IN THIS ISSUE ... 

Southeastern listed as affordable

Students prepare for Japan trip

Nursing masters program one of best

New computing degree in IT

Southeastern in the news

Professional activities



Southeastern listed among most affordable institutions with high earning grads
Southeastern is included in a new list of 60 low cost U.S. colleges where graduates also earn high starting salaries.
AffordableCollegesOnline.org reviewed four-year fully accredited public institutions with in-state tuition of less than $5,000 per year with average starting salaries of graduates totaling more than $40,000 per year.
     "Southeastern has always been known for being a good value with its relatively low tuition rates and strong academic programs," said university President John L. Crain. "Now the data shows that our graduates are also being valued and recognized by employers with relatively high average starting salaries."
     He said Southeastern has among the lowest tuition rates among four-year institutions, and when compared to similarly-sized colleges in other states, Southeastern stands out as a real bargain.
     "In spite of the budget cuts sustained over recent years, we have continued to focus on the success of our students," Crain added.
     All colleges in the list met the following criteria: four-year public U.S. college, tuition of less than $5,000 per year, fully accredited, and average starting salary upon graduation of more than $40,000 a year. In compiling its list, ACO used highly respected data sources including the National Center for Education Statistics, the Integrated Post-Secondary Data System (IPEDS), Carnegie Classification, and Payscale.com, a rigorous salary data collection organization.
     "This is news we can use when we meet with prospective students," said Southeastern Enrollment Services Director Lori Fairburn. "Today's students and their parents recognize the increasing costs associated with higher education and want to be sure they are getting a good return on their investment. This study and listing confirms what we knew about Southeastern all along."
     "In this climate of soaring higher education costs, prospective students should know that it's quite possible to obtain a great education that lands them a well-paying job, but at a very affordable price," said ACO founder Dan Schuessler. "Graduates from these schools leave with the skills and education needed to earn high starting salaries in great careers."
     The ranking by ACO on affordability ties into other listings the university enjoys, including membership in the President's Higher Education Honor Roll for Community Service and being named a Military Friendly School by "G.I. Jobs" magazine.
     ACO provides prospective students and their parents with information and resources to help them manage the cost of obtaining an education. It is the first website to offer comprehensive lists of "Most Affordable Colleges" in different categories. In addition, ACO provides information related to financial aid and other features, such as a comprehensive video that demystifies the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process; tips and advice from leading financial aid officers; and the latest information on government initiatives to make college more affordable.

Students prepare for seven-week research trip to Japan
Students prepare for trip to JapanFour students have left on a Southeastern-sponsored research adventure in Japan over the next two months, where they will be studying and researching a variety of materials science areas.
     The students – three from Southeastern and one from the University of South Alabama – are spending seven weeks working under different Japanese researchers at three locales. The trip is being coordinated by Southeastern Physics Professor Sanichiro Yoshida, whose four-year grant from the National Science Foundation funds the venture.
     This is the fourth year Yoshida is leading a team of students to Japan under an NSF grant to encourage students to study and research abroad. It is the first time a non-Southeastern student is participating.
     Taking part in the experience this year are Southeastern students Sean Craft of Hattiesburg, a junior physics and computer science major; senior physics major Seth Hebert of Brusly; and senior biochemistry major Brandon Mobley of Zachary. Joining the team will be Jeffrey Mizell of Mobile, a senior in electrical engineering with a second major in physics.
     "Southeastern maintains a loose affiliation with USA and the University of Southern Mississippi, wherein we conduct annual student-oriented research conferences," Yoshida said. "We had a vacant spot, and Jeffrey is well qualified for this research experience."
     In the past three trips, students worked and studied solely at Tokyo Denki University. This year the students will be stationed in three different locations.
     "We are extending the opportunities this year to other institutions under TDU's research network," said Yoshida. "The students will be able to conduct research that is more akin to our current research topics in the new locations."
     Craft and Hebert are at Niigata University, located on the main Japanese island of Honshu. Both are continuing research started at Southeastern to test the strength of steel while using laser interferonmetry techniques to pinpoint inherent weaknesses in the welded samples of metal. Yoshida earned a patent at Southeastern on using interferonmetry to detect weaknesses in various materials.
     Mobley is working at Yokohoma National University, also on the main island of Honshu and the second largest city in Japan. His research employs optical interferometry to study the mechanical properties of aluminum with a goal of improving mechanical strength in the metal so it can be used in applications such as light or energy efficient automobiles.
     Mizell performing his research at Japan's High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, known as KEK, which operates the largest particle physics collider in Japan. The organization maintains a super collider and has two Nobel laureates on staff. Mizell's research will be involved in studying the decay rate of the elementary particle muon, using KEK's linear accelerator and other sophisticated equipment.
     Yoshida said the students were selected based upon their motivation, a written application, letters of recommendation, academic performance, and an interview by a search committee.
     "This is a tremendous opportunity for these students that will most likely have a great influence on their careers," said Yoshida, a native of Japan who will visit with the students during the summer. "They will be working in world-class research facilities and will benefit from interaction with Japanese scientists and other students."
     The students themselves are excited about the opportunity, not just to study and research but to also experience the customs and culture of Japan.
     "It's a wonderful opportunity, and I'm honored to have been picked," said Craft.  "I can't wait to meet my research crew and delve into the physics full tilt. This will be a great learning experience for me, and I only hope I am also able to contribute to the results of the research as well. And I'm looking forward to seeing the country, particularly the area where I will be staying."
     Hebert, whose plans call for graduate school after commencement next year, is also looking forward to experiencing the Japanese culture and landscape, as well as the intense research opportunities the trip offers. "I've been looking at the Japanese language to help prepare for the language barrier I am bound to run into," he added.
     The students are also looking ahead to seeing the beauties of Japan's geography.
     "I'm looking forward to climbing Mt. Fuji near the end or our trip," remarked Mobley.

PREPPING FOR JAPAN – Southeastern Professor of Physics Sanichiro Yoshida, center, discusses some of the locations in Japan that will be visited by four university students as part of a National Science Foundation-funded research trip. Pictured are, from left, Jeffrey Mizell of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Southeastern student Seth Hebert of Brusly, Yoshida, and Southeastern students Sean Craft of Hattiesburg, Miss., and Brando Mobley of Zachary.


Southeastern masters program in nursing named one of best in U.S.
The Southeastern consortium master's degree in nursing has been recognized as one of the best graduate nursing programs in the United States for 2013-14.
     The methodology used by MastersDegreeOnline.org for ranking master in nursing programs includes interviews with deans in the field, surveys of students and more. The rigor of the program, program reputation, and previous graduate successes also play a large part in program ranking.
     The only such program to be recognized in Louisiana, Southeastern's program is offered in a consortium with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State University in Lake Charles and Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux.
     "The consortium has been recognized by the Board of Regents as a great example of cooperation and wise use of resources. The four universities work to achieve excellence in the outcomes of the graduates," said Ann Carruth, dean of the Southeastern College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "Our emphasis is on preparing nurses to be great clinicians and leaders in the field. Our graduate faculty use innovative teaching techniques and strategies to mentor students in the area of administration, education and advanced practice."
     The program offers concentrations leading to a master of science degree in four different areas: family nurse practitioner, family psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, nurse executive, and nurse educator. The program is accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education.
     "Online courses provide flexibility in learning," Carruth explained. "Our strength is that we offer on-site regional practicum and scholarship opportunities. This means our graduates are highly sought after for employment to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region."
     Southeastern's undergraduate nursing program has been recognized with numerous awards in recent years, including three Louisiana Nursing Foundation Nightingale Awards for its undergraduate program and one this year for its graduate program. The school also operates a completely online RN to BS degree program that allows registered nurses with an associate's degree or nursing diploma to complete courses leading to a bachelor of science degree.


Southeastern to offer new computing degree in information technology
In order to meet workforce demands, Southeastern will offer a new undergraduate computing degree in information technology beginning in the fall 2013 semester.
     The bachelor of science degree enhances and builds on a concentration in information technology that the Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology has offered for several years, seeing its first graduates in 2010.
     "Enrollment in the information technology concentration has exploded in recent years, and we now have more than 190 majors, more than our information systems and computer science concentrations combined," said Sebastian van Delden, head of the Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology. "The need and the demand for this course of study have been well established."
     The new degree, one of the few of its kind in Louisiana, was approved earlier this year by Southeastern's management board, the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, and the Louisiana Board of Regents.
     "There is a clear workforce need for this kind of program in Louisiana," said President John L. Crain. "The state has set a major goal of attracting technology firms, and major players such as IBM, Ameritas, and other software development and technology firms are establishing operations in south Louisiana. Companies like this offer well-paying positions, many of which our graduates will be well qualified to fill."
     van Delden said the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology – which reviews programs of this nature for academic integrity and quality – strongly recommended the information technology concentration be upgraded to a separate degree status. The committee indicated the new degree would most likely be eligible for ABET reaccreditation.
     The degree requires no additional resources from the university in terms of faculty support, classroom space or equipment, van Delden said.
     The repackaging of the current concentration into its own degree program will better define the graduate's abilities, he explained. IT graduates are highly sought after by government and industry and typically fill occupations such as programmers, systems analysts, database administrators, and software engineers.
     The primary difference between the information technology degree and a traditional computer science degree is that it is not calculus-based, van Delden added. The program, however, includes all the programming and computer science coursework found in the traditional degree.
     "In industry some computing jobs require knowledge of calculus and some do not," van Delden said. "With the addition of this degree, we add variety to our computing graduate pool, which matches with the variety of the jobs out there. These graduates have the practical training needed to be productive from day one on the job. That makes them very appealing to employers."


Southeastern in the news
Action News
Students prepare for 7-week research trip to Japan
http://www.actionnews17.com/News/All/TabId/99/ArtMID/494/ArticleID/6787/Students-prepare-for-7-week-research-trip-to-Japan.aspx

BR Advocate
Professors compile work on Tudor era
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/6213863-123/professors-compilework-on-tudor-era

National agency honors SLU nursing program
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/6276385-123/national-agency-honorsslu-nursing-program

Beauregard Daily News
Hammond, LA revisited
http://www.beauregarddailynews.net/article/20130617/BLOGS/306179951

LANext
Southeastern Louisiana University will offer a new undergraduate degree in information technology beginning fall 2013 http://www.lanext.com/6192013/LANext/New_computing_degree_debuts

WAFB-TV News
Southeatern among most affordable colleges with high earning grads
http://tangipahoa.wafb.com/news/events/69901-southeastern-among-most-affordable-colleges-high-earning-grads


Professional activities
Angela Dunnington and Bethany Simpson (Sims Library) published an article titled "Lessons Learned in Laptop Lending: The Southeastern Louisiana University Experience" in the spring 2013 issue of Louisiana Libraries. The article discusses the introduction of the laptop loan service, evolution of policies and procedures, and lessons learned from circulation staff.
     Anthony Blakeney (Industrial Technology) organized and hosted the District 9 Conference for the American Welding Society at the Madisonville Maritime Museum. District 9 for the American Welding Society covers Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the pan handle of Florida. During the conference, he was awarded the Section 86 Educator Award, the Section 86 Meritorious Award for dedication to the Southeastern Student Chapter of the American Welding Society, and he also won the District Educator Scholarship.
     Pierre Titard (Accounting and Finance) presented "Forensic Accounting at the FBI" at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Association of College and University Auditors on the Southeastern campus on April 25. He also presented "FBI Fights White-Collar Crime" to the Hammond Kiwanis Club on May 7.
     Dr. David Johansen (Music) will begin his seventh year of teaching at the New England Music Camp in Waterville, Maine. NEMC is a setting geared primarily for high school musicians interested in band and orchestral performance. The camp runs from June 23 through August 11.
     Dr. Barbara Forrest (History and Political Science) has published "Intelligently Designed Data: The Bogus Louisiana Teacher Survey," in Reports of the National Center for Science Education (March-April 2013). She has also published "Rejecting the Founders' Legacy: Democracy as a Weapon Against Science," in a special issue concerning "Democracy and Science" in Logos: A Journal of Modern Society and Culture (Winter 2013).
     Dr. Elizabeth Meyers (Educational Leadership & Technology) received the Preston B. Allison award for the best doctoral dissertation at the College of Education Hooding Ceremony on May 18. The title of her dissertation was "An Examination of the Influence of Political Culture on Education Policy in Louisiana during Periods of Systemic Reform in K-12 Public Education."
     Uddhab Tiwari, a physics-major sophomore, attended the 2nd annual High Performance Computing (HPC) User Symposium (June 12-13) at Baton Rouge and presented his undergraduate research done with Dr. Hye-Young Kim (Chemistry and Physics) as a poster, titled "Molecular Dynamics Simulation of VECAR molecules." In the symposium, Tiwari was selected as an undergraduate student presenter and gave a 15-minute oral presentation about his research. Tiwari and Kim also attended a two-day workshop called "Scientific Visualization with VisIt, Mathematica, and ImageJ" (june 14-15) held at HPC LSU.
     William B. Robison (History and Political Science) presented a paper titled "Blazing Tudorism: Comic Appropriation of the Tudors in Film and Television" and chaired a session on "Reformation, Transformation, and Resistance in The Tudor Northwest" at the First Annual Symposium on Medieval and Renaissance Studies at St Louis University.
     Charles Elliott (History and Politics) presented "Carnival Interrupted: Causation and the Queen City at War" at the A+PEL (Associate Professional Educators of Louisiana) American Studies Conference and University Program on "Total War in Louisiana 1862-1863" in Baton Rouge on June 21.

 


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.

Return to By-Lion directory