IN THIS ISSUE ... | ||
Student takes second place in regional piano competition

Southeastern piano performance major Liliia Oliinyk claimed second place in the Music Teachers National Association’s South Central Regional Young Artists competition held Sunday (Jan. 15) at the University of Texas in Austin.
Oliinyk, a senior from the Ukraine who studies under Southeastern Associate Professor of Piano Kenneth Boulton, was Louisiana’s representative in the regional after winning the state competition last October at LSU. As the state’s representative, she competed against students from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
She will serve as an alternate representative to the national competition should the regional winner, Mikhail Berestnev of Texas Christian University, be unable to participate.
In addition to winning the MTNA’s state competition, Oliinyk was the grand prize winner of the 2009 DeBose national Piano Competition held in Baton Rouge and placed second in the 2009 Rapides Young Artist Concerto Competition in Alexandria. She is a graduate of Kherson Music College in the Ukraine, where she won numerous awards and honors prior to coming to Southeastern.
Southeastern Art Gallery Announces spring schedule
Southeastern’s Contemporary Art Gallery will hold a series of exhibitions this semester
at the gallery located in East Strawberry Stadium.
Curator Dale Newkirk announced the first event, the Faculty Exhibition, will
run from Jan. 26 to Feb. 24. Featuring the works of 19 professors and instructors,
the annual exhibition includes art works of various media that represent the individual
talents and artistic concentrations in which the artists specialize. The exhibition
includes an opening reception from 5 7 p.m. on Jan. 26.
Also on tap is the Student Exhibition from March 8 through April 5, with an opening
reception from 5 7 p.m. on March 8.
“The annual Student Exhibition is a juried show featuring artwork produced by
Southeastern’s visual arts students. This comprehensive exhibition will highlight
artwork from all of the major visual arts concentrations offered at Southeastern,”
Newkirk said. “This exhibition is an excellent opportunity to see the very best of
what some of Southeastern’s most talented visual art students are creating.”
The semester will conclude with the 2012 Spring Senior Exhibition April 26 through
May 12 and will feature various works and styles of art contributed by senior students
in the university’s visual arts program.
“The Visual Arts Senior Exhibition provides an opportunity for graduating seniors
to showcase their work in a professional setting and to demonstrate the talents they
have refined and augmented over the course of their education,” Newkirk said. “The
seniors’ exhibitions will display the very best of their bodies of work in their respective
visual arts concentrations. All faculty members, students, members of the community,
and family of the graduating seniors are invited to view this exhibition and recognize
the talent demonstrated by the graduating senior artists.”
All exhibitions are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through
Thursday, 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesday and from
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday. For more information, contact the visual arts program
at 549-2193 or Newkirk at 549-5080.
Sims Library to sponsor Civil War reading and discussion series
Sims Memorial Library will host the reading and discussion series “Let’s Talk About
It: Making Sense of the American Civil War” on five Tuesday evenings, beginning Jan.
31.
Each participant who pre-registers will receive three free books through a grant
funded by the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Discussions will be led by Southeastern History professor Dr. Harry Laver.
Six additional free Civil War presentations will be led by Southeastern faculty
at various Tangipahoa Parish Library System branches, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Full details for all the programs and registration information are available by phoning
Beth Stahr at 549-5056 or online at: http://selu.libguides.com/civilwar.
Southeastern hosts Future City Competition
Southeastern hosted the first Louisiana Regional Future City Competition on Saturday,
an event for middle school student teams to imagine, design and build cities of the
future.
Sponsored by Shell Oil, the event was coordinated by Southeastern’s Department
of Computer Science and Industrial Technology.
Two teams from Baton Rouge, St. Thomas More Catholic School and Episcopal High
School, competed in the event, presenting a research essay describing their concept,
a model constructed of recycled materials, and a presentation using SimCity-4 software
that incorporates their ideas. St. Thomas More Catholic School won the competition
and will move to the final national competition next month in Washington, DC.
Chris Koutsougeras of the Southeastern Department of Computer Science and Industrial
Technology served as regional coordinator for the events. Judges consisted of professional
engineers and members of the Southeastern faculty.
“With a very short deadline, the two teams managed to put together excellent
entries, working in close cooperation with their teachers and professional engineer
mentors from their community,” Koutsougeras said.
Dan McCarthy, dean of the College of Science and Technology, emphasized to participants
that Southeastern has a major focus on science and technology and is earning a strong
reputation for the quality of its programs. In addition to the Future City competition,
the university also hosts the statewide Science Olympiad in the spring.
Attending the event on behalf of Shell Oil was Evette Torres, workforce development
specialist from Houston. She said Future City was started in 2005 and has grown steadily
since its introduction. Last year 400 teams participated and 1,300 teams are participating
this year.
Above: The winning team consisted of students, from left,Vincent Bianca, Amie Martinez, engineer Casey O’Quin, students Stormy Verret, Amie Martinez, and Sam Levretich. With them is program coordinator Chris Koutsougeras of Southeastern’s Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology, and St. Thomas More teacher Shirley Newman.
Extended Studies news
Hammond Introduction to Computers (Jan. 31, 1 to 5 p.m.)
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.
Digital Voice Writing for Court Reporting (Seven months beginning Jan. 31, 6 to 9 p.m.)
The program is designed to prepare students for the state licensing exam and for entry-level
employment as a court reporter, developing dictation, computer, and word processing
skills. The cost is $2,550.
Guitar for Beginners (Six Mondays, beginning Jan. 30, 7 to 8 p.m.)
Participants for the course, which includes chords, strumming patterns, and note reading,
must be 13 years old or older and have their own playable instrument. The cost is
$50 with a book fee of $21.75 payable to the instructor.
Introduction to AutoCAD (Feb. 1, 5 to 9 p.m.)
Students can prepare to enter this growing profession by learning the fundamental
drafting and computer aided drafting (CAD) skills that can be applied to all types
of drafting. Students can earn 2.0 continuing education units (CEUs) for successfully
completing this course. The cost is $250 with a $40 material fee.
Autodesk Inventer 2010 Essentials (Thursdays beginning Feb. 2, 5 to 9 p.m.)
Participants will learn how to use this industry-standard, parametric software to
create parts and assembly models, document their designs with drawing views, and automate
the design process. Participants should have a working knowledge of basic mechanical
design and Microsoft Windows. The cost is $450.
Mandeville Digital Voice Writing for Court Reporting (Seven months beginning Feb. 2, 6 to 9 p.m.)
The program is designed to prepare students for the state licensing exam and for entry-level
employment as a court reporter, developing dictation, computer, and word processing
skills. The cost is $2,550.
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
Southeastern in the news
BR AdvocateStrawberry Stadium scheduled to receive quality, upgraded turf
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/1789239-123/strawberry-stadium-scheduled-to-receive.html
WAFB.comOnline tax seminars offered
http://tangipahoa.wafb.com/news/business/51863-online-tax-seminars-offeredTime change for online tax seminars
http://tangipahoa.wafb.com/news/business/51863-times-changes-online-tax-seminars-offered-southeastern
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 2012 semester:
Term 1 (January 17 to March 5) Packets delivered to Departments, Friday, February 24
Administration of SOT, Monday to Friday, February 27 to March 2
Deadline to be returned to IR&A, Friday, March 4
Full Term (January 17 to May 4) Packets delivered to Departments, Friday, March 9
Administration of SOT, Tuesday to Friday, April 10 to 20
Deadline to be returned to IR&A, Friday, April 20
Term 2 (March 12 to May 4) Packets delivered to Departments, Friday, April 20
Spring Break, Friday to Friday, April 6 to 13
Administration of SOT, Monday to Friday, April 30 to May 4
Deadline to be returned to IR&A, Friday, May 4
Any questions regarding SOT administration should be directed to Glenda at extension 2077.
This Week in Athletics
The Jam the Jungle and Play4Kay promotions are on tap in conjunction with this week’s
Southeastern basketball home games during this week in Southeastern Athletics.
The Southeastern men’s basketball team (7-10, 1-4 Southland) will host Central
Arkansas on Wednesday at 7 p.m., as Southeastern Athletics and the Southeastern Campus
Activities Board (CAB) partner to bring students the annual “Jam the Jungle” game.
The first 200 students will receive a free t-shirt and students will receive free
food as available. One lucky student will also have the opportunity to take a half
court shot at halftime for $10,000.
The first 500 fans will be entered in a draw down raffle for a grand prize of
$200 cash; 100 fans entered in the raffle will receive a free t-shirt, while 20 fans
will win vouchers for Top Cat courtside seats. To show their Lion pride, Southeastern
fans attending the game are encouraged to wear green.
On Saturday, the Lady Lions (5-12, 0-4 Southland) will host Northwestern State
at 2 p.m. for the Play4Kay game dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness. Breast
cancer survivors in attendance will be honored by Southeastern at halftime. In addition,
Pink Links will be sold to display throughout the arena with proceeds benefitting
the fight against breast cancer. Senior guard Jessica Sommers will be Saturday’s Spotlight
Player of the Game, and the first 100 fans will receive a trading card featuring the
San Antonio native.
The Play 4Kay initiative was most recently known as the WBCA Pink Zone before
being rebranded prior to the 2011-12 season. The mission of the initiative, which
was brought to life in 2007, will remain intact: a nation of coaches raising breast
cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. The Kay
Yow Cancer Fund will continue to be the official charity of the initiative.
Also on tap this week, the Lady Lions will head to Central Arkansas on Wednesday
at 7 p.m. and the Lions head to Northwestern State on Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest.
Both of the road games will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9)
and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net. The home game broadcasts will be available at LionSports.net exclusively.
Wednesday, January 25 Men’s Basketball, vs. Central Arkansas (Jam the Jungle), University Center, 7 p.m.*
Women’s Basketball, at Central Arkansas, Conway, Ark., 7 p.m. (KSLU)*
Saturday, January 28 Women’s Basketball, vs. Northwestern State (Play4Kay), University Center, 2 p.m.*
Men’s Basketball, at Northwestern State, Natchitoches, 2 p.m. (KSLU)*
Southeastern home events in bold
* - Southland Conference game
Professional activities
Two Southeastern faculty members have contributed chapters to the book, Do You Believe in Rock ‘n’ Roll?: Essays on the Historical and Cultural Significance
of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie, edited by Raymond I. Schuck and Ray Schuck and forthcoming from McFarland and Company
in 2012: Joseph E. Burns (Languages and Communication), “A Long, Long Time Ago: An Interpretation of the Lyrics
of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie,’” and William B. Robison (History and Political Science), “Eight-And-A-Half Minutes Is A Long, Long Time:
The Music-Cultural and Musicological Context of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie.’” The
book marks the 40th anniversary of ‘American Pie.’ Released in late 1971, it spent
four weeks at number one on the Billboard singles chart 1972.
Dr. Becky Sue Parton (Educational Leadership and Technology) was selected state-wide educator of the year
by LACUE (Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators) on November 29, 2011
in New Orleans.
C. Roy Blackwood (Fine and Performing Arts) professor and interim director of the Columbia Theatre
for the Performing Arts has currated the Marjorie Morrison Invitational Sculpture
Biennial at the Hammond Regional Arts Center, 217 E. Thomas, Hammond. The exhibition
opening reception was January 13, and the exhibit will remain open Tuesdays through
Saturdays until February 4. The Art Center celebrates its 30 year anniversary this
spring, and the exhibition celebrates Morrison’s many contributions to the arts in
Hammond and the region.
Dr. Evelyne M. Bornier (Foreign Languages and Communication) has had a book article “Kaoutar Harchi: Zone
cinglée, Apocalypse now made in banlieue” accepted for publication. Dr. Bornier’s
article will appear in an upcoming book on women authors from the Maghreb (Paris,
Edition L’Harmattan).
ByLionis published weekly online (bi-weekly during the summer session) for the faculty and staff of Southeastern Louisiana University. Send submissions to publicinfo@southeastern.edu, SLU 10880, fax 985-549-2061, or bring to University Marketing and Communications Office in East Stadium. Submission deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Return to By-Lion directory