Southeastern Alumnus of the Year, others honored
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
by: Rene Abadie
SOUTHEASTERN HONORS ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR – Stanley John Whidden, second from right, was recognized as Southeastern Louisiana University’s Alumnus of the Year at the Alumni Association’s annual Awards Evening during Homecoming Week. Pictured, from left, are President John L. Crain, who holds the Military Order of the World Wars presented by Whidden on behalf of the military for patriotic support; Alumni Association Director Kathy Pittman; Whidden; and Association President Josie Mercante.
HAMMOND -- Col. Stanley John Whidden of Fairfax, Va., a U.S. Army physician and scientist
and an expert in incident management, chemical and bioterrorism risk analysis, was
recognized at Southeastern Louisiana University’s annual Alumni Awards Evening Friday
(Oct. 16) as Southeastern’s Alumnus of the Year.
The event was one of the highlights of Homecoming Week and capped an evening where
a variety of awards were presented, including recognition of the various distinguished
alumni from each college.
“SLU was my rallying point and it helped build the courage that lasted me throughout
my life,” said Whidden, who completed a 38-year career as an enlisted soldier and
officer and who served in a variety of senior staff and command positions. “Southeastern
prepared me to see, serve and never yield.”
Whidden is a double graduate of Southeastern, earning a bachelor’s degree in physiology
in 1970 and master’s in biology in 1973 at Southeastern. He later earned a doctorate
in Physiology at Auburn University and his doctor of medicine degree from the Autonomous
University of Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.
He served in a variety of civil affairs and military operations positions in the
Middle-East, in Operation Just Cause in the invasion of Panama, In Operation Desert
Shield in Saudi Arabia, and in Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait, where he helped manage
the country’s reconstruction and recovery. He has also served with U.S. Forces and
the United Nations Somalia Logistics Command in Somalia.
Also recognized at the event was Matthew Magnuson of Baton Rouge as the association’s
Young Alumnus of the Year. A 2006 graduate with a degree in computer science, Magnuson
currently serves as chief technology officer for Associated Terminals, a large, diverse
cargo handling and logistical solutions company operating on the lower Mississippi
River. He holds several patents for helping to determine vessel draft and amount of
cargo in a vessel.
At the event, individual distinguished alumni from each of Southeastern’s five
academic colleges were honored. They include:
-- College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: David Armand of Hammond, Southeastern
instructor of English and author of several novels, including the “The Pugilist’s
Wife,” “Harlow,” and “The Gorge,” as well as a book of poetry titled “Deep Woods.”
He received his bachelor’s degree in English in 2004 and his master’s degree in 2006.
-- College of Business: Robert Watkins of Robert, a 1975 graduate in accounting,
is managing partner of Wegmann Dazet & Company, where he oversees the operations and
finances for this top public accounting firm in New Orleans. He is a member of the
board of the Southeastern Foundation.
-- College of Education: Patrice Pujol, superintendent of the Ascension Parish
School System and the 2015 Louisiana Superintendent of the Year. Pujol has worked
in education for 38 years as a teacher, principal and in other supervisory positions.
She received her bachelor’s degree in1976 and her doctorate in educational leadership
in 2013.
-- College of Nursing and Health Sciences: Samone Cammon, a 2010 graduate of Southeastern’s
Kinesiology and Sports Management program, where she was named the graduate of the
year. She is currently a marketing specialist with The Wendy’s Company in Alpharetta,
Ga., and has worked with the company in various capacities since 2010.
-- College of Science and Technology: Ralph J. Daigle of The Woodlands, Texas,
a geophysical consultant for the oil industry, worked to form Petrus Energy, a privately
held company involved in Gulf coast exploration. He worked for other energy companies,
including PetroQuest Energy where he served as a director and vice chairman of the
board. He earned his bachelor’s degree in math with a minor in physics in 1970 after
attending Southeastern on an athletic scholarship.
James E. Smith of the Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary
was recognized with the association’s first Excellence in Academics Award. A graduate
in accounting from Southeastern, he later earned an MBA and doctoral degree. He teaches
in both the undergraduate and graduate programs and William and Mary, where he has
consistently been ranked as one of the universities top teachers.
Other awards presented at the event include:
-- Distinguished Service Award – Terry Brown of Ponchatoula for an outstanding
alumnus who has generously donated his or time and talent to the betterment of the
Alumni Association. The Association has re-named the award in honor of Kathy Pittman,
who has served 20 years as director of the organization and expects to retire next
year.
-- L.E. Chandler Award – Lee Lind, director of Student Publications, for his work
in assisting students in their efforts and accomplishments in extracurricular activities.
-- Friendship Oak Awards were presented to Kappa Alpha Order on the occasion of
their 35th anniversary; Alpha Sigma Tau on its 75th anniversary; Theta Phi Alpha on
its 25th anniversary; Chris Bentley, associate professor of general studies and assistant
to the Athletic Director; Stephen Smith, former vice president for administration
and finance; and David Faucheaux of the College of Business for his recognition as
the No. 2 ranked professor by the web site RateMyProfessor.com.