A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI, STUDENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS

SPRING 2017

BACK ON TOP! MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM RETURNS TO CHAMPIONSHIP FORM

DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS: Twice a year, we hold a commencement ceremony where we present degrees to VOLUME 41 s ISSUE 1 our students. I am sure you have vivid memories of your own; they are truly unfor- gettable occasions. Commencement is a culminating event, representing years of EXECUTIVE EDITOR hard work and sacrifice and serving as a launch point for new opportunities. Simply Rebecca Catalanello put—this is the highlight of my job as President, and it underscores why we, as edu- EDITOR cators, do what we do. Adam Norris I have tried to capture the characteristics of the Class of 2017 with adjectives DESIGN AND LAYOUT such as determined, persistent and diverse. But the word “engaged” is particularly Eric Gernhauser appropriate. Engagement is critically important to the success of any university. CONTRIBUTING WRITER Students engage with their institution through student activities, athletics, research Mallory Moore opportunities and community service. The data show that engaged students succeed PHOTOGRAPHY and graduate at a higher rate. There’s not enough room on this page to enumerate Clem Barbazon all of our highly engaged student groups, but I will mention a couple. Lambda Chi Rebecca Catalanello Julia Kumari Drapkin Alpha fraternity won the inaugural President’s Spirit Cup for its sustained support Gregory Juan of our student-athletes, including our men’s and women’s basketball teams, Christy Lorio which enjoyed outstanding seasons. Our student-athletes performed on the Tracie Morris Schaefer court, on the field and in the community. In the fall 2016 semester alone, our student-athletes did nearly 1,600 hours of community service. In total, our students engage with more than 125 student organizations. Send Correspondence to: Finally, engaged students become engaged alumni. Those men Silver & Blue Editor University of New Orleans and women who were active participants in their college experi- Administration Building 103 ence frequently remain connected to their friends and peers 2000 Lakeshore Drive beyond graduation. They are vocal and visible advocates for New Orleans, LA 70148 phone: (504) 280-6832 their alma mater wherever they go. And their financial sup- email: [email protected] port for student scholarships grants opportunity to the next generation of Privateers. The University’s fundraising efforts have gathered momentum in recent months. That’s because there is widespread sentiment among our alumni and support- ers that improved access to quality higher education will improve entire communities. When a student crosses the platform at Silver & Blue Magazine is published by commencement and receives a degree, it’s beneficial not just to the University of New Orleans. Articles the student and the family but to society. represent the opinions of the authors and If you consider yourself to be an engaged graduate, reach do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone but the authors. out to your networks and find those who are not. If you’re not To inquire about alumni events or to engaged, ask yourself “Why not?” Please give us the opportu- join the UNO International Alumni nity to show you all of the great things that we’re doing. I can’t Association, contact: Office of Alumni Affairs, University of wait to see what the Class of 2017 and all of our alumni will ac- New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148 phone: (504) 280-2586 complish next. Much like our graduates, the University of New fax: (504) 280-1080 Orleans is a determined institution. Know that we are always email: [email protected] here to support you if you are willing to be engaged. © 2017 The University of New Orleans This public document was published at a total cost of Sincerely, $22,225. 35,000 copies of this public document were published in this first printing at a cost of $22,225. The total cost of all printings of this document, including John Nicklow reprints is $22,225. This document was published by PRESIDENT the University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans, LA 70148, to promote the purpose of the University under authority of 17:3351(A)(12). This material was printed in accordance with the standards @UNOPresidentJN @unopresident for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

2 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS p. 4 CAMPUS SCENE 20 Krewe of UNO, Holi, Engineers Week, Library Renovation ROUNDBALL RENAISSANCE Privateers win conference title and NEWS & EVENTS return to NCAA Tournament for 8 Nicklow Highlights Enrollment first time in 21 years. Momentum; Robotic Eel Research Expands; Special Education Programs Recognized; Tarr Promoted to Research VP; GE Partnership Yields Jobs for Grads; Amouzegar Named Provost; Audubon Collaboration Promotes Conservation Research; HRT Receives Major Gift FACULTY FOCUS 24 Hansen and Hodges Honored p. p. p. for Teaching Excellence; Rubens Investigates Link Between Sleep and Behavior; Arifuzzaman 16 28 30 Digs Data; Cot Recognized; MAKING HISTORY LIFE CHANGING THE BEAT WITHIN Seeger Album Tops Jazz Charts University installs its How a professor’s near- Students help incarcerated seventh leader and celebrates death experience inspired youth learn to write, cope. UNO TRAVELER its talented alumni. healthcare research. 42 Costa Rica, Ireland study abroad prove pivotal for students. ATHLETICS 44 Davenport’s devotion changes women’s basketball. ALUMNOTES 47 News from UNO’s accomplished p. p. p. graduates. 34 36 38 IN MEMORIAM DEAR UNO PROMOTING HISTORY WORD BY WORD 51 Photography project Midlo Center celebrates Creative Writing THEN & NOW turns its cameras—and 25 years of social justice Workshop nurtures 52 markers—on UNO. discourse. writers for 25 years.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 3 HEADLINES AND HAPPENINGS

UNO LETS THE GOOD TIMES ROLL The University of New Orleans brought carnival to the lakefront Feb. 21 when the Krewe of UNO rolled through campus for the first time in years. Marching bands from Brother Martin High School and Sophie B. Wright Charter School provided the soundtrack as UNO students, faculty and staff donned masks and costumes, tossed beads and toy brains, rode atop horses and boats, golf carts and homemade floats in a display that drew celebratory onlookers to curbs and walkways and ended with a giant king cake fest in the heart of campus. The parade kicked off at the University Center with the unveiling of the New Orleans Privateers’ new mascot, Capt. Bruno, a brawny, blue, sword- brandishing privateer.

4 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 FESTIVAL OF COLORS The Chakra Indian Student Organization on March 26 treated UNO’s community to the fun of Holi Festival, a celebration of spring stemming from a Hindu tradition. Participants throw colored powder on one another, enjoy colorful desserts and dance to lively music.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 5 CELEBRATING THE WORLD OF ENGINEERING Nearly 1,600 students from 26 New Orleans-area middle and high schools converged on the University Feb. 21 to celebrate National Engineers Week. Dozens of hands-on exhibits enabled students to explore the ways engineers think, problem-solve and invent. Organized by the College of Engineering in collaboration with the College of Sciences, Core Element and the American Society of Civil Engineers, the event also featured four screenings of “Dream Big: Engineering Our World,” a feature-length film produced in partnership with the American Society of Civil Engineers.

ASK LOUISIANA’S GOVERNOR Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards visited the University of New Orleans Oct. 12 to participate in a live interview with political science instructor Tony Licciardi before a gathering of students, faculty and staff. Edwards spent more than an hour talking with Licciardi about everything from how he decided to run for Louisiana’s top office to what his administrative transition entailed. Roughly 100 to 150 people attended the event at Milneburg Hall. It was an intimate gathering geared toward political science students and faculty.

6 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 LIBRARY LAUNCHES FOURTH FLOOR UPGRADE University of New Orleans students and faculty seeking quiet study space, access to high-tech computer labs and well-preserved archival materials now have a dedicated resource on the fourth floor of the Earl K. Long Library. President John Nicklow and Library Interim Dean Lora Amsberryaugier cut the ribbon on the space on Feb. 2, unveiling the newly renovated floor to students, faculty, staff and visitors. The space boasts quieter study rooms, climate-controlled special collection archives, a digital animation studio, a new exhibits gallery space, offices and meeting space for the Center for Teaching Innovation, a new information literacy classroom and more.

UNIVERSITY OF DIVERSITY The University of New Orleans in March opened the Diversity Engagement Center, a space dedicated to enhancing the University’s efforts to reach underrepresented minorities and marginalized student groups. Peggy Gaffney, director of Diversity Affairs at UNO, and President John Nicklow cut the ribbon on the space March 16. “This is about helping find a home for those who don’t have formal representation on campus,” Gaffney says. The center will also coordinate efforts by MoMENtum, a mentorship program for African- American male students, Cultural Cafés, diversity book discussions and diversity celebrations.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 7 President Nicklow’s State of the University Address Highlights Momentum in Enrollment, Fundraising and Outlook at the University of New Orleans

STUDENT APPLICATIONS t
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UNO leaders are actively million scholarship campaign are up. More people are visiting are running 15 percent higher seeking to improve the Univer- that Nicklow and the Devel- campus. Enrollment declines compared with this time last sity’s position independent of opment Office launched in the have slowed. year, with freshmen application state funding through better fall. Annual unrestricted giving is Those were three of applications up 20 percent and utilization of facilities, including up 10 percent and the total dollars the encouraging headlines graduate school applications leasing space on campus to pledged through the student- University of New Orleans increasing 2 percent. interested community partners. staffed call center have increased President John Nicklow shared t
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In the area of academic 25 percent in a year. Fundraising during his biannual State of prospective students have affairs, new Provost Mahyar efforts are also underway the University address, which increased 11 percent, with Amouzegar is working with to modernize UNO’s hotel, he delivered March 31 before a attendance to February’s Explore faculty and staff to review and restaurant and tourism admin- ballroom filled with employees. UNO open house up 23 percent strengthen academic programs istration facility and to obtain a Nicklow, who has made with 80 percent of the partici- and create predictable budgets naming gift for the University’s enrollment his top priority since pants already at the applicant for colleges based on student- new School of the Arts. taking the helm as the Univer- stage or beyond. faculty ratios and student credit Nicklow went on to tick off sity’s leader a year ago, said that t
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hours, Nicklow said. a number of other accomplish- the number of students enrolled advantage orientation is up 73 New Vice President for ments, including the Privateer at UNO declined 3 percent this percent compared with last year. Research and Economic Devel- men’s basketball team’s champi- spring compared with a year Nicklow said the University opment Matt Tarr has already onship season, the completed ago—the smallest decrease in continues to be laser-focused on implemented increases to UNO’s renovations to the fourth-floor recent memory. its efforts to recruit and retain internal grant programs across of the Earl K. Long Library “This is a very good sign,” students through targeted, disciplines. and the opening of a Diversity he said. “I believe that it means meaningful communication, Fundraising efforts are also Engagement Center. that our enrollment decline is planning and offerings. yielding results, Nicklow said. He closed his remarks by leveling off and we are reaching The University endured a cut The University’s endowment sharing a video designed to a point where we can start earlier this fiscal year, but was grew from $63.6 million in introduce employees to a new growing again.” spared a second mid-year cut by December 2015 to $66.9 million brand messaging platform Digging deeper, the outlook the state this February. While a this past December. developed by University only improved. The numbers statewide budget gap looms for “That is exceptional,” Marketing, one that highlights Nicklow shared showed that the fiscal year that is scheduled Nicklow said, “especially when the determination, inclusiveness there were only 33 fewer under- to begin July 1, Nicklow said the you consider this: The average and drive to achieve that charac- graduate students this spring advocacy efforts of the Privateer endowment for higher education terizes the UNO community. than in 2016. And first-time Advocacy Network have helped institutions nationwide lost Nicklow said the messages freshmen and transfer students contribute to a “genuine and nearly 2 percent within the past reveal the optimism he feels. improved by 16 percent and 33 increased appetite to support year, while UNO’s has increased “Yes, our community has grit and percent this semester compared higher education at the State in value.” determination, resilience and with spring 2016. Capitol.” More than $415,000 has loyalty,” he said. “But we also have Other notable numbers: In the meantime, he said, been raised toward the $1 a bright future.”

8 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 Audubon Nature Institute Collaboration Focuses on Wildlife Conservation Research

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW Orleans and Audubon Nature Institute are collaborating to address pressing research topics in wildlife conservation and professional training in the field of wildlife management. The Sustainable Wildlife Fellowship/Internship program is made possible by the combi- nation of UNO faculty expertise, Audubon Nature Institute facil- ities and personnel and financial support from a Louisiana Board of Regents endowment program. The program calls for the appointment of faculty from UNO’s Department of Biological Sciences to fill four endowed chair positions and revise the areas of specialization of those positions to those identified by the University and Audubon Nature Institute. Steve Johnson, dean of the t
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fellow and an undergraduate- Department of Biological Sciences College of Sciences, says he Lailvaux as the Virginia Kock/ level intern in each area of focus. faculty members Simon Lailvaux, expects the innovative collabo- Audubon Nature Institute Fellows and interns will work left, Nicola Anthony, Bernard Rees ration will yield great research Endowed Chair in Species under the guidance of the UNO and Carla M. Penz will fill four opportunities for students: Preservation, which will focus endowed chair as well a program endowed chair positions as part “Working closely with Audubon on rare and endangered species. coordinator and mentor of a collaboration between the University of New Orleans and scientists, our team of endowed t
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employed by Audubon Nature Audubon Nature Institute. chairs, graduate fellows and as the Doris Zemurray Stone Institute. undergraduate researchers will Endowed Chair in Biodiversity, Fellows and interns will explore cutting-edge topics which will focus on rare and work at an Audubon facility in wildlife sustainability in endangered species. in New Orleans, which could The Paulette and Frank B. threatened ecosystems and zoo t
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be the Audubon Coastal Stewart Endowed Sustainable populations.” as the Freeport-McMoRan Wildlife Center, Aquarium of Wildlife Program Fund was also The four endowed chair Endowed Chair in Wildlife the Americas, Audubon Zoo, established to provide needed appointments are: Sustainability, which will Audubon Butterfly Garden and support for activities related t
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focus on wildlife in threatened Insectarium or the Alliance for to the program. The funds, as the Greater New Orleans ecosystems. Sustainable Wildlife, a collabo- amounting to $300,000, had Foundation Endowed Chair in In addition to filling these ration with San Diego Zoo been previously donated and, Aquatic Conservation, which endowed chair positions, the Global housed at the Freeport- with the donors’ permission, will focus on coastal and marine Sustainable Wildlife Fellowship/ McMoRan Audubon Species they were endowed and wildlife and fisheries sustain- Internship program provides Survival Center on the West designated for support of the ability. stipends for a graduate-level Bank. program.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 9 Office of Naval Research Support Extends and Expands Robotic Eel Project at UNO with $400,000 Grant

UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS Navy also has a strong researchers are helping the U.S. interest in devel- Brandon Taravella Navy improve intelligence, oping autonomous surveillance and reconnais- underwater vehicles sance capabilities for shallow (AUVs) that can carry water and coastal environ- sensors into dangerous ments with technology that environments without has the potential to reduce being detected. risk exposure for military Taravella’s former personnel. Brandon Taravella, adviser, William associate professor in UNO’s Vorus, professor School of Naval Architecture emeritus at UNO, and Marine Engineering, and developed a theory Kazim Akyuzlu, professor directly related to these in UNO’s Department of aquatic challenges. Mechanical Engineering, Vorus predicted that recently received a 3-year, a particular shape $418,000 grant to continue and swimming in an expand Taravella’s previous anguilliform (eel-like) research on the “anguilliform- motion could do so like swimming motion of an with high efficiency undulating propulsor,” also and little resistance referred to as the robotic eel and would generate project. no wake or detectable trailing type of AUV able to travel long While research to date The significance of the swirls in the water. Taravella’s distances on low power. has focused on what was robotic eel project is tied to previous work tested Vorus’ Taravella says there is also happening in the water in the changes in naval warfare. Naval wakeless propulsion theory interest from the oil and gas eel’s wake, the new award will researchers need tools to help using a robotic eel to achieve the industry. The robotic eel could allow Taravella to examine what them conduct monitoring and ideal shape and desired motion. be sent into waters for infra- happens to the water particles data collection in harsh or One potential naval application structure inspection, such as oil near the robotic eel’s skin as it dangerous conditions. The U.S. of this work could be a new rigs off coastal Louisiana. moves.

Special Education Teacher Prep Programs Receive National Recognition THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW teaching in early intervention Education, which is housed of Colleges and Schools Orleans’ Department of and mild/moderate disabilities within UNO’s College of Commission on Colleges while Curriculum, Instruction and for elementary education; and Liberal Arts, Education a range of professional accred- Special Education has been the master’s in teaching in and Human Development. iting organizations evaluate its recognized by the Council for mild/moderate disabilities for “Schools in our area value the academic departments through the Accreditation of Educator secondary education. knowledge, skills and disposi- a similar process of rigorous Preparation (CAEP) for three “We pride ourselves in tions that graduates of our peer review. CAEP is involved special education teacher preparing quality special special education program in certifying the quality of preparation programs: the educators,” says Janice possess.” teacher preparation provided bachelor’s degree in elementary Janz, interim chair of the The University’s institu- through UNO’s Department of education and mild/moderate Department of Curriculum, tional accreditation comes Curriculum, Instruction and disabilities; the master’s in Instruction and Special from the Southern Association Special Education.

10 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 UNO Transportation Institute Awarded $1.4 Million to Study Urban Development Around Waterways

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW conducting a multidisciplinary Orleans Transportation program of maritime and Institute will receive nearly $1.4 multimodal transportation million over five years as part of research, education and a consortium designated by the technology transfer. U.S. Department of Transpor- With a new adminis- of America’s global supply chains The amount awarded to the tation as a Maritime Transpor- tration in Washington, D.C., is exceptionally important to entire consortium is expected to tation Research and Education having pledged to renegotiate the nation’s continued economic total up to $7 million in federal Center, or MarTREC. the North American Free vitality, and UNO’s Transpor- funding and $3.5 million in Led by the University of Trade Agreement and other tation Institute is uniquely matching funds over a five-year Arkansas, the consortium international trade deals, the qualified to provide essential period. The center’s work will includes researchers from importance of understanding research for the U.S. Department address the design of supply- UNO, Jackson State University maritime transportation of Transportation through chain networks to optimize in Mississippi, Louisiana and its role in domestic and MarTREC,” says Stich, who also resources and minimize State University, Vanderbilt global trade takes on renewed serves as associate director of congestion on navigable University in Tennessee and importance, says Bethany Stich, the National Center for Strategic waterways. It will also research Texas A&M University. The associate director of MarTREC Transportation Policies, Invest- design and planning for barge center’s work will focus on and director of UNO’s Trans- ments and Decisions and chairs containers, shipping cycle times, preserving the existing U.S. portation Institute. the Department of Planning and reliability, safety and environ- transportation system by “Maintaining the efficiency Urban Studies at UNO. mental preservation.

Matt Tarr Selected Vice President for Research and Economic Development THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW priorities. He also has a strong from Georgia Tech. analytical chemistry, environ- Orleans has selected longtime vision for growing research “The University of New mental chemistry, free radical chemistry faculty member experiences across the campus, Orleans has tremendous oxidation of biomolecules, and Matt Tarr to serve as the new including faculty schol- potential for growing synthesis and application of vice president for research and arship, undergraduate its already successful nanomaterials for biomarker economic development at the and graduate opportu- research, scholarly and detection and photocatalysis. University. nities, and partnerships creative efforts,” Tarr He also coordinates outreach Tarr has spent 21 years within our community says. “My experience at programs that provide research at the University and is the and our Research and UNO as a researcher, experiences for undergraduates, Eurofins Professor of Analytical Technology Park. I am teacher and chair, as well visiting international students, Chemistry, as well as a faculty very excited to have as service in national high school students and high fellow in the University’s him in this role.” Matt Tarr organizations, gives school teachers. Advanced Materials Research Tarr arrived at me a thorough under- The University of New Institute. UNO after completing standing of UNO’s potential Orleans is the only public “Dr. Tarr is a proven and a postdoctoral fellowship at for improved productivity and research university in greater well-respected researcher, and the Environmental Protection some of the barriers we need New Orleans and one of only he understands the importance Agency in Athens, Ga. He to overcome. While expanding two institutions in the state that of research and creative activity served as the chair of the our research capacity, our is designated by the Carnegie conducted by our University,” chemistry department from scholarly output and our Classification of Institutions of says UNO President John 2009 to 2015. He holds a creative products, we can Higher Education as a doctoral Nicklow. “I believe he will be one bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously provide unique university with higher research of our strongest advocates as we in chemistry from Emory and enriching educational activity. That is the second work to grow the research enter- University in Atlanta and a opportunities to our students.” highest Carnegie status that can prise, which is one of my top doctorate in analytical chemistry Tarr conducts research in be achieved.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 11 UNO’s Production of ‘The Aliens’ Chosen for Kennedy Center Festival THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW New Mexico and Oklahoma. Orleans’ production of “The Judges selected only four Aliens” was selected to be productions, including UNO’s. performed at a regional “The Aliens” is an award- Kennedy Center American winning play by Annie Baker College Theatre Festival in that centers around a high production featured graduate Theatre UNO’s production of March following a highly- school dropout and a college student Kristin Shoffner as “The Aliens” was selected to be a competitive selection process. dropout loitering behind a director and Jowhara Thompson part of a regional Kennedy Center The theatre team traveled to Vermont coffee shop as they as with stage manager. The American College Theatre Festival. Angelo State University in Texas decide to teach the shop’s barista cast included Austin Krieger, March 1-5, filling about 1,200 everything they know using a sophomore enrolled in degree in performance, as Evan. seats during all performances. their music and some Bukowski- UNO’s film program, as Jasper; Faculty on the production team The production was selected for inspired prose. Cooper Bucha, a senior in included costume designer Tony the honor from among 50 appli- The play itself is the winner UNO’s theater program, as KJ; French, scenic designer Kevin cants in a region that includes of the 2010 Obie Award for new and Ryan Decker, a graduate Griffith and lighting designer/ Missouri, Louisiana, Arkansas, American play. Theatre UNO’s student pursuing a master’s technical director Diane K. Baas.

Amouzegar Begins New Role as Provost Mahyar Amouzegar

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW regarded public undergraduate College of Engineering Orleans in January announced engineering programs in the at California State Mahyar Amouzegar as its nation. University, Long Beach. new provost and senior vice As dean, he oversaw more He also served as a president for academic affairs. than 300 faculty and staff, 12 senior policy analyst Amouzegar, who assumed accredited programs and more for the RAND Corpo- his leadership position Jan. 9, than 5,000 students. He also ration, a renowned was selected after a national attracted significant financial nonprofit, nonpartisan search to identify a successor to support for the college, estab- global policy think tank John Nicklow, who was previ- lished public-private partner- in Santa Monica, Calif. ously provost before becoming ships, expanded international In his role as UNO’s President on April 1, collaboration and championed provost at UNO, Amouzegar says. “I look forward 2016. Norm Whitley served as diversity initiatives for both Amouzegar will be the chief to working with members of interim provost for the past nine students and faculty. academic officer as well as the UNO community, who have months. “I am very pleased to have oversee a number of facets of consistently shown uncompro- Amouzegar brings to Dr. Amouzegar on our team,” the university beyond academic mising dedication to student his new position more than UNO President John Nicklow programs, including infor- access and success while 20 years of experience as an says. “His experience and skills mation technology, inter- conducting world-class research administrator, faculty member, will be major assets to the national education, service and scholarly activities. UNO’s researcher, national security University of New Orleans and learning, student affairs, online student body is forward-looking, policy analyst and fundraiser. our community. He brings an instruction, and the Earl K. Long dynamic and creative.” He comes to UNO from entrepreneurial and innovative Library. He is also a tenured Amouzegar holds a bache- California Polytechnic State spirit that will help us continue professor in the Department of lor’s degree in applied mathe- University, Pomona, where he and expand our momentum.” Economics and Finance. matics from San Francisco State served as the dean of the College Prior to his time at Cal “I am elated to join the University, a master’s in electrical of Engineering for the past five Poly Pomona, Amouzegar was University of New Orleans with engineering from UCLA and a years. Cal Poly Pomona has one associate dean for research an outstanding and dedicated doctorate in operations research of the largest and most well- and graduate studies in the group of faculty and staff,” from UCLA.

12 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 UNO Provides Rich Research and Growth Opportunities for Students Ready to Seize Them, Says Computer Science Major UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS the opportunities to enrich PURSUE student winner James eying including applying for the sophomore Banan Ibrahim isn’t our students’ experience at Lightell, making this Bonis’ UNO Scholarship for Women leaving anything to chance. UNO, not only with traditional second year working with a in Computer Science, an award Each semester, the 19-year-old research grants but also with PURSUE winner. made possible by 1996 UNO computer science major and equipment grants such as for Ibrahim says she never alumna and Google engineer honors student takes 17 to 18 advance cameras to be used seriously considered another Sabrina Farmer. hours of classes and whenever in film or travel grants for university when she was The scholarship comes an opportunity arises to advance students to visit national labs,” seeking college admission. with a year-long opportunity her expertise, she takes it. “I’ve Whitley said during the awards That’s because, as a high school to receive formal mentoring had so many opportunities here,” ceremony. student, she dual enrolled at from Farmer herself, a fact that she says of UNO. Marc Bonis, assistant UNO. It was the trial run that Ibrahim is quick to share. Since arriving as a freshman professor of professional practice gave her the information she in the fall of 2015, the New who teaches human perfor- needed: She liked the University Orleans area native has taken mance and health promotion, and, if she wanted to study advantage of a job shadowing says the University does more computer science, there was no Banan Ibrahim, a sophomore day at GE, traveled to Houston than support students financially reason to go anywhere else. computer science major, selects with other female computer when they provide research Ibrahim is on track to a door prize after her number science majors for the Grace opportunities like this. “Basically, graduate in December 2018. is called during the 2016 Hopper Celebration of Women it gets them really motivated,” But before she does, she has a Research Reception and Awards in Computing and, most he says. Bonis is mentoring few more opportunities she’s Presentation in the fall. recently, landed a research grant to work with Irfan Ahmed, assistant professor of computer science, in an area of study that most fascinates her: information assurance. Ibrahim, a graduate of Muslim Academy in Gretna, is one of 20 UNO undergraduates awarded Privateer Research and Scholarly Experience (PURSUE) grants and was formally recog- nized with the others during the Fall 2016 Research Reception & Awards Presentation. “This award is amazing,” she says. Winners are paid $1,000 or $1,500 to research under mentors at rates of $10 or $15 per hour, depending on whether they are freshmen and sopho- mores or juniors and seniors. In its second year, PURSUE is just one more extension of UNO’s longstanding interest in encour- aging research among faculty and scholars, says Norm Whitley, former interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “External funding provides

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 13 Charles Taylor Named Director of New UNO School of the Arts

CHARLES TAYLOR, CHAIR OF has been a faculty member the University of New Orleans at the University since 2001. music department, has been He holds a bachelor’s degree appointed director of the in music and a master’s in University’s new School of the music education, as well as University of New Orleans as a Charles Taylor, chair of the Arts. The school, which is the a doctorate of musical arts in 21st century leader in arts and University of New Orleans music first of its kind in the greater conducting from the renowned creativity in the state and the department, has been appointed New Orleans area, will capitalize University of Cincinnati region,” says Kim Martin Long, director of the University’s new on the strengths and synergies College-Conservatory of dean of the College of Liberal School of the Arts. of its five arts disciplines: film, Music. Taylor is also the music Arts, Education and Human theatre, music, fine arts and arts director and conductor of the Development. “The school levels to students aspiring to administration. New Orleans Concert Band will expand the University’s become artists, scholars and “Dr. Charles Taylor is an and the New Orleans Civic existing relationship with the arts administrators, Taylor says. outstanding choice to lead our Symphony Orchestra. He has cultural and economic fabric Modern arts education also new School of the Arts,” says served as a guest conductor of New Orleans and Louisiana. demands that students receive President John Nicklow. “He is and guest clinician throughout Dr. Taylor is well-suited to lead cross-disciplinary arts and arts deeply invested in the local arts the U.S. and Canada. An these important initiatives at management training, regardless community and has a vision for advocate of new music, he has the helm of the School of the of their major, in order to put how we can give our students premiered more than 50 works Arts.” them on a path for professional a unique academic experience in various media and worked The University of New success. and marshal support for our collaboratively with numerous Orleans School of the Arts “We will take full advantage arts programs in a new and composers and performers. seeks to provide the highest of our location in one of the exciting way.” “The creation of the School caliber of education at both the world’s greatest cities for the Taylor, a professor of music, of the Arts positions the undergraduate and graduate arts,” he says.

Twenty-Four SWEAP Interns Hired as Full-time GE Employees A THREE-YEAR-OLD “SWEAP transformed my developer positions. set to expand in 2017, with 15 partnership between GE Digital career trajectory and opened Kevin Dawson, GE Digital UNO computer science students and the University of New up countless opportunities New Orleans site leader and expected to join this summer. Orleans has proven to be a for technical and professional vice president of program Since the program launched in career-transforming educational growth,” says Allison Luzader, a management, says SWEAP has 2014, one in every four UNO experience for dozens of the GE Digital software engineer and become one of the company’s computer science students University’s computer science SWEAP graduate. best pipelines for early career among junior and senior levels students. Students have the unique talent, calling UNO students the have had an opportunity to The Software Engineering opportunity of being mentored company’s future leaders. participate. Apprenticeship Program, also by veteran software engineers, Nine students currently in Leaders at GE Digital and called SWEAP, was formed in and receive onsite technical SWEAP are expected to graduate UNO say they are heavily invested 2014 to provide UNO computer training at the GE Tech Center in May and are also anticipating in the success of this program. science students the ability to in downtown New Orleans, job offers, says Mahdi Abdel- GE Digital’s Dustin Gaspard, a build invaluable professional where the students work as paid guerfi, professor and chair of the full time technical development experience before they graduate. part-time software developers, UNO Department of Computer leader, oversees the SWEAP To date, SWEAP has yielded earning the equivalent hourly pay Science. Abdelguerfi says he students at GE, while UNO’s Ted prolific results: Twenty-four of a junior-level position. hopes to build on the model with Holmberg serves as the full-time participating students have been SWEAP is designed to equip other industry partners. “We are industry liaison for the computer hired on as full-time employees students with the necessary thrilled by the results that we’ve science department to foster and at GE Digital so far—and the technical and social skills seen,” he says. strengthen relationships among program is continuing to grow. required for many entry-level The SWEAP program is the professional community.

14 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Education Foundation Bestows Major Gift to UNO Program THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS and additions include a new graduate from UNO’s HRT tality Education Foundation is Hotel & Lodging Associ- roof, exterior refurbishment, program remain in New Orleans dedicated to creating awareness ation Hospitality Education an atrium style entrance, a to continue their career. In of the hospitality career path Foundation has bestowed a 250-seat dining room, 35 addition to supplying students available to students in the major gift to the University of computers for the property to the workforce upon gradu- New Orleans community by New Orleans’ Lester E. Kabacoff management system room, a ation, more than 90 percent providing support to a variety School of Hotel, Restaurant and beverage laboratory, and new of graduate students and 80 of educational programs. These Tourism Administration. equipment in the production The $75,000 contribution to kitchen. fund improvements to UNO’s “The improved facilities More than 95 percent of students who graduate Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism will enable our HRT program Administration laboratory is the to recruit the best and brightest from UNO’s HRT program remain in New Orleans. first major commitment since students to our world-class the launch of the University of training program and serve as New Orleans Foundation’s $2.5 a training ground for future percent of undergraduate programs include college schol- million capital campaign. industry professionals,” Williams students in the HRT program arship opportunities for students Kim Williams, director of says. “We want UNO to be work full-time while earning interested in career paths in the HRT program, says the the go-to place for hospitality their degree, which supplies an the hospitality industry, as well gift will be used to create a and tourism education, and immediate workforce. as partnerships with institu- simulated lobby and front desk the GNOHLA Hospitality “By contributing to higher tions like UNO and Delgado lab. These improvements will Education Foundation’s gift is education, we are developing Community College to help help students gain hands-on a major step toward achieving leaders from within our own further hospitality education experience in hotel simulations, that goal.” community and simultane- and develop leaders within the property management systems New Orleans’ hospitality ously changing the lives of these industry. and hotel industry analytics as industry is a major component students and their families,” The GNOHLA Hospitality the school strives to enhance of the regional economy, says Tod Chambers, president Education Foundation has the structure and technological providing more than 88,000 jobs of GNOHLA Hospitality contributed more than $170,000 offerings to its HRT students. in Orleans Parish alone. More Education Foundation. to UNO’s HRT program during Other planned renovations than 95 percent of students who The GNOHLA Hospi- the past five years.

University Earns $468,000 in Cybersecurity Education Grants from NSA COMPUTER SCIENCE UNO’s computer science faculty security education. Concept researchers at the University will lead the efforts. maps are a visual tool for of New Orleans have received With an award of $188,000, organizing and representing three cybersecurity education the UNO team will work to knowledge. grants totaling $468,000 from the address different challenges A third award of National Security Agency. The associated with the instruction $116,000 will be used to funding will support efforts to of cybersecurity of supervisory conduct GenCyber, a free, develop cybersecurity educational control and data acquisition intensive cybersecurity materials, evaluate the effec- (SCADA) systems, which control boot camp for middle and Irfan Ahmed Vassil Roussev tiveness of certain teaching tools major portions of the critical U.S. high school teachers, for the and provide an intensive training infrastructure. fourth year in a row on UNO’s the training. Once the camp is experience for middle and high An award of $164,000 will campus. Participating teachers over, the teachers take the laptops school teachers. allow UNO researchers to closely are provided with a laptop that’s back to their schools where they Faculty members Irfan test and measure the effectiveness configured and loaded with all integrate the training into their Ahmed and Vassil Roussev from of using concept maps in cyber- of the security tools needed for classrooms.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 15 TOP: Dan Reneau, interim president of the University of Louisiana System, on Nov. 2 places around John W. Nicklow’s neck the so-called “presidential chain of office,” a medallion bearing the names of all of UNO’s seven leaders. RIGHT: Roughly 500 people gathered to witness President Nicklow’s investiture, held on the lawn facing the University’s Earl K. Long Library.

16 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 Making History The University of New Orleans Installs its Seventh Leader and Honors Distinguished Alumni

JOHN W. NICKLOW ON NOV. 2 WAS FORMALLY INSTALLED BELOW LEFT: Streamers as the University of New Orleans’ seventh leader before a crowd of roughly rain down at the conclusion 500, including leaders in academia, business and politics. of Nicklow’s formal Selected as UNO president in March 2016 by the University of installment as president. Louisiana Board of Supervisors, Nicklow had been serving in the role BELOW RIGHT: President nearly eight months prior to the event. But in the tradition of academia, John W. Nicklow poses with the investiture ceremony held on the lawn facing the stately columns of wife Stacy Nicklow and son Ethan Nicklow soon after the University’s Earl K. Long Library marked the official start of a new being formally installed as chapter in UNO’s 58-year history. UNO’s seventh leader. Dan Reneau, interim president of the University of Louisiana System, placed around Nicklow’s neck the so-called “presidential chain of office,” a medallion bearing the names of all of UNO’s seven leaders. PHOTOGRAPHS BY TRACIE MORRIS SCHAEFER

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 17 RIGHT: New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu addresses those gathered for Nicklow’s investiture ceremony, saying, “There is no more important institution in the city of New Orleans than the University of New Orleans.” BELOW LEFT: Faculty wore academic regalia in honor of the occasion. BELOW RIGHT: The ceremony marked the official start of a new chapter in the University’s 58-year history.

“This chain and the office it represents also embody the retired in January 2016. Nicklow holds bachelor’s and master’s ultimate responsibility for safeguarding and protecting the future degrees in civil engineering from Bucknell University and a of this University, for educating its students, for inspiring its doctorate from Arizona State University. faculty, for leading its staff, for encouraging research that will When Nicklow stepped to the lectern, he thanked his create new opportunities, and for reaching the local community family—especially his parents, wife Stacy and son, Ethan—but and beyond,” Reneau said. quickly turned to business, recapping the ways in which UNO Nicklow came to UNO in 2015 from Southern Illinois influences the New Orleans and the region and restating his University, where he was provost and vice chancellor for academic priorities for the University: increase enrollment, expand affairs. He served as the UNO’s provost and vice president of research and strengthen partnerships with business, community academic affairs until being selected to succeed Peter J. Fos, who and alumni. And he announced a new $1 million student schol-

18 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 LEFT: The week’s “Making History” events continued on Nov. 3 with a gala held at The National WWII Museum to honor UNO’s distinguished alumni and raise money for student scholarships. BELOW LEFT: Mark Romig (B.S.,’78) is celebrated as UNO’s 2016 Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumnus. Romig is president and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. BELOW RIGHT: Romig, center, is surrounded by family.

arship campaign. “I believe that the mark a person makes on the A Celebration of University of New Orleans Leadership,” a world is not a material one,” Nicklow said. “Those who succeed, weeklong series of activities honoring the University’s leaders, in the truest sense of the word, are those who make a mark on past and present. In all, the week’s “Making History” activities others.” raised more than $300,000 for student scholarships and efforts to Speaking to the crowd, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu support student success and degree completion. called Nicklow “a man who has met his moment” and he pledged The celebration continued with a lively Nov. 3 gala at The his allegiance and cooperation to support UNO. “There is no more National WWII Museum honoring UNO’s distinguished alumni, important institution in the city of New Orleans than the University Nicklow and the 2016 Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumnus Mark of New Orleans,” Landrieu said. Romig (B.S., ’78), president and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism The investiture ceremony was part of “Making History: Marketing Corporation.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 19 20 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 ON A HARDWOOD FLOOR NEARLY 400 miles away from the University of New Orleans, 16 young men, four coaches and a handful of staff members waited in anxious anticipation. Fans on hand were on their feet, clapping and chanting—some even in tears—waiting to celebrate something that had not happened in more than two decades. Thousands of others around metro New Orleans, the state and the nation huddled around televisions and computer monitors waiting to exhale. Holding a three-point lead with 0.8 seconds on the clock in overtime, the only thing the Privateers had left to do was cleanly inbound the ball. As senior forward Erik Thomas cocked his right arm back and launched a pass from the baseline across the half-court stripe, years of tumult flashed like a flicker book in the minds of Privateer fans. When senior guard Nate Frye leaped between a pair of defenders, tipped the ball away from the sideline and hauled it in as time expired, it sparked a celebration that repre- PRIVATEERS WIN CONFERENCE TITLE sented much more than a storybook season. The scoreboard at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, Texas, read New Orleans 68, AND RETURN TO NCAA TOURNAMENT Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 65. It gave the Privateers their first-ever Southland Conference Tournament title and their first berth in the FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 21 YEARS NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship since 1996. More importantly, it heralded to the nation the return of the University of New Orleans. “This is an unbelievable blessing for not only our team and our student-athletes—and BY RICHIE WEAVER I’ve said this a lot of times—but our city is a champion again,” head coach Mark Slessinger PHOTOGRAPHS BY GREGORY JUAN said following the Southland Conference Tournament championship game. “Our university, our students, our faculty and our staff Senior forward Erik Thomas racked up accolades in 2016-17, are champions again. This isn’t about me. It’s a including being named Southland much bigger movement than that. I’m blessed Conference Player of the Year, more than I deserve … and I’m so humbled to Southland Conference Tournament coach these guys.” MVP and Honorable Mention A former Division II power from Associated Press All-America. 1969-75, UNO became one the nation’s premier mid-major programs at the Division I level, making the postseason 10 times from 1982-1997, with four NCAA Tournaments and six trips to the National Invitational Tournament. While the program was compet- itive over the next eight years, it experienced unprecedented adversity in the years following Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of the storm, as the population of New Orleans sharply declined, so did enrollment at the University. As the student- body dwindled, student fees dipped across the board and, like all areas on campus, athletics experienced severe cutbacks. During these years of budget uncertainty, the administration announced it would drop from the highest level of college athletics to Division III. After

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 21 beginning the transition, the decision was made to move to Division missing piece in the formation of a dominant group. After a stellar II. It wasn’t until 2012 when the University—having just joined the high school career and two stops at the junior college ranks, Thomas University of Louisiana System—announced that it intended to arrived at UNO for the 2015-16 season and made an immediate remain in Division I athletics. impact—leading the team in rebounding and finishing second in The University of New Orleans hired Slessinger on June 28, 2011 scoring. While expectations were high entering the season, the Priva- in what was a crucial step in the rebuilding process. While settling teers suffered through a 10-20 season and finished 6-12 in league into his new job, Slessinger found boxes containing old, battered play for the second consecutive year. The bond between Thomas trophies from the program’s past. There was other damage the new and his fellow upperclassmen, however, solidified quickly as the coach was forced to confront. Just three returning lettermen from teammates learned to play to each other’s strengths. the previous season were committed to play for the upcoming season “We knew that he was special,” Slessinger says of Thomas. “When and, for a time, Slessinger was a one-man operation. Questions we got a chance in the recruiting process to get to know his family, abounded about the level of competition and whether the University he was very grounded. He comes from a great basketball family. I could rejoin an athletic conference. knew right away that he was a team player, would sacrifice and do But Slessinger was undeterred. He placed the old trophies on the things he needs to do. And I think that the guys that we had display in the Privateers’ basketball office as a reminder of the around him knew that and bought into it. They’ve been peanut program’s rich history to potential staff and student-athletes. He butter and jelly ever since he got here, and it’s been fun to watch assembled his coaching staff, which helped foster a greater sense them all grow together.” of continuity. In August 2012, the University earned an invitation “Erik just works,” Gill says. “You could tell that he had dedication to join the Southland Conference and give its teams a chance to and that same attitude we had, and we didn’t even know him. That compete for championships. tells a lot about him and his personality and his attitude. He’s always During the next signing period, Slessinger added three key positive. He picks everybody up. He works hard. You can tell just recruits in guards Tevin Broyles, Nate Frye and Christavious Gill. watching him play, you could tell how hard he rebounds and how The trio may have slipped under the radar and received little much he cares about the next person beside him, not only scoring attention from other Division I programs, but Slessinger saw the ball but passing the ball, rebounding, playing defense for the next something special in the group. person. And it’s just an amazing feeling.” “Me, (Gill) and Nate had similar situations coming out of high Despite returning 10 lettermen, including four talented and school,” Broyles says. “We didn’t really have many scholarships. experienced seniors, little was expected of the New Orleans team We had people that showed interest, but Coach Slessinger and the outside of the Privateers’ locker room. UNO was picked to finish University of New Orleans were my first offer. They offered me right ninth and 10th in the conference in a preseason vote of league head on the spot after visiting me. Coming from a small town like Gautier, coaches and sports information directors, respectively. Miss., it’s a blessing to receive. And the reason I came here was But the team had other plans. because Coach had a vision. After a 1-3 start to the 2016-17 season, the Privateers never “He believed we could rebuild the program and he believed in trailed in consecutive wins over Florida College, intra-city rival us. He told us in the recruiting process that’s how things were here. Tulane and Pac-12 foe Washington State. A three-game skid followed And so I felt like if I came here I could be a part of something great. I to drop UNO to 4-6, but the Privateers won their next five outings— could make history, and I just feel like this is what we’re doing. Also, including their first four Southland Conference contests—and never when I came and I visited, the team treated me like family.” dipped below .500 the rest of the way. Despite the foundation being built by the 2013-14 freshman UNO posted another five-game winning streak from Feb. 4 class, wins were elusive. Ineligible to play for a conference crown its through Feb. 23, capping the run with a convincing 82-65 win over first year in the Southland, New Orleans dropped its last five games four-time defending SLC champion Stephen F. Austin. The Privateers to finish 11-15. The Privateers followed that up with an 11-18 season dropped consecutive games at Northwestern State and Southeastern in 2014-15. Louisiana by a combined six points but still had a chance to clinch If Broyles, Frye and Gill were the Privateers’ Three Musketeers, their first outright league title with a March 4 showdown at Nicholls forward Erik Thomas was the program’s D’Artagnan. Like the eager in the regular-season finale. novice from Alexandre Dumas’ novel, Thomas proved to be the New Orleans took the court in Thibodaux like a team on a

22 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 mission. UNO saw a double-digit lead get whittled down to three FACING PAGE, LEFT: The Privateers’ storybook season came to an end in at 65-62 with two minutes left to play. From there, the Privateers a First Four game of the NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio. FACING showed a champion’s resolve and converted its lone field goal attempt PAGE, RIGHT: Senior guard Christavious Gill was named Honorable the rest of the way and 7-of-10 free throws to come away with a Mention All-Southland Conference. THIS PAGE, LEFT: Senior guard Nate 74-64 victory. Frye led the Privateers with 18 points in their NCAA Tournament loss With a trophy already in hand, the top seed in the 2017 to Mount St. Mary’s. THIS PAGE, RIGHT: Head coach Mark Slessinger Southland Conference Tournament and the double-bye that came was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year. BELOW: The Privateers captured their first conference championship in 21 years. with it, the Privateers could simply wait and watch as the first two days of the tournament played out. When the team opened play against Sam Houston State in the semifinals on the third day, it got in Dayton, Ohio. Two days later, on March 14, the clock on New off to an assertive start and advanced to the tournament title game Orleans’ Cinderella season ran out: The Mountaineers hung on for a with a 75-63 win over the Bearkats. heartbreaking 67-66 victory. The championship game the next day, however, was a different The loss, however, did little to dampen the spirit of the team, the story against No. 2 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. New Orleans future of the Privateer program or the continued goals of their head battled back to tie the game at 60 and force overtime. In the extra coach. period, Broyles hit a jump shot and a pair of free throws to give “I can’t be more proud of where our program has come in a short the Privateers a 67-63 lead that they would not relinquish. Texas time,” Slessinger says. “To be able to go through the adversity we’ve A&M-Corpus Christi had a chance to tie the game, but a 3-point been through is 100 percent credit to our student-athletes, to their shot was no good, a put-back attempt was off the mark and UNO commitment to the University, their commitment to our city and was awarded possession as the ball bounced out of bounds with 0.8 their commitment to each other. And it’s been a blessing to coach second remaining. The Privateers ran out the clock. these guys and for us to move our program forward to a level that Confetti fell. Fans screamed. Players jumped. A net was cut. And many didn’t envision outside of our locker room. And so for that, my fans across states celebrated. gratitude and my sincere thanks goes to our student-athletes.” “I told these guys at halftime (of the conference championship game) that this has been an amazing story,” Slessinger says. “It’s a story about rebirth, renaissance and it’s a story of commitment of when guys come together playing for a purpose and love of the game, our love for each other, our university and the city that we absolutely adore and love that some magic stuff can happen.” The Privateers headed back to New Orleans, where the next day they learned their postseason destination while gathered in front of a big screen alongside fans at The Cove on campus. Minutes into the NCAA Tournament selection show, it was revealed that UNO would square off against Northeast Conference regular-season and tournament champion Mount St. Mary’s in the NCAA First Four

CLEM BARBAZON PHOTOGRAPH, BOTTOM

FALL 2016 SILVER & BLUE 23 Hansen and Hodges Win 2015-16 Excellence in Teaching Awards THEIR CLASSES ARE THE tors and professors while also time when leaders in the De- ABOVE: University of New Orleans ones that students seek, the ones pouring himself into his stu- partment of Mathematics were President John Nicklow, left, that inspire the best work and dents’ work, leading those who concerned about student success recognizes Eric Hansen, assistant leave pupils aspiring to learn take his classes to describe him in the Math 1115 sections. professor of film and theatre, and more, do more. as both compassionate and firm, Tumulesh Solanky, math chair, Lori Hodges, math instructor, as The University of New clear and attentive, with a near- says Hodges quickly jumped in winners of the 2015-16 Excellence in Teaching Awards prior to fall Orleans International Alumni superhero power to involve even to work with other instructors to commencement at the UNO Association this fall recognized the most withdrawn students in redesign the course, focusing on Lakefront Arena in December. Erik Hansen, assistant profes- class discussion. consistent teaching and testing sor of film and theatre, and Lori “He really pushed me to while increasing interaction etry and now calculus. Hodges’ Hodges, math instructor, for be- write from my heart and come between students and faculty. teaching technique removes the ing just those kinds of teachers, up with a professional presen- “Due to the efforts and element of fear and confusion that naming them the winners of the tation for my work,” writes a dedication of Ms. Hodges,” often plagues students attempt- 2015-16 Excellence in Teaching former student. “He is this way Solanky writes, “now Math 1115 ing to understand college math Awards. with everyone in my class … He has become a retention tool for courses. She makes the subject Through student class evalua- never told me not to do some- UNO instead of their reason for matter comprehensible by teach- tions, peer recommendations and thing I felt passionate about. He leaving. What Ms. Hodges has ing in a manner that allows you letters from alumni, it is clear that only helped me find the best done for a countless number of to grab the core concepts. Thus both Hansen and Hodges are aca- ways to do what I was trying to students at UNO … is truly a instead of memorizing equations, demics who push their students accomplish. Everyone should miracle.” she helps you master the art of to achieve what they didn’t know take a class with him.” Hodges’ work revamping solving mathematical questions.” was possible while communicat- David Hoover, chair of film math courses is also on dis- Hodges holds a bachelor of ing respect and appreciation for and theatre, described Han- play in the University’s ap- science degree in math from the their students’ individual talents. sen’s teaching style as “dogged plied algebra and pre-calculus University of Illinois, Urbana- Hansen, who has taught nurturing.” courses, which are taught using Champaign, and a master’s degree screenwriting at UNO since 2008, “Mr. Hansen,” Hoover writes, interactive technology. She has from Southern Illinois Univer- consistently receives perfect or “is that rare person who has the worked extensively with the dual sity. She volunteers in the math near-perfect scores on his student professional credentials but also enrollment program at Benjamin tutoring center and frequently evaluations. He holds a Master has the gift of the teacher … He Franklin High School, where she holds special review sessions with of Fine Arts in creative writ- has an integrity that is mani- also teachers pre-calculus algebra students prior to tests. ing from UNO and a bachelor’s fest in his approach to student and trigonometry. Her work was Lisa Crespo, assistant math degree in English literature from work, yet all the while providing so impressive that she now also chair, says she has been impressed University of California, Berkeley. a positive voice that is always coordinates dual enrollment time and time again by Hodges’ He is the author of a number of encouraging.” with Cabrini High School. work as a communicator and screenplays, including “Hearts Students seek out Hansen’s Engineering alum D. Roudi teacher who motivates her stu- and Souls” (1993), which was counsel long after they have left Bien-Aime says Hodges is dents to strive for excellence. “In produced and distributed by a his classroom. One MFA student emblematic of what educators my opinion,” Crespo writes, “she is major studio and starred Elisa- who he mentored saw his work strive to be: “As a student who the perfect model for a mathemat- beth Shue and Robert Downey nominated for the Student Acad- was at one time intimidated by ics instructor.” Jr. And while Hansen continues emy Awards. mathematics, under her tutelage, As part of the Excellence in to work on his own projects, he Hodges also joined UNO’s I have learned to comprehend Teaching Award, Hansen and manages to mentor new instruc- faculty in 2008. She came at a and excel in algebra, trigonom- Hodges each were awarded $2,000.

24 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 Sonia L. Rubens: Finding the Link Between Trauma, Sleep and Child Behavioral Issues

SLEEP IS MEANT TO BE restorative. But as any new par- ent knows, it is often the first child development issue to keep mom and dad up at night. Sonia Rubens, assistant pro- fessor of psychology and direc- tor of the Child and Adolescent Resilience Lab (CARe) at the University of New Orleans, says that sleep issues in children can continue to have ramifications for child development long after the early years when parents find themselves stressing over naps and nighttime wakefulness. Rubens’ research draws connections between children’s sleep patterns and day-to-day stress management while delv- ing further into the relationship between sleep deprivation, trauma and childhood behav- ioral issues. “Physiologically and psy- chologically, we all need sleep,” that might be dangerous. And so delivering needed treatment for Sonia Rubens, assistant professor Rubens says. “Sleep plays a you can start to see a reciprocal other kinds of disorders, includ- of psychology and director of the restorative quality on our bod- relationship there.” ing mental health issues. Child and Adolescent Resilience ies and our psychological and Working with Rubens is a Rubens became interested in Lab (CARe) at the University physiological well-being. If we team of four graduate students the role of sleep in psychologi- of New Orleans, researches the connections between children’s don’t sleep or if our sleep is sig- and six undergraduates. They cal functioning while working sleep patterns, stress, trauma and gather regularly on the second as a research assistant prior to nificantly disrupted, it’s going to behavior. make it really hard for us to cope floor of the Geology and Psy- attending graduate school. She with the day-to-day stressors.” chology Building to discuss data was working on an intervention adults … to address things like Rubens’ lab is studying kids collection for two ongoing stud- for men who had been victims insomnia and circadian rhythm who are at risk for being exposed ies—one that is drawing on the of community violence and, disruptions. There’s a lot we can to a lot of day-to-day stress- experiences of adolescents who in the process of interviewing do from a behavioral stand- ors, chronic stress and chronic are on probation in the juvenile them, noticed that many of point without medication to get trauma in an effort to learn how justice system in Jefferson Parish them on their own shared story people a good night’s sleep.” those experiences are impact- and another that is examining after story about how they were Rubens, who holds a mas- ing their sleep and, in turn, how sleep in students enrolled at suffering to cope due in part to ter’s and a doctorate in clini- their sleep patterns may affect an alternative high school in chronic sleep problems follow- cal child psychology from the their future functioning. Orleans Parish. ing their victimization. University of Kansas, also is part “It’s likely that they may have Preliminary evidence in the While psychiatrists often of the Pediatric Sleep Council. started off with some trauma Orleans Parish study indicates prescribe medication to help Her advice for parents of young that then affected their sleep,” that the participants tend to have patients sleep better, there are children struggling with sleep Rubens says. “But we also know tremendous sleep problems, many evidence-based options issues can be seen on babysleep. that, especially in teenagers, if Rubens says, and these problems that don’t come from a pill com, a website managed by the they’re not sleeping, they may appear to be related to a host of bottle, Rubens says: “We know Council. be getting themselves in trouble, mental and behavioral problems. that there are a lot of very ef- For more information about the Child increasing their risk of exposure These sleep studies, she says, fective behavioral interventions and Adolescent Resilience Lab (CARe) to things in their neighborhood can be a foot in the door for for sleep for both children and and its work, visit labs.uno.edu/care/.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 25 Shaikh Arifuzzaman: Digging into Big Data THE TERM “BIG DATA” IS, Simulation Science Lab there, he sets the stage for informed social lytical techniques to detect and if you will, a biggie. It is used delved deep, researching how to problem solving. count the numbers of triangular in business circles, health care develop algorithmic techniques Arifuzzaman, 31, grew up connections in large networks has fields, political discourse and that would allow quick, easy in Bangladesh, where he learned received attention in prestigious tech talk. and relevant analysis early he had a knack for logic venues in the high performance But for Shaikh of massive amounts of and understanding mathemati- computing world. In addition to Arifuzzaman, assistant information, revealing cal concepts. But his interest was his work on projects at the Net- professor of computer detailed connections in never just getting the answers, work Dynamics and Simulation science at the Universi- everything from social he says: “I always asked ques- Science Lab, he has done work for ty of New Orleans, big networks to biomedical tions—why and how?” the Sandia National Labs, a sub- data is how he works, processes. Arifuzzaman completed his sidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp. researches and thinks. “My work is moti- bachelor’s degree in computer that provides national security “Data is the heart vated by the unique science and engineering at Ban- and technology innovation for of any computational Shaikh computational chal- gladesh University of Engineer- the U.S. Department of Energy’s Arifuzzaman problem,” says Arifuz- lenges of large-scale ing and Technology in Dhaka, National Nuclear Security Ad- zaman, who joined UNO’s data mining,” he says. His work, where he found satisfaction ministration. faculty last fall and is building a includes a multitude of interdis- working with his peers to help Arifuzzaman said UNO’s research program on large-scale ciplinary opportunities such as them understand difficult mate- tight-knit academic community data analytics and high perfor- urban planning, biological and rial, and became intent upon has been a great fit, with depart- mance computing. medical research, social science one day becoming a professor— ment leadership that has made Arifuzzaman, a lifelong lover and more. Arifuzzaman’s work an ambition his father, a high him feel welcome and supported of mathematics, discovered his provides the tools that enable school teacher, encouraged. as he continues his work research- fascination with massive data policymakers, business lead- “Teaching is the noblest pro- ing, designing and delivering the while he was a graduate student ers and others to detect trends, fession,” his father would say. most advanced and effective tools at Virginia Tech. Working in outliers and problems that may Arifuzzaman’s work design- needed to help mine massive the Network Dynamics and otherwise go unseen. His work ing novel algorithms and ana- amounts of data at once.

Alea Cot Honored for Commitment Surprenant Receives Grant for to International Education Freedom of Speech Exploration ALEA COT, ASSISTANT support international students CHRIS W. SURPRENANT, dedicated to examining the provost for international at American universities. As associate professor of history of Western moral and education at the assistant provost, she philosophy at the political thought. University of New oversees eight study University of New The grant supports Orleans, has been abroad programs, Orleans, received a several scholarly events, recognized for international student $45,000 grant from the including: a panel outstanding service by admissions and student Institute for Humane discussion at UNO with a regional chapter of exchange programs in Studies to support Thomas Kushman, a NAFSA: Association of 11 countries. She also activities focusing on professor of sociology International Educators. mentors administrators freedom of speech, at Wellesley College, Cot was honored at other universities especially within the and Peter Wood, Alea Cot Chris Surprenant for her commitment to through the Associ- context of U.S. colleges National Association international education over a ation of International Education and universities. of Scholars president; a weekend long career. Cot joined UNO in Administrators. Surprenant is the founding conference for undergraduates 1988, managing study abroad She holds a master’s degree director of the Alexis de at UNO; and an academic programs. In 1995, she founded in international relations and Tocqueville Project, an conference on Hilton Head UNO’s Intensive English a bachelor’s degree in political academic research, public Island in South Carolina that Language Program, which science and international policy and educational took place over Mardi Gras provides instruction designed to relations from Tulane University. programming center at UNO weekend.

26 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 LEFT: Brian Seeger, center, poses with Organic Trio bandmates Paul Wiltgen, left, and Jean-Yves Jung. Seeger is an associate professor of music at UNO as well as an alumnus. BELOW: “Saturn’s Spell,” the band’s second album, charted in the Top 10 on U.S. Jazz Radio Charts within weeks of its release. New Album from Music Prof Brian Seeger’s Band Makes U.S. Radio Jazz Top 10

BRIAN SEEGER ONCE CALLED “People I know who porary program.” his old guitar teacher to tell her have been in the business for a Seeger, who has thank you. while are somewhat in shock,” a bachelor’s degree She’d given him lessons for he says. “It is pretty unheard of in music from the six months when he was 11. for a band that mostly tours in Berklee College of When she found out her former Europe to chart in the U.S. so Music in Boston, was student had become a profes- high and so quickly … I’m just living and playing in sional guitarist she was, in his super thrilled to know folks are New Orleans when words, “distraught.” It just didn’t hearing it.” UNO professor Edward seem like a suitable profession, Made with the help a $5,000 Petersen suggested Seeger she told him. grant from the University of enroll in the graduate jazz Seeger, associate professor New Orleans Office of Research studies program. Seeing it ing new artists into this world. of music at the University of and Sponsored Programs, “Sat- as, “a good excuse to practice I feel protective of my students New Orleans and noted jazz urn’s Spell” features the smooth a lot,” Seeger followed through because everything’s become so guitarist, now laughs about the musicianship of Jean-Yves Jung and received his master’s degree do-it-yourself.” conversation—and, of course, of France on Hammond organ from UNO in 1999. Indeed, This spring, Seeger is main- he begs to differ. and Paul Wiltgen of New York he says, “I went back to school taining a busy schedule that in- At 56, Seeger has carved on drums—a three-person and I practiced a lot. It was cludes numerous tour dates for out a life packed with teaching, combo that started eight years wonderful.” Organic Trio, including a recording, playing, touring and ago thanks, in part, to connec- Soon after, Seeger started weekend appearance at the helping others find their way in tions made through UNO. teaching at UNO as adjunct famous Duc des Lombards jazz the changing world of music. Seeger says the internal and, in 2007, became a full- club in Paris in March. The His band, Organic Trio, grant provided the flexibil- time member of the faculty. performance was broadcast recently charted No. 2 on the ity the band needed to afford At first, the idea of teaching live on TSF Jazz, a well-known U.S. Jazz Radio Charts with its high-end mastering. It also gave intimidated him. But, he had a radio station in France. He also second album, “Saturn’s Spell.” him leverage to seek additional knack for it. In the classroom, has had concerts in Morocco, It’s an exciting development, grant money for the project, in- he tries to strike a balance be- New York and San Francisco especially for an album that cluding from the New Orleans tween immersing his students with UNO alumna and Berklee was only released Jan. 27, just a Jazz & Heritage Foundation and in artistry and imparting to College of Music Professor Cin- few weeks before it broke first the Society of Authors, Com- them the nitty-gritty of being dy Scott. into the Top 10. In those first posers and Publishers of Music. part of a business. Honors like these, he says, few weeks, it also was the “most “I’m proud to have the “I feel like every day I go and the opportunities he has reported,” according to Jazz University of New Orleans logo to class, I know why I’m there: to experience, close-up, the Week. That means that more on the back of that CD,” he says. I’m there because I chose to be,” work of brilliant musicians are stations reported playing the “I’m proud of where I work and he says. “I feel this enormous indicative of the beauty music album than any other album. what I do. We’re a vital, contem- sense of responsibility bring- has brought to his life.

©MARLENE SOARES PHOTOGRAPH SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 27 LIFE CHANGING How a Professor’s Near-Death Patient Experience Inspired Meaningful Research for UNO Students BY REBECCA CATALANELLO

DONALD ZIMMERMAN THOUGHT HE KNEW A LOT ABOUT research through a new collaboration with University Medical Center health care. For 33 years, he’d worked as a heath care policy New Orleans. researcher, professor and teacher. But it wasn’t until nearly three years This year four undergraduate students in Zimmerman’s ago, when he underwent surgery to halt an aneurysm and ended healthcare management program will be researching how clinicians up in the intensive care unit of his local hospital for 43 days, that he can better communicate with patients in ways that ensure the patient had a regrettable awakening: Clinicians need to do a much better job feels listened to, cared for and appreciated. The project will start by valuing the patient as an actual person. asking patients what they want their caretakers to know about them. “As I lay there day after day,” Zimmerman writes in his new “This is actually a big deal,” says Peter DeBlieux, chief medical book, “Person-Focused Health Care Management” (Springer officer at UMC, a principal investigator on the project. “In academic Publishing, 2017), “I slowly became convinced that the difference medicine, no one has ever asked the question, ‘What do patients between the ‘official’ clinical story of those providing my care and want providers to know about them as patients?’” ‘my’ personal story of how this care was actually being experienced Zimmerman’s students—Claire Milazzo, Elizabeth Wesley, was not just an issue related to my particular situation, but reflected Bailey Ford and Sheila Oddo—are beginning by conducting four a much deeper problem, deeply rooted in the very workings of the focus groups of five to seven patients being treated at UMC in the health care system itself.” intensive care unit, the medical-surgical unit, the emergency room Zimmerman, who joined the University of New Orleans in 2015 and the ambulatory clinics. The goal of the focus groups is to get a as professor and director of the new undergraduate program in better sense of what information patients feel they most want their healthcare management, has now blended his patient experience with clinicians to know about them—information Zimmerman says can

REBECCA CATALANELLO PHOTOGRAPH 28 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 Donald Zimmerman, prefers to be called Bob and if everyone knows he has a wonderful professor and director of the relationship with Cindy, his wife, it can change how we interact with University of New Orleans’ him and how comfortable he feels in his care,” Zimmerman says. “It undergraduate program in makes sense to ask, ‘Hey, how ya doing?’” healthcare management, Zimmerman says his hospitalization, which included another meets with student researchers 17 days recuperating after being moved from the ICU, did leave him to discuss an upcoming grateful for the doctors and nurses who kept him alive. But he said collaboration with University Medical Center New Orleans. he it also changed him, leaving him feeling stripped, in a sense, of his personhood. “Similar to posttraumatic stress disorder, I knew that I had both help doctors and nurses been thoroughly beaten up but had little understanding and relate to them as human beings very few painless memories of exactly who or what had done the rather than just as patients with beating,” he writes in his book. “But I also knew that the value of medical needs. answering my questions about what had happened to me was just The second phase will put the something that was likely happening to almost everyone who has undergraduate students in face- their ‘personhood’—their living sense of self—systemically reified to-face contact with hundreds and ‘reduced’ into the limited role of ‘patient’ within the U.S. of acute care patients at UMC. healthcare system.” Using sample questions that Zimmerman’s recovery and subsequent research now seeks to they will formulate in response shift the lens of health care management from looking at the patient to the feedback they get in the as the center of the care to looking, as he put it, “at the real person focus groups, the students will locked inside that social role by the highly complex and multidimen- administer the questionnaire to sional institutions that deliver health care.” a sample of 400 UMC patients. For students in UNO’s growing undergraduate health care Clinicians will then be able management program, the research project marks an unusual, to draw on the information hands-on opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge work relevant to patients share to help affirm their their future careers. recognition that the patient is not Junior Claire Milazzo is a former nursing student who says only a patient—she is also, for she transferred to UNO’s health care management program after example, Sarah’s mother, Ben’s becoming disenchanted with the lack of personal connection she saw wife, Gloria’s child. She is a chef, happening between hospital clinicians and their patients. a lawyer, a teacher, a graduate of “I felt that we were treating them as a disease,” she says. “I went Warren Easton High School. to nursing school because I liked people and I wanted to treat them DeBlieux says he envisions as people. But it was the complete opposite. We were treating them as some of this information about room numbers.” a person being posted at the Bailey Ford, a junior from Gautier, Miss., says that she and her patient’s bedside so that it fellow students were immediately interested in Zimmerman’s work paints a picture of personhood and asked if they could have a hand in assisting in the research. Most whenever anyone from the nurses and doctors want to feel they are helping patients, Ford and hospital comes in contact with Milazzo say, not that they are asking them to check their personhood the patient. “Instead of you at the doors of the hospital. But the structure of the health care being Ms. Catalano, who is the setting too often makes that difficult. The students say they hope this diabetic, hypertensive patient in research project helps. Bed 3112,” DeBlieux says, “you DeBlieux says he is excited to partner with UNO, especially giving are the Saints fan who has a large, Catholic family. And so we have the University’s undergraduate health care management students an commonality and I might talk to you and I say, ‘You know what? intimate look at the inner-workings of the hospital. Zimmerman’s I’m an only child. I wish I had a large family.’ I think it changes both personal experience combined with his professional understanding sides. It allows me to view you as a person and it allows you to feel of health care made him a perfect person with whom to collaborate: that I’ve acknowledged you as a person “His ideas and my ideas are sympatico,” DeBlieux says. and not a disease.” In addition to Zimmerman and DeBlieux, the investigators Zimmerman is excited to see what include Gloria Netzer, associate professor at the University of the research will show in terms of health Maryland School of Medicine, Nathan Neilson at Tulane University outcomes for patients whose interactions Medical School and Bruce Hurley, emergency medicine physician with medical staff include these more at UMC. personal interactions. Zimmerman joined UNO from the University of Maryland “If we know that this patient University College, where he was professor and director of the health care administration program. He has also been associate professor and executive director of the Center for Healthcare Management Zimmerman’s personal experience laid the Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Before that, groundwork for his research into person- he worked as a health policy researcher and analyst at the Research focused care, which he made into a book Triangle Institute, George Washington University and the Center for released this year by Springer Publishing. Health Policy Studies.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 29 30 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 UNO STUDENTS HELP INCARCERATED TEENS LEARN TO WRITE –AND BREATHE

BY REBECCA CATALANELLO PHOTOGRAPHS BY TRACIE MORRIS SCHAEFER

The Beat Within is a labor of love for Mike Mosko, second from right, and a team of full-time students that includes, from left, Cameron Coulon, Stephen Harrell, Jr., Jennifer Lin and Trey Caruso.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 31 MIKE MOSKO WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER with your own children?” the day the 17-year-old boy came into the room, In another issue, a New Orleans area youth named shaking uncontrollably before sitting down and Chico refl ects on the hopelessness he burying his head in his hands. feels knowing all his friends are either Mosko, a University of New Orleans stu- dead or in jail. “My best friend is in dent, was visiting the juvenile corrections facil- parish prison with a colostomy bag, fac- ity to try to help youth off enders fi nd a mea- ing death,” he writes. “I’m in on the same sure of comfort in self-expression through charges, but I’m in juvie.” a program called Th e Beat Within. But the “Th at is some real-life talk, man,” the heaviness on this teen was unavoidable. volunteers respond. “Too many of our Just breathe, Mosko advised the boy friends and family are caught up in this quietly before the start of the volunteer writ- system … While you go through this pro- ing workshop. Breathe in for six counts and cess, think about changes that you would out for four. make to prevent you, or someone else from In for six. Out for four. getting caught up in the street life.” Mosko, 24, a senior planning and Th e kid with his head in his hands had a urban studies major from Oakland, Calif., name, too. Ryan. He didn’t start to contribute last year spearheaded the eff ort to bring to the discussion right away. But each time Th e Beat Within, a biweekly magazine of Mosko and fellow UNO student volunteers writing by incarcerated youth, to New Trey Caruso, Cameron Boissiere and others Orleans. Originally established 20 years showed up at the Youth Study Center, Or- ago by a social worker in San Francisco, leans Parish’s juvenile detention facility, Ryan project’s concept is fairly simple. returned, too, displaying more and more Each week, volunteers visit detention openness and, eventually, picking up a pen. facilities across the country, welcome the Mosko, who transferred to UNO aft er incarcerated teens to a group setting, pro- falling in love with New Orleans during a vide them with writing prompts that they family vacation at 16, says he’s found this take turns reading aloud and discussing, work inspiring. then ask them to write or draw for a half- Th ough his mother had been volun- hour in response. Th e writings are compiled teering for the program in California’s into a magazine that comes out every other Solano County for years, it wasn’t until week and is distributed to the writers. For Mosko took a sociology course on juvenile each featured piece of writing, Th e Beat delinquency with Elise Chatelain, then a Within volunteers provide a written response visiting assistant professor, that he started designed to encourage them and spark further to consider its applicability for youth refl ection. detention programs in the New Orleans “We’re giving them an opportunity to get area. their voices heard,” Mosko says. “Th ey’re in a Louisiana, aft er all, has the nation’s controlled environment where there’s always highest incarceration rate. Issues involv- someone telling them what to do, so we try ing youth detention reform are frequent- to be there for them … If they don’t want to ly in the news. write, it’s fi ne. We can talk about whatever. Christopher Bruno, supervisor of Whatever they want to write.” the 55-bed Rivarde Juvenile Detention Th e writings they get in response are Center in Harvey, La., said he was reluctant equal parts inspiring and devastating, simple at fi rst to entertain Mosko’s pitch to bring and complex. Th e Beat Within to Jeff erson Parish. Bruno “I never had a father,” writes a New had thumbed through a hard copy of the Orleans boy named Devonte in one issue. publication and wasn’t immediately sold. “He was never in my life, but it never But the soft -spoken, upbeat Mosko was really bothered me. I never really even persistent. Rivarde houses about 25 or 26 cared about a father because I guess I was off enders per day, median age 16, 85 percent used to it. But at the same time, that’s male, 75 percent African-American. Certainly, a bad thing, because if my father were Mosko pressed, there was a need. At Bruno’s in my life, I probably would have been behest, teachers at the center met with Mosko better than I am and would know a lot and other student volunteers and told Bruno more. As far as I know, my mom is my they were impressed with what the UNO group mother and father.” had to off er. “Your mother must be a very strong person,” the volunteers respond in the magazine. “Do you think the LEFT: The April issue of The Beat Within includes lack of a father fi gure, father-son re- writings and drawings from Rivarde Juvenile Detention Center in Jefferson Parish. lationship might aff ect your relationship

32 SILVER & BLUE FALL 2016 RIGHT: Mike Mosko, a senior planning and urban studies major at the University of New Orleans, was taking a class on juvenile incarceration when he became inspired to bring The Beat Within, a national writing and mentorship program, to local incarcerated youth.

Just weeks after Mosko’s team started holding work- shops twice a week, Bruno says, the youth participants were already showing enthu- siasm for the program. Now, the number of weekly work- shops has climbed to three. “The thing that I appreci- ate the most,” Bruno says, “is that when they come and they work with the kids and they talk to them for a while—at a time when I have very minimal programming in any way—the kids talk and they get a few things out and it doesn’t rile them up. In fact, it sayings like, “What we can’t do alone, we can do together” and helps calm them down.” “WE’RE GIVING THEM AN “You can’t keep it unless you give it away.” Unlike the often-guarded Those who attend once youth who the UNO students interact with during workshop, these become return customers, OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR adults seem to come hungry and ready to share. Bruno says. VOICES HEARD, THEY’RE IN A “Are there more stories for us to write about?” asks a woman in David Inocencio, national her 50s after responding to two writing prompts. “I’m in a writing director for The Beat Within, mood.” first had the idea of offer- CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT “What y’all are doing, man, is beautiful,” a tattooed man says. “It’s ing writing workshops to juvenile offenders in San WHERE THERE’S ALWAYS a blessing.” Francisco two decades ago. The Beat Within is fueled by donations to the program—dollars He was looking for a way to SOMEONE TELLING THEM WHAT TO that cover printing and shipping of the magazine to the incarcer- give institutionalized youth a ated youth across the U.S. who don’t have access to the internet. means of creative expression DO, SO WE TRY TO BE THERE FOR The establishment of the program in New Orleans makes Louisiana that went beyond the popular the only state in the South to have the program, Inocencio said. public testimonial format. THEM … IF THEY DON’T WANT Mosko, a senior bound for graduation in May, is working now “I thought, ‘There has to be TO WRITE, IT’S FINE. WE CAN TALK with the Office of Service Learning and the Department of Sociology another way, and maybe a to make The Beat Within a permanent internship course that will more creative way, for those help ensure the University’s students continue to lead this work. The who are more introverted ABOUT WHATEVER. WHATEVER project has been so inspiring to him that Mosko is currently creating or cautious about what they want to say,’” he says. THEY WANT TO WRITE.” a nonprofit organization to partner with The Beat Within to provide Today, the program support for teens who have been released from juvenile detention by touches 5,000 youth per year matching them with artist mentors. in 25 institutions across six Now, Orleans Parish Prison has given the nod for the group to states. In addition to including voices of juveniles, a section in The start offering twice weekly programs to 16 youth detained there. Beat Within features the writing of imprisoned adults or adults who Last year, a 15-year-old jailed at OPP was found dead of an appar- are in community treatment and want to share their insights and ent suicide. Mosko has been working hard to try to expand the lessons with those younger than them. scope of The Beat Within’s work and isn’t shy about sharing what Mosko’s crew started its outreach in May 2016 at the Youth he believes could be the impact of being in New Orleans’ prison. Study Center in Orleans Parish. The students held weekly workshops “Our program,” he says, “has the potential to save a life.” until December, when the center saw a change in administration Three weeks after Mosko and his team first met Ryan, one of the and halted programming. While Mosko worked to expand the workshop to other youth fa- writing prompts included a simple question: What do you do when it cilities like Rivarde, the UNO students were welcomed into Odyssey gets hard? House, an inpatient addiction treatment center for adults. There, the Ryan’s response was brief. students interact weekly with people who are sometimes three times “I breathe.” their age and are desperate to change. Learn more about The Beat Within at www.thebeatwithin.org. To donate to the They gather in a high-ceilinged room with stained glass win- New Orleans program, click “Donate” from the home page and select “The Beat dows on one wall and framed motivational sayings on another— Within by New Orleans.”

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 33 What’s DEAR UNO Your Story? A 31-YEAR-OLD MAN IS GETTING HIS COLLEGE DEGREE AFTER 13 years of difficult stops and starts. photographs by Dear World An 18-year-old African-American woman has a self-realization that her dark skin does not make her any less valuable than the light skin of the people she’s spent her whole life around. A 22-year-old raised by her doting, vibrant grandmother watches her beloved role model slide slowly into dementia. These were some of the 210 stories documented in photographs by Dear World on Feb. 6 and 7, a project brought to the University of New Orleans as part of the its First-Year Experience programming. Over the course of two days, students, faculty and staff shared personal stories with one another and then asked each other to write words on their bodies that were emblematic of those stories. Dear World was founded in 2009 as “Dear New Orleans,” an effort to ask people ABOVE: Matt Bravender, 31, is a first- to write “love notes” to the city in response to rebuilding efforts that followed Hurri- generation college student. Though there were times his hope of achieving a college cane Katrina. Today it is a worldwide project that seeks to help people form powerful degree seemed unrealistic, he didn’t connections based on their personal experiences and, more recently, has visited col- relent. After 13 years of ups and downs, lege campuses around the world as part of its Dear World College Tour. Bravender is headed toward graduation Of those participating in the UNO event, some were asked to share, in spoken this year with a degree in history. When word, why they wrote what they wrote. They did so during a culminating event at the the Dear World camera pointed his way, Sen. Ted Hickey Ballroom at the University Center on Feb. 7. Here are a few. he proudly declared his achievement.

34 SILVER & BLUE FALL 2016 LEFT: Growing up in a community of people whose skin color was lighter than hers, UNO freshman Kenady Hills has found herself grappling with issues of self-worth related to her skin tone. At 18, the African-American woman says she has finally come to a self-realization that she wishes she’d embraced long ago: She is valuable.

BELOW: Student Ladajah Steele, 22, honors her beloved grandmother by showing words from the Bible-based saying that, “It only takes a mustard seed of faith to do anything.” It’s just one of the great pieces of advice her grandmother imparted. Today, Steele is grappling with news her cornerstone of a matriarch is sliding into dementia.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 35 Midlo Center Celebrates 25 Years of Promoting Louisiana’s History BY REBECCA CATALANELLO

CHERYLLYN BRANCHE SAT AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM, Center was founded in 1992 under the direction of Joseph Logsdon, her hands resting on a cordless microphone as dozens of people a UNO history professor who saw a need for a scholarly center de- waited to hear her story. Seven months earlier, the retired Catholic voted to New Orleans history, culture, public policy and particularly school principal didn’t know this was her story and she knew noth- civil rights topics. ing about the woman seated next to her, Sandra Green Th omas. Aft er Herman Midlo died in 1978, his daughter, historian Gwen- Now, as the room fi lled up with family and strangers, historians dolyn Midlo-Hall, carried out her mother’s wishes to use his estate to and activists, and as she prepared to speak publicly for the fi rst time establish a center and a lecture series that would serve as a memorial about the truth of her own family history, the weight of her ances- to his work taking on challenging civil rights cases that touched on tors’ journey from slavery to freedom was palpable. issues of police brutality and workers’ rights. Eventually, the family Branche reached to clasp Th omas’ hand for a moment. Th ey broadened that gift into the Louisiana Board of Regents-approved were two New Orleanians whose lives had been suddenly changed by Ethel and Herman L. Midlo Chair, naming longtime historian and the knowledge that their ancestors—men and women whose names civil rights activist Joseph Logsdon the fi rst chair holder. they knew, whose pictures they’d seen, whose faith they’d been Under the direction of the chair, the Midlo Center seeks to push taught—had been enslaved by Jesuit priests at Georgetown Univer- public discussion of Louisiana history beyond statistics and gener- sity and sold to Louisiana plantation owners nearly 180 years earlier alizations to increase understanding of the personal stories, faces to help keep the university afl oat. and legacies of some of this state’s most vexing social and historical “At this age and state in my life, it’s taken me on a journey that issues, including slavery and mass incarceration. is unimaginable,” Branche told the people gathered at the Historic Gwendolyn Midlo-Hall, who inherited her father’s interest in so- New Orleans Collection on that December night last year during cial justice causes, was, in many ways, the perfect person to help Logs- an event arranged in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the don execute the vision. As a teenager, Midlo-Hall helped her father in University of New Orleans’ Ethel and Herman L. Midlo Center for his legal research by conducting title searches at the local courthouse. New Orleans Studies. Th ere, she encountered legal documents written in French and Span- Th at the Midlo Center facilitated this moment—a fi rst-person discussion of the legacy of that now-infamous Georgetown sale of Cheryllyn Branche, second from left, listens as Sandra Green Thomas 272 enslaved people in Louisiana—should be no surprise. addresses Georgetown University historian Adam Rothman, far left, Named for Herman L. Midlo, a civil rights attorney in New during a panel moderated by University of New Orleans Professor Orleans from the 1930s to the 1950s, and his wife, Ethel, the Midlo Emeritus Raphael Cassimere, far right.

36 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 ish—languages she eventually mastered, enabling her to decipher the often meticulous notations in such historic documents that regarded the owning, selling and mortgaging of enslaved people. Later in life, Midlo-Hall pored through these and other docu- ments, eventually creating the first-ever searchable database con- taining the names, ethnicities and stories of Africans and African- Americans enslaved in North America. Her work now is on display at the 265-year-old Whitney Plantation, the only plantation museum in Louisiana devoted to the history of slavery. “Dr. Hall is one of the first historians of slavery to enter the archives with the conviction that individual black lives matter and that their individual histories could and should be retrieved,” says Mary Niall Mitchell, co-director of the Midlo Center who has held the Midlo Chair since 2009. “She was, you might say, an early Gwendolyn Midlo-Hall Herman L. Midlo adopter of digital technology and quickly recognized its impor- tance to the field of history.” Over the years, and most recently under the direction of Mitch- ell and co-director Connie Zeanah Atkinson, associate professor of United States, the Caribbean and Brazil. More than 6,000 advertise- history, the Midlo Center has played an essential role in helping to ments have been collected by the Midlo team. Mitchell is heading the bring Louisiana’s rich and multi-textured history alive for diverse au- research project in Louisiana. diences—and to great acclaim. “It is important for us to continue to www.neworleanshistorical.org: The Midlo Center edits this promote research and develop programming centered on civil rights, place-based tour site driven by student research and writing, a joint to honor the Midlo family’s bequest,” says Mitchell. “Our work on project with Tulane University. Since assuming editorial direction this history of mass incarceration—a pressing crisis today that Her- of NOH, Midlo has initiated collaborations with the Tennessee Wil- man Midlo surely would have responded to—is one example of this. liams Festival, The Historic New Orleans Collection, the Louisiana At the same time, we are keeping pace with the latest developments State Museum and the Preservation Resource Center. in the historical field, promoting, developing, and collaborating on Humanities Action Lab Global Dialogues on Incarceration: projects in the digital humanities such as New Orleans Historical, a UNO is the only national partner from Louisiana for this traveling web-based tour site, and Freedom on the Move, a database of run- exhibit created by The New School for Social Research in New York away slave advertisements.” and displayed by Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The Midlo Center A few of its ongoing and recent projects include: coordinated several public events around the issue of incarceration. TriPod: New Orleans at 300: Leading up to the Tricentennial The Midlo Center is also interested in projects that result in the of New Orleans in 2018, the Midlo Center, in collaboration with collection of local and regional oral histories. In recent years, it has WWNO and The Historic New Orleans Collection, is producing a supported the collection of stories from and about the Sisters of the one-a-week series of radio broadcasts and podcasts related to New Holy Family, New Orleans’ black political leaders in the 1970s, New Orleans history. Drawing from an advisory board of nationally Orleans’ South Rampart Street, Hurricane Katrina and the 1977 recognized historians on the city, the series has already won national election of Dutch Morial. recognition, winning an Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Raphael Cassimere, professor emeritus of history, says that given Broadcast Journalism. all of the work the Midlo Center has undertaken over the years, Freedom on the Move: The Midlo Center is collaborating with its name might give a false impression. “When you hear the word the University of Alabama Department of History, and Cornell Uni- center, it may portray the wrong image of a large, ongoing enterprise, versity on this collaborative digital humanities project on runaway when in fact it’s basically two staff persons … and think of what slave advertisements in the Gulf South, the rest of the southern we’ve done.” The center was founded at a time when Louisiana’s budgetary resources were plummeting along with oil prices, he says. Despite that, its work has sustained, creating some of the most meaning- ful conversations Louisianians can have with themselves and with the nation. Last December, at the end of the two-hour panel discussion about the Georgetown slave sale, Cheryllyn Branche told the audience something she says she often told her students: “An oyster doesn’t make a pearl unless it is irritated.” “For us to have this dialogue face-to-face,” she went on, “gives all of us the opportunity to voice and to commit to cleansing and being whole and being one. And without that dialogue, we’re not going to get there. If we don’t talk honestly in these conversations about slavery, injustice, white privilege or anything else that separates us and divides us, if we don’t do it, University of New Orleans historians Mary Niall Mitchell, left, and who is going to do it for us?” Connie Zeanah Atkinson, right, pose with Cheryllyn Branche following To learn more about the Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies and to donate, the panel discussion on Dec. 14. Mitchell is the Ethel and Herman L. go to www.uno.edu/cola/history/midlo/ and click “Donate.” Midlo Chair at UNO and she and Atkinson direct the Midlo Center.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 37 WORDBYWORD UNO’s Creative Writing Workshop Nurtures New Orleans Writers for 25 Years BY REBECCA CATALANELLO PHOTOS BY JULIA KUMARI DRAPKIN

EVERYONE IS WONDERING ABOUT THE FROZEN, SEVERED Rick Barton, writer-in-residence at UNO and one of the faculty finger in the last paragraph of Joe Kelly’s short story. After eight members who founded the University’s MFA program in creative minutes of offering kudos for Kelly’s scene setting, tone and dia- writing in 1991, says he’s never wavered from the no-speaking rule logue, someone finally mentions it. in his fiction workshop class. “As a reader, I am trying to figure out whose finger is it and why “Once your story goes out in the world, you’re not there to is Jack glad to be throwing the finger?” says one student. defend it,” he says. “When it goes to an editor, the editor decides “I don’t know what purpose it serves in the story, but I am an whether to accept that story or to turn it down … I want students advocate,” offers another. to get used to the notion that they have to be on the paper.” “This makes sense to me—but it also doesn’t make sense to In 1991, Barton and fellow Creative Writing Workshop found- me,” says a third. ing faculty members Joanna Leake, Jim Knudsen and John Gery Kelly listens and twists his pen. His arms cross and uncross. He set out to create an interdisciplinary MFA writing program built thumps his foot. around community rather than competition, one where writers He says not a word. were permitted and encouraged to take writing courses outside For 25 years, Monday nights at the University of New Orleans’ their focus genre. graduate level Creative Writing Workshop for fiction have resem- Leake, now a writer-in-residence who continues to teach fiction bled this. Students gather in one of the cinder-block-walled class- workshops on Monday nights, recalls the group sat in her kitchen rooms at the Liberal Arts Building, close the door and dive in for and began designing a program based on the things they liked and three hours, discussing works written by two of their fellow Master disliked about their own graduate writing programs. of Fine Arts candidates. Each work gets 90 minutes of detailed “To our amazement and delight, it started to materialize,” she feedback while the authors themselves sit quietly, listening—no says. “It turned into something we were really, really proud of.” speaking allowed. At least, that is, not until the informal gathering Today, the program offers degrees in fiction, poetry, creative at Parkview Tavern afterwards, when authors usually have the op- nonfiction, playwriting and screenwriting. portunity to say everything they wanted to say and more. After a quarter-century of supplying a master’s-level writ-

38 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 ing program in New Orleans, proof of UNO’s Creative Writing FACING PAGE: Rick Barton, center, listens as students discuss a work Workshop success can be found in the work and experience of the of short fiction authored by Joe Kelly, far right, an MFA candidate graduates themselves. That’s what inspired Barton and Leake to from Milwaukee. Barton, now writer-in-residence at the University edit and publish an anthology of 40 stories by graduates and cur- of New Orleans, was one of the founders of the heralded Creative rent and former faculty. Writing Workshop, which this year celebrated 25 years. Joining in the discussion are from left, Thomas Price of Los Angeles, Jacob Reecher of In the 457-page “Monday Nights: Stories from the Creative Illinois, Drew Jordan of Tennessee and Caro Fautsch of Houston. THIS Writing Workshop at the University of New Orleans,” published PAGE, TOP: Thomas Price gestures as he discusses another student’s by UNO Press last fall, readers find stories by Skip Horack (“The work. Student critiques are expected to be detailed and constructive. Other Joseph,” “The Eden Hunter”), Denise Lewis Patrick (“No Or- THIS PAGE, MIDDLE: MFA candidate Joe Kelly listens quietly as dinary Sound”), Maurice Carlos Ruffin, whose work has appeared his peers discuss the merits and shortcomings of in Kenyon Review, Callaloo and the Iowa Review, Amanda Boyden “Black River Falls,” a short story he authored. (“Pretty Little Dirty”), Joseph Boyden (“Born with a Tooth”), Barb THIS PAGE, BOTTOM: Caro Fautsch shares Johnson (“More of This World or Maybe Another), Bill Loehfelm thoughts from her reading of Kelly’s story. (“The Devil She Knows,” “Let the Devil Out,” “The Devil’s Muse,” and “Blood Root”) and current Creative Writing Workshop Direc- cut-throat and competitive in petty ways,” tor M.O. Walsh (“My Sunshine Away”). Walsh says. “This place is not like that at all. Walsh, who joined UNO’s faculty nearly six years ago, says he Everyone really supports one another and we was immediately struck by the close-knit nature of UNO’s Creative celebrate each other’s work and it feels like a Writing Workshop, which has managed to avoid the ego wars that real close-knit community.” sometimes take hold in writing programs elsewhere. He says that Leake and Barton say that approach is once prospective students visit New Orleans and get a taste of the intentional. campus writing community, it usually seals their decision to come. “I have never subscribed, nor have my “A lot of MFA programs get the reputation for being really colleagues, to the notion that you teach

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 39 someone to be a better writer scene. by tearing them down and “The Creative Writing Workshop at UNO is our local connec- holding things up for scorn tion to the brightest and best of the writing world right here in new and ultra-tough love,” Leake Orleans,” she says. says. “Which is not to say While Leake and Barton say essentials of teaching good writing that certainly we’re not hon- have not changed over 25 years, the program has incorporated est in ways that a piece can some course additions that students say have enhanced the experi- improve … I think that the ence. more supportive approach One of the most exciting course additions came under the to workshop has helped our oversight of UNO Press Editor-in-Chief Abram Himelstein, him- writers not only be better self a 2005 graduate of the MFA program. The UNO Publishing writers, but they really help Institute is a course that gives workshop students the real-world each other, they pull for each experience of soliciting, selecting, publishing and marketing a book other to succeed.” of fiction. The program solicits fiction manuscripts by holding a Alumni and faculty from contest that provides the winning author a $1,000 advance on roy- the Creative Writing Work- alties and a contract to publish with the press. The institute’s 2016 shop came out in force twice publication, “Each Vagabond By Name” by Margo Orlando Littell over the year to celebrate received critical acclaim. the program, both dur- Back in the Liberal Arts building, nearly an hour and a half Barton sees his role in the workshop ing the release of “Monday has passed and the MFA workshop students are winding up their as that of a guide. Nights” at Garden District discussion of Joe Kelly’s story. After talking about the story in Book Shop in November and overarching terms and turning their attention to the page-by- again during the Tennessee Williams Festival in New Orleans in page—sentence structure, word choice, cadence—they and Barton March, when festival organizers devoted a full day of panels to the give Kelly detailed written responses that he can pore over as he acclaimed writing program. considers his revisions. Tracy Ferrington Cunningham, director of communications They are about to take a break and start on another student’s and marketing for the Tennessee Williams Festival, says it seemed story. natural to highlight the talent that has sprung out of program—one One of the students can’t resist. He looks at Kelly. that has drawn hundreds of talented young writers to New Orleans “Whose finger was it?” he asks. to see themselves shaped by and shaping the city’s lively literary Kelly smiles, shakes his head and breathes a long, audible sigh.

40 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 › › › › career.uno.edu ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ Your resource for reaching the UNO community with: »Part-Time and Full-Time Job Postings »Internships, Apprenticeships and Cooperative Education Postings »UNO Students and Alumni Résumé Bank »Career Events Registration Information Even if you aren’t looking to hire UNO talent, there are other ways to contribute to the long-term success of current UNO students. Join the UNO International Alumni Association to learn more about networking events and these signature annual events. Sign up for free at unoalumni.com and for event dates and times.

CONTACT 504.280.6225 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION [email protected] OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES PROFILE Retired Staff Sgt. Patrick M. Lamy, Jr.

Age: 35 The 5,437-foot Arenal Volcano provided just one of the backdrops Hometown: New Orleans Lamy experienced during a trip that turned into a pivotal What brought you to UNO? I was at UNO from 2011 to 2013 and educational experience for the military veteran. again this past fall, studying Spanish and completing prerequisites for entry to medical school. tional soccer teams’ games in El Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. Languages you speak: English, Spanish and Arabic Where do you want to go next? Great question. There are many Where did you go? Costa Rica places on my mind. I just got back from Cuba in the beginning of How long were you there? Five weeks February, though, so will be staying in New Orleans for at least a few Why did you decide to go? I wanted to improve my Spanish and months. experience Costa Rica. I had served in the U.S. Army and this trip Final thoughts? Living in another country and strengthening my marked the first time I traveled abroad in three years following the Spanish opened my eyes to the possibilities of learning even more return of my final Afghanistan deployment. I had some anxiety languages and traveling and living in even more countries. Since my about leaving the country again, especially doing so without my unit. UNO-Costa Rica trip, I have spent a lot of time doing a mixture of But I got over that and had a remarkable time. volunteer work and studying in three Spanish-speaking countries as What did you study while you were there? Spanish conversation and well as in two Arabic-speaking countries. I can now proudly say that Latin-American literature. I am trilingual with a few more languages on the horizon. There is Most memorable experience? Visiting the Arenal Volcano and the no doubt that the UNO-Costa Rica program played a pivotal role in beachside village of Manuel Antonio. Also, going to one of the na- opening me up to these possibilities.

42 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 Author Hannah Marcotte (B.A.,’15) found it easier to breathe in Ireland, where she was taken with its magnificent cathedrals and homes painted in vibrant colors.

A Lot of Craic and a Little Class

BY HANNAH MARCOTTE JULIFF (B.A., ’15) Craic is a term for gossip, fun, I had a few expectations When I returned to the my ancestors came from. Being entertainment, and enjoyable set by stereotypes of Ireland; I United States, everyone I en- in Ireland, a country that even conversation, prominent in Ireland. thought I’d eat potatoes at every countered asked me, “How was spoke the same language, made meal and see fields of four leaf your trip?” and it felt impossible me realize just how American AS I STEPPED OFF THE clovers everywhere. The reality to synthesize something so com- I am. I was able to see America plane and collected my bags, my was that Ireland had astound- plex and wonderful. I decided through the lens of another limbs were stiff and I felt nause- ingly rich, creamy dairy prod- on a response that went some- country. I was, for the first time, ated from the jet lag. I had one 35 ucts and fresh, thick battered thing like, “Oh, it was SO beauti- realizing what it means to be pound suitcase and a 15 pound fish and crispy chips. I didn’t ful and I learned so much!” I’d American—good and bad. backpack. After a three-hour bus expect my time to be so filled; show them a few photos of The Now, I am a graduate student ride from Dublin to Cork, my we were always on excursions, at Cliffs of Moher, The Old Oak, at the University of Mississippi phone was fully charged and I meetings, in class, at readings or and the University College Cork (Ole Miss) and have found my felt alert enough to walk the two performances, and my favorite: campus. What I was really left place as the graduate assistant in miles to the apartment where enjoying karaoke nights at The with was incredible and unique the Study Abroad Office. My first I would be staying. I was filled Old Oak. memories from my trip and the experience in another country with hope and anticipation as I A few weeks after arriving realization that I would never has impacted the way that I talk walked through Cork, Ireland in Cork, our program left for have the same experience under about traveling abroad and the for the first time alone. The air an excursion to Dublin. I was the same circumstances again– way that I consider the experi- in Cork felt easier to breathe met with a surprising feeling but that I will always long for it. ences of international students. than the thick, sweaty air I’d left of homesickness. Cork had be- As two years now stand My heart flutters when students in New Orleans. The doors of come my temporary home. My between me and my first jour- embark on their own study each Irish home were a vibrant belongings, bed, and anything ney abroad, I realize what an abroad adventures, and I only red, yellow, or blue. As I walked, familiar in Ireland were in Cork. influential point in my life it was. hope that it’s as pivotal, meaning- I noticed a magnificent Cathe- Dublin was populous, decorated Studying overseas energized a ful, and fulfilling as mine was. dral atop a hill and little purple with pubs advertising authentic personal desire to travel far and wildflowers growing out of the fish and chips, and littered with often that has guided me through Editor’s Note: Last fall, Silver & Blue stone along the river. I promised shops exclusively for tourists to my twenties. I made the choice to asked alumni, students, faculty and staff to send us personal essays about an experi- myself I wouldn’t take photos yet buy their “I love Ireland” items. I study abroad in Ireland because ence at UNO. Hannah Marcotte’s story is because I wanted to fully enjoy felt, for the first time since I had of the writing courses that fit my the first to fill this spot. Please send your my first experience walking arrived, homesick for Cork and English degree, but also to spend UNO experience to [email protected] for through Cork. also homesick for America. time abroad in a country that consideration in the next issue.

CHRISTY LORIO (B.A., ‘15) PHOTOGRAPHS SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 43 IF ANYONE WERE EVER to question Keeshawn Carter Davenport’s level of devotion to the University of New Orleans, her résumé alone should provide clarity: The Privateers women’s basketball coach has spent more than half of her 37 years on the Lakefront. A product of East St. John High School in Reserve, La., Davenport this spring complet- ed her sixth and best season as head coach of the Privateers. A 14-15 record in 2016-17 may not sound like much, but when you consider the depths from which the program has climbed, it rep- resents real progress. There’s no doubt she’s on a quest to restore glory to this proud program. Two of Davenport’s six seasons were winless. After back-to-back years with an 8-19 record, this season UNO finished fourth in the 13-mem- ber Southland Conference, quite an accomplishment for a team that was picked to finish 11th in Davenport’s Devotion a preseason poll. The Privateers qualified for the conference tournament for the first time, Women’s basketball coach turns persistence into points and earned a first-round bye in BY RO BROWN PHOTOGRAPHS BY CLEM BARBAZON the process; it was the win- ningest season for the program in nearly a decade. With nine letter-winners returning next season, led by first-team All- ride makes me appreciate where years on the job. He recruited a full-time assistant in 2003. Southland Conference selection we are today. It keeps me humble Davenport out of high school in “Keesh has a God-given tal- and conference scoring cham- and it makes me excited about 1997, and says he knew he had a ent to be able to motivate people pion Randi Brown, the Priva- what’s to come in the future.” winner when he met her tight- with her actions first and then teers are trending upward. Joey Favaloro is the win- knit family. Davenport averaged with what she says, and that’s “It’s been an uphill battle, no ningest coach in the program’s six points and three rebounds a rare combination,” Favaloro doubt about it,” Davenport says. history with 382 wins, an a game during her four-year says. “I never heard her say ‘you’ “It’s been tears, it’s been laughter, NCAA Tournament Bid and the playing career. Favaloro then have to do better. It was always it’s been 50-point losses but this Women’s National Invitational hired her as a student-assistant, ‘we’ have to do better. If I had a year was a really good year. The Tournament title during his 14 a graduate assistant in 2002 and daughter who was of recruiting

44 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 age, I would have no problem works tirelessly to impart those According to her “bas- with her playing for Keesh be- lessons she learned as a New ketball brother,” Davenport’s cause you know she’s an honest Orleans student-athlete to the contributions are rooted in her person who is in it for the right current Privateers. She calls it unwavering dedication to the reasons.” “coaching to impact lives.” University. Privateer men’s coach Mark “It’s why I do what I do,” “She’s how you hope all of Slessinger says the fact that she Davenport says. “I want to have our student-athletes turn out,” FACING PAGE: Keeshawn Carter Davenport has spent more than stuck with the program during a positive impact on the lives Slessinger says. “She’s positive half of her life at the University good times and bad is a testa- of these young ladies. I’m super and she has influence in the of New Orleans, as a student, an ment to her character. He also competitive but, in the end, community. She impacts her athlete and as a coach. knows the difficulty involved in how I affect the lives of these student-athletes daily by using BELOW: This year, the Privateers rebuilding a program. Slessing- student-athletes and everyone the skill set she learned here at women’s basketball team had its er gives credit to his “basketball I come in contact with is what the University of New Orleans. winningest season in more than sister” for his team winning the really matters.” She truly is UNO proud.” a decade. 2016-17 Southland Conference regular-season and tournament titles. “When we’re good, it helps them. When they’re good, it helps us,” Slessinger says. “She’s really amazing. We bounce ideas off each other and talk basketball, life, parenting or whatever.” Married three years ago to Deon Davenport, the couple has a two-year-old son, Deon, Jr. She says being a wife, mother and coach is rewarding. “My husband and son have given me balance,” Davenport says. “It’s nice after a win to see their smiling faces. When I was single, it was go home and watch more game tape. Now it’s cook, read books and put the little one to bed.” Devotion is important to Davenport. She’s devoted to her family, her student-athletes and the institution from which she has earned two degrees. She credits UNO with teaching her what’s important in life and helping her with self-discovery. “Character is revealed through adversity,” she says, “and I believe I had enough ad- versity at UNO to where I had to be persistent through tough times. What I have received here at UNO, I wouldn’t trade for anything.” Davenport was the co-cap- tain of the last UNO women’s basketball team with a winning record in 2000-2001. She now

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 45 Stay Connected to UNO

Promotion? New job? Receive an award? Relocation? Marriage? We want to hear from you! Stay connected to your Privateer family by updating your profile on the UNO Alumni and Friends Online Community at UNOAlumni.com/login. Help us keep you up-to-date with the latest information, and use the Alum notes feature to share your big news!

web unoalumni.com email [email protected] phone (504)280.2586 Carla L. Major (B.S., ’75) Asset Management Authority Civil Engineers. Carla Major has been named for the Orleans Levee District. Joseph C. Oliveri (B.S., ’87) Austin J. Badon (B.A., ’88) to the board of directors for the He is the executive director of Joseph Oliveri is chief fi nan- Austin Badon, a former member of the Non-Flood Protection Asset Sewerage and Water Board cial offi cer and chief compliance Management Authority for the Louisiana House of Representatives, is the of New Orleans, overseeing offi cer at Easterseals Louisiana. Orleans Levee District. She is new director of the city’s capital development, He has been elected to serve president of CM Associates LLC, the East Jeff erson infrastructure projects and com- on the AAAneurysm Outreach a consulting fi rm that provides munity development initiatives. board of directors. He served YMCA in Metai- management assistance in the He formerly served as chief as associate director of fi nance rie. Badon also areas of strategic planning, administrative offi cer of Ascen- and administration at LSU for 18 has held leader- recruiting and retention, perfor- sion Parish, deputy secretary years before leaving in 2014. He mance management, employee ship positions in of the Louisiana Department of has also held positions at Postle- turnover, staff development and service training Transportation and Develop- thwaite & Netterville and Project employee engagement. ment and a project manager at Homecoming and has more than and workforce Patrick A. Delaney (B.S., ’78) Parsons Corporation in Atlanta. 20 years of experience in man- development Patrick Delaney practices He is a retired U.S. Army major. agement, accounting, human with Southern cardiology at Ochsner Health Joseph R. Becker (B.S. ’85) resources and fi nance. University at Center in Covington, La. He is Joseph R. Becker has been Paul M. Novak (B.A., ’88) New Orleans and board certifi ed in internal medi- named general superintendent Paul Novak serves as cine, cardiovascular disease Nunez Communi- of the Sewerage and Water manager and director of busi- and cardiovascular tomography, ty College in Chalmette. He has also served Board of New Orleans, where ness valuations at Duplantier and specializes in noninvasive he has been employed for 21 Hrapmann Hogan & Maher. He as program director for the Boy Scouts of imaging echocardiography, years. He is a licensed profes- has more than 25 years of expe- America and chairman of the New Orleans stress testing, nuclear cardiol- sional civil and environmental rience in corporate, partnership, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. ogy and preventive cardiology. engineer and was involved with individual, trust and estate taxes Before joining Ochsner, Delaney the Sewerage System Consent as well as tax planning and was in private practice in Tan- Decree negotiations between consulting. He is a member of gipahoa Parish. the Sewerage and Water Board the American Institute of Certi- Cedric S. Grant (M.P.A., ’81) and the federal government. fi ed Public Accountants, New Cedric Grant has been He is a member if the American Orleans Estate Planning Council named to the board of directors Public Works Association, the and the National Association of for the Non-Flood Protection American Water Works Associa- Certifi ed Valuation Analysts. tion and the American Society of

GREEK ALUMNI SOCIAL Alumni present and future reunited at the lakefront for Greek Social Night on March … and current students Morgan Cole 23, including… and Savanna Heller. The event was held in partnership Emile “Skip” Miller (B.S., ’71) and Carolyn Collins-DeBose (B.S., ’76) with the Office of Student Involvement Sheila Judge Leonard (B.A., ’86) and Sundy Barjon (Ph.D, ’08) and Leadership and Greek Life.

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 47 David J. Lundgren, Jr. (B.S., ’88, growth of the award-winning named senior vice president tion Award in 2014 and 2015, Bret J. Chittenden has been M.B.A., ’93) Hancock Horizon Funds family at Marathon Petroleum Corp., and a member of the Northern named executive vice president David J. Lundgren, Jr., has of mutual funds, earning honors where he has worked since Kentucky Bar Association and of operations for Expotel been named chief investment as one of Barron’s Top 100 Fund 1979. He is past-chairman of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity Hospitality Services. Chitten- officer for Hancock Hold- Managers. A New Orleans American Petroleum Institute International. He holds a juris den joined Expotel in 1997 as ing Company, where he has native, he began his career at operating practices committee doctorate from the University assistant manager at the Best worked since 1998, helping First National Bank of Commerce and the Texas City-La Marque of Tulsa. Western Inn Airport and has expand the bank’s wealth and working in various trust depart- Chamber of Commerce. Benjamin J. Strecker (B.S., ’97) risen through the company. In asset management group. A ment positions. Irby E. Morvant, Jr. (B.A., ’92) Ben Strecker has been his new position, he manages and oversees operations in Chartered Financial Analyst, he Raymond L. Brooks (M.B.A.,’ 88) Irby E. Morvant, Jr., is the promoted to senior vice presi- also spearheaded the develop- Expotel’s Gulf Coast Region. He Raymond L. Brooks has been general manager at Hyatt dent and North Shore market is also a licensed real estate ment, launch, and continued Regency San Francisco Airport. president at Home Bank. He agent. He serves on the board of He has been with Hyatt for 27 has served on the North Shore the Greater New Orleans Hotel years in sales and leadership, as a commercial relationship & Lodging Association. Susan K. Mancuso (B.A., ’90) including working in Chicago, manager for the past 11 years. He also serves on the finance Brandt M. Vicknair (B.A., ’02) Susan K. Mancuso was named Cleveland, Boston and New Or- leans. He serves on the boards council at Our Lady of the Lake Photographer Brandt M. Outstanding Professional Fundraiser by of the Burlingame Chamber of Catholic Church in Mandeville, Vicknair is half of Mash Buhtay- the New Orleans Commerce and the San Mateo/ a volunteer soccer coach at dusss, an artistic collaboration Chapter of the As- Silicon Valley County Convention the Mandeville soccer club and with visual artist Barbie L’Hoste. sociation of Fund- and Visitors Bureau. is active in the Our Lady of the The pair recently created works Lake Men’s club. raising Profession- John Erin McCabe (M.B.A., ’94) they titled “Outgroan,” a series of photographs printed on can- John Erin McCabe has Ana L. Gale-Orellana (B.S., ’98) als. Mancuso runs vas combined with mixed media joined the law firm of Weltman, Ana Gale-Orellana is a senior a New Orleans- elements including stencils, Weinberg & Reis Co. in Cincin- engineer for Entergy Louisiana, collage, transparency, paint and based consulting nati, Ohio, where he handles where she has been employed found objects. The collection firm. Those for consumer bankruptcy matters for more than 20 years. Her work was inspired by changes to the whom she’s done in Kentucky and Indiana. He is there includes serving on diver- City of New Orleans and was on a member of the Kentucky Bar sity and inclusion councils. work include the display last year at New Orleans Association, where he received National Multiple Bret J. Chittenden (B.S., ’99) Art Center. the Continuing Legal Educa- Sclerosis Society, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, the American Heart Associa- tion, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the University of New Orleans.

Tracey Trapani Schiro (B.S., ’96, M.B.A., ’11) Tracey Trapani Schiro has been named senior vice presi- Karla Russo Tamara Warner Melissa Sallinger Doha Mosrie dent and chief human resources officer at Oschner UNO ALUMNAE NAB TOP EDUCATOR Health System. HONORS IN JEFFERSON PARISH Schiro joined Four of the six educators honored recently by Jefferson Parish Public Schools Ochsner in 2007 as teachers of the year and principals of the year are University of New Orleans as assistant vice alumnae or students. Karla Russo (M.Ed., ’10) was named the high school president oversee- principal of the year from Haynes Academy School For Advanced Studies; ing compensa- Tamara Warner, a Ph.D. student studying education administration, was tion, benefits and honored as elementary school principal of the year for her work at Gretna No. 2 human resources Academy For Advanced Studies. Melissa Sallinger (M.Ed., ’11) was awarded high information sys- school teacher of for her work at West Jefferson High School; and Doha Mosrie tems. Prior to joining Ochsner, she worked (B.S., ’12), was named elementary teacher of the year for her work at Harold for Coca-Cola Enterprises for 10 years. Keller Elementary School.

48 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017 William H. Slaughter (B.A., ’02) management information system 10 finalists for the 2017 Music Actor William “Billy” Slaughter administrator for VIA LINK, Educator Award given annually Nicholas G. Mainieri (M.F.A., ’ 11) has been named one of Gambit’s where she works with home- by the GRAMMY Foundation. Nicholas Mainieri’s debut novel, “The “40 Under 40.” His acting credits less programs on data quality Hart is the founding music direc- include roles on “The Big Short,” and human services software tor at KIPP Believe College Prep Infinite,” was published in November “Daddy’s Home,” “The Magnifi- user experiences for the New Middle School in New Orleans’ to heralding cent 7” and “Jack Reacher 2.” Orleans area. She is founder Hollygrove neighborhood, where reviews. The book Two of his films, “Cold Moon” of The Creative Impulse, which he has been for more than 11 follows the love and “Arceneaux,” were shown seeks to tie technology and the years. Hart has also received story of a young in the recent New Orleans Film arts, and co-founder of Teens the KIPP National Excellence in couple whose Festival. for Tech, a program designed to Teaching Award and, for three circumstances Lauren Parish (B.S., ’05) bring technology to youth. She years running, the Louisiana propel them into Lauren Parish received her is on the board of New Orleans Music Educators Association Ph.D. from Prairie View A&M Women in Technology. In 2016, Band Director of the Year for a complicated and University in December. Her King was invited to attend The District VI award. His program dangerous world dissertation was entitled, “An White House’s “Expanding Op- was named an exemplary music that spans two Examination of Social and portunity with Open Data.” program by Festival Disney. Hart was also featured in HBO’s hit countries. Main- Cultural Factors Influencing the Christine M. Berry (M.Ed., ’06) ieri lives in New Retention of Former Foster Youth Christine M. Berry has been series, “Treme,” in which he in Higher Education.” named co-director of the St. played the lead band director, Orleans, where Mr. Lecour. part of the novel is set, and teaches writing Katie M. Johnson (B.S., ’06) Martin’s Episcopal School Sum- Alan G. Gauthreaux (M.A., ’07) Katie M. Johnson was mer Day Camp. She was a part at Nicholls State University in Lafourche recently named one of “40 Under of Ripples Summer Day Camp for Alan Gauthreaux teaches Parish. His short stories have appeared in 40” by Gambit. Johnson is co- more than 16 years prior, includ- history at Nunez Community the Southern Review, the Southern Hu- owner of Royal Design House, ing serving as assistant director. College. He has authored and manities Review and Salamander. which sources, sews, transports Berry is a certified teacher who co-authored several books on has taught in the classroom for local history including “Dark and preserves garments for BRANDT VICKNAIR PHOTOGRAPH Mardi Gras royalty. more than 16 years and was Bayou: Infamous Louisiana Ho- named a 2015-16 Teacher of the micides” and “Echoes of Valor: Shercole V. King (M.A., ’06) Year by Jefferson Parish Public Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Albert Allenback (B.A., ’16) Shercole King was recently Schools. Lives,” published in 2016. He is named one of “40 Under 40” by Albert Allen- Keith Hart (B.A., ’06) a U.S. Army veteran and former Gambit. She is the homeless back is a profes- Keith Hart was named one of legal investigator. His work has been featured in Civil War Times sional saxophon- Magazine, American Civil War ist, flautist and Bivian L. “Sonny” Lee III (B.S., ’06) Magazine, warhistoryonline.com composer. He is and Louisiana History. Bivian L. “Sonny” Lee III was recog- a member of the Natalie Albers (M.Ed., ’09) nized as “New Orleanian of the Year” by New Orleans funk Natalie Albers has been Gambit. Lee is the named principal of the Arlene and jazz band, founder of Son of Meraux Elementary School, a Tank and the a Saint, a non- new St. Bernard Parish campus Bangas, which profit organiza- opening in the fall. Albers is a recently won the tion that seeks to 15-year veteran of the school NPR Tiny Desk district and currently serves as Concert. match fatherless an assistant principal at Lacoste boys with male Elementary. mentors. The organization was Victoria N. Bristol (M.S., ’11) named in honor Victoria “Vicki” Bristol has boards of Lighthouse Louisiana the University of New Orleans. been promoted to senior com- of Lee’s father, a and YCMA of Greater New Jeremy J. Deblieux (B.S., ’13) munications and marketing Orleans, where he serves as The French Quarter Business 1970s-era player manager at The New Orleans treasurer. He was previously Association has announced that with the New Convention and Visitors Bureau. the chairman of the board for Jeremy Beblieux will serve on Before joining the CVB in 2013 the Tulane Wesley Foundation Orleans Saints who died of a heart attack the 2017 board of directors. at 36. Lee wanted to help young men who, as communications manager, and the chairman of the church Bristol was a communications Lauren P. Noel (M.A., ’15) as he did, struggle with anger, confidence council for Rayne Memorial strategist at Gambel Communi- United Methodist Church. He is Lauren P. Noel, marketing issues and lack of direction stemming cations. a graduate of Isidore Newman associate at The Historic New from the loss of a male role model. The Henry E. “Elder” Gwin (M.B.A. ,’11) School and received his bach- Orleans Collection, has been program selects 10 boys ages 10 to 13 Elder Gwin is a corporate elor of arts degree in political named to the 2017 board of each year and stays connected with them banker with Whitney Bank, science from Davidson College directors for the French Quarter through high school. where he has worked for more and his master’s of business Business Association. than 14 years. He is on the administration in finance from

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 49 The Legacy Society recognizes donors who have chosen to include the University of New Orleans in an estate gift to ensure that their gift will create a lasting legacy for future generations. The University of New Orleans is honored to recognize the following members of the Legacy Society and to thank all of you for your support and commitment to the future of the University of New Orleans.

Ann Nunn Debbie Mabile Settoon, P.E. Anonymous Dr. Joan P. Gipe, Professor Emeritus Anonymous Dr. Richard Edgar Zwez Anonymous,’67 & ’74 Eileen Burke Anonymous, '68 Henry Bernstein Anonymous, '69 Herman "Hernie" Woessner Anonymous, '75 J. Stephen Hank Anonymous, '80 James D. Jacques Anonymous, '85 & '94 John S. Batson Anonymous, '87 Laura Peebles & Ellen Fingerman Anthony E. Centanni & Annette Leo T. Surla, Jr. Johnson Centanni Marc W. Losh Barbara J. Sallettes Margot C. LaPointe, PhD and Roger Zauel Bonita L. Dupree Skip Miller

If you have included the University of New Orleans in your estate plans,and are not listed above, please call Eric Balukonis in the Planned Giving office at 504.280.6159 Longtime Professor of Languages and Literature Eliza Miruna Ghil ELIZA MIRUNA GHIL, Hebrew and English—Ghil guished scholar who inspired Ghil published her fi rst a University of New Orleans earned a Ph.D. in French and her students and kept her scholarly study of troubadour professor who devoted her life romance philology at Columbia colleagues entertained with her poetry, “L’Age de Parage,” in to the study and teaching of lan- University in 1978 and went on wit, insight and, at times, her 1997, and served as co-editor guages and literature, to teach at Columbia stubbornness. of “Romance Studies Today: In has died. University and Dart- “She was an intellectual,” Honor of Beatriz Varela.” A noted Oc- mouth College. Starr says, “but she was not off - At the time of her death at citanist, a scholarly She joined the putting, not condescending.” age 73, she had nearly completed expert of the French faculty of the University Ghil rose quickly at UNO, a seven-year long project, “Love’s troubadour poetry of New Orleans in 1984, serving as chair of the Depart- Law,” a book-length scholarly of the 12th and 13th when she was appointed ment of Foreign Languages exploration of the constructs of centuries, Ghil was assistant professor of from 1988 to 1990 and again Occitan poetry. born in Bucharest in Eliza Miruna Ghil French. from 1997 to 2014, when she In addition to her scholarly 1943. She left com- “She was quite the led the department follow- pursuits, Ghil was a passionate munist Romania and catch,” says Juliana ing Hurricane Katrina. It was afi cionada of literature and op- settled in Israel in 1966 before Starr, associate professor of under Ghil’s leadership, Starr era, holding season tickets to immigrating to the United States French and associate chair for says, that the department began the Metropolitan Opera House in 1971 to continue her studies foreign languages. Starr, who off ering master’s level language in New York. Her colleagues in French medieval literature. was hired by Ghil in 2005, courses online, a popular ad- say they will remember her for Fluent in fi ve languages— described Ghil as incredibly dition to the curriculum that her humor, her intellect, her Romanian, French, Italian, vibrant and warm—a distin- today enrolls 71 students. eccentricities and her strength.

Historian and Founding Faculty Member Jerah Johnson HISTORIAN JERAH JOHNSON, confessed that most of his time seemed a far more enticing place discussion.” one of the University of New there was spent in cafés drinking to live, and Johnson embraced Johnson contributed to nu- Orleans’ founding faculty mem- coff ee and cognac. He joined the the city and its history. He merous university committees, bers, died Feb. 12 at the age of faculty of what was then Louisi- wrote pioneering articles on advised students and helped 85. He had been retired ana State University at African-American culture in to build a vibrant history from UNO since 2003. New Orleans (LSUNO) Congo Square and the French program. He was especially Professor Johnson in 1959, a year aft er infl uence in early New Orleans. proud of his eff orts to diversify was born in south the University opened, A UNO Drift wood article at the history faculty. During his Georgia in 1931. His and helped form the the time of his 2003 retirement tenure as chair, he promoted parents relocated character and culture of quoted Johnson’s opinion of his the international mission of the family to Ven- the history department. adopted city: “Why on earth live the University by approving ezuela and then to His fi eld was Renais- anywhere else, unless it is smack the study abroad program France during the late sance Europe, but dab in the middle of lower Man- in Munich—the forerunner 1930s. He spent much Jerah Johnson he taught Louisiana hattan or the Left Bank of Paris, of the immensely successful of World War II in history, world history and both would require far too UNO-Innsbruck International London and returned to Georgia and the introductory graduate much money.” Summer School. to fi nish high school at the age course in research and writing. Johnson served as depart- Even aft er retirement, of 16. Taking a job at a new branch ment chair from 1968 to 1980. Johnson’s home in the Marigny Johnson earned his un- of LSU might have seemed an “A department meeting where was open to UNO students dergraduate degree at Emory odd choice for some at the time. Jerah held forth was an event seeking research advice on some University in Atlanta, Ga. and Johnson recalled telling his to be looked forward to,” says aspect of New Orleans history. his doctorate at the University grandmother, “I’m going to risk Gerry Bodet, a professor and His interests always remained of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. it,” when he accepted a UNO longtime colleague of Johnson’s. wide, however. Because of his He majored in history at UNC position. In fact, the decision “True, the mundane matters of extraordinary erudition, and his with minors in both linguistics came easily. Teaching posts were policy were on the agenda, but aesthetic appreciation of the arts, and comparative literature. In scarce in 1959, and his other inevitably these would morph architecture and design, col- 1956-58 he spent time in France off ers were from Northwestern into questions of philosophical leagues fi ttingly referred to him on a Fulbright Fellowship at State in Natchitoches and a small truth, or the lack thereof, with as the department’s “Renaissance the University of Paris. He later Maryland college. New Orleans a wry humor peppering the Man.” -Robert L. Dupont

SPRING 2017 SILVER & BLUE 51 ALEXANDER “SANDY” MAILLHO OPENED Circle of Friends his copy of the last Silver & Blue only to spot a photo he’d taken nearly 35 years earlier when FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE HAS LONG he was on the photo staff ofThe Driftwood. Last been a gathering spot for students at issue’s Then & Now featured a lone trumpeter the University of New Orleans. Today, in front of the Performing Arts Center. Maillho even bare branches shade the circle on a said he was headed to class when he heard the February day in New Orleans. solo trumpet and snapped a few frames. The musician, according the March 1982 issue of The Driftwood, was named Joseph McDaniels, though we have yet to locate him. Maillho, meanwhile, a musician himself, received a degree in language arts in 1982 then went on to a career in journalism, finally retiring from theTimes-Picayune in 2009 after 20 years.

52 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2017

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