Southeastern Alumni Association announces Board of Directors
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
by: Tonya Lowentritt
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED – The Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association announced its 2019-20 Board of Directors. Seated in the front row, from left, are President-Elect Patrick Brazan, Treasurer Kristen Bell, President Dickie Whitson, Immediate Past-President Beth Ebberman, and Secretary Stephanie Kropog. Standing, from left, are Nakia Merrill, Alicia Himber, Richard Moran, Bridget Laborde, Past-President Brad Stevens, Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs, Danny Wallette, Tasha Dameron, Troy Green, Sonja Newman, and Malcolm Fitzhugh.
HAMMOND – Richard “Dickie” Whitson of Springfield has been elected president
and chairman of the board of directors for 2019-20 Southeastern Louisiana University
Alumni Association.
A 1971 graduate of Southeastern with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration,
Whitson retired after a 35-year career with Allegiance Health Care Corp in medical
device equipment sales. He currently serves as chairman of the board for Rosaryville
Spirit Life Center, secretary for the Lion Athletics Association, founder and president
of Golden Pride and volunteers with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Southeastern’s
Phi Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity.
Joining him on the Executive Committee will be President-Elect Patrick Brazan
of Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company; Secretary Stephanie Kropog of North Oaks
Health System; and Treasurer Kristen Bell with Northshore Technical Community College.
Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs said board members commit
their time and expertise to fulfill the association’s mission of strengthening ties
between the university, alumni and community.
“The board is comprised of a wide range of individuals who represent the entire
alumni base. Each member serves a two-year term, and his or her job is to assist in
promoting the mission of the Alumni Association in tandem with that of Southeastern,”
said Biggs. “They promote pride, help in student recruitment efforts, act as mentors,
preserve traditions of the university and encourage active membership in the association.”
Also serving on the board are Tasha Lamkin Dameron with Simply Real Estate LLC;
Malcolm Fitzhugh with Farm Bureau Insurance; Troy Green with White Castle High School;
Alicia Motichek Himber with Southeastern’s Chemistry and Physics Department; Bridget
Bankston Laborde with Northshore Technical Community College; Gina Giacone Laird with
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Sonja Ragusa Newman with United Way of Southeast
Louisiana; and Dennis “Danny” Wallette with Tangipahoa Mosquito Abatement.
Biggs said that as part of Whitson’s incoming president’s duties he has appointed
two one-year termed board members to round out the membership representation in the
year ahead. These include Nakia Merrill with Cedar Valley College in Lancaster, Tex.,
and Richard Moran with Pala Interstate.
Ex-Officio members of the board include Immediate Past President Beth Carney
Ebberman of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana; Past President Brad Stevens of Edwards
and Stevens Law Firm in Amite; Southeastern President John L. Crain; Vice President
of University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale; and Biggs.