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Southeastern Sustainability Center earns award from USGBC Louisiana
The Southeastern Sustainability Center has been awarded the Operational Excellence
Champion Award by the Louisiana Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC Louisiana).
Director of the Southeastern Physical Plant Byron Patterson accepted the award
on behalf of his team for its efforts to make the campus as energy efficient as possible.
USGBC is a nonprofit organization that houses Green Business Certification Inc.,
the only group to administer project certifications and professional credentials and
certificates within the framework of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Green
Building Rating System. LEED designation is the international standard for environmentally
sound buildings.
The USGBC cited the Southeastern team for implementing energy efficient technologies
that are saving energy and money for the university.
“Byron Patterson and his team at Southeastern are dedicated to consistently improving
campus facilities, creatively engaging stakeholders and enthusiastically sharing their
expertise and sustainability knowledge with students, the regional community and beyond,”
said Shannon Stage, executive director of USGBC Louisiana. “They have established
a standard of energy efficiency that universities around the state are trying to emulate.
The Sustainability Center on Southeastern’s campus is a teaching tool unlike any other
in our area.”
The university instituted the Sustainability Center in order to save operating
dollars and reduce waste going to landfills, while at the same time providing an invaluable
learning component for students involved in energy, mechanical and construction engineering
technology.
“Budget cuts over the last several years forced us to think in terms of economics,”
said Patterson. “With the strong financial support of our Student Government Association,
we’ve started initiatives that have reduced commercial energy dependence and have
had a significant return on our investment.”
Among the elements of the Sustainability Center are solar panels on a number
of university buildings that generate hot water, as well as electricity; a strong
recycling program designed to reduce waste going to landfills by 80 percent; a tree
and plant farm, in which the university cultivates its own plants and trees for landscaping
on campus; a composting area that converts landscape waste into useable mulch and
compost; and rainwater retention ponds that provide irrigation for plants and support
a geothermal system for one of the center’s technology-rich classrooms.
The Environmental Education Development Outreach within the Sustainability Center,
which is under consideration for LEED certification, was designed by engineering technology
students for use in research, education and other educational activities. The room
includes numerous monitoring tools constructed by students to determine performance
of the solar panels, wind turbine, and geothermal system.
“The center provides our students with a hands-on, real-world learning environment
and research opportunities,” explained Lu Yuan, interim head of the Department of
Computer Science and Industrial Technology. “With several types of energy technologies,
our students have the ability to make adjustments to these devices and observe in
real time how the energy output is affected. It’s a proving ground to help determine
what works best and can be implemented to save energy costs.”
SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP AWARD TO SOUTHEASTERN – Members of Southeastern Physical Plant staff display the Operational Excellence
Champion Award presented by the Louisiana Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council
for the university’s Sustainability Center. Pictured are, from left, Physical Plant
Director Byron Patterson; Carlos Doolittle, manager of grounds, landscape and recycling;
Assistant Director Mark Whitmar; and Associate Director Chris Aspiron.
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Southeastern Channel student-produced news feature wins Emmy award
For the fourth straight year, a Southeastern student-produced piece for the Southeastern
Channel has won a coveted Emmy award.
“Twin Spans Rebuilt,” a feature story by Brittany Robinson of Slidell, won the
Emmy in the “Writing” category presented by the National Academy of Television Arts
and Sciences. The story was recognized in the NATAS Suncoast Region, which is comprised
of universities, television stations and production entities in Florida, Alabama,
Georgia, Louisiana and Puerto Rico.
“Twin Spans Rebuilt” covers the massive Hurricane Katrina destruction of the
Interstate 10 twin span bridges between New Orleans and Slidell in August 2005. The
story shows how rebuilding the twin spans with a new design led to the reopening of
the new $803 million bridge in September 2011.
Robinson wrote and produced the story for the Southeastern Channel’s news magazine
show, “Southeastern Times,” to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Katrina. She
used the bridge rebuilding as a metaphor for the resiliency of Louisiana citizens
impacted by the storm.
She composed the story as part of a television news magazine production class
taught by Cheryl Settoon in the Electronic Media Concentration of Southeastern’s Department
of Languages and Communication.
“It’s surreal,” Robinson said. “I keep pinching myself because it feels like
I’m in a dream, and then I realize this is real life, and I actually won an Emmy!
It feels like all my hard work has finally paid off.”
NATAS awards an Emmy after rounds of judging against the Emmy standard of excellence,
not against other productions.
“The Emmy is the highest award that you can win in television, and Brittany’s
creative writing style and production talent have carved a compelling, moving and
impactful story well worthy of this highest recognition,” said Southeastern Channel
General Manager Rick Settoon. “We’re thrilled for Brittany and that our television
and film students continue to be honored at the highest level.”
Robinson extensively researched archival footage and photographs from the twin
span collapse, using interviews from eyewitnesses and WDSU-TV reporter Fletcher Mackel,
who reported from the foundation pillars days after the bridge plunged into Lake Pontchartrain.
“I feel that I was able to win in the writing category because I was a native
of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit, and I understood first-hand how the people
of New Orleans felt during the disaster,” Robinson said. “With the story hitting so
close to home, I think I was able to write on behalf of all New Orleanians affected.
I feel that the strength of my story was the adjectives and how they made viewers
feel like they were actually on the Twin Span before and after the rebuilding.
“The Southeastern Channel has given me the tools that I need to go into the real
world and be a success,” Robinson added. “The Channel has taught me to be versatile
in my career.”
In addition to the Emmy, Robinson’s story also won earlier this year “Best in
the South” recognition by the Southeast Journalism Conference and a regional Mark
of Excellence award given by the Society of Professional Journalists.
Two other Southeastern Channel students won honorable mention recognitions from
NATAS for their work.
Grace Jovanovic of Slidell won an honorable mention for “Photography” for her
videography work in the music video, “Stolen Dance,” and also in the “Editing” category
for her editing composite.
Dominique Brogle of Destrehan won an honorable mention for “Newscast” for the
March 5, 2015 episode of the student program, “Northshore News.” Brogle is a producer,
anchor and reporter for the newscast.
The Southeastern Channel has now won 13 Emmys and received 51 Emmy nominations
in the past 11 years. The channel can be seen on Charter Cable 199 throughout the
North Shore. Its live 24/7 webcast and video on demand can be seen at www.southeastern.edu/tv.
SOUTHEASTERN STUDENTS WIN EMMY HONORS- Southeastern Channel students were recently honored with prestigious Emmy Awards
by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Suncoast Region. Pictured,
from left, are Dominique Brogle of Destrehan, Southeastern Channel General Manager
Rick Settoon, Brittany Robinson of Slidell, and Grace Jovanovic of Slidell.
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Southeastern Foundation presents check to support academics
The Southeastern Foundation presented a check in the amount of $85,000 to the Southeastern’s
Office of the Provost to help support the university’s academic initiatives. The funds
were raised through the Foundation’s annual Chefs Evening and its All In for Southeastern
day of giving. Pictured, from left, are Foundation Director of Annual Giving Lauren
Williams, Athletics Director Jay Artigues, Vice President for University Advancement
Wendy Lauderdale, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Tammy Bourg.
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Southeastern history faculty to teach at A+PEL American Studies Conference June 10
Two members of Southeastern’s history faculty will lead the annual American Studies
Conference of the Associate Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL). This year’s
theme is “From Chalmette to Chapultepec: (Re) Considering American Continentalism
in the Age of Old and Young Hickory (1815-1848) and in Your Classroom.”
The conference will be held Friday, June 10, at the LABI Conference Center, 3113
Valley Creek Drive in Baton Rouge. Cost to attend the conference, which is intended
for elementary and secondary social studies teachers, is $25. Lunch will be provided
and eight CLUs awarded. Reservations should be made as soon as possible at the website
apeleducators.org, as slots are filled on a first come, first served basis.
The program will include presentations on “There Can Be No Binding Oaths Between
Man and Lions: The Mexican War’s Manifest Destiny in American Continentalism” by Charles
Elliott, Southeastern instructor of undergraduate and graduate courses in Louisiana,
American Frontier, and 19th Century American History; and “The British (Maybe) are
Coming: England and the United States as Old Enemies and New Friends at Mid-century”
by William B. Robison, professor of history and head of the Southeastern Department
of History and Political Science.
The program will conclude with a panel discussion “Heads-ups, Hands-ons, and
Hand-outs: Taking (and Talking) American Continentalism into Your Classroom with Articles
and Primary Documents” led by Tangipahoa Parish School System Curriculum Supervisor
Ann Trappey and Dana Morrison of the Sherwood Middle Academic School in East Baton
Rouge Parish. Participating in the panel will be conference faculty, staff and attending
teachers.
Also participating is Southeastern graduate Chase Tomlin, now a doctoral candidate
at LSU.
For more information, visit the website apeleducators.org.
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Southeastern professor discusses teaching vocation in new book
What does it mean to be a teacher? For Southeastern Professor of Education James
Kirylo, teaching is more than just a job, it is a calling or vocation that carries
with it significant responsibilities.
In his new book, “Teaching with Purpose: An Inquiry into the Who, Why, and How
We Teach,” Kirylo underscores what it means to be an insightful teacher and the critical
aspects that intersect the teaching and learning process. The text, published by Rowman
and Littlefield of Lanham, Md., is designed to be informative for educators, as well
as policy-makers and those who have a general interest in what it takes to be a teacher.
“Being called a teacher is an earned privilege that carries a great sense of
responsibility. For five days a week and numerous months of the year, teachers work
with other people’s most treasured gifts, their children,” Kirylo said. “It cannot
be overstated that the teacher is the most important element in fostering an energetic,
engaging and inspiring classroom environment where authentic learning can take place,”
he added.
Kirylo further points out that teachers must have what he describes as five components
of knowledge, which include knowledge of students, subject matter, pedagogy, learning
and classroom management. Moreover, he underscores the point that all teachers should
possess what Kirylo characterizes as six dispositions of significance, comprised of
love, faith, home, humility, compassion and persistence.
He said education is about relationships and working with human beings on their
dreams, goals and inspirations.
“Teachers teach children, not a discipline or subject matter. The chief task
of a teacher is to inspire, to ignite in the student an aspiration toward accomplishment,”
said Kirylo, who has earned one of Southeastern’s highest honors, the President’s
Award for Excellence.
Kirylo also urges teachers to know the politics of education. It’s important,
he said, to be well informed about the political climate and process.
The book is receiving excellent reviews from fellow educators.
“In this time of teacher-bashing, James Kirylo’s book offers new hope,” says
City College of New York Professor of Psychology William Crain. “Kirylo describes
teaching as the development of basic human virtues, including self-understanding,
caring relationships, the ability to inspire and attention to those most in need.”
“James Kirylo skillfully reminds us of what constitutes as purposeful teaching
at a time when test taking seems to be valued over teaching students to become life-long
learners,” wrote Vidya Thirumurthy, associate professor of education at Pacific Lutheran
University. “He pithily articulates the major principles that all teachers must bear
in mind: that the rectitude of teaching depends much on the teacher’s disposition
and ability to reflect, to build relationships with students, to hone every child’s
natural talent and gifts so they may attain their full potential.”
“Teaching with Purpose” is available through the publisher and Amazon.
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Registration open for Southeastern's Rec Sports and Wellness summer camps
Southeastern's Department of Recreational Sports and Wellness is offering several
summer activities for kids this summer, with everything from week long summer camps
to swimming lessons.
Created for children ages 5 to 13, “Camp Rec” is an option for parents who want
their children to have fun and stay physically active while developing social skills,
confidence and independence.
Camp Rec is offered weekly through July 29. Scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each
day, Camp Rec will have a variety of activities planned throughout the summer and
will take place in the Pennington Student Activity Center, located at the corner of
University Avenue and General Pershing Avenue.
Dollie Hebert-Crouch, director of Recreational Sports and Wellness, said each
week’s focus is intended to improve a child’s health and fitness and build self-confidence
through activities that include outdoor adventures, field day games, arts and crafts,
health and fitness talks, relay races, swimming, and field trips. New to Camp Rec
this year are culinary and robotics activities.
“We are committed to creating an unforgettable summer camp experience in a safe
and supportive environment,” said Hebert-Crouch. “The Camp Rec experience is fun,
exciting and filled with challenging activities that teach the campers the values
of trust, friendship and teamwork.”
Field trips planned for this year’s camps are as follows: June 6 – 10, Yogi Bear
Park; June 13 – 17, Hammond Fire Department, Hammond Police Department and Water Day;
June 20 – 14: AMC Theaters to see “Finding Dory;” June 27 - July 1, Aquarium of the
Americas; July 5 – 8, Louisiana Arts and Science Museum; July 11 – 15, Hammond Regional
Airport and Water Day; July 18 – 22, Bowling and Water Day; and July 25 – 29, Elevation
Station.
The weekly fee of $145 for campers and $140 for siblings includes breakfast and
snacks each day, as well as a Camp Rec t-shirt. Weekly field trips are also included
in the camp fee. Early drop off at 7 a.m. and late pickup, from 4 - 5:45 p.m. is $30
per camper for the week for both or $15 for either early drop off or late pickup.
Registration for Camp Rec is $50 per family and is waived for Pennington Student Activity
Center members.
In addition to Camp Rec, Recreational Sports and Wellness is also offering a Judo
camp and swimming lessons this summer. Swimming lessons are offered Mondays, Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 12 to 12:45 p.m. at the Kinesiology Building pool. The fee is $60
per week for Camp Rec campers and $75 per week for non-campers.
The Judo Camp is scheduled June 20 – July 1, Monday through Thursday, from 4 to
6 p.m. Cost for the two-week camp is $175.
To register, or for more information, call 549-5591.
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June 15 is final day for Southeastern students to apply for summer 2016 graduation
The final day for Southeastern students to apply to graduate in summer 2016 is June
15, the university announced today.
The graduation application and payment deadlines will be strictly enforced, university
officials said.
Candidates for associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral 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.southeastern.edu; then click on “Graduation
Information – Apply for Graduation” or call Southeastern’s Office of the Registrar
at 549-2066.
The $25 application fee should be paid directly to the Controller’s Office, located
on North Campus in the Financial Aid Building.
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