ByLion -- December 1

IN THIS ISSUE ... 
Pool Corp. CEO to address grads
TEC artwork unveiled
First doctoral dissertation defense
CMS registration underway
PKP scholarship named for Ballard
Horticulture satsuma sale

Ceramics sale underway
Choirs perform Sunday
Saxophone quartet premieres work
Ring ceremony Thursday
Channel nominated for Emmys
Center for Faculty Excellence news
TAH student honored
SLWP teacher-consultant cited
Toys from the Heart drive
GPB assists Santa Bear
CPTP programs this week
This week in athletics
Professional activities

Manuel Perez de la MesaPool Corp. CEO to address grads
Manuel J. Perez de la Mesa, chief executive officer of Pool Corporation, will address Southeastern graduates at the university's fall commencement on Saturday, Dec. 13.
     Southeastern will confer associate, bachelor's and master's degrees on approximately 1,200 students at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the University Center. The commencement ceremony will feature the introduction of this year's class of "Golden Graduates," members of the Class of 1958 and previous years, who will lead the new graduates into the University Center dressed in golden academic regalia.
     Called "one of the best Louisiana stories out there," Pool Corporation was established in 1993 in Covington and has grown to become the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies and related equipment. The company has grown to over 280 sales centers in North America and Europe and distributes more than 100,000 national brand and private label products. Pool Corporation - now a Fortune 1000 company - maintains more than 70,000 customers.
     "Pool Corp. is a true north shore success story," said Interim President John L. Crain. "As its leader, Mr. Perez de la Mesa's message is one from which our graduates will certainly benefit."
     Perez de la Mesa was appointed to his current position in 2001, having previously served as president of the company since 1999. Prior to joining Pool Corporation, he was vice president of operations for Watsco, Inc. a wholesale distributor of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. He has also held various general and managerial positions with Fresh Del Monte Produce and IBM Corp.
     A graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, he also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from St. John's University in New York.
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Dedication of 'Steps on Floating Water'Steps on Floating Water officially unveiled
Steps on Floating Water, the artwork positioned on the south patio of Southeastern Louisiana University's Charles E. Cate Teacher Education Center, was officially unveiled in a ceremony on Nov. 18. The multi-elemental piece - which consists of outdoor seating, a wall sculpture and two additional free-standing pieces - was created by New Orleans sculptor Steve Kline. The artwork was made possible through the Louisiana Percent for Art Program, which places public artwork in and around state buildings. The Louisiana Division of the Arts manages the program.
     From left, are Diane Allen, dean of the College of Education and Human Development; Dana LaFonta, director of the Percent for Art program; Scott Hutchinson, assistant secretary of state, Office of Cultural Development; Interim President John Crain, and artist Steve Kline.
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First doctoral dissertation defense
Sharon Southall will defend her doctoral dissertation on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 9 a.m. in Teacher Education Center, room 2020.
     This will be the first dissertation defense since Southeastern's Doctor of Education degree program in Educational Leadership was approved in 2006.
     If you plan to attend, please contact Dr. Kenneth E. Lane at Kenneth.Lane@selu.edu in case the number attending requires a change in room locations.
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Registration underway for Community Music School
Registration is underway for the spring session of the Community Music School, which begins Jan. 26.
     The Community Music School offers private instruction on all instruments and voice to students of all ages and levels of experience. Tuition includes group theory classes, ensemble opportunities, masterclass coaching sessions with Southeastern music professors, and a variety of performance programs.
     CMS is now offering a $20 early-registration discount to those who register by Dec. 20.
     Younger students can participate in three principle ensembles -- the CMS String Ensemble, directed by Jivka Jeleva, and the CMS Preparatory Choir (ages 8-11) and CMS Select Vocal Ensemble (ages 12-17), both directed by Amy Prats. Adult students can take advantage of a music theory course and several group keyboard classes, and participate in the Northlake Community Band.
     CMS is again offering a variety of musical instruction at the St. Tammany Center, located in the parish governmental complex on Koop Drive north of Mandeville, as well at the Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center in Walker.
     For more information, call 549-5502, or visit www.selu.edu/cms.
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Exhibit showcases talents of Southeastern seniors
The artwork of graduating seniors is on display through Dec. 12 at the university's Contemporary Art Gallery in East Stadium.
     The exhibit features works by 16 art and art education majors who will graduate Dec. 13. The artists will be honored at an opening reception from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
     Student artists exhibiting are Casey Parkinson, Dakota Chichester, and Nathan Martin, Hammond; Theresa Howell, Margaux Hymel, and Jason Sameluk, Covington; Ryan Reich and Robin Voros, Bush; Jason Norman, Slidell; Clay Valentine, Geismar; Erich Kraus, Abita Springs; Kevin Huff, Natalbany; Angela Seiffert, Jefferson; Megan Babin, St. Amant; Stephanie Schexnayder, Farmville, Va.; and Chris Spears, Parker, Colo.
     Contemporary Art Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. For additional information, call Dale Newkirk, gallery director, at 549-5080.
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John L. Crain, Joan Faust, Lou Ballard, Perry SchneiderPhi Kappa Phi scholarship named for Ballard
In a recent ceremony in the lobby of Fayard Hall the Southeastern chapter of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi renamed its endowed scholarship in honor of retired English professor Lou Ballard.
     Ballard, shown at left with Interim President John Crain, chapter secretary Joan Faust and national PKP President Perry Snyder, served as a chapter officer for 24 years - as secretary from 1965-77, president-elect from 1983-85, president from 1985-87, and public relations officer from 1987-1995. She was named the chapters first "Distinguished Member" in 1996, the same year she retired after more than three decades on the Southeastern faculty and wrote a history of the Southeastern chapter for its 40th anniversary. Ballard received Southeastern's "President's Award for Excellence in Teaching" in 1995.
     At the ceremony, where Ballard added her naming tile to the lobby plaque commemorating endowed scholarships, Faust told Ballard, "Adding your name to the Phi Kappa Phi Endowed Scholarship honors Phi Kappa Phi much more than it could ever honor you."
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Horticulture sales Monday-Wednesday
The Southeastern Horticulture Club is continuing its annual satsuma sale. You can order a 20 pound box of Louisiana satsumas ($20) by emailing melanie.may@selu.edu or calling ext. 5172. Boxes will be available Monday, Dec. 1 to Wednesday, Dec. 3.
     The club will also have its traditional Christmas plant sale in the Student Union Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poinsettias and other house plants will be available.
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Ceramic sale today, Tuesday
The Southeastern Ceramic Art Club will have its holiday sale at the Student Union Monday, Dec. 1, and Tuesday, Dec. 2. The sale will feature ceramic work made on campus by the Ceramic Art Club student members. All pottery is food safe and includes mugs, bowls, tea pots, plates and pitchers, etc.
     The funds raised are used for visiting artists, student awards and scholarships. For more information please contact the Visual Arts Department at 549-5206.
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Choirs to perform Sunday
The Women's Chorale, University Chorus and Northshore Chorale, and Concert Choir will join voices Sunday, Dec. 7, in "Holiday Fantasia," a concert of holiday choral music. Under the direction of Alissa Mercurio Rowe, director of choral activities, the choirs will perform at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 401 W. Morris in Hammond.
     Student guest conductors who will direct pieces by the University Chorus and Northshore Chorale are vocal performance major Kimberly Hilliard, who will conduct "The Holly and the Ivy," and senior vocal music education major Elyse German, who will wield the conductor's baton for "The Angel's Song." Senior vocal music education major Paula Vickers will conduct the Women's Chorale's "Ascribe to the Lord" by Rosephanye Powell.
     The concert will also feature instrumental accompaniments performed by both student and professional musicians. Vocal soloists include sopranos Hilliard in "Magnificat" and Danielle Willie in "I wonder as I wander."
     The concert's featured piece, "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" by Ralph Vaughan Williams, will feature a string quartet and soloist Colby McCurdy, baritone. The choir will also perform Bach's "Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme," "Mary Speaks" by Daniel Gawthrop, and "Alleluia" by Paul Basler.
     The concert is free and open to the public.
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Faculty saxophone recital features premiere
The Southeastern Saxophone Quartet will premiere "Yuan," a new work by honored composer Lei Lang, Sunday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall.
     The quartet includes Richard Schwartz, instructor of saxophone; Marcus Ballard, adjunct music instructor; Jonathan Mannino, senior music education education major; and Brina Bourliea, St. Tammany talented music teacher.
     Chinese-born American composer Lang has created stage and chamber works that have been performed throughout the world. He earned numerous prizes as both a composer and pianist in China before coming to the United States at the age of 17. He received degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and Harvard University. He has received commissions from the Heidelberger Philharmonisches Orchester, the Manhattan Sinfonietta, the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, the Fromm Music Foundation, Pro Musicis, the Ying Quartet, and the Meridian Arts Ensemble, among other organizations and ensembles.
     Lang is also active in the preservation of traditional Asian music. His articles have appeared in numerous journals. His music is released on Telarc, Encounter and Opal Records. A monographic CD of his works will be released on Mode Records.
     Lang has taught at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, Shaanxi Normal University College of Arts in Xi'an, and Middlebury College. He is currently assistant professor of composition at the University of California, San Diego.
     The recital will also include "The Goldrush Suite" by Jack W. Marshall.
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Ring Ceremony Thursday
Southeastern students will gather in the Student Union Theatre on Thursday for the university's annual official ring ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. with a reception to follow.
     The university ring, unveiled during Homecoming 2005, was created by Balfour and designed by a committee of Southeastern students, faculty, staff and alumni. It is available to students and alumni.
     Students received their rings from Interim President John Crain and take a special "Oath of Pride."
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Joe Burns, Chris LeCoq, Josh Kapusinski, Rick SettoonNominees, from left, are communication professor Joe Burns, student editor Christopher LeCoq of Morganza, channel videographer-editor Josh Kapusinski, and Rick Settoon, Southeastern Channel general manager and program executive producer.

Channel nabs four Emmy nominations
The Southeastern Channel has been nominated for four regional Emmy Awards.
     The coveted nomination nods have been given to the Fanfare 2007 lecture "Paul is Dead," presented by communication professor Joe Burns and videotaped and edited by communication major Chris LeCoq of Morganza, and for spots created by channel videographer-editor Josh Kapusinski promoting the channel's "Northshore Gems" travel show and its recently-redesigned Web site and 24-hour webcast.
     The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences made the nominations from entries submitted by television stations and production companies in the Suncoast Region of Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Puerto Rico. Winners will be announced Dec. 6 in Orlando.
     "Paul is Dead," originally presented by Burns as part of the Fanfare 2007 "Then and Now" lecture series sponsored by the Department of History and Political Science, was nominated in the "Informational/Instructional Program" category. In the lecture, Burns describes special clues and myths that made the 1960s rumor of the death of the Beatles' Paul McCartney so popular.
     The lecture was videotaped and edited by LeCoq, who has produced commercials and directed the award-winning "Big Game" student sports show for the Southeastern Channel.
     Kapusinski's promotion for "Northshore Gems" was nominated in the "Promotion-Program-Single Spot/Campaign" category, while his "Surfing the Internet" promo was cited in both the "Promotion-Image-Station" category and "Graphic Arts and Animation" craft category.
     The Southeastern Channel airs on Charter Cable Channel 18 in Tangipahoa, St. Tammany and Livingston parishes and on Channel 17 in Washington Parish. It can also be viewed online at www.selu.edu/tv.
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This week in the Center for Faculty Excellence
United Way --
Southeastern's United Way campaign is rolling along with many units already reaching 100 percent participation. As we prepare for the holiday season with family and friends, please think of those who may need a helping hand. Chances are you or someone you know has been helped by United Way.
     Workshops -- All workshops are held in Tinsley Hall, room 103, unless otherwise noted. Registration is required 24 hours in advance of all workshops. Walk-ins are welcome, if space is available. Please call the center to verify. For information contact the center at ext. 5791 or center@selu.edu.
     Wednesday, Dec. 3, 3-4:15 p.m. -- Sympodium Training
     Thursday, Dec. 4, 12:30-1:30 p.m. -- Science & Religion Brown Bag Discussion: Stimulating discussion on issues of Science and Religion spearheaded by Dr. Matt Rossano, head of the Department of Psychology. All faculty, staff and students are invited. Bring your lunch and a friend. Drinks and cookies will be provided.
     Deadline reminder -- Travel grants for the third quarter of this fiscal year are due in the Center for Faculty Excellence by 4:30 p.m. today, Dec. 1. Application can be located at the center's site: http://www.selu.edu/admin/cfe/funding_opp/index.html.
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TAH grad student named Teacher of the Year
Emmitt Glynn, who is working on his master's degree in history at Southeastern through the Teaching American History grant program, has been selected the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Teacher of the Year for 2007. Glynn teaches at Episcopal High in Baton Rouge.
     Visit this link -- http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/34563164.html -- to read about Glynn's honor.
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SLWP teacher consultant stages writing marathon
Walker Freshman High School teacher Robin Perere Parrott also earned some kudos for Southeastern recently when the writing marathon she conducted for her students made headlines in the Baton Rouge Advocate -- http://www.2theadvocate.com/features/34607084.html.
     According to the article, "The approaches Parrott uses were learned during her participation in the Southeastern Writing Project Summer Institute earlier this year. The marathon was one of the 'new and innovative' ideas she gleaned from the institute, Parrott said."
     "Robin was in the most recent Summer Institute and was a student teacher under co-director SLWP Margaret Westmoreland and a graduate student at Southeastern," said SLWP director Richard Louth. "I think it is a model of how writing project teachers can make writing at the center of their classes and how writing marathons fit into the overall scheme of a good teacher's writing classroom. It also brings pretty good publicity to our school and programs."
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Final week of 'Toys from the Heart' drive
The second annual "Toys from the Heart" holiday toy drive continues through this week.
     Southeastern's Nu Omega chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi has teamed up with the offices of Multicultural and International Student Affairs (MISA) and Recreational Sports and Wellness to sponsor the community toy drive.
     New, unwrapped toys, suitable for children up to age 12, can be delivered to the MISA office, War Memorial Student Union room 206, the union mall, or the Pennington Student Activity Center, located at the corner of General Pershing St. and University Avenue. Monetary donations will also be accepted and used to purchase toys for area children.
     Toys will be distributed Dec. 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Pennington Student Activity Center. For more information about "Toys from the Heart," contact the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs at 549-3850.
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Santa Bear toy collectionGamma Beta Phi assists 'Santa Bear'
Gamma Beta Phi Society collected approximately 200 toys to assist Hammond's Santa Bear Project. Toys will go to children that may have a less than stellar Christmas without a little help. From left, are Anthony Rutledge of Franklinton, Gamma Beta Phi Advisor Jackie Thomas, Elizabeth Marino of Covington, Melanie Bellanger of Grand Isle, Sharon Rogers of Kenner, and Jennifer Worley of Baton Rouge. Gamma Beta Phi has been participating in Santa Bear campaign for the past seven years.
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CPTP programs this week
The Human Resources Office is sponsoring two free Comprehensive Public Training Program (CPTP) professional development programs on campus this week.      "Managing Work Time Effectively" will be the topic on Wednesday, Dec. 3, and "Common Myths that Affect Good Supervision" will be discussed on Thursday, Dec. 4. Both programs will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the University Center, room 139.
     Visit http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cptp/classes_hamm.htm for detailed information.
     Advance registration is required and space is limited. For more information, contact Jan Ortego at Jan.Ortego@selu.edu or ext. 5771.
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This week in athletics
The men's and women's basketball teams will continue their respective non-conference schedules during this week in Southeastern Athletics.
     The Lions (2-3) will be looking for their first road win on Tuesday, facing Southern in Baton Rouge at 7 p.m. Jim Yarbrough's squad will return home on Saturday, hosting Southern in New Orleans on Saturday at 3 p.m.
     The Lady Lions (3-2) will attempt to extend its win streak to four games on Tuesday, as they welcome William Carey to the University Center for a 7 p.m. contest. Southeastern will head back on the road Thursday, facing Ole Miss at 11 a.m. in Oxford, Miss.
     Both of this week's men's game and Thursday's women's game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net. Tuesday's women's game will be broadcast on the Internet only at www.LionSports.net.
     Tuesday, Dec. 2
     Women's Basketball, vs. William Carey, University Center, 7 p.m.
     Men's Basketball, at Southern, Baton Rouge, 7 p.m. (KSLU)
     Thursday, Dec. 4
     Women's Basketball, at Ole Miss, Oxford, Miss., 11 a.m. (KSLU)
     Saturday, Dec. 6
     Men's Basketball, vs. Southern-New Orleans, University Center, 3 p.m. (KSLU)
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Professional activities
Dr. Michael Webster
(Sims Memorial Library) delivered a presentation at the 28th annual Charleston Conference: Issues In Book and Serial Acquisition on Nov. 6. His presentation was titled "Distributed Collection Development in a Digital World." Also presenting at the conference was Mary Frances Marx, "Dr. Zhou and Beyond: From the 'Smart Guesser' to Content Systems."
     James Lovitt (Sims Memorial Library) presented at the Brick and Click Libraries Conference at Northwest Missouri State University on Nov. 7. His presentation was titled "Making Magic With Simple Software: Using MS Movie Maker and MS PowerPoint to Reach Millennial Students in the Information Literacy Classroom."
     Mary Mocsary (English) presented an active learning workshop entitled "Literature and Film: The Competition and Challenges in the Twenty-first Century" at the 37th Annual Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs Conference in Hot Springs, Ark., Nov. 18. In addition, Ms. Mocsary received an award at the conference banquet for her 20 years of teaching service for Southeastern's Upward Bound Programs.
     Charles Elliott's (History and Political Science) "Benjamin Hardin Helm: Good Service and Bad Luck in Pursuit of Elusive Victory" and "Joseph Horace Lewis: Last Commander of the Orphan Brigade" have been published in Bruce S. Allardice and Lawrence Lee Hewitt, eds., Kentuckians in Gray: Confederate Generals and Field Officers of the Bluegrass State (University Press of Kentucky, Fall 2008).
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ByLion
is published weekly online (bi-weekly during the summer session) for the faculty and staff of Southeastern Louisiana University. Send submissions to publicinfo@selu.edu, SLU 10880, fax 985-549-2061, or bring to Public Information Office in East Stadium. Submission deadline is noon on Friday. Contact: Christina Chapple, chapple@selu.edu, 985-549-2341/2421.

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