Southeastern honors Trapp with Friendship Oak Award
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 
by: Tonya Lowentritt
A FRIEND INDEED – Southeastern Louisiana University recently presented former Southeastern employee and long-time university supporter Fred Trapp with a Friendship Oak Award. Hospitalized and unable to attend Alumni Awards Evening to receive the honor, the university brought the award to Trapp. Presenting Trapp the award are, standing, from left, Southeastern Alumna of the Year and President and Chief Executive Officer of North Oaks Health System Michele Sutton, Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs, Southeastern President John L. Crain, Vice President of University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale, and President of the Southeastern Alumni Association Dickie Whitson.
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University recently honored former Southeastern
employee and long-time university supporter Fred Trapp with a Friendship Oak Award.
Trapp was to be recognized at the Alumni Award Evening during Homecoming Week, but
since he was hospitalized and unable to attend the event, the university brought the
award to Trapp.
“From his early years as Student Government Association President, then later
as the Alumni Association President, a Southeastern employee and well into his senior
years, Fred has been a faithful supporter of the students, the mission and growing
needs of the university,” said Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs.
“Fred contributes his time and treasure to Southeastern because he has seen the impact
that donors and volunteers can make. Because of his generosity and the five endowed
scholarships that bear his name, Southeastern students for generations to come will
realize their dream of a college education.”
Originally from Massachusetts, Trapp joined the Navy after high school “to see
the world.” Serving in the Caribbean, he enjoyed the warmer climate, and attending
a university in the South held great appeal. After his discharge, he enrolled at Southeastern
Louisiana College with the help of the GI Bill.
Like so many veterans who became students, Trapp had little money. He lived on
campus in the unscreened barracks fighting off the mosquitoes and was happy to be
there. Trapp joined Alpha Omega Fraternity and pursued his studies in business. Following
graduation, he met his wife Isabelle Maniscalco, a Southeastern cheerleader, and together
they raised five children.
Through the years, Trapp held several jobs but was ultimately recruited to become
the “property man” at Southeastern, keeping track of all the college’s movable property
including vending machines, typewriters, and desks. Later he oversaw the maintenance
department until his retirement in 1985.
