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Spring enrollment at Southeastern continues upward trend Southeastern’s total enrollment for the spring semester reflects an upward trend over the same time last year, university officials stated.
According to official records, as of the 14th class day, 14,325 students are enrolled in spring classes, compared to 14,117 in last spring’s semester, a 1.5 percent increase.
“Despite the higher admission standards we implemented in the fall semester, we are pleased to see our enrollment figures for the spring remain on trend with a slight increase,” said President John L. Crain. “We know also that even with concerns about higher education budget cuts and the uncertainty of various academic programs, students continue to be attracted to the institution and what we have to offer. We remain committed to maintaining a strong academic mission. Our students are our foremost priority.”
The university has 425 new beginning freshmen this semester. New transfer students rose to 362, an increase of more than 28 percent over last year. Crain said an important feature of last year’s LA GRAD Act encourages institutions to increase the numbers of transfer students they enroll, especially from Louisiana community colleges.
“We have strong agreements with a number of community colleges, including Delgado in New Orleans, Baton Rouge Community College, River Parishes Community College and Northshore Technical College,” Crain said. “These agreements help provide a more seamless transition to Southeastern from Louisiana community colleges. In addition, our textbook rental system and the automatic transfer scholarship Southeastern offers to any qualified transfer student eases some of the financial burdens associated with attending a four-year institution.”
St. Tammany Parish continues to be the top feeder parish for the university with 3,353 students enrolled this spring, a 5.6 percent increase over the same time last year. Other area parishes showing increases in the spring included Ascension, 886 students, a 10.6 percent increase; and Livingston, 1,859, a 5.3 percent increase.
Southeastern sponsors Disability Awareness Week
Southeastern will host Disability Awareness Week on campus Feb. 21 – 24 with a goal of increasing awareness of the challenges disabled students face every day.
Sponsored by the Office of Disability Services and Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, the weeklong event will begin at 6 p.m. at the University Center Monday, Feb. 21, with an address by Trish Downing, a physically challenged athlete and the first female paraplegic to complete an Ironman distance triathlon.
Downing’s address is sponsored by the Student Government Association and the Office of Greek Life. She will share stories of her athletic adventures and the lessons that have gotten her across multiple finish lines. A competitive cyclist from 1997-2000, she was hit head-on by a car while training on her bicycle in Golden, Colo. The accident left her a paraplegic and dependent on a wheelchair.
“Trish’s motivational message is something that can inspire all of us,” said Kay Maurin, director of the Office of Disability Services. “Her story is one that is applicable to anyone striving to succeed in the face of obstacles in their daily lives.”
The address is free and open to the public.
Tuesday the Delta Alpha Pi Honors Society will host a jambalaya dinner from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Student Union. Tickets are $7 and all proceeds will benefit scholarships for students with disabilities.
“We’re really excited to be hosting this event,” says Johnny Braud, president of the organization. “We are working hard to give students with disabilities opportunities to excel in school and to recognize them for their accomplishments in college and beyond.”
Wednesday the Disability Awareness Week Expo will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Student Union. Students will be able to visit with different Southeastern departments and organizations to learn what resources are available for students with disabilities.
“I hope this event will not only raise awareness about students with disabilities,” said Maurin, but also demonstrate what they can do well and how they contribute to Southeastern in so many ways.”
Thursday will be the new member induction and officer instillation of Delta Alpha Pi at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Union room 233. Southeastern’s chapter was formed last year. The Greek letters stand for D for Disability, A for Achievement and P for Pride. Guest speaker will be Jeff Day, owner of Spoga Fitness Studio and a Southeastern alumnus.
For more information on the events, contact the Office of Disability Services at 549-2247.
Lincoln’s Louisiana connection discussed at exhibit
Louisiana was to play a crucial role in President Abraham Lincoln’s reconstruction of the United States post Civil War, stated Charles Elliott, Southeastern history instructor, at a program held on campus Tuesday (Feb. 16).
“It was Lincoln’s geographical and geopolitical union that makes him significant in American history,” says Charles Elliott, instructor in Southeastern’s Department of History and Political Science.
Because of the role that the Mississippi River and New Orleans could play in the future growth of America, Lincoln knew it was important to bring Louisiana back into the Union, he added.
In his lecture entitled, “Lincoln’s Louisiana Connection,” Elliott addressed the experiences and influence that Louisiana -- and especially the port of New Orleans -- had on Lincoln throughout his life. He covered Lincoln’s experiences from selling flatboat cargo along the Mississippi River to the horrors of witnessing the slave trade in New Orleans.
Elliott’s main contention was that Lincoln’s primary reason for the war was neither slavery nor constitutional rights, but the geopolitical reunion of the states.
“Lincoln’s argument is simply a geopolitical contention based on his good and common sense and observations that he learned on the river down to New Orleans,” said Elliott. “His American West depended upon access to reasonable markets reached only through New Orleans.”
This lecture was the first of six that will be presented over the next several weeks in conjunction with Southeastern’s hosting of the national touring exhibit “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War.” The exhibit – organized by the National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office – is displayed on the first floor of Southeastern’s Sims Memorial Library. The exhibit is available for viewing through March 25.
The programs are free and open to the public. All lectures are presented at 2 p.m. in the library.
Upcoming presentations include:
Feb. 23, third floor: “Abraham Lincoln and the Value of a Human Life,” presented by Michael Ralph of the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis, New York University.March 1, third floor: “Lincoln and the Constitution,” presented by Peter Petrakis, Southeastern associate professor of political science.March 10, Room 474: “Log Cabin Online,” a hands-on guided tour of digital resources about Lincoln, presented by Kathryn Munson, Southeastern assistant professor and librarian in the Access Services Department, and Laura Hancock with the College of Education and Human Development’s Teaching with Primary Sources project. This lecture will be held in Room 474 of the library.March 16, third floor: “Lincoln and His Generals, presented by Harry S. Laver, Southeastern associate professor of history and co-editor of “The Art of Command: Military Leadership from George Washington to Colin Powell.”March 23, third floor: “Lincoln and Habeas Corpus,” a discussion on the constitutionality of Lincoln’s decision to incarcerate American citizens without formal criminal charges by Ron Traylor, Southeastern instructor of history and a specialist in the areas of slavery and Reconstruction.
A closing ceremony for the exhibit will be held Thursday, March 24, at 2 p.m.
“Music Man” to be performed at Columbia Theatre Feb. 26
One of Broadway’s most popular musicals, “The Music Man,” will appear on the stage of Southeastern’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts for one show only on Saturday, Feb. 26.
The 7:30 p.m. performance – presented by Windwood Theatricals –kicks off the spring season for the Hammond downtown theatre.
Columbia Theatre Interim Director Kenneth Boulton is excited about the production.
“’The Music Man’ will be a terrifically entertaining show,” said Boulton. “The Columbia has hosted a number of Windwood Theatrical productions in the past and they have always featured great entertainment for the whole family.”
The 1957 hit has received five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and ran on Broadway for over 1,300 shows. It also won the first Grammy Award for best original cast album.
The story takes place in 1912 and follows con man and traveling salesman Harold Hill, as he tries to swindle the townspeople of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boy band he vows to organize. His plan to steal the money and skip town is stopped in its tracks when the town librarian, Marian Paroo, steals his heart.
“There will also be five middle school students from Tangipahoa Parish involved with this production on stage,” said Boulton. “They will certainly have the experience of a lifetime.”
Tickets range from $38 - $46 and are available at the Columbia Theatre box office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. or by phone at (985) 543-4371. Patrons may also get tickets online at www.columbiatheatre.org.
Remaining events in Black History Month 
Feb. 22, Student Union, room 223, 2 p.m., Lecture: Garifuna Culture, sponsored by the Department of Languages and Communication.
Feb. 22, Fayard Hall, room 107, 5 p.m., Film: "In the Land of the Free," sponsored by the Southeastern Sociological Association.
Feb. 23, 3rd floor, Sims Library, 2 p.m., Michael Ralph presents "Abraham Lincoln and the Value of a Human Life," sponsored by the Department of History and Political Science.
Feb. 23, Pottle Music Auditorium, 7 p.m., Talent Show, sponsored by NAACP.
Feb. 24, Student Union Theatre, 12:30 p.m., Donavan Hudson presents “A Living, Breathing Dream: A Family’s Odyssey Navigating Everyday Life in the Transitional Southern United States,” sponsored by the Department of History and Political Science.
Feb. 28, Student Union Mall, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Union Unplugged and Black Business Expo featuring gospel recording artist Henry Stewart, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta, the Arts and Lectures Committee, SBDC, and MISA.
Feb. 28, Fayard Hall, room 109, 6 p.m., “Your Hair is Your Crown,” sponsored by NAACP.
Feb. 28, Student Union Theatre, 7:30 p.m., performance, “African Americans: A Passionate People,” featuring God’s Chosen Gospel Choir.
Burroughs cited with Dunbar Service Award
Betty Burroughs of Tickfaw, retired library specialist supervisor at Sims Memorial Library, was among the 12 people chosen this year for the Charles E. Dunbar Career Service Award.
The award is named for the founder of the Louisiana Civil Service League and co-author of the original civil service law in Louisiana.
“It’s overwhelming and an honor,” said Burroughs, who received the award Friday (Feb. 11) in New Orleans. “I am amazed that my peers and co-workers thought so much of me just to nominate me. I’m still taking it all in.”
Burroughs began working at Sims Memorial Library as a typist clerk in December of 1977. She advanced to become a specialist supervisor in the circulation department and, after 33 years, retired in August 2010.
“It was wonderful working with Betty,” said Library Director Eric Johnson. “She was very dedicated to her job and willing to help people. If she had a project she would dive in, get it done and get it done well. People liked working with her and enjoyed talking with her. Every library needs a Betty.”
In addition, two other Southeastern employees received certificates of merit in the awards program: Denise Lee of Hammond, administrative assistant in the School of Nursing, and Dawn Dottolo Starkey of Loranger, administrative assistant of the Campus Activities Board.
Southeastern in the news
SLU on upswing despite La.’s woes
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/SLU-on-upswing-despite-Las-woes.html
SLU to offer welding, foundry instruction
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/livingston_tangipahoa/SLU-to-offer-welding-foundry-instruction.html
Lincoln’s Leadership: Lessons on grace under pressure, humor, communication skills still relevant today
http://www.hammonddailystar.com/articles/2011/02/16/top_stories/8489.txt
Lincoln: lessons still relevant today
http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2011/02/16/top_stories/8489.txt
Lincoln exhibit opens at Southeastern ("Tumey's Travels")
http://www.wafb.com/Global/category.asp?C=20267&nav=menu57_8_1
Southeastern enrollment on upswing
http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2011/02/southeastern_louisiana_univers.html
Roberts thanks Southeastern on GMA
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/alma-mater-honors-robin-roberts-12856364
Clams studied as possible oil reducer
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/Clams-studied-as-possible-oil-reducer.html
Trip down the river moved Lincoln
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/116546888.html
Spring 2011 SOT Calendar
According to the Office of Institutional Research & Assessment, all faculty, department heads and deans should note the following schedule for the administration of the Student Opinion of Teaching (SOT) instruments for the Spring 2011 semester:
Term 1 (January 18 – March 8)Packets delivered to Departments (February 22)Administration of SOT (February 23 - March 2)Deadline to be returned to IR&A (March 2)
Full Term (January 18 – May 6)Packets delivered to Departments (April 8)Administration of SOT (April 11 - 21) Deadline to be returned to IR&A (April 21)
Term 2 (March 14 – May 6)Packets delivered to Departments (April 28)Spring Break (April 25 - 29)Administration of SOT (May 2 - 9)Deadline to be returned to IR&A (May 6)
Any questions regarding SOT administration should be directed to Glenda at extension 2077.
Chefs Evening is Sunday, April 3
Chef’s Evening restaurant of the week:
Buddie's Seafood
When dining choices take you away from home or work, please patronize this friend of Chefs Evening. While there, let the owner and chef know how much you appreciate their loyal support of the university by their participation in Chefs Evening year after year.
Extended Studies news
HammondACT Test Preparation (5-Mondays beginning Feb. 28, from 4 – 6 p.m.)
This course is designed to help high school students develop the skills to improve their ACT scores, emphasizing Mathematics and English. The maximum number of students per session is 15. If paid and registered one week prior to start of class, students will receive ACT prep book at no additional cost. The cost is $250.
Beginning Guitar (6 Mondays beginning March 14, from 7 – 8 p.m.)
Students will learn chords, strumming patterns, and note reading on their own guitar. For ages 13 and older. The cost is $50.
MandevilleIndividual Income Tax Update (Feb. 25, 9:30 – 11 a.m.)
This is an update of the federal income tax laws for filers of individual income taxes. The course is free and handouts will be provided.
Cash Management Basics (Feb. 26, 9 a.m. – noon)
Students will be introduced to the basics of money management, budgeting, using credit wisely and good debt versus bad debt. Information about investing and basic financial planning will also be covered. The cost is $35.
SHRM Learning System (Feb. 23, March 30 & May 11 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.)
This course provides features, such as: a comprehensive and current review of key human resource management concepts and trends based on the 2009 HR Certification Institute body of knowledge, interaction with an experienced instructor and your peers, six printed workbooks that cover topics tested on the PHR/SPHR certification exam, more than 1,600 test questions, an online resource center, and an interactive case study designed for SPHR candidates. And you can earn 3.5 continuing education units (CEUs) for completing this course. This class is taught 3/4 online. Meetings total 9 hours, with 36 hours total instruction time. The cost is $1,095.
Introduction to Computers (March 3 from 9 a.m. – 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.
ACT Test Preparation (5 Tuesdays beginning March 15, from 5 – 7 p.m.)
This course is designed to help high school students develop the skills to improve ACT scores, emphasizing Mathematics and English. The maximum number of students per session is 10. If paid and registered one week prior to start of class, students will receive ACT prep book at no additional cost. The cost is $275.
How to Write a Novel (Tuesdays beginning March 15, from 7 – 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.
WalkerHome Energy Efficiency (March 14, from 6 – 8 p.m. or March 26 from 9 – 11 a.m.)
Discover ways to save energy and reduce utility bills while using “earth friendly” (green) techniques/technologies. The cost is $20.
ACT Test Preparation (5 Thursdays beginning March 3, from 5 – 7 p.m.)
This course is designed to help high school students develop the skills to improve ACT scores, emphasizing Mathematics and English. The maximum number of students per session is 15. If paid and registered one week prior to start of class, students will receive ACT prep book at no additional cost. The cost is $250.
Learn English as a Second Language (Thursdays beginning March 3, from 6 – 8 p.m.)
Students will learn to speak, listen, read and write in English. The class particularly focuses on conversation English to be used in social situations and in the workplace. The cost is $12, including materials.
Zoom into Careers (June 20 – 23)
Career Workshops for High School Students
Hammond (Overnight option available in Hammond.)
Journalism, Television, Culinary Arts, Theatre and Inventing
Walker and Mandeville
Photography
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
The Southeastern men’s and women’s track and field teams will compete in the Southland Conference Indoor Championships, while the Lion baseball team will open its 2011 home schedule during this week in Southeastern Athletics.
The Lion and Lady Lions will compete in the league championship meet, which begins Thursday in Norman, Okla. The meet runs through Saturday. Live results will be available at www.LionSports.net.
Fresh off taking two of three in the season’s opening series at Florida International, the Lion baseball team (2-1) will open its home schedule on Tuesday, facing Tulane at 6 p.m. at Alumni Field. Southeastern will look to “Gold Out” the stadium and all Lion fans are encouraged to wear gold. From there, the Lions will head to the USA Jaguar Classic in Mobile, Ala. Southeastern will face Alabama on Friday at 1 p.m., Central Florida on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and host South Alabama on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
The Southeastern men’s basketball team (12-12, 6-6 Southland) will attempt to bounce back from consecutive losses this week. The Lions will face Southland Conference West Division leader Texas State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in San Marcos, Texas. On Saturday, Southeastern returns home to host Central Arkansas at 3 p.m. in the University Center.
The Lady Lion basketball team (11-13, 3-9 Southland) will look to work its way back into Southland Conference Tournament contention this week. The Lady Lions host Texas State at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the University Center. Senior guard Mary Fountain will be Wednesday’s Spotlight Player of the Game and the first 100 fans will receive a trading card featuring the Pensacola, Fla. native. On Saturday, the Lady Lions head to Central Arkansas for a 2 p.m. contest in Conway, Ark.
The Southeastern softball team returns home to host three games this week. On Saturday, the Lady Lions host Alcorn State for a 2 p.m. contest. Arkansas-Pine Bluff comes to town on Sunday for a 12 p.m. game.
The baseball game on Tuesday and both of this week’s men’s basketball games will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net. Wednesday’s women’s basketball game will be televised on a tape-delay basis by the Southeastern Channel (Charter Channel 18) and a live video stream will be available at LionSports.net.
Tuesday, February 22Baseball, vs. Tulane, Alumni Field, 6 p.m. (KSLU-FM)
Wednesday, February 23Women’s Basketball, vs. Texas State, University Center, 7 p.m. (SE Channel)*Men’s Basketball, at Texas State, San Marcos, Texas, 7 p.m. (KSLU)*
Thursday, February 24Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, at Southland Indoor Championships, Norman, Okla., All Day
Friday, February 25Baseball, vs. Alabama (USA Jaguar Classic), Mobile, Ala., 1 p.m.Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, at Southland Indoor Championships, Norman, Okla., All Day
Saturday, February 26Men’s Basketball, vs. Central Arkansas, University Center, 3 p.m. (KSLU)*Women’s Basketball, at Central Arkansas, University Center, 2 p.m.*Baseball, vs. Central Florida (USA Jaguar Classic), Mobile, Ala., 4:30 p.m.Softball, vs. Alcorn State, North Oak Park, 2 p.m.Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, at Southland Indoor Championships, Norman, Okla., All Day
Sunday, February 27Baseball, at South Alabama (USA Jaguar Classic), Mobile, Ala., 2:30 p.m.Softball, vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (DH), North Oak Park, 12 p.m.
Southeastern home events in bold
* - Southland Conference game
Dr. Anna Kleiner (Sociology and Criminal Justice) delivered the presidential address titled “From Vulnerability to Resiliency: Achieving Sustainable Communities through Social Science” and a research paper titled “The Mississippi Blues: Exploring Psycho-Social Stress in the Delta and Gulf Coast Regions of Mississippi” (with Green, Montgomery, Thomas, and Vereen) at the annual meeting of the Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) in Corpus Christi.
Dennis Sipiorski (Fine and Performing Arts) has been invited to exhibit works during the national ceramic educators conference to be held in Tampa, FL this April. He will exhibit a select body of new ceramic works in an invited exhibition.
Herb Holloway (Business Research Center) was an invited speaker at the 2011 Annual Convention of the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals in Baton Rouge on Feb. 4. His presentation entitled “How Big is Your Bang? Measuring the Economic Impact of Your Fair or Festival,” resulted in the BRC assisting organizers of the Railroad Days Festival in DeQuincy, La., with the design of a survey to collect information at the April 2011 event. The BRC will then conduct the economic impact analysis and provide a completed report to the group for assistance with future funding and support.
Gary Keown (Fine and Performing Arts) was chosen to exhibit his sculpture at the 45th Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Exhibition in the Joseph A. Cain Memorial Gallery at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. The exhibition will be on view from Feb. 18 - May 6.
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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