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LSU Honors College Graduates 78 Students at Spring Commencement

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:34:04 -0500

BATON ROUGE – The LSU Honors College graduated 78 students at the university’s 280th commencement exercises on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17.

The Honors College gave special recognition to the 36 students who participated in a specific honors program and successfully completed and defended an undergraduate thesis.

The following students, listed by hometown, graduated with College Honors, completing a minimum of 32 hours of honors coursework including the upper-division honors program:

Louisiana:
Baton Rouge:
Daniel Cabrido Alcanzare, political science and history; Rachel Annamae Berard, international studies and political science; Alex Michael Braud, political science; Nathan Edward Bush, mathematics; Daniel James Case, physics; Anthony Nash Correro II, psychology; Mia Cherise Ferriss, physics; Rathnayaka M K D Gunasingha, chemical engineering; Charles Ray Halliburton, chemistry; Jacob Jesch, anthropology; Jose Aquiles Parodi Amaya, computer engineering; and Jessica Leigh Wasiloski, architecture

Covington:

Christine A. Derbins, mathematics and mass communication

Deridder:
Leslie Ann Leavoy, mass communication

Destrehan:
Megan Catherine Ranck, biochemistry

Gretna:
Aimee Elizabeth Chalin, political science

Hammond:
Brian Christopher Poulin, computer science

Lake Charles:
Elizabeth Louise Clausen, English, and Jerome Avery Weston, mathamatics

Mandeville:
Lindsay Hope Wilson, architecture

Napoleonville:
Sarah Elizabeth Gravois, architecture

Natchitoches:
Lindsay O’Neal Prothro, geology

Opelousas:
Tiffany LaShay Lemon, biochemistry, and Angelica Raven Simmons, biological sciences

Plaquemine:
Arundhati Bakshi, biological sciences

Ponchatoula:
Kit E. Hymel, computer science

Sulphur:
Leigh Anne Phillips, mass communication

Zachary:
Laura Ann Clesi, chemistry

Kentucky:
Louisville:
Amy Elizabeth Seldon, architecture

Florida:
Brandon:
Brandyn R. Chinn, biochemistry

North Carolina:
Charlotte:
Stephanie Marlene Fuqua, political science

Tennessee:
Germantown:
Victoria Lynn Wood, political science and international studies

Seymour:
Devin J. Conway, biological sciences

Texas:
Fort Worth:
Elizabeth Ashley Mengis, biochemistry

Katy:
Mollye Elizabeth Baker, kinesiology

Honduras:
Tegucigalpa:
Michelle Christine Zavala-Cardona, political science and international studies

The following three students graduated with the Upper Division Honors Distinction for completing the upper-division honors program:

Baton Rouge:
Danica Rue Levine, international studies

Walker:
Douglas Graham Secrest, accounting

Klondike, Texas:
Shane Gregory Cone, geology

For more information on the LSU Honors College, visit http://www.honors.lsu.edu/.

LSU Employees Recognized at 2013 Spring Commencement

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:06:09 -0500

BATON ROUGE – On Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, LSU held its 280th commencement exercises and recognized 3,735 graduates, including 22 faculty and staff members.

Following the main commencement ceremony, each college held its own diploma ceremony to recognize its own individual students. Of the 22 employees who graduated, three earned a bachelor's degree, one earned a Certificate of Education Specialists, 12 earned master's degrees and six earned doctoral degrees.

Those employees who were awarded degrees include the following:

Bachelor's Degrees:
Tonna Marie Dedon, Office of Facility Services
Belinda Nelson Doyle, Office of Human Resource Management
Karen Renee Romaire, Office of Risk Management

Certificate of Education Specialists:
Bridget Bradshaw Robicheaux, College of Human Sciences & Education

Master's Degrees:
Shane Gregory Bates, University Lab School
Emily Gillett Becnel, LSU AgCenter Southeast Region Parish Offices
Adam Wesley Clary, Law Enforcement Online
Shannon Hope Cocreham, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Monica Therese Esnault, Office of Accounting Services
Joseph Riley Givens, Ronald E. McNair Program
Angela Rose Kanney, International Student Office
Ryan Thomas Landry, Office of Academic Affairs
Justin Tyler Morris, University Lab School
Marcelle Alyce Navarre, Law Enforcement Online
Timothy Earhart Rodrigue, E. J. Ourso College of Business – Administration
Dawn Michelle Simms, School of Veterinary Medicine – Pathobiological Sciences

Doctoral Degrees:
Melissa Megan Korduner, First Year Experience
Charles Francis Pecquet, Department of Construction Management
David Sathiaraj, Department of Geography & Anthropology
Caroline Lillian Schneider, Department of Chemistry
Kirsten Ann Simonsen, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences – Coastal Fisheries
Yanqiu Yang, Department of Foreign Language & Literature

The names of all of the students who received degrees can be accessed at LSU’s commencement website, www.lsu.edu/commencement. The list is for spring 2013 graduates who have authorized the release of their names.

LSU Recognizes 52 University Medalists

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:57:13 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Fifty-two LSU seniors received University Medals for graduating with the highest undergraduate grade-point averages as part of LSU’s 280th commencement exercises.

The medalists were honored at a luncheon held on Thursday, May 16, in the L Club Room of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, and were also recognized and received their medals during the university’s main commencement ceremony held later that day, also in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The medalists, listed by hometown and state below, are the students who authorized the release of their names:

GEORGIA
Suwanee
Chloe Elizabeth Ward, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

LOUISIANA
Abita Springs
Vincent Jonathan Tonagel, Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the College of Engineering

Baton Rouge
Rachel Annamae Berard, dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Daniel James Case, dual Bachelor of Science degrees from the College of Science and Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business
Maegan Marie Condalary, Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Alfonso Roman Croeze, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science
Katherine Grace Cronin, Bachelor of Science from the College of Human Sciences and Education
Heather Lynn Geoffroy, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science
Rathnayaka M. Kalpanee D. Gunasingha, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the College of Engineering
Charles Ray Haliburton III, Bachelor of Science from the College of Sciences
Mikelle Kristen Humble, dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Kendall Marie Knobloch, Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business
Daniel Gray Nelson, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science and Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Stephen Thomas Peltier, Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Elizabeth Marie Pendelton, Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Art & Design
Jacyln Jennifer St. Croix, Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business
Carl Frederick Sabottke, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science
Douglas Graham Secrest, Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business

Berwick
Quinn Gerald Thibodeaux, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

Bogalusa
Caitlin Renee Parker, Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Bossier City
Anthony Nash Correro II, Bachelor of Science from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Lucas Hodgkins Self, Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Chalmette
Olivia Anne Gioe, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

Destrehan
Megan Catherine Ranck, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

Erath
Tricia Marie Rood, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

Garyville
Kelly David Clement, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering

Gretna
Aimee Elizabeth Chalin, Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Kenner
Jennifer Lynne Baer, Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business

Lafayette
Emily Rose Flynn, Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business
Lauren Kelly Messonnier, Bachelor of Mass Communication from the Manship School of Mass Communication

Lake Charles
Elizabeth Louise Clausen, Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Joseph Cade Daughenbach, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science
Jonathon Brent Moss, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science
Matthew Cade Moss, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

Metairie
Corey Lane Bretz, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science
Adam L. LaHoste, Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business

Mandeville
Christine Ann Derbins, Bachelor of Mass Communication from the Manship School of Mass Communication and Bachelor of Science from the College of Science
Jared Michael Robichaux, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science
Aime Weissinger, Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Art & Design

Montegut
Julie Catherine Cronan, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science and Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Monroe
Blake Walker Richard, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

New Orleans
Leon Albert Flettrich IV, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

Ponchatoula
Kit Evan Hymel, Bachelor of Science from the College of Engineering

Prairieville
Erica Michelle Geromini, Bachelor of Architecture from the College of Art & Design

Watson
Sarah Patricia Rushing, Bachelor of Music from the College of Music & Dramatic Arts

West Monroe
Colton Harrison Walker, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

MISSOURI
Lee's Summit
Nicole M. White, Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business

TEXAS
Springtown
Rachel Elizabeth Alvis, Bachelor of Science from the E.J. Ourso College of Business

VIRGINIA
Chesapeake
Christiana Alieze Compton, Bachelor of Music from the College of Music & Dramatic Arts and Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

INDIA
Jamshedpur
Arundhati Bakshi, Bachelor of Science from the College of Science

HONDURAS
Tegucigalpa
Michelle Christine Zavala-Cardona, Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

SOUTH KOREA
Seoul
Michelle Minjee Kim, Bachelor of Arts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

-30-

Contact Aaron Looney
LSU Media Relations
225-578-3871
alooney@lsu.edu

Eighteen ROTC Cadets Commissioned on May 16

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:53:57 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Eighteen graduates were commissioned during the LSU Spring Commissioning Ceremony on Thursday, May 16, in the Bo Campbell Auditorium at the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes. Retired Maj. Gen. James W. Graves, who culminated a long and distinguished career of military service to his country as the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve matters at the Pentagon, was the guest speaker for the ceremony.

Three of the graduates were from the LSU Army ROTC program, 11 of the graduates were from the LSU Air Force ROTC program and four were LSU students who participated in Southern University's Navy ROTC program.

The following is a list of commissionees by program and hometown:

LSU Army ROTC (3):

Mandeville – 2nd Lt. Kathleen Danielle Keller received a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from E. J. Ourso College of Business. Keller will attend the Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Okla.

River Ridge – 2nd Lt. Lt Kyle James Meariman received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with a concentration in criminology from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Meariman will attend Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course in Fort Benning, Ga.

Chester, Va. – 2nd Lt. Deion Jamil Stalling received a Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Stalling’s branch is transportation. His first assignment will be with B Company, 3rd Battalion, 319 Regiment, 7th Brigade Support Team after attending the Transportation Corps Basic Officer Leader Course at Ft. Lee, Va.

LSU Air Force ROTC (11):

Salinas, Calif. – 2nd Lt. Felix Carrillo III received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the E. J. Ourso College of Business. His first assignment is acquisitions officer-program management at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

Lafayette – 2nd Lt. Myles Matthew Delcambre received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering. His first assignment is acquisitions officer-developmental engineer at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Slidell – 2nd Lt. Molly Jane Hane received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from the College of Science. Her first assignment is as a space and missile operations officer at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.

Metairie – 2nd Lt. Greg James Huete received a Bachelor of Science degree in management information systems from E. J. Ourso College of Business. His first assignment is as a space and missile operations officer at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Terrytown – 2nd Lt. Denisse Stephanie Paz received a Bachelor of Science degree in applied/discrete mathematics from the College of Science. Her first assignment is as a cyber operations officer at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.

Grenta – 2nd Lt. Julie Quach received a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering from the College of Engineering. Her first assignment is as a cyber operations officer at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.

Jackson – 2nd Lt. Caleb Monroe Shotwell received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the College of Engineering. His first assignment is as a pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas.

New Orleans – 2nd Lt. Kyle Nolan Simmons received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. His first assignment is as a law student at the Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans.

Abbeville – 2nd Lt. Albert C Steen III received a Bachelor of Science degree in human resource education from the College of Human Sciences & Education. His first assignment is as a pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas.

Baton Rouge – 2nd Lt. Perry Kenneth Van Zandt received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering. His first assignment is as a space and missile operations officer at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Suwanee, Ga. – 2nd Lt. Chloe Ward received a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences. Her first assignment is as a medical student at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Medical School in Bethesda, Md. Ward was also one of 54 students recognized as University Medalists for having the highest grade point average among graduating seniors.

Southern University Navy ROTC (4):

Monroe – Ensign Arthur Carroll Escribano received a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. His first assignment is Naval Aviation School Command in Pensacola, Fla.

St. Amant – 2nd Lt. Jonathan Scofield Delatte commissioned in the United States Marine Corps. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the College of Engineering. His first assignment is at the Basic School in Quantico, Va.

Covington – 2nd Lt. Kaitlin M. Nickelotte commissioned in the United States Marine Corps. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the College of Science. Her first assignment is at the Basic School in Quantico, Va.

Landing, N.J. – 2nd Lt. Kyle Edward Wolfson commissioned in the United States Marine Corps. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in general business from the E. J. Ourso College of Business. His first assignment is at the Basic School in Quantico, Va.

For additional information on the ROTC program, contact Linda Warmsley, assistant director of recruiting and enrollment in LSU's Department of Military Science, at lwarms1@lsu.edu or 225-578-3567 or 225-578-2371.

Thirty-Two Graduates Earn LSU’s Distinguished Communicator Award

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:39:20 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Thirty-two graduates at LSU’s spring commencement exercises on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, were awarded the LSU Distinguished Communicator Award.

These students earned this honor by meeting high standards set by faculty in various colleges and by the LSU Communication across the Curriculum program. The students earned high grade-point averages in communication-intensive courses – based on written, spoken, visual and technological communication – and built digital portfolios, displayed as public websites, which included their communication projects from courses, internships, leadership roles and public service.

This semester’s Distinguished Communicators are as follows, listed with their major, hometown and faculty advisor:

College of Art & Design

• Carolyn Allain, Interior Design
Hometown: New Iberia, La.
Faculty Advisor: John Campbell

• Madeline Drone, Interior Design
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Faculty Advisor: Phillip Tebbutt

• Brigette Noble, Art
Hometown: Brusly, La.
Faculty Advisor: Gerald Bower

• Haley Puckett, Interior Design
Hometown: Bogalusa, La.
Faculty Advisor: Phillip Tebbutt

• Alyssa Smith, Interior Design
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Faculty Advisor: Phillip Tebbutt

• Sarah Allee-Walsh, Interior Design
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Faculty Advisor: TL Richie
E. J. Ourso College of Business

• Kenneth Sack, Finance
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Faculty Advisor: Granger Babcock

• Douglas Secrest, Accounting
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Faculty Advisor: Laura Delaune

College of Engineering

• Ashley Barker, Environmental Engineering
Hometown: Arnaudville, La.
Faculty Advisor: Ron Malone

• Theresa Garcia, Industrial Engineering
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Faculty Advisor: Paige Davis

• Kalpanee Gunasingha, Chemical Engineering
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Faculty Advisor: Michael Benton

• Kori Lutenbacher, Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Covington, La.
Faculty Advisor: Michael Martin

• Joe Poynot Jr., Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Faculty Advisor: Michael Martin

• Marcus Toussaint, Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Lottie, La.
Faculty Advisor: Su-Seng Pang

• Melvin Triay IV, Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Metairie, La.
Faculty Advisor: Summer Dann-Johnson

College of Human Sciences & Education

• Emily Augustin, PK-3 Education
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Faculty Advisor: Michelle Fillastre

• Katherine Dyson, PK-3 Education
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Faculty Advisor: Karen Donnelly

• Joann Kumiega, Kinesiology
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Faculty Advisor: Birgitta Baker

• Reney Mascari, PK-3 Education
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Faculty Advisor: Karen Donnelly

College of Humanities & Social Sciences

• Renee Dale, Philosophy
Hometown: Lake Charles, La.
Faculty Advisor: John Protevi

• Sydney Davis, Communication Disorders
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Faculty Advisor: Shannon Farho

• Arielle Domingue, English
Hometown: Schriever, La.
Faculty Advisor: Sarah Liggett

• Lindsey Mancuso, Communication Disorders
Hometown: Belle Chasse, La.
Faculty Advisor: Brittan Barker

College of Music & Dramatic Arts

• Peryn Schmitt, Theatre
Hometown: Terrytown, La.
Faculty Advisor: Joanna Battles

• Adam Waguespack, Theatre
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Faculty Advisor: EJ Cho

Manship School of Mass Communication

• Allen Alongi
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Faculty Advisor: Erin Coyle

• Leslie Leavoy
Hometown: DeRidder, La.
Faculty Advisor: Joey Watson

• Camille Walther
Hometown: Covington, La.
Faculty Advisor: Jensen Moore

College of Science

• Laura Clesi, Chemistry
Hometown: Zachary, La.
Faculty Advisor: Kresimir Rupnik

• Andrew Elias, Math
Hometown: New Iberia, La.
Faculty Advisor: Coretta Douglas

• Tiffany Lemon, Biochemistry
Hometown: Opelousas, La.
Faculty Advisor: Crystal Johnson

• Angelica Simmons, Biology
Hometown: Opelousas, La.
Faculty Advisor: Saundra McGuire

The LSU Distinguished Communicator program was created in 2006 to enhance learning experiences for LSU students and support the improvement of students’ communication skills.

For more information on Communication across the Curriculum, call 225-578-7791 or visit www.cxc.lsu.edu.

Names of LSU Graduates, Honor Graduates Posted Online

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:35:15 -0500

BATON ROUGE – The names of LSU graduates and honor graduates for May 2013 are now posted online for reporters and editors to copy and paste the names for publication.

One click of the mouse will take reporters to the list(s) they need.

The direct link to the list of graduates is http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/commencement/graduates/.

The direct link to the list of honor graduates is http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/commencement/honorsgraduates/.

Both lists are sorted by state and by Louisiana parishes, and also provide students’ home towns and the college from which they graduated. The lists, as well as several stories and press releases related to commencement, can be accessed from LSU’s commencement website, http://www.lsu.edu/commencement.

Other information available on the commencement site includes the number of graduates and honor graduates, number of states and countries represented in the graduating class, information on students who were commissioned by the armed forces and more.

LSU Recognizes 416 Honor Graduates at Commencement

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:33:42 -0500

BATON ROUGE – LSU’s 280th commencement exercises on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, featured 416 students who graduated with academic honors.

Students with grade-point averages between 3.90 and 4.0 graduated summa cum laude. Those with averages of 3.80 to 3.89 graduated magna cum laude, and those with averages between 3.70 and 3.79 graduated cum laude.

The names of students who received degrees with honors can be accessed at LSU’s commencement website, http://www.lsu.edu/commencement/, or directly at http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/commencement/honorsgraduates/.

The list is for May 2013 graduates who have authorized the release of their names.

ABC News and NPR’s Cokie Roberts Speaks, 3,735 Students Receive Degrees at LSU’s 280th Commencement Exercises

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:28:02 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Cokie Roberts, a political commentator for ABC News and senior news analyst for National Public Radio, delivered the commencement address and 3,735 students received degrees at LSU’s 280th commencement exercises on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17.

Roberts, who is originally from New Orleans, congratulated the class of 2013 and spoke to them about her ties to Louisiana and the fondness she has for LSU.

“It is a great institution,” she said. “You are so privileged to be graduating from this place.”

Roberts told the graduates about her family history in politics in the state, including her parents Hale and Lindy Boggs, and her ancestry that dates back to the first governor of Louisiana, William C.C. Claiborne.

After providing some historical context to how tough the political environment was in the mid-19th century United States leading up to the Civil War, Roberts acknowledge that times are tough today as well and urged the graduated to get involved in service.

“Right now, we are living through a bad time,” she said. “It’s a time when we need the services of talented people like you who are graduating from this fine institution, and we need you to lead the way.”

Roberts said people can’t expect things to get better if good people don’t participate. This includes by voting and running for public office. She told the graduates that “nothing binds us together as a nation except our government.”

“People who came to this country from the beginning have understood that America is an idea … and that great idea is codified in the Constitution,” she said.

“Congress means ‘bring us together,’ and as a country we need you bright graduates to remind the Congress that that is their job, to bring us together,” she added.

Roberts outlined the many ways graduates can participate in service in addition to the newly commissioned ROTC cadets “who could be called upon to surrender the ultimate service.” She said those in art and design will “enrich our lives,” those in music and dramatic arts will “enliven our lives,” those in the sciences and engineering will “enhance our lives,” those humanities and social sciences will “examine our lives,” those in human sciences and education will “edify our lives,” those in mass communication will “inform our lives,” those in agriculture and the coast & environment will “improve our lives,” those in business will “enable our lives,” and those in veterinary medicine will “do all of those things for the other creatures who share this planet.”

“So you will all serve and you will do it well with great preparation you have been afforded at this university,” Roberts said. “So as you go forward, please consider the special place of public service in the history of this nation and make some history yourselves.”

During the main ceremony, 52 students received University Medals for graduating with the highest undergraduate grade-point average in the class, doctoral candidates received their diplomas individually, and degrees were conferred for all students. Separate diploma ceremonies for each college followed at various times and locations across campus. At those ceremonies, every student was recognized individually.

Interim LSU System President and Chancellor William Jenkins presided over the main ceremony and recognized the LSU class of 1963 and the Golden Tigers, or those who graduated at least 50 years ago. LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Garrett H. “Hank” Danos conferred degrees, and LSU Faculty Senate President and Professor of English Kevin Cope served as mace bearer.

The processional and recessional music were provided by the LSU Wind Ensemble, conducted by Donald McKinney. Ariana Wehr Harris, candidate for Doctor of Musical Arts, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the LSU alma mater. The invocation and benediction were be given by the Rev. Robert Stine of Christ the King Catholic Church and Student Center.

During the main ceremony, an honorary degree was awarded to Jenkins for his service, unwavering loyalty and dedication to LSU. Jenkins said it was truly an honor to receive the honorary doctorate.

“It’s been an honor and privilege for [my wife] Peggy and I to have served this great university and people of the state of Louisiana,” Jenkins said. “As honored as we are, and I truly, truly am by the receipt of this honorary doctorate, I want you all to know that this will always remind us of being part of you and you being part of us.”

An honorary doctorate was also presented to U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jasper Welch, who graduated from LSU in 1952 and went on to a distinguished career in the Air Force, serving as chief of theoretical physics at the Air Force Special Weapons Center. Welch talked about being on campus from age 3 to 23 with his mother working on the music faculty and his father being involved in the Boy Scout program. He said somehow he also caught the service bug.

“It’s with great pleasure that I receive honor today for a long career of trying to help,” Welch said.

The May 2013 commencement exercises were also the last to be overseen by University Registrar Robert Doolos, who is retiring. Doolos has served as university registrar since 1991 and began working at LSU as an academic counselor in the College of Arts & Sciences, now known as the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, in 1977. In addition to his career in higher education, he served his country as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and retired with the rank of major.

The May 2013 graduating class represented 59 Louisiana parishes, 45 U.S. states and 56 foreign countries. Women made up 56.52 percent of the class and men made up 43.48 percent. The oldest graduate was 78, and four graduates were the youngest at 20. The 3,735 total graduates were made up of 2,825 students who received bachelor’s degrees; 699 who received master’s degrees; four who received education specialist certificates; 115 who received a Ph.D.; 10 who received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree; and 82 who received Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. There were 416 students who graduated with honors.

A number of diploma ceremonies also had prominent speakers this year, including:
• Jenkins, who spoke at the College of Human Sciences & Education ceremony and the College of Humanities & Social Sciences ceremony;
• Architect R. Allen Eskew, who spoke at the College of Art & Design ceremony;
• James Painter, executive vice president of Cobalt International Energy Inc. and division manager for the Gulf of Mexico, who spoke at the College of Science ceremony;
• LSU Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost Stuart Bell, who spoke at the College of Agriculture ceremony;
• Liz Lerman, choreographer, performer, writer, educator and speaker, and the recipient of numerous honors, including a 2002 MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship and a 2011 United States Artists Ford Fellowship in Dance, who spoke at the College of Music & Dramatic Arts ceremony; and
• Don Lemon, journalist and host of “CNN Newsroom,” who spoke at the Manship School of Mass Communication ceremony.

Among notable degree recipients this year is University Medalist Carl Frederick Sabottke, who received the nationally competitive Goldwater Scholarship by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program during his junior year. Sabottke, a native of Baton Rouge, graduated with a degree in chemical physics from the College of Science. A member of the LSU Honors College and LA-STEM Research Scholars, Sabottke hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience, conduct research in theoretical neuroscience and teach at the university level.

Other notable graduates include a pair of former LSU Student Government Presidents. Cody Allen Wells and Richmond Taylor Cox both graduated with degree from the Manship School of Mass Communication.

Commencement is always a family affair, but it was especially memorable this year for a number of graduates. Sisters Bobbie and Samantha Delahoussaye both earned degrees from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Sisters Jessica and Jennifer Frentress from Baton Rouge both earned bachelor’s degrees – Jessica earned a degree in psychology from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, and Jennifer earned a degree in nutrition and food sciences from the College of Agriculture. Twins Brea and Dakota Goodman both earned degrees in psychology from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, while twins Brent and Matthew Moss of Lake Charles both graduated in biological sciences with perfect grade point averages and were honored as University Medalists.

Charlotte Garman Baker graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, becoming a sixth-generation LSU graduate in her family. Her family’s LSU ties began 140 years ago when her great-great-great grandfather, Judge Milton A. Strickland, graduated in May 1873.

During the main ceremony, Lt. Col. Mary “Marston” McKeon, professor of aerospace studies, recognized the newly commissioned Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC cadets. The 18 cadets – three cadets commissioned from the LSU Army ROTC program, 11 from the Air Force ROTC program and four LSU cadets commissioned from the Southern University Navy ROTC program – were officially commissioned at a separate ceremony on Thursday, May 16.

LSU honored 32 graduates with the LSU Distinguished Communicator Award. These students earned this honor by meeting high standards set by faculty in various colleges and by the LSU Communication across the Curriculum program. The students earned high grade-point averages in communication-intensive courses – based on written, spoken, visual and technological communication – and have built digital portfolios displayed as public websites that include their communication projects from courses, internships, leadership roles and public service.

This semester, 78 Honors College students graduated with 36 students earning College Honors and three students earning Upper Division Honors Distinction from the LSU Honors College. These students participated in a specific honors program and successfully completed and defended an undergraduate thesis.

More than 550 African and African-American students were recognized in the LSU African-American Cultural Center’s 17th annual Robing Ceremony on Thursday, May 16. During the event, degree candidates received the traditional African Kente stole in LSU colors to signify the completion of their academic journey. The Robing Ceremony was sponsored by the African-American Cultural Center; the Office of Multicultural Affairs; the Office of Equity, Diversity & Community Outreach; and the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs also hosted the “Lavender Graduation” stole presentation on Tuesday, May 14, honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of LSU’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and allied/asexual, or LGBTQA, students who have successfully completed their college careers, or will successfully complete their degrees in the summer or fall of 2013, and will be receiving an undergraduate or graduate degree at LSU.

For more information on commencement, visit www.lsu.edu/commencement. A complete list of graduates is available at http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/commencement/graduates/. This list includes May 2013 graduates who have authorized the release of their names.

LSU Honors Tiger Twelve Class of 2013

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:19:10 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Twelve outstanding LSU seniors were recently recognized as the Tiger Twelve Class of 2013. The award recognizes current, full-time students, who are seniors, have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.5, and have best demonstrated the seven basic principles outlined in LSU’s Commitment to Community, a statement of the mutually agreed upon expectations for each LSU community member established by students, faculty and staff in 1995.

The Office of the Dean of Students held a ceremony to honor the Tiger Twelve Class of 2013 on Saturday, April 27, in the Holliday Forum of the LSU Journalism Building.

The Tiger Twelve Class of 2013 includes Brianne Bergeron, Kelsey Bradbury, Aimee Chalin, Christine Derbins, Maxwell N. Derrickson, Elaine Giles, Kameron V. Kilchrist, Sarah A. Lichterman, Kolby Lirette, Lara Mertens, Adrienne Simon, and Sharis N. Steib.

Brianne Bergeron
Major: Kinesiology – Human Movement
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Houma, La.

Brianne Bergeron is a four-year member of LSU’s track and field team and served as team representative to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years. She is currently the president of LSU’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a member of the LSU Ambassadors.

Future Plans: In July, Bergeron will begin the master’s program in prosthetics and orthotics at Northwestern University in Chicago, Ill. Through this career field she will be able to craft artificial limbs for amputees. She also has ambitions of using these skills after local and international natural disasters.

Kelsey Bradbury
Major: Kinesiology – Human Movement
Minor: Biology
Hometown: Metairie, La.

Kelsey Bradbury is the executive vice president of Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-medical honor society, served as a resident assistant for two years, and as a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary. She is involved in the LSU Ambassadors, Leadership LSU and serves as a reading friend with Volunteers in Public Schools.

Future Plans: After graduating in December 2013, Bradbury will participate in the Disney College Program in Orlando, Fla. In the fall of 2014, she will attend medical school and hopes to specialize in pediatrics.

Aimee Chalin
Major: Political Science
Minors: English and History
Hometown: Gretna, La.

Aimee Chalin is the president of Focus on College and Unlimited Success, or FOCUS, and vice president of Phi Alpha Delta pre-law honor society. She has served as historian and parliamentarian of the Honors College Student Council, was selected as an Honors College Peer Leader and volunteered with the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition.

Future Plans: After graduation, Chalin plans to attend Loyola College of Law in New Orleans, La. She wants to take full advantage of Loyola’s commitment to social justice in the law and hopes to become a child advocacy attorney.

Christine Derbins
Majors: Mathematics and Mass Communication
Hometown: Mandeville, La.

Christine Derbins is a four-year member of the Honors College Advocates, served as campus life coordinator and small group leader for STRIPES Extended Orientation Program, volunteered as a team leader for Community Bound, raised funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and served as a phone counselor at THE PHONE, Baton Rouge’s crisis hotline.

Future Plans: After graduation, Derbins will move to Houston, Texas, to work for the world’s largest oilfield services company, Schlumberger. She will be training to become a seismic engineer, where she will analyze seismic wave data to help locate oil.

Maxwell N. Derrickson
Major: Sports Administration
Minor: Business
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.

Maxwell N. Derrickson is the current president of the Interfraternity Council, served as president of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and served as member-at-large for the College of Human Sciences & Education Student Council. He is also involved with the Greek Board of Directors and serves as a university hearing panelist for the LSU Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability.

Future Plans: After graduation in December 2013, Derrickson plans to move back to Atlanta, Ga., to pursue a career in sports marketing or management. He hopes to find a career with one of the many professional sports teams in Atlanta or work for the new College Football Hall of Fame that is being built in Atlanta.

Elaine Giles
Major: Mass Communication
Minor: Business Administration
Hometown: Denham Springs, La.

Elaine Giles is a four-year student assistant in the LSU Office of First Year Experience, president and founder of Geaux BIG Baton Rouge, and past president of Student Activities Board at LSU. She was also the LSU student chairperson for the 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship joint service project between LSU and the University of Alabama.

Future Plans: After graduation, Giles will attend Florida State University, pursuing a master’s degree in higher education. She will also serve as the community engagement cluster graduate assistant in FSU’s Center for Leadership and Social Change.

Kameron V. Kilchrist
Major: Biological Engineering
Hometown: Lafayette, La.

Kameron V. Kilchrist served as a research assistant in the LSU Departments of Biological Engineering and Chemistry. He is a member and mentor for the LA-STEM Research Scholars Program; served as secretary, vice president of administration, and president for Spectrum; chaired the 2012 Louisiana Queer Conference committee; and volunteers with Capital City Alliance and Equality Louisiana.

Future Plans: After graduation, Kilchrist will attend Vanderbilt University to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical engineering as a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow. He will be working to develop new bio-materials.

Sarah A. Lichterman
Major: Mass Communication
Minor: Business Administration
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.

Sarah A. Lichterman served as the activities chair and vice president of public relations for Delta Delta Delta sorority, president and public relations director for Greek Board of Directors, and member and chair of the Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee. She is also involved in Habitat for Humanity and the Student Life & Enrollment Advisory Council.

Future Plans: In June, Lichterman will begin working full-time at Obsidian Public Relations in Memphis, Tenn., as an account assistant. She is excited and feels lucky to be able to start her career as a public relations professional upon graduation.

Kolby Lirette
Major: Human Resources & Leadership Development
Minor: Business Administration
Hometown: Marrero, La.

Kolby Lirette is a four-year member of the LSU Ambassadors and has served as the chair for the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop, senator for the Agriculture College Council, and co-director for Be the Match bone marrow drive. He was selected as the orientation team leader for 2012, and served as a small group leader for the STRIPES Extended Orientation Program.

Future Plans: Lirette has accepted a position with Teach for America, where he will be teaching special education on the south side of Chicago, while also pursuing a master’s degree in education. After his two year commitment, he plans to pursue a career in higher education, focusing on student affairs.

Lara Mertens
Major: International Studies
Minor: French
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.

Lara Mertens interned with the International Institute of St. Louis, is a member of Kappa Delta sorority, served the Greek community as a Gamma Chi and volunteered with Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana and Hospice of Baton Rouge. Metens also spent five weeks in Uganda volunteering for Empower A Child, where she assisted with children in orphanages and dug wells to provide villagers with fresh water.

Future Plans: After graduation, Mertens will begin her service in the Peace Corps as a community health educator in Cameroon. During her 27-month service, she will be working on HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention, as well as reproductive health education.

Adrienne Simon
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
Hometown: New Iberia, La.

Adrienne Simon is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, where she has served in multiple leadership roles such as leadership chairman, sisterhood and ritual chairman, and vice president of member education. She has also served as the president of Greek Leadership Institute, president of Order of Omega, and volunteered with Students On Target and the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center.

Future Plans: After graduation, Simon will serve as a leadership development consultant for Kappa Delta Sorority, where she will meet with collegiate women to help them enhance their organizations. In the fall of 2014, she plans to begin a graduate program in leadership and organizational development.

Sharis N. Steib
Major: Biological Engineering
Hometown: Vacherie, La.

Sharis N. Steib interned with Abbott Internships in Sligo, Ireland. She is a four-year member of the National Society of Black Engineers, where she has served as the parliamentarian; senator for the Engineering College Council; and member of the LA-STEM Research Scholars Program. She has also volunteered with Big Buddy, 101 Black Men’s ACT prep tutoring program, and LSU’s Innovation through Institutional Integration Program (or I3).

Future Plans: After graduation, Steib will take a year off from school to pursue a research-based entrepreneurial endeavor, and help expand her family's catering business. She will also be starting a non-profit organization named Verbiage, which has the mission of encouraging students to use writing and other forms of expression as remediation methods. In the fall of 2014, she plans to begin medical school.

For more information about LSU Tiger Twelve, visit http://www.deanofstudents.lsu.edu/tiger12.

Academic Sub-Committee Meets Monday, Discusses SACS, Service-Learning and Course Numbering

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:56:12 -0500

ATON ROUGE – The fourth meeting of the Academic Sub-Committee of the Transition Advisory Team took place on Monday, May 13, at the LSU AgCenter in Efferson Hall. The sub-committee is part of the LSU2015 process for the reorganization of LSU. The meeting was streamed live via the Internet for those who could not attend and meeting archives are available at www.lsu.edu/tat.

The meeting was opened with an update on SACSCOC and the upcoming reaffirmation process for several LSU campuses, given by Jim Firnberg, chair of the Research & Discovery Sub-Committee and member of the Legal & Regulatory Sub-Committee. Firnberg outlined several points that he and Shelby McKenzie, LSU System lead legal counsel, found relevant and important to the Transition Advisory Process and the Academic Sub-Committee in particular.

He highlighted the implications of reorganization on the SACS reaffirmation process and the general recommendation is to continue with current reaffirmation processes. This does not preclude all campuses in the system being involved in ways to implement the findings of the Transition Advisory Team process that would improve efficiencies but don’t affect reaffirmation.

As part of LSU2015, there can be more cross campus collaboration and common courses and curriculums, but other aspects such as having “one faculty” for the system wouldn’t be able to work with separate campus accreditations.

Firnberg said they would like to have SACS appoint a single point of contact for LSU as it goes through this process and that the appropriate substantive change documents would be filed with that assigned person.

While LSU can learn from others, Jenkins said, he wants “the LSU model.”

“I don’t want to mimic anyone; I want it to be ours,” Jenkins said.

“It’s got to be an LSU plan,” Firnberg added. “We can’t adopt someone else’s plan because we aren’t like anyone else.”

The sub-committee then reviewed their charter and discussions to date. They looked at an overview of the Academic Sub-Committee priority recommendations, which were taken from previous meeting discussions.

LSU Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said that he was in agreement with the points, but that the set of suggestions lacked a certain degree of resolution and didn’t focus on the post-graduate process of a student going to graduate or professional school.

“What we really need is a sense of flow of students all the way through the graduate process,” said Cope, who added that he would like to see long term projections.

The group also discussed the concern of African American enrollment in medical school, the system’s need for a library system and the scholarly attainment of a degree from LSU.

“We do not believe that the primary metric of a degree from LSU is the type of job you get or the pay scale for that job,” said Dr. Lester W. Johnson, professor and chief of surgery, director of Surgical Services at LSU Health Sciences Center and sub-committee co-chair.

The sub-committee next engaged in a discussion on experiential education and service-learning.

Regarding experiential education, the sub-committee talked about how field experience could be accounted in a person’s academic credits. The group discussed how experiential education could be measured and provided examples of the types of experiences that could qualify.

While faculty will ultimately need to work through the merits of experiential education, Jenkins said that that it is an area worth exploring.

The group next discussed service-learning, including the objective of service-learning, what is currently being done, possibilities for the future and best practices.

Jenkins said that it is part of the student experience and it is such a beneficial part of the curriculum.

“It’s certainly helped me in my own training,” he said.

Some concerns brought up regarding service-learning included ensuring there are faculty who will teach it, the faculty workload, class sizes, oversight and providing adequate opportunities for students. The group discussed that a good model for how service-learning can be structured is the 4-H Program.

The Academic Sub-Committee ended their meeting with a discussion on common curricula and course numbering. Options for this effort included a common core curriculum for the first 30 hours in all curricula for students on all LSU campuses (excluding the Health Science Centers); a common course numbering system for all of these courses; common syllabi for these courses; more faculty collaboration among faculty teaching these courses; having faculty throughout LSU2015 develop online course material for some of these courses that can be taken by students at any location; minimum faculty requirements for teaching these courses; and common course numbering throughout LSU by 2015 (or before).

“We have to have a much easier and transparent transfer process, at least among the LSU campuses,” Firnberg said.

The sub-committee discussed these options and provided feedback and suggestions. One of the biggest areas discussed was the common syllabi suggestion and that it takes away creativity and flexibility.

Cope said that all of these options should be discussed and that there is merit in the proposals. He said to remember that control over the curriculum is a top issue for SACS.

“What makes us different … is that we offer a rich and complex and varied education,” Cope said.

“All of these alternatives need to be examined a little more carefully and at a greater length,” he added.

The Academic Sub-Committee met previously on Feb. 28 at LSU, on March 15 at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and April 5 at the LSU AgCenter.

This sub-committee is focusing on inter- and intra-campus innovation and collaboration, academic standards and the strategic deployment of academic programs and leveraging technology for learning. It is co-chaired by Jenkins and Dr. Lester W. Johnson, professor and chief of surgery and director of Surgical Services at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

Agendas for this and all LSU2015 sub-committee and task force group meetings can be found at http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/lsu2015/events/. The names of Transition Advisory Sub-Committee members are available at http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/lsu2015/transition-advisory-team-sub-committees/sub-committees/.

More information on LSU’s reorganization process can be found at http://www.lsu.edu/LSU2015. Information on the site includes meeting schedules, minutes and video and presentations from past meetings. Also, visit LSU’s reorganization Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/LSU2015transition.

Incoming LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander Receives Humanitarian Award

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:36:45 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Incoming LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander was honored, along with three other Long Beach community leaders, with the California Conference for Equality and Justice, or CCEJ, Humanitarian Award on Wednesday, May 15.

Alexander; Ivy Goolsby, marketing director and manager of the Long Beach Division of International Realty & Investments Inc.; J. Christopher Lytle, executive director of the Port of Long Beach; and Judy Ross, executive director of the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership were honored at CCEJ’s 50th Annual Humanitarian Awards dinner, held at The Renaissance Long Beach. CCEJ also recognized philanthropists Barbara and Ray Alpert with the “Building Bridges” Award.

“CCEJ has been committed to the fight for equity and justice for decades,” Alexander said. “I am humbled to be recognized by such a distinguished organization when so many others are deserving.”

Founded in 1927 as The National Conference of Christians and Jews, CCEJ is a human relations organization dedicated to confronting bias, bigotry and racism in America. CCEJ promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. For more information, visit http://cacej.org/.

Humanitarian Award recipients are nominated by members of the CCEJ board, representatives of social service agencies and clubs in the greater Long Beach area, and past honorees. Recipients are chosen by a selection committee comprised of the CCEJ board president and past Humanitarian Award recipients.

Alexander, currently the president of California State University Long Beach, plans to begin at LSU at the end of June. He is replacing William Jenkins, who came out of retirement to serve as interim LSU System president and interim LSU chancellor.

Prior to becoming president at CSU Long Beach in 2006, Alexander was the president of Murray State University from 2001 to 2006. He received his Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis in 1996 from the University of Wisconsin, his Master of Science in educational studies/comparative educational policy in 1991 from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts in 1987 in political science from St. Lawrence University.

Under his leadership, CSU Long Beach improved graduation rates to their highest levels in school history; enhanced the number of graduates to their highest levels, totaling approximately 9,000 degrees per year; and obtained capital funding and constructed a new $110 million Hall of Science, a $70 million Student Recreation and Wellness Center and a new School of Nursing facility during an economic recession.

Alexander significantly increased CSU Long Beach’s research and external funding capacity and support. He oversaw a reorganization of CSU Long Beach’s institutional advancement and public relations office, and the university’s private philanthropic giving has set institutional records and currently is in the midst of its first “Capital Campaign,” where more than $200 million has already been raised, resulting in a doubling of the university’s endowment.

During this same time, he maintained and modified budgeting processes to accommodate an $85 million reduction in state appropriations during the economic recession. Alexander was twice voted “President of the Year” by the California State University Student Association, representing 23 student governments and 435,000 students throughout California.

In addition to serving as president at CSU Long Beach and Murray State, Alexander has held positions at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana; University of Wisconsin, Madison; and University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

LSU Executive Education Welcomes Disney Institute to Baton Rouge on June 13

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:54:06 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Disney Institute is bringing its renowned Disney’s Approach to Selection, Training & Engagement course for the first time to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge on June 13. Sponsored by LSU Executive Education, the full-day event will teach area professionals how to train, develop and retain skilled employees who understand and convey the values of their business to achieve positive economic results.

Disney Institute facilitators will explain effective business models and concepts while organizing group discussions, team-building exercises, experiential activities and case studies from Disney’s many business units.

LSU Executive Education Director Robin Kistler said, “We are thrilled to be hosting the Disney Institute again this year by offering this new topic. We believe this is a timely topic that will teach the audience how to drive business results, retain employees and satisfy customers.”

Registration is $385 per person and includes all course materials including lunch, parking, etc. A discounted rate of $370 per person is available for groups of four or more from the same organization. For more information or to register, call 225-578-5516 or visit executive.lsu.edu.

For more than 50 years, LSU Executive Education, part of the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute at the E. J. Ourso College of Business, has prepared individuals and organizations to meet the challenges of a changing workplace and economy. Focusing on professional development in leadership and business, Executive Education partners with organizations who believe the key to sustainability is investing in their most valuable resource – people. Visit executive.lsu.edu for more information about non-credit and non-degree programs.

Disney Institute inspires professionals to use Disney best practices to think and act differently about their business. At the heart of every Disney Institute client interaction are lessons on company culture and brand building. The Disney culture is deeply rooted in leadership, the customer experience, and creativity/innovation, all of which have helped the company be successful for many decades. To learn more, visit www.disneyinstitute.com or call 321-939-4600.

LSU University Recreation Hosting Summer Day Camp for Children Ages 6-12

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:25:36 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Those looking for a fun, recreation-based summer day camp for their children still have the opportunity to sign up for LSU University Recreation, or LSU UREC’s Tiger’s Den.

Tiger’s Den is a recreational experience that provides fun and comprehensive camp programming for children ages 6 to 12, where each session is filled with sport activities, structured games, arts and crafts, fitness classes, swimming, sport skill instruction and interactive educational activities, all incorporating Tiger’s Den values.

The camp utilizes the beauty and amenities of the LSU campus to provide campers with a wide variety of activities such as touring Tiger Stadium, fishing and canoeing the LSU Lakes and partaking in arts and crafts at the LSU Leisure Arts Studio.

“We are looking forward to another safe and fun-filled summer of Tiger’s Den because of the unique opportunity camp provides for children to explore all that LSU has to offer, while also developing lasting friendships and enjoying a diverse range of activities,” said Zach Wood, coordinator of Sport & Camp Programs at LSU UREC.

Through exploring the campus and participating in activities at the Student Recreation Center, Tiger’s Den teaches its core values of fun, enthusiasm, compassion, discovery, humility, leadership and community to every camper. These principles serve as the foundation for Tiger’s Den activities, which are designed to impact and encourage social growth in campers, in areas such as teamwork, community living, healthy sportsmanship and positive competition.

Tiger’s Den is open to children of LSU faculty or staff, as well as families in the Baton Rouge community. Catered lunches, healthy snacks and camper t-shirts are included in each camper’s registration. 2013 Tiger’s Den features five camp sessions throughout the summer, all in which children may be enrolled for full or partial sessions.

For more information on Tiger’s Den, visit www.lsu.edu/urec/tigersden or contact Zach Wood at zwood@lsu.edu.

Hemline@LSU to Host Annual Contour Fashion Show May 15 at Lyceum Ballroom

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:49:14 -0500

BATON ROUGE – Hemline@LSU, the student organization to promote fashion design and merchandising at LSU, will hold its annual Contour fashion show on Wednesday, May 15, at The Lyceum Ballroom, 124 Third St., Baton Rouge. This event features premier original garments designed and handmade by LSU apparel design junior and senior students.

Contour will be divided into three sections - junior and senior class collections, including the “Marsh on the Catwalk” alligator competition; a “Little Black Dress” styling competition; and a special presentation featuring items from LSU alumnus Anthony Ryan Auld’s ROAR collection.

In the “Little Black Dress” competition, LSU fashion merchandising students will be styling the classic and essential outfit to showcase their skills in styling and presentation. This part of the show will allow merchandising students to be a part of a typically design-based show by putting an interesting twist on an everyday garment.

The show will also feature a segment on Auld, an alumnus of the LSU textile, apparel design and merchandising program, or TAM, and winner of season two of the fashion design reality television series, “Project Runway All Stars.” Auld has teamed up with Mary Kathryn Rodrigue and Nick Rauber to form a new foundation called ROAR: Why Whisper When You Can Roar. The project is about connectivity and finding purpose through style, design and expression.

As one of the garments in their senior design collections class, 22 LSU students from the TAM division in the LSU College of Agriculture’s School of Human Ecology developed personal and professional growth by designing and working with women facing a life adversity.

“The assignment was to integrate design techniques and aesthetics while infusing psychological exercises designed to stimulate creativity and style,” said LSU TAM Assistant Professors Lisa Barona McRoberts. “The overall goal was to assist students in finding their design style through personal and professional growth while learning social responsibility by donating a garment to a ROAR survivor of life adversity. The project was designed to celebrate the enduring spirit of women of diverse culture, demographics and life situations by custom designing them a garment in collaboration with a student designer.”

For the third consecutive year, senior design student collections at the show will incorporate garments designed and constructed using Grade 3 Louisiana alligator skin. This competition, sponsored by the Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council through a grant with McRoberts and fellow LSU TAM Assistant Professor Chuanlan Liu, is called “Marsh on the Catwalk.” The top three students will receive monetary awards totaling $500.

“Many designers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers are not aware that slightly flawed alligator skins can be used to create consumer products that are beautiful, functional and very durable,” McRoberts said. “They may assume that alligator leather products are only available to upscale consumers who have large discretionary incomes. However, currently there is an abundance of alligator skins that are slightly imperfect. Using the less-than-perfect skins will aid the sustainability program for the American alligator and provide necessary economic stimulus and development for the state of Louisiana and alligator landowners, farmers, tanneries and trappers. This will also assist in preserving the natural habitat of the American alligator."

The purpose of this project is to introduce student designers to the use of the Grade 3 hides, thereby influencing future fashion industry professionals on the use of a more affordable and sustainable raw material. Students in a senior-level apparel design course will use alligator skins to develop fashion apparel products that would appeal to mainstream consumers. Additionally, students will explore market potential and motivation for consumers to purchase such products. All products developed will be used for promotion of Grade 3 alligator hides.

Hemline is an LSU student organization dedicated to promoting fashion creativity and awareness among LSU students and the Baton Rouge community. It accomplishes this goal by participating in community service projects and having speakers talk at meetings about the local fashion industry. To learn more about Hemline@LSU or the Contour fashion show, visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HemlineAtLSU or email hemlineLSU@gmail.com.

While ticket sales have ended online for the event, a limited number of $10 general admission tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

To learn more about the LSU textile, apparel design and merchandising division, visit http://www.tam.huec.lsu.edu.

LSU to Commission 19 ROTC Cadets on Thursday, May 16

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:36:02 -0500

BATON ROUGE – On Thursday, May 16, 19 of LSU’s ROTC cadets and midshipmen will be commissioned at noon in the Bo Campbell Auditorium of the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.

At the ceremony, 12 cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants from the LSU Air Force ROTC program, three cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants from the LSU Army ROTC program and four LSU students will be commissioned as second lieutenants or ensigns from Southern University’s Navy ROTC program.

The newly commissioned officers will also be acknowledged at LSU’s spring commencement ceremony later that day.

Among those commissioning, three will train as pilots, including one at the Navy’s Aviation School in Pensacola, Fla., and two at Laughlin Air Force Base near Del Rio, Texas; four will train as space and missile operations officers; and two will train as cyber operations officers at Keesler Air Force Base in near Biloxi, Miss. One will attend law school at Loyola University in New Orleans and another will attend medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Medical School in Bethesda, Md.

Retired Maj. Gen. James W. Graves, who culminated a long and distinguished career of military service to his country as the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve matters at the Pentagon, will be the guest speaker for the LSU ROTC 2013 Spring Commissioning Ceremony. In that capacity, he served as the principal adviser to the chairman on all matters affecting the Reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and, where appropriate, the Coast Guard. He also acted as the chairman’s personal liaison with the armed services on Reserve matters and participated in defense forums such as the Reserve Forces Policy Board, the Joint Capabilities Board and the Joint Requirements Oversight Council.

Graves received his commission from Officer Training School after graduating from the College of William & Mary in Virginia. Following pilot training and active service overseas, he entered the Air Force Reserve unit program and continued his education, attaining a Juris Doctorate degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU. His duties in the Reserve program have included weapons officer, instructor pilot, flight examiner, flight commander and assistant operations officer. In addition to his military activities, Graves maintained a private law practice in Shreveport from 1980 until he was invited to return to active duty with the Air Force following the terrorist attacks on the United States of Sept. 11, 2001.

Graves commanded a combat deployment detachment; operations support squadron; the 47th Fighter Squadron, leading the conversion from operations to training missions; an expeditionary operations group; and served as vice commander of the 917th Wing. He held mobilization assistant assignments at Air Combat Command, Air University and Pacific Air Forces.

Among his major awards and decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

For additional information on the ROTC program or the commissioning ceremony, contact Linda Warmsley, assistant director of recruiting and enrollment in LSU’s Department of Military Science, at 225-578-2371 or 225-578-8988.