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Couple shares fathers’ storiesfromWWII
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Author to sign book at Cavalier House Books
Livingston Parish librarian Amanda Jones is signing copies of her book, “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America,” at 5p.m Aug. 24 at Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs.
“That Librarian” is the story of Jones’ fight againstbook banning in the small Louisiana town she was bornand raised in and her unwavering commitment to defending intellectual freedom, anews release said The book also tells other stories of librarians and towns embroiled in thisnational issue that has touched the lives of librarians, educators,authors and parents and children in both big cities and small towns across the country Jones has made headlines over the past two years as one of the first librarians in the country to file alawsuit for defamation against her detractors, attracting support from around the world from fellow librarians, educators, authors, publishers and celebrities including from Oprah Winfrey who mentioned her in her speech at the 2023 National Book Awards. For more information,visit www.cavalierhousebooks.com/ event/librarian-book-launchdenham-springs.
Ducks Unlimited banquetset
Tickets are on sale for the Livingston Parish Ducks Unlimited Banquet Aug. 29 at Bass Pro Shops.
Tickets are $50 for one person, $80 for acouple, $600 for atable and $1,250 for aVIP table. For tickets, visit LPDU. org. For more information,call MasonDugas at (225) 921-8887. Women’sLeadership Conference,expoplanned
Tickets and sponsorships are available for the Livingston Chamber of Commerce’s Women’sLeadershipConference and Expo, set for Sept. 5. To register,visit business. livingstonparishchamber.org/ events/details/women-s-leadership-conference-expo-8577. U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow will be the guest speaker.
Walker’s gassafetysurvey underway
Walker leaders areasking resident to take part in itsGas Safety Survey.The surveyis afederal safety regulation, which judges the effectiveness of the city’ssafety programs. The city asks that customers and noncustomers because take the survey because “everyone on and around our pipeline needs to be aware of natural gas safetyfor their well-being,” cityleadersannounced in aFacebook post
To take part, visit s.blueottersolutions.com/ walker2024.
Breast imaginglocations in Livingston Parish
Woman’sHospital brings breast imaging to Livingston Parish withits mobile mammography coach. The coach makes mammograms more accessible than ever offering advanced 3D mammogram
BY VIC COUVILLION Contributing writer
Almost 80 years have passed since World WarII, the most cataclysmic event of the past century,ended with the surrenderofGermany andJapan Though the end of the war has long since passed, stories of experiences in the conflict, especially family reminisces, still command interest andattention.
Twosuch storieswere shared with members of the Edward Livingston Historical Society at its Aug. 3meeting at theMainBranch of theLivingstonParish Library System.
Husband and wife Bobby
Joe and Penny Bankston discussedthe experiences of their fathers in the war Though their fathers did not serve together,both sawcombatinGermanyand at approximately the same time.
While their stories are similar,each served in his own way while fighting for the same cause.
Thetwo were able to retell the tales of their fathers’ involvement in the war because both former Armyenlisted men hadwritten accounts of their action in combat during their treks through Europe.
Bankston’sfather,Leroy
Bankston, served in the 250h Field Artillery Battalion and his commanding officer main-
tained adetailedorderof battleendured by the group during the war.Penny’sfather, Leo D. Patton, kept apersonal account of his time of service in the war’s European theater Afterlearning about the ordealsenduredbytheir fathers, Bobby Joe and Penny decided to travel to Europeand trace theroutes covered by their fathers during the war.Their descriptions of thejourney across Europe accompanied by pictures showed acontrast of twodifferenttimes, war and peace. Bankston led the discussion telling of his father’sexploits andrecounted that his father
BobbyJoe and PennyBankston relate the stories of theirfathers’ involvement in World WarIIfor members of the Edward Livingston HistoricalSociety at the group’slatest meeting heldAug.3 at the MainBranch of the Livingston Parish LibrarySystem.
Denham Springsyouth soccer fields torn up
BY ELLYNCOUVILLION Staff writer
DenhamSprings’ soccer field at North ParkonEdenChurch Road opened for the first time last week, just in time for soccer season, after beingclosed for more than ayear while it was restored from last summer’s drought
“This whole park was buzzing,” said JonathanBaio, director of Denham Springs’ parks and recreation program.“There were probably2,000 kids,happy kids.”
Then,sometime between Aug. 9 and early Aug. 11, someone riding an all-terrain-type vehicle crisscrossed the city’sonly fullsize soccer field, leaving deep ruts andupending months of work
Baio saidmaintenance workers discovered the damage about 5:30 a.m. Monday On its Facebook page, theDenhamSprings Parksand Recreation Department said, “We’re heartbroken to discover that our youth soccer fieldshavebeen completely destroyed by vandalism.Countlesshoursofhard
work wentintorestoring these fields after lastyear’s drought, only to have them ruined with utter disrespect.”
“This is adevastatingblow to our soccer community,especially ourkids. We’re callingon everyone to help us bring justice to those responsible,”the departmentsaid. “If you saw anyone on an [ATV or]something similar over the weekend in the park let us know! Pleaseshare thispost and help us spread the word. Any information is valuable.Let’s come together to rebuild and protect our fields.”
“It almost looks malicious,” Baiosaid. “It was only that field. We had finally got it looking pristine.”
TheLivingstonParish Sheriff’s Office is investigating, aspokesperson said.
The110-acre North Park has foursoftball fields, sixbaseball fields, eight tennis courts and a total of 14 soccer fields —most of which are smaller fields available for recreational soccer,for children ages 8to14.
The field struck by thevandals is competition-sized, at 70 yards
by 120 yards, forplayers ages 8 to 18.
“The drought really killedour field last summer,” Baio said. “The field was pretty muchdown to dirt.”
Over the past yearand ahalf, therecreation department upgraded the field’sirrigation system andreseeded the ground with Bermuda turf grass, a project with atotal cost of about $50,000, he said.
“Wehope the field won’tbe down too long,” Baio said. “We’re assessing the situation, anda turf management contractor with the city will give us direction.”
In the meantime, he said, at least onecompetitivesoccer club, in Covington,has reached out“andoffered the use of their own fields.”
Anyone withinformation about thevandalism at North Park is asked to callthe Livingston Sheriff’s Office at (225) 686-2241 or use the Sheriff’sOffice phone app to leave an anonymous tip, a sheriff’s spokeswoman said.
Email EllynCouvillionat ecouvillion@theadvocate.com.
BY CHARLESLUSSIER Staff writer
Thestarting salary for public school teachers in the Baton Rouge region these days routinely tops $50,000 ayearthanks to aseries of locally funded pay raises approved in recent months. Seven of the 12 school districts within the nineparish region—East Baton Rouge and eight surrounding parishes —have approvedteacher payraises over thepast four months. They range from $283 more ayear in Livingston Parish to a$7,236 raise in East Feliciana Parish. Sixofthose seven pay raises vaulted starting teachers above the $50k threshold. Pointe Coupee, St. Helena and Livingston parishesare the only districts in theregionthatpay starting teachers less than that.
The districts that have thus far opted against teacher pay raises this year are Bakerand Zacharyaswell as Pointe Coupee, St. Helena and West Feliciana parishes. Some of thosedistricts though, made notable strides in the recent past. For instance, theCityof Bakera year agoincreased starting teacher paybyalmost $11,000 ayear, lifting it briefly to second in the region.
Here are annual salaries forstarting teachers in the region forselect districts: n Iberville, $56,606 n Ascension, $50,533 n East Baton Rouge, $50,000 n Livingston, $47,400 n St. Helena Parish, $41,000
Starting teachers, in this comparison, are those with abachelor’sdegree who work nine months of the year.These figures don’tinclude various stipends, per-
Countdownisonfor football season openers
Football season is already a few weeks old, but with season-opening games coming up in the first week of September there is no room for any time to be wasted
Thecountdown begins this week with every Livingston Parish team scrimmaging at least one other local team. Likethe jamboree games that will take place Aug. 29-30, nothing will be official but ev-
erything will count in the eyes of the coaches. Starters have to be named, depthchartshave to be filled
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION
PROVIDED PHOTO
Someone riding an all-terrain-type vehicle crisscrossed Denham Springs’ only full-size soccer field, leaving deep ruts and upending months of work.
Walker councilvotes to roll back millagetax rate
BY VIC COUVILLION
Contributing writer
Walker residents shouldn’tsee increased property taxes in the city after the CityCouncil on Aug 12 voted unanimously to roll back the adjusted millage tax rate that will be assessed for the remainder of this year
The decision reflects areduction in theamount of taxes property owners could have been charged this year
In presenting the issue to the council, Chief of Operations Jamie Etheridge said the millage for the rest of the year will be set at arate of 1.83, areduction from the 2.23 rate that could have been charged after reassessment.Etheridgeexplained that the projected amount
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formance pay and other incentives districts routinely disburse. Nor do the figures accountfor often very competitivepay offered by charterschools and some private schools. Over the past two years, the state has stopped short of approving permanent pay raises for school
of money that the city will gain will be approximately what is already beingreceivedbecause assessed values on taxable property have gone up.
The city projects that approximately $146,116 in revenue will be collectedunderthe new millage rate. Had the 2.23 assessment been implementedthen the collection would have been approximately $178,054. Etheridge said that under new assessments, residents of Livingston Parishmay bepaying higher property taxes in the future and the move to the lower ratewas to give city residents atax break.
Money collected through the property tax is only asmall partof the city’soverall operating budget. Director of Finances Mike Cotton said that the property tax money
employees, optinginstead for onetime stipends. This year,the Legislature approved, fora second yearinarow,stipends of $2,000 for educatorsand $1,000 for support workers. East BatonRouge Parish, the largest district in the region and hometoabout 3,000 teachers, approved an across-the-board pay raise of $2,200 for teachers. Similarly,AscensionParish, thethirdlargest districtregionally,opted for a$1,750 pay raise for all teach-
represents only about ”one-half of one percent of the city’sbudget.”
Walker derives most of its operating funds from asales tax and profits off its widespread natural gas distribution system that extends throughout muchofLivingston Parish.
BurgessAvenueproject
At the same meeting, the council approveda resolution authorizing MayorJimmy Watson to sign off on all contracts and agreements relating to aproject that will see completion of Phase 4ofthe Burgess Avenue sidewalk installation project. Installingsidewalks on busy Burgess Avenue is part of the Safe Routes to Public Places program funded through federal and state grants. Cost of the proj-
ers. Those payincreases arecosting $11.4 million and $8.1 million a year,respectively
The biggest mover regionally when it comes to employee pay is East FelicianaParish, which approved abig employee pay raise. It added $7,236 to the pay of all of its teachers. Starting teacher pay increased from $42,764 to $50,000 ayear.The pay raise is costing the district an estimated $1.3 million.
The latest pay raise is part of a larger 36% increase in starting
PROVIDED PHOTO
Livingston parish officials join Air Productsemployees to sign paperwork to acceptgrantfunding tothe Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to assist the parish with updating equipment for their control center at its emergency operations center.Attending themeeting,from left,are LOHSEP
Director Chris Anderson; Danna LeBlanc,commercial executive director of the Louisiana Clean EnergyComplex; RandyDelatte, Livingston parish president and StanleyBienemy,government affairs manager for Air Products.
AirProductsdonates $100,000 for emergencycommunicationsequipment
Community news report
The Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has receiveda $100,000 granttoassist the parish with updating equipment for its controlcenter at its emergency operations center Air Products made the donation from its Lake Maurepas Community Fund.
“Living and working on the Gulf Coast, Air Products’ employees know the preparation that goes into planning for events like summer storms and hurricanes,” said Danna LeBlanc, commercial executive director of the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex.
“This grant will ensure that the Livingston Parish Office of EmergencyPreparedness has newequipment to manage and communicate with local, parish, state and federal agencies during
times of disaster.This will benefitpeoplewho live all across Livingston Parish, which is especially critical as we enter hurricane season.” Livingston Parish President RandyDelattethanked the company for the donation,sayingthe moneywill be used to help emergency response capabilities, allowing better coordination with agenciesatall levels during times of crisis.
“Theupgraded equipment will benefit our community, helpingusbebetter prepared for emergencies,” Delattesaid.Wethank Air Productsfor theircommitment to help us serve the people of Livingston Parish.”
In addition to grants through the overall corporate Air Products Foundation, in 2023, the company launched the Air Products Lake Maurepas Community Fund, which plans to
contribute $1 million per year to community projects that meet its intended mission during theduration of the operation of theLouisiana Clean Energy Complex, which is expected to be at least 25 years.
Air Products has made grants to projects with the Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 2and the Manchac Volunteer Fire Departmentfor enhanced public safety efforts on Lake Maurepas; the Livingston Fire Protection District 2to support its ongoing staffing needs; and for aLake Maurepas fish stocking program managed by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, among others.
The fund assists parishes bordering Lake Maurepas by supporting needed educational, ecological, and recreational projects, with afocus on Livingston, St. John the Baptist, and Tangipahoa Parishes.
SALZER
ect is approximately $400,000 to $500,000. The project is part of a general Transportation Improvements Program that is overseen by the state Department of Transportation and Development. Design of the sidewalk additions is now underway and no timetable for when theproject mightbe completed was given.
Moving VietnamMemorial
Watson announced at the meeting that Walker will host the Moving Vietnam Memorial, the Wall ThatHeals, Sept. 12-15. He explained that TheWallwillinstalled at Sidney Hutchinson Park. “We anticipate that we will welcome large crowds during the time that the memorial is here. We are planning activities and special ob-
teacher pay going back to 2021. That year,starting teachers in East Felicianamade$36,664 a year,byfar the lowest in the region. The last previous districtfunded teacher pay raise in that district was in 2008.
The latest raise puts East Feliciana’sstarting teachers on par with East BatonRouge and just shyof neighboring Zachary and West Feliciana —Zachary pays just $22 more, while West Feliciana pays $272 more
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Denham Springs has the most ambitious preseason schedule. The Yellow Jackets host Class 5A nonselect runner-up Zachary for this week’sscrimmage before traveling to Walker for its jamboree contest.
Walker,which is coming off of its first quarterfinal playoff appearance in school history,welcomes Slidell this week for a scrimmage.
At Springfield, the Bulldogs are set to begin their first season in District 8-3A. Their longtime rivalry with Albany,always
servances for the duration of the three-day visit. This is quite aspecial event for our city,and we are eagerlyawaiting theopportunity to bring this moving memorialto our community.” He also announcedthatthe disc golf course project will soon get underway at the park. “More than $40,000 has been donated forthis project that is sponsored by one of the groups of the Livingston Chamber of Commerce’s2024 Livingston Leadership class,” he explained The new pavilion at Sidney HutchinsonParkisalmostcomplete, the mayor said, and landscaping in the vicinity is nowunderway.The pavilion wasbuilt at acost of about $250,000 through a state grant.
“A starting salary for teachers of $50,000 makes ourteacher pay competitive with other districts in the Capital region while still ensuring that we can sustain these increases long-term,” Keisha Netterville, East Feliciana Parish’s school superintendent since fall 2019, explained in an email.
Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate.com and follow him on Twitter,@Charles_ Lussier
one of the early matchups of the season, will now take place in week 7with the added bonus of district implications. Springfield will take part in athree-way scrimmage with Tara and Slaughter Community Charter before hosting Varnado in jamboree action. Albany will play Varendo, aDivision IV non select playoff team last season, in its scrimmage this week.
Maurepas namesnew baseball coach
Boog Dugas has been named Maurepas baseball coach. He takes over for longtime Wolves coach Anthony Gregoire, who has been Maurepas’ head coach the last 15 years. Live Oakholding preseasonpep rally
The Live Oak touchdown club will stage atailgate and pep rally beginning at 5p.m. on Aug. 21 at Live Oak Stadium. Festivities will include ajambalaya cookoff,live music and performances by the Live Oak marching band and cheerleaders.
Charles Salzercovers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer,email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Tangipahoa volunteers groupcelebrate InternationalDay
Community news report
On July 20, members of TangipahoaVolunteers forFamily andCommunity and three guests attended the club’sannual International Day Celebration at the LSU AG Extension office in Hammond.
The eventchairwomanwas Susan Melancon and her two co-chairs were Ann Bourleia from the Sunshine Ladies chapter of TVFC and Gloria Messenger from theWednesday Volunteers chapterofTVFC
Before the event, each chapter picked acountry to honor.This year, Wednesday Volunteers chose the Philippine Islands and the Sunshine Ladies selected Italy To kick off the event, Melancon directed agame depicting an imaginary flight to the two countries. Inthe game, members could only board the imaginaryplane if they correctly answered questions related to traveling. To honor their chosen country,members of Wednesday Volunteers were dressed in hats
and other island inspired attire and served food customary to the Philippines including eggrolls, steamed rice withcoconut milk, wonton soup, Filipino adobo and flan.
Several of thedishes were made by one of the club’smembers, Cecilia Miller,who is from the Philippines. For entertainment, club members held ahat contest and invited aguest speaker Mia Levert, who is also from the Philippines and is afood blogger specializing in Philippine food dishes.
Levert presenteda slideshow with information and pictures about the history,foods and traditions of the Islands. Miller briefly described how the authentic Filipino hat she was wearing and the purse she was carrying were made by hand in her native country To honortheir country, theSunshine Ladies wore red, green and white colored clothing to represent the colors in the Italian flag and prepared such dishes as spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and ti-
AROUND
talked very little about his time in uniform. He added that while going through his mother’scedar chest, he found medals won by his father, letters and the account of the battalion in which he served written by the commanding officer
TheelderBankston grew up in LivingstonParish just north of Albany,attended the 4th Ward School and was servinginthe Civilian Conservation Corps when he was draftedin1941. Afterbasic training at abase in Texas he was assigned to an anti-tank gunnery unit, arriving in England in early 1944. He was later assignedto the 250th Field Artillery Batallion.
For Bankston,his war story began, as it did for tens of thousands of others, with landinginNormandy, France, not long after the historiclandings on D-Day,June 6, 1944. The speaker noted that of the 156,000 Americanswho stormed the shore, 4,000 died on the beaches and cliffs of Normandy. He said that about 280,000 residents of Louisiana served in the war and that 1,153 are still alive.
Among those who served were 33 soldiers from Livingston Parish who lost their lives in the war,hesaid.
Bankston’sbattalion fought its way through the notorious hedgerows of Normandy and assisted in capturingthe strategic town of St. Lo,a keystone to the allied breakout into France.That started the long journey that was to last until the war’send.
Bankson’scommanding officerwrote of his men, “our soldiers never asked for a
leave of absence orrelief from battle. They didtheir job throughout the time that we were in battle. Ourmen won 100 BronzeStarsand four battle stars.”
The group continued their march toward Germany and joined with otherallied armies in liberating France. Bankston said that his father once toldhethat he would much rather fightalongside the French than the British because the British hadto stopall the time to drink tea.
As thegroupapproached Paris they engaged in amajor battle along the Seine River Through thecoldwinterof 1944-45 theyfoughtinmountains and eventuallycrossed into Germany over the Rhine River on pontoon bridges.
The250th FieldArtillery was among the first units to getinto Germany when they crossed over on March 19, 1945. Bankston’sbattalion encounteredtwo sights that were to be well remembered. This first was the concentration campatDachau and the second wasa string of boxcars fullofthe dead bodies of Jews andothers whohad been gassed while confined to the cars.
The men also captured a German airfieldwhere many jet airplanes were parked. The Germansdeveloped jet aircraft beforethe allies did and the newly perfected planes weresuperior in air combat to aircraft being flown by the allies. Bankston said the planes seen by the Americans were grounded because the Germans had run out ofgas
After more maneuvering and changestoand from different divisions, the artillery unit endedits role in the war in Austria Penny Bankston, who then took thepodium,explained
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EDITOR
Darlene T. Denstorffddenstorff@theadvocate.com OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998
COMMUNITY NEWS REPORTER
Leila Pitchford livingston@theadvocate.com (225)388-0731
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that herfather, Patton,left behind ajournal,“My Experiences in World WarII.”
He was drafted in 1944 and went through basic training at Camp RobinsoninArkansas where he spent 17 weeks marked by loneliness.Once in Europe,hesaw battle while serving with troops moving intoGermany
In his journal Patton recalls being, terrified when he and fellow soldiers were caught in thefire of machineguns. He recalled that this was the first timehehad heard shots fired in anger.Despite the rigors of battle, some stories can almost be humorous. His tale relates that while haltedonabattlefield the men were told to dig foxholes in anticipation of apossible attack. Patton wrote that he dutifully dug afoxhole to accommodate his size while a fellow soldier serving with him decided that he didn’t need to take asimilar protective measure. When the Germans started pouring artillery on theAmerican position, the “friend,”jumped
into Patton’s foxhole leaving him without protection. Penny,quoting theaccount,said, “the other fellowwas bigger than my father and even though he wasinthe hole, his behind still stuck out.” Neither man was injured.
In war there are poignant moments that bring pause. Patton recalls that while in a fire fight in aGermany city he was told to go up into a well-furnishedhouse and take up asniper position
He said in the bed room of the house was abottle of cologne of theexact same fragrance that his mother had used. He recalls that the smell of the cologne brought back vividmemories of home, aplace where he longed to be. At one point in the war,healmost lost his life in an incident involving ahand grenade.
Patton had to endure the fact that several of his friends were killedand others wounded in the fighting. He also saw the horror that was the concentration camp at Dachau.
ramisu
Fortheir chapter’sentertainment, President Ann Bourliea listed numerous facts about Italy’shistory, culture and people, and directed a word search gamewith Italian-related words.
AnitaMurray directedagame of Pictionaryusing Italian-themed words.
TangipahoaVolunteers forFamily andCommunity is an all-volunteer arm of LSU Agriculture Extension Service.
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technology at convenient times and locations across Louisiana. Physician’s orders are required and appointments are strongly encouraged.
Astop is planned for Aug. 15 at RKM Primary Care, 27124 La. 42, Springfield. Call (225) 395-8022 to schedule.
The coach will stop: n Aug. 19, Mandy’sPrimary Health, 35701 La. 16, Denham Springs. Call (225) 791-2400 to schedule n Aug. 29, RKM Primary Care, 28315 S. Frost Road, Livingston. Call (225) 2831356 to schedule.
For more information including the full mammography coach schedule, visit womans.org.
Pets lookingfor homes
Mark your calendar
Frog’sFarmers Market is hosting its Fa La La La Christmas Market from 8a.m. to 3p.m. Dec. 21-22 at 6865 Magnolia Beach Road, Denham Springs. The market will include homemade gift items, fresh produce, baked goods, candles, Christmas décor and other items.
Sendnewsand events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@theadvocate. com by 4p.m.Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
The Denham Springs Animal Shelter is looking for people to foster cats and dogs. The no-kill shelter,at 600 Bowman St., Denham Springs, also encourages residents to consider adopting apet; the fee is $60. More than 200 cats and dogs need homes or foster parents. For information on fostering or adopting, call (225) 664-4472.
Jula is newest member of SLU’spoliceteam
Community news report
K-9 Jula, a2-year-oldGerman Shepherd, is the newest member of the Southeastern Louisiana University’sPolice Department. Jula is from Polandand is certified in explosives detection.
Jula is partnered with herhandler,Sgt. Michelle Blanchard.BothJula and Blanchard returned from Liberty Hills, Texas, last week after completing a three-week certification course. Training will continue throughout theyear and include safety sweeps for special events, sporting events and any emergencies that may arise.
SoutheasternPresident William S. Wainwright said he supports the new K-9 Division.
“Weare excited about the addition of our firstK-9 officertoSoutheastern UPD,” said Wainwright. “Julawill
be agreat ambassador of safety,student supportand officertraining and development.”
University Police Chief Michael Beckner agrees, stating that with the implementation of Southeastern’s K-9 Division, the department can add another layerofprotectiontothe Southeastern community
“Safety is our top priority, andK-9 Jula allows us to continue those efforts in agreater capacity,” he explained. “UPD offers this resource to ourcommunity partners, school districts, and local law enforcementagencies, as well.”
Beckneradded thatalthough Jula is socialized and loves gettingpets andattention, she is aworking dog; therefore,permission must be grantedbyher handler first before approaching her, since she may be in aworkingcapacity
SoutheasternLouisiana University’s Police Department recently embarkedona newjourneywith the addition of Jula the first canineofficer in the newly formed K-9 Division. With Jula, from left, are Sgt. Michelle Blanchard, SoutheasternPresident William S. Wainwright, and student worker Katie Randall.
SLUtoexpandCollegiateRecoveryProgram
Community news report
Southeastern Louisiana University haslaunchedthe CollegiateRecovery Expansion Project to supportcollege students in recovery.
The program is possible thanks to the support of the Louisiana Department of Health’sOffice of Behavioral Health and Florida Parishes Human Service Authority,anews release said
The initiative includes over $1.3 million to createcampus spaces that are recovery-informed, supportive and empowering, thereleasesaid. The campuses that will implement the Collegiate Recovery Programs are as follows: Southeastern, LSU, Tulane University,Grambling State University, Northshore Technical Community College and Southern Law Center
“Substancemisuse within college campuses is anational issue,which can easily overwhelm college students during one of the most pivotal timesin
their lives,” said Assistant Director of Intervention and LION UP Recovery
AnnetteBaldwin.“According to the National Institutes of Health,2007, less than 10% of college students suffering from substance misuse seek assistance. Unfortunately,all too often this can lead to academic failures, tragic accidents, and, in some cases, lost lives.”
Thegoal of the Collegiate Recovery Expansion Project is to create campus environmentsthat meet the needs of all students. The CRPs aredesigned to supportstudents who have or are at risk fordevelopingasubstance abuse disorder,Baldwinexplained.Thisincludes creating supportive programming for students in recovery,while educatingthe campus community on substance misuse prevention and sustaining recovery efforts.
“There are significant benefitsto having aCollegiate Recovery Program
on college campuses. Thepresenceof CRPs can shift perceptions on campus and reducestigma, opening doorsfor morestudents to seekhelp,”Baldwin said. “These programs can alsoserve as important recruitment tools for studentsinrecovery seeking an institution that can support their educational and recovery goals.
Southeastern launchedLION UP Collegiate Recovery in 2019; it was one of the first collegiaterecovery programs in Louisiana. Since that time, over 19 studentshave been served, and 13 studentsinrecovery successfullygraduated.
“Wewantstudents to know that we are building anetwork of collegiate recovery programs in Louisiana.If you are astudent in recovery, we are ready for you, andwewillsupport you,” Baldwin said.
For moreinformation, contact Baldwin at Recovery@southeastern.edu.
Southeastern named Military Friendly School
Community news report
For the12th consecutive year,Southeastern Louisiana University has been named aMilitaryFriendly School for2024-25.
Southeastern continues to strive to be one of the best military and veteran friendly institutionsinthe state of Louisiana and in the nation. Viqtory Media, publisherof“G.I. Jobs,” states the listing honors the top colleges, universities and trade schoolsthat are doing themost to embrace the nation’smilitary service members, veterans and spouses as students and to ensure their success on campus.
This year,Southeastern was awardedGoldStatus, which is the highest award in the state of Louisiana.
“Weare proud of our consistent listing, as it illustrates Southeastern’s continued commitment to serveactive military, veteransand their families. It also places us among someofthe top universities in the nation,” said President William S. Wainwright. “Most importantly, we know the designation meansweare doing our best to serve thosewho have made many sacrifices in service to our nation.”
Southeasternenrolls 492 veterans, dependents and military service members. The university maintains aVeteransUpward Bound program; provides academicand othercounseling services;offers scholarships specifically for military students and veterans; andmaintains awide range of online anddistance learning programs that provide students with flexibility in scheduling.
Southeastern’sROTC program, which is asubunit of the Southern University Army ROTC program, returnedtoHam-
mond in 2016 aftermore than a20-year hiatus.Forty-sixstudents participate in theprogram, with19 of them being contracted scholarship cadets.
Southeastern also serves as aresource center for thousands of Louisiana veteransinaneffort to help active-dutymilitary service men and women successfully transition to college through anew program called LaVetCorps. Director of Military and Veteran Success Emily Anthony,who is currently serving as acaptaininthe Louisiana Army National Guard, said Southeastern recently becamedesignated as aPurple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, signifying an unwavering commitment to continuously improveservices to combat-wounded veterans. An addition to campus is the Southeastern Student Veterans and Military Interest Association, agroup open to veterans,reservists, spouses, dependents and ROTCparticipantsattending both Southeastern andNorthshore Technical CommunityCollege.The association wasfounded to help the school administration better understand and meet the needs of veterans; offeradvicefromexperienced to incoming veterans; help civilians better understand the military experience; and provide opportunities for veterans to meet one another and connect. Institutionscompeted forinclusiononthe Military Friendly Schools list basedonsuchcategories as military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes and career and job counseling services. The firm Ernst andYoung independently tested the data provided by schools.
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