sus_newsletter_May_2010

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S O U T H E R N

O F F I C E

President’s Message

Gree5ngs SU family,

I extend my warmest congratula5ons to Dr. Ronald Mason Jr. on his appointment as the seventh president of the Southern University System.

Dr. Mason will take office on July 1, 2010 and we pledge our support and coopera5on to ensure a seamless and smooth transi5on as he assumes the leadership of the na5on’s only historically black university system.

Through the SU System Newsle0er and other communica5ons ini5a5ves, we are happy to share Southern University’s involvement in the great work and accomplishments that preserve and strengthen our great University.

I want to thank everyone for their hard work and dedica5on during the academic year.

Looking back on our System and campuses achievements, I would like to express my warmest gra5tude to the SU “team” for making 2009-2010 a great success.

Together we are fulfilling a vision to sustain Southern University and we are maintaining a strong educa5on enterprise that delivers challenging educa5onal opportuni5es and enriching experiences for our students.

Have a safe, produc5ve, and enjoyable summer.

Yours for Southern,

Kassie Freeman, Ph.D. Interim President

U N I V E R S I T Y

S Y S T E M

NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 8, May 2010

O F

T H E

P R E S I D E N T

Mason named SU System President

The SU System Board of Supervisors on April 30 named Ronald Mason Jr. the new president of the Southern University System.

Mason who officially starts July 1, brings more than 20 years of experience in higher educa5on, community development, and law to SU.

Prior to his successful tenure as president of Jackson State Ronald Mason Jr. (right) is greeted by SU Board of Supervisors member University, Mason held several Achilles Williams a er being named SU System president April 30. posi5ons at Tulane including senior vice president, general counsel, and vice president for finance and opera5ons.

Murphy Bell, co- chair of the Southern University System Presiden5al Search Committee, said that Mason’s breadth of experience, proven leadership, and developments in campus infrastructure during his tenure at Jackson State a6racted the a6en5on of many members of the Search Commi6ee, which was charged with guiding the presiden5al search and ul5mately recommending candidates to the Board.

Mason also has extensive involvement in public service and professional ac5vi5es, including current membership on the White House Board of Advisors for Historically Black Colleges and Universi5es and the boards of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Na5onal Associa5on for Equal Opportunity in Higher Educa5on (NAFEO).

“Ron Mason is the perfect candidate to lead the SU System,” said Tony Clayton, chairman of the SU Board of Supervisors. “He has a unique grasp of the mission of land-grant universi5es and a passion for that mission. He also brings solid experience in advancing public ins5tu5ons by managing them effec5vely, expanding them through capital outlay, and enhancing them by forging successful 5es and crea5ng a sense of shared purpose with the external communi5es. I am delighted to welcome him into the Jaguar Na5on.”

Mason, a na5ve of New Orleans, received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Columbia University. He is a graduate of the Harvard Ins5tute of Educa5onal Management and the recipient of numerous awards such as the Mayor’s Medal of Honor from the City of New Orleans, the M.L. King Life5me Achievement Award from Dillard, Loyola, Tulane and Xavier universi5es, and Columbia University’s 2008 John Jay Award for dis5nguished alumni.

He is married to the former Belinda DeCuir and has one daughter, Nia, and two sons, Jared and Kenan.

Students, families celebrate SUS spring commencements SUBR graduates urged to bring Southern University back to prominence

Southern University and A&M College held its spring commencement exercises May 14, in the Felton G. Clark Ac5vity Center where 691 undergraduate and graduate students received degree diplomas.

SUBR graduates were urged to become part of the school’s resurgence as one of the most respected historically black colleges in the na5on.

“You do that by sending your kids back to Southern University,” SU alumnus Dexter Henderson told the graduates and more than 7,000 people in a6endance at the F.G. Clark Ac5vity Center.

John Shu, of Cameroon, West Africa, was Southern University and A&M College’s chief student marshal, for spring commencement. Shu graduated with a 3.9 grade point average. He is a computer science major from Cameroon, West Africa.

Henderson, an IBM vice president of systems so%ware, told the graduates they can help the University by being “recruiters of the best and brightest students.”

Henderson, a New Orleans na5ve is responsible for IBM’s worldwide system offerings for its System and Technology Group.

He joined IBM as a computer programmer in 1984, a%er receiving his bachelor of science degree in computer science from Southern.

The former receiver on the Jaguar football team said Southern prepared him for the roadblocks and the “naysayers” that stood in his way. The school, he said, taught him to persevere.

Dexter Henderson, IBM vice president of systems so ware, gave the address to the 691 graduates during the Southern University and A&M College spring commencement on May 14. Pictured on stage with Henderson (le ) is SU System Interim President Kassie Freeman and SUBR Chancellor Kofi Lomotey.

John Shu, SUBR’s chief student marshal, or student with the highest grade point average, graduated with a 3.9 grade point average. Shu is a computer science major from Cameroon, West Africa.

Before coming to Southern, Shu said he had a scholarship offer from Tulane University and was accepted at Louisiana State University. “I chose Southern because it was a historically black college and because of its heritage and given my background, I wanted to live that history,” he said.

“It wasn’t an easy ride. I had to be brave and I had to be strong,” he said. “It has built con nued on page 3

The first Ph.D. degree in Louisiana in urban forestry was awarded from Southern University and A & M College to Thomas Legiandenyie of Baton Rouge during spring commencement on May 14. Pictured is Legiandenyie being hooded by Kamran Abdollahi, urban forestry professor and program leader, and Joseph Meyinsse, interim dean, Graduate School.

SU System News, page 2

More than 1,300 receive SUS degrees sin at Madison and LSU in Shreveport. She received the highest designa5on for a professional in her field – the cer5fied credit union execu5ve.

SUSLA Chancellor Ray L. Belton (right), accompanied by SUS Board of Supervisors member Walter Guidry, makes a presenta/on to SUSLA’s spring commencement speaker Helen Godfrey-Smith during the May 8 ceremony in the Health and Physical Educa/on Complex. Godfrey-Smith is president and CEO of Shreveport Federal Credit Union.

SUS spring commencement, con nued

me as a man.” Shu said he plans to a6end graduate school and has been accepted at the University of Texas and at Rice University.

Also, the first Ph.D. degree in Louisiana in urban forestry, was awarded from Southern University and A & M College to Thomas Legiandenyie of Baton Rouge.

Credit Union execu&ve encourages SUSLA grads Southern University at Shreveport held its 2010 Spring Commencement Ceremony May 8, on the main campus in the Health and Physical Educa5on Complex.

Helen Godfrey-Smith spoke to the approximately 232 graduates. Godfrey-Smith is the president and chief execu5ve officer of Shreveport Federal Credit Union where she has served since 1983. The financial ins5tu5on has grown from less than $2 million in assets to approximately $80 million in assets today.

Godfrey-Smith grew up in Jefferson, Texas. She was educated in the public schools of Marion County and a6ended college at Houston Tillotson College in Aus5n, Texas, where she received her B.S. degree in science. She has since con5nued her educa5on at the University of WisconSU System News, page 3

The top graduate for Southern University at Shreveport’s spring commencement was Bridged Wanonyi of Webuye, East Kenya, who received a degree in management and accoun5ng.

New Orleans Mayor addresses SUNO graduates

Southern University at New Orleans awarded 314 master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees during spring commencement exercises on May 8 at the New Orleans Lakefront Arena.

Top graduate was Marsha Rodrigue Land who graduated with a 3.974 grade point average. Land received her bachelor of science degree in early childhood educa5on.

The commencement address was delivered by New Orleans Mayor and former Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu.

As Lt. Governor, Landrieu was responsible for tourism, the state’s second largest industry.

A%er hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged southeast and southwest Louisiana, Landrieu brought together industry leaders and na5onal experts to develop a strategic plan, Louisiana Rebirth. As a result of this ini5a5ve, the tourism industry is speaking with one voice and hit5ng the marks established in the strategic plan.

Landrieu is the brother of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and the son of Maurice ”Moon” Landrieu, a former mayor of New Orleans.

Law Center graduates 139 The Honorable Antonio “Tony” Clayton, chairman of the Southern University System Board of Supervisors, delivered the 2010 Commencement address for Southern University Law Center, May 15, in the F.G. Clark Ac5vity Center on the Southern University Baton Rouge campus.

One hundred thirty-nine graduates received the juris doctor degree this year.

James E. Young Jr. was honored as the golden alumnus.

The top student in the Full-5me Day Program was Lewis Arnold Booth II, Huntsville, Alabama and the top student in the Part-5me Evening Division-was Laura Welch Christensen of Denham Springs.

Among the dis5nguished graduates of the SULC Spring Class of 2010 was the Honorable Lea P. Montgomery, member of the SU Board of Supervisors and the Honorable Raushanah Hunter, SULC Student Bar Associa5on president and student member of the SU Board of Supervisors.

Hunter and Montgomery received juris doctor degrees.

The Honorable Lea P. Montgomery (center), member of the SU Board of Supervisors and the Honorable Raushanah Hunter (second from right), SULC Student Bar Associa/on president and student member of the SU Board of Supervisors, received the juris doctor degree May 15 during the SULC spring commencement. Pictured with the law graduates are the Honorable Antonio “Tony” Clayton, (far le ) chairman, SU Board of Supervisors; Kassie Freeman (second from le ), SU System interim president; and Freddie Pitcher Jr, SULC chancellor. One hundred thirty-nine graduates received the juris doctor degree during the SU Law Center commencement in the F.G. Clark Ac/vity Center on the Southern University at Baton Rouge campus.

Landry named interim SU police chief

Col. Terry Landry

Col. Terry Landry, a former superintendent of Louisiana State Police, has been named interim police chief on the Baton Rouge campus of Southern University.

Landry replaces former chief Michael Morris.

Landry, 58, has a long history in Louisiana law enforcement, highlighted by his selec5on in July 2000 by then Governor Mike Foster to become head the Louisiana State Police. Landry, who had been deputy superintendent of state police prior to the appointment, became the first African-American leader of Louisiana’s State Police in the force’s 64-year history.

Since leaving state police, Landry has served as director of security for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans Interna5onal Airport in Kenner.

“I have no doubt that Col. Landry’s wealth of law enforcement experience and the energy he brings to the posi5on will be of great benefit to our police department and

to the safety of the Southern University community,” Chancellor Kofi Lomotey said a%er announcing Landry’s appointment.

Lomotey said the University has launched a search for a permanent police chief. He added that Landry can apply for the permanent posi5on.

This is Landry’s second 5me as interim-police chief at Southern. He served in the same posi5on for several months in 2006.

“I loved working in a college environment,” Landry said, adding that he hopes that his law enforcement experience “is something that can benefit Southern University.”

While at State Police, Landry also worked in the gambling enforcement division, was captain of the crime laboratory, and worked in the criminal inves5ga5on bureau. Landry was named outstanding law enforcement officer of the year in Lafaye6e in 1980. He a6ended high school in New Iberia and served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.

“I hope I have something to offer the university,” Landry said.

Randale Sco', who serves as SGA President at Southern University at Shreveport, was elected to serve as the 2010-11 student member on the SU Board of Supervisors during the May Randale Sco0 17 mee5ng of the Council of Student Body Presidents.

Sco6 is a sophomore business management major from Bossier City. While not engaged in his studies, he enjoys li%ing weights, bowling, watching movies, and preaching and studying the word of God. Upon gradua5ng from SUSLA, he plans to transfer to SUBR to further his studies.

Sco6 said he is extremely excited about and humbled by the opportunity to represent his peers on the Board of Supervisors.

Sco6 replaces Raushanah Hunter who was SULC Student Bar Associa5on president. Hunter received her juris doctor degree May 15.

Small Farmer Ag Ins5tute con5nues with third class The third class of the Small Farmer Ag Leadership Ins5tute training took place at North Carolina A&T State University, March 18-20.

More than 30 par5cipants from 12 states gathered for hands-on learning in and out of the classroom. Session presenters included Mike Lanier, agribusiness agent, Orange County Center; Robin Adams, director of agricultural communica5ons, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, NC A&T SU; Gary S. Bullen, extension associate, North Carolina State University; Carmen Humphrey, chef, Marke5ng Grants and Technical Assistance Branch; and Michelle Eley, Extension, NC A&T SU. The trip culminated in a small farm tour of the Center for Environmental Farming Sys-

tems at North Carolina State University. The small farm tour included visits to the high tunnels/greenhouse, blueberries/raspberries, crop rota5on/livestock rota5on and post-harvest handling facili5es.

“We learned about a growing tube that we plan to put into use in our melon growing project this summer.

As is always the case, I came home with informa5on that would immediately help me in my quest to sustainably grow food here in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Thanks to Southern University and North Carolina A&T,” said Brennan Washington who is con5nuing his journey as a member of Southern University’s Agricultural Leadership Ins5tute.

More than 30 par/cipants from 12 states par/cipated in the third class of the Small Farmer Ag Leadership Ins/tute training at North Carolina A&T State University, March 18-20. In addi/on to classroom sessions and small farm visits, the group toured the Center for Environmental Farming Systems at North Carolina State University. The small farm tour included visits to the high tunnels/greenhouse, blueberries/raspberries, crop rota/on/livestock rota/on and post-harvest handling facili/es.

SU System News, page 4

Demetrius Sumner, Student Government Associa5on president at SUBR, was recently elected to serve as the student member on the Louisiana Board of ReDemetrius Sumner gents by the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents.

The Council is comprised of student government leaders from every public ins5tu5on in the state.

“Today marks a new milestone for Southern University and all of the students of Louisiana, ensuring that we are adequately represented during these severe economic circumstances,” said Sumner following his elec5on. His appointment will begin on June 1.

Sumner, a Dallas, Texas na5ve, is a sophomore majoring in poli5cal science who was elected 2010-2011 SGA president at SUBR in April.

SULC honored as VITA Site of the Year The SULC Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program was cited as the VITA Site of the Year during the Volunteer Recogni5on Ceremony sponsored by the Capital Area Asset Building Coali5on, April 26, at the Southern University Ag Center. SULC also received the Outstanding Community Partner Award during the ceremony.

Law students have been providing free income tax filing assistance to eligible taxpayers through the VITA program since 2003.

This year’s program assisted 246 individuals, who received more than $427,500 in tax refunds.

Vice Chancellor John Pierre accepted the award on behalf of the Law Center, along with a special recogni5on for his outstanding public service through the Stakeholder Partnerships, Educa5on, and Communica5on (SPEC), VITA, and Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (TCE) programs.

Law students recognized for their public service to the community through the VITA program are: Miriam Akinfosile, Nelson Allen, Jasmine Baskerville, Shane Bates, Roderick Be6s, Joi Boone, Ashley Bou6e, Quisoundra Bullock, Rachel Chandler, Bernade6e Chimah, Ashley Conish, Trachelle

Samuel Sanders (le ), director, Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance, presented SULC’s VITA Site of the Year Award to SULC Vice Chancellor John Pierre.

Cornish, Danielle Davenport, Derek Dennis, Daniel Druilhet, Sabrina Effron, Robert Findlay, Antoine Floyd, Deborah Fountain, Jackie Goff, Eugene Gouaux, Lakeisha Gray, Monica Griffith-Braud, Senae Hall, Shontae Harris, Adrea Hebert, Amanda Henderson, Fatmatu Jalloh, Julian M. Johnson, Traneisha Jones, Mary Joseph, Kennisha Firstley, Morgan Lamandre, Kimberly Lamo6e, Roslyn Madison, Leslie Mar5n, Chetamour Mckenzie, Victoria Minor, Timothy Moore, La5sha Nixon- Jones, Iheanyi Nkwocha, Ademola Oloko, Toussaint Pierre, Brian Ponder, Amanda Powell, Shakira Pumphrey, Stephanie Strickland, Jennifer Terry, Alma Thornton, Dewanna Trask, Melody Udoinyion, Rolando Urbina, Andre Welbon, and Jason Wesley.

Taylor receives na5onal honor for healthcare effort Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) ini5a5ve at a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Cheryl Taylor

Cheryl Taylor, SUBR School of Nursing’s director of nursing research, had a na5onal award named in her honor that recognizes her efforts to eliminate dispari5es in the delivery of healthcare to various racial and ethnic groups.

The new “Dr. Cheryl Taylor Award for Leadership and Vision” was presented by the federal Centers for Disease Control’s

SU System News, page 5

Taylor has worked with REACH since its incep5on in 1999. The REACH ini5a5ve has contributed significant evidence-based health outcomes and community-based par5cipatory approaches to the goal of advancing health equity.

REACH’s board voted unanimously to name the award a%er Taylor as a reminder to researchers of the character, values, integrity, compassion and determina5on one must bring to their work, the organiza5on said.

“The work that Dr. Taylor contributed to the Na5onal REACH project and the Impera5ve is unparallel,” Eleanor Hinton Hoy6,

president and CEO of the Impera5ve said.

“In 2005, Hurricane Katrina threatened the work of this project. But even in the face of catastrophic disaster, Cheryl stayed the course and kept our vision intact of elimina5ng racial and ethnic health dispari5es in New Orleans. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of receiving this award and being its namesake.”

The REACH award is another major cita5on that Taylor has won over the past year.

She was chosen the 2009 interna5onal winner of the pres5gious Daniel J. Pesut “Spirit of Renewal Award” for Nursing Excellence from the Honor Society of Nursing of Sigma Theta Tau Interna5onal (STTI). The Louisiana Nurses Founda5on and the Louisiana State Nurses Associa5on recently named Taylor the recipient of the ‘Outstanding Nurse Researcher’ Award.

Na5onal 4-H conference rejuvenates Louisiana youth The youth delega5on from the SU Ag Center were Kaylon Benjamin, sophomore, Lafaye6e High School; Jeremi Edwards, junior, La Grange High School; Darrell Griffin, sophomore, St. Helena Central High School; and Kori Williams, sophomore, Thurgood Marshall Early College High School, New Orleans. Supervising the group were Wanda Burke, youth development specialist, and Hendrix Broussard, assistant area agent, Orleans Parish.

The youth delega/on from the SU Ag Center a0ending the Na/onal 4-H Conference in Chevy Chase, Maryland were Kaylon Benjamin, Lafaye0e High School; Jeremi Edwards, La Grange High School; Darrell Griffin, St. Helena Central High School; and Kori Williams, Thurgood Marshall Early College High School, New Orleans.

Four Louisiana students arrived in Washington, D.C., March 20-27, to a6end the 2010 Na5onal 4-H Conference in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The six-day conference consisted of youth delegates from 49 states and two countries represen5ng 1862, 1890, and 1994 land grant colleges and universi5es.

grams and shared ideas that they could take from other states and use to make an impact on youth back in their home communi5es.

The delegates got a chance to tour historic landmarks, witness the changing of the guards at the Tombs of The Un-known Soldiers, and see the 911 memorial at the Pentagon. They also met with some elected officials from Louisiana to address youth issues in their communi5es. They met with Congressman Charlie Melancon, Congressman William Cassidy, Senator David Vi6er, and an assistant to Senator Mary Landrieu.

Another highlight of the trip was mee5ng Oscar award-winner Monique while at the airport in New Orleans.

The youth par5cipated in roundtable discussions about their respec5ve state pro-

Southern inducts 11 new members into Hall of Fame

The Southern University Sports Hall of Fame Commission inducted 11 new members into the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame during a banquet on May 8 in the Royal Co5llion Ballroom in the SmithBrown Memorial Student Union.

The new inductees enshrined into the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame are: Paul Bailey, who played football from 1956-60 and later served as a head football coach at four Louisiana schools for nine years Theophilus Boyd and Jesse J. Jackson, both na5ves of Mansfield and teammates on the football team from 1958-62 Terry Lewis who played football at SU from 1966-70

SU Alumni, family and friends joined the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame Commission at a banquet to induct 11 new members into the SU Sports Hall of Fame on May 8 in the Smith Brown Memorial Student Union.

Larry Rowley, who played football and baseball at SU from 1960-64 Lloyd Robinson, who played football at SU from 1979-83

Henry Parish, who played baseball at SU from 1978-82 and received the honor posthumously. Parish died in 2006

Allan Ray “Rudy” Rudison, who played football at SU from 1959-62

Eric Randall, star quarterback of the SU football team from 1992-95

Kenya'a Sparks, who played football at SU from 1992-95

Erika Yearby White, who played three seasons on the SU so%ball team from 1997-99, including the program’s first squad The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Dexter Henderson, a SU alumnus and vice president of systems so%ware for IBM Systems and Technology Group.

SU System News, page 6

‘Miss Southern’ con5nues to raise money for St. Jude Wearing the crown of Miss Southern University and A&M College is a big responsibility and being the focal point of a6en5on at a variety of social events can be exci5ng.

Just ask Sabrina Whitney who recently completed her 2009-2010 reign as Miss Southern. But, she will also tell you that raising money for seriously ill children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

“It has made me feel good that I have been able to help and that I have done something that is going to make things better for children,” Whitney said.

The Tallulah na5ve and her execu5ve board members of “Up ‘5l Dawn,” raised $10,000. She donated the money to representa5ves of the Memphis, Tennesseebased hospital during a ceremony before commencement exercises on May 14 just before receiving her degree.

Up ‘5l Dawn unites students from all walks of campus life, staff, and their campus com-

muni5es with the goal to end childhood cancer once and for all. Students help raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through a variety of ac5vi5es.

The campus queen used several fundraising efforts including a le6erwri5ng campaign and a “Li6le Miss Southern” pageant and talent show.

She even used a “Free Your Queen (from jail) for Homecoming” event.

“I actually have enjoyed the hard work it has taken to raise the money,” she said. “But, it wasn’t just me. My execu5ve board has done so much to make it work.”

Sabrina Whitney, Miss Southern for 2009-2010, along with her Up ‘/l Dawn execu/ve board, raised $10,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Pictured is Whitney and SUBR Chancellor Kofi Lomotey during a check presenta/on to St. Jude Research Hospital representa/ves prior to commencement on May 14 where Whitney received a degree.

Whitney said she is driven to raise the money because she believes the cause is worthy and because she had a younger cousin die from cancer a few years ago.

Also, last year, she went to St. Jude and saw dozens of children who were being treated for life-threatening diseases.

“It was devasta5ng…I cried the whole 5me,” she said. “Now, I really know that what we are doing is important.”

The criminal jus5ce major said she will con5nue to work with causes such as St. Jude while she a6ends graduate school.

SUBR student among winners of na5onal essay contest beauty secret” in 200 words or less for a chance to win the prize package. The 2005 Broadmoor High graduate said she submitted her beauty secret essay about three months ago.

Bri0any Adolph, a senior at SUBR, is one of two winners of a Johnson’s Baby Oil and Essence magazine’s essay contest.

Bri6any Adolph, a senior at Southern University and A&M College, is one of two winners of Johnson’s Baby Oil and Essence magazine’s “What’s Your Beauty Secret?” essay contest. Adolph’s prizes include a photo shoot for the na5onal magazine.

“I can’t believe it,” the 22-year-old Baton Rouge na5ve said, adding that this was her first 5me entering any kind of contest.

Johnson’s Baby Oil asked par5cipants to “tell us your favorite Johnson’s Baby Oil

SU System News, page 7

Adolph said her beauty secret is placing a few caps of Johnson’s baby oil in her bath water. Adolph said she wrote, in part, that “Ever since I was a baby, my mother put a few caps full of baby oil in my bath water and I think it locks in moister and leaves your skin radiant,” adding that she has never had problems with dry skin.

The history major, who has hopes of becoming a college professor, is all smiles when she describes what she has won. She gets a prize pack which includes a first-class flight to New York, a hotel suite, a Johnson’s gi% basket with $200 worth of items, a makeover with a professional make-up ar5st and a photo shoot with the other winner for a Johnson and Johnson adver5sement that will be published in an upcoming

issue of Essence magazine. An excerpt of her essay will be published in Essence.

“This was my first 5me entering any kind of contest,” said Adolph. “I had a friend who told me her mother likes to enter contests and has won two contests in her life5me.

That inspired me to enter a contest.”

Adolph said she looked for a contest that suited her and found Johnson’s contest.

“I’m excited because it’s a new experience,” said Adolph. “Just knowing that thousands of people applied for it and I won.”

“Whenever you see something that you want to do, go for it, because you never know what door will be opened or what God is going to do.”

Adolph le% for her two-day trip to New York on May 10.

New SU Law Center MB Fellows named Five East Baton Rouge Parish high school students, winners of the 2010 SULC Marshall-Brennan Cons5tu5onal Literacy Project High School Compe55on, were recognized at a recep5on, Friday, April 23, in the atrium of A.A. Lenoir Hall.

The winners and their compe55on categories were Wykeisha Webb of Istrouma High School, t-shirt design; T’Shyra Warner of Glen Oaks High School, poster design; Jonathan Williams of Glen Oaks High School, poetry; and Alexis Jackson and

SUBR engineering receives TI grant

Pradeep Bhattacharya

Southern University and A&M College’s Department of Electrical recently received a $100,000 grant from Texas Instruments.

The grant will be used to purchase equipment in the Automa5c Tes5ng Lab, student scholarships and other items.

“We believe the training programs are very instrumental to earning great jobs,” said Pradeep Bha6acharya, chairman and professor, electrical engineering.

The Automa5c Tes5ng Lab permits students to test a variety of material, such as the different electronic circuits and the various complicated measures of nature.

“We want our students to be able to stand on their own two feet when they work for great corpora5ons such as Texas Instruments and other major companies,” said Bha6acharya.

Kayla Magee of Scotlandville High School, 5ed in the essay contest.

Thirty-three high school students submi6ed their artwork and composi5ons on April 20 for review and ra5ng by four law student judges. Each student winner also was awarded a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

The Glen Oaks High School Team, which was the best school par5cipa5on regional New Marshall-Brennan Fellows were announced during an academic closing program, April 21. SULC students (from le ): Nicholas Gills, Bernade0e winner of the SULC MarshallChimah, Jonathan Reed, Mari Bartholomew, Nelson Allen, and ChristoBrennan Second Annual High pher Dassau.

School Moot Court Compe55on, was also recognized and serve in high school classrooms as teachers presented the 2010 trophy. The team mem- and mentors; and under the guidance of the bers were Chris5an Jones, Jonathan host high school teacher, lead discussions of Williams, and Shanderick Williams. cons5tu5onal law as it relates to their students.

At the recep5on, which also served as an academic-year closing ac5vity for the MarThe academic year closing program proshall-Brennan Project, Chancellor Freddie vided the opportunity to announce the projPitcher Jr., welcomed par5cipants and their ect”s new Fellows who are Nelson Allen, family members, along with other supportMari Bartholomew, Quisoundra Bullock, ers of the program. Vice Chancellor Russell Bernade6e Chimah, Christopher Dassau, L. Jones, director of the Marshall-Brennan Megan Early, Nicholas Gills, and Jonathan Project, gave an overview of the program in Reed. a video presenta5on. Superintendent John Dilworth of the East Baton Rouge Parish Senior Fellows are Lewis Booth, Levicy School System and Alejandro Perkins, presiCrawford, Angelica Evans, Maya Guntz-Flowdent of the Louis A. Mar5net Legal Society, ers, Nadine Killebrew, Freddie King, Chandiscussed their interest in the program. ne6e Lewis, Andrea Lowe, Kayarda Lowe, and Chinwe Onyemekwu. Marshall-Brennan The Marshall-Brennan Cons5tu5onal Liter- commi6ee members are Devan Malone and acy Project seeks to empower high school Dewanna Trask. students to be responsible ci5zens and lifelong par5cipants in the democra5c process SULC Marshall-Brennan project funding by teaching them about their cons5tu5onal partners include Louisiana Bar Founda5on, rights and responsibili5es through the CSRS Architects/Engineers, Aramark, ComUnited States Supreme Court cases that afmercial Property Reality Trust, Louis A. Marfect students directly.

5net Founda5on, Judge Cur5s Calloway (re5red), Bayou Café, Louisiana Fish Fry Upper level law students are selected as Products, Inc., Southern University BookMarshall-Brennan Fellows through a comstore, Dr. Charles Vincent, Katherine pe55ve applica5on process. The fellows Lemelle, Cynthia Chemay, Cleo Fields and par5cipate in a pre-semester training and a the Louisiana Leadership Ins5tute, Chris5ne year-long advanced cons5tu5onal law semi- Corcos, EMT Electronics, Dave Home Imnar, “Teaching Ci5zenship Through the Conprovement, M&M Party Rental, Darryl s5tu5on,” taught by the program directors Robertson, Shayla Jackson, Judge John M. and educa5on professionals. The fellows Guidry, and Vonda Franklin.

SU System News, page 8

Stump Mitchell football camps, golf tourneys announced Southern University first-year head football coach, Stump Mitchell, has announced camp dates for the 2010 Stump Mitchell Summer Football Camp, as well as a 7 on 7 Tournament, Big Men’s Camp, and Satellite Day Camps.

For the first 5me, Southern will hold three camps in Baton Rouge - The Stump Mitchell Football Camp (June 14-17); the 7 on 7 Tournament (June

25-26); and the Big Men's Camp (June 2526).

Coach Mitchell and staff will also take their football exper5se around the state of Louisiana in five satellite day camps - New Orleans (June 19), Monroe (June 21), Shreveport (June 22), Lake Charles (June 23), and Lafaye6e (June 24).

In addi5on, there will be a series of “Chalk Talks/Dinner” at every day camp loca5on with coach Mitchell and the Southern football staff addressing ques5ons from the audience.

The Stump Mitchell Golf Tournaments will be held Friday, June 18 and Monday, June 28. A four-person scramble format allows golfers of all levels of playing ability to have fun while raising money for the Southern University Football Program. Players may sign up individually, or with their friends as teams.

SUBR students named tour winners

The students will join 19 others winners from nine other historically black colleges and universi5es on a 5-day, 4 night all-expense paid trip to Johannesburg, South Africa.

E6e is a senior, civil engineering major from New Orleans and Douglas is a junior, poli5cal science major from Shreveport.

To enter the contest, E6e and Douglas had to submit a crea5ve, three-minute video, anSUBR students, Edifon E0e (le ) and Sherron Phae Douglas will join 19 swering the ques5on: “How others winners from nine other historically black colleges and universidoes The Coca-Cola Replenish /es on an all-expense paid trip to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Africa Ini5a5ve (RAIN), which provides access to safe drinking Southern University and A&M College water for communi5es throughout Africa, students, Edifon E6e and Sherron Phae inspire you?”

Douglas, have won a trip of a life5me. The two have been named the winners of CocaTheir videos were selected from hunCola’s Open Happiness Tour contest. dreds of videos entered by students from a number of HBCUs across the country.

SU System News, page 9

This year events are being held at The Lakewood Country Club in New Orleans and The Bluffs Country Club in St. Francisville, offering 18 holes of championship golf.

Your gi% directly helps the Southern University Football Program by providing flexible funding for the purchase of a new synthe5c field surface, recrui5ng, and other needs of the football program.

For more informa5on on all Southern University Football Camps including pricing, contact Coach Mike Jones at 225-329-6753.

If you cannot par5cipate in Golf Tournament, please consider suppor5ng the Southern University Football Program with a dona5on to the tournament, sponsoring a hole, or par5cipa5ng in any of the other sponsorship opportuni5es. For more informa5on contact Jones.

Elaine Barham, assistant professor, SUBR School of Nursing, received the Helen Creemens Johnson Excellence in Teaching Award at the Annual Celebrate Nursing Banquet held May 3rd by the Elaine Barham Baton Rouge District Nurses Associa5on.

Barham is a member of the Interna5onal Nursing Associa5on for Clinical Simula5on Learning and has played a pivotal role in incorpora5ng simula5on learning into the clinical teaching at the School of Nursing.

She is a member of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, Sigma Theta Tau Interna5onal Honor Society of Nursing, and the Baton Rouge Oncology Nursing Society.

This is the third consecu5ve year that a faculty member for Southern’s School of Nursing has received the award.

Rachel Emanuel, director of publica5ons and electronic media, Southern University Law Center, along with two of the Southern Sit-In Sixteen, Sandra Jones Overby Rachel Emanuel and Vernon Jordan, were panelists for Capital Area CASA Associa5on’s volunteers training on diversity and cultural competency on May 4 at First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge.

Following a screening of “Taking A Seat for Jus5ce: the 1960 Baton Rouge SitIns,” the panelists discussed the role that the Southern Sixteen played in the history of race rela5ons in Baton Rouge. The Southern Sixteen were a group of SU students who staged civil rights sit-ins in Baton Rouge on March 28-29, 1960.

Emanuel also served on the Louisiana Endowment for the Humani5es (LEH) Media Panel on May 14, to assist in the selec5on of recipients for 2010 documentary grants.

SU players claim SWAC so%ball honors The Southwestern Athle5c Conference (SWAC) announced its 2010 all-conference so%ball honors in April, with Southern's Shawntall Steamer and Lanaya Jenkins claiming top honors. The teams were voted on by the schools’ coaches and sports informa5on departments.

Steamer, a freshman shortstop, was been named the 2010 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Steamer had an excep5onal freshman campaign this season for the Jaguars. She ranked first on her team and eighth in the conference with a .364 ba7ng average. The Freeport, Texas na5ve also finished the regular-season ranked first in the SWAC in hits, triples, and total bases; third in runs scored, and fourth

Lanaya Jenkins

Audrey Phillips

in slugging percentage (.612), and runs batted in.

Jenkins, a senior from Sea6le, Washington, was voted the 2010 Pitcher of the Year.

Jenkins ranked first on her team and third in the SWAC. She was the second winningest pitcher in the conference, registering 12 victories. She also ranked third in the league in opposing ba6er average (.267) and fourth in ba6ers struck out.

Other SU players earning 2010 SWAC AllConference selec5ons included first-team honor for ou4ielder Victoria Stewart, a junior from Texarkana, Texas and second-team honor for shortstop Audrey Phillips, a sophomore from Mansfield, Texas.

Shawntall Steamer

Victoria Stewart

SULC student team wins 2010 Budgetball Tournament Tournament and a $500 prize sponsored by SULC.

ac5vi5es related to both personal and na5onal issues.

The Budgetball Tournament, held March 13, included 10 student teams.

Members of the winning team were Hollis Lewis, Orlando Whitaker, Clint Schexnayder, Sholone Williams, O5s Brown, and Brady Skinner.

The Na5onal Academy of Public Administra5on is impressed with SULC’s ini5a5ve programs and successful tournament, according to Budgetball student scholar/chair Sonja Cajuste.

SULC was selected to par5cipate in the 2009-2010 Budgetball Civic EnCheck presenta/on to the “Night Hawks,” SULC Budgetball Tour- gagement Ini5a5ve, a partnership of nament Winning Team: (from le ) are Steve Guilliardo, a reprethe Na5onal Academy of Public Adsenta/ve from Na/onal Academy of Public Administra/on in ministra5on (Na5onal Academy) and Washington, D.C. (holding the check); Hollis Lewis, Orlando the Na5onal Associa5on for Equal OpWhitaker, Clint Schexnayder, Sholone Williams, Brady Skinner, O/s Brown, and Sonja Cajuste, SULC Budgetball student scholportunity in Higher Educa5on ars/chair.

(NAFEO). A $6,000 s5pend was provided to help implement the SULC Budgetball Civic Engagement Ini5a5ve, A team of Evening Division students, the which also included educa5onal events on Night Hawks, won the 2010 Budgetball fiscal responsibility and civic engagement

SULC was the first complete the tournament from among the 10 schools from across the country chosen for the ini5a5ve.

Professor Arthur Stallworth is the faculty representa5ve for SULC Budgetball and third-year student Jason Wesley serves on the program’s na5onal board.

For more informa5on about the Budgetball grant awarded to SULC, log on to budgetball.org.

SU System News, page 10

May 27 SUNO Summer Session registra5on through June 28 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

31 Memorial Day June 1 SUBR Summer School registra5on through, June 2 SUSLA Summer Session orienta5on, tes5ng, and registra5on for new freshmen 2 SUSLA Summer Session general registra5on 7 SULC Registra5on for Summer Session, 2010 10 SULC Alumni/Friends Recep5on, 69th Annual LSBA Mee5ng 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Graffi5 and the Funky Blues Shack, Des5n, Florida

The Southern University System Newsle6er is published monthly by the Southern University System to highlight news and accomplishments throughout the SU System.

Campus news provided by the Office of Media Rela/ons (SUBR), the Office of Public Rela/ons (SUNO), Office of Communica/ons (SU Ag Center), Office of Publica/ons and Electronic Media (SUBR, SULC), Department of University Communica/ons (SUSLA), and Sports Informa/on (SUBR).

Please e-mail any ar/cles, photos, and announcements for the SU System Newsle6er by the last week of each month to: susystemnewsle0er@sus.edu

SU System News, page 11

Upcoming Events

14 *Stump Mitchell Football Camp (through June 17

18 *Stump Mitchell Golf Tournament The Lakewood Country Club, New Orleans 19 *Stump Mitchell Football Camp - New Orleans 21 *Stump Mitchell Football Camp - Monroe 22 *Stump Mitchell Football Camp - Shreveport 23 *Stump Mitchell Football Camp - Lake Charles 24 *Stump Mitchell Football Camp - Lafaye6e 25 SU Board of Supervisors Mee5ng 9 a.m.

SUSLA Health and Physical Educa5on Center *Stump Mitchell Football Camp -7 on 7 Tournament (through June 26) -Big Men's Camp (through June 26) 26 SUSLA Founda5on 11th Annual Gentleman’s Cooking Classic 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in the Red River Room.

28 *Stump Mitchell Golf Tournament The Bluffs Country Club, St. Francisville *For more informa/on on all Southern University football camps and golf tournaments, contact Coach Mike Jones at 225-329-6753

“BE EMPOWERED” 2010 Southern University Na5onal Alumni Conference Washington, D.C. July 7-11 Grand Hya6 Room reserva/ons deadline is June 7

For conference informa5on and updates, visit the SUAF’s Web site at www.sualumni.org, or follow them on their interac5ve pages on Facebook and Twi6er at Southern University Alumni Federa5on and SUAlumniFed, respec5vely, or call the Alumni Office at 225-771-4200.

Conference registra/on deadline is June 25

STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS 2007 – 2012

• ENHANCE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

• DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A SYSTEM-WIDE CULTURE OF ASSESSMENT, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT, AND ACCOUNTABILITY • ENHANCE SYSTEM-WIDE ATHLETIC PROGRAMMING AND FACILITIES • CREATE AND EXECUTE A COMPREHENSIVE ADVANCEMENT PLAN

• CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM-WIDE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE MASTER PLAN

Five Campuses, One Vision. . .GLOBAL Excellence

SU System News, page 12