ByLion
IN THIS ISSUE, AUGUST 21, 2017

Bedell named poet laureate
Lionpawlooza set Aug. 25
Students win Emmy scholarships

Art exhitit to feature photographers

Sponsored Research to host webinar

Faculty make YouTube eclipse video
Graduation application deadline set

Southeastern in the News
This Week in Athletics
Professional Activities

 

BYLION STORIES

Jack BedellSoutheastern professor named Louisiana Poet Laureate 
Southeastern Professor of English Jack Bedell of Hammond has been named the new poet laureate for the State of Louisiana by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
     Through a process coordinated by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the governor tapped Bedell to succeed Professor Peter Cooley of Tulane University, who served in that position since 2015. Nominees must have published works in books, anthologies, literary journals or magazines. The committee is charged with selecting nominees who reflect the diverse cultures and heritage of Louisiana.
     “Jack Bedell’s love for Louisiana is evident in his work, and I’m confident that he will serve honorably as the state’s poet laureate,” said Gov. Edwards. “I want to thank the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities for leading this search, and I congratulate all of the nominees whose writings capture the heart of the people and places that make our state a unique and wonderful place to call home.”          
     “I am stunned and honored by Gov. Edwards naming me Louisiana Poet Laureate,” said Bedell. “Knowing the quality of the writers who have preceded in the post, I have a hard time seeing myself as a member of the group. I owe Louisiana a profound debt. I think my work shows the love I have for my native state and for the people, places and traditions that have formed such a beautiful life for me and my family. I cannot wait to get started serving my term so I can repay a little of that debt by shining a light on the great poetry that is being produced all over Louisiana.”
     “The selection of Professor Bedell for State Poet Laureate is an honor well deserved,” said Tena L. Golding, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “His work reflects the hard working people of Louisiana and their culture. Southeastern is proud to share his talents with so many others through this selection.”
     “Since 1942, the post of the State Poet Laureate has been occupied by writers whose poetry reflects the region’s unique and rich culture,” said David Hanson, head of the Southeastern Department of English. “Jack Bedell’s poetry sustains that tradition with unfailing skill, thoughtfulness and engaging language. He well deserves his place in this historic success of admired writers.”
     The author of nine books of poetry, Bedell teaches creative writing to Southeastern students. He is a native of the Houma-Thibodaux area and joined the Southeastern faculty in 1992. In addition to teaching, he is editor of “Louisiana Literature,” a literary journal published by Southeastern, and serves as director of Louisiana Literature Press.
     Among his works are “Come Rain, Come Shine,” “What Passes for Love,” “At the Bonehouse,” and “Revenant.” Due to be released in 2018 is his new book “No Brother, This Storm.” Bedell has had numerous poems published in anthologies and journals.
     Bedell is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including having been nominated to serve as state Poet Laureate four times. He was honored with the Governor’s Award for Artistic Achievement in 2007, earned the 2005 Special Humanities Award from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and was honored with Southeastern’s President’s Award for Excellence in Artistic Activity in 1997, one of the highest awards presented by the university to faculty and staff.
     Bedell received his doctorate in English from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a master’s of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of Arkansas, and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

Southeastern to Host Lionpawlooza at “Hot August Night” on Aug. 25
Southeastern Athletics Marketing and Promotions will host Lionpawlooza in conjunction with the Hammond Downtown Development District’s “Hot August Night” on Aug. 25.
     This year’s event will begin at 6 p.m. with a pep rally to be held on the main DDD stage, located on the corner of SW Railroad Avenue and East Morris Avenue in the parking lot across the street from The Steak House. The pep rally will feature Southeastern head football coach Ron Roberts, the SLU football team, the Spirit of the Southland band, the Southeastern cheerleaders and the Lionette dance team.
     Following the pep rally, fans will have the opportunity to receive autographs from members of the 2017 Lions. There will also be giveaways available, as well as opportunities to purchase season tickets or join Lion Athletics Association’s coaches clubs.
     For more information on Lionpawlooza, contact SLU Coordinator of Athletic Marketing and Promotions Lindsey Cramer at 549-3227 or lindsey.cramer@southeastern.edu.

Southeastern Contemporary Art Gallery exhibit to feature photographers Gus Bennett Jr. and Michael Alford
Southeastern will host an exhibit featuring the work of Louisiana photographers Gus Bennett Jr. and Michael Alford in the university’s Contemporary Art Gallery.
     The exhibition will run from Aug. 30 – Sept. 29, with the opening reception scheduled Aug. 30 from 5 – 7 p.m. The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public.
     Interim Fine and Performing Arts Department Head and Gallery Director Dale Newkirk said this exhibition features photography by Bennett, a fine arts photographer based in New Orleans who has documented the lives of the cities’ minority populations for more than 25 years.
     “Gus Bennett’s photographs encourage the viewer to consider human form and shape through a stripping away of individual identities,” Newkirk said.
      The exhibition also features Alford’s long-term project, “A Different Kind of Truth.”

     “The photographic work examines the history and systematic mechanism of change within the New Orleans Charity Hospital, which was closed following Hurricane Katrina and remains abandoned after 300 years of service to the community,” Newkirk added.
     For more information on this exhibit and others, contact the Contemporary Art Gallery at 549-5080.

Sponsored Research to host webinar
The Office of Sponsored Research and Programs will be hosting the Louisiana Board of Regents (BoR) Programs and Process Webinar on Friday, Aug. 25, from 9 to 10 a.m. in McClimans Hall, room 105. The webinar will summarize departmental enhancement, research competitiveness and other program changes. BoR Deputy Commissioner for Sponsored Programs Carrie Robison will be available to answer general questions.

     To RSVP or receive additional information, contact Sponsored Research and Programs at osrc@southeastern.edu or 549-5312.

Faculty make YouTube eclipse video for parish schools
On Friday, Aug. 18, Gerard Blanchard (Chemistry and Physics) and William Robison (History and Political Science) delivered a 40-minute presentation to the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce meeting at Southeastern Alumni titled “Just the Fun Facts: The History and Science of the Eclipse,” which was filmed to be shown to students in all Tangipahoa Parish schools on Monday, Aug. 21, before the eclipse. It is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbzgPFkUT4I&feature=youtu.be.
     Blanchard is head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, professor of physics, and an authority on space physics, the study of the properties and dynamics of the volume of space between the photosphere of the sun and the atmosphere of the planets. Robison is head of the Department of History and Political Science, professor of history, and studies late medieval and early modern Britain and Europe.
     Alvon Brumfield of the Louisiana Renaissance Festival conceived and organized the event, which Southeastern’s Executive Director of Public and Governmental Affairs Erin Cowser and Chamber President and CEO Melissa Bordelon, Director of Marketing and Communications Megan Mosher, Chairman of the Board of Directors Mark Dispenza, and Office Coordinator Amy Brumfield helped to facilitate.

September 15 is final day for students to apply for fall 2017 graduation
The final day for Southeastern students to apply to graduate in fall 2017 is Sept. 15, the university announced today.
     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 at southeastern.edu/admin/registrar/graduation/ or from the Southeastern Office of the Registrar at 549-2066. There is also a direct link available at www.southeastern.edu/graduation.
     The $25 application fee should be paid directly to the Controller’s Office, located on North Campus in the Financial Aid Building.

Southeastern students win first Louisiana Emmy scholarships
Three Southeastern students at the Southeastern Channel are the first-ever students attending a Louisiana university to receive prestigious Emmy scholarships by the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
     Junior Amanda Kitch of Mandeville and senior Courtney Bruno of New Orleans each won $5,000 scholarships for the upcoming 2017-18 academic year, while freshman Dylan Domangue of Houma was awarded a $3,000 stipend.
     The Suncoast Chapter offers scholarships to eligible high school seniors and university students who reside within the Suncoast Region, comprised of Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Puerto Rico.  
     To be eligible for the university award, students must maintain a 3.5 overall grade point average with a major in communications/broadcasting and a concentration in television.   Applicants are required to submit a transcript, resume, one-page biography, 250-word essay, a letter of recommendation, and participate in a personal interview conducted by the Emmy scholarship committee.
     All three recipients work at the Southeastern Channel and study television in the electronic media concentration of the Department of Languages and Communication.
     Kitch, an anchor, reporter and producer for the station’s student newscast, “Northshore News,” earlier this year won third-place “Best Television Journalist in the South” honors in Knoxville, Tenn., at the Southeast Journalism Conference. She teamed with Bruno to win the SEJC’s second-place onsite honors for “Best TV News Reporting.”
     “Being awarded this scholarship isn’t just a compliment, but encouragement that I am learning the right things in television and doing well practicing them,” Kitch said.
     Kitch has also received top awards among Louisiana and Mississippi students at the Associated Press College Broadcasters Journalism Conference and an honorable mention Emmy recognition for a public safety announcement she produced entitled, “A Stronger You.”
     “I treat the Southeastern Channel as my workshop, my place to grow my brain and refine my skills with great help and a plethora of resources,” Kitch said. “When the Southeastern Channel became more of my work space instead of just a classroom, I noticed a significant difference in my craft. Besides learning my trade skills, I have learned and continue to practice professionalism, networking skills, and time-management.”
     Bruno, along with shooting and editing  “Northshore News,”  produces, directs, shoots and edits for the national award-winning student entertainment show “College Night.” She’s also the videographer and editor for a wide variety of Southeastern Channel programs, including lectures, forums, and music and sports events.
     “It is truly an honor to win this scholarship,” Bruno said. “The Emmys are so prestigious that to win a scholarship not only helps finance my education, but it ensures my choice in careers. It will open doors to professional opportunities.”
     “Working at the channel has given me the tools and experience to enhance my craft and work ethic,” Bruno said. “With the real-world experience from the editing software programs we use to the real-world projects we get assigned, I feel more prepared for the job market.”
     Domangue is a reporter and anchor for the Southeastern Channel’s sportscast, “The Big Game,” which was recently named one of the top four student sportscasts in the nation at the 2017 College Sports Media Awards.  He has also done live, play-by-play announcing, color commentary and sideline reporting for a number of Southeastern sports events.
     “It is an honor to win the Emmy scholarship,” Domangue said.  “Being only a freshman at the time, I never imagined I would be able to do that. I just want to constantly improve and be the best I can be.”
     “This is a tremendous honor for Amanda, Courtney and Dylan since they had to pass very strict Emmy criteria to win the scholarship,” said Southeastern Channel General Manager Rick Settoon. “This shows that not only are they all producing outstanding television work, they’re excelling in the classroom as well. The Emmy committee has rightly recognized their mature career goals and bright futures in television. We’re extremely proud of them and happy that this generous scholarship will help finance their continued education and development.”  
     The Southeastern Channel has won over 300 awards in the past 14 years, including 15 awards and 56 nominations from the Emmys. The channel can be seen on Charter 199 in Tangipahoa, St. Tammany and Livingston parishes. The live 24/7 webcast and video on demand can be seen at www.southeastern.edu/tv and on mobile devices at www.southeastern.edu/tv/live.
Emmy scholarshipsEMMY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS - Three Southeastern students at the Southeastern Channel recently won prestigious Emmy scholarships awarded by the Suncoast Region of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the 2017-18 academic year. From left are Southeastern Channel General Manager Rick Settoon, senior Courtney Bruno of New Orleans, junior Amanda Kitch of Mandeville, and freshman Dylan Domangue of Houma.

SOUTHEASTERN IN THE NEWS

Baton Rouge Advocate
Louisiana’s new poet laureate wants to shine light on ‘great poetry being produced all over’ state
Southeastern named educational provider
The physics behind 2017’s biggest superhero movie
Hammond Daily Star
Exhibit to feature photographers Bennett, Alford

Livingston Parish News
More than 100 Livingston Parish students named to SLU summer 2017 honors list
New Orleans Times Picayune
SLU faculty, staff will get merit raises
WAFB-TV

Welcome Week in full swing at Southeastern
WBRZ-TV

Three Southeastern students receive Emmy scholarships

THIS WEEK IN ATHLETICS

The Southeastern volleyball team will open its 2017 season to highlight this week in Southeastern Athletics.
     The Lady Lions will hold their final tune-up on Tuesday, hosting the intra-squad Green and Gold Match at 7 p.m. in the University Center. LionVision subscribers will be able to access a live video stream of Tuesday’s match at www.LionSports.net, where live stats will also be available.
     SLU will compete in the Courtyard by Marriot Invitational hosted by Samford this week to officially open the 2017 campaign. Head coach Jim Smoot’s squad will open the season on Friday at 12:30 p.m. versus the host Bulldogs. Later in the day, Southeastern will take on Murray State at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Lady Lions close out the tournament with a 1 p.m. match versus Ohio.
     Fresh off a season-opening 3-0 victory over Jackson State, the Southeastern soccer team (1-0) opens the road portion of its 2017 schedule this week. On Friday, the Lady Lions will be in Atlanta for a 5 p.m. match at Georgia State. Southeastern closes the road swing with a 1 p.m. match at Alabama State on Sunday.
     Southeastern Athletics Marketing and Promotions will host Lionpawlooza in conjunction with the Hammond Downtown Development District’s “Hot August Night” on Friday.
     This year’s event will begin at 6 p.m. with a pep rally to be held on the main DDD stage, located on the corner of SW Railroad Avenue and East Morris Avenue in the parking lot across the street from The Steak House. The pep rally will feature Southeastern head football coach Ron Roberts, the SLU football team, the Spirit of the Southland band, the Southeastern cheerleaders and the Lionette dance team.
     Following the pep rally, fans will have the opportunity to receive autographs from members of the 2017 Lions. There will also be giveaways available, as well as opportunities to purchase season tickets or join Lion Athletics Association’s coaches clubs.
     For more information on Lionpawlooza, contact SLU Coordinator of Athletic Marketing and Promotions Lindsey Cramer at 549-3227 or lindsey.cramer@southeastern.edu.

TUES

AUG 22

Volleyball, Green and Gold Match, University Center, 7 p.m. (LionVision)*

   
FR
AUG 25

Volleyball, at Samford (Courtyard by Marriott Invitational), Birmingham, Ala., 12:30 p.m.
Volleyball, vs. Murray State (Courtyard by Marriott Invitational), Birmingham, Ala., 4:30 p.m.
Soccer, at Georgia State, Atlanta, Ga., 5 p.m.
Athletics, LionPawlooza, Downtown Hammond – Main DDD Stage, 6 p.m.

   
SAT
AUG 26

Volleyball, vs. Ohio (Courtyard by Marriott Invitational), Birmingham, Ala., 1 p.m.

   
SUN
AUG 27

Soccer, at Alabama State, Montgomery, Ala., 1 p.m.

Southeastern home events in bold.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

John W. Hatcher III (Educational Leadership and Technology) received the outstanding mentor award for the Sons of Promise and Daughters of Destiny Mentorship Program from Chesapeake, Va., and has had a grant funded to bring the program to Hammond High Magnet School. Hatcher also received a letter of endorsement for developing and initiating the program from the Mayor of Chesapeake.

     Samuel Hyde’s (History and Political Science/Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies) article “Bitter Legacy: Spanish Colonial Policies and the Tradition of Extra-Legal Violence in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes,” has been accepted for publication in the European and Civil Law Forum published at Tulane University. The article, which links Spanish jurisprudence to the chronic instability which continues to plague regions of southeastern Louisiana into the modern era, will appear in the fall 2017 edition of the journal.

 

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