FA L L 2 0 1 0 , V O L U M E 3 I S S U E 1
Drum Roll Please. . .
Introducing The Williams page 4
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Contents
2010 Foundation Board of Directors Officers Emma DiCarlo-Vincent,
3............ Education...The Pathway to the World:
President Bob Davidson, Vice President/ President-Elect
Roxanne “Roxie” and Robert Boxie
4, 5........ Introducing the Williams: Dr. Philip Carlton Williams
Willie Mount, Secretary James Taussig, Treasurer
6........... The Progression of Artistic Expression: Leigha LaCombe
Members
7............ Shearman Fine Arts Addition
Glen Bertrand Judy Fuller Tom Henning Joe T. Miller, Sr. Lee J. Monlezun, Jr. George Paret Patricia Prebula
8, 9....... For the Love of the Language:
Dr. Monique Nagem, Marilyn Managan Hays
and Dr. Judy Savoie
10, 11.... When Obstacles Become Opportunities: Mary Richardson 12.......... Born to Teach: Dr. Allison Gibbons
Glenn Pumpelly Donna Richard
13.......... A Full Circle Moment: Stacey (Sandlin) and Tom Moore
Billy Rose John Scofield Jim Serra David Stine Ray A. Todd, Jr. Tom Tuminello, Sr. Aubrey White Ex Officio Members Philip C. Williams Richard H. Reid Advisory Board Members Billy Blake Coral Crain Byrd Fred R. Godwin Marilyn Hays Charles Viccellio 2
14......... The M.N. Davidson Foundation: Simon “Si” D. Davidson 15.......... Flying High as a Para-Poke: Dewayne Bruette 16, 17.... A Moment in History…The Louisiana Maneuvers 18.......... The Official Ring of McNeese State University
FOUNDATION TIES
Roxanne “Roxie” and Robert Boxie • Donors • Alumni • Vera Bushnell Guillory Memorial Scholarship
EDUCATION...The Pathway To The World Roxanne, “Roxie,” and Robert Boxie feel truly blessed. As first-generation four-year college graduates, they were taught at an early age that education truly is the pathway to the world.
Roxie graduated from McNeese in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. She has been employed at PPG Industries for the past 36 years as a cost systems coordinator.
Robert came to McNeese State University in 1970 on a fouryear track scholarship as a graduate of Forest Park High School in Beaumont, Texas. As a distance runner, Robert used to come to Lake Charles with his team to participate in McNeese’s “Cowboy Relay” in the high school division. Robert proved a valuable recruit since he broke McNeese’s school record at that time for running the mile in 4 minutes, 20 seconds.
The Boxies established the Vera Bushnell Guillory Memorial Scholarship as a tribute to Roxie’s mother. The current recipient is Alex Smith, a senior majoring in art with a concentration in advertising design. “I am more than grateful to have received the Vera Bushnell Guillory Memorial Scholarship. The generous donation I was granted has greatly impacted my life by allowing me sufficient monetary support during a time when financial burdens might have, otherwise, overwhelmed and distracted me from my educational obligations,” stated Alex. Through a matching gift program, PPG Industries and Citgo provide matching funds for their donations.
Roxie Guillory also entered McNeese in 1970 as a graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic School and Lake Charles High School. According to Roxie, her parents lacked formal education but, “they made up for it in their wisdom.” Roxie wasn’t allowed to work while growing up. Her focus was to be on education. During the summer months, the family would walk to Central Library each week to check out books. The Nancy Drew series was Roxie’s favorite. With her parents’ emphasis on education, Roxie always knew that she would graduate from college. Robert and Roxie met during their freshman year at McNeese. She worked part time at Sears and completed Roxanne & Robert Boxie a work study at McNeese while Robert trained, averaging 100 miles or more each week. They married in the summer following their junior year. The Boxies drove an old, beat-up car and made ends meet by eating lots of spaghetti. “We had nothing but we had everything,” said Robert. They lived comfortably in the Pine Haven married dorms among friends and fellow students. When not studying, they attended McNeese events and activities. Robert graduated from McNeese with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education in 1974 and a Master of Education degree in 1980. He taught history, math and science at S.J. Welsh Middle School for five years. He participated in a rally on the steps of the state capital for increased teacher pay but to no avail. To support his family, Robert left teaching and went to work for Citgo where he has been a chief operator for 31 years. However, “I will always consider myself an educator,” explained Robert.
Vera Guillory’s emphasis on education has been passed down to her grandchildren. They, too, were not permitted to work while growing up. Roxie enrolled the children in every summer camp offered and trips to the library were frequent. The Boxie family traveled every summer on vacation “to open the children’s minds to what the world had to offer,” stated Roxie. “You are only a child for 18 years,” said Robert. “You have the rest of your life to work. I can give you everything you need while growing up, and some of what you want.” Their daughter, Robyn, graduated from Tulane University in anthropology and works as a crime scene investigator in Hawaii. Son, Robbie, received two degrees from Vanderbilt University in chemical engineering and music. He continued his education by receiving a law degree from Harvard University and practiced law in Washington, D.C. He has recently entered the seminary at Theological College of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. The Boxies have stayed active at their alma mater. “McNeese is a jewel to this community,” stated Roxie. Roxie is past president of the McNeese Alumni Association and a current board member. She served on the Quality Enhancement Plan Steering Committee during the Commission on Colleges/ Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaffirmation of accreditation. Robert and Roxie can frequently be spotted at athletic venues and Banners events.
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COVER STORY Dr. Philip C. Williams • President
Drum Roll Please. . .
INTRODUCING THE WILLIAMS A new leader has taken over the helm of McNeese State University. Dr. Philip Carlton Williams is McNeese’s sixth president and the second president who has been hired from outside the employee ranks. The first was Lether Edward Frazar. Dr. Williams is joined by his wife of 22 years, Sandra, their son, Grant, age 20, and Zorro, the family dog who is part Chihuahua, part fox terrier, but thinks he is pit bull. The Williams family lives in the McNeese President’s home on Ryan Street. Phil and Sandra are both originally from the East Coast. Phil was born to the Rev. William Lee and Merlyn Carlton Williams of Alexandria, Va., where his father was enrolled in the Virginia Theological Seminary. His family lived in South Carolina when Phil was a young child, eventually settling in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., a small community of about 10,000. Sandra is a third generation Floridian, born and raised in Gainesville to Dudley Walker and Betty Welch Garrett. Phil was educated in the Roanoke Rapids public school system. As a Roanoke High School Yellow Jacket, he played basketball, served as Student Government Association president and excelled in academics. Entering the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Phil was awarded the Morehead Scholarship for all four years of study. The Morehead Scholarship, patterned after the Rhodes Scholarship, is awarded based on academic achievement, leadership ability and athletic aptitude. Phil received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from UNC in 1974. He moved to New York City, N.Y., to pursue a law degree from Columbia University School of Law and graduated as a member of the class of 1977. Phil began his career practicing admiralty law in Connecticut. He soon moved back to New York City to serve as in-house counsel for Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Inc., a publishing firm that owns Sea World. Harcourt offered Phil the opportunity to relocate to San Diego, where he became in-house counsel for Sea World.
The Williams family prepares for an evening meal together.
“I was very young at the time, but I had great mentors on the outside. Working at Sea World was a tremendous experience that helped me in my future role as a university administrator,” stated Phil. Rumors began circulating around the office that Sea World was being sold to Anheuser-Busch. Phil decided to make his exit prior to the sale to pursue his passion for writing. 4
Sandra attended the University of Florida in Gainesville after high school and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism with a minor in English. She interned briefly for the local newspaper before moving to Florida’s Division of Tourism. Sandra was eventually hired by Sea World – Orlando to work in public relations. Handling public relations for the animal care specialists and trainers, Sandra experienced riding Shamu the whale, swimming with sea lions, carousing with dolphins and rescuing manatees. When tapped to move to Sea World – San Diego to handle its public relations, Sandra headed west. Phil and Sandra first met while both worked at Sea World – San Diego. Both were dating others at the time. Sea World – San Antonio was opening up and Sandra was asked to manage the publicity there. She held the position for a year, but missed life on the West Coast. Since her former position at Sea World – San Diego had been filled, she took a position with the University of California at San Diego. Phil and Sandra soon began dating and married in 1988. Their son, Grant, was born in 1990.
ant, Phil and Sandra Family Portrait: Zorro, Gr
Having a baby can change your perspective on where you choose to live. The Williams decided that while they loved the West Coast, Southern California was not where they wanted to raise Grant. They began looking for a more suitable location by driving up the coast in search of a “writers community” that was also conducive to raising their son. In Port Townsend, Wash., they found a small Victorian-esque village on a mountainside by the sea. Between them, Phil and Sandra published three mainstream novels, six children’s stories, a legal practice handbook, a weekly newspaper column and a regional cookbook. Unfortunately, as much as they both loved writing, the material gains from publishing were minimal. Phil eventually opened up an attorney’s office in Ocean Shores, Wash., to practice general law. Phil’s father back in North Carolina was experiencing serious health problems. Although Grant was still young and living on an opposite coast from his grandfather, William, they had already formed a tight bond. While walking along the beach one day, Phil and Sandra had an epiphany – the time had come to move back to the East Coast to be close to extended family. Phil returned to UNC to pursue his graduate degrees. The graduate school years were difficult for the Williams family with Grant in daycare, Sandra working full time and Phil studying. The strain, however, was eased by surrounding family members. The family spent Friday nights dining together and Sunday mornings attending church. Phil completed a master’s degree in 1995 and a doctoral degree in 1998, both in public health. After graduation, a post-doctorate fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control took the family to Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Williams, offered a permanent research position by the CDC, chose instead to become assistant vice president for academic affairs at Garner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C. After three years, a promotion moved the family to Fayetteville, N.C., where Phil accepted the position of vice president for academic affairs/provost at Methodist College. Three years later, Dr. Williams ascended to the presidency at the University of Montevallo in Alabama, a position he held for four years. McNeese State University hired Dr. Williams as its president in spring 2010. Louisiana’s reputation for heat, humidity and hurricanes doesn’t scare the Williams. Home states, Florida and North Carolina, have both had their share of all three. Phil and Sandra have found the spirit of Southwest Louisiana residents to be very friendly, happy and outgoing. Sandra is thrilled to see Lake Charles has its own shopping mall, unheard of in many of their previous locales. And of course, the Williams have already enjoyed the great food for which Louisiana is well-known. Dr. Williams is fluent in the languages of Mandarin Chinese and French. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, video games, brain teasers, reading, traveling and exercising. Sandra enjoys jewelry making, using beads and semi-precious stones, and selling the finished product to benefit charities. She also enjoys applying her public relations experience to serve as an ambassador for McNeese. Their son, Grant, is a junior at McNeese majoring in computer science. The Williams have authored six children’s books written at the third grade level called the Screech Owl Mysteries. The books are about a group of diverse children that form a club known as the “Screech Owls” to solve mysteries. The children include an AfricanAmerican, an Asian-American, a Native American, a Jew, a Hispanic and a deaf-mute. The uniqueness of the child written about in each book holds the key to solving the mystery. 5
FOUNDATION TIES Leigha LaCombe • Recipient • Gladys Clooney Stevenson Scholarship
THE PROGRESSION OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION As a child, Leigha LaCombe was always coloring or drawing or making Play-Doh sculptures. So, it came as no surprise to her family that her dream career would be related to the arts. Leigha is from Evangeline and she attended Iota High School. With Iota’s small art program, Leigha’s formal training was limited to two art classes. She received on-the-job training at Iota by creating the cheerleading and the run-through posters for the fighting Bulldogs football team. Her artistic roots can be traced back to family members. Alan, her father, is an oilfield salesman by day and a craftsman by night, hand-crafting exquisite cabinets, tables and chairs. Her mother, Roxanne, is a retired banker who, Leigha says, “…has the most beautiful handwriting in the world.” After high school graduation, Leigha entered Louisiana State University at Eunice. She transferred to McNeese State University after three semesters. She quickly bonded with visual arts and art education instructors. “I would never have expected it to be like this,” said Leigha. “I can visit my instructors at anytime and they are always available to help. They will sit with you for hours.” Leigha’s skills have progressed over time. As an eighth grader, Leigha drew a charcoal picture of her grandfather, Leroy LaCombe, as a gift for her grandmother, Anne. Leroy, a farmer and school bus driver, had recently passed away. Leigha remembered watching her grandfather build intricate model airplanes. Leigha was only 4 years old when her mother was in the hospital giving birth to her brother, Seth. Tragically, her grandfather was in the hospital at the same time receiving a diagnosis of ALS, commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” While Leroy had always enjoyed model-building, the craft took on a new meaning as he worked in earnest to keep his hands nimble. Another charcoal drawing of her grandfather was completed during her freshman year of college. The second drawing was completely different than the first. She was amazed to see how her skills had progressed. Leigha had an opportunity to complete another drawing during her senior year and again, in an effort to see her progression, drew a picture of Leroy. In this version, Leigha clearly resembles her grandfather, Leroy. Leigha’s father is crafting a frame for the portrait-sized drawing, which will hang in her grandmother’s house. Leigha is a recipient of the Gladys Clooney Stevenson Scholarship, which is available to visual arts majors. “The scholarship came as a total surprise. I was very grateful to receive it, considering that TOPS had just run out. The funds are put to good use since art majors have to buy a lot of supplies such as paint, brushes, modeling clay, etc.,” stated Leigha. The Department of Visual Arts moved into the new Shearman Fine Arts building addition this past summer. Leigha served as a tour guide for its grand opening in May. Upon seeing the facility, Leigha commented, “Oh my gosh…I could just cry when I think about it. As an incoming student, I was enthusiastic about the facilities we had for art majors, but they were nothing compared to the facilities in the new addition.” Her plans post-graduation include pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in photography and then teaching at the collegiate level.
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Shearman Fine Arts Addition Classes began in the newly constructed addition to the Shearman Fine Arts Building in fall 2010. With 59,918 square feet of space, the addition includes a 526-seat theatre and stage, dressing rooms, a control booth, costume and scene shops, ceramics and sculpture studios, digital and traditional photography areas, darkrooms, a kiln patio and an art history/visual resource center. The $15.7 million facility was built utilizing state funds. The original Shearman Fine Arts Building was constructed in 1950. An extension was added in 1962, bringing the total square footage to 56,002. The original structure, which includes the Abercrombie Gallery, the Band Rehearsal Hall and the Ralph Squires Recital Hall, was named in honor of Flora I. and Thomas B. Shearman Sr. in 1991. Mr. Shearman was the firstgeneration owner of the Lake Charles American Press. His grandson, Thomas B. Shearman III, continues his family legacy as the current owner and publisher of the paper.
Other Naming Opportunities
Shearman Fine Arts is home to the Department of Performing Arts and the Department of Visual Arts. The Department of Performing Arts offers a Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts, a Bachelor of Music Education [instrumental and vocal] and a Bachelor of Music in music performance. The music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The department also offers the Kodály Certification Program, endorsed by the Organization of American Kodály Educators. The Department of Visual Arts offers a Bachelor of Arts in art education and a Bachelor of Arts in art with studio concentrations in graphic design, ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking and photography. The Department of Visual Arts program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Grand Gallery
$250,000
Stage
$100,000
Atrium
$100,000
The original Shearman Fine Arts Building is currently undergoing renovations.
Proposal to Name New Shearman Fine Arts Theatre A volunteer committee of arts enthusiasts, civic leaders and McNeese alumni and supporters has joined together to raise funds to name the new state-of-the-art theatre in honor of Anita and Joe Tritico. Anita, production coordinator for McNeese Theatre, has touched the lives of thousands of students over her 30 years of service. She is a lifelong patron of the arts and a hostess and volunteer who has worked side-by-side with theatre pioneer, Rosa Hart. The late Joe Tritico was a respected attorney who loved theatre. He appeared on the McNeese stage as a juror in the classic courtroom drama, “Inherit the Wind.” To obtain the naming rights to the theatre requires a gift of $500,000. Gifts supporting the Anita and Joe Tritico Theatre will fund performing arts scholarships. A $1,000 tax deductible contribution entitles you to have a name plate placed on a theatre seat with your name, your business’s name or an honoree’s name. Contributions of $1,000 or more may be payable over a five-year period. For more information, contact Michele Martin, department head of performing arts, by phone at 337.475.5028 or through e-mail at triticotheatre@mcneese.edu.
Balcony Exhibition Gallery $100,000
Grand Staircase
$75,000
Theatre Control Booth
$50,000
Category A Areas
$50,000
Category B Areas
$35,000
Category C Areas
$20,000 7
Foundation Ties Dr. Monique Nagem and Dr. Judy Savoie • Recipients • Marilyn Hays French Faculty Award
Dr. Monique Nagem, Marilyn Managan Hays and Dr. Judy Savoie
For The Love Of The Language Dr. Monique Nagem, professor of modern languages, and Dr. Judy Savoie, associate professor of French, both in the Department of English and Foreign Languages, had a total of 61 years of teaching experience when they retired from McNeese State University in May. As recipients of the Marilyn Hays French Faculty Award they had the opportunity to study abroad. Dr. Nagem’s interest in languages originated as a child. She was born in France and moved to Lake Charles at age 14. Her sister had married a soldier after the war and they had relocated to Southwest Louisiana. As a native French speaker, Dr. Nagem was immediately immersed in the English language, a dialect she picked up quickly. She continued speaking French with her mother and sister. In fact, her mother never achieved fluency in English. Monique came to McNeese as a student in the late 1950s and graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in French and Spanish in 1962 and a Master of Arts degree in English in 1973. In between degrees, she taught at Landry High School and coordinated the McNeese language lab. She also taught at McNeese as a visiting lecturer in English and French. Dr. Nagem left McNeese briefly in 1986 to obtain her doctorate from the University of Texas in Austin in comparative literature. Dr. Savoie was born in Cutoff and raised in Houma, graduating from Terrebonne High School. She entered Louisiana State University at the age of 17 to study French after being influenced by a high school teacher. According to Judy, “I couldn’t wait to go to school. I have either been a student or a teacher since age 5.” Dr. Savoie’s family members only spoke Cajun French. After graduating from LSU in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in French, Judy received a Fulbright Scholar award to study in Paris, France. She took her first plane ride traveling from New Orleans to New York and then boarded the ship, the “United States,” for passage to France. The trip opened up a whole new world for the little girl from Cutoff. Judy returned to the states and attended the University of North Carolina for her Master of Arts degree in French. Her doctorate in French came in 1977 from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. A position with Northeast Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Monroe) brought her back to Louisiana, and after four years there, a job offer brought her to McNeese. Drs. Nagem and Savoie have been “den mothers” to their students. At separate times, they have accompanied students to Montpelier, France, with the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. CODOFIL, established in 1968, is a statefunded consortium that provides scholarships to students majoring in French. Their roles were to teach, counsel and travel with the students. Their periodic trips to France and Belgium have helped to refresh their vocabulary while providing insight into cultural changes. 8
Monique enjoys publishing short stories and novels and translating the French language into English. Judy utilizes a second master’s degree in pastoral studies as a spiritual director and silent retreat facilitator at the St. Charles Retreat Center. After retiring, Monique and Judy both commented on how much they miss the classroom contact with students and the working relationship with each other. Dr. Savoie stated, “The French program has had wonderful success with its students. There was lots of energy in our classrooms.” In fact, it was the French classroom where Monique and Judy first met their benefactor, Marilyn Hays. “We loved having her in our class. Marilyn had an interesting point of view and she enriched our discussion, bringing a lot of wisdom to the class as a non-traditional student,” said Judy. After working together for so long, it is only fitting that Dr. Nagem and Dr. Savoie retired together. To celebrate their retirement, they are planning a trip to France.
Marilyn Managan Hays - Benefactor Marilyn Managan Hays has loved foreign languages since early childhood. She can trace back her interest to first learning Pig Latin as a child. Another early influence was her father, Ralph Edward Managan. As a student at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Ralph studied Latin, Greek and German. He encouraged his children’s love of languages, which led to Marilyn’s study of Latin, French and Spanish at Lake Charles High School. Marilyn enrolled at McNeese Junior College and took French under professor Dolive Benoit. After completing junior college, she transferred to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge to pursue liberal arts. Her studies of foreign languages, particularly French, continued. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from LSU, Marilyn married William R. Hays and they had four children. She worked in the family business of Krause & Managan Lumber Co. To retain fluency Marilyn enrolled in a literature course at McNeese conducted entirely in French. She enjoyed it so much that she continued her studies under the instruction of Dr. Monique Nagem and Dr. Judy Savoie.
“Our purpose in establishing the Marilyn Hays French Faculty Award is to encourage the French department faculty to maintain the present high quality of instruction in keeping with the McNeese Foundation’s goal of excellence,” stated Marilyn. “The present condition of a global economy makes the study of languages of everincreasing importance. My
McNeese was enduring economic hardships at that time, not unlike the hardships the University currently faces. Marilyn recognized the unmet needs faced by the foreign languages faculty and decided to act. While faculty were expected to stay current in their field, travel funds were restricted. Marilyn and William took action by funding the Marilyn Hays French Faculty Award. The Award provides a stipend for faculty members to study in France. Up until their retirement, Dr. Nagem and Dr. Savoie were the award’s principal beneficiaries.
hope is that others who have a
The Hayses have been generous benefactors to McNeese in many areas. “I believe McNeese State University has played a crucial role in our community,” said Marilyn. Aside from the Marilyn Hays French Faculty Award, the Hayses have funded the Library - Krause & Managan Lumber - Acquisitions Fund and Archives Fund and the Ralph and Vyra Managan Memorial Scholarship. They have contributed scholarship funds to assist international students in obtaining their degrees and have made numerous tribute gifts in support of other scholarships. Marilyn currently serves as an advisory member to the McNeese Foundation Board of Directors.
donor contributes toward
*William Hays died in spring 2010.
particular interest in a foreign language will do something themselves to support foreign languages faculty. When a
faculty development, the funds help stimulate and retain qualified instructors.”
Marilyn Managan Hays 9
When Obstacles Become Opportunities The obstacle – appease two liberal arts faculty members who both wanted to host their own cultural event but at the same time. The opportunity – solve the impasse by creating a university-sponsored arts and humanities series where they may both showcase their cultural events.
In 1992, Dr. Robert D. Hebert, McNeese State University President, asked departments within the College of Liberal Arts to submit schedules of upcoming performances and events. Dr. Hebert noticed in reviewing the submissions that a nice array of cultural activities was offered. With proper planning, he believed that these activities could be parlayed into a structured arts and humanities cultural series. Dr. Hebert knew who to tap to spearhead the project – Mary Richardson. Mary was working part time in McNeese’S Office of Research Services. She disseminated information about grant opportunities and helped faculty apply for the grants. Mary also ran two grant programs – the Pre-Freshman Engineering Program and Young Scholars. Being a selfconfessed, right-brained arts lover, Mary jumped at the opportunity to work on the project. She started out working part time in both positions. However, it didn’t take long before the arts and humanities cultural series, named the Banners Series, took off and consumed Mary full time.
Mary Richardson
The Banners Series was loosely modeled after Fanfare, Southeastern Louisiana University’s annual festival of the arts. While Southeastern’s program was held in the fall, McNeese offered the Banners Series in the spring so as not to conflict with football season. Dr. Hebert appointed a committee of faculty members from the College of Liberal Arts to work with Mary. “And then,” according to Mary, “a miracle happened. I was called out of the blue to receive a grant from the Southern Arts Federation which had, in turn, received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to provide technical training to emerging presenters.” One of only two grant recipients statewide, Mary learned about budgeting, marketing, promotion, audience development and other basics for presenters. The first Banners Series was presented in spring 1993. The starting budget that year was $2,000. As the program grew, so did the budget. The current $315,000 budget is supported by sponsors, memberships and ticket sales. “The corporate sponsors really care about our community. They not only provide funding, but they also contribute goods such as flowers, food and beverages,” said Mary. Proceeds from the fall event, Rouge et Blanc, Lake Charles’ premier wine and food event, also supports the Banners Series. It is a collaborative effort between the McNeese Foundation and the Downtown Development Authority. The first year Rouge et Blanc was held, organizers doubted that they could sell 400 tickets. Since then, Rouge et Blanc has sold out of the 1,000 tickets offered as soon as they have become available.
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The Banners Series is a committee-driven, working body. The 100-person volunteer committee is composed of half community members and half McNeese faculty and staff. Programs are planned at least one year in advance. Committee members work on subcommittees such as backstage, front-of-house and refreshments. Banners has featured some interesting and enlightening performers over the years. One year, two of the performers also performed at the Academy Awards ceremony the following week. Illusionist Jason Bishop, a foster child in his youth, made a goodwill gesture when he offered to hold a performance for disadvantaged children from the area. “Jason was as touched by the event as everyone else was,” stated Mary. Last season, Kelley Hunt performed a beautiful Caribbean mass accompanied by the McNeese Chamber Singers and Steel Drum Band. The program, which included a rousing blues concert, was filmed for Louisiana Public Broadcasting. A few events have resulted in unwelcomed surprises. The puppets performing Greek drama sounded like a wonderful event for children. Unfortunately, the puppets, like Hans Christian Anderson’s Emperor, had no clothes. To make matters worse, the puppets were anatomically correct! The children loved it – the parents and teachers not so much. A Valentine’s day event was billed as a program of love songs. However, when the singer came on stage it was obvious that her idea of love was rather grim. By intermission, most of the audience had departed. Mary’s personal favorite and most fulfilling Banners event was working with Keith Gates during the last few weeks of his life on American Requiem. Keith was a composer and music professor at McNeese for many years. American Requiem was presented with the McNeese Heritage Chorale (now called McNeese Chamber Singers), the McNeese Wind Symphony and the Soloists of London. It was also filmed for LPB. The Banners Series has had remarkable community collaborators including the McLeod Lecture Series, Louisiana Crossroads, the Louisiana Choral Foundation, the Black Heritage Festival, the McNeese Department of Performing Arts, the Calcasieu Parish Public Library and the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, among others. The committee has extended the Banners Series outreach to include area youth. Live performances are brought to the K-12 schools whose partners-in-education are also Banners sponsors. Performances have been held at the juvenile detention center, the career center and area libraries. “We spend a huge portion of our budget on future audiences,” said Mary.
Upcoming Events for Spring 2011
Jerry Butler - March 12 Rhythmic Circus - March 18 Jazz Singer Roberta Gambarini - March 20 United State Air Force Brass Quintet - March 22 The Aluminum Show - March 26 Riders in the Sky - April 1 Simon Shaheen Quartet - April 9 Carpe Diem String Quartet - April 14 And more . . .
The Banners Series was the recipient of a Louisiana Division of the Arts capacity building grant. The grant provided funds for the committee to conduct a thorough evaluation of the program. Mary said, “Because of the capacity building grant, we have become a lot smarter.” One improvement that resulted from the study was the need to focus advertising dollars on membership growth, a higher revenue generator, versus ticket sales.
“I love Banners. It brings programs to the community that we might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, for example, is absolutely a wonderful treasure. Because of Banners, we got to hear them without having to go to the French Quarter. What a treat! The community certainly turns out for the events. One of my favorites was the tango group from Manhattan. I had seen them advertised in New York magazines and we were fortunate to have them perform here in Lake Charles. Mary Richardson has done a wonderful job championing the program and for many years single-handedly. Banners has been a very nice experience for me for the past 16 years.”
Joseph “Buddy” Bolton Owner, Bolton Ford
Mary gives credit for the Banners Series success to Dr. Hebert’s vision and the multitude of committee volunteers who have served over the years. Mary also credits her able assistants, Tami Chrisope and LaDonna McKnight, for the success of day-to-day operations.
Please visit the websites of Banners and Rouge et Blanc at www.banners.org and www.rougeetblanc.us, respectively. 11
FOUNDATION TIES Dr. Allison Gibbons • Recipient • Professorship in Science
BORN TO TEACH Dr. Allison Gibbons, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Family Studies, may be the only McNeese State University faculty member who has used her teaching skills working with the Maasai [Masai] warrior tribe in Kenya, Africa. Dr. Gibbons is a native of Trinidad, the southernmost island in the Caribbean. Her mother, Dora, was a teacher and her father, Claude, was a police officer. Allison loved school and teaching from an early age. Growing up, Allison would tutor her siblings and her peers. She worked as an aide in Trinidad while attending teacher’s college after high school. Her first venture living on American soil took her to Wisconsin where she experienced a 100-degree turn in the weather. Allison received a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education and a Master of Science degree in home economics education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie. She returned to Trinidad after graduation for a short time before signing on with the United Nations to conduct training worldwide. She trained physicians, social workers, teachers, and occasionally, even warriors. One of Dr. Gibbons more interesting assignments was working with the Masai warrior tribe, a semi-nomadic tribe of cattle herders. The Masia tribe is one of the few tribes still clinging to its traditional way of life. Allison’s job was to educate tribal members of the importance of sending girls to school. By tradition, only boys were educated. Dr. Gibbons and her team were successful in getting Masai girls in school, at least on a part-time basis. However, as soon as a girl reached puberty or marriage age, generally around 12 years old, they were forced to drop out. In between travels, Allison obtained a doctorate with a major in family studies and a minor in psychology from Texas Women’s University in Denton.
Dr. Allison Gibbons Traveling to exotic places through the United Nations assignments eventually took its toll. “I wanted to eat normal foods,” said Allison. Since her daughter lived in Pennsylvania, Allison decided to settle in the states. Remembering the frigid Wisconsin winters, she ruled out the north and settled in Louisiana. “Louisiana is very similar to Trinidad in its culture, its people and its food. Louisiana even has hurricanes like Trinidad,” said Allison. An advertisement for a position in the Department of Nutrition and Family Studies brought her to McNeese. Dr. Gibbons received a Professorship in Science for the project, “Qualitative Study of Employer Requirements in Career Opportunities in the Field of Family and Child Studies.” Allison researched job opportunities for nutrition and family studies graduates. She worked tirelessly to identify state and local family service agencies as prospective employers for McNeese graduates. She secured commitments from those agencies to hire student interns. As a result, the graduation-to-employment rate for nutrition and family studies graduates has increased significantly. “The agencies are very happy with our students, commenting, ‘Your students come into the position knowing what to do and they hit the ground running,’” stated Dr. Gibbons. Allison’s father gave her sage wisdom growing up: “Do not look for gratitude. You will get it when you least expect it from the person you least expect it from. Do good and good will attend you.” Katie Diana Williamson, a May 2010 graduate in family and consumer sciences, said, “I am very fortunate to have had Dr. Gibbons, or Dr. G, as an adviser and a professor. Her caring attitude combined with her passionate approach to teaching is precisely what encourages her students to develop their own passion towards their education and future careers. Dr. G inspired me to keep working hard at what I want and to never settle for less than what I am capable of achieving. I believe Dr. G to be a key ingredient in my past and future professional and academic successes, and I recognize her as a true asset to McNeese State University.” In Trinidad’s native language, Awawak, the island was originally called “lëre,” meaning “Land of the Humming Bird.” It seemed like destiny that Allison chose to settle at McNeese. When rummaging through a long-forgotten closet in Gayle Hall one day, she found a dusty framed portrait of a hummingbird. After a bit of refurbishment, it now proudly hangs in her office. 12
FOUNDATION TIES Stacey and Tom Moore • Donors • Sandlin/Moore Family Fund Endowed Scholarship
A Full Circle Moment
Stacey (Sandlin) and Tom Moore, parents to young Thomas, Banks and Mary, have already begun planning their legacy by creating the Sandlin/Moore Family Fund Endowed Scholarship through a bequest in their wills. The scholarship will benefit a student studying nursing or the medical profession.
nks, standing.
, Thomas, Tom and Ba Tom is a Lake Charles native and one of four Left to right: Stacey, Mary children of Sandra and Nolan Moore, both McNeese State University graduates with Master of Education degrees. Tom attended LaGrange and graduated from Barbe High School. With parents and extended family, including his aunt, Willie Mount, all McNeese graduates, there was never any question of where Tom would attend college. Tom enrolled in summer school immediately after graduation. Between classes, he worked at the McNeese Recreational Complex, the Racquet Club and OB’s Bar and Grill. He joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity and was inducted into the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity. After attending college for three non-stop years, Tom decided to put away the books. He moved to Vail, Colo., where he worked in an upscale mountain resort. Tom described his escapade as, “lean living, but an adventure.” He survived on bologna sandwiches. He would play backgammon against his Russian landlord for reduced rent. Since the landlord didn’t speak English, Tom usually won. His time in Vail was a great learning experience. In fact, he learned that he needed a college degree so the next time he returned to Vail it would be as a tourist. Upon returning to McNeese, Tom settled back into his studies and was awarded an H.C. Drew Estate Foundation Scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in liberal arts in 1991. Tom worked for Philip Morris as a market manager in Lake Charles before transferring to Houston, Texas, to work for Muro Pharmaceuticals. Stacey Sandlin, born in Morgan City, is the only child of Sylvia Sonnier and John Sandlin. After her parents divorced, Stacey and Sylvia moved to Moss Bluff to be closer to family. They eventually settled in Kinder close to her maternal grandmother and Stacey graduated from Kinder High School. Stacey has known she wanted to become a nurse since childhood. She enrolled at Louisiana State University her first year and returned to McNeese the following summer. While on a waiting list for LSU’s nursing program, Stacey decided to remain at McNeese. Like Tom, she worked during college at the McNeese Recreational Complex, the Racquet Club and the City Club. With one semester left until graduation, Stacey also decided to take a break from her studies. Knowing Tom through friends and church, Stacey phoned him for information about Vail. Once there, she worked as a hostess at the ski resort’s restaurant at the top of the gondola for one semester. She returned to McNeese to complete her studies, much to the relief of her mother, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1994. A job offer from Our Lady of the Lake Hospital brought her to Baton Rouge. Tom and Stacey’s courtship began when Tom invited her to attend his 10-year high school reunion. Tom eventually moved to Baton Rouge and they married. Stacey continued her nursing studies, obtaining a Master of Public Administration degree from LSU. She now works part time for Women’s Hospital while Tom works for Westex, a large producer of flame resistant fabrics. “We have both benefited from the education we received at McNeese,” said Tom. In a quest to “give back and pay it forward,” Stacey contacted the McNeese Foundation to see how they could help. Through a bequest in their wills, the Moores are members of The 1939 Living Oak Society, which recognizes individuals who have expressed the verbal or written intention of establishing a planned gift. “Giving back is the natural thing to do,” stated Stacey. “Creating the scholarship became a full circle moment for me.”
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FOUNDATION TIES Simon “Si” D. Davidson • Donor • Dr. Ben Goldsmith Scholarship in Biological Sciences • • Joe Davidson Scholarship in Small Business
Robert Michel Theatre Scholarship
The M.N. Davidson Foundation The M.N. Davidson Foundation was established in honor of Moses Nathan Davidson, uncle to Lake Charles resident, Simon “Si” D. Davidson. The Foundation has made significant contributions to the McNeese State University Foundation in support of the Dr. Ben Goldsmith Scholarship in Biological Sciences, the Robert Michel Theatre Scholarship, the Joe Davidson Scholarship in Small Business, the Banners Series and other gifts. Si’s parents were immigrants. His father, Joseph, was born in Lithuania and his mother, Tena Stopnik, was born in Poland. They both moved to the United States at young ages and settled in the Northeast. Si’s Uncle Moses had moved to Houston, Texas, in the early 1900s and opened the Davidson Sash and Door Company, and it wasn’t long before Moses recruited Joseph to move to Louisiana to expand the family business. In 1919, Davidson Sash and Door opened in north Lake Charles off Railroad Avenue. Davidson Sash and Door manufactured millwork and specialty building materials for sale to retail dealers and contractors in Louisiana and Southeast Texas. While shadowing his father in the family business, Si became interested in architectural construction. Educated at Fourth Ward Elementary School, Central School and Lake Charles High School, Si graduated in May 1944 at age 16. With World War II in full swing, Si knew that the chances of being called into action were good. With that knowledge, he entered the A&M College of Texas on June 6, 1944 – D-Day. He served in the Corps of Cadets “F” Battery of the Field Artillery Unit while obtaining his degree. “If I were going to have to enter military service, I wanted to enter as an officer,” stated Si. He remembered hitchhiking between Lake Charles and College Station, Texas, home to Texas A&M. “You had to follow proper etiquette when hitchhiking,” said Si. “Corps of Cadets members would dress out in uniforms and make a single file line on Highway 6 to wait their turn to be picked up. Transportation was on a first come, first served basis. Arriving in Houston, students were dropped off at the ‘Aggie corner.’ It was common knowledge around Houston that the Aggie corner was off Shepherd Drive. He said the journey continued when an east-bound driver would pick them up and drop them off in Lake Charles. Si graduated from Texas A&M in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural construction. It was a degree that would be helpful to the family business. After graduation, Si applied to graduate school at Columbia University in New York City, N.Y. A letter also arrived during that time offering him a commission in the Army. However, with World War II winding down in 1949, Si decided to go to work for Davidson Sash and Door at their Austin, Texas, facility instead. He soon met Corene Milstein and they married in June 1949 in St. Paul, Minn., Corene’s home state. When Si’s father suffered a debilitating heart attack a year later, Si and Corene moved to Lake Charles to assist in the family business. Si worked alongside his dad and became president in 1969. Davidson Sash and Door has since been sold, but the M.N. Davidson Foundation continues. The Foundation, overseen by Si and other family members who serve on the board, makes generous contributions to educational institutions and civic organizations throughout Texas and Louisiana.
“Si” Davidson 14
FLYING HIGH AS A PARA-POKE Imagine going for your very first ride in an airplane…one without a door…for the sole purpose of jumping out of it.
Dewayne Bruette first fell in love with adventure as a child watching “Sea Hunt” and “Ripcord” on television. He was the consummate daredevil – snow skiing, rock climbing and hang gliding. His adventures led to 43 fractured bones before he finally found something he was good at – skydiving. As an early admissions student from Westlake High School, Dewayne heard about the McNeese State College skydiving club, the Parapokes. The Para-pokes jumped at McNeese homecoming events, the Young Men’s Business Club’s air show and other venues during the late 1960s-early 1970s. Some of the original members of the Para-pokes included Corley Futch, Dan Whelchel, Sid Prothro, Larry Ezell and Claude Roberts. In his quest to experience a new adventure, Dewayne couldn’t wait to join. At age 18 and without his parents knowledge, he became a member. He made 14 jumps before his parents ever found out what he was up to.
Dewayne Bruette
After several years studying chemical engineering at McNeese, Dewayne joined the U.S. Marines. As serendipity would have it, he was posted at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station near Irvine, Calif. Lake Elsinore, the Mecca for skydivers, was across the highway from El Toro. Dewayne completed 400 airplane jumps during his Marine service and also learned to BASE jump. A BASE, or Buildings, Antennae, Bridges and Earth, jumper leaps from fixed objects. Jumpers must complete at least one jump from each of the four categories of fixed objects before receiving an official number. Dewayne, one of the earliest BASE jumpers, is no. 7. Dewayne was discharged from the Marines in 1970 and moved back to Lake Charles. He went to work for Conoco Chemical, married and had two sons, Stephen, 24, and Cody, 21. During that time, skydiving took a backseat to parenting. Dewayne became a single parent in 2000 and worked hard to ensure that his boys never missed school, catechism or ball practice. When the children were grown, Dwayne “jumped” back into skydiving. He had always held onto the dream of reviving the Para-pokes. In 2002, Dewayne and a fellow jumper were permitted to skydive into Cowboy Stadium. Before long, they were invited to jump at every home game, weather permitting. Sponsors were identified to help the skydivers with expenses. The sport of skydiving isn’t always without peril. Dewayne’s jump planes have crashed twice, once during takeoff and once in flight forcing the pilots to make a controlled crash. Dewayne escaped both crashes with only scrapes and bruises. “The most underpaid and overworked person I’ve ever known is my guardian angel,” said Dewayne. “It’s impossible for me NOT to be religious.” Dewayne is the first to admit that he is more comfortable jumping out of planes than landing in them. He still gets quivers when the plane descends onto the runway. Dewayne has no plans to quit skydiving. “Other than my children and my faith, the best thing that has ever happened to me is the Para-pokes,” said Dewayne. “There is no one to give that credit to except McNeese. Although my body hurts every morning when I get up, I’m still moving. In fact, I’m about as happy as I can be. My final wish before I die is to be thrown out of an airplane one last time.”
“They’ll be coming from all directions, including up, literally dropping from the skies to attend McNeese’s Homecoming bonfire Friday night. They will start their jumps at 6:15 p.m. from a height of 12,500 feet. Their target will be marked at a spot near the bonfire site on the east parking lot at Cowboy Stadium. The jumpers will form a four-man formation that they will hold during an approximate 60-second free-fall. Their parachutes will be opened at about the 2,000-foot level. Each jumper will have smoke grenades attached to his ankles so that they will be more clearly visible from the ground.” American Press, Oct. 17, 1968
The Para-Pokes are supported through the generosity of the McNeese Cowboy Club and Southland Coins.
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The rain fell, too, on 350,000 U.S. soldiers and 50,000 U.S. Army vehicles as they fought the greatest sham battle in U.S. history. The attack had come before dawn. With two fast-moving, hardhitting armored divisions leading the way, Lieutenant General Ben Lear, commander of the Second (Red) Army, had pushed his troops across the muddy Red River, was already sending long tentacles down the highways to the south, where Lieutenant General Walter Krueger’s Third (Blue) Army lay in wait. Overhead, armadas of pursuit planes fought great dogfights, while sleek A-20A attack bombers and Navy dive bombers strafed the columns of tanks and trucks moving up to the front. Life Magazine, October 6, 1941
A Moment in History… The Louisiana Maneuvers The Louisiana Maneuvers were conducted in the early 1940s to prepare American troops for what looked ominously to be their participation in World War II. The John McNeese Junior College and the community of Southwest Louisiana played an important support role during the maneuvers. There were plenty of troops to fight the war thanks to Congress mobilizing the National Guard and Reserve. However, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall thought the American troops lacked adequate training and combat experience for battle. The officers’ leadership abilities were being questioned and the newly developed motorized and armored vehicles and mechanized weapons were unproven in battle. As a result, Marshall concluded that a massive training exercise would need to be held in a suitable location with the authenticity of the impending battlefield. Tasked with finding this location was Lt. Gen. Stanley D. Embick, commander of the Third U.S. Army, and his aide, Maj. Mark Clark.
Embick and Clark traveled to Central Louisiana where many World War I soldiers had received their training. Louisiana provided a realistic setting for the actual battlefield with its muck-filled swamps, winding roads, impenetrable forests and vast, unpopulated lands. With a road map purchased from a filling station in hand, Embick and Clark trudged through the countryside to plot the assembly and maneuver areas. All-told, the maneuvers extended over 3,400 square miles from the Sabine River, east to the Calcasieu River and north to the Red River. With the location established, it was time to devise training tactics that would prepare soldiers and leaders for battle and test their fortitude. The exercises would also test deployment strategies for large-scale movement of mechanized equipment. The War Department ordered Maj. Gen. Walter C. Short’s IV Corps to move its headquarters, including a contingent of armored units from Fort Benning, Ga., to Louisiana in just six days. Upon arriving in Louisiana, Short’s units, known as the Blue Army, would oppose Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger’s IX Corps, called the Red Army. The exercises were intended to be as realistic as possible with noise broadcast over loud speakers to simulate battle sounds, smoke canisters deployed on the ground to replicate gunfire, and sand bags dropped from aircraft to imitate artillery shell impact. Thousands of maneuver “umpires” were placed throughout the mock training exercises to monitor and assess the soldiers’ capabilities. Umpires were also asked to be on the lookout to identify potential officers from the band of soldiers. The umpires had a complicated formula for keeping track of the amount of damages and the number of casualties on both sides. A sense of humor no doubt helped alleviate the tension of the events. During one engagement, a corporal led his squad across a bridge marked “destroyed.” An umpire yelled, “Can’t you see that the bridge is theoretically destroyed?” The corporal yelled back to the umpire, “Can’t you see that we are theoretically swimming?” The first set of maneuvers exposed numerous problems including vehicle malfunctions, communication errors and traffic jams. More importantly, the maneuvers revealed that leaders needed to be in the battlefield commanding their troops versus on the sidelines commanding from their headquarters. The exercises did show that recruits were physically conditioned for battle and topnotch officers were at the ready including George S. Patton and Omar Bradley. Before the second set of maneuvers, Embick retired and was replaced by Brig. Gen. Lesley “Whitey” McNair who would mobilize over 450,000 troops for simulated battle. Lt. Gen. Ben Lear now led the “Red Army” with Krueger continuing to lead the “Blue Army.” One of Lear’s premier officers was Gen. Patton while Krueger was ably assisted by Lt. Col. Dwight Eisenhower, his chief of staff. The umpires were again brought into play. During this set of maneuvers, commanders were stationed up front in the 16
battlefields. Improved communication systems were more effective than in the first set of maneuvers. Twenty-six men lost their lives during the simulated combat due to drowning, vehicular accidents and even a lightning strike. The exercise was said to have shaped the most intensive and physically demanding training regimen for regular soldiers in American history. Not long after the maneuvers concluded, American soldiers were thrust into battle in World War II. The Louisiana Maneuvers ended just three months shy of Dec. 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor. Many of the officers who trained during the maneuvers became proven leaders in WWII. The Louisiana Maneuvers brought the war effort to John McNeese Junior College when Lt. Gen. Krueger made Bulber Auditorium his temporary headquarters. The campus took on another use outside of education when the grounds were employed as a temporary airstrip for liaison planes in training of the Army Air Corps. Col. Eisenhower was a frequent visitor to the Majestic Hotel in downtown Lake Charles. He set up his headquarters in the old LaGrange school and bivouacked on the McNeese campus. Articles mention that Eisenhower was well received by the Lake Charles community who remembered him fondly as he continued to make a name for himself in battle, and later, as commander-in-chief. The headquarters of Lt. Krueger issued a bulletin announcing a nationwide broadcast of a 15-minute blackout and simulated air raid to originate in Lake Charles. Army officials convened at McNeese Junior College to warn the public that blank ammunition would be fired at squadrons of “enemy” airplanes during the blackout. Residents were told to stay off the streets and refrain from using cigarette lighters so as not to distract from the blackout. The Charleston Hotel was clamoring with a hundred townsfolk anxious to see the spectacle and thrilled when the bombers took a nosedive. The drill included carrier pigeons released from the hotel roof to carry messages back to Krueger’s army headquarters at McNeese. With the large-scale maneuvers now over, McNeese Junior College took on another supporting role for the war effort in 1943. McNeese enrolled approximately 200 handpicked soldiers to train for a year under the army’s specialized training program. Soldiers studied physics, chemistry and mathematics along with their basic course work. They attended 35 hours of class per week and spent free waking hours enduring physical training. While the intense activity of the maneuvers was a nuisance to some, many local residents welcomed the soldiers’ presence. Western Louisiana’s economy flourished from the influx of spending. Smaller Louisiana maneuvers continued around Central Louisiana, now home to Camp [Fort] Polk, through 1944.
Excerpted from collections in the McNeese State University Archives 17
THE OFFICIAL RING OF McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY The great traditions of McNeese State University now exist in more than our memories. Beginning in 2007, McNeese introduced an official class ring. The ring is reserved exclusively for alumni, undergraduates having earned a minimum of 75 hours while pursuing a baccalaureate degree, and degree candidates for an associate, master’s or specialist degree. The ring was designed by a committee of students, faculty, alumni and staff. It includes symbols that capture the spirit and pride of McNeese. The top of the ring features a royal blue stone embossed with “MSU” and surrounded by the words, “McNeese State University.” A highlight is the official university seal that features a burning torch, a symbol of the light of truth, intelligence and spirit. With its characteristic flame flickering in a way that brings its surroundings to life, the torch represents both awakening and passing of traditions. To symbolize the bond connecting all MSU alumni, the student’s year of graduation is carved above the seal. The year McNeese first opened its doors to students, 1939, is displayed below. A rendering of Bulber Auditorium, one of the first three buildings constructed on campus, is carved into the other side of the ring. Its architectural significance and art deco style were recognized for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Students are welcomed to the McNeese community through the doors of Bulber Auditorium at orientation. Under the auditorium is the word, “Cowboys,” the nickname voted on by students in 1940 that symbolizes our spirit and strength. Prominently displayed on both sides of the ring are oak leaves and acorns, representing the hundreds of oak trees that surround the campus. Oak trees historically symbolize life, endurance, power and grace. The Official Ring, on display at the McNeese Bookstore, provides a tangible connection to the past, present and future. To purchase your ring, visit the McNeese Bookstore or www.balfour.com.
FALL 2010 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1
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 website at www.mcneesefoundation.org for further information about our activities or methods of giving.
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EDITOR Marianne White Coordinator of Planned Giving and Donor Research mariannewhite@mcneese.edu STAFF WRITER Jennifer Griffith Planned Giving and Donor Research Specialist jgriffith@mcneese.edu ART DIRECTION, DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY Anne Cobb Graphic Designer/Multimedia Specialist cobb@mcneese.edu Renee LeLeux Public Information Officer II rleleux@mcneese.edu
Proud new owners of McNeese class rings during the 2010 Spring Ring Ceremony
OTHER FOUNDATION STAFF Kelly McGough Administrative Assistant kmcgough@mcneese.edu Pam McGough Coordinator of Athletic Development
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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.
Melissa Ellis Northcutt Director of Development Operations and Special Events mnorthcutt@mcneese.edu Richard H. Reid Vice President of Development and Public Affairs/ Executive Vice President, McNeese Foundation rreid@mcneese.edu Beryl Romero Administrative Specialist bromero@mcneese.edu
Contact Information McNeese Foundation Box 91989 Lake Charles, LA 70609 Phone 337.475.5588 Fax 337.475.5386 www.mcneesefoundation.org
Pam Tate Gift Management Specialist pamtate@mcneese.edu
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U.S. Postage Paid McNeese Foundation, Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609
Permit No 336 Lake Charles, LA
Opening of New Shearman Fine Arts Theatre - Our Hurricane Kaleidoscope premier.
www.mcneesefoundation.org
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