Issuu

Spring 2018 Special Edition

A Student Publication • Volume 89 Issue 15

TheLion’s Roar Alyssa Larose

Rene Abadie

A queen with experience and a dream

Reveals his journey to retirement after 18 years

Claude Harper

Theater Department

Lion Traxx driver shares love for new connections Southeastern Louisiana University • The Lion’s Roar

Passion for Career

University ensemble and crew nominated for national honors

Find Inside

The future of the Instagram “ H u m a n s of SELU” is revealed as Chase Cangelosi plans to pass on the mantle.

A look at Rene Abadie’s career as director of Communications and Creative Services after 18 years at the university.

16 Miss Southeastern Alyssa Larose shares her past pageant experience ahead of her trip to Monroe.

18 Claude Harper, a driver for Lion Traxx for three years, uses his campus job as an opportunity to meet new people.

19 The “She Kills Monsters” cast and crew grab accolades and scholarships after their popular run of the show.

STAFF

Office Assistant - Alyssa Larose Administrative Assistant - Gemma Carter

Editor-in-Chief - Larshell Green Distribution - Jesse Salminen II Glenn Duhy

Coordinator - Lorraine Peppo Director - Dr. Lee E. Lind

ollege is the time for experimentation and fun. The new year, though, is a time for self-reflection and improvement. The art of living is balancing the dualities. On that note, The Lion’s Roar staff has their own wishlist for going forward into 2018. The list consists of quiet reflections that buck the college stereotype. It’s not all encompassing, but reflects in its own way the wants of a generation.

New Year, New Me

I wish...

I wish... I wish...

I could be nicer to people. The world is full of people. The university is full of people. Group projects are dreadfully full of other people. In a life so full, it can be easy to get frustrated with those around you. This new year, take time to remember that those people are just that: people. They have wants, needs and feelings just as you do. to go to my first concert. College is a time to try new things. If you’ve never been to a concert, 2018 is as good a time as any to jump into the mosh pit, sit in the opera house or check out that local band downtown.

I could relax more. Too much work paired with too little fun is detrimental to your health in the long run. On top of everything else, take time to just enjoy the little things.

I wish ...

I wish... I would get better grades. In 2018, make your professors proud. Study for your finals a few days ahead of time, turn in that homework assignment they’ve been begging you for, and show up to class more than twice a month.

I wish ...

to get to know my professors.. College is a symbiotic relationship. Your professor doesn’t want to get up for that morning class any more than you do. Take time to reach out to your professor. It might make their day and your grade.

I wish...

to be brave. College is a time of growing up and making decisions that will impact the rest of your life. It can be scary, but when those decisions come to fruition, it can be oh, so satisfying. I was better at time management. Can you balance classes, a job and a social life? Creating a strict schedule for all your activities is key.

â€œWhen the opportunity came up for this position, I jumped at it.â€?

Courtesy of Rene Abadie

Rene Abadie worked at Baton Rouge HMO prior to coming to the university. When the company went under, he began to look for new employment, andnot long after, the university began looking for someone to fill the position for director of public information.

Rene Abadie RACHEL TAYLOR STAFF REPORTER

ormer director of the university’s Communications and Creative Services Rene Abadie has retired after working at the university for 18 years. Abadie described the path that led him to the position, which was originally titled director of public information. “When I was first out of UNO, my first job was at the Hammond Daily Star,” said Abadie. “So, I moved up to Hammond from New Orleans and took that job, and six months later, I was drafted and lost that job to the service.” Abadie went on to pursue jobs in public relations, primarily in the medical field. He has worked at the Tulane Medical Center as a media relations supervisor, Touro Infirmary as the assistant director of public relations and the Louisiana State Medical Society. “When the opportunity came up for this position, I jumped at it,” said Abadie. As director of public

information, Abadie attended staff meetings, conducted interviews, wrote stories, accompanied photographers on shoots, and navigated the unpredictable nature of news. He discussed some of the difficulties that unpredictability caused. “Right after I started, we were getting ready to open the Columbia Theatre,” said Abadie. And that was on Sept. 11, 2001. So, we were planning on having a grand opening that evening, and we ended up having to shift things around.” At times, the news struck close to home. “We were planning on announcing the return of football a couple of years after that,” said Abadie. “And we were going to have a big press conference at Strawberry Stadium, and there was an explosion at the teacher education center. There was an industrial accident, an explosion, and one man was killed. So we had to immediately turn around and cancel one press conference while handling the news media who were covering the explosion.”

Abadie saw more than tragedy during his time at the university. He was also able to witness the university grow. “In my 18 years at SLU, working under three different presidents, I witnessed and participated in what I saw as a renaissance of sorts at the university,” said Abadie. Every expansion added new life to the university and the surrounding area, but Abadie bore witness to lean times as well. “The challenges of the budget cuts over the last several years were significant, and I was truly sorry to see good, hard working people and friends lose their jobs due to those

cuts,” said Abadie. “We were told by Baton Rouge that we all had to do more with less, and somehow we did.” After more than a decade of work at the university, Abadie talked about his retirement. “I’ve worked all my life, and I kept thinking about retirement,” said Abadie. “And I kept saying, ‘No, I don’t know what I’m going to do if I retire.’ I didn’t want to just sit around and watch reruns of ‘Gunsmoke’ and things like that. I hit 70 this year, and I decided, it’s time to retire. I’ve still got fairly good health, and I want the opportunity for my wife and I to do a little bit of traveling and see my grandkids a little more.”

Courtesy of Parker Waters Photography

Kati Morse

Student-athlete to director of new media: a shared perspective ZACHARY ARAKI Staff Reporter

xperienced in sports media and playing on the field, Kati Morse knows how to apply her perspective in athletics. The 2015 alumna now works as the director of new media for Tulane University’s football team. Morse has been involved in different roles related to athletics. “I was a softball player,” said Morse. “So, I was always interested in sports. I’ve always been very creative, always had a desire to tell stories, and to create things on my own. I was always kind of the center of attention. I enjoyed speaking in front of people. It was only natural for me to go into the sports media field. I was on the track at Southeastern. I was in their communication department and that curriculum. I worked for the Southeastern Channel. I was the first female sideline reporter for football that they ever had. I’ve done a lot of work with ESPN.” Morse discussed how her experience as a studentathlete gives her an advantage in sports media. “I understand the mindset that these kids are in every single day,” said Morse. “I know what it’s like to wake up at 5 a.m. and go to weights, go to practice, take a shower and then go to class. Most

students in college don’t wake up before noon, and a student-athlete has done more by noon than most people do in a day. It is a job. I understand that more than anyone because I did it.” In her position in sports media, Morse has seen a different side from playing on the field. “Football season is not just six months out of the year,” said Morse. “Football season is 12 months out of the year. As soon as you’re done playing the final game, you start recruiting for the next year. It’s all a very big cycle, and I think that was the biggest challenge. The biggest thing for me to have to get used to is how to be able to switch gears and change focus all the time. It’s definitely a time commitment, and not everybody can do it. It takes someone who’s willing to be at work a lot.” Morse shared how she got into the career field. “I didn’t really decide to go into this field,” said Morse. “It kind of just happened. I happened to be pretty good at it, and it’s relatively new. A lot of teams are hiring more and more people that focus on just social media for their team and creating content, so it is relatively new. It’s just something that life decided for me, and I happened to be really good at it, and I’ve created a career for myself as a team social media coordinator. I think a lot of coaches and a lot of people

find it attractive to work with me simply because I was a student-athlete.” Morse shared what she enjoys most about her career. “I get to work with studentathletes every single day, and I get to tell their stories to the world,” said Morse. “I think with college athletics, a lot of times people, especially fans, forget that these are kids. These are 18, 19, and 20-year-old kids that are young, and you know, they’re just playing a sport and trying to be the best students that they can be. Most of them will not become professional athletes. Most of them will go on to do other things besides playing sports professionally, and I like being able to show who they are as people to the world.” Morse cited Tulane redshirt senior Luke Jackson as an example of sharing stories about student-athletes who fight tough battles daily on and off the field. “He’s a cancer survivor,” said Morse. “A lot of people did not know that about him. They just simply knew him as the linebacker on our team, but he survived cancer, survived chemotherapy treatments and came back a year later and started on the football team as a college sophomore. Another one of our players is legally blind, and he’s a long snapper, and not a lot of people know that.” Morse advised anyone considering the same career field to not be “a one-trick

pony.” “You have to be able to adapt,” said Morse. “A few years ago, Facebook was the best way to reach fans. Now, Instagram has become the leader of the landscape, so you have to be able to adjust and do a lot of different things. You have to be able to film things on camera. You have to be able to write very well. You have to be able to know your audience and know who you’re trying to reach and is this video trying to reach a potential recruit who will come play for this school? Or, is the purpose of this video or this tweet or graphic or animation whatever it may be, is this trying to reach a fan or someone who will come watch our games? You have to be able to use a lot of different software.” Morse discussed how she feels the university prepared her for her career. “What I love about Southeastern is the instructors, the administrators, everyone in athletics, a lot of people gave me an opportunity, and if you’re willing to do the work, Southeastern has an amazing way of rewarding you for it,” said Morse. “They give every student every opportunity to succeed, and I think if the students would only take advantage of all of the opportunities that are laid out for them at Southeastern, the sky is the limit.”

Hammond’s

first PFLAG

chapter to serve as a

for

platform

parents and friends

Bikas Das/AP Photo

RAYMOND PAUL Staff Reporter

arents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, PFLAG, is an organization that is intended to create a platform for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families to come together. A chapter for PFLAG was chartered in Hammond, Louisiana. The Treasurer of Hammond’s new chapter of PFLAG Katherine Drew-Jones spoke on what made her and others want to have the organization. “Several of the members are a part of the Hammond Unitarian Church, and we were talking after service one evening about how there is little to no support in Hammond or the Tangipahoa area for people in the LGBT community,” said Drew-Jones. Drew-Jones discussed the purpose of having a

local PFLAG chapter. “The purpose of the organization is to provide support for our local LGBT community as well as educate the community at large of LGBT issues,” said Drew-Jones. PFLAG Hammond officially became a chapter on Sept. 30, 2017. Meetings are held at 407 East Charles St. at 1 p.m. on the last Saturday of every month. During each meeting, everyone introduces themself. They pledge their confidentiality so they feel more comfortable with sharing. Then, they have a check-in making sure everyone is all right, giving people the opportunity to voice any problems they have or issues they want to discuss with the group. A speaker usually comes out, which is part of the educational part of the meeting, and talks about various topics to the group. Drew-Jones explained how having this organization will benefit the community. “We understand that your kid came out to you,” said Drew-Jones. “It’s OK. You’re going to be OK. We are going to be OK together.”

Jennifer Dettwiller/The Lion’s Roar

“Connecting people and building community...” JENNIFER DETTWILLER Staff Reporter

enior business major Chase Cangelosi brings a new face of the university to present the diversity of

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Guess what, Lamb? You’re about to experience a new perspective on a situation you long regarded quite differently. What you learn could open more opportunities later. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Bold Bovine is tempted to charge into a new venture. But it might be best to take things one step at a time, so that you know just where you are at any given point. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It’s a good time to go on that fun getaway you’ve been planning. You’ll return refreshed, ready and, yes, even eager to tackle the new challenge that awaits you. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The Moon Child loves to fantasize about magical happenings in the early part of the week. But the sensible Crab gets down to serious business by week’s end. LEO (July 23 to August 22) What goes around comes around for those lucky Leos and Leonas whose acts of generosity could be repaid with opportunities to expand into new and exciting areas of interest. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your concern about your job responsibilities is commendable. But you need to take some quiet time to share with someone who has really missed being with you. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

friend Scott showed me that the portrait mode exists, and we took a couple pictures with it. And I was like, ‘These are some great pictures.’ So, I started taking pictures of everyone in my classes, you “I got an iPhone 7 Plus in know, usually without their April-ish right after it came permission. Then I was like, out,” said Cangelosi. “My ‘Wow, what do I do with all these pictures?’” Aspects favor getting out and meeting new Cangelosi shared how a people. And as a bonus, you might find that friend’s suggestion sparked an some of your newly made friends could interest for a new social media offer important business contacts. project. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You might take pride in wanting to “And my friend Colette do everything yourself. But now’s a good said, ‘How about you make time to ask family members to help with a an Instagram that’s kinda demanding personal situation. like ‘Humans of New York,’ SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Pay more attention to the and you can just be the possibilities in that workplace change. It Southeastern version,’’’ said could show the way to make that longCangelosi. “So, every day sought turn on your career path. I keep doing it because I CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your need to succeed might love connecting people and overwhelm obligations to your loved ones. building community and Ease up on that workload and into some showing off what this campus well-deserved time with family and friends. has to offer.” AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Love rules for amorous Aquarians He explained what he hopes who can make good use of their ability to the account’s future holds. communicate feelings. Don’t be surprised “Eventually, I’m going to be if they’re reciprocated in kind. turning it over to somebody PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Fishing for compliments? No doubt, you else once I graduate because probably earned them. But it’s best to let it’d be silly to carry it with me others believe they were the ones who because none of the followers uncovered the treasure you really are. would care,” said Cangelosi. BORN THIS WEEK: Your good works flow from an open, generous heart. He explained his process Nothing makes you happier than to see of selecting people he has others happy as well. featured. “Every time I hit a milestone, (c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc. I always put something on the story like who would like to the student population. Cangelosi explained the start of his journey of featuring a new student each day on the Instagram page, “Humans of SELU.”

be featured,” said Cangelosi. “Usually, I’ll get about 25ish to 30-ish responses. I can usually find about 15 people. Otherwise, it’s usually people that I’ll just meet and start talking to.” Cangelosi understands that people follow the account for the uniqueness of the students featured and to see how they represent facets of the university. He feels he has inspired campus organizations through his process. “I have noticed that there are clubs like the Campus Activities Board, then the college of business and SGA that have had like a ‘Person of The Week’ or ‘Person of the Day’ type of thing,” said Cangelosi. “And it’s good to see things like that because they’ve definitely seen my page.’” In the near future, he is thinking about starting an interview process for someone who can navigate the profile. He wants the page to remain consistent with what the followers expect when they see the profile pop up on Instagram. Cangelosi is set to graduate in Spring 2018, and he will send out news for when he begins his interviews for the new profile director.

Start spring on The University Health Center offers students resources for their physical health. Some services include appointments to

immunizations, prescriptions and more. It is located on the south side of the War Memorial Student Union Annex behind

How to schedule an appointment To schedule an appointment with the health center, students are encouraged to go to their webpage on the university’s website and click on the green square tab that reads “Schedule Your Appointment Now.” On the next webpage, click “Select Service.” Students will fill out information according to their own personal needs, having to create a new user profile if they have never used the service before. All appointments are free, but if students fail to show up to their appointment, there is a $10 charge.

a healthy note evaluate minor illnesses and injuries, and span to providing physical exams, access to women’s and men’s health care, Campbell Hall.

Student Health 101

Wellness Wheel

The health center has teamed up with Student Health 101, a magazine designed specifically for college students. It contains articles that provide useful information on many topics including nutrition, emotional health, academics, career, sleep, sexual assault, relationships and more. Students can access these articles through www.southeastern.edu/health or by downloading the Student Health 101 app.

Three Simple Fixes A student’s wellness can be symbolized in something the health center calls a Wellness Wheel, encompassing six major points in a student’s possible lifestyle. Each section of a student’s life encompasses different needs that need to be met, and the university offers a variety of different resources and organizations to help students meet those needs. The six parts of the wheel are the physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social and spiritual needs of an individual. The health center helps provide services to students to meet their physical needs, and they cite other services and organizations on campus to aid in meeting the other five areas of student needs. Health Center Director Andrea Peevy said that common issues among students’ health are simply solved by getting more sleep, drinking more water and involving exercise in a student’s daily schedule.

‘Tis the season to give to the environment SARAH HESS Staff Reporter

Sarah Hess/The Lion’s Roar

Christmas trees like the one above, are collected to be distributed into the Louisiana wetlands. Trees cleared of all decorations can be brought to the university’s Sustainability Center or the Middendorf’s restaurant in Manchac.

he university’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station in Manchac has worked for over two decades to help restore wetlands by recycling Christmas trees. The university’s Sustainability Center and Middendorf’s restaurant in Manchac have partnered with the research station to work as the official drop-off sites for used Christmas trees. The trees will be placed throughout the Manchac swamp in an effort to increase wetland restoration and protect shorelines erosion, a severe issue found in the wetlands of Louisiana. According to Scientific American, “a football field sized area of land is being washed away every hour.” This use of the trees gives them another application besides a decoration for one month out of the year. “We can put the old Christmas trees to work in our area marshland while also reducing the waste stream going into landfills,” said Robert Moreau, director of university’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research

Station. The wetlands restoration projects efforts over the two decades since its start in 1993 has been able to recycle over 36,000 trees into the swamps of Louisiana. The areas where the trees have been placed in the past include the Pass Manchac, Jones Island and areas of Lake Pontchartrain. The trees collected this year are scheduled to be placed in the wetlands this March. These trees will focus on new areas of the wetlands where there is an old source of saltwater intrusion. Moreau explains how he hopes the trees will be able to restore lands that were damaged by man during logging. “The hope is that these Christmas trees can help capture sediments and help build up vegetation so that we can actually close in these logging ditches,” Moreau said, “They are something that’s been left behind from the logging days and probably would never fill in otherwise.” The Sustainability Center will be collecting trees throughout the month on Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 to 10 a.m. The trees must have been removed of all decorations and flocked trees will not be accepted.

STOP: Alcohol Abuse JACOB SUMMERVILLE Staff Reporter

lcohol abuse is an issue on college campuses. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 37.9 percent of college students participated in binge drinking in 2015. Assistant Director of Programming and Outreach for the University Counseling Center Annette Newton-Baldwin gave insight on students drinking.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about the college culture and drinking being a rite of passage,” said Newton-Baldwin. “Actually, students who have more of a self-care focus tend to have more successful outcomes with retention and meeting academic goals.” University Police Lieutenant Patrick Gipson shared the alcohol-induced crimes that worry him the most. “Most sexual assaults involved alcohol use by one or both parties,” said Gipson. “Some of the

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fights that we’ve had to deal with around campus have involved alcohol, but not all of them. There is some underage drinking that we’ve encountered on campus, and we’ve had to take legal enforcement action on that. The ones that worry me the most are sexual assault and domestic violence.” Death caused by drunk driving has also been regarded as a prominent issue in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “every day, 28 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcoholimpaired driver. This is one death every 51 minutes.” Gipson explained the difference between being pulled over driving drunk versus being pulled over while driving sober. “The violation that draws the attention of the officer is separate from driving while intoxicated,” said Gipson. “So, if you’re caught for speeding and you are found to be intoxicated, you’re charged with two separate crimes, one speeding and the other driving while intoxicated. The speeding charge is not enhanced in any way. It’s still a speeding charge. The intoxication while driving charge would be an addition to the speeding ticket.” Gipson added that different people have different alcohol tolerance levels.

“When it comes to driving while intoxicated, it doesn’t matter how you feel,” said Gipson. “It matters what your blood alcohol content is. So, even if you feel fine, if your BAC is 0.08 or higher, you still get charged with the DWI. If you’re under 21, you only have to have a 0.02 or higher to be charged with a DWI, which means one drink for most people.” Newton-Baldwin gave input on how to detect signs of alcoholism. “Your friend may be able to drink large amounts of alcohol without getting drunk,” said NewtonBaldwin. “This increased tolerance is also a clear symptom of alcoholism. It’s not the amount of alcohol or drugs that matters, it’s whether his or her drinking or drug use is causing her problems with family, friends, career, finances or legal matters.” Newton-Baldwin admitted that if someone were to help a friend recovering from an addiction, they should approach their friend with “love and concern.” “Even if your friend appears to be highly functioning in school, managing a job, they can still have a serious addiction problem,” said NewtonBaldwin. “Help at this stage can save them considerable pain and loss since it’s just a matter of time before their life falls apart.”

Behind the curtain RACHEL TAYLOR Staff Reporter

Alyssa Larose Larshell Green/The Lion’s Roar

iss Southeastern 2018 Alyssa Larose earned her way to the crown in the university’s most recent pageant, but such crowns may be old news for the pageant veteran. Larose got her start in pageants at the age of four in Louisiana’s chapter of the Cinderella International Scholarship Pageant. She won the personality award at the state level, which allowed her to go on to the international competition in Las Vegas. Larose discussed how her personality continued to carry her through her later pageant career. “I was super talkative the entire time I was there,” said Larose. “I don’t remember everything about it because I was so young, but apparently when we were there in the hotel lobby, I would talk to everybody, especially the judges, but I didn’t know that they were the judges.” After making it into the top five, Larose won over the audience when she declared that she wanted to be a pediatrician in the future.

“I had never even heard of the word ‘pediatrician’ before, but they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I said I wanted to be a pediatrician,” said Larose. “The whole crowd went crazy.” Winning the Cinderella pageant allowed Larose the opportunity to tour the country and meet other pageant girls her age. “Throughout that pageant, I made all sorts of friendships that I still have today,” said Larose. One of those friendships, which was with the current Miss Louisiana Laryssa Bonacquisti, is what sparked Larose to seek the title of Miss Southeastern. “Laryssa crowned me as the International Tot in 2003, and so when she won Miss Louisiana, it was like, ‘Wow, I want to do that again,’” said Larose. “That became my goal. I’m going to work toward her crowning me at Miss Louisiana. I want to have a picture of her crowning me in 2003 right next to a picture of her crowning me as Miss Louisiana.”

How are you feeling, science? ZACHARY ARAKI Staff Reporter

hile some of us may feel lethargic around the holidays, the internet, media and the public are bloated with junk pseudoscience year-round. Start the year right by putting things in perspective. Rampant pseudoscience is not just a harmless breeze rushing by us and rankling stuffy chemistry nerds like me. It is dangerous deception. It lies in the conversion therapy that traumatized so many people. It lies in the homeopathy

and naturopathy preying on vulnerable people diagnosed with an illness and saying that medicine cannot or will not cure them. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration recalled Hyland’s homeopathic teething products after they were linked to the deaths of 10 children. The evidence for pseudoscience around us can be seen in climate change deniers, anti-vaxxers, nature- and homeopathy, flat earth theorists, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop website, “Big Pharma,” the belief that Megalodon still exists, crystal healing and the GMO debate. The above are easier to spot fallacies. Some pseudoscience manages to slip past

what we consider to be tough barriers. They sound science like. Essential oils, alkaline water and quantum mysticism are unsupported by scientific evidence. Science is our basis for understanding the world, and as such, it is our basis for decision-making. Without proper information, we cannot make proper decisions. Are there issues in science? Yes, and many things are not quite certain. We continue to learn. We continue to redefine. Scientific progress, however, should not be confused with scientific absence. The absence of a definite explanation does not necessitate someone filling in the gap with nonsense. It is easy to see why myths spread and stick. They are simple, memorable, didyou-know factoids that we can whip out in a conversation to appear smart and scientific. Science, however, is not the memorization of facts. Science is the careful, skeptical, slow search for truth in a quagmire of falsities. The problem, however, is not that people think pseudoscience is good. Pull a person from the street and ask if pseudoscience is good. I doubt the answer will be positive. The problem lies with identification. The solution is not quite as clear-cut or comforting as telling people to do their own research. Confirmation bias means they will take in what affirms what they wish to be true and ignore contradictory evidence regardless of scientific standing. Misinterpreting that data can lead to people doing harmful things to themselves or family members in well-intentioned attempts to solve the problem. Even if not harmful, they may still waste money that could be better used on savings, bills, food or housing. Data can be difficult to interpret. Things like quantum mechanics are full of technical jargon that run counter to intuition. When someone spouts technical babble with confidence, we’re prone to believe them because we don’t know any better and don’t want to appear stupid. It sounds elitist and derogatory, but people cannot be trusted to do their own research. People can, however, exercise caution. I implore you to question everything, be skeptical and follow valid evidence. Making appropriate decisions necessitates becoming an informed, scientifically literate public.

Harper’s road to happiness

SARAH HESS STAFF REPORTER

laude Harper, Lion Traxx bus driver, sees his job as a chance to meet new people and make sure they feel welcomed. A native of Loranger, Harper grew up on a dairy farm and began his driving in the ﬁelds. “I was a driver before I went to college,” said Harper. “I grew up on a farm, and I did a lot of hauling grain and hay and stuff like that. Then I went to college and got a degree in rehabilitative counseling. There wasn’t a lot of stuff in this area in that degree ﬁeld, so I went back to driving.” He has been a bus driver at the university for three years and was an 18-wheeler driver beforehand, driving all over the country for companies such as Walmart and the U.S. military. Harper went from transporting goods to transporting students. “Driving all over the country, I enjoyed seeing different parts of the country,” said Harper. “You know that was one question in my interview at Southeastern is, ‘You’ve been driving all over this country, how are you going to drive

around this little campus here.’ My answer to them was, ‘Every time I pick up a new student, that’s a new person I’ll be able to meet.’” Though it could be monotonous navigating the same route, Harper finds joy meeting a new person at every stop on his route. “As a driver, I’ve logged over 1.3 million miles,” said Harper. “But when you meet different students every day, you greet a different student every day.” Harper enjoys hunting, fishing and working on his family’s farm. He shares the farm with his son and daughter. Harper’s daughter Administrative Coordinator of the Parking Office Crystal Lato uses the opportunity of working at the university to see her father more. “I love having him there,” said Lato. “When I’m not too bogged down with school and work, we do take lunch breaks together.” Harper makes sure that every student feels welcomed on his bus, greeting every student that enters and on holidays even giving out candy to riders. “I say good morning, good afternoon or whatever to every student that gets on my bus, and I say, ‘Have a great day’ to every student who gets off,” said Harper. “My thing is whatever kind of day they come to Southeastern having, I hope that I can make an impact to make it a little bit better.”

Baseball

2 0 1 8 S P R I N G G A M E S

Feb. 16-18 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Feb. 20 Alcorn State University Feb. 21 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Feb. 23-25 University of Connecticut Feb. 28 Louisiana

State University Mar. 9-11 University of New Orleans Mar. 13 Purdue University Mar. 27 Tulane University Apr. 17 University of Southern Mississippi May 17-18 University of Houston

Women’s Basketball

*The

calendar

features selected home games played across the spring season.

Softball F e b . 9-10 2018 Lion Classic I Feb. 13 Louisiana Tech University Feb. 16-18 2018 Lion Classic II Mar. 9-10 Abilene Christian University Mar. 14 University of Mississippi

Mar. 20 Alcorn State University Mar. 23-24 Nicholls State University Apr. 6-7 Houston Baptist University Apr. 11 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Apr. 20-21 University of Central Arkansas Apr. 24 Southern University

Tennis Feb. 3 Alcorn State University Feb. 4 Louisiana State University of Alexandria Feb. 9 Mississippi State University Feb. 10 University of Louisiana at Monroe Mar. 4 McNeese State University

Mar. 10 University of New Orleans Mar. 14 Nicholls State University Mar. 25 Abilene Christian University Apr. 8 University of Central Arkansas

Jan. 20. Northwestern State University (Gold Out! / Alumni Reunion) Jan. 24 Sam Houston State University (Pack the House) Feb. 3 University of Central Arkansas (Local Heroes & Military

Appreciation Day) Feb. 7 University of the Incarnate Word (Free Food for SLU Students) Feb. 17 Abilene Christian University Feb. 28 University of New Orleans Mar. 3 Nicholls State University (Senior Day)

Men’s Basketball Jan. 17 Houston Baptist University (Welcome Back Tailgate) Jan. 20 Northwestern State University (Gold Out!) Jan. 31 Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi (Jam the Jungle/Cane’s Challenge) Feb. 3 University

of Central Arkansas (Local Heroes & Military Appreciation Day) Feb. 14 University of New Orleans (Valentine’s Day) Feb. 17 Abilene Christian University (Alumni Reunion) Mar. 3 Nicholls State University (Senior Day)

Golf *Men’s golf does not have home games for Spring 2018

Track and Field Apr. 14 Southeastern Strawberry Relays

A Leader A Legend

perceived by the nation in a reflection entitled “The Meaning of The King Holiday.” Staff Reporter “Whether you are African-American, Hispanic or Native American, whether you are Caucasian or Asian-American, you are part of the great dream Martin Luther King, Jr. had for America,” said Coretta King. “This is not a black holiday; it is artin Luther King Jr. Day occurs on the third a peoples’ holiday, and it is the young people of all races and Monday in January each year. First celebrated in 1986, Dr. religions who hold the keys to the fulfillment of his dream.” Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is honored primarily through community service. The Corporation for National and Community Service in affiliation with The King Center in This Week’s Puzzle AnsWers Atlanta, Georgia created the slogan “a day on, not a day off” to encourage citizens to have an active role during the holiday. The King Center will be hosting its annual Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner on Jan. 13. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernice A. King describes on the Salute to Greatness Facebook page that the award is given to “national and international individuals and organizations who exemplify excellence in leadership and who have demonstrated a commitment to the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Author and wife of Martin Luther King Jr. from 1953 until his death in 1968 Coretta Scott King had previously shared her vision of how this holiday should be JACOB SUMMERVILLE

Map to success

Start Step 1

Mapping your way from graduation to employment can be difficult. Hereâ€™s a guide to help you get started according to Career Services.

Create or update a resume. You can send this to a Career Services staff member to review for you.

Step 5

Step 4

Look at jobs through LionHire, LinkedIn, Indeed and Career Builder. These resources can be found on Career Serviceâ€™s website.

Update your LionHire and LinkedIn profiles.

Step 6

Step 3

Brush up on interview skills. You can read info on the web and complete a mock interview in LionHire.

Step 2

Gather professional and personal references to provide to interviewers when requested.

Start applying for jobs that interest you.

Finish 19

National theater program applauds lively play RIANA BRASELMAN Staff Reporter

he cast and crew of “She Kills Monsters” have been nominated for nationally recognized awards and scholarships. Senior music education major Jeremy Guillot and freshman elementary education major Gabrielle Nixon have both been chosen to compete for the Irene Ryan

Acting Scholarship f r o m the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival’s Region VI Festival. Senior general studies major and sound designer Matthew Doyle has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design while the entire cast was recognized for Outstanding Ensemble Performance. “I was very pleased,” said Associate Professor of Acting and Directing James Winter. “The Ensemble Performance Award

means a lot to me because I always strive theatre department welcomed me as for our student casts to be a strong team. one of their own.” I also know that Matthew spent nearly six Nixon explained months creating the soundscape for the t h a t play, so his honor is well-deserved. I am thrilled for Gabrielle and Jeremy to compete at regionals as well.” Guillot played Orcus in the show. He described his feelings going into the show and how he soon felt accepted by the cast. “I was very nervous going into SKM,” said Guillot. “I have n e v e r been in a show

that wasn’t a musical. I also never had a large part. Shortly after rehearsals started, I was welcomed into the family that I would later call my cast mates and friends.” Nixon expressed her own feelings going into her first college theatre experience. “My experience performing in this show has been like no other,” said Nixon. “I didn’t know what to expect from my first college representatives play, and I was very nervous at first. But, the from the Kennedy

“This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m so grateful for the entire cast and crew because this wouldn’t have been possible without them.” Center came to the university “Going into show week, we knew two to watch the actors would be chosen for this opportunity,” performance said Nixon. “The Friday after we closed and give our show, we found out the results. It was hard to believe at first when my name was announced as one of the actors nominated. My mouth dropped, and I was immediately embraced by the cast. This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m so grateful for the entire cast and crew because this wouldn’t have been possible

feedback.

without them.” Doyle explained that the sound designers who worked with him on the production took the sound design in three different directions: composition, sound foley and effects. “There is a challenge for when it comes to theater because it’s not like most other mediums,” said Doyle. “You have to write interesting and pleasing melodies that don’t detract from what’s happening

on stage, which is always an interesting challenge for it.” Doyle explained how he felt a sense of fulfillment from the news of his nomination. “It’s hard to find the exact words for it,” said Doyle. “I feel like I never have to have an award to justify making cool things that I love and making really cool projects and working with the wonderful people in our theatre department. But on a personal note, it is kind of nice to have some

recognition f o r the work that you’ve done, and it kind of makes you feel validated in a lot of your decisions in what you’re doing with your time in college.” Nixon expressed what working on the show meant for her. “The months of preparation were worth every second on the stage in front of an audience,” said Nixon. “I feel like we gave the audience an exciting, action-filled, heartfelt play that was more than ‘just a play’ itself. This show has been a dream for me. I’m so humbled and grateful to have been a part of it.”

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Editorial LARSHELL GREEN Editor-in-Chief

s I begin a new semester with three editors in training and seven reporters, I have reflected on the goals that I have developed for the remainder of my time as editorin-chief of The Lion’s Roar. The largest goal remains centered around the legacy that I hope to leave behind. The Lion’s Roar has been my home for three years. I am thankful to have acquired a keen eye for photography and layout, interview skills, tremendous networking opportunities and the development of a second family. When I exit as editor-in-chief in the upcoming summer, if all goes as planned, I will have completed 29 issues. That astounding amount of work would not have been possible without a staff that willingly took assignments, rewrote or reshot them upon request and participated in a grueling production schedule that challenged their capabilities as reporters and students. I am proud of the commitments that they have made alongside me. Although anyone who has ever worked in The Lion’s Roar can attest to the hard work that the staff has done, it is apparent within five minutes of being around the

staff that we have one of the best jobs ever. Working at a publication where laughter and sarcasm are among the daily rituals just as much as fact checking has helped us to create a fun, safe and positive working environment. My goals prior to becoming editor-in-chief for the paper were quite simple: I wanted to create connections with readers that spun into conversations whether they were positive or negative. Either way, you voiced your opinions, and I heard them loud and clear. I wanted to create a process that allowed more organization for our print and online content. I met both goals. I asked myself, ‘How do you want people to remember you when you are no longer here?’ The answer was quite simple. I wanted to be remembered for facilitating the completion of abstract and physical goals within the culture of the paper. My biggest goal and task that I hoped to accomplish involved the moral ground that I expected reporters to stand on. I wanted to create an environment for confident, knowledgeable, openminded and kind reporters to coexist in and flourish within. I truly hope that people can recall three things about my performance as an editor: my kindness, my intelligence and my unwavering pride in the publications that my staff and I have created.

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