ovations 2014

Southern University 1 ❘ OVATIONS

SU System helping small businesses

Growing Louisiana’s Workforce Through Small Business Development

Happy 100 SUBR

SUSLA expanding learning space

SU Ag Center chancellor dedicated, fair

SULC law clinics making a difference

SUNO landscape changes with new construction

Spring/Summer 2014OVATIONS ❘ 2


From the

Greetings Jaguar Nation,

According to news reports, large manufacturing and production plants will be bringing thousands of jobs to our state over the next decade. That is a good thing. Jobs are great, but ownership is better. The Ovations cover story features the true workhorses of job production, small businesses.

The Southern System has an important role to play on both fronts. As the nation’s only historically black college and university system, we can produce everything from construction workers to accountants to PhDs in environmental toxicology. As the home of two outstanding business schools, an Economic Development Center, a Business Incubator, an Entrepreneurship Center, a Small Business Development Center, and Business Advisory Center, we are also a statewide resource that enables industrious people to start up and maintain their own businesses.

Entrepreneurship and small business development are not easy to do. They require a good idea, a good plan, start up capital, financial and personnel management, and hard work. Most people have a good idea and the commitment, but need expert assistance to fill in the other elements of success. As the stories inside will attest, our track record in providing that assistance is noteworthy. Southern has become known as Louisiana’s “go to” place for small business assistance.

Southern is proud to work hand in hand with creative minds who believe enough to reach for independence and self-sufficiency by working for themselves.

Also, this issue includes glimpses of exciting campus, faculty, staff, student, and alumni news and achievements, and highlights of SU Baton Rouge’s yearlong Centennial Celebration.

God Bless the Jaguar Nation!

Ronald Mason Jr., J.D.

President


ON THE COVERWith campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport, plus the Agricultural Re-search and Extension Center, Southern has the capacity to reach small businesses in almost every parish throughout the state as they help to propel economic activity in Louisiana. The Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at Southern University Baton Rouge tops other small business development centers in the state with its economic develop-ment efforts. Last year alone the Center trained 1,154 people, counseled 465 businesses, cre-ated 146 jobs, and infused $5.2 million in capital. Small business owner and SU alumnus Eric Porter expanded his construction company, ComNet, in 2011 with the help of Southern. Pictured is Porter on the construction site of a new apartment complex in Pointe Coupee Parish his company is managing.

President’s Message ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3

SU System and Campus News Highlights ................................................................................................................................... 6

SU AG Center Chancellor Loyal to SU ....................................................................................................................................... 20

SUSLA Improved Learning Spaces Inspire Innovative Teaching and Learning ...................................................................... 22

SUNO Welcomes Physical Changes and Growth ...................................................................................................................... 24

Feature Story SU System Growing Louisiana’s Workforce Through Small Business Development .............................................................. 26

SU Bridging the Gap of Cultures on Campus ............................................................................................................................. 33

SU Baton Rouge Celebrates Legacy, Future ................................................................................................................................ 34

SU Law Clinics Making a Difference for Clients ........................................................................................................................ 37

CoC Helping SU Remain Tobacco Free ....................................................................................................................................... 40

The World According to Harold Ellis Clark ................................................................................................................................. 42

True Blue – Our Work for a Promising Future ............................................................................................................................. 44

Passing The ‘Gavel,’ Motivating The Alumni ................................................................................................................................ 48

SU Alumni Highlights ................................................................................................................................................................... 50

SU Athletics: Bouncing Back with Wins ...................................................................................................................................... 53

SU Athletics Highlights ................................................................................................................................................................. 56


SU System helping small businesses

Growing Louisiana’s Workforce Through Small Business Development

Happy 100 SUBR

SUSLA expanding learning space

SU Ag Center Chancellor dedicated, fair

SULC law clinics making a difference

SUNO landscape changes with new construction


SU System Magazine

SU System PresidentRonald Mason Jr., J.D.

SU System Board of Supervisors 2014Bridget A. Dinvaut, chairwomanJoe R. Gant Jr., vice chairmanMurphy F. Bell Jr.Calvin W. Braxton Sr.Tony M. ClaytonWalter C. DumasDiangelo S. FazerRaymond M. Fondel Jr.Willie E. HendricksEamon M. KellyMyron K. LawsonDarren G. MireMike A. Small Ann A. SmithLeon R. Tarver IISamuel C. Tolbert

SU System ChancellorsRay Belton, SUSLAJames Llorens, SUBRFreddie Pitcher Jr., SULCVictor Ukpolo, SUNOLeodrey Williams, SUAREC

PublisherSouthern University System

EditorHenry J. Tillman

Copy EditorEvola C. Bates

WritersMaya Riley BanksErin FulbrightKizzy Payton

ContributorsTammy BarneyRachel EmanuelChristopher JonesRobyn MerrickEdward PrattWilliam StrotherBridget Udoh

Copy and photos fromSU Ag Center Office of Technology and Communications

SUBR Media Relations and Publications

SUBR Athletics

SUSLA Office of Communications

SUSLA Graphic Services

SUNO Public Relations

SU Alumni Affairs

SULC Office of Communications and Development Support

PhotographerN. John Oubre III

Pre-press and PrintingMoran Printing, Inc.

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SUNO commencement speaker announces $100,000 giftJohnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), not only gave the keynote address May 10, 2014, at the Southern University New Orleans (SUNO) 2014 Com-mencement, but he also delivered a $100,000 donation.

The TMCF gift, which will provide scholarships to deserving SUNO students, capped off a year in which the University made tremen-dous progress in renovation projects on buildings damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

“We all know that getting to college is half the battle,” Taylor said. “However, education only pays off for those who actually graduate and TMCF is proud of the 498 Spring 2014 SUNO graduates.”

SUNO chancellor Victor Ukpolo said the TMCF donation is coming at a critical time for the University. “Hurricane Katrina was more than eight years ago, but many of our students still are feeling the financial and emotional effects from that storm,” Ukpolo said. “The TMCF donation will help those students faced with financial challenges complete their college education and achieve their career goals.”

SUNO’s Class of 2014 included 54 honor graduates: five summa cum laude, 10 magna cum laude, 27 cum laude, and 12 honors. Business administration major Bruce O. McLean graduated with the highest grade-point average of 3.975. The University also granted a bachelor of science degree in computer information systems to David Perryman posthumously. Perryman, 42, was killed in an auto accident Sept. 18, 2013.

HighlightsSystem and Campus News

Above, left: Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund addressed the Spring 2014 SUNO graduates and announced a $100,000 donation. Taylor (center) pictured with SU System president Ronald Mason Jr. (left) and SUNO Chancellor Victor Ukpolo.Above, right: Bruce O. McLean

SULC among 10 law schools where accepted students usually enroll

Members of the 2013 entering class are shown taking the Oath of Professionalism and Integrity during SU Law Center Orientation.

Southern University Law Center is among the top 10 law schools where accepted students usually enroll, U.S. News and World Report reported recently.

This news is significant at a time when, according to a March 2014 report from the Law School Admission Coun-cil, the number of students applying to law school contin-ues to decline. Among those accepted, many students tend to favor enrolling at certain institutions.

U.S. News reporter Delece Smith-Barrow states, “The rates at the 10 schools with the highest yield ranged from 42 percent to 80.6 percent for fall 2013 first-year, full-time, and part-time J.D. entering students. At these schools, an average of about 383 students were accepted and, on aver-age, 52.3 percent of accepted students enrolled.”

“SULC’s yield is 46 percent,” according to the U.S. News report.

Only Yale University, Harvard University, Brigham Young University, and the University of New Mexico have higher yields than SULC, as reported in the announcement.


Landrieu urges SU grads to build on the great legacy of its pastSouthern University Baton Rouge graduates were chal-lenged May 9, 2014, to build on the great legacy of the first 100 years the school has been located at its Baton Rouge location. (see story, page 34)

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu told some 589 Spring 2014 graduates and another 5,000 family and friends that “I challenge you to build an even greater century” for South-ern. Landrieu was the commencement speaker at the 2014 spring Centennial graduation ceremony held in a packed F.G. Clark Activity Center.

During the ceremony, Southern paid tribute to and recog-nized its alumn class of 1964 on the 50th anniversary of their graduation. The participants were given medals and treated to a dinner in their honor on Thursday night.

Leading the spring graduates was the chief student mar-shal, Christine Baker, a 22 year-old from DeQuincy. She graduated with a 3.85 GPA.

Baker plans to attend Southern’s Law Center to get her juris doctorate and practice family and criminal law.

ExxonMobil retiree group donates $100,000 to SUBR

Southern University’s Baton Rouge campus recently received a contribution of $100,000 from a local organization comprised of SU graduates who have retired from ExxonMobil. Pictured (left - right) -- Sarah Stemley Square, Roosevelt Bry-ant, SUBR chancellor James L. Llorens, Robert Square, and Bonnie S. Jackson.

Southern University’s Baton Rouge campus recently re-ceived a contribution of $100,000 from a local organization comprised of SU graduates who have retired from Exxon-Mobil.

The money will be used for scholarships for students who meet the required criteria, said Bonnie S. Jackson, the chairperson of the Golden Roots Annuitant Club.

The group held a ceremonial check presentation May 5, 2014, in the office of SUBR Chancellor James L. Llorens.

Members of the Annuitant Club raised $25,000, which was matched three to one by ExxonMobil. The funds will be available for students in January of 2015, Jackson said.

SUBR Centennial celebration raises more than $350k for scholarships-- Southern University and A&M College announced at its Centennial Gala, Thursday, April 17, 2014, more than $350,000 has been raised for the Schol-

arship Fund for present and future SU students. The 2014 Centennial Gala was held at the L’Auberge Casino and Hotel in Baton Rouge and featured entertainment by recording artist Regina Belle. The University is hosting a year-long celebration of SU’s relocation to Scott’s Bluff in Baton Rouge in 1914. Pictured is Dennis S. Brown (podium), president, and Robyn Merrick, director of alumni affairs and executive director of the SU Alumni Federation, presenting a $10,000 check for the Centennial Scholarship Fund to SU Baton Rouge chancellor James Llorens. (See story, page 34)

Leading the Spring 2014 SU Baton Rouge graduates was the chief student marshal, Christine Baker, a 22 year-old from DeQuincy. She graduated with a 3.85 GPA.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu was the commencement speaker for Spring 2014 Southern University graduation May 9, 2014, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. After speaking, Sen. Landrieu presented a Congressional Resolution to SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. and SUBR Chancellor James L. Llorens in honor of the University’s Centennial.

HighlightsSystem and Campus News


SU Law Center grads take stage -- Judge James E. Graves Jr., of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered the 2014 Commencement address for Southern University Law Center May 10, 2014, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center on the Southern University Ba-ton Rouge campus. One hundred and fifty graduates received the juris doctor degree. Pictured (from left) is top student of the Evening Division, Siegfried Charles Coleman of Denham Springs; speaker Judge James E. Graves Jr.; SULC Chancellor Freddie Pitcher Jr.; and top student of the Day Division, Drake Lewis (summa cum laude) of Shreveport.

SULC student wins 2014 National Law Review Law Student Writing CompetitionThird-year SU Law Center stu-dent Scott D. Harrington was

named the winner of The National Law Review Law Student Writing Competition for April. Harrington’s article, “No Soup for You! Religion in the Post-PPACA Era,” is published in The National Law Review (http://www.natlawreview.com/article/no-soup-you-religion-post-ppaca-era-patient-pro-tection-and-affordable-care-act).

The article analyzes the treatment of religion under the current legislative and jurisprudential climate in light of the historical evolution of religious protections under the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and subsequent federal law.

The National Law Review compiles timely, well-researched articles submitted from law reviews, law journals, law firm newsletters, bar associations, and original thought leader-ship.

Harrington of Rosedale, is a member of the Southern Uni-versity Law Review and president of the Real Estate Law Society. He is one of the recipients of the Spring 2014 Brace B. Godfrey Jr. Scholarship, the 2014 Herschel and Charlotte Richard Scholarship, the 2012 Judge Alvin B. Rubin Memo-rial Scholarship, and the SULC Retention Scholarship.

SU mourns the passing of former band directorIsaac Greggs, (pictured center) former SU band director for more than 30 years, died at age 85 in Baton Rouge. Greggs was leader of the “Human Jukebox” marching band and was a leg-endary teacher and musician.

Southern University mourns the death of Isaac Greggs, the legendary former di-rector of bands on the Baton Rouge campus. Greggs, 85, died Mon-day, April 28, 2014, in Baton Rouge.

Greggs headed South-ern’s marching band for 36 years before re-tiring in 2005. In 2013, Greggs was inducted into the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame.

Lawrence Jackson played in Southern’s marching band from 1971 to 1975 under Greggs leadership, was an assis-tant and associate band director at SU before succeeding Greggs in 2006.

A memorial service for Greggs was held May 2, 2014, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center and his funeral was held at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, May 3, 2014.

SUS Foundation 1880 Society grant to help SUNO studentsSouthern Univer-sity New Orle-ans (SUNO) has received a $15,000 grant from the Southern University System Founda-tion’s 1880 Society to help retain first-time freshmen admitted to the University in 2009 and 2010.

Many students have families to support and other life situations that prevent them from having access to needed dollars to finish their college education within a six-year period, which is the benchmark used for determining universities’ graduation rates. The 1880 Society grant will provide needed resources to more than 50 students. (See related story, page 44)


SU’s LSBDC wins service excellence, innovation center awardThe Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University received the “Small Business Devel-opment Center Service Excellence and Innovation Center Award” by the United States Small Business Administra-tion’s Louisiana District Office.

Small businesses across Louisiana were recognized during National Small Business Week (May 12-16, 2014) and hon-ored at an event May 14, 2014, at the Governor’s Mansion. This year’s winners represent a wide range of industries and come from areas across Louisiana, according to a press release by the SBA.

The award, said William Campbell, director of the LSBDC at SU, means “that we surpassed all LSBDC Centers Per-formance in the entire network in counseling, capital infu-sion and job creation. It means we are building innovative programs for small businesses to grow and develop.”

“What our LSBDC team has accomplished in three years has never been accomplished,” he said. “This is a team committed to transformation. It also means a win in the vision to transform Southern University.”

A client of the LSBDC at SU, Mitch Rotolo, founder and CEO of Rotolo’s Pizzeria, received “Runner-Up to Fami-ly-Owned Business Champion.”

“We are creating champions in the business community who will be creating new jobs to grow a diverse Louisiana economy,” Campbell said proudly of the recognition won by LSBDC’s client. (See cover story, page 26)

SU nursing professor receives Excellence in Teaching Award

Southern University Baton Rouge’s Wanda Spur-lock received the 2014 Hel-en Johnson Cremeens Excellence in Teach-ing Award

presented by the Baton Rouge District Nurses Association on May 5, 2014, at the 25th Anniversary Celebrate Nursing Banquet in Baton Rouge.

Spurlock has been a nurse educator in the College of Nurs-ing and Allied Health for 20 years and has been recognized as an “Excellence in Care Specialist” by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

As a nurse educator, Spurlock said her responsibility is to help shape future generations of registered nurses and ad-vance the nursing profession.

Spurlock is certified by the National League of Nursing as an academic nurse educator and holds board certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center in both psychiatric and mental health nursing and gerontological nursing. In 2013, Louisiana Life Magazine recognized Spur-lock as one of eight Louisianans of the Year.

The Helen Johnson Cremeens Excellence in Teaching Award is named in honor of the late nursing educator Helen Johnson Cremeens, the wife of the late local TV newscaster Carleton Cremeens. He established the award to honor his wife’s love for nursing and her career as a nurse educator.

SU NROTC officer instructor named NSTC Marine of the YearU.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kabiru M. Labaran was selected as the 2013 Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) Marine of the Year (MOY) in an announcement made April 15, 2014.

Labaran, 34, from Chicago, Illinois, is presently assigned as a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) assistant marine officer instructor (AMOI) of the Southern University and A&M College consortium in Baton Rouge. The consortium also includes Baton Rouge Com-munity College, Louisiana State University, and Southeastern Louisiana University.

Labaran, who was selected over 68 AMOIs in NROTC, has been in the Marine Corps for more than 15 years. He was selected for AMOI-duty in 2011 and was assigned as a sergeant instructor at Marine Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. After completing two successful training increments at Quantico, Labaran was assigned to the NROTC unit at Southern University. As an AMOI, Labaran assists Captain Daniel Struzik, the unit marine

officer instructor (MOI), in mentoring the unit’s midshipmen, in particular those designated to become Marine Corps offi-cers. He also handles a lot of the physical fitness and drill instruction for the consortium.


The Southern University System, April 24, 2014, held the 2013-2014 Faculty and Staff Research and Academic Achievement Awards Program to recognize outstanding faculty and staff. The SU System and campuses held a recognition banquet in the gymnasium at Southern Uni-versity New Orleans. Albert Sam II, M.D., a member of the Louisiana Board of Regents was the guest speaker.

For the second year, the SU System presented $1,500 achievement awards in outstanding research, outstanding teaching, and outstanding service.

The 2014 Southern University System Award for Teaching Excellence was presented to professor Sung Chul No, SUBR, College of Business. No is the Bill Tucker Endowed Professor in Business and has worked at the Baton Rouge campus for the past 12 years. Receiving special recognition for Excellence in Teaching was Vanessa White, associate professor of mathematics, Southern University Shreveport.

The SUS Award for Research was given to Yadong Qi, professor and post-doctoral advisor in urban forestry, SU Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Qi has worked with the SU Ag Center since 2004 where she serves as a professor and post-doctoral advisor in urban forestry. Renita Marshal, DVM, associate professor, SU Ag Center, earned special recognition for excellence in research.

Brenda Jackson, SUNO director of Title III Programs for more than 30 years, was selected for the SU System Award for Service. Awards and recognitions by the campuses included:

SU System Awards Program honors faculty and staff

The Southern University System, April 24, 2014, held the 2013-2014 Faculty and Staff Re-search and Academic Achievement Awards Program at SUNO. Pictured (left-right) - Byron C. Williams, executive counsel to the president, SU System; Evola Bates, chief of staff, SU System; Brenda Jackson, director of Title III Programs, SUNO; Monique Guillory-Winfield, vice president for academic and student affairs, SU System; Renita Marshal, DVM, associate professor, SU Ag Center; Sung Chul No, professor, College of Business, SUBR; Yadong Qi, professor and post-doctoral advisor in urban forestry, SU Ag Center; and Mike Small, member, SU Board of Supervisors.

Southern University Shreveport Ray L. Belton, chancellor

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Kimberly Madden-May, director, Health Information Technology

Auxiliary Research Support Award Josephine Loston, HBCU-Up Program, Science and Technology

Most Outstanding Researcher Barry Hester, professor, chemistry

Southern University New Orleans Victor Ukpolo, chancellor

Most Proposals Funded Mostafa, Elaasar, professor, physics

Most Outstanding Researcher Illya Tietzel, associate professor, biology

Special Recognitions

Alvin James Lawson, Endowed Professor of Business Igwe Udeh, professor and dean, College of Business and Public Administration

Delores Margaret Richard Spikes Endowed Professor of Business Entrepreneurship Frank Martin, professor and chair, Department of Business Administration

Millie M. Charles Endowed Chair of Human Rights and Social Work Ronald Mancoske, professor, social work

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center Leodrey Williams, chancellor

Most Outstanding Researchers Kit Chen, associate professor, plant and soil sciences Yadong Qi, professor and post-doctoral advisor in urban forestry

Outstanding Extension Specialist Kasundra Cyrus, extension specialist/family and human development

Southern University and A&M College James L. Llorens, chancellor

Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching Sung Chul No, professor, ecomomics and finance

Auxillary Research Support Award Gloria Jones, accounts payable specialist

Rising Star Researcher Eduardo Martinez-Ceballos, assistant professor, biological sciences

Most Outstanding Researcher Zhu Ning, professor, urban forestry

Research Award (posthumously) In honor of Joseph Meyinsee

Southern University and A&M College Sponsored Programs Norma J. Lemond-Frank, director

Most Proposals Awarded Samuel Washington, director, Center for Energy and Environmental Studies

Award for SUS Intracollaboration Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives SU System Foundation

Southern University Law Center Freddie Pitcher, chancellor

Outstanding Researcher Alfreda Diamond, Justice Revius O. Ortique Jr., Endowed Professor of Law

Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching Shawn Vance, assistant professor Wendy Shea, assistant professor of legal analysis and writing

Rising Star Researcher for Junior Faculty Angela Bell, assistant professor of legal analysis and writing Chris Odinet, assistant professor of law


SUBR among U.S. News & World Report’s top 10 HBCUs for freshmen retention

Southern Univer-sity Baton Rouge is ranked among U.S. News and World Re-port’s Short List for

10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that had the highest average freshman retention rates for first-year students starting in fall 2008 through 2011.

Ranked seventh, SUBR’s retention rate for freshmen was 75.7 percent. Spelman College, a private all-women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia, was ranked number one at 88 percent.

The U.S. News Short List, separate from our overall rankings, is a regular series that magnifies individual data points in hopes of providing students and parents a way to find which undergraduate or graduate programs excel or have room to grow in specific areas.

SU Ag Center partners with St. Landry School Board, Town of Washington--The SU Ag Center recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with St. Landry School Board and the Town of Washington to construct a greenhouse. Faculty, staff, and students of the Washington Career and Technical Education Center will maintain the greenhouse and propagate plants. The beautification project maintenance will be admin-istered by Washington City employees. Southern University Ag Center has begun, and will continue to provide technical assistance and on-site training in greenhouse and ornamental maintenance. SU Ag Center’s extension associate, Stephanie Elwood, and senior research associate, Mila Berhane, began assisting with the greenhouse rejuvenation, and implemented the initial workshop focusing on greenhouse sanitation, plant propagation, and watering. Additional trainings will include hands-on experience of the complete plant propagation oper-ation, starting with greenhouse seedling preparation, planting and maintenance. Pictured are St. Landry Parish students from the Washington Career and Technical Education Center work-ing in a greenhouse.

Annual SU Academic Honors Day Awards Program honors scholars--The Southern University Baton Rouge 2014 Annual Academic Honors Day Awards Program, “HON-ORS: A Centennial Celebration of Excellence,” was held Friday, April 25, 2014, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Students who earned 3.0 grade point average during the Fall 2013 and or Spring 2014 were honored. Pictured is student Augusta Rob-inson receiving the Chancellor’s Scholar Award from SUBR chancellor James L. Llorens.

SU among top producers of black grads who earn Ph.Ds in science, engineeringSouthern University and A&M College is among the nation's top 10 producers of African-American undergraduates who go on to earn doctor-ates in science and engineering, according to national statistics published in The Huffington Post online news magazine.

The January 27, 2014, article, citing data from the National Institutes of Health, shows that Southern is ninth among the schools listed. The statistics, gathered from 2002 to 2012, showed that 100 students graduated from South-ern during that period and went on to obtain doctorate degrees in science and engineering.

Like Southern, all of the top 10 schools are historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In fact, according to the article, nearly half of the nation's top 25 best institutions at producing eventual black Ph.D graduates are HBCUs.

The NIH shows the top 10 schools in order, include: How-ard University, 220; Spelman College, 175; Florida A&M University, 154; Hampton University, 150; Xavier Universi-ty of New Orleans, 126; Morehouse College, 106; Morgan State, 102; North Carolina A&T, 102; Southern, 100; and Tuskegee University, 80.


SUSLA receives $254,635 in grants from La. Board of Regents

Several Southern University Shreveport faculty and staff members have been awarded 2013-14 Louisiana Board of Regents Enhancement for Two-Year Institutions grants.

Receiving the awards totaling $254,635 are:

JoAnn Brown, division chair, Division of Allied Health - $51,150 Establishment of Health Care Simulation Lab – Multi Team Approach

Iris Champion, associate professor, Division of Computer Science and Technology- $88,000 New Age Learning: Increasing Student Success in College-Lev-el Math Course through Virtual Student Accessibility

Jimmy Daniel, associate professor, Department of Com-puter Science - $35,000 Re-Shaping Learning for Student Success in a Virtual Class via Faculty Training in Online Pedagogy and MOODLE Technology

Tuesday Williams, director, Career Services and Retention Coordinator, Student Success Center - $25,000 Strengthen First Generation Employability through Peer Ad-visement

Stephanie Graham, pre-award coordinator, Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs - $55,485 Linking Competencies and Curricula to Workforce Needs

The Enhancement for Two-Year Institution Grant Pro-gram is a subprogram of the Board of Regents' Office of Sponsored Programs Enhancement Program. The En-hancement Program has three competitive components: Traditional Enhancement, Undergraduate Enhancement, and Enhancement for Two-Year Institutions. The goal of these subprograms is to improve the research and edu-cational infrastructure at all Louisiana institutions and in all disciplines. An additional one-time subprogram, the Post-Katrina Support Fund Initiative, identified research and educational priorities for intensive support immediate-ly following the hurricanes of 2005.

The Enhancement Program for Two-Year Institutions, which awarded the SUSLA grants, was recently created to meet the needs of Louisiana's community college system. This subprogram shares the same objectives as Traditional and Undergraduate Enhancement, but is limited to two-year community colleges and does not have discipline eligibility rotations.

Southern University Baton Rouge College of Business students recently won the Target Case Competition held annually in partnership with the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP).

Senior marketing majors Brandon Jay, Tevin Wright, and Joseph Coleman came together to form TJB Consulting Firm for the competition. The group won over the judges with "an engaging presentation and claimed a grand prize of $4,000," said Toni Jackson, business development coor-dinator in the College of Business.

For the Target Marketing Case Competition, students were required to create a business plan that would connect Target Corporation with more multi-cultural shoppers on a local and regional basis.

Marketing professor George Kirk made the competition an assignment for his marketing policy class.

Wright, a Baton Rouge native, said, TJB Firm decided to "implement a marketing strategy for the Hispanic con-sumer base that generates $1.4 trillion."

"We said the best way would be to find the interest of that group and that would be through soccer. We suggested Target create their own soccer league or sponsor a soccer

team already in existence," said Wright.

The firm also suggested the retail company offer prod-ucts that the target group would seek out. They noted that Target does not have many products used in soccer, said Wright.

An Alexandria native, Coleman said, “It was a privilege to be recognized by someone with business intellect. We wanted to see the type of strategies that would be productive in the market today. I am filled with joy.”

Jay, a Dallas native, said, "This opportunity allowed me to showcase the skills I have acquired from a child until now in a professional manner that has further solidified my steps into a future career path that I will enjoy.”

The group agreed that participating in the competition opened the door for networking and future employment with the Target Corporation.

Three SU students win Target Marketing Competition

Southern University Baton Rouge College of Business students recently won the Target Case Competition held annually in partnership with the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP). Pictured (left - right) are Joseph Coleman, Tevin Wright and Brandon Jay.


Morgan Thompson (second from right) of East Baton Rouge Parish is pictured with her reserve champion in beef breeding of the Non-Brahman Influence Division, joined by Louisiana Agricul-ture Commissioner, Mike Strain, DVM, Chancellor Leodrey Williams, and Terrance Marshall, area Agent - East Baton Rouge Parish.

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Cen-ter concluded its 71st Annual Livestock Show with more than 350 participants from across the state March 3, 2014. On the heels of last year’s landmark 70th Anniversary event, the show continues to pro-vide youth with opportunity to learn leadership and life-long skills, and build friendships for life. During the February 28-March 2 event, young farmers and ranchers from across the state had the opportunity to display animals that were showcased or had won in parish com-petitions. After the show, judges named state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, lamb, and goat.

Southern University Ag Center completes 71st Annual Livestock Show

Results from the Show:Market ChampionsGrand Champion Market Steer: Guy Haynes, Jeff Davis Parish ($7,500)

Reserve Champion Market Steer: Reginald Matthews, W. Feliciana Parish ($5,600)

LA Breed Reserved Champion Steer: Hunter McMillian, East Baton Rouge Parish ($2,750)

Champion Market Hogs: Kain Campagne, St. Mary Parish ($1,700)

Reserve Champion Market Hog: Zack Haymel, St. James Parish ($1,850)

Champion Market Lamb: Kain Campagne, St. Mary Parish ($1,800)

Reserve Champion Market Lamb: Caroline Dupree, Bossier Parish ($1,050)

LA Breed Reserve Champion Lamb: Tiffany Carey, Terrebonne Parish ($850) Champion market Goat: John Stephenson ($700)

Reserve Champion Market Goat: Clint Delaune, Bossier Parish ($1,000)

2014 Beef Breeding DivisionCategory: Brahman Influence - Bull

Champion: Victoria Townson, Sabine Parish

Category: Brahman influence - Heifer

Champion: Caplan Young, Winn Parish

Reserve Champion: Victoria Townson, Sabine Parish

Category: Non-Brahman Influence - Bull

Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

Category: Non-Brahman Influence - Heifer

Champion: Regan Greene, East Baton Rouge Parish

Reserve Champion: Morgan Thompson, East Baton Rouge Parish

Category: Commercial - Heifer

Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

SUSLA student awarded Rotary scholarshipSouthern University Shreveport student Tami Frierson, Tuesday, April 1, 2014, received a $1,500 scholarship from the Rotary Club of Shreveport.

Frierson was among five students from area universities each receiving a similar honor. Other scholarship recipients included Diana Carroll, Northwestern State University College of Nurs-ing; Holly Clark, Centenary College; Matthew Harb, LSU Health Sciences Center and Lindsey Quillin, LSUS.

Reserve Champion: Barbara Jean, Sabine Parish

Category: Beef Showmanship

Champion: Caitlyn Thompson, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Makayle Conner, Calcasieu Parish

2014 Junior Dairy DivisionCategory: Registered Dairy

Champion: Jordan Clement, Claiborne Parish

Reserve Champion: Chandler Salley, Sabine Parish

2014 Commercial Dairy DivisionCategory: Commercial Dairy

Champion: Matthew Williams, Natchitoches Parish

Reserve Champion: Landri Lech, Sabine Parish

Category: Dairy Showmanship

Champion: Chandler Blayne Salley, Sabine Parish

Reserve Champion: Jordan Clement, Claiborne Parish

2014 Market Lamb DivisionCategory: Lamb Showmanship

Champion: Kaylee Wich, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Catherine Dupree, Bossier Parish

2014 Market Goat DivisionCategory: Goat Showmanship

Champion: Stacey Baker, Caddo Parish

Reserve Champion: Clint Delaune, Bossier Parish

2014 Market Hog DivisionCategory: Hog Showmanship

Champion: Shaya Stuart, Ouachita Parish

Reserve Champion: Zack Haymel, St. James Parish


Omega Psi Fraternity Inc. establishes endowed scholarship at SUAndrew A. Ray, Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, March 19, 2014, presented a $25,000 check to SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. for an endowed scholarship.

"We are very pleased to partner with Omega Psi Phi to establish a scholarship fund to provide support to young men working to better themselves, their communities, and the world. This generous commit-ment is a great investment in the future of aspiring SU students. It's a beautiful thing," said Mason.

The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated En-dowed Scholarship at Southern University will fund scholarships for the academic support and achieve-ment of full time students in good standing at the University who are also members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and who meet the scholar-ship's requirements.

"Omega Psi Phi is re-emphasizing our principle of investing in young people through scholarships. This scholarship fund will support young men at SU and support the uplift of humanity,” said Ray, a Southern Alum.

Also, Ray presented a personal check for $100 in honor of the University’s "$100 for 100 Years" Cen-tennial Scholarship Fund.

SUSLA holds two com-mencement ceremonies for spring grads--South-ern University Shreveport held two commence-ment ceremo-

nies for Spring 2014 graduates May 10, 2014. The Division of Allied Health and School of Nursing guest speaker was Rosaline Caldwell, a pediatric surgery nurse practitioner for Pediat-ric Surgical Associates at Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport. The Divisions of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Business Studies, Humanities and Science, and Technology’s guest speaker was Theodis Goree, superintendent for Caddo Parish Schools. Pictured left to right is SUSLA Chancellor Ray L. Belton with top graduates Marcia Henderson, associate of general studies/psychology-Chicago, Illinois; Gwendolyn Tennell, associate of science/computer science and Web develop-ment, Shreveport; Vicki Artison, associate of general studies/business management, Fort Worth, Texas; and Rosetta Jones- vice chancellor of academic and student affairs, SUSLA.

Andrew A. Ray, Grand Basileus, (left) Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporat-ed presents a $25,000 check to SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. for an endowed scholarship in the national fraternity’s name at Southern University. Founded in 1911, Omega Psi Phi is an international fraternity with over 700 undergraduate and graduate chapters. The fraternity was founded on November 17, 1911. Its purpose has been to attract and build a strong and effective force of men dedicated to its cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift.


THE BASH Friday, October 17, 2014

7 PM—10 PM Hyatt Regency New Orleans

For information, call 504-286-5341 or e-mail [email protected]

Show your support for Southern University at New Orleans by becoming a BASH sponsor. Every dollar that we raise gives students a greater opportunity to pursue their dreams.

Southern University at New Orleans Foundation

Texas Instruments donates to SU's Dept. of Electrical EngineeringTexas Instruments (TI) this spring donated $50,000 to Southern University Baton Rouge's De-partment of Electrical Engi-neering. The donation from the Dallas-based company will be used to fund scholarships and to continue the analog test-engineering laboratory that was started with funds from TI, said Hamid R. Majlesin, profes-sor and chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering.

TI is a longtime supporter of SU's engineering department with donations totaling more than $500,000. LaQuitta Thomas, a business analyst at TI and an SU graduate, is head of Southern's Business and Industry Cluster.

TI designs and produces internal semiconductors manu-facturing operations. It is the third largest manufacturer of semiconductors worldwide, and the largest producer of digital signal processors and analog semiconductors.

134th Found-ers' Day ob-served--South-

ern University

Baton Rouge,

March 10, 2014,

observed its

annual Founders'

Day to commem-

orate 134 years

of providing

educational

opportunities to

students from

across the globe.

The theme for the 2014 commemoration was "Celebrating Southern

University 134 Years: 100 Years on Scott's Bluff." The University

was founded in New Orleans in 1880 and relocated to Baton Rouge

in 1914. Events included a Campus/Community Prayer Break-

fast in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial

Student Union, the SU Laboratory School Pilgrimage to the Clarks'

Gravesite, Founders' Day Convocation in the F.G. Clark Activity

Center, and an Employee Service Awards Luncheon in the Royal

Cotillion Ballroom. Leon R. Tarver II, SU System president emeritus,

was the guest speaker for the convocation. Pictured are students

from the SU Lab School placing memorial wreaths on the Clarks'

grave on the campus.

SUBR nursing professor honored by publicationLouisiana Life Magazine has named Southern Universi-ty Baton Rouge School of Nursing professor Sandra C. Brown as one of its eight "Louisianans of the Year" for 2014.

Last spring, Brown was named Nursing Educator of the Year by the Louisiana State Nurses Association and Louisiana Nurses Foundation. The honor recognized her dedication to quality in nursing education, and the nurse practitioner program she started documents her progress. Brown, who was the first black to earn a doctor-ate in nursing from LSU, launched the nurse practitioner program at SU in 1996. Over time she not only expanded that program, but also started a Ph.D. nursing program and launched a doctor of nursing practice curriculum.

Last year, another SU nursing professor, Wanda Raby Spur-lock, received the same Louisiana Life Magazine honor. (see related story, page 9)

Read the Louisiana Life story about Brown at: www.myne-worleans.com/Louisiana-Life/January-February-2014/Lou-isianans-Of-The-Year/.


SU student wins scholarship, internship from naval officers groupSouthern University Baton Rouge’s Kahlil Reynolds is among six students nationwide to receive a scholarship of up to $10,000 and an internship from the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA).

Reynolds received the Spring 2014 National Black Data Pro-cessing Associates (BDPA) Student Member NNOA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholar-ship with the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP).

Reynolds, a member of the BDPA’s Baton Rouge chapter, is one of three BDPA student members nationally selected as NNOA Scholars. Each student receives up to $10,000 includ-ing paid internships with the Department of the Navy this summer.

The Lake Providence native and computer science major said he thought he had a chance to be among the winners when he sent in his application in 2013. “I felt what I have been doing at Southern gave me a great chance to be considered.”

On June 2, 2014, Reynolds left for a summer internship at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton, Ohio. He will be working in the area of avionics, which include electronic sys-tems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft. Those systems include communications, navigations, and the myriad systems that are fitted to an aircraft to perform individual functions.

“I am excited and prepared to do whatever is asked of me,” Reynolds said.

The NNOA and BDPA scholarship was developed to increase the number of students pursu-ing undergradu-ate and graduate degrees in STEM to remain competitive in the 21st century.

The BDPA is a non-profit organization of professionals and students work-ing in or having an interest in the computer science and infor-mation technology fields. BDPA is a service organization that helps advance the careers of IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and students from the classroom to the boardroom through education, mentoring, services, and business networking that enhance innovation, technical skills, business savvy, and personal growth.

SUSLA receives $866,342 IWTP grantSouthern University Shreveport June 12, 2014, received a $866,342 check from the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) to provide training for Calumet GP LLC of Shreveport.

Calumet was awarded the money in training funds under the Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) to assist in developing the existing skills of their employees for the purpose of increasing employee productivity and company growth.

Calumet chose SUSLA as its training provider.

In January 2002, SUSLA was awarded a $412,267 grant by the Louisiana Department of Labor to provide training for the employees of Horseshoe Casino. A 2007 $505,562 IWTP grant to SUSLA provided training for ExpressJet; Caddo Community Action Agency – Head Start; Memorial Enterprises, Incorporated; Chrisman McDonald's; and, Griggs Enterprise, Incorporated, (McDonald's).

The Incumbent Worker Training Program was created in 1997 by the Louisiana Legislature through the Louisiana Workforce Commission to assist business and industry in developing/upgrading the skills of their existing employees. The IWTP is a partnership comprised of the LWC, employers and training providers.


SU Ag Center receives $1.2 million in USDA NIFA grant awards

Southern Uni-versity Agricul-tural Research and Extension Center recent-ly received more than $1.2 million in grants through the U.S. De-

partment of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The awards are among 76 grants totaling more than $35 million announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack,

February 26, 2014, to support research and teaching and extension activities at 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Colleges and Universities.

The SU Ag Center received two awards for research total-ing $784,876, and $499,999 for two awards for extension.

The announcement builds on USDA’s ongoing efforts to foster strong partnerships with the 1890 community, ensure equal access to USDA programs and services, and support educational opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

“For nearly 125 years, the 1890 land-grant institutions have played a vital role in ensuring access to higher education and opportunity for underserved communities,”Vilsack said. “These competitively-awarded grants support high quality research, teaching and extension activities and support the continued leadership of 1890 institutions in the fields of agriculture, the environment, and public health.”

The 1890 Institution Research, Extension and Teaching Ca-pacity Building Grants (CBG) Program is intended to sup-port agricultural science programs while also strengthening the linkages among the 1890 universities, other colleges and universities, USDA, and private industry. The program focuses on advancing cultural diversity in the scientific and professional workforce by attracting and educating more students from underrepresented groups.

SU 'Human Jukebox' named among NCAA's top five college marching bandsSouthern University's "Human Jukebox" Marching Band was selected by the NCAA as the second best collegiate marching band in the country, topped only by Ohio State University.

The National Collegiate Ath-letic Associa-tion released a video on its website citing Southern, Ohio State, and three others college bands as its top five. Other bands featured include the University of Tennessee at number five, Ohio University at number four, and Stanford University at number three.

"This is downright amazing for our students that the NCAA has taken notice of what we do at Southern University," said then director of bands Lawrence Jackson. "This recognition means a lot to us. Our students sacrifice so much in an effort to entertain and make the Jaguar Nation proud."

SU's band had been honored recently by performing the pre-game show at the 2013 Superbowl in New Orleans and in a video with the popular pop music group the Jonas Brothers. The band's Dancing Dolls group performed at the halftime of 2012 Superbowl with music icon Madonna.

SUS Day at the Capitol--Southern University Sys-tem Day was held Monday, April 28, 2014, at the Loui-siana State Capitol. System President Ronald Mason Jr. and chancellors from each of the SU System campuses were part of the nearly daylong activities that included campus-sponsored booths in the Capitol Rotunda, a luncheon, and the SU System being recognized by the House of Representatives and the State Senate.


SU students volunteer in community in honor of MLK Day--Southern University students were among hundreds of volunteers from around Baton Rouge Monday, January 20, 2014, to clean up the city in honor of Martin Luther King Day. The SU students joined The 2014 MLK Day of Service Community Project with Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden's office, Capital Area United Way, and the Baton Rouge Delta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, to help revitalize neighborhoods in the Scotlandville area.

Southern University student chosen as 2014 HBCU All-Star

Southern Univer-sity Baton Rouge student Robert Chambers was one of 75 undergradu-ate, graduate, and professional stu-dents announced as the White House Initiative on Histor-ically Black Col-leges and Univer-sities' (WHIHBCU)

first class of HBCU All-Stars for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and civic engagement.

The HBCU All-Stars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative by providing outreach and com-munication with their fellow students about the value of education and the Initiative as a networking resource.

The recipients were chosen for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and civic engagement. Applicants had to submit a transcript, résumé, and essay, and provide a recommendation from a professor.

Chambers, a Baton Rouge native, said he found out about the White House initiative through general campus e-mail and decided to apply. "I put my best foot forward and let God take care of the rest."

"This is a real prestigious award and I am honored that I was chosen from a pool of 445 students," the Baton Rouge native said.

Robert Chambers

SUNO's Westbank Campus enrollment nearly doubles On the Southern University New Orleans Westbank Campus, Spring 2014 enrollment was 295, nearly double the 157 enrolled during Fall 2013. SUNO opened the Westbank Campus at Landry-Walker High School in Algiers last fall semester, giving students who reside on the West Bank the opportunity to attend SUNO classes with-out crossing the river. (see related story, page 24)

Enrollment for the Spring 2014 semester at SUNO's main campus remained stable. According to final figures, 3,139

students enrolled this spring semester, compared to the 3,145 enrolled in Spring 2013.

“The convenience of the Westbank campus has enticed more students to take classes there,” said Wesley Bish-op, associate vice chancellor of academic affairs. “We are pleased with the community’s response to the University offering access to public higher education on the West-bank.”

Other SUNO administrators also are pleased that overall enrollment has stabilized. “This demonstrates that our institution continues to raise it stature as a viable higher education option for the Greater New Orleans region,” said Victor Ukpolo, SUNO’s chancellor. “Several construction projects at SUNO are nearing completion, which will make our institution even more attractive. I’m excited regarding how our improved infrastructure will positively impact enrollment in the near future.”

According to Leatrice Latimore, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management, the University’s Early Start Program helps to attract students to SUNO. “We have been successful working with area high schools through our Early Start Program. By sending SUNO faculty members out to the schools, we can work with students to help them earn college credit while still in high school.”


Southern University Baton Rouge’s Department of Rehabil-itation and Disability Studies has been awarded a $600,000 grant to study and develop ser-vices that help African-Amer-ican transition-age youth with emotional, intellectual, and behavioral disabilities to succeed in school and in careers. Pictured (left - right) are Madan Kundu, professor and chair of the Department of Rehabilita-tion and Disability Studies, Alo Dutta, associate professor and principle investigator, and Ebonee Johnson, assistant professor, co-principle investigator.

Southern University Baton Rouge's Department of Rehabil-itation and Disability Studies was awarded a $600,000 grant to study and develop services that help African-American transition-age youth with emotional, intellectual and behav-ioral disabilities to succeed in school and in careers.

The Field Initiated Project (Research) is funded through 2016 by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilita-tion Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. The Research is entitled, "Work Opportunity through Resource and Capacity Building (WORC): Transition Age African American Youth with Emotional, Intellectual, and Behavioral Disabilities." Only one grant was awarded.

The Research is collaboration between DRDS and the Lou-isiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), a department of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

SUBR rehab gets $600,000 grant to develop program to assist troubled black students

The project director is Madan Kundu, professor and chair of DRDS. Alo Dutta, associate professor, is principle investiga-tor, and assistant professor Ebonee Johnson is co-principle investigator.

The objective of the research project is to construct and vali-date a service delivery model that enables African-American transition-age youth (16 to 24 years old) with special needs to participate in school-based preparatory experiences, career preparation and work-based learning experi-ences, youth development and leadership activities, tutoring and mentoring, and community-based endeavors.

The team will deploy an experimental design to evaluate the effect of Project WORC on self-determination to work, stages of change work participation, job seeking self-effica-cy outcome expectation, actual job seeking behaviors, and summer employment outcomes, Dutta said.

Fong Chan and Audrey Trainor of the University of Wiscon-sin-Madison will serve as methodologist and content expert, respectively.

"We are pleased to collaborate on this innovative research," said Mark Martin, director of Louisiana Rehabilitative Ser-vices. "The outcomes will not only enable LRS to improve how we serve youth with disabilities in transition from school to the world of work in Louisiana, but they also will have implications for other states that utilize the findings."

SU program leader receives major environmental awardSouthern University Baton Rouge urban forestry program leader Kamran Abdollahi was select-ed as a 2014 Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) Award winner for his work in the area of promoting a better environment and pollution prevention.

ELP, which presents the award, promotes a cleaner and better environment for Louisiana through voluntary pollution prevention, waste reduction, and/or other environmental stewardship efforts.

The Environmental Leadership Programs awards event was held February 26, 2014, in the Pensaco-la Room at the Department of Environmental Quality Conference Center.

The ELP said the educational and research projects directed by Abdollahi in the SU Urban Forestry Program have increased the awareness of pollution reduction through urban greening, conversion of wood waste to bioenergy and biomass, and urban forest ecosystem improvement.

Abdollahi's efforts and his team of urban forestry faculty, staff, and students have led to environmental improvement awareness in urban and rural ecosystems, according to the ELP. It also cited Abdollahi for his collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, federal, state, and local entities to enhance education, research and outreach.

Urban Forestry students are being trained to be the future environmental experts inline with the historic mission and tradi-tion of the Urban Forestry Program at Southern University and A&M, Abdollahi said.

The Urban Forestry Program is offering BS, MS and PhD in urban forestry. The program is the only recognized specialized degree program in urban forestry in Louisiana.


For 13 years, it is easy to say, that chancellor Leodrey Williams has

been loyal to Southern University and the SU Ag Center. He has been “the best chancellor thus far for the Ag Cen-ter,” he said laughing. How can he say this? He is the first chancellor and only chancellor that the campus has had. Starting out, the Ag Center was just an extension program but in 1971 Williams, then an Ag specialist, and former director Ashford O. Williams, were given the task to com-bine the research aspect of Southern University’s College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences to the already existing extension program. This came about after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted funds to Southern to implement an extension and research program. And the first director was hired, extension co-ordinator Ashford O. Williams, whom the SU Ag Center’s building is now named after.

Williams’ career took him back and forth between Louisiana State University (LSU), Southern, and Washington D.C.

Williams started working at LSU in 1965, where he was the assistant county agent for the equal employee civil rights. This position was important for the time following the pass-ing of the Civil Rights Act. His job was to make sure posi-tions at the university were equal for both blacks and whites.

SU AG CENTER CHANCELLORLOYAL TO SU

In 1980 Williams returned to Southern to be the director of the program he helped start in 1971. In 1993, Williams took an assignment in Washington D.C. as the special assistant to the USDA head. Four months later he was promoted to the National Director of Extension with the USDA.

Williams again returned to Southern in 1995. In 1998, Williams was asked by the then SU System President Leon R. Tarver II and the Board of Supervisors, to open a campus for the SU Ag Center and to be the chancellor. This meant bringing the research and extension program together to meet the goals at the Southern University System level.

Of course Williams said yes, and took on the role of turn-ing the Ag Center into one of the most diverse and suc-cessful campus in the SU System. On July 1, 2001, Williams officially became chancellor of the newly formed Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Williams said he did not feel any pressure,“ because I had the experience and I started at the lowest level in the organization,” said Williams, making him prepared to take on any challenge.

From there he just kept climbing his way up to the top.

Taking a look at the man Williams is, you have to go back 50 years. Williams has been working for 50 years come January of 2015. As a young boy from West Feliciana Parish, Southern was the first college campus he stepped foot on. He visited the campus as a participant in the SU Live Stock Show. Williams brought his cattle down to be in the show,


SU AG CENTER CHANCELLORLOYAL TO SU

which has been around for 71 years and is still going strong.

This one visit was just the start of the connection Williams would form with the University. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Southern, met his wife who was attending Southern, and had his three children attend and graduate from the University. You could say Southern runs through the Williams’ family veins.

How has this man been so successful? One, he works hard and has the passion and experience to back him up. And two, most impor-tantly, Williams truly cares about helping people and the University. He cares about the people that work for him and the people that he comes in contact with in life.

Going through the years of his time at Southern University, the many places he has been fortunate to travel to, and the people he has helped along the way, it is safe to say that chancellor Williams is very grateful for his success. He says he sits sometimes and wonders how he has been so lucky. Perhaps it is because he gives back to people, big or small, without question. Always giving back, since his first paycheck from Southern University, Williams has donated to the Alumni Scholarship Fund each month he gets paid.

Retirement could come soon he says, but him working will not stop. He will volunteer he says after his days at Southern are done. And then, he has his family: wife, two daughters and a son, and grand-children to keep him busy. Z

SU Ag Center chancellor Leodrey Williams (left) and executive vice chancellor and vice chancellor for research, Adell Brown Jr. (right), welcomed State Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM, to the SU Ag Center for a 2014 National Ag Day reception, March 25, 2014.


There is a growing body of research in higher education that indicates

that higher education institutions must change the way that they think about, plan, allocate resources for and use learning spaces. It is well supported by researchers in many disciplines that improved learning spaces inspire good teaching and learning. The Southern University Shreveport (SUSLA) Campus has construction plans drawn and they are awaiting additional legislative funding to construct a new state-of-the-art academic building in early 2016. The new learning facility will feature the latest in design, including stadium seating, meeting and conference room space, offices, and at least one area will be a fully functional SMART class-room.

“Building new space will provide additional opportunities for residents of Shreveport and the surrounding areas to

earn college degrees and certificates,” says SUSLA chan-cellor Ray Belton.

The classroom building is the first new building on the campus since the 1950s. It will enhance SUSLA’s ability to meet the needs of students, teachers, and the commu-nity. The lecture hall area, will be equipped with updated presentation technology, and will better accommodate the students for presentations, class discussions, and public gatherings.

“In this age of virtual universities, corporate learning divisions, and other routes to education now available to poten-tial students, we cannot afford to neglect our physical spaces by en-gaging in poor planning,” says Endas Vincent, SU System director for facilities planning. “We also want our work to respond directly to the strategic priorities that our institution identifies.”

SUSLA IMPROVED LEARNING SPACES INSPIRE INNOVATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING

A new classroom building, the first new building on the campus since the 1950s, will enhance SUSLA’s ability to meet the needs of students, teachers, and the commu-nity. The lecture hall area, will be equipped with updated presentation technology, and will better accommodate the students for presentations, class discussions, and public gatherings. Pictured is an architectural rendering of the new building by Alliance Incorporated.

“Building new space will provide additional opportunities for residents of Shreveport and the surrounding areas to earn college degrees and certificates” - SUSLA Chancellor Ray Belton


While the physical facilities play a vital role in the academic program, there also is a growing contemporary focus on rethinking and redesigning traditional modes of course delivery.

SUSLA has always catered to a non-traditional student body and is following the national trend by offering degree programs that are 100 percent online.

SUSLA has developed new academic and workforce train-ing programs that are industry-driven and responsive to community needs. (See related story, page 16)

Students interested in earning a degree online from SUSLA can earn an associate of science degree in business management or an associate of applied science in health information technology.

SUSLA is committed to workforce development and by collaborating with business and industry, the campus is responsive and flexible in its curriculum delivery to meet evolving workforce and employer needs.

The campus recently began offering a healthcare access associate certificate. Students earning the certificate will be eligible to sit for the national examination to become a Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA). The 22 credit hour program offers a capstone review course as well as assistance with job placement. Students also benefit from various modes of course delivery including online courses, as well as hybrid, evening, web-enhanced or traditional courses depending on the semester.

Committed to helping the local community, SUSLA has partnered with several entities to address workforce im-provement and economic development needs through innovative approaches to financial management, marketing, legal education, and organizational performance (see related story, page 16). The Business and Entrepreneurial Skills Train-ing program (BEST) was established to support new and aspiring business owners as well as established businesses to meet the challenges of business ownership. Community partners include the City of Shreveport, the Coordinat-ing and Development Corporation, the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Shreveport-Bossier, Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, the Minority Supplier Institute, and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center. Participants in BEST meet twice weekly for two weeks to gain insight into several business topics.

According to higher education research, many two-year schools are at the nexus of providing education and training that meet the skill requirements of the workplace. The demand for two-year colleges to train workers to be immediately productive has never been more critical than in today’s continuously changing technology-and informa-tion-based world economies.

Through its partnerships and degree offerings, SUSLA helps leverage student success and meets workforce devel-opment needs, which contributes to the overall economic health of the region. Z


The SUNO campus is aiming to be-gin the construction bid process next

year on new academic buildings for the School of Social Work, College of Education, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Already the campus has acquired about 50,000 square feet of office and classroom space this year with the addition of a modular building.Renovations also are underway at the University Center, campus library, and on the first floor of the Emmitt Bashful Administration Building, and University facility planners predict a late summer 2014 completion.

With the removal of the temporary buildings that were used during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina this year, the campus is poised for physical growth.

“We’re happy with the progress and changes that are taking place on the campus,” says SUNO facilities manage-ment director Shaun M. Lewis.

One of the benefits of moving to the new building will be having substantially more space.

The extra room will allow the school to accommodate the expanding student body.

“We don’t think it’s wise to make changes mid se-mester, so we always try to plan our work so that there is minimal dis-ruption to the academic program,” said Endas Vincent, SU System Di-rector Facilities Planning.

The temporary buildings have served the SUNO community well and I think the new space will be very nice for students,” says Vincent. “I think with all of the changes taking place the faculty, staff, students, and the community can look at our progress and be proud.”

SUNO WELCOMES PHYSICAL CHANGES AND GROWTH

With the removal of the temporary buildings that were used during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina ...the campus is poised for physical growth.

Expected to be complete in time for the fall semester, the new University Center facility at SUNO is 75 percent complete.


The changes in the physical facilities will give SUNO the opportunity to grow in enrollment and overall.

There are other changes occurring at SUNO in terms of academic program offerings.

Last year, SUNO signed a memorandum of understanding with the Algiers Charter School Association (ACSA) which established a satellite campus on the Westbank primarily to accommodate adult learners who want to earn a college degree, but it will also allow students at the L.B. Landry- O. Perry Walker High School to earn college credit. Only high school students that meet the University’s admission criteria are eligible to participate.

Westbank enrollment figures nearly doubled during the Spring 2014 semester with approximately 295 students. (See story, page 18)

Additionally, SUNO was approved to operate the city’s first “blended learning” charter school combining on-site and online coursework. Slated to begin Fall 2014, the program known as TMCF@SUNO is a joint venture of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and SUNO, but will be operated by Connections, an online education company owned by Pearson.

Online degree offerings designed for the convenience of prospective students also have expanded and include a program of study leading to a bachelor of general studies (humanities concentration) and also a master of arts in museum studies.

“This demonstrates that our institution continues to raise its stature as a via-

The SUNO campus continues to rebuild from devastation to University buildings by flooding from Hurricane Katrina. Already the campus has acquired about 50,000 square feet of office and classroom space this year with the addition of a modular building.

ble higher education option for the Greater New Orleans region,” said SUNO Chancellor Victor Ukpolo.

For seven years, Southern University New Orleans oper-ated out of 45 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers after its campus was severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina. On Monday, June 2, 2014, the University celebrated the removal of the trailers with the event “Rising in Triumph: Farewell FEMA Trailers.”

Held on the Lake Campus parking lot adjacent to the Col-lege of Business and Public Administration, the celebration featured reflections from SUNO chancellor Victor Ukpolo and representatives from the state Facility Planning and Control office (FP&C), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP). The event cul-minated with a second line led by the Young Prospect Brass Band as the last trailer was driven off the campus.

“We were grateful to receive the FEMA trailers in 2006 because they allowed us to start rebuilding our campus and serving our students,” Ukpolo said. “Their departure means that SUNO is back and our campus is bigger and stronger than ever. That is something to celebrate.”

While on the campus, the trailers housed all the University colleges, departments, classrooms, and auxiliary offices. Over the years as refurbished buildings reopened and new buildings were brought online, the students, faculty, staff, and administrators began to move into the perma-nent structures. The trailers began to be decommissioned in December 2013 with the opening of the Lake Campus Multipurpose Complex. Z

Pictured is SUNO chancellor Victor Ukpolo leading students, faculty, staff, administrators, and guests in a second line as the Young Prospect Brass Band played to celebrate the removal of the last FEMA trailer from campus..


The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University Baton Rouge helps launch and expand all types of busi-nesses. Small business owner and SU alum-nus Eric Porter expanded his construction company, ComNet, in 2011 with the help of Southern. Pictured is Porter in his office with plans for Chateau Pointe Coupee (See cover photo). ComNet is general contractor for the new housing complex being built for the Louisiana Housing Corporation. The project is scheduled for completion in June.


During President Barack Obama’s State of the Union

Address in January, he focused on the importance of expanding and supporting the growth of entrepreneurs and small busi-nesses across the nation. He expounded upon the values of small busi-nesses, and the fact that entrepreneurs play a critical role in expanding the economy and creating jobs.

President Obama said, “Let’s do more to help the entrepreneurs and small business owners who create most new jobs in America.”

Newly hired U.S. Small Business Association Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet recently said, “This country’s 28 million small busi-nesses create nearly two out of three jobs in our economy, so we can’t have a conversation about creating jobs and economic growth in America without talking about ways to support our entrepreneurs.”

For the past decade, the Southern University System has been having that conversation. The SU System has been leading the charge of de-veloping Louisiana’s workforce through small business development at each of its campuses.

“We’re definitely known for providing access to a quality higher education which has led to thousands of graduates entering the local workforce,” said Southern University System President Ronald Mason Jr. “However, South-ern University is also heavily invested in pro-viding for our state’s workforce through small business development.”

All System campuses currently offer small busi-ness development programs, and the Southern University Baton Rouge campus is the only HBCU in the state in the Louisiana Small Busi-ness Development Center network.

Big Industry Needs Small Businesses

When it comes to workforce development efforts, most people focus on large busi-ness and industry projects. Recently there have been no-table economic development announcements centered on large business acquisitions and companies relocating to the state of Louisiana.

While the announcements regarding large business and industry are significant achievements for the state, Michael Ricks, district direc-tor for the Louisiana District Office of the U.S. Small Busi-nesses Administration says small businesses are making this type of progress every single day and schools like Southern University are making it happen.

“It’s a proven fact that 90 percent of all jobs created across the United States are created by what we would designate as small businesses,” says Ricks. “So, it’s very important for us to make sure that we keep that focus.”

Generally, when large industry comes in, it’s a huge public relations event, predicting the future success of the company and the many hires it will make.

“It’s very easy for states and local government to get excited about large industry coming in. When that happens, it’s all great. But, when you look

“Southern University is blanketing the entire state in economic development. Southern is building a coalition. We are the economic development arm of this University, the gateway to the community.” — Will Campbell, director, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University Baton Rouge


at where the real job creation is happening, it’s at the small business level,” says Ricks. “So, where you might get excited about a large business coming in to create jobs in an in-stance, the fact is that you get just as much economic impact from a large company coming in and creating 300 jobs as you get from 300 small businesses creating one job each.”

However, Ricks points out that at the same time, small businesses need large companies and there is a significant value for small businesses when big industry relocates to the state, and that entrepreneurs should take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

“People are starting to see that with the costs of operating a business, it’s advantageous to relocate here to Louisiana,” says Ricks. “While that’s good for large businesses, it’s also good for small businesses, because the people who work in these jobs – these large companies that come in – they need small businesses to support them. They need products and services offered by small businesses. It’s more cost effective for large companies to engage local companies to provide those products and services.”

Reaching Entrepreneurs Across Louisiana

A recent Louisiana Workforce Commission study found that in the next three years, 86,300 new jobs in technical fields will be available.

During this period of industrial expansion throughout the state, which is creating the unique workforce demand, Southern is particularly poised to help close the expanding workforce gap between Louisiana’s ability to produce skilled technical workers and the rising regional demand for them, in helping small businesses launch and expand.

“We recognize that entrepreneurs can be the differ-ence-makers for our state’s economy,” says Mason. “As we look at expanding workforce development efforts we know that small businesses have to be a major part of the solution, and we have to tap into this sector and ensure we are pro-viding training and counseling that’s needed to guarantee their success.”

The SU System is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of business owners. With campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, plus the Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Southern has the capacity to reach small businesses in almost every parish throughout the state as they help to propel economic activity in Louisiana.

Former banker Will Campbell serves as the director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University Baton Rouge (LSBDC-SUBR).

“It’s all about impact,” says Campbell. “Southern University is blanketing the entire state in economic development. South-ern is building a coalition. We are the economic development arm of this University, the gateway to the community.”

The Center is indeed having a tremendous impact, topping all other Small Business Development Centers in the state with its economic development efforts. Last year alone Campbell and his team trained 1,154 people, counseled 465 businesses, created 146 jobs, and infused $5.2 million in capital.

The Center’s walls are lined with success stories featuring pictures of entrepreneurs they have assisted in the Capital Region.

“All of those people on the wall came to us with a dream, and we got to play a part in helping them make their dreams come true,” says Campbell.”

The Center helps launch and expand all types of business-es. Campbell was able to point to successful companies they have touched in all industries, including: construction, manufacturing, restaurants, technology, day cares, plus much more.

Small business owner and SU alumnus Eric Porter expanded his construction company, ComNet, in 2011 with the help of Southern.

Dealing with an ever-changing economy, and what Porter called a continuous game of doge ball to see who would be laid off next at his previous job, he started planning for the future and was prepared when his position as a senior man-ager with AT&T ended. He had previously started a com-pany and decided to expand it with the help of Southern. He now employs seven people as well as a small number of subcontractors through his business.

ComNet LLC was founded in 1998 as an IT consultant and eventually diversified to the field of construction in 2005, and is a Louisiana commercial licensed general contractor specializing in the design and building of churches, mu-

“Small businesses profit local communities, as well as the entire state of Louisiana. They add to the tax base, overall economy, and provide employment for thousands of people. Southern University is here to help them make their dreams come true.” — Ronald Mason Jr., president, SU System


nicipal buildings, early learning schools, and demolition of structures.

“Southern helped me in providing networking opportu-nities, strategic planning and in obtaining financing,” says Porter. “They also helped my company in making me aware of government services that are offered to businesses like mine.”

Porter is just one of the many LSBDC success stories. Camp-bell says he’s thankful for the goals they have met in helping businesses, but he still has a burning desire to touch the businesses and community right outside of Southern’s gates.

“I love helping everyone in the seven parishes we touch, but I also have a strong interest in businesses in Scotlandville, north Baton Rouge, and Baker,” says Campbell. “We have a lot of business leaders struggling in those communities, and I know we can help them.”

Campbell’s drive yielded him the “Louisiana’s State Star” award last year from the LSBDC, and this past May his office received the Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Inno-vation Center Award from the U.S. Small Business Admin-istration’s Louisiana District Office. (See story, page 9)

Next on the horizon for the LSBDC is the opening of a small business incubator along with the conversion of their existing offices into a business park. The business incubator will be able to house eight businesses and is slated to open in 2015.

With job creation at center stage and unemployment at record levels, how to stimulate economic growth while creating decent jobs that pay a living wage, and preparing a workforce capable of working in new ways and in new industries, has gained more interest than ever before. The EDA University Center for Economic Development at SUBR links businesses with the resources, market information, and financing that will enable them to effectively introduce new products, win new contracts, improve efficiency, and grow successfully. Housed in the College of Business, the Center was established with a grant from the U.S. Economic Devel-opment Administration to help accelerate regional business expansion.

In June of this year, the EDA University Center for Economic Development at SUBR presented a conference, “Advancing

Entrepreneurship and Innovation In Economic Develop-ment.”

Eighty miles south of Baton Rouge, Southern University New Orleans is doing more of the same outstanding work for small business owners. They are helping entrepreneurs like Geraldine Prudhomme, who had to piece her business back together following Hurricane Katrina.

Following a 25-year career with the New Orleans Police Department, Prudhomme retired as a sergeant in 2003, and started her business – Alliance Medical Equipment and Sup-plies -- that same year. She used SUNO’s Small Business Development and Management Institute to become more knowledgeable about the legalities of owning a company as well as business administration.

“You have to learn the legal aspects or you can find your-self in a troubling situation,” says Prudhomme.

Since getting her business back on stable ground fol-lowing Katrina, Prudhomme says she has recommended SUNO’s small business de-velopment services to other entrepreneurs like herself and that she’s doing very well. Prudhomme’s medical equipment business is even slated to serve as a govern-ment contractor with the $130 million New Orleans East Hospital that’s slated to open later this summer.

“I was doing very well with my business before Katrina, and I have rebounded,” says Prudhomme. “I’m now doing government contracting and I’m doing a lot with the new

hospital that’s being built.”

SBDMI Director Cynthia Beaulieu says she enjoys work-ing with small businesses like Prudhomme’s that come to SUNO for assistance. The Institute reaches entrepreneurs in the tri-parish area of Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard.

“The businesses we help, impact our workforce that we see every day, and our community directly. We get a lot of mom-and-pop businesses that at the beginning know they have a dream or a passion, but don’t know necessarily how to make it happen,” says Beaulieu. “We try to impress upon them the importance of doing it the right way.”

The SBDMI specializes in loan preparation, workshops and seminars, business planning, technical assistance, and train-ing. The Institute also has a Small Business Incubator that houses eight businesses.

“The businesses we help, impact our workforce that we see every day, and our commu-nity directly. We get a lot of mom-and-pop busi-nesses that at the beginning know they have a dream or a passion, but don’t know necessarily how to make it happen” — Cynthia Beaulieu, director, Small Business Development and Management Institute


To date, the SBDMI has launched more than 150 new busi-nesses, generated more than 100 business plans, counseled 250 businesses, prepared 52 loan applications, and conduct-ed more than 125 workshops and seminars.

In addition to those services, the Institute, which operates under the College of Business, allows its students to work with small business clients as an added bonus.

SUNO’s College of Business holds an international accred-itation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Businesses (AACSB), the premier accrediting body of business schools.

The elite AACSB “accreditation helps the school recruit better students,” says Beaulieu. “It gives the small business clients the benefit because they get the top of the line stu-dents to work with them on their business projects.”

Each semester students work with five or six business own-ers and they are exposed to real business challenges and they help develop solutions for them. It’s a win-win situa-tion for both the students and the entrepreneurs.

In January, SUNO along with state and local officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for a Small Business Incubator Center on the campus. The ceremony marked the start of construction for the $3 million facility, a part of the Uni-versity’s Small Business Development and Management Institute. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the construction of the Business Incubator should be complete

in two years. The new building, designed by Chasm + Fusion Architecture Inc., will allow interaction between classroom education and real-world entrepreneurs. Livers Construction is the general contractor.

In north Louisiana, Southern is transforming the state’s workforce through Southern University Shreveport’s Busi-ness and Community Development Center (BCDC).

Located at Southern’s community college, where most of the state’s workforce development focus has been during the past six years, it’s a perfect fit.

SUSLA’s BCDC was established in 2004, and provides a business incubation program, entrepreneurship training, technical assistance, business opportunity grants, and a small and emerging business development program.

BCDC director Darrin Dixon says he sees all types of busi-nesses come through the doors at SUSLA, and most of them in varying stages of owning a business.

“The greatest need is access to capital,” says Dixon. “Many need credit repair or have other financial assistance needs. But, we are generally able to get them the help that they need and get them headed in the right direction.”

On average, SUSLA helps 125 small business clients per year, and they have had at least 15 clients participate in their business incubator program. SUSLA has also award-

In January, SUNO along with state and local officials held a ground breaking ceremony for a Small Business Incubator Center on the campus. The ceremony marked the start of construction for the $3 million facility, a part of the University’s Small Business Development and Management Institute. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the construction of the Business Incubator should be complete in two years. The new building, designed by Chasm + Fusion Architecture Inc., will allow interaction between classroom education and real-world entrepre-neurs. Livers Construction is the general contractor. Pictured is a rendering by the building’s architect.


ed $125,000 in contracts to African-American businesses through the Louisiana Economic Development Small Emerging Business Development program.

Dixon says, “When we assist them in creating their own businesses, we’re having a positive impact on the econo-my. And, when they are then able to create jobs for others through their businesses, that’s a win for not only the Col-lege, but the entire state.”

SUSLA has future plans to focus on youth entrepreneur-ship. In particular, the College plans to develop a program to bring entrepreneurship into the local school system, and create a certificate program.

“Many schools have vocational training that can eventually end up as businesses. It’s advantageous for us to dually en-roll them while they are in high school,” says Dixon. “We can begin establishing the entrepreneurial spirit early.”

With the capacity to reach 32 parishes through its Center for Rural and Small Business Development, the Southern Uni-versity Ag Center focuses on business creation in economi-cally challenged, rural communities.

The Center is actually an e-learning mobile learning unit that helps the Ag Center conduct greater outreach efforts with potential and existing small businesses in outlying parishes.

“One of the greatest impacts is to have a physical presence in those parishes,” says SU Ag Center vice chancellor of

extension Gina Eubanks. “We focus a great deal on business management and technical assistance.”

In addition to taking their e-mobile learning unit to various parishes, the Ag Center also holds an annual Procurement Conference each spring in Baton Rouge for small business owners.

“During the conference, we have workshops on loan pack-ages, developing a business plan, how to start and sustain a business, and the marketing of a businesses. More than 300 people attend yearly,” says Eubanks.

The Southern University Law Center (SULC) is taking a different approach to workforce and economic develop-ment. They have entered into an intergovernmental agree-ment with Lafayette City Parish Consolidated Government to assist in heirship and adjudicated property remediation that has the potential of saving taxpayers thousands of dollars and addressing the root causes of urban blight.

SULC Professor Winston Riddick conducted a successful pilot of the program last summer when SULC students saved taxpayers about $60,000 by tracking down the legal heirs of 14 blighted local properties.

Riddick and his class became involved with the project through the assistance of Chad LaComb, an SULC student and city planner with Lafayette’s City Planning Office.

The City of Lafayette was evaluating several blighted areas based on their future plans for growth and development,

The Southern University Law Center (SULC) has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Lafayette City Parish Consolidated Government to assist in heirship and adjudicated property remediation that has the potential of saving taxpayers thousands of dollars and addressing the root causes of urban blight. While helping the city from an economic development stand point, the project also offered a great workforce development component as well. Several of the students used the experience they had earned and secured employment as well as internships with law firms, government agencies, and even real estate development firms. Pictured (from left) is SULC professor Paul Race; SULC student Chad LaComb, Lafayette city planner; SULC professor Winston Riddick; SU Board of Supervisors chairwoman Bridget Dinvant; SU System President Ronald Mason Jr.; SULC student Katrena Porter; Mike Hollier, planning manager at Lafayette Consolidated Government; and SULC vice chancellor John Pierre.


and it was easy for SULC to fold their educational activities into their format and simply ask what they could do to help.

Riddick and his class charted out the areas of the city that really needed attention by different types of governmental agencies – from education to law enforcement to health care.

“Usually what we found as we started doing the study of this was that the areas that were blighted, the areas that needed rebuilding, were ones that had a high degree of adjudicated property and tax sale property,” says Riddick. “Secondly, there was a strong correlation between the housing standards and poverty and crime” in the areas that needed to be addressed.

The City decided to direct their attention to an area where some of the oldest neighborhoods in southwest Louisiana are located.

“We reviewed the titles that the City selected that they either wanted to turn into a park, a green area, or maybe even a street,” says Riddick. “We also looked at how to help the people still living in the neighborhood acquire the ownerships of properties adjacent to them that had basically been abandoned.”

While helping the City from an economic development stand point, the project also offered a great workforce development component as well. Several of the students used the experience they had earned and secured employ-ment as well as internships with law firms, government agencies, and even real estate development firms.

Riddick says his class work is not only focused in Lafayette. While they do have a formal agreement there, they infor-

mally started the project in Baton Rouge working with local churches, the Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

Following the success they experienced in Lafayette, Rid-dick’s class has been invited to New Orleans to help with the overwhelming blight issue they are addressing as well.

Creating Opportunities

The truth is most Fortune 500 companies started as small businesses and were helped through SBA lending practices. As Southern continues to guide the creation and expan-sion of small businesses throughout the State, it could help launch businesses on the path to becoming one of America’s next Fortune 500 companies.

Whether it’s through technical assistance, training, or en-hancing small business access to credit, Southern University is able to assist entrepreneurs in making their dreams of business ownership become a reality.

“The benefits of small business ownership are countless,” says Mason. “Small businesses profit local communities, as well as the entire state of Louisiana. They add to the tax base, overall economy, and provide employment for thousands of people. Southern University is here to help them make their dreams come true.” Z

Through the Center for Rural and Small Business Development, the Southern University Ag Center focuses on business creation in eco-nomically challenged, rural communities. The Ag Center also holds an annual Procurement Conference each spring in Baton Rouge for small business owners. The conference includes workshops on loan packages, developing a business plan, how to start and sustain a business, and the marketing of a businesses.

Southern University Small Business Development Programs

Southern University Baton RougeLouisiana Small Business Development CenterWill Campbell, Director

[email protected] • 225-774-9213 • www.lsbdc.org

Southern University New OrleansSmall Business Development and Management InstituteCynthia Beaulieu, Director

[email protected] • 504-286-5032 • www.suno.edu

Southern University ShreveportCenter of Business and Community DevelopmentDarrin Dixon, Director

[email protected] • 318-670-9700 • www.susla.edu

Southern University Ag CenterCenter for Rural and Small Business DevelopmentGloria London, Director

[email protected] • 225-771-2242

www.suagenter.com


Southern University has developed notable partnerships over the years

with countries such as Turkey, Brazil, China, and Africa. These partnerships have allowed the University to become a diverse culture in its own right. Sticking to its roots as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), it understands the importance of opening its doors to those from all around the world. At the end of 2013, Southern teamed up with Turkey to open an international recruiting office in Kirikkale, Turkey. The Global Connections Center is the first connection cen-ter operated by an HBCU.

The Global Connection Center is part of a recruitment effort to attract a surge of international students to the Baton Rouge campus. In the fall of 2013, the Baton Rouge campus saw an increase of 40 percent in its enrollment, including international students. SUBR has developed relationships with these international universities to ensure students that Southern is the place to attend.

Barbara Carpenter, dean of International Affairs and Uni-versity and Center for Service Learning said, “The center is moving along quiet well. SUBR is very well known and respected in Turkey and there is significant interest in expanding our relationship with the universities in Turkey.” Carpenter shared that recently, Southern approved an extensive agreement with SUBR College of Engineering to participate in “2+2, 2+3 and 3+2 programs” for engineering students. The program would have students studying two years in Turkey and two years at SUBR, and so on.

Over the years Southern has partnered with six Turkish col-leges for exchange programs which have brought students to the University. In the summer of 2013, faculty and staff from Turkey attended Southern to participate in the inten-sive language program, English Training Program (ELTP). Faculty went through a class where they learned English.

Southern also has an exchange program with Rio de Janeiro State University in Brazil. In the fall of 2013, three-dozen Brazilian students were enrolled and living at Southern. The students allowed to study in Baton Rouge were part of the Brazilian Government’s “Brazil Scientific Mobility Program.”

During the 2014 spring semesters, Brazilian students were enrolled in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines at SUBR. Carpenter said there are “approxi-mately 175 international students” assigned to the Internation-al Student Center.

More partnerships with countries and universities are in the making for Southern University. Carpenter said among the “established partnerships with universities in Turkey, Brazil, China, Mexico, and Senegal we are exploring opportunities for partnerships in India, and several other African countries.”

Carpenter shared news of International Affairs’ new addition to the ELTP in the summer. The center is preparing to host two groups of Chinese academicians with one group scheduled to study in higher education, governance, and community involvement in the United States. The other group will be en-rolled in the program for intensive language acquisition.

Although the majority of Southern’s international students enter the University through the International Student Pro-gram, a small portion of students come from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Australia to play on SU’s baseball and soccer teams.

Southern University is bridging the gap of cultures on campus with students from all over. But having relationships with other countries, Southern’s name is on track to be worldwide wheth-er it be alumni working in Fortune 500 companies around the world, or families having relatives from around the world attending our HBCU. Z

SU BRIDGING THE GAP OF CULTURES ON CAMPUS

Southern University celebrated International Week in 2013 with several events and activities sponsored by the Center for International Affairs and University Outreach. The observance kicked off with a Prayer for Peace and Balloon Lift in front of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union.


Southern University was founded in New Orleans in 1880 and relocat-

ed to Baton Rouge on April 15, 1914, one hundred years ago. Something has to be said for a Historically Black Col-lege and University (HBCU) to have im-pacted a college town like Baton Rouge for so many years. Trials and challenges have come along the way for the first President Joseph Samuel Clark, and presidents that fol-lowed. Southern University Baton Rouge (SUBR) had to push the state of Louisiana for the proper funding to provide the best for its students. Southern also has experienced un-fair treatment and challenges as a result of public education and segregation, but has risen above it to become the flag-ship campus of the nation’s only HBCU system in America.

In 1972, Southern students held a student boycott on campus to protest unfair treatment by the state. Students decided to take action to demand better housing conditions,

better classrooms, and a share of financial re-sources much like that of the other university across town, Louisiana State University.

Students protested outside the administra-tive office. Troops and law enforcements with heavy artillery were called in.

The history-mak-ing event resulted in the death of two students, Denver A. Smith and Leonard Douglas Brown. Now the student union is named in their memory, the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union.

SU BATON ROUGECELEBRATES LEGACY, FUTURE

The fact that Southern continues to keep its doors open, and graduate some of the brightest students that go on to work in Fortune 500 companies around the world speaks volumes.

Southern University was founded in New Orleans in 1880 and was relocated to Baton Rouge on Scott’s Bluff along the Mississippi River in 1914. The campus is celebrating its centennial with a year of events and commemorative activities. Pictured is the first building on the “new” campus which has been restored as the SU Archives and Information Center.


SU BATON ROUGE

The fight for equal resources continued for decades with the final challenges being set-tled first in 1984, when courts granted summary judgment for a United States Consent Decree under which the state of Louisiana was subject to provide funds for new build-ings and programs on the Southern campus with the promise to increase diversity and to improve opportu-nities and facilities on the historic campus.

This agreement would prove to mitigate some of the long-standing inequities of resourc-es and state support. The University was

still a long way from recovering years of neglect and limited resources overall. In 1994, the State of Louisiana entered into a Desegregation Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Department of Education to help bring

Despite years of challenges and struggles, Southern University has become a leader in top academic programs. The University produces some of the top nurses from the School of Nursing and Allied Health. It was named Nursing School of the Year for three years out of the last five.

A statue of Joseph Samuel Clark, the first president of Southern University Baton Rouge sits on campus in front of the administra-tion building that bears his name.

The best engineers, business professionals, teachers, and computer sciences students have flourished from this University. And, the international enrollment keeps expanding.

about some much needed assistance and policy changes to help the strug-gling HBCU to thrive.

SUBR continues to experience hard-ships and challeng-es. Over the last six years the state has reduced funds by nearly $700 million to the University and other colleges in Louisiana. In 2011, the University declared financial exigency to help survive the dev-astating budget cuts. The fact that Southern continues to keep its doors open, and graduate some of the bright-

est students that go on to work in Fortune 500 companies around the world speaks volumes.

Southern produces some of the top nurses from the School of Nursing and Allied Health. It was named Nursing School of the Year for three years out of the last five. The best engi-neers, business professions, teachers, and computer sciences


students have flourished from this Universi-ty. And, the international enrollment keeps expanding.

SUBR continues to celebrate its 100 years with activities set to raise funds for scholar-ships dedicated to helping recruit students to Southern University or for students already enrolled but need a little extra to finish their studies.

Starting during Homecoming 2013, activities began to kick off the Centennial Celebration. You may have seen #SUBR100 being spread around on social media or in the signatures of emails.

On April 17, 2014, a Centennial Gala was held at L’Auberge Casino and Hotel in Baton Rouge with special performer R&B singer Regina Belle. Funds from the event were added to The Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund, which now has more than $260,000 for the scholarship fund structured for present and future SU students.

There are still Centennial Celebration events happen-ing throughout the rest of the year. Check them out at

Southern University celebrates its 100 years in Baton Rouge at SU System Day at the Louisiana State Capitol, April 28, 2014. Members of the Legislature salute the commemoration on the House floor during a special presentation by Represenative Ted James, a SU alumnus.

225-771-SUBR | subr.eduTake a look at Southern University and A&M College

Why? The word is spreading that Southern University is an affordable and wise

investment on SUccess.

We enjoyed an amazing 40 percent increase in enrollment in our freshman class this year.

www.subr.edu and click on “Southern Celebrates 100 Years On The Bluff.”

As always, you can donate anytime by visiting SUBR.edu. Every dollar helps continue the legacy of Southern University around the world. Z


At the heart of the professional skills program at the SU Law Center is

the live-client clinical education program that offers third-year law students the op-portunity to represent clients in various state and federal courts and state and federal agencies.As part of the Southern University Law Center’s commit-ment to public service, free legal representation is provid-ed to mostly low-income clients through nine in-house clinics in the following law practice areas: administrative and civil, juvenile, criminal, elder, mediation, bankruptcy, worker’s compensation, low-income taxpayer, and domes-tic violence.

This year marks a 40-year milestone for the SU Law Cen-ter providing clinical education, and it is also one of the pioneer institutions in the country to offer a clinical educa-tion program. While many law clinics around the country only take clients through referral from other organizations, the Southern law clinic is readily accessible to persons who “walk-in” for assistance. Criminal cases are the only cases that are appointed by the local court system.

Through the legal clinics, students gain hands-on, practical experience with real clients and cases for academic credit, under close, direct supervision of faculty who are licensed, practicing attorneys. Clinic students take on heavy re-sponsibility for strategy and execution of an array of legal matters. For many clients, students work on cases from beginning to end.

Second-year law students are provided limited experience in non-trial settings, and in addition, second-and-third year law students also have the opportunity to be placed in externships outside of the clinical setting in several non-profit agencies and institutions.

“Through our clinical program, we merge theory and practice so that students master both the practical art of lawyering while providing quality legal representation to individuals in need of legal services,” says Virginia Listach, interim director of the clinical education program.

“We are somewhat of a hidden resource in the commu-

nity,” says Listach. “So we hold Ask-A-Lawyer events to highlight each of our clinics informing the community about our services and resources.”

Last year alone, the law clinics handled more than 800 cases. The elder law clinic, mediation clinic, and juvenile clinics are highly utilized with each averaging about 60 new cases per semester. The worker’s compensation clinic is the newest clinic, having been implemented during the Spring 2014 semester.

SU LAW CLINICS MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR CLIENTS

“Through our clinical program, we merge theory and practice so that students master both the practical art of lawyering while providing quality legal representation to individuals in need of legal services.” — Virginia Listach, SU Law Center interim director of the clinical education program.


Students in the clinics represent a wide range of clients: adult and juvenile criminal defendants; victims of domestic violence; housing and community development groups; individuals threatened with eviction; children seeking access to adequate special and regular education; groups or individuals seeking to remedy civil rights violations or protect the environment; and, organizations seeking legis-lative and regulatory reform on a variety of issues.

“Our clinics offer students a unique opportunity to serve the public; to explore career options in vari-ous areas of legal practice; to gain insight into the strategic and ethical dimensions of the profession; and to acquire valuable legal skills in a support-ive educational environment,” says Alvin Washington, associate clinical professor in the Mediation Clinic.

“For many students, participating in a clinic is one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences they will have in law school.”

As part of the Southern University Law Center’s commitment to public service, free legal representation is provided to mostly low-income clients through nine in-house clinics. Pictured are SULC students participating in a mock trial in the Moot Court Room in A.A. Lenoir Hall.

Rashida Barringer, a third-year student and Elder Law Clinic participant, observes: “I have definitely learned the importance of client service. It’s vital to return phone calls, to figure out convenient meeting times, and to proofread documents, because one typographical error or one missed court date could make or break a client’s case.”

Barringer has prepared wills, she’s experienced in estate planning, successions, trusts, and power of attorney. A memorable case involved a terminally-ill client who sought assistance in having an advanced directive prepared. “We had already taken on a large case load for the semester and we were no longer accepting new cases. I was contacted by a client who said she needed to assign power of attorney to someone in her family. I explained that our caseload was full and that I would contact her during the following semester when she told me that she probably would not be around next semester because she was terminally ill”

“I’ve realized that these are real people and they are look-ing to me for help. I’m grateful for what I can do for them. It’s very rewarding to be able to serve and help others,” says Barringer.

The clinics allow law students to change others’ lives and their own, all while obtaining greater practical skills and professional refinement that they would not ordinarily obtain by merely attending classes.

“The clinic experience exposes students to processes and practices, and they acquire a legal skill-set that sets them

Through the legal clinics, students gain hands-on, practical experience with real clients and cases for academic credit under close, direct supervision of faculty who are licensed, practicing attorneys.


Southern univerSity Law Center

Post office Box 9294 • Baton Rouge, Louisiana • 70813 teLePhone: (instate) 1-800-552-5106 (out-of-state) 1-800-537-1135 web addreSS: www.SuLC.edu

A DEGREE OF ACHIEVEMENT

We salute our alumni Louisiana legislators for using their SULC law degrees in a meaningful way!!

sen. “Jody” amedee sen. Rick gaLLot sen. Jonathan PeRRy sen. Rick WaRd, iii

ReP. RandaL gaines ReP. hunteR gReene ReP. maRcus hunteR ReP. katRina Jackson ReP. edWaRd “ted” James ReP. sheRman Q. mack ReP. LedRicka thieRRy ReP. aLfRed c. WiLLiams ReP. thomas wiLLmott rep. ebony woodruff

THE SULC J.D.

apart from their law school peers,” says Jacqueline Nash associate clinical professor, Juvenile Law Clinic. “Through the Juvenile Law Clinic, students develop skills in advoca-cy, negotiation, and mediation; and, they serve and assist some of the community’s most abused, neglected, and injured people which most often are children and their families.”

Most of the clients are in dire circumstances and have sig-nificant needs, but students working in the SU law clinics, together with their professors, provide thousands of hours of legal research, representation, education, resource mate-rials, and other services that are invaluable.

Third-year law student Aisha Sanders, who grew up with a mother who was an attorney, has found that working in the Juvenile Law Clinic is not only a truly satisfying public service but also to a major learning experience.

“We are working very closely with the local school sys-tem and the court system to curtail truancy in the city of Baton Rouge,” says Sanders. “We are actually setting case law which is major. I’m thankful for the guidance from professor Nash who makes sure that we are mindful of all the intricacies that are involved in juvenile cases as it relates to consent and legal representation. Unfortunately we represent many African-American clients, so it’s great

to be that positive role model for the kids, providing them with options and exposing them to solutions that are in their best interest.”

Through their work in the clinics, students have challeng-ing contact with practicing attorneys, with police offi-cers, court personnel, and representatives of government agencies. Students are reminded that they must stand up for their clients and be their best advocates. In addition, students realize the importance of staying organized, and learn quickly about common law practices, such as keeping copies of clients’ communications. It is through keeping timesheets and documenting time spent on cases that stu-dents become comfortable with the idea of billable hours.

“We realize that it is vital for students to get hands-on ex-perience practicing law before they graduate,” says Listach. “It helps us fulfill our mission of helping to prepare our students for leadership positions in society.”

By focusing on its core principle to advocate justice for all, the law clinics provide a valuable service to the community by helping many individuals and nonprofit organizations who could not otherwise afford legal assistance. Z


The Southern University System has been 100 percent tobacco-free

since 2012. The Communities of Color Network is an affiliated pro-gram of the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Living. It is a part of a statewide effort for healthy living.

The Southern Board of Supervisors approved the policy to make all campuses within the System 100 percent tobacco- free in 2012.

Director of the SU Ag Center’s Communities of Color Network, Linda Early-Brown and regional coordinator for the Baton Rouge campus, Frankie Poland, have been instrumental in ensuring all SU faculty, staff, and students, as a System, has the resources and materials needed to comprehend the dynamics of a tobacco-free System.

Brown said “from the onset it was determined that edu-cational awareness was the driving force to acclimate all individuals involved regarding this life altering initiative. The assistance of student ambassadors, community en-couragers, faculty, and staff aided this process to ensure an outcome that would benefit all involved.”

Tobacco free means not using any tobacco products such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, bidis, hookahs, smokeless or spit tobacco, snuf or snus, on a Southern University campus, according to Brown. This includes usage by any students, staff, faculty, or visitors in campus buildings, facilities or property owned or leased by the Southern University System, and outside areas of the cam-pus where non-smokers cannot avoid exposure to smoke.

It is through the efforts of the Communities of Color Network the Southern University System and the various communities are informed through education, awareness,

action, and advocacy. The statewide initiative utilizes a regional coordinator in strategic areas for each region.

Brown said the SU System desires to thrive in an exis-tence that seeks healthy options. Poland commented that becoming tobacco free is a way to “live, work, and learn in a healthy environment.”

When the Board of Supervisors approved the policy in 2012, signage began showing up on doors, in offices, and other various places on campus. Hang tags can now be found at the University Police Department on campuses.

Students have received information at campus events and health fairs. All regional coordinators provide the campus-es with material to continue to enhance the knowledge of the importance of being tobacco free. The Communities of Color Network sponsors many of the events that promote healthy living.

“We know that it is important to be involved in the com-munity and on the campus on a daily basis especially after we have presented a 100 percent tobacco-free initiative. We recognize the influx of students and the changing dynamics of college life; therefore, Communities of Color wants to continue to play an integral part in the lives of those involved,” said Brown.

As new Southern Universi-ty employees and freshmen and transfer students join the SUS community, there will be innovative ways used to inform the groups on the tobacco free policy. The SU System Office of Human Resource is looking at the option of provid-ing information through webinars, paystubs, and other avenues to keep the information in the forefront. The new wave of students entering the University will receive information in their orientation and move-in packages.

COC HELPING SU REMAIN TOBACCO FREE

“Becoming tobacco free is a way to “live, work, and learn in a healthy environment.” – Frankie Poland, regional coordinator for the Baton Rouge campus, SU Ag Center

The Board of Supervisors approved a tobacco-free policy for the SU System in 2012, signage began showing up on doors, in offices, and other various places on campuses.


Southern University and A&M College System

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTERThe Southern University Ag Center is the only land-grant institution in the state dedicated to sustainingunderserved citizens by teaching strategies forfamily management, food and nutrition, childcare,agriculture, parenting, youth development, andurban forestry.

In 2001, the Southern University Systemofficially established the Southern

University Ag Center as its fifth campusin order to expand research and exten-

sion in agriculture, human develop-ment, and food and environmental

systems. The Center exists to discoverand teach new solutions that will trans-

form Louisianans’ quality of life.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AG CENTER

P.O. Box 10010Baton Rouge, LA 7081

(225) 771-2242www.suagcenter.com“Linking Citizens of Louisiana with Opportunities for Success”

Communities of Color Networks will continue to educate and provide resources for individuals who want to be tobacco free. There is a hotline people may use to help quit the usage of tobacco at 1-800-QUIT.

The program also will continue to work with the School of Nursing and Allied Health on the Baton Rouge campus, University Police Depart-ments, and the SU System Office, to keep the SU community informed on essential information.

“We are looking at everything ho-listically and trying to make sure we are providing a full picture of what it means to be living in a healthy envi-ronment,” said Brown.

The priority is making sure everyone is fully aware of how crucial being tobac-co free is and providing the proper resources as Brown stated. Z

Frankie Poland, regional coordinator for the Baton Rouge campus, Communities of Color Network, pins 100 percent tobacco-free button on SU foreign language professor during Spring Convocation in January 2013 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the SU System tobacco-free policy.


Harold Ellis Clark or “Hal,” as he’s known by many,

arises every weekday at 5 a.m. to write before he makes the trip from Gretna to “the city” where he works full-time at Southern University New Orleans. At mid day, during his lunch hour, he continues to write. Clark is the executive assistant to the chancellor at SUNO. He is also a budding playwright.“I really enjoy working at the Univer-sity helping students to solve problems and issues that come to the Office of the Chancellor,” says Clark. “I get a real joy in helping others.”

Clark says he lives and writes based on the philosophy of his favorite fiction writer, bestselling novelist James Lee Burke, who said in a New York Times article, “I have nev-er thought of my vocation as work. I never had what is called writer’s block, nor have I ever measured the value of what I do in terms of its commercial success. I also believe that whatever degree of creative talent I possess was not earned but was given to me by a power outside myself, for a specific purpose, one that has little to do with my own life.”

Clark’s gift for creative writing has made room for him at various tables and he is now reaping the harvest of his hard work, which is a testament to the time that he has given to the craft of playwriting.

Clark was recently named one of two winners of the New Works @ The Works Playwriting Competition for his play, We Live Here. The competition is sponsored by Playhouse on the Square (POTS) a professional resident theater com-pany in Memphis, Tennessee. Clark and the other winner,

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HAROLD ELLIS CLARK

Teri Feigelson, were chosen from six finalists and received a cash award and travel accommodations to participate in the development and rehearsals of their plays.

“Really the Playhouse on the Square (POTs) theater company has presented a great opportunity to me and to this play,” said Clark, who had the opportunity to witness a staged reading of the play as part of the competition. Au-dience reactions at the readings, and the audience and cast talkback session held after the readings have helped him


to detect any weak spots in the play, which he can try to fix prior to the world-wide opening that is scheduled to be held January 2-25, 2015, as part of POTS’ 2014-2015 season at Theaterworks, the company’s third performance space.

We Live Here is about a black couple from New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward who wins a brand new home in an all-white neighborhood and discovers their dream come true is too good to be true.

The playwright grew up in New Orleans, and had a few avenues through which he could partici-pate in theater work. He attended John Ehret High School and continued his education at Grambling

State University earning a bachelor’s degree in mass com-munications and a master’s degree from Western Illinois University.

“I’ve always enjoyed writing,” Clark says. “My love for writing evolved from my love for reading.”

He says his early writing style was highly influenced by August Wilson and included big monologues.

Clark says he sort of stumbled into playwriting. Two things happened. His 2006 self-published novel Chummy’s Spirit got the attention of a literary agent in New York City and the novel also sold very well at the local Barnes and Noble in New Orleans. Unfortunately, the literary agent dropped him a year later because she couldn’t get his work into the big publishing houses. So, he had already been contem-plating his next literary move when he allowed his actor friend Lance Nichols (who plays dentist Larry Williams on “Tremé”) to read some of his work. After reading Clark’s writings, Nichols commented that he had enjoyed the interesting dialogue in each piece and he encouraged Clark to consider playwriting. Incidentally, Clark’s screen-play adaptation of Chummy’s Spirit was named an official selection for the 2013 International Family Film Festival in Hollywood, California.

“I wrote several hours a day, for 18 years, developing fictional short stories and novels before I began writing plays and got my first professional production,” he said. He wrote Marrero Action in 2010 and it was produced a year later at the Anthony Bean Community Theatre in New Orleans which got him on the regional-theater radar.

Clark’s second play, Tour Detour, earned him the coveted prize in the Stanley Drama Award’s 56th Annual Compe-tition for playwriting. It also earned him a finalist spot in

Stage West’s 7th Annual Southwest Playwriting Compe-tition, and as a semifinalist for the 2013 Eugene O’Neill National Playwright’s Conference.

According to Clark’s website (haroldellisclark.com), last year, he won UpStage Theatre’s 4th Annual Emerging Playwright Project for his play, Fishers of Men, which over the past two years has played to sold-out audiences in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. He also has some direct-ing experience under his belt having led a staged reading of the play this past December at LePetit Theatre in New Orleans. Fishers of Men also was the featured theatrical production of the 2013 Words and Music Conference, hosted by the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society. The play also received a full production at Wiley College in February, and a staged reading at Tulane University in March during the Freedom Summer Redux Conference.

“What allowed me to find my voice was enrolling in fiction intensive workshops at the University of California Berke-ley that was led by James Frye, one of American’s well-known teachers of fiction writing,” Clark says.

“I want to work with people who I can learn as much as possible from,” he said.

While in the program, Clark was encouraged to develop, stretch, and experiment with his voice and inclinations. It was in that intensive program that he deepened his art and honed his craft, engaged with emerging and established theatre artists, and studied the new, the ancient, and the innovative inner workings of performance.

He says of the program, “I had a rich experi-ence.”

In conversation, Harold Ellis Clark is practical, strategic, and measured which is exactly how many accomplished artists create a pathway to excellence.

Clark says he has a great appreciation for writing and conveying life’s lesson through his writing.

“I know it might be a bit of a stretch to make it, but I encourage ev-eryone to visit Memphis for the play’s world premiere.”

Hal said he is currently developing a first draft of a new work set during the civil rights era, titled Uncle Bobby to the CORE.

“I’ve always enjoyed writing,” Clark says. “My love for writing evolved from my love for reading.”

“I wrote several hours a day, for 18 years, developing fictional short stories and novels before I began writing plays and got my first professional production.”


“As pure and TRUE as the gold and BLUE…”Southernites sing the words proudly as they hold their index finger high in the air symbolizing the number one, all while proudly proclaiming their love and allegiance to Southern.

The words from the alma mater rang clear and hit home for newly hired Southern University System Foundation executive director Alfred Harrell III, as he leads the charge of asking alumni to be truer to Southern than they have ever been before through the recently launched TrueBLUE fundraising campaign.

Since joining the team at Southern last November, Harrell has spent a considerable amount of his time mapping out a strategy for the Foundation to garner support from both new and existing supporters, all while explaining why giv-ing back is imperative to the future of Southern University.

Part of Harrell’s strategy is to communicate more with alumni and supporters through the SU System Founda-tion’s TrueBLUE campaign.

“Our number one objective is engagement,” says Harrell. The Foundation is putting forth a valid effort of engaging alumni, friends, and supporters – to help them find out what is going on at Southern.”

In the future, alumni can expect to receive phone calls, emails, and many will have face-to-face meetings with the development staff who will share firsthand the accom-plishments of the University along with information about the school’s challenges, and how they can provide support to help impact the academic landscape.

Basically, through the aggressive educational campaign, supporters don’t have to wonder what’s going on at Southern because Harrell’s team will tell them.

To do so, the Foundation has overhauled its website, is currently sending out weekly TrueBLUE e-blasts, and has ramped up their social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.

Also in recent months, alumni have received an emotional direct mail piece from the Southern System Foundation.

Foundation Board member and 1970 Southern graduate Irving Matthews says alumni are essential to the success of the TrueBLUE campaign and urges them to step up and

– OUR WORK FOR A PROMISING FUTURE

do more for the University. He insists that the Foundation must be engaged consistently with alumni and that they are key to the sustainability of Southern. (See related story, page 51)

“When it comes to HBCUs in particular, the alumni must play a larger role in supporting the school, the programs and endowments,” says Matthews. “We don’t have an option. We must educate, not only our alums, but we must also start educating our students of their responsibility to give back once they’re done. The key to that is the Foun-dation. Unless we educate them, we’re working at a losing battle.”

Through TrueBLUE, supporters can specify how their funds are used. They can designate their donations for the 1880 Annual Fund, 1880 Scholarship Fund, endowment funds, planned giving, or other funds. All giving opportunities provide varying contribution levels.

The 1880 Annual Fund was estab-lished with a goal to provide a minimum of $1 million dol-lars in annual unrestricted support to SU System cam-puses.

The 1880 Society, which falls with-in the 1880 Annual Fund, was started in 2012, and is by far one of the most selected giving oppor-tunities by supporters. The Society is a cu-mulative giving initiative where individuals make a multi-year commitment to donate $1,000 a year and to recruit one new member per year for five years, or to obtain a total of five recruits during

Since joining the team at Southern last November, Southern University System Foundation executive director Alfred Harrell III has spent a considerable amount of his time mapping out a strategy for the Foundation to garner support from both new and existing supporters, all while explaining why giving back is imperative to the future of Southern University.


the five-year period. Last year $200,000 was raised through the 1880 Annual Fund.

The Foundation’s goal is to increase donations for all giving oppor-tunities by 32 percent in 2014. The highly visible and aggressive TrueBLUE campaign has yielded impressive results so far for the Foundation and they are well on their way to hitting that target. In the first quarter of this year, they have raised $84,000 through the 1880 Annual Fund.

Foundation Board President Anna Jones has served on the board for five years, and she says the Foundation has found an avenue and level of giving for every-one to be involved. She adds that the Founda-tion is laser focused and is regularly communi-cating the needs of the

institution and students directly to supporters.

“I encourage the Southern alumni to get involved and give,” says Jones. “Let’s become united, and let’s put forth a united TrueBLUE effort to help build and grow this great university.”

Phenomenal SuccessWhile it’s important to tell the story of why funding is be-ing sought, “one thing that we also needed to do was share with constituents what we’re doing with dollars that we currently have received from them,” says Harrell.

To see that benefit, supporters don’t have to look far. Walk through the heart of any one of Southern’s five campuses, and you will see students on their way to bright futures, faculty members that have the resources they need, and new buildings and construction. Much of that activity has been provided with funding from the Foundation.

The Foundation has also has been involved in increasing student enrollment System wide through expanding finan-cial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students.

In doing so, last year alone the Foundation provided 170 students with financial assistance to help defray tuition and fees.

Through March of 2014, the Foundation provided $45,000 in financial assistance to students. They have a goal of giv-ing $150,000 to students throughout the entire year.

Tonyea McCaleb, a 22-year-old senior majoring in social work from Baton Rouge, received assistance and says with-out the Foundation’s help she probably would not have been able to continue in her educational pursuit.

“I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to be a recipient,” says McCaleb. “With the Foundation’s help, it allowed me to continue my education at Southern University.”

McCaleb says she is looking forward to the day when she can reach back and support students who are in need as well.

“It is critical that alumni continue to support the institution that furthered their education and positioned them for their success and purpose. I will be doing the exact same thing when I graduate.”

In addition to the student financial assistance program, the Foundation has also played a key role in the revitalization of the Southern University Laboratory School.

The Foundation started working with Southern Lab only two years ago and has seen phenomenal success in the school’s turnaround.

How did it happen? A long-term plan was put in place for the school, with the Foundation filling the gap in the area of recruitment. The Foundation hired two recruiters to help identify potential students and saw an immediate upswing in enrollment.

“When we first started working with the Lab School, their enrollment was down significantly and they didn’t have the funds to help recruit for the school,” says Harrell.

With the addition of recruiters, the Foundation helped the school achieve an enrollment surge of 79 percent along with an increase in recurring tuition revenue by $1.3 mil-lion.

With the Lab School serving as a potential feeder of stu-dents to Southern University, the Foundation is also set to sign a cooperative endeavor agreement with the school in the near future to assist with ACT prep.

“We want to support our young people and make certain they have the tools they need to not only graduate, but to then be able to go to college,” Harrell added.

The SUSF recently awarded SUNO a $15,000 1880 Society Grant to retain students and improve graduation rates. The grant will help retain first-time freshmen admitted to the

“I encourage the Southern alumni to get involved and give. Let’s become united, and let’s put forth a united TrueBLUE effort to help build and grow this great university.”— Anna Jones, president, SU System Foundation Board of Directors


University in 2009 and 2010. (See story, page 8)

This summer the SUSF, along with the SUBR College of Business, sent students to the 2014 U.S. – China Student Summit in Shanghai and Beijing. The summit focused on creat-ing global leaders for the future and students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Global Perspectives course and earn

two or three university credits offered by WorldStrides online as part of their experience.

Latoya S. Griffin Middleton, a graduate student majoring in business administration is one of 26 SUBR students who attended the summit and says she’s excited about the opportunity.

“I enjoyed the culture as well as the exposure to the international business world,” says Middleton. “My con-centration is in human relations studies and international business and this fits in line with my future plans.”

She also was appreciative to the SUS Foundation for pro-viding her with the unique opportunity.

“The Southern University System Foundation, along with the College of Business, has provided me with the awe-some opportunity to study abroad,” says Middleton. “When donors support Southern, they are investing in the future of its most valuable resource – its students. That invest-ment allows students like me to be professionally devel-oped and exposed to global industry practices in selected disciplines.”

While most are aware of the Foundation’s work in provid-ing financial assistance, many alumni aren’t as knowledge-able of the philanthropic support they have provided in construction and capital improvement projects.

The Foundation led a $60 million bond project for the Southern University Baton Rouge campus, which included new student resident halls, the expansion of A.W. Mum-ford Stadium, and the construction of the $6.5 million Horace Wesley Moody Sr. Intramural Sports Complex.

The 33,578 square feet, state-of-the-art sports complex is named after Southern’s first intramural program director, and is fully equipped with a fully stocked weight room, grand gymnasium, locker rooms, and lounge areas.

Also, through the Foundation’s assistance, both Southern University New Orleans and Southern University Shreve-port have acquired new buildings, and the Southern Uni-versity Law Center secured a $1 million endowment.

Becoming “True Blue” With declining federal and state support, the Southern University System is relying heavily upon the generosity of alumni and friends to support the mission of the institu-tion.

The stark reality is that in the past four years, Louisiana’s colleges and universities have lost more than $700 million to state budget cuts, according to the Louisiana Board of Regents. Colleges within the Southern University System have seen their share of cuts with their budgets slashed in excess of $42.3 million during that same time period – a 43 percent reduction.

“That it is our role and objective – to bring alumni to the table,” says Matthews. “I think that we have a responsibility, just as we depend on government and other foundations to help support us, we have to support ourselves too. We must “impress upon others to give, and that they’re doing the right thing when they give.”

To fill the funding gap, Harrell and his team are challenging alumni to step up. They are also meeting with major corpo-rations to present the University’s case.

Future goals also include expanding the development team within the Foundation. Currently the Law Center and Southern Lab have advancement officers. Harrell is looking at having representatives on board for each one of South-ern’s five campuses, with the hopes of one day having a representative for every department and/or college as well.

Harrell invites all Southern alumni and supporters to join the TrueBLUE campaign. To participate, contact the South-ern University System Foundation at 225-771-3911 or visit foundation.sus.edu. Follow the TrueBLUE campaign on social media at Facebook.com/truebluesusf or Twitter.com/truebluesusf

In the fall, the Foundation will hold a donor recognition gala during the Bayou Classic festivities in New Orleans to thank supporters for stepping up. It will be the culminat-ing event for this year’s campaign and the Foundation will disseminate their annual report detailing giving statistics and data for the year.

During that event, there will certainly be a moment that alumni will once again think about the emotional words of the Alma Mater, and know that they are indeed “True Blue.”

Through March of 2014, the SUS Foundation awarded $45,000 in financial assistance to students. They have a goal of giving $150,000 to students throughout the entire year. Tonyea McCaleb, a 22-year-old senior majoring in social work from Baton Rouge, received assistance and says without the Foundation’s help she probably would not have been able to continue in her educational pursuit.


TrueBLUESOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FOUNDATION

“I am truly grateful to the many alumni and friendswho donate to the Southern University SystemFoundation. Without their contributions, I wouldnot have had the opportunity to pursue myeducation and to successfully graduate from thisawesome institution.”

Megann L. ThompsonMajor: NursingHometown: Trinidad & Tobago

GIVINGRESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GREATER GOOD...

BUILDINGOURWORK FOR A PROMISING FUTURE...“A record growth in enrollment and finances at theLaboratory School is contributed to the support ofthe Southern University System Foundation. Weappreciate the contributions of the Foundation inpartnership with the Southern University BatonRouge campus and look forward to the sustainedand systemic growth of our school in the future.”

Dr. Luria S. YoungInterim Dean, Southern UniversityCollege of Education, Arts and Humanities

"The Foundation is vital in ensuring the Southern University community hasthe ability to further enhance the educational environment. The SouthernUniversity Laboratory School was able to become financially stable throughthe efforts of the partnership between the Foundation and the Baton Rougecampus. Collectively, they have provided financial assistance, extensiveadvisement, and on-going support.”

Dr. Ronnie HarrisonSchool DirectorSouthern University Laboratory School

THE ANNUAL FUND endeavors to

advance the mission of Southern Universityby enhancing the academic and sociallandscape for our students, faculty, andgreater community. Your generous gift tothe Annual Fund is put to use immediatelyto help create special opportunities for ourstudents, develop new programs, and tosupport the continuing evolution of theSystem campuses. We invite you tobecome a partner in creating a dynamicfuture for Southern University by making acontribution to the Annual Fund.

Awarded more than 2.3 MILLION DOLLARSin scholarships to Southern University graduateand undergraduate students

Provided 120 THOUSAND DOLLARS insupport to Southern University LaboratorySchool, helping to significantly increaseenrollment by 79 PERCENT and generating1.3 MILLION DOLLARS in reoccurring tuitionrevenues

Secured 535 THOUSAND DOLLARS inunrestricted annual fund cash contributions

during first quarter of the 2014 campaign.

ANNUAL FUND HAVE...GIFTS TO THE

Southern University System FoundationPost Office Box 9562

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813phone: 225.771.3911

GIVE BYCOMPLETING THE ENCLOSEDANNUAL FUND ENVELOPE

AN INVESTMENT IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT...

"Supporting Southern University is a dream cometrue for me. I have been able to achieve so muchin life because of the education that I receivedwhile at Southern. We are all beneficiaries of theexperiences we gained on “The Yard.” Now wemust reach back and inspire others to achieve theirgoals while empowering them by giving. I'mhonored to be able to support Southern financially,and witness first hand dreams coming true."

Bishop Joseph W. WalkerMount Zion Baptist ChurchNashville, TN

INVESTING


generally a popular or well-liked leader.

“He has proven he can get the job done,” said Robyn Merrick, SU System director of alumni affairs and executive director, SUAF.

“When Dennis campaigned for the position, he was honest and direct. He said the first thing he wanted to do was to re-establish credibility and bridge gaps between the sea-soned and the young alumni,” Merrick added.

The next thing he did was “re-establish relationships” — with the administration and the Board (of Supervisors), with the alumni, and with the campus community, she says.

A motivational speaker for many years, and a corporate ac-counting business professional, Brown used his background and training to effectively lead the alumni group with a focus on accountability and results.

Brown says, “We should often think about the students and remember why we do what we do. We need to interact with the students to see what their needs are since we are becoming more dependent on their tuition dollars to keep the university operating,” he says. “We owe it to the students to be accountable for our action or inaction.”

It’s wonderful to have so many people appreciate me,” Brown said. “I am proud of what I was able to accom-plish.” “Southern is a great place with a great legacy.”

He acknowledges that the Univer-sity continues to face challenges, but asked the alumni to “please don’t give up” on supporting Southern University and particularly the students.

Continuing his support of the University and the next alumni association president is what he plans to do next, and he said, “in order for us to become better we must work together.”

“I’ve been fortunate during my term to travel to chapter events all over the country and meet fellow alumni with whom I’m exceptionally proud to have Southern in com-mon,” says Brown. “I stressed the importance that through time, effort, involvement, and resources, we all can make Southern a better place for those who follow in our foot-steps.”

Brown officially passes the gavel during the national alumni conference that will be held in Houston July 9-12. Z

Professional, proactive, energetic, and passionate are a few adjectives that

describe Dennis S. Brown, outgoing alumni association president.

Generations ahead will benefit from his leader-ship in several strategic initiatives of the South-ern University National Alumni Federation (SUAF) including fund-raising, membership, alumni engagement, student outreach, and communications and marketing. He acknowl-edges that the associ-ation has been blessed with strong leaders over its long history, each building on the accom-plishments and success-es of predecessors.

“I am reminded about exciting changes that have taken place over the past four years and look forward to the future—of both Southern University and the SU Alumni Association,” says Brown.

“The alumni association officers and I have completed an amazing amount of work,” says Brown. “As a team, we dis-covered ways to increase our ranks and improve the struc-ture of our annual meetings, all while encouraging wider participation among alumni association members at large.”

Brown served consecutive two-year terms as the national alumni president.

He says of his presidency, “It’s definitely been challenging at times, but I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”

A College of Business graduate, Brown has always been an active alumnus often serving as guest speaker for fresh-man student seminars, serving on the College of Business Advisory Council, the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP), and in the SU Business and Industry Cluster. He and his wife, Barbara embraced the University whole-heartedly, encouraging both of their daughters to attend his alma mater. Destiny was a member of the SU Dancing Dolls and Brittany, was a member of the Honors College. Both have graduated and are members of the alumni asso-ciation.

“Dennis is full of energy,” said Keith Bynam, SUAF vice president. “He was transparent and he had no hidden agenda.”

Bynam said Brown had plenty of connections and he was

SU Alumni Federation president Dennis S. Brown and his wife Barbara are very active and engaged SUAF life-members.

PASSING THE ‘GAVEL,’ MOTIVATING THE ALUMNI

SU College of Business graduate Dennis S. Brown has served as SU Alumni Federation President for two-terms during the past four years. He says of his presidency, “It’s definitely been challenging at times, but I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”


HighlightsAlumni

Dallas alumni honor Founders’ Day-- Southern Uni-versity Alumni Foundation (SUAF), Dallas Chapter honored Southern’s Centennial Celebration and 134th Founders’ Day. On Sunday, March 9, 2014, the chapter attended church services and a lunch fellowship “to commemorate and thank God for 100 years of our flagship campus and 134 years of Southern University,” said LaQuitta Thomas, SUAF Dallas chapter president. Pictured is a photo collage provided by the Dallas Chapter paying tribute to SU. —Photo SUAF Dallas Chapter


HighlightsAlumni

2014 Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame Inductees--Pictured with SULC Chancellor Freddie Pitcher, Jr. (far left), are inductees hon-ored during the 2014 SU Law Center Alumni Round-up April 3-5 in Baton Rouge (from left to right) are Mayor Jacques Roy, Alexandria; attorney Edward Larvadain Jr., Alexandria; Judge Ramona L. Emanuel, Shreveport; attorney Rickey W. Miniex, Lafayette; Judge Jeff Cox, Bossier City; Judge Wilson Fields, Baton Rouge; and attorney Clyde R. Simien, Lafayette.

Alum, wife donate $50,000 to chancellor’s scholarship fundSouthern University alumnus Irving Matthews and his wife Darlene donated $50,000 to the SUBR Chancellor’s Centennial Scholarship Fund to endow four-year tuition scholarships to two African-American males entering SU in the fall of 2014.

Matthews is a 1970 SU engineering graduate and a native of Lake Charles. He is the owner of Ford dealerships in Mount Dora and Stuart, Florida.

The family already provides two endowed scholarships in business and engineering to Southern University.

The recent scholarship fund will provide full tuition scholarships for eight con-secutive semesters beginning in the fall 2014 semester. Qualified applicants must meet Southern’s admission criteria, be Pell Grant eligible, and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 at the end of each academic year.

The Matthews scholars will receive mentoring and academic guidance over the course of their matriculation.


2014 Southern University Law Center Distinguished Alumni Honorees-- Pictured with SULC Chancellor Freddie Pitcher, Jr. ( far right), are honorees recognized during the SU Alumni Round-up banquet April 5 (from left to right) are Yolanda Martin Singleton, Baton Rouge; State Representative Katrina Jackson, Monroe; Vanessa Caston LaFleur, Baton Rouge; Jason M. Stein, New Orleans; Tricia R. Pierre, Lafayette; and Samuel Jenkins, Shreveport.

Former SU DB Aeneas Williams elected to NFL Hall of FameFormer Arizona Cardinals and Southern University All-America cornerback Ae-neas Williams was elected to the National Football League (NFL) Hall of Fame.

Williams was one of seven players selected, joining DE Michael Strahan, LB Derrick Brooks, WR Andre Reed, OT Walter Jones, P Ray Guy, and DE Claude Humphrey.

The Class of 2014 will be inducted into the Canton, Ohio, shrine later this summer. This year marked the third con-secutive year Williams appeared as a Hall of Fame finalist.

Williams was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round out of SU in 1991. He spent 10 years with the team, never missing a game, starting all but one. He appeared in eight Pro Bowls, including six consecutive games between ‘94 and ‘99. He played his final four seasons with the St. Louis Rams and retired after the 2004 season.

Williams finished his career with 55 interceptions, 46 with the Cardinals.

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100 Years on The BluffSOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

1914-2014


Southern University Athletics’ spirits remained high despite challenges.

Southern sports programs are dishing out wins and winning conference titles. Both men and women’s basketball teams won the regular season Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) cham-pionship. Athletic director, William Broussard said, “Win-ning the regular season is a big deal. Banners will be hung and big trophies were given to these two great teams.”

“The tournament at the end of the day is a three-game weekend. The regular season is the whole season and there is a lot to be proud of in that,” said Broussard.

Last year both teams were runner-ups to win the regular season and this year they took that title. The SWAC has no room for error, Broussard expressed. “Our men were 15-3 and women were 16-2. Women’s basketball had to win their last game in the season just to confirm the regular season title.”

Broussard said this season it was fun to watch because there were no star player, people stepped up for each other and many freshmen played on the women’s team.

According to Southern’s Athletics website, SU claimed three of the SWAC’s five regular season honors with Tre’Lun Banks receiving “Freshman of the Year” honors along with teammate Calvin Godfrey earning “Newcom-er of the Year” while head coach Roman Banks was tabbed

“Coach of the Year.” And senior guard Malcolm Miller, who earned SWAC “Newcomer of the Year” honor last season, joins Godfrey as an All-SWAC first team selection. (See story, page 57)

The women’s basketball team, knocked out of the first round of the SWAC tournament, claimed the SWAC West-ern Division title as well. Jaguars ruled the SWAC confer-ence in basketball.

Head coach Sandy Pugh and forward Jasmine Jefferson joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s elite as the 2014 SWAC Women’s Basketball All-Conference teams and individual honors. Pugh was named the SWAC Wom-en’s Basketball “Coach of the Year” after earning her third regular season championship title in the last five years. (See story, page 57)

Jefferson, a Miami native, earned All-SWAC first team hon-ors after a career season which included scoring a personal best 27 points and shooting 11 of 11 in a 93-82 road win at Alabama A&M last month.

SU ATHLETICS: BOUNCING BACK WITH WINS

The SU Jaguars women’s basketball team won the regulars season SWAC title finishing 16-2

The Southern University Jaguar football team, led by senior quarterback Dray Joseph, won the Toyota Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game Saturday, December 7, 2013, 34-27 over the Jackson State Tigers, in Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. — Photo David Kent, SU Athletics


Prior to the basketball season at Southern, some light was shining in A.W. Mumford Stadium, under the direction of first-year head football coach Dawson Odums.

The 2013 football team brought home the SWAC Confer-ence title. It had been the first time Southern had been to the championship since 2004. The team finished 9-4 for the season. The Bayou Classic also remained in the hands of the Southern Football team, with a 40-17 win over Gram-bling State in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

While football was winning games, so was the women’s soccer team. Led by another first year head coach Court-nie Prather. The women’s soccer team ended their season by earning the SWAC Western Division title and making it to the semi-final round of the SWAC Championship losing to Jackson State, whom ended up winning it all.

Broussard said, “the soccer team’s success had to do with coach Prather… and her three years at Southern as an assistant helped. Her time was valuable by being able to learn the land of the conference and how to put a compet-itive team together to win.” Broussard credited Prather for not having all-stars from one end to the other but rather by having “two reliable point scorers and depth at the goalie position.”

Prather has a defensive mindset and this transitioned into a great recruiting class that mixed with the class from the previous year. Broussard feels that the soccer team is set nicely for the upcoming season and for the long run to add more wins to the board. 7-2-1 was the final record of the 2013 season. Winning the west is the first step and the team has set that as their goal for the upcoming 2014 season.

Two new head coaches have been mentioned thus far, but there were two others that have had great success in their first year. Head track and field coach Beau Walker and Volleyball head coach Vanessa Jacobs.

In track and field, women finished fourth and the men finished sixth at the indoor SWAC championship. This can be a little deceiving because until a week or two before the championship, the track and field teams were unaware they would be eligible to even attend. So with little prepa-ration the SU team went and did their best.

The overall season had some individual breakout perfor-mances. Devin Jenkins set a new SWAC record in the 60 meter with a time of 6.66 as a sophomore in the indoor season. “Jenkins posted the fastest 100 meter time in the NCAA after running a 10.21 in route to a first place finish in the Texas Relay, according to GoJagsports.com.

Treshauna Broadnax finished on top in the 60 meter hur-tle, breaking a SWAC record. D’Wayne Houston earned his third consecutive “Most Valuable Player” award.

Broussard expressed that this track and field team is a better team overall and the women’s team is a “sleeper.” Watch out for the women next year.

The men’s and women’s track teams took second place at the 2014 SWAC Tournament Championship in New Or-leans on April 26-27. The teams placed first in nine events which included: women 400 meter hurdles, men 200 meter dash, men 100 meter dash, women 100 meter dash, men 4x100 meter relay, women 4x100 meter relay, men shot put, men long jump and women hammer throw. Jenkins took first in three of the categories.

Head volleyball coach Vanessa Jacobs, who served as as-sistant coach under former head coach Nathaniel Denu, improved the volleyball team from a 2-6 record in confer-ence to 4-4. There were some highlight wins in the season with the win over Prairie View, who won the west, and Texas Southern who was a power in the west.

The Lady Jaguars Softball team has made a big turn in the 2014 season. A coaching change 12 games into the season gave the team a boost of energy. The Jaguars ended their

The women’s soccer team ended their season by earning the SWAC Western Division title and making it to the semi-final round of the SWAC Championship losing to Jackson State.


attendance at football games, and revenue is on the upturn but more improvement in that area is needed.

“We are going to continue to grow,” said Broussard, pleased about the 70 percent revenue growth and the crop of new athletes SU has.

Broussard said, “It is a market improvement and I am pleased at the overall growth in the seven-year period. From 2005-2012, we have won 23 divisional conference tournament championships and we won 10 in the last two years. Increasing from three championships over a year to five each year.”

Entering his third year as A.D., Broussard ended by saying, “In light of the challenges there is a spirit and hope that there is some greatness ahead of us.”

In April the University agreed to extended Broussard’s contract until 2017. Z

The Jaguar men’s basketball team won the regular season Southwester Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship.

regular season ranked number two in the Western Division of SWAC.

The new head softball coach Taylor Hollis was the assis-tant coach just last year and now the young female coach has brought the Lady Jaguars back to the SWAC Tourna-ment after unsuccessfully making it to the tournament in the last two years.

The softball team faced Mississippi Valley State in the first round of the tournament on May 7, 2014 and lost 7-4 but returned on May 8 beating Grambling State 12-7. The Lady Jags did not make it to the semi-finals after losing to Jackson State, 14-3, later that day. Broussard congratulated the softball team on Facebook saying, “Congrats to the Southern Softball team for notching the first postseason win since 2011 vs. GSU.”

Tennis entered the SWAC tournament on top as the number one seed and ending their season with a 6-1 record. On April 26, the Lady Jaguars won their fifth consecutive SWAC Championship at the 2014 SWAC Tournament in New Orleans beating Jackson State University for the title. Coach Jeff Conyers was named “Coach of the Year.”

The key to SU athletes staying positive can be credited to the coaches and athletic staff. But also Broussard said it’s “admira-ble how important the student athletes consider representing the University and themselves when they go out and compete.”

The good set of coaches, all across the board, has a commit-ment to the athletes’ success that carries over to the performance of the athletes. “When you feel who you got people around you that care, you tend to want to perform well,” said Broussard.

This also shows the support the Jaguar Nation shows the athletes too.

The growth of the fan support is still on the rise. There has been a 55 percent increase in game


HighlightsAthletics

SUNO players selected as NAIA Honorable Mention All-AmericansTwo Southern University New Orleans players were select-ed as National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Divi-sion I Women's Basketball Hon-orable Mention All-Americans, the NAIA announced. Sabrina Scott (pictured left) and Brandy Broome (pictured right) were recognized for their outstanding play during the 2013-14 season.

The duo helped lead SUNO to a 15-6 record this year; good enough for a second place finish in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference’s Western Division.

Broome, a junior guard/forward from Natchitoches, fin-ished the season ranked in the GCAC top-10 in scoring (17.45 ppg), rebounding (9.40 rpg), steals (5.2 spg), assists (4.55 apg) and blocked shots (1.05 bpg), the only player to achieve that feat. Her 5.2 steals per game also led all Division I players. Broome scored in double figures in 18 of 20 contests for the Lady Knights, including 11 games of 20 or more points. She also led the Lady Knights with 9 double-doubles.

Scott, a senior center from Tacoma, Washington, earned recognition for the second consecutive season as one of the top interior players in the nation. Scott led the nation in blocks, averaging 5.3 per game. She also averaged a double-double by scoring 10.9 points and collecting 10.4 rebounds per game. Scott collected her fourth career tri-ple-double in a game against Wiley College with 24 points, 15 rebounds and 14 blocks.

“Both young ladies are very proud of being selected as Honorable Mention All-Americans,” said women’s bas-ketball head coach Elston King. “They are both great

SUSLA coach, player receive LABC honorSUSLA men’s head basketball coach David Francis and Port City Jags player Mark Gray were recently selected Coach and Player of the Year, respectively, by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches (LABC). The Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches was founded on September 18, 1974 when representatives from fourteen Louisiana universities and colleges met in Baton Rouge for the sole purpose of forming an organization to promote basketball on all levels in the State of Louisiana. It was the first state-level organization of its kind in the nation.

SUSLA men’s head basketball coach David Francis and Port City Jags player Mark Gray were recently selected Coach and Player of the Year, respec-tively, by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches (LABC).

Gray averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Francis led Southern Shreveport (20-7) to the Miss-Lou Conference championship and the NJCAA Region 23 tournament.

The duo were honored during the 40th annual LABC Ban-quet, May, 3, 2014.

The Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches was founded on September 18, 1974 when representatives from 14 Louisiana universities and colleges met in Baton Rouge for the sole purpose of forming an organization to promote basketball on all levels in the State of Louisiana. It was the first state-level organization of its kind in the nation.

student-athletes in the total sense of the word. Brandy is one of the most talented players I’ve come across. She has tremendous versatility and the ability to play just about every position on the court both offensively and defensive-ly. Sabrina has grown so much as a player over the last few seasons, and has remained a dominant presence even as opponents focused much more attention on her this year. This is a great reward for both players for the hard work they put into their games.”


HighlightsAthletics

Pugh, Jefferson honored among SWAC's bestSU head wom-en’s basketball coach Sandy Pugh and for-ward Jasmine Jefferson joined the Southwestern Athletic Con-ference's elite as the 2014 SWAC Women's Basketball All-Conference teams and individual honors were announced March 10, 2014.

Pugh was tabbed SWAC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Jaguars to a 16-2 conference record and her third regular season championship title in the last five years.

Jefferson, a Miami native, earned All-SWAC first team honors after a career season which includes scoring a per-sonal best 27 points and shooting 11 of 11 in a 93-82 road win at Alabama A&M in February 2014.

All selections were voted on by the Conference's coaches and sports information directors.

SU freshman named to All-SWAC Softball first teamDespite her status as a true freshman, Sydney Wesley proved her value to the 2014 Southern Jaguars and earned a nod on the league’s All-Conference Team.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2014 All-Conference Softball teams and individual award win-ners on May 6, 2014, prior to its postseason tournament.

Wesley, a native of Fisher, Indiana, played and started in 37 games for the Lady Jaguars.Wesley led Southern with a .373 batting average and tied for the team lead in runs (25), hits (38) and stolen bases (12).

Wesley also led the team with four triples.

SU men's basketball trio receive SWAC top honorsSouthern claimed three of the Southwestern Athletic Con-ference's five regular season honors with Tre'Lun Banks receiving Freshman of the Year honors along with teammate Calvin Godfrey earning Newcomer of the Year while head coach Roman Banks was tabbed Coach of the Year.

Senior guard Malcolm Miller, who earned SWAC New-comer of the Year honor last season, joins Godfrey as an All-SWAC first team selection.

All honors including first and second team selections were voted on by the league's head coaches and sports informa-tion directors.

Banks, who earned his second consecutive SWAC Coach of the Year award, guided the Jaguars 19-12 overall record go-ing 15-3 in league play. His team claimed the 2013-14 SWAC regular season championship. Banks and the Jaguars won the 2013 SWAC Basketball Tournament and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament losing to top seeded Gonzaga 64-56.

Banks' son, Tre’Lun, led SU in assists and had a 1.4 assists to turnover ratio filling. He notched a career high of 21 points twice and scored in double figures on 10 occasions.

In his first season at SU, Godfrey averaged 13 points per game and was ranked second in the league with nine rebounds per contest. The center shot a league leading 56 percent from the field and is ranked fourth in the conference with a total of 46 blocked shots.


The South-ern University Jaguars 2014 schedule kicks off against the University of Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, Saturday, August 30, in La-

fayette. The home-opener for UL Lafayette will be televised on ESPN 3.

Following the battle at Cajun Field, the Jaguars will host Central Methodist on September 6 and Northwestern State on September 13 before opening defense of its SWAC title against Prairie View A&M on September 20 at 6 p.m.

Southern will travel to Alcorn State in Lorman, Mississippi on September 27 at 4 p.m., before hosting UAPB for home-coming on October 4. The Jaguars road schedule concludes with a back-to-back games at Alabama A&M on October 11 at 1 p.m., and at Jackson State on October 25 at 6 p.m.

Southern will host Alabama State on November 1 before playing Texas Southern and Mississippi Valley State in Ba-ton Rouge on November 8 and November 15.

The regular season concludes in New Orleans when the Jaguars take on rival Grambling State University, Novem-ber 29, during the 41st Bayou Classic in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The annual series is tied 20-20.

For tickets and more information, visit www.gojagsports.com

Seven SU legends honored at men's basketball game

Head Coach Roman Banks and the Men's Basketball program honored seven former Southern University employees for their contributions to the athletics de-partment at halftime during the Jaguars vs. Alcorn State game February 2, 2014.

The honorees were former SU band director the late Isaac Greggs; former head football coach Pete Rich-ardson; former SU Alumni president the late Donald Wade; former head football coach and athletic direc-tor Marino Casem; former head athletic trainer Carl "Doc" Williams; former men's basketball coach Ben Jobe; and, the late Jewel Durr Jefferson; affectionately known as "Mama Jag."

A pregame dinner was held for the honorees before the game inside the Felton G. Clark Activity Center. During halftime, awards were presented recognizing the hon-orees’ countless contributions as ambassadors of both Southern University and the athletics department.

SUNO volleyball player selected for All-America Team--Southern University New Orleans senior Zipporah Washington was selected as a member of the 2013 American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) women's volleyball Honorable Mention All-America team for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Washington, a 5-feet-10 outside hitter from New Orleans, also was selected for the All-Regional First Team.

SU Jags ready for 2014 football

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY 2014 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE


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