Gayle and Cindy Neal Endowed Scholarship in Athletics
Gayle ’74 and Cindy Forrest ’73 Neal established this scholarship to provide financial
assistance to a male or female basketball player that is majoring in education or
kinesiology. Preference is given to those pursuing a degree in coaching or athletic
trainer. Gayle, a Southeastern Sig Tau member, led a passionate career as a basketball
coach and teacher of Livingston Parish.
The Neill Family Company Endowed Scholarship in Business
The scholarship was established by Edwin H. Neill II, his wife Debra and their family.
Edwin was the CEO of the Neill Corporation, the largest distributor of Aveda products
in the southeast and operator of Paris Parker Salons and Spas. Edwin was a self-professed
lover of change and lifelong learning. The scholarship provides financial assistance
to a College of Business student who shows an entrepreneurial spirit.
Nesser Family Top off TOPS Endowed Scholarship
The scholarship was established by John Nesser and his wife Cynthia Hutchinson Nesser
‘89. Cynthia serves on the Southeastern Foundation Board of Directors and previously
served as the Chair. The scholarship will provide tuition assistance to students
in their fifth year who had previously received TOPS but were no longer eligible to
receive TOPS.
Donna Neuerburg Endowed Scholarship
The scholarship was established in her memory by Donna’s husband and faculty member
in the Mathematics department, Dr. Kent Neurburg. Donna was a Catholic school educator
in California, Missouri and Louisiana and the scholarship will provide tuition assistance
to Southeastern students for generations to come.
Joanna Dee Newman Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
The scholarship was established with a gift from Lynn and Debbie Newman, parents
of Joanna. Joanna’s dream was to graduate from Southeastern with a degree in nursing.
The scholarship will support a Southeastern Nursing student.
Monica Nijoka Scholarship in Nursing
The scholarship was established by Monica Nijoka ‘77, who currently serves as the
Chief Nursing Officer for Baton Rouge General Medical Center. She received her Nursing
degree from Southeastern, with the help of two jobs and a scholarship. She established
the scholarship to help a nursing student who would otherwise not be able to continue
their education.
Susan Frazee Odell Memorial Scholarship in Nursing
Susan touched many lives throughout her career as a nurse. Susan helped launch the
hospice program at North Oaks Hospital in Hammond. She was director of Oasis Management
and Performance Improvement for Synergy Home Care at the time of her passing. Her
sister, Marianne Frazee, along with friends and family endowed a scholarship in her
memory in order to provide assistance to a student majoring in Nursing.
Charles and Patricia O’Drobinak Excellence in Accounting Endowed Scholarship
Charles “Chuck” O’Drobinak ‘53 and his wife Patricia Terry O’Drobinak ‘52 established
the scholarship to provide financial assistance to a student majoring in Accounting.
They were motivated to do so as they received scholarships when they attended Southeastern.
Chuck was a managing partner of the Indiana office of the national accounting firm,
Price Waterhouse. He was recognized in 1997 as the Southeastern Alumnus of the Year.
Patricia came to Southeastern from nearby Covington, Louisiana to major in business
education.
Brad O’Hara Most Outstanding International Student Endowed Scholarship
The scholarship was established by Dr. O’Hara, a former head of Southeastern’s MBA
program and Dean of Student Affairs to recognize an outstanding International student
in his or her junior year who is actively engaged in campus activities.
Nancy Kathryn O’Neil Memorial Scholarship
The scholarship was established by orthodontists, Drs. Robert McMinn and William Ledoux
to provide assistance to a pre-dentistry, medicine, or veterinary medicine student
majoring in a discipline in the College of Science at Southeastern. When their good
friend,Dr. Joe O’Neil’s young daughter passed away two years later, they renamed the
scholarship to honor her memory.
Anna “Webbie” Ory Endowed Scholarship
The scholarship was established by Anna “Webbie” McGehee Ory ‘34, the daughter of
one of the founders of Southeastern, Dr. Lucius McGehee. Webbie was a frequent visitor
to Southeastern, especially attending Golden Grads events and her reunions with sorority
sisters in the Yellow Jackets. She was a past President of the Alumni Association
and established the scholarship to benefit future students of Southeastern.
James R. Owens Scholarship in Industrial Technology
The scholarship was established by Edith Blanchard Owens, mother of Dr. Jim Owens.
Jim is the Department Head Emeritus and Professor Emeritus for the Department of
Industrial Technology and the scholarship benefits students majoring in Industrial
Technology .
