Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern presents President's Excellence Awards to faculty, staff

Contact: Tonya Lowentritt

8/23/07

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Caption ...
Recipients of Southeastern Louisiana University’s 2007 President's Awards for Excellence, the university’s most prestigious faculty and staff honors, are, from left, Veda Abene, excellence in staff service; Alan Cannon, excellence in faculty service; Glen Hemberger, excellence in artistic activity; Theresa Beaubouef, excellence in research; and Millie Naquin, excellence in teaching

     The recipients, recognized at the university’s August 17 faculty/staff convocation, are Veda Abene, executive assistant to the dean of continuing education, staff service; Theresa Beaubouef, professor of computer science and industrial technology, research; Alan Cannon, professor of mathematics, faculty service; Glen Hemberger, associate professor of music and dramatic arts, artistic activity; and Millie Naquin, associate professor of kinesiology and health studies, teaching.

     Naquin was recognized in 1985 as the first health educator of the year by the Louisiana Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Colleagues. Students credit Naquin’s interactive strategies that engage them in the learning process. She is known for having high expectations and for pushing students outside their comfort zone to challenge them.

     Beaubouef is widely known for her work in trying to measure uncertainty in databases. She considers herself a scientist at heart, pursuing questions not just in her professional field, but in the everyday things of her life. A prolific writer, she has published more than 35 papers in refereed journals. As a teacher, she ties learning with real world application and always tries to motivate students to do their best.

     Conductor of the Southeastern Wind Symphony, Hemberger is highly sought after as a clinician and adjudicator nationally and internationally. He has conducted ensembles in Australia, China, Taiwan and at the Hague, where he was invited to direct the Association of Music in International Schools Honor Band and Choir, made up of students from 50 schools in 20 European countries.  As director of bands in the Department of Music and Dramatic Arts, Hemberger has taken the Southeastern Wind Symphony and instrumental music program to new heights of musicianship, local popularity, and national respect.

     Cannon is a self-described problem-solver who doesn’t mind reading and mastering the fine print.  He has become one of Southeastern’s “go-to” people for all things related to student advising, curricula, progression, recruitment and retention. Due to his team-player affinity, he shares his expertise, fielding questions from other departments or drop-in students on complicated scenarios of course substitutions, requirements for minors, future course offerings, graduate school information, and career options. He also has been instrumental in establishing scholarships for mathematics majors.

     Abene’s contributions of time and talent have benefited both her campus and her community. She has become involved above and beyond the call of professional duty in annual projects such as Southeastern Homecoming, Pride Day and Chefs Evening, Alumni Association, Development Foundation, Athletics, Fe-Lions, Ladies of the Green and Gold, Special Olympics, and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.  Abene is also responsible for acquiring and managing $3.1 million dollars in incumbent worker training funds, which impacts the university and north shore business community.