Southeastern launches semester with Winter Welcome
New and returning Southeastern students will be welcomed back to campus this spring
semester with a multitude of activities and events offered through “Winter Welcome.” Scheduled Jan. 23-31, Winter Welcome is intended to help students make Southeastern
their home away from home and to settle into campus life as classes begin, said Angela
James, interim director of the Office of Student Engagement and Student Accessibility
Services. “Our hope is that participation in Winter Welcome will help students get situated
and ready for a successful semester,” James said. Winter Welcome begins Wednesday, Jan. 23, with “Snow Good to See You Again!”
Sponsored by Campus Activities Board, the event will transform the Student Union Breezeway
into a winter wonderland filled with snow, games, snacks and more, starting at 2 p.m. A back-to-school tailgate for the women’s basketball game when the Lions take
on Houston Baptist is also scheduled Wednesday. Sponsored by Southeastern Athletics
and Student Government Association, the tailgate will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the
game scheduled at 7 p.m. The tailgate will take place at Cook Field, located between
the University Center and Alumni Association on North Campus. Thursday, Jan. 24, features an event sponsored by the University Health Center
called “Wellness Welcome” at Pride Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students will learn
information about Student Outreach and Advocacy Representatives (SOAR), Lighten Up
Lions, the University Health Center itself and general wellness, as well as enjoy
interactive games. Two events are scheduled Monday, Jan. 28. The continuation of Wellness Welcome
at Pride Hall will begin the day’s activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The next event
is at 6 p.m., when students, university officials and community members are invited
to meet at the Pennington Student Activity Center for a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
march and remembrance program. The march will conclude at the Student Union Theatre
with a presentation featuring remarks by outgoing Chairman of the University of Louisiana
System Board of Supervisors Alejandro “Al” Perkins. Jam the Jungle, the annual student promotion for Southeastern Men’s Basketball,
is scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m., at the University Center when the Lions
take on Sam Houston State. The event includes jambalaya served to the first 300 students
in attendance, as well as fun promotions, James said. Read more
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Engineering Technology Program receives grant Southeastern’s Engineering Technology Program received a $5,000 grant from the Terracon
Foundation earlier this month. The grant will establish a scholarship to be distributed
between two engineering technology students. Terracon is a multi-discipline firm specializing
in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. From left are the Dean of the College of Science and Technology Dan McCarthy,
Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology Mohamed Zeidan, Senior Principal and
Office Manager at Terracon Consultants Inc. Laura J. Campa, recent Southeastern Industrial
Technology program graduate and Terracon Consultants Inc. Department Manager of Lab
Services Matthew Minton, and Industrial and Engineering Technology Department Head
Mohammad Saadeh.

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Alumni Association seeks alumni awards nominations The Southeastern Alumni Association is seeking nominees for Alumnus of the Year, Young
Alumnus of the Year, and Distinguished Alumni from each of the university’s five colleges.
Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs said the Alumni Association
established its awards program in 1969 to honor outstanding graduates and to celebrate
their achievements. “The true measure of a university’s greatness can be found in the achievements
of its alumni, and Southeastern is certainly known to develop leaders in many fields
of endeavor,” said Biggs. “A vast number of the university’s alumni have gained unique
distinction through success in their professions, service to the university, and contributions
to their community.” The Alumnus of the Year Award is given to someone who has utilized their degree
to achieve outstanding accomplishments in their field on an international or national
basis, Biggs said. “Southeastern’s Alumnus of the Year is an individual who reflected outstanding
qualities as a Southeastern student, who has excelled in his or her field after graduation,
and who continues to be supportive and active in Southeastern’s future,” she said. The Young Alumnus of the Year Award, Biggs added, was created in 2011 to recognize
an individual age 40 or under who has already achieved outstanding success in his
or her vocational field and has demonstrated a continued commitment to Southeastern
and his or her community. Distinguished Alumni Awards from each college are presented to individuals who
are notable among the best of Southeastern graduates and have used their degrees to
become successful in their chosen fields on the local or state level, have demonstrated
service to Southeastern, and contributed to their communities, Biggs said. “Chosen by Southeastern’s individual colleges, the recipients are a shining example
of the unparalleled programs from which they graduated,” she said. Criteria for each award, as well as nomination forms, are available online at
www.southeastern.edu/alumniawards. Alumni Award nomination packets are due to the Alumni Center by Feb. 1. Packets
consist of a completed nomination form; a copy of the nominee’s resume, CV, LinkedIn
Profile, or similar professional summary; optional letters of support from individuals
other than the nominator, newspaper or magazine article featuring the nominee; or
other items of interest. Self-nominations are also acceptable, Biggs said, and all nominees must be able
to attend the Alumni Awards Dinner and Homecoming football game on Oct. 11 and 12,
2019. For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 549-2150.
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Southeastern Channel telecourse wins national Telly Awards A Southeastern telecourse has been recognized with two national Telly Awards. Produced by the Southeastern Channel, the university course, “Earth and Space
Science 102,” was honored at the 39th annual Telly Awards with Bronze Tellys for “Editing”
and “Use of Graphics.” The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all
screens, and this year received over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents.
This year’s winners included CBS, NBC, HBO, ESPN, PBS, National Geographic, and Nickelodeon. Southeastern Channel telecourse producer Jamie Bass produced, directed, shot,
edited and created the graphics for the telecourse that was taught by Southeastern
Earth Science Instructor Stephanie Welch. Telecourses are video courses that air on
television and also serve as online courses for both on-campus students and those
unable to attend classes on campus. Southeastern Channel General Manager Rick Settoon said the winning episode was
the 11th lecture of the course ESSC102 and covered the formation of the solar system
with Welch lecturing in front of captivating, moving images of planetary landscapes
and the travel of heavenly bodies through space. The episode can be viewed at thesoutheasternchannel.com/blog/2018/06/27/southeastern-channel-wins-telly-awards. Bass accomplished the look by videotaping Welch lecturing in front of a blue screen
in the Southeastern Channel studio and later compositing that footage with the solar,
interstellar and extraterrestrial images for the background. Read more
TELECOURSE WINS NATIONAL AWARD - A Southeastern telecourse, “Earth and Space Science 102,” recently won two national
Bronze Telly Awards for “Editing” and “Use of Graphics.” Pictured, from left, are
Rick Settoon, Southeastern Channel general manager; Chemistry and Physics Professor
and Undergraduate Coordinator Gerard Blanchard; Jamie Bass, Southeastern Channel telecourse
producer and editor; Stephanie Welch, Southeastern earth science instructor; and Dan
McCarthy, dean of the College of Science and Technology.
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Students, faculty and alumni attend Stage Combat Winter Workshop Over winter break students, alumni, and faculty attended the 24th annual Stage Combat
Winter Workshop hosted by Dueling Arts International at Tulane University. Attendees studied a variety of topics associated with theatrical stage combat
and stunt work, such as Aikido, fights for film, theatrical weapons training, and
more. Junior education major Taylor Meng and general studies alumna Liz Odom-Dalton
received level 1 certifications in single rapier, smallsword, and quarterstaff. Sophomore general studies major Emery Foster received level 1 certifications
in unarmed combat, broadsword, and rapier and dagger. Adjunct Instructor of Theatre Ben Norman attended level 3 masterclasses in Japanese
sword, Kali (Filipino martial art), and theatrical firearm safety. Norman was also
recognized as an associate instructor by Dueling Arts International.
THE ART OF THE DUEL - Students, alumni, and faculty attended the 24th annual Stage Combat Winter Workshop
hosted by Dueling Arts International at Tulane University. Pictured, from left, are
Taylor Meng, Liz Odom-Dalton, Emery Foster, and Ben Norman.
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Southeastern plans MLK remembrance Jan. 28 Southeastern was closed yesterday, Jan. 21, in recognition of the Martin Luther King
Jr. national holiday, but will celebrate the legacy of the late Civil Rights leader
with a memorial march and remembrance program Jan. 28. Open to the public and featuring remarks by outgoing Chairman of the University
of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors Alejandro “Al” Perkins, the event is sponsored
annually by the Kappa Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the Office of Multicultural
and International Student Affairs. “As we live his dream daily, it is important that we never forget the sacrifice
Dr. Martin Luther King gave so that we can all be afforded equal rights,” said Hendrick
Foster, president of the Kappa Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. The event will begin with a candlelight processional, which will start outside
of the Pennington Student Activity Center at the walkway underpass. The ceremony will
conclude with a program in the Student Union Theatre that will include Perkins’ remarks
and reflection on King’s life and impact. “Mr. Perkins is a tireless advocate for students and his commitment to service
is unwavering,” said Student Government Association President and Alpha Phi Alpha
member Richard Davis Jr. Perkins is partner at Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, and Guice law firm. He is also an
adjunct professor at Southern University Law Center. In addition to his leadership
in the legal community, he is a Louisiana Arts and Science Museum Board Member, National
Annual Fund Chair for Xavier University, Vice President of the Xavier University Alumni
Association-Baton Rouge Chapter, and a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc. For additional information, contact Southeastern’s Office of Multicultural and
International Student Affairs at 549-3850.
SOUTHEASTERN TO HOST MLK REMEMBRANCE - Outgoing Chairman of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors Alejandro
“Al” Perkins will give remarks at Southeastern’s Martin Luther King Jr. memorial march
and remembrance program Jan. 28. The event will begin at 6 p.m. outside of the Pennington
Student Activity Center at the walkway underpass. The ceremony will conclude with
a program in the Student Union Theatre that will include Perkins’ remarks and reflection
on King’s life and impact.
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Southeastern to collect discarded Christmas trees to enhance wetlands There is still time to help Southeastern with wetland restoration by donating discarded
Christmas trees.
Trees can be dropped off through Mardi Gras from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hammond
Maintenance facility, 18104 Hwy. 190, next to Piggly Wiggly Super Market. The Southeastern
Sustainability Center, located at 2101 North Oak Street, is collecting trees through
the end of the month from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 to 10 a.m.
on Friday; and Pennington’s Hardware and Screenprinting, located at 407 Highway 22
W. in Madisonville, will accept trees during the same time period from 9 a.m. to 3
p.m. daily. Moreau said a Turtle Cove trailer drop off site will also be maintained
at Middendorf’s Restaurant. “We can put the old Christmas trees to work in our area marshland while also
reducing the waste stream going into landfills,” said Rob Moreau, manager of Southeastern’s
Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station located on Pass Manchac between lakes Pontchartrain
and Maurepas. Although grant funding from the state for Christmas Tree recycling in many areas
ended years ago, local partners have stepped up with donations to fund the collection
of trees and make the project possible. This marks the 24th straight year Southeastern
has conducted its recycled tree program. Moreau depends on volunteers and students
to deploy the trees in the Manchac wetlands. It is estimated that approximately 40,000
trees have been deployed through the Southeastern program since that time. Southeastern scientists at Turtle Cove use the discarded trees to help build
up marshland in areas that have been impacted by erosion and other factors, said Moreau. Moreau said the trees will be used in a variety of ways, including ongoing research
on the trees’ effects on helping to fill in test logging ditches, creation of Christmas
tree “mounds” to create habitats for wildlife and, of course, help to control erosion
along various shorelines, most recently occurring on Galva Canal. This practice also provides hands-on environmental education opportunities for
students and other volunteers who help with the project.
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Professional Sales Program faculty invited to tour United Rentals Sales Training Center
April Field Kemp and Tará Burnthorne Lopez, College of Business marketing faculty
and coordinators for the Professional Sales Program, recently visited one of two U.S.
sales training centers for United Rentals in Charlotte, NC. A corporate partner of the Professional Sales Program, United Rentals is a company
with net sales of over $6.6 billion in 2017. The purpose of the invitation was to
let faculty see first-hand the quality and curriculum of sales training, as well as
the opportunities for graduates, provided by United Rentals. Lopez and Kemp will use
this information to better advise and prepare students. Companies like United Rentals
see the benefit in improving their sales recruitment strategies by partnering with
universities like Southeastern that have been recognized by the Sales Education Foundation
as one of the top 100 sales programs in the U.S. For more information, call 549-2277 or visit southeastern.edu/sales.
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Committee works to expand green efforts on campus A Southeastern committee originally charged with tackling litter on campus, has now
taken on the task of expanding green efforts across campus. From the new geothermal energy projects on campus to wind turbines at Southeastern’s
Sustainability Center, green efforts have taken center stage. “This is a perfect example of what makes Southeastern so special,” said President
John L. Crain. “I convened a group to combat litter. They not only addressed that
issue, but also then began exploring ways to expand involvement and nurture a culture
of conservatism across campus. Southeastern’s students, faculty and staff always go
above and beyond. This is but one instance.” With student organizations such as Reconnect and the Student Government Association
leading the way, students are helping promote the use of refillable water bottles,
new additions of recycling bins across campus, and adoption of community garden plots
on the grounds at the Sustainability Center. Southeastern students were also among the first to call for retrofitting old
water fountains as reusable water bottle stations. Garrett Hall, D Vickers Hall, Dyson
Hall, the Biology Building, Sims Memorial Library, Pennington Student Activity Center,
North Campus main building, the Student Union and University Center are all now home
to new stations with plans to convert all 117 remaining water fountains over time. After conducting a survey of student perceptions regarding litter and conservation
efforts on campus, committee members drew from the responses and added 30 new trash
receptacles to parking lots and a few other campus locations identified as “litter
hot spots.” Additionally, 40 more blue outdoor recycling cans were added to the campus
mix. These complement the 130 indoor recycling bins for paper and cardboard distributed
throughout campus buildings. Southeastern has been focusing on conservation efforts for a while now. Since
beginning single-stream recycling in 2012, the university has recycled 255.94 tons
of paper, plastics and metal cans. Approximately 99.185 tons of cardboard have been
recycled since Southeastern installed a cardboard baler in 2013. And, since collaborating
with Print Cartridge Recyclers of America in 2014, the university has collected approximately
5.17 tons of used print cartridges and packaging for recycling. Read more
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Southeastern CMS brother, sister duo wins GNOYO concerto competition Two Southeastern Community Music School violin students have won the Sinfonia Division
of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO) concerto competition. Ten-year-old Brennan Saenz and his sister, eight-year-old Alana Saenz, of Mandeville
won the competition held recently in New Orleans and have been granted a performance
with the GNOYO on March 24. “We at CMS are very happy and proud of our students’ success, and we wish them
many more successes to come,” said Community Music School Director Jivka Duke. “As
their violin teacher I can say that both Alana and Brennan are very dedicated to their
violin studies, and their performances are always characterized by an exceptional
level of musical maturity despite their young ages. Both of them are a joy to teach,
and I can’t wait to start working toward their next musical endeavor.” Brennan is a student at Lake Harbor Middle School and has played the violin for
four years, piano for two years, and recently started playing trumpet for his middle
school band. He is part of the St. Tammany Parish Talented Music program. Alana attends Magnolia Trace Elementary School. A straight-A student, she has
played violin for three years, piano for two years, and is a member of the third grade
choir at her school. The GNOYO concert will be held at Loyola University at Roussel Hall at 3 p.m.
For tickets call 504-865-2074 or email tickets@loyno.edu. For more information about CMS, call 549-5502, or visit the CMS website at www.southeastern.edu/cms.
BROTHER, SISTER DUO WIN COMPETITION – Southeastern Community Music School students Brennan and Alana Saenz of Mandeville
won the Sinfonia Division of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO) concerto
competition recently in New Orleans. The dynamic duo will perform with the GNOYO in
a concert scheduled March 24 at Loyola University in Roussel Hall.
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