2020 President's Report

2020 President’s Report

From the pandemic to two major hurricanes, 2020 has impacted life greatly here on the Hill and presented the College with a litany of challenges. Despite these challenges, God has been faithful to provide and bless the College.

We give thanks for nearly 1,300 students who joined us to discover their purpose and develop their calling through more than 70 areas of study, for world-class faculty who continued to lead and teach students with the vision of Preparing Graduates and Transforming Lives, for coaches who invested in student-athletes to grow them mentally and spiritually even when unable to compete formally, and for staff who worked tirelessly in carrying out the operations of the College under abnormal circumstances.

We express our gratefulness to God for providing outstanding alumni and friends who have been faithful to provide crucial financial resources to the College. Through generous donors, the Lord has blessed and sustained LC with tremendous financial support including more than $5 million in gifts to the College since August 1, 2019.

You will read below of the tremendous grants received by the College this past year of more than $300,000 for renovations and technology upgrades in Guinn classrooms, enhancements to campus safety and security, and for opportunities to increase access to health and fitness in Central Louisiana through the Parrish Fuller Fitness Trail and Step It Up, Pineville.

Additionally, we are grateful for more than 220 Board of Visitors who invest annually in students by providing crucial scholarship dollars for deserving students.

In addition to the placement of a new turf field at the Stadium Complex and a new sound system in the H. O. West Complex by the College this past summer, recent gifts of more than $300,000 from the Central Louisiana Community Foundation, Alexandria Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and other alumni and friends were given to the Louisiana College Athletic Facilities campaign.

These gifts have launched critical renovations to H. O. West locker room space for LC men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball. The resources have also provided for renovations to the H. O. West lobby restrooms, the creation of student-athlete lounge and study areas, and the addition of a digital scorer’s table. This refurbishment comes at an opportune time as our coaches ramp up for the transition to NAIA effective July 1, 2021. Facilities are an essential component of recruiting athletic scholarship student-athletes and competing for championships.

While we know 2020 has not been easy, we will not let those hardships define our future.

Rather, we would like to reflect on all the Lord has accomplished despite—and in some cases because of—those challenges.

2020 News from the Hill

Child Holocaust survivor Jeannine Burk of New Orleans was the guest speaker for “Lost Innocence: Children of the Holocaust,” a remembrance event presented by the LC Departments of History and Music on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020.

Louisiana College launched an innovative 3+1 plan that leads to two degrees in four years. The new Advanced Education Degree offers a bachelor’s degree in three years and a master’s in the fourth year. The Bachelor/Master of Teaching 3+1 pathway combines a rigorous undergraduate curriculum with Louisiana College’s accredited Master of Arts in Teaching graduate program. One of the first of its kind in Louisiana, this approach offers students flexibility with the benefits of both programs and prepares individuals for careers as elementary or secondary school teachers eligible for licensure at the end of the pathway’s fourth year.

Louisiana College convergence media and debate students participated in the 2020 Southeast Journalism Conference held Feb. 13-15 at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Competing against nearly 300 students from 31 colleges and universities across the Southeast, LC students earned multiple honors in 15 on-site competitions and heard from Pulitzerprize winning photojournalist Ted Jackson and Cathy Straight, executive editor for CNN Digital, in a three-day conference.

Louisiana College’s Campus Awakening featured Dr. Blake Newsom, senior pastor of Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. The daily gatherings occurred in Louisiana College’s Guinn Auditorium in March 2020.

Addressing the topic “Socialism or Stewardship?

Doing Business God’s Way,” Dr. Jay W. Richards and Mr. Earl B. Heard will be featured presenters at Louisiana College’s annual God in the Workplace series on March 22, 2021.

Utilizing a $2.2 million Title III Grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Louisiana College launched the Center for Online Innovation and Development (COID) as it moves to 100 percent online classes for remote learning on March 30. Expanding online learning is an integral part of Louisiana College’s strategic plan, but the coronavirus put the effort on fast-forward. Title III Activity Director, Distance Learning Coordinator, and Associate Professor of Business Dr. Stacey Duke and Instructional Designer for Distance Learning Jason Mercer joined LC in February 2020 as a result of the grant to lead out on these crucial initiatives.

Building upon a social media post originating in Montana, Assistant Professor of Engineering Dr. Natalie Maxey used a 3D printer in the school’s engineering lab to make frames for protective face shields for hospitals and clinics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Word spread about the project quickly and donors provided significant resources to buy additional 3D printers and defray costs for materials.

Difficulties posed by social distancing, travel restrictions, and the shift in established routines have been unsettling. Add to the mix personal health concerns, Louisiana College launched a telehealth service for students in March 2020 through a partnership with TimelyMD. Available via smartphone or any web-enabled device, students have 24/7 unlimited free access to professional health advice and licensed counselors.

To make the outstanding Christian liberal arts education found at Louisiana College affordable and accessible to students and their families, several new scholarships were launched in 2020.

The President’s Leadership Award is a strong reflection of a goal to further develop students in the maturity of intellect and of Christian character. The Jimmie Davis Scholarship, named in honor of 1924 LC alum and two-time governor of Louisiana, provides free tuition for students who meet a specific set of qualifications.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Louisiana College hosted Virtual Preview Days in April and October 2020. Virtual Preview Day transported interested students and parents effortlessly to the information needed for exploring the award-winning campus, hearing from professors and students, and gathering financial aid information. Prospective students engaged in a live Q and A session via web chat, as well as experienced a virtual tour of the campus, gained details about classes and degree majors from professors, and viewed videos of current students sharing why they chose Louisiana College for their undergraduate degree.

In a historic move, Louisiana College’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved an updated mission statement for the College in its May 2020 meeting. The new statement reads: “Louisiana College is a Christ-centered community committed to Academic Excellence where students are equipped for Lives of Learning, Leading, and Serving.” The President’s Leadership Team identified themes that provided direction for the statement. Those themes are integration of faith, academic excellence, student development, resource development, stewardship, and technology.

In a joint press conference in July 2020, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and Louisiana College have partnered to establish the Cabrini Scholars program to provide economic support for nursing students. LC President Dr. Rick Brewer and CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital CEO, Chris Karam announced Thursday the Cabrini Scholars program, which will provide grant money to eligible students enrolled in the college’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program.

Louisiana College’s annual C3 Conference—Christ, Culture, Community—held in late October tackled the topic of the role of women in today’s church with speakers Victoria Dixon, Jess Archer and Dr. Amanda Walker. A topic at the forefront of our Christian culture and secular American culture, the speakers addressed questions about the role of women in society, the role women have in churches, the ministries God asks women to fulfill, and the ways women should pursue their callings. The topic encouraged women to find their voices in not only ministry, but also in society.

Jess Archer

Victoria Dixon

Amanda Walker

Louisiana College became the sole owner of the Louisiana Athletic Club locations in Pineville and Alexandria in July 2020. According to a memo sent by CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital CEO Chris Karam, CHRISTUS made the decision to withdraw its ownership of the athletic clubs due to the financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the organization re-evaluated its focus on what it could best provide the Central Louisiana community. With the announcement of a change in ownership comes a new manager, Ronnie Schwartz. Louisiana Athletic Club has received the distinction of “Best Fitness Club” in CenLa for several consecutive years.

Louisiana College partnered with nonprofit Strive for College to strengthen and provide college enrollment and graduation opportunities for lowincome and first-generation college students. The College was ranked 4th highest return on investment (ROI) among private colleges in the state and 5th highest among public schools offering Bachelor of Arts degrees according to a report released by Georgetown University in Fall 2019. An estimated 24 percent of students enrolled in college are lowincome, first-generation college students. But only 10 percent of these students earn a bachelor’s degree six years out from high school. Louisiana College has already been servicing these students through the Student Success Center and the Bridge Program, and this partnership will build on an already firm foundation.

Curtis Zackery was the keynote speaker at Louisiana College’s “The Awakening,” part of fall Welcome Weekend activities. Zackery, better known as CZ, is a member of the pastoral staff of Church of the City in Nashville, one of the fastest-growing multi-campus churches in the country. He is the author of Soul Rest: Reclaim Your Life, Return to Sabbath. The free event was held Aug. 14-16, 2020.

Curtis Zackery, Pastoral staff, Church of the City in Nashville

Louisiana College welcomed its students back to campus in mid-August 2020 after a 6-month absence.

Students completed the spring semester, like most college campuses, with online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Freshmen will be the first to arrive throughout the day, Wednesday, and begin Freshmen Orientation activities that afternoon. Move-in times have been staggered to ensure social distancing can be maintained in the residence halls and across campus.

Most Louisiana College fall semester face-to-face classes moved to a hybrid model beginning Monday, Aug. 24 in an effort to limit student exposure to COVID-19. The move allowed for additional spacing in the classroom, helping to keep students safer and attempting to lower the number of students needing quarantine when a classmate tests positive for COVID. The Division of Business at Louisiana College has welcomed its first cohort of students into a Project Management certificate program this fall. The Project Management Certificate Program (PMC) is a 100% online stand-alone credential designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to be competent project managers and, if so desired, to attempt passing the PMI certification examinations. LC’s program addresses all of the Professional Management Institute’s performance areas: Initiating the Project, Planning the Project, Executing the Project, Monitoring the Project, and Closing the Project. Best of all, it can be completed in 12 months or less.

Robert Lynn, who served more than two decades as the sixth president of Louisiana College, died September 8, 2020, in Norman, Oklahoma. He was 88. Lynn served as president of LC from 19751997. “The College mourns the loss of former president, Dr. Robert Lynn,” said President Dr. Rick Brewer. “Dr. Lynn’s legacy and imprimatur is still recognizable on the campus. We thank the Lord for the faithful spiritual leadership and standard-bearer for academic excellence Dr. Lynn exemplified during his tenure as the sixth president of Louisiana College.” Lynn is survived by his wife Dr. Bonnie Moore Lynn, and two children, Susy Calonkey and Chris Lynn.

In the fall semester Louisiana College introduced a new freshmen orientation staff called the Wildcat Navigators. The new staff was created to build lasting relationships that go beyond the traditional Welcome Week and truly integrate LC’s newest students with the rest of the community on campus.

Along with guiding the freshmen through their first year of college and introducing them to the culture and opportunities on campus, navigators are also meant to interact with their students weekly to build lasting relationships.

Louisiana College has unveiled a new student healthcare service this semester called LC Care, to supplement on-campus health services during the COVID-19 outbreak. LC Care will be conducted through TimelyMD, a 24/7 telehealth service aimed at providing a thorough and complete solution to the needs of each individual student. In addition to the existing health services provided at Louisiana College, LC Care provides the option to schedule remote appointments with licensed physicians, as well as mental health counseling, on a 24/7 basis.

College students today face very different technological needs than their parents’ generation. The increased demands on their attention and seismic cultural shifts that have occurred in the last few years call for a college campus that can accommodate today’s needs without sacrificing integrity and rigor. With that at the forefront, Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer has announced a new mission statement for the school. The new mission statement: Louisiana College is a Christcentered community committed to Academic Excellence where students are equipped for Lives of Learning, Leading, and Serving. The new mission statement of the college was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees at its May 2020 meeting.

Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer announced a restructuring of the organizational structure for the school in September 2020. Part of the restructuring included naming a Provost, the first in Louisiana College history. Dr. Cheryl Clark, who has served as VPAA since 2017, has been named Provost, and will oversee all Student Support Services in this role. In addition, Dr. Joshua Joy Dara has been named to the new position of Associate Vice President of Student Engagement and Enrichment. Dara will be responsible for the experiential learning initiative, diversity and inclusion, strategic planning, faith integration, student life which encompasses the freshman year experience, and the Center for Calling and Career. The new three-pronged organizational structure, with Clark as provost, includes: Center for Residential Life and Student Engagement; Center for Social, Mental, Physical and Spiritual Wellness; and Center for Academic Support and Enhancement Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer has announced three new key leadership appointments this fall: Dr. Will Smallwood, Dr. Eric Pratt and Dr. Mary E. “Beth” Poole Palmer. Smallwood has been named executive vice president. He will oversee enrollment, advancement, marketing and communications. Pratt has been hired as the new vice president of administration, providing leadership for campus infrastructure, facilities maintenance, technology, and auxiliary services. Palmer, an LC alumna and member of the athletic hall of fame, was appointed executive director for Development and Alumni Affairs.

Robert Lynn, President 1975-1997

In addition, Evelyn Dean has been hired as executive director of finance and chief financial officer. She is a certified public accountant and previously worked for the accounting firm Payne, Moore & Herrington for 11 years. Brewer has also engaged other faculty and staff, using their various backgrounds, to step into additional and increased roles. Those include Shannon Tassin, executive director of human resources; Renee Melder, executive director of enrollment management; Dr. Elizabeth Barfoot Christian, director of college communications; Jennifer Dykes, director of marketing; Prof. Brian Manuel, coordinator of student behavior and accountability; Hannah Nyman, director of residential life and student engagement; and Michaela Jordan, director of recreational services/assistant director of residence life.

Louisiana College hosted a memorial service for Dr. Ben H. Yang on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 11 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. Dr. Yang was a beloved faculty member from 1989-2019 who poured his life into the campus community through his teaching and music. LC is honored to join with family and friends to celebrate Dr. Yang, his lasting impact, and his faithfulness to Christ.

In a heartfelt letter to the members of the Class of December 2019 and May 2020, Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer, following much consideration and the latest announcement from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on the rise of COVID-19 cases in the state, shared the difficult decision to cancel the commencement exercises that had been rescheduled for Aug 8. While he had hoped to host graduation, Dr. Brewer encouraged students to not let anything diminish the many accomplishments made during their time at Louisiana College.

Louisiana College (LC) held its annual Founder’s Day Chapel service on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in Guinn Auditorium, featuring Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall and his Chief of Staff Susan Broussard, a 1992 alumna of Louisiana College. This year’s Founder’s Day ceremony recognized the significant role the city of Alexandria played in establishing LC’s oldest building, Alexandria Hall, which stands as the centerpiece of the LC campus. Each year, LC holds a special chapel ceremony to celebrate the leadership of those who have contributed to the continuation of the institution over its 114-year history.

Louisiana College has been named the safest college campus in Louisiana by niche.com, a rating and review website of the college experience.

Louisiana College was named the second most diverse campus in Louisiana by niche.com, a rating and review website of the college experience. Niche.com has graded Louisiana College with an A- in student population diversity. Niche.com ranks colleges and universities in categories like diversity, academics and value. LC most recently received its highest score for the safest campus in Louisiana.

After launching a new website in late August 2020, Louisiana College won Best Business Website at this year’s Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Awards held Friday, Nov. 6 at England Airpark Community Center. Known as the BIZZY Awards, area business leaders honor the best advertising and marketing activities each year, and competition is strong. The new LC website was designed by Jennifer Dykes, director of marketing for LC, and Todd Fingleton of Fing Designs, and launched earlier this year. In 2019, LC was awarded a BIZZY by the CENLA Chamber for best curb appeal.

In a two-session conference in early November, Louisiana College hosted its 5th Annual Values and Ethics Conference addressing the critical issue of racism and how Christians should view and respond with Gospel-centered perspectives. The first session featured Alexandria physician and pastor Dr. Gregory Bevels, Louisiana Senator and author of the Louisiana Right to Life amendment and equal rights proponent in the legislature Katrina Jackson, and Dr. Joshua Joy Dara, Sr., dean of the department of human behavior and associate vice president for student engagement and enrichment at LC. The second session welcomed keynote Chris Singleton, former pro-athlete and inspirational speaker, via Skype.

Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer released his second album, Christmas, in late November, and offered a sneak peek and opportunities to buy the album at www.rickbrewerpiano.com. Recorded

by LC Professor Jeff Young and produced and engineered by acclaimed artist Jason Brewer, the album includes his own arrangement of many beloved holiday favorites including O Holy Night, Jingle Bells, White Christmas, Go Tell It on the Mountain, and more. Brewer released his first album Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, along with his Nashville-based musician son Jason Brewer in 2015.

The year 2020 has been confusing and complicated for everyone—in addition to COVID and hurricanes, which affected all of us in Central Louisiana, Alexandria artist Alex Felter had the additional setback of being let go from his job in January. Felter, a husband and father of two small daughters, wasn’t sidelined for long, though. Fortunately, Alex had a skill set that transitioned well to working from home. Now, he sees quite clearly—2020 has been one of his best years so far. Now a full-time freelance designer and illustrator, said he has been working steady in the midst of a pandemic. His business is Felter Illustration, and his website is felterillustration.com. Recently, Alex’s work has received a lot of attention from entirely new audiences. His artwork won the Great Mississippi River Balloon Festival poster competition, and just weeks later he found out his artwork won the 94th Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights poster competition, as well.

2020 Grants Louisiana College has received a grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents to improve classrooms and teaching facilities on campus. The $87,330 department enhancement grant will be used to renovate classrooms in Guinn Auditorium, which houses the Missions and Ministries Division, the Physician Assistant Program and the Bolton Chapel classroom. Langford said the grant was one of 21 proposals to be fully funded of the 147 the Board of Regents received for the 2019-2020 cycle. “The upgrade to classroom furnishings will move us away from small, individual desks to full-length seminar style tables, which will increase student mobility and give easier access to desk space for students with disabilities,” Langford said. “This will also allow for better classroom collaboration.” Major upgrades are also planned for Bolton Chapel, as well as technological upgrades throughout the classroom spaces, he said.

Louisiana College has been awarded a Healthy Behaviors Program Grant from The Rapides Foundation to increase access to health and fitness opportunities for the greater Pineville area. The grant award of $111,200 over three years beginning July 1, 2020, will fund in part the Step It Up, Pineville program and the Parrish Fuller Fitness Trail. The City of Pineville will assist in recruitment of community organizations to participate in Step It Up, Pineville, host physical activity workshops and provide worksite wellness activities for employees. And Louisiana Athletic Club will also assist in recruitment of its members to participate as well as provide professional expertise with designing physical activity program to be offered at the fitness trail. The Rapides Foundation award will be used to repair, widen, and repave the fitness trail along with overlaying existing exercise pads with a rubber safety surface and installing exercise equipment.

Louisiana College has been awarded $100,000 for enhancements to campus lighting, security cameras, and personal screening devices for campus events. The funds are part of the FY 2020 Nonprofit Security Grant Program of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). Since 2015, Louisiana College has significantly improved campus safety and security with additional campus lighting and surveillance cameras. This grant money will greatly enhance these measures. Rolled out over a three-year period, the grant resources will be spent at LC for improved lighting around buildings, parking lots, and residence halls. Cameras will be purchased and installed around campus for improved watch safety, and airport quality screening devices will be available for large events on campus.

2020 Athletics Four years after leaving LSU Alexandria as a top goalkeeper of the developing Generals team, then coaching goalkeepers at both LSUA and Belhaven, Carla Tejas returns to central Louisiana to take control of the Louisiana College women’s soccer team. She was introduced as the new head coach on Monday, May 4, 2020.

Louisiana College Wildcats placed 48 among the 712 student-athletes honored, with eight of them being named to the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete teams, as American Southwest Conference awarded its winter and spring sport Academic All-Conference Teams. To be named Academic All-Conference, a student-athlete must have been enrolled at LC for a full academic year, be at least a sophomore in academic standing during his or her competitive semester and have at least a 3.0 GPA at the end of the semester upon which their sport championship is held. One player from that each team is chosen to represent LC on the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete team. To be eligible to be named Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, a player must meet the above criteria, but must maintain a 3.2 GPA or greater while appearing in at least 50% of the team’s games.

The Louisiana College athletic department announced in July 2020 of its formal application for admission to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), with an eye on joining the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) for all sponsored sports except football, which aims to join the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC). Louisiana College notes five points for why the Wildcats and the NAIA are better together: fit, fan engagement, regional alignment, a core footprint, and a level playing field for the student-athletes.

The momentous growth by Louisiana College student-athletes in the classroom continued throughout the 2019-20 academic year, with the cumulative GPA of all student-athletes exceeding 3.0 for the first time in several years. The cumulative GPA of all student-athletes on Louisiana College’s 15 NCAA-sponsored teams rose to 3.004 during the 2019-20 academic year, continuing a steady, pronounced rise that has seen the department-wide GPA go up nearly a full quarter of a point since the 2016-17 academic year, which was at a 2.782 , and rose to a 2.813 in 2017-18 and a 2.962 in 2018-19, before going over the 3.0 threshold this year.

With an eye on the future and the Wildcats’ move to the NAIA, Louisiana College has named David Castillo as LC’s new head men’s soccer coach.

Castillo, a native of Riverview, Fla., has seen success everywhere he’s coached. He comes to Louisiana College from Southeastern University of Florida where he served as an assistant coach on the women’s team. In his lone season with the Fire, SEU finished 19-5, 9-1 in The Sun Conference and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Tournament semifinals. At the same time, Castillo served as associate head coach at the nearby Seffner Christian Academy.

Completing the process that was announced in July 2020, the Louisiana College Athletics Department received word in early October that the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) membership committee has approved LC’s application for admission, making official the move to the NAIA as well as finalizing the new conference affiliations with the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) and Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC). To celebrate its unanimous acceptance into the NAIA, LC held a press conference at Wildcat Stadium on October 5.

Louisiana College is a Christ-centered community committed to Academic Excellence where students are equipped for Lives of Learning, Leading, and Serving.

A journey that began from a $100 scholarship for one Baton Rouge teenager has grown over 60 years and affected countless young people at Louisiana College.

Don Hill, a 1964 Summa Cum Laude graduate of LC and president of DMH & Associates, was given a $100 scholarship as a high school senior to attend Louisiana College. Hill and his wife Terry have provided scholarships for five LC students annually since 2015 through the Board of Visitors Scholarship Fund.

Additionally, they have used various ways to give back to LC from cash donations, gifts of appreciated stocks, or making Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from an IRA. Most recently, the Hills worked with the Louisiana Baptist Foundation to establish a charitable gift annuity with LC as the beneficiary.

Despite the challenges, my heart is full as I reflect upon all God has done in and through Louisiana College in 2020. While we celebrate the work of God through these amazing achievements, we remain focused on our vision to Prepare Graduates and Transform Lives. Without your prayers and financial support, we could not fulfill this calling and vision. Thank you for joining us in this worthy calling and endeavor to equip students for lives of Learning, Leading, and Serving.

Press on!

Rick Brewer, PhD, MBA President and CEO Professor of Management

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