ByLion--August 5

IN THIS ISSUE ...

Southeastern's New Media & Animation program cited as one of best in the South
The New Media and Animation program at Southeastern has been recognized for the second consecutive year by Animation Career Review as one of the top animation and game design schools in the South.
     Initiated only a few years ago in the university's Department of Fine and Performing Arts, the program was ranked 15th by the web site. Last year, Animation Career Review ranked Southeastern's program 20th.
     "This second honor in as many years is a fitting tribute to the faculty and students in our New Media and Animation program," said Kenneth Boulton, interim head of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. "It also reflects Southeastern's overall commitment to curricula that is current, relevant and engaging."
     ACR formulates its rankings by considering academic reputation, feedback from industry firms on which programs they value, the depth and breadth of the program, and geographic proximity to the industry's leading firms. The full review of the top programs in the South can be found at animationcareerreview.com.
     Associate Professor John Valentino said the computer studios and other equipment available for student use are among the best, providing students with valuable experience that easily translates into workforce skills. The program, he said, combines artistic talent with technical proficiency.
     "Louisiana's tax incentives are attracting an increasing number of firms that use the skills our students are developing," said Valentino, who teaches many of the courses in the program. "Our graduates are helping to fill these workforce needs."

Above, right: Southeastern Associate Professor of Art John Valentino, left, discusses a project with senior Stanley Alexis of LaPlace, who is studying in the New Media and Animation program. The program was recently rated one of the best in the South by Animation Career Review.

Fall convocation scheduled
Southeastern will launch the 2013-2014 academic year with its annual fall convocation for faculty and staff on Friday, August 16, at 10:30 a.m., at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Hammond.
The convocation will include presentation of the President's Awards for Excellence, the university's highest faculty and staff honors, as well as presentation of service awards to faculty and staff who have been with the university for 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 years. Also to be recognized are new faculty and staff, faculty tenure and promotions, and donors who have established newly endowed professorships.
The university will provide a shuttle service to the event for faculty and staff to and from the parking facility adjacent to Strawberry Stadium beginning at 9 a.m. The annual Alumni Association-sponsored picnic at Twelve Oaks on campus will immediately follow the morning's ceremonies.

Southeastern professor honored for preservation efforts
Sam Hyde Southeastern Professor of History Samuel C. Hyde Jr. of Denham Springs was honored by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana at the organization's annual awards dinner Wednesday (July 31) held at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center.
     Hyde holds the Leon Ford Endowed Chair in Regional Studies at Southeastern and was recognized in part for his efforts as chair of the West Florida Republic Bicentennial Commission. He also coordinated the development of the West Florida Republic Trail, which placed historical markers across the region detailing events associated with the West Florida Revolt.
     Director of the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies housed in the university's Sims Memorial Library, Hyde is the current president of the Gulf South Historical Association. He is the author or editor of seven books on Florida Parishes history and helped develop a highly successful screenplay related to the West Florida Revolt. Hyde is frequently interviewed on the History and Discovery channels on stories related to deep south history and legends.
     Formed in 1963, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana was developed to promote the preservation of the cultural and architectural heritage of Louisiana through education, advocacy and stewardship.

Parking Hang Tag update
The Parking Department will begin issuing the 2014 Faculty/Staff hangtags today at its office in Pride Hall. The cost for the entire academic year is $45.00. Faculty/Staff also have the option to purchase a hangtag for the fall semester only for $15.00.
     The Parking Department can only accept check or cash and we ask you try to bring exact change as there are limited funds available. You will need to fill out a white registration card that is available at our office and present your Faculty/Staff ID.
     This semester, we will begin requiring all faculty/staff to also include their vehicle license plate number on their registration card. This information can be obtained from your vehicle registration or straight off of your license plate. Please write your W number on your check and have all information with you when you come to register.
     On Wednesday, August 7, the Parking Department will visit several buildings on campus to assist those Faculty/Staff in obtaining their hangtag. The following are the locations and times the staff will be issuing hangtags.

McCliman's Hall            8 to 9 a.m.             Conference room
Mims Hall                    9:15 to 9:50 a.m.    Room 103
Dyson Hall                 10 to 10:45 a.m.       File room
Physical Plant              1 to 1:50 p.m.       Conference room
Human Resources         2 to 2:50 p.m.       Conference room
Controllers Officer        3 to 3:45 p.m.         Next to Cashier's Office

Southeastern receives state grant for new design technology
You've seen it in Times Square, at airports, on the side of interstates and even in some campus hallways. And, Southeastern is the only university in the state with a program dedicated to environmental design.
     "Environmental design is retail signage, typography, motion and digital projection," said Tasheka Arceneaux-Sutton, assistant professor of graphic design at Southeastern.
     The Louisiana Board of Regents recently awarded a $92,000 grant with a $38,000 university match to Southeastern's Department of Fine and Performing Arts Graphic Design program. The grant will allow for the addition of new equipment and software to assist graphic design students advance their abilities and hone their design skills.
     "We were the only school in the state providing an environmental design course and now we're the only one able to offer this specialized technology," said Professor of Graphic Design Gary Keown. "This will give our students an edge and unique experience in graphic design."
     The new equipment includes 23 Mac Pro computers with 27-inch screens. The technology will also enhance other areas within graphic design including illustration, print, motion and web design. The featured equipment: a large format printer/cutter and a ShopBot CNC router.
     "The wide-format printer prints in multiple colors, including white and metallic inks, plus it will cut the printed shapes from vinyl," Keown said. "And the CNC ShopBot will cut through plywood, metal, plexiglass, and plastic."
     "People in most design offices and studios don't even have access to a product like this, so this is a real advancement," added Arceneaux-Sutton, who authored the grant. "I don't think the students really understand yet the importance of what we're getting."
Environmental design is considered one of the top five most important disciplines in the growing graphic design profession.
     "It's futuristic," Arceneaux-Sutton said. "It's not about decoration, but about orienting people. It interacts with the environment to serve a function or a purpose."
     "Talent in this field is in high demand," Keown added. "This is going to benefit a lot of students and bring a lot of good career opportunities."

Williams appointed Southeastern Laboratory School interim director
Following the resignation of Fawn Ukpolo as the director of the Southeastern Laboratory School, retired local educator Pat Williams will serve as interim director. Ukpolo's resignation was effective August 2.
     "We appreciate the contributions Dr. Ukpolo has made to the Lab School and to Southeastern," said Shirley Jacob, Interim Dean of the College of Education, "and we wish her success."
     Jacob said the Southeastern Laboratory School is ready for the upcoming school year, as Southeastern's College of Education and the Tangipahoa Parish School System have worked in partnership to ensure a smooth transition in the Lab School leadership.
"Pat Williams will serve as interim director of the Lab School, effective August 5. She is a retired public school administrator known throughout Tangipahoa Parish for her high standards in teacher excellence," Jacob said. "She brings years of experience in K-12 education and is trained in the new common core curriculum and teacher accountability."
     It was Williams' dedication to the children of Tangipahoa Parish, Jacob added, that persuaded her to assist the Lab School during this time of transition.
     "I am looking forward to getting the school off to a good start in August and to working with the teachers, students, and parents," Williams said. "In partnership with the Tangipahoa Parish School System and under the administrative direction of Dr. Beth Moulds, administrator-at-large in Tangipahoa Parish, and Dr. Shirley Jacob, the Southeastern Laboratory School already has plans in place as teachers prepare their classrooms for the first day of school on August 12 and as the Lab School continues to strive to provide the highest quality education to its students."

Community singers invited to join Northshore Choral Society
Singers from the campus and community are invited to join the Southeastern Northshore Choral Society and University Chorus. Choral singing at Southeastern is enjoyed by music majors and non-majors alike in a variety of different ensembles.
     The Northshore Choral Society 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 a cross section of the community, these ensembles regularly perform major works with a professional orchestra and soloists. Past repertoires have 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," Vaughan Williams' "Five Mystical Songs," and Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms," in addition to many other masterworks.
     "The purpose of the choirs is for members 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, Aug. 27, 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 a variety of superb choral selections specifically chosen for the holiday season. Brian Martinez, the University Chorus and Northshore Choral Society conductor, will direct the concert.
     "A Southeastern alumnus and current teacher/choral conductor in the St. Charles Parish school system, Martinez possesses the perfect combination of knowledge, skill and genuine enthusiasm necessary to engage our students and community members," said Kenneth Boulton, interim head of Southeastern's Department of Fine and Performing Arts. "All participants can anticipate another spectacular and exciting year of music-making."
     For more information about the University Chorus and Northshore Choral Society, contact Rowe at 549-2334 or arowe@southeastern.edu. For more information on the 2013-14 season events in Southeastern's Department of Fine and Performing Arts, visit www.southeastern.edu/fpa.

Southeastern in the news
Action News
Who Cares? (Opinion)
http://www.actionnews17.com/Opinion/TabId/95/ArtMID/502/ArticleID/7345/Jindal-thinks-youd-rather-have-a-tax-cut-than-a-university.aspx

Lab School Director confirms departure this fall
http://www.actionnews17.com/News/All/TabId/99/ArtMID/494/ArticleID/7375/Lab-School-Director-confirms-departure-this-fall.aspx

Southeastern's new media-animation program cited as one of south's best
http://www.actionnews17.com/News/All/TabId/99/ArtMID/494/ArticleID/7378/Southeasterns-New-Media--Animation-program-cited-as-one-of-souths-best.aspx

BR Advocate
Website ranks SLU animation in top 15
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/6638352-123/website-ranks-slu-animation-in

Program offers design specialty
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/6649147-123/program-offers-design-specialty

SLU nursing students put focus on SIDS
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/6608243-123/slu-nursing-students-put-focus

Grant goes to SLU graphic arts program
http://theadvocate.com/news/6693659-123/grant-goes-to-slu-graphic

Hammond Daily Star
Students participate in university robotics camp
http://www.hammondstar.com/news/local/article_42cc5c7e-f4ec-11e2-8dc0-001a4bcf887a.html

Edwards discusses big issues at Rotary meeting
http://www.hammondstar.com/news/local/article_15213db2-f4ec-11e2-b8d9-001a4bcf887a.html

A tale of two universities
http://www.hammondstar.com/opinion/article_7a3d31ca-f67b-11e2-bf6d-001a4bcf887a.html

University appoints interim director for lab school\
http://www.hammondstar.com/news/article_03985c0a-fb32-11e2-8fc7-0019bb2963f4.html

WDSU-TV (Associated Press)
Southeastern demolishing Wilson Hall
http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/northshore/southeastern-louisiana-university-demolishing-wilson-hall/-/12537650/21204400/-/fuu6iu/-/index.html

Professional activities
As president-elect of LACE (Louisiana Association of Colleges and Employers), Keri Truitt (Office of Career Services) recently co-chaired the first-ever joint conference of the Louisiana and Mississippi Associations of Colleges and Employers. Over 120 career services professionals and recruiters met in New Orleans at the Renaissance Pere Marquette for 12 breakout sessions, roundtable discussions and a student panel to discuss trends in higher education and recruiting. The theme of "Unmasking New Ideas" was prevalent throughout the two-day conference, where best practices and new ideas were exchanged. At the conference, Truitt was also formally inducted as the President of the Louisiana Association of Colleges and Employers for the 2013-2014 year.
Pierre Titard (Accounting and Finance) presented "Forensic Accounting at the FBI," at a meeting of the Northshore Chapter of the Louisiana Society of CPAs in Mandeville on July 24.
Dr. Barbara Forrest (History and Political Science) was a speaker on July 29 at a symposium called "Yes, Bobby, Evolution Is Real," at the annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America in New Orleans. Her presentation was titled "Louisiana's Love Affair with Creationism."

ByLion is 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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