oeuvres during the President’s Toast, selling raffle tickets, assisting guests at the silent auction, and serving as wait staff at the sponsor and patron tables.

Chefs Evening is the largest fund raiser for the University, and patron attendance generates unrestricted dollars for the enhancement of academic programming at Southeastern.

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ATHLETICS Hebert, Westermann lead Southeastern All-Southland members Southeastern second baseman Brock Hebert (baseball) and junior Philipp Westermann (men’s golf) were named the top performers in the Southland Conference, leading a Lion and Lady Lion contingent of 17 all-conference selections in the spring semester.

Hebert was named the Southland Player and Hitter of the Year after finishing the regular season atop the league with a .388 batting avHebert erage, 21 doubles, 36 stolen bases and 55 runs scored.

Other baseball student-athletes to earn individual league accolades were Stefan Lopez, Relief Pitcher of the Year, after setting Southland career and single season records for saves, and pitcher Andro Cutura with a 6–1 record and 2.90 earned run average who earned Freshman of the Year recognition.

Joining the first team was first baseman Jonathan Pace. In all, seven Lions earned allconference honors: outfielder Cody Gougler (third team), Cutura, pitcher Dylan Hills and outfielder Harry Slade, honorable mention.

Westermann posted a conference-best 71.97 scoring average in 32 rounds of play to earn Southland Conference Men’s Golfer of the Year accolades. The golf team earned Westermann their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Regionals.

The German native became the fifth Lion — and third in the last four years — to claim the Southland's top honor. Westermann finished the regular-season in the top 100 in the GolfStat rankings. Rhys West was named a third-team selection.

Led by Conference Newcomer of the Year Jeff Milliron, track and field, had six All-Southland performers at the Outdoor Track and Field Championships in May. The women's basketball team earned a fourth trip to the Conference tournament behind All-Conference players Kelli Jenkins and Aja Gibson. The softball team put a pair on the Conference team: second baseman Megan McCollum and centerfielder Michelle Duhe.

Two student-athletes earned All-Academic honors. Pitcher Jordan Hymel was a first team Academic All-District VI selection, while West was named to the All-Academic Men’s Golf first team.

President John L. Crain officially dedicates the Lions’ new track complex by handing off the baton to alumni participating in the celebration. Shown are, from left, Crain, Leo Jones, Jerry Zimmerman, Elmo Adolph and Ted Cason.

Track complex dedicated at Southeastern meet It was a long time coming for the Southeastern track and field program as the Lions officially dedicated its new complex and held its first-ever Southeastern Lion Invitational April 20.

With over 100 track and field alumni members returning to campus, including some from as far away as Colorado and many from the Lions’ 1975 National Championship team, Southeastern held its first official track meet since the early 1990’s.

Competing on its own track for the first time, Southeastern claimed seven individual titles in a meet that featured 11 teams, including Southland Conference rivals Lamar, McNeese State, Nicholls State and Northwestern State.

The day began with the dedication of the Lions’ new track complex, located on North Oak Street adjacent to the Kinesiology and Health Studies Building. Track alumni from as far back as the 1940s were in attendance, including past coaches and Southeastern Hall of Fame members.

“That’s our history, that’s our lineage, they are the people that made this possible,” said head track coach Sean Brady. “I was really happy to see this. It was not just a track meet for me … it was a lot more sentimental. My former (collegiate) coach (Andy Thiel) was here. I saw scores of (former) athletes that I have coached over the years that came back and supported our group, worked the meet and have supported us over the years. It was an opportunity for us to get back to our alumni, to let them know that they have a home and they have a stake in this.”

Former Lion pitcher Miley making strides in majors

Former Southeastern Lions pitcher Wade Miley is making his mark in major league baseball this season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher was named the National League Rookie of the Month in April.

The Loranger native led all NL rookie pitchers with a 3–0 record and a 1.29 earned run average in the season’s first month. Thus far this season, he is 5–1 and seventh in the major leagues with a 2.14 ERA. Miley started the season with seven consecutive scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Second on Southeastern's all-time strikeout list, Miley is in his first full season in the majors. He made his Major League debut in August 2011 against the Atlanta Braves.

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Lions baseball finish second in conference The Southeastern Lions made it to the championship game in the Southland Conference Tournament, before losing to UT Artigues Arlington 13–4.

The Lions ended the season second in the conference with a 39–21 record overall and 20–13 record in conference play.

“I’m proud of this group of guys,” said head coach Jay Artigues. “Last year we lost almost our entire club and nobody gave us much of a chance to be here.”

The Lions were strong on their home field, winning 24 games and losing only 6. Highlights during the season included sweeps of Mississippi State and Indiana State universities.

“We’ve been knocking on the door the last few years,” Artigues said. “We’ll keep fighting.”

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Simmons earns trip to championship meet For the second year, Southeastern pole vaulter Kovey Simmons earned a trip to the NCAA Championships with his performance at the NCAA East Preliminary Round at the University of North Florida.

“Kovey was outstanding,” head coach Sean Brady said. “He had no problem pulling the trigger. I anticipate him turning in the same kind of performance at the national meet.”

Simmons, a DeRidder native, finished tied for fourth (17 feet, 5.44 inches) with Marvin Reitze of South Carolina.

The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships is scheduled June 6–9 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

r Get you

&

Green

Gold !

Southeastern merchandise makes great gifts. Items available at Daryl & Sons Custom Framing in Hammond include: (1) Print of McGehee Hall, $89.95 and (2) Print of Southeastern entrance, $99.95. Items available from the Bookstore include (3) Southeastern apron, $24.99; (4) Southeastern striped youth tee, $14.99; (5) infant body suit, $22; (6) Southeastern youth tee, $18; and (7) stadium seat, $17.99.

Southeastern is proud to showcase merchandise from our retail partners. If you would like to include merchandise in a future edition of Alumni News, contact Executive Director of Public and Governmental Affairs Erin Cowser at 985-549-5861.

Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association 500 West University Avenue Hammond, LA 70401 southeastern.edu

New students prepare for fall Southeastern orientation leaders Sharae Vicknair and Taylor DuBois lead a tour of incoming freshmen students during the university’s early orientation program for scholarship winners. The incoming students spend two days on campus prior to starting the semester, where they are given tours of the campus, allowed to ask questions about college life and what they can expect, participate in team activities, and register for their classes. Even with new admission standards being implemented this year, the university anticipates a healthy enrollment for the fall semester.