IN THIS ISSUE ...

Martin Luther King, Jr. march tonight

Fischetti appointed dean

Brady named Human Resources Director

Chorus/Chorale invite members

Champian Fulton to perform at Columbia

CSIT holds advisory meeting

Battle of New Orleans book topic

Currie appointed interim asst. dean

Chefs Evening planned April 1

Turf project to begin mid-January

Friendship Brick raffle winner

Spring non-credit courses

Southeastern in the news

This Week in Athletics

Professional activities


MLK candlelight march planned tonight
Southeastern will celebrate the legacy of the late Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.with a candlelight processional and remembrance program this evening.
     The event, sponsored annually by the Kappa Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs, will begin at 7 p.m. at St. Tammany Hall with a candlelight processional.
     Duane Donald, coordinator of special projects at Southeastern and Alpha Phi Alpha member, said the fraternity has been actively involved in sponsoring the event because of the important message and legacy King left behind through his life.
     “His message still resonates with all Americans, so this is an opportunity for the campus community as well as the surrounding communities to pay tribute to our fraternity brother, Dr. King.”
     Participants will walk to the War Memorial Student Union, where Alpha Phi Alpha will continue the tradition of laying a wreath at the tree planted in Dr. King’s memory in the War Memorial Student Union Park. Shortly after the laying of the wreath, Alapha Phi Alpha Fraternity State Director Don M. Thanars will deliver an address. A jazz saxophonist with the contemporary group “Third Coast,” Thanars is currently the manager of strategic plans with Textron Marine and Land Systems in Slidell.
     For additional information, contact Southeastern’s Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs, 549-3850.
Southeastern names Fischetti Dean of Education and Human Development John C. Fischetti
An education leader with a research background that focuses on school reform, teacher preparation and teacher dispositions has been named the dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Southeastern.
     John C. Fischetti, former professor in the Watson School of Education at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington since 2001, succeeds William Neal, who has been serving as interim dean.
     “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Fischetti to Southeastern to help lead one of our largest academic colleges,” said President John L. Crain. “He comes to Southeastern with an impressive record of scholarly research and a vast body of knowledge and experience associated with teaching in today’s environment. As Louisiana continues to focus on school reform, he will be a definite asset to Southeastern as well as to our extended community.” 

     “It is an honor to serve as the new dean of the College of Education and Human Development,” Fischetti said. “The mission of the university, its outstanding programs, the core values of the faculty and staff, and the commitment to making a difference in the lives of children, families and educators all make Southeastern a very good fit for me. I look forward to helping the university and the college continue to grow and be distinguished, in Louisiana and the nation, for the quality of our graduates and for meeting the challenges facing education head on for the betterment of all learners.”
     Fischetti, who also served as interim associate director of the UNCW Center for Teaching Excellence, has been with the North Carolina institution since 2001, when he joined the faculty as professor and chair of the Department of Specialty Studies. He later served as the inaugural chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and helped initiate the first doctoral program in education for the campus. From 1988-2001 he was a professor in the Department of Secondary Education at the University of Louisville, where he and his colleagues were recognized nationally for their work in establishing Professional Development Schools.
     While at UNC Wilmington, Fischetti worked on a number of initiatives, including taking doctoral and master’s students on study abroad trips to South Africa to instill a global perspective in education and international awareness; chairing the campus-wide promotion and tenure committee; serving on the statewide committee to recommend teacher and administrator licensure; and serving as a board member of the National Evaluation Institute-CREATE, a national education organization.
     Fischetti has made numerous presentations at national and regional conferences, is the author or co-author of many articles in education journals, and has had significant success in attracting grant funding for research and service projects.
     Fischetti earned his doctorate in education in 1986 from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a bachelor of arts degree in economics and American government from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
     The Southeastern College of Education and Human Development enrolls more than 2,100 students majoring in its various degree programs. Departments include Teaching and Learning, which offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees; Educational Leadership and Technology, which offers both master’s and doctoral degrees; and Counseling and Human Development, which offers degrees in family and consumer science, social work, and counselor education.


Southeastern appoints Kevin Brady Human Resources Director Kevin Brady
Kevin Brady of Hammond has been appointed director of human resources at Southeastern.
     Brady, who has worked at LSU Health Care Services in a number of human resources capacities for the past 14 years, returns to Southeastern where he first started working in 1992.
     “We are pleased to have a professional with the wide range of experience that Mr. Brady brings to the position,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain. “We look forward to his leadership in personnel administration and in the activities of recruitment, training and retention of an effective and efficient faculty and staff workforce.”
     Brady most recently served as assistant HR administrator for the headquarters office of LSU Health Care Services Division in Baton Rouge. In that position, he provided guidance and advice to HR directors and other administrators at the seven hospitals in the LSU system. From 2007 to 2009, he served in the same office as HR manager, coordinating the unclassified staff program for the system and other personnel activities.
     After joining the LSU system in 1998 as education director, Brady served as head of human resources at LSU Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center in Independence from 2000 to 2006. A Southeastern graduate with a bachelor’s degree in management and a master of business administration degree, he worked in the university’s HR department from 1992 to 1998, serving as training coordinator, assistant academic coordinator, and academic staff coordinator.
     A graduate of the Leadership Tangipahoa program, he completed a fellowship with the Advisory Board Company, an advanced leadership development program.
Community singers, students, faculty, and staff invited to join Northshore Chorale
Singers from the campus and community are invited to join the Southeastern Chorus and Northshore Chorale.
     Choral singing at Southeastern is enjoyed by music majors and non-majors alike in a variety of different ensembles.
     The Northshore Chorale and University Chorus are non-auditioned ensembles comprised of university students and community members. With more than 100 singers from majors throughout the university and professions across the community, these ensembles regularly perform major works with a professional orchestra and soloists. Past repertoire has included such choral works as Mozart’s “Requiem” and “Mass in C minor,” Fauré’s “Requiem,” Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” Schubert’s “Mass in G,” and Vaughan Williams’ “Five Mystical Songs,” in addition to many other masterworks.
     “The purpose of the choirs is to experience diverse music as a group at very high standards and to use this music as a vehicle of our expression. Anyone who loves to sing should join us,” said Director of Choral Activities Alissa Mercurio Rowe. “Rehearsals are fun, invigorating and educational.” 
     Rehearsals begin Tuesday evening, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the choir room of the Pottle Music Building Annex. The ensemble meets each Tuesday night during the semester from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
     Rowe said the groups will perform Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” among other works, at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts this spring. Anthony Sears, the new University Chorus and Northshore Chorale conductor, and Rowe will co-conduct the concert.
     Contact Rowe for more information at 549-5557 or arowe@southeastern.edu.
Columbia Theatre opens 2012 with jazz singer and pianist Champian Fulton

Southeastern’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts is opening 2012 with the Champian Fulton Quartet on Friday, Jan. 27.
     Sponsored by Florida Parishes Bank and Norco Manufacturing Complex Shell/Motiva, the production begins at 7:30 p.m. in the downtown Hammond theatre.
     “Champian Fulton is a rising star in this country’s jazz scene and has been described by the Detroit Free Press as ‘the most gifted pure jazz singer of her generation,’” said C. Roy Blackwood, Columbia Theatre interim director. “She has performed in major New York venues, including Birdland, Lincoln Center, Smalls, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola and Shanghai Jazz.”
     Fulton has also played with jazz masters such as Jimmy Cobb, Frank Wess, Lou Donaldson and Louis Hayes, and recorded her debut CD in 2007 entitled, “Champian with David Berger and the Sultans of Swing.”
     Tickets range from $30 - $36 and are available at the Columbia Theatre box office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. 4 p.m. or by phone at (985) 543-4371. Patrons may also get tickets online at www.columbiatheatre.org.


Computer Science and Industrial Technology holds advisory committee meeting Calvin Fabre
The Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology (CSIT) held its annual advisory committee meeting at the University Center on Friday, Oct. 28.    Representatives from academia, government, industry and commerce joined the department faculty to discuss the programs which it offers. The representatives provided the department feedback on performance of students entering the workforce. The feedback is used to improve the quality of education the department provides.
     Many representatives are Southeastern graduates. Among them is Calvin Fabre, who not only volunteered his time to serve as chairman of the advisory committee, but has provided monetary support to the program. Fabre, of Envoc Software Developers, remembers his time at Southeastern fondly, culminating with his 1990 B.S. in computer science.
     Dean Dan McCarthy welcomed attendees to the general assembly. He spoke of the importance of the relationship between the CSIT department and committee members.
     Department Head Roy Bonnette described the state of the department and the critical role the advisory committee plays in ensuring that our programs are keeping abreast of changes in the disciplines they represent. Chairman Fabre discussed the changing roles that mobile apps are playing in the business environment.
     Computer Science, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology and OSHE subcommittees met to discuss issues specific to their disciplines. Program changes made in response to recommendations from board members were addressed. Performance of graduates and interns employed by the representatives was another major focus.

Above: Calvin Fabre of Envoc Software Developers discusses the increasing importance of mobile apps.


Southeastern author writes novel based at the Battle of New Orleans O'Neil De Noux
O’Neil De Noux, author of numerous police and mystery novels and short stories, has written an extensively-researched story of love and war that takes place at the Battle of New Orleans.
     Entitled “Battle Kiss,” the 320,000 word historical novel incorporates three points of view reflecting the thoughts and actions of the British invaders and the Americans and Creoles who stood up to their assault in the fields of what is now Chalmette, La. His narrative centers on the lives of two young Creole women and the men who loved them.
     An investigator with the Southeastern Police Department, De Noux lived for 10 years near the battlefield and became fascinated with the battle. With a Career Advancement Award from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, he began researching the epic battle from various points of view, accumulating more than 72,000 words of notes before he began writing the novel.
     The Battle of New Orleans, an event that concluded the War of 1812 with a disaster for the British military, celebrates its 200th anniversary in January 2015. The battle was the last time the two nations would meet in war.
     De Noux blames the British loss in large part on the actions of the Royal Navy. Vice Admiral Alexander Forester Cochrane devised a plan to capture New Orleans in the waning weeks of the war with the intent of plundering the city’s warehouses filled with commodities, as well as the banks enriched with Creole gold and silver. Cochrane believed the city was largely undefended, would be easy to capture and would give the British control of the Mississippi River.
     Rather than waiting for field commander Gen. Edward Pakenham, Cochrane took Pakenham’s army that was assembling in Jamaica to New Orleans where he tried a direct attack through the swamps south of city. While the British managed to surprise the out-numbered troops commanded by Gen. Andrew Jackson, they were exhausted by the ordeal of struggling through the swamp and their advance was held in check by Jackson. When Pakenham arrived on Christmas day, 1814, he found a dispirited army on the verge of collapse, while facing a strongly fortified American position that he would have to attack head-on across flat land.
     De Noux explains that artillery eventually won the day, as superior American cannoneers which included Baratarian pirates and gunners from the U.S. Army and Navy devastated the advancing British army on Jan. 8, 1815. The British suffered over 2,000 casualties compared to only eight Americans killed. Pakenham and his best friend, Gen. Samuel Gibbs, were slain, and their bodies sent home in casks of rum.
     “Battle Kiss” details the build-up to the battle from the American and British points of view and includes a stark, blow-by-blow account of the climactic battle. While the Americans are clearly the heroes of the story, De Noux expresses some sympathy for the British.
     “I see Gen. Pakenham as a tragic hero caught in events beyond his control,” he said, “and the young British soldiers who marched across a field of fire as incredibly brave.”
     A resident of Covington and a former homicide detective and criminal intelligence analyst, De Noux is the author of eight novels and eight short story collections. The cover painting was done by his daughter, Dana De Noux, a junior art major studying at Southeastern. Published by Big Kiss Productions, “Battle Kiss” is available through Amazon.com.
Dr. Paula S. Currie appointed Interim Assistant Dean Paula Currie
Dr. Paula Currie has been appointed Interim Assistant Dean for the College of Nursing & Health Sciences effective January 3, 2012. She joins two other assistant deans- Jim Worthen from the College of AHSS and Bill Neal from the College of Education and Human Development- to support students at Southeastern. The college is the second largest with over 2,800 majors in three academic departments.
     Currie has served as head and program director of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) since 2000, when the department was established. She has held tenure at the rank of associate professor for 12 years. As a leader, she has helped coordinate the annual Campbell Conference, providing continuing educationand training to area speech pathologists. Under her guidance, CSD has an excellent reputation for clinical training, student involvement in service and pre-professional activities, and faculty excellence. Her areas of interest include assessment, intervention for people with complex communication disorders, and administration/pedagogy.
     Currie’s office is located in the new Kinesiology and Health Sciences building, room 1009 B; her telephone extension is 2264, and her email is pcurrie@southeastern.edu.
Date for Southeastern's Chefs Evening announced Patrons at Chefs Evening 2011
Chefs Evening is set for Sunday, April 1, when area establishments will offer guests samplings of fine cuisine and beverages for the benefit of Southeastern Louisiana University.
     The event, which also features music, wine tastings, silent and live auctions and more, is the university’s annual fundraiser to help support academics. Chefs Evening will be held from 5 8 p.m. at the Pennington Student Activity Center located at the corner of University Avenue and General Pershing Avenue.
     “Southeastern has provided an education for more than 58,000 alumni and provides a more than half-billion dollar economic impact on the area,” said Michelle Gallo, coordinator of the event. “That impact includes approximately 5,700 non-university jobs and more than 1,000 faculty and staff positions.”
     Gallo added, “Chefs Evening is the largest fundraising event for the university, and participation by our area residents generates important unrestricted funds for the enhancement of academic programming at Southeastern.”
She said the committee is planning an evening of festivities starting with the President’s Toast.
     “Join hundreds of alumni and friends expected to take part in this much anticipated Southern Louisiana dining experience,” she said. “Bon Appetite!”
     The Platinum Sponsor for Chefs Evening is La Capitol Federal Credit Union. For more information, call 985-549-3770 or email chefsevening@southeastern.edu.

Above: Patrons at last year’s Chefs Evening, Southeastern Louisiana University’s primary fund raising event, view and bid on silent auction items. The event this year will be held on Sunday, April 1.


Strawberry Stadium turf project to start in mid-January
Southeastern’s Strawberry Stadium will see its first turf upgrade since the return of football to the university in 2003.
     The $525,000 project which includes removal of the existing turf and track and installation of the new turf is being financed by the Lion Athletics Association, a non-profit organization that assists the university’s Athletics Department by providing private financial support for scholarships, operations and athletic facilities.
     The new turf was used for one year in the 2010 season in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome by the New Orleans Saints and Tulane University. The high quality UBU-Speed Series-S5-M turf is replaced every year by the Superdome although it has a multi-year warranty.
     “Obtaining this like-new turf from the Superdome is a great opportunity to get professional grade turf of the highest quality at a greatly reduced price,” said Southeastern Athletics Director Bart Bellairs. “It provides another layer of safety for our student-athletes and others who use the field.”
     Bellairs said the new turf will also allow the Southeastern Lady Lions Soccer team to play in Strawberry Stadium for the first time. Soccer games to this point have been played on the university’s soccer complex located on north campus.
     He said the existing turf, installed in July 2003, had reached its limit and was due to be replaced, having been used for university and high school football games, the Manning Passing Academy and Louisiana Special Olympics. The project is scheduled to start in mid-January and will begin with the removal of the existing turf and the track surface that surrounds the field. All areas inside the stadium, including the existing grassy areas at the north and south end zones, will be replaced.
     The project is expected to be completed by March. During installation, access to the stadium from the southeast corner will be significantly limited.
Friendship Brick raffle winner Friendship brick winner
Courtney Hunt was the recent winner of the Friendship Brick raffle sponsored by the Southeastern Foundation. Courtney entered the drawing at the Fall 2011 Grad Fair and was given the certificate during Senior Salute.
     Friendship bricks are personalized bricks that will pave fresh pathways throughout Friendship Circle. These bricks allow alumni, students and friends of the University to show their Lion pride while leaving a lasting legacy in the heart of Southeastern’s campus. Proceeds from the purchase of these bricks will support Southeastern’s Annual Fund.
     For more information visit us online at www.selu.edu/projectfriendship or call the Southeastern Foundation at 549-3770.
Division of Extended Studies announces spring 2012 non-credit courses
The Division of Extended Studies is offering non-credit courses for both career and personal enrichment this spring.
     New spring 2012 non-credit career enrichment courses offered include Business Writing, Introduction to AutoCAD Drafting, Introduction to Screenwriting, Basic Film Acting, and Digital Voice Court Recording. New courses in personal enrichment include Introduction to Social Media for Senior Citizens, Astrology ‘Sun Signs 12 Keys to the Soul,’ and Introduction to Stained Glass.
     “Workforce and professional development continues to be a focus for 2012 Continuing U course offerings” said Joan Gunter, assistant vice president for extended studies. “Our courses are designed to build participants’ resumes and to assist organizations with professional development through customized training.
     “Our career enrichment courses underscore the value of continuing education, especially for top demand occupations in Louisiana,” Gunter added. “By providing continuing education units (CEU’s), Southeastern’s non-credit courses assist participants with their personal career portfolio and organizations with a nationally recognized standard for training.”
     Existing non-credit courses such as SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) Test Prep, Notary Test Prep and ACT Test Prep are offered in Hammond, Mandeville, and Walker. Personal enrichment courses such as How to Write a Novel, Digital Photography, Instant Piano for Busy People and Beginning Harmonica are being offered due to their popularity, Gunter said.
     Southeastern offers a wide variety of non-credit courses taught by Southeastern faculty and qualified professional instructors. Classes are offered at Southeastern’s main campus in Hammond, the Livingston Literacy and Technology Center in Walker, and the St. Tammany Center in Mandeville. For further information, please contact Extended Studies at extended.studies@southeastern.edu or 985-549-2301.
     For a listing of courses view the Extended Studies Continuing U catalog on-line at www.southeastern.edu/es. Students can also register for courses at this website or by stopping at any Extended Studies location.
Southeastern in the news

Associated Press (multiple publications)
SLU to replace stadium turf

http://www.theadvertiser.com/usatoday/article/38306307?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

 

BR Advocate
SLU professor’s text on vocabulary honored
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/1647925-123/slu-professors-text-on-vocabulary.html
Training session aims to protect children
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/1647150-123/training-session-aims-to-protect.html

SLU welcomes dean to College of Education
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/1748000-123/slu-welcomes-dean-to-college.html

New Chamber head: Learn from 2011
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/1722528-123/new-chamber-head-learn-from.html

 

Daily Star
Vacant positions account for most SLU cuts
http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2012/01/08/top_stories/education/5543.txt

WAFB.com
Risk management seminar offered
http://tangipahoa.wafb.com/news/business/51740-risk-management-seminar

Southeastern investigator writes book set during Battle of New Orleans
http://tangipahoa.wafb.com/news/business/51743-southeastern-investigator-writes-book-battle-new-orleans

Turf project to start mid-January
http://livingston.wafb.com/news/business/51772-southeastern-gets-new-turf


This Week in Athletics
The Southeastern men’s and women’s basketball teams will continue Southland Conference play during this week in Southeastern Athletics.
     The Lions (7-8, 1-2 Southland) will open the week on Wednesday, facing McNeese State at 7 p.m. in Lake Charles. Nicholls comes to town on Saturday for a 6 p.m. contest in the University Center.
     The Lady Lions (5-10, 0-2 Southland) hosts McNeese State on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest. On Saturday, Southeastern heads to Nicholls for a 3:30 p.m. contest.
     Both of this week’s men’s basketball games and Saturday’s women’s basketball game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net. Wednesday’s women’s game will be televised live on the Southland Television Network (Charter Channel 22 in Hammond) and ESPN3.com. Senior guard Latoria Holder will be Wednesday’s Spotlight Player of the Game and the first 100 fans will receive a trading card featuring the Lumberton, Miss. native courtesy of the Southeastern PRIDE.
     In conjunction with Wednesday’s women’s basketball contest, Southeastern Athletics will partner with the Campus Activities Board (CAB) for the annual “Pack the House” promotion. The first 200 students will receive a free t-shirt and students will receive free food as available. One lucky student will also have the opportunity to take a half court shot at halftime for $10,000.
     The first 500 fans will be entered in a draw down raffle for a grand prize of $200 cash. 100 fans entered in the raffle will receive a free t-shirt, while 20 fans will win vouchers for Top Cat courtside seats. To show their Lion pride, Southeastern fans attending the game are encouraged to wear green.

Wednesday, January 18
Women’s Basketball, vs. McNeese State (Pack the House/Latoria Holder Trading Card Day), University Center, 7 p.m. (SLC TV) (ESPN3)*
Men’s Basketball, at McNeese State, Lake Charles, 7 p.m. (KSLU)*
Saturday, January 21
Men’s Basketball, vs. Nicholls State, University Center, 6 p.m. (KSLU)*
Women’s Basketball, at Nicholls State, Thibodaux, 3:30 p.m. (KSLU)*
Southeastern home events in bold
* - Southland Conference event


Professional activities
Charles Elliott (History and Political Science) led “‘I’ll Be Seeing You:’ America and World War II,” a six-week Readings in Literature and Culture (RELIC) program sponsored by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and Assumption Parish Public Library at Napoleonville in November and December of 2011 and presented “Van Dorn’s Blitzkrieg Stumbles: Comanches, Command Decisions, and Combat in the Baton Rouge Campaign of 1862” to the Civil War Round Table of Central Louisiana at Alexandria on January 5.

ByLionis published weekly online (bi-weekly during the summer session) for the faculty and staff of Southeastern Louisiana University. Send submissions to publicinfo@southeastern.edu, SLU 10880, fax 985-549-2061, or bring to University Marketing and Communications Office in East Stadium. Submission deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

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