Southeastern Louisiana University

The Hammond Chamber of Commerce has launched an initiative in support of Southeastern students and student-athletes called “Our Town, Our Team.” The multi-faceted program was introduced during the chamber’s annual Southeastern pep rally lunch meeting at Twelve Oaks last week.
     “The message should be loud and clear that the business community supports Southeastern,” said Chamber Chairman Chris Moody. “We (the business community) must do a better job of proudly displaying the green and the gold and supporting our university, and we’re hoping the ‘Our Town, Our Team’ initiative will help businesses do just that.”
     As part of the initiative, businesses that agree to promote the Lions as part of their future advertising runs will receive special discounts from three of the chamber’s local media partners – The Hammond Daily Star, Lamar Advertising, and Northshore Broadcasting.
     The chamber is selling, at a wholesale cost to area businesses, Southeastern t-shirts and flags. The hope is that area business will encourage their employees to wear green on Fridays in support of Southeastern and display the flags at their businesses and homes.
     At the luncheon, the chamber also announced the latest recipient of the Southeastern Spirit Award, a recognition provided to an area business that goes above and beyond in its support of the university. The award was presented to La Carreta Restaurant. Previous Southeastern Spirit Award winners are Albertson’s and University Donuts.
     “The chamber is doing so much to help support the university, and, in turn, we hope our Southeastern community will support the chamber and those businesses that support us,” said Erin Cowser, executive director of public and governmental affairs. “When you’re out and about in the community, be sure to thank our ‘Our Town, Our Team’ business partners.”
     She added that the chamber always welcomes participation and involvement from those who live and work in Hammond.
     “Did you know that as an employee of Southeastern, every faculty and staff member has membership privileges in the chamber?” she asked. “There are events scheduled in the morning, during the day and in the evening. Some involve traditional networking opportunities, and if that’s not your preference, there are also forums and educational presentations involving issues of relevance to the regional economy.”
     The next chamber function is Ham’nd Eggs on Sept. 7. The event will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Gendusa Insurance Company, 408 Roma Ave.

Above: Roomie holds up some pastries from University Donuts. Local breakfast eatery owners Harry and Jo Ridgel received the Southeastern Spirit Award from the Hammond Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Christopher Martin)

Ponchatoula Mayor declares ‘Green & Gold’ Week
Robert “Bob” Zabbia, mayor of the City of Ponchatoula, presents a document declaring September 1 through September 7, 2011 “Green and Gold Week, in honor of the start of Southeastern’s 2011 football season, to the university’s Lion mascot Roomie and Gayle Neal, president of the Southeastern Alumni Association. Looking on is Kathy Pittman, director of the Alumni Association. The proclamation will be officially presented to the Alumni Association at a Huddle Session planned Thursday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. at Fleur de Lis in Ponchatoula. The free event is open to the public and is sponsored by the Ponchatoula Chapter of the Southeastern Alumni Association.

Southeastern’s Total Mobile Access proving successful
When Southeastern introduced its Total Mobile Access service last spring providing users with access to their class schedules, financial aid records and grades on any smart phone or device, officials at the university anticipated it would be a popular feature.
     They did not, however, expect the nearly 100,000 visits received from mobile devices in the one-month period between July 22 and Aug. 21, said Chief Information Officer Mike Asoodeh.
     This surge in use corresponds with launch of the platform’s enhanced interactivity, which allows students to actually register, drop and add classes and conduct other university business from the palm of their hands.
     Southeastern’s innovative mobile access system is catching the attention of other institutions interested in expanding their online services to students via smart phones and similar devices. The university’s system was featured in in the August issue of the national technology magazine Converge, along with several other institutions that are developing and refining their mobile strategies.
     “This is not an app,” said Asoodeh. “An app provides static information and is only part of our overall mobile optimization plan. Total Mobile Access integrates personalized information with real usability. Not only can students view class schedules, but now they can perform actions to change it if necessary.”
     Asoodeh said not many universities have implemented mobile access systems that address as many functions as Southeastern has. Consequently, the university is getting a number of inquiries from other institutions looking to institute a similar service.
     The most popular device used to access Southeastern’s system was the iPhone with more than 55,000 visits, followed by the Android with 37,733 visits and the iPad with 7,200 visits. Students also used devices such as the iPod and Blackberry.
     “Our students and future students are the ‘Net Generation,’” he said, “and this is the number one technology project for the university as we move into enterprise document and content management. Access for students must be very easy, it must be reliable, and it must be secure. And when they do access the system, we don’t want them to have a long wait.”
     Asoodeh said the university continues to work with HighPoint Consulting in Miami to refine the system, which is accessible at southeastern.edu/m.
     “HighPoint worked with us to integrate our PeopleSoft Campus Solutions student system into user-friendly formats that are accessible via mobile devices,” he explained. “Access for students must be very easy, and we’re finding that this is exactly what college students today are looking for. They expect to be able to transact business via their mobile devices.”
     Among the new features in the system are complete integration with the university’s PeopleSoft Enterprise Campus Solutions student database, a self-service functionality for students, faculty and staff, user-friendly configurations, guest and parent access, and various social networking features.
     After the university rolled out its first app for iPhones in March, an app developed in-house, it began working with HighPoint to develop its total mobile access strategy.
     “We recognized the growing demand for this kind of service, especially among our students” Asoodeh said.

Cast chosen for Southeastern Opera Workshop’s “Pirates of Penzance”
Lock up your daughters; the pirates are coming to town! For Fanfare 2011, Southeastern’s Opera/Music Theatre Workshop will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance.”
     The musical theatre team of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were kings of the worldwide musical theater scene in the late 19th century. Their comic, topsy-turvy operettas were performed all over England, the United States, Canada and Europe.
     Performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday, September 28 – 30 and October 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Pottle Music Building Auditorium. General admission advance tickets are available at the Columbia Theatre box office at 220 E. Thomas Street, (985) 543-4371; tickets will also be available for each performance at the door in Pottle Auditorium. Ticket prices are $16 for adults and $13 for seniors, Southeastern faculty/staff and non-Southeastern students. Southeastern students are admitted free of charge with their ID.
     “There are organizations in England, Canada and the U.S. called Savoyards, named after the Savoy Theatre in London, which were built specifically for Gilbert and Sullivan productions. Their sole purpose is to produce the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan,” said Chuck Effler, director of Opera Workshop. “Light opera companies around the world perform the shows, and even large opera companies occasionally produce a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. ‘Pirates of Penzance’ is one of their most popular works and was last seen in Hammond when Opera Workshop produced the show in 1995.”
     Opera Workshop welcomes back guest stage director Rachel M. Harris for this production. Harris has directed recent Opera Workshop productions of “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Die Fledermaus,” “Sour Angelica,” “Gianni Schicchi” and “Street Scene.”
     Lead cast in the production are Damian Faul, Amite, as the Pirate King; Joshua Williams, Mandeville, as Frederic; BriAnna Dewar, Slidell, and Kristina Temple, Amite, as Mabel; Kayla Blanchard, Lafayette, and Mary Malbrough, Covington as Ruth; Brent Goodrich, Sulphur as Major General; and Jordan Leggett, Slidell, as Sergeant.
     Joining them are Chase Ledet, Schriever, and Bernard McPherson, Nurnberg, Germany, as Samuel; Kim Dupre, Luling, and Amanda Lucas, Albany, as Edith; Heather Hand, Denham Springs, and Kelly Todd, Houma, as Kate; and Anastasiia Ped, Hammond, and Alexandra Mejia, Bush as Isabel.
     The General’s Daughters will be played by Annie Balfour, Folsom; Sarah Bertrand, Covington; Joy Clark, Central; Jordan Cressy, Mandeville; Karista Filopoulos, Abita Springs; Mindy Guidroz, Houma; Provence Hatfield, Amite; Tyler Lange, Slidell; Bethany Putnam, Mandeville; and Kayla Turner, Hammond.
     Serving as policemen are Devonte’ Bryant, Amite; Charles Daussin, Hammond; Justin Mihalik, Geismar; Andrew Johnson, Destrehan; and Robert Roy, Lacombe.
     Pirates are Daniel Duensing and Todd Melancon, Prairieville; Lawrence Joiner, Loranger; and Jeremy Lloyd, Baton Rouge; and Leon Moore, Byhalia, Miss.
     Effler will serve as vocal coach and conductor, while Department of Fine and Performing Arts faculty and staff members Steve Schepker (set design) and Ellen Sovkoplas (lighting design) will provide their expertise to the production. Bridget Lyons of Ponchatoula will serve as stage manager.
     For more information about the Opera/Music Theatre Workshop, contact Effler at ceffler@selu.edu.

Above: Opera Workshop Director Chuck Effler rehearses with Jordan Leggett of Slidell for the upcoming performance of "Pirates of Penzance." Leggett will play the role of Sergeant.

Bayou Manchac trash sweep
On August 20 and 21, the Bayou Manchac Group (www.bayoumanchac.org) conducted an Emergency Trash Sweep after Ascension Parish drainage crews removed a fallen tree and 39 tons of trash from Bayou Manchac between the Baton Rouge BREC Manchac Park and the Hwy. 73 Bridge at Hope Villa. Southeastern’s Turtle Cove lent canoes to the effort.
     Thirty-one volunteers from Ascension and East Baton Rouge Parish participated in the two-day event and removed by hand over 15 cubic yards or 1.5 tons of mostly drink and fast food containers floating in the water. The volunteers cleaned about three miles of Bayou Manchac from Airline Highway to the end of Camp Drive in Ascension; however, there is much more trash along the bayou’s 18-mile border between East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Ascension Parishes.
     Helping to conduct the trash sweep was biology instructor Michaelyn Broussard.

Southeastern Art Gallery announces fall schedule
Southeastern’s Contemporary Art Gallery will hold a series of exhibitions and a workshop this semester at the gallery located in East Strawberry Stadium.
     Curator Dale Newkirk announced the first exhibition, featuring artists Victor Vasquez, Luis Cruz Azaceta and Burt Barr, will start Sept. 8 with an opening reception at 5 p.m. and run through Sept. 30.
     A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Vazquez has traveled to India, China and Japan to study art, literature and the cultural history of these regions. He attended the School of Visual Arts and the Maine Photographic Workshop. His art has been exhibited around the world.
     Azaceta uses his artwork as a tool for the examination of the human condition within society. His work explores a broad range of socio-political issues wherein he includes himself as a central character, a unique depiction in the genre. He currently resides in New Orleans and works with a variety of art styles, from photography to sculptures.
     Barr is a video and multi-media artist based in New York who uses black and white static shots designed to be projected directly onto a wall and looped for continual viewing. He has exhibited both nationally and internationally.
     Also on tap is “Ink & Needles: the National Tattoo Exhibition,” featuring art work submitted by tattoo artists from around the country. Curated by Newkirk, the exhibit will be displayed in the gallery Oct. 13 through Nov. 11. Newkirk said opening night will include a panel discussion featuring several tattoo artists discussing their work in the exhibition.
     “It’s taken a lot of research and time, but we will be showing artists from all over the country,” said Newkirk who last year organized the first National Cell Phone Photography Exhibition. “Donn Davis from Tatoo-A-GoGo in New Orleans has been serving as technical advisor for the show, and he will be moderating the discussion for the artists.”
     Concurrently, the gallery will present an exhibition of work by Southeastern alumnus Justin Barfield, whose work consists of a wide variety of printmaking pieces. Barfield is a graduate student at Notre Dame studying printmaking.
     From Oct. 24-28, a printmaking workshop will be offered by Xenia Fedorchenko, Russian-born artist who currently teaches printmaking, drawing and color theory at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Her work is in the permanent collections of several museums, as well as university, corporate and private collections throughout the country. The workshop is open to the public. Reservations to participate can be made by calling 985-549-5080.
     The semester will conclude with the 2011 Senior Exhibition Nov. 22 through Dec. 10, which will feature various works and styles of art contributed by senior students in Southeastern’s visual arts program.
     All exhibitions are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesday. For more information, contact the visual arts program at 985-549-2193 or Newkirk at 985-549-5080.

Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program
The Library of Congress, Teaching with Primary Sources Program located at Southeastern, conducted a Level I Teacher Institute on June 6-9 and July 11-14. Teachers attending the workshops accessed some of the over 15 million digital primary sources available to them through the Library of Congress.
      One of the purposes of the workshop was to make teachers aware of how they can promote higher order thinking skills in their students by examining and analyzing primary sources. Throughout the week teachers had the opportunity to examine documents, prints and photographs, artifacts, historical newspapers, art, and music and sound recordings. Teachers used these primary sources to assist them in creating plans specific to their curriculum.
      The guest speakers included Denise Tullier-Holly from Southeastern Laboratory School, Carlene Bonnette from the Louisiana State Library, and Howard Nichols, left, professor emeritus of history at Southeastern.
      Workshop participants enjoyed local primary sources during a field trip to Houmas Plantation, Oak Alley Plantation, and Laura’s Plantation.
      For more information of future workshops, please contact laura.hancock@selu.edu.

Southeastern in the news

WWL-TV, New Orleans
SLU welcoming another large class
http://www.wwltv.com/news/northshore/SLU-welcoming-another-large-class-128216313.html

Daily Star
PHS students earn college credit
http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2011/08/23/top_stories/education/5573.txt

South Korean delegates visit Turtle Cove
The New Orleans Citizens Diplomacy Council sent delegates from South Korea to visit with Rob Morrow and hear about what Southeastern is doing to prepare students for a “green workforce.” David Burley and Anna Kleiner of the Sociology Department also spoke to the group, which was treated to a tour of Turtle Cove. The delegates are visiting other places around New Orleans and are traveling with the U.S. State Department.

Sept. 15 is final day for students to apply for Fall 2011 Graduation
Sept. 15 is the final day Southeastern students can apply to graduate in Fall 2011. The graduation application and payment deadlines will be strictly enforced, university officials said.
     Candidates for associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees can apply for graduation by logging into their LeoNet campus accounts and choosing the “Self Service, Degree Progress/Graduation, Apply for Graduation” option. Instructions are available on the “Current Students” link at www.selu.edu; then click on “Graduation Information, Apply for Graduation” or call Southeastern’s Office of Records and Registration at 985-549-2066.
     The $35 application fee should be paid directly to the Controller’s Office, located on North Campus in the Financial Aid Building.
     Fall commencement exercises are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, at the University Center.

Extended Studies news
Hammond
Algebra Review (4 Mondays beginning Sept. 12 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.)
As a refresher math class for students, topics will include operations with real numbers (fractions, integers, decimals), solving linear equations, introduction to graphing, and multiplying polynomials. The cost is $60, and the book must be purchased by student.

Introduction to Computers (Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to noon)
Students will learn the basic skills needed to get started with personal computers and to work with the various features, tools and options available in Windows. The cost is $90 with the book provided.

Hawaiian Hula (Tuesdays beginning Sept. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.)
Students will learn the basics of the dances of Hawaii (both modern and ancient) and why the dances are important to the culture of Hawaii. The cost is $35.

Mandeville
How to Write a Novel (Tuesdays beginning Sept. 6 from 7 to 8 p.m.)
This course will cover the basics of writing novel-length fiction, including story structure, plotting, character development, dialogue, description, and point of view. The cost is $150.

Introduction to Stained Glass (Mondays beginning Sept. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.)
Students will learn the methods and tools required to complete a stained glass panel, which they get to keep, in copper foil or Tiffany style from Gene Duvic, a fifteen year veteran of the art. All supplies and tools are provided and no experience is required. The cost is $150 with the materials included.

Grantsmanship: Basics and Beyond (Sept. 13 and 15 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.)
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of when, how, and why a grant is appropriate for an organization as well as how to identify, define, and develop grant proposals. One CEU credit will be provided, and the cost of the course is $195.

To register, or for further details on these or other courses that are available please visit:
Hammond- www.selu.edu/es Mandeville- www.selu.edu/stc Walker- www.selu.edu/livingston

This week in Athletics
The Southeastern football and cross country teams will open their 2011 seasons during this week in Southeastern Athletics.
     The Lions will officially kickoff the campaign on Saturday, facing Tulane at 2:30 p.m. in the Louisiana Superdome. Southeastern’s first game of the year will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net.
     The Southeastern cross country teams will also make their debut this week. On Friday, the Lions and Lady Lions will compete in the McNeese State Distance Relay in Lake Charles.
     The Lady Lion volleyball team (0-3) will open its home schedule on Tuesday, hosting Jackson State at 7 p.m. in the University Center. Following the home opener, the Lady Lions head to Mobile, Ala. to compete in the South Alabama Jaguar Classic. Southeastern will open tournament play on Friday, facing Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. and host South Alabama at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Lady Lions take on Alabama A&M at 3 p.m. and Samford at 5 p.m.
     The Southeastern women’s soccer team (2-0-1) will look to remain unbeaten when it continues its four-match road swing this week. On Friday, Southeastern heads to Hattiesburg, Miss. for a 4 p.m. match at Southern Miss.

Tuesday, August 30
Volleyball, vs. Jackson State, University Center, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, at McNeese State Distance Relay, Lake Charles, All Day
Volleyball, vs. Louisiana Tech (USA Jaguar Classic), Mobile, Ala., 1 p.m.
Volleyball, at South Alabama (USA Jaguar Classic), Mobile, Ala., 7 p.m.
Women’s Soccer, at Southern Miss, Hattiesburg, Miss., 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 3
Football, at Tulane, New Orleans, 2:30 p.m. (KSLU)
Volleyball, vs. Alabama A&M (USA Jaguar Classic), Mobile, Ala., 3 p.m.
Volleyball, vs. Samford (USA Jaguar Classic), Mobile, Ala., 5 p.m.

Southeastern home events in bold

Professional activities
Julie Joiner Nunenmacher (Management and Business Administration) attended the Sixth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences held at the University of New Orleans on July 13 and presented a study, “Battle of the Bulge: The Impact of Pregnancy and Motherhood in the Workplace.” The paper was coauthored by Bobbie Gill Schnepf (Management and Business Administration).
     Dr. David Johansen (Fine and Performing Arts) was the trombone instructor at the New England Music Camp located in Sidney, Maine. The camp took place in June, July and August. Dr. Johansen performed as a soloist and with the NEMC faculty brass quintet.
     Dr. Ephraim Massawe (Computer Science and Industrial Technology) presented a paper entitled “A Framework for Understanding Scientific and Information Needs of State Agencies and Programs for Occupational Health Regulations in Nano-enhanced Remediation of the U.S. EPA Superfund Sites” at the 5th International Symposium on Nanotechnology Occupational and Environmental Health in Boston August 9-12.

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 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

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