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Southeastern to host Bill Evans Jazz Festival
 In honor of one of its most distinguished alumni, the Southeastern Department of Fine
and Performing Arts will present the annual Bill Evans Jazz Festival Feb. 15-18.
The festival will feature free performances by the Alumni Jazz Ensemble, the
SLU Jazz Combos, and SLU jazz faculty. All performances are free and open to the public
and will be held in the Pottle Music Building Recital Hall.
This year, the festival will feature a master class with guest artist Mike Esneault.
An Emmy Award-winning pianist and composer, Esneault has enjoyed success across many
mediums including television, cinema, and radio, in addition to his triumphs as a
recording artist. He has recorded more than 30 scores for the Public Broadcasting
Service and composed pieces for companies such as Exxon, McDonald’s and Blue Cross.
His arrangements have been performed by orchestras around the world and in places
such as Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Esneault is also an accomplished clinician
and teacher.
“Mike was invited this year because he is a fine piano player, a wonderful writer
and a great instructor,” said Michael Bothers, co-director for the Southeastern Jazz
Ensemble and one of the festival’s coordinators. “The Jazz Ensemble will play several
of his compositions in concert, which is great for our students because they will
experience quality new music.”
The festival will also include the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education (LAJE)
State Music Festival, a competition with performances by area middle and high school
jazz ensembles. The festival will start Friday morning and conclude Saturday at noon
in the Pottle Music Building Auditorium.
The performance schedule includes: Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m., Alumni Jazz Concert; Feb.
16, 7:30 p.m., Southeastern Jazz Combos; Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m., Southeastern Jazz Faculty
Concert with guest artist Mike Esneault; Saturday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m., master class with
Esneault; and 3 p.m., Southeastern Jazz Ensemble in concert with Esneault.
Masterclasses and performances are traditional parts of the Bill Evans Jazz Festival,
but this year the department will be adding a more tangible aspect. Artifacts of Evans’
will be on display in the Southeastern Contemporary Art Gallery throughout the duration
of the festival. Photographs, album covers and letters written by Evans will be exhibited
to showcase the jazz legends’ achievements and his history with Southeastern.
Brothers said former Southeastern faculty member Ron Nethercutt will present
a lecture Wednesday, Feb. 15, at noon on Evans in the Art Gallery located in East
Stadium.
“Bill Evans is one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, so naturally we
would want to highlight his connection to Southeastern,” said Brothers.
Many of the articles that will be on display were taken from archives maintained
by the university. However, some were gathered by Brothers personally.
“One of the letters in the exhibit has never seen the light of day until now,”
he said. “Also, it took some doing, but we will have a program from the 1994 GRAMMY
Awards where Evans received a Lifetime Achievement Award. We also were able to reach
out to former members of the Bill Evans Trio, percussionist Marty Morell and bassist
Chuck Israels for scans of photographs of Bill.”
For additional information, call the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at
549-2184.
ESNEAULT TO HIGHLIGHT BILL EVANS FESTIVAL
Acclaimed pianist, composer and Grammy Award winner Michael Esneault will be a featured
performer at Southeastern’s annual Bill Evans Festival to be held on campus Feb. 15-18.
Information can be obtained by calling 549-2184.
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Physics of video games topic of next Science on Tap presentation
Most people do not realize the tremendous amount of physics that goes into creating
video games, explains a Southeastern physics professor.
The role of physics in video games will be the focus of the next Science on Tap
lecture presented by Southeastern’s Department of Biological Sciences on Tuesday,
Feb. 7.
Associate Professor of Physics Rhett Allain is the featured speaker at the presentation
scheduled at 7 p.m. at Tope La Catering, 113 East Thomas St. in Hammond. The lecture
is free and open to all ages. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
“Many people are familiar with the popular game Angry Birds for mobile phones.
The basic idea is to fling some birds toward structures with pigs in the hopes of
knocking them over,” said Allain.
But is there real physics in a game like this? Allain’s presentation will demonstrate
simple experiments in the game to learn the methods that model the motions of these
birds as well as activities in other video games. “And we’ll discuss how this can
be used as a method to explore the scientific process,” he added.
Allain is a frequent contributor to magazine WIRED magazine and maintains a physics-oriented
page on the publication’s website. A former physics consultant for the television
show “Mythbusters,” he currently serves as a consultant for the popular CBS show “MacGyver.”
For information on this or future Science on Tap presentations, contact the Department
of Biological Sciences at 549-3740.
 PHYSICS OF VIDEO GAMES – Southeastern Associate Professor of Physics Rhett Allain will discuss the role
of physics in video games at the next Science on Tap presentation Feb. 7 at Tope La
Catering in Hammond.
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Center for Faculty Excellence news
As part of The Center for Faculty Excellence’s “Celebrate” initiative, the month of
November was dedicated to the celebration and recognition of the College of Science
and Technology. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors left “Thank You” messages on
the college appreciation banner, which was presented to the College of Science and
Technology Dean Dr. Daniel McCarthy.
The College of Science and Technology offers 11 high-quality degree programs
that prepare students for success in the workplace or further studies. The compelling
feature of these programs is students receive unique, personalized learning experiences
from our faculty. From supervised research to group projects that study real-world
problems, these experiences are the reason why our graduates are nationally competitive
for the best jobs, graduate schools and professional programs.
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UPD gives tips for bicycle safety
During the fall semester several bicycles were reported stolen from areas around campus.
The best way to prevent this is by properly securing your bicycle to a bicycle rack.
Heavy duty U-bolt style bike locks, when used properly, are the most secure and hardest
to overcome.
Bicycles should be registered with the university and should be locked to bicycle
racks when not in use. Registration can be completed quickly and for free at any time
in the University Police Department – just bring your bicycle and your student ID.
Bicycles locked to anything other than a bicycle rack, such as hand rails, trees,
or sign posts, may be immobilized or confiscated and stored until claimed, and citations
may be issued to the owner.
Don’t let your ride disappear; register it and lock it up.
As a cyclist on campus, you are responsible for maintaining a safe environment
for all campus users, including pedestrians.
Avoid high speeds on campus, approach intersections slowly and with caution,
and always yield to pedestrians. Announce yourself as you approach someone from behind
so they know you are coming. Avoid using your cell phone or headphones when riding
on campus – keep focused on cycling for your safety and the safety of others.
For more information about safety on campus, please visit the University Police
Department website at www.southeastern.edu/police.
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Regions Bank to again sponsor Chefs Evening President's Toast
A The President’s Toast, an event that launches Southeastern Louisiana University’s
annual fund raising event Chefs Evening, this year will again be sponsored by Regions
Bank.
The bank served as the premier sponsor of last year’s President’s Toast, which
precedes Chefs Evening, scheduled this year for Sunday, March 12. The toast will be
held at the President’s Residence from 4 to 5 p.m. and will feature food and wine
pairings selected by the award-winning chef Joshua Garic of Jacmel Inn Restaurant
of Hammond.
Chefs Evening follows from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the university’s Student Union Grand
Ballroom. Now in its third decade, Chefs Evening is the Southeastern Foundation’s
signature fundraiser, providing support for university scholarships and academic programs.
The event features wine tastings and unique culinary offerings developed by some of
the area’s finest restaurants and distributors.
“Regions Bank is proud to lend its support to Southeastern’s Chefs Evening by
again sponsoring the President’s Toast,” said Regions Vice Presideet for Business
Banking Chad Cornett. “Southeastern is an integral part of our region, and Regions
Bank strongly supports the university in its mission.
Vice President and Relationship Manager Michael Faherty added, “Regions Bank sees
Southeastern as a leader in helping to promote the economic development of our area.
We believe a strong partnership with the univesity further strengthens that development.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Southeastern Foundation
at 549-2239.
 REGIONS SPONSORS PRESIDENT’S TOAST – Regions Bank will once again sponsor the President’s Toast, which precedes Southeastern’s
annual fund-raising event Chefs Evening scheduled this year for Sunday, March 12.
Pictured, from left, are Regions Vice President for Business Banking Chad Cornett,
Southeastern President John L. Crain, Southeastern Vice President for University Advancement
Wendy Lauderdale, and Regions Relationship Manager Michael Faherty.
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Cabaret evening to benefit Sims Library and Columbia Theatre
A fun-filled event to support two good causes is coming to Southeastern’s Columbia
Theatre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m.
“Breakfast in Paris, Martinis in Manhattan: A Cabaret” is a unique fundraiser
and musical program organized by the Friends of Sims Library and the Columbia Theatre,
said Sims Library Director Eric Johnson. The cabaret-style show will take place in
the Columbia Theatre Conference Center.
Johnson said Raynel Shepard sings the immortal songs of Paris and New York, accompanied
by New Orleans entertainer Harry Mayronne on piano. Guests will be treated to such
favorites as “C’est Si Bon,” “I Love Paris,” “La Vie en Rose,” “Autumn in New York,”
“I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “The Lady Is a Tramp,” evoking the sights, sounds,
and sensations of both cities.
“Shepard comes from a musical family with deep roots in New Orleans. A singer
and performer since the age of 14, she has recently returned to her familial and musical
roots, dividing her time between New Orleans and Boston and performing regularly in
both venues,” Johnson said. “Her repertoire includes cabaret, show tunes, jazz standards,
bossa nova, and blues. With her sultry voice, beautiful sense of rhythm and haunting
interpretation of ballads, she offers a musical experience you will never forget.”
Mayronne is the composer/co-producer of the long-running musical comedy “Waiting
Around—The Restaurant Musical,” written with Ricky Graham, which was performed both
in New Orleans and off-Broadway, Johnson added.
“As a pianist and musical director, Mayronne has played in many venues, from
New Orleans and New York to West Virginia’s Greenbrier Resort and Berlin,” Johnson
said. “A skilled marionette designer and puppeteer, he recently had his first gallery
showing of marionettes in the French Quarter.”
Tickets for the cabaret are $40 each and, in addition to the show, include two
signature cocktails created by Jacmel Inn. Additional drinks will be available at
a cash bar.
Tickets may be purchased via check payable to Southeastern Foundation and mailed
to Friends of Sims Library, SLU 10896, Hammond, La. 70402.
Since seating is limited, advance reservations are required by Monday, Jan. 30.
Tickets will be held at the box office of the Columbia Theatre. No tickets will be
sold at the door.
For more information, call Janie Branham at Sims Library at 549-2186.
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Communication student hosts KSLU’S Point of View
 A Southeastern communication senior is taking over hosting duties for radio station
KSLU’s program Point of View.
Miranda Fleig of Slidell, winner of last year’s Louisiana Association of Broadcasters
scholarship, will host the weekly community interest program, which airs on Thursdays
and Fridays from 11–11:30 a.m. Fleig takes over for Rosa Dunn, who recently retired
after hosting the show for 30 years.
KSLU is Southeastern’s educational public radio station. Operated on the Southeastern
campus, the station’s signal is located at 90.9FM or heard live over the website KSLU.org/.
Last year the station was named the No. 2 College Radio Station in the South by the
Southeast Journalism Conference.
“I intend to keep a lot of the lighthearted feel of the show that Rosa had,”
said Fleig who worked with Dunn for several years helping to engineer the show. “I
would also like to discuss issues important to Tangipahoa Parish, such as unemployment,
healthcare, local ecology, child welfare and social movements.
“I learned many skills from Rosa, and she was a delight to work with,” she added.
“I always called her the station’s guardian angel.”
“I’m thrilled to have Miranda as the new host of Point of View,” said KSLU General Manager Todd Delaney. “She’s the perfect person to carry the
torch that Rosa lit 30 years ago and bring the program to new heights.”
Fleig said she is interested in feedback from the community, including suggestions
for guests and topics. Information can be sent via email to Miranda.Fleig@southeastern.edu or by telephone at 549-5758.
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Sims Library to present lecture on streaming videos
Paul Kelsey and Angela Dunnington of Sims Library will present “Streaming Videos from
Films on Demand: Educational Videos for Your Classes” on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. in Mims Hall, room 118.
Do you like showing educational videos to your students in class? Are you an online
teacher who misses the ability to show a DVD in class to illustrate a topic? Films
on Demand offers a wide array of streaming videos in every academic area that are
perfect for instructional use. This session will teach you how to effectively use
Films on Demand, set up an account to save and share video links, and embed videos
in Moodle.
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Football, Signing Day Bash, Event Center, 5:15 p.m.
