|
IN THIS ISSUE ...
|
||
|
Computer scientist aids Bradken OSHE program receives accreditation |
Northshore College Fair Tuesday Kirylo honored at book reception |
|
Southeastern computer scientist works with Bradken to facilitate expansion
After the global manufacturing company Bradken started to expand its Amite facility, their local leaders didn’t have far to go for help in optimizing the additional floor space.
They looked 10 miles south to Southeastern, specifically its Southeast Louisiana Business Center, which works closely with businesses entering the region looking to set up shop or expand their operations.
Bradken’s main question: How do we optimize the new expansion space based on the increase in production?
“Basically, Bradken was looking for a simulation program,” said Aron Culotta, Southeastern assistant professor of computer science. “The process there involves making large steel castings from sand molds that then need some time to cool before being moved. The castings take up a lot of space.”
Culotta, who has experience in developing simulation software, wrote the program from scratch using Javascript. He said while commercial software is available, it would require a lot of modifications to meet Bradken’s specifications.
“In this case, we’re designing the program so it is already customized for them,” he explained.
“It’s a manufacturing logistics problem that takes into account other factors, such as manpower,” he explained. “The program allows the user to make edits and to adjust factors to achieve the best outcome for their situation. The client will be able to determine how different decisions affect the total number of castings made. For example, one might consider adding space to increase the capacity of a particular stage of the operation, adding employees to improve the throughput, or extending the hours of workers. What we’re doing is nailing down the specifics to accurately model the whole process.”
“The simulation software will mimic foundry flow and will help us to predict any problems” said Cost Improvement Manager Steve Jones at the Amite facility.
Under an agreement, Braken will retain exclusive use of the software for its foundry business. Culotta said the product could possibly be adapted for other types of manufacturers.
“If it proves to be successful, we expect to use it in some of our other facilities,” Jones said. Bradken operates 26 manufacturing and service facilities in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, China and the United Kingdom. The Amite facility is one of six plants in the United States.
The expansion of the Amite plant represents a capital investment of $18.1 million. The expansion includes extending the foundry building and installing key manufacturing equipment. Louisiana Economic Development began working with Bradken officials in 2010 to identify company needs to support of its expansion.
Bradken was referred to the Southeast Louisiana Business Center by individuals with the state’s Louisiana Faststart, a program that produces customized workforce training for industries investing in the state. Their initial meeting with center Director William Joubert and his staff led them to the university’s computer science department and Culotta.
“Part of our role is to link university resources and expertise with individuals and companies looking to do business in the region,” said Joubert. “The university has a wide array of specialists in many technical and non-technical fields who are eager to lend their knowledge and expertise to business.”
“Everyone at Southeastern has been very helpful, motivated and timely in getting this tool created,” Jones added.
Above: Aron Culotta, left, assistant professor of computer science at Southeastern, worked closely with Steve Jones, cost improvement manager at the Bradken plant in Amite, to develop a simulation model designed to optimize expansion at the plant.
Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Program receives national accreditation
Southeastern’s bachelor’s program in occupational safety, health and environment – the only one of its kind in the state – has been accredited by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.
ABET is the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology. Southeastern’s program is only the third environmental, health and safety and similarly named programs in the nation accredited under the Applied Science Accreditation Commission.
“Accreditation by ABET for this program is a seal of approval following an evaluation process intended to ensure the quality of a specific program,” said Daniel McCarthy, dean of the College of Science and Technology. “Accreditation is assurance that the program meets the quality standards established by the profession.”
The bachelor of science program at Southeastern was approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents in 2004 and grew from an associate degree program the university initiated 10 years earlier. The program was designed to meet the needs of industries in the region for trained and educated professionals qualified to work in the increasingly complex field of safety and health in the industrial setting.
“Safety and health in the workplace is highly regulated by state and national agencies and requires well-prepared professionals to protect the health and safety of many workers in Louisiana,” McCarthy said.
The program was developed with considerable input from managers at area industries that employ health and safety professionals, who reported a significant need for health and safety professionals in the regional and statewide workforce. The program prepares students for a variety of positions, including roles of safety engineers and safety supervisors.
Connie Fabre, executive director of the Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance, which worked with Southeastern in developing its program, said the accreditation is good news for Louisiana industry.
“We congratulate Southeastern on the ABET accreditation, and we’re proud to have been a part of the program’s initial development,” said Fabre, whose association includes members from 53 area industrial plants. “Accreditation lends even more credibility to an already excellent program.”
McCarthy explained that the accreditation process requires programs to undergo a comprehensive self-evaluation and on-site visits conducted by teams of experts who work in industry, government and education. The review focuses on program curricula, faculty qualifications, technology and facilities available to students and other areas.
In addition to providing institutions a process to assess, evaluate and improve their programs, accreditation is also intended to help students choose quality college programs and enable employers to recruit graduates they know are well prepared, he added.
ABET is a not-for-profit organization that is owned and operated by more than 25 professional and technical member associations. With more than 1,500 volunteers, ABET has set higher education standards in various fields for nearly 75 years.
Southeastern students, alumni invited to professional presence and etiquette seminars
Southeastern students and alumni are invited to participate in professional presence and etiquette seminars in anticipation of Career Fair 2011, the Office of Career Services’ annual university wide career event on Sept. 21.
Held as a benefit exclusively for Southeastern students and alumni, the seminars are scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the Student Union, room 223 and Thursday, Sept. 15, at 12:30 in Garrett Hall, room 14.
“Participants will learn how to more effectively interact with employers, dress in acceptable attire, and better prepare one’s time before, during and after Career Fair 2011,” said Ken Ridgedell, director of Career Services.
Over 130 employers will participate in Career Fair 2011, which is scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Pennington Student Activity Center on the corner of University Avenue and General Pershing.
To get the most out of the fair, Ridgedell said students and alumni should bring copies of their resumes; be prepared to briefly discuss career interests, goals, knowledge and skills; and collect brochures and business cards.
Resume FAQs and samples are also available at www.selu.edu/career. For additional information on Career Fair 2011 or pre-fair seminars, visit www.selu.edu/careerfairinfo or contact Career Services at (985) 549 2121 or careerservices@selu.edu.
Remembering 9-11 with World Trade Center steel
Southeastern industrial technology instructor Anthony Blakeney talks with student Jenny Wolfe of Central about a block of steel originally from the World Trade Center that was used in the fashioning of the bow stem of the ship USS New York at the Bradken-Amite Foundry several years ago. Blakeney volunteered with the Southeastern Student Veterans Association in staffing the display in the Student Union mall Thursday (Sept. 8) in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Southeastern to host Northshore College & Career Fair Sept. 13
High school students and their parents can get an informal introduction to college as well as valuable information about scholarships, financial aid, and admission requirements at the first Northshore College and Career Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
The event – one of the largest college fairs in the state with more than 100 colleges and universities from throughout the state and nation – will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Southeastern’s Pennington Center, located on the corner of University Avenue and General Pershing Street.
The fair merges Tangi Night and the St. Tammany Parish College Fair, which were traditionally held independently each fall. Open to all Tangipahoa Parish and St. Tammany Parish high school students and their parents, the event is scheduled in cooperation with the public school boards of both parishes.
Students can pre-register for their own special bar code at www.lacollegefairs.com to use at the event. Many vendors will be able to scan the codes to collect the students’ contact and interest information, eliminating the need to complete information cards at each table.
“This is the primary event for high school students and their families to learn more about selecting colleges and career options,” said Lori Fairburn, Southeastern director of enrollment services. “Students and their parents will be able to browse exhibits offering information on academic and career options, university admissions requirements, the state TOPS scholarship program, as well as other scholarship and financial aid opportunities.”
The fair will host college and technical program representatives from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other states, who will be on hand to inform the students about their respective areas of study. Banks and lenders will also be available to offer information on financial aid options.
For more information on the fair, contact Admissions at 1-800-222-7358 or e-mail northshorefair@selu.edu. Additional information about Southeastern, including admission requirements and scholarship opportunities, is available at southeastern.edu.
Kirylo book reception
The Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education and Human Development sponsored an author's reception for Associate Professor of Education James Kirylo. Kirylo recently authored the book Paulo Freire: The Man from Recife to celebrate the life and work of the educator who, he said, was “that rare person who emerges every so often in critical points in history when there is a need for a courageous, prophetic voice of conscience.”
Fine and Performing Arts to present Skype session, guest recital
Southeastern’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts will host two events – including one via Skype technology – this month in Pottle Annex Recital Hall.
The first event is a guest recital courtesy of Duo Fujin, a flute and saxophone duo that performs both traditional and contemporary music throughout the United States. Scheduled Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m., the recital is free.
“The program includes a variety of music, from Mozart to present day, including a composition inspired by a ‘secret ingredient’ and composed in just 12 hours,” said Kenneth Boulton, Fine and Performing Arts interim dean.
Duo Fujin has played for audiences throughout the United States, including performances in Indiana, Maryland, Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana, and consists of flutist Misty Theisen and saxophonist Marc Ballard.Theisen received degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi in music education (B.M.E.) and flute performance (M.M.). While teaching across the southeastern United States and at Worth Abbey in West Sussex, England, she studied with internationally recognized soloists Sir James Galway, Symphony Orchestra, and the Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Theisen won the state level of the Music Teachers’ National Association Young Artist Woodwind Competition in 2004 and proceeded to take honorable mention at the regional MTNA competition in Louisville.
Marc Ballard is currently an assistant professor of music at Xavier University in New Orleans. He holds the Bachelor of Music degree from Henderson State University and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied with Lawrence Gwozdz. His performances include appearances with Bernadette Peters, Bod Dorough, The Sinfonia Gulf Coast, The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Young at Heart Big Band, and the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra.
The second event is a free Skype Q & A session with world-renowned operatic star Joyce DiDonato on Sept. 19 at 1 p.m.
“Nothing like this has been attempted before,” Boulton said. “With Skype technology, we can now deliver lectures across the world. Ms. DiDonato will be coming to us live from Italy.”
For more information, contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at 985-549-2184.
Southeastern Channel TV students named among tops in nation
Four Southeastern student-produced television programs have been named finalists in the 2011 College Broadcasters National Student Production Awards competition.
The student-produced programs all aired on the Southeastern Channel, the university’s educational cable station operated in cooperation with Charter Communications. The channel airs on Charter Cable Channel 18 in Tangipahoa, St. Tammany and Livingston parishes and on Channel 17 in Washington Parish.
The program “Northshore News” took two of the four national finalist spots for “Best Television Newscast,” the only student program to be named a finalist twice in television news categories. “Northshore News” episodes of March 28 and April 20 were honored.
Student reporter Jessica LeBlanc of New Orleans was one of four national finalists chosen for “Best News Reporting” for her “Northshore News” story “Tracking Disease Trends with Twitter.”
The student entertainment program “College Night” was one of four finalists in the “Best General Entertainment Program” category.
The selections were made by College Broadcasters, Inc. from university broadcasters throughout the country. Only four national finalists were chosen for each category. The national winners will be announced at the CBI National Student Media Convention Oct. 25-27 in Orlando.
Students participating in “Northshore News” and other award-winning student television programs at Southeastern receive their training in the university’s Electronic Media Concentration in the Department of Languages and Communication degree program.
Other student reporters contributing to the newscasts were Chrissy Carter of Laplace, Hunter Robinson of Hahnville, Troylynn Williams of Baton Rouge, Branden Summers of Slidell, Tykesha Robertson of New Orleans, Jarvis Johnson of Baton Rouge, Scott Cardinale of Ponchatoula, and Nanuka Danelia of Georgia, Ukraine. Videographers were Nicholas Elliott of Mandeville, Daron Short of Hammond and Douglas Francis of Slidell.
Students contributing to the honored “College Night” episode were hosts Anna de Tiege of Mandeville and Heather Gonzales of Hammond, along with segment producers Joram Roubique of Denham Springs, Sujan Pant of Nepal, Justin Thymes of New Orleans, Wade Parsons of Independence and Nicole Brannigan of Long Beach, CA.
“It is a tremendous honor for our television students and their programs to once again be recognized at an elite level of college television in the country,” said Rick Settoon, channel general manager. “Although the program has existed for only four years, it was selected as one of the top three in the country over newscasts at much larger universities.
“It’s also a credit to those who train and mentor these students both at the Southeastern Channel and in the Department of Languages and Communication,” he added.
The award is the latest one to recognize the news program, which earlier this year was named the top college TV newscast in the South by the Southeast Journalism Conference. The program is supervised by Southeastern Channel staff member John Reis, former producer and anchor of “Northshore News.”
“We truly have the perfect combination of classroom curricula and real-world, hands-on experience that makes producing ‘Northshore News’ incredibly rewarding for students,” Reis said. “I enjoy working with students to produce a local news show that offers interesting, timely, relevant and in-depth coverage of local issues that viewers won’t see anywhere else.”
Above: The Southeastern Channel’s student news program “Northshore News” was named one of the top three college television newscasts in the country by College Broadcasters, Inc. News team members include, from left, videographer Nick Elliott of Mandeville, General Manager Rick Settoon, reporter/anchor Jessica Leblanc of New Orleans, reporter/anchor Chrissy Carter of Laplace, staff supervisor John Reis, and videographer Douglas Francis of Slidell. The entertainment show “College Night” was also named a national finalist.
FE-Lions announce schedule, recruit members
The FE-Lions, the popular social organization for female fans of Southeastern athletics, has announced its 2011-12 schedule and recruitment campaign for new members.
The organization has grown to more than 200 members, said Alumni Association Director Kathy Pittman. The FE-Lions host luncheons in conjunction with Lions home football games and sponsor other functions such as the annual “Champagne Bingo” fundraiser.
Annual dues are $10. Luncheon tickets are $16.50 until Sept. 7 and $20 after that date. Reservations must be made in advance.
“Our programs promise to be more fun than ever, with great speakers, lively commentary, delicious food, and spirited chatter among our members,” said Pittman. “You won’t want to miss a single event, and you surely won’t want to miss an opportunity to get your tickets for Champagne Bingo. It’s not too late to join the fun, so mark your calendars and get ready to show your FE-Lion spirit.”
FE-Lions luncheons will be held this year at Trey Yuen, 2100 N. Morrison Blvd. in Hammond, on Sept. 8 and 29, Oct. 19, Nov. 3 and 16, and Dec. 1. Champagne Bingo is scheduled for Jan. 28 at Southeastern’s Twelve Oaks.
Funds raised by the FE-Lions help support the Southeastern athletic program, including raising money for endowed scholarships and other activities. For additional information about the FE-Lions, contact the Southeastern Alumni Association at (985) 549-2150 or 1-800-758-2586.
Extended Studies news
Hammond
ACT Test Preparation (5 Mondays beginning Sept. 19 from 5 to 7 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.
MandevilleSHRM Learning System (Mondays 5:30 to 8 p.m. beginning Sept. 19; taught mostly online)
The course includes an in-depth study of human resource management, including responsibilities and knowledge defined by the HR Certification Institute. The cost is $1,095.
Microsoft Project 2010 (Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Students will be led with through the process of building and modifying a schedule using hands-on exercises including: adding tasks, organizing tasks in a work breakdown structure (WBS), sequencing (adding task relationship), creating and assigning resources, organizing project information, updating the schedule, and generating reports. The cost is $299 with the book provided.
WalkerACT Test Preparation (5 Mondays beginning Sept. 22 from 5 to 7 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.
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 Louisiana football, men’s golf, women’s soccer and volleyball teams will all be in action during this week in Southeastern Athletics.
Fresh off a 63-6 rout of Savannah State in the home opener, the Lion football team (1-1) will be back on the road this Saturday. Southeastern, which racked up 547 total yards and 32 first downs in last Saturday’s win, will face its second Football Bowl Subdivision of the season when it heads to Hattiesburg, Miss. for a 6 p.m. game at Southern Miss. Saturday’s game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net.
In conjunction with the Lions’ trip to Southern Miss, the Lion Athletics Association will sponsor a caravan and tailgate. The caravan will depart from the Dugas Center at 1 p.m. on Saturday with a tailgate near the USM stadium beginning at 4 p.m. Food and drinks will be available at the tailgate and the first 25 fans to arrive for the caravan will receive a Southeastern car flag. For more information on the LAA caravan and tailgate, contact Ro Trufant at (985) 549-5091 or ro.trufant@selu.edu.
After advancing to an NCAA Regional in each of the past two seasons, the Southeastern men’s golf team will open its fall schedule this week. The Lions will be in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Monday and Tuesday to compete in the Sam Hall Intercollegiate.
The Southeastern women’s soccer team (4-1-1) will return home for the first time in nearly a month on Friday, when it hosts Texas Southern at 4:30 p.m. at the Southeastern Soccer Complex. The Lady Lions will then hit the road again for a 1 p.m. match at Grambling on Sunday.
The Lady Lion volleyball team (3-9) will also return to Hammond after a long absence, hosting Louisiana-Monroe at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the University Center. Southeastern will then head to Houston, Texas to compete in the Houston Baptist Husky Classic. The Lady Lions will play Louisiana Tech at 4 p.m. and host Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. on Friday. Southeastern closes tournament play with an 11 a.m. match versus Southern Miss.
Monday, September 12
Men’s Golf, at Sam Hall Intercollegiate, Hattiesburg, Miss., All Day
Tuesday, September 13Volleyball, vs. Louisiana-Monroe, University Center, 7 p.m. Men’s Golf, at Sam Hall Intercollegiate, Hattiesburg, Miss., All Day
Friday, September 16Women’s Soccer, vs. Texas Southern, Southeastern Soccer Complex, 4:30 p.m.Volleyball, vs. Louisiana Tech (HBU Husky Classic), Houston, Texas, 4 p.m.Volleyball, at Houston Baptist (HBU Husky Classic), Houston, Texas, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 17Football, at Southern Miss, Hattiesburg, Miss., 6 p.m. (KSLU)Volleyball, vs. Southern Miss (HBU Husky Classic), Houston, Texas, 11 a.m.
Sunday, September 18Women’s Soccer at Grambling, Grambling, 1 p.m.
Southeastern home events in bold
Professional activities Dr. Anna Kleiner (Sociology and Criminal Justice) won third place in a research poster contest, with the title “Shifting the Boundaries of Vulnerability and Resilience: An Analysis of Nonprofit Services and Needs of Residents and Communities of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region” (with Green, Holley, Thomas, and Montgomery) and presented a research paper titled “Exploring Innovative Solutions to the Challenges Faced by Socially Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers” (with Green, Picciano, McCurty, and Meador) at a joint conference of the Rural Sociological Society and the Community Development Society, in Boise, Idaho.
Dr. Nina Simmons-Mackie (Communication Sciences and Disorders) presented an invited full day workshop entitled “Communication Support in Aphasia: Integrating AAC and Aphasia Intervention” at the annual Augmentative and Alternative Communication Conference in Omaha, NE, this summer. In addition, she co-presented a poster at the Clinical Aphasiology Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL entitled “Living successfully with aphasia during the first three months post onset.”
Denise Tullier-Holly (Southeastern Laboratory School) is the teacher spotlight in the latest issue of Teaching with Primary Sources Quarterly. This issue focuses on the variety of primary source formats available on loc.gov that teachers can bring into their classrooms. The purpose of the quarterly is to share effective strategies for using primary sources to engage students, and build their critical thinking skills and content knowledge.
Dr. Barbara Forrest (History and Political Science) delivered a presentation entitled “Why ‘Academic Freedom’ Is Neither Academic nor Free” at a Center for Inquiry workshop entitled “Evolution’s Defenders” in Amherst, NY, on August 20.
Dr. Glen J. Hemberger (Fine and Performing Arts) served as guest conductor for the 25th Anniversary Gala Concert of the Orquestra de Municipal Sopros de Caxias in July. One of the most popular groups in Brazil, the wind band performed works by American and British composers in a concert event attended by dignitaries and public officials from through the Rio Grande do Sul region. Caxias do Sul is a city of 420,000 located in the mountains north of Porte Alegre, RS in southern Brazil.
Dr. Luanne Billingsley (School of Nursing) and her research partner Dr. Karen Rice, program director for the Center for Nursing Research at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, presented “Virtual Journal Clubs Improve Critical Appraisal Skill Acquisition” at the 2011 Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice held in San Antonio.
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.
Return to By-Lion directory