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Delgado, Southeastern agreement |
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Baraya named to international academic council
Aristides Baraya, director of the Southeastern Louisiana University Hispanic Business and Leadership Institute, has been selected to serve on the National Scientific and Academic Council of the University of Distance Learning of Costa Rica.
One of only seven members in the world asked to serve on the panel and selected from more than 170 international applicants, Baraya was named to the council based upon a year-long evaluation that looks at scientific and academic qualifications, as well as service to the Latin American community. The term on the council, which develops, revises and implements academic polices in Central America, is five years, and members may be re-elected for additional terms.
“Dr. Baraya’s selection to serve on this prestigious international council is a testament to his dedication to expanding the horizons of international, cooperative education,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain. “His work over the years in bringing business professionals, educators, elected officials, entrepreneurs and others to Southeastern for specialized studies has had tremendous influence on professional development for a number of Latin American nations while also helping to expose our faculty and students to the diversity of our international economy. His efforts have helped expand international trade with Louisiana, an area vital to the state’s economic well being.”
A native of Colombia and resident of Hammond, Baraya is a faculty member in Southeastern’s College of Business. He was the first chairman and remains a member of the board of directors of the Hispanic Business Resources and Technology Center located in Kenner.
2009 Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival to Unveil 20th Anniversary Festival Poster
The poster for the 20th annual Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival will be unveiled at a reception hosted by Capital One Bank Wednesday, Sept. 2. The free reception at Capital One’s branch located at 3840 Highway 22, Madisonville, is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is open to the public. Light hors d’oeuvres, wine and soft drinks will be provided. The festival is the major fundraiser for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum.
Maritime Museum Executive Director Jay Martin said each year the museum selects an artist to design an image for the poster that characterizes the diversity and uniqueness of maritime Louisiana.
“The poster has been a beloved part of each festival since its founding in 1990,” Martin said. “That first poster by Georgia Anne Sears set the tone for what has become a cherished tradition embraced by the local community and collectors alike.”
The poster may be purchased at the unveiling, and this year’s artist, Karin Eberhardt will be present to sign them. An assistant professor of graphic design, Eberhardt joined the faculty at Southeastern in 2007 and is a native of Louisiana’s salty swampland.
“The 2009 poster ties together both the traditions of Louisiana boatbuilding and its unique connections to the environment,” Martin said.
Numbered limited edition prints will be available for purchase for $45 through the festival and $55 after the festival. Unsigned posters are $35 through the festival and $45 after. Proceeds from poster sales benefit the non-profit Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum.
Families invited to food, fun and football at Family Day
The families of Southeastern students are invited to participate in the spirited fun of college football tailgating at the university’s annual Family Day, Sept. 5.
“Families play a vital role in the support, guidance and ultimate success of students,” said President John L. Crain. “Whether you live right around the corner or countless miles away, we are proud to have your family as a member of our extended Southeastern family. We encourage you to visit campus at any time, and especially urge you to consider joining us for Family Day.”
Family Day packages, $20 per person, include admission to a special tailgate party in Strawberry Stadium at 4:30 p.m. and to the Lions vs. Texas A&M Commerce football game at 6 p.m.
At the tailgate, families will receive Family Day t-shirts, can pose for “party pictures” and group photos, and will be entertained with food, music, and activities for children, including interactive games and face painting.
Families are also welcome to join in the festivities in Friendship Circle throughout the afternoon, such as the “Lion Walk,” the football team’s parade through campus to the stadium at approximately 4 p.m.
For additional information and to register visit www.selu.edu/family_day or call (985) 549-2507.
Grant updates computer equipment, curricula at Delgado and Southeastern, Articulation Agreement in effect
A $965,000 grant awarded two years ago in the wake of Hurricane Katrina by the Louisiana Board of Regents to Delgado Community College in cooperation with Southeastern has culminated in a partnership designed to upgrade computer technology equipment and curricula at both institutions, officials at Delgado and Southeastern announced.
The four-year Post-Katrina Support Fund Initiative (PKSFI) has also spawned an articulation agreement that allows Delgado’s students to easily transition from the college’s computer information technology program (technical specialist concentration) to Southeastern’s bachelor’s degree in computer science (information technology concentration). The agreement becomes effective with the fall 2009 semester.
“The program enhancements being achieved under the PKSFI grant in cooperation with Southeastern, including this important articulation agreement, are providing unique opportunities for students to take advantage of the most cutting-edge information technology education to gain relevant knowledge and skill sets for today’s growing job market,” said Delgado’s Dr. Warren Duclos Jr.
Duclos is chair of Computer Information Technology at Delgado and the grant’s principal investigator. Cris Koutsougeras, professor and chair of the Southeastern Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology, and Troy Kammerdiener, assistant professor of computer science, are co-principal investigators.
“This cooperative arrangement is important to workforce development initiatives for the state of Louisiana,” said Tammy Bourg, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Southeastern. “Professionals with this kind of education and skill sets will play important roles in the emerging knowledge-based economy of our state and nation.”
Under the agreement, students earning an associate of applied science degree in Delgado’s computer information technology technical specialist concentration can easily transition as juniors into Southeastern’s bachelor of science degree in computer science with a concentration in information technology. Delgado degree program completers meeting Southeastern admission requirements are guaranteed transferability of 60 Delgado credits toward Southeastern’s 120-credit hour baccalaureate degree program.
Green and gold Garments and Garb winner
La Capitol Federal Credit Union was the winner of the “Green and Gold Garments and Garb Contest.” For wearing green and gold to work on Aug. 20 and submitting a group photo, participating employees received Southeastern prize packs. The contest was the first of its kind for the community as part of Hammond’s Green and Gold Week, which celebrated the start of the fall semester.
Winners pictured are, from left, front, Paula Suarez and Katherine Core, and standing, Richard Hamilton, Susan Chapman and Joyce Spalding.
Southeastern Recognized as Phi Kappa Phi Chapter of Merit
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recently recognized the campus chapter at Southeastern as a Chapter of Merit. This award is given to chapters that not only comply with the Society’s national standards, but also demonstrate an active commitment to excellence.
By receiving the Chapter of Merit distinction, Southeastern’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter is being recognized as a thriving organization that meets frequently, holds annual initiations and applies frequently for Phi Kappa Phi’s select scholarships, grants and fellowships.
The Chapter of Merit Award includes: a citation from the Society president; a commendation letter sent to chapter officers and campus administration; special recognition on Society Web site and publications at Phi Kappa Phi’s National Convention; specially designed logo for use in chapter communications and a $100 award.
Contemporary Art Gallery exhibits sculpture installation
Southeastern’s Contemporary Art Gallery is featuring a three-piece installation by New York based artist Charles Goldman through Sept. 25. The installation -- titled “PBLX” -- features three works including a window display, video soundtrack and a large-scale sculpture made of 128 pallets strategically placed to form a three dimensional X shape.
The Contemporary Art Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.
San Francisco born and current Brooklyn resident, Goldman said one of his main artistic interests relates to the objects, means and methods of how goods and materials are transferred around the world in today’s global economy.
“Consequently, a lot of the materials I use are those that are momentarily removed from their constant rotation around the planet, like 55-gallon oil drums, five-gallon buckets, standard blue tarps and in this case, pallets,” Goldman said.
With the help of Southeastern sculpture students, Goldman set up the wooden pallets donated by international and locally branched pallet manufacturer Ifco Systems. Continuing with his interest in the ongoing lifecycle of transported materials, the pallets will be disassembled after the show, returned to Ifco and placed back into the global rotation.
Goldman’s second piece, titled “Skywall,” is a window plug made of standardized wood pieces and blue tarp representing a continuation of the studs that are underneath the gallery walls.
“A lot of my measurements and ideas are based upon the standards within the construction trade,” Goldman said. “When we place the installation in the gallery window, it becomes illuminated by the sky, and we see a shadow of the framing that surrounds us.”
His third piece is a video homage to his childhood playground outside San Francisco. It features images of Mill’s Canyon, a place where Goldman spent a lot of time growing up. The video portrait, which depicts the canyon that separates California neighborhoods, serves as Goldman’s exhibit soundtrack and fills the gallery with “ambient sound.”
Dale Newkirk, director of Southeastern’s Contemporary Art Gallery, said he first saw Goldman’s work at a 2006 show in New York City and was intrigued by the use of space, complexity of the work and the inventiveness in problem solving.
“It’s not very often that I see work that is nonrepresentational that I find takes both languages in a different direction,” Newkirk said. “When I started planning this year’s exhibition schedule, I thought there was an opportunity to let Charles use the entire 7,000 square foot floor gallery space, which I’ve only done a couple of times before.”
Newkirk also said that as curator, he is interested in bringing in artists from outside the local area to work with the Southeastern art students for longer periods of time.
Goldman presented a lecture to Southeastern students and the community Aug. 26 where he told the audience that coming to a learning environment like Southeastern allows him the freedom to experiment with new ideas and interact with students.
Douglas Francis, a junior digital arts major from Lacombe who worked alongside Goldman, said helping the artist exposed him to new artistic mediums and subjects that have given him insight into artistic logic.
“A lot of times as art students we have our own ideas but don’t know quite how to articulate them,” Francis said. “When we get to talk to artists like Charles, who professionally do what we want to do, it helps us see how they arrive at their final product.
“Having different artists come to us and share their ideas is great because they all have something interesting to say. The more we are exposed to new art forms, the more we are able to take away.”
For more information on the exhibit and upcoming artists, contact Dale Newkirk at 985-549-5080 or the Visual Arts Department at 985-549-2193.
Above: New York-based artist Charles Goldman assembles his three dimensional pallet sculpture titled “PBLX” in Southeastern's Contemporary Art Gallery. Goldman’s three-piece sculpture and video installation focuses on the repetitious lifecycle of economic goods and will be on exhibit through Sept. 25.
Faculty, staff and students encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts
Southeastern faculty, staff and students are being encouraged to sign up with FirstCall, the university’s provider of text, voice and e-mail alerts used only in emergencies.
“The beginning of the academic year is the perfect time for students to update their information and for others to sign up for the service,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Marvin Yates.
Access to the registration site can be found on Southeastern’s LEONET Web site. Currently more than 14,000 faculty, staff and students have signed up to receive the alerts.
He emphasized that the service is used only for actual emergencies and occasional testing and not for routine university announcements. Last year students were notified about campus closures related to Hurricane Gustav and the winter snow storm.
During the week, Student Affairs personnel are staffing tables in the Student Union mall to remind students of the service, as well as to provide information on hurricane procedures and other safety measures the university offers.
Last week, Southeastern conducted a test of its emergency alert system, with text, voice and e-mail alerts being sent to all registered users.
This Week In Southeastern Athletics -- August 31-September 6, 2009
The Southeastern Louisiana football team will open up the 2009 season during this week in Southeastern Athletics. The Lions will host Texas A&M-Commerce (0-1) on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Strawberry Stadium. Southeastern has won its home opener in every season since the program returned in 2003. The Lions will be looking to extend that streak to seven on Saturday, against a Texas A&M-Commerce squad that dropped its opener, 21-7, to Angelo State last Saturday. Saturday’s game will be broadcast in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net.
The men’s and women’s cross country teams will also open their 2009 schedule this week. The Lions and Lady Lions head to Lake Charles on Friday to compete in the McNeese State Invitational.
The volleyball team (0-3) will open its home schedule on Tuesday, hosting Alcorn State at 7 p.m. Admission to all Southeastern home volleyball matches is free. On Friday, the Lady Lions will open play at the Radisson New Orleans Airport Privateer Invitational Tournament on the UNO campus with a 4 p.m. match versus Texas Tech. On Saturday, Southeastern faces host UNO at 10 a.m. and Bowling Green at 4 p.m.
The women’s soccer team (1-2) will look to bounce back from a pair of tough losses last week. Southeastern will host Jacksonville State on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Southeastern Soccer Complex.
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Volleyball, vs. Alcorn State, University Center, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 4
Volleyball, vs. Texas Tech (UNO Privateer Invitational), New Orleans, 4 p.m.
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, at McNeese State Invitational, Lake Charles, All Day
Saturday, Sept. 5
Football, vs. Texas A&M-Commerce, Strawberry Stadium, 6 p.m. (KSLU)
Volleyball, at UNO (UNO Privateer Invitational), New Orleans, 10 a.m.
Volleyball, vs. Bowling Green (UNO Privateer Invitational), New Orleans, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6
Women’s Soccer, vs. Jacksonville State, Southeastern Soccer Complex, 1 p.m.
Southeastern home events in bold
Fall SOT Calendar
According to the Office of Institutional Research & Assessment, all faculty, department heads, and deans should note the following schedule for the administration of the Student Opinion of Teaching (SOT) instruments for the fall 2009 semester:
Term 1 (August 19 through October 7)
Packets delivered to Departments: Monday, Sept. 28
Administration of SOT: Tuesday & Wednesday, Sept. 29 & 30
Fall Break: Thursday & Friday, Oct. 1 & 2
Administration of SOT: Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 5 to 7
Deadline to be returned to IR&A: Wednesday, Oct. 7
Full Term (August 19 through December 4)
Packets delivered to Departments: Friday, Nov. 6
Administration of SOT: Monday through Friday, Nov. 9 to 20
Deadline to be returned to IR&A: Friday, Nov. 20
Term 2 (October 14 through December 4)
Packets delivered to Departments: Tuesday, Nov. 24
Administration of SOT: Monday through Friday, Nov. 30 to Dec. 4
Deadline to be returned to IR&A: Friday, Dec. 4
Any questions regarding SOT administration should be directed to Glenda at extension 2077.
Professional Activities
Dr. Marc Riedel (Sociology and Criminal Justice) attended the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association (ASA) in San Francisco August 8-11 as a member of the ASA/American Society of Criminology Task Force on Curricular Revision.
Dr. Anna Kleiner (Sociology and Criminal Justice) presented research entitled "Exploration of the Relationship between Social Cohesion and Health in a Post-Disaster Context", "Community-Based Research: Documenting and Learning from Project Outcomes" and "Community-Based Organizations Working with Minority and Limited Resource Producers" at the annual meeting of the Rural Sociological Society (with co-researchers from Delta State University and University of Michigan).
Dr. Kathleen Campbell (Educational Leadership and Technology) presented "Conversations in Leadership: Strengthening the University-School District Relationship" at the annual summer meeting of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration in San Antonio, Texas on August 6, 2009. She also published “Modeling Instructional Best Practices: Pedagogy of College of Education Professors” in the School Leadership Review, spring 2009 edition on May, 2009. Campbell coauthored the article with colleagues, Drs. Rayma Harchar and Thomas DeVaney of the Department of Educational Leadership and Technology and Dr. Deborah McCarthy of the Teaching and Learning Department and “Preparing Teacher Leaders: A University Program” for the Contemporary Issues in Education Research, spring 2009 in May 2009.
Dr. Norman German (English Department) has had his baseball novel Switch-Pitchers accepted for publication by Blue Water Press (Florida). It will be available in spring 2010. The second edition of German’s novel A Savage Wisdom was released this summer. In May it launched as an Amazon.com Kindle book, downloadable to Kindle readers and iPhones, and it recently reached #6 in its category, “Murder and Mayhem.”
David Gurney (Mathematics) gave a talk “Demonstrating The Central Limit Theorem Using Minitab” at the summer meeting of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) in Portland, OR, during the first week in August. While in Portland, he attended a meeting of the MAA Early Career Mathematicians Committee, of which he is a member.
Dennis Merino (Mathematics) visited the Philippines for two months as a Balik Scientist Awardee (sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines). Dr. Merino conducted lectures and seminars during that time at the Institute of Mathematics at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
ByLion is published weekly online (bi-weekly during the summer session) for the faculty and staff of Southeastern Louisiana University. Send submissions to publicinfo@selu.edu, SLU 10880, fax 985-549-2061, or bring to Public Information Office in East Stadium. Submission deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
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