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SPRING 2009 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2

MartinaMalone May ‘09

There just aren’t enough hours in a day pages 6, 7

MartinaMalone May ‘09

There just aren’t enough hours in a day pages 6, 7

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Contents

3...........Going.to.Paw.Paw’s.School:...Karen and Kenneth Chamberlain

4-5....... The.Nine.Lives.of.Mr..Tom.Tuminello:..Tom Tuminello

6-7 ....... Cover Story, Investing.in.Martina.Malone:...Martina Malone

8-9.......An.Unassuming.Man:....Robert J. “Bob” Pumpelly

9-10.....A.Good.Apple.but.a.Green.One:.. Dr. Lee J. Monlezun Jr.

11.........Acorns.Don’t.Fall.Far.from.the.Tree:...

............ . Craig McLachlan “Mac” Burns

12......... Turning.Sadness.into.Celebration:...Bellard Children

13-14.... Pinnacle.Excellence.Awards:.

............ . Write to Excellence and Freshman Foundations

14.........A.Culture.of.Research:.Dr. Ron Darbeau

15......... Save.a.Stamp.&.Give.Online

15......... The.Gift.Process:...Beryl Romero,.

............ Administrative Specialist for Accounts Payable

16.........A.Life.Filled.with.Promise:.. John J. Munro III

17.........Considering.a.Planned.Gift?...Bequests

19......... 1959.Freshmen.2009

2009 Foundation Board of Directors

Officers

Emma DiCarlo-Vincent,

President

David Chozen, Vice President

Willie Mount, Secretary

James Taussig, Treasurer

Members

Bob Davidson

Judy Fuller

Tom Henning

Joe T. Miller, Sr.

Lee J. Monlezun, Jr.

George Paret

Patricia Prebula

Glenn Pumpelly

Donna Richard

Billy Rose

Eli Sorkow

John Scofield

Jim Serra

David Stine

Ray A. Todd, Jr.

Tom Tuminello, Sr.

Aubrey White

Ex Officio Members

Robert Hebert

Richard H. Reid

Advisory Board Members

Billy Blake

Coral Crain Byrd

Fred R. Godwin

Marilyn Hays

Charles Viccellio

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Dr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Leary

Karen.Chamberlain.was.just.a.little.tyke.when.she.first.visited.the.White.House..Of.course,.we’re.not.talking.about.the.White.House.in.Washington,.D.C.,.but.the.White.House.in.Lake.Charles,.home.of.McNeese.State.University’s.president..For.approximately.10.years,.this.house.on.Ryan.Street.was.home.to.McNeese’s.third.president,.Thomas.S..Leary,.Karen’s.grandfather.

Karen.was.born.in.Lake.Charles.but.lived.in.central.Louisiana.along.with.her.sister..The.family.traveled.to.Lake.Charles.often.to.visit.Karen’s.maternal.grandparents,.Dr..and.Mrs..Thomas.S..Leary..Her.memories.of.the.big.White.House.are.still.vivid..“We.had.all.of.our.Christmas’.there..We.came.to.Lake.Charles.for.every.holiday,.so.all.of.my.childhood.memories.of.the.holidays.are.in.that.house,”.said.Karen.

In.1961,.Dr..Leary.was.recruited.from.the.Cities.Service.Company.(Citgo).to.become.associate.professor.of.engineering.in.the.Department.of.Physical.Sciences..Dr..Leary.came.to.McNeese.with.considerable.industry.experience.as.well.as.strong.academic.credentials.that.included.undergraduate.and.graduate.degrees.in.engineering.from.Rensselaer.Polytechnic.and.a.doctorate.in.chemical.engineering.from.Iowa.State.University..

Under.Dr..Leary’s.leadership,.the.Department.of.Engineering.and.the.William.T..and.Ethel.Lewis.Burton.Computation.Center.were.established..The.engineering.program.was.originally.located.at.the.Chennault.airbase.after.its.closing..According.to.his.daughter,.Patricia.“Pat”.Leary.Duhon,.“He.begged.and.borrowed.old.desks,.typewriters,.tables.and.other.equipment.to.set.up.classrooms.and.offices…literally.scrubbing.floors,.windows,.moving.and.cleaning.furniture,.and.doing.all.the.other.things.needed.to.get.a.college.department.set.up.”

Leary.became.McNeese.President.on.Oct..15,.1969..McNeese.State.College.became.a.university.under.his.reign..As.president,.Dr..Leary.never.strayed.far.from.his.passion.for.education..Quoting.from.Dr..Joe.Gray.Taylor’s.book,.McNeese State University 1939-1987, A Chronicle,.“Thomas.Leary.could.justifiably.take.pride.in.his.accomplishments.as.an.educational.administrator.”

“Paw.Paw.was.just.so.proud.to.be.president..His.office.was.in.the.round.building.(Smith.Hall).and.we.would.often.go.by.to.visit..He.got.the.biggest.kick.out.of.having.his.own.bathroom..We.used.to.stand.out.on.the.balcony.at.the.White.House.and.watch.the.band.practice.across.the.street..I.remember.standing.on.the.balcony.and.saying,.

‘When.I.get.big,.I’m.going.to.go.to.Paw.Paw’s.school,’”.said.Karen.

Recently.Karen.and.her.husband,.Kenneth.Chamberlain,.established.the.Dr. Thomas S. Leary, Past President-Engineering Scholarship to.honor.a.beloved.grandfather.and.role.model..While.Kenneth.never.had.the.opportunity.to.know.Dr..Leary.personally,.he.recognized.how.important.Karen’s.grandfather.was.in.the.lives.of.their.family..The.Chamberlains.have.secured.matching.funds.from.Kenneth’s.employer.to.build.the.scholarship..“It.was.the.first.time.we.realized.that.for.a.very.reasonable.amount,.you.could.start.a.scholarship..I.always.wanted.to.do.something.to.honor.my.grandfather’s.years.and.service.at.McNeese,”.said.Karen.

By.the.time.Karen.enrolled.at.McNeese,.her.grandfather.had.retired.from.the.University..“He.took.me.around.and.introduced.me.to.people.when.I.came.for.my.orientation..I.was.the.first.grandchild.to.attend.McNeese,”.said.Karen..In.total,.four.Leary.grandchildren.have.now.graduated.from.McNeese.State.University.and.two.great-grandchildren.are.currently.enrolled..Being.a.first-generation.college.graduate.himself,.Dr..Thomas.Leary’s.leadership.created.quite.a.legacy.for.his.descendents.in.choosing.McNeese.State.University.

Going to Paw Paw’s SchoolKaren and Kenneth Chamberlain

FOUNDATION TIESKaren and Kenneth Chamberlain • Donors • Dr. Thomas S. Leary, Past President - Engineering Scholarship

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THE NINE LIVESOF MR. TOM TUMINELLO

A.cat.isn’t.the.only.animal.with.nine.lives..Mr..Tom.Tuminello.Sr.,.a.McNeese.Foundation.board.member.and.long-time.McNeese.State.University.supporter,.has.used.his.nine.lives.and.then.some.

Mr..Tuminello.was.born.in.Shreveport.to.a.family.that.included.three.boys,.two.girls.and.hard-working.parents..Tom’s.father.was.a.house.painter.and.his.mother.managed.a.grocery.store,.which.also.served.as.the.family.residence..After.graduating.from.Fair.Park.High.School.and.taking.course.work.at.a.business.college,.Tom.entered.the.Army..A.few.of.those.nine.lives.were.depleted.during.service.in.World.War.II.

He.was.trained.as.an.army.medic.at.Camp.Barclay.outside.of.Abilene,.Texas..On.New.Year’s.Eve,.1943,.Tom.boarded.a.troop-ship.in.New.York.City.headed.for.Europe..The.Aquitania.was.a.British.vessel.originally.built.as.a.cruise.ship.for.the.Cunard.Line..Aquitania.was.called.into.service.when.Adolf.Hitler.marched.into.Poland,.beginning.what.became.World.War.II..The.ship.was.the.largest.Cunard-built.liner.at.that.time,.easily.accommodating.the.8,000.soldiers.and.full.crew.on.board..It.took.11.days.for.the.unescorted.Aquitania.to.cross.the.Atlantic.Ocean..Only.when.landing.safely.did.the.soldiers.learn.that.an.enemy.submarine.had.been.in.pursuit.the.entire.voyage.

Once.in.England,.the.army.medics.gathered.in.an.old.English.college.that.was.being.used.for.a.staging.area..Of.those.3,500.medics,.three.were.selected.to.serve.instead.as.combat.engineers..Tom.was.selected.to.be.part.of.the.20th.Engineer.Combat.Battalion.scheduled.to.storm.Omaha.Beach.

His.boat.took.off.in.the.first.wave.of.attack.only.to.be.turned.back.due.to.inclement.weather..The.next.night.the.boat.took.off.again,.hitting.a.mine.and.injuring.many,.but.ultimately.landing.at.Omaha.Beach..Young.Tom.and.a.partner.were.given.the.task.to.scour.the.beach.to.mark.landmines..Tom.was.then.asked.to.retrieve.dynamite.from.his.ship,.all.the.while.undergoing.heavy.enemy.artillery.fire..Tom.safely.recovered.the.explosives.and.the.cliffs.of.Normandy.were.cleared.to.allow.troop.and.tank.ascent..Providing.support.for.the.“Big.Red.One,”.Tom.and.his.comrades.fought.valiantly.against.the.enemy.until.the.end.of.the.war.

Upon.docking.safely.back.in.the.United.States,.Mr..Tuminello,.who.had.endured.many.days.of.seasickness,.looked.up.at.the.ship’s.captain.standing.on.the.bridge.and.said,.“Next.time.you.want.me.to.go.over.there,.you’ll.build.a.road!”

Tom.returned.to.Shreveport.on.his.mother’s.birthday,.and.after.a.brief.stint.working.for.Texas.&.Pacific.Railroad,.he.went.into.business.with.the.uncle.of.his.soon-to-be.wife,.Delores,.assisting.at.his.beer.distributorship..Before.long,.he.was.asked.to.take.over.the.Schlitz.brand.and.with.that.“The.Lake.City.Beverage.Company”.was.born.

After.years.of.running.a.successful.wholesale.distributorship,.health.problems.led.to.Tom’s.retirement.from.Lake.City.Beverage.in.1999..His.family.commitments,.including.his.wife,.Delores,.two.children.and.two.grandchildren,.and.his.community.involvement.ensures.that.he.stays.very.active.

The.Tuminellos.are.longtime.patrons.of.the.McNeese.Foundation..They.established.the.Delores and Tom Tuminello Professorship.to.support.scholarly.activity.and.professional.development,.and.they.created.the.Delores and Tom Tuminello Art Series.in.the.Department.of.Visual.Arts..From.an.early.age,.Tom.has.been.interested.in.art,.remembering.his.father’s.profession.as.a.house.painter..Lisa.Reinauer,.visual.arts.professor,.said,.“Tommy.and.Delores.Tuminello.have.been.patrons.of.the.arts.for.as.long.as.I.can.remember..This.was.the.first.(and.for.many.years.-.only).lecture.series.dedicated.to.the.visual.arts..Their.endowment.has.enabled.McNeese.to.bring.in.such.artists.as.Jack.Troy.(ceramics),.Lorna.Simpson.(photography),.Susan.Hauptman.(drawing),.Rudy.Pozzati.(printmaking),.Dottie.Attie.(painting),.Lynda.Benglis.(sculpture).and.Danny.Harries.(illustrator),.just.to.name.a.few...The.series.has.reached.every.area.of.concentration.(and.beyond).our.department.offers..The.list.is.a.first-class.ensemble.of.who’s.who.in.the.art.world..Any.major.university.would.be.hard-pressed.to.match.the.caliber.and.number.of.visiting.artists.the.Tuminello.series.has.featured.”

Tom.and.Delores.Tuminello.are.truly.two.of.the.kindest.and.most.generous.individuals.one.could.ever.hope.to.meet,.and.among.all.of.its.donors,.McNeese.State.University.is.fortunate.to.have.this.couple’s.ardent.support.

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An Excerpt from:

Newsletters from the 20th Combat Engineer Association of World War II

Written by Mr. Tom TuminelloSeptember 2006www.20thengineers.com/images/ww2-WA-2006-09.pdf

As we were going in on the morning of June 6th, our landing craft hit a mine, which killed three and wounded eighteen. We landed in water up to our knees and zigzagged across the sandy beach up to the cliff as German gunners were firing on us from the pillbox at the top of the cliff. We were there a short time when the first sergeant came to Joe Piekarski and me and told us that someone had left the dynamite on board the landing craft and we needed it to blow a hole in the cliff for the tanks to get to the top.

We left our guns and the mine detector against the cliff and took off across the beach, into the water, and up the ramp of the landing craft, which was still where we left it. Bullets began hitting the wall of the craft and we slid into the hold and grabbed the dynamite. As we slid out of the hole, bullets pinned us down. All of a sudden we heard a voice coming through a vent on the sidewall of the landing craft. The voice said, “When he has changed his belt on the machine gun, I will say go and you take off.” When he said, “Go,” we took off into the water and onto the sandy beach zigzagging again to the cliff. We made it and the hole was blown in the cliff for the tanks. I thank the one person left on the landing craft who was talking to us through the vent.

FOUNDATION TIESTom Tuminello, Sr. • Board Member • Donor • Delores and Tom Tuminello Professorship * Delores and Tom Tuminello Art Series

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COVER STORY:Martina Malone • Recipient, C. Marshal Abadie Memorial Scholarship

Investing in Martina MaloneFor marketing senior, Martina Malone, there just aren’t enough hours in a day.

Martina,.a.Lake.Charles.native.and.St..Louis.High.School.graduate,.chose.McNeese.State.University.to.remain.closer.to.home.where.her.younger.brother.and.sister.reside..She.briefly.considered.attending.the.University.of.Louisiana.at.Lafayette,.but.realized.that.with.McNeese.offering.similar.programs.it.was.more.cost.efficient.to.stay.home..“At.the.time.I.only.had.one.scholarship,.TOPS,.so.going.away.to.college.would.have.required.a.lot.more.money.to.pay.out.of.pocket,”.stated.Martina.

As.an.entering.freshman,.Martina.had.a.good.idea.of.what.she.wanted.to.pursue.as.a.career..Her.father.served.as.a.role.model.by.using.his.entrepreneurial.skills.to.run.a.small.marketing.business..Martina’s.experience.in.helping.her.father.with.sales.was.the.initial.lure.that.brought.her.to.the.field.of.marketing..“I.went.into.marketing.because.it.offered.a.broad.variety.of.career.choices.such.as.sales,.public.relations,.promotion.and.research..Almost.every.company.has.a.marketing.department.of.some.kind,”.she.said..Her.goal.in.becoming.a.marketing.coordinator.will.be.firmly.grounded.with.a.degree.in.marketing.and.a.minor.in.mass.communication.with.a.concentration.in.public.relations.

Martina.is.a.recent.recipient.of.the.C..Marshall.Abadie.Memorial.Scholarship.funded.by.First.Federal.Bank.of.Louisiana..The.scholarship.was.created.for.junior-level.students.enrolled.in.the.College.of.Business..According.to.Martina,.“Everything.helps..Tuition.goes.up.every.year,.you.have.book.costs,.school.supplies.and.gas.expenses,.and.I’m.involved.in.three.different.student.organizations.that.require.fees..This.scholarship.really.is.important.for.me.”

Campus.activities,.employment.commitments.and.course.work.keep.Martina.plenty.busy..Martina.serves.as.vice.president.of.community.relations.for.both.the.American.Marketing.Association.and.for.the.Society.for.Human.Resource.Management.and.is.a.member.of.the.Student.Leadership.Advisory.Council.in.the.College.of.Business..She.tutors.at.the.Write.to.Excellence.Center.10.hours.per.week.and.interns.15.hours.per.week.in.McNeese’s.Athletics.Department..“Students.who.work.on.campus.are.limited.to.a.certain.number.of.hours..I.have.had.to.learn.how.to.budget.my.money,.so.having.a.scholarship.helps,.especially.when.you.have.times.where.you.can’t.really.work.because.you.have.tests.or.something.else.”

As.if.university.commitments.weren’t.enough,.Martina.recently.lent.her.energy.and.expertise.to.a.fundraiser,.“Dress.Up.for.Miracles,”.for.the.Children’s.Miracle.Network..Working.with.her.friend,.Emily.Janot,.this.runway.fashion.show.fundraiser.brought.in.over.$4,000..Martina.put.her.marketing.and.mass.communication.skills.to.use,.publicizing.the.event.with.print.materials.and.the.use.of.newspaper,.television.and.radio.media.

Recently,.Martina.was.one.of.three.students.selected.at.McNeese.to.attend.the.National.Conference.on.Ethics.in.America.(NCEA).held.in.October.by.the.U.S..Military.Academy.at.West.Point.in.New.York..

According.to.its.Web.site,.“NCEA.serves.to.promote.awareness.among.undergraduate.students.of.ethical.issues.in.collegiate.communities.and.professional.career.fields..Each.year,.over.150.students.representing.more.than.60.academic.institutions.from.across.the.country.participate.in.the.conference..These.outstanding.young.men.and.women.work.with.exceptional.mentors.from.a.variety.of.backgrounds.to.discuss.moral.and.ethical.challenges.that.we.as.a.society.face.in.all.facets.of.day-to-day.life..The.goal.is.to.challenge.the.delegates.to.think.critically.about.relevant.topics.and.to.facilitate.a.dialogue.that.lays.the.groundwork.for.the.delegates.to.build.upon.as.they.bring.their.ideas.back.to.their.colleges.and.universities.”

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College of Business (COB) Strategies for Student Success:

• Formed the Corporate Advisory Council to include a variety of business leaders who help guide the COB in preparing students for their careers.

• Established the Student Leadership Advisory Council (SLAC) to serve as liaison to the dean and to manage student related projects, such as the senior gift campaign and the graduation reception.

• Created the COB Alumni Chapter to draw upon the experiences and insight that former students may offer.

• Launched a mentorship program whereby COB alumni are matched with a current student in order to help their protégé matriculate through higher education.

• Provided a job search skills workshop utilizing an outside expert to present a six-hour power session on how to navigate through the employment field.

• Created a COB investment team so that students could learn first-hand how market fluctuations impact investments.

• Conducted Business Day including an array of outside professionals that speak with individual classes and includes a keynote speaker during lunch.

• Implemented a consulting practicum at the graduate level.

• Provided opportunities for students to work with faculty in conducting research and to present their findings at industry conferences.

“Martina recently helped coordinate the ‘Dress Up for Miracles’ Runway Fashion Show fundraiser benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network. She put a lot of time, energy and talent into the program. The event was a huge success, raising $4,000 for CMN. Martina is beautiful on the inside and out. She is passionate about her work and always willing to lend a hand.”Kay Morgan, Children’s Miracle Network Annual Giving Manager

“In addition to intelligence, Martina possesses excellent interpersonal skills. She is also a hard worker with a positive attitude and a strong desire to develop professionally. She seeks and accepts leadership responsibility and she works well independently. I have no doubt she will represent the McNeese College of Business with integrity as a marketing graduate.”Mary Kaye Eason, Instructor and Coordinator of Support Services, College of Business

Martina.was.selected.to.represent.McNeese.based.on.recommendations.by.MSU.College.of.Business.Dean.Dr..Mitchell.Adrian.and.by.Write.to.Excellence.Center.Director.Dr..Delma.McLeod-Porter..About.her.experience,.Martina.said,.“It.was.so.nice.to.see.different.business.leaders.doing.what.was.ethically.right.when.faced.with.really.bad.decisions..You.always.hear.about.the.bad.stuff.on.television.with.bad.decisions.that.executives.made,.so.to.sit.and.listen.to.people.in.journalism,.in.academia.and.in.business.make.really.sound.decisions.about.what.they.did.and.still.be.successful.was.inspiring.to.me.”.

After.the.trip,.the.students.had.an.opportunity.to.share.their.experiences.with.McNeese’s.Office.of.Public.Information.and.Communications.staff.as.well.as.with.the.College.of.Business.faculty..“I.talked.to.the.dean.about.different.things.that.I.thought.could.be.implemented.into.the.curriculum..We.are.taught.things.from.a.textbook’s.standpoint,.but.I.think.it.would.be.great.if.we.were.able.to.incorporate.real.life.situations..That.is.what.real.live.people.are.faced.with.when.they.work.for.corporate.America..Supervisors.don’t.say,.‘OK,.you.have.five.hours.to.figure.out.how.to.handle.this.crisis.’.Instead,.they.say,.‘The.media.will.be.here.in.30.minutes..How.are.you.going.to.handle.this?’.So,.I.think.forcing.us.to.think.critically.is.something.that.is.really.valuable.for.the.future,”.she.explained.

.Martina.believes.that.the.topic.of.ethics.should.be.introduced.in.all.disciplines.

since.nursing.students.might.deal.with.a.situation.quite.differently.than.that.of.a.business.student..

“I.love.the.College.of.Business.and.the.faculty.that.we.have,”.said.Martina..“It.is.so.nice.to.have.a.dean.and.faculty.who.care.enough.to.invest.their.time.to.ensure.the.success.of.their.students.”

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AN UNASSUMING MANRobert J. “Bob” Pumpelly

Humble.beginnings.and.a.transient.family.life.as.a.child.shaped.Robert.J..“Bob”.Pumpelly’s.decisions.as.an.adult..The.Pumpelly.family.moved.around.a.lot.over.the.years.as.the.family.patriarch.worked.in.the.oil.industry..Settling.in.Oklahoma.City,.Bob.attended.Central.High.School.where.he.proudly.played.the.trumpet.in.the.120.member.all-male-band..An.unassuming.man,.this.may.have.been.the.only.time.someone.might.have.heard.Bob.“toot”.his.own.horn.

As.the.eldest.of.seven.siblings,.Mr..Pumpelly.set.an.example.at.an.early.age.for.a.strong.work.ethic..He.began.his.exceptional.career.at.the.age.of.13.by.throwing.a.paper.route.in.Oklahoma.City.and.shining.shoes.in.Tonkawa..Back.then,.a.person.didn’t.have.to.have.a.drivers.license.to.operate.a.car.so.at.age.13.Bob.took.to.the.road.

In.1936,.Bob’s.father,.an.employee.of.Continental.Pipeline.(previously.Marland.Oil.Co),.relocated.the.family.to.Lake.Charles..As.a.17-year-old.teenage.‘Okie’.at.the.time,.Bob.wasn’t.too.keen.on.the.move..As.he.rode.into.Lake.Charles.he.thought,.“What.in.the.world.am.I.getting.into?.I.heard.about.all.the.water.in.Louisiana,.but.there.is.moss.hanging.down.from.the.trees..How.in.the.world.could.the.water.get.so.high.as.to.grow.that.moss?”

Of.course,.over.time,.Bob.grew.to.love.the.area,.becoming.one.of.its.biggest.supporters.and.key.community.leaders.

Upon.settling.in.Lake.Charles,.Bob.went.to.work.for.the.first.Conoco-owned.gas.station.in.Louisiana,.located.directly.across.from.the.current.civic.center..“I.like.to.be.my.own.boss,”.he.explained..A.budding.entrepreneur.from.the.get-go!

He.met.his.future.bride,.Vida.M..Vincent,.at.a.tent.skating.rink.in.downtown.Lake.Charles..When.asked.what.he.remembered.about.the.day.that.they.met,.he.recalled,.“She.was.a.good.skater.”.Bob.and.Vida.celebrated.67.years.of.marriage,.producing.two.children,.Glenn.and.Jane,.seven.grandchildren.and.one.great-grandchild..They.traveled.many.roads.in.their.long.marriage,.“holding.hands.in.Africa,”.and.seeing.the.far.regions.of.the.world…but.Lake.Charles.would.always.be.called.home.

As.an.Aviation.Machinist.Mate,.first.class,.during.World.War.II,.Mr..Pumpelly.served.in.the.Navy.Air.Force.for.31/2.years..Thankfully,.the.war.ended.right.about.the.time.that.Bob.

FOUNDATION TIESRobert J. Pumpelly • Donor • Pumpelly Oil Company Business Faculty Excellence Award • Pumpelly Oil Company Scholarship

Cont. on page 9

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FOUNDATION TIESDr. Lee J. Monlezun • Donor • Lee J. and Gertrude Monlezun Sr. Scholarship • W.J. and Evelyn Prague Scholarship • Monlezun/Prague In/Out Scholarship

MCNEESE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION A GOOD APPLE, BUT A GREEN ONE

An.obstetrician/gynecologist,.the.husband.of.Ms..Anne,.a.cheerleader.for.Southwest.Louisiana’s.Mardi.Gras.and.a.dapper.dresser—all.of.these.describe.Dr..Lee.J..Monlezun.Jr..but.there.is.so.much.more.

He.was.born.in.Lake.Arthur.to.Lee.J..Monlezun.Sr..and.Anna.Gertrude.Hensgens.Monlezun..His.father.was.an.entrepreneur.who.seemed.to.start.a.new.business.every.time.he.and.Gertrude.had.another.baby...At.final.count,.that.would.make.10.businesses.in.all..According.to.Dr..Monlezun,.“Back.then,.you.didn’t.really.have.a.family.until.you.had.10.children.”.As.the.oldest.sibling,.Dr..Monlezun.was.the.leader.of.the.pack.and.the.first.son.to.have.the.middle.name.“Joseph,”.which.all.sons.would.ultimately.carry.

Entering.Immaculata.Seminary.in.Lafayette.at.age.14,.he.received.an.exceptional.education.in.a.highly.disciplined.environment..It.was.during.this.time.that.he.found.his.calling..One.of.his.

was.scheduled.to.dispatch.overseas..Upon.his.return.to.Lake.Charles,.Bob.resumed.his.duties.as.manager.of.the.downtown.Conoco.station..Before.long,.he.was.purchasing.other.service.stations,.becoming.the.largest.Conoco.jobber.(distributor).in.this.area..Pumpelly.Oil.Company.soon.expanded.to.include.bulk.lube.oil.plants.in.Lake.Charles,.Lafayette,.Eunice.and.Houston,.Texas,.and.Pumpelly.Tire.Center.in.Lake.Charles.and.Sulphur..With.such.success,.his.commitment.to.civic.responsibility.continued.

Sharing.his.time,.talent.and.treasure.have.always.been.important.to.Mr..Pumpelly..He.has.provided.service.to.local,.regional.and.national.organizations.including.the.Chamber.of.Commerce,.Crime.Stoppers,.Rotary.Club,.Samaritan.

Counseling.Center,.Gideons.International,.Foreman.Reynaud.YMCA,.Safety.Council,.Boy.Scouts.and.American.Heart.Association,.to.name.a.few..He.holds.an.honorary.doctorate.degree.from.Mid-America.Christian.University.in.Oklahoma.City.where.a.dormitory.has.been.named.after.him.

Bob.Pumpelly.has.been.a.long-time.supporter.of.McNeese.State.University.where.he.is.a.staple.in.the.crowd.at.many.university.sporting.events..He.has.been.a.McNeese.Foundation.contributor.for.over.20.years..In.1992,.as.chairman.of.the.board.of.Pumpelly.Oil.Company,.Mr..Pumpelly.was.named.the.recipient.of.the.Beta.Gama.Sigma.Chapter.Honoree.in.McNeese’s.College.of.Business..The.award.is.reserved.for.individuals.who.have.achieved.distinction.in.business.and.administration..Since.1994,.the.Pumpelly Oil Company Business Faculty Excellence Award.has.been.given.to.deserving.business.professors.who.excel.in.their.field..The.Pumpelly Oil Company Scholarship.created.for.employees.or.children.of.employees.of.Pumpelly.Oil.is.another.indication.of.Bob’s.commitment.to.McNeese..Bob.believes.McNeese.is.“a.vital.part.of.our.community..Two.of.our.main.employees.at.Pumpelly.Oil.Company.are.both.McNeese.graduates..I.have.also.known.a.lot.of.people.who.have.taught.at.McNeese.over.the.years.”

Success.in.marriage,.family,.business.and.life…what.more.could.one.ask.for..And.with.all.of.that,.Bob.remains.an.unassuming.man..He.continues.to.live.in.the.same.house.he.and.Vida.built.together.in.1948..When.asked.why.he.stayed.in.the.same.place.for.so.long,.Bob.replied,.“I.had.it.in.my.craw.that.after.all.those.moves.while.growing.up,.I.was.going.to.stay.put.when.I.could.”..And.that.he.did!

I am sure that I speak not only for myself but also for all faculty in the College of Business in expressing how much we appreciate the support of donors and sponsors such as Mr. Robert “Bob” Pumpelly. His on-going generosity, and that of the other donors, has done much to enhance faculty professional development and in so doing contributes much to a stronger faculty and a better College of Business.

Dr. Charles “Ray” Comish, Professor

I remember when I received the news that I had been chosen as a recipient of the Pumpelly Oil Company Scholarship. I was very honored and proud that I had been selected. It weighed in on my decision to choose McNeese for my undergraduate studies. Mr. Pumpelly was always a man that I had the highest regard for, as a Christian role model and respected businessman. His scholarship afforded me the opportunity to begin studies that would later be used to achieve a doctorate in chiropractic from Texas Chiropractic College in Houston, Texas. It is always amazing to see the harvest of well-planted seeds.

Eric Snow, Doctor of Chiropractic

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10

responsibilities.while.at.seminary.was.to.accompany.others.to.the.Infirmarian,.the.person.responsible.for.the.care.of.the.sick..Lee.J..was.fascinated.by.the.medical.field.stating.that,.“medicine.just.clicked.with.me.”

The.path.to.becoming.a.physician.started.at.McNeese.State.University..At.that.time,.Lether.E..Frazar,.McNeese.president,.had.just.been.elected.to.the.state.position.of.Lieutenant.Governor..Papa.Monlezun.said,.“When.the.president.of.McNeese.becomes.a.Lieutenant.Governor,.you.know.that.McNeese.is.going.to.do.well.”

As.a.graduate.of.a.seminary.with.an.enrollment.of.180.boys,.Lee.J.’s.exposure.to.the.female.population.had.been.limited..In.fact,.according.to.Lee.J.,.he.hadn’t.seen.a.girl.in.four.years.until.he.came.to.McNeese.as.a.freshman..

Ms..Clara.Louise.Jones,.biological.sciences.department.head.at.McNeese,.liked.to.get.to.know.her.students..One.day.she.asked.Lee.J.,.“Where.did.you.come.from?”.Lee.J..responded,.“The.seminary.”.Ms..Jones.replied,.“The.cemetery?”.“No,”.said.Lee.J..“The.seminary.”.“Well,.then,.where.is.your.graduation.ring?”.she.asked..Lee.J..

never.received.his.senior.ring.when.he.graduated.from.Immaculata.

Ms..Jones.got.to.know.Lee.J..well..In.fact,.according.to.him,.she.gave.him.the.best.advice.he.had.ever.received.during.his.college.days.at.McNeese..“You’re.a.good.apple.[Lee.J..Monlezun],.but.a.green.one.”.In.essence,.her.advice.was.for.Lee.J..to.not.rush.through.school.but.to.enjoy.his.tenure.as.a.student..She.also.counseled.that.he.enroll.in.Physical.Education.351,.Recreational.Leadership..According.to.the.McNeese.Catalog,.PE.351.was.“a.course.designed.to.train.leaders.for.recreational.activities.and.to.acquaint.the.student.with.the.organization,.planning.and.philosophy.of.recreation,”.or.as.Dr..Monlezun.called.it,.“A.course.that.taught.you.how.to.plan.your.leisure.time.”.As.a.practicing.physician,.Lee.J..said,.“It.was.one.of.the.best.courses.an.aspiring.doctor.could.ever.take.”

While.at.McNeese,.Lee.J..was.elected.a.freshman.senator.after.writing.and.singing.his.campaign.song,.accompanied.by.his.guitar..He.was.president.of.both.the.Newman.Club.and.the.Student.Body..He.played.trumpet.in.the.marching.band.and.sang.tenor.for.the.department.of.fine.arts..He.participated.in.ROTC,.graduating.as.a.2nd.Lieutenant.Colonel.in.

the.Medical.Service.Corp..Lee.J..graduated.from.McNeese.with.a.Bachelor.of.Science.degree.(pre-med).in.1965..“The.thing.I.loved.most.about.McNeese.was.it.allowed.me.the.‘coming.out’.that.I.did.not.have.in.high.school.”

Lee.J..Monlezun.achieved.his.goal.of.adding.an.M.D..behind.his.name.after.graduating.from.LSU.School.of.Medicine..He.married.Anne.Gillett.30.years.ago..They.have.four.sons,.nine.grandchildren.and.a.pooch.named.“Skipper,”.who.rides.shotgun.with.Anne.in.a.side.car.connected.to.Lee’s.2003.Centennial.Harley.Davidson.

Forty-four.years.later,.Dr..Monlezun.continues.to.support.and.serve.McNeese.State.University..He.has.been.a.member.of.the.Foundation.Board.and.the.Alumni.Association.Board,.as.well.as.serving.as.Alumni.President..According.to.Joyce.Patterson,.alumni.director,.“Lee.J..always.brings.such.enthusiasm,.commitment.and.a.wealth.of.wonderful.ideas.to.help.expand.the.Alumni.Association...Any.time.that.you.are.around.Lee.J..you.can.see.and.feel.his.love.for.McNeese.”.Dr..Monlezun.helped.plan.McNeese.State.University’s.25th.and.50th.anniversaries.and.looks.forward.to.helping.with.the.75th.in.2014.

Dr..Lee.J..and.Anne.Monlezun.have.endowed.the.Lee J. and Gertrude Monlezun Sr. Scholarship.and.the.W.J. and Evelyn Prague Scholarship.and.they.fund.the.Monlezun/Prague In/Out Scholarship.

With.an.extensive.family.tree,.including.38.first.cousins,.a.thriving.bee.keeping.business.and.a.demanding.medical.practice,.one.would.wonder.where.Lee.finds.time.to.see.his.wife,.Anne...Being.a.stickler.for.detail.and.scheduling,.Lee.and.Anne.have.maintained.a.standing.Friday.lunch.date…one.that.has.lasted.for.30.years!.Anne.chooses…

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11

MCNEESE AThLETIC FOUNDATIONThe Mac Burns Memorial Golf Tournament • Sponsor • Mac Burns Memorial Golf Scholarship • Mac Burns Memorial Scholarship

Craig McLachlan “Mac” Burns

Acorns Don’t Fall Far From The TreeWhen.Craig.McLachlan.“Mac”.Burns.entered.this.world,.his.parents.could.not.know.

how.closely.his.footsteps.would.parallel.his.father,.Craig..Both.father.and.son.were.state.golf.medalists.while.seniors.at.Sulphur.High.School..In.fact,.Craig’s.golf.record.for.the.Tors.was.unbeaten.until.son,.Mac,.came.along.

Mac.Burns.was.a.lifelong.Sulphur.resident.who.grew.up.playing.golf.like.his.dad..Craig.recalled.his.own.childhood.collecting.golf.balls.with.his.friends.at.the.age.of.12..The.boys.would.place.the.balls.in.an.old.egg.carton,.sorting.according.to.manufacturer.title..Craig.managed.to.sell.enough.golf-loaded.egg.cartons.to.purchase.his.first.set.of.clubs..Craig.was.on.the.golf.team.as.a.student.at.Sulphur.High.and.at.the.University.of.Southwestern.Louisiana,.now.the.University.of.Louisiana.at.Lafayette.

When.Mac.came.along,.Craig.and.his.wife,.Lucy,.also.an.avid.golfer,.had.a.“shadow”.on.the.greens..The.city.of.Sulphur’s.Frasch.Park.would.let.area.kids.come.out.and.play.for.fun..Before.long,.Mac.was.a.member.of.the.American.Junior.Golf.Association.

Mac.earned.many.titles.during.his.tenure.at.Sulphur.High..He.was.a.member.of.the.Golden.Tors.1989.regional.and.state.champion.golf.team,.the.1989.St..Louis.Golf.Invitational.champion.medalist.and.1989.Bayou.Oaks.Golf.Invitational.first.place.finisher..He.played.in.the.1988.Future.Masters.Golf.Tournament.at.the.Dothan,.Ala.,.Country.Club..Mac’s.crowning.achievement.as.a.senior.was.winning.the.1990.Division.I.State.Championship.and.receiving.the.Louisiana.High.School.Boys.Golf.Medalist.Award..It.was.no.wonder.that.Mac.was.highly.recruited.and.offered.several.university.scholarships.to.play.golf.

Mac.chose.McNeese.State.University.over.USL,.Louisiana.State.University,.Northwestern.State.and.Northeast.Louisiana.University,.now.the.University.of.Louisiana.at.Monroe..McNeese.was.a.good.place.for.Mac.to.hone.his.golf.skills.while.also.receiving.a.quality.education..Of.course,.being.close.to.home.with.a.wealth.of.friends.and.a.devoted.family.was.an.added.bonus..While.at.McNeese,.Mac.was.a.business.administration.major.and.member.of.the.golf.team.and.Kappa.Alpha..Tragically,.in.January.1992.Mac.died.as.the.result.of.an.automobile.accident.

According.to.Judd.Bares,.a.childhood.friend,.“Mac.was.a.winner.at.whatever.he.did..His.competitive.spirit.didn’t.leave.much.room.for.anything.less..I.am.privileged.to.have.been.among.his.closest.friends.”

The.Mac.Burns.Memorial.Golf.Tournament.began.as.the.result.of.a.caring.community.banding.together.to.pay.tribute.to.one.of.their.own..Mac’s.friends,.city.of.Sulphur.employees,.Sulphur.Parks.and.Recreation.board.members.and.community.residents.took.immediate.action.to.organize.a.golf.tournament.in.Mac’s.memory..Dick.Kennison,.tournament.committee.member,.said,.“It.is.amazing.what.can.be.done.when.you.are.not.worried.about.who.is.going.to.get.the.credit..The.tournament.took.on.a.life.of.its.own.”

The.first.tournament,.held.just.three.months.after.Mac’s.accident,.cost.$55.per.person.and.resulted.in.$22,000.raised..Seventeen.years.later,.the.cost.remains.at.$55..“I.wanted.to.make.sure.that.the.people.that.played.in.the.tournament.the.first.time.could.play.in.it.the.15th.and.20th.time,”.said.Dick..Proceeds.are.dedicated.to.scholarships.at.McNeese.with.the.Mac Burns Memorial Golf Scholarship.awarded.to.one.four-year,.full-time.golf.student.and.with.the.Mac Burns Memorial Scholarship.awarded.to.four.one-year,.full-time.freshmen..To.date,.the.Mac.Burns.Memorial.Golf.Tournament.has.raised.over.$237,000.

Kendall.A..Jones,.an.engineering.technology.freshman,.is.a.Mac.Burns.Memorial.Scholarship.recipient..“I.am.very.grateful.and.blessed.to.be.a.recipient.of.the.Mac.Burns.Scholarship.for.my.first.year..I.worked.hard.to.adjust.from.high.school.to.college.and.the.work.paid.off..I.was.blessed.to.be.on.both.the.honor.roll.and.the.president’s.list,”.she.said..Kendall.has.17.peers.who.have.also.received.this.scholarship.who.probably.echo.her.appreciation.to.the.Burn’s.family.and.the.volunteers.behind.the.annual.Mac.Burns.Memorial.Golf.Tournament.

The 18th Annual Mac Burns Memorial Golf Tournament held May 23 was a four-man scramble with two shotgun starts at 7:30 a.m. and at 1 p.m. The $55 entry fee included golf fees, lunch, course refreshments and a “ditty bag.” Flight prizes, drawings and gift certificates were awarded for redemption at the Frasch Park Pro Shop.

12

Turning Sadness into Celebration

When.mechanic.Larry.Bellard.of.Grand.Lake.received.a.contract.to.work.on.school.buses.in.the.early.1990s,.his.wife,.Frances,.obtained.a.CDL.license.so.she.could.help.by.driving.the.buses.into.the.garage..That.license.proved.to.be.a.steppingstone.in.her.life.

Cameron.Parish.School.System.officials.asked.if.Frances.would.be.interested.in.driving.buses.as.a.substitute..She.agreed..When.she.was.asked.to.drive.school.buses.full-time,.she.agreed.again,.and.became.one.of.the.most.familiar.school.bus.drivers.in.Cameron.Parish..

“She.loved.her.job.and.she.loved.the.kids,”.her.daughter,.Cheryl.Bellard,.said..“The.students.called.her.‘Froggy.Fran’.because.she.collected.frogs.and.had.a.row.of.them.on.her.dashboard.”

Frances.died.of.cancer.in.March.2004,.just.three.months.after.the.death.of.her.husband,.Larry..In.memory.of.her.love.for.the.children.who.rode.her.bus,.family,.friends.and.fellow.drivers.scattered.her.ashes.along.her.route..To.turn.sadness.into.celebration,.the.Bellard.children.made.the.decision.to.honor.their.parents.by.creating.a.memorial.scholarship.through.the.McNeese.Foundation.

“Our.parents.were.married.for.46.years..My.father.worked.at.the.plants.and.owned.his.own.business.to.provide.for.his.family..My.mother.stayed.home.with.all.of.us..She.didn’t.start.working.until.we.were.grown,”.Cheryl.said..“We.knew.we.had.to.do.something.to.thank.them.for.all.their.sacrifices.”

When.fully.funded,.the.Larry and Frances Bellard Memorial Scholarship will.be.available.to.students.in.any.major..Specific.criteria.have.not.been.established,.but.the.Bellard.children—Cheryl,.Donna,.Leigh,.Brett.and.Wendee—would.like.to.see.the.scholarship.awarded.to.a.Grand.Lake.student.

“It.would.be.great.if.we.could.award.the.scholarship.to.someone.who.rode.mom’s.bus,”.Cheryl.said,.adding.that.she.and.her.siblings.plan.to.use.some.of.their.father’s.retirement.money.and.other.payouts.to.build.the.scholarship..Their.father,.who.also.died.of.cancer,.sold.his.mechanic.shop.years.ago.and.eventually.retired.from.one.of.the.plants..“He.was.never.able.to.enjoy.one.day.of.his.retirement..By.the.time.he.retired,.we.had.to.wheel.him.into.his.party..This.way,.his.money.will.be.put.to.good.use..It’s.his.money,.after.all.”

Four.of.the.five.Bellard.children.attended.McNeese.and.Cheryl.is.an.employee.in.the.Office.of.Career.Services.

FOUNDATION TIESBellard Children • Donors • Larry and Frances Bellard Memorial Scholarship

Editor’s Note: One of the Bellard children is employed by a company that offers matching gifts. Depending on the employer, a matching gift company may pay a one-to-one, two-to-one or even three-to-one match. As an example, someone employed by a company that offers matching gifts might contribute $1,000 per year when building the scholarship. The employer will then match the $1,000 contribution with another $1,000 contribution (or more). Through matching gifts, scholarships may be built to endowment level in record time.

13

Write to Excellence and Freshman Foundations:A Winning Combination

In.spring.2005,.McNeese.State.University.began.work.on.a.quality.enhancement.plan.(QEP)..With.one.goal.in.mind,.faculty,.staff.and.students.were.assembled.during.the.course.of.a.month.to.solicit.input.about.improving.student.learning.campus-wide..Ideas.flowed.freely.that.spring,.and.after.reviewing.the.recommendations,.two.initiatives.were.decided.upon:..improve.students’.writing.skills.across.all.disciplines.and.require.entry-level.freshmen.to.complete.an.in-depth.foundations.course.to.supplement.traditional.orientation.

“The.first.thing.I.tell.students.is.that.you.must.be.able.to.communicate.effectively.and.appropriately.as.required.by.your.discipline.in.order.to.be.successful.in.your.career..To.help.you.do.that,.we.offer.the.Write.to.Excellence.(WTE).program,”.said.Dr..Harold.Stevenson,.QEP.director..“The.second.thing.I.tell.students,”.Stevenson.continued,.“is.that.attending.McNeese.is.not.the.same.as.graduating.from.McNeese..You.get.no.points.for.attending..You.only.get.points.for.graduating..To.help.you.do.that,.we.offer.Freshman.Foundations.(FFND.101).”

The.WTE.program.is.designed.to.ensure.that.all.students.who.progress.through.the.University.learn.to.communicate.effectively.through.writing..Students’.entry-level.writing.skills.are.enriched.through.the.traditional.freshman.composition.course.sequence,.through.FFND.101.and.through.other.writing-enriched.courses.that.comprise.a.substantial.portion.of.the.students’.general.education.curriculum..In.the.Writing.Center,.directed.by.Dr..Delma.McLeod-Porter,.students.receive.one-on-one.assistance.from.peer.tutors.and.from.many.graduate.students.in.the.Department.of.English.and.Foreign.Languages,.who.are.trained.to.assist.students.from.all.disciplines.and.at.any.stage.in.the.writing.process..McLeod-Porter.said,.“Peer.tutors.are.good.at.facilitating.engagement.among.students.visiting.the.center.”

The.Writing.Center.is.a.safe.haven.for.students..“People.are.very.sensitive.about.their.writing..When.you.begin.talking.to.someone.about.their.writing,.you.also.run.the.risk.of.personalizing.that.experience,”.said.McLeod-Porter..The.Writing.Center,.decorated.with.whimsical.art.and.wind.chimes,.provides.a.welcoming,.non-threatening.atmosphere.to.all.visitors.

“Both.seriously.and.jokingly.we.call.the.Writing.Center.the.‘nexus.of.intellectual.activity’.because.that.is.what.we.want.this.place.to.be..We.intentionally.don’t.have.walls..We.want.the.tutoring.center.to.generate.energy.for.intellectual.activity..It.is.an.interesting.dynamic…what.we.wanted,.though.we.didn’t.articulate.it..It.sort.of.emerged.as.a.natural.response.to.the.environment.that.we.have.created.in.the.Writing.Center…the.conversation.always.seems.to.go.far.beyond.just.writing,”.Delma.explained.

Freshman.Foundations.was.designed.to.introduce.entry-level.students.to.the.culture.of.writing.that.should.be.expected.at.McNeese..All.disciplines.will.require.some.degree.of.professional.writing.for.students.whether.they.want.to.be.a.registered.nurse,.an.electrical.engineer.or.a.literary.author..FFND.101.also.serves.to.introduce.positive.attitudes.and.behaviors.leading.to.success.at.the.university.level..The.course.imparts.specific.expectations.from.an.academic.standpoint.in.a.student’s.chosen.field.of.study..“FFND.101.is.ground.zero..It.sets.the.tone.for.the.whole.rest.of.your.college.career,”.says.Donna.Self,.program.director.

Student.peer.mentors.assist.faculty.members.from.each.academic.college.and.from.general.and.basic.studies.who.teach.FFND.101..Lisa.Reinauer,.visual.arts.professor.and.FFND.101.instructor,.said,.“Freshman.Foundations.allows.us.to.get.to.know.our.freshmen.from.day.one..The.course.affords.us.the.opportunity.to.introduce.important.information.concerning.degree.requirements,.advising.and.college.success.skills..Connecting.with.the.students.during.that.important.first.semester.also.allows.one.to.identify.both.students.at.risk.and.students.needing.to.be.challenged.”

Angel.Marks,.a.peer.mentor.majoring.in.early.childhood.education,.said,.“FFND.101.offers.many.practical.lessons.that.seem.like.common.sense..However,.for.those.who.have.never.been.to.college.or.those.who.are.the.first.in.their.family.to.go.and.have.no.one.to.instruct.them,.these.lessons.may.not.be.so.intrinsic..Freshman.Foundations.is.the.much-needed.bridge.to.guide.students.from.dependence.and.uncertainty.to.independence.and.confidence.”.

The.WTE.and.FFND.programs.while.improving.student.learning.have.spawned.two.other.initiatives.as.well--the.Faculty.Colloquia.Series.and.Quality.Day..During.the.Colloquia,.faculty.

FOUNDATION TIESPinnacle Entertainment, Inc. • Donor • Pinnacle Excellence Awards

The Pinnacle Excellence Awards were established by Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. in 2003 to recognize selected faculty for their innovative teaching methods and outstanding achievements in the classroom. The university appreciates the commitment of Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., the parent company of L’Auberge du Lac Casino and Resort, under the supervision of Vice President and General Manager Larry Lepinski.

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14

A CULTURE OF RESEARCHMcNeese State University’s First Patent

About.10.years.ago,.Dr..Ron.Darbeau.and.his.student.researchers.discovered.a.novel.approach.to.making.polymers.–.a.discovery.that.could.have.a.profound.impact.on.industrial.manufacturing..The.finding,.made.with.the.assistance.of.fellow.chemists.Dr..Ulku.Ramelow.and.the.late.Dr..Mark.Delaney,.could.not.have.been.discovered.without.the.preliminary.data.funded.by.the.endowed.Calcasieu Parish Development Board Professorship for Industrial and Economic Development,.according.to.Darbeau..“This.endowed.professorship.allowed.us.to.purchase.chemicals,.supplies.and.equipment.and.to.support.student.researchers.among.other.things.”

Although.he.was.the.principal.recipient.of.the.professorship,.Darbeau.prefers.to.delegate.credit.for.the.patent.to.his.fellow.researchers,.both.faculty.members.and.students..“If.not.for.the.three.of.us.–.Dr..Ramelow,.Dr..Delaney.and.myself.–.being.in.the.same.building.at.the.same.time,.we.would.have.never.earned.this.patent..It.was.a.dovetail.of.each.of.our.interests.and.areas.of.expertise,”.Darbeau.said..“And.if.not.for.the.endowed.professorship,.we.could.have.never.funded.the.preliminary.data.to.get.to.that.point..Everything.just.came.together.”.According.to.Darbeau,.the.professorship.not.only.serves.as.seed.money.for.future.endeavors,.it.also.demonstrates.a.university’s.commitment.to.education.and.research.

“Without.student-assisted.research,.particularly.in.the.field.of.science,.aspiring.scientists.may.not.receive.the.training.they.need.to.make.breakthroughs.that.could.shape.the.future,.Darbeau.explained..“That.is.why.it.is.so.important.for.universities.to.create.a.culture.of.research..There.is.nothing.more.encouraging.to.undergraduates.than.to.do.hands-on.research.with.their.professors..Students.benefit.from.their.research.experiences.and.many.continue.their.research.studies.in.graduate.or.medical.schools.”

He.added,.“People.think.it.takes.hundreds.of.thousands.of.dollars.to.perform.research,.but.that.isn’t.always.true..This.patent.is.just.one.example.of.that.”

Quality Day WinnersAs part of the 2009 Quality Day event on the McNeese campus, the McNeese Alumni Association distributed $35,000 to students for research projects through its undergraduate scholar program. The Alumni Association’s program reinforces the “Write to Excellence” initiative as students must submit written proposals for their research projects and then present their final reports to the association’s board of directors.

Thirty-two students—22 from every campus department and 10 from the College of Science—were awarded $1,000 each for their research projects, projects that involve storm erosion, non-traditional students, pigs, cattle, elementary students, and robotics and computers. And three students among these 32 research proposals received an additional $1,000 for their projects. This is the fourth year that the alumni association has funded the undergraduate scholar program.

FOUNDATION TIESDr. Ron Darbeau, Professor • Recipient, Calcasieu Parish Development Board Professorship for Industrial and Economic Development

Cont. from page 13

College of Science Researchers

Undergraduate Scholars

from.each.of.the.university’s.colleges.presents.a.topic.for.peers.and.community.members.in.a.specific.area.of.expertise..Dr..Stevenson.said,.“Faculty.colloquia.provide.a.forum.for.the.kind.of.work.that.faculty.do..The.truth.is.that.we.[as.faculty].often.work.in.isolation..We.miss.opportunities.for.cross-fertilization..The.Colloquia.is.a.celebration.or.showcase.of.a.faculty.member’s.work.”.This.informative.program,.opened.to.the.public,.is.sponsored.by.McNeese’s.Alumni.Association.and.the.Write.to.Excellence.Center.

According.to.Dr..Toby.Osburn,.dean.of.student.services,.“Quality.Day.is.an.opportunity.for.the.entire.University.community.to.celebrate.the.‘excellence’.in.our.motto,.Excellence with a Personal Touch..This.day,.more.than.any.other,.is.one.in.which.students,.faculty,.administrators,.alumni.and.friends.pause.and.reflect.on.what.McNeese.does.best…teaching.and.research…service.to.the.community….and,.support.services.for.students…in.the.ongoing.effort.to.make.McNeese.even.better.”.The.one-day.event.features.community.leaders.sharing.insights.on.topics.relevant.for.success.while.in.college.and.beyond..Quality.Day.has.become.a.pep.rally.of.sorts.for.the.campus.community.to.come.together.for.food,.fellowship.and.fun.

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SAVE A STAMP & GIVE ONLINEAlmost 30 years ago you could mail a letter for less than half of what the cost of a stamp is today. Now, the McNeese Foundation is offering an easier and more cost effective way to make donations with the addition of its new online giving service.

All it takes is a few mouse clicks and your donation will be made safely and securely in minutes. Start by visiting www.mcneesefoundation.org and clicking “Give Now” on the home page.

Next, click on “Donations” to begin the online giving process. From there you can specify the gift amount, area of designation and additional information such as names and addresses of those you wish to be notified if making a tribute gift.

A list of all scholarships, professorships, chairs, colleges, departments and academic support units is provided for your convenience. Also provided is a link to companies offering matching gifts to its employees and/or retirees. After you have entered your gift information, follow the steps shown on the screen to complete your gift. The Foundation accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards.

You will create an account that will be used for this gift and future gifts. Instead of re-entering billing information each time, your information will be stored for you. Our system only stores address information. We do not store any personal or credit card information. Upon completing your gift, you will receive a receipt and confirmation e-mail.

Longtime Foundation donors have discovered the convenience of giving online. Carol Rogers Breglio gives an annual Christmas gift to the Skip Rogers Memorial Scholarship that was established in memory of her brother.

“This scholarship keeps the spirit of my brother alive,” said Breglio. “I have been sending checks since he died 13 years ago and was thrilled to find his scholarship listed. It [online giving] was quick, easy and personal and gave me a small connection to Skip that was very special.”

For more information about online giving, contact Jennifer Griffith, gift planning and donor research specialist for the Foundation, at 337.562.4191, or by e-mail at jgriffith@mcneese.edu.

BERYL ROMEROAdministrative Specialist for Accounts Payable gf

The.McNeese.Foundation.has.provided.financial.support.to.McNeese.State.University.faculty,.staff.and.students.since.1965..From.its.inception,.the.Foundation.has.continually.grown.thanks.to.the.generosity.of.alumni,.employees.and.community.members.

The.Foundation.administers.approximately.475.scholarships,.84.professorships.and.two.chairs..Accounting.for.incoming.and.outgoing.funds.requires.a.dedicated.staff.with.great.attention.to.detail..The.McNeese.Foundation.has.eight.staff.members.who.strive.for.excellence..Beryl.Romero,.the.administrative.specialist.for.accounts.payable,.is.one.of.those.staff.members.with.27.years.of.service.at.McNeese.

In.addition.to.managing.scholarships,.professorships.and.chairs,.the.McNeese.Foundation.also.handles.in/out.accounts..In/out.accounts.are.similar.to.a.checking.account.set.up.for.academic.department.and.educational.support.unit.supervisors.to.handle.day-to-day.finances..The.funds,.used.at.their.discretion,.provide.income.to.supplement.operational.budgets.

In/out.accounts.are.supported.through.private.donations,.fundraising.events,.club.and.chapter.memberships,.book.revenues.and.other.means..Accounts.may.be.as.small.as.$100.or.larger.than.$100,000,.depending.on.the.scope.of.the.account..At.the.end.of.the.fiscal.year.(July.1-June.30),.any.remaining.funds.may.be.carried.over.to.the.in/out.account.for.use.in.the.next.year.

As.an.example.of.an.in/out.account,.the.Banners.Cultural.Series.generates.revenue.from.memberships.and.sponsorships..Banners.also.incurs.expenses.for.entertainment,.food.and.beverages..The.McNeese.Foundation.handles.accounting.associated.with.the.Banners.Cultural.Series.as.well.as.with.360.other.in/out.accounts..The.basic.process.for.managing.in/out.accounts.includes:

•.Receiving.check.requests.and.supporting.documents.submitted..........................by.account.custodian.

•.Reviewing.requests.to.ensure.Foundation,.state.board.and/or.NCAA.guidelines.are.met.

•.Evaluating.requests.to.make.certain.documentation.is.complete.and.accurate.

•.Preparing.documents.for.appropriate.authorization.•.Submitting.package.to.the.vice.president.assigned.to.that.account.....................for.evaluation.and.signature.

•.Processing.and.dispersing.approved.expenditures.•.Archiving.documents.through.a.scanning.process.

Beryl.handles.all.in/out.accounts,.bank.transfers,.account.balances,.corporate.card.reconciliations.and.auditing.requirements,.as.well.as.foundation.memberships.such.as.Inner.Circle,.President’s.Circle.and.The.1939.Living.Oak.Society..For.more.information.on.how.to.contribute.to.a.special.area.of.interest,.contact.Beryl.at.337.562.4210.or.by.e-mail.at.bromero@mcneese.edu.

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A LIFE FILLED WITH PROMISE

Mrs..Margaret.Munro.and.the.late.Mr..John.Munro.Jr..established.the.John.J..Munro.III.Memorial.Scholarship.in.February.1969.to.honor.their.son.who.died.in.an.automobile.accident..John.was.a.senior.speech.major.at.McNeese.State.University.

John,.the.only.child.of.the.Munros,.was.a.blessing.to.his.parents.and.the.community..His.grandfather’s.gift.of.a.guitar,.given.to.John.at.an.early.age,.began.a.legacy.of.song.writing,.ballads.and.folk.music.that.has.stood.the.test.of.time..While.living.in.Albuquerque,.N.M.,.John.studied.under.a.Juilliard.Music.Conservatory.graduate..His.father’s.military.career.and.his.mother’s.modeling.school.profession.moved.the.Munros.to.several.destinations.over.the.years.before.the.family.finally.settled.in.Southwest.Louisiana,.home.to.his.mother’s.family—the.Fisks.

A.brief.look.into.the.Lake.Charles.American.Press.archives.produced.the.following:Legal Secretaries install officers (May 23, 1968): “Entertainment was furnished

by John Munro, who sang a medley of songs…”

Quoto Club holds installation dinner (May 23, 1968): “Musical selections were presented by John Munro.”

LCLT’s “Dirty Work” is an evening of laughs, song (July 19, 1968): “There are entertaining and in-between acts…and nice looking and talented John Munro singing and playing the guitar.”

John.also.appeared.on.radio.and.television,.including.the.Lee.Janot.show.on.KPLC-TV.as.well.as.stints.in.St..Louis.and.Kansas.City..And.if.sharing.his.talents.through.music.while.pursuing.his.degree.weren’t.enough,.John.also.taught.swimming.and.guitar.at.the.YMCA.

The.John J. Munro III Memorial Scholarship,.designated.for.a.junior.or.senior.student.demonstrating.financial.need,.has.touched.the.lives.of.students.from.several.fields.of.study..

Mrs..Munro.isn’t.the.only.one.that.continues.to.listen.to.the.music.recorded.by.her.son..According.to.Marianne.White,.coordinator.of.planned.giving.and.donor.research.for.the.McNeese.Foundation,.“John’s.beautiful.voice.accompanied.by.the.strings.of.his.guitar.resonate.so.clearly.that.when.listening.to.his.CD,.it.seems.like.John.is.playing.live.in.the.next.room.”

John.is.never.far.from.his.mother’s.heart..She.has.stated.her.intention.that.John’s.memory.will.not.only.continue.through.the.established John J. Munro III Memorial Scholarship,.but.also,.as.a.member.of.The.1939.Living.Oak.Society,.through.a.planned.gift.left.by.bequest..The.memorial.scholarship.made.in.John’s.memory.will.touch.the.lives.of.countless.students.at.McNeese.for.many.years.to.come.

Mrs..Munro.said.that.“by.mentioning.his.name.my.son.is.remembered.and.hearing.his.name.is.like.music.to.my.ears.”

As a frequent guest on the Lee Janot show, John was heard by many listeners throughout Southwest Louisiana. One of the listeners was the family of Jennifer Brantley from Jennings. The family used to sit around and listen to the radio to hear John J. Munro sing.

Written July 1997…I’m writing in search of information concerning the music of John Munro. A memorial scholarship fund was set up in his name, I believe in the late 60s. Our family purchased the record album of his recordings. Sadly in moving, it seems to have been lost forever. I had hopes th[at] McNeese would have a copy of the album and that I could purchase a copy.Coming from a family of nine children, our fun was guitar playing and family gatherings. John Munro made a big impression on our family and we watched him on the Lee Janot show out of Lake Charles each time he appeared to play his guitar…Sincerely,Jennifer Brantley

Written August 1997…I wish to thank you for forwarding my letter concerning the search of John Munro’s album to his parents. Mrs. Munro contacted me and was kind to replace the album along with some additional music. My husband and I love music and appreciate the music we grew up with—and John Munro’s album was part of my family’s past—and now ours…Sincerely,Fred and Jennifer Brantley and Elaine Green (mother)

“The scholarship was a ‘god send.’ I felt honored to be the first person to receive the award because it was obvious how much it meant to the Munros and how blessed they were to have a wonderful son, even if it was for only a short time. The biggest testament that I can give is that 25 years later I still keep in touch with Marge and consider her a friend. She has followed my career over the years and I think she is just as proud as any parent when one of her recipients moves up in the world.”Kevin Hannen, Owner Hannen & Associates

FOUNDATION TIESMs. Margaret Munro • Donor • John J. Munro III Memorial Scholarship

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CONSIDERING A PLANNED GIFTBEQUESTS

“You.Can’t.Take.It.with.You”.is.the.title.of.the.Pulitzer-Prize.winning.play.of.1939.and.the.movie.that.won.Best.Picture.of.1938,.starring.James.Stewart,.Jean.Arthur,.Edward.Arnold.and.Lionel.Barrymore..And.if.“You.Can’t.Take.It.with.You,”.at.least.know.who.will.get.it.when.you’re.gone..Of.course,.“it”.meaning.your.remaining.property,.money,.stocks,.bonds,.jewelry,.art.collection.or.other.valuables.that.you.may.leave.through.a.bequest.

A.bequest.is.a.legacy.or.gift.of.personal.property.often.specified.through.a.document.called.the.Last.Will.and.Testament..Through.a.will,.you.may.specify.who.receives.your.property.and.how.you.want.it.dispersed..There.are.several.options.for.making.bequests:

Specific.bequest..This.is.a.gift.of.a.specific.item.to.a.specific.beneficiary..For.example,.“Claude.Monet.gives.his.art.collection.to.his.nephew,.Vincent.Van.Gogh.”.

General.bequest..This.is.usually.a.gift.of.a.stated.sum.of.money..For.example,.“John.D..Rockefeller.gives.$50,000.to.his.son,.Nelson.”.If.there.is.only.$2,500.liquid.cash.in.the.estate,.other.estate.assets.must.be.sold.to.meet.the.bequest.

Contingent.bequest..This.is.a.bequest.made.on.condition.that.a.certain.event.must.occur.before.distribution.to.the.beneficiary..For.example,.“Katie.Couric.gives.$50,000.to.her.daughter,.Carrie,.provided.she.enrolls.in.college.before.age.21.”.

Residuary.bequest..This.is.a.gift.of.all.the.“rest,.residue.and.remainder”.of.your.estate.after.all.other.bequests,.debts.and.taxes.have.been.paid..For.example,.Bill.Gates.owns.property.worth.$50,000.and.intends.to.give.his.child.$15,000.by.specific.request..The.residuary.estate.will.be.left.to.his.spouse,.Melinda..If.the.debts,.taxes.and.expenses.end.up.totaling.$20,000,.there.would.only.be.$15,000.left.for.Melinda..To.ensure.that.Bill’s.beneficiaries.receive.the.proportions.he.intended,.the.estate.should.be.divided.according.to.percentages.of.the.residue.rather.than.specifying.dollar.amounts.

The.previous.items.can.apply.in.the.case.of.bequests.to.individual.heirs.or.bequests.to.charitable.organizations..The.above.types.of.bequests.generally.define.the.amount.of.the.bequest..The.additional.terms.below.are.optional.considerations.when.the.bequest.is.made.to.charity.

Unrestricted.bequest..This.is.a.gift.for.the.McNeese.Foundation’s.general.purposes,.to.be.used.at.the.discretion.of.its.governing.board..A.gift.like.this—without.conditions.attached—is.frequently.the.most.useful.as.it.allows.the.Foundation.to.determine.the.wisest.and.most.pressing.need.for.the.funds.at.the.time.of.receipt.

Restricted.bequest..This.type.of.gift.allows.the.donor.to.specify.how.the.funds.are.to.be.used..For.example,.Debbie.King.and.Jeanne.Sievert,.members.of.The.1939.Living.Oak.Society,.have.made.bequests.in.their.wills.naming.the.Banners.program.as.the.recipient.of.their.planned.gifts.

Honorary.or.memorial.bequest..This.is.a.gift.given.“in.honor.of”.or.“in.memory.of”.someone..For.example,.Mr..and.Mrs..Ben.Harlow,.members.of.The.1939.Living.Oak.Society,.have.a.provision.in.their.will.which.dedicates.a.portion.of.their.estate.to.the.Jordan Anne Harlow Memorial Fund for Assistance of Students with Disabilities.in.memory.of.their.daughter,.Jordan.

Endowed.bequest..This.bequest.allows.the.donor.to.restrict.the.principal.of.the.gift,.requiring.the.McNeese.Foundation.to.hold.the.funds.permanently.and.use.only.the.investment.income.that.is.generated.to.disperse..Scholarships,.professorships.and.chairs.can.be.endowed..In.some.cases,.a.portion.of.contributed.funds.may.be.matched.by.the.McNeese.Foundation.or.the.Board.of.Regents..For.example,.the.Stokes.Family.left.a.bequest.to.establish.the.Emily and Charles Stokes Trust Professorship in Nursing..The.corpus.of.the.professorship.never.depletes..Only.the.interest.earned.is.paid.out,.meaning.the.Stokes.family.gift.continues.giving.indefinitely.

Consult.an.attorney.or.tax.adviser.regarding.utilizing.a.bequest.as.a.vehicle.for.charitable.giving..Visit.the.McNeese.Foundation.Web.site.at.www.mcneesefoundation.org/plannedgiving.or.contact.Marianne.White.at.337.562.4107.for.further.information.

The.official.bequest.language.for.the.McNeese.Foundation.is:.“I,.[name],.of.[city,.state,.ZIP],.give,.devise.and.bequeath.to.The.McNeese.Foundation.[written.amount.or.percentage.of.the.estate.or.description.of.property].for.its.unrestricted.use.and.purpose.”.Information provided in part by Stelter.

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First Name: Last Name:

Street Address:

City: State: Zip:

Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone:

E-mail Address:

Preferred Method of Contact: E-mail Mail Home # Work # Cell #

Comment/Suggestion:

Please contact me regarding making a contribution or planned gift to the McNeese Foundation.

SPRING 2009 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2

We.trust.that.you.have.been.informed.or.enlightened.by.something.you.have.read.in.this.issue.of.PILLARS...Comments.or.suggestions.for.future.bi-annual.editions.are.welcomed.and.appreciated..Please.take.a.moment.to.complete.this.form.and.return.it.to.the.McNeese.Foundation,.Box.91989,.Lake.Charles,.LA.70609.or.send.comments.via.e-mail.to.mariannewhite@mcneese.edu..You.are.also.encouraged.to.visit.the.Foundation.Web.site.at.www.mcneesefoundation.org.for.further.information.about.our.activities.or.methods.of.giving.

1959~Freshmen~2009“The.more.things.change,.the.more.they.stay.the.same.”.Institutions.of.higher.

learning.have.always.struggled.to.find.the.right.balance.between.tradition.and.progress.and.McNeese.is.no.different..As.a.university,.we.value.our.history.and.reputation.while.at.the.same.time.constantly.looking.for.ways.to.improve.the.way.we.educate.our.students..A.McNeese.alumnus.recently.donated.a.beanie.or.“doggy.cap”.to.the.McNeese.Library’s.Archives..In.the.1950s,.McNeese.freshman.male.students.wore.the.beanies.to.cover.their.bald.heads,.ritualistically.shaved.by.the.seniors..This.particular.beanie.is.battered,.stained.and.missing.the.letter.“M”,.and.anyone.else.probably.would.have.thrown.it.away..It’s.purple.and.gold.(the.school.colors.at.the.time).and.has.an.“S”.and.a.“C”.stitched.on..With.the.missing.“M,”.the.letters.would.have.stood.for.“McNeese.State.College.”.Today,.the.beanie.represents.how.much.the.life.of.a.McNeese.freshman.has.changed,.yet.at.the.same.time.how.much.it.has.stayed.the.same..

Life.was.a.little.different.for.freshmen.50.years.ago..In.1959,.married.students.could.live.in.a.specially.designated.apartment.building.for.$50.per.month.(utilities.included)..McNeese’s.total.enrollment.was.around.2,500.students..The.library.consisted.of.a.few.shelves.of.books.in.a.room.in.Kaufman.Hall..Students.played.with.a.new.toy.called.a.“hula-hoop”.in.the.Student.Union..The.latest,.must-have.technological.gadget.was.an.18-pound.“portable”.electric.typewriter.with.correction.tape.included.

Today’s.freshmen.will.take.a.new.course.called.“Freshman.Foundations”.to.learn.skills.for.academic.and.personal.success..Students.will.also.begin.to.learn.the.writing.skills.they.will.need.as.part.of.McNeese’s.new.Quality.Enhancement.Program.initiative,.“Write.to.Excellence.”.Students.today.enjoy.a.library.with.hundreds.of.thousands.of.books,.including.digital.books.available.from.virtually.anywhere..They.use.laptops.weighing.less.than.five.pounds.to.write.papers.and.deliver.them.electronically.to.their.professors..Students.use.the.Wii.game.console.to.virtually.hula-hoop..McNeese’s.enrollment.stands.at.around.8,300.students.

Looking.back.at.the.changes.in.McNeese’s.history.is.a.fun.exercise,.but.we.can.learn.from.it,.too..Fads.come.and.go,.clothing.styles.change.and.technology.advances.at.warp.speed..But.a.freshman.starting.college.today.still.learns.to.write.papers,.still.has.to.come.up.with.the.rent.money.and.still.needs.to.hula-hoop.every.once.in.a.while..McNeese.takes.pride.in.its.freshmen..Even.if.they.did.wear.silly.hats.

19

PILLARS.is.published.by.the.McNeese.Foundation.to.educate.and.inform.the.community.of.the.role.that.the.Foundation.plays.in.support.of.McNeese.State.University...The.name,.PILLARS,.was.chosen.to.represent.the.importance.of.the.Foundation’s.support.of.McNeese.as.an.institution.of.higher.learning.

Contact Information

McNeese.FoundationBox.91989Lake.Charles,.LA.70609.Phone.337.475.5588....Fax.337.475.5386

www.mcneesefoundation.org

Editor

Marianne White

Staff Writers

Erin Cormier

Jennifer Griffith

Pati Threatt

Marianne White

Art Direction, Design, Photography

Anne Cobb

Renee LeLeux

Foundation Staff

Kimberly Donalson

Jennifer Griffith

Kelly McGough

Pam McGough

Melissa Ellis Northcutt

Richard H. Reid

Beryl Romero

Marianne White

McNeese Steel Drum Band performs for Quality Day 2009

20

McNeese.Foundation,.Box.91989,.Lake.Charles,.LA.70609

The William T. and Ethel L. Burton Business CenterFor information on other naming opportunities available at McNeese State University, call 337.475.5588.

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage PaidPermit No 336

Lake Charles, LA

www.mcneesefoundation.org