ByLion -- November 26
 Education
superintendent to address graduates Dec. 8Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Paul G. Pastorek will address Southeastern graduates at the university's commencement on Saturday, Dec. 8. Southeastern will confer associate, bachelor's and master's degrees on approximately 1,250 students at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the University Center. The commencement ceremony will feature the introduction of this year's class of "Golden Graduates," members of the Class of 1957 and previous years, who will lead the new graduates into the University Center dressed in golden academic regalia. The Golden Graduate tradition was initiated in the December 1998 commencement ceremony. Pastorek was appointed to the position in March 2007 after the death of long time superintendent Cecil J. Picard. In his position, he is responsible for recommending and implementing public education policy for 70 local school districts, comprised of more than 1,400 schools and serving approximately 650,000 students. An attorney with the law firm of Adams and Reese for 27 years, Pastorek has been involved in efforts to improve public education for the last 20 years, starting as a volunteer in a New Orleans public junior high school. His work came to the attention of Gov. Mike Foster who appointed him to serve on Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) where he later became president of the board. He played an instrumental role in establishing Louisiana's national recognized Accountability and Testing Program. After stepping down from BESE in 2004, he formed Next Horizon, a non-profit foundation focused on creating a statewide think tank to support the Department of Education in developing various strategies to improve public education. In 2002, Pastorek was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as general counsel to NASA. There he served on and led several senior management committees and headed the team that developed NASA's transformational reorganization plan announced in 2004. For his service, he was awarded NASA's Exceptional Achievement Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal. Pastorek holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University and a juris doctorate from Loyola University School of Law. He has served as chairman of the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce Area Council Executive Committee, a member of the Chamber of Greater Baton Rouge Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the World Trade Center in New Orleans. Among his honors are the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award for Service to the Community of New Orleans, the Young Leadership Council's Role Model Award, and the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce Joseph W. Simon Jr. Memorial Award. Table of Content Education master's program rated as one of best in the south Southeastern's redesigned master's degree program in education was rated with programs at three other Louisiana institutions as among the best in the southern states in preparing future school principals and other education leaders. A recent report issued by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), a nonprofit coalition that offers guidance on educational policy issues in 16 states, cited Southeastern and the other universities for making progress in six key policy areas evaluated. Programs in most other states have not progressed significantly in training a new generation of school leaders, the report concluded. "We are extremely pleased that our efforts to design a program that will prepare our future school principals, superintendents and other leaders in education is being recognized," said Diane Allen, dean of Southeastern's College of Education and Human Development. "We are especially pleased that Louisiana is being cited as a pacesetter among the southern states." The three other institutions cited by the SREB report were the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Southern University at Baton Rouge and the University of New Orleans. The report, "Schools Need Good Leaders Now: State Progress in Creating Learning-Centered School Leadership Systems," said many graduate programs in school leadership and administration are not selective enough, because the universities are primarily interested in enrolling large numbers of students. As a result, most of the programs' graduates do not go on to become school principals, and many of those who do lack the skills needed to bring about substantial improvements. "Our institutions were cited in the report because we have made better progress in our selection and recruitment of future school leaders, redesign of the programs to emphasize curriculum instruction and student learning, and developing our programs around school-based experiences that prepare our students to lead school improvement," Allen said. Other criteria measured included basing professional-level licensure on improved school and classroom practices, developing alternative pathways for initial licensure, and providing training and support for leadership teams in low-performing schools. Allen said Southeastern maintains a close working relationship with area public school systems - particularly in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, Washington and Livingston parishes. "The partnerships with area school systems have allowed us to identify a strong pool of potential future school leaders who show promise of improving classroom practices and student achievement," she added. "We are being very selective in our application process, so that those who complete the program will be able to meet the demands of 21st century education." Table of Content Students sponsors 'Toys from the Heart' holiday drive Southeastern students are coordinating a spirit of giving on campus and in the community to benefit Hammond area children this holiday season. Southeastern's chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, and Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta sororities have teamed up with the offices of Recreational Sports and Wellness and Multicultural and International Student Affairs to sponsor a holiday toy drive, "Toys from the Heart." Toys and monetary donations will be collected Nov. 26-30. "We want to give toys to underprivileged children in the Hammond community," said Joshua Ikegulu of Kappa Alpha Psi, which is coordinating the project. Ikegulu said students hope to make the holidays special by distributing toys to at least 200 Hammond area children. "The students are asking that all departments, faculty, staff and students make a donation during the drive," he said. Contributors may donate new toys or make a monetary donation of any amount for the purchase of new toys. Ikegulu said contributions from area residents are also welcome. Families may register for the drive by calling the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs, (985) 549-3850, by Dec. 7 and providing children's names and ages. Toys will be distributed on Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pennington Student Activity Center. Ikegulu said toy and monetary donations may be brought to the Student Union mall from 11 a.m. -2 p.m., Nov. 26-30. Toy collection boxes will also be located at the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs, Student Union room 112, and at the Pennington Student Activity Center. On Thursday, Nov. 29, Recreational Sports and Wellness will join in the drive by hosting "A Very Merry Thursday" for Southeastern faculty, staff and students, who are invited to the Pennington Student Activity Center from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. to enjoy cookie decorating, hot chocolate, hors d'ouevres, and pictures with "Santa and Mrs. Claus." Members of the Southeastern family attending "A Very Merry Thursday" are asked to bring one new toy or make a $5 donation to the "Toys from the Heart" project. "It is so great to have the different departments on campus excited about our community service efforts and so willing to help us collect toys for the children," said Ikegulu. For additional information about "Toys from the Heart," contact the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs at (985) 549-3850. Table of Content Miss Southeastern interest meeting Nov. 27 Does the next Miss Southeastern work in your office or attend one of your classes? Help spread the word that students interested in competing for the 2008 Miss Southeastern crown are invited to attend an informational meeting on Nov. 27. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre, said Jason Leader, coordinator of the Campus Activities Board, the pageant's sponsor. Potential contestants will have the opportunity to ask questions related to the pageant's format and requirements. The 2008 Miss Southeastern pageant will take place Jan. 30 at Southeastern's Pottle Music Building Auditorium. Contestants must be full-time Southeastern students with a minimum 2.4 cumulative grade point average, Leader said. Contestants compete in five competition phases, including individual interview, swimsuit, evening gown, talent and on-stage question. "In addition to the prestigious title of Miss Southeastern, other benefits include tuition for the three semesters of their service and the chance to compete for the title of Miss Louisiana at the pageant held in Monroe each June," Leader said. "Runners-up to Miss Southeastern receive one semester of tuition. "Miss Southeastern has been a university tradition since 1949," Leader said. "In 1962, CAB became its sponsor and the Miss Southeastern Pageant became a Miss America preliminary." The current title holder, Kristen Hilliard of Covington, received the Newcomer Award at the 2007 Miss Louisiana pageant. For additional information about the interest meeting or pageant, contact Campus Activities Board at 985-549-3805 or cab@selu.edu. Table of Content Ceramics Club hosts holiday sale Just in time for the gift giving season, the Ceramic Club will hold its annual holiday sale on Nov. 27 and 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., in the War Memorial Student Union mall. The club will offer a variety of ceramics, from thrown pottery to unique hand-built sculpture to dishware and planters. New stock will be placed on display throughout the sale. The sale is a fundraiser for the Ceramics Club, which was organized last year to help Southeastern students sell and promote their work. For additional information, contact the Department of Visual Arts, 985-549-2193. Table of Content  Columbia
in holiday mood with tree-trimming party, LPO concertThe holiday season will officially arrive at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts on Nov. 30 when the university's historic downtown theater unveils a tree adorned with hundreds of decorations created by area children and teens. The tree will be unveiled at the Columbia's annual tree-trimming party, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to coincide with downtown Hammond's "Starry November Night." "We will begin with musical greetings from the choir from the Academic Center for the Visual and Performing Arts at Hammond Eastside Primary. Santa Claus will arrive at 6 p.m. and will pose for photos with all of our guests," said Michelle Biggs, Columbia marketing director. Biggs said the tree in the Columbia lobby will be decorated with ornaments, all with musical themes, submitted by more than 500 local students from first graders to high school seniors. In a special drawing during the party, one student will be selected to be a guest conductor at the Dec. 7 Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra concert. She encouraged families to get their tickets early for the popular concert, which is traditionally a sellout at the Columbia. Resident Conductor Rebecca Miller, the first woman conductor on the LPO staff, will lead the orchestra in a program full of classical and popular holiday favorites. The concert's first half will be devoted to classics - selections from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," Handel's "La Rejouissance" from "Royal Fireworks Music," Corelli's "Christmas Concerto," Vaughn Williams' "Fantasia on Greensleeves," and Prokofiev's "Troika" from "Lieutenant Kije Suite." Following intermission, the musicians will perform dozens of holiday favorites, inviting the audience to sing along to a medley of five traditional carols. Selections will also include "Sleigh Ride," "White Christmas," "March of the Toys" from "Babes in Toyland," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and a "Christmas Memories" medley with "Frosty the Snowman," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Here Comes Santa Claus," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Tickets for the LPO Holiday Concert are $39, Orchestra 1 and Loge; $34, Orchestra 2 and Balcony 1; and $26, Orchestra 3 and Balcony 2. Tickets can be purchased online at www.columbiatheatre.org or at the Columbia Theatre box office, 220 E. Thomas St., (985) 543-4371. Box office hours are noon-5 p.m., weekdays. Table of Content Choirs present holiday concert Dec. 2 Southeastern choirs will join voices with the community singers of the Northshore Chorale for a holiday concert Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at Hammond's First Baptist Church, 401 W. Morris Street. Alissa Rowe, director of choral activities at Southeastern, will conduct the Northshore Chorale, University Chorus, and Women's Chorale in a free concert titled "A Feast of Carols." "We are performing with full orchestra," said Rowe. "It is a lovely program and should get everyone in the holiday spirit." The program will open with five sacred choral works performed by the 17-member Women's Chorale. Student conductor Brian Martinez of Montz will conduct the chorale in "Today, This Spring" by Libby Larsen, accompanied by Southeastern staff accompanist Charles Effler. "Messe Breve" by Leo Delibres will feature soloists Keturah Turner of Hammond, Baylie Stillwell of Mandeville, Paula Vickers of Gardendale, Ala., Cara Williams of Franklinton, Jane Rownd of Hammond, and Kristen Stanley of Baton Rouge. The Women's Chorale's selections will also include "Puer Nobis Nascitur," arranged by Lana Walter; "Cantate Domino" by Nancy Hill Cobb; and "Las Amarillas," arranged by Stephen Hatfield. The University Chorus and Northshore Chorale will open the second half of the program with "Angels We Have Heard on High," arranged by Stephen Paulus and featuring organist Julie Rozman. Student conductor Cali McQueen of Gonzales will direct the chorus in Eric William Barnum's "Sweeter Still." Mozart's "Vesperae soleness de Dominica" will feature soloists Rownd, Christina Babin of Prairieville, Brandon Wear of Slidell, Christopher Giffin of Baton Rouge, Kimberly Hilliard of Covington, and Blair Abene of Hammond. The audience will be invited to sing along on a trio of holiday favorites, "Joy to the World," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," and "Deck the Halls." The program will close with Randol Alan Bass's "Feast of Carols," featuring Northshore Chorale soloists Erin Perdue and Ann Moody. For additional information about the concert, contact Rowe at (985) 549-2184 or arowe@selu.edu. Table of Content  Agosta
named coordinator of adult health nurse practitioner program Lucie J. Agosta of Baton Rouge has been appointed assistant professor of nursing and coordinator of the adult health nurse practitioner specialty track in the School of Nursing graduate program. She is a nurse practitioner at Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge, where she proposed and developed an employee health clinic for staff and their family members. A member of the Woman's Hospital staff since 1988, she has worked there as a staff nurse, clinical educator and director of perinatal services and will continue to maintain an administrative and clinical role with the institution. At Southeastern, she will coordinate the clinical instruction of graduate students enrolled in Southeastern's adult nurse practitioner program. Southeastern's graduate program, operated in consortium with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and McNeese State University, offers training in functional areas such as nurse education, administration and nurse practitioner. "Nurse practitioners are playing a greater role than ever in our health care system, providing a wide range of primary, preventive, and follow up care and working closely with physicians," Agosta said. "It is an evolving field and one that is growing beyond just rural and other underserved areas." This year, Agosta received a Nightingale Award from the Louisiana Nurses Foundation as Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners. Later this year she will receive the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Excellence, which is presented to a nurse practitioner who demonstrates excellence in practice, research, education or community affairs. Agosta holds a doctorate in human resource education from LSU, where she did her dissertation on patient satisfaction with services provided by nurse practitioners. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Southeastern in 1983, a master's degree in nursing from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, a post-master's nurse practitioner certification from Southeastern and a post-master's certification as a family nurse practitioner from the Northern Kentucky University. Table of Content Students conduct genealogy seminars As a service-learning activity, students in a public history class taught by David Benac are leading free genealogy seminars at the Tangipahoa African-American Heritage Museum in Hammond Saturday, Dec. 1. The morning seminar, scheduled for 10 a.m., will feature workshops about patrilineal, matrilineal, and African-American genealogies as well as a workshop for teachers on integrating genealogy into their lesson plans. The 2 p.m. session will also feature patrilineal, matrilineal, and African-American genealogy help as well as a tour of the museum. Table of Content Making the most of the holiday season It is never too late to plan for making your holiday experiences more enjoyable. The University Counseling Center and the Human Resources Office are jointly sponsoring a program on ways to decrease stress and maximize enjoyment of the upcoming holiday season. The program will be offered on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. It will be held in the University Center room 139 and will be led by Dr. Barbara Hebert and Jan Ortego, M.Ed. The program is designed to offer techniques to minimize the typical holiday stressors as well as offer practical tips for enjoying the holidays economically. Pre-registration for this program is encouraged by phoning extension 5850 in the Human Resources Office or by e-mailing Jan.Ortego@selu.edu. Table of Content This week in athletics The men's and women's basketball teams will be back in action on the road during this week in Southeastern Athletics. The Lions (4-1) head into the week on a three-game winning streak and this week's slate will begin Southeastern's most challenging stretch of the non-conference schedule. On Tuesday, the Lions will travel to Jackson State for a 7 p.m. contest. The Lions will face the second of three SEC opponents during non-conference play on Saturday, taking on Alabama at 6 p.m. The Lady Lions (3-2) will open a stretch this week that will see the team play four of its next five games on the road. On Friday, Southeastern will take on Mercer at 5 p.m. Central Standard Time in Macon, Ga. All of this week's Southeastern men's and women's basketball games will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net. A high-speed Internet connection is highly recommended for those attempting to access the webcast. Fans should also download the WinAmp player at www.winamp.com. The Southeastern men's and women's track and field team will also open its indoor schedule this week. The Lions and Lady Lions will head to Lake Charles, La. on Saturday to compete in the McNeese State Indoor Invitational.  Tuesday,
Nov. 27Men's Basketball, at Jackson State, Jackson, Miss., 7 p.m. (KSLU 90.9 FM) Friday,
Nov. 30Women's Basketball, at Mercer, Macon, Ga., 5 p.m. (KSLU 90.9 FM) Saturday,
Dec. 1Men's Basketball, at Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 6 p.m. (KSLU 90.9 FM) Men's and Women's Track and Field, at McNeese State Indoor Invitational, Lake Charles, all day Table of Content Student achievements The New Orleans Public Relations Society of America has awarded organizational communication major Ann O'Connor the 2007 PRSA-New Orleans Scholarship. This is the first scholarship awarded to a Southeastern student. The award was presented at their annual awards dinner at the Tea Garden in New Orleans on Nov. 15. Table of Content Professional activities Dr. Francesco Fiumara (Foreign Languages and Literatures) presented a paper at the 2007 SAMLA Convention held in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 9-11. The paper was entitled "La narrativa cavalleresca italiana di matrice spagnola e il suo genere editoriale" and was included in the panel "Literary and Historical Issues in the Italian Renaissance" chaired by Dr. Dino S. Cervigni of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Angela Dunnington and Mary Lou Strong (Sims Memorial Library) presented a concurrent session at the CAFÉ Symposium: Teaching Engaged Learning: Understanding Our Students' World at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux on Nov. 14. Their session titled "Making the Connection: Tuning in to Student Learning, Engagement, and Diverse Learning Styles" focused on how faculty members can engage the student learner by incorporating active learning techniques into the learning process. Former graduate student Eliott Pauli of the Kinesiology and Health Studies Department has published his thesis in the International Electronic Journal of Health Education. The title is: Mexican colonia residents' health perceptions and spirituality level: Predictors of and relationships to demographics. Co-authors are Dr. L. Synovitz, Dr. Ralph Wood and Dr. Keri Diez (Kinesiology and Health Studies) and Dr. Ann Carruth (Nursing). Dr. Anna M. Kleiner (Sociology and Criminal Justice) co-authored a book chapter titled, "Exploring Global Agrifood Politics and the Position of the Limited Resource Producers in the United States" (with John Green of Delta State University), which has been accepted for publication in Politics of Globalization, edited by Samir Dasgupta; Sage. Table of Content ByLion is published weekly online (bi-weekly during the summer session) for the faculty and staff of Southeastern Louisiana University. Send submissions to publicinfo@selu.edu, SLU 10880, fax 985-549-2061, or bring to Public Information Office in East Stadium. Submission deadline is noon on Friday. Contact: Christina Chapple, chapple@selu.edu, 985-549-2341/2421. Return to By-Lion directory |