SPRING 2013, VOLUME 5 ISSUE 2
Cut Right From the Same Cloth pg 7 In this issue
McNeese Too Valuable to Lose
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In this issue From the Desk of the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 Becoming a Poet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 Inspired to Give. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5
2013 Foundation Board of Directors Officers • Judy Fuller, President • Patricia Prebula, Vice President • Willie Mount, Secretary • James E. Taussig, Treasurer • Bob Davidson, Immediate Past President Members • Glen Bertrand • Roxie Boxie • Emma DiCarlo-Vincent • Tom Henning • Willie King, Jr. • Ben Marriner • Joe T. Miller, Sr. • Lee J. Monlezun, Jr. • Ryan Navarre • George Paret • Billy Rose • John Scofield • David Stine • Charles Timpa • Ray A. Todd, Jr. • Aubrey White Ex Officio Members • Philip C. Williams • Richard H. Reid Advisory Board Members • Billy Blake • Coral Crain Byrd • Bob Davidson • David Drez • Fred R. Godwin • Marilyn Hays • James Serra • Charles Viccellio
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Traveling ‘Round the World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Cut Right From the Same Cloth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 Introducing the SEED Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Sharing the Bounty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10, 11 Preserving Literary History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 The Perfect Blend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 13 It’s All About McNeese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Learning by Performing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 The Balancing Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16 Scholarship Donor & Recipient Brunch . . . . Page 17 McNeese Too Valuable to Lose.. . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Pillars Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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McNeese Adds New Logos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Pillars magazine is published for you! The McNeese Foundation values your feedback. If any of the articles strike a chord with you or you have suggestions for future issues, please share your comments by emailing: mcneesefoundationnews@mcneese.edu
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More than 800 students - the largest graduating class in McNeese State University history - received degrees at the spring 2013 commencement ceremony. These graduates represent 37 parishes, 20 states and 19 countries. Over 30 percent of McNeese students are first generation college graduates and 69 percent are from Calcasieu, Allen, Beauregard, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes. Over 76 percent of McNeese graduates live and work in Louisiana. Others, like Adam Johnson, the winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and a 1996 McNeese graduate, are sharing their talents worldwide. Many of these students received financial assistance from private or corporate donor scholarships during their academic career. You may be personally responsible for making a difference in the life of a new graduate that you have only met briefly at the annual Scholarship Donor & Recipient Brunch. These graduates are leaving McNeese with high hopes for their future and there is much to be excited about. In Southwest Louisiana, officials are preparing for an unprecedented economic boom and they are laying the foundation for the next generation of young professionals and business leaders that will grow the region’s cultural and business economies for future generations. W ith our emphasis on academic excellence, undergraduate internships, campus leadership opportunities and development of an innovative spirit, McNeese graduates will be in high demand for the job opportunities that the economic growth will bring. There are great things happening on the McNeese campus that will attract new students and hopefully new donors as well. We have expanded our online degree offerings to reach non-traditional students who are busy with work and families. We have created post-baccalaureate and postmaster’s certificate programs in nursing, engineering and education to give graduates additional specialized training that will prepare them for emerging job opportunities. We are strengthening our partnership with SOWELA Technical Community College to create a seamless articulation plan for transfer students. And we are investing in our campus. When the fall 2013 semester begins, students will have full use of an 865-vehicle parking garage on the main campus and a new 150-bed residence hall. Renovations to the band hall and Kaufman Hall will be completed and the new Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (SEED) Center will be open.
From the Desk of the President
The SEED Center is a joint partnership between McNeese, the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, which includes the Chamber Southwest Louisiana, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the city of Lake Charles. It will be a one-stop shop for economic development, business creation and support for local business in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes. McNeese may be the only four-year public university in the There are great things country with offices for a regional happening on the McNeese chamber of commerce on its campus! The McNeese Innovation Center, campus that will attract housed in the SEED Center, will new students and hopefully provide students with opportunities to explore entrepreneurial ideas and new donors as well. interdisciplinary partnerships and watch their creations grow in the business incubators. As we approach the 75th anniversary of McNeese, our fiscal challenges are real and significant, but McNeese has always persevered and we will weather this storm. There are better times ahead. Something I noted in 2010 still rings true today. It is a privilege to be working in an environment where voices of doom and gloom are overcome by voices of confidence and hope; where attitudes of cynicism are met not with panic and defeat, but with positive achievements and ever higher expectations. Our faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters are talented, creative and visionary. Their enthusiasm and passion bring McNeese to ever higher levels. The generosity of our donors provides assistance to current students and it is vital to the recruiting and retention of future students. Be assured that as we go forward we will remain true to the four core values that were reaffirmed in our strategic planning brainstorming sessions: Academic Excellence Student Success Fiscal Responsibility University-Community Alliances Our strategic plan will guide us as we live the theme of the 75th anniversary: Celebrating the Past ~ Pioneering the Future. Thank you for your support of McNeese State University!
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Becoming a Poet
The only obvious thing that a physician and a poet may have in common is that both words start with “p.” Ohio native Benjamin P. Sutton was born in Columbus and raised in Marysville where he remembers making fun of poetry in high school English. Bound for college, Benjamin enrolled in Ohio University’s pre-medicine program with the intent on becoming a physician. His studies were deterred, however, when he was required to take a biology lab. The lab convinced him that donning a white coat and stethoscope was not in his future. Benjamin was also taking a composition course at the time, taught by a poet who required students to complete a 10-page portfolio on, “How did you come to attend Ohio University?” Benjamin enjoyed the assignment so much that he changed his major from pre-medicine to English literature. Benjamin graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature in 2009. Before pursuing a graduate degree, he took time off to travel and explore, living in San Diego, Calif., and Denver, Colo. When it was time to continue his studies, Benjamin applied to the McNeese Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program. McNeese is one of very few universities that offer an option of earning an MFA degree and a Master of Arts degree in English concurrently. Benjamin opted to complete the requirements for both. “The graduate program requires tremendous self-study and reliance on individualized learning. I have made many friends among my peers, and we all push each other to be better. In fact, we have a friendly competition going that if one of us gets something published, we all feel the need to get something published,” said Benjamin. His work can be found in several publications including Salt Hill, a literary journal published by Syracuse University, Whiskey Island, a literary magazine published by Cleveland State University, Third Coast, a magazine published by Western Michigan University, as well as Barrow Street, a poetry journal. When one of his submissions is published, Benjamin celebrates by spending the proceeds on something he calls “illogical,” such as taking a friend to dinner or going on a date. Benjamin received the Ada Vincent MFA Scholarship award. He graduated this May and now plans to pursue a fellowship or a doctorate in English literature. His goal is to become a better writer, specifically, writing informal, post-modern poetry.
McNeese MFA Alumnus Wins 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
MFA alumnus Adam Johnson has won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for fiction with his novel, “The Orphan Master’s Son.” Johnson is a 1996 McNeese MFA graduate. The MFA program – established in 1981 - is ranked No. 24 in the nation by 2013 Poets & Writers magazine. 4 Spring 2013
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Inspired to Give
Ada Brand Vincent’s philanthropy was inspired by her former father-inlaw, Thomas Broadus Shearman Sr., former publisher of the Lake Charles American Press. Ada was born in Greenville, Miss., and moved to Hobbs, N.M., at the age of 8. Hobbs was gaining notoriety at the time with the discovery of oil. Ada’s father, a newly licensed attorney, thought Hobbs would be a great place to start his career. Mr. Shearman was born in Olympia, Wash., in 1893 and moved to Chicago, Ill., as a child. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1914 where he served as editor of the student newspaper. After college, he worked in sales for the Chicago Tribune where he met his future wife, Flora Katherine Inglis. He later served as a lieutenant and pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War I. After being discharged from the service, Mr. Shearman returned to Chicago as a publishers’ advertising representative. It was through this position that he began acquiring newspapers, including The Roswell (N.M.) Daily Record in 1933, The Hobbs (N.M.) Daily Sun and The Trinidad (Colo.) Chronicle News in 1936, and The Lake Charles American Press in 1943. In addition to publishing, he was also active in the oil and gas industry. Ada attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Just short of completing a degree, she returned to New Mexico and enrolled in correspondence courses. One summer she met William
When Ada moved to Lake Charles, she thought it was the most beautiful city she had ever seen. Water and native flora covered the landscape. As a preservation enthusiast, Ada was delighted to see the preservation of historical homes, churches and buildings, and she became firmly rooted in seeing Southwest Louisiana thrive. Ada learned the value of philanthropy by watching Mr. Shearman and the Shearman family give. Through the Shearman family’s support to McNeese, the Shearman Research Initiative Grants were established and two Shearman Professorships were created. Funding to support the Frazar Memorial Library was also provided. Mr. Shearman was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 1983. The McNeese fine arts complex was renamed posthumously in honor of Flora I. and Thomas B. Shearman Sr. in 1991. In addition to McNeese, Mr. Shearman made significant contributions to the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Villages and the Lake Charles Memorial, St. Patrick and W.O. Moss Regional hospitals. Ada has established the Thomas B. Shearman Sr. Professorship in Mass Communication in Mr. Shearman’s honor. She has also endowed the Ada B. Vincent Creative Writers Series and supports the Anita and Joe Tritico Performing Arts Scholarship, the Ebbie Whitten Scholarship and the Lake Charles High School Teachers of Excellence Scholarship. Her contributions to McNeese are far reaching. Ada’s philanthropy was recognized in 2004 by The Family Foundation at its
Ada’s preservation efforts continue today. She recently spearheaded restoration of the solid iron archway gracing the Sallier Cemetery entranceway, the oldest cemetery in Calcasieu Parish. “Hugh” Shearman, Mr. Shearman’s eldest son, and her coursework went out the window. Hugh and Ada married and resettled in Lake Charles. Hugh went to work for the Lake Charles American Press where he ultimately became its general manager and publisher.
annual Philanthropy Day event and in 2011 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – LA, Southwest Chapter during its National Philanthropy Day celebration.
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TRAVELING ‘ROUND THE WORLD
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Talk to McNeese Assistant Professor of Art History Bridget McDaniel for five minutes and you will want to drop everything and travel halfway around the world. Every summer since 1999, Bridget has guided groups of students, alumni and community members to places such as Italy, Greece, France, Egypt, China, Peru, Turkey and Spain as part of the McNeese Department of Visual Arts study abroad program. Part of McNeese’s revised mission statement includes “the successful education of undergraduate students.” Successful education does not always come in the form of acing a test or obtaining a 4.0 grade point average. The study abroad trips also contribute to success by educating students about art, history and life lessons. “There are the obvious things discussed on the trips like cultural periods, architecture, sculptures and paintings. But you also learn that people are more alike than different. You don’t have to speak the same language to buy orange juice in a grocery store. When you live in another culture for 10 days, you learn that symbols, body language, tone of voice and facial expressions are the same everywhere,” Bridget explained. “Going on a trip like this enables travelers to understand the world they live in. It is important because of how the world’s economies are connected – the world really is a small place,” she added.
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Trips are filled with visits to museums, archaeological sites and historical locations like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the pyramids in Egypt. Bridget leads the group and holds class sessions at the place of the lecture topic. Travelers are allowed free days to visit wherever they choose. “The whole experience of being overseas is a great opportunity,” Lydia said. “Seeing these famous paintings in person allows you to notice the details in the brushstrokes that you cannot see in a digital reproduction. Being there takes you to the artist’s place and time and you are viewing exactly what the artist saw.” Lydia incorporates her travel experiences into her art classrooms at Seeing the famous landmarks, Dolby Elementary and Combre/Fondel sculptures and paintings in person is Elementary schools. When teaching completely different than viewing it in about the art pieces she has seen in person, class. “Students will say ‘oh, the color in Lydia finds that the lesson becomes more that painting looks different’ or ‘I didn’t realistic and attainable to her students. know there was that much curve in the “Kids see famous paintings and hold statue,’ ” Bridget said. the paintings up in esteem,” stated Lydia Powers, a 2010 McNeese art Lydia. “I want them to believe if that education graduate, has traveled to Italy, human being (the artist) painted that Spain and Peru and will travel to Rome piece, then this human being (the this summer with the study abroad student) can paint, too.” program. She first learned about the Trip reservations are available on a program after overhearing a conversation first-come, first-served basis and cost about the trips. Upon meeting Bridget approximately $2,500. Round-trip airfare, and talking to her for a few minutes, lodging, museum fees and two meals are Lydia was sold on the program. She had included in the cost. For more information, never traveled anywhere before except to contact Bridget at 337.475.5870 or Mexico and Canada. bmcdaniel@mcneese.edu.
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Cut Right From the Same Cloth The males in the Cutright family are cut right from the same cloth. They are dedicated to hard work and are committed to education. Being stitched from the same cloth, they also share something else in common – their names. Ervin Pernell “E.J.” Cutright II, a McNeese mechanical engineering graduate, is the namesake of his father, Ervin Pernell Cutright. E.J.’s brothers are Ervin Pernell “P.J.” Cutright III and Ervin Pernell “C.J.” Cutright IV. The middle name of Pernell came from Pernell Roberts, the actor who played Adam Cartwright on the series, Bonanza. E.J.’s grandmother was a Bonanza fan. E.J.’s father is a 1989 McNeese mechanical engineering graduate who lives in Palmer, Alaska, with his wife, Chavonne. E.J.’s mother, Stephanie Lehr, is a 1990 McNeese mathematics graduate who lives in Labadieville. His sister, Mary Cutright, is currently at McNeese working on a degree in chemistry.
McNeese President Dr. Philip Williams, left, presents Ervin Cutright with a Certificate of Excellence for his presentation on “Road-tire Noise and Sound Absorption Properties of Ash Roadways” at the 7th Annual Undergraduate Scholar and Research Symposium. This event, sponsored by the Alumni Association, recognized 24 students from departments across campus for their undergraduate research.
Scholars Award ceremony for his research, “Road-tire Noise and Sound Absorption Properties of Ash Roadways,” working with Dr. Zhuang Li, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
Halloween 2012 - Alex Saucier, electrical engineering, Jacob France, mechanical engineering, and Ervin Cutright, mechanical engineering.
Finishing secondary school at Assumption High in Thibodaux, E.J. knew his destiny included McNeese. He grew up listening to stories about his family’s time spent at McNeese, including tales from Uncle Michael who played Cowboy basketball in the ‘80s.
E.J. now works for Levingston Group LLC as a mechanical engineer. He found out about the position through his Foundation scholarship. He said the Levingston Group contacted him for an interview and soon called him back to offer him a position. “I feel that Levingston has offered me an opportunity to pursue my goals in my career, and it has a strong team with potential for growth and development,” explained E.J. E.J. said, “The main thing I would pass on to other students attending McNeese is that you are here to work. Yes, there is time to have fun, too, but if you lose sight of the work, you will lose sight of the goal.” Wisely stated.
E.J. embraced the academic rigors and student life. “I lived in a residence hall my first two years and I would recommend that to anyone. If you don’t surround yourself with campus activities at college, you can easily fall off the path. Living on campus, you are immersed in the college atmosphere which helps you to stay focused on school,” said E.J. While maintaining a 3.72 grade point average in engineering, E.J. found time for extracurricular activities. He was editor-in-chief of the Contraband student newspaper, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and served on the Leadership, Discipline and Homecoming committees. E.J. is a recipient of the Conoco, Dupont, Lundy & Davis Mossville Scholarship. He was recognized at the Seventh Annual Undergraduate
I work with many students who have substantial knowledge of mechanical engineering, but few offered a unique perspective and truly embraced their learning of the subject matter as did Ervin. He not only exhibited a strong desire to learn, but he also demonstrated good leadership. He helped make his teammates better. Ervin impressed me with his knowledge, skill and dedication to his work. I firmly believe that his talents will only shine brighter as he solves challenging engineering problems in his career. Ning Zhang, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
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Introducing the SEED Center
Acadiana-Profile magazine recently named Lake Charles as Acadiana’s City of the Year (February-March 2013). The article, written by Laura Claverie, stated, “Anyone who lives in Lake Charles – or who has spent any time there recently – knows one thing for sure: This city and its surrounding parishes’ explosive economic growth didn’t happen by accident.” The growth happened through a coordinated effort by many entities and people, a type of coordination rarely found these days in government. Plans for the SEED (Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development) Center began in 2005 as a collaboration between McNeese State University, the building’s owner, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the facility’s manager, the city of Lake Charles and the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. The purpose of the Center is to promote economic development and entrepreneurial and educational activities in a one-stop-shop, serving Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes. According to George Swift, president/CEO of the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, the SEED Center “…has been designed to provide an environment that will stimulate small business formation, job creation and economic diversification while meeting the growing entrepreneurial needs of our region...” The SEED Center houses a business incubator which provides budding entrepreneurs with a work space varying in size from a one-room office to a three-room suite. Space is leased on an annual basis with most clients staying three-to-five years, depending on their sustainability. According to Adrian Wallace, executive director for the SEED Center business incubator, “Applicants for the incubator will be accepted based on criteria such as the concept of the business and the character, commitment and coachability of the applicant.” Onsite business incubator clients as well as offsite entrepreneurs from the five-parish area will have access to experts and resources to help in launching and/or growing their businesses including: 8 Spring 2013
The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese Expert counseling is available free of charge for individuals wishing to start up a new business. The Center provides one-onone counseling by trained staff to assist with writing business plans, formulating financial projections, identifying funding capital and assessing market conditions. (www.mcneese.edu/sbdc) SWLA Economic Development Alliance The SWLA Economic Development Alliance – composed of the Chamber SWLA, the SWLA Alliance Foundation and the SWLA Partnership for Economic Development – markets our community’s resources to business and industry in anticipation that they consider relocating their operations to this area. The Alliance also works to ensure that established companies remain here. (www.allianceswla.org) Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and Development Commission IMCAL provides hands-on technical assistance to local governments, businesses and individuals. Staff assist clients with obtaining various financial incentives which attract or spur business growth. (www.imcal.webs.com) Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center LA-PTAC helps generate local employment and improve the economy by guiding businesses wishing to apply for federal, state and local government contracts. (www.la-ptac.org) The SEED Center also offers entrepreneurial training, mentoring services, leadership coaching and monthly roundtable discussions. Clients may access most of the resources at no cost, although a fee may be required for some services.
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Student Opportunities at the SEED Center McNeese has established a Student Innovation Center that will house innovation classes, an innovation lab and a student incubator. Students from any discipline can now receive a minor in innovation engineering. The program teaches students how to create, communicate and commercialize unique ideas using unconventional classroom settings and workspaces that are designed to inspire creativity and entrepreneurship. The classroom employs advanced technologies to promote student learning and movable furniture to foster group work. A lab houses floor-to-ceiling magnetic dry-erase whiteboards, multi-touch and interactive displays, design software and a music system in a non-linear setting. A student incubator, similar in concept to the business incubator, allows up-and-coming student entrepreneurs to access office space, technology, equipment and resources to build their businesses.
The Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (SEED) Center is finally a reality and not a moment too soon as our five-parish area experiences an economic boom rarely seen before.
McNeese SEED Center Business Pitch Competition The McNeese College of Business has partnered with the SEED Center to host a Business Pitch Competition as an incentive for current and prospective entrepreneurs to become involved in the Center. Winners will receive a $1,000 start-up grant funded by The Angels of Southwest Louisiana, as well as free rent in the business incubator for up to six months. Submissions have been accepted from the five-parish area in four categories including college students, local high school students, the general public and the technical sector. A panel of celebrity judges will select the winners.
Aspiring student entrepreneurs also have the option of pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in marketing with a concentration in entrepreneurship. McNeese has placed the University’s Intern Program Coordinator from the Office of Career Services at the SEED Center to work collaboratively between c ampus staff and area employers to develop and promote internship opportunities. The program’s goal is to provide students the opportunity to gain career-related, discipline-specific experience before they graduate.
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Sharing the Bounty
“I believe in sharing my bounty with the community and I love McNeese,” stated William “Bill” Dows Blake, owner and CEO of the VIER* Corp. His wife of 59 years, Katherine “Kay” Bel Krause, shares his sentiments.
K
ay is a descendent of Capt. Daniel Johannes Goos (1815-1898), considered by most as the founder of the Calcasieu lumber industry. Goos’ wife, Katherina (Katherine) B. Moeling, bore 15 children, including their daughter Della Moeling Goos Bel Krause of whom McNeese’s residence hall, Bel Hall, was named. [The original Bel Hall has since been demolished. The student housing on the corner of McNeese and Common streets is named Sallier/Bel Gardens.]
transferred to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where he graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. He also took courses in forestry at McNeese in the early and mid ‘50s to support his work with timber.
Bill has been an active proponent of education, having served six years on the Louisiana Board of Regents. He has also chaired fundraising campaigns for the McNeese Foundation and the Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School.
The U.S. Army was Bill’s employer from 1956-58 as he served in the Panama Canal Zone. Kay was four months pregnant with their first child and her family insisted that she remain stateside. Braving excessive heat and pesky mosquitos, Kay instead followed her heart and her husband to Panama where Della Bel Blake Rose was born. After being discharged, the Blakes returned to Lake Charles where their second child, Susan Dows Blake, was born. Kay was pregnant with their third child, Marie Katherine Blake Grace, when she walked across the stage in 1962 to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics from McNeese.
“People are finally beginning to realize the value that McNeese adds to this community, graduating many of our physicians, lawyers and other professionals,” said Bill.
Bill has worked in the family business When Bill enrolled at Washington and since 1961 when Kay’s uncle, John Albert Lee University in Lexington, Va., he “J.A.” Bel, died. Bill serves or has served as was unsure of his major. Having worked the general manager of the J.A. Bel Estate summers at Watson’s Ice Cream Factory and Quatre Parish Co. as chairman of the and at Gulf National and Calcasieu board and president of Bel Oil Corp. and Marine banks, he had ruled out dairy as president of Howell Industries Inc., and banking. Knowing that Southwest among others. Louisiana had an abundance of oil and gas reserves, Bill decided to study geology. He
* VIER in German means “four,” representing the four parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu and Cameron where the corporation operates its oil, gas, minerals and timber activities.
Kay and Bill were destined to one day walk down the aisle. The late Della “Dudie” Bel Krause Thielen, Kay’s sister, was a senior at Lake Charles High School when Bill was a freshman. Dudie opened the yearbook and pointed to Bill’s picture telling Kay that he was the person she should marry. As it turns out, it was a good thing that Dudie identified Bill early on as he transferred as a sophomore to the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., where he graduated.
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The Blakes have established the Mr. and Mrs. William D. Blake Endowed Professorship, the Katherine Krause Blake Professorship and the William D. and Katherine K. Blake Miscellaneous Scholarship. The road encircling the entry plaza on the corner of Sale Road and Ryan Street was funded by the Blakes and named the Kay Krause Blake Circle. McNeese awarded Bill an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree in 2009.
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Above: Bill describes the family houses and connections to Louisiana forestry, oil and stewardship of the land.
Above: Bill and Kay holding a photo of Bill’s grandfather, Henry E. Hardtner.
Left: Bill and Kay stand in front of various photos, showing the J.A. Bel Sawmill and downtown Lake Charles before the fire which destroyed most of it in 1910.
Urania Lumber Co. Henry Ernest Hardtner (1870-1935), grandfather to William “Bill” Dows Blake, was known as the father of reforestation in the South. He purchased a tract of land and sawmill from John and Emerson Prestridge in LaSalle Parish to establish the Urania Lumber Co. and the town of Urania. Urania, meaning heavenly, was chosen for the beauty of the natural terrain. Henry married Juliet Ernestine Doerr of St. Louis, Mo., and they had three daughters, including Violet Urania Hardtner Howell – Bill’s mother – and Juliet Emily Hardtner and Henrietta Ernestine Hardtner Hutchinson – Bill’s aunts. Violet graduated from the H. Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans. She married James Dows Blake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they had three sons – James “Jim” Hardtner, Bill [see preceding story] and Henry Ernest. All three boys served in the military, including the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, respectively. Henry Sr. served as a Louisiana state senator from 1924 to 1928, and in 1935, he was tragically killed in a car-train collision while en route to Baton Rouge.
With her father’s sudden death and now divorced, Violet and her children moved to Alexandria, La., to help her mother and younger sisters. She remarried Dr. Robert Patton Howell in 1945 and the family moved to Lake Charles in 1946. Violet was an active supporter of McNeese, establishing the Violet Howell Faculty Award and the Violet Howell Professorship in Teaching Excellence. With additional contributions from Howell Industries Inc., Violet also provided funding for the McNeese Review, an annual publication of the College of Liberal Arts, the Department of English and Foreign Languages and the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. In their later years, Violet and Juliet moved into the Blakes home on Shell Beach Drive where they remained until their deaths. The Blakes donated $1.2 million in Juliet’s memory to the McNeese Foundation to establish two endowed chairs. The chairs have since been converted to 20 professorships. In 1999, the newly constructed building housing the College of Nursing and the Department of Mass Communication was named the Juliet Hardtner Hall in her memory. Spring 2013 11
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Once known as “Mr. New Orleans” or “the dean of New Orleans writers,” Lyle Saxon published scores of articles and short stories for The Times-Picayune, four books of creative nonfiction and one novel, Children of Strangers.
Preserving Louisiana’s Rich Literary History At many universities, working in the “Ivory Tower of Academia” often proves isolating. Fortunately, that isn’t true at McNeese. McNeese is an integral part of the Southwest Louisiana community and the community is an integral part of McNeese. McNeese’s Frazar Memorial Library Archives and Special Collections Department collects materials from throughout the region and caters to patrons from around the world. Frazar’s rich collections are largely the result of materials that have been donated rather than purchased. Donors recognize the importance of original materials and their impact on student learning.
Saxon’s friendship with the Krauses brought about some of the most important works in the collection Bill donated to McNeese: Signed first editions of several of Saxon’s works and a signed typescript of Children of Strangers – a facsimile of the document Saxon sent to his publisher, Houghton Mifflin. The Krause Collection also includes signed first editions of Harnett T. Kane’s works, such as Louisiana Hayride, New Orleans Woman and Gone Are the Days.
The Krause Collection enriches the many treasures held by Frazar Memorial Library. This collection stands alongside other rare book collections featuring first editions of American 20th century authors, such as George Washington Cable, John Dos Passos, Faulkner, Robert Frost, Ernest Hemingway, Eugene O’Neill, William Saroyan, Upton Sinclair, John Steinbeck and Tennessee Williams.
Not only does the McNeese community The oldest work in the collection is a benefit from the Krause Collection, but German description of Louisiana from it also benefits scholars from around the 1804. Schilderung von Louisiana is a globe. The library includes the titles in German translation of the French Vue de the collection in its online catalog, which la Colonie Espagnole du Mississippi (1803). is publicly available at libguides.mcneese. The book includes a pull-out map of the edu/archives. Although the materials William (Bill) D. Blake recently donated Eastern half of the United States and the in the Archives and Special Collections his mother-in-law’s book collection to the Louisiana Purchase. Place names on the Department do not circulate, scholars may library. Della Goos Bel Krause (1906-1975), map are also translated into German. use the works in the library, temporarily a member of several founding families located in Parra Ballroom. of Lake Charles, held a deep interest in Della and Bill did not have the usual Louisiana history and literature. She and in-law relationship depicted in so many To access the Krause Collection, call her husband, Rudolph, were friends with wisecracks. Saxon inscribed a first edition 337.475.5734 or email the Archives Lyle Saxon, a New Orleans writer and of his 1927 work Father Mississippi to his and Special Collections Department journalist. Saxon enjoyed great success as friends, “Rudy & Della Krause.” In 1961, at archivesdept@mcneese.edu for an a writer and as the director of the Louisiana Della gave the book to her son-in-law and appointment. Writers’ Project. Saxon was also known for added the inscription, “You know I love you hosting gatherings of young writers, artists – maybe this will tell you how much.” The and historians and serving as a mentor two shared a lifelong love of studying and to some of the most important names preserving Louisiana’s rich literary history. in American literature – from William With this donation, Blake continues the Faulkner to Sherwood Anderson and tradition by passing the collection on to many others. the next generation of scholars at McNeese.
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THE PERFECT BLEND Like the old adage says, “Find something you love to do and then figure out how to get paid for it.” McNeese State University spring 2013 graduate Melanie Stahl has done just that. Melanie has blended her passion for theatre, entrepreneurial spirit and writing into a mass communication degree and a job as radio news reporter. Melanie has been involved in theatre since she was 10 years old – first as part of The Children’s Theatre Co. and later in The Lake Charles Little Theatre. She was accepted to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles at age 17 but was unable to attend due to financial considerations. “I had to be more realistic about college,” Melanie explained. “I was a member of Sam Houston High School’s marketing club and have always been interested in business and entrepreneurship. To me, it made sense to major in marketing at McNeese.” After a while Melanie began missing the stage and switched her major to performing arts. She displayed her acting skills in the McNeese Theatre Bayou Players performances of An Evening With Albe, Drums of War and Two Rooms. At one point in her college career, Melanie began working for a friend’s business managing the office and its social media accounts. It was then that she realized how much she enjoyed communications so she switched her major to mass communication with a concentration in media production. “My media production concentration allows me to blend my theatre side with my writing and media sides,” she said. Melanie knew she had found her niche after attending the Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism 2012 conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and interning at KVHP Fox 29 television station.
“Being able to hear from journalism professionals at the conference, especially the ‘How to Tell Your Story’ session, made me more eager to get out there and develop my skills so I can be a professional journalist one day,” Melanie said. At Fox 29, Melanie assisted field reporters by going on location and setting up equipment, interviewing people and filming. She also had the opportunity to watch KVHP’s noon newscast, Fox29 News Express, be created from inception to the first airing date. She recalled her favorite day at Fox 29 which involved lightning, thunder and a boat. “We were in a sheriff ’s boat in Calcasieu Lake filming a reef dedication,” she said. “The equipment malfunctioned and the weather was bad, but we made it work and were able to capture the story. That was an amazing experience and made me want to be a field reporter.” Melanie was awarded the Eula Mae and Bill Brown Scholarship in Mass Communication the past two years and she has used the funds to pay for books and supplies such as a small video camera she uses for filming. “To know that someone is investing in the education of others encouraged me to continue my studies and it is an honor to have my efforts recognized through the scholarship,” Melanie stated. Melanie works at Cumulus radio station KYKZ 96.1 as the afternoon news reporter/anchor. Her responsibilities include assembling the scripts and newscast for the hourly news report. She also produces the “Up to Date” segment that airs each Sunday. In her spare time, she loves to write. Two of her books, Dear Noun: Sending Life a Message and Dear Noun: Waterlogged with Power, were published online through Kendall Direct Publishing. She is also writing two young adult novels titled The Sabrina Chronicles. Spring 2013 13
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It’s All About McNeese Lake Charles businessman Robert Noland is an avid McNeese Cowboys fan and a generous supporter of McNeese State University. “McNeese State University is the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Robert, who majored in agricultural sciences and business at McNeese. He is currently president and CEO of several companies and serves on numerous community and civic organization boards in Southwest Louisiana. He has generously supported McNeese athletics – especially football - over the years by providing funding for the resurfacing of the football field and the renovation of Cowboy Stadium. The Noland Family SkyRanch, which houses private suites, club seating and the press facilities, is also named in honor of his family. He is a member of the McNeese Athletics Hall of Honor, past president Robert Noland gives a tour of his stable in Dry Creek to McNeese administrators and rodeo team members. of the McNeese Quarterback Club and an honorary member of the McNeese Petrochem Athletic Association. For his generosity and years of support to McNeese, he received Noland has also provided endowed funds for faculty an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2011. development and academic student scholarships through the His new passion is the McNeese rodeo team. “Did you know McNeese Foundation including the Robert Noland Nursing that McNeese has the only college rodeo team in the state?” he asks. Scholarship, the Powell Timber Company Scholarship and the Helen He has immersed himself in the history of McNeese rodeo and Weber Harris Memorial Scholarship. easily recalls the national team and individual rodeo championships McNeese has won since the first team was established in 1947. Last May, Robert gave $724,500 to McNeese to establish six endowed rodeo scholarships – named the Robert Noland Rodeo Scholarships #1-6 - through the McNeese Foundation. “I rediscovered rodeo about three years ago,” said Robert. “It’s so competitive, just like all of the other athletic sports here at McNeese. I wanted to provide the resources that would enable our rodeo coach – Justin Browning – to recruit the best talent and compete with other rodeo programs across the country. The time and effort these young men and women devote to their sport and caring for their equipment and animals is truly amazing.” Coach Browning said, “These scholarships allow us to continue to recruit the best students for our program and carry on our winning rodeo tradition.” For the 22nd consecutive year, McNeese will send students to compete in the 2013 CNFR championships in June. When his schedule permits, he enjoys attending collegiate Rodeo team members representing McNeese State University at the 65th College rodeos and inviting the team to his ranch in Dry Creek. Robert said National Finals Rodeo June 9-15 in Casper, Wyo., are from left: rodeo coach he doesn’t have a favorite rodeo event. “I just like the competitive Justin Browning, top to bottom, Chad Rutherford, Kirsten Smith and Chelsea Carroll; and, right, Kyla Foster. Not pictured are Kodi Bailey, Ike Fontenot and nature of the sport for both our men and women. We have a rich Jonathan Torres. Both Carroll and Torres are recipients of the Robert Noland Rodeo tradition of winning here at McNeese in every sport, including Scholarships established through the McNeese Foundation. rodeo. For me, it’s all about helping McNeese.” 14 Spring 2013
Learning by Performing
The month of May for McNeese faculty members is usually filled with preparations for administering final exams, grading papers and, of course, commencement. On top of those duties, Dr. Lina Morita added two solo piano recitals in her native country of Brazil and - oh, yes - her Carnegie Hall debut in New York with a colleague from Louisiana State University. A native of São Paulo, Lina traveled to Rio de Janeiro in May to perform live on the radio and to play a solo recital at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, where she taught a master class. Her travel and performances are made possible by a Juliet Hardtner Women in Arts and Humanities Professorship.
“I was honored to receive this professorship. It allowed me to return to Brazil and build ties with the classical community in
my native country,” said Lina, a classically trained pianist.
“This is important not only for my professional development as a performer, but also for the experiences I bring back to share with my students here at McNeese. How to perform is an important process of learning for students,” she added. In her career, Lina has performed in various solo and chamber music recitals and concerts across the United States and abroad.
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She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University, her Master of Music degree from Rice University and her doctorate from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York in piano performance and literature.
Hochstein School of Music and Eastman Community Music School in New York and the Rice University Shepherd School of Music Preparatory Program.
Lina began formal piano lessons at age 5, following in the footsteps of her older brother, Mitsuyoshi. “I loved playing the piano and knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life, and my parents were supportive of my education goals,” she said.
composers. “His music is very expressive and accessible to a wide audience, and since he was a pianist, he wrote for the instrument very well,” she said.
Her favorite classical composer? Chopin, of course, one of the greatest piano
She also performed at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall on May 9 with cellist Dennis Parker. The program included New York premiere works by Ivan Sokolov, Scott Eggert, Burle Marx and Debussy’s Violin Sonata arranged for cello by Parker. “Dennis and I have been collaborators for a few years. He heard me perform at a LSU guest recital and contacted me about performing together,” explained Lina. He recently received the ATLAS grant – a Louisiana artists and scholars program funded by the Board of Regents – which funded this performance. At McNeese since 2007, Lina is an assistant professor of piano and an accompanist for the Chamber Singers and at student recitals. She also performs with her McNeese colleagues as well as guest artists in recitals hosted by the Department of Performing Arts.
“All of my degrees are in performance, but along the way I had assistantships to teach in the classroom, and performing and teaching were a natural process for me,” said Lina. Before coming to McNeese, she taught at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C.,
Lina enjoys listening to her native music that is so rich in culture—the bossa nova and samba – and such Brazilian composers as Tom Jobim and Caetano Veloso. She also likes some of today’s popular artists such as Diana Krall and Norah Jones who compose and perform their own music.
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The Balancing Act Wouldn’t planning for your future be easier if you knew how long you were going to live? Then you could determine how much money to save, how much money to spend and how much money to give away. Unfortunately, life and death and just about everything in between isn’t that simple.
How to phrase a bequest The official bequest language for the McNeese Foundation is: “I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to the McNeese Foundation [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose.” 16 Spring 2013
Providing for your personal needs and supporting the good work of the McNeese Foundation need not be mutually exclusive goals. Consider two methods for planning that fulfill both wishes. A bequest in your will or trust to the McNeese Foundation is an easy way to make a difference without affecting your current cash flow. Your bequest can specify the type of gift you wish to give as a specific dollar amount or as a percentage of your estate. When planning a future gift, it may be difficult to determine what size donation will make sense. Emergencies happen and you need to make sure your family is financially taken care of first. Including a bequest of a percentage of your estate ensures that your gift will remain proportionate to the size of your estate, no matter how it fluctuates over the years. Coral Crain Byrd has chosen to include a bequest in her will that will benefit the McNeese Foundation by creating a nursing professorship and a music professorship when the gift is realized. When deciding on the areas in which to designate her planned gift, Coral thought about her passion for music, the ever increasing demand for health care and the support needed by professors. “Professorships can give faculty a leg up to complete research, as well as help the University retain quality faculty members,” she says.
A bequest allows Coral to combine her strong beliefs in education and helping others with taking care of her present needs. “Making a planned gift is a painless way to donate,” Coral says. “I don’t have to worry about it, really. Our duty is to help other people and planned giving is the way I’ve chosen to do it.” A second – and one of the most taxwise ways to support the University – is to name the McNeese Foundation as the primary or contingent beneficiary of a portion of your retirement plan. This type of gift means that you don’t part with a penny today and you protect your estate from taxes later. If a charity like the McNeese Foundation receives a portion of your retirement funds, income and estate taxes are eliminated. The portion that you leave to family members could eventually be taxed at rates up to 39.6 percent and even higher if estate taxes are assessed. The McNeese Foundation is always here to help. If you need assistance in choosing the right gift so that you can make a difference at McNeese, visit www. mcneesefoundation.org/plannedgiving or contact the Foundation at 337.475.5588. Planned giving information provided by The Stelter Co.
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Karlee Broussard, a visual arts major with a concentration in graphic design from Lake Charles, won the contest to design the McNeese State University 75th anniversary logo. Karlee, a recipient of the Advertising and Press Club of Southwest Louisiana Scholarship, received a gift card to the McNeese bookstore compliments of the McNeese Alumni Association.
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McNeese State University held its 16th annual scholarship donor and recipient brunch at the L’Auberge Casino Resort Event Center on March 17, 2013, with nearly 350 students, donors, faculty, staff and family members in attendance. The reception provided an opportunity for the donors that have created a named endowed scholarship through the McNeese Foundation to meet the students receiving the scholarships. The brunch also provided an opportunity for scholarship recipient students to share information about their course studies and to thank their donors. In turn, the donors are given the opportunity to see how their contributions are invested and to share their motivations behind creating the scholarships.
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McNeese Too Valuable to Lose
Seventy-five years ago area community and business leaders recognized the need for an institution of higher learning in Southwest Louisiana. Their perseverance and determination were rewarded when the Louisiana Legislature approved McNeese State University’s creation and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury donated 86 acres of land on what was then the parish poor farm. Construction began on the administration building, the arena and the main auditorium. The opening session of what was then a junior college began in September 1939. The first graduating class in 1941 included 75 students. Nearly 75 years later, McNeese graduates an average of 700 students in commencement ceremonies held each December and May. In addition to the original three buildings that are still in use today, the University consists of a 121-acre main campus featuring more than 300 mature live oak trees, a 503-acre McNeese farm, 65-acre athletic complex, the Louisiana Environmental Research Center, nearly 1,600 acres of donated farm property used for research and farming and the Center for the Advancement of Meat Production and Processing located on 16 acres near Lacassine in Jefferson Davis Parish. The Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (SEED) Center on Ryan Street across from the main campus is built on nearly seven acres of property that a donor helped the University purchase. The SEED Center will centralize Southwest Louisiana economic development and entrepreneurial activities and provide internship and small business development opportunities for McNeese students. McNeese has an annual economic impact of more than $335 million. Students enrolled at the University come from over 50 parishes, 30 states and 40 foreign countries. More than $50 million in construction and renovation projects are underway on the campus and funding for these projects comes from several sources including the state capital outlay fund, local and federal grants, FEMA and insurance settlements, students’ self-generated assessments and private donors. The McNeese Foundation has facilitated the purchase of nearly five acres of property adjacent to the campus that was formerly the site of the Charles Cinema. This property was used as a temporary parking lot while the parking garage was under construction. Other recently acquired property includes the former cleaners on Ryan Street and Miller House of Sports on Common Street. The investment that private donors make and the partnerships between business and industry are critical to sustaining the University. Since July 2008, state contributions to McNeese have been reduced by 49.1 percent. Through steady enrollment and developing initiatives to improve retention, and tuition increases, McNeese has increased self-generated funds during this period, but overall, McNeese’s revenues are still 18.4 percent less than they were in July 2008. Currently, the McNeese Foundation has more than 350 endowed scholarships providing stipends to more than 550 students. While scholarship amounts vary, a total endowment of more than $102,000 is required to provide fall and spring tuition for one student. For many of these recipients, the Foundation scholarship award lessens the amount of student loans they will be responsible for after graduation. The majority of McNeese undergraduates are full-time students. However, 71 percent of them work an average of 11-20 hours per week while carrying 13-18 hours of coursework. McNeese will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2014 and the Foundation Board of Directors has determined that increasing the Foundation assets to $75 million is a worthy goal to commemorate the anniversary. Your gifts make a difference in students’ lives and in the success of McNeese State University. To learn more about the Foundation’s mission and to see some of our students, faculty and donor success stories, go to www.mcneesefoundation.org.
18 Spring 2013
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Pillars Staff EDITOR
Marianne White Coordinator of Planned Giving and Donor Research mariannewhite@mcneese.edu STAFF WRITER Jennifer Pitre Planned Giving and Donor Research Specialist jpitre2@mcneese.edu Renee LeLeux Public Information Officer II rleleux@mcneese.edu ART DIRECTION, DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY Anne Cobb Graphic Designer/Multimedia Specialist cobb@mcneese.edu Contributing Writers Pati Threatt, Head Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Candace Townsend, Director, Public Relations
Foundation Staff Pam McGough
Coordinator of Athletic Development pmcgough@mcneese.edu
Shanie Miller
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.
Administrative Assistant
We know that there is a story behind your loyal support and we would really like to hear it. Contact Marianne White at 337.562.4107 or mariannewhite@ mcneese.edu.
Vice President for University Advancement
Contact Information McNeese Foundation Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609 Phone 337.475.5588 www.mcneesefoundation.org
smiller2@mcneese.edu Melissa Ellis Northcutt Director for University Advancement Operations and Special Events mnorthcutt@mcneese.edu Richard H. Reid Executive Vice President, McNeese Foundation rreid@mcneese.edu Shelley Shaw Administrative Specialist sshaw@mcneese.edu Pam Tate Gift Management Specialist pamtate@mcneese.edu
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Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid McNeese Foundation, Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609
Addressee XXXXX ST XXXXXXX,XX 55555
McNeese Adds New Logos Recently, two new logos were added to the McNeese family of marks. Each feature John McNeese. “The necessity for a logo that focuses on our namesake John McNeese was not only a given, but this logo also serves as the most distinguishing and most appropriate mark for the academic side of McNeese State University,” Dr. Philip Williams, McNeese president, said. “As part of the branding effort for the University, it was obvious that we needed a logo that communicated the innovation and excellence of the academic side - no mark could accomplish this better than one based upon John McNeese, a pioneer in public education for this area of the state.” Other marks have been updated and refined to make them more distinguishable and unique to McNeese State University. 20 Spring 2013
Permit No 336 Lake Charles, LA