FALL 2023 • VOLUME 25
THE CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS:
A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FUTURE OF ULM
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
photo by Paul Ware
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
FROM OUR President Dr. Ronald Berry
Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends of ULM, Welcome to the fall 2023 magazine for the University of Louisiana Monroe.
www.ulm.edu
The 2022-2023 academic year will be remembered as a record year for our university. From the academic achievements of our students, impactful research and teaching of our faculty, life changing service of our staff, and the generous support and advocacy of our alumni, friends, and supporters, ULM continued its evolution as an anchor for our region and a beacon of hope and success for our future. I hope you enjoy learning about a few of those amazing accomplishments in this edition of our fall magazine. Lumen g enerously donate d their
PRESIDENT
Monroe campus to our ULM Facilities Corporation. The donation represents the largest gift in the University’s histor y and one of the largest gifts to any higher institution in the state. “Transformational” is an understatement when it comes to describing the impact and possibilities that the facility will provide for our university and the region. To honor and maintain the legacy of Lumen and the founder of its predecessor companies, we have named the campus “The Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus.” Our legislative delegation rolled up their sleeves and delivered a home run for the university during their last legislative session. A record $90+ million was included in the final 2024
Louisiana budget for ULM capital outlay projects. While all of these funds will not be available during this coming year, inclusion in the budget represents a strong signal for the future of ULM and our mission of changing lives. I hope you enjoy reading these and other stories about all things ULM. Talons Out!
Ronald Berry, D.B.A. ULM President
ON THE COVER
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Aerial photograph of the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus by Paul Ware. Located on the bayou, the former Lumen headquarters was generously donated to ULM, providing space and technology for the university to flourish and further serve the region. ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
CONTENTS
THE CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS: A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FUTURE OF ULM
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP PELICAN CUP ANNOUNCES NEW PRIZE AMOUNTS AND CREATION OF STUDENT INNOVATION FUND
A RECORD BREAKING SEASON FOR WOMEN'S GOLF
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ULM RAISES MORE THAN $2 MILLION IN 24 HOURS DURING ITS FIRST DAY OF GIVING
INTERN WITH IMPACT: ULM SENIOR MICHAEL CRENSHAW BRINGS HIS CLASSROOM SKILLS TO THE WORKFORCE
ULM CELEBRATES EMPLOYEES AT ANNUAL FOUNDATION AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
CONTENTS
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ULM Foundation
DAY OF GIVING MAY 17, 2023
A 24-hour challenge for friends of ULM
www.ulm.edu
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
MAGAZINE FALL 2023 • VOLUME 25
EDITORIAL TEAM
PRESIDENT Ronald Berry, D.B.A. (BBA ‘88, MBA ‘90) VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT AND UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Lisa Miller (MS ‘94) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Brice Jones, Ph.D. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS Adam McDonald, Editor (BA ‘06) EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Srdjan Marjanovic (BFA ‘12) GRAPHIC DESIGN COORDINATOR Mandy Stickland DIGITAL CONTENT SPECIALIST Skylar Henry VISUAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Paul Ware DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Molly Masters (BBA ‘17) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ULM ADVANCEMENT, FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI RELATIONS Susan Chappell (BBA ‘82, MBA ‘87) PRESIDENT, ULM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Joseph Beard (BS ‘09) DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS Medria Taylor Buford (BS ‘18) CONTRIBUTORS Jessica Dolecheck, Ph.D., Ashlyn Dupree, Jamie Hanks, John Lewandowski, Jansen Nowell, Prajal Prasai, Danielle Kelley Tolbird
The ULM Magazine is published for members of the ULM Alumni Association and friends of the University of Louisiana Monroe. Send letters & comments to: The ULM Magazine Office of Marketing & Communications 700 University Ave. Monroe, LA 71209–2500
CHANGING LIVES TO CREATE A BETTER WORLD Lots of things go into making a dream come true. Little things and big things. Other people and opportunities. There is no one path to make it there. The one consistent thing is: you have to work for it. At ULM, we’ve seen many dreams come true, and in our 2023 commercial we got to showcase students doing the work to get there. These scenes represent the opportunities and things you get to experience while on the path to making your dreams come true. The beautiful thing is new dreams come every day, and we’re happy we get to be a part of helping students reach them. - Molly Masters, Digital Media Specialist
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Email: ulmmagazine@ulm.edu Any letters or comments may be published and edited for length and style. Contents © 2023 by the University of Louisiana Monroe and the ULM Alumni Association. All rights reserved. The University of Louisiana Monroe is a member of the University of Louisiana System.
Scan & Watch! bit.ly/espn2023
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photo by Siddharth Gaulee
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
Medria Taylor Buford Director of Alumni Affairs
DIRECTOR Dear Esteemed Alumni, It is with great excitement and honor that I introduce myself as the new Director of Alumni Affairs. As I step into this role, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and commitment to serving our vibrant community of accomplished individuals. First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the legacy that you, our esteemed alumni, have woven into the fabric of our institution. Your achievements, both professional and personal, stand as a testament to the exceptional education that ULM provides. Through your accomplishments, you not only inspire current students but also contribute to the continued growth and reputation of our alma mater.
The ULM Magazine has long been a cherished platform for showcasing your accomplishments, updates, and stories. I encourage you to share your
recent endeavors, career milestones, and reflections with us. Your stories not only serve as a source of inspiration but also reinforce the bonds that tie us together as a ULM family. As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to connect with us through various channels, including our alumni events, webinars, and social media platforms. Your participation is integral to shaping the future of alumni engagement at ULM. In closing , please know that I am genuinely excited to serve as your advocate and partner in further strengthening our alumni network. Together, we will build upon the rich traditions of the university and create new avenues for collaboration, growth, and lifelong learning. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to connecting with you all. Warm regards,
MEDRIA TAYLOR BUFORD Director of Alumni Affairs
www.ulm.edu
I am humbled by the opportunity to lead our dedicated Alumni Affairs team, whose goal is to foster meaningful connections among our alumni. In the coming months, we aim to introduce exciting initiatives that will enable you to engage with each other, share your experiences, and stay connected with the university that played a pivotal role in your journey.
FROM THE ALUMNI DIRECTOR
318.342.5244 buford@ulm.edu
FROM THE ALUMNI
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS BY ADAM MCDONALD
THE CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS:
A WEALTH OF OPP www.ulm.edu
FOR THE FUTURE OF U NEW CAMPUS MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS DONATION FROM LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS
PORTUNITY
www.ulm.edu
ULM
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n Tuesday, June 27, 2023, members of the ULM family gathered at the Lumen Technology Center for Excellence for an historic announcement that will have a reverberating impact on the university for years to come. Lumen Technologies and ULM announced the donation of Lumen’s local campus to the university. The donation includes two buildings and a parking garage totaling over 800,000 square feet. It marks the largest single donation ever received by ULM and is among the largest received by any public university in Louisiana.
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS
The new campus is now officially known as the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus. Williams was the founder and chairman of the board of CenturyTel, which eventually became Lumen Technologies. Williams was a longtime supporter of ULM before his passing in 2002. The Clarke M. Williams Student Success Center on ULM’s main campus also bears his name. Lumen will maintain a presence on the campus, leasing back 52,000 square feet of space from the university for in-person events and meetings. “Hybrid work is the future. Lumen is embracing this work model for employee wellness and flexibility,” stated Chris Stansbury, chief financial officer at Lumen. “We continue to be committed to the hundreds of Lumen employees in the Monroe area, and we’re so excited to partner with ULM on investing in the future of this vibrant community.” The donation of the campus was a process months in the making, with initial conversations beginning in November 2022. ULM President Dr. Ron Berry said an initial meeting between ULM and Lumen officials was followed by several discussions about potential opportunities for the facility and eventually led to the creation of a joint proposal and a letter of understanding that Lumen would make the donation to ULM.
www.ulm.edu
“We owe Lumen a great deal of thanks because at the end of the day, no matter how many options they were considering, they chose us as their partner to move forward. They will continue to work with us as we put plans in place to leverage the facilities for the benefit of the university and the community,” said Berry. Berry says the goal is for the Innovation Campus to become a community asset that creates income for the university. “If you look at bigger universities across the country,
Community leaders gathered for the historic announcement. (L-R) Regent Christian Creed, Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, former U.S. Congressman Rodney Alexander, Lumen VP of Customer Success & Advocacy Stephanie Polk, Sterlington Mayor Matt Talbert, West Monroe Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell, Sen. Jay Morris, Sen. Stewart Cathey, Rep. Foy Gadberry, UL System Board of Supervisors Chair Liz Pierre, Ouachita Police Jury President Shane Smiley, ULM President Dr. Ron Berry, Carolyn Williams Perry
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photos by Paul Ware
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When considering a donation of this magnitude, the possibilities can seem overwhelming. According to Berry, the new name is a signifier of how these possibilities can be harnessed.
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A 2.2 acre landscaped courtyard unites the Technology Center, completed in 2015, with the original 365,000 square foot Lumen Headquarters building.
www.ulm.edu
– PRESIDENT RON BERRY
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS
“ We owe Lumen a great deal of thanks because at the end of the day, no matter how many options they were considering, they chose us as their partner to move forward.”
most of them have investments in commercial properties, and this campus is a prime piece of real estate. It includes one of the most technologically advanced buildings in the state, which can create lots of opportunities to grow the local economy and create new, innovative businesses. The potential is unbelievable,” said Berry.
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“We named it the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus for a reason,” said Berry. “Clarke Williams was a tremendous entrepreneur. He believed deeply in developing our community such that our families could thrive here. To honor his legacy, we want the Campus to remain a place of innovation, creativity, and growth for our region,” he added.
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS
Since the donation was received in June, the term “mixed-use facility” has been used to describe the potential future of the campus. Lumen still maintains a footprint in the facility, as well as Cor Medical, an on-site medical clinic that will continue to provide medical services to Lumen employees and others, but prospects for future tenants remain wide open. Some of the possibilities being discussed are advanced manufacturing, hospitality training from an innovative approach, as well as companies working with artificial intelligence and robotics. “The idea is to lease space to people who want to build things, be creative and innovative, and help solve some of the world’s most challenging issues,” said Berry. Berry clarified that no current ULM academic programs would be making the jump to the new campus. However, there could be opportunities for ULM students to engage with industry on the Innovation Campus. The Campus could also open doors for faculty to participate in research projects and provide consultation and training opportunities. The current degree programs at ULM have a large focus on health care, with pharmacy, nursing, and a host of health science degree offerings. Berry says the new campus could offer ULM the chance to explore areas of growth in the health sciences field such as a dental or optometry school. Such growth would bring more professionals to the region and provide more educational options for local citizens.
www.ulm.edu
“We want the campus to be an asset that grows our economy, provides better lives for families, and attracts new businesses and individuals here,” offered Berry. “The people that have engaged with us so far are all very innovative. They're creative and can hopefully help us match companies with our existing mission and strengths of our campus,” he added. Plans for recruiting and vetting companies to fill the space at the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus are still in development, but it’s a process that will be aided by
“ We want the campus to be an asset that grows our economy, provides better lives for families, and attracts new businesses and individuals here.” – PRESIDENT RON BERRY
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS Early on in the process of Lumen donating their Monroe campus to ULM, President Berry knew that the university wanted to honor Clarke M. Williams with the naming of this new campus. “We saw this as an opportunity to extend his legacy and remind people of his legacy and what he and his team and his family did for our region and our state. It just made perfect sense,” said Berry. “I know that my father would be so honored to see his name attached to this Innovation Campus,” said Carolyn Williams Perry, daughter of Clarke M. Williams. “His heart was always with ULM, then Northeast Junior College of Louisiana State University, and so it is very fitting that his legacy will live on in this way.” Clarke M. Williams was born on February 6, 1922. Mr. Williams literally grew up in the telephone business. As a boy, he worked the switchboard in the living room of his parents Oak Ridge, La. home, and delivered his mother's handwritten bills on his bicycle to the company's 75 customers.
photo by Paul Ware
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The listing will highlight ULM’s strengths and also communicate the needs of the community in order to attract companies that are a good fit for the university and the region. “Collaboration is going to be what makes us successful,” said Berry.
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
becoming listed as an authorized site with Louisiana Economic Development.
Another key collaborator in the development of the Innovation Campus will be the City of Monroe, whom Berry describes as “a great partner.”
After serving his nation in World War II, he returned home and married, and his parents gave him the company as a wedding gift. He eventually grew what was then the Oak Ridge Telephone Company into CenturyTel, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the U.S. CenturyTel would eventually become CenturyLink and is now known as Lumen Technologies. Mr. Williams was a true visionary, both as a businessman and a citizen. He was also a humble man, determined to build a business based on fairness, honesty, integrity, commitment to excellence, positive attitude, respect, faith and perseverance. A long-time mayor of his hometown of Oak Ridge, Mr. Williams believed in serving others.
In 1993, Clarke M. Williams received the highest honor bestowed by ULM, an
Mayor Ellis said the technology integrated throughout the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus makes it an attractive addition to the region’s inventory of sites. He also emphasized that the City of Monroe
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honorary doctorate. ULM would later the name the Clarke M. Williams Student Success Center in his honor.
“ His heart was always with ULM, then Northeast Junior College of Louisiana State University, and so it is very fitting that his legacy will live on in this way.” – CAROLYN WILLIAMS PERRY
In 2002, Mr. Williams passed away at the age of 80. Mr. Williams built a strong, enduring legacy both in his personal life and as an exceptionally successful business leader. He made countless contributions to his community and to the telecommunications industry. Dr. Berry says plans to honor Williams at the new campus include the possibility of setting aside a space to display items associated with Williams and CenturyTel and tell the story of his life and the growth of the company. “If you think about the number of lives that were changed at Lumen and the number of significant opportunities that were provided to people in our region because of that company, it’s really impressive,” said Berry. “The creation of the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus is just a way for us to honor him and his entrepreneurial spirit and his family for the impact they made.”
www.ulm.edu
During his lifetime, he received numerous civic awards, including the Medal of Honor presented by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He was also named "Humanitarian" by the Arthritis Foundation, and received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America.
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS
The impressive foyer of the Technology Center features customizable LED columns. The building incoporates 37,000 square feet of View Dynamic Glass windows with tint that automatically responds to outside conditions.
“This facility has long been a shining example of what the bright light of ingenuity and willpower can do,” said Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis. “Underneath ULM’s leadership, I have no doubt that light will continue to shine and illuminate our region. The property is of course impressive, but more importantly, the opportunities it presents are incredibly exciting to consider for the City of Monroe and future economic development,” added Ellis.
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Both buildings feature thousands of square feet of usable office space with updated technological capabilities including board rooms and meeting spaces. ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS will work to assist ULM. “The City of Monroe is growing and with the addition of the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus and the collaboration between the City and the University, the future is bright,” said Ellis.
The campus features a reconfigurable meeting space which can be utilized for a variety of events. Envision 2023 will take place in this space on November 2, 2023.
In terms of economic impact for ULM, Berry says early estimates are extremely positive, estimating an annual revenue of $4 million to $6 million, even at half capacity. “These funds would be unrestricted and could be used at the university to improve different areas of campus, he said. “
www.ulm.edu
Berry says it is important to note that the new campus was officially donated to the ULM Facilities Corporation, which is a separate non-profit organization that is affiliated with the university. The ULM Facilities Corporation is managed by a board of directors that includes members of the community as well as representatives from the ULM administration. Berry says the Facilities photos by Paul Ware
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“Some people have already asked ‘Why would the university take on this risk and responsibility for overhead costs?’ It’s important for people to realize that there are no state dollars going to this facility. It is all managed by the ULM Facilities Corporation, which is independent, but its sole purpose is to support ULM,” said Berry.
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Corporation has been instrumental in the university’s growth in the past by purchasing properties that become available near campus in order to ensure room for ULM to grow.
CLARKE M. WILLIAMS INNOVATION CAMPUS
ULM alumnus Dan Robertson, President of Robertson Produce, is the President of the Board for the ULM Facilities Corporation. “I think there is a tremendous opportunity for ULM to continue to excel with a facility of this magnitude,” said Robertson. “No other university in the state has an asset like this. We have corporations calling ULM, wanting to partner and create incubators for our students and faculty. This will be a catalyst to create more job opportunities in our region,” he added. As the campus transitions operations from Lumen to ULM, Berry said it’s important to try to retain as much organizational memory as possible, which means the potential of some Lumen employees becoming ULM employees in order to help realize the capabilities of the campus. In addition to various contractors, Berry envisions six fulltime ULM Facilities Corporation employees working at the Innovation Campus at the onset, with the potential for more down the road. As Berry leads ULM toward a bright new future a little further north on the bayou, he displays his typical humility as he reflects on this time in the university’s history. “When you think about what this has the potential to do for our region, it’s overwhelming, it’s humbling. All I did was happen to be in the right place at the right time and ask the right question,” he said.
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www.ulm.edu
At the press conference announcing the donation, Dr. Berry referenced the age-old quote, “To whom much is given, much is required.” He followed it up with a promise: “I can promise you as president of ULM and with all of our partners in this room, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure we are held accountable for Lumen’s generous gift. They are placing on us the opportunity and the accountability to continue their work and our work of changing lives in this region and creating a community that we can all be very proud of.”
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BY ADAM MCDONALD
HUMANITIES INSTITUTE SEEKS TO ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
ENRICH AND HIGHLIGHT LOCAL COMMUNITY
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he ULM School of Humanities, within the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences, includes the programs of Communication, English, History, and World Languages. The humanities are connected through their study of the human environment, its diverse heritage, traditions, and history.
novelist and travel writer Alex Temblador, a presentation and practice pitch meeting for screenwriting students, and other events to promote the Humanities within the community. Rogers says one function of the Institute is to apply for grant funding. During fall 2023, they hope to begin matching faculty with external photo by Siddharth Gaulee
COLLEGE OF ARTS, EDUCATION, AND SCIENCES
“ I think the skills and content we study in the Humanities are absolutely essential and the work being done by my colleagues and our students demonstrates a level of innovation and community involvement that is admirable.” – DR. WILL ROGERS
English Program Coordinator Dr. Will Rogers helps lead the Humanities Institute, a group of ULM faculty dedicated to highlighting the Humanities both on campus and in the community.
As a means to promote the humanities both on campus and in the community, faculty members from the School of Humanities have joined together to create the Humanities Institute. According to English Program Coordinator Dr. Will Rogers, the Humanities Institute works together to host and publicize events, highlight research, teaching, and other initiatives from faculty, and help students develop their own interests, including the guidance and publicization of student work. In addition to Rogers, the Humanities Institute includes a representative from each of the other programs in the School of Humanities including School of Humanities Director Dr. Ruth Smith (World Languages), Dr. Christopher Blackburn (History), and Dr. Ann Rodriguez (Communication). Each professor will serve a two-year term and then take nominations from their respective programs for new representatives. Each of the four programs has a position in the Humanities Institute.
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One of the most recent Humanities Institute projects is a partnership with the City of West Monroe to create oral histories of the city for its 140th birthday as part of a Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities grant. The Humanities institute has also hosted a number of events, including a talk featuring ULM alum,
funding applications. In 2022, the Humanities Institute applied for a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to help create Medical Humanities classes. The grant proposal was well received by NEH and while it ultimately was not funded, NEH encouraged the Humanities Institute to apply again this year. Additionally, Dr. Jaleesa Harris and Dr. Meredith McKinnie of the English program won a Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities grant to hold a library reading and discussion program on the history of voting rights in America. “I think the skills and content we study in the Humanities are absolutely essential and the work being done by my colleagues and our students demonstrates a level of innovation and community involvement that is admirable,” said Rogers. “Much of this work, however, happens without folks knowing about it, so I take special pride in sharing these things with the university community and the community at large,” he added. Rogers also noted that the Humanities Institute plans to reach out to area high schools this fall to offer sessions on Humanities content and skill. For more information about the ULM School of Humanities, visit ulm.edu/humanities.
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The week will culminate in Malone Stadium as the Warhawks face off against Arkansas State.
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YOU ARE INVITED TO ULM’S 2023 HOMECOMING CELEBRATION!
INTELLECTUAL ACTIVITY
Oct. 23-28, 2023 FOR THE FULL HOMECOMING SCHEDULE GO TO ulm.edu/homecoming www.ulm.edu
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(Clockwise from top): Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences Dr. Michelle McEacharn comments on the exciting changes to the competition. President Berry reflects on the moment. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis (right) chats with Charles Jackson at the announcement press conference.
photos by Paul Ware
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COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES BY ADAM MCDONALD
ENTREPRENEURSHIP PELICAN CUP ANNOUNCES
NEW PRIZE AMOUNTS
AND CREATION OF STUDENT INNOVATION FUND
T www.ulm.edu
he Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup, Louisiana’s premier business plan competition, announced plans to increase prize amounts as well as the creation of the Student Innovation Fund, which will provide up to $200,000 annually to support new businesses grown from the competition. The announcement was made at a press conference on Monday, August 14, 2023, on the seventh floor of the ULM Library. “This is really quite a moment,” said ULM President Dr. Ron Berry.
“It’s one of those moments in our history that’s going to send a strong message to the world that we truly are serious about changing lives on the bayou. We’re serious about reaching out and working with partners, bringing people to campus and to Monroe, Louisiana, to make a difference, not only in our students’ lives but the lives of our faculty and the community at large,” he added.
enters its third year in 2024, the first-place prize amount will increase to $50,000, up from $25,000, while the second-place prize will increase to $25,000, up from $15,000. The third-place prize will remain at $10,000, with the pitch competition winner receiving $2,000, and the first through third-place faculty advisors receiving $3,000 each. This brings the total amount awarded each year to $96,000.
When the Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup
ThenewlycreatedStudentInnovationFund
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ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PELICAN CUP
– PRESIDENT RON BERRY
The six finalist teams conduct in-person
Sponsorships to increase the impact of this already extraordinary program are available and allow companies to show their support of Louisiana business development. Anyone seeking sponsorship or information about joining/participating in the Pelican Cup or Student Innovation Fund can reach out to Cathi Hemed, Director of External Initiatives, at hemed@ulm.edu. The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup Competition Guide is available on the website: ulm.edu/pelicancup.
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
“ We’re serious about reaching out and working with partners, bringing people to campus and to Monroe, Louisiana, to make a difference, not only in our students’ lives but the lives of our faculty and the community at large.”
Teams submit written, formal business plans, which are reviewed and scored independently by a panel of twelve volunteer judges made up of business owners and investors. The panel of judges later deliberates in groups to select the six finalist teams.
oral presentations. Five volunteer judges dedicate their time to listening to each team present their business plan and supporting visuals. The judges then deliberate and select the first, second, and third-place winners. Each finalist team also chooses a representative to participate in a 90-second pitch competition, held live during The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup Awards Luncheon. The winner is chosen by the audience at the luncheon via text message voting.
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Open to all majors with cash prizes totaling $96,000, The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup is the premier business plan competition for Louisiana. It provides an opportunity for students to develop critical thinking, team building, presentation, and other soft skills, which are all important to career growth. The goal is to inspire participants and the community to think entrepreneurially by rewarding creativity, professionalism, and hard work. The 2024 competition will be open to any degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student throughout the state of Louisiana.
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DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 25TH, 2024
OPEN TO ALL MAJORS STATEWIDE IN LOUISIANA
$250,000* The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup is the premier business plan competition for the state of Louisiana with one of the largest cash prizes in the nation. The goal is to inspire participants and the community to think entrepreneurially by rewarding creativity, professionalism, and hard work.
PRIZES FIRST PLACE TEAM* SECOND PLACE TEAM* THIRD PLACE TEAM* ELEVATOR PITCH WINNER (individual)
$50,000 $25,000 $10,000 $2,000
*First, Second, and Third Place faculty advisors to receive $3,000
ulm.edu/pelicancup
KEY DATES
Intent to Compete Due
February 25th Written business plan submissions due
March 15th
March 26th
April 19th
Finalists announced
Finalists oral presentations
Awards Luncheon & Pitch Competition
*Prize money of $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000 guaranteed for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. Additional $200,000 of funding available to the student led company or business if they pursue their idea through the Student Innovation Fund criteria. Please refer to the 2024 competition guide and Student Innovation Fund criteria for more details.
www.ulm.edu
January 3rd
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offers Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup finalists the opportunity to apply for additional funding if they choose to take the next step and pursue their business. The fund will award a total of $200,000 per year over the next five years. Priority will be given to first through third-place teams, but any finalist team is eligible to apply. The fund will help foster the growth of ideas while providing guidance and resources along the way. The Student Innovation Fund is made possible by anonymous donations.
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Carmella Parker, Associate Professor, Northewestern State University (left) and Dr. Joyce Zhou, ULM Professor of Marketing pose at the press conference. Zhou served as a faculty advisor to several teams for the 2023 competition.
The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup hosted its second annual awards luncheon on April 21, 2023, at ULM’s Bayou Pointe Event Center. The luncheon was the culmination of the entrepreneurship competition, with $61,000 in prize money awarded to the three top teams, including their faculty advisors, and the winner of the live elevator pitch competition, voted on by attendees of the luncheon. photo by Jansen Nowell
“ With their investment in the Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup and Student Innovation Fund, these donors have provided the opportunity for complete and total trajectory changes in the lives of students, that will benefit and transform our community, the region, the state of Louisiana, and perhaps the world,” said Dr. Michelle McEacharn, Dean of the ULM College of Business and Social Sciences. The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup was founded by distinguished ULM alumnus Dhu Thompson, who is also the premier sponsor of the event. His increase of the prize money puts this competition among the top of its kind in the nation.
www.ulm.edu
Cathi Hemed, Director of External Initiatives at ULM, is the organizer of the competition. “With this incredible competition, ULM is leading the way in changing the future for higher education students and making a statement of dedication to Louisiana business development,” said Hemed.
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FIRST PLACE
$25,000 Rise & Rotate, a team comprised of students from Northwestern State University, took home the first-place prize of $25,000. Their business plan centers around a device that will help patients with limited mobility more easily and safely rise from a seated position and rotate to a bed or a chair. Rise & Rotate features team leader Matthew Gamble, team members Hayden Stanley and Alexander Brown, and advisor Elizabeth Prejean, DBA.
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photo by Paul Ware
photo by Jansen Nowell
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SECOND PLACE
$15,000 COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
The second-place prize of $15,000 was awarded to GloBowl, a team from ULM. GloBowl is a company whose purpose is to reduce the use of plastic by creating a sustainable, reusable, to-go food container. GloBowl features team leader Janet Stopka, team members Olaia Becerril Alvarez, Victoria Abrams, Garrett Kahmann and advisor Veronika Humphries, JD, LLM. photo by Jansen Nowell
THIRD PLACE
$10,000 Third place and a prize of $10,000 went to ExploreMate, a team from ULM. Explore Mate is an app that helps users find a local person to act as a tour guide when traveling to new locations. Explore Mate features team leader Thalama Malla, team members Prajwol Pachhai, Ramesh Ranabhat, Manish Katuwal and advisor Joyce Zhou, Ph. D.
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The advisors from each of the top three teams also each received a $1,000 prize. The winner of the live elevator pitch competition was Garrett Kahmann from GloBowl. Kahmann won the $2,000 prize after receiving the most votes from attendees of the luncheon, who voted via text message after hearing 90-second pitches from each team. Dhu Thompson, Premier Sponsor and Founder of The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup, also provided remarks at the luncheon. After thanking those who helped make the competition happen and recounting his own entrepreneurial experiences, Thompson spoke directly to the student competitors. “You have the opportunity to change the world, and you’re going to change it with the gift of your entrepreneurial spirit,” said Thompson.
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COLLEGE OF COLLEGE HEALTHOF & PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH SCIENCESSCIENCES
www.ulm.edu
photos by Paul Ware
Associate Professor and Dental Hygiene Program Director Kimberly Whorton speaks at the annual luncheon.
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he School of Allied Health (SOAH) under the College of Health Sciences (COHS) held its annual Spring 2023 Professional Business Luncheon Networking Event and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 4, at Bayou Pointe where a total of 300 people attended, which included health science students, healthcare community leaders, and faculty.
As preparation for the business luncheon, these health sciences students participated in a 3-hour interactive, Skills Camp Workshop led by the ULM Career Development Student Center and the College of Health Sciences which focused on topics of professionalism, dining etiquette, professional dress, and career readiness. In addition, students had to develop work-related questions to ask their leaders, which provided an excellent background to conversation during the lunch. Dr. Paula Griswold, Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences explained, “The luncheon is a collaborative endeavor with students, faculty, and community leaders. The event provides a real-world experience for students to practice those non-technical skills needed to enter the healthcare workforce and have a positive career. It was a very successful event for our students and community leaders.”
Event sponsors included CommuniHealth
ULM SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH STUDENTS AND FACULTY
RECEIVE AWARDS AT ANNUAL LUNCHEON “ The professional luncheon helps students learn first-hand what employers are looking for in college graduates and students begin to see how they can put their degree to work.” – DR. JESSICA DOLECHECK
Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Vantage Health Plan, Wellstar Health System, Omega Diagnostics, LLC, Go Care Community Health Center, and Gardens of Somerset. During the Professional Business Luncheon Networking Event, SOAH Outstanding Awards for faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students were presented, recognizing each winner's outstanding achievements in their discipline. The chair of the 2023 SOAH Awards Committee, Ms. Kim Whorton, pointed out that “It is remarkable to see the dedication of these nominees and how committed they are to supporting our programs. These awards are a way of celebrating their outstanding efforts.” Outstanding Faculty Award The School of Allied Health presented the Outstanding Faculty Award to Rebecca Hamm, Associate Professor of Radiologic Technology. The award honors a fulltime faculty member who demonstrates exceptional teaching effectiveness, mentorship to students and other faculty, involvement in research, and service to the community outside of campus. Mrs. Hamm excels in teaching, with a focus on radiographic procedures by incorporating student engagement through classroom
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“The professional luncheon helps students learn first-hand what employers are looking for in college graduates and students begin to see how they can put their degree to work”, said Dr. Jessica Dolecheck, event organizer, Professor, and Program Director for Health Studies.“ Having a focused and personal lunch with healthcare professionals allows students to engage and ask insightful career-related questions.”
BY JESSICA DOLECHECK, PH.D.
COLLEGE OF COLLEGE HEALTHOF & PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH SCIENCESSCIENCES
Seven different health sciences programs participated in the Professional Business Luncheon Networking Event which included a total of 182 students from Dental Hygiene, Health Studies, Kinesiolog y, Medical Laboratory Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiologic Technology and Speech-Language Pathology. The purpose of this professional business luncheon was for students to gain knowledge and application of appropriate business etiquette, interpersonal communications, and networking with healthcare professionals in their discipline. Students were assigned to exact tables with their specific discipline leaders which allowed for meaningful dialogue about careers in their field.
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22 Seniors from the Dental Hygiene Program pose after the luncheon. A total of 182 students from seven Health Science programs particpated in the luncheon and networking event. ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
activities and assignments. Her external service includes being actively involved in the Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technologists. She has also secured funding via several grants, most recently a $25,000 grant to install a digital x-ray unit in the radiographic lab. Mrs. Hamm continues to publish and present on a regular basis and will also be defending her dissertation on the topic of Accreditation Assessment in the Spring of 2024. Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award was presented to Noor Farhat. The award honors an undergraduate student
who demonstrates exceptional scholarship, character, and service.
demonstrates exceptional scholarship, character, and service.
Noor Farhat is an excellent student, peer, and leader for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program. She maintains a 4.0 GPA while completing the rigorous MLS curriculum. Noor holds an academic excellence scholarship, is a member of the ULM Honors Program, and has been on the ULM President's list throughout her college career.
Kallie Davis is an outstanding student, earning a 4.0 GPA in a very rigorous program. In both her personal and professional demeanor and interactions, Kallie represents the many characteristics that the program desires for all its students. She has a thirst for knowledge and exudes enthusiasm for all aspects of the profession. Her professionalism and her positive outlook draw others to her. She is a positive influence on others as she exemplifies knowledge of best practices and is willing to confidently share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Outstanding Graduate Student Award The Outstanding Graduate Student Award was presented to Kallie Davis from the Speech-Language Pathology program. The award honors a graduate student who
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(L-R) Outstanding Faculty Rebecca Hamm, Shining Star Miraida Christian, Outstanding Undergraduate Noor Farhat, Outstanding Graduate Kallie Davis
Shining Star Award The 2023 Shining Star Award was presented to Miraida Christian. The award is given to a staff member in the COHS who demonstrates outstanding customer service, initiative, dependability, teamwork, and a positive attitude. Ms. Miraida Christian is described as a model employee. She is smart, organized, and has multiple degrees in business. She has exceptional experience and skills in accounting and finance. Ms. Christian has gone above and beyond to keep supplies coming in for our programs/students and managing travel for faculty. She has put in unlimited hours in trying to keep these tasks up to date and the college moving forward. She is even on campus during holiday breaks and in the middle of hurricanes inspecting offices and classroom space. She has a great working relationship with other offices on campus. She is always professional and treats everyone with respect.
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INTELLECTUAL ACTIVITY
bit.ly/ulmlogobrands
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READY, SET, GO WARHAWKS!
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A
INNOVATION & RESEARCH
lmost five years ago, ULM entered into a licensing arrangement with Oleolive, Inc., a private biotechnology company, to develop the marketing and commercialization of Dr. Khalid El Sayed’s research on the health benefits of olive oil. Dr. El Sayed’s research isolated oleocanthal, a phenolic compound found in trace amounts in olive oil and demonstrated oleocanthal’s contribution to the health beneficial properties of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The result is a product that has been branded Oligen. Kiley Grant, CEO of Oleolive claims, “Oligen has been in the works for more than five years. Our partnership with ULM has resulted in more than $5 million in additional grant funding and millions more in private equity investment.” ULM’s Office of Innovation and Research noted how the process has also included protecting the intellectual property while expanding the potential for commercialization. Chief Innovation and Research Officer John W. Sutherlin, Ph.D., remarked, “What Dr. El Sayed did in the laboratory was the critical first step of this effort. Working with Oleolive was the next step.” Grant added, “Working closely with ULM researchers, especially Dr. Khalid El Sayed, Oleolive has done extensive testing before going to the market in order to gain the trust of consumers in that our product is of the highest grade possible with documented benefits. We stand behind all of the claims made.”
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ULM President Ron Berry commented, “Few universities can claim to bring products to market. What our faculty and staff have accomplished is remarkable.” The research regarding oleocanthal has been extensive. Thousands of articles from universities and other publications around
BY ULM OFFICE OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
HOME GROWN PRODUCT ENTERS THE HEALTHY AGING MARKET OLIGEN HARNESSES THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL
“ Our partnership with ULM has resulted in more than $5 million in additional grant funding and millions more in private equity investment.” – KILEY GRANT
the world have demonstrated for years the benefits of oleocanthal as well as other polyphenols found in EVOO. ULM’s role in facilitating this research has been crucial, especially as it relates to health matters related to those getting older. Jim Cardelli, Ph .D. and Chief Technology Officer of Oleolive, sees the promise in healthy aging for those using the product. He stated, “Promoting the effects of Oligen has been based on the vast amount of supportive peer-reviewed science publications. This product has decades of scientific health-based support.” Those interested in purchasing the product may do so through Oleolive’s site at https://oleocanthal.co/. The ULM community can receive a discount by entering the promotional code Hawks4Health.
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25 Representatives from the College of Pharmacy present a check to St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy. The $10,000 equates to $145,000 in retail medications.
photo courtesty of ULM College of Pharmacy
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COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
BY ASHLYN DUPREE
ULM COLLEGE OF PHARMACY'S POOR MAN'S RUN
RAISES $10,000 FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL COMMUNITY PHARMACY
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or the past six years, the ULM College of Pharmacy’s Pharmacy Council has hosted a 5K/1-Mile Fun Run to raise money for a local charity pharmacy, St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy (SVDP). But this year it was different.
Over 250 runners participated in the Poor Man’s Run and an additional 100 students and community members donated to the cause.
“We are fortunate enough to have one of those clinics, SVDP, in Monroe, LA” said Dylan LeBoeuf, the current Pharmacy Council President.
The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics is an organization founded in 2001 that utilizes volunteers and donations to provide health care to the working poor, uninsured and medically underserved of America. SVDP is one of 1,200 free health clinics across the country that the NAFC has established.
“To help make a difference in the community, ULM students, faculty and staff can commit to being a sponsor for the 7th annual race taking place in the spring semester,” LeBoeuf said. “Sponsorships come in many different shapes and sizes, including monetary donations, gift certificates, food or drink donations and even signing up to run in the race.”
SVDP opened in April 1999, serving the Monroe community by filling over 230,000 prescriptions and reaching over 7,200 patients who have little or no access to care. This academic year, the Pharmacy Council has set a goal to donate $11,000 to SVDP.
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www.ulm.edu
The Poor Man’s Run and Gumbo CookOff nearly doubled the amount raised from $5,300 in 2022 to $10,000 in 2023. This year was the highest amount of any year donated. The $10,000 equates to $145,000 in life-saving retail medications, which are used to assist economically disadvantaged and medically underserved community members.
Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors who assisted in reaching the College of Pharmacy’s goal of $10,000 include All Star Trophies and Awards, Barry Barnett— Personal Injury Attorney, Community Pharmacy, Delta MedMar, Eddleman Dental, Fieldhouse, Jesus the Good Shepherd School, ULM’s Pi Kappa Alpha, Podnuh’s Bar-B-Q, Raising Canes, Shoemaker Farms, ULM’s Student Government Association, Treetops Pharm, Van Trow Toyota and Walgreens.
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COLLEGE OF HEALTH & PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
COLLEGE OF HEALTH & PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
THE YEAR IN PHOTOS 2022 – 2023
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
amazon.com/ulmwarhawks
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
IT'S ABOUT TIME TO
SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS www.ulm.edu
Go Warhawks!
T
he Kitty Degree School of Nursing at the University of Louisiana Monroe hosted its second annual nursing boot camp for high school students from June 6-9, 2023. The camp hosted 51 campers from all over the state.
KITTY DEGREE SCHOOL OF NURSING
BOOT CAMP PREPARES NEXT GENERATION OF NURSES
“When we participate in recruitment events, we find that there are many high school students who have the desire to pursue a career where they can help people,” said Dr. Kathy Kennedy, Associate Director of Graduate Nursing at ULM. “What they haven’t explored yet is the vast opportunities that are available in a career in nursing,” she added.
photos by Paul Ware
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Kennedy said the nursing boot camp gives high school students the opportunity to learn about nursing specialties such as emergency, maternity, pediatrics, surgical, ICU, medical, cardiac, mental health, neonatal, and more. “We have a great representation of faculty volunteers from each of the specialties that share stories and assist in camp activities,” said Kennedy.
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Throughout the four-day camp, campers were introduced to a wide range of nursing skills including taking vital signs, caring for different types of patients, starting an IV, and even a simulated surgical environment.
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BY ADAM MCDONALD
On Friday, June 9, the group of campers had the opportunity to participate in an Emergency Disaster Drill alongside Louisiana Emergency Response Network, ULM Police, Monroe Fire Department, and Acadian Ambulance Service. The drill featured a simulated vehicle crash involving a City of Monroe bus and car. ULM staff and nursing students participated as “victims” in the drill and were assessed and triaged by the student campers. The drill also served as a joint training opportunity for local first responders. Campers were able to witness an emergency vehicle extraction performed by the Monroe Fire Department. The vehicle was provided by Bear’s Towing and Recovery. Ac c o rd ing t o U L M A ss i sta nt Professor of Nursing Amy Kincannon, “Disaster training for individual entities is imperative, however, participating in emergency drills with multiple entities has been proven to increase proficiency during actual emergency disasters. This sort of drill makes our local emergency response community more prepared to handle real disasters. We also hope that it peaked these high schoolers' interest in joining our career fields.”
The Kitty Degree School of Nursing Boot Camp is open to high school students who have completed 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and are at least 14 years old. For more information about the Nursing Boot Camp, visit ulm.edu/ nursing/bootcamp.
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(Top): Assistant Professor of Nursing Lee Ann Box instructs campers. (Bottom): Campers practice using stethoscopes. 51 high school students from across the state participated in the boot camp.
www.ulm.edu
Kennedy said the camp grew in its second year by providing on campus housing for participants so that students from outside the area could attend. She added that sponsorships are available
for student tuition and the purchase of medical supplies, while several hospitals donated expired medical supplies to help keep camp costs low. “Each year we include more community partner presence to improve participant knowledge of potential employment opportunities,” said Kennedy.
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THE PURSUIT
photos by Paul Ware
www.ulm.edu
BY ADAM MCDONALD
KICKS OFF THE 2023-2024 ATHLETIC SEASON
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aithful ULM supporters gathered at Fant-Ewing Coliseum on August 11, 2023, for The Pursuit, the official kickoff for ULM’s 2023-2024 athletic season. Attendees were able to enjoy great food, cold drinks, and lots of Warhawk Spirit as they mingled with coaches from each sport and heard from guest speakers including former student-athlete Jesse Blair, current student-athlete Cameron Rogers, ULM President Dr. Ron Berry and Director of Athletics John Hartwell.
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THE PURSUIT
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The Pursuit was sponsored by Cadence Bank and delicious food was provided by Louisiana Seafood. All proceeds from The Pursuit go to benefit student-athlete scholarships through the Warhawk Athletic Foundation.
THE PURSUIT
The Pursuit is named in honor of the Curtis P-40 “Warhawk” fighter planes, flown by General Claire Lee Chennault's Flying Tigers during World War II. The ULM Warhawk mascot takes its name from the planes, which featured iconic noses painted with an open shark’s mouth with jagged teeth. Leading up to The Pursuit, President Berry and other ULM representatives set out on The Warhawk Roadshow. The regional events were held in June and July 2023 in Dallas, Texas, Alexandria, La., and Shreveport, La. Each stop on The Warhawk Roadshow gave ULM alumni in those areas the opportunity to connect with other alumni and hear the latest about what makes ULM the best on the bayou. The Warhawk Roadshow was also sponsored by Cadence Bank.
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www.ulm.edu
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
BY ULM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
MEDRIA TAYLOR BUFORD
NEW DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS
T
here’s a new face in the role of Director of Alumni Affairs, however, she’s already a familiar face to many. Medria Taylor Buford was recently appointed Director after serving two years as Coordinator of Alumni Operations.
ALUMNI NEWS
Buford is a 2018 graduate of ULM who describes herself as passionate, with an entrepreneurial drive and an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “My mission as Director is to amplify a sense of belonging for all alumni. I want to ensure that every graduate, no matter their background, will nurture an unbreakable tie to their alma mater,” said Buford.
photo by Prajal Prasai
“ Together, we will build a more vibrant, inclusive, and impactful alumni engagement program that reflects the diversity and richness of our alumni's experiences and contributions.” www.ulm.edu
– MEDRIA BUFORD
As Director, Buford hopes to continue her history of fostering genuine connections between alumni and benefactors. She is also looking for ways to streamline operational processes and enhance the networking and fundraising capabilities of each alumni event. “Recognizing the fundamental humanity that underlies both our alumni and donors is key in establishing meaningful relationships,” said Buford. “Sustaining these relationships is an organic process for me because I am sincerely intrigued by the stories that bind them to our university and the surrounding community..” Buford’s time as Coordinator of Alumni Operations prepared her well for her new role as she was able to excel in creating social media content, marketing, web development, community engagement, event execution, and project management. Buford says that she hopes to use the Alumni Association’s online presence to connect with alumni. “One significant way we're exploring is the utilization of short-form videos,” said Buford. “They offer a dynamic and engaging way to showcase alumni achievements, share nostalgic moments, and provide valuable insights.” Buford also says an alumni YouTube channel is in development. “This will allow us to delve deeper into alumni stories, host webinars, and create content that resonates with our alumni community,” she added. Buford enjoys serving her community with organizations such as Toastmaster’s International, The Renaissance Movement Committee, and
Together Louisiana. She has also continued to be involved in Greek life, serving as Epistoleus and Social Committee Chair with the Eta Lambda Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Buford says giving back to the community is personally important to her. “I hold a deepseated conviction to the phrase ‘it takes a village.’ In my view, this village is composed of complex connections – be it family, classmates, mentors, or even the barista at Starbucks in The Hub whose kind words of encouragement on a coffee cup can brighten one's day. For me it's not just a responsibility; it's a privilege. I feel truly blessed to witness firsthand the transformative power of unity and shared purpose,” she said. Buford has been preparing for this role throughout her professional life as she has cultivated relationships for over a decade as the owner of a local beauty salon, working to provide authentic customer care. She also served as the office manager for the Northeast Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation where she honed her skills in fundraising, marketing, and website creation. Alongside her professional accomplishments, Buford is also a dedicated wife and a mother of two. As she guides alumni affairs, Buford is hopeful that her vision, creativity, and compassion will propel the ULM Alumni Association toward new horizons. “As the first African American Director, I hold a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to advancing alumni engagement that is allencompassing,” said Buford. “In addition to reinforcing existing relationships with our geographical clubs, we are committed to forging new connections through the establishment of affinity groups. Our goal is to create spaces where alumni can connect on a deeper level, sharing common bonds and experiences, and I am genuinely excited about the potential for growth and transformation that lies ahead.” Buford says she is eager to work alongside the alumni community to make this vision a reality. “Together, we will build a more vibrant, inclusive, and impactful alumni engagement program that reflects the diversity and richness of our alumni's experiences and contributions.”
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Alumni Association holds membership drive!
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
The alumni association held its annual membership drive recently. There was a record turnout of volunteers that included Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Relations Lisa Miller, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Dr. Brice Jones, Monroe City Councilwoman Kema Dawson, President & CEO at Monroe Chamber of Commerce Roy Heatherly, plus lots of faculty, staff, and community members. Volunteers were grouped into teams and were provided baseball cards to post on social media to encourage others to join. At the end of the membership drive the alumni association surpassed its goal of 150 memberships.
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ALUMNI MISS ULM NEWS
JULY 2023 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE TOTALS Stay Connected. Get Involved. Change the Future.
359 TOTAL MEMBERSHIPS THROUGH DRIVE WEEKEND! • 34 LIFETIME MEMBERSHIPS • 100 COUPLES MEMBERSHIPS • 225 INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY! PLEASE CALL 318.342.5420
SCAN & LEARN!
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QUESTIONS?
34 A mesonet site in rural New York state. 50 similar sites will be constructed across Louisiana in 2024 to help gather more accurate and timely weather data.
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
our region, and I was proud to help secure this substantial federal investment for the University of Louisiana Monroe,” Congresswoman Letlow said. “This project at ULM will provide critical information to our farmers, small business owners, and community leaders so they can better plan and respond to weather events,” she added. The Louisiana State Mesonet will feature 50 sites spread out in a grid across the state and will be managed by the ULM Atmospheric Sciences Program. Program Director Dr. Todd Murphy says the funds have officially been released to ULM and they are moving forward with purchasing equipment and securing site locations. A Mesonet Manager will be hired by the end of 2023 and sites will begin construction in January 2024 and continue throughout the year.
CAMPUS NEWS
Louisiana District 5 Congresswoman Julia Letlow sponsored the request for the $2 million needed to complete the mesonet project. photo courtesy of New York State Mesonet - University at Albany
BY ADAM MCDONALD
STATE MESONET NETWORK PROJECT RECEIVES
$2M IN FEDERAL FUNDING
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n January 2023, ULM received approval for $2,000,000 for the Louisiana State Mesonet Network Project. The request was sponsored by Louisiana District 5 U.S. Representative Julia Letlow and was approved as part of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2023.
www.ulm.edu
Mesonets are interconnected networks of instrumented monitoring stations across an entire state or region that measure temperature, humidity, pressure, solar radiation, wind speed and direction, precipitation, and soil conditions. The mesonet and its data will be used for critical weather and climate monitoring that will affect sectors such as severe and hazardous weather forecasting, homeland security and emergency management, aviation, energy and renewables, agriculture, transportation, and education. “Our universities are the economic engines of
“ Our universities are the economic engines of our region, and I was proud to help secure this substantial federal investment for the University of Louisiana Monroe.” – CONGRESSWOMAN JULIA LETLOW
Murphy says the Louisiana Mesonet Network will share information with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other interested parties, which will help fill gaps within the surface observational network across Louisiana, providing more high quality observations for meteorologists to better understand local conditions. “This will enable a greater understanding for how the atmosphere is favorable, or unfavorable, for severe storms, which has a direct impact to issuing accurate and timely information for severe storm warnings,” said Murphy. “We’re very excited about the potential the mesonet brings not only to our program and ULM, but the impact it will have across the entire state,” said Murphy. “When I started at ULM in 2014, I had a vision for turning the Atmospheric Science program into one with a strong instrumentation focus, where we can be a leader and sought-after collaborator on research field campaigns and enable plenty of experiential learning opportunities for our students,” continued Murphy. “We’ve been very successful in doing that with things like the ULM Doppler radar, and our mobile profiling lab. The mesonet represents the next step in that vision, but now we can extend our reach and impact across the entire state – I think that is what excites me the most.”
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CAMPUS NEWS
Purchase Your Copy Today! bit.ly/bayoubooksale
Scan the QR code to purchase your copy of the book. Proceeds from each purchase will benefit the Centennial Scholars Program, helping provide educational resources for this group of future Warhawks.
In 2021, ULM collaborated with United Way of Northeast Louisiana to provide a copy of There’s a Bridge on the Bayou to over 2,000 area 3rd graders. This group of elementary students are known as the “Centennial Scholars,” the incoming freshman class of 2031, ULM’s centennial year. Each of these students received a soft cover edition of the book and a voucher for a $500 scholarship to ULM to be used at the time of their future enrollment.
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The books were previously only available to those students, until now! You can now purchase your very own hardback copy of There’s a Bridge on the Bayou, written by ULM Development Officer Cindy G. Foust and illustrated by ULM Executive Creative Director Srdjan Marjanovic. The book’s main character is the President, Dr. Ronald Berry, who tells the story about how education and the University of Louisiana Monroe changed his life. The book is intended to inspire hope in the belief that students can do and become whatever they set their minds to, as long as they continue to dream.
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The 2023 Sun Belt Conference Women's Golf Champion ULM Warhawks: (Standing L-R): Sara Hagglund, Coach Rachel Pollock, Line Petersen, Johanna Sjursen, Anna Andrysova (Kneeling L-R): Alesia Mengoni, Chantal Dueringer
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
ATHLETICS photos courtesy by Romeo T. Guzman, Sun Belt Conference
BY JOHN LEWANDOWSKI AND ASHLYN DUPREE
A RECORD BREAKING SEASON WOMEN'S GOLF REACHES NEW HEIGHTS WITH SUN BELT CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
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n only two years as head coach, Rachel Pollock led ULM’s women’s golf team to victory with a series of firsts in program history, as well as consistent, record-breaking performances on the golf course. Through their victorious season, women’s golf claimed three major Sun Belt awards and two Louisiana Sports Writers Association postseason awards.
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On April 18, ULM dominated in their first Sun Belt Women’s Golf Championship in program history, winning a tiebreaker against Texas State in two playoff holes. The team entered the Sun Belt Championship with the best team stroke average (292.50) of all league squads during the regular season.
“It’s just unbelievable,” ULM head coach Rachel Pollock said. “I’ve got such a great group of girls and they’ve totally bought into the culture and what we’re trying to do at ULM. We talk so much about wanting to be in that situation and wanting to fight for a title. I am so proud of how they handled themselves.” But this was only the beginning for the remarkable team. ULM’s Women’s Golf made its first-ever appearance as a team in the 2023 NCAA Women’s Golf Regional as an automatic qualifier. Not only did they compete, but the team finished in 10th place overall at the 2023 NCAA San Antonio Regional. ULM recorded its lowest round and tied for the fifth-lowest score on May 10.
Alessia Mengoni, a junior from Rome, Italy finished in a five-way tie for 20th place, marking her fifth Top 20 performance in 2022-23. Mengoni attributes these successes to the help of Pollock and her team. “The Top 20 performances happened thanks to the structured practice that Coach Rachel prepares for us every day. Through the statistics we do each time after the rounds, we can figure out what our weaknesses are and we structure the practice to improve the weakest parts of our game,” Mengoni said. Continuing with their high-ranking streak, the Women’s Golf team propelled with 15 places in the Golfstat rankings of NCAA Division I women’s teams to No. 72, its highest position in program history, and Golfstat’s Top 100 for the first time. Overall, the Warhawks literally rewrote the record book, breaking more than 20
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Johanna Sjursen, a freshman from Goteborg, Sweden, sizes up her putt.
Yet, the Warhawks didn’t stop there. Along with their record-breaking performances, the Warhawks claimed three major Sun Belt awards— Chantal Dueringer was voted Golfer of the Year, Anna Andrysova was selected Freshman of the Year and Rachel Pollock was named Coach of the Year. Plus, Andrysova and Pollock won these same titles for the Louisiana Sports Writers Association postseason awards.
“Chantal earning this honor is a great way to cap off an amazing college career,” Pollock said. “Her consistency and ability to be a leader within our program for the
last three years has aided in the growing of our program.” Though Dueringer’s strong presence will be missed, freshmen like Andrysova remind the Warhawks of the incredible talent and ability still representing the team. Andrysova from Prague, Czech Republic, was ULM’s top finisher in three of 11 tournaments. She tied for 14th in the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Both Dueringer (first team) and Andrysova (second team) joined teammate Alessia Mengoni (second team) on the AllSun Belt Conference Team, as determined by Golfstat's national rankings. ULM led the conference with three All-Sun Belt selections. Under the leadership of Pollock, the Warhawks soared high in a remarkable season. After placing second in the HCU Husky Invitational, ULM reeled off three consecutive tournament titles: Bama Beach Bash, ULM Invitational and Sun Belt Conference Championship. Yet, Pollock credits the success to her team. “I'm very honored to be named the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year,” Pollock
Anna Andrysova, a freshman from Prague, Czech Republic, celebrates her shot as Coach Pollock cheers her on.
said. “To have been voted as the recipient by my coaching colleagues, peers and, most importantly, friends means a lot. This doesn't happen without every single player on the team and their contributions throughout the whole year. This is truly a team award and one that I share very proudly with the girls.”
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ATHLETICS
Dueringer, the senior from Bregenz, Austria, became only the second player in ULM’s history to be selected Sun Belt Conference Women’s Golfer of the Year, joining Alison Knowles, who earned the award following the 2013-14 season.
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
combined individual and team records, including the four lowest rounds and four lowest 54-hole scores in program history. The 2022-2023 team secured five tournament wins and broke the previous record of four tournament wins set by the 2013-14 team.
The 2022-2023 Warhawk Women's Golf team broke more than 20 combined individual and team records, including five tournament wins.
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BY ULM OFFICE OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
ULM FOUNDATION
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
HONORS DONORS AT ANNUAL EVENING OF THANKS
ULM FOUNDATION
“Tonight, we honor all special alumni and friends who have generously invested in this university, not only this past year, but over numerous decades, with gifts totaling millions of dollars.” – JOHN JONES
T
he University of Louisiana Monroe Foundation recognized donors and lifetime benefactors at the annual Evening of Thanks event on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in the Terrace Room on the 7th floor of the ULM Library. John Jones, president of the ULM Foundation Board of Trustees, welcomed attendees and introduced award winners. “Tonight, we honor all special alumni and friends who have generously invested in this university, not only this past year, but over numerous decades, with gifts totaling millions of dollars,” said Jones. Jones announced Kathleen Calhoun Nettleton as a new member of the George T. Walker Society, a group of donors who have included the university in their wills or have made other planned estate gifts. Calhoun’s family established the Mary and Darrell Calhoun Endowed Chair in Pharmacology in 1998 with $600,000 from the Mary and Darrell Calhoun Foundation which was matched by the Louisiana Board of Regents with $400,000 to establish the $1,000,000 endowment. Through Kathleen’s estate, an additional $50,000 was added to the endowed chair this year. ULM Foundation Executive Director
Susan Chappell announced that more than $21.5 million has been raised toward the SOAR Campaign. Established in July 2019 with the goal of raising $100 million by the University’s 100th anniversary in 2031, the SOAR Campaign will fund scholarships, opportunities for faculty, athletics, and renovations. “We thank each individual and company who are optimists and continue to invest in higher education at ULM,” said Chappell. ULM President Dr. Ronald Berry recognized Freeman Stamper as the newest Hall of Distinction honoree. The University Hall of Distinction Award is presented to an individual, couple, company or foundation who has honored ULM through an exceptional lifetime of distinction and/ or exemplary service to, support for, or promotion of the University. Stamper is a member of the Tower Society of the Kitty DeGree Bell Tower Honor Roll along with the George T. Walker Society and received the Warhawk Ambassador Award in 2022. “With his gifts, the university will benefit greatly from his generosity and unselfish support for many years to come,” said Berry. Freeman Stamper received his Bachelor
www.ulm.edu photos by Paul Ware
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
(Above:) Freeman Stamper was the recipient of the Hall of Distinction Award, for his exceptional lifetime support of ULM. Stamper is also a member of the Kitty Degree Bell Tower Honor Roll and received the Warhawk Ambassador Award in 2022.
ULM FOUNDATION
(Left:) Donor Dhu Thompson shakes hands with senior Marketing major Madison Gay, the recipient of the Marketing Annual Scholarship, which is funded by Thompson.
of Science in Secretarial Science/Office Administration during the spring 1968 commencement exercises, during which he was also the top honor graduate in the School of Business. That same year, he joined the US Army where he obtained the rank of E5 Specialist and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. A lifetime Alumni Association member, Stamper is recognized as one of the lead donors in the initial SOAR Capital Campaign. Jones then recognized Dan Robertson and Dhu Thompson as the 2023 Warhawk Ambassador Award recipients. The Foundation commissioned local craftsman Bill Carroll to create handmade wooden Warhawk awards for each of the recipients. Dan Robertson is a 1989 graduate in Finance and is the President of Robertson Produce. Robertson is a lifetime Alumni member and has supported and advocated for ULM for more than 31 years.
“ We are grateful, and we appreciate your leadership, commitment, and friendship.” – JOHN JONES
Dhu Thompson is a 1979 graduate of ULM and a lifetime Alumni member. He is the founder, past owner, and former chairman of the board for Delta Plastics and Revolution Plastics, a producer of agricultural irrigation tubing, a producer of EPA compliant garbage bags and the largest recycler of post-consumer resin plastics in Arkansas. Through Thompson’s advocacy and support of entrepreneurship in Arkansas and Louisiana, the Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup was launched at ULM in 2022. The Pelican Cup is a real-world entrepreneur, competitive education opportunity for college students. Pelican Cup competitors gain a greater appreciation of the challenges and opportunities of starting a viable business, whether they are serious about launching a startup, or they want to learn more about entrepreneurship. Jones concluded the evening by expressing appreciation for all donors in attendance. “We are grateful, and we appreciate your leadership, commitment, and friendship,” he said.
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In 2021, Robertson established the Flint and Jimmy Robertson Agricultural Greenhouse Complex and Endowment in honor of his father, Flint, and uncle, Jimmy. “This endowment and complex will continue
to honor their legacy as well as Dan’s through the ULM Agriculture Program,” said Jones.
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BY THE ULM FOUNDATION
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
$2 MILLION
ULM RAISES MORE THAN
IN 24 HOURS DURING ITS FIRST DAY OF GIVING
ULM Foundation
ULM FOUNDATION
DAY OF GIVING MAY 17, 2023
A 24-hour challenge for friends of ULM
T
he University of Louisiana Monroe raised more than $2 million in just 24 hours as part of its inaugural Day of Giving on May 17, 2023. A total of 86 donors raised $2,319,442 for their favorite colleges and sports on the Bayou. Two of those donors made individual $1 million gifts. These anonymous donors, empowered by the exciting direction of the University, directed their gift to the College of Business & Social Sciences.
www.ulm.edu
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the ULM family,” said ULM Foundation Executive Director Susan Chappell. “Every single donation, from the $5 gifts to the $1 million pledges, will Change Lives at our beloved institution.” Donors were given the opportunity to
make their gifts in honor of a graduate, whether that person graduated from ULM in 2023 or from NLU or NLSC decades ago.
donations included Coach Lou St. Amant, a number of anonymous donors, and three partner businesses:
“The more than 900 students who became alumni at commencement in May 2023 joined a group of amazing alumni, friends, and community partners who believe in our mission of changing lives and lifting our community to new levels of prosperity,” said ULM President Dr. Ron Berry. “We sincerely appreciate our donors and their gifts as they don’t just support our outstanding Colleges and athletic programs - they absolutely change the trajectory of the people who live in Northeast Louisiana.”
GO CARE/Pinnacle Family Health
As part of the inaugural Day of Giving, several donors made matching gifts to spur other donors. Those making matching gift
The ULM College of Health Sciences received a matching gift donation from GO CARE Community Health Center. At the May 4th groundbreaking for their 24,000 square foot future location at 101 Crosley Street in West Monroe, GO CARE CEO, Mark Windham, presented the College of Health Sciences, with a $2,000 check for the college’s general fund, reflecting their dedication to collaboration with the college and its program. The health center is excited about continuing and growing its relationship with ULM at its new site by providing internship opportunities for
only in the state of Louisiana but the entire United States, Mr. Louis J. Dufilho. Funds generated by the society are used to support student achievements and innovation in the College of Pharmacy’s pursuit of excellence.
– SUSAN CHAPPELL
Windham announced that in addition to changing locations and names, GO CARE will also be increasing their number of clinical rooms by 50%, behavioral health offices by 200%, adding an on-site diagnostic radiology, an on-site pharmacy, and a dental clinic which will include 6 treatment areas and a panoramic x-ray. Once the new clinic opens, it will be rebranded Pinnacle Family Health, Inc. The expansion of current services and the addition of new services will create a “one stop shop” to meet the health needs of people in our region. “The College of Health Sciences is grateful to receive such a generous donation from Pinnacle Family Health. Mark and his team have been an annual sponsor of the School of Allied Health Professional Luncheon since its inception and have always provided opportunities for clinical rotations, internships, and employment opportunities for students,” said Interim Dean Dr. Wendy Bailes. Louisiana Wholesale Drug Co., Inc.
LWD was founded in 1979 by a group of Louisiana independent pharmacists and has since grown from 51 pharmacists to 178 stockholders serving over 275 stores. It is currently one of the top three privately held companies in Southwest Louisiana. Lumen Technologies Lumen Technologies, a Fortune 500 multinational technology company founded in Louisiana, donated $2,000 to support the work of the College of Arts, Education & Sciences. Lumen has been a long-time donor to ULM, funding programs affiliated with sports such as golf, football, and baseball, and academic projects including robotics competitions, the President’s Academy, sponsoring the Women’s Symposium, funding Lumen employee student scholarships, as well as being a major benefactor to the Clarke M. Williams Student Success Center on campus. Not only has Lumen been a consistent financial supporter of ULM but they also provide internships to high-achieving students ensuring important real-world work experience is gained prior to graduation. “Over the years, Lumen has provided our students and graduates with excellent internship and career opportunities. This generous gift will allow the College to continue offering our students lifechanging educational experiences,” said Dr. John Pratte, Dean of the College of Arts, Education & Sciences. Lumen Technologies, Inc. provides digital solutions for home and business premises and offers communications, network security, cloud solutions, voice, and managed services for customers in North and Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
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Victoria Abrams Accounting Grads Accounting Program Graduates Tim Ardillo Joei Bailey Anne Marie Bass Isabella Bennett Katelyn Butler Ashley Canfield Adrianna Chavarria Eli Chisley, III Bethany Rhodes Corona Nancy Counts Kaitlyn Couvillion Dr. Leigh Ann Danzey-Bussell Regan Digilormo Otis Drew Zach Duchesne Wayne Evans Cindy Gist Foust Raquelle Franklin Savannah Frantz Kathy Fry Tori Fugatt Maggie Sims Generoso Amber Glenn Emily Healy Ruslan Hemed Scott Higginbotham Taylor Hixon Tessa Jackson Hogan Joanna Hunter Rich Jackson Kennedy Johnson Naomi Kilpatrick Paige Kirkham Mackenzie Knighten Kori Krepps
Lacombe Brothers Allyson Letlow Zhichao Li Michael Lloyd Joyce Hunter Loftin Carly Dru Lopez Tim Maghie Kimble Marshall Kennedy Page Lauren Polson Joshua T. Ramshur Melissa Brett Rhodes Sydney Richard Jeannette Robinson Melba Jeanette Bartley Rolen Alison Rome Sophia Rome Pat Sartin Campbell Selman Roxanne Smith Latoya S. Taylor Claire Walpole Lynnetta Whitehurst Ronald Whitehurst, Sr.
www.ulm.edu
The ULM College of Pharmacy received a matching gift donation from Louisiana Wholesale Drug Co, Inc. (LWD). LWD is a long-term partner of the ULM School of Pharmacy by providing tuition assistance to several ULM future pharmacists per semester as well as regular donations to the ULM Dufilho Society, which was named in honor of the first licensed pharmacist not
“LWD and the College of Pharmacy have successfully partnered for a number of years. LWD has a history of supporting the College’s Dufilho Society and subsequently our scholarship and research programs. LWD’s continued support is making an impact in Louisiana, through supporting ULM’s efforts to provide affordable education for pharmacists who return to serve their home communities and through supporting our college’s efforts to find new ways to prevent or cure the diseases that afflict Louisianians,” said Anderson.
For the 2023 Day of Giving, donors had the option to give in honor of a ULM graduate. Here are the graduates that our donors chose to honor:
ULM FOUNDATION
ULM COHS students as they prepare to enter the healthcare work force. GO CARE also announced their name will change to Pinnacle Family Health when the new facility opens in early 2024.
LWD Board Members and ULM Pharmacy Alumni, Errol Duplantis and Nicholas LeBas, presented the check to Dr. Glenn Anderson, Dean of the ULM College of Pharmacy, on behalf of the entire company.
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“ Every single donation, from the $5 gifts to the $1 million pledges, will Change Lives at our beloved institution.”
DAY OF GIVING 2023 HONOREES
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ulm.edu/brick
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2021
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023 photo by Jeanette Robinson
Order a ULM Commemorative Brick today! Leave your legacy and become a part of ULM forever! The University of Louisiana Monroe invites you to add your personal touch to the Scott Plaza Fountain. Purchase your Commemorative ULM Brick to: ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
CELEBRATE commencements or other milestones HONOR a family member or influential person in your life CREATE a meaningful message for future generations of students, educators and leaders A Commemorative ULM Brick will inspire others to leave their legacy at Scott Plaza. Your brick purchase is 100% tax-deductible! All brick sales are available to the public.
700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209
*Open the camera app from your device's home screen. Hold your device so that the QR code appears in the camera app's viewfinder. Your device recognizes the QR code and shows a notification. Tap the notification to open the link associated with the QR code.
For your convenience, purchases can be made online: ulm.edu/brick
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SCAN* & ORDER!
Leave your legacy with a Commemorative ULM Brick
The Human Development & Wellbeing Multipurpose Complex will be attached to Fant-Ewiing Coliseum, which will also be renovated in the process.
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
Architectural rendering courtesy of TBA Studio.
CAMPUS NEWS
BY JAMIE HANKS
STATE LEGISLATURE ADVANCES
THREE MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
W
ith the support and leadership of the University of Louisiana Monroe’s state delegation, the university witnessed unprecedented funding levels advancing major capital improvements during the 2023 regular legislative session. Louisiana’s Capital Outlay Program allows governmental entities and pre-registered nonprofits to apply annually for funding for local development and improvement projects. In this year’s capital outlay instrument, now known as Act 465, ULM had three top priority projects included by the time the legislation made it to the governor’s desk. Approximately $95 million was included for ULM. This consists of an estimated $30 million for our Health Sciences Campus Renovations, $60 million for the renovation and additions to Fant-Ewing Coliseum, and $5 million for an in-door construction management practice lab.
A significant new project for ULM titled the “Human Development & Wellbeing Multipurpose Complex – Fant-Ewing Addition and Renovation” was also included in the capital outlay bill. What this project means for not only Northeast Louisiana but for the entire state cannot be overstated. In the plans for the complex is a remodel to become a world-class health care and comprehensive disaster relief facility serving not only our residents year-round, but also evacuees in times of disaster. The proposed addition to the current coliseum will include space for VCOM, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Telehealth counseling. A fully functioning pharmacy will also be on site. In coordination with the physical project is the development of the only undergraduate academic program for Disaster Readiness, Resiliency, and Response (DR3). The third project is an enclosed, weather-proof practice lab for our School of Construction Management students. Graduates of this program are the highest-
paid bachelor's degree students also with a 100 percent job placement rate. We have seen first-hand that the construction industry is a model for other programs. The LSLBC-LA state Licensing Board for Contractors has provided $2.2 million for the program, and the CETF-Contractors Education Trust Fund has given $1.2 million and $1 million for an endowed chair. Currently, there are approximately 145 students enrolled in this particular program. “ULM is very appreciative of the advocacy of our state delegation for securing these transformational projects in the budget,” said ULM President Dr. Ron Berry. “We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of leaders representing us in Baton Rouge.” It is important to note that there are factors within the state’s capital outlay process that make it difficult to predict the drawdown of the funding tied to these projects. However, the inclusion in the capital outlay legislation is the first critical step, and the steadfast support of our state delegation and this administration made this possible. The university has the sincerest gratitude for their leadership in Baton Rouge ensuring we remain “The Best on the Bayou!”
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The sole ongoing project for the university is the completion of the Health Sciences Campus Renovations, which will create a state-of-the-art healthcare education facility for our students. Major benefits include producing educational labs for dental hygiene, occupational therapy, and speechlanguage pathology. The aforementioned
academic programs have 100 percent job placement rates, emphasizing the high economic demand for these fields.
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BY DANIELLE KELLEY TOLBIRD
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
INTERN WITH IMPACT: ULM SENIOR MICHAEL CRENSHAW BRINGS HIS CLASSROOM SKILLS TO THE WORKFORCE
“
How many interns have the opportunity to present to a vice president of a Fortune 200 company?”
$12 million up front.
Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, director of the ULM School of Accounting and Financial Information Services, sat behind his desk in Hemphill Hall on the first day of the Fall 2023 semester. Just a few weeks prior, one of his rising seniors, Michael Crenshaw of Pineville, sent him an unexpected email.
CAMPUS NEWS
“Hey, it’s Michael,” Crenshaw typed from his new Murphy USA email account. “Can you send me the notes you have on this topic?” Crenshaw was analyzing data to create a new decision-making formula to prioritize which gas pumps and dispensers to replace. At the time, Murphy replaced pumps and dispensers based on age. Using skills he gained while in ULM’s classrooms and at his student worker job, Crenshaw predicted Murphy would save money in the long run if they replaced assets based on customer use and high traffic geographic locations instead. The summer intern just had to convince Murphy to spend
“ My job becomes a lot easier when you have somebody who’s interested in learning.” – DR. ARTURO RODRIGUEZ
“We have a network of 1700 stores. Each one of our stores has at least eight pumps and each pump has two or three dispensers on it,” said Ash Aulds, a ULM alumnus and Murphy’s senior manager of financial planning, analysis, and investor relations. “We’re talking huge volumes of data. He understood the payoff about when we need to make decisions to replace assets and where we need to make those decisions.” Upon receiving Crenshaw’s email, Rodriguez not only sent him lecture notes, but also invited Crenshaw to an impromptu private summer lesson on campus. “If a student is willing to learn, why not run through a big wall for him?” Rodriguez said. “My job becomes a lot easier when you have somebody who’s interested in learning. It’s not about how intelligent they are or how smart they are. It is about whether they really want to learn.” Rodriguez gave Crenshaw a crash course refresher of the quantitative methods and decision sciences course he took his freshman year. Rodriguez also coached Crenshaw to communicate those ideas effectively in a business meeting. “One of my favorite things about his class was that he’d walk in with a practical problem: ‘This is the issue. This is the setting. This is what needs to be accomplished. How do we do it?’” Crenshaw recalled. “These are high-level statistics problems. It’s very easy to punch it in Excel, but we worked everything by hand so we would understand all the steps. After working through the entire problem, we wouldn’t just know the number that tells us an answer. We would know why that’s the answer.”
www.ulm.edu
45 Crenshaw's summer 2023 internship at Murphy USA allowed him to make an impact on the company. He was able to use classroom theory to tackle a real world problem, benefiting the company and giving him priceless experience.
Aulds, who is serving as past president of the ULM Alumni Association, brought attention to Crenshaw’s application and resume within Murphy’s hiring department before even meeting the student. “Man, have I talked about you!” Aulds joked to Crenshaw when he finally met him. “I’ve created this narrative around this legend coming in, so hopefully you’re living up to it.”
ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
behind it,” Aulds said.
Aulds preaches to fellow alumni the importance of hiring ULM students as interns and new ULM graduates for entry-level positions.
– MICHAEL CRENSHAW
After coding a data visualization report in Microsoft Power BI – a skill he picked up in his on-campus job in the Office of Recruitment – Crenshaw met with Murphy’s Senior Vice President of Asset Development. He pitched the $12 million project and she signed off on it. “It was a direct connection between Dr. Rod’s class and what I was doing in my internship. I was using concepts and tools and methods from that class to develop that replacement plan,” Crenshaw said. From Murphy’s headquarters in El Dorado, Arkansas, Aulds said the intern’s $12 million plan is moving forward. “Not only is it moving forward, it is fully funded and it’s running,” Aulds said. “It’s going to be a two- or three-year project and it is a really complex project. We are making decisions to replace things that may not be broken. By getting ahead of the expense now, we’re not having to continue to pay to maintain an older asset. We’re also able to provide a better experience for our customers. It’s an investment we’re willing to make.” Three faculty and staff members – unbeknownst to one another – separately contacted Aulds to recommend Murphy hire Crenshaw. “Because of the relationships I’ve built, I trust ULM when someone on campus tells me, ‘This is a strong student. You want to get them in your business.’ For me, I took that and threw my word
Crenshaw has not decided on career plans after graduation in the spring, but he knows he will use the ULM network to get where he wants to go. “When I’m scouring jobs on LinkedIn, it is very frequent that these Fortune 500 companies have at least one alumnus that works there. Because of the family atmosphere of ULM, I am confident that it would only take one alumnus to have the same effect as 20 alumni from an Ivy League school for one of their graduates,” Crenshaw said. Crenshaw reflected on the ULM employees who reached out to Aulds, and on Aulds going to bat for him. “It can be hard going in blind, going in without any connections, to a company that large and that successful. But when I told people I was from ULM, they were like, ‘Oh, you must know Ash! He’s a great guy. He’s really smart.’” Crenshaw said. “Even without a conversation between us, the fact that Ash has been successful in Murphy propelled me. People thought higher of me because of what a ULM alumnus has already done in the company.” “Hiring Warhawks only increases the value of our degree,” Aulds said. “I tell my friends to use the Alumni Association to connect with peers that you may not even know work where you work or live where you live. Take a chance on ULM students if you have a position available. That’s really how we continue the legacy.”
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“ When I’m scouring jobs on LinkedIn, it is very frequent that these Fortune 500 companies have at least one alumnus that works there. Because of the family atmosphere of ULM, I am confident that it would only take one alumnus to have the same effect as 20 alumni from an Ivy League school for one of their graduates.”
CAMPUS NEWS
photo by Paul Ware
“Michael checked every single box. He knocked it out of the park,” Aulds said. “I helped him because it’s the same way I got my opportunity. My letter of recommendation for my first job was from (ULM alumnus) Bruce Hanks. If we’re not going to give these students the opportunities that we received coming out of college, then they are not getting the opportunities to accomplish what we have accomplished, and what we’ll continue to accomplish.”
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BY ADAM MCDONALD
ULM CELEBRATES EMPLOYEES AT ANNUAL ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
FOUNDATION AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE CELEBRATED THE SUCCESSES OF ITS FACULTY AND STAFF AT THE ANNUAL FOUNDATION AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE ON THURSDAY, MAY 5, AT BAYOU POINTE EVENT CENTER.
COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF HEALTHAWARDS & PHARMACEUTICAL FOR EXCELLENCE SCIENCES
photos by Paul Ware
Professor Emeritus
ADAOBI DUR
The highest honor in academia gives retired faculty members the opportunity to continue scholarly work.
LEIGH HERSEY
DR. PAMELA HIGGINS SAULSBERRY Dr. Saulsberry held a variety of positions throughout her career of over 45 years. She most recently served as the Executive Director of ULM’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a position she held since the inception of the office in January 2021. Prior to this role, Saulsberry served as Director of the School of Behavioral and Social Science and the Coordinator of the Social Work program. Besides being a professor of social work, she has also been a school social worker, a child protective social worker, a juvenile justice consultant, and a local, state, and national trainer on topics including diversity. Dr. Saulsberry retired from ULM in April 2023. Faculty Promoted to Professor MKAY BONNER ANITA SHARMA RICK STEVENS
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Faculty Promoted to Clinical Professor CONNIE SMITH Faculty Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure BURTON ASHWORTH
ANISSA HORNE ADAM JOHNSON BARBARA JOHNSON MYRA LOVETT GEORGE MATTHAIOLAMPAKIS EMILY MIKE SIVA MURRU JENNIFER WHITED Faculty Promoted to Tenure TAMMY DAANNEHL CANDACE GANDY JESSICA LOUQUE SANDRA OGG The Ken Clow Award for Excellence in Research The award is named after the late marketing professor who published multiple books and more than 200 journal articles and proceedings. DR. TAMMY JOHNSTON Professor of Economics – Dr. Johnston’s career has spanned 25 years, in which she has consistently pursued economic research including topics such as macroeconomics, monetary economics, entrepreneurship,
and international economics. She has presented at over 65 conferences, including international conferences in Slovakia and Australia. She demonstrates year after year what academic research should be and encourages others to pursue research as well. Florencetta Gibson Award for Excellence in Service Named after the professor emerita of nursing, the award goes to a faculty member committed to serving the University in ways that positively impact the institution and community. DR. VICTORIA MILLER Professor of Pharmacy – Dr. Miller offers a unique experiential setting in the Heart Failure Cardiology Clinic at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport. There she provides experiential learning opportunities to her fourth-year pharmacy students but is also able to reach the underserved population of Northwest Louisiana. Dr. Miller exudes a servant’s heart, and she is always involved in making both people and processes better. Her tireless efforts to make outside stakeholders fall in love with ULM are palpable. Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching DR. HEATHER SAVAGE Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy – Even though Dr. Savage is a junior faculty member, she pushes the other faculty to be
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ULMMAGAZINE FALL 2023
President Berry presents his wife, Dr. Christine Berry, Professor and Program Director of Risk Management & Insurance, with a plaque for 20 years of service to the university.
Professor of History Dr. Roger Carpenter (left) and Assoc. Professor of Social Work Dr. Neil White were each recognized for 15 years of service.
Director of Human Resources Melissa Ducote (right) presents Custodian Supervisor Ida Green (left) with an award recognizing Green's 30 years of service.
innovative in how they deliver their content. She tries new learning styles and is always chatting about trying something different to energize the classrooms that she is in. Her colleagues consider themselves lucky that she chooses to apply her gifts at ULM and pushes everyone to be better.
choir and piano, published by Hal Leonard. Justin has played a major role, in a relatively short period of time, in increasing the prestige of VAPA and ULM at large. His winning personality, modesty, genuine love for his art and for all his colleagues and students make him an asset that deserves recognition.
Association, the Staff Senate, and the Community Emergency Response Team.
Foundation Award for Excellence in Creative and Innovative Works
Alma Sewell Award for Service by Unclassified Staff
JUSTIN HAVARD Instructor, School of Music – Havard is the accompanist and co-director of the ULM Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. He regularly gives his time to provide piano accompaniment for solo voice, ensemble voice and instruments. He is a published composer, including his most recent, In Paradisum, for
Named after the staff member who dedicated more than four decades of service to ULM, the award goes to an employee who is an inspiration for their exemplary service, on- or off-campus.
Dr. Pamela Higgins Saulsberry was named Professor Emeritus of Social Work.
Director of Assessment and Evaluation Allison Thompson (center) won the Alma Sewell Award for Service by Unclassified Staff and the Judy Smith Award for Warhawk Spirit. She was nominated by Melissa Rhodes (left.)
Instructor of Music Justin Havard (center) won the Foundation Award for Excellence in Creative and Innovative Works. He was nominated by Dr. Deborah Chandler (left.)
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Dr. Heather Savage (center) won the Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was nominated by Dr. Jeffery Evans (left.)
Professor of Pharmacy Dr. Victoria Miller (center) won the Florencetta Gibson Award for Excellence in Service. She was nominated by Dr. Jamie Terrell (left.)
Professor of Economics Dr. Tammy Johnston (center) won the Ken Clow Award for Excellence in Research. She was nominated by Veronika Humphries, J.D. (left.)
Named after the late assistant director of the Office of Financial Aid, who demonstrated selfless dedication to student fulfillment.
COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF HEALTHAWARDS & PHARMACEUTICAL FOR EXCELLENCE SCIENCES
ALLISON THOMPSON Director of Assessment and Evaluation – Thompson is active with the Alumni
Judy Smith Award for Warhawk Spirit
ALLISON THOMPSON Director of Assessment and Evaluation – Thompson has always represented ULM with a smile on her face and an infectious enthusiasm whether it be in a meeting on campus, a football game, ringing the bell and taking up collections for a cause, or even serving food to the needy. Allison is always willing and able to represent the Warhawk Spirit.
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ALUMNI CL A S S NOTE S
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES photo provided by Special Collections & Archives
www.ulm.edu
1995
1999
2006
David G. Coleman (BA Health and Physical Education) lives in Bossier City, LA. with his wife Sara Gremillion Coleman of 23 years, 0 children (but they do have a 10 year old Golden Retriever named Cayenne). David has been working for the VA hospital now for 10 years and for the last 4.5 years he has been a State Director for Louisiana’s Veterans Golf Association, a program formed to get military veterans like himself (Gulf War) that love golf together to share comradery and golf competition. David does set-up, runs the events, and plays all over the state almost each weekend. They have close to 10,000 members nationwide. He also is a PGA Golf Professional in the Gulf States PGA Section which makes up Louisiana and Mississippi. David was nominated by my some of his fellow PGA members for the Patriot Award which is given for exceptional performance and commitment in golf to promote the game of golf to the nation’s military and veterans. Later, David received a call letting him know he WON the award for his PGA Section! He was also nominated for the National Award as well.
Congratulations to Dr. Jeremy Muse (BA Liberal Arts) for being named the 2022 Louisiana Middle School Principal of the Year! He was the Principal at Lake Elementary School, St. Amant, La. Currently he works as the Director of Human Resources for the Ascension Parish School Board, located in St. Amant, Louisiana.
Sarah Heatherly (BA General Studies) was selected to serve on HSMAI'S Marketing Advisory Board for the 2023 - 2025 term.
2000
James Skeen, Jr. (BA Agribusiness) says he has been blessed with wonderful career opportunities and his education most certainly prepared him for those opportunities. Since 2015, he's been serving as the Executive Vice President for the Louisiana Cotton & Grain Association, based in Monroe, Louisiana. The LCGA is an agricultural trade organization charged with promoting and representing the interests of Louisiana cotton and grain farmers on the local, state and national levels. James is very proud of his university and loves the direction it is going. He is still involved with the university and does all he can to help the agricultural program to prepare its students for success upon graduation.
2013
Congratulations to Ray Stovall (BS Psychology, MS Forensic Psychology 2015) on his new position at Beacon Hill Staffing Group. He will be managing recruiting for the work that they do in Texas and Oklahoma. He will also be helping grow the Engineering and Government Services arm of the company. Rebecca G. Hamm (BS Radiologic Technology/ Science Radiographer, MEd ‘14) is an Associate Professor of Radiologic Technology at ULM. She became tenured and was promoted to Associate Professor in September 2021. She is currently serving as the President of the Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technologists (LSRT). Rebecca was featured on the cover of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) newsletter, the ASRT Scanner, in the April/May 2021 issue. She also started the first Lambda Nu National Honor Society for Radiologic and Imaging Science chapter at ULM in 2018 and was asked to serve as a site
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visitor for national accreditation agency JRCERT in September 2021. She published a peer-reviewed article titled “Acute Pancreatitis: Causation, Diagnosis, and Classification Using Computed Tomograpy” in a national journal in November 2021. She has also had three other articles and five columns published nationally since 2020. Rebecca has been a presenter at several state conferences and a professional mentor through ASRT and ULM for the past three years. Rebecca was awarded the Bob Cassling Memorial Scholarship from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for $4000 to complete doctoral degree. She is currently in the Educational Doctorate program at Louisiana Tech University, and is projected to graduate in 2023.
2016
2018
Alicia Rollins (MS Biology, Ed.D. 2022) was presented the Dr. Pamela H. Saulsberry Trailblazer Award at this year's Black History Program. She
2019
Millicent McFarland (BS Kinesiology) attended Florida A&M University to obtain her doctorate in physical therapy. This past May, she walked across the stage and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree! Ariana Smith (BS) started a position as the Outreach Coordinator of a non-profit health organization serving southeast Louisiana at the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020. She was given many leadership positions in the organization of events for her company and was recognized as a weekly Healthcare Hero for her assistance in COVID-19 testing. She also wrote an article about school-based health centers that was published by the Louisiana Primary Care Association. She recently got engaged and was accepted into the LSU School of Social Work. “I am so thankful for all of the help I got from professors at ULM and I miss my home on the bayou every day!” said Smith.
2023 Kelly Morgan (BA) received the “2023 Women’s Symposium Emerging Student Leader Scholarship”! She was the President of the 31 Ambassadors program here at ULM. We are very proud of all the things she has done on campus and cannot wait to see what she continues to do in her bright future!
— The Alumni Association would like to congratulate the following alumni for recently being named among the “Top 20 Under 40” by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce: Sophie Barksdale (2012) DJ Fortenberry (2008) Monohn Prud'homme (2016) Alicia Rollins (2016 & 2018) Sarah O'Connor Siereveld (2020) Nicholas Trappey (2008) Congratulations, Warhawks, for showing northeast Louisiana that The Best is on the Bayou!
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Katy Thomas (BS Elementary Education, M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction 2018) has accepted a job at Alliance Academy International and moved to Quito, Ecuador! She is teaching 4th grade as a missionary teacher.
serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion fellow, is the Spirit Groups Liaison and she recently accepted a new role as the program director for the medical laboratory technician program at Louisiana Delta Community College!
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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
RETIREMENTS
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IN MEMORIAM Tamar Read
Faye Howe
Leonard Rhymes
Dewana Adams
Houston Hughes
Daniel Richardson
Morris Albritton
Kathy Jobe
Errol Roberts
Wyche Ashcraft
Gwendolynn Jones
Roland "Rocky" Robin
Karen Atkins
Tony Jones
Frances Robinson
Douglas Beach
Alanna Kern
Cindy Rogers Welker
Ross Berry
William Lane
Kilwanna Rose
MAY 2023 Brian R. Fassett Thomas W. Sasek Roxie L. Stewart
Kim Bingham
Clara Langley
Betty Sample
Patsy Boudreaux
Stephen Lee
George Savage
Vicki Boudreaux
Tommie Ann Day Lee
Susan Seanor
Barry Broadway
Bruce Maillet
Jimmie Self
Betty Brown
Charles Marshall
Michael Sellar
JUNE 2023 Jeremy Kent Connie L. Smith Laura Denise Buell
Brice Brown
Max Martin
Mary Sivils
James Clark
Ronald Martin
Marilyn Smith
Albert Cloud
Charles R. McDonald
Charlotte Smith
Martha Collins
Carol McDougald
Margaret Snipes
Randall Cooper
Mark McDuffie
Billie Spivey
JULY 2023 Ronald A. Hill
Eleni Coyle
Beverly McGuire
Gail Tatum
Dianne Deason
Michael McManus
Donna Taylor
Hazel Deloach
Hosea McNew
Joe Thurman
Jimmy Dimos
Diedra Miller
Kirt Touchstone
Keith Beard (BA ‘84)
Marshall Douglas
M. Morgan
Deana Trahern
Vador Dunkum
Linda Mulhern
Donna Tucker
DeJaneiro Davis (BBA ‘99, MAT ‘13, M.Ed. ‘18)
Carla Florsheim
Evelyn Nagem
Wesley Webb
William Galligan
Johnny Overby
Jo Ann Womack
Nannie Hale
Wamul Owens
Jerald Womack
Dr. Toni Lowe Fisher (‘00 BBA)
Ellen Hamby
Jack Parker
Thomas Wooldridge
O. Hancock
Lyle Parratt
Judith Wooldridge
Dakota Hawkins (BA ‘15)
Jerome Hargroder
Paula Powers
Sara Younger
Bert Hatten
Jeannette Pyle
Renée Hebert ('98 BA, ‘00 M.Ed.)
John Hobgood
Mildred Randall
PRESIDENT Joseph Beard (BS ‘09) PRESIDENT–ADMINISTRATION Maggie Sims Generoso (BS ‘09, ME ‘13) VICE PRESIDENT–OPERATIONS Lacy Durham (BBA ‘01) VICE PRESIDENT–FINANCE David R. Smith (BGS ‘82) SECRETARY–PARLIAMENTARIAN Levi McKelphin (BS ‘85) PAST-PRESIDENT Ashley Ryan Aulds (BS ‘14, MBA ‘15)
VICE PRESIDENTS AT-LARGE DeAndre Alexander (BGS ‘08)
APRIL 2023 Martha K. Letterman Pamela Higgins Saulsberry
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; RETIREMENTS; IN MEMORIAM
Sidney Holmes
Louis Adams
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George Abington
MARCH 2023 Lena T. Beutner
Kandice Nicole Hunter (‘09 BS, ‘13 BSN, ‘19 MSN-AGPCNP) Nicholas Lebas (‘97 BS Pharmacy) Kim Lowery (‘06 BS) Justin Mailhes (‘13 BBA) Mary Linda McCann (‘91 BBA, ‘98 MBA) K Shawn McCoy (‘85 BA, ‘87 MBA) Spencer Kirby Moore (‘12 BA) Laurie Devone Payne (‘03 BBA) Mario Payne (‘02 BBA) Rogia Williams (‘04 MBA)
Complete bios are available at alumni.ulm.edu/page/board
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