pillars spring 10
DESCRIPTION
PILLARS is published by the McNeeseFoundation 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.TRANSCRIPT
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SPRING 2010, VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2
Dr. Robert Hebert The Man Behind the Presidencypage 4
Dr. Robert Hebert The Man Behind the Presidencypage 4
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Contents
3...........A.Bulldog.Named.Spike:...John “Spike” Scofield
4,.5....... The.Man.Behind.the.Presidency:..Dr. Robert D. Hebert
6..........Molecules,.Marsh.and.Muck...Oh.My!....Dr. Ray Neyland
7 ...........Who.Was.John.McNeese?..
8........... The.Sky’s.the.Limit:..David “Brian” Guidry
9..........A.Tradition.of.Teaching:.. Kimberly Diane Boyett
10.........A.Tribute.to.Leo:.. J. Leo McGough
12,.13.... Bridging.Cultures:...Carlos Perez
13......... Serving.the.International.Student.Population
14.........Chief.Cook.&.Bottlewasher:...Doug Gehrig
15.........McNeese.Honors.College
16.........McNeese.Foundation,.Melissa.Ellis.Northcutt:..
Director of Development Operations & Special Events
2010 Foundation Board of Directors
Officers
Emma DiCarlo-Vincent,
President
Bob Davidson, Vice President/
President-Elect
Willie Mount, Secretary
James Taussig, Treasurer
Members
Glen Bertrand
Judy Fuller
Tom Henning
Joe T. Miller, Sr.
Lee J. Monlezun, Jr.
George Paret
Patricia Prebula
Glenn Pumpelly
Donna Richard
Billy Rose
John Scofield
Jim Serra
Eli Sorkow
David Stine
Ray A. Todd, Jr.
Tom Tuminello, Sr.
Aubrey White
Ex Officio Members
Robert D. Hebert
Richard H. Reid
Advisory Board Members
Billy Blake
Coral Crain Byrd
Fred R. Godwin
Marilyn Hays
Charles Viccellio
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FOUNDATION TIESJohn “Spike” Scofield • Donor • John B. and Patricia Scofield Professorship
John.“Spike”.Scofield.was.a.full-time.college.student.supporting.a.wife.and.three.children.by.the.time.he.graduated.from.Tulane.University.with.a.law.degree.in.1959..What.an.accomplishment!
Spike.was.born.and.lived.in.Baltimore,.Md.,.until.the.age.of.9..Conoco,.Inc.,.his.father’s.employer,.relocated.the.family.to.Texas,.Oklahoma.and.Louisiana.before.they.finally.settled.in.Lake.Charles.when.Spike.was.in.the.eighth.grade..Spike.graduated.from.Sulphur.High.School.and.received.a.football.scholarship.to.attend.Tulane.University..He.played.the.positions.of.running.back.and.defensive.back.before.an.injury.during.spring.training.his.sophomore.year.ended.his.career..“I.quit.being.a.jock.and.became.a.student,”.said.Spike.
Although.the.sports.injury.meant.Spike.would.lose.his.athletic.scholarship,.he.still.qualified.for.an.academic.scholarship..Business.was.his.declared.major.but.the.subject.matter.didn’t.captivate.him..He.asked.some.friends.for.advice.–.including.a.few.attorneys.–.and.from.those.conversations,.a.career.in.law.became.his.goal.
At.that.time,.students.could.complete.their.final.year.of.undergraduate.work.while.at.the.same.time.starting.their.first.year.of.law.school..Spike.completed.his.Bachelor.of.Business.Administration.degree.and.his.Juris.Doctorate.degree.at.Tulane.University.in.just.six.years.all.the.while.maintaining.a.family.and.outside.employment..He.served.a.brief.stint.in.the.U.S..Army.before.joining.the.Army.Reserves.as.a.member.of.the.transportation.corps.and.the.judge.advocate.general.corps..
Spike’s.first.and.only.position.since.graduation.has.been.with.the.oldest.law.firm.in.Lake.Charles.–.originally.called.Pujo,.Hardin.and.Porter..He.was.hired.by.Judge.Thomas.Porter.in.1960.as.a.24-year-old.lawyer.straight.out.of.school..The.partners’.names.have.changed.over.time.with.the.firm.now.known.as.Scofield,.Gerard,.Singletary.and.Pohorelsky..Spike.is.a.self-described.“workaholic”.who.has.only.recently.learned.to.cut.back.on.his.schedule.and.his.caseload.
Spike.is.married.to.Patricia.(Pat).and.between.them.they.have.six.children.and.15.grandchildren..His.profession’s.legacy.is.now.carried.on.by.three.of.his.four.sons.and.by.his.grandson,.Crosby,.a.Texas.A&M.graduate.and.student.at.Harvard.Law.School.
The.Scofields.have.supported.McNeese.State.University.by.serving.and.financially.supporting.the.University.for.the.past.20.years..They.created.the.John B. and Patricia Scofield Professorship.when.they.realized.a.need.for.more.professorships.in.the.College.of.Nursing..They.are.members.of.the.Foundation’s.Inner.Circle.and.the.Athletic.Foundation’s.Quarterback.Chapter.and.supporters.of.Banners’.Rouge.et.Blanc..Spike.has.also.served.on.the.board.of.the.McNeese.Foundation,.including.serving.as.board.president.when.the.Building a Solid Foundation.capital.campaign.began.in.2006..“I.have.slowly.realized.how.important.McNeese.is.to.this.community.and.how.much.this.University.has.to.offer..The.vibrancy.of.having.a.college.right.here.in.our.midst.is.often.taken.for.granted..Supporting.McNeese.is.money.and.time.well.spent,”.said.Spike.
The.name.“Spike,”.of.course,.begs.the.question.of.where.it.originated..When.baby.John.Scofield.was.born,.his.father.said.that.he.was.the.ugliest.baby.that.he.had.ever.seen..John’s.face.reminded.his.father.of.a.bulldog.found.in.a.comic.strip.featuring.a.dog.named.Spike..The.name.has.stuck.with.John.ever.since..In.fact,.when.Spike’s.first.son.was.born,.he.was.nicknamed.“Tac,”.meaning.a.little.spike.
Reading,.playing.tennis.and.traveling.are.his.favorite.pastimes..The.extended.family,.all.28.of.them,.holds.a.special.place.in.Spike’s.heart..They.were.fortunate.to.all.travel.to.France.not.long.ago,.staying.in.a.French.chateau.surrounded.by.the.Alps..The.family’s.excursions.around.the.country.required.that.they.take.a.chartered.bus.to.accommodate.everyone..The.Scofield’s.latest.expedition,.sans.children.and.grandchildren,.took.them.to.the.ends.of.the.earth.–.Antarctica.
A BULLDOG NAMED SPIKE
John “Spike” Scofield
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COVER STORYDr. Robert D. Hebert • President
When.you.think.about.Robert.“Bob”.D..Hebert,.McNeese.State.University.president,.you.might.think.of.the.Banners.Cultural.Series.or.the.Honors.College,.both.created.under.his.leadership..What.you.might.not.envision.is.Dr..Hebert.repairing.furniture,.cooking.Chinese.food.or.crabbing.in.the.bayous,.but.in.his.rare.spare.time,.these.are.some.of.the.activities.that.he.enjoys.most.
Bob.grew.up.in.the.small.settlement.of.Meaux,.La.,.in.a.tight-knit.community..He.was.the.youngest.of.four.children,.just.a.toddler.when.his.father,.Eddie,.passed.away..Bob’s.mother,.Inez,.became.a.single.parent,.supporting.her.children.as.the.Postmaster.of.Meaux..In.fact,.Meaux’s.post.office.was.located.in.the.Hebert.home.
Bob’s.mom.stressed.the.importance.of.getting.an.education.to.all.of.her.children.
Members.of.the.Meaux.High.School.Class.of.1956.were.extremely.close.then.and.continue.to.be.so.today..During.that.era,.small.schools.lacked.enough.players.to.form.a.football.team,.so.basketball.was.the.school.sport.students.rallied.behind..Bob.played.basketball.and.his.older.brother,.Calvin,.helped.coach..Prior.to.the.game.between.Henry.High.and.Meaux.High.schools,.Bob.was.goofing.off.more.than.practicing.his.warm-ups..Calvin,.having.had.enough.of.Bob’s.antics,.sent.him.to.the.sidelines.to.keep.score..Keeping.score.for.Henry.High.was.freshman.student,.Lilly.Ann.Vincent..It.didn’t.take.long.for.Bob.to.take.notice.of.the.pretty.student.by.his.side.
Upon.graduating.from.Meaux.High.School,.Bob.enrolled.at.Southwestern.Louisiana.Institute,.now.called.the.University.of.Louisiana.at.Lafayette,.to.study.history..Since.he.did.not.own.a.car,.Bob.would.hitchhike.to.school.or.catch.a.ride.with.friends..Bob.was.always.fascinated.with.history,.particularly.with.the.World.War.II.era..As.a.child,.his.oldest.sister.had.captured.his.imagination.by.talking.about.faraway.places..Many.of.Meaux’s.young.soldiers.were.going.off.to.war.during.that.time.which.only.added.to.Bob’s.interest.in.World.War.II..Bob.graduated.with.a.Bachelor.of.Arts.degree.from.SLI.in.1959.
A.fellowship.offer.by.Florida.State.University.allowed.Bob.to.move.to.Tallahassee,.Fla.,.to.pursue.his.graduate.studies..Bob.received.his.Master.of.Arts.degree.in.1961.and.a.doctorate.degree.in.1966,.both.in.history..Lilly.Ann,.now.Bob’s.wife,.provided.support.by.typing.his.master.thesis.on.a.manual.typewriter.at.a.time.when.carbon.copies.were.the.norm.
Bob.was.soon.offered.the.opportunity.to.teach.at.the.collegiate.level.at.Mississippi.State.University.in.Starkville..His.specialties.were.European.and.Russian.history..He.also.moonlighted.teaching.history.at.a.small.college.in.the.Delta.town.of.Itta.Bena,.Miss..By.then,.Bob.and.Lilly.Ann.were.raising.three.little.boys..The.comfort.from.their.extended.families.and.the.familiarity.of.their.native.culture.tugged.at.their.heartstrings..After.seven.years.in.Starkville,.a.chance.encounter.with.McNeese’s.Dr..Joe.Gray.Taylor,.history.department.head,.lured.the.Heberts.back.to.Louisiana.to.fill.a.history.position.at.McNeese..A.fourth.son.would.soon.round.out.the.family.
McNeese.offered.Bob.the.opportunity.to.share.his.passion.for.history.with.his.students..As.the.years.passed,.Bob.progressed.up.the.academic.ladder,.moving.to.full.professor,.director.of.basic.studies,.academic.vice.president,.and.ultimately,.president,.a.post.he.has.held.for.23.years.
THE MAN BEHIND THE PRESIDENCYTHE MAN BEHIND THE PRESIDENCY
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COVER STORYDr. Robert D. Hebert • President
Dr..Hebert’s.accomplishments.have.been.vast.and.have.included.expanding.electronic.delivery.of.instruction,.improving.campus-wide.technology,.ensuring.that.campus.operations.continued.in.spite.of.the.devastating.effects.caused.by.Hurricane.Rita.in.2005.and.improving.and.enhancing.the.University’s.private.fundraising..When.he.became.president.in.1987,.the.assets.of.the.McNeese.Foundation.were.less.than.$1.million..Today.the.assets.are.over.$55.million.and.growing.
According.to.Lilly.Ann,.Bob.also.takes.great.pride.in.the.beautiful.live.oak.trees.that.shade.the.campus,.many.planted.and.nurtured.during.his.tenure.in.office..Another.source.of.pride.tied.to.his.interest.in.preserving.historical.artifacts.is.the.creation.of.the.McNeese.Archives.and.Special.Collections.housed.at.Frazar.Memorial.Library..The.Archives.act.as.a.manuscript.repository.for.historical.collections.for.the.five-parish.area.of.Allen,.Beauregard,.Calcasieu,.Cameron.and.Jefferson.Davis.parishes.
Bob.remains.close.to.his.family.roots..He.and.Lilly.Ann.are.both.descendents.of.the.Acadian.ancestry.from.Nova.Scotia..Bob.has.spent.considerable.time.researching.family.genealogy.and.traveling.to.places.of.his.heritage..In.fact,.traveling.has.always.been.a.passion.for.the.Heberts..Every.summer.took.the.family.to.a.new.destination,.exposing.the.children.to.the.world.around.them..Bob.made.sure.that.he.knew.everything.about.their.destination.prior.to.travel..He.also.made.sure.that.everything.was.in.order.before.the.date.of.departure.–.even.going.so.far.as.to.conduct.“dry.runs”.to.ensure.that.the.luggage.would.fit.into.the.trunk.
Serving.as.official.photographer,.Bob.would.come.home.from.a.trip.and.develop.his.own.film.in.a.small.darkroom.he.had.created.at.the.Hebert.home..He.made.a.habit.of.selecting.one.particular.photograph.from.each.destination.to.frame.and.hang.on.the.wall..A.store-bought.frame.was.not.acceptable..Bob.would.scour.flea.markets.and.antique.shops.in.search.of.old.picture.frames,.preferably.ones.that.required.repairing.and.refinishing..When.he.inherited.his.grandparent’s.breakfast.table,.he.used.his.skills.to.build.a.new.table.top.large.enough.to.seat.his.growing.family.
As.a.reminder.of.his.roots,.Bob.maintains.a.large.collection.of.Hadacol.bottles..Hadacol,.a.product.marketed.as.a.vitamin.supplement,.was.created.by.Dudley.J..LeBlanc,.a.native.of.Abbeville..Bob’s.other.hobbies.include.gardening.vegetables.and.flowers,.reading.history,.mystery.and.westerns,.cooking.Chinese.and.Indian.foods.and.listening.to.music..While.Dr..Hebert.will.be.retiring.from.McNeese,.it.is.evident.he.will.never.retire.from.his.love.of.education.
Inez.Hebert’s.emphasis.on.education.was.not.lost.on.the.Hebert.children,.grandchildren.and.great-grandchildren..Bob.and.his.siblings.have.all.obtained.graduate.degrees..Each.of.Bob.and.Lilly.Ann’s.sons.–.Greg,.Chris,.Gerry.and.Edward.–.have.all.graduated.from.McNeese.and.gone.on.to.obtain.medical.degrees..The.eldest.of.the.Hebert’s.four.grandchildren.will.enter.the.University.of.Pennsylvania.in.the.fall.
The.Heberts.look.forward.to.continuing.their.passion.of.following.McNeese.sports.–.now.as.spectators.in.the.stands.rather.than.dignitaries.in.the.SkyRanch..They.will.celebrate.their.golden.anniversary.this.summer.
It.is.unfortunate.that.Inez.Hebert.did.not.live.long.enough.to.see.her.son.in.his.role.as.McNeese.President..She.would.have.been.proud.
Lilly Ann and Dr. Robert Hebert
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FOUNDATION TIESDr. Ray Neyland • Recipient • Jack V. Doland Academic Professorship
The.work.of.a.scientist.often.brings.about.many.twists.and.turns..Dr..Ray.Neyland’s.molecular.research.ground.to.a.halt.when.Hurricane.Rita.shut.down.his.lab.in.McNeese.State.University’s.Frasch.Hall..When.one.door.closes,.another.one.usually.opens..In.Dr..Neyland’s.case,.the.open.door.led.to.the.study.of.aquatic.vascular.plants.in.the.freshwater.marsh.around.Grand.Chenier.
Dr..Neyland,.a.professor.in.the.Department.of.Biology.and.Health.Sciences,.is.a.botanist,.someone.who.specializes.in.the.study.of.plants..His.interest.in.plants.began.as.a.child.growing.up.in.the.Pensacola.area.of.North.Florida..Dr..Neyland’s.father.and.sister.were.avid.fishermen.and.Ray.would.often.tag.along.to.admire.the.plants.and.vegetation..The.family.wildflower.books.also.inspired.him.to.seek.out.and.identify.wildflowers.much.like.a.treasure.hunter.would.dig.for.treasures.
Dr..Neyland.obtained.his.Bachelor.of.Arts.degree.from.the.University.of.West.Florida.and.his.doctorate.from.Louisiana.State.University..An.opening.for.a.botanist.brought.Dr..Neyland.to.McNeese.in.1996,.offering.him.the.opportunity.to.teach,.to.conduct.research.and.to.publish.books.and.journal.articles.
Professorships.at.McNeese.are.awarded.on.a.competitive.basis..Faculty.use.professorship.funds.to.conduct.research,.to.travel,.to.purchase.equipment.or.to.otherwise.supplement.their.education-related.activities..One.of.Neyland’s.earliest.and.largest.awards.was.the.Jack V. Doland Academic Professorship..He.continues.to.publish.research.from.data.gathered.as.a.result.of.this.early.professorship,.including.publishing.in.scientific.journals.as.far.away.as.Australia.
Neyland’s.current.research.is.supported.by.a.professorship.in.science..According.to.Neyland’s.research.detailed.in.The Effects of Hurricanes Rita and Ike on the Aquatic Vascular Plants in a Large Fresh-water Marsh in Cameron Parish, Louisiana: A Tale of Two Hurricanes,.coastal.marshes.constitute.about.82.percent.of.Cameron.Parish..Much.of.the.marsh.isn’t.accessible.by.boat.or.by.foot.due.to.its.shallow.waters.and.mucky.soil..When.the.hurricanes.struck.Southwest.Louisiana,.a.wall.of.salty.sea.water.came.inland,.nearly.destroying.the.aquatic.plants.in.the.study.site..For.reasons.not.known.at.the.time,.salinity.levels.in.the.marsh.remained.high.long.after.the.storms’.passing..Dr..Neyland’s.four-year.study,.which.started.prior.to.Rita.and.ended.post-Ike,.identified.the.reason.
A.“chenier”.is.a.marshy.region.with.stands.of.evergreen.oaks..The.southern.perimeter.of.Neyland’s.study.area.is.bounded.in.part.by.Little.Chenier,.an.ancient.geologic.shoreline.which.forms.a.natural.barrier.sitting.further.inland.from.the.current.shoreline..Cheniers.run.east.and.west..When.the.storms.pushed.the.salinated.water.into.the.marshes,.the.chenier.trapped.the.water.from.flowing.back.out..This.explains.why.the.freshwater.aquatic.plants.in.the.marsh.studied.have.recovered.so.slowly.after.the.hurricanes.
Dr..Neyland’s.students.from.his.Biology.404.class.worked.in.the.field.with.him.to.gather.data..Students.received.three.hours.course.credit.as.well.as.co-publication.rights.once.the.study.was.published.
The.aquatic.plant.study.yielded.interesting.experiences.for.Dr..Neyland..Traversing.the.marshes,.Neyland.came.across.wayward.houses,.vehicles,.appliances.and.other.items.moved.and.tossed.about.during.the.storms..His.most.interesting.find.was.after.Hurricane.Rita.when.he.eyed.a.dead.alligator.hanging.six.feet.high.up.in.a.tree.
In.the.world.of.science,.you.never.know.where.your.studies.will.take.you..Dr..Neyland.has.learned.to.“roll.with.the.flow.”.Even.though.his.molecular.lab.was.closed.for.several.years.due.to.Hurricane.Rita,.he.used.the.opportunity.to.move.his.research.outdoors..His.first.book,.Wildflowers of the Coastal Plain,.is.now.published.and.a.new.book,.Ferns of Louisiana,.is.in.progress..Neyland.also.serves.as.curator.of.McNeese’s.herbarium,.a.collection.of.plants.systematically.identified,.dried.and.stored.for.research.purposes.
Wildflowers.of.the.Coastal.Plain may be purchased through any major outlet such as Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million.
Molecules, Marsh and Muck…Oh My!
Dr. Ray Neyland
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John.McNeese.was.born.on.July.4,.1843,.in.New.York.City,.N.Y.,.to.Scottish.immigrant.parents..His.parents.died.of.tuberculosis.leaving.young.John.an.orphan.at.age.9..The.most.reliable.sources.say.that.he.went.to.live.with.Dr..Nathaniel.Stafford.of.Baltimore,.Md.,.a.foster.father.who.placed.a.strong.emphasis.on.education.
At.some.point.prior.to.the.Civil.War,.Dr..Stafford.sent.John.to.live.with.Richard.H..and.Mary.Ellen.Wright.of.Bloomery,.Md.,.a.rural.community.in.Caroline.County.on.the.eastern.shore..Mary.Ellen.was.Dr..Stafford’s.granddaughter.
McNeese.joined.the.Union.Army.in.1861.at.age.18..He.was.a.member.of.the.Maryland.Volunteer.Infantry.during.the.Civil.War.where.he.fought.in.the.battle.of.Gettysburg..Suffering.from.a.case.of.tuberculosis,.John.moved.to.Texas.in.pursuit.of.a.drier.climate..He.settled.in.Menard.County.and.became.successful.at.grazing.cattle.and.operating.a.mercantile.business...He.served.as.the.district.and.county.clerk.from.1871.to.1873..Unfortunately,.the.Great.Panic.of.1873.brought.financial.ruin.to.McNeese.and.many.others.
In.1873,.McNeese.and.five.other.cattlemen.set.out.on.a.cattle.drive.to.New.Orleans.via.the.Old.Spanish.Trail..The.group.made.it.to.the.Sabine.River.but.the.cattle.were.starving.to.death.due.to.drought.conditions..McNeese.decided.to.cut.his.losses.by.selling.his.cattle.and.settling.in.Imperial.Calcasieu.(including.Allen,.Beauregard,.Calcasieu.and.Jefferson.Davis.parishes).
McNeese.boarded.at.the.home.of.William.Bilbo,.an.early.settler.in.the.present.Oberlin.area..He.married.Bilbo’s.daughter,.Susan,.on.his.33rd.birthday.and.they.had.nine.children,.two.of.whom.died.in.infancy..McNeese.supported.himself.as.a.“professor”.of.penmanship.and.music..Later.he.attended.Tulane.University.and.received.a.Bachelor.of.Laws.degree.in.1887..He.practiced.law.briefly,.but.his.passion.was.education.
McNeese.became.the.first.parish.superintendent.of.Imperial.Calcasieu,.serving.in.this.capacity.from.1888.until.his.retirement.in.1913..He.was.probably.the.first.parish.superintendent.to.devote.his.entire.time.to.the.work.of.his.office,.the.first.to.attempt.the.transportation.of.children.to.consolidated.schools,.the.first.to.attempt.classroom.supervision.among.rural.schools.and.the.first.to.support.the.right.of.citizens.of.a.local.community.to.vote.upon.themselves.taxes.for.the.support.of.public.schools..John.McNeese.died.in.1914.at.the.age.of.70,.less.than.one.year.after.his.retirement.
Lake.Charles.Junior.College,.founded.in.1939,.was.renamed.John.McNeese.Junior.College.in.1940.to.honor.the.pioneer.Southwest.Louisiana.educator..The.name.was.changed.in.1950.to.McNeese.State.College.and.finally.renamed.McNeese.State.University.in.1970..Consideration.in.the.mid-1990s.to.change.the.name.of.McNeese.State.University.to.the.University.of.Louisiana.at.Lake.Charles.never.gained.much.momentum..McNeese.is.the.only.Louisiana.state.school.named.after.an.educator.
Excerpts from A Chronicle, McNeese State University 1939-1987, by Joe Gray Taylor, and The Life and Services to Public Education of John McNeese by Theodore John Ratliff.Photos are from the McNeese Archives & Special Collections Department
Who Was John McNeese?
8
FOUNDATION TIESDavid “Brian” Guidry • Recipiant • Northrop Grumman Engineering Scholarship
continued on page 17
A.childhood.dream.guides.David.“Brian”.Guidry.in.his.quest.to.become.an.astronaut.
As.a.product.of.Holy.Family.Catholic.School,.Moss.Bluff.Middle.School.and.Sam.Houston.High.School,.Brian.entered.McNeese.State.University.with.his.eyes.set.on.a.career.in.agriculture..In.2004,.Brian.graduated.with.a.Bachelor.of.Science.degree.in.agricultural.sciences.and.a.concentration.in.agribusiness.
During.his.studies,.Brian.worked.as.an.intern.and.part-time.employee.for.the.Natural.Resource.Conservation.Service.branch.of.the.U.S..Department.of.Agriculture..With.a.hiring.freeze.looming.as.graduation.approached,.Brian.reflected.on.his.future.
“One.day.I.was.out.in.the.field.and.I.saw.a.crop.duster.fly.by..I.remembered.that.as.a.child.we.drew.names.out.of.a.hat.of.someone.famous.to.research..I.drew.the.name.of.John.Herschel.Glenn.Jr.,.a.former.astronaut,”.said.Brian..The.more.he.studied.Glenn’s.astronaut.career,.the.more.intrigued.Brian.became.with.the.profession..The.goal.of.becoming.an.astronaut,.however,.seemed.too.lofty.at.the.time.to.pursue.
With.the.dream.resurfacing.due.to.the.crop.duster’s.fly-by.and.with.his.current.position.with.the.NRCS.coming.
to.an.end,.Brian.thought.more.and.more.about.his.childhood.dream..He.began.researching.the.requirements.to.become.an.astronaut.and.composed.a.check.list.of.things.to.do.to.make.his.dream.a.reality.
Brian.began.by.enrolling.at.Sowela.Technical.College.in.the.aircraft.maintenance.program..He.also.enrolled.at.McNeese.in.the.mechanical.engineering.program.in.the.College.of.Engineering.and.Engineering.Technology..Lest.he.have.too.much.time.on.his.hands,.he.also.held.down.a.full-time.position.at.the.airport..He.completed.his.associate’s.degree.at.Sowela.in.December.2007.and.received.his.Aircraft.Mechanic.Certification..Subsequently,.he.began.flight.training.which.he.completed.in.the.summer.of.2008.
Brian.recognized.that.obtaining.an.internship.in.the.aerospace.industry.would.be.necessary.in.working.toward.his.goal..According.to.Brian,.“Because.my.field.of.interest.was.so.specialized,.I.had.to.pursue.the.internship.on.my.own.”.He.began.by.sending.applications.to.the.Johnson.Space.Center.and.to.the.United.Space.Alliance.in.Houston,.Texas..Rejection.letters.mounted..Not.taking.“no”.for.an.answer,.Brian.called.the.Space.Alliance’s.human.resources.department.and.was.told.he.had.exhausted.all.his.efforts.for.an.internship..Ever.persistent,.Brian.called.back.and.announced.that.he.
intended.to.drive.to.Houston.the.next.day.to.meet.with.someone.in.person..While.the.meeting.did.not.result.in.an.internship,.the.human.resources.officer.did.encourage.him.to.pursue.work.at.other.aerospace.contractors.in.the.area..A.stop.at.Ocean.Engineering.Co.,.the.manufacturer.awarded.the.contract.to.create.the.new.space.suit,.finally.paid.off..Brian.was.hired.for.a.summer.internship.which.included.a.visit.to.Cape.Canaveral..“I.encourage.younger.engineering.students.to.pursue.an.internship.or.a.co-op,.even.at.the.expense.of.staying.longer.in.school,”.said.Brian.
According.to.Ning.Zhang,.MSU.assistant.professor.of.mechanical.engineering,.“Brian.is.one.of.the.best.students.I.have.seen.at.McNeese..He.is.a.very.bright,.honest.and.a.hard.working.person.”.Zhuang.Li,.mechanical.engineering.assistant.professor,.agreed..“Brian.has.a.keen.interest.in.aeronautics.and.astronautics.and.a.very.clear.goal.for.his.future.career..He.works.very.hard,.writes.notes.carefully.and.reflects.deep.thinking..He.displays.high.quality.work.”
Brian.is.the.recipient.of.the.Northrop Grumman Engineering Scholarship.and.a.member.of.the.American.Society.of.Mechanical.Engineers.and.the.American.Institute.of.Aeronautics.and.Astronautics..He.will.add.a.second.degree.to.his.name.when.he.graduates.from.McNeese
The Sky’s The Limit
9
A Tradition of TeachingKimberly.Diane.Boyett.is.on.the.road.to.becoming.a.pre-kindergarten.to.third.grade.teacher..“I.
chose.PK-3.because.I.have.always.had.a.connection.with.younger.children..I.love.teaching.them.basics.and.then.pushing.them.to.think.even.deeper.toward.more.complex.problems,”.said.Kimberly.
Kimberly.enrolled.at.McNeese.State.University.as.a.Vidor.(Texas).High.School.graduate.and.transfer.student.from.Lamar.University..She.moved.into.Collette.Hall.where.she.has.lived.ever.since.along.with.her.roommate,.Pla,.from.Thailand..Kimberly.joined.the.Pride.of.McNeese.Marching.Band.and.played.the.French.horn.before.putting.away.her.instrument.this.past.year.due.to.time.constraints..
With.an.extended.family.full.of.teachers.and.firemen,.Kimberly’s.career.options.were.limited..Teachers.and.future.teachers.in.her.family.include.her.mom,.sister,.fiancé,.seven.cousins,.four.aunts,.two.great.aunts.and.two.uncles..Firemen.and.retired.firemen.in.her.family.include.her.father,.fiance’s.father.and.grandfather,.two.great.uncles.and.two.cousins..While.a.career.as.a.fireman.was.a.possibility,.Kimberly.had.her.eyes.set.on.becoming.a.teacher.
According.to.Dr..Faye.White,.professor.and.director.of.Student.Teaching.and.Professional.Education.Services,.students.enrolled.in.early.childhood.education.are.well-qualified.as.they.graduate.and.enter.the.classroom..Early.childhood.education.majors.complete.a.practicum.which.entails.one.course.with.60.clock.hours.and.another.course.with.90.clock.hours.of.classroom.instruction..Students.teach.15.lessons.in.the.classroom..Both.the.classroom.instructor.and.a.university.faculty.member.conduct.evaluations.which.result.in.the.student’s.class.grade..According.to.Dr..White,.“The.practicum.is.the.first.time.early.childhood.education.majors.learn.to.maneuver.in.the.real.world.of.education.”
The.practicum.helps.the.student.learn.teaching.strengths.and.weaknesses..“I.was.really.hesitant.about.classroom.management.and.discipline..I.wanted.to.structure.the.lessons.so.that.I.didn’t.waste.time.but.I.delivered.all.the.content..The.practicum.has.allowed.me.to.be.in.multiple.classrooms.with.instructors.who.all.have.different.methods.of.teaching..Based.on.these.examples,.I.am.now.able.to.create.a.style.all.my.own,”.said.Kimberly.
The.Alma W. and G.W. Ford Memorial Scholarship.is.one.of.several.scholarships.that.Kimberly.has.been.awarded.to.assist.her.and.her.family.with.college.expenses..Kimberly.said,.“I.feel.very.blessed.to.have.a.family.that.supports.me.financially..I.can’t.imagine.having.a.full-time.job.while.being.a.full-time.student..The.scholarships.definitely.help.me.with.tuition.costs.and.room.and.board.expenses.”
Since.not.all.universities.offer.a.practicum,.Kimberly.is.thankful.to.attend.McNeese.where.the.practicum.is.required..“I.love.the.early.childhood.education.program..I.can’t.believe.all.the.things.we.get.to.do..We.are.out.in.the.field.a.lot.gaining.hands-on.experience..This.program.has.definitely.prepared.me.for.my.career.as.a.teacher.when.I.get.out.of.school,”.she.said.
Currently,.Kimberly.is.student.teaching.in.a.first-grade.classroom.at.A.A..Nelson.Elementary..She.will.graduate.from.McNeese.in.May.2010..A.wedding.to.her.childhood.sweetheart,.Kyle.Parfait,.a.McNeese.music.education.major,.will.take.place.soon.after.graduation.
“Kimberly Boyett is an exceptional student. From the first time she came into my office she had a plan. She is so responsible and always turns everything in on time, no excuses; however, when I think of Kimberly I will always remember how respectful she is. As an advisee or a student in my class she does not hesitate to ask questions or ask for further explanation, and this is always done with polite respect for me as the professor. Her enthusiasm as a future teacher is refreshing. She will make a wonderful teacher who will be dedicated to giving her students her very best every day. One thing is certain, she will always be prepared.”
Deborah M. KingAssociate Professor
Department of Teacher Education
Kimberly Diane Boyett
FOUNDATION TIESKimberly Diane Boyett • Recipient • Alma W. and G.W. Ford Memorial Scholarship
10
FOUNDATION TIESJ. Leo McGough • Donor • Sam Emerson Memorial Music Scholarship
A TRIBUTE TO LEOThe.McNeese.Foundation.offers.many.opportunities.to.support.the.
University..Tribute.giving.provides.just.one.of.those.opportunities..A.tribute.gift.is.a.gift.given.in.“honor.of,”.in.“memory.of ”.or.in.“thanksgiving.of ”.someone.or.something..The.tribute.gift.is.only.restricted.by.the.creativity.of.the.giver...J..Leo.McGough.is.one.of.the.Foundation’s.many.loyal.tribute.givers.through.his.contributions.to.the.Sam Emerson Memorial Music Scholarship..Sam.Emerson.was.a.friend.and.local.ophthalmologist.with.the.Eye.Clinic.who.had.a.love.of.music.
Mr..McGough.is.known.by.several.nicknames,.depending.on.the.timeline.of.his.life..Before.World.War.II,.his.nickname.was.“Goo,”.for.his.last.name,.McGough..During.the.war,.he.was.called.“Jim,”.short.for.his.first.name.of.James..After.the.war,.he.went.by.“Leo,”.the.name.he.is.best.known.for.today.
Born.and.raised.in.Alexandria,.La.,.during.the.depression,.Leo.had.a.hard-scrabble.life..His.father,.Alfred.Doty.McGough,.died.when.he.was.just.6.years.old.leaving.behind.Leo,.his.mother,.Mary.Kate,.and.his.younger.brother,.Alfred.
Eugene..With.limited.professional.training,.Mrs..McGough.took.employment.as.a.caregiver..To.supplement.the.household.income,.Leo.quit.school.after.completing.his.elementary.grades..He.delivered.newspapers.and.groceries,.worked.in.a.filling.station.and.served.as.a.“call.boy”.waking.up.the.engineers.and.conductors.when.it.was.time.for.the.trains.to.depart..“We.didn’t.know.that.we.were.poor,”.said.Leo..After.working.for.three.years,.Leo.went.back.to.school.to.complete.his.education,.graduating.from.Bolton.High.School.in.Alexandria.
With.World.War.II.in.full.swing,.there.was.no.question.that.Goo.would.serve..He.enlisted.in.the.U.S..Army.Air.Force.in.February.1943..The.service.took.him.to.Colorado,.Wyoming,.Texas.and.New.Mexico.before.Jim,.as.he.was.now.called,.was.shipped.off.to.the.Central.Pacific.Theater.to.take.part.in.an.island.hopping.campaign..Jim.worked.in.the.armament.and.ordinance.divisions.of.the.27th.Bombardment.Squadron,.part.of.the.30th.bomb.group..When.his.service.was.over.in.1946,.Jim.returned.to.Alexandria.
The.first.night.home,.Leo,.his.current.moniker,.headed.to.the.Walgreen’s.parking.lot.where.his.buddies.hung.out..A.friend’s.invitation.to.double.date.prompted.Leo.to.call.an.old.acquaintance..Leo.had.first.met.Mary.Faucett.when.he.was.just.5.years.old.and.she.was.2..He.had.watched.from.his.back.porch.as.Mary’s.house.burned.to.the.ground..Mary.had.toddled.across.the.yard.to.watch.the.fire.burn.with.him..While.they.saw.each.other.periodically.over.the.years,.it.wasn’t.until.Leo.asked.Mary.out.for.that.double.date.that.the.fireworks.sparked..They.married.in.November.1946.and.lived.happily.ever.after.until.Mary’s.death.in.1995.
A.job.at.a.pest.control.company.brought.Leo.and.Mary.to.Lake.Charles..He.knew.that.he.didn’t.want.a.long.term.career.in.pest.control,.but.he.had.a.wife.to.support.and.he.needed.a.job..Leo.applied.at.area.banks.and.was.hired.by.Calcasieu.Marine.National.Bank.where.Mary.also.worked..A.quick.promotion.and.pay.raise.was.all.that.was.needed.for.Leo.to.know.that.he.had.found.his.life’s.work..The.bank’s.management.training.program.and.the.Graduate.School.of.Banking.at.Louisiana.State.University.trained.him.well.for.his.ultimate.ascension.to.the.presidency..The.new.Calcasieu.Marine.National.Bank.high.rise.(now.Capital.One).was.built.under.Leo’s.leadership.
During.his.41.years.of.employment,.Leo.and.Mary.spent.15.years.in.Vinton.with.their.children.–.Vickie,.Pam,.Jim.and.Cindy..Three.of.their.four.children.followed.their.parents.into.banking..Leo.stays.busy.with.his.children,.six.grandchildren.and.two.great-grandchildren..His.many.friends,.his.daily.three-mile.walks.and.his.weekly.luncheons.at.the.Pioneer.Club.leave.him.little.time.to.be.lonely.
Leo’s.involvement.with.the.McNeese.Foundation.began.during.his.tenure.at.the.bank..The.Burton.and.Lawton.families,.owners.of.the.bank,.were.all.McNeese.supporters..“I.couldn’t.have.had.a.better.job.or.worked.for.better.people..The.Burton.and.Lawton.families.have.shared.their.time,.their.wealth.and.their.knowledge.with.the.people.of.Southwest.Louisiana,”.said.McGough.
Leo.added,.“I.wanted.to.do.something.for.McNeese…To.give.in.a.manner.that.would.help.the.school.and.the.student..To.me,.a.college.education.is.a.requirement..In.fact,.higher.education.ought.to.be.mandatory.”.Leo.has.supported.McNeese.through.his.tribute.gifts.and.through.his.contributions.to.endow.an.oak.tree.on.campus.through.the.Foundation..It.is.fitting.that.his.tribute.gifts.are.directed.at.a.scholarship.that.supports.music.majors..As.a.child.Leo.was.forced.to.take.violin.lessons.which.were.to.him.a.chore..His.desire.was.always.to.play.the.piano,.but.his.family.could.not.afford.the.lessons..Leo’s.gifts.to.the Sam Emerson Memorial Music Scholarship.support.students.pursuing.their.passion.in.music.
Leo is a descendent of Edward Doty, a passenger on the Mayflower. Edward Doty was an indigent servant of Stephen Hopkins, one of the masters on the Mayflower. Doty served Hopkins for two years in exchange for his passage. He was the second man to step on Plymouth Rock.
J. Leo McGough
11
What Will Your Legacy Be?
F.G. Bulber AuditoriumThe legacy of Handel’s Messiah began when Francis Gerard Bulber (1909-1992) directed the first performance of the Messiah in December 1940 in the McNeese Auditorium. The Messiah has been performed every December since. Bulber served as the head of the Music Department, the dean of Fine Arts, and the academic dean of the University. Bulber founded the Lake Charles Civic Symphony and the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus. In 1992, the McNeese Auditorium was renamed the Francis G. Bulber Auditorium in his memory.
Office of Planned GivingP 337.475.5588 F 337.475.5386
Bequests • Charitable Trusts • Gift Annuities • Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation • Real EstateRetirement Plan Designations • Securities •Tangible Personal Property
For information on planned giving, visit www.mcneesefoundation.org/plannedgiving
You PlanYour Gift
You Choose Its Direction
12
“Write.about.me—Senor.Carlos.Perez—in.the.paper?.Yes—girls,”.he.eloquently.said,.pulling.out.his.horned-rimmed.glasses.with.a.flourish.and.bowing.low,.“and.what.would.you.like.to.know?.How.I.got.here?.Why.I’m.here?.And.when.I.got.here?.Well,.I.must.say.you’d.make.an.excellent.FBI.lady,.but…since.it’s.all.for.‘The.Cause,’.I’ll.give.you.the.facts.”..(The.Contraband.[student.newspaper],.Tuesday,.Nov..19,.1957)
It.seems.that.an.interview.with.Carlos.Perez.was.as.much.sought.after.in.1957.as.it.is.53.years.later.
When.Carlos.Alfonsa.Perez.Correa.was.a.child.growing.up.in.Mexico.City,.Mexico,.children.learned.about.America.by.watching.movies..Carlos.admired.the.country.he.came.to.know.from.the.movies..He.dreamed.of.one.day.coming.to.America.
As.a.child,.Carlos.would.tag.along.with.his.father,.a.tennis.player,.for.sport..“There.wasn’t.a.coach.or.an.instructor.to.teach.me,”.said.Carlos,.“I.practiced.on.my.own.”.It.wasn’t.long.before.Carlos.realized.that.a.university.tennis.scholarship.might.hold.the.key.to.realizing.his.dream.
A.friend.of.Carlos.was.recruited.to.play.tennis.at.Lamar.Tech.in.Beaumont,.Texas..In.the.late.1950s,.with.connections.made.through.this.friend,.McNeese.tennis.coach.Arthur.E..Lee.recruited.Carlos.to.come.to.Lake.Charles.on.a.tennis.scholarship..With.VISA.in.hand,.an.$80.loan.from.his.father.and.a.few.translated.phrases.tucked.away.for.emergencies,.Carlos.purchased.a.one-way.plane.ticket.to.Houston,.Texas.
Upon.arrival.from.Houston.to.Lake.Charles.via.the.Trailways.Bus,.Carlos.flagged.down.a.taxi.cab.to.take.him.on.his.final.leg.to.the.McNeese.campus.where.Coach.Lee.was.on.hand.to.greet.him..They.talked.at.length.–.Coach.Lee.speaking.only.English.and.Carlos.speaking.only.Spanish.–.with.neither.one.understanding.a.word.the.other.one.spoke.
Carlos.thought.his.scholarship.would.include.everything.needed.to.get.started…sheets,.pillows,.towels,.clothing,.books,.etc..However,.when.he.arrived.in.his.dorm.room,.he.discovered.four.barren.walls.and.a.mattress.on.the.bed..Upon.realizing.the.misunderstanding,.Coach.Lee.took.Carlos.shopping..The.remaining.monies.from.his.father’s.loan.were.now.depleted.
In.the.50s,.entering.freshmen.were.required.to.take.an.entrance.exam..Carlos.arrived.for.the.test,.administered.in.English,.studied.the.first.question,.and.proceeded.to.the.front.of.the.room..Ms..Paddy.Ann.Doll,.testing.director,.patiently.explained.the.question.to.Carlos..After.returning.to.his.seat.and.looking.over.the.second.question,.Carlos.again.proceeded.to.the.front.of.the.room..After.several.more.repetitions.of.this.same.scenario,.Ms..Doll.quietly.asked.her.assistant.to.help.Carlos.in.a.private.room..Upon.passing.the.entrance.exam,.Carlos.was.now.officially.a.McNeese.freshman.
The.entrance.exam.guaranteed.Carlos’s.entrance.and.also.introduced.him.to.his.future.wife..DeQuincy.native.Grace.Puerto.was.standing.by.Carlos.in.the.“P”.registration.line..While.verbal.communication.was.a.stumbling.block,.the.language.of.chemistry.soon.took.over..“Meeting.Grace.was.destiny,”.said.Carlos.
Carlos.excelled.on.the.tennis.court.and.in.his.course.work..McNeese’s.tennis.team.was.a.consistent.winner.of.the.Gulf.State.Conference..Carlos.was.inducted.into.the.McNeese.Tennis.Hall.of.Fame.in.2004.
Grace.worked.at.McNeese.as.Coach.Lee’s.secretary..After.Carlos.graduated.and.worked.for.W.R..Grace.for.two.years,.the.couple,.now.married,.moved.to.Mexico.City.
Equipped.with.an.industrial.engineering.degree.from.McNeese.and.a.Master.of.Business.Administration.degree.from.the.Pan.American.Institute.for.High.Business.Direction.in.Mexico,.Carlos.became.a.successful.entrepreneur,.ultimately.becoming.the.largest.manufacturer.of.stabilizers.and.emulsifiers.for.the.dairy.industry.in.Mexico..“My.success.in.business.is.because.I.learned.how.American.people.think..I.worked.with.Americans.in.all.my.business.ventures.and.my.knowledge.provided.a.bridge.between.the.two.cultures,”.said.Carlos.
FOUNDATION TIESCarlos and Grace Perez • Donors • Department of Liberal Arts Endowed Fund
Bridging Cultures
Perez from 1960 Log Yearbook
Perez, 1957
13
Carlos.and.Grace.have.five.children.–.Carlos.Antonio.“Tony,”.Lisa.Perez.Fontenot.and.Melissa.Perez.Leblanc,.all.McNeese.graduates,.and.Ricardo.Perez.and.Tania.Perez,.who.attended.McNeese..Carlos’.younger.brother,.Alfonso.Perez.Correa,.is.also.a.McNeese.graduate..The.family.tradition.continues.with.a.Perez.grandson,.Steven,.now.enrolled.in.McNeese’s.MBA.program.
Carlos.received.the.McNeese.Distinguished.Alumnus.Award.in.1993.for.his.remarkable.accomplishments.as.a.leading.manufacturer,.industrialist.and.civic.leader.in.Mexico.and.Central.America..He.continues.to.be.an.ardent.advocate.for.McNeese,.recruiting.students.from.Mexico.to.come.to.Lake.Charles..Carlos.and.Grace.support.the.Department of Liberal Arts Endowed Fund – Spanish.and.the.McNeese.Alumni.Association.
“McNeese.changed.my.life.in.many.aspects..It.gave.me.an.education,.friendships.and.a.warm.welcome..It.introduced.me.
to.my.wife,.Grace..McNeese.taught.me.how.to.be.competitive.in.sports.and.in.life…how.to.win.and.how.to.lose,”.said.Carlos.Grace and Carlos Perez
SERVING THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT POPULATIONMcNeese State University has an active and growing international student population, including 484 students from 52 different countries, eight of whom, like Carlos Perez, are from Mexico. Ms. Corliss Badeaux, instructor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages, serves as international student faculty adviser. The adviser’s function is to work with the international student population to help plan activities, to monitor expenses and to help students stay on track during their campus experience. Corliss works closely with Pranay Wardhan, a student from India, who serves as president of the International Student Association.
The McNeese Office of Student Services has created the Multicultural Center, located in Holbrook Student Union of the Old Ranch, to serve as the “campus living room for international students.” The center is a place where people of all nationalities can come together to share life experiences. Sullivan Turner, a part-time graduate assistant, currently staffs the center.
According to Dr. Toby Osburn, dean of student services, “Our international population consists of great students who add tremendous value to the quality and experience of student life. Engaging international students in student life gets them involved and participating. It also gets other students involved in the culture, languages, political systems and religions of other countries.”
The Council for International Concerns, a broad-based community outreach group, works closely with McNeese personnel to help international students as they make the transition to Southwest Louisiana. International students can incur difficulties in the transition such as cultural barriers, language difficulties and transportation issues. The Council also works with the Lake Charles Rotary Club to host an annual barbecue for international students which includes entertainment such as belly dancers, ethnic music and martial arts demonstrations.
Cricket game in the Quad
14
FOUNDATION TIESDoug and Gay Gehrig • Donors • Lake Area McDonald’s Athletic Scholarship
CHIEF COOK & BOTTLEWASHER
Lake.Area.McDonald’s.restaurant.owner.Doug.Gehrig.believes.that.the.community.should.embrace.McNeese.State.University..“You.can’t.go.anywhere.around.here.without.running.into.McNeese,”.he.said.
Doug.is.the.owner.of.10.area.McDonald’s.franchises.as.well.as.the.Wal-Mart—Highway.171—restaurant..His.path.to.the.fast-food.industry.began.as.a.child.growing.up.in.Milwaukee,.Wis.
Doug.is.the.middle.child.of.seven.children..His.parents.owned.a.meat.processing.plant,.a.family.restaurant.and.an.A&W.Root.Beer.stand.at.one.time.or.another..He.grew.up.working.in.all.the.many.facets.of.the.family.business.–.including.serving.as.the.“chief.cook.and.bottlewasher.”
With.an.aptitude.for.mechanics.and.the.goal.of.a.career.in.machine.design,.Doug.graduated.from.the.University.of.Illinois.at.Urbana-Champaign.in.1972.with.a.degree.in.mechanical.engineering...Upon.graduation,.he.moved.to.Burlington,.Vt.,.to.work.for.General.Electric’s.machine.gun.factory..Doug.was.on.the.fast.track.as.a.member.of.GE’s.training.program.and.was.poised.to.be.sent.to.graduate.school..However,.a.slow.economy.was.affecting.the.workload,.and.while.Doug’s.position.was.secure,.he.felt.the.job.lacked.challenge..A.position.in.a.research.center.pulled.Doug.back.to.Milwaukee.where.his.engineering.skills.were.put.to.use.testing.parts,.chains.and.gear.reducers.
Weary.of.the.cold,.Doug’s.parents.looked.to.purchase.a.McDonald’s.franchise.in.a.warmer.climate..With.the.Lake.Charles.territory.ripe.for.a.fast-food.chain,.Doug.helped.pack.his.family.for.a.move.down.south..The.first.Lake.Area.McDonald’s.opened.on.Broad.Street.in.1972..Within.a.few.years,.Doug.quit.his.research.position.in.Milwaukee.and.headed.south.to.enter.the.family.business.
Doug.called.upon.his.experience.working.in.the.family.food.businesses.back.in.Milwaukee.as.he.worked.his.way.up.the.local.McDonald’s.ladder.from.assistant.manager.to.manager.to.supervisor,.and.eventually,.to.owner..The.number.of.family-owned.franchises.increased.to.10..Doug.ultimately.bought.out.all.the.local.franchises.from.his.siblings.
While.managing.multiple.stores.requires.long.hours.in.the.office,.Doug.is.happiest.being.out.among.his.employees.and.customers..With.530.employees.and.a.$6.million.payroll,.Lake.Area.McDonald’s.is.doing.its.part.to.bolster.the.economy.in.Southwest.Louisiana.
After.Hurricane.Rita,.many.service-oriented.businesses.incurred.a.significant.employee.shortage..The.Lake.Area.McDonald’s.lost.over.half.its.work.force..With.a.stroke.of.genius.in.an.effort.to.keep.the.restaurants.open,.Doug.imported.over.130.individuals.from.Romania.to.work.at.his.McDonald’s..He.helped.acclimate.new.employees.upon.their.arrival.and.found.them.housing..According.to.Doug,.“The.work.force.from.Romania.worked.wonderfully.”.To.this.day,.Lake.Area.McDonald’s.still.employs.five.of.the.original.immigrants.
Doug.and.Gay.Gehrig.and.the.Lake.Area.McDonald’s.have.supported.McNeese.for.over.20.years..The.Gehrigs.created.the Lake Area McDonald’s Athletic Scholarship to.support.athletes.in.need..A.pancake.breakfast.fundraiser.was.held.in.the.fall.2009.to.raise.funds.for.the.scholarship..“We.appreciate.Doug.and.Gay.Gehrig.establishing.the.Lake Area McDonald’s Athletic Scholarship..The.Gehrigs’.choice.to.invest.in.our.student-athletes’.education.shows.their.community.support.and.their.commitment.to.ensure.the.best.college.experience.for.our.young.athletes,”.said.Pam.McGough,.coordinator.of.the.McNeese.Athletic.Foundation.
As.a.consummate.engineer,.Doug.is.especially.complimentary.of.the.McNeese.engineering.and.engineering.technology.programs..“McNeese.has.one.of.the.best.engineering.schools.in.the.country..The.departments.are.small.and.you.have.easy.access.to.professors.which.promotes.learning,”.he.said.
When.visiting.one.of.the.Lake.Area.McDonald’s.restaurants,.don’t.be.surprised.to.find.Doug.dressed.in.his.pin-striped.business.suit,.white.starched.shirt.and.tie,.and.black.leather.shoes.tinkering.with.the.ice.cream.machine..While.he.is.a.successful.entrepreneur,.Doug.will.always.be.a.mechanical.engineer.at.heart.
Doug Gehrig
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FOUNDATION TIESMs. Margaret Munro • Donor • John J. Munro III Memorial Scholarship
McNeese Honors CollegeMcNeese.State.University.is.well.known.for.its.excellent.programs.in.its.six.colleges.–.business,.education,.engineering.and.
engineering.technology,.liberal.arts,.nursing.and.science.–.but.there.is.another.“college”.that.some.people.may.not.know.about….the.McNeese.Honors.College.
The.Honors.College.was.created.to.enhance.the.academic.experience.of.high.achieving.and.motivated.undergraduate.students..The.honors.program.was.the.inspiration.of.McNeese.President.Robert.D..Hebert..“Having.an.Honors.College.enables.McNeese.to.recruit.a.greater.number.of.superior.students.than.have.been.traditionally.recruited.in.the.past,”.said.Dr..Hebert..
The.MSU.Honors.College.began.accepting.students.in.the.fall.of.2000.under.the.guidance.of.Joan.Vallee,.assistant.chemistry.professor.and.the.first.Honors.College.director..Students.enrolled.in.Honors.College.pursue.traditional.course.work.as.required.in.their.major.but.with.an.independent.element.added..As.an.example,.students.might.be.expected.to.prepare.research.papers.and.present.findings.at.a.regional.or.national.conference.
Students.gain.many.benefits.from.enrolling.in.the.Honors.College..They.participate.in.smaller.class.sizes.and.have.access.to.guidance.seminars..They.learn.in.an.atmosphere.that.fosters.intellectual.stimulation.and.free.thinking..And,.since.they.stay.with.the.same.cohort.of.students.that.they.start.out.with,.they.enjoy.a.cohesive.and.nurturing.learning.environment.
Honors.College.students.receive.financial.incentives.to.participate.in.the.program..A.four-year.academic.scholarship.assists.students.with.tuition,.partial.room.and.board,.and.textbook.expenses..The.Honors.College.received.significant.funding.from.two.local.families.for.operational.expenses.and.for.student.scholarships..Mr..and.Mrs..Claude.“Buddy”.Leach.provided.an.endowment.which.funds.Honors.College.operations,.while.Mr..and.Mrs..William.“Billy”.Blake.provided.funds.through.the.Juliet.Hardtner.Trust.to.support.academic.scholarships.
The.McNeese.Honors.College.is.successful.due.to.the.shared.commitment.of.both.students.and.faculty..Dr..Scott.Goins,.professor.of.classics.in.the.Department.of.English.and.Foreign.Languages.and.current.Honors.College.director,.said.that.he.felt.duty.bound.to.accept.the.call.to.direct.the.Honors.College..“The.Honors.College.seeks.to.support.and.inspire.students.as.they.broaden.their.knowledge.and.excel.in.their.chosen.discipline..I.thought.I.could.do.a.good.job.and.make.a.difference.for.the.students,”.he.explained.
With.a.limited.enrollment,.entrance.into.the.Honors.College.is.competitive..Approximately.25.new.students.are.accepted.into.the.Honors.College.each.year..Criteria.for.admission.include:
•..Excellent.high.school.record.including.a.college-preparatory.background•..Minimum.academic.grade.point.average.of.3.4.on.a.4.0.scale•..Composite.score.of.27.on.the.American.College.Test.or.combined.reading.and.math.
score.of.1210.on.the.Scholastic.Aptitude.Test•..Written.essay.and.interview.with.the.Honors.College.Admissions.Committee•..Three.letters.of.recommendation.from.teachers,.principals.and/or.guidance.counselors•..Acceptance.for.enrollment.by.the.University
For.more.information.about.the.McNeese.Honors.College,[email protected].
Honors College is much more than just a scholarship. Honors freshmen took a class called Humanities with Dr. Goins as our instructor. It was a great experience that not only introduced the entire group to each other, but we also got to know Dr. Goins as well. He is great when you need someone to listen or answer school-related questions. The friends I have met through Honors College are great people who care about their academics. There are various activities such as movie nights that provide us with extracurricular activities. Being in Honors College has helped to enhance my college experience and helped me to stay focused on my goals.
Mallory RobicheauxCollege of Nursing Sophomore
Dr. Scott Goins
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MELISSA ELLISNORTHCUTTDirector of Development Operations & Special Events
Melissa.Ellis.Northcutt,.director.of.development.operations.and.special.events.at.McNeese.State.University,.is.one.employee.that.this.University.couldn’t.live.without.
Melissa.joined.McNeese.and.the.Office.of.Development.and.Public.Affairs/Foundation.almost.20.years.ago.when.there.were.only.two.employees.and.a.$3.million.endowment..Since.that.time,.the.Development/Foundation.Office.has.grown.to.include.eight.employees.and.a.$55.million.endowment.
Melissa.obtained.her.Bachelor.of.Science.degree.in.management.and.marketing.as.well.as.her.Master.of.Education.degree.from.McNeese.
Along.with.her.McNeese.Cowboy.hat,.Melissa.wears.two.other.job.duty.hats—director.of.development.operations.and.executive.assistant.to.the.president.for.special.events.
As.development.operations.director,.Melissa.coordinates.the.day-to-day.activities.of.the.office...Melissa.is.accountable.for.all.McNeese.Foundation.and.Athletic.Foundation.funds..She.manages.both.the.donor.database.and.the.accounting.database,.unrestricted.and.restricted.accounts,.and.prepares.the.income.distribution.and.budget.reports.annually..She.is.in.charge.of.creating.policies.and.procedures.and.conducting.performance.evaluations..Most.importantly,.she.spearheads.donor.relations.and.donor.recognition.events.such.as.the.annual.scholarship.brunch.
Melissa.is.also.involved.in.many.public.relations.activities.related.to.the.Foundation..She.works.with.peers.within.the.University.and.with.outside.vendors.to.create.marketing.materials,.brochures,.invitations.and.other.print.pieces.
Melissa.serves.as.the.point.person.for.the.office’s.daily.activities.in.the.absence.of.Vice.President.of.Development.and.Public.Affairs/Executive.Vice.President.of.the.McNeese.Foundation,.Richard.Reid.
As.executive.assistant.to.the.president.for.special.events,.Melissa.coordinates.activities.held.at.the.home.of.the.president.as.well.as.activities.held.in.the.SkyRanch.at.Cowboy.Stadium..She.serves.as.the.liaison.and.campus.coordinator.for.visiting.dignitaries,.Board.of.Regents.and.University.of.Louisiana.System.members.during.periodic.campus.visits..Correspondence,.reporting.and.scheduling.related.to.presidential.activities.are.also.handled.by.Melissa..
As.part.of.her.many.duties,.Melissa.serves.as.chairperson.of.the.McNeese.Official.Ring.Committee..The.McNeese.ring.tradition.and.ceremony.began.in.spring.2007.with.qualified.students.having.the.opportunity.to.purchase.a.class.ring..The.tradition.has.been.expanded.under.Melissa’s.leadership.to.include.a.ceremony.held.twice.a.year,.a.ring.cake.event.during.Homecoming.Week.and.Spring.Fling.Week.and.the.distribution.of.material.promoting.the.McNeese.official.ring...The.ring.is.currently.featured.on.the.McNeese.Catalog,.the.Blue.Key.and.the.student.recruitment.marketing.brochure.
As.if.juggling.all.these.duties.were.not.enough.to.keep.Melissa.busy,.she.also.serves.as.a.notary.for.campus.personnel.
An.effective.and.outstanding.administrator,.Melissa.is.a.model.employee,.always.exhibiting.professionalism,.courtesy.and.respect..When.asked.the.key.to.her.success,.Melissa.credits.the.truly.talented.people.she.is.fortunate.to.work.with.every.day..“I.absolutely.love.what.I.do.and.I.am.privileged.to.work.with.such.a.delightful.group.of.people..We.have.a.wonderful.team,”.stated.Melissa.
gf
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Continured.from.page.8
this.May.in.engineering..He.plans.to.pursue.a.position.with.Ocean.Engineering.Co..upon.graduation..Brian.also.looks.to.obtain.a.master’s.degree.in.engineering.prior.to.applying.for.the.astronaut.training.corps..A.meeting.with.the.head.of.the.astronaut.selection.committee.at.NASA.revealed.that.in.the.last.class.3,500.applications.were.received.and.only.nine.applicants.selected..It.may.seem.like.an.uphill.battle,.but.Brian.continues.to.climb.
“I.think.that.engineering.at.McNeese.is.an.extraordinary.program,”.said.Brian..“Many.astronauts.attend.prestigious.universities.and.have.extensive.military.experience..I.don’t.believe.that.those.individuals.are.any.more.superior.in.knowledge.or.determination.or.have.a.better.work.ethic.than.I.have..If,.in.the.future,.I.am.ultimately.not.selected.for.the.astronaut.training.corps,.I.can.accept.that..If.it.doesn’t.pan.out,.at.least.I.can.say.that.I.gave.it.my.all..I.know.that.to.achieve.a.goal.like.this,.I.have.to.do.everything.I.can,.but.I.also.recognize.that.I.can’t.live.my.life.by.it.forever.”
Brian.and.his.wife,.Tiffany,.a.full-time.teacher.at.Gillis.Elementary,.take.turns.caring.for.their.1-year-old.daughter,.Olivia..Another.child.is.scheduled.for.“launch”.this.summer.
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SPRING 2010 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2
We.trust.that.you.have.been.informed.or.enlightened.by.something.you.have.read.in.this.issue.of.PILLARS...Comments.or.suggestions.for.future.bi-annual.editions.are.welcomed.and.appreciated..Please.take.a.moment.to.complete.this.form.and.return.it.to.the.McNeese.Foundation,.Box.91989,.Lake.Charles,.LA.70609.or.send.comments.via.e-mail.to.mariannewhite@mcneese.edu..You.are.also.encouraged.to.visit.the.Foundation.Web.site.at.www.mcneesefoundation.org.for.further.information.about.our.activities.or.methods.of.giving.
Tired.of.useless.information.that.fills.television,.radio,.newspapers.and.the.Internet?.The.McNeese.Foundation.is.producing.news.that.you.can.actually.use..The.Foundation.launched.a.new.marketing.initiative.in.January.2010.in.the.form.of.e-mail.newsletters.titled.News You Can Use..
E-newsletter.content.includes.interesting.articles.about.McNeese.Foundation.donors,.student.scholarship.recipients.and.professors.receiving.professorships..The.e-newsletters.are.sent.to.donors.whose.e-mail.addresses.are.on.file.in.the.Foundation.office.
The.January.issue.featured.McNeese.retiree.Linda.Finley.in.an.article.titled,.“From.a.Covered.Wagon.to.a.Spaceship.”.During.her.35.years.of.service,.Finley.served.as.the.dean.of.university.services.and.registrar..She.established.and.endowed.the.Linda Finley Scholarship.and.is.a.member.of.The.1939.Living.Oak.Society.and.the.McNeese.Outriders.
Readers.can.also.learn.estate.planning.tips.such.as.how.and.when.to.update.their.will,.how.to.increase.their.retirement.income.and.how.to.make.charitable.gifts.without.using.their.current.income.
Articles.from.each.issue.can.also.be.found.on.the.Foundation.Web.site.at.www.mcneesefoundation.org/news,.and.scroll.down.to.Foundation.News...If.you.would.like.to.receive.News You Can Use,.complete.the.form.below.and.send.to.McNeese.Foundation,.Box.91989,.Lake.Charles,.LA.70609.or.e-mail.your.Web.address.to.Jennifer.Griffith.at.jgriffith@mcneese.edu.
□..Please.send.me.News You Can Use at.the.e-mail.address(es).below:
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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.
Contact Information
McNeese.FoundationBox.91989Lake.Charles,.LA.70609.Phone.337.475.5588....Fax.337.475.5386
www.mcneesefoundation.org
EDITOR
Marianne White
Coordinator of Planned Giving and Donor
Research
STAFF WRITER
Jennifer Griffith
Planned Giving and Donor Research Specialist
ART DIRECTION, DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY
Anne Cobb
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Renee LeLeux
Public Information Officer II
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Jennifer Griffith
Planned Giving and Donor Research Specialist
Kelly McGough
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Pam McGough
Coordinator of Athletic Development
Melissa Ellis Northcutt
Director of Development Operations and Special
Events
Richard H. Reid
Vice President of Development and Public Affairs/
Executive Vice President, McNeese Foundation
Beryl Romero
Administrative Specialist
Marianne White
Coordinator of Planned Giving and Donor
Research
One of many bids during the 2010 Denim & Diamonds Athletic Fundraiser
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