The Daily Reveille - February 6, 2013

Page 1

CONSTRUCTION: LSU is expanding with new FOOTBALL: Follow our National projects and renovations around campus, p. 5 Signing Day coverage online.

Reveille The Daily

www.lsureveille.com

COURT

Fired LSU prof. to begin trial Feb. 19 Van Heerden spoke out after Katrina Ferris McDaniel

rendering courtesy of ROD PARKER / Director of LSU School of Art

A new work of Art Renovations in place for old engineering shops

Senior Investigative Reporter

A jury trial to consider allegations concerning the University’s termination of coastal researcher Ivor van Heerden for speaking out against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin Feb. 19 before U.S. District Judge James Brady. The official lawsuit van Heerden is filing against the University is for wrongful termination from his non-tenure-track position in 2009, alleging that University officials fired him after he led a team VAN HEERDEN that conducted a comprehensive investigation into the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. “Dr. van Heerden is very much looking forward to vindicating his name and reputation,” said Jill Craft, van Heerden’s attorney on Tuesday. “We’re obviously very positive, and it’s time for him to have his day in court.” The former deputy director of the LSU Hurricane Center claims the University terminated him after he blamed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ work on the New Orleans levees for flooding in 80 percent of the city following the storm. Van Heerden asserted that administrators feared his claims against the corps damaged the University’s odds of receiving federal contracts and grants. The American Association of University Professors came to van Heerden’s defense in 2011, issuing a report stating that van Heerden’s academic freedom had been violated; however, the association’s report carries no penalty. Contact Ferris McDaniel at fmcdaniel@lsureveille.com

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 • Volume 117, Issue 84

Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez Staff Writer

The third time might be the charm when it comes to renovating the engineering shops for the LSU School of Art, according to School of Art Director Rod Parker.

RENOVATIONS, see page 15

CONNOR TARTER / The Daily Reveille

Read what our editorial board has to say about the School of Art’s renovation plans, p.12.

PHILANTHROPY

Cyclist traverses U.S. for charity Nicholas visited capital Tuesday Alyson Gaharan Staff Writer

Like many tourists traveling through the South, Chris Nicholas stopped in Baton Rouge on Tuesday to see the University’s stately oaks and broad magnolias. Nicholas isn’t just one of the many, though — his stop is only one on his journey to become the first person to traverse the country solo twice in one year, first on foot and now on his bike, and all to raise money for charity.

Nicholas began his journey from Maine to Oregon on October 14, 2012, and passed through campus Tuesday to see the sights before continuing his 6,000-mile journey Wednesday morning. While on campus, he met LSU Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins. Nicholas first ran from the White House to Santa Monica, Calif., early in 2012, and four months later, he began his second crosscountry journey to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, MakeA-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When he’s not busy biking 50 to CYCLIST, see page 6

AgCenter official to be LSUA chancellor Coreil worked on campus for 34 years Alyson Gaharan Staff Writer

According to Parker, the new plans include extending courtyards and adding a covered sidewalk through the middle of the building for a critique space that students can walk through or go around.

The poor conditions of the Studio Arts Building have prompted School of Art officials to push forward with renovation plans.

ADMINISTRATION

MARY LEAVINES / The Daily Reveille

Chris Nicholas is biking from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Ore., to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project, Make-a-Wish foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

After more than 34 years working at the LSU AgCenter, Paul Coreil will begin serving LSU Alexandria as interim chancellor March 1, LSU Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins announced Tuesday in a news release. Coreil is currently the AgCenter’s vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, a position he has held since 2001, but AgCenter Chancellor William Richardson said Coreil worked his way up and has been involved at every level of the center. “He has one of the most rigorous work ethics of anyone I’ve ever worked with,” Richardson said. “He’s here from daylight until dusk. I’m sure he will take that work ethic into his role at LSUA.” The LCES director’s job is far-reaching, but mainly involves taking agricultural information produced from research and putting it in the public’s hands through various programs like 4-H, Richardson said. Coreil said his dedication and personal interest in these programs drives his passion for youth development and education, and the experience he gained from his years at the AgCenter will be crucial to his success at LSUA. Coreil said he expected to retire from the AgCenter this September, but pushed back his retirement to accept the job in Alexandria, a position he plans to hold until the university finds a permanent chancellor. Jenkins said he expects a permanent chancellor will be found in eight or nine months. “No one can guarantee how COREIL, see page 15


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.