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Steven Vige The Family Bond

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S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 , V O L U M E 3 I S S U E 2

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Contents

3..........From the Desk of the President: .Dr..Philip.C..Williams

4.........The Heart of a Helper:...Jordan.Anne.Harlow

5..........Equal Access for All...

6.........The Family Bond: ..Steven.Mikeal.Vige

7..........El Vaquero:...Thomas.“Tom”.D..Watson.Jr.

8,.9.....A Rodeo Powerhouse

10,.11...Engraving:...Gerry.Wubben

12........The Giving Pledge.

13........Brothers Banding Together:...Dr..Eric.Sanders

14........Sharing Peace and Knowledge: ..Dr..Pankaj.Chandra

15........An Amazing Creation:...Kevin.Shrewsberry

16........A Moment in History…The McNeese Faculty Wives Club

17........McNeese Branding

2011 Foundation Board of Directors

Officers

Bob Davidson, President

Judy Fuller, Vice President

Willie Mount, Secretary

James Taussig, Treasurer

Members

Glen Bertrand

Roxie Boxie

Emma DiCarlo-Vincent

Tom Henning

Joe T. Miller, Sr.

Lee J. Monlezun, Jr.

Ryan Navarre

George Paret

Patricia Prebula

Glenn Pumpelly

Donna Richard

Billy Rose

John Scofield

Jim Serra

David Stine

Charles Timpa

Ray A. Todd, Jr.

Tom Tuminello, Sr.

Aubrey White

Ex Officio Members

Philip C. Williams

Richard H. Reid

Advisory Board Members

Billy Blake

Coral Crain Byrd

David Drez

Fred R. Godwin

Marilyn Hays

Charles Viccellio

3Dr. Philip C. Williams

From the desk of the PresidentSince.July,.the.McNeese.campus.community.has.undertaken.an.intensive.self.review.to.position.itself.for.

withstanding.the.upcoming.fiscal.year’s.budget.shortfall.

Every.academic.program.and.administrative.unit.on.campus.undertook.a.self-study.to.identify.potential.efficiencies.in.operations.and.cost.savings.and.to.rise.to.the.challenges.demanded.by.a.tough.economy.and.unprecedented.expectations.for.performance...At.the.core.of.countless.hours.of.meetings.and.volumes.of.data,.we.kept.our.focus.on.two.important.values:.our.core.educational.mission.and.our.mission.to.serve.Southwest.Louisiana.by.enhancing.its.economic.potential.and.by.providing.valuable.services.to.arts,.industry,.health.care.and.K-12.education....

A.new.President.scarcely.could.have.walked.into.a.more.challenging.situation.than.this...But,.a.new.President.scarcely.could.have.found.such.forward-thinking,.hardworking.and.dedicated.professionals,.either...I.am.pleased.to.report.that.the.McNeese.community’s.efforts.have.dramatically.reduced.the.projected.budget.gap...While.we.still.face.budgetary.uncertainty.and.challenges,.through.a.combination.of.efforts.our.ability.to.maintain.our.mission.and.offer.a.high.quality.education.for.our.region.will.not.be.compromised.

In.fact,.the.McNeese.community.did.not.stop.at.just.finding.savings,.but.took.this.intensive.self-review.process.as.a.springboard.to.improve.in.all.areas...Combined,.the.review.teams.put.forth.some.60.recommendations.to.enhance.everything.from.educational.experiences.to.our.internal.operations...This.spring.semester,.numerous.implementation.teams.have.been.working.hard.to.ensure.that.these.recommendations.become.reality.

Some.of.the.more.notable.efforts.include.bringing.together.all.academic.support.services.for.students.under.one.umbrella,.improved.advising.processes.and.an.increased.emphasis.on.helping.students.better.understand.how.each.step.

in.their.program.leads.to.an.endpoint.and.a.career...We.are.also.exploring.ways.to.create.a.one-stop.shop.from.admissions.to.enrollment,.registration,.financial.aid.and.all.other.related.services..

Along.with.these.recommendations,.our.belt-tightening.includes.some.significant,.short-term.administrative.reorganization...Two.vice.president.level.positions.will.be.vacated.due.to.retirements,.so.we.are.closing.those.positions.and.reapportioning.the.functions.to.other.areas...These.moves.will.require,.in.some.cases,.hiring.personnel.to.support.the.functions,.but.at.a.lower.cost.to.the.institution...

Over.the.next.year,.we.will.embark.on.a.much.more.forward-looking,.strategic.planning.process.to.chart.our.course.for.the.future...I.am.confident.that.the.McNeese.community.will.once.again.come.together.to.ensure.we.build.upon.our.successes.for.even.greater.heights...As.I.said.at.the.conclusion.of.my.inauguration,.our.beloved.university,.like.a.virtual.aircraft,.is.positioned.on.the.runway.with.clearance.from.the.tower.to.take.off..We.have.the.collective.talent.to.fuel.our.aircraft.and.the.will.to.lift.it.into.the.ionosphere..As.we.experience.that.lift.off.together,.and.as.we.rise.higher.and.higher.above.the.clouds,.we.may.begin.to.notice.that.the.brightness.of.the.sky.begins.to.deepen.to.a.richer.shade..I.can.think.of.only.two.words.that.can.capture.that.beautiful.color..And.those.two.words.are.Geaux Blue!

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FOUNDATION TIESAnnette Harlow • Donor • The Jordan Anne Harlow Memorial Endowment for the Assistance of Students with Disabilities

The Heart of a HelperJordan.Anne.Harlow’s.story.is.about.a.life.filled.with.abilities..Despite.losing.

her.vision,.hearing,.mobility.and.independence,.Jordan.cherished.her.life.and.focused.on.making.the.world.a.better.place.

Born.a.healthy.baby.on.April.11,.1966,.Jordan.was.the.child.of.Ben.and.Annette,.big.sister.to.Christopher,.and.master.of.Winston,.her.pet.cocker.spaniel..At.age.12.she.was.diagnosed.with.Neurofibromatosis.Type.2.(NF2),.a.rare.genetic.disease.characterized.by.benign.tumors.that.grow.on.the.cranial.and.spinal.nerves..The.first.of.Jordan’s.many.surgeries.began.at.age.16.

After.completing.her.education.at.Prien.Lake.Elementary,.S.J..Welsh.Middle.School.and.Barbe.High.School,.Jordan.enrolled.at.McNeese.State.University..She.pledged.Phi.Mu.sorority.and.became.a.Panhellenic.officer..Jordan.graduated.with.honors,.receiving.a.Bachelor.of.Arts.degree.in.sociology.in.1988.and.a.Master.of.Arts.degree.in.psychology.in.1990.

Jordan.was.passionate.about.helping.others..As.a.graduate.assistant.in.McNeese’s.counseling.center,.Jordan.had.a.gift.for.listening..According.to.

B.J..Cayton,.former.counseling.center.director,.“Jordan.was.one.of.the.most.gifted.counselors.I.have.ever.encountered..She.was.so.still.and.listened.on.such.a.deep.level..Even.though.she.was.both.vision.and.hearing.impaired,.she.could.feel.someone’s.energy.”

The.Mayor’s.Commission.on.Disabilities.presented.Jordan.its.student.achievement.award.in.1989..She.served.on.the.Southwest.Louisiana.Independence.Center.board.and.was.selected.conference.chair.for.the.city.of.Lake.Charles’.inaugural.“We.the.People.Conference.”

As.a.gifted.writer,.Jordan’s.articles.appeared.in.several.newsletters.including,.Life after Deafness, the NF2 Review and.the Association of Late Deafened Adults..She.served.as.contributing.editor.on.the.children’s.book,.“Missy.Morgan.and.the.Poke-a-Dot.Braille,”.by.Cookie.Phillips.

As.Jordan’s.world.was.closing.in,.the.Internet.opened.up.a.new.window..Jordan.and.friends.formed.an.online.support.group.called.the.NF2.Crew.(www.nf2crew.com)..The.name.selected.represented.boating.crews.working.together.for.a.common.cause.and.supporting.each.other.through.good.times.and.bad.

“Jordan.lived.her.life.in.total.gratitude,”.said.Cayton..“While.she.accepted.NF2.as.part.of.her.life,.she.didn’t.let.it.define.her.life.”

“The.biggest.impact.NF2.has.had.on.my.life.is.to.make.my.faith.stronger,.my.love.and.appreciation.of.my.family.and.friends.deeper.and.my.gratitude.for.the.little.blessings.more.heartfelt,”.Jordan.wrote..(Spring NNFF Newsletter, www.ctf.org/pdf/nf2review/winter00.pdf)

After.spending.a.peaceful.week.with.a.friend.in.a.small.fishing.village.in.Maine,.Jordan.returned.to.the.comfort.of.her.own.home.and.died.Oct..4,.2000..With.a.helping.heart,.she.encouraged.her.parents.to.establish.a.fund.at.McNeese.to.assist.other.students.with.disabilities. The Jordan Anne Harlow Memorial Endowment for the Assistance of Students with Disabilities.provides.funds.to.purchase.materials,.equipment.or.technology.to.assist.visual.and/or.hearing.impaired.students.with.their.studies.

Jordan was watching us closely, looking for body language that revealed our words. She was deaf, and I had not yet communicated that surgery would no longer be an option. The scar tissue was too extensive and the tumors too spider-like. I swallowed hard and turned to meet Jordan. As I began to sign, I could see that she was apprehensive, but open and ready to receive the information that would end the limbo we had all been experiencing for the last two months.

When Jordan understood that she would become blind, she learned Braille on her own. Her deafness and blindness were leading to isolation. She began reading scripture in Braille. Missing her faith community at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Jordan formed an email house church. “I’m not interested in anybody getting too excited. I don’t want to hear a lot of scripture. I just want people to tell me what’s in their heart,” wrote Jordan.

Jordan Anne Harlow

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FOUNDATION TIESAnnette Harlow • Donor • The Jordan Anne Harlow Memorial Endowment for the Assistance of Students with Disabilities

Equal Access for AllOn July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act that established a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability and provided enforceable standards for addressing discrimination against individuals with disabilities. In 2008, President George W. Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 that broadened protections and expanded the list of major life activities covered by the ADA.

The ADA applies to employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and telecommunications. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.

For a public university, providing equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of university life applies to students, employees and visitors. And it is an ongoing challenge.

Three McNeese offices share responsibility for compliance with the ADA and work together to provide access and reasonable accommodations.

The ADA coordinator works primarily with employees and visitors; the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities assists students by providing academic adjustments such as extended testing time, note

takers, classroom relocation, access to special technology and other services; and the Office of Facilities and Plant Operations ensures compliance with ADA regulations for pathways, parking and buildings.

According to Tim Delaney, director of services for students with disabilities, advances in technology have greatly improved access to higher education. “Our office has a variety of equipment that allows students to enlarge print for easier readability and translate text to Braille, and provides listening devices that allow the instructor to speak into a microphone that students with hearing disabilities hear through a special receiver. We also provide access to special telephones, transcribing services, note takers, interpreters and testing services.”

Delaney works with offices involved in the enrollment process to provide information about these services to incoming students and encourages students needing accommodations to notify McNeese as early as possible to ensure adequate time to determine the appropriate academic adjustment. Students are not required to register with the OSSD to enjoy access to the campus or programs, but registering with the office is encouraged.

“We can provide priority class registration to students receiving services from our office,” Delaney explained. “We advise our students to consider certain factors when creating their class schedule that include building and classroom locations, the time between classes and the distance between class locations, elevator access, location of emergency evacuation routes, accessible seating and restroom facilities.”

Currently more than 140 students are registered with the OSSD.

McNeese is also required to follow specific architectural standards

in new construction and in the renovation or alteration of existing buildings.

Richard Rhoden, director of facilities and plant operations, says it takes vigilance and communication to interpret the ADA regulations and ensure that contractors comply with the standards.

“Two members of the staff have completed extensive training on the ADA standards for facilities and we are training other members of the staff,” Rhoden said. “It is important for us to know and understand the details of the standards so we can ensure that our construction and renovation projects meet the requirements.”

Currently underway is a project to create campus-wide accessible pathways between all buildings and parking lots. This includes creating or correcting accessible parking, constructing wheelchair ramps and correcting sidewalk slopes, modifying handrails and installing directional signage.

Numerous interior changes have improved access to buildings, classrooms, restrooms and other services.

The recently redesigned and upgraded quadrangle in the center of campus includes paved pathways and accessible benches.

Renovations to Frazar Memorial Library, Kaufman Hall and Frasch Hall are slated to begin soon and will include ADA modifications and upgrades. An extensive renovation to the Doland Athletic Field House is nearly complete and will bring that building into compliance, Rhoden said.

“All of these renovations and modifications are part of a comprehensive plan to improve access for all students, employees and visitors,” Rhoden said.

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FOUNDATION TIESSteven Mikeal Vige • Recipient • McNeese Foundation Scholarship

THE FAMILY BONDSteven.Mikeal.Vige.has.a.bond.investment.that.returns.dividends.greater.than.any.interest.rate.can.pay.......The.

Family.Bond.

Steven.and.his.younger.brother,.Jon,.grew.up.in.Longville,.a.community.north.of.Lake.Charles..A.tragic.motorcycle.accident.11.years.ago.took.the.life.of.Steven’s.stepfather.and.severely.injured.his.mother,.Marile..At.only.8.years.old,.Steven.witnessed.Marile’s.suffering.as.she.underwent.multiple.surgeries.in.New.Orleans.followed.by.years.of.rehabilitation..Told.by.doctors.that.she.would.never.walk.again,.Marile.beat.the.odds..Although.disabled,.she.now.walks.on.her.own..With.two.young.boys.to.raise.and.Marile.unable.to.work,.Grandpa.Herman.and.Grandma.Suzan.Vige.stepped.in..Herman.took.early.retirement.to.stay.home.and.take.care.of.the.family..Grandma.Suzan.became.the.family.breadwinner.as.an.administrative.assistant.in.distribution.with.Entergy.Corp.

Steven.graduated.from.South.Beauregard.High.School.where.he.played.varsity.baseball,.was.a.member.of.the.Governor’s.Program.on.Abstinence,.the.Fellowship.of.Christian.Athletes.and.the.Senior.Beta.Club..He.received.a.Horatio Alger Scholarship.upon.graduation,.a.national.award.given.to.students.demonstrating.hard.work,.courage.and.determination.to.overcome.obstacles.

From.an.early.age,.Steven.was.fascinated.with.electricity..He.spent.hours.disassembling.and.reassembling.remote.control.trucks.to.make.them.run.faster.and.stronger..He.taught.himself.how.to.rewire.devices.when.the.batteries.wore.out.

In.choosing.a.college,.Steven.selected.McNeese.State.University...He.said.McNeese.provided.an.ideal.location.within.a.commutable.distance.and.with.an.accredited.engineering.and.engineering.technology.program.to.fulfill.his.career.goals.

Having.good.role.models.can.make.the.difference.between.success.and.failure.in.life..Steven.has.been.fortunate.to.have.had.many..“My.Grandpa.Herman.has.had.a.big.influence.on.my.life,.on.how.I.grew.up.and.on.how.I.was.raised..My.Grandma.Suzan.has.been.the.backbone.of.the.family..I.can’t.begin.to.explain.in.words.everything.that.my.family.means.to.me,”.said.Steven.

Pat.and.Paul.Shirley,.youth.pastors.at.Beauregard.Memorial.Baptist.Church,.have.also.been.positive.role.models..Steven.said,.“Even.though.they.are.older.than.my.generation,.they.adapt.to.people.my.age.”.Steven.sings.in.the.church.choir,.serves.as.camp.counselor.and.is.learning.to.play.the.guitar.

Steven.recently.met.his.biological.father,.Amos.Comeaux,.for.the.first.time..“Meeting.my.dad.was.a.big.turning.point.in.my.life.and.I.now.feel.complete,”.he.said.

A.Pell.Grant.and.a.McNeese Foundation Scholarship.assist.Steven.in.his.pursuit.of.higher.education..Between.semesters,.Steven.works.odd.jobs.to.pay.for.gas.and.other.expenses.and.is.proud.of.his.money.management.skills.

“This.is.my.story,”.stated.Steven..“Everything.that.my.family.has.been.through.is.part.of.God’s.plan..This.is.the.road.that.He.has.led.me.down.”

Steven.looks.forward.to.graduating.and.finding.employment.that.will.afford.him.the.opportunity.to.support.his.family.in.return.for.the.support.and.encouragement.that.they.have.given.him.

Steven Mikeal Vige

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El VaqueroThomas.“Tom”.D..Watson.Jr..was.a.member.of.the.McNeese.

Junior.College.Intramural.Rodeo.Team.before.the.National.Intercollegiate.Rodeo.Association.was.even.established..In.1948,.Tom.placed.first.in.saddle.bronc.riding.and.steer.dogging.and.second.in.bareback.riding..Tom.tied.with.Conway.LeBleu,.later.a.state.representative,.for.second.in.steer.roping.

Tom.was.born.the.day.of.the.stock.market.crash,.Oct..29,.1929,.in.Lake.Charles,.an.only.child.of.Thomas.Davis.Watson.Sr..and.Jeane.Carroll..He.attended.Landry.Memorial.High.School.before.entering.McNeese.Junior.College..After.completing.junior.college,.Tom.enrolled.at.New.Mexico.State.University.to.complete.his.degree.and.to.rodeo..The.New.Mexico.State.“Aggies”.were.charter.members.of.the.newly.formed.NIRA.

After.graduating,.a.commission.in.the.U.S..Air.Force.through.the.ROTC.program.took.him.to.Korea..Tom.was.trained.and.rated.as.an.aircraft.observer.and.specialized.as.a.radar.operator..He.flew.27.combat.missions.out.of.Yokota.Air.Base.in.Japan.with.the.343rd.Bomb.Squadron..“Yes,.they.did.shoot.at.us,”.said.Tom..Coincidentally,.the.343rd.Bomb.Squadron.was.recently.reactivated.at.Barksdale.Air.Force.Base.in.Shreveport..Tom.was.asked.to.serve.as.guest.speaker.at.the.Reactivation.and.Assumption.of.Command.ceremony.

After.his.deployment.to.Korea,.Tom.returned.to.Mountain.Home.Air.Force.Base.in.Idaho..He.was.discharged.from.the.service.in.1955.at.the.Lake.Charles.Air.Force.Base,.now.called.Chennault.

By.that.time.he.was.married.to.Carol.Ann.with.children,.Michael.and.Elizabeth,.on.the.way,.and.became.a.pipefitter.with.Cities.Service,.and.later,.Conoco.

.After.12.years.as.a.pipefitter,.Tom.finally.pursued.his.dream.of.becoming.a.history.professor..When.asked.why.he.pursued.a.career.in.teaching.history,.Tom.replied,.“I.guess.you.can.say.because.of.Prince Valiant,.a.1937.comic.strip.set.in.the.days.of.King.Arthur.”

“It.was.a.pull,.but.also.a.push,”.said.Tom..He.completed.his.Master.of.Arts.degree.in.history.at.the.University.of.Southwestern.Louisiana.and.pursued.his.doctorate.at.Texas.Tech.in.Lubbock.

Dr..Joe.Gray.Taylor,.McNeese.history.department.head,.was.searching.for.a.historian.with.Latin.American.specialization..Tom.was.hired.and.moved.to.Lake.Charles.to.teach.for.a.semester.while.writing.his.dissertation..Carol.and.the.kids,.meanwhile,.remained.in.Lubbock..The.Watsons.met.halfway.periodically.to.review.his.chapters.

Once.while.in.College.Station.they.placed.a.“Do.Not.Disturb”.sign.on.the.door.to.allow.greater.concentration.on.their.editorial.reviews..As.time.passed.with.no.signs.of.activity.from.their.room,.hotel.personnel.would.bang.on.the.door.and.ask,.“What’s.going.on.in.there?”

Upon.completing.his.doctorate,.Tom.was.hired.permanently.by.McNeese.in.1972.and.eventually.served.as.department.head.from.1990-94..During.his.career,.he.discovered.

FOUNDATION TIESDr. Tom and Carol Watson • Donors • McNeese Rodeo/Golden Saddle Scholarships • Joe Gray Taylor Humanities Research

Tom Watson, left, retired history professor and former rodeo team member at McNeese, and Justin Browning, current McNeese rodeo coach, stand in front of one of the three national championship rodeo trophies on display in the Golden Saddle Room at Burton Coliseum.

“Tommy Watson was top scorer in the student rodeo held Saturday by McNeese Junior College. He will be presented a gold belt buckle at a college assembly program to be held later.[Lake Charles American Press, November 15, 1948]

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Rodeo.has.been.a.part.of.McNeese.State.University.since.1947.when.the.first.rodeo.team.was.formed..The.team.was.sponsored.by.the.Horn.and.Hoof.and.Veterans.clubs.

The.rodeo.program.at.

McNeese.has.performed.so.well.that.it.makes.it.difficult.

for.bigger.schools.like.Texas.A&M.to.recruit.members..In.fact,.the.spring.2009.issue.of.The.Texas.A&M.Foundation.Magazine,.Spirit,.described.McNeese.as.a.“regional.rodeo.powerhouse.”

The.tradition.began.in.the.1950s.with.the.McNeese.men’s.rodeo.team.winning.three.consecutive.national.championships.from.1957.to.1959..Currently,.the.men’s.team.is.in.first.place.in.the.Southern.Region’s.team.standings,.while.the.women’s.team.is.currently.in.second.place.in.the.region,.its.best.standing.in.over.five.years,.and.is.on.track.to.finish.first.

In.2009-2010.the.men’s.team.finished.first.in.the.Southern.Region.for.the.second.year.in.a.row,.and.Kobyn.Williams.finished.in.the.top.five.at.the.College.

National.Finals.Rodeo.in.saddle.bronc.riding.

The.winning.tradition.continues.with.the.most.recent.championship.won.in.2008.by.Hope.Thompson.for.ladies.breakaway.roping.

In.2007,.three.national.champions.were.produced:.Beau.Schroeder.in.bull.riding,.Ben.Shofner.in.steer.wrestling.and.Lydia.Martin.in.reserved.breakaway..The.men’s.team.took.fifth.in.the.nation.that.same.year..Winning.those.championships.requires.dedication.and.hard.work,.qualities.to.which.rodeo.team.members.are.accustomed..According.to.McNeese.Rodeo.Coach.Justin.Browning,.team.members.usually.put.in.12-.to.16-hour.days..“They.[students].get.up.early.to.feed.their.animals,.go.to.class,.go.to.work,.practice.and.study..A.usual.day.is.from.6.a.m..to.10.p.m.,”.said.Justin.

The.rodeo.season.consists.of.10.rodeos..Traveling.to.each.competition.can.be.quite.expensive..Entry.fees.and.gas,.lodging.and.animal.feed.expenses.add.up.quickly..McNeese.is.able.to.provide.travel.assistance.for.the.top.six.men.and.top.four.women.on.the.team.through.a.student.assessment.fee..That.leaves.some.students.to.pay.their.own.way,.in.addition.to.paying.for.common.college.expenses.such.as.tuition,.books,.meals.and.housing.

In.2000,.business.leaders.Billy.Navarre.and.William.Doré.Sr..learned.that.local.students.were.attending.college.out-of-state.where.more.financial.assistance.was.provided.for.the.rodeo.program.and.its.students..In.an.effort.to.stem.this.exodus,.the.Golden.Saddle.Club.was.formed.to.provide.scholarships.for.McNeese.rodeo.students..The.

A Rodeo

PowerhouseA Rodeo

Powerhouse

Hope Thompson

Beau Schroeder

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continued from page 7

McNeese State University hosted National Rodeo Championships in 1955.

National Rodeo Team Championships1957 • 1958 • 1959

National Individual Rodeo Championships1958—Jim Miller, Bareback Riding1963—Nelson Spotts, Bull Riding1985—Kent Jude Richard, Men’s All Around1988—Kelly Lorraine Foster, Barrel Racing1994—Shana L. Hooks, Barrel Racing1995—James Boudreaux, Bareback Riding1997—Gus LeDoux, Steer Wrestling2006—Ben Shofner, Reserve Champion Steer Wrestling2007—Ben Shofner, Steer Wrestling2007—Beau Schroeder, Bull Riding2007—Lydia Martin, Reserve Champion Breakaway Roping2008—Hope Thompson, Breakaway Roping

initial.fundraising.effort.raised.$250,000.for.scholarships..Each.year.eight.team.members.are.selected.by.the.rodeo.coach.and.are.awarded.scholarships.varying.from.$1,000.to.$1,500.per.semester.

Katie.Perkins.received.a.Golden Saddle Club Scholarship.and.competed.for.McNeese.rodeo.for.four.years.in.breakaway.roping.and.goat.tying..“McNeese.is.the.only.college.in.Louisiana.that.has.a.rodeo.program..You.can.rodeo.at.other.schools,.but.as.an.independent,”.Katie.explains..“The.scholarship.helps.me.pay.for.my.books,.rodeo.entry.fees.and.travel.expenses.”

Coach.Browning.explained.how.the.rodeo.team.invests.the.funds.that.it.receives.back.into.the.community..“Horses.alone.can.cost.$200.each.month.including.their.feed,.veterinarian.bills,.shoeing.and.so.on,”.he.said..“Rodeo.students.spend.money.in.the.community.for.clothing,.gas,.saddles.and.animal.boarding.fees.”

The.combination.of.talented.rodeo.athletes,.a.dedicated.coach.and.financial.supporters.will.ensure.that.McNeese.continues.its.rodeo.powerhouse.tradition.

The McNeese Arena (now called Ward Memorial Arena) was one of the first three buildings constructed on campus and was originally designed for livestock shows and rodeos as an open-air facility.

McNeese history professor Dr. Tom Watson advises a student.

Permit me, suh, to raise this frosty julep in honuh of the team from Lake Charles, LOO-ziana.

Scholahs and gentlemen ev’y one, suh—and how they did ride!

[Sam Gadd, Colorado Springs Free Press, June 17, 1957]

two.original.copies.of.the.first.treaty.ever.negotiated.by.the.United.States,.an.agreement.with.the.Creek.Indians...He.retired.as.department.head.in.1995.

Tom.continues.to.research.and.write..He.has.written.a.book.titled.“Fifty.Years.of.High.School.Rodeo.in.Louisiana.”.

An.active.follower.of.McNeese.Rodeo,.Tom.praises.Justin.Browning,.the.current.rodeo.coach,.as.a.“God-send.”..“Justin.runs.like.a.little.tractor.all.day.long..He.is.energetic,.hard.working.and.a.great.recruiter,”.said.Tom.

Tom.and.Carol.Watson.provide.support.for.the.McNeese Rodeo/Golden Saddle Scholarships.and.Joe.Gray.Taylor.Humanities.Research.

McNeese Rodeo Stats

10

Gerry.Wubben,.professor.of.art.in.the.Department.of.Visual.Arts.at.McNeese.State.University,.is.a.master.in.the.art.of.engraving.

.Engraving.utilizes.the.intaglio.process.whereby.an.image.is.etched.or.scored.into.a.printing.plate,.ink.is.applied.to.

the.surface.and.a.cloth.is.used.to.wipe.away.excess.ink..A.dampened.paper.is.then.placed.on.top.of.the.surface.before.running.the.plate.and.paper.through.a.printing.press..The.pressure.from.the.press.transfers.the.ink.from.the.recesses.of.the.plate.to.the.paper..Engraving.or.printmaking.media.include.etching,.lithography,.woodcuts.and.silkscreen.

Gerry.was.born.in.Abilene,.Texas,.and.raised.in.Grand.Junction,.Colo..His.father,.Paul.D..Wubben,.was.a.physician.and.his.mother,.Mildred.Guigas,.was.a.homemaker.and.nurse..He.excelled.in.sports.and.science.in.high.school.and.received.the.freshman.chemistry.award..His.love,.however,.was.drawing,.a.talent.he.recognized.from.an.early.age..“I.could.always.draw,”.said.Gerry,.“and.drawing.serves.as.the.building.block.for.engraving.”

His.passion.was.fostered.while.pursuing.an.associate.of.arts.degree.in.printmaking.at.Mesa.State.College.in.Grand.Junction..He.continued.his.studies,.completing.bachelor’s.and.master’s.degrees.in.fine.arts.from.Colorado.State.University.in.Fort.Collins.and.Indiana.University.in.Wilmington,.respectively..After.painting.opera.sets.for.the.Indiana.School.of.Music.for.several.years,.Gerry.joined.the.McNeese.faculty.in.August.1987.

“Jobs.in.printmaking.are.scarce.and.McNeese.really.is.a.good.place.to.work..Our.talent.pool.of.students.is.pretty.extraordinary.and.the.administration.is.highly.supportive.of.our.program,”.said.Wubben.

With.funds.provided.by.the.Shearman Professorship in Liberal Arts.and.the.Robert Jones Beauregard Parish Historical Fund

FOUNDATION TIESGerry Wubben • Recipient • Shearman Professorship in Liberal Arts • Robert Jones Beauregard Parish Historical Fund Visual Arts Professorship

11

In terms of sheer ability and

skill, it is difficult to deny that

the engraver, as artist, excels.

The mental and physical

control necessary to move the

sharp burin upon the metal

plate is fine-tuned through

the process of drawing and

accessible to those who

possess the fundamental

talent. Once inked and

printed, any errors made

during the carving process

become blatantly apparent.

An engraver, therefore,

must have the attributes of

exactitude and patience along

with an unyielding dedication

to the use of the burin and the

history that stands behind it.

Bridget McDanielAssistant Professor

of Art History, McNeese State University

Visual Arts Professorship,.Gerry.created.the.Engraving.2007.Invitational.Print.Portfolio..Gerry.stated,.“I.was.inspired.to.create.a.network.to.celebrate.people.that.specialize.in.engraving.”.Twenty-five.of.the.nation’s.most.talented.engravers.were.invited.to.submit.an.engraving..The.Portfolio.was.catalogued.and.shown.at.various.exhibits.and.developed.into.a.print.piece.as.a.recruiting.and.educational.tool.

Gerry.collaborated.with.James.Ehlers,.a.McNeese.graduate.and.assistant.professor.of.engraving.arts.at.Emporia.State.University.in.Kansas,.to.catalogue.and.to.exhibit.the.prints..“I.consider.James.one.of.the.best.engravers.in.the.world,”.said.Gerry..In.recognition.for.submitting.their.work,.participating.artists.received.an.original.image.of.each.of.the.cataloged.engravings..The.Engraving.2009.Invitational.Print.Portfolio.is.in.progress.and.will.be.shown.in.England,.among.other.locations,.when.completed.

Wubben’s.prints,.drawings,.sculptures.and.paintings.have.received.local,.regional.and.national.awards.and.may.be.found.in.both.public.and.private.collections.including.the.Kansas.City.Art.Institute.and.the.Southern.Graphic.Print.Collection..Wubben’s.work.has.been.exhibited.in.over.200.regional,.national.and.international.exhibitions.

“I’m.lucky.to.make.a.living.doing.what.I.love.and.I.love.printmaking.and.teaching..Teaching.allows.me.to.serve.as.facilitator.for.a.huge.body.of.creative.work,”.said.Gerry.

Wubben’s.contributions.to.printmaking.have.been.recognized.by.being.named.as.distinguished.faculty.member.by.the.McNeese.Alumni.Association.in.1999-2000.and.honored.with.a.distinguished.alumni.award.from.Mesa.State.College.in.2007..He.has.served.as.a.representative.on.the.Louisiana.Division.of.the.Arts.panel.and.was.selected.Lake.Charles.Artist.of.the.Year.in.2000.

He.and.his.wife,.Angela.(Richard),.reside.in.Moss.Bluff.with.their.son,.Liam,.age.9,.and.daughter,.Avery,.age.6.

Gerry Wubben

12

What Will Your Legacy Be?

Have.you.signed.“The Giving Pledge?”

Unless.you.are.one.of.the.wealthiest.individuals.and.families.in.America.who.have.committed.to.giving.the.majority.of.their.wealth.to.philanthropy.either.during.their.lifetime.or.after.their.death….probably.not.

Your.charitable.contributions.may.not.reach.the.billions.or.even.millions.of.dollars,.but.your.current.and.planned.gifts.are.no.less.important.to.the.McNeese.State.University.Foundation.

Evergreen. Durable. Resilient.A Southern Symbol of Strength.

For.information.on.planned.giving,.visitwww.mcneesefoundation.org/plannedgiving

McNeese.Office.of.Planned.GivingP.337.475.5588..F.337.475.5386

Bequests • Charitable Trusts • Gift Annuities • Life Insurance Beneficiary DesignationReal Estate • Retirement Plan Designations • Securities • Tangible Personal Property

13

Brothers Banding Together

Gaining.consensus.from.250.people.may.seem.virtually.impossible,.unless.they.are.alumni.members.in.the.band.of.brothers.of.the.Theta-Rho.chapter.of.Kappa.Sigma.fraternity..

The.U.S..Army.afforded.Eric.Austin.Sanders,.D.D.S.,.the.opportunity.to.obtain.a.college.education.when.he.graduated.from.Barbe.High.School.and.entered.military.service..After.discharge.in.1985,.Eric.returned.to.Lake.Charles.and.entered.McNeese.State.University.

Eric.joined.Kappa.Sigma.fraternity.in.1969,.where.he.enjoyed.the.camaraderie.of.spending.time.with.like-minded.individuals..“I.saw.a.lot.of.guys.that.wouldn’t.have.been.able.to.graduate.from.college.without.the.support.system.provided.by.the.fraternity,”.said.Eric..“My.‘big.brother’.in.the.fraternity.was.a.role.model.to.me.when.he.went.on.to.become.a.dentist..In.fact,.McNeese’s.Kappa.Sigma.chapter.has.produced.many.doctors.over.the.years.”

In.1989,.Eric.entered.the.School.of.Dentistry.at.Louisiana.State.University.Health.Sciences.Center.in.New.Orleans..After.graduation,.he.moved.to.DeRidder.to.practice.general.dentistry..A.pediatric.dentistry.residency.at.the.University.of.Texas.Health.Science.Center.took.him.to.Houston.in.1995..

After.nine.years.living.away.from.Southwest.Louisiana,.Eric.felt.the.call.to.return.home..He.opened.up.his.pediatric.dentistry.practice.in.Lake.Charles.in.1997.

The.bonds.developed.through.his.membership.in.Kappa.Sigma.have.been.strong.and.life.long..Seven.of.eight.groomsmen.were.fraternity.brothers.at.Eric’s.wedding.to.Sheila.in.2004..They.now.have.two.children,.Maya,.5,.and.Megan,.3..The.brothers.still.enjoy.spending.time.together.and.playing.golf.tournaments.several.times.a.year..Eric.also.serves.as.an.adviser.to.Kappa.Sigma.fraternity.

The.original.Kappa.Sigma.Chapter.House,.built.in.1974,.saw.considerable.wear.and.tear.over.the.years..In.disrepair.prior.to.Hurricane.Rita,.the.storm.managed.to.make.the.house.unsalvageable..Another.striking.blow.to.the.chapter’s.survival.was.its.dwindling.membership,.down.to.five.

In.2006,.Dr..Sanders.and.his.band.of.brothers.met.to.discuss.reinvigorating.the.fraternity.by.rebuilding.the.chapter.house..Working.with.the.McNeese.Foundation,.the.group.formulated.a.plan.for.launching.a.fundraising.project.with.a.goal.of.raising.$500,000..Letters.were.sent.to.around.800.Kappa.Sigma.alumni,.the.Theta-Rho.Housing.Corp..was.formed.and.a.loan.secured.to.begin.construction..The.house.at.4220.Auburn.St..was.dedicated.Oct..11,.2008.

To.date,.over.250.donors.have.contributed.a.total.of.$360,000.towards.the.cost.of.construction.and.fundraising.efforts.continue..The.three-story.Kappa.Sigma.Fraternity.Chapter.House.is.now.the.envy.of.fraternity.row.and.is.60-members.strong.

“McNeese.is.true.to.my.heart,”.stated.Eric..“I.spent.four.years.here.at.McNeese.and.I.loved.it.

“Eric.is.a.first.generation.college.graduate..In.addition.to.supporting.the.house.rebuilding,.Dr..and.Mrs..Sanders.established.the.Theresa Sanders Scholarship.in.memory.of.his.mother,.a.Lake.Charles.native..They.are.also.members.of.The 1939 Living Oak Society.through.their.establishment.of.a.planned.gift.of.life.insurance.proceeds.dedicated.to.the.scholarship.

Kappa Sigma members are

required to provide volunteer

service hours and raise funds for

their national fraternity’s signature

project, the Fisher House. The

Fisher House provides housing for

military families to stay close to their

loved one during hospitalization for

an illness or injury.

FOUNDATION TIESDr. Eric and Sheila Sanders • Donors • Theresa Sanders Scholarship • Members of The 1939 Living Oak Society

Dr. Eric Sanders

14

FOUNDATION TIESDr. Pankaj and Meera Raj Chandra • Donor • Chandra “Peace” Memorial Scholarship in Engineering

Sharing Peace and Knowledge

The.dream.of.a.higher.education.and.the.opportunity.to.reach.his.full.potential.brought.Dr..Pankaj.Chandra.and.his.wife,.Meera.Raj,.from.India.to.the.United.States.

Growing.up.in.India,.Pankaj.saw.first.hand.the.poverty.that.exists.in.India.and.wanted.a.chance.to.utilize.his.knowledge.and.share.it.with.others..“In.America.you.work.hard.to.achieve.your.goals,.and.no.one.prevents.you.from.doing.this,”.stated.Pankaj.

Pankaj.always.knew.teaching.would.be.his.life.profession.and.a.way.to.give.back.by.sharing.his.knowledge..His.educational.influences.included.his.mother,.a.college.professor,.his.father,.a.post.office.employee.who.always.wanted.his.children.to.become.something.more,.and.his.father-in-law,.a.high.school.principal..After.graduating.with.a.Bachelor.of.Science.degree.in.physics,.chemistry.and.mathematics.from.Meerut.University.in.India,.he.obtained.a.second.bachelor’s.degree.and.a.Master.of.Science.degree.in.mechanical.engineering.from.IIT.Roorkee..

He.then.made.the.move.with.his.wife.and.two.sons.to.the.United.States.to.attend.Texas.A&M.University.where.he.received.a.doctorate.in.mechanical.engineering.in.1987..He.was.hired.as.an.assistant.professor.at.McNeese.State.University.in.the.department.of.engineering.by.the.former.dean.of.the.College.of.Engineering.and.Engineering.Technology,.Dr..O..Carroll.Karkalits,.and.has.moved.up.the.ranks.to.professor..“This.was.my.first.job.out.of.college.and.it.will.hopefully.be.my.last,”.he.remarked.

Pankaj.enjoys.teaching.because.it.always.makes.him.feel.young..

“You.learn.every.time.you.teach.something..Sometimes.you.learn.how.to.teach.in.a.different.way.so.that.students.will.better.understand..It.adds.to.and.enriches.your.knowledge.”

Teaching.at.McNeese.allows.Pankaj.to.know.his.students.by.name.and.their.background..He.often.runs.into.former.students.and.is.happy.to.see.them.doing.well.in.life..“They.ask.me.if.I’m.still.here.at.McNeese,.and.I.say,.‘Yes,.I’m.still.here’,”.he.said.with.a.laugh.

After.his.father,.Shanti.Chandra,.passed.away.in.2009,.he.and.Meera.created.the.Chandra “Peace” Memorial Scholarship.to.honor.his.father’s.memory..Shanti.means.“peace”.in.Hindi..The.scholarship.is.designated.for.junior.female.engineering.majors.

“I.recognized.that.my.parents.saw.the.value.of.education.and.wanted.my.siblings.and.me.to.be.something.

more,”.Pankaj.said..“Education.is.the.most.important.part.of.life.-.it.opens.your.mind..If.I.can.give.students.the.same.chance.to.see.their.dreams.come.true,.then.I.have.done.my.part.”

Pankaj.received.the.Distinguished.Faculty.Award.in.2000.and.has.obtained.over.$400,000.in.grants.for.research.and.equipment.in.the.College.of.Engineering.and.Engineering.Technology.

He.and.Meera,.a.1999.McNeese.graduate,.continue.to.give.back.to.society.whether.it.is.through.teaching,.tutoring.or.serving.as.coordinators.for.India.Night,.a.celebration.that.showcases.the.Indian.culture.and.food.

“Search.your.soul.and.try.to.give.as.much.as.you.can,”.Pankaj.encouraged..“It.doesn’t.matter.what.it.is.–.time,.money.or.knowledge.–.just.give.”

Meera Raj Chandra, mother-in-law Saraswati Devi Chandra and Dr. Pankaj Chandra display a photo of Shanti Chandra, in whose memory the Chandra “Peace” Memorial Scholarship was created through the McNeese Foundation.

15

FOUNDATION TIESKevin Shrewsberry • Recipient • Calcasieu Kennel Club Scholarship • Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles Scholarship• H.C. Drew Scholarship

“Starting.my.first.semester.at.McNeese.State.University,.I.began.learning.real-world.applications.for.my.life’s.career..I.learned.how.to.worm.and.brand.cattle,.castrate.pigs.and.dissect.other.animals..My.goal.is.to.work.in.cattle.production..Cattle.are.such.an.amazing.creation,”.said.Kevin.Shrewsberry,.a.junior.majoring.in.agricultural.sciences.with.a.pre-veterinary.medicine.concentration.

Kevin.is.the.son.of.Keith,.a.lead.analyst.at.Louisiana.Pigment,.and.Cindy,.a.self-employed.licensed.marriage.and.family.therapist.and.a.two-time.McNeese.alumna..As.a.child,.Kevin.would.accompany.his.mother.on.trips.to.the.vet’s.office..He.was.fascinated.with.animals.and.science.from.an.early.age.

Hamilton.Christian.Academy’s.strong.science.

curriculum.prepared.Kevin.well.for.his.intended.career.as.a.

large-animal.veterinarian..He.has.gained.hands-on.experience.working.with.small.animals.at.Gill.Animal.Clinic.and.with.large.

animals,.particularly.cattle,.at.Bayou.South.Animal.Hospital.

Kevin.chose.McNeese.based.on.its.pre-veterinary.

medicine.concentration..

“McNeese.just.felt.right..When.I.entered.the.Harold.and.Pearl.Dripps.Department.of.Agricultural.Sciences,.it.drew.me.in..I.found.it.intriguing.and.cool.that.the.faculty.seemed.to.really.take.an.interest.in.their.students..They.have.helped.mold.my.future,”.stated.Kevin.

“Tom.Shields.[assistant.professor.of.agriculture].has.been.my.most.influential.instructor..He.combines.textbook.material.with.practical.experience.to.show.students.what.they.can.do.with.their.own.sheep,.goats.or.cows..I.confess.that.my.initial.motivation.for.pursuing.vet.school.was.primarily.financial.gain..I.now.realize.that.by.helping.animals,.I.will.also.be.helping.people..It.takes.time,.money.and.good.genetics.to.produce.competitive.cattle..I.want.our.cattle.to.compete.with.Texas.cows..Hopefully,.my.legacy.will.be.that,.‘He.gave.his.best…’,”.said.Kevin.

Kevin.is.a.recipient.of.a.Calcasieu Kennel Club Scholarship, a Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles Scholarship.and.an.H.C. Drew Scholarship..“The.cost.of.books.is.unbelievably.expensive..I.appreciate.every.scholarship.I.have.received..The.donors.have.stayed.with.me.all.the.way.through.school.and.have.been.big.blessings.in.my.life,”.said.Kevin.

“My.choice.to.enroll.in.the.McNeese.Department.of.Agricultural.Sciences.has.been.one.of.the.best.decisions.I.have.made..I.owe.everything.I.have.learned.and.will.continue.to.learn.to.the.faculty.in.that.department.”

Kevin is a quiet, serious student and highly motivated to be accepted into veterinary medicine school. The odds of a student being accepted into veterinary medicine school are low compared to acceptance into medical or law school. Since there are so few vet schools, only eight of every 100 qualified students applying get accepted. Every state has several medical and law schools but not every state has a vet school.

Dr. Edward FergusonAssistant Professor and AdviserHarold and Pearl Dripps Department of Agricultural Sciences

An Amazing Creation

16

While.it.now.takes.many.households.two.incomes.to.make.ends.meet,.there.was.a.time.not.so.long.ago.that.only.one.spouse.had.outside.employment..The.spouse.charged.with.running.the.household.and.rearing.the.children.was.certainly.working,.just.not.for.pay..For.spouses.of.McNeese.State.University.employees,.the.Faculty.Wives.Club.provided.a.welcome.relief.from.the.day-to-day.responsibilities.of.being.a.full-time.homemaker.

The.McNeese.Faculty.Wives.Club.was.established.in.1952.for.the.purpose.of.promoting.fellowship.among.the.wives.of.the.faculty.through.social,.cultural.and.educational.activities..Membership.was.open.to.the.wives.of.current,.retired.or.deceased.faculty.and.administrators..

Lillie.Frazar,.wife.of.McNeese.President.Lether.E..Frazar.(1950-55),.hosted.an.organizational.meeting.to.initiate.the.Faculty.Wives.Club.at.the.Pioneer.Club.in.downtown.Lake.Charles..Mrs..Frazar.served.as.the.club’s.sponsor.and.as.its.first.honorary.president..In.March.1953,.the.constitution.and.by-laws.were.adopted.and.signed.by.25.charter.members.

The.Club.hosted.social.events.such.as.newcomer.teas,.style.shows,.bridge.groups.and.dinner.

dances..It.also.offered.educational.programming.including.book.reviews.and.nutritional.counseling..Meetings.were.held.in.the.evenings.in.the.girl’s.dormitory.lobby.or.the.Ranch.

According.to.Betty,.wife.of.former.forestry.instructor.Paul.Kitt,.the.Faculty.Wives.Club.served.as.a.wonderful.outlet.for.non-working.spouses.to.spend.time.together.and.to.leave.their.cares.at.home..The.Club.also.served.as.the.“Welcome.Wagon”.in.introducing.new.incoming.faculty.to.McNeese.and.the.area.

Meeting.hostesses.rotated,.taking.turns.to.prepare.food.and.beverages.for.the.guests..By.1963,.the.Faculty.Wives.Club.was.80.members.strong..Monthly.meeting.dues,.which.started.out.at.$3.per.year,.were.raised.to.$5.

McNeese.Faculty.Wives.Club.activities.were.common.features.in.the.Lake.Charles.American.Press,.the.Beaumont.Enterprise,.the.Beacon.and.the.Contraband.newspapers..The.Club.even.had.its.own.newsletter.

Billie.Faye,.wife.of.the.former.Dean.of.the.School.of.Sciences.and.Technology,.Stephen.M..Spencer,.said,.“The.Club.was.a.great.way.for.faculty.wives.to.feel.that.they.were.part.of.McNeese..Our.children.got.to.know.each.other.by.swimming.together.at.the.Chennault.Air.Base.pool.and.by.attending.park.outings..I.still.have.a.connection.with.many.

of.the.people.I.met.a.long.time.ago.through.the.Faculty.Wives.Club.”

Women.on.the.faculty.were.invited.to.join.the.club.as.the.McNeese.faculty.diversified..As.the.years.progressed,.more.and.more.women.were.joining.the.work.force.and.interest.in.club.activities.waned..The.club.officially.disbanded.in.1990.

The.McNeese.Archives.and.Special.Collections,.under.the.direction.of.Pati.Threatt,.maintains.scrapbooks,.yearbooks,.photos,.minutes.and.other.memorabilia.from.the.McNeese.Faculty.Wives.Club.(1952-89).

Examples.of.club.programming:.

Pirates of Penzance (1953)

Vacation Togs for the Younger Generation (1964-65)

The Wives Wonderful World of Wigs and Wiglets (1964-65)

Stocks, Bonds and Women (1968-69)

Hawaiian Luau (1968-69)

Christmas Crafts (1970-71)

Sculpture (1971-72)

The Cat’s Meow, Dancing and Band

(1971-72)

Taste and Tell (1976-77)

Family Investing (1983-84)

Moment in HistoryTHE McNEESE FACULTY

Wives Club

17

Branding-What do people think of when they hear “McNeese State University?”

That is what “branding” is all about. A brand is not simply a name, a logo, a family of marks, a motto or a slogan. Your brand is what sets your organization apart, what makes it distinctive, what defines your reputation.

Last fall semester, McNeese President Philip Williams and the Office of University Image conducted two campus-wide brainstorming sessions. Participants at these informal meetings were asked what messages and images should be conveyed in the McNeese advertising and marketing materials.

Several ideas were consistently repeated: • Get McNeese students involved in the marketing and

advertising initiatives; • Demonstrate the University’s impact on the

community; and • Utilize McNeese alumni and their success stories in

our advertising and marketing materials.

“In the brainstorming sessions, we also heard repeatedly that we should emphasize that a degree from McNeese takes hard work, that McNeese graduates are competitive with graduates from flagship and other renowned universities and that our advertising and marketing efforts should instill a sense of prestige about the University and a sense of pride in the students, parents, community and alumni,” said McNeese Marketing Coordinator Virginia Karg. Information from the brainstorming sessions was used by the External Communications Advisory Team to create a new advertising and marketing slogan. This new campaign slogan will replace the “Become a Cowboy” campaign that has been in use for several years—it does not replace the McNeese motto “Excellence with a Personal Touch” that was selected in 1987 during the University’s 50th anniversary.

“Our campaign slogan should be broad enough to speak to all of our target audiences but specific to McNeese. It should strengthen the University’s brand and it will be used consistently throughout all marketing and advertising media and in all other applicable communications that promote the University,” Karg said.

The External Communications Advisory Team selected “Meet Your Opportunity: Dream. Drive. Discover.” and it is already in use in television commercials announcing summer and fall registration.

Branding is also about maintaining a consistent look.

“We have been working with a firm that specializes in branding and corporate identity to develop a distinctive typeface, or font, and to incorporate that into the block M logo,” Karg explained.

The new font and updated block M are featured on the horse and rider logo that athletics is phasing in to create a unique and consistent look to the athletics website, athletics complex signage and uniforms. “The horse and rider logo has not changed,” Karg said. “We simply updated the mark with our own unique block M.”

In a message to the campus, Dr. Williams said, “Another exciting development is the creation of a separate, original, logo that will be available for both internal use and for retail merchandise. Focus groups will review and discuss this new mark very soon and we hope to launch this new logo in time for football season.” It takes time to develop or revise official logos and marks and they must be protected. The offices of University Image and Public Information and Communications are working together to develop comprehensive guidelines for how the marks and the new campaign slogan will be used.

This is truly a work in progress!

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First Name: Last Name:

Street Address:

City: State: Zip:

Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone:

Email Address:

Preferred Method of Contact: Email Mail Home # Work # Cell #

Comment/Suggestion:

Please contact me regarding making a contribution or planned gift to the McNeese Foundation.

FALL 2010 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

We.trust.that.you.have.been.informed.or.enlightened.by.something.you.have.read.in.this.issue.of.PILLARS...Comments.or.suggestions.for.future.bi-annual.editions.are.welcomed.and.appreciated..Please.take.a.moment.to.complete.this.form.and.return.it.to.the.McNeese.Foundation,.Box.91989,.Lake.Charles,.LA.70609.or.send.comments.via.email.to.mariannewhite@mcneese.edu..You.are.also.encouraged.to.visit.the.Foundation.website.at.www.mcneesefoundation.org.for.further.information.about.our.activities.or.methods.of.giving.

My time at McNeese State University will always be

a special part of my life. As I look back over the past

four years, I realize that the friends and memories I have

made will last a lifetime. My educational experiences, as

well as my fond memories here at McNeese, will provide

me with the sound investment I need to reach my future

goals. This investment was made possible due in large

part to the scholarships I received through the McNeese

Foundation. I thank all of the donors for allowing me this

wonderful opportunity. I know that my experiences at

McNeese have impacted my life in a very positive way.

Jada O’BlancSenior, Civil Engineering Major

McNeese Impacts Student’s Life in Positive Way

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PILLARS.is.published.by.the.McNeese.Foundation.to.educate.and.inform.the.community.of.the.role.that.the.Foundation.plays.in.support.of.McNeese.State.University...The.name,.PILLARS,.was.chosen.to.represent.the.importance.of.the.Foundation’s.support.of.McNeese.as.an.institution.of.higher.learning.

Clarification -.There.was.an.error.in.the.timeline.given.in.the.Fall.2010.issue.of.“Flying.High.as.a.Para-Poke.”.The.editor.regrets.the.mistake.

Correction -.The.2011.Scholarship.Brunch.Program.should.have.read,.“Calvin.A..Hays,.Jr..Memorial.Scholarship.”

Contact InformationMcNeese.FoundationBox.91989Lake.Charles,.LA.70609.Phone.337.475.5588....Fax.337.475.5386www.mcneesefoundation.org

McNeese Impacts Student’s Life in Positive WayEDITORMarianne WhiteCoordinator of Planned Givingand Donor Researchmariannewhite@mcneese.edu

STAFF WRITERJennifer Pitre

Planned Giving andDonor Research Specialist

jpitre2@mcneese.edu

ART DIRECTION, DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHYAnne CobbGraphic Designer/Multimedia Specialistcobb@mcneese.edu

Renee LeLeuxPublic Information Officer II

rleleux@mcneese.edu

OTHER FOUNDATION STAFFPam McGoughCoordinator of Athletic Developmentpmcgough@mcneese.edu

Melissa Ellis NorthcuttDirector of Development Operations

and Special Eventsmnorthcutt@mcneese.edu

Richard H. ReidVice President of Developmentand Public Affairs/Executive Vice President, McNeese Foundationrreid@mcneese.edu

Beryl RomeroAdministrative Specialistbromero@mcneese.edu

Pam TateGift Management Specialistpamtate@mcneese.edu

Pillars Staff

Dr. Jeanne Daboval, from left, provost and vice president of academic affairs, President Philip C. Williams and College of Science Dean George Mead chat prior to the processional at December’s graduation ceremony. Williams gave his first welcoming address as president to the fall class of 2010.

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McNeese.Foundation,.Box.91989,.Lake.Charles,.LA.70609

Francis G. Bulber Auditorium