ByLion -- May 11

IN THIS ISSUE ... 
Grad student awarded Fulbright
Commencement traffic changes
Award honors Maxime Profit
Students stage 'Learning Expo'
Honoring grant awardees

Latin American governments conference
Students win 'Pinnacle of Pride'
Recycling info online
Tangi shrimp boil May 28
'Shining Stars' perform May 13
Design students create posters
Student's sculpture in LPB auction
Senior wins PKP Award of Excellence
This week in athletics
Professional activities

Rolda Valverde and Susanna BrianGraduate student Susanna Brian, the university's first Fulbright scholar, and biology professor Roldan Valverde look over a poster detailing some of their prior research on olive ridley sea turtles. Brian has been awarded a grant to study the endangered species at Ostional Beach in Costa Rica.
Grad student awarded university's first Fulbright
Southeastern biology graduate student Susanna Wingard Brian has become the university's first student to receive a prestigious Fulbright Grant for Study and Research Abroad.
     Brian will spend the 2009-2010 academic year in Costa Rica where she will conduct research on the endangered olive ridley sea turtle.
     Brian was chosen for a Fulbright Grant after a national competition involving more than 7,000 applicants. The Fulbright Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, supports students for up to a year of research, coursework or teaching practicum in more than 155 countries around the world and offers funded opportunities for yearlong research and study abroad.
     "Southeastern is extremely proud of our first Fulbright scholar. Ms. Brian successfully competed with the finest students in the country to earn this honor," said President John L. Crain. "Her success is a testament to her own hard work and to the quality of the instruction and faculty mentoring she receives at Southeastern."
     "The fact that Susanna received this award is proof positive of the high quality research that is being performed at Southeastern," said Dan McCarthy, dean of the College of Science and Technology. "We are a regional university with national recognition. It is because of the high quality of our faculty and programs that we are able to recruit students as outstanding as Susanna."
     Originally from Baltimore, Md., Brian now resides in Hammond. She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Delaware, where she studied wildlife conservation, Spanish and biology. She came to Southeastern in 2008 after being recruited by Southeastern biology professor Roldan Valverde, who collaborates with scientists in his native Costa Rica -- as well as in countries such as Mexico and India -- to investigate the nesting ecology of olive ridley sea turtles.
     For the next academic year, Brian will live and conduct research at Ostional Beach in Costa Rica, one of three major beaches worldwide where olive ridley sea turtles nest in mass numbers, an event called an "arribadas."
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Traffic changes planned for May 16 commencement
Motorists and visitors planning to attend Southeastern's commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, should anticipate heavy traffic and route changes affecting University Avenue (Hwy. 3234) between Interstate 55 and North Cherry Street.
     Congressman Steve Scalise will address more than 1,100 students receiving associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the University Center.
     Mike Prescott, director of University Police, said the section of University Avenue between West Tornado Drive and SGA Drive will be restricted from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day. Local traffic will be allowed to proceed on University Avenue for as long as possible, but will be diverted through the campus as congestion increases.
     Prior to commencement, the University Center parking areas are expected to be filled early, and all traffic on University Avenue will be diverted. Eastbound commencement traffic will be diverted to West Tornado Drive for parking at the University Center, and westbound commencement traffic will be diverted to the campus at SGA Drive.
     Three Southeastern Lion Traxx Shuttle Busses and several golf carts will be in operation before and after the ceremony to accommodate those parking in outlying areas or needing special transportation assistance, Prescott said.
     Drivers not attending commencement are asked to use U.S. 190 (Thomas Street and Morris Street) or Natalbany Road (Hwy. 1064) to avoid University Avenue traffic.
     Southeastern students wishing to return rental textbooks that day should wait until after 2 p.m. to do so.
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Arlette and Alain Profit, President John CrainPresident John L. Crain, right, presented the "Maxime Profit International Friendship Award" to Profit's parents, , at the college's annual honors convocation April 23.
Business renames award to honor Maxime Profit
Southeastern has renamed a College of Business award for international students in honor of Maxime Profit, a 23-year-old graduate student from Vaires Sur Marne, France, who was one of two current and one former Southeastern students whose lives were lost in a tragic accident March 6.
     Originally named the "International Friendship Award," the certificate is presented annually to international students studying in the College of Business through accords between Southeastern and foreign institutions. At the college's annual honors convocation April 23, Southeastern President John L. Crain announced that the award will now be known as the "Maxime Profit International Friendship Award" and that a plaque with recipients' names will be permanently displayed in the Master of Business Administration Office.
     Prior to his death, the College of Business graduate faculty had selected Profit and two of his peers, Sabrina Blin of Tremblayen, France, and Aurelien Dartevelle of Lyon, France, to receive the award, which recognizes international students for outstanding qualities such as leadership ability, class participation, and collegiality.
     "Although I did not personally know Maxime, it is clear he made an impression on those who knew him," Crain told Profit's parents, Arlette and Alain Profit, who attended the convocation and were presented with Profit's framed certificate. "I am very proud of the College of Business for recognizing your son's character and abilities, and for choosing to honor his memory in this way."
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Students stage interactive 'Learning Expo'
Southeastern teacher candidates staged "Early Learning Expo" Friday in the Kiva as the culminating semester project of their pre-kindergarten and kindergarten methods course. The 36 students of teaching and learning professors Wendy Jacocks and Susan Sawyer created approximately 20 colorful and creative "learning stations" to teach a variety of science, reading and math skills to Lab School kindergarteners - as well as some other young guests.
     "Everyone had a great time - our students really outdid themselves," said Sawyer. On hand to observe the students' work and get ideas and tips for their own classrooms were approximately 15 local early childhood and Head Start teachers as well as other Southeastern education majors.
     Above, right, early childhood teacher education candidate Angie Caccamo joins with Lab School kindergarten students Tyler Dyson and Anna Black to "fish" for live crawfish and guppies. The students were able to climb on a "real" dock built for the expo, and then fish in the center, as well as weigh, measure and compare the various fish.
     Below, left, with early childhood teacher candidate Monica Millet, Louis and William Walker (Jacocks' grandsons) experiment and explore how to create volcanos. Below, right, teacher candidate Lisa Maheu helps with the "Bubble Center" created by candidate Hannah Holly Mondello. At this science-related station, Lab School kindergartener Joebaree Cheneau is discovering and exploring the properties of bubbles -- and having a blast!
     Early Childhood Summer Camp -- Southeastern's early childhood education program will conduct a summer camp full of similar exploring and discovering learning adventures this summer for children ages 3-5. The camp is scheduled for June 4-25 (Monday-Thursday) at the Southeastern Lab School. Hours are 9:30-11:30 a.m. and the cost is $40.
     Space is limited, so parents interested in quality care and a special learning experience for their pre-K children are asked to contact Wendy Jacocks at 985-549-5330, Wendy.Jacocks@selu.edu.


Participants in the XX! Century Local Governments Conference held in Puerto PlataParticipants in the XXI Century Local Governments Conference held in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic included, from left, Aristides Baraya, director of Southeastern's Hispanic Business and Leadership Institute; Johana Valero of Castle Colombia; Graciela Chaves, director of the National Library of Argentina; Jose Reyes, president of the Dominican Republic Federation of Municipalities; Bibiana Nino, Castle Colombia; Walter Musa, mayor of the city of Puerta Plata; and Guillermo Castillo, president of CASTLE 2002.
Southeastern participates in Latin American local governments conference
With a goal of helping to drive local governmental development forward using modern technology, representatives of Southeastern's Hispanic Business and Leadership Institute participated in the XXI Century Local Governments Conference in April in the city of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
     The conference was initiated with presentations on the impact of information technology on public sector development and the ways governments could apply technology to improve administrative functions.
Representing the Southeastern institute were Randy Settoon, dean of the College of Business, and Aristides Baraya, institute director.
      "Conference speakers emphasized that governments must not only seek efficiency, productivity and transparency within a public administration system, but should also acquire the tools that permit the enhancement of a solid citizenry and broaden technological development to strengthen social, political and economic development in their respective regions," Baraya said.
     Southeastern and CASTLE 2002, a knowledge transfer and Internet technology development company based in Washington, DC., presented a plan for online training designed for local governmental officials. These courses would focus on leadership, bilingual proficiency and technology in a joint alliance with the Universidad Latina of Panama.
     "Southeastern is committed to working with Latin America," Baraya said. "The leadership of the nations of Colombia and Panama, in particular, has made a special commitment to be at the forefront of training of local government professionals. They have demonstrated a true social commitment and a new vision for economic and technological development in their regions."
     Guillermo Castillo, president of CASTLE 2002, stated his pleasure at seeing the success of the conference. "We must work together in order to build new stages where public administrations can grow stronger through the application of information technology and international training," he said. "The partnership we have developed with Southeastern through the years gives these programs a unique stamp of success."
     At the conference, Puerto Plata Mayor Walter Musa presented Baraya with an award declaring him an honorary citizen of the city.
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Dr. Crain, far left, and Alumni's Julie Perise, far right, with Pinnacle of Pride winnersPinnacle of Pride awards presented to students, organizations
Southeastern recognized several students and student organizations recently with the President's Pinnacle of Pride Award for national achievements and the Southeastern Alumni Association's Friendship Oak Award for contributions made on behalf of the university. From left are President John L. Crain; Brittany Bacques, president of Theta Phi Alpha Sorority; Jared Eusea, president of Gamma Beta Phi academic honor society; Matt Taylor, vice president of Delta Tau Delta fraternity; Tim Mitchell, cartoonist for the Lion's Roar; Ally O'Keefe, editor in chief of Le Souvenir yearbook; and Julie Perise, assistant director, Southeastern Alumni Association.
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Recycling on the web
Southeastern's recycling program has posted new pages on the university's web site at selu.edu/recycling. The pages, which are also linked under the Physical Plant section, feature a guide on where to recycle both on and off campus.
     Southeastern Recycling is now collecting used toner and ink cartridges and wooden shipping pallets. Clear out closets, eliminate clutter. Call x3452 for assistance.
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Tangi Chapter shrimp boil
The Tangi Chapter of the Alumni Association will host its annual shrimp boil for members and friends Thursday, May 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Alumni Center.
     Cost is $12 per person in advance or $15 at the door. RSVP by calling ext. 2150, visiting www.selu.edu/alumni, or stopping by the Alumni Center located at 500 W. University Ave.
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Tessa Flesher, Lia Kepner, Jivka Jeleva and Ashley Johansen.The violin quartet "Dancing Fiddles" will be featured at the annual "Shining Stars" concert of the Community Music School strings program. From left, are Tessa Flesher, Lia Kepner, Jivka Jeleva and Ashley Johansen.
Shining Stars concert showcases CMS violinists
Violin students of Southeastern Louisiana University's Community Music School will shine in a special concert May 13.
     Their free concert, "Shining Stars," is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Pottle Music Building Auditorium.
     The concert will feature soloists Tessa Flesher, Lacombe; Ashley Johansen, Madisonville; Lydia Newton and Wesley Newton, Diamondhead, Miss.; and Chloe Williams, Mandeville.
     The young violinists, who are from the violin studio of CMS violin instructor Jivka Jeleva, will perform as soloists with members of the Southeastern Chamber Orchestra conducted by Yakov Voldman.
     The concert will also feature the CMS String Ensemble and the "Dancing Fiddles" quartet.
     For information visit www.selu.edu/music/cms or contact CMS at 985-549-5502.
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Kellie Guiffreda  and Deslonde ValleyStudents design winning posters
To give them the real world experience of working successfully with clients, Visual Arts instructor Karin Eberhardt tasked her ART 261 (Digital Print Design 2) class to work on on two projects with the Tangipahoa Parish School System's Academic Center for the Visual and Performing Arts.
The 12 students created posters for the Accelerated Magnet Program's production of the musical Music Man Junior, recently presented at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, and a promotional poster for the Academic Center for the Visual and Performing Arts overall program.
      Chosen as winners were senior Kellie Guiffreda of Hammond for the promotion poster, left, Deslonde Valley, a junior from Mandeville, for the Music Man Junior poster. Valley also won "Judges Honors: Poster Design" for her design in the Visual Arts Department's Juried Student Exhibition.
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Student sculpture to be featured in LPB art auction
Visual arts student Trent Hebert's original ceramic sculpture will be featured in the Louisiana Public Broadcast (LPB) 2009 Art and Travel auction, scheduled to be aired June 7 from 6-9 p.m.
     The auction features original works from Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas artists as well as travel and art lesson gift certificates. Open bidding is underway on LBP's website, and patrons can place early bids online or wait until the live June 7 broadcast. All proceeds go toward LPB programming.
     Hebert, a junior from Manchac, was approached by his high school art teacher and LPB board member Kim Zabbia about donating a piece of art to the auction. Excited to participate, Hebert said the choice of donating his sculpture of a whimsical toy monkey titled "Please Do Not Feed the Monkey" was an easy decision.
     Zabbia said the auction is a great opportunity for emerging artists because it puts their names out into the community.
     "Trent is wonderfully talented and I'm so happy he is a part of the event this year," Zabbia said.
     For more information on the Friends of LPB Art and Travel Auction visit www.lpb.org.
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Roy Blackwood, Jane Rownd, John Crain, Cary BerthelotRownd receives PKP Award of Excellence
At the induction banquet of Southeastern's chapter of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, senior vocal performance major Jane Frances Rownd of Hammond, second from left, was recognized as one of 40 national recipients of the honor society's Award of Excellence. She plans to use the fellowship's $2,000 award to pursue a master's degree in vocal performance at Indiana University, one of the nation's top music schools.
     Rownd is the second Southeastern student to receive the Award of Excellence in the Southeastern chapter's 53-year history. Music performance major Dana Meidinger was a recipient in 2002.
     Congratulating her are, from left, Roy Blackwood, director of fellowships for Phi Kappa Phi; Southeastern President John L. Crain, left, and chapter President Cary Berthelot.
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This week in athletics
The Southeastern baseball team will close out the regular season and a pair of Lion golfers will compete in the NCAA Southwest Regionals during this week in Southeastern Athletics.
     The Lions (34-18, 20-10 SLC) are currently in sole possession of second place after winning 11 of their last 12 games and have secured a spot in the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament scheduled for May 20-23 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Southeastern will head to Natchitoches for the regular season's final series at SLC rival Northwestern State.
     The series opens with 6:30 p.m. contests on Thursday and Friday, followed by the series finale on Saturday at 1 p.m. All three games will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net.
     Southeastern's top two men's golfers - Southland Conference Player of the Year Cedric Scotto and Matthew Carvell - will compete in the NCAA Regionals that begin Thursday and run through Saturday at the University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, Texas. Live scoring updates will be available at www.LionSports.net. The top five teams and top five individuals at the tournament will advance to the NCAA Championships, scheduled for May 26-30 in Toledo, Ohio.
     Thursday, May 14
     Baseball, at Northwestern State, Natchitoches, 6:30 p.m. (KSLU)
     Men's Golf, at NCAA Southwest Regionals, All Day
     Friday, May 15
     Baseball, at Northwestern State, Natchitoches, 6:30 p.m. (KSLU)
     Men's Golf, at NCAA Southwest Regionals, All Day
     Saturday, May 16
     Baseball, at Northwestern State, Natchitoches, 1 p.m. (KSLU)
     Men's Golf, at NCAA Southwest Regionals, All Day
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Professional activities
Dr. Samuel Hyde
(History and Political Science/Center for Southeast La. Studies) has recently completed a series of six speaking engagements highlighting his research on domestic terror and extra-legal paramilitary groups. Among the agencies that hosted the presentation were the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U. S. Department of Justice Eastern District Louisiana's Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council, and Marine Forces Command North. In support of the presentations Hyde was interviewed by such national media outlets as the Chicago Tribune and regional outlets such as the New Orleans Times Picayune.
     Dr. Lillian Stiegler (Communication Sciences and Disorders) presented "Classroom Strategies for Enhancing Communication in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders" to the teachers and paraprofessionals of Central Community School District on April 29. The event was the culmination of a series of district-wide activities in recognition of April as Autism Awareness Month.
     Sean Alan Marsh (English) received the a Silver Remington Award in Family/Children Category for Rabbit Moon and a Silver 'Remi' in the "How To/Instructional" category for The Proficiency at the 2009 Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival on April 25. He produced and directed The Proficiency, which was written by Dr. Reine Bouton (English). Marsh was the writer/director/producer of Rabbit Moon.
     "Business Ethics in the Sermon on the Mount" is the title of an article published by Dr. Richard David Ramsey (Business Administration) in Leaven: A Journal of Ministry, published by Pepperdine University.
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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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