Southeastern Louisiana University

THE 2009 JAMES AND EVELYN LIVINGSTON LECTURE SERIES ON BUSINESS ETHICS

Guest Lecturer: State Senator John L. "Jack" Donahue, Jr., P.E.

Senator Jack Donahue has been a resident of the Northshore for 35 years and is currently serving his first term in the Louisiana State Senate.  Jack was elected on a platform of strong leadership, improving education for our children and fostering a business friendly environment in Louisiana to create jobs and opportunities for our youth. 

Since being elected in 2007 Senator Donahue has received numerous honors and awards for his work in the Senate.  To name just a few he was named the "2007 Person of the Year" by the Associated Builders & Contractors Bayou Chapter, "Man of the Year" by the St. Tammany Republican Parish Executive Committee, "Outstanding Family Advocate" by the Louisiana Family Forum and "Business Champion" by the Southwest Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the following Senate Committees and Commissions:

Senate Finance
Senate Judiciary A, Vice-Chairman
Senate Education
Senate and Governmental Affairs
Commission on Streamlining State Government, Chairman
TIMED Project Study Committee, Chairman
 

Prior to serving in the Louisiana Senate, Senator Donahue served as Chairman of the Board for various organizations to include Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, The Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission and the Business Council of St. Tammany Parish.  In addition to these leadership positions he has also volunteered his time and expertise to several other non-profits and good government groups such as Habitat of Humanity St. Tammany West, PRIDE of St. Tammany, Center for Development and Learning and Public Affairs Research Council.

 
Senator Donahue earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1967 from Louisiana State University and was honored with a LSU Leadership Award.  In 1971, Jack and his father teamed to form Spartan Building Corporation, and in 1979 Jack opened his own company in Mandeville with two employees and a $500 acoustical ceiling job.  Today, Senator Donahue is Chairman of DonahueFavret Contractors, Inc., a large commercial contractor in the state.  Senator Donahue has received numerous honors during his professional career which include the Associated Builders and Contractors naming him "Member of the Year," CCFA's "Distinguished Leadership Award," and St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce's "Businessman of the Year" in 1991, "Business of the Year" in 2004 and he and his wife, Maura, were also awarded the "Community Leadership" award in 1998.  Most recently Senator Donahue was inducted into LSU's Civil and Environmental Engineering Hall of Distinction.

Senator Donahue has been husband to Maura Walsh Donahue for 21 years and is father to a blended family of 6 children.  He and his family are Catholic and are members of Mary Queen of Peace Church.

Location and Time

The Livingston Ethics Lecture will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 pm in the Cate Teacher Education Center's KIVA room. Click here for a map of the campus, and in the "Find a Building" section in the lower left of the window, click on Cate Teacher Education Center to find its location on the map.

Biography of Mr. James Livingston

Mr. James E. Livingston (1920-1982) graduated valedictorian from Crosby High School in Crosby, Mississippi, and attended Mississippi College.  He served in the United States Navy during World War II.

Mr. Livingston was employed by Crosby Lumber Company from 1946 to 1966.  His career in sales was based upon his philosophy: "Never misrepresent to your clients the products you sell, and always keep your commitments."  In 1966 Mr. Livingston became administrative assistant to Mr. John O. Batson, a Hood Industries executive.  Mr. Livingston moved to Hammond 1977 to serve as general manager of Batson Lumber Company.

Mr. Livingston served two terms as mayor of Crosby.  During his career he provided significant service as a member of the Marketing Committee, the Transportation Committee, and as director of the Southern Forest Products Association.

Mr. Livingston is survived by his wife, Mrs. James (Evelyn) Livingston, and their two sons, J. Roland Livingston of Abbeville and Phil K. Livingston of Hammond.

Prior Guests of the James and Evelyn Livingston Lecture Series on Business Ethics

The College of Business expresses appreciation to the following previous lecturers: