Bunnie R. Cannon
LSU'S Biweekly Newsletter for Faculty & Staff
August 11, 2006 |
VOL. 22, NO. 24 |
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| Bunnie R. Cannon |
LSU has announced the appointment of Bunnie R. Cannon to the position of assistant vice chancellor for institutional advancement, effective Aug. 21. Cannon most recently served as the event director of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge.
In her new position she will report directly to LSU’s Vice Chancellor for Communications and University Relations, Michael Ruffner. The Office of Institutional Advancement, part of the Office of Communications and University Relations, is responsible for coordinating the activities of LSU’s philanthropic organizations, and ensuring that the university’s priorities are addressed through philanthropy.
Ruffner welcomes Cannon’s 15 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations and event organization and management.
“I am delighted to have Bunnie as part of the Communications and University Relations team,” said Ruffner. “Bunnie brings a perfect blend of knowledge, experience and passion for LSU to this important role. Her track record as a fundraiser is excellent, and we expect her to play a key role in the Forever LSU campaign.”
“Bunnie’s credentials are outstanding,” said Jerry Baudin, vice chancellor for finance and administrative services. “We look forward to her leadership and assistance in raising funds that will be used to promote the Flagship Agenda.”
While with the Cancer Center, Cannon was responsible for planning several fundraising events. Cannon’s experiences in marketing and promotions have taken her to various businesses and organizations in the Baton Rouge area, including eight years as an associate director of alumni relations for the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
“I look forward to working with Bunnie,” said William Bowdon, president and CEO of the LSU Foundation. “Her accomplishments show that she knows how to work with groups such as the LSU Foundation and help us to do the best possible job of ensuring LSU’s financial future.”
Cannon received a master of science degree in sports administration from LSU in 1997, and a bachelor of arts degree in English from LSU in 1992.
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Soweto Gospel Choir members will perform at LSU as part of the Union’s Great Performances Theater Series. |
The LSU Union Great Performances Theater Series once again brings the best of music, comedy and theater to Baton Rouge. This year’s performances include “Hairspray,” Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway,” “Lost in Yonkers” and “Soweto Gospel Choir.” All performances will take place in the LSU Union Theater and begin at 8 p.m.
Series tickets are now on sale at the LSU Union Box Office by calling 225-578-5128.
Series subscribers receive a 15 percent savings compared to individual ticket prices and a savings on service fees charged on individual tickets. Subscribers also get a preferred choice of seating for each show and are guaranteed the same great seats for every show in the series. The first performance of the series is Neil Berg’s widely acclaimed musical revue “100 Years of Broadway.” This show, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m., features a cast of five Broadway stars accompanied by an all-star New York band recreating the biggest moments from the biggest shows of the century. The actual performers from shows such as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “CATS,” “Jesus Christ, Superstar” and “Jekyll & Hyde” light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred.
The musical “Hairspray, ” scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 8 p.m., takes audiences back to the ‘60s where Tracy Turnblad has only one passion – to dance. She wins a spot on a local TV dance program and is transformed overnight into an irrepressible teen celebrity. Based on John Waters’ hilarious 1988 film, this musical comedy is filled with upbeat songs that take you from the soundstage of a ‘60s-style dance show to the streets of Baltimore to a downtown rhythm and blues record shop. “Hairspray” is the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
“Lost in Yonkers” is the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama from playwright Neil Simon. The play, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, at 8 p.m, is set above a candy store in New York. The play tells the story of two young brothers who come to live with their strict German grandmother during World War II. While awaiting the return of their father, the boys wrestle to contain their fiery wit as a host of eccentric relatives appear. The New York Post calls it “the best play Simon ever wrote.”
The last performance of this series, scheduled for Saturday, April 2, at 8 p.m., is the Soweto Gospel Choir, a South African phenomenon that celebrates the inspirational and powerful tradition of African gospel music. This riveting 26-member choir has the rare ability to transcend cultural boundaries and connect with diverse audiences through the power of music. The choir achieved critical acclaim with a 35-city tour that sold out in many markets, including Carnegie Hall.
Pre-theater buffet reservations can be made for the Magnolia Room Restaurant by calling 225-578-6656.
Season ticket prices for all four shows are on sale now and range from $107- $133 for the general public; $90-$116 for Union members, faculty and staff; and $45-$58 for students. Individual tickets go on sale Sept. 5. A limited number of series tickets will be sold and can be charged to MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Tiger Cash. Series tickets may be purchased through the LSU Union Box Office, 225-578-5128. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. For more information e-mail unionbox@lsu.edu, call the LSU Union Program Department at 225-578-5118 or visit www.lsu.edu/union or www.uniontheater.lsu.edu.
The national award-winning LSU Union Great Performances Theater Series is one of the longest-running variety performing arts series in Baton Rouge. It is sponsored by the LSU Union Program Council Lively Arts Committee.
The LSU Office of Public Affairs edged out top public relations firms, major universities and large ad agencies from around the South to win the coveted “Best of Show” and other awards from the Southern Public Relations Federation at the organization’s annual conference in July.
LSU Public Affairs won the SPRF’s top award, the Lantern Award, in the crisis communication category. LSU’s entry, “Managing Crisis Communication Through Hurricane Katrina,” also received the organization’s highest overall honor – the “Best of Show” award – which is chosen from all the Lantern Award winners in all categories.
In addition, LSU Public Affairs received a Certificate of Merit for the “Welcome to the Now” 30-second television public service announcement, which was the TV component to LSU’s “Welcome to the Now” image and recruiting campaign.
The SPRF is an organization of public relations, marketing and communication professionals from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Members come from the private sector, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
LSU’s crisis communication efforts during Hurricane Katrina were also recognized at the national level in June, when LSU’s Office of Public Affairs received a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America. That competition pitted LSU Public Affairs against the nation’s largest and most successful public relations and advertising agencies.
The crisis communication entry for both competitions outlined LSU’s efforts to communicate with its internal and external publics before, during and after Hurricane Katrina. It also detailed how LSU Public Affairs worked to manage LSU’s key messages during the crisis.
The entry included photographs of the field hospital and the special-needs shelter that were set up on campus; information about the pet shelter that was set up in the Parker Coliseum; copies of press releases sent out by Public Affairs to inform the media and the public of LSU’s efforts; information on the huge volunteer effort by university students, staff and faculty; a description of the 24-hour crisis hotline set up by LSU; a copy of the university’s crisis communication plan; a copy of the book, “LSU in the Eye of the Storm”; copies of broadcast e-mails sent to the LSU community by the chancellor and provost; a list of lessons learned by LSU; printed versions of the hurricane information that was on LSU’s Web site during the crisis; and copies of the numerous media articles that described LSU’s efforts.
Michael Ruffner, vice chancellor for communications and university relations, said both the regional and national wins are victories not only for the Public Affairs staff, but for everyone at LSU.
“These awards recognize the Public Affairs staff for successfully managing the message and for improving LSU’s national reputation through publicity,” he said. “However, they were promoting the work that everyone at LSU was doing, from the student volunteers, all the way up to the chancellor. Nearly every department at the university was involved in the hurricane-relief effort in some way, and that work contributed to LSU winning these awards. It was a total LSU effort.”
The Louisiana Business & Technology Center at LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business will be featured in the Japan External Trade Organization’s, or JETRO forthcoming guide to best business practices in small-business incubation. Charles D’Agostino, executive director of the LBTC, was interviewed by Kazufumi Tanaka, director of Technology and Industry Research for JETRO, in July regarding the services provided to the business community by LBTC.
According to Tanaka, the LBTC, which was named the 2005 National Business Incubator of the Year by the National Business Incubation Association, was selected by the Japanese group to be featured in its upcoming book on best practices in business incubation because of its 18-year track record of success. Tanaka was interested in the management structure of the LBTC and its policies and procedures on selecting client firms and tracking their success.
“ The Japanese were extremely interested in the LBTC’s relationship with LSU and our success in technology transfer and commercialization. This is a great opportunity for the LBTC, LSU and Louisiana to gain international exposure in Japan,” said D’Agostino.
The book will be printed in Japanese and will be distributed throughout Japan to all communities and universities interested in starting business incubators.
JETRO has six offices in the United States that provide information and support to American companies looking for successful entry and expansion in the Japanese market. JETRO provides a wide range of services, such as timely market intelligence, extensive business development support and relevant business events, all designed to encourage new business between American companies and Japan.
On July 26, the Wellness Education Department held its Annual Sexual Assault Victims’ Advocate, or SAVA, Training. More than 30 LSU personnel attended with department representation from Admissions, African American Cultural Center, Christ the King Catholic Church, Center for Student Leadership and Involvement, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Basic Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Music & Dramatic Arts, Office of the Dean of Students, International Cultural Center, Mental Health Service, Department of Residential Life, Women’s Center and University College Center for Freshman Year.
The training was approved for 6.5 or contact hours for Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors and Education Counselors. The department had a wide range of speakers who work and advocate against sexual violence and domestic violence. Among the presenters was Tracey Barbera, assistant district attorney; Julie Fitch, coordinator for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Wanda Pezant, state coordinator for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners; Jane Wood, director of the Rape Crisis Center and university department personnel who work with student survivors.
SAVAs are specially trained university personnel who can provide confidential guidance and support to LSU students who have directly experienced interpersonal violence. The period after a traumatic event can be confusing. SAVAs ensure that no survivor or student-at-risk has to navigate the medical, legal, mental health or university system alone. SAVAs provide options for recovery including assistance with filing a police report, obtaining medical care, assistance with the university judicial process, assistance with housing relocation, academic assistance/accommodations and referrals to appropriate services and resources.
For a current list of individuals who have been trained to serve as Sexual Assault Victims’ Advocates, please call the Wellness Education Department’s SAVA Program Coordinator Ashley Granger at 578-5718.
For those interested in more information on SAVA, Wellness Education will host a SAVA Program Lunch and Learn Session on Tuesday, Sept. 19, in the Union Atchafalaya Room from noon to 1:30 p.m. The topic of the session will be “Care Issues for the Male Sexual Assault Survivor,” presented by Demetrius Porche, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans.
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| Mehmet Tumay |
LSU Georgia Gulf Distinguished Professor Emeritus Mehmet Tumay was recently honored by his peers at the GeioShanghai International Conference for his contributions to the field of geotechnical engineering. The conference was held in Shanghai, China, June 6-8.
Tumay was honored by colleagues and former students for his professional vision, rigor and integrity as an educator. He was commended for his vision and leadership in creating a nationally and internationally recognized geotechnical engineering program at LSU, as one of the many highlights of his professional career. He also contributed to the field during his year of service to the National Science Foundation, Transportation Research Board, U.S. Universities Council for Geotechnical Education and Research and Geo-Institute of American Society of Civil Engineers, or ASCE.
Tumay is a fellow and life member of ASCE. He was an active faculty member at LSU from 1976-2005, and served the LSU College of Engineering as the associate dean for research and graduate studies and as director of the Donald W. Clayton Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Engineering Science.
Tumay’s research, scholarly activities and leadership have played a key role in the progress made by the LSU geotechnical group in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. The funding for the research and educational program of the seven-member geotechnical faculty has increased to more than $5,000,000 under Tumay’s coordination during 1980-1990, focusing on in-situ testing, geo environmental engineering, ground improvement and marine geotechnics.
Tumay has done extensive research for the past 40 years in the areas of in-situ evaluation of engineering properties of soils, soil physicochemical behavior and novel methods of soil improvement. He has earned national and international recognition from the consulting and academic communities for his pioneering research accomplishments, mainly in electronic cone penetration and computer-aided data collection/reduction systems for evaluation of the engineering behavior of particulate media. He has served as principal investigator of numerous grants from prestigious national and international agencies. A major international consulting company from The Netherlands established the “Fugro Post-Doctoral fellowship at LSU dedicated to the advancement of in-situ testing under Dr. Tumay’s supervision.”
Tumay served as a charter member of the Academic Research Council of the Civil Engineering Research Foundation, or CERF, and represented the Louisiana Transportation Research Center on the National Council for Civil Engineering Research of CERF. He was selected as LSU’s recipient of the Louisiana Engineering Foundation Faculty Professionalism Award for 2001. His scholarly activities include more than 150 published scientific articles and contributions to numerous conferences and symposia. He has presented invited papers worldwide on technical topics and general research, education and policy issues in geotechnical engineering, and general civil infrastructure.
Tumay received a bachelor of science degree from Robert College School of Engineering. He received a master’s degree from the University of Virginia and completed a Ph.D. at Istanbul Technical University, where he later received a postdoctoral Docent degree. His academic, research and consulting affiliations include universities, research institutions and industry in the United States, The Netherlands, France, Turkey, Korea, Norway, Taiwan, Poland, Brazil and People’s Republic of China. He is currently distinguished visiting professor at the Korean Advanced Institute for Science and Technology in Deajon, South Korea, and an adjunct professor at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey.
The GeioShanghai International Conference was sponsored by Tongji University and the Shanghai Society of Civil Engineers, in cooperation with ASCE Geo-Institute, International Association of Foundation Drilling, Deep Foundation Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Kansas, University of Tennessee, Saga University and Delft University of Technology.