Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern conferred degrees on more than 1,300 graduates Saturday, Dec. 11, at the university’s fall commencement exercises.
     Elsie Burkhalter, former chair and current member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, was the keynote speaker at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the University Center arena. Candidates for associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees were led into the arena by the Golden Graduates, alumni who graduated 50 or more years earlier.
     In his welcome Southeastern President John L. Crain noted that the 1,345 individuals being recognized at commencement included 452 men and 893 women who were receiving 17 different degrees; and representatives from 19 states and 15 countries. Six candidates received the doctorate in educational technology and were hooded by their major professors.
     The university awarded its highest academic honor, the President’s Medal for Academic Excellence, to eight students with the highest cumulative grade point average in the university’s five colleges and Division of General Studies.
Medal recipients were:
     College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – history major Lauren Rochelle Bennett of Ponchatoula, 4.0 gpa; communication major Fay Ludvine Boudreaux of Waggaman, 4.0 gpa; mass communication major Megan Lauren Mosher of Loranger, 4.0 gpa.
     College of Business – accounting major Katie Marie Duhe of Paulina, 4.0 g.p.a.
     College of Education and Human Development – special education major Tiffani M. Wassermann of Metairie, 3.977 gpa.
     College of Nursing and Health Sciences – kinesiology major Elizabeth Ann Prosperie of Houma, 4.0 gpa.
     Division of General Studies – general studies major Brock Alden Gerald of Bogalusa, 3.898 gpa.
     College of Science and Technology – math major Christopher William Pottle of Ponchatoula, 3.765 gpa.

1) 2010 President's Medal Winners 2) Commencement speaker Elsie Burkhalter

1) President’s Medal Winners: The university awarded its highest academic honor, the President’s Medal for Academic Excellence, to eight students with the highest cumulative grade point averages in the university’s five colleges and Division of General Studies at Saturday’s commencement ceremony. Seated from left are Tiffani M. Wassermann of Metairie, Fay Ludvine Boudreaux of Waggaman, Elizabeth Ann Prosperie of Houma and Katie Marie Duhe of Paulina. Back row, from left, are President John L. Crain, Elise Burkhalter commencement speaker and member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, Megan Lauren Mosher of Loranger, Lauren Rochelle Bennett of Ponchatoula, Christopher William Pottle of Ponchatoula and Andre Coudrain, a member of the UL System Board of Supervisors. Not pictured is Brock Alden Gerald of Bogalusa.

2) Commencement speaker: Elsie Burkhalter, former chair and current member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, addresses the more than 1,300 graduates at Southeastern’s commencement ceremony Saturday. The graduating class was the largest in the history of the university.

Southeastern SAAC Participates in Southland’s “12 Days of Christmas”

The Southeastern Student-Athlete Advisory Committee recently participated in the Southland Conference’s “12 Days of Christmas” campaign by contributing to the university-wide “Toys from the Heart” program and holding a canned food drive.
     The Southeastern SAAC partnered with Southeastern’s Greek organizations Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Inc., along with the Recreational Sports and Wellness Department and the Office of Multicultural and Student Affairs to make the toy drive a success.
     Through donations collected from their teammates, members of the SAAC bought and wrapped over 100 gifts at their monthly meeting on Dec. 2. The toy drive is expected to bring joy into the lives of 350 underprivileged Hammond-area children this holiday season.
     The Southeastern Student-Athlete Advisory Committee also coordinated a canned food drive in conjunction with the Lion men’s basketball team’s 111-67 victory over Dillard on Dec. 1. The SAAC delivered six boxes of canned goods collected from Lion fans to the Tangi Food Pantry the following day.
     Southeastern student-athletes participate in community service projects throughout the year, not just at the holidays. Recently the Lions and Lady Lions visited students at Midway Elementary School who were being rewarded for good behavior and excellence in the classroom.
     For the fourth consecutive holiday season, Southland Conference institutions are hosting the annual "Twelve Days of Christmas," a community service project coordinated by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in an effort to reach out to their respective local communities. Each institution will plan and execute a community service project leading up the Christmas break.

Above: Members of the Southeastern Student-Athlete Advisory Committee participated in the Southland Conference's “12 Days of Christmas” through the “Toys from the Heart” program. Pictured from left are Southeastern SAAC members Jerel Butler, Amber Crenshaw, Josh Cryer, Alex Greer, Torin Lucas, Kyle MacIntosh, Rasmus Astrand, Brittany Pfantz, Kati Morse, Lacey Bockhaus, Chelsea Hix, Jessie Browne, Lacey Sanchez, Nathan Clophus, Jordan Logan and Sam Fairley.

McCarthy appointed to scientific journal’s editorial board

Daniel McCarthy, physicist and dean of the College of Science and Technology, has been appointed an associate editor of the journal “Radiation Effects and Defects in Solids.”
     An international peer-reviewed scientific journal based in England, the publication is focused on plasma science and plasma technology and publishes papers on both fundamental and applied science that contribute to the understanding of phenomena produced by the interaction of radiation and matter.
     A specialist in the area of plasma physics, McCarthy is one of three associate editors representing the United States, serving with others from Russia, Japan, Germany, India, Czech Republic and other nations.
     McCarthy previously served as head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics. He is a recipient of Southeastern’s President’s Award for Excellence in Research and has been awarded several grants for magnetic fusion research from the U.S. Department of Energy. His research focuses on the nuclear fusion process of producing energy, the same energy process found in the sun and stars.

Dyslexia simulation exercises prepare future teachers

If trying to teach students with the learning disorder of dyslexia is frustrating for most teachers, consider what it must be like from the student’s point of view.
     That’s exactly the point of dyslexia simulation exercises that every teacher candidate must experience before graduating with a degree in early childhood, elementary or secondary education at Southeastern.
     “The role of an insightful teacher in working with a child with dyslexia is critical, and their perceptions play an important role in learning,” explained Elizabeth Wadlington, professor of teaching and learning in the College of Education and Human Development. She coordinates dyslexia simulation exercises for students at Southeastern every semester.
     Dyslexia, the most common language-based learning disability that impairs an individual’s ability to read, write and spell, affects between 17 and 20 percent of the U.S. population. It is not related to intelligence, Wadlington said.
     “Dyslexia causes difficulty in language processing,” she added. “The kids may be bright and intelligent and can see and hear just as well as everyone else, but they have a problem processing the information in their brains.”
     The simulation exercises she and her colleagues present are designed for the future teachers to feel the frustrations these children feel when they are in the classroom.
     After attending lectures on dyslexia to gain a basic understanding of the issue, the students participate in the simulation exercise, rotating through a variety of stations that focus on simulating reading difficulties, writing and visual-motor difficulties, and visual perception and visual processing difficulties while trying to read. Meanwhile, faculty facilitators play the role of teachers, demonstrating the impatience, exasperation and lack of understanding that Wadlington says are all too common in many classrooms. After each station, the students go through a debriefing session, reflecting on their experiences.
     “I felt like I was in second grade again,” one student said after struggling with a reading exercise. “I felt like I was holding everyone up.”
Read more

Above: Southeastern instructor Paul Simoneaux plays the role of a demanding teacher as he oversees the writing work of students Kelly Michon, left, and Tara Richardson. The exercises are designed for the future teachers to feel the frustrations children with dyslexia experience when they are in the classroom.

Children of the Gulf t-shirts available
The Department of Athletics announced last week that “Children of the Gulf” t-shirts are still available and are on sale for $5. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go to charities in Plaquemines Parish, which was heavily affected by the BP Oil Spill earlier this year.
     Sizes available are medium, large, and extra large in youth sizes, along with medium and double extra large in adult sizes.
     To purchase a shirt or for more information, contact Anna Woodall in the Southeastern Athletic Office at 549-2395.

Front: Front of t-shirt Back: Back of t-shirt

Southeastern in the news

Board tells state to produce plan; System officials want higher ed money dedicated
http://www.hammonddailystar.com/articles/2010/12/06/top_stories/education/5702.txt

EDITORIAL: ‘Bring us a plan’ to fix higher ed
http://www.hammonddailystar.com/articles/2010/12/06/opinion/editorials/8709.txt

SLU annual toy drive seeks a few givers
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/livingston_tangipahoa/111564449.html

Elsie Burkhalter chosen SLU graduation speaker
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/livingston_tangipahoa/111561664.html

Counseling program gets regional honor
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/livingston_tangipahoa/111560929.html

Inside Report for Dec. 9, 2010 (Southeastern's holiday blackout)
http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/111568894.html

Toys from the Heart
http://www.wafb.com/Global/category.asp?C=20267&nav=menu57_8_1

Turtle Cove gift items available
Looking for some last minute Christmas gifts? Southeastern’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station is offering a number of items of apparel with all proceeds going to help support the activities of the Pass Manchac research center. Items, which feature the Turtle Cove logo, include:

Baseball caps - $15

T-shirts - $15

Sweatshirts and long-sleeve T-shirts - $20

Rain jacket - $40

Zip-up fleece - $45

An environmentally friendly, hot/cold reusable mug is also for sale through Starbucks and Java City. The mug costs $5 and is good for 10 percent off all coffee and hot beverages, and fountain beverages cost of 50-cents when purchased at any of the ARAMARK locations on campus.
For more information, go to the Turtle Cove Web site (selu.edu/turtlecove)or to make a purchase, contact Rob Moreau at rmoreau@selu.edu or call 549-5008.

Aaron’s, Inc. establishes Southeastern scholarship
Aaron’s, Inc. has established The Aarons, Inc. Annual Scholarship Fund, which awards a scholarship to two Southeastern students. Aaron’s also provides a laptop for a third student who is selected. Qualifying students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher and major in business at Southeastern.
Pictured at the check presentation are, from left, laptop recipient Nicholas Ward, scholarship recipient Kirsten Johns, Jamie Lykins, Mississippi Valley divisional recruiter for Aarons, Inc., Southeastern President John L. Crain, and Adrianne Roques, coordinator of donor relations for the Southeastern Development Foundation. Not pictured is scholarship recipient Sarah Watts.

Human Resources news

PPR Training for Supervisors
There will be a training program for supervisors required to conduct Performance Planning and Reviews (PPRs) on classified employees. Offered by the Training Section of the Human Resources Office, the session is Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Human Resources Office conference room. To register for this program, please email Jan Ortego at Jan.Ortego@selu.edu or phone extension 5771. Pre-registration is requested for this class.

Chefs Evening is Sunday, April 3

Chef’s Evening restaurant of the week:

The Crescent

When dining choices take you away from home or work, please patronize this friend of Chefs Evening. While there, let the owner and chef know how much you appreciate their loyal support of the university by their participation in Chefs Evening year after year.

Extended Studies news

Hammond
Addictions, Stress, and Relationship Recovery (Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 11, 6-8 p.m.)
The course teaches loving and successful behavior for improving people’s lives, health, and careers. The cost is $75 with an additional $25 material fee.

Notarial Review (15 Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 8, 6:30 – 9 p.m.)
The course prepares students for the notary exam on June 4, 2011. The cost is $575, and books required for the course are an additional $270.

Property and Casualty Insurance Pre-licensing (40-hour class on Fridays and Saturdays beginning Jan. 14, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.) The class prepares students for the state exam and provides a good education for a career in insurance, focusing on property and casualty insurance. The cost for this course is $230 with the materials included.

Life and Health Insurance Pre-Licensing (40-hour class on Fridays and Saturdays beginning Feb. 18, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
The class prepares students for the state exam and provides a good education for a career in insurance, focusing on life and health insurance. The cost is $230, including materials.

Mandeville
Notarial Prep Course (15 Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 8, 6:30 – 9 p.m.)
The course prepares students for the notary exam. The cost is $575, and the books required for the course are an additional $270.

Introduction to Computers (Feb. 10, 8 a.m. – noon)
Students will learn the basic skills needed to get started with personal computers and work with various features, tools and options available in Windows. The cost is $90 included the book.

Microsoft Project 2010 (Feb. 15, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Students will learn to build and modify a project schedule which will assist in managing projects. The cost is $299 with the book provided.

Property and Casualty Insurance Pre-licensing (40-hour class on Fridays and Saturdays beginning Jan. 14, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.) The class prepares students for the state exam provides a good education for a career in insurance, focusing on property and casualty insurance. The cost is $230 with the materials included.

Walker
ACT Test Preparation (5 Thursdays beginning Jan. 13, 5 – 7 p.m.)
The course helps high school students develop the skills to improve their ACT scores, emphasizing Mathematics and English. The cost is $250, and if paid and registered one week prior to start of class, students will receive ACT prep book at no additional cost.

Career Enrichment Program Openings - Scholarships Available
Customer Service (Jan. 10 and 17 at Continental Kennel Club)
Sales (Jan. 13 and 20 or Feb. 9 and 16, location open)
Safety (Feb. 9 and 16 or March 17 and 24, location open)

To register, or for further details on these or other courses that are available please visit:
Hammond- www.selu.edu/es Mandeville- www.selu.edu/stc Walker- www.selu.edu/livingston

This week in athletics

The Southeastern men’s and women’s basketball teams each will hit the road for a pair of non-conference games during this week in Southeastern Athletics.
     The Lions (5-2) will take on a pair of Southeastern Conference members. Southeastern will start the week with an 8 p.m. contest at Alabama on Wednesday. On Saturday, the Lions face Vanderbilt at 6 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.
     The Lady Lions (5-3) open the week on Monday, facing Jackson State at 7 p.m. at Jackson, Miss. On Saturday, Southeastern heads to Shreveport for a 2 p.m. contest at Centenary.
     Both of this week’s men’s games and Saturday’s women’s game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net. The men’s game at Alabama will also be televised locally on Cox Sports Television. Fans can follow the action from Monday’s women’s game on the Southeastern Athletics Facebook and Twitter pages.

Monday, December 13
Women’s Basketball, at Jackson State, Jackson, Miss., 7 p.m.

Wednesday, December 15
Men’s Basketball, at Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 8 p.m. (KSLU) (CST)

Saturday, December 18
Men’s Basketball, at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tenn., 6 p.m. (KSLU)
Women’s Basketball, at Centenary, Shreveport, 2 p.m. (KSLU)

Professional activities
Several students and faculty members in the Department of Chemistry and Physics presented their research work at the joint Southwest and Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans, Dec. 1-4.
     Research posters were presented by the following chemistry students with their faculty advisors: Katelyn Dreux and Kristen Allen, under the direction of Dr. Jean Fotie; Sumit Libi and Carla Rohner, under the direction of Dr. David Norwood; Jessica Rhodus, Patrick Flowers, Arjun Pandey, and Bijay Bhattarai, under the direction of Dr. Debra Dolliver.
     Two faculty members in the department also presented research posters: Dr. Yingchun Li, “Michael Addition of Phosphorus Ylides’” and Dr. Gina Little, “A Stoichiometric Laboratory Learning Activity Suitable for Primitive Laboratories.”
     Amber Bordelon, junior chemistry major working under the direction of Dolliver, gave an oral presentation titled, “Synthesis of Single Geometric Isomers of Oxime Ethers through Palladium-catalyzed Cross-coupling Reactions.”
     Dr. Natasha Whitton (English) participated in the National Writing Project Conference in November on a panel entitled “A Passion for Reading and Staying Connected.” She discussed the Book Group Ning hosted by the NWP and its benefits in terms of personal, professional and classroom development.

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 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

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