Southeastern Alumni Association honors distinguished graduates from academic colleges
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association will honor
a distinguished alumnus from each of the university’s five colleges at its annual
Alumni Awards Evening scheduled Oct. 12 as part of Homecoming Week festivities.
This year’s honorees are Brandon Fremin, College of Arts, Humanities and Social
Sciences; John Manzella, College of Business; Melissa Stilley, College of Education;
Joey Roberts, College of Nursing and Health Sciences; and Alison Smith, College of
Science and Technology.
Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs said the awards recognize
graduates with unique accomplishments on a national or international level who continue
to utilize their degree from Southeastern to the fullest.
A limited number of tickets for the 7 p.m. event are available by calling the
Alumni Association at 1-800-SLU-ALUM. More information about this and other Southeastern
Homecoming Week activities can be found online at www.southeastern.edu/homecoming.
Fremin is a 1998 graduate with a degree in criminal justice. He was nominated
by U.S. President Donald Trump as the United States Attorney for the Middle District
of Louisiana, where he is the chief federal law enforcement official within the nine
parishes he serves.
Manzella, 1963 graduate, launched American Office Machines in 1970 and built
the business into a major regional office supply company. A longtime fan and supporter
of Southeastern, he has provided support for athletics, scholarships, and academic
programs across campus.
Stilley is the first female superintendent of the Tangipahoa Parish School System.
She earned a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education in 1987, a master of
education in administration in 1999, and received her plus 30 in special education
in 2000 – all from Southeastern. She is expected to receive a doctorate in educational
leadership, also from Southeastern, in December.
Roberts is a 2012 graduate with a degree in health and physical education K-12.
He is currently serving as the executive director at the YMCA – West St. Tammany and
serves on the Covington City Council.
A 2000 graduate with a bachelor degree in both chemistry and mathematics, Smith
is the seminal chief engineer of materials analysis at the Naval Surface Warfare Center
and the recipient of the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America People’s Choice Award.
