Southern University System Magazine

Spring/Summer 2013

TRANSFORMATION A model 21st Century System of Higher Learning IN THIS ISSUE:

Changing the tech ‘game’

SULC enrollment keeping pace

SUSLA Connect growing enrollment

Athletics renewal

Online degree options increase

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A model 21st century system of higher education

www.sus.edu explore exciting educational programs and career options for high school students at these southern university system campuses:

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Southern University Shreveport

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Southern University New Orleans

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Southern University Baton Rouge

President’s Message

Change is on the horizon for the Southern University System. We have developed a transformation plan that will redesign the SU System and recreate it as a model 21st Century system of higher learning, built upon the traditions of the past.

Third, we are branding Southern University as the online HBCU alternative. Even though almost half of the online students are people of color, there is no significant HBCU online presence. The Southern name is well respected nationally and we have one of the largest HBCU alumni base in the world. We believe that these are competitive advantages that will open new markets, and increase enrollment and revenue opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Our plan is simple in concept but difficult to execute with increasingly limited resources and staff. First, we are continuing to decrease expenses by eliminating operating duplication and increasing efficiency across the System. In that same light, each day we are modernizing our operations and becoming more technology-based and less dependent on paper.

Finally, we are putting the family back together. You will see us in your cities, at your events, and in your emails. There is hope for tomorrow only if we invest in Southern’s future today. The simple fact is that SU needs your support now more than ever.

Second, with the end of open enrollment on our four-year campuses, we are meeting the increasingly stringent state imposed admissions criteria through our SUSLA Connect program.

Now, if a student is not admissible to SUNO or SUBR, they are automatically admitted through Southern University Shreveport. They are technically community college students, but they enjoy the Southern experience and benefits of our campuses in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Upon successful completion of any remedial requirements, and 18 college credits with a 2.0 G.P.A., the SUSLA Connect students seamlessly transfer into a Southern University bachelor’s degree program.

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We will work to regenerate Southern as a great institution of higher learning. This is our pledge and our purpose; we do it for the generations of Southernites that have come before us, and the generations yet to come.

We are called now to rise to perhaps our greatest challenge, as only Southern can.

God bless the Jaguar Nation!

Ronald Mason, Jr., President Southern University and A&M College System

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SU System and Campus News

CONTENTS

SU System President Ronald Mason Jr.

President’s Message .....................................................1

Spring/Summer 2013

From the Editorial Staff ..............................................4 Cover Story ..................................................................20 Technology Game Change .......................................24 Not Business As Usual SU System Business and Finance sharpening services and policies .................................26 The Right ‘Connection’ SU’s plan to bolster enrollment ...................................28 SUS Employees embrace paperless HR services ...................................30 Southern University Growing in HBCU Online Degree Programs .........................................................32 Advancing SU Growing in giving: meaningful alumni support .........................................33 SU Ag Center Meeting the demand of Its clientele, through technology ......................................................36 SU - Helping students shoulder the burden of increasing tuition costs .......................38 Southern University New Orleans Re-building for the Future ...........................................42 SULC - Remaining steady and excelling ...................45 SU Alumni News Highligts ......................................47 SU Athletics on a roll .................................................52 SU Athletics Highlights .............................................56

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TRANSFORMATION A model 21st Century System of Higher Learning IN THIS ISSUE:

Changing the tech ‘game’

SULC enrollment keeping pace

On the Cover

SUSLA Connect growing enrollment

Athletics renewal

Online degree options increase

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A new day is dawning at Southern University. A transformation plan to recreate the University as a model 21st Century system of higher learning, built upon the traditions of the past, will bring positive change to the nation’s only historically black college and university system. A transformation proposal, approved by the SU Board of Supervisors in October 2012, will allow the System to sustain itself as the institution battles budget deficits and faces declining enrollment figures. The Ovations cover story takes an in-depth look at the proposed transformation that promises to increase efficiency and drive revenue such that the future of the Southern System is secure for generations.

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Mission Statement

Ovations, Southern University System Magazine is published annually by the Southern University System to highlight the institutions of the System. Ovations is disseminated to faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and supporters. All articles for submission should be sent in care of Ovations, Southern University System Magazine, Office of the President, Southern University System, Southern Branch Post Office, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813, or by facsimile at 225.771.5522 or email to susystemmagazine@sus.edu. Please include name, address, and telephone number in all correspondence.

The Southern University System, located in Louisiana, is the nation’s only historically black university system with campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, a Law Center, and Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The campuses are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

For more information about the Southern University System, please call 225.771.4680 or visit our website at www.sus.edu.

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SU System Board of Supervisors 2013 Bridget A. Dinvaut Chairwoman Joe R. Gant Jr. vice chair Murphy F. Bell Jr. Simone Bray Calvin W. Braxton Sr. Tony M. Clayton Walter C. Dumas Raymond M. Fondel Jr. Willie E. Hendricks Eamon M. Kelly Myron K. Lawson Darren G. Mire Mike A. Small Ann A. Smith Leon R. Tarver II Samuel C. Tolbert Jr. SU System Chancellors Ray Belton, SUSLA James Llorens, SUBR Freddie Pitcher Jr., SULC Victor Ukpolo, SUNO Leodrey Williams, SU Ag Center Publisher Southern University System Editor Henry J. Tillman Copy Editor Evola C. Bates Writers Maya Riley Banks Erin Fulbright Kizzy Payton Contributors Rachel Emanuel David Grubb Christopher Jones Robyn Merrick Edward Pratt William Strother Bridget Udoh Copy and photos from SUBR Media Relations and Publications SUBR Athletics SUSLA Office of Communications SUSLA Graphic Services SUNO Public Relations SU Alumni Affairs SULC Office of Communications Photographer N. John Oubre III Pre-press and Printing ISSN no: 1545-1801

Spring/Summer 2013

SU System and Campus News

From the

editorial staff

Change for SU: The key to survival, remaining relevant Change is inevitable in life. If we look at the world around us, we see the world is so different than it was a decade ago.

Change has affected every facet of society, every profession, and every home.

numerous and profound challenges. Change is what propels individuals as well as organizations toward continued growth.

The economic crisis of 2009 and resulting recession has had a major impact on colleges and universities. The impact of this crisis on colleges and universities has had a direct and significant negative effect on the overall costs to operate.

Technology has changed the way we live our lives and in many ways made it better. It has especially enhanced the way in which we communicate with one another.

The Southern University System is ready for the challenges ahead. “To sustain growth, weather various economic conditions, and achieve better organizational results, we must undergo change,� says SU System President Ronald Mason.

For businesses, change is the key to remaining relevant.

Businesses also benefit from the use of technology in that they are now able to offer their products and services online.

The manner in which we teach, study, and learn also has evolved. We have grown from the days of traditional classrooms with open windows to modern physical plants of technology driven artificial intelligence. Furthermore, we can consider the number of people who have been able to go back to school because they are taking online classes through a university, an opportunity that many would not have had if we had not embraced the changing methods for instructional delivery.

Continual change is the norm in today’s uncertain society, and leaders, managers, and employees must work in concert to manage their changing roles, relationships, and responsibilities in these changing times. As times changes, we all must adapt.

We believe that communication is the oil that facilitates smooth change so this issue of Ovations highlights change throughout the SU System.

Writers Maya Banks, Erin Fulbright, and Kizzy Payton along with photographer Naville J. Oubre III, deliver some exciting news and images about the transformation taking shape at Southern University. Readers will learn about positive change in information technology, in delivery and services, in finance and business, in advancement, and in athletics.

Southern University has grown from its humble beginnings as a small agricultural-based curriculum institution to the only historically black college and university system in America with a growing online and international presence.

Higher education scholars have defined higher education as a large, complex, and changing industry that currently faces

Maya Riley Banks

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Erin Fulbright

Naville Oubre III

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Kizzy Payton

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SU System and Campus News

System and Campus News

Highlights SUNO and UNO sign engineering program agreement

SUNO chancellor Victor Ukpolo (left) and UNO president Peter J. Fos, May 8, 2013, sign an agreement between the two universities to partner on a joint engineering curriculum and degree program.

Southern University New Orleans (SUNO) and The University of New Orleans (UNO) have agreed to collaborate on a joint curriculum and degree program for SUNO students to earn engineering degrees at UNO. UNO president Peter J. Fos and SUNO chancellor Victor Ukpolo participated in a signing ceremony May 8, 2013, on UNO’s Lakefront Campus.

Students who do not meet the initial requirements of the UNO engineering program will be able to attend SUNO where they can earn the necessary

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prerequisites and then transfer to UNO to complete their degrees.

“Our faculties will work closely together to ensure that this agreement benefits students by increasing the diversity of future engineers who graduate from the University of New Orleans,” said Fos. “This agreement is a partnership between our two universities that is focused on preparing our students to thrive in their chosen field.”

The crafting of this agreement was set in motion by Louisiana Senate Bill Number 266, Act Number 419, which seeks to increase the chances for success of students in the New Orleans region as well as maximizing the assets of the public institutions that serve it. Since that time, administrators from the two universities have met regularly and this is the first step in meeting those goals.

“This is a great opportunity for both of our universities to come together in the spirit of increasing educational opportunities here in the region,” said Ukpolo.

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SUBR receives $35k donation from Boeing

The Boeing Company recently announced that it is giving Southern University Baton Rouge (SUBR) $35,000 for the 2013-2014 academic year. The company said the donation is in line with its “tradition of giving” in support of Southern.

“This demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to Southern and its mission,” said Darell W. Warner, director, space exploration safety and mission assurance, Boeing Company. Warner is an SU grad.

The funding is being designated to the SUBR College of Business, the College of Engineering, and the Department of Computer Science. Warner also said Boeing plans to continue nurturing its relationship with Southern through the delivery of in-kind services, continuing its participation in the Business and Industry Cluster, and creating opportunities to involve the University in contract related research and development activities.

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SU System and Campus News

Top SU System grads for Spring 2013 SULC has record number of grads--A record 173 graduates received the juris doctor degree May 11, 3013, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center on the SU Baton Rouge campus. U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley of the Western District of Louisiana delivered the 2013 commencement address. Finley is a magna cum laude graduate of Grambling State University and a cum laude graduate of the SU Law Center. Pictured (left to right) is SULC chancellor Freddie Pitcher Jr., with top student of the Day Division Deontrinelle A. Green, U. S. Attorney Finley; and top student of the Evening Division Daren L. Hawthrone of Elmsford, New York.

SUSLA holds two ceremonies for spring grads--Southern University Shreveport, Saturday, May 11, 2013, held two commencement ceremonies for Spring 2013 graduates. The speaker for the mid-morning Division of Allied Health and School of Nursing commencement was SUSLA alumnus Marilyn Glover Latin, RN, BSN, CRT. The noon commencement speaker for Divisions of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Business Studies, Humanities and Science, and Technology was Ollie Tyler, the first woman and first African American to serve as superintendent of schools for Caddo Parish and a former administrator with the Louisiana Department of Education. Pictured with chancellor Ray L. Belton is the top student of more than 200 graduates, Eric Restivo, who earned a 3.97 grade point average.

Restivo received an associate of science degree in electronic technology.

A post-Katrina record 532 students graduate from SUNO--Southern University New Orleans, Saturday, May 11, 2013, awarded 532 graduates degrees in a commencement ceremony at the Kiefer Lakefront Arena. The number of graduates represents a new high since the University reopened following Hurricane Katrina. The top graduate and chief student marshal for the Spring 2013 class was Gina Maria Sceau who received her bachelor of social work degree. The New Orleans native earned a 3.931 grade point average.

Wayne J. Riley, M.D., a native of New Orleans, advisor to President Barack Obama, and current president of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee delivered the commencement address.

La. Supreme Court chief justice spring SUBR commencement speaker-Bernette J. Johnson, the first African-American chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, was the commencement speaker at Southern University Baton Rouge’s spring graduation ceremonies. The ceremony for more than 700 graduates, was held May 17, 2013, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Cheif student marshal for the class was Messan D. Folivi, a native of Togo, West Africa. Folivi who graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baton Rouge, received his bachelor of science degree in biology, finished with a grade point average of 3.93. He plans to enroll in a graduate program at Meharry Medical College in the fall.

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SU System and Campus News

More than $125k pledged for scholarships at SUSF Annual Faith Fund kick off

Chancellor James L. Llorens welcomed the guest ministers and church lay people while emphasizing the importance of external support at a time when state funds for SU and higher education has been greatly reduced, and the rising cost of tuition is impacting enrollment in a negative way.

More than 100 people attended a luncheon April 30, 2013, in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union, to kick off the SU System Foundation’s Annual Faith Fund.

A group of interdenominational clergy and representatives from the faith community statewide, Tuesday, April 30, 2013, pledged more than $125,000 for SU scholarships.

A luncheon, held in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union, was the kick off event for the SU System Foundation’s Annual Faith Fund campaign to raise scholarship funds for students throughout the Southern University System. More than 100 attended the fundraiser co-chaired by SU Board of Supervisors members the Rev. Joe R. Gant Jr. of Shreveport and the Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert Jr. of Lake Charles.

“Southern University is at a crossroads and needs support. Our relationship with the faith community is a long and standing one and our aim is to reconnect with this important constituency,” said Ernie T. Hughes, SU System vice president for advancement and executive director of the SU System Foundation.

“We have a goal of raising $300,000 for the Faith Fund to support scholarships for Southern University System students,” said Hughes.

Southern University System president Ronald Mason Jr. and SU Baton Rouge

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“It is a challenge for us when we have to turn away students who need $100, $200, or $300 to enroll at SU, and we can’t help them because of limited resources,” said Llorens.

SU receives ‘Movin on Up Award’ from United Way

The Capital Area United Way awarded Southern University the “Movin’ on Up Award-Large Business.” Pictured is SU United Way Campaign coordinators Linda Roberson (left), travel manager and program administrator, and Janifer Peters, assistant to the dean, College of Engineering.

President Mason explained that helping students stay in school and providing educational opportunities are the best options for combating the rising prison population of African Americans.

The Capital Area United Way awarded Southern University the “Movin’ on Up Award-Large Business” at its recent Employee Campaign Coordinators Recognition Program held at Theater Baton Rouge.

“Your support will help us sustain Southern University for our children and for future generations of Jaguars,” Mason added.

The “Movin on Up Award” is given to an agency or business that has improved its giving the greatest amount on a previous year. Southern’s faculty, staff and students contributed around $20,000 -- about $7,000 more than during the previous fundraising period.

Gant made a special appeal asking for commitments of a minimum pledge of $1,200 per year for three years or more to support scholarships for SU System students. Tolbert and Gant made donations on behalf of their congregations and each pledged $5,000 annually. Several ministers and pastors made pledges of $1,200 per year. Also donations were made during luncheon.

In addition to the fundraising efforts, the SU System will sponsor training for ministers and church administrative staff during a summer workshop, and will host a fall meeting for clergy and churches participating in the Annual Faith Fund.

Southern’s project coordinators were travel manager and program administrator Linda Roberson and assistant to the dean of the College of Engineering Janifer Peters.

Winning the award is a “big deal,” Roberson said. “With us (SU) being the size we are and with what we have been through financially, Southern raised a good amount.”

The money raised by Southern and the other contributors are used to support over 120 programs that help thousands of people in the 10-parish Capital Area.

For more information on how to participate in the SUSF Annual Faith Fund, contact Hughes at 225.771-3911 or email ernie_hughes@sus.edu.

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SU System and Campus News

Southern University System celebrates SUS Day at State Capitol In the State Capitol Rotunda, Monday, April 20, 2013, in keeping with the theme, “The Southern University System-transforming to a shared vision for the 21st Century,” SUS campuses hosted displays, and the SU Laboratory School choir performed during Southern University System Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

SUS Board Chairwoman Bridget A. Dinvaut; Board members Rev. Joe R. Gant, Leon R. Tarver II, and Mike A. Small; SU Sytem President Ronald Mason Jr.; Ray L. Belton, chancellor, SUSLA; James Llorens, chancellor, SUBR; Freddie Pitcher, chancellor, SULC; Victor Ukpolo, chancellor, SUNO; Leodrey Williams, chancellor, SU Ag Center; and other SU administrators, faculty, staff, and students, visited and met with legislators, alumni, and supporters.

After lunch, resolutions honoring the Southern University System were presented in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.

SU baseball coach named to MLB diversity committee

Roger Cador

Southern University head baseball coach Roger Cador was named to a Major League Baseball diversity task force announced April 10, 2013, by

commissioner Bud Selig.

The 18-member committee, that will study how to increase diversity in the game of baseball, includes representatives from club ownership, the players’ union, minor league and college baseball, the MLB scouting bureau, and other areas.

Cador joins Hall of Famer Frank Robinson and former major league manager Jerry Manuel, and others, as members.

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SUNO students win honors at STEM conference--A group of 21 students and four faculty members from Southern University New Orleans attended the 70th Joint Annual Meeting of Beta Kappa Chi (BKX) National Scientific Honor Society and the National Institute of Science (NIS) March 13-17, 2013, in Washington, D.C. The meeting was hosted by the University of the District of Columbia. SUNO students garnered a number of honors, the most in the University’s history, including a sweep of one of the mathematics oral platforms. Three first time winners received awards: Amber Dillon (second place, mathematics oral), Schondell Thomas (second place, mathematics poster), and Curtis Lawrence (first place, biology oral). Other winners included Dot’Toya Jones (second place, mathematics oral), Rispah Sang (second place, mathematics oral), Gino Loverde (first place, mathematics oral), Monicah Jepkemboi (second place, biology poster), and Jasmin Jenkins (second place, biology poster).

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SU System and Campus News

SUS Sustainability Week promotes healthy, productive environment

and demonstration, a day for student research competition, and professional development and recognition for faculty and staff.

The first guest speaker on Tuesday, April 23, was Kesavalu M. Bagawandoss, corporate technical director, Accutest Laboratories. Also on Tuesday, students from various departments showcased the practical application of the concepts learned in the classroom.

Undergraduate and graduate students from Southern University System campuses submitted abstracts that were reviewed by an outside panel as part of a Research Poster Competition during the SU System Sustainability Week, Aprl 22-26, 2013.

Pictured is SU System President Ronald Mason presenting undergraduate student Annie Clark with an award medallion.

The Southern University System sponsored Sustainability Week, April 22-26, 2013.

Pictured is SU System faculty award winners Barbara Hollis (teaching) (right) and Guoqiang Li (research) (left) with SU System President Ronald Mason Jr.

Southern University and A&M College hosted Sustainability Week, April 22-26, 2013, “Creating a Culture of Sustainability: Where Blue and Gold Meets Green.”

The week-long SU System (SUS) observance included daily campus-wide sustainability activities led by student groups, an evening of student showcase

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Student research was the focus of Wednesday’s activities, April 24, including the Research Poster Competition, workshops, and presentations. Students from the Southern University System’s campuses submitted abstracts that were reviewed by an outside panel. More than 60 abstracts competed in five categories. SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. gave remarks and made presentations to the SU System winners.

On Thursday and Friday, April 25, 26, faculty and staff engaged in professional development sessions. The facilitators for these sessions were the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, each of the System’s campuses recognized their outstanding faculty and staff at an invitation-only Research and Academic Achievement Awards Program. James Colon, vice president of Toyota Product Communications, served as the guest speaker at the awards ceremony to honor faculty and staff for their research and academic achievements.

The SU System’s first annual awards to faculty in research and teaching included $1,500 each to Barbara Hollis, assistant professor, SUSLA, System Achievement award in teaching; and Guoqiang Li, professor, SUBR, System achievement award in research.

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SU System financial audits clean The Southern University System’s State Legislative Audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, was clean as indicated in a recent Louisiana Legislative Auditor financial statement audit report.

According to Kevin Appleton, SU System vice president for finance and business affairs and comptroller, all prior year findings were substantially, or completely, resolved.

“There was an unqualified opinion on the System’s financial statements and there were no reportable findings on internal control, or compliance with laws or regulations for FY 2011-12,” explained Appleton.

The report states, “The results of our tests disclosed no instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards.”

“This is the first time in recent history that the Southern University System has completed a financial statement audit without any findings. We must sustain (and improve upon) this level of performance, even as we move forward with efforts to reduce costs, improve efficiency and service, and enhance accountability throughout our business and support operations,” said Appleton.

The SU System’s A-133 compliance audit report for the year ended June 30, 2012, also was clean. There were no formal findings in the annual compliance audit as reported by an independent certified public accountant.

Over the past couple of years, the SU System has moved to centralize internal audit, institutional research, and human resources. These changes have improved efficiency and effectiveness, and have helped to eliminate repeat findings in federal and state audits.

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SU SU System System and and Campus Campus News News

SU, area HBCUs benefit from federal loan modifications Southern University New Orleans along with other local HBCUs realized substantial financial benefits from recent federal loan modifications.

The U.S. Department of Education, Friday, April 5, 2013, announced a loan modification agreement to modify or forgive more than $400 million in federal loans for southeastern Louisiana.

The loans were still pending after nearly eight years since hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

SUNO’s new student housing complex is at the heart of a loan modifcation agreement with the federal government that saved many millions of dollars. The loan modification agreement is part of a series of recent transactions to modify or forgive more than $400 million in federal loans for southeastern Louisiana.

A measure, added by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., to a 2012 spending bill, enabled the Education Department to modify the loans so that the schools could take advantage of the current low interest rates. Sen. Landrieu, successfully inserted into the federal budget continuation legislation wording that set up the forgiveness of nearly $300 million in community disaster loans that were still hanging over several Louisiana parish governments, school systems, sheriff ’s departments and more.

SUNO to launch forensic science degree program

First-Year SULC Student awarded public interest labor law fellowship

Southern University New Orleans recently announced the introduction of a new academic program after earning approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents in May 2013. The University will be offering a 120-credithour bachelor of science in forensic science program.

The addition is part of SUNO’s commitment to developing career-ready degree programs for its students.

First-year Southern University Law Center (SULC) student Tracy LeDuff was awarded a prestigious 10-week fellowship by The Peggy Browning Fund to spend the summer working for the Black Worker Center Project in Los Angeles, California.

“We conducted a tremendous amount of research and enlisted the support of our partners within the local law enforcement community in the development of the forensic science program,” said SUNO Chancellor Victor Ukpolo. “This will be the only undergraduate program in forensic science in the state of Louisiana, and with the increasing demand for qualified individuals in this field SUNO and its graduates are poised to have a great impact on criminal justice in this region.”

More than 500 students from 125 participating law schools applied Tracy LeDuff for the nearly 70 public interest labor law fellowships supported by the Peggy Browning Fund.

LeDuff has more than 15 years of experience in human resource management. She currently volunteers as a part-time law clerk for Southeast Louisiana Legal Services’ Employment and Public Benefits unit. She formerly worked in the casino industry as a HR director. She earned an AA in paralegal studies and a BA in organizational leadership from Azusa Pacific University.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that job growth in forensic science is predicted to be near 20 percent over the next six years. The forensic science degree program is a natural complement for the University’s successful BS and MS programs in criminal justice.

Her initial roles in unemployment compensation and employee relations introduced her to the rights of workers and further developed her interest in the legal aspects of wage and hour violations, employment discrimination, and harassment.

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The program will be housed in the Department of Natural Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences.

SUNO will be seeking accreditation for the program with the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).

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SU System and Campus News

SUNO and ACSA sign historic MOU establishing Westbank satellite campus Southern University New Orleans chancellor Victor Ukpolo, Algiers Charter School Association (ACSA)CEO Adrian Morgan, and O. Perry Walker principal Mary Laurie, April 22, 2013, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will bring the first public four-year university to the Westbank of New Orleans.

“This is a great moment for the unified L.B. Landry – O. Perry Walker High School,” said Laurie. “To truly be a community school, we must serve our adults as well as our children, and by bringing SUNO to Algiers we have an opportunity to reach those who may have never had access to a college education and put them on a path towards a degree.”

SUNO signage at L. B. Landry -- O. Perry Walker High School on the Westbank in Algiers.

Morgan added, “Today marks the beginning of what we believe will be a strong and fruitful partnership with SUNO. ACSA has been a leader in expanding educational opportunities since 2005, and this is another example of how the Association is looking towards the future of Algiers and how we can continue to grow and impact the lives of the families here.”

Classes at the satellite campus are slated to begin in the Fall of 2013, offering first-year courses and utilizing SUNO faculty and resources.

“We want to give the people of the Westbank the quality of education just as we provide on our main campus,” said Ukpolo.

SU students win awards at national scientific honor society meeting Southern University Baton Rouge students won nine awards at the annual meeting of the Beta Kappa Chi and National Institute of Science 70th Joint Annual meeting in Washington, D.C., March 13-17, 2013.

Pictured from left to right are Beta Kappa Chi winners Augusta Robinson, first place-biology; Kristen Broussard, first place-psychology; Ashley Hurst, third place-biology; Deadra James Mackie, national executive secretary of Beta Kappa Chi and campus advisor; Annie Clarke, second placechemistry, and Russell Ledet, second place-chemistry.

Students won first, second and third place monetary awards in all areas of science,

The Southern winners and their categories, technology, included: engineering and mathematics, Augusta Smith, 1st place, Graduate Session and in

Augusta Robinson, 1st place, Undergraduate Platform

Presenter, Biology psychology and civil education.

Kristen Broussard, 1st place, Undergraduate Platform

The meeting was hosted by the University of the District of Columbia.

Southern had 31 students to attend and 18 were presenters. Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honors Society is an organization that promotes scholarship and the dissemination of scientific information.

Two undergraduate students were elected to national offices: Shanice Sam, SouthCentral Regional vice president for Beta Kappa Chi and Matthew Hill, SouthCentral Regional vice president for the National Institute of Science.

The lead advisors were Deadra James Mackie, assistant professor of biology, Honors College, Oswald D’Auvergne, professor of biology, biological sciences and Shervia S. Taylor, instructor, Biology Department.

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Presenter, Psychology

Harriet Hammond, 2st place, Graduate Session

Russell Ledet, 2nd place, Undergraduate Poster Session, Chemistry

Lionel Brown, 2nd place, Undergraduate Platform Presenter, Biology

Annie Clark, 2nd place, Undergraduate Platform Presenter, Chemistry

Ashley Hurst, 3rd place, Undergraduate Platform Presenter, Biology

John-Pierre Lafleur, 3rd place, Undergraduate Platform Presenter, Psychology

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SU System and Campus News

Southern University Ag Center’s program acquires biofuel-making training

Urban Forestry professor Kamran Abdollahi is pictured demonstrating a microbiofeul system that could produce fuel from bio mass.

Southern University Ag Center’s (SU Ag Center) Urban Forestry and Natural Resource Management Program research scientists, led by urban forestry professor Kamran Abdollahi, are always seeking different ways to reduce waste in the urban ecosystem in an environmentally friendly way, particularly in the aftermath of hurricanes. Abdollahi sought a novel and efficient technology to recycle tree debris that had stressed most of Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In his quest, Abdollahi collaborated with the industry sector and identified a state of the art micro biofuel system that could produce biofuel from biomass.

He obtained funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to enhance bioenergy education, research, and outreach in Louisiana and the region. He also secured additional funding to acquire three Micro-Fueler systems from E-Fuel Corporation in California. Since then, Floyd Butterfield, the inventor of Micro-Fueler System and VP Biofuels, has made several trips to Louisiana to train research scientists and students on

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the proper utilization of the system. The Micro-Fueler (a mini biofuel factory) is capable of converting processed waste biomass into biofuels such as diesel and ethanol. Butterfield indicated that the company’s goal is converting waste and agricultural feedstock such as corn, into fuel for vehicles and/or to generate power, further citing this as a more economical approach than transporting debris to landfills.

The company foresees many additions and directions for the machine as well as biofuel production, especially given the constantly rising gasoline prices.

Abdollahi and Butterfield are collaborating on creating public awareness with the possibility of setting up a training facility at the Southern University Ag Center to benefit the south.

Louisiana State University also is a partner in the project.

SU professor named committee chair of forestry association Kamran Abdollahi was selected as the National Committee Chair to the National Association of University Forest Resources Kamran Abdollahi Programs for 2013. Abdollahi is a professor and chair of SU’s Urban Forestry Program.

Abdollahi was instrumental in Southern receiving a $120,000 federal grant to help operate the Urban Forestry training program and to use as startup funding for the development of an outdoor learning laboratory on the campus. The learning laboratory will help students seeking bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees study, among other things, which trees are suitable for different environments and protections against diseases that threaten vegetation.

BR businessman donates $30,000 to Southern Baton Rouge Pictured (left to right) is superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools Bernard Taylor Jr., EBR School Board member Kenyetta NelsonSmith, businessman Caranza “CJ” Guidry, and SUBR Chancellor James Llorens.

Local businessman Carranza “C.J.” Guidry recently donated $30,000 to the Southern University Baton Rouge campus.

Guidry, the owner of Rover Services, LLC and the popular “Jaguar Journal” sports radio talk show, has donated more than $60,000 to the Baton Rouge campus in the past three years.

He said a portion of the donation is specifically designated to assist in providing scholarships for graduates from East Baton Rouge Parish public schools.

Chancellor James L. Llorens said the donation is “greatly appreciated” because it will be used to build the enrollment at the Baton Rouge campus.

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SUNO senior shines among Honda All-Star Challengers first individual competition, The Ford 7th Annual Black College Quiz. She represented SUNO extremely well, finishing third overall and earning a $500 scholarship.

Traditional might be the last word that you would ever use to describe Southern University New Orleans senior Terri Coleman.

There isn’t really a neat box that she fits into and that’s just the way she likes it. Coleman who serves as lead writer for the SUNO Observer, and as a member of the Honda All-Star Challenge Team, is a mix of opinions, humor, sharp wit, and intellect.

So what makes a really good quiz bowl players? “You have to have an interest in everything,” said Terri.

“You have to be able to think and respond quickly and you have to be unafraid to be wrong.”

She has been one of the driving forces in helping SUNO’s Challengers become one of the most successful teams in the nation the last two years. The team advanced to the quarter finals last season, and her coach Amelia Sellers acknowledges that it is in no small part to Terri’s hard work.”

She really motivates her teammates. If there is a word for someone being in more than energetic, she’s that. Terri is a brilliant and unique young lady and we’re so glad to have her.”

“When I first got to SUNO, I was really kind of floating,” said Coleman.” I hadn’t applied myself in the classroom, but when I joined the Honda Team, it felt like I had found a group of like-minded people and that helped me to improve my work and admit that I like learning. What also made it so great for me is that people underestimated us when we went to competitions. My favorite part of this has been destroying that perception of what people think that we’re capable of. Doing well is much sweeter when it’s unexpected. Before people looked at us like a joke; now we’re a threat.”

SUNO has always accepted non-traditional students, and Terri sees that as one of the biggest strengths of her team.

“Our team just isn’t like the other one’s that we see. Some of us have more life experiences so we really just enjoy this. We’re having fun while learning the periodic table. I had no idea that there were so many elements named after towns in Sweden.”

Recently, Terri branched out to participate in her

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SU System and Campus News

SU student publication wins awards at student news media conference, LAA meeting

for Southern University and A&M College. We represented our school, our office, and ourselves well,” said Evan Taylor, Southern Digest editor in chief.

“We’re the best among HBCUs now, but

Pictured (left to right) Evan Taylor, editor-in-chief, Digest; Marcus Green, manager editor, Digest; Fredrick Batiste, advisor, Digest/Ego Magazine; Jessica Sarpy, commentary editor, Digest; Aristide Phillips, sports editor, Digest; and Norman J. Dotson Jr., editor-in-chief, Ego Magazine.

The Southern Digest picked up eight awards, including five first-place honors, during the 2013 National HBCU Student News Media Conference’s Excellence in Journalism contest.

The other three awards were for second place. The conference was held February 7-10, 2013, at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute on the Vanderbilt University campus.

“I am extremely proud of our student staff for their outstanding accomplishments,” said Heather Freeman, director of student media, SUBR. “I have witnessed the dedication and hard work of our students, and it is rewarding to see their talent recognized by others.”

The Black College Communication Association annually conducts the Excellence in Journalism contest to encourage and recognize excellence among HBCU student journalists and newspapers. The contest is open to BCCA member publications and entries came from the publications’ 2012 coverage.

“This recognition is not just for the SU Office of Student Media, but it is also

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next year will be a new year… the work continues, we strive to be the best and awards continue that legacy.”

Also, The Southern Digest, earned first place, second place, and honorable mention awards in the 2012 Better Student Competition at the 133rd Annual Louisiana Press Association Convention in Baton Rouge, April 20, 2013.

The three awards were among entries from competing college/university student newspapers across the state.

SU’s youngest fall graduates featured-Polite Stewart Jr., 18, (top) and Ronald Alexander, 20, were among the 508 Southern University Baton Rouge students who graduated Friday, December 14, 2012, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Stewart and Alexander, hailed by the school as academic prodigies, were profiled in The Advocate. Stewart also was featured in a WBRZ-TV news story.

SUSLA receives EPA grant The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), June 13, 2013, announced Southern University Shreveport (SUSLA), as a recipient of the Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) program. The grants support local work to recruit, train, and place unemployed individuals in jobs that address environmental challenges in their communities.

By providing Americans in economically disadvantaged communities with job training in environmental health and safety, EWDJT funding helps protect people’s health and the environment while supporting local economies. SUSLA plans to train 60 students and place 55 graduates in environmental jobs.

EPA’s Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training program, which provides environmental and health and safety training, helps graduates develop a broader set of skills that improve their ability to secure short-term contractual work, as well as full-time, employment in the environmental field.

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SUBR nursing professor earns nursing ‘Educator of the Year’ award

Brown was awarded “Fellow” status by the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education, joining an elite group of “Fellow” representing nursing schools and programs across the U.S. Last year, Brown also received the 2012 Helen Johnson Cremens Excellence in Teaching Award from the Baton Rouge District Nurses Association.

SULC ranks again, No. 1 in most diverse faculty

Sandra C. Brown

Southern University School of Nursing Professor Sandra C. Brown was named “Nursing Educator of the Year” by the Louisiana State Nurses Association and Louisiana Nurses Foundation.

Brown was presented the award at the 12th Annual Nightingale Awards held February 16, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The annual Nightingale Awards are sponsored by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation and the Louisiana State Nurses Association to recognize excellence in nursing and quality service in the nursing and healthcare industry.

The award is based in part on Brown’s impact on students entering the profession or seeking a higher degree in nursing, excellence in clinical expertise, and excellence in classroom presentation and educator competencies.

“Most Diverse Faculty,” in which SULC gets the top ranking; “Most Chosen By Older Students,” in which SULC ranks #2; and “Best Environment for Minority Students,” in which SULC ranks # 3.

According to Chancellor Freddie Pitcher, faculty are pleased, and not surprised, with the rankings in these areas as they mirror what SULC tries to accomplish in addressing its mission of access and opportunity. “Through the evening division, we have attracted more mature students,” Pitcher said.

The Southern University Law Center (SULC) is one of the nation’s most outstanding law schools and is ranked #1 in most faculty diversity, according to the education services company, The Princeton Review, which features SULC in the new 2013 edition of its book, The Best 168 Law Schools.

“Strong supporters of diversity in the educational setting, we believe that the contributions of mature students, as well as that of various racial/ethnic groups and females, are valuable and beneficial assets to the academic environment of the Law Center,” he said. “The students recognize that we encourage an inclusive environment.”

The Princeton Review does not rank the law schools in the book on a single hierarchical list from 1 to 168, or name one law school best overall. Instead, the book has 11 ranking lists of the top 10 law schools in various categories, such as

SULC is one of 59 schools (about 35 percent of the 168 profiled) in the book that appear on one or more of the book’s ranking lists. The lists in the book are posted at www.PrincetonReview.com/ law-school-rankings.aspx.

Honoré Center students lend a helping hand in the community--Students enrolled in the Honoré Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement (HCUSA) volunteered at a Mobile Food Bank distribution in eastern New Orleans, Saturday, April 27, 2013.

The Honore’ Center at SUNO, is part of a national demonstration project to address the Black male cradle-to-prison pipeline and its consequences. The program is named in recognition of SU alum Lt. General Russel L. Honoré (U.S. Army, Retired).

Brown said her students have inspired her in the classroom and that the award is extra special because it is to be shared with the entire nursing school.

“I feel both honored and humbled to be nominated by my peers and selected from outstanding educators as it is a very competitive award,” Brown said.

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SU System and Campus News

SU System president hosts first virtual chats

Pictured is SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. at his desk January 31, 2013, during the inaugural SU System President’s V-Chat.

Southern University System President Ronald Mason Jr., Thursday, January 31, 2013, hosted the first in a series of live online chat sessions with alumni, stakeholders, and the Jaguar Nation.

Via the Web, hundreds joined the president of the only historically black college and university system in America, for a “one-on-one” conversation about the exciting things happening at Southern University.

A large audience tuned in to watch the second SU System President’s live V-Chat on April 30, 2013, where, in real-time, Mason and some special guests shared some of the exciting things happening at Southern University.

Joining the April 2013 V-Chat at remote locations were SU Baton Rouge athletic director William Broussard, and from Chicago, Illinois, SU System vice president for information technology Tony Moore along with Duwarn Porter, president of the Chicago Alumni Chapter.

Participants who watched the SUS President’s V-Chats were able to ask questions on various University-related topics throughout the live broadcasts.

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SU System celebrates oneyear anniversary of Tobacco-free campuses In January, the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s Communities of Color Network (CoC) celebrated the first year anniversary of the Southern University System’s 100 percent tobacco-free policy.

The policy, in general, means that use of tobacco products is prohibited by students, staff, faculty, or visitors in all campus buildings, facilities, or property owned or leased by the SU System. The policy aims to make the SU System a healthy place to live, work, and learn.

On January 2, 2012, the SUS Board of Supervisors approved the 100 percent tobacco-free campus policy. This unprecedented measure prohibits smoking or the use of tobacco products in any building, administrative facility, dormitory, or on-campus grounds, including athletic fields and parking areas.

The successful implementation was initiated and is led by Communities of Color Network, an affiliated program of The Louisiana Public Health Institute and The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-free Living. CoC Network serves as the infrastructure for educating constituents, building capacity, coordinating, organizing and executing tobacco prevention and control programs, and activities targeting African Americans statewide.

Pictured below is Frankie Poland, regional coordinator, SU Ag Center Communities of Color Network, pinning anniversary Tobacco-free button on Linda Lassiter, professor, Department of Foreign Languages, SUBR, during the campus’ spring convocation, Monday, January 7, 2013, in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union.

The Southern University System and Communities of Color Network (CoC) commemorated one year of a healthier, tobacco-free campus.

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SUS Board welcomes new members, installs officers for 2013 Gant and Antonio “Tony” Clayton of Port Allen.

The Board also recognized Darren Mire for his service as chairman for the past two years and unveiled his portrait that was placed on a wall in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room in the J.S. Clark Administration Building.

Pictured is Southern University Board of Supervisors chairwoman Bridget A. Dinvaut and vice chairman the Rev. Joe R. Gant being installed as 2013 officers during the Board’s regular meeting January 11, 2013, in the Board Meeting Room, by general counsel Winston Decuir Jr. The Southern University and A&M College System Board of Supervisors Friday, January 11, 2013, installed new officers and held a swearing-in ceremony for new and reappointed members during its regular monthly meeting.

members and two reappointed members named by Governor Bobby Jindal.

Joining the SU Board are Michael Small of Slidell, Leon Tarver II of Baton Rouge, and Raymond Fondel Jr. of Lake Charles. Reappointed to the Board are

Third-year Southern University Law Center student LaKeisha A. Ford, February 15, 2013, was sworn in as the student member of the SU Board. Ford graduated with honors and received her juris doctorate degree on May 11, 2013, and will be replaced by Simone Bray, the 2013-14 SGA president for Southern University Baton Rouge.

Pictured taking the oath of office for the SU Board are (left-right) Michael Small, Rev. Joe R. Gant Jr., Antonio “Tony” Clayton, Raymond Fondel Jr., and Leon Tarver II. SU Board of Supervisors general counsel Winston Decuir Jr. administers the oath of office.

Chairwoman Bridget A. Dinvaut, who was unanimously elected during the annual officers’ election in November 2012, and the Rev. Joe R. Gant Jr. of Shreveport, who was elected as vice chair at the January meeting, were installed as the 2013 officers for the 16-member governing board for the Southern University System.

Gant, the senior pastor of Cavalry Missionary Baptist Church, previously served on the SU Board of Supervisors for more than 12 years. He served as chairman for two years.

Taking the oath of office for the SU Board were three newly appointed

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SU System and Campus News

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? No matter what you want to do with your future, it all starts with a quality education.

At Southern University at New Orleans you can gain the skills to help you answer that question and many others. From our caring faculty to a learning environment suited to any number of educational pursuits, there is no place quite like SUNO. GET STARTED NOW We’re now enrolling so contact us today and see which one of our 20 degree programs is right for you. (504) 286-5235

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∙ SU Ag Center celebrates leadership class graduation in Washington, D.C.--The SU Ag Center’s Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute held an official graduation ceremony in Washington, DC, April 4, 2013, for its Class IV participants converging from 14 states across the nation. Dawn MellionPatin, director of the institute, and Chancellor Leodrey Williams, SU Ag Center, were on hand to bring greetings to the graduating class.

SUSLA Dental Hygiene Program CE courses approved --The Southern University Shreveport Dental Hygiene Department recently announced approval from the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry and certification from the American Dental Association (ADA), C*E*R*P (Continuing Education Recognition Program). This status gives SUSLA programs credibility and allows dental assistants to receive Louisiana State Certification for two courses--expanded duty dental assistant and dental radiology safety. The expanded duty dental assistant class is designed for dental assistants who have had at least six months experience working in a dental office. This course awards them 24 continuing education units. The dental radiology safety course is for all dental assistants, and is a requirement from the State of Louisiana.

This course awards them eight hours of continuing education units.

The programs are operating under the Department of Continuing Education.

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SU System and Campus News

SU System teacher education programs shine Recently, the Louisiana Board of Regents received an update on the redesign of all teacher preparation programs in Louisiana and Southern University teacher education programs scored high marks.

According to the report, new state policies redesigning teacher preparation programs have led to stronger undergraduate and alternate pathways and more rigorous but improved teacher certification and program requirements. This redesign is producing more effective new teachers in Louisiana.

Louisiana Annual Report for Teacher Preparation data from 2010-11 shows 100 percent of undergraduate students and 100 percent of the alternate completers from Southern University Baton Rouge (SUBR) and from Southern University New Orleans (SUNO) passed all licensure examinations.

This achievement, in comparison to 1999-2000 data when only 33 percent of SUBR undergraduates passed all state licensure examinations, is commendable.

In addition to the perfect licensure exams passage rates, 73 percent of new teachers who completed SUBR’s alternate program received value-added scores in the “EffectiveProficient” or “Highly Effective” ranges in the area of mathematics based upon the growth of achievement of their students.

Also, the annual report indicates that in 2010-2011, 50 percent or more of new teachers who completed SUBR’s undergraduate programs received valueadded scores in the “Effective-Proficient” or “Highly Effective” ranges in the content areas of mathematics, language arts, and reading based upon the growth of achievement of their students.

“The Southern University System is proud to be among the improved teacher preparation programs that are successful at producing effective new teachers. We fully embraced the redesign and are excited with SU-prepared teachers value-added performance,” said SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. Currently, all public and private universities that offer approved undergraduate or alternate teacher preparation programs are both regionally and nationally accredited.

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The National Council for Teacher Education (NCATE) accredits the SUBR College of Education and the SUNO College of Education and Human Development.

Last year, SUBR’s master of education degree in educational leadership program earned the “Nationally Recognized” designation, the highest ranking that NCATE awards programs in its jurisdiction.

Pictured is a student from Southern University discussing career opportunities with representatives from Ascension Parish Schools during a recent Teacher Job Fair at Southern University Baton Rouge. Louisiana Annual Report for Teacher Preparation data from 2010-11 shows 100 percent of undergraduate students and 100 percent of the alternate completers from Southern University Baton Rouge (SUBR) and from Southern University New Orleans (SUNO) passed all licensure examinations.

“Our teacher education students’ 100 percent passage rate on the licensure examinations is a sign that self-assessment and thoughtful planning can lead to success,” said SUBR Chancellor James L Llorens. “Likewise the investment we are making in new instructional initiatives such as our mini-labs for K-12 graders at our Laboratory school, will pay dividends in the classroom for our teacher graduates, but more importantly, for the students they will teach.”

The SU Laboratory School serves as a state-of-the-art laboratory for education innovation and for the development of superior educators as a department within the College of Education. Starting in August, SU Lab School students from prekindergarten to grade 12 will learn in mini labs from instructors in Southern’s colleges of business, engineering, law, and nursing.

Providing support and resources to help students and candidates prepare for teacher certification exams is a key emphasis of SUNO’s College of Education and Human Development. The college, June 1, 2013, hosted a free workshop, Praxis II Workshop (Elementary Education Content Knowledge), and a second session, June 29, 2013, Praxis II (Principles of Learning and Teaching), on the University’s Lake Campus.

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“Southern University at New Orleans has been helping to develop outstanding teachers for years and takes its role in the cycle of education extremely seriously,” said Chancellor Victor Ukpolo. “As our city and our state continue to address this most critical issue of the education of our youth, SUNO is proud to both provide the talent base as well as the support that potential teachers will need to be successful.”

SUNO, through the SU System’s Five-Fifths Agenda for American (FFAA) pilot project, the Honoré Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement (HCUSA), is helping to increase the number of new teachers in Louisiana. HCUSA is a community college/ university partnership model designed to increase the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to African-American males.

HCUSA requires participants to complete a two-year associate degree program then continue their studies to receive a bachelor’s degree with certification to teach at the elementary school level.

For a copy of the Louisiana Annual Report for Teacher Preparation: http://regents.la.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2013/05/FINALTEACHER-PREPARATION-ANNUALREPORT5.22.13.pdf

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A new transformation plan will redesign Southern and recreate it as a model 21st century system of higher learning built upon the traditions of the past.

Change for the Future Transformation plan for a renewed SU Ovations

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t has been a volatile decade—to say the least. From the post-9/11 recession through the 2008 financial crisis to today’s continuing economic struggles, every segment of society has endured a seemingly unending chain of troubling events.

Noted lecturer and spiritual leader Henrietta Mann states that while change can be viewed as an event, transformation is a process. It involves a journey in which leaders must hold the tension of the opposites between doing and being, thinking and feeling, knowing and uncertainty, steadfastness and letting go.

Mann also states that while change may, or may not, ultimately lead to transformation, transformation always requires significant change. She further concludes that while change may be forced upon us, or entered into with reluctance, transformation requires a willingness to make the journey.

As leader of the SU System, President Ronald Mason plays an integral role in managing change, negotiating the issues, and facilitating the transformation that will take place at Southern University in order for it to become a model HBCU for future generations.

A proposed Southern University System Transformation Plan will allow the System to sustain itself as the institution battles budget deficits and faces declining enrollment figures.

“The transformation plan was developed by the Transformation Committee we convened following statewide meetings with alumni and stakeholders, and is the culmination of a process including assessment teams, campus visits with unit staff and focus groups, and vetting by the chancellors and the Ad Hoc Board Committee on Reform and Renewal. This new business model promises to increase efficiency and drive revenue such that the future of the Southern System will be more secure,” said Mason.

Ultimately, the proposed plan has two clear short-term objectives: to reduce expenses and increase revenue to ensure that Southern will continue to exist. To validate these aspirations, the plan has identified several transformational outcomes that when taken as a whole will redesign Southern around available forseeable resources and recreate it as a model 21st century system of higher learning built upon the traditions of the past.

The plan was developed as result of meetings between President Mason and System leadership and campus chancellors and chief financial officers. The lack of resources was identified as the fundamental issue within the SU System. Key findings included the following: •

The current business model cannot be supported with current and projected resources. Unit staffs are stretched thin, skill challenged and multi-tasking to the point of inefficiency.

•

Although expenses have been reduced to the bare minimum on each campus, additional savings must be found in the short term by taking a system-wide view.

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Revenue must increase rapidly. On campus enrollment must increase because it is the main source of revenue. The main enrollment revenue opportunity lies in online degree programs.

•

A new business model is required that is technology based, financially efficient and provides campuses with effective back office support.

After summarizing the key findings, President Mason appointed a six-person Transformation Committee representing System-level managers in crucial areas of the University including administration, finance and business, enrollment services, Spring/Summer 2013

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Cover Story As it relates to information technology, the main goal is to establish a governance model that places responsibility for procedure, personnel, and structure under the authority of the System vice president for information and technology, which will allow the vice president to have the ability to implement operating processes System wide. (See story, page 24)

The proposed Southern University System Transformation Plan will allow the System to sustain itself as the institution battles budget deficits and faces declining enrollment figures.

information technology, and communications and advancement, and charged them with finding ways to create new revenue streams by modernizing operating systems to support increases in enrollment, research, and Ultimately, the fundraising. plan Further, they were has two clear to ensure that all of the units short-term remain part of the objectives: to SU System and reduce expenses that all of the and increase accredited units revenue to maintain their accreditation and ensure that autonomy.

Southern will

Finance and business, information technology, external affairs, and enrollment services were identified as critical areas where goal setting and accomplishment of objectives could begin immediately.

Overall, recommendations from each area have a main thrust to increase

“Developing a transformation plan for information technology has been a rewarding experience and a collaborative effort into building a System-wide IT enterprise that will efficiently deliver services to our vast constituencies and stakeholders,” says Tony Moore, vice president of information technology.

“The guiding principles of the transformation process were transparency and openness to obtain the stated goal of creating a 21st century digital campus that would provide best of breed technologies and services to all system campuses.”

For the area of business and finance, recommendations envision budget analysis and management at the campus level, but accounting and reporting at

continue to exist.

Mason and members of the Transformation Committee spent much of 2012 traveling across the state and inviting board members, alumni, the University community—as well as the local community—to offer insight on his proposed strategies, challenges, and implementation methods identified in the proposed transformation plan.

After gaining very positive feedback and favorable comments on the plan, Mason and the committee moved forward.

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The SU System Transformation plan was developed as result of meetings between System President Mason, System leadership, and campus chancellors and chief financial officers.

efficiency by eliminating duplication of efforts across the SU system and creating economies of scale.

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the System level, a change that will enable the University to eliminate ongoing audit findings for late and

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Cover Story inaccurate reports. In addition, it recommends producing economies of scale by outsourcing, where possible, at the System level as opposed to at the level of the individual units (See story, page 26).

While the transformation plan will allow the University System to realize efficiency through restructuring and eliminating duplicative processes, the key to its success lies in significantly increasing both online and campus enrollment.

The goal to increase enrollment will be accomplished through the use of effective marketing campaigns and by creating a unified student enrollment processing center for student intake, admission, and financial aid processing that is technology based. Developing a process that will accelerate movement through admissions and financial aid, will also help with retention rates.

“The higher education environment is tougher now than it has ever been, and resource decisions are more important than ever,” says Michelle Hill, director of recruitment and admissions. “Success depends on leadership commitment to innovation and to deliver quality consistent almost 24/7 student support.”

The proposed central enrollment center or one stop or multi-departmental student service center will include admissions, financial aid, registrar, retention, online learning, and faculty and staff support. Designed to create a user-friendly experience, students will be able to receive support with submitting all required documents to enroll at the University.

Hill states that staff in the central enrollment center will assist students through the first week of classes and will be proactively monitoring and staying engaged in the student’s education life cycle to ensure their success.

“This initiative will increase the quality of the student experience, increase efficiencies, reduce cost, and allow us to scale student enrollments System wide,” says Hill.

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In the very critical area of external relations, fundraising and development is paramount. The University will continue to solicit unrestricted resources from private sources in order to balance the budget over the next three years.

(See story, page 33) A newly formed System-wide communications Pictured is SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. addressing a crowd and media of alumni, stakeholders, and supporters at the Alexandria Airport committee has Terminal Building during a stop on the System-hosted statewide town established several hall meetings tour July 20-26, 2012. The tour included meetings with benchmarks and groups in Breaux Bridge, Alexandria, Shreveport, Monroe, New work is underway Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Franklinton. to monitor, discuss and track public personnel. Human resources relations objectives. Additional external centralization was implemented in 2012 relations recommendations include a (see story, page 30). plan to conduct a campaign for unrestricted giving; investment in an These recommendations represent a extensive and current alumni database to paradigm shift in the way Southern improve communication with alumni University does business. President and to engage them in campus Mason’s ultimate goal is to brand programs; development of a Southern University as the online HBCU comprehensive trademark and licensing alternative because there is no significant website to effectively utilize branding opportunities; and to “The higher education environment is tougher create a system-wide now than it has ever been, and resource decisions governmental are more important than ever.” relations committee to provide - Michelle Hill, director of recruitment and admissions, SUBR recommendations, oversight, and support for campus-based HBCU online presence. The opportunity capital outlay requests. for being a leader in this regard is vast (See story, page 32). His vision for the The transformation plan future of Southern University is for the recommendations are interconnected institution to be a leader and a changeand rely upon each other for their agent in a very fast paced society. individual success and the success of the System and units.

Under the proposed plan, chancellors will manage their units, including budgets and the hiring and firing of

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“Most importantly, this strategy points us in the right direction as we navigate our financial and political challenges this year and next,” said Mason.

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technology Game change the proposed transformation plan, will be centralized on the Baton Rouge campus. A hardware and data center is planned at J.B. Moore Hall.

The SU Baton Rouge campus has already changed to a Cloud infrastructure operation that was donated by tech giant IMB. The Cloud software will make it easier for students, faculty, and staff members on and off campus to be able to have access to SPSS, a research application accessible on campus and off.

As part of an ongoing technology upgrade, SUNO during the 2013 spring semester, introduced myCampus7, a cloud-based software-as-aservice portal by CampusEAI Consortium. The system provides a single sign-on access to everything from Banner, email, social media, and Blackboard for students, faculty, and staff.

The Cloud system is cost efficient for the University because there is no need for extra purchases of computers or hardware. The process requires a monitor and a dummy terminal. The University pays for licenses and it is all housed in Moore Hall, making it easier to correct issues faster and without making office visits.

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echnology in the five-campus Southern University System is changing and those changes will redefine the communication delivery system among all the campuses.

Expanding the software will make it like Dropbox says SUBR chief information officer Carlos Thomas. “You can go on the site and get your document from anywhere but it will be an actual software application opposed to having a document file out there (in space),” said Thomas.

Once scattered from Shreveport to New Orleans, the technology infrastructure for the SU System, according to

The Southern University System recently announced the debut of its mobile application suite ‘eNtourage’ for Southern University Baton Rouge (SUBR).

SUBRmobile, went live April 9, 2013, and is available in the AppStore and the Android market.

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The Cloud system is cost efficient for the University because there is no need for extra purchases of computers or hardware.

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The New Orleans campus recently moved its faculty and staff to Office 365, which is a Microsoft based iCloud for email. Students have been using this software for email that allows them to have access to their email at all times. It is free for SUNO. The DoIt (do it)department --previous called TNS on the Baton Rouge campus-- has increased its security presence on the campus with cameras in the student union. And, new computers and hardware has been installed in John B. Cade Library.

Looking to the future, Thomas says the University will focus on expanding its wireless network providing students with access outside the student union area and in the campus apartments.

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Dolt is working to consolidate the Banner operations as a system to allow it to work and use feature and services more efficiently.

The system provides a single sign-on access to everything from Banner, email, social media and Blackboard for students, faculty and staff.

The Shreveport campus’ students use the Moodle system rather than Blackboard like the Baton Rouge and New Orleans campuses, for its course management system.

The technology departments receive funding from grants through the National Science Foundation and student fees which are used to make upgrades to technology at SU.

“The SU System completed an assessment of the current technology services and found that moving from the traditional LMS System (Blackboard) to an Open-Source LMS (Moodle) would save cost and provide a uniform learning management platform across the system allowing the campuses to share resources and personnel,” said vice president for information and technology management, Tony Moore.

Thomas said some funds are used to upgrade SU’s fiber and wireless networks to handle the increased number of students and visitors that bring computer tablets and phones on campus.

Changing with the new technology, the John B. Cade Library on the Baton Rouge campus introduced Kindle Fire tablets for student access. Students were able to check out a Kindle Fire just as they would a library book starting in the 2013 spring semester.

The Southern University System recently announced the debut of its mobile application suite ‘eNtourage’ for Southern University Baton Rouge (SUBR). Partnering with the use of smart phones, SUBR has launched a mobile application for all iPhones, Androids, and iPads, allowing students to register, find classes and pay fees without visiting the campus. The mobile application, SUBRmobile, went live April 9, 2013, and is available in the AppStore and the Android market.

The library started with ten tablets funded by Title III, to loan students and are working to get more added. Director of reference Jane Robinson said students have flocked to the idea of checking out the tablets. It has helped students when their own personal computers have failed. They were able to keep up with their work.

SUBR is leading the technology wave by being one of the first campuses in the U.S. and Canada to provide course add and drop, shopping cart registration, and student bill payment directly from students’ mobile devices. The new mobile app has a robust suite of applications covering the entire student pipeline management and provides SUBR students and staff with one stop access to the University’s information such as campus news, events, maps, and feedback.

“In meeting the needs of today’s millennial student, the Southern University System sought a solution that would transform the student on-boarding experience for prospective students and further engage them throughout their matriculation on campus,” said Moore.

Technology in the five-campus Southern University System is changing and those changes will redefine the communication delivery system among all the campuses. The technology departments receive funding from grants through the National Science Foundation and student fees which are used to make upgrades to technology at SU.

A mobile portal is in the future for the SUNO campus as well. It is looking to have a mobile portal within the next year because as director of technology at SUNO Edmond Cummings III said, “Students want everything at the tips of their fingers.”

During the 2013 spring semester, myCampus7, a cloudbased software-as-a-service portal by CampusEAI Consortium, was introduced to the New Orleans campus.

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business as usual SU System Business and Finance sharpening services and policies

The first being tasks performed at the System level and the second being the operation of the individual campuses.

Under the System, the finance and resource department functions include budget and external reporting to the Board of Regents, the Legislature and the State Legislative Auditor; financial policy and system control, which deals with the Banner System; and consolidating what were six, including the System office, separate Charts of Accounts to one.

The Chart of Accounts is the backbone of the accounting department that consist of the system of codes and numbers that represent all of the transactions that occur in the institution.

In the past, each campus had individual chart of accounts, which made it difficult for roll-up reporting on a System-wide level. Roll-up reporting is a function that creates relationships between accounts that can be used for classification, budgeting, and reporting. This is required by external agencies.

A finance and business goal of the proposed SU System Transformation Plan is to leverage auxiliary and business services on the campuses to reduce cost and improve efficiency and services. This action would require all food, bookstore, printing, document managing services, banking, and laundry to be consolidated. It would mean getting the same company to manage each service throughout all campuses.

Since developing the single chart of accounts in July of 2012 for the System, Southern’s budget and financial reporting has improved.

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transformation is taking shape in Southern University’s finance and business operations.

The System underwent a financial statement audit that ended in June 2012 and Southern came out of it with no findings in “The next step is terms of internal control and to standardize the compliance, a first, in many financial policy years, for Southern, according to Appleton (see story, page 8). and procedures

The change is part of a proposed transformation plan developed by the Southern University System. The plan calls for merging the five campuses’ accounting and business support operations, according to System vice president for finance and business, Kevin Appleton.

Appleton said “We are looking at things from a functional stand point, trying to understand who does what and what primary functions need to be supported.”

“It (the new system) has helped prepare System-wide financial reports in a much more efficient Banner system,” said Appleton.

The System office reviewed the major operation of the finance and business administration and divided it into two categories.

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within all campuses,” said Kevin Appleton.

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With the improvement of the Banner System, payroll and the Human Resource Department has also been consolidated by using Banner. To follow under the system will be the financial services and informational technology areas.

“The next step is to standardize the financial policy and procedures within all campuses,” said Appleton.

On each campus, as a part of the proposed transformation plan, changes within the financial and treasury services that deal with

Transforming the System into a more efficient and effective place for its students, staff, and faculty requires all changes to work concurrently with the goal of unity in mind.

As part of the proposed SU System Transformation Plan, on each campus, changes within the financial and treasury services that deal with cash distribution and financial transactions, grants, and contracts and student accounts, will be reconstructed. Pictured is Vicky Cockrham, cashier, SUBR Comptroller’s Office, assisting a customer.

cash distribution and financial transactions, grants and contracts, and student accounts, will be reconstructed.

Appleton said System-wide functions will be handled first then branching out to each campus. “We want to leverage the buying power of the SU system as a whole in order to reduce cost and improve service, instead of bulk, consolidate purchases as whole,” said Appleton.

An example is the food services provided on the Southern campuses. Currently all campuses use different food services company.

Aramark is used at Southern, Sodexo at New Orleans, and Moliere Enterprise on the Shreveport campus. The consideration now is whether one company serving all campuses would be a better financial fit.

Bringing the registration process to a one-step deal through Banner application will follow on the restructuring agenda.

Appleton said the new mobile application eNtourage helps to avoid the line process and make registration an easy one-step process. “This will make the registration process move quickly and students can receive full access to classes and books in a more timely manner,” said Appleton.

Transforming the System into a more efficient and effective place for its students, staff and faculty requires all changes to work concurrently with the goal of unity in mind.

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the right ‘connection’ SU’s plan to bolster enrollment

SU Shreveport students (left-right) Jakarta Titus, Breyona LeBlanc and Jaccari Marshall are pictured on the Baton Rouge campus where they attend classes through the SUSLA Connect program which allows students who are unable to meet admissions requirements at the Baton Rouge or New Orleans campuses to be admitted through Southern University Shreveport.

at the Baton Rouge or New Orleans campuses to be admitted through Southern University Shreveport.

The program comes at a crucial time as SU campuses face more stringent state imposed admissions requirements and ends its policy of open enrollment.

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he Southern University System is expanding college access to new incoming freshmen through its SUSLA Connect program. A partnership between the campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, SUSLA Connect allows students who are unable to meet admissions requirements

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“The new program is part of a larger strategic plan that focuses on increasing enrollment,” says Albert Tezano, associate vice chancellor for student success, SUBR--Chancellor James Llorens created the new position prior to the Fall 2012 semester to take the lead in enrollment management initiatives.

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“The SUSLA connect program will provide a traditional undergraduate experience for students who participate,” said Tezano.

The University has created academic plans for students so that they generally earn the required 18 semester hours within two semesters.

Southern will be able to capitalize on the community college market in the state by allowing students to take developmental and remedial courses through the Shreveport campus which traditionally offers two-year degree programs.

Students participating in the program have the opportunity to get a traditional college experience by living in campus dormitories, participating in campus life activities, and other student experiences in areas such as internships, service learning programs, and undergraduate research.

About 90 percent of the students who do not meet required admission standards are invited to participate in the SUSLA Connect program. Once a student participant has earned 18 credit hours that includes both college level English and mathematics and has earned a 2.0 grade point average, the student completes an application to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program or they have the option to complete requirements to obtain an associate’s degree.

Tezano states that the goal is to boost enrollment by five percent for the Fall 2013 semester. Already the SUNO program has grown from about 20 students when it began in 2011 to 100 students during the Fall 2012 semester.

SUBR campus enrollment has declined steadily since 2008 with Fall 2012 enrollment figures standing at 7,056 while SUNOs campus enrollment has increased steadily until last Fall when enrollment figures fell slightly from 3,300 to 3,203.

“There’s a really great synergy among the campus chancellors as it relates to the SUSLA Connect program and we have made sure that it is a well-run and organized operation, says SUSLA Chancellor Ray Belton. “It’s a win-win situation for Southern and for the students who aspire to attend college.”

“Because we no longer have an open admissions policy, the University is committed to a major expansion of enrollment,” says Michelle Hill, SUBR director of admissions. “The SUSLA Connect program gives a structured means to build integrated relationships and to assist students with staying on track and to help students navigate through A partnership between processes and the campuses in Baton overcome obstacles.”

Rouge, New Orleans,

and Shreveport, SUSLA Research shows that after years of Connect allows students steep increases, who are unable to meet higher education admissions requirements enrollments are slowing. In its be admitted through “Projections of Southern University Education Statistics to 2021” Shreveport. report, the U.S. Department of Education predicts that overall higher education enrollment will rise only about 15 percent from 2010 to 2021, after witnessing a 46 percent increase from 1996 to 2010. So it is imperative that colleges and universities develop strategies to shore up enrollment.

Through the SUSLA Connect program the SU System is creating a pipeline to its four-year degree programs that will create a unique opportunity for students and will allow the SU System to maximize the resources already available to them.

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embrace paperless HR services

As part of the centralization, SU System Human Resources started its paperless campaign by introducing the Banner System to all employees on every SU campus. Banner is part of the system developed to limit paper as a way to modernize the payroll system. Pictured is accountant Tamika Porter, SUS HR benefits section, verifying employee electronic payroll used by employees instead of paper timesheets.

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he Southern University Human Resource Department took the challenge in 2011 to go paperless and to centralized the human resources activities for the SU System’s five campuses.

Banner is an administrative software application developed specifically for higher education institutions to maintain student, alumni, financial, and personnel data. Banner allows employees to submit their timesheets, and view benefits and insurance information.

The plan is falling into place.

To prepare employees for the change, 30 training sessions were held and a training tool was provided on the web for employees to ease the transition.

In the past, the SUBR campus’ HR department was responsible for SUBR, the Law Center, and the Ag Center. Now the SU New Orleans and Shreveport campuses HR programs are also based in Baton Rouge under the SU System vice president for human resources.

Sonita Williams, office manager for SUBR Media Relations, described the Web training sessions as “informative, accurate and efficient.” She went on to say that after working at Southern for 12 years, “I had gotten accustomed to the old way however Banner avoids build up of paperwork, like leave forms.”

As part of the centralization, HR started its paperless campaign by introducing the Banner System to all employees on every campus.

Banner is part of the system developed to limit paper as way to modernize the payroll system.

As changes happen in the HR department, Pourciau wants to make sure that all employees have an understanding of what’s happening. So roundtable sessions were established to help create a “Communication Tree” within each department. The

SU System vice president of human resources Lester Pourciau said, “the whole process makes submission of payroll quicker and easier for HR to track down and avoid any misplaced paperwork.”

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Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAF).

This will allow HR to track PAFs for new employees on the computer and be able to observe the trail of the paperwork.

There will be no more blaming of process time on loss of paper work, said Pourciau, adding that the real culprit of delays was “the way the system is set up…The system will have people moving faster, because they don’t want to be the person bottlenecking the process.”

More changes will be coming to customer service, electronic submission of data, and collection of data.

Improved customer service is a goal for SU System human resources reorganization and centralization. Pictured is Reshonda Corley, administrative coordinator Susan Smith, administrative assistant, SUS Human Resources, assisting an employee.

roundtables opened the door to everyone to discuss any new trends being introduced or issues that employees may have.

The process is going to take patience and acceptance of change from employees, Pourciau said. The main goals are to disseminate important information efficiently and promptly to all employees.

The “Communication Tree” is designed for each department head to send one representative to the roundtable sessions and then to relay the information to three people in their department. Those three are then responsible to relay the information to another three and so on until the entire department is aware of the new trends.

Pourciau said, “I want the input from the employees because the only way to correct something is to know the issues. I welcome negative and positive complaints. This is to create communication and give us the chance to work on improving things.”

Pourciau is hopeful that SUS HR can become a completely paperless system by the beginning of the 2014.

The next big change will be the introduction of a new database, Vquask.

Vquask collects data to allow HR to maintain job descriptions, evaluations, departmental organizational charts, and establish the way employees are listed as exempt and non-exempt.

There also will be a change to the way Personnel Action Forms (PAF) are handled. PAFs will become

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southern university

expanding in HBCU online degree programs

Southern University is offering an expanding inventory of online degree programs for students seeking to further their education. The SU System has a partnership with Education Online Services Corporation (EoServe) to offer bachelors degree and a master’s degree programs.

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he Southern University System partnered with the Education Online Services Corporation (EoServe) in July of 2011 to bring online degrees to Southern University.

are working on a faster timeline and need a faster registration and financial packaging system than regular students.

The SU System office, which handles the online degree program, has centralized the so-called “back office operation” which handles receiving applications and packaging financial aid. The students also are provided with a 24-hour support system.

In August of 2012, SUBR started its executive Master of Public Administration online degree.

“This program was part of a soft launch to see if Southern’s infrastructure could support an online degree program in all areas of the University,” said SUBR recruitment director Michelle Hill.

EoServe works with Southern to market the program but to also facilitate the needs of the University to make the program a success for students by supplying them with the tools they need.

With the success of the first two programs, SUBR introduced a bachelor of science in criminal justice (BSCJ) degree program in the spring of 2013. The BSCJ degree prepares students for careers in the sub-agencies of the criminal justice system and for continued education in professional and graduate schools.

The market was limited to students in the surrounding areas of Baton Rouge that were more familiar with the University.

EoServe handles the marketing avenue of the online degree program to reach students in and around Louisiana as the programs grow.

As the word spread about the online degree program at Southern, the University is adding four more online degrees in the Fall of 2013. The other campuses, such as New Orleans and Shreveport will be next to offer online degrees.

“The online degrees are typically for older adults who have families and are working,” said Hill. Students seeking a nontraditional route to a college courses can now turn to Southern and can receive the education and assistance needed to be successful.

For more information on Southern System’s online degree programs visit: www.gotosouthernuniversityonline.com.

Classes in the online program are separated into eight-week sessions rather than the traditional 16-week semesters. Students Ovations

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advancing su -

Growing in giving: meaningful alumni support

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ccording to a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, a battered economy and volatile financial markets took a toll on donors’ pocketbooks and has caused private giving to American colleges to drop sharply. The Council for Aid to Education (CAE) tracks alumni participation in their annual Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey. The organization reported that U.S. colleges and universities received a record high of $31.6 billion in alumni gifts in 2008.

But in 2009, the VSE showed that institutions had experienced an 11.9 percent drop in giving, the steepest decline in CAE’s history.

Because the 2008 recession depressed overall giving to Colleges and Universities over the last few years, college administrators have been forced to shore up their development and fundraising staffs and to engage its alumni base in nontraditional ways.

The SU System Office of Alumni Affairs engages students prior to graduation through various events and has become part of the check out process for graduating seniors. Through the alumni’s Gifts for Graduates program, graduating seniors receive their first alumni paraphernalia. Pictured is Robyn Merrick, director of SU System alumni affairs and executive director of the SU Alumni Federation, and Shonda Wessinger, program coordinator, SU System Institutional Advancement, greeting graduates during check-out for Spring 2013 Commencement in Clifford Seymour Hall.

The Southern University System, as a tranformative move, will centralize external affairs operations to include the office of alumni affairs, communications and media, and institutional advancement.

The goal of the restructured office will be to support the academic departments and programmatic units of the University by providing leadership and coordination of the University’s external relations programs. To this end, the main focus of the division is to significantly increase the amount of private support secured for the University. Various planned campaigns will provide needed resources for a number of strategic plan initiatives and funding priorities throughout the University. Some of the specific goals for the division include: •

Focusing alumni relations activities to further enhance student recruitment, and implement programs which involve alumni in the life of the institution;

•

Continuing to enhance the data in the alumni/ development database to support the increased need for accurate alumni and donor records;

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•

Focusing fund-raising efforts on the University’s priorities; and

•

Increasing national media exposure and developing marketing initiatives to increase the university’s brand.

The SU System Office of Alumni Affairs has begun a campaign to work closely with the National Alumni Federation and is passionately taking strides to pursue younger alumni with the hope that they would support the University in unprecedented numbers.

Southern G.O.L.D as the acronym suggests is an alumni relations initiative designed to attract graduates of the last decade. Cultivation activities have been held over the last year to enlighten former students about the state of the University.

The effort was designed to give alumni an opportunity to share their perspectives and ideas and to allow them to become active participants in shaping the future of the institution through giving.

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In addition, the alumni office also has a wide and active social media presence which shows that Southern is a vastly different institution than it was a generation ago,” says Robyn Merrick, director of SU System alumni affairs and executive director of the SU Alumni Federation.

“It is much more diverse, there are vast changes and students expect more from their alma mater and this initiative represents an opportunity for alumni to demonstrate their support for funding priorities that reflect their interest and desires.”

Developing volunteer opportunities for alumni is another way that we make them feel connected to the University, explained Merrick.

Encouraging alumni engagement through supporting SU Alumni Federation events is an important part of maintaining a strong partnership with alumni. Pictured at the Houston Chapter’s Annual Crawfish Boil and Fish Fry Scholarship Fundraiser, Saturday, April 27, 2013, at Kitty Hollow Park in Missouri City, Texas, is (left-right) alumnus Preston Castille, president of the SU Laboratory School Foundation; Cedric Parms, recruiter, and Michelle Hill, director, admissions, SUBR; Ronald Mason Jr., president, SU System; Belinda Mason; Glinda Llorens; and James L. Llorens, chancellor, SU Baton Rouge

The office of alumni affairs engages students prior to graduation through various events and has become part of the check out process for graduating seniors. Through the alumni’s Gifts for Graduates program, graduating seniors receive their first alumni paraphernalia. They are invited to a reception held with the alumni office’s affinity partner, Liberty Mutual and learn about the products the company offers. During the reception, alumni staff also explains the importance of

supporting the University and distributes packages of information that contains an application to join the alumni association along with contact information for other University offices that are of importance to graduates.

SUS Foundation advancement initiatives include establishment of the 1880 Society last year. The benevolent group was formed with a goal to provide a minimum of $1 million dollars in annual unrestricted support to SU System campuses.

Through this initiative the SU System Foundation hopes to expand the University’s donor base.

Already, 1880 Society founding members have contributed more than $100,000, and have completed their initial commitments SU System Foundation advancement initiatives include the establishment of the 1880 Society last year.

The benevolent group was founded with a goal to provide a minimum of $1 million dollars in annual unrestricted support to SU System campuses. Pictured at an 1880 Society reception in Sugar Land, Texas, April 26, 2013, is SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. with alumnae Betty Brown (left) and Lolalisa King.

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students and alumni dedicated to making contact with University supporters to update the current donor database.

and are recruiting others to the ranks. Part of the commitment in being a Society member is to donate $1,000 per year and to recruit one new member per year for five years, or to obtain a total of five recruits during the five-year period.

Hughes wants to make SU a more prominent figure in terms of its endowments by increasing leadership givers, major gift donations, and annual fund donations.

“We are looking at ways to make alumni feel like a part of the University beyond connecting them with the usual sporting event,� says Ernie Hughes, SU System vice president for advancement.

Committed to assisting donors in fulfilling their philanthropic goals, the SU Foundation has giving opportunities available in many areas of interest to alumni and friends. The newest initiative is the Annual Faith Fund which targets the faith-based community and encourages support of the University. More than $125,000 in pledges has been made already. (See story, page 6) In addition, the SU Foundation will be developing a call center staffed by

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Many colleges and universities are no longer considering themselves as state-supported but state assisted. SU is no different. It has become increasingly important for universities to have a viable fundraising and development Already, 1880 Society staff that will foster relationships through founding members publications and media coverage and have contributed develop opportunities for alumni involvement in campus activities and more than $100,000 solicitation strategies for annual, and have completed endowment, capital, and planned gifts. With their initial System President Mason’s vision to transform SU into a model HBCU system, commitments and the Office of Advancement and External are recruiting others Relations will be on the right track to solidify to the ranks. external financial support that will sustain the University through the transition.

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Meeting the demand of its clientele, through technology

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And, within minutes, an answer can be provided on what to do.

hen the Cooperative Extension Program first started at Southern University many years ago, it was centrally focused on one-on-one interaction and contact with citizens in local parishes throughout the state. Agents and specialists worked closely with their clientele instructing them on best practices and strategies to improve their quality of life.

“Unfortunately, all of our clients still don’t have access to current technology.

So, we still have to rely on our agents to directly disseminate some information to those in need,” said Williams.

The SU Ag Center is actively recruiting high school

Today, that philosophy and time-tested model still rings true with staff working hand-in-hand to provide expert advice on issues related to obesity, agriculture, nutrition, and youth development.

But, just as society has changed and made new technological advances, so has the SU Ag Center.

“We look at technology as a vehicle for disseminating educational information that is useful for that farmer, homemaker, or kid,” said SU Ag Center Chancellor Leodrey Williams. “Embracing technology allows our clients to have direct access to our information via our agents, specialists, and researchers in real-time.”

students for Southern University’s College of

SU Ag Center Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences director of through the Jags in Ag Program. Through the technology project, the Ag Center is working closely with high Christopher J. school counselors, community leaders, and career Rogers is coaches through the use of mobile devices. responsible for keeping the agents and specialists throughout the state linked with the latest technology.

Technology has made it easier to receive and to transfer information to citizens throughout the state in various formats.

For instance, a farmer used to call a SU Ag Center agent, schedule an appointment, and wait for him to visit his farm to tell him what the brown spots were on the leaves in his garden that were stopping his production.

“You would actually be surprised at the number of rural communities that still don’t have consistent Internet access,” said Rogers.

He can now use his smartphone to take a picture of a plant and either text or email the photo to an agent, specialist, or researcher.

Rogers was recently involved in a technology project – Building Digital Communities in Rural Louisiana – spearheaded by Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives director Wanda Burke and technical support specialist Wilbert Harris Jr.

Adults 55 and older learn basic technology skills through the Experience Works Program at a training session through the SU Ag Center’s Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives in Opelousas.

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The project targets business owners in St. Landry, Evangeline, East Baton Rouge, and Pointe Coupee parishes and is focused on training business owners to better utilize technology in their local companies, and ultimately help foster strong economic development.

To date, more than 800 individuals have been touched through the program.

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The SU Ag Center has also incorporated the use of technology in its recruiting efforts.

Through the recently launched Jags in Ag Program, the SU Ag Center is actively recruiting high school students for Southern University’s College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

The project started this past February, and is led by Renita Marshall, associate professor of animal science and staff veterinarian, along with co-project investigators Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, assistant specialist of community and economic development, Willie Rawls, associate research director, and Gary Simon, staff veterinarian.

Through the project, the SU Ag Center is working closely with high school counselors, community leaders, and career coaches through the use of mobile devices.

Participants learn basic computer technology in Wilson (E. Felicilana Parish) on the Southern University Ag Center E-Learning Mobile Lab. The lab is equipped with 10 workstations, a printer, and mobile hotspots for broadband internet access.

With a $150,000 grant from the USDA Capacity Building Program the SU Ag Center gave Apple iPads to 30 high school counselors and career coaches during a recent training session and taught them how to integrate the use of the devise into their daily work.

The website for the project is www.jagsinag.org.

Chancellor Williams said the SU Ag Center will continue to incorporate the use of technology in all of their programming aspects.

“We train them on different websites to access information about careers in agriculture, and provide them with data from the University that’s needed to recruit students,” said Marshall.

“The use of technology in all of these projects helps us to have a better trained society,” said Williams. “Ultimately, this leads to a better way of life for our citizens, and prepares them for the future.”

“There is definitely a sense of excitement,” Marshall added.

“Everyone who has participated so far has loved it.”

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Helping students shoulder the financial burden of increasing tuition costs

n the past four years, Louisiana’s colleges and universities have lost more than $625 million to state budget cuts, according to the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Colleges within the Southern University System have seen their share of cuts with their budgets slashed in excess of $42.3 million during that same time period – a 43 percent reduction.

To handle the plummeting budgets, Southern and other higher education institutions across the state have pushed forward several cost-saving plans which have included streamlining program offerings that resulted in staff and faculty layoffs, reductions in class offerings, energy efficiency plans, and cuts in travel and supply budgets.

Louisiana higher education institutions have also been able to offset some of the losses from budget cuts with more than $300 million in tuition increases in the past five years. Of that figure, Southern University System colleges have increased tuition by $20.3 million.

And, to deal with future budget downturns, this past March, the Southern University Board of Supervisors approved an acrossthe-board 10 percent tuition increase on its campuses.

SU System campuses are digging deep to help students and parents meet the climbing tuition costs, and to make certain students are not shouldering the financial burden on their own.

Despite harsh economic realties, Southern University’s tuition remains affordable for students. On average, tuition at Southern University campuses is approximately 30 percent below that at Southern Region Education Board (SREB) peer institutions.

Continued budget cuts are hampering local schools’ ability to train students who can meet workforce demands and are forcing SU to increase tuition at its campuses. SU System campuses are digging deep to help students and parents meet the climbing tuition costs, and to make certain students are not shouldering the financial burden on their own.

Colleges are educating students more on available opportunities, the financial aid process, and how to make wise financial and academic decisions.

“The University’s mission to provide access to higher education for the underserved and lower-income students guides the pace and consideration of any tuition or fee increase we may consider,” said Ronald Mason Jr., SU System president. “Southern “It is imperative is definitely a good value for a great we find a way to education.”

“We recognize that parents and students are now having to carry more of the load as state support decreases and tuition rates increase,” said Mason. “It is imperative that we find a way to assist our students and offer them as many opportunities as we can with their financial struggles.”

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assist our students and offer them as many opportunities as we can with their financial struggles.”

-Ronald Mason, Jr.

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Federal financial aid only lasts six years.

Therefore, it’s critical that SU campuses teach students about the financial aid process, available opportunities when funding runs short, and how best to chart their course while in school – to ensure no funds are wasted through unwisely dropping courses, or opting not to carry a full load when schedules can permit more.

Each campus has identified unique approaches to help assist their students with the ever growing burden of growing tuition costs.

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Campuses are building strategic partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally to help keep students in school while helping them secure any and all financial resources available to them as they pursue their educational goals.

Each SU campus is continuously revising their tactics to make certain the financial needs of students are front and center and are being met.

Southern University Baton Rouge Since 2010, SUBR tuition for in-state students has increased by 40 percent, from $2,292 to $3,202 this coming fall. SUBR recognizes the need to support students in any way possible as costs continues to go up.

Colleges are educating students more on available opportunities, the financial aid process, and how to make wise financial and academic decisions. SU campuses teach students about the financial aid process, available opportunities when funding runs short, and how best to chart their course while in school.

In a recent interview with The Advocate, SUBR Chancellor James Llorens said, “It is absolutely critical now that we give students the resources they need to matriculate; and in the shortest time possible, because their costs are rising, and the changes in financial aid and in admissions have made it more difficult for students.”

SUBR also works hand-in-hand with national and international companies to provide internships and scholarships.

Currently SUBR works with students and parents in waiving out-of-state fees, offering book vouchers, and identifying unique scholarship opportunities.

Southern University’s Baton Rouge campus is abuzz with change that continues to keep this 133-year-old institution on the cutting edge of educating young minds.

Lead by Chancellor Dr. James L. Llorens, the University has: • Revamped the number of colleges on the campus into a more competitive 21st Century model that meets the needs of the local and national workforce.

• Strengthened ties with its alumni groups, stakeholders and business partners.

• Opened new multi-million dollar, multi-purpose buildings, renovated others and will demolish those that stand in the way of progress.

• Increased student and faculty learning opportunities from China to Alaska and from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, to a community food outreach center less than a mile from the campus.

• Challenged SUBR students, faculty and staff to develop unique and better strategies to continually improve what we do.

“We are building a new Southern University” is not just a slogan, it’s reality.

www.subr.edu

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Additionally, one unique recruiting event SUBR holds, where they assist with tuition, is the annual College Night on the Bluff. During the event high school juniors and seniors who meet certain academic requirements can possibly receive scholarship offers on the spot.

Higher education funding

State General Fund adjustments to higher education since July 1, 2008 Fiscal Year

Date

Adjustment

2008-2009

Mid-Year

-$55.2 million

2009-2010

July 1

$309.4 million

July 1*

+$189.7 million

Mid-year

-$76.2 million

July 1

-$124.7 million

July 1*

+$99.9 million

Mid-year

-$34.7 million

2011-2012

Mid-Year

-$50.0 million

2012-2013

July 1

-$65.9 million

2010-2011

Total

Also, students who meet admissions criteria have their names placed in a raffle in which many win some scholarship funds and book vouchers.

Parents and students interested in tuition assistance opportunities can contact the SUBR Financial Aid Department at (225) 771-2790.

Southern University New Orleans

-$426.5 million

SUNO is offering scholarships and working with partners to offer competitive internship opportunities to students in New Orleans, as well as outside of the city to assist in defraying the tuition hikes.

*Additional funds provided by federal stimulus program Source: Louisiana Board of Regents

Funding for Southern University colleges 2008-

2009-

2010-

2011-

2012-

5-YR

%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

DIFF.

DECR.

SUBR

$52,978,113

$33,567,574

$28,660,056

$31,083,400

$24,525,010

$28,453,103

54%

SUSLA

$8,389,193

$5,896,688

$6,804,623

$6,686,136

$5,658,617

$2,730,576

33%

SUNO

$15,614,957

$9,742,234

$8,720,270

$9,932,500

$7,479,336

$8,135,621

52%

SULC

$7,453,017

$4,903,126

$4,457,099

$4,811,315

$4,069,635

$3,383,382

45%

Source: Southern University System Colleges

However, the most important thing SUNO is doing, according to Chancellor Victor Ukpolo, is making certain they are offering quality education and instruction to students for the tuition they pay.

“We are offering excellent academic offerings where our students are able to compete,” said Ukpolo.

Ukpolo said it’s imperative that the University ensures students are getting their money’s worth when they decide to attend SUNO. SUNO is reviewing existing programs, and identifying more programs to offer that are better aligned with local and state workforce needs.

Increasing Tuition Rates FALL

FALL

FALL

FALL

4-YR

2009

2010

2011

2012

DIFF.

SUBR

$2,059

$2,292

$2,537

$2,905

$846

41%

SUSLA

$1,232

$1,367

$1,499

$1653

$421

34%

SUNO

$1,566

$1,754

$2,004

$2,186

$620

40%

SULC

$3960

$4,599

$4,997

$5,473

$1,513

38%

A noteworthy example of SUNO examining their program offerings and matching it with local labor requests can be seen as SUNO finalizes plans to begin offering the bachelors of science in forensic science this coming fall. SUNO will be the only school in the state offering the program, and will be meeting a tremendous need in training individuals to help be a part of the solution in addressing crime reduction and prevention throughout the local 10-parish area (see story, page 9).

% INCREASE

Full-time general fall tuition and fees *Noted amounts do not include room and board or other applicable campus-related fees.

Ukpolo said it’s these types of program offerings along with keeping a finger on the pulse of the

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needs of the state and community that will ensure the viability of SUNO in the future.

Currently, tuition has risen to about $11,000 annually for in-state law students, and $20,000 annually for out-of-state law students, up 38 percent from only three years ago.

Parents and students interested in tuition assistance opportunities can contact the SUNO Financial Aid Department at (504) 286-5263.

With the soaring tuition costs seen nationally in obtaining the specialty degree, SULC vice chancellor for institutional accountability and evening division John Pierre said Southern University’s tuition rates are still a great value for students, and the campus is persistently trying to identify new ways to aid students in their educational pursuits.

Southern University Shreveport As tuition has climbed at Southern University Shreveport, the school is now increasingly relying on its Foundation and the generosity of donors to help assist students with tuition challenges.

Currently, SULC offers financial assistance through the Law Center Scholarship Assistance Program, public interest law fellowships, stipends, research assistantships, hardship reliefs, and other scholarship opportunities for students.

SUSLA director of communications and public relations William Strother said the University is very sensitive to the needs of students and has been more assertive with forming partnerships with private industry to provide scholarship and internship opportunities.

Stipends offered through the Law Center give students an opportunity to work with legal offices for a six week period, usually during the summer, and earn $2,500.

Pierre said it’s a perfect opportunity for students, giving them the much needed legal experience needed, along with addressing their financial situation – rather than having them work at a local shoe shop or mall during the summer.

Strother also said the University also has three premium events each year, led by the SUSLA Foundation, where they appeal to their donor base to help students. The three events are the Port City Golf Classic Tournament, the annual Gentlemen’s Coooking Classic, and the annual Cotton Club event.

Most scholarship and research opportunities are based on academic merit and need.

SUSLA also hosts an annual Radiothon, where they receive an average of $60,000 to $70,000 in pledges.

Students interested in tuition assistance opportunities can contact the SULC Financial Aid Department at (225) 771-2141.

Funds raised during the events go towards scholarships, and help students who may not receive a full loan, or no financial aid at all.

Campuses are building strategic partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally to help keep students in school while helping them secure any and all financial resources available to them as they pursue their educational goals.

Scholarships depend on academic standing, and generally range from $250 to $1,500.

Parents and students interested in tuition assistance opportunities can contact the SUSLA Financial Aid Department at (318) 670-9415.

Southern University Law Center Tuition continues to be a topic of much interest for law schools across the country – and, it’s no different for the Southern University Law Center.

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southern university new orleans re-building for the future

SUNO’s Park Campus, the original campus at 6400 Press Drive in 2005, was completely flooded as a result of the levee breaches caused by Hurricane Katrina and the storm surge later caused by Hurricane Rita.

Floodwaters grew to as high as eleven feet in the buildings, causing the school’s physical plant to require replacement.

exemplary equipment. He, along with SUNO students, and faculty and staff, have shown great fortitude and determination in bringing the campus back to life and they know the growing pains they are currently enduring are worth it.

E

Efforts to rebuild the campus started several weeks after the storms, with a thorough assessment of the facilities after the campus was inundated with floodwater that stood for weeks.

And, through persistent efforts of the Southern University System and SUNO leaders, the campus ultimately received a $105 million commitment for construction – more than four times the original projected sum of $25 million – from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with additional state funds.

very day, Southern University New Orleans chancellor Victor Ukpolo walks through the heart of campus greeting students and faculty members. It’s part of his daily routine as he heads out to meet with contractors on campus who are responsible for making certain SUNO has new state-of-the-art buildings, and is ready when classes begin on August 19.

It has been nearly eight years since Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters left SUNO’s campus in ruins, and the University is preparing to welcome students back to a new campus this fall.

All of the temporary trailers that have lined the campus since late 2005, providing temporary space for classroom sites and offices, will finally be removed, making way for new buildings that will take their place.

System and campus administrators have worked closely with the state’s Office of Facilities Planning and Control to ensure the projects stayed on track, receiving the attention they deserved and remaining a top priority for the state.

Upcoming School Year

“Walking through SUNO now, you can’t tell if it’s a campus or a construction zone,” said Ukpolo as he speaks about the current condition of the University.

Ukpolo speaks passionately about the transformation of the campus and what the University has in store for students when they return.

But, Ukpolo can see past the construction site and envisions his school’s future, with a new campus, modern classrooms, and

“The first thing students will notice when they come this fall is the removal of all trailers on the campus,” said Ukpolo. “This

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After major flooding from backto-back Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, Southern University New Orleans set up operations in a temporary campus in trailers at the lakefront campus. Beginning this Fall 2013, all of the temporary trailers will finally be removed and replaced by new modular buildings similar to the building in the pictured architectural rendering, until new construction and renovations to the Park campus is completed.

The $6.2 million renovation will lead to a modernized library that will offer a wide range of attractive features for students and faculty, including an Internet café, digital library, increased archives section, reading zones, better collections, a faculty lounge, plus several other improvements.

will be the first time since Katrina that we won’t have one single trailer here.”

Then, in April 2014, SUNO plans to finish renovations on the first floor of the administration building. The new office will be a one-stop-shop for enrollment services, assisting students with all their enrollment needs, including billing, financial aid, and registration. The office will eliminate the need for students to travel across campus or call multiple departments to obtain answers, and will provide students with the assistance and resources they need in one location.

In place of the trailers, welcoming students back in August, will be eight new permanent, modular buildings, covering 72,000-square-feet. The buildings will house new advanced, high-tech classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces.

Later in the semester, a $4.2 million renovation of SUNO’s student union – University Center – will be unveiled in late October. University Center will provide a much needed space to engage students and offer them a facility where they can meet, relax, and enjoy their time in between classes.

Ukpolo said he’s excited about the new enrollment services center, and that a lot of thought and planning went into developing the space. The new customer focused office will definitely make life much easier for students, offering them the convenience of having a central location for all of their enrollment and student service needs.

University Center will house student activities, and will feature game rooms, a book store, a fitness center, swimming pool, staff space, and reception rooms.

SUNO will kick off the spring 2014 semester with the reopening of the Leonard S. Washington Memorial Library, which was originally built in 1963. You can hear the pride in the chancellor’s voice as he speaks about the modernized 72,000-square-foot structure, which was named after its first director. The restored library will offer expanded services to students.

Keeping in line with accreditation standards, SUNO was required to present the renovation and increased services plan to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

“We wanted to bring a 21st century library back online, not simply the same facility that we had before,” said Ukpolo. “So, we started with a plan and shared with SACS the vision for the new library and enhancements we had in store. SACS gave us a clean bill with no recommendations for improvement or changes. When that occurred, we knew we were on the right track.”

Spring/Summer 2013

Still More to Come

Still to come are four new buildings that will be added to the SUNO landscape. The additions include an Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Building, an Education and Human Development Building, a Natural Sciences Building, and the Millie Charles School new of Social Work Building.

With the buildings, SUNO is on an impressive trajectory, and is anticipating continued growth with new student enrollment and partnerships.

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Ukpolo stated the four buildings are so critical to the University’s future that each building was assigned its own independent architect to help expedite the process and to ensure they remain on schedule.

Also slated for the near future is a new Small Business Incubator facility, and the renovation of the current Health and Education Building.

The Small Business Incubator will be a 10,000-square-foot facility that houses offices, classrooms, a computer laboratory, credit union

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August 2013 Eight Modular Buildings 72,000 square feet; new buildings Advanced, high-tech classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces

October 2013 University Center Renovation Game rooms, a book store, a fitness center, swimming pool, staff space, and reception rooms

December 2013 Health and Education Building Renovation Upgrades to meet required ADA standards, addition of an elevator, new gym flooring and windows, and a makeover to the showers and locker rooms

January 2014 Leonard S. Washington Memorial Library 72,000 square feet; renovation Internet café, digital library, increased archives section, reading zones, better collections, and faculty lounge

suite, music mixing studio, visual entertainment editing room, and conference room.

The Health and Education Building will be upgraded to meet required Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, with the addition of an elevator, new gym flooring and windows, and a makeover to the showers and locker rooms.

Wrapping up the construction projects will be a new Central Plant to replace the previous one that was damaged during the storm. The exact design and footprint of the Central Plant has not been determined as SUNO’s Facilities Department wants to complete existing construction projects and make certain the new plant has the capacity to meet the existing and future needs of the college.

With the new buildings, SUNO is on an impressive trajectory, and is anticipating continued growth with new student enrollment and partnerships. Plans are in the works to give students more options through a strong program mix that will be two fold – ensuring students have viable career options that will lead to securing a job upon graduation, and making certain the University is offering programs that are aligned with local workforce needs throughout the 10 parishes within the Greater New Orleans region.

While the SUNO campus will continue to be a “construction zone” for a little while longer, students and faculty certainly won’t mind, given what they have in store for the future.

April 2014 Administration Building, First Floor Renovation One-stop-shop for enrollment services

SUNO students in late 2013 will enjoy a $4.2 million renovation of SUNO’s student union – University Center. University Center will provide a much needed space to engage students and offer them a facility where they can meet, relax, eat, and enjoy their time in between classes. Pictured is the swimming pool and fitness area renovations.

October 2014 College of Business Incubator 10,000 square feet; new building Computer laboratory, credit union suite, music mixing studio, visual entertainment editing room, and conference room

January 2015 Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Building 74,464 square feet; new building Education and Human Development Building; 70,038 square feet; new building Natural Sciences Building 72,833 square feet; new building The Millie Charles School of Social Work 39,123 square feet; new building

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Spring/Summer 2013

sulcRemaining steady and excelling

Across the country law schools are seeing a downturn in enrollment. SULC’s student base has remained steady. SULC is offering enrollment options that will allow students greater flexibility and time to complete their degrees.

D

espite national reports, which show a decrease in enrollment for law schools across the country, the Southern University Law Center is keeping pace with the needs of students and offering them greater levels of support through new technological advancements and programs

economic decline and provide them with even more opportunities to ensure their success.”

The Law Center is implementing a number of strategies and programs for prospective students, to try to get them in the door.

The extra support and innovative programs for current and future law students is needed even more today as national trends show a decline in law school applicants and strong concern about the job market after graduation.

“One important item the Law Center is emphasizing to prospective students is cost and value,” said Pierre. “Nationally, Southern still has one of the lowest tuition rates, but with an exceptional legal program for students that offers an experience that most other law schools can’t compete with.”

Across the country, law schools are seeing a downturn in enrollment. Recently, the Law School Admission Council reported that for the first time in 30 years, law schools are seeing a steep decline in the number of applications received. Since 2004, the number of law school applicants has dropped from almost 100,000 to 54,000.

In addition to touting the value of their programs, SULC is offering enrollment options that will allow students greater flexibility and time to complete their degrees. One particular option is the part-time, day and evening program. Through the part-time program, students should be able to complete their degree in four-and-a-half to five years.

Also, a recent article in the New York Times expresses those same sentiments as it states, [there is an] “increased concern over soaring tuition, crushing student debt, and diminishing prospects of lucrative employment upon graduation.”

SULC also is extending the application deadline to give those who may be on the fence about applying an opportunity to still get their application material into the school.

However, while the rest of the country has seen a decline in enrollment, SULC’s student base has remained steady. The school, however, does anticipate a possible slight decline in upcoming semesters.

After getting students in the door, and registered in classes, SULC is also looking at technology and new trends to ensure students remain engaged and that their programs are relevant.

SULC vice chancellor for institutional accountability and evening division John Pierre said, “it’s imperative that the Law Center keeps up with the needs of students during this

For instance, through technological advancements, Southern is able to offer students the opportunity to participate in distance learning partnerships that have been established with other top tier law schools in the country.

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Presently, SULC is partnering with New York Law School and North Carolina Central University School of Law to offer students the chance to take classes that they do not offer.

SULC also has an impressive international component as well. The Law Center offers students an opportunity to participate in the London Summer Abroad Program.

The six-week program takes students into the heart of London, where they take classes at the University College of London.

While taking in the sites in Europe, students also take classes focused on European law, international criminal law, private international law, and comparative constitutional law.

Pierre said the programs in place are just a start and the Law Center is constantly reviewing and trying to identify new opportunities for students to excel.

The SU Law Center is implementing a number of strategies and programs for prospective students to try to get them in the door.

The Law Center offers students an opportunity to participate in the London Summer Abroad Program. The six-week program takes students into the heart of London, where they take classes at the University College of London.

“Southern University is a strong, competitive law school in today’s market, and we’re here to help students,” said Pierre.

While there is a definite downtown in the economy across the country, Southern’s Law Center is far more than just your regular law school, and is providing great opportunities to help their students succeed.

40

YEARS

Clinical Education AT SULC

Southern University Law Center

Administrative/Civil Law • Bankrutpcy • Criminal Law • Divorce/Domestic Violence • Elder Law • Juvenile Law • Mediation • Tax Law & Externships

Develop perspective in client advocacy & litigation and Learn a structured approach

to lawyering.

(225) 771-3333 www.sulc.edu Ovations

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Spring/Summer 2013

alumni news

Highlights

SU alumni affairs efforts receive CASE honors University Alumni Federation, was last fall, converted from a magazine format to a lower cost 16-page newsletter.

The Southern University System Office of Alumni Affairs received two awards at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s (CASE) annual District IV conference March 24-26, 2013, in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This is good news for the Southern University Alumni Federation. The best is yet to come,” said SU Alumni Federation president, Dennis S. Brown.

The honor marks the second year in a row that the SUAF has received awards from a national body. Last year the SUAF was named the National Alumni Association of the Year by the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Incorporated.

SU Alunmni Affairs (SUAF) captured a gold honor for its “Gifts for Graduates” program that was entered in the CASE District IV Accolades Awards competition. The “Gift for Graduates” is a new SUAF concept which seeks to gather reliable contact information on graduates as they leave the University and marks the special occasion with gifts of appreciation.

“We are very honored to be recognized for our efforts in trying to grow the SU Alumni Federation as alumni support becomes more essential for colleges and universities,” said Robyn Merrick, director, SUS Office of Alumni Affairs and executive director, SUAF. The Accolades Awards program includes 37 different categories, including alumni relations, communications, design, development, grant writing, magazines, marketing, news writing, photography, portals, publications, and Web. This year’s Accolades Competition winners were chosen from field of more than 1,300 entries.

The Southernite alumni newsletter received bronze status in the Low Cost Alumni Program category. The quarterly publication, a successful outlet for sharing accomplishments of alumni, alumni chapter activities, events, and overall messaging of the Office of Alumni Affairs and the Southern

CASE District IV consists of all colleges and universities in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma. and Texas.

SU alum Lou Brock promoting diabetes awareness, prevention-Baseball Hall of Famer and Southern University alumnus Lou Brock spoke April 24, 2013, at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge as part of its “Louisiana Diabetes Summit: Meeting Our Challenge.” Brock, who played 17 years for the St. Louis Cardinals, was diagnosed with diabetes about 12 years ago. The Hall of Famer was among a group of people and organizations at the Summit to focus on bringing more awareness about the disease, promote prevention, and encourage patients to get the best possible care.

Pictured is Brock (middle) with SU head baseball coach Roger Cador (left) and SUBR chancellor James L. Llorens.

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su system alumni highlights

Record number participate in 2013 Alumni Round-Up celebrating SULC’s 65 years Batiste, ’81, Plaquemine, Louisiana; Aaron Harris, ’71, of Opelousas, Louisiana; Dannye Malone, ’85, Shreveport, Louisiana; and Judge Brenda Bedsole Ricks, ’84, Amite, Louisiana. The master of ceremony was Timothy W. Hardy, ’86, and mistress of ceremony was associate clinical professor Jacqueline Nash, ’83.

The Round-Up opened on Wednesday evening with the “What Is Your Brand?” panel of alumni and other professionals giving advice to students on career searches. Baton Rouge General was a major sponsor for this event.

Thursday’s events included the CLE symposium, the third installation of seven alumni judges for the Judicial Wall of Fame, and the Distinguished Alumni and Welcome Reception honoring six alums for their career achievements and continued outstanding service to the Law Center. Magistrate Quintillis Lawrence, ’01, was the master of ceremony for the Judicial Wall of Fame program and Scotty Chabert, ‘06, for the Distinguished Alumni and Welcome Reception.

2013 SULC Hall of Fame Inductees (from left) former SULC associate dean Aaron Harris, ’71, of Washington, Louisiana; Dannye Malone, ’85, of Shreveport, Louisiana; Judge Brenda Bedsole Ricks, ’84, Amite, Louisiana; Monica Azare, ’94, New York City, New York; and Judge Alvin Batiste, ’91, Plaquemine, Louisiana.

Throughout an expanded schedule of events for the 2013 SU Alumni Round-Up, participants in record numbers celebrated the Law Center’s 65th Anniversary.

The 2013 Chancellor’s Golf Scramble reached the maximum number of 36 4-person teams on Friday, April 12, on the greens of Copper Mill Golf Club. The SULC Alumni Association held its annual meeting and reception.

More than 275 attended the Hall of Fame Banquet, the signature event for the Round-Up, honoring five inductees for 2013: Monica Azare, ’94, New York City, N.Y.; Judge Alvin

The Hall of Fame Banquet was the Round-Up closing event.

Participating alumni judges in the Third Installation of the SULC Judicial Wall of Fame (from left): Judge Reginald Corlew, ’92, Florida 15th Judicial Circuit Court; Judge Todd Hernandez, ’92, Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court; Judge Brian A. Jackson, ’85, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana; Judge Janice G. Clark, ’76, Louisiana 19th Judicial District; Judge Ramona L. Emanuel, ’86, Louisiana 1st Judicial District Court, Shreveport, Louisiana; Judge Lisa Woodruff-White, ’89, East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court; and Judge Leon L. Emanuel, III, ’77, Louisiana 1st Judicial District Court.

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2013 Distinguished Alumni (from left) Alejandro “Al” Perkins, ’04, Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, & Guice Law Firm, Baton Rouge; James Rodney Pierre, ’90, Law Office of Pierre and Pierre, LLC, Monroe, Louisiana; and Dinisa Hardley Folmar, ’99, Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, Georgia; Erin Monroe Wesley, ’02, Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC), Baton Rouge; J. Rodney Messina, ’90, Law Office of J. Rodney Messina, APLC, Baton Rouge; and Michael R. D. Adams,’88, DeCuir, Clark, & Adams, LLP, Baton Rouge.

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Spring/Summer 2013

su system alumni highlights

Southern honors alumnus Avery Johnson in court dedication ceremony Before he became a household name among NBA basketball fans, Avery Johnson spent two seasons lighting up the F.G. Clark Activity Center with his jaw-dropping passing and playmaking ability.

Johnson returned to the “Mini Dome” on Saturday, February 2, 2013, as Southern dedicated its home court in his honor and unveiled a banner bearing his retired No. 15 jersey.

During halftime of the SouthernGrambling men’s game, Johnson took the microphone and flashed his famous smile.

“SU, what’s up?” he began.

Pictured is Johnson and his wife Cassandra, also an SU graduate, during a presentation honoring

the former SU standout February 2, 2013, prior the men’s game vs Grambling State in the F.G. Johnson, whose remarkable journey to Clark Activity Center. the NBA began as a St. Augustine High (New Orleans) backup, reminded fans Highlights of Johnson shown during the event had the young that champions can be born right where they sat.

No. 15 beating some defenders with no-look passes and beating others with circus layups.

“When you wear the blue and gold, you’re a champion,” he said. “You’re special, and you’re a champion.”

The heartbeat of Southern teams that won back-to-back SWAC titles, Johnson was a leader as much as a showman.

The kind of crowd that greeted Johnson during the ceremony was very much like the ones he and his teammates often But he had plenty of naysayers as he began to pursue a entertained during Southern’s glory years. professional career.

With the Southern men leading the SWAC race and their biggest, oldest rival in town, the 4,800 fans at the Mini Dome saw the Jaguars shake off a slow start en route to their seventh double-digit win during conference play.

Johnson signed with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1988 as an undrafted free agent, then bounced around the NBA trying to find a regular roster spot. He switched teams six times before settling in with the San Antonio Spurs in 1994 and beginning a seven-year run with them.

But the buzz about the game was as much about Johnson’s return as it was anything else.

Then came the highlight of all highlights, the jumper he sank in 1999 to clinch San Antonio’s first NBA title.

Johnson led the nation in assists his only two seasons as a Jaguar, the perfect leading man for Southern coach Ben Jobe’s high-flying offense.

The crowd at Southern roared Saturday as the famous shot swished the net on the screen above midcourt.

But his journey to The Bluff was hardly a straight one, coming after one season at New Mexico Junior College and one more at Cameron University in Oklahoma.

“My mom and dad used to sit in those seats and watch me play,” Johnson said.

As they cheered from those seats 25 years ago, Johnson’s parents couldn’t have known that the court down below would one day bear his name.

He had to sit out his first year at Southern to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.

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su system alumni highlights

Alumni crawfish fundraisers boost SU scholarships-- (left photo) The Home Chapter of the SU Alumni Federation hosted its 2nd Annual Scholarship Crawfish Boil Saturday, April 6, 2013, on the Mayberry Dining Hall Lawn, SUBR. (right photo) SU alums Pam Whitley (left) and Daniel Whitley with SU System president Ronald Mason Jr. at the D.C. Alumni Chapter’s Crab and Crawfish Boil, May 29, 2013, Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

take note Don Cravins Jr. became chief of staff for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La. The SU Law Center alumnus replaced Jane Campbell who took over Cravin’s previous position as staff director of the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

Cravins previously served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2004 through 2006. When he was elected, he and his father, then Senator Don Cravins Sr., made Louisiana history by becoming the first father and son duo to serve in the Louisiana Legislature at the same time. Don Cravins, Jr. later won a seat in the Louisiana State Senate, where he represented the 24th district from December 2006 until January 2009.

Southern University alumnus Timothy W. Hardy, representing East Baton Rouge Parish, was elected president of the board of commissioners for the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.The Shreveport native, holds a B.S. degree in chemistry and a juris doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center where he serves as an adjunct professor teaching environmental law. From 1982 to 1988, he served as an assistant attorney general in the Louisiana Department of Justice in the Environmental Enforcement Section. In 1988, he was appointed by former Governor Buddy Roemer to serve as assistant secretary for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. From 1990 to 1992, he served as the top advisor to Governor Roemer on all environmental matters. From 1992 to 1994, he served as director of Public Protection Division within the Louisiana Department of Justice. In 1994, he joined the New Orleans based Lemle & Kelleher, L.L.P. Law Firm. In March 2003, he joined one of two Fortune 500 Companies based in the State of Louisiana, The Shaw Group, where he served as executive vice president. In June 2004, he rejoined Lemle & Kelleher as a partner and served as the Chairman of the Firm from 2007 until his departure in July 2011 when he joined Roedel, Parsons, Koch, Blache, Balhoff & McCollister.

State Rep. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, a SU Law Center alum, was elected chairperson of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, along with five other officers for 2013-2014, who are SU graduates. Other SU alumni elected to LLBC positions were State Representatives. Ed Price, D-Gonzales (SUBR), and Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans (SUNO), were selected as vice chairperson and first vice chairperson, respectively. State Representatives Ledricka Thierry, D-Opelousas (SULC), was tapped as treasurer, and Vincent Pierre, D-Lafayette (SUBR), was elected parliamentarian. State Senator Troy Brown, D-Napoleonville (SUBR), was picked as Senate Whip.

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Spring/Summer 2013

su system alumni highlights

Petty Officer Dewayne C. Scott, a Baton Rouge native and Southern University Navy Career Counselor Chief University graduate, was awarded the Recruiter of the Year Award for Divisional Lead Chief Petty Officer of the Year. The award recognizes the most accomplished and successful recruiters across the country.

to listen to President Barack Obama discuss his effort to keep the country from heading over the socalled “fiscal cliff.” Tillage, owner of the Baton Rouge-based Tillage Construction, was among 14 other small business owners to discuss fiscal cliff fears at a December 29, 2012, summit with the President at the White House.

Bernice Jones Washington was elected Southern chair of the University board of graduate directors Kent J. Texas Health Smith Jr. Resourceswas Presbyterian Healthcare celebrated Resources. She is the first woman March 14, 2013, during an to hold the position. Washington investiture service installing him is a 1971 graduate of Southern as the sixteenth president of University Baton Rouge with a Langston University in Oklahoma. bachelor of science in Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in bacteriology/microbiology/ secondary education and a medical technology. Washington master’s degree in administration is married to Lt. Col. Retired and supervision from Southern Lymon Washington Jr., a 1969 University Baton Rouge. He has a Southern University graduate in doctorate in education and engineering. They are Life human resources from Colorado Members and generous State University in Fort Collins, supporters of Southern’s Alumni Colorado.

Federation. Colonel Washington is former president of the Kansas City, Missouri Chapter.

Southern University grad Keith Tillage was among more than a dozen CEOs from around the U.S. Spring/Summer 2013

51

Erin Monroe Wesley was named executive vice president and chief operating officer (EVP/ COO) for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC). Wesley was BRAC’s senior vice president of governmental affairs for over three years and will continue to manage BRAC’s advocacy efforts.

She previously served as executive counsel for the office of the Lieutenant Governor and is an adjunct professor at the Southern University Law Center. She also worked as the governor’s associate executive counsel during the Blanco administration and as a legislative attorney for the Louisiana State Senate. Wesley earned a juris doctor, cum laude, from the Southern University Law Center and a B.S. in business administration at Louisiana State University.

Southern University graduate Michael Wilson has been named vice president for digital media at The Advocate.

Wilson, a native of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is a former editor of The Southern Digest. He is a former editor of The Baker Observer and former managing editor for The Louisiana Suburban Press in Zachary. The Advocate is Louisiana’s largest daily print newspaper, based in Baton Rouge.

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su system athletics

The SUBR men’s basketball team won the SWAC tournament, and made it to the 2013 NCAA Basketball Tournament, facing number one seed Gonzaga University.

I

t has been a pretty good past few months and an overall good year for SU System athletics.

The SUBR men’s basketball team made it to the 2013 NCAA Basketball Tournament, taking number one seed Gonzaga University to the brink before falling by six points. The team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament.

The 2013 All-Louisiana Men’s Basketball Team selected SUBR Head Coach Roman Banks, as the Louisiana Coach of the Year. Senior guard Derick Beltran was named First Team and junior guard Malcolm Miller was named Third Team for the 2013 All-Louisiana Men’s Basketball Team.

The SUBR Women’s Tennis team captured its fourth consecutive, including 12th overall, Southwestern Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis title at the 2013 SWAC Tournament. SU’s Morgan Taylor was named “MVP” of the tournament.

Tennis Head Coach Jeff Conyers received SWAC “Coach of the Year” honors. And the SWAC named senior Demetria Woods as “Player of the Year” and freshmen Danielle Dixon as “Freshmen of the Year.”

In all, 2012 and into 2013, Southern Baton Rouge witnessed gradual changes in the athletic program, from cosmetic changes to the launch of #StandUnited social media campaign.

The new direction was being guided by athletic director William Broussard, who was hired in April 2012. His arrival immediately relieved coaches from administrative duties allowing them more time to focus on coaching and mentoring.

“We have some coaches and student athletes that attack the job like champions,” said Broussard.

“My job is to take away the stress about budget, to provide support and to come up with creative solutions to problems.”

su athletics on a roll

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Rebranding the SUBR athletic program and raising money were two immediate goals for Broussard.

Southern has renewed a 10-year, $10.3 million deal with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a three-year deal with cash and in-kind donations

Spring/Summer 2013

su system athletics The athletic department is continuing to stress classroom success to the student-athletes.

Broussard credits women’s basketball head coach Sandy Pugh, who was Interim AD prior to Broussard, for “steering the ship in the right direction” in helping Southern overcome sanctions placed on the school by the NCAA for low student passage and graduation rates among its student-athletes.

“I am trying to maintain what was started by getting more interns and grad assistants, develop as much buy-in from the campus community to buy software used to track success in the classroom and to hold coaches accountable for their athletes in the classroom as well,” said Broussard.

Dawson Odums, who was interim head football coach for most of the 2012 season, was named permanent in January 2013.

Broussard said he is working in concert with the athletic council, along with faculty athletic representative Dozie Butler, to map strategies that will enhance the chances of academic success for SU’s student athletes.

from Cox Communications and Cox’s continued support as a corporate sponsor.

More companies came on board, including Miller and Coors beer companies, Louisiana Orthopedics of Baton Rouge, Spring Hill MicroTel hotels and several other Baton Rouge area businesses have signed on with athletics for a two-year deal.

There is still plenty to do and be excited about, said Broussard.

He has installed a five-year gender equality master plan and a facility renovation plan. Both enterprises will be daunting.

“If there is going to be that much work to be done anyway, then the only possible way to get all things done effectively is to do it with high energy, otherwise you will not get to it,” Broussard said

On February 21, 2013, the SUBR Athletic Department launched an annual fund and private giving campaign called the “Jamboree Athletic Association.” The Jamboree’s goal is to assist the SU Athletics Department in maintaining a level of excellence in the classroom, in competition and in the community.

A major effort will be to shift the public’s attitude about the athletics at Southern, Broussard said.

SUBR athletics has set a goal to raise $2.5 million in private donations and recurring donations over the next five years. As of April 2013 they had raised $1.5 million in donations for sports.

Now the SUBR athletic program has instituted its fundraising arm, a new effort to stabilize the personnel area is underway.

“We had to go through this year to get here and that will decelerate next year. There are more positive changes to get excited about,” said Broussard.

“Now we just have to win the right ones at the right time to get the fans excited.”

Since the Fall 2012 semester there have been four new head coaches and trainers hired. Those changes include a new head football coach, an athletic trainer-strength and conditioning coach, along with volleyball and soccer coaches.

Broussard said he is trying to build an athletic program with more stability in the coaching ranks.

The main campus athletic department has gone through some cosmetic and structural facelifts over the past year. There is new signage and running track in A. W. Mumford Stadium, the tennis courts have been resurfaced, the F.G. Clark Activity Center has received a new playing court which was dedicated to former SU basketball player, former NBA star, and coach Avery Johnson (see story, page 49).

Also, a new fieldhouse is planned for Lee-Hines baseball field.

Construction is expected to start later this year.

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The SUBR Women’s Tennis team captured its fourth consecutive, including 12th overall, Southwestern Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis title at the 2013 SWAC Tournament.

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su system athletics

SUNO Sports Southern University New Orleans Athletics has much to be excited about with their success in the field of competition, setting school records and producing top players during the 2012-2013 year.

The SUNO Volleyball team had its best season by setting school records for regular season wins (21), total wins (23) and regular season conference wins (8).

The Lady Knights won the GCAC Tournament in Little Rock, Arkansas moving to 19-4 on the season in claiming the Gulf

The Lady Knights had five Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship with a 74-71 win over Tougaloo College on March 2, 2013. players earn individual honors. Zipporah Washington, Stephanie Buhl, SUSLA and Christal Kay Hollins earned All-Gulf Cost Athletic Conference first team honors.

The Southern University Shreveport basketball team finished

the 2012-2013 season with a 19-10 record. The Port City Jags finished second place in the MISS/LOU Conference with a 6-3 record. Sophomore A’Torri “AJ” Shine, Joseph “JJ” James, and freshman Donald Francis made All Conference. Shine made All Region 23. The Port City Jags made it to the Region 23 tournament.

Shemetria Gonzalez was named All-GCAC second team and All-Tournament Second Team and Jana Reininghaus was named GCAC Freshman of the Year.

The Lady Knights won the GCAC Tournament in Little Rock, Arkansas, moving to 19-4 on the season in claiming the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship with a 74-71 win over Tougaloo College on March 2, 2013.

SUNO made its first trip in March 2013 to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics tournament, held in Frankfort, Kentucky, since 2000.

The women’s basketball team finished the season tied for second in the conference standings and have a 16-4 record on the season, with two of those losses coming at the hands of teams ranked in the top-15 nationally.

Junior Center Sabrina Scott has been named GCAC player of the week three times this season and senior guard April Perry leads the nation in scoring average.

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The Port city Jags, SUSLA’s men’s basketball team, finished the 2012-13 season with a 19-10 record and finished second place in the MISS/LOU conference.

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su system athletics The Port City Jags won their own Johnny Vance Classic by beating Coahoma Community College of Coahoma, Mississippi and Arkansas Baptist College from Little Rock, Arkansas.

Luv Blackburn - 3.33 GPA Lafayette, LA Freshman

The Lady Jags won the Johnny Vance Classic by beating Southwest Christian College of Terrell, Texas and Coahoma College of Coahoma, Mississippi. The team won the San Jacinto Classic by beating Southwest Christian College again and then beating the host school San Jacinto College of Houston, Texas.

Chaterra Cage – 3.18 GPA Port Author, TX Freshman

Six players made the academic honor roll:

Mariah Gilliam – 3.60 GPA Tulsa, OK Freshman

Luv Blackburn - 3.33 GPA Lafayette, LA Freshman

Jazmine Ocanas- 3.61 GPA Houston, TX Freshman

Chaterra Cage – 3.18 GPA Port Author, TX Freshman

Eboni Mitchell – 3.33 GPA Homer, LA Sophomore

Mariah Gilliam – 3.60 GPA Tulsa, OK Freshman

Trianna Wilridge – 4.00 GPA Lewisville, TX Sophomore

Jazmine Ocanas- 3.61 GPA Houston, TX Freshman

Shine will be furthering his education and basketball career at Grambling State University or Southeastern University. James and Jeffrey Drew are still deciding on the colleges they would like to attend.

Eboni Mitchell – 3.33 GPA Homer, LA Sophomore

Six players made the academic honor roll:

Trianna Wilridge – 4.00 GPA Lewisville, TX Sophomore Sophomore Sharon Uyinmwen from London, England will be furthering her basketball career at Johnson C. Smith University on a basketball scholarship. Sophomores Trianna Wilridge and Alexis Glasper have been making campus visits and will be making a decision soon.

The SUSLA Lady Jags finished the 2012-2013season with a 13-13 record. Sophomores Tytionna Pratt from Mansfield, Alexis Glasper from Baton Rouge, and freshman Jazmine Ocanas from Houston, Texas made all-Conference.

The SUSLA Lady Jags women’s basketball team finished the 2012-2013 season 13-13. The team won the Johnny Vance Classic and the San Jacinto Classic.

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athletics

Highlights

SU women’s tennis sweeps All-SWAC first team honors

WOMEN

#2 Camara Davis/Morgan Taylor (Southern)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR Demetria Woods (Southern)

#3 Kate Potapova/Merlin Tipp (Alcorn State)

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Second Team

Danielle Dixon (Southern)

#1 Kesica Jayalapan/Harshini Reddy (Jackson State)

SINGLES

#2 Katja Kraus/Arantxia Wijingaarde (Alabama State)

First team The Southwestern Athletic Conference named Southern University duo Demetria Woods and Danielle Dixon as 2013 conference Player and Freshman of the Year.

Woods was 6-1 at No. 1 singles during the two SWAC Roundups, while Dixon was 6-1 at No. 3 Singles.

Southern swept all of the singles slots on the All-SWAC first team. Along with Woods at No. 1 and Dixon at No. 3, Gabrielle Moore, who was perfect at 7-0, joined Lois Alexis, Laura Syori, and Camara Davis on the first team.

The Lady Jaguars also dominated the doubles first team, taking the No. 1 and 2 positions. Alexis and Moore joined Davis and Morgan Taylor on the first team. Kate Potapova and Merlin Tipp of Alcorn State claimed the final first team doubles slot at No. 3.

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#1 Demetria Woods (Southern) #2 Gabrielle Moore (Southern) #3 Danielle Dixon (Southern) #4 Lois Alexis (Southern) #5 Laura Syori (Southern) #6 Camara Davis (Southern) Second Team #1 Denise Cherry (Alabama A&M) #2 Arielle Buchmann (Alcorn State) #3 Christina Gwodog (Prairie View) #4 Kesica Jayalapan (Jackson State) #5 Alicia Shaw (Grambling)

#3 Tafadzwa Chindza/Joy Jones (Grambling)

SU Jaguars win SWAC men’s basketball championship, nearly upset top seed in NCAA tourney--The Southern University Jaguars March 16, 2013, clinched the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament men’s basketball championship title and earned a trip to the NCAA tournament. The Jaguars took home the title trophy after a thrilling 45-44 win over the Prairie View A&M Panthers in the final game of the SWAC tournament in Garland, Texas. Coach Banks and team headed to Salt Lake City to take on top seed Gonzaga March 21 in the West Region of the NCAA tournament. The Jaguars kept pace in a near upset of the Bulldogs. The 16th-seeded Jaguars made a great showing in the 64-58 first round game.

#6 Angie Condorelli (Jackson State) DOUBLES First Team #1 Lois Alexis/Gabrielle Moore (Southern) 56

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su system athletics highlights

Bayou Classic signs extension with NBC Sports Group for next three years

NBC Sports Group has been the home of The Bayou Classic since 1991. Last year, the nationally-televised edition of the 39 th Annual Bayou Classic saw a 19 percent rating increase.

In addition to the national broadcast, the contest will also be available on-demand at Hulu.com and NBC Sports Network will work with the 12 regional sports networks to re-air the game allowing The Bayou Classic to reach 50 million+ homes.

The Bayou Classic team announced April 11, 2013, that the 40th Annual Bayou Classic will be broadcast on NBC nationally. The agreement between The Bayou Classic and NBC Sports Group extends the national broadcast on NBC through the 2015 contest.

SUNO Lady Knights win GCAC championship

The SUNO Lady Knights boasted the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player and Co-Coach of the Year, and a lineup featuring three All-GCAC performers.

However, SUNO wasn’t close to satisfied with the individual accolades that the team had earned. The brass ring of a conference championship and a berth in the NAIA tournament still were within reach. The Lady Knights stormed through the first two rounds of the GCAC tournament, defeating Dillard and Talladega by an average of 27.5 points. All that was standing in their way was the Tougaloo Lady Bulldogs.

Early on, it looked like another SUNO cakewalk as GCAC Player of the Year

Spring/Summer 2013

“The landscape of television sports is changing and it is important to us that The Bayou Classic continue to be an integral part of that landscape,” said Dottie Belletto, president of New Orleans Convention Companies, Inc., the management firm of The 40th Annual Bayou Classic. “This match of

April Perry scored 22 first half points in leading the Lady Knights to a 44-29 halftime lead. SUNO extended the lead to 17 early in the second half before a combination of poor offense and a Tougaloo squad that refused to go away, turned a rout into a tense back and forth contest down the stretch. However SUNO was able to convert Lady Bulldog turnovers into transition baskets to hold on for a 74-71 win.

Perry, the nation’s leading scorer finished with 28 points and 9 rebounds and fellow All-GCAC selections Janee Morton (23 points, 8 rebounds) and Sabrina Scott (10 points, 10 blocks) made major contributions as well.

Forward Rose Boatner hauled in 13 boards in a gutsy defensive effort.

“We didn‚t make it easy on ourselves at all,” said SUNO coach Elston King.

“Tougaloo gave us all that we could handle and then some. That’s a quality ball club. But when we really needed to, these ladies dug down deep and made the plays that it took for us to get the 57

two HBCUs represents an important tradition within the community that we hope to continue for many years to come, and thanks to NBC Sports Group, we’ll be able to see that come to fruition for an additional two years.”

The Bayou Classic was represented in contract talks by Jeffrey Cokin, president of Cokin Communications, who negotiated the deal with NBC Sports Group.

“The insights and experience of Jeffrey Cokin have been key to achieving this new contract with NBC Sports Group,” added Belletto. “The Thanksgiving weekend, national time slot on NBC is important to building the tradition of our game and the Bayou Classic brand.”

win. I’m proud of them, the whole SUNO family is proud of them, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to coach at least one more game with this team. This is a very special group. They believe in each other and have sacrificed so much to get to this point.”

Perry, also named the tournament’s most valuable player, was overcome by the moment. “All you can say is ‘We did it.’ When the game got tight, we just kept fighting and believing in each other. To be able to climb up that ladder and cut down the net and bring a championship to SUNO when no one gave us a chance is something that we’ll never forget.

They can’t ever take this away from us.”

SUNO Lady Jags competed in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament March 13, 2013, in Frankfort, Kentucky.

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su system athletics highlights

SUBR recognizes 82 student-athletes for academic excellence Southern University Baton Rouge Athletics recognized 82 studentathletes for their academic success, naming them to the newly established “Athletic Council List.”

The list recognizes students who achieved a 3.0 grade point average or above in Fall 2012, or, maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. “Beyond the accomplishments of these students in competition, folks rarely think of how hard they work to excel in the classroom and work toward graduation,” said Director of Athletics Dr. William Broussard.

“Our academic advisement staff and faculty and administrators across campus share in this success.”

The list includes individuals from every varsity sport and also varsity cheerleaders.

FALL 2012 ATHLETIC COUNCIL LIST Baseball

Caitlyn Woodard

Luis Cruz

Lonzetta Willis

Jose De Leon

Taylor Franklin

Chase Dicharry

Bowling

Jose Francisco

Kaylene Adams

“Recognition of their academic achievement in this way is long overdue. These young men and women clearly understand that as student-athletes, their roles as ‘students’ come first. We will encourage them to continue to serve as role models for their student-athlete peers and the general student population.”

Anthony Collins Taylor Ferguson Michael McCulloch

Volleyball Simone Beasley Chanda Journet Payton Mitchell Michelle Williams

Victor Nicholls

Daniel Garcia

Football

Camilo Godoy

Hansoni Alfred

Elliott Jones

Clinton Boyd

Tyler Kirksey

Zach Brown

Marcus Lewis

Demetrius Carter

Leronn Morton

Darrius Coleman

Brandon Oswald

John Douglas

John Pagan

Matthew Hill

Zephan Rochelle

Michael Jones

Bryan Rowry

Devante Lawrence

Santos Saldivar “I am extremely proud of these student-athletes who recognize the importance of excelling in the classroom as well as in their respective sports,” Southern faculty athletics representative Doze Butler said.

Men’s Track and Field

Kadeem Lewis

Marcus Tomlin

Jamaal Martin

Darryl Wesley

Dion Palmer

Cheer

Gregory Pittman

Shelby Clayton

Benay Pryor

Soccer

Women’s Basketball

Courtney

Joslyn Allen

Bahadursingh D’Nae Capron Jazmine Harrell

Softball Carla Arismendi Alicia Barajas Shabanese Brown Whitney King Jasmine Payne

Jasmine King Lechell Rush

Women’s Track and Field Maya Anderson Tershauna Broadnax D’Ellionne

Shawntall Steamer

Davenport

Emily Wright

Deandra Deveaux

Tennis

May Dozier

Lois Alexis

Henry Henderson

Eddie Smith IV

Antonio Jackson

Marlon Smith

Shartazia Warren

Lenard Tillery

Tanisha Williams

Richard Tuten

Mohammed

Kim Butler

Men’s Basketball

Demetria Woods

Kendall Bunch Danielle Dixon Carlista

Duane Pigott

Jasmine Jefferson

Shannon JonesButts Brittany Lacy Shariece Pinkston Raquel Sims Kashmia Weary

Brandon Moore

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su system athletics highlights

Southern introduces Odums as head football coach

Before going to N.C. A&T, Odums spent four seasons at Division II Clark Atlanta.

From 2002 to 2003, he served as the Panthers’ assistant head coach, the defensive coordinator and the recruiting coordinator. In 2004, he earned his first opportunity to head a collegiate program when he took over as Clark Atlanta’s interim head football coach.

Following his coaching stint at Clark, Odums became an assistant at the Aggies’ Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival, BethuneCookman University where he coached the Wildcats’ defensive line from 2005-2007.

athletic director William Broussard. “His responses to questions from faculty, staff, and other coaches reflected clear vision, excellent articulation, and a commitment to academic, civic, and athletic excellence.”

A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Odums began his coaching career returning to his high school alma mater, Crest High School. Odums turned in a stellar playing career for the Eagles of North Carolina Central University in Durham as a three-year starter and an All-CIAA selection his senior year, where he also served as a team captain.

Following his playing career, he earned a bachelor’s of science degree in physical education in 1997.

Odums has also been an assistant at Georgia Southern and GardnerWebb.

Dawson Odums

Southern University Baton Rouge, December 19, 2012, introduced Dawson Odoms as the new head football coach for the Jaguars.

He spent two seasons at Georgia Southern where he coached linebackers in 2000 and in 2001 coached the Eagles defensive ends.

The 2000 season was a special year for Odums as he assisted the Eagles to the Division I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) National Championship.

Odums’ previous title of defensive coordinator changed to interim head coach two games into Southern’s 2012 season. The North Carolina native and N.C. Central graduate proceeded to lead the Jaguars to wins over Jackson State and against Florida A&M after an 0-2 start, claiming the programs first consecutive win streak since 2009.

Odums continues to improve his coaching philosophy and techniques by attending various professional development based coaching camps and conferences. He was recently selected to participate in the 2011 NCAA Expert Coaches Academy in Orlando, Florida.

In 2010, he was one of only 25 coaches selected from thousands of applicants to participate in the NCAA Coaches Academy in Indianapolis. The Academy is designed to train minorities for head coaching positions.

Odums arrived at Southern in 2011 as the defensive line coach after a threeyear stint at N.C. A&T where he served as the Aggies’ co-defensive coordinator in 2010 and defensive line coach in 2009.

“Coach Odums’ tutelage under great coaches as a player and assistant, coupled with his advanced study and training via the Coaches Academies showed in the interview,” said SU

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Bayou Classic trophy returns to the ‘Bluff ’--The Bayou Classic trophy is back in its place on the Bluff after the Southern University Jaguars defeated the Grambling State University Tigers 38-33 in the 39th Annual Bayou Classic, Saturday, November 24, 2012, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

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su system athletics highlights

SU captures fourth consecutive SWAC women’s tennis title

In the photo on the front, from left to right: Laura Syori, Morgan Taylor, Gabrielle Moore, Danielle Dixon, head coach Jeff Conyers, assistant coach Jo’vanna Gaines, Camera Davis, Demetria Woods, Kendall Bunch and Lois Alexis.

The Southern University Women’s Tennis team captured its fourth consecutive, including 12th overall, Southwestern Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis title at the 2013 SWAC Tournament held April 21, 2013, in New Orleans.

It’s the second time the Lady Jaguars have captured four consecutive SWAC titles. The last was from 2002-2005. SU has now won eight of the last 12 SWAC tournament crowns.

SU’s Morgan Taylor defeated Chan Rutherford in the No. 6 singles match-up, 6-8, 6-4, 6-3, as the match came down to the completion of the final showdown in singles competition.

Taylor was named “MVP” of the tournament. Head Coach Jeff Conyers received SWAC “Coach of the Year” honors.

Prior to the tournament, the SWAC named SU senior Demetria Woods as ‘Player of the Year’ and Danielle Dixon as “Freshmen of the Year.”

SUNO seniors honored--SUNO seniors, four men’s basketball team members and six women’s basketball team members (leftright) Tavarous Jackson, Clyde Moore, Jared Lewis, Russell Moore, Breyona Bennett, Rose Boatner, Sheanice Rhoden, April Perry, Janee Morton, and AnnaRose Mable, finished their last home game Monday, February 18, 2013, in spectacular fashion with a pair of drubbings of crosstown rival Dillard University.

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