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

SPRING 2021

PHILANTHROPIC FOODIE For University of New Orleans student Samira Bechara, charity starts at home – specifi cally in her kitchen where she prepares gourmet meals for nonprofi t causes.

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 1 5/3/2021 2:13:59 PM This Mardi Gras banner was one of the few signs of Carnival 2021 on campus as the Krewe of UNO took its festivities virtual with a shoebox parade that was streamed live on Facebook.

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 2 5/3/2021 2:13:59 PM full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 3 5/3/2021 2:13:59 PM 2 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 4 5/3/2021 2:13:59 PM TABLE OF

FEATURES 24 PHILANTHROPIC FOODIE UNO student Samira Bechara cooks up charity with gourmet flair 28 LESSONS FROM LIFE’S STORMS Restaurateur Scot Craig’s no quit attitude helps propel his success

30 NOLA’S EMERGING FITNESS GURU Alumna April Dupré is founder of Footprints to Fitness 32 COUNTING IT ALL JOY Alumnus Dan Crumb is executive vice president and chief financial officer for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs

36 FILMMAKING DEBUT Alumna Kd Amond releases first feature film 38 OPERATION NETFLIX Alumna Robin Rose, a mechanical engineer, keeps operations running smoothly at streaming giant Netflix DEPARTMENTS 5 CAMPUS SCENE 10 NEWS AND EVENTS 18 FACULTY FOCUS 40 ATHLETICS 44 DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Alumna April Dupré, founder of 46 ALUM NOTES Footprints to Fitness, leads a yoga session at Audubon Park during a collaboration with the National Park Service. 50 IN MEMORIAM 52 THEN AND NOW

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 3

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 5 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS: AS WE START TO MOVE OUT OF THE RAVAGES OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, I HAVE TRIED

to remind myself to reflect on what we have endured and, more importantly, learned as a VOLUME 45 s ISSUE 1 university community. The effects of the coronavirus will be long lasting and, in some cases,

everlasting. There is plenty we will want to forget. Yet my hope is that we don’t resume our EXECUTIVE EDITOR pre-pandemic lives, oblivious to the wisdom we have gained. This is our challenge as resilient Littice Bacon-Blood people and members of a resilient community. Determination and tenacity are part of our EDITOR Adam Norris institutional DNA. UNO was the first—and only—New Orleans university to reopen during the DESIGN AND LAYOUT fall 2005 semester following Hurricane Katrina. There are moments of opportunity that only Eric Gernhauser present themselves after a crisis. I believe that we are approaching one of those moments. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS In March 2020, our faculty and staff did the unimaginable. In a matter of days, they moved all Matthew Schaefer Emma Seely of our courses online and instruction continued remotely. Student support services went virtual PHOTOGRAPHY as well. Did everything go smoothly? Of course not. In the face of such swift and drastic change, Andy Antunez Shane Banegas our employees and students encountered daily challenges. But we proved we could do it. We Avery Gray solved problems, acquired new skills, became acquainted with new technology and figured it out. Tracie Morris Schaefer Sean Seghers That kind of entrepreneurial and nimble mindset should stay with us long after the pandemic has receded. Higher education institutions are notoriously slow to change. In this case, we did not have Send Correspondence to: a choice. The change was thrust upon us, and we still had to serve our students. So we did. But the Silver and Blue Editor lessons we learned will allow us to do this much better into the future. University of New Orleans Administration Building 103 We expect our fall 2021 semester will look much more like a traditional semester on 2000 Lakeshore Drive New Orleans, LA 70148 campus. We will have an abundance of in-person classes and many of our customary activities Phone: (504) 280-6832 and events will return. However, in my view, it would be a mistake to try to replicate the Email: [email protected] University of New Orleans that existed before March 2020. The pandemic taught us that we need to accommodate the lives of our students through remote and hybrid learning. Access to a UNO education will increase if we are flexible about how we deliver instruction. Many of our students have jobs, children or caregiver responsibilities. They Silver & Blue Magazine is published by will unquestionably benefit from their UNO degree and the the University of New Orleans. Articles pathway to a career that it provides if we give them represent the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of options and support along the way. anyone but the authors. My pledge to you is that I will take my own To inquire about alumni events or to join the UNO Alumni Association, contact: advice. I will contemplate the upheaval we Office of Alumni Affairs, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148 navigated together, examine where we triumphed Phone: (504) 280-2586 Fax: (504) 280-1080 and where we failed, and try to become a more Email: [email protected]

effective leader. I firmly believe that we will © 2021 The University of New Orleans This public document was published at a total cost emerge a stronger and more strategic university, of $22,559. Forty-five thousand (45,000) copies of this public document were published in this first one that will make you even prouder to be part of and only printing at a cost of $22,559. There will be no reprints, so the total cost of all printings of this our community. document is $22,559. This document was published UNO Proud, by the University of New Orleans, 200 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans, LA.70148, to promote the purpose of the University under authority of 17:3351(A)(12). John Nicklow This material was printed in accordance with the PRESIDENT standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was @UNOPresidentJN @unopresident purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

4 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 6 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM HEADLINES AND HAPPENINGS

INSIDE DRIVE-THROUGH COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION VIRTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY KREWE OF UNO SWORDPLAY COASTAL RESTORATION WORKSHOP

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 5

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 7 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM DRIVE-THROUGH COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION In November, the University of New Orleans hosted a drive-through commencement celebration on campus for summer and fall 2020 graduates. As the processional of vehicles passed slowly, with enthusiastic waves, honking horns and thumbs up signs from graduates and their rela- tives, President John Nicklow handed each graduate a souvenir box of UNO paraphernalia.

6 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 8 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM VIRTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY Actor Harry Shearer shared the irony of life, luck and prepara- tion in his 10-minute commencement address at UNO’s fall 2020 virtual ceremony held on December 12. Shearer, who maintains a residence in New Orleans, has served as one of the principal voice actors on “The Simpsons” for the show’s entire 31-year run, including voicing the role of Mr. Burns. In closing out his address, Shearer addressed graduates in the famed voice of “The Simpsons” character Mr. Burns, telling them that they were “excellent.” President John Nicklow addressed the class of 2020 during the fall commencement ceremony while standing on campus near the fountain at the Robert Merrick/Latter & Blum Patio. Approximately 970 students participated in the ceremony, which was streamed live on YouTube, and included a roll call of graduates and Shearer’s keynote address.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 7

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 9 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM KREWE OF UNO Th e Krewe of UNO rolled virtually in 2021 in keeping with the City of New Orleans coro- navirus restrictions on Mardi Gras parades. Th is year’s event was a shoebox fl oat pa- rade that streamed live on Facebook with host commentators LeeAnne Sipe, director for the Offi ce of Student Involvement and Leadership and Mike Esordi, UNO’s associate director for web strategy. Th e theme of the parade was “Oh, the Places You Can’t Go!” and featured color- fully decorated shoeboxes created by students, UNO campus organizations and people from the community.

8 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 10 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM SWORDPLAY En Garde! Students in film and theatre professor David Hoover’s course “Combat for Stage and Film” practice the art of swordplay.

COASTAL RESTORATION WORKSHOP (RIGHT) Dinah Maygarden (pink cap), director of the UNO Coastal Education Program at the Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences (PIES), led a coastal restoration field workshop as part of a partnership with the National Wildlife Federation New Orleans. (ABOVE) Community leaders and legislators traveled by boat to a critical marsh restoration area near Lake St. Catherine to learn more about plans for restoration and ways in which to sup- port and protect the project area.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 9

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 11 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM President Nicklow Recognized as NCAA Champion of Diversity and Inclusion

UNIVERSITY OF NEW by this recognition. I am Orleans President John Nicklow grateful to the NCAA, was one of five individuals and I congratulate recognized as Champions of my fellow honorees,” Diversity and Inclusion by the Nicklow said. “I share NCAA Minority Opportu- this honor with members nities and Interests Committee of the University of New in February. The honorees Orleans team. are selected for their work in “This is a reflection supporting ethnic minorities of our campus commu- and other underrepresented nity’s collective efforts groups and individuals. to ensure that diversity, The honor was created equity and inclusion in 2015 to recognize those are more than just who have a commitment to something we talk advocating for and advancing about—it’s something others in inclusive efforts we value and that we around athletics. In addition live each day. As I tell to Nicklow, the other honorees students frequently, are Tommy Amaker, Harvard some of the most men’s basketball coach; Jen important lessons I’ve learned University also hired a diversity New Orleans. “They have been Fry, community supporter throughout my life are from officer focused specifically champions for diversity and with JenFryTalks; Allen Green, those who are different from on students. Nicklow created inclusion throughout their Auburn athletics director; and me. Diversity brings new ideas, the President’s Award for careers and continue to do what Jacqie McWilliams, commis- cultures and experiences to the Advancement in Diversity is right in 2021. They have been sioner of the Central Intercolle- table to create better outcomes and has built new community inspirations to our student- giate Athletic Association. and solutions for us all.” partnerships that focus on athletes and administrators in Individuals were nominated Nicklow, who became equity and access. athletics, and they play a big part based on how they are influ- President at UNO in 2016, has “As we move through in molding our industry and our encers in promoting diversity led an effort to make the campus this challenging time in our country. MOIC applauds them and inclusion, how they are community more diverse and country’s history, the committee for their intentions and bravery assisting in diversifying pipeline has focused on transformative wanted to recognize five people in such unprecedented times. opportunities in their senior or actions to help students feel who lead from different seats Leading with conviction and influential position, how they more welcome. He and his staff within and around college courage moves us all to a better are providing support to under- have improved hiring practices athletics,” said Dena Freeman- place in athletics and certainly as represented populations, and and conducted climate surveys Patton, chair of the NCAA we look to the future.” their consistency in supporting and listening sessions to discuss Minority Opportunities and The winners will be formally diversity and inclusion initia- key issues and bridge gaps. Interests Committee and deputy recognized at the 2021 Inclusion tives. In addition to employing athletics director/chief operating Forum, which will be held “I am incredibly humbled a chief diversity officer, the officer at the University of virtually June 2-4.

10 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 12 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM UNO chemistry professor Phoebe Zito uses the inductively coupled plasma triple quadrupole mass spectrometer—the ICP-QQQ.

UNO’s Chemistry Department Acquires New Mass Spectrometer Capable of Advanced Sample Analysis THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW chemistry professor Phoebe Zito sample elements. nanometals in environmental Orleans’ chemistry department says. She refers to the tool by its Think about being near a samples such as soil and has acquired a new research initials: ICP-QQQ. neighborhood that has a bakery seawater, the ICP-QQQ is tool that allows researchers “The triple quadrupole is that makes king cakes, Zito necessary in order to get the to analyze and identify trace used to separate two overlapping explains. The more sensitive sensitivity needed to detect and samples with more accuracy. elemental signals which makes your sense of smell, the farther measure nanometals. The state-of-the-art tool it more sensitive. The ICP-QQQ you can be from the bakery and The new instrument is able comes with a $1 million price can determine low concentra- still smell it, she says. Once you to detect and measure near tag and a name that’s a mouthful tions of elements in complex detect the smell, you can trace miniscule concentrations in a to say. The inductively coupled samples,” Zito says. “The it and as the smell becomes liquid or gas sample. plasma triple quadrupole mass laser accessory allows for the strongest, you will find the “It is capable of measuring spectrometer coupled with an detection of elements on solid bakery. down to femtomolar which interchangeable excimer laser surfaces like ancient pottery, fish “Our new instrument is is extremely sensitive,” Zito ablation system is the only one bones, rocks and teeth making it like the nose,” Zito says. “For says. “It would be equivalent in the Southeast United States. extremely versatile.” example, our instrument can to detecting 100 drops of food The closest machine with Zito uses the human nose to detect and trace small concen- coloring in an Olympic sized similar capabilities is at Auburn explain the machine’s advanced trations of metals, such as pool.” University, but it doesn’t have abilities to sift, measure, arsenic, lead, mercury that The instrument was funded the triple quadrupole, UNO categorize, track and identify can be toxic to human and from a major research instru- organisms, to its source.” mentation grant through the Zito explains how “There are many environ- National Science Foundation the machine is used mental applications … An and will be housed in the to detect elements on anthropologist will use this Chemical Sciences Building as solid surfaces. instrument to measure the part of the Chemical Analysis elements in pottery to determine & Mass Spectrometry (CAMS) how long they were in the facility at UNO. ground prior to excavation. A “We want to bring biologist will use it to measure researchers from many disci- the concentration of calcium plines together to use this in reptile egg shells to obtain cutting-edge technology,” Zito information about their growth says. “Furthermore, it will patterns,” Zito says. provide underrepresented For Zito, whose research students a chance to use focuses on detecting extremely advanced analytical instruments small concentrations of even if it’s not in their field.”

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 11

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 13 5/3/2021 2:14:00 PM Professor Pat Austin Receives Light Up for Literacy Humanities Award PAT AUSTIN, FORMER professor of children’s literature and curator of the University of New Orleans Children’s and Young Adult Library, has received the Light Up for Literacy award from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. The LEH announced the award on Dec. 3. The award, which is presented in partnership with the State Library of Louisiana’s Center for the Book, honors individuals who have made significant and lasting contribu- tions to literacy efforts in the state. After 16 years as an elementary school teacher, Austin earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of New Orleans, where she went on to Beabout says. “The most thousands of students in the Pat Austin was professor of serve as a faculty member for impressive element of Pat’s area as she mentors, educates children’s literature at the 26 years. She retired from UNO commitment to building literacy and certifies educators who University of New Orleans and a in 2020. awareness is her unmatched make a huge impact on our faculty member for 26 years. She Austin, who has said one of record of community service. diverse region,” Douglas says. retired in 2020. her all-time favorite activities “Dr. Austin served as the “Meanwhile, at Hynes, our is reading to children, served curator of the UNO Children’s students are such successful In addition to the literacy as curator of UNO’s Children’s and Young Adult Library for readers because they have award, the LEH announced and Young Adult Library for 20 years. She has worked with equitable access to our amazing eight other Humanities Awards two decades and mentored publishers to secure thousands collection of books and recipients on Dec. 3. Each countless student library volun- of books, process them and add materials.” award is selected by a special teers and librarians in training. them to the library’s collection.” Most recently, Austin committee made up of experts She has authored more than 40 Austin trained student created the collection for in the field and LEH staff and articles in educational journals, library volunteers and worked the newly opened Children’s board members. hundreds of book reviews and with her students to create Museum in City Park. She Austin, along with the a picture book, “The Cat Who library collections for Hynes also has led African-American other award recipients, will Loved Mozart.” Charter School, Medard Nelson literature read-ins and Best New be highlighted in 64 Parishes Over the course of her Elementary School and Morris Books for Children sessions at magazine, published by the more than 40-year career as Jeff Community School whose dozens of schools across south LEH, and they will be recog- an educator, Austin helped library collections had to be Louisiana. nized during the Bright Lights develop the literacy teaching completely re-created after “For 11 years, she Awards ceremony. skills of thousands of Louisiana Hurricane Katrina, Beabout says. sponsored the Literary The LEH Humanities educators. Michelle Douglas, chief Lagniappe, a quarterly Awards offer a collective “Dr. Austin is truly a executive officer at Hynes newsletter that provided opportunity to celebrate all the woman of the book and I Charter School, credits Austin undergraduate and graduate humanities have to offer and can’t imagine a more fitting for the academic achievement students the opportunity to honor those who have made candidate for this award,” that 91% of her students are publish reviews of recently great contributions to the University of New Orleans reading at or above grade level. released children’s books,” understanding of Louisiana’s education professor Brian “Her outreach has impacted Beabout says. history and culture.

12 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 14 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM news in brief

UNO Student Affairs Earns 2021 NASPA Excellence Gold Award The University of New Orleans has earned the 2021 NASPA Excellence Gold Award for its student orientation program, called MAMBO. The four-day orientation is designed to immerse new freshmen in the Privateer experience. The acronym stands for Move-In, Academic preparation, Making memories, Building connections and Orientation. LeeAnne Sipe, interim assistant dean for Student Affairs, coordinates the program along with April Gremillion, who is assistant director for New Stu- dent Experience. The master’s degree in cybersecurity and operations is designed to provide “The University of New Orleans MAMBO Week Program has a deep conceptual understanding of the modern cybersecurity landscape proven to be an outstanding program that contributes to the success and advanced practical skills in a broad range of areas. of students and the continued growth of the student affairs profes- sion,” National Association of Student Personnel Administrators said in announcing the award. UNO Offers New Master’s Degree UNO Student Melanie Casey’s Team in Cybersecurity and Operations Wins MIT Hackathon University of New Orleans healthcare management graduate The University of New The program is part of student Melanie Casey was part of a five-member team that placed Orleans is now offering a the Department of Computer first in MIT’s healthcare hackathon challenge, which sought ways to master’s degree in cybersecurity Science and is supported by deliver healthcare in a more equitable fashion. and operations. The program is the UNO Cyber Center, a The theme of the competition, held virtually Oct.16-18 because of designed to provide graduates research unit recognized by the the coronavirus pandemic, was “Hacking Racism in Healthcare.” with both a deep conceptual Louisiana Board of Regents and Casey’s team, Hook, Line and Linker, focused on bringing commu- understanding of the modern NSA/DHS National Center in nities and healthcare resources together as part of the social justice cybersecurity landscape and Cyber Defense Research. and policy track. advanced practical skills in “Graduates have a wide The team’s idea centered on using aggregate data to focus on a broad range of areas, such variety of employment choices community need and redirecting services to the most needed popu- as digital forensics, malware in both private industry lations using geo-mapping software, Casey says. analysis, network penetration and government agencies; The hackathon participants form impromptu multi-disciplinary testing and defense. nearly every modern organi- teams of up to seven people who collaborate, research and then ad- The degree curriculum zation requires cybersecurity dress effects of structural racism in healthcare in the United States is flexible and offers oppor- expertise,” Abdelguerfi says. over the two-day competition. The goal, according to organizers, is tunities for students with a “Career options include to connect teams to tools, resources and supporters that will foster variety of academic and work security analyst, malware motivated partnerships to bring solutions to life through open in- backgrounds to specialize in expert, forensic investigator, novation after the event. cybersecurity. This includes penetration tester, security ones with non-STEM under- consultant, security architect, Chemistry Student Katherine Humpal Awarded graduate degrees and working chief information security Arctic Science Research Fellowship professionals, says Mahdi officer among many.” University of New Orleans chemistry student Katherine Humpal Abdelguerfi, University of Alumni of the department has been awarded a graduate research fellowship from the Arctic New Orleans computer science have established cyber Domain Awareness Center. The center, housed at the University professor and department chair. careers in local and inter- of Alaska Anchorage, is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Relevant experience also national companies such as Security. can be used to satisfy specific Google, Amazon, Microsoft The fellowship will support Humpal’s tuition and stipend for the academic prerequisites, Abdel- and Facebook, as well as next three years as she works with the lead principal investigator guerfi says. banks, software companies Patrick Tomco, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University The new degree integrates and a variety of government of Alaska Anchorage. The two will work on a project titled, “Photo- with the University’s bachelor’s contractors, Abdelguerfi says. Enhanced Toxicity of Dispersed and Burned Crude Oil to Arctic degree in computer science Others have joined Mussels.” to allow students with strong federal agencies and security The project explores the increase in toxicity associated with the academic performance to enroll contractors, such as Booz presence of sunlight and the potential impact it has on bay mussels, in the accelerated master of Allen Hamilton and Lockheed which are an integral component of coastal ecosystems and an science and complete both Martin, to directly contribute important food source for both wildlife and humans. degrees in five years, Abdel- to the nation’s cyber defense, guerfi says. he says. To read more about these stories, visit news.uno.edu.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 13

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 15 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM UNO Student, Alumni Produced Film Screens at Sundance Film Festival

A FILM PRODUCED BY University of New Orleans film student Kelsey Scult and alumni Ben Matheny and Lizzie Guitreau screened at the presti- gious Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 30. A third UNO alumnus, Lee Garcia, worked as a sound editor for the feature film titled, “Ma Belle, My Beauty.” Sundance, which was started in part by legendary Hollywood actor Robert Redford, is considered the most prestigious independent film festival in the United States and one of the top in the world. It has launched countless careers, including Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh, as well as forecasted many academy “Others have won accolades relationship of two recently A current UNO film student award winners. at many festivals … To now married musicians adjusting and three film school graduates “This is a clear sign have our students and alumni to life in France when “their helped make the movie, “Ma of continued growth and compete in the Sundance Film beloved ex, who abruptly disap- Belle, My Beauty,” that screened excellence at the UNO film Festival is fantastic and we peared from their relationship at Sundance. program,” says professor Hamp couldn’t be prouder.” years ago, finally visits.” Overton, director of the film Scult, currently pursuing Garcia earned a bachelor’s Matheny says. “We all feel very program at UNO. “In the past an MFA; Matheny, who earned degree in 2013. lucky. we have had alumni go on as a bachelor’s degree in 2011; “Sundance is the apogee of “I’m excited for folks to executives at networks such as and Guitreau, who earned a the independent filmmaker’s see the movie. Marion Hill, the SyFy Network and writers bachelor’s degree in 2014, are ambition. So, I was honored our writer/director, is brilliant for television shows such as producers on the film that and a bit startled to get in—let’s and this is just the beginning NCIS New Orleans. explores the polyamorous just say this wasn’t my first try,” for her.”

UNO Expands The Privateer Pledge to Jefferson Parish Students

STARTING IN THE FALL Parish residents who graduate enrolled full time by June 1 for is the pledge will make that 2021 semester, the University of from a public or private high the fall 2021 semester. degree more attainable. New Orleans will begin offering school in the parish. In order “We’ve had such a wonderful “It’s our promise to eligible the Privateer Pledge, a promise to qualify, students must be response to The Privateer students in both parishes that that the University will fill the admitted as a freshman to the Pledge with Orleans Parish we will marshal all of the federal, unmet financial need for tuition University of New Orleans and students, which is why we are state and institutional aid and fees of eligible Jefferson must have filed the Free Appli- so excited to be able to expand necessary to fill any financial gap Parish students. This marks the cation for Federal Student Aid the program to students from for tuition and fees.” expansion of a program that (FAFSA). Jefferson Parish,” President John In order to maintain the was piloted in 2020 for Orleans They must also be eligible Nicklow says. “We know the award, students must remain Parish students. for a Pell Grant and their annual difference a UNO degree can enrolled full-time (minimum of The pledge now applies family income cannot exceed make in the lives of our students 12 hours) and keep a GPA of 2.0 to both Jefferson and Orleans $60,000. Students will need to be and their families, and our hope or higher.

14 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 16 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Caroline Andrews Jasmines Curtis Yvonne Everhardt Montana Pinell Han Chen Yvette Green UNO Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Students Take First Place in Market Study Competition UNIVERSITY OF NEW teamwork, analytical expertise, and five graduate teams were providing a platform entirely Orleans graduate students in critical thinking and presen- selected to advance to the final online during a challenging the Lester E. Kabacoff School of tation skills. round, where they conducted time. The students and the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism The team, composed of a 30-minute online presen- faculty are grateful for this Administration earned first Caroline Andrews, Jasmines tation to a panel of senior-level opportunity to represent the place in the 2020 STR Market Curtis, Yvonne Everhardt and industry judges. University of New Orleans and Study Competition held Montana Pinell, was tasked “It was a team effort. The the school of HRT.” virtually Nov. 21-22. with analyzing the Austin, graduate students who partici- Each presenting team The competition included Texas hotel market under the pated in the STR market study received a plaque, while the top 50 teams representing 44 guidance of hotel, restaurant enjoyed the whole competition three teams received special colleges and universities from and tourism administration process, right from choosing recognition and the winning 17 countries. It is designed to professors Han Chen and the city, analyzing real-world teams received a $1,000 prize. give students an opportunity Yvette Green. data, drawing practical conclu- SRT is an international to showcase their knowledge The team presentations sions and presenting them in a company that provides data and research ability using data were evaluated and scored professional manner in front of benchmarking, analytics and provided by STR. by seasoned STR speakers. judges from the industry,” Chen marketplace insights for global The competition emphasizes Ten undergraduate teams says. “We appreciate STR for hospitality sectors.

Innovate UNO Symposium Showcases Students Scholarly Research and Creative Work

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW vice president for research and who ranked in the Orleans Office of Research economic development. “So top five presenta- wrapped up the ninth annual many people have contributed tions within their InnovateUNO with an awards to the success of this event, categories were ceremony on Nov. 24 that which is an important platform invited to present recognized the winners of the for our undergraduate and at the University research symposium. graduate students to showcase of Louisiana Over the course of the their achievements and gain System’s annual weeklong virtual event, experience with public presen- Academic attendees viewed more than tations. Summit, held 100 oral, art, theater, music and “Even during adversity, virtually in the film presentations. Presenters our students have shown spring. included UNO students, faculty their ability to succeed. The The first- and staff from every discipline presentations this year were place presenters whose work was evaluated by a outstanding.” were invited to panel of 55 volunteer judges. The highest-ranked presen- present at the “InnovateUNO continues tations were awarded a total of National Confer- to be a great opportunity for $2,500 by the Office of Research ences on Under- our students, faculty members and the Oscar J. Tolmas Chari- graduate Research, also to be Ash Gaude was awarded first and staff members to present table Trust. Both undergraduate held virtually in the spring. place for her painting “French their accomplishments in and graduate students were Attendance at these events will Quarter Musician” during research, creative and scholarly awarded prizes. be sponsored by the Office of InnovateUNO 2020, which was endeavors,” says Matthew Tarr, Undergraduate students Research. held virtually.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 15

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 17 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Transportation Institute Creates Statewide Recreational Trails Plan THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW committee and all agencies Orleans Transportation Institute and organizations involved in has created a statewide plan to the planning, development, guide the Louisiana Recreational construction, operation, highlights that now is the time,” stakeholders. Trail Program (LRTP) on ways maintenance and programming Tolford says. “Trails are ideal The surveys were conducted to encourage trail use while of current and future Louisiana for these perpetually-COVID in the summer of 2018 and supporting the care of wildlife, trails, says UNO Transportation times.” garnered nearly 1,000 responses habitats and other natural Institute researcher Tara Tolford. The LRTP has helped build from birdwatchers, ATV riders, resources. The goals relate to funding, trail projects in every parish mountain bikers, paddlers and The trails program is a environmental stewardship, and hundreds of municipalities, other trail users, as well as stake- national initiative that help states operations, trail network communities and neighbor- holders directly responsible for provide and maintain recre- development and other areas, hoods throughout Louisiana. trails-planning, Tolford says. ational trails and trails-related she says. The plan notes that 74% The trail plan was created in facilities. Louisiana has received The plan also encourages of all Louisiana residents live partnership with the Louisiana $1.5 million from the federal the linking of trails throughout within five miles of one or more Department of Transpor- government annually since 2009 the state with the aim of creating LRTP projects. tation and Development, U.S. to support its recreational trails large networks of recreation and In formulating the plan, Department of Transportation’s program. transportation facilities, Tolford researchers utilized data Federal Highway Adminis- The plan provides a variety says. collected through two statewide tration, and the Louisiana of goals intended to guide the “The heightened use of surveys given to trail users as Department of Culture, Recre- actions of the LRTP, its advisory our local trails facilities really well as agency and organization ation and Tourism.

Water Institute and UNO Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences sign Memorandum of Understanding THE WATER INSTITUTE OF “Although we’ve been policy matters in water, coastal levels,” says Mark Kulp, director the Gulf and the University of sharing opportunities, and deltaic issues, risk reduction of the Pontchartrain Institute for New Orleans formalized their equipment, and students and helping communities build Environmental Sciences. collaborative relationship on for some time, we wanted resilience against disasters and “The Water Institute’s Nov. 10 through the signing of a to formalize this agreement climate change. support of growing the Memorandum of Understanding recognizing our shared goals in “This is an exciting knowledge base and training which will lead to sharing providing the science needed to partnership that helps the the next generation of coastal resources and opportunities for serve the people and commu- University better prepare our scientists while advancing hands-on research training for nities of south Louisiana while future coastal scientists and the applied research needed graduate and undergraduate educating the next generation of engineers by providing under- to address current challenges students. coastal practitioners,” says Justin graduate and graduate students facing New Orleans and the As part of that agreement, Ehrenwerth, Institute president with extraordinary research entire Gulf Coast, is collabo- the Institute will have access to and CEO. “This agreement also experiences,” UNO President ration at its best,” says Christy the University’s state-of-the-art continues to fulfill a mandate John Nicklow says. Brown, Institute board member laboratory facilities, research given to the Institute earlier this “This relationship will and past chair of the Greater vessels and equipment used to year when Governor John Bel leverage our collective resources New Orleans Foundation. collect data in the field while Edwards designated us as the to foster the development of “Working with UNO and our UNO’s Pontchartrain Institute state’s Coastal Innovation and scientific opportunities for numerous partners in the New for Environmental Sciences Collaboration Hub.” UNO, The Water Institute Orleans area, this agreement will be a core Institute partner The MOU outlines a and Louisiana and elevate represents another step in the participating in applied research commitment to work together our understanding of coastal commitment to help coastal projects in Louisiana and on field and laboratory research, sciences and education to communities find a science- beyond. technological developments and national and international based way forward.”

16 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 18 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Rishav Rajendra

Computer Science Student Rishav Rajendra Lands Job at Facebook LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER the pizza place for you every graduating from UNO with a other Friday to get you a pizza. degree in computer science, “Simple stuff like that.” Rishav Rajendra started his first At Facebook, Rajendra job with one of the world’s most is looking forward to the recognizable brands: Facebook. exponential impact of his Rajendra, who completed computer science capabilities. a 12-week internship with “At Facebook anything I do the company last summer, affects millions of people, so the is in Menlo Park, Calif. the prospect of that is pretty exciting headquarters for Facebook. for me,” he says. Because of COVID-19, Rajendra, who is from Rajendra’s internship was Nepal, chose to attend UNO performed remotely. after hearing friends speak Rajendra says he’s excited positively about the University about his position as a software and its computer science engineer on the Facebook Watch program. team. Facebook Watch is a “My favorite thing about video-on-demand service. UNO was the computer science “I mainly focus on streaming department and the College of music videos, stuff like that,” he Sciences supporting undergrad- says. “If you go and search for a uates like me to get into research Taylor Swift song … I make sure very early into my studies,” that you find that video on top Rajendra says. of the feed.” He was awarded a research was my secret favorite place to two tips: Apply early and be Rajendra is also looking assistant role under computer study,” he says. comfortable coding under forward to the Facebook science professor Stephen G. Rajendra also was involved pressure. employee benefits, such as Ware in his first year, which in activities outside of the “For a summer internship … free lunches and dinners from was supported by the College classroom, such as the UNO the process is in its final stages on-site food courts and an of Sciences Undergraduate Robotics Club; he competed in October. To even get a chance on-site laundry delivery service. Research Program funding, in programming and coding to interview, you need to start “The campus is basically Rajendra says. contests. applying in August,” he says. like, I would say, Disneyland After that, he worked with He advises students not only Rajendra says he applied for technical people,” Rajendra computer science professor to pay attention in class, but also for his summer 2020 Facebook says with a laugh. “Everything and department chair Mahdi to explore the benefits of extra- internship in August 2019 is taken care of on campus. You Abdelguerfi at the Canizaro curricular club activities. and received a final offer in get to work basically without Livingston Gulf States Center for “If there are no event or November of that year. anything else bothering you.” Environmental Informatics for groups you are interested in, There are usually multiple Rajendra has been two years. maybe form a new organization, rounds of technical and behav- working with computers and “The research I was or tilt an existing organization ioral interviews, Rajendra says. programming since high school fortunate enough to be a part of towards what you may want to The full process could take from and finds computer science at UNO provided a huge boost do,” Rajendra says. “I introduced one to three months, he says. interesting because he says it to my resume,” Rajendra says. (computer vision and machine “Data structures and allows “you the freedom and Perhaps, not surprisingly, learning) to the UNO Robotics algorithms are the core funda- ability to do anything.” an empty classroom in UNO’s Club and now almost all teams mentals of the interviews,” “Suppose you want pizza math building, which houses the in the club have fully adopted Rajendra says. “Learn how every second Friday at your computer science department, the method.” to code under-pressure. As house and you don’t want to call was Rajendra’s go-to study spot. For students who want interviews are always time the pizza place,” Rajendra says. “(The) library gets very internships at major technology constrained, you may have to “You can write a program to call busy during the exams, so that companies Rajendra offers solve multiple problems.”

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 17

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 19 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM English Instructor Chioma Urama Wins Georgia Poetry Prize

UNIVERSITY OF NEW says. The Orleans instructor Chioma poems are Urama, winner of the national the result of Georgia Poetry Prize for 2019, a conver- has released her debut collection sation Urama of poetry that earned the prize. opened with The prize includes a $1,000 her ancestors, award and a publication contract whose with the University of Georgia documented Press. Urama’s book, “A Body and oral of Water,” was published in histories have been fragmented February. by a history of enslavement. “This award is a great The 2019 judge, poet achievement that highlights the Magdalena Zurawski, described great artistic work that is coming Urama’s collection of poems as out of UNO’s English and a “surprise and delight in their foreign languages department,” style and daring.” says Urama, who teaches “The strength of the work is creative writing and English the communication that occurs composition. between poems,” Zurawski said. The University of Georgia “A constellation slowly emerges Press established the national where each poem becomes poetry prize in partnership for the reader a different point with the Georgia Institute of on a map, a map that marks Technology and the University the distances, the proximities, of Georgia to celebrate excel- between historical trauma and lence in poetry. its intergenerational effects.” The annual contest is opened As the winner, Urama has to residents of North America. been invited to read excerpts “A Body of Water” is a from her work at Georgia poetic exploration of ancestry Institute of Technology and the in the American South, Urama University of Georgia.

18 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 20 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Kim Jovanovich To Receive 2021 Engineering Faculty Professionalism Award KIM JOVANOVICH, University of New Orleans assistant dean of engineering and Chevron USA Endowed Professor in electrical engineering, has been awarded the 2021 Engineering Faculty Professionalism award by the Louisiana Engineering Foundation. Jovanovich received the award during a ceremony on April 27, 2021. The purpose of the Kim Jovanovich Engineering Faculty Profes- sionalism Award is to highlight School of Engineering became enthusiastic professional the College of Engineering under engineers who are among faculty the direction of founding dean of at universities in Louisiana. The engineering Fritz-Egbert Dohse. goal of the annual award is to Jovanovich’s one semester encourage other engineering has evolved into an academic faculty and students to become career spanning four decades professional engineers. at UNO that has included Jovanovich has been a faculty several honors and recognition, member at UNO for 40 years. including the University’s He was first approached Presidential Staff Medallion. in 1980 to teach an electrical The medallion is awarded to the engineering class for one staff member who has demon- semester as an adjunct professor. strated outstanding service to the That was also the year that the University community.

Norma Jean Mattei Named ASCE New Orleans 2020 Educator of the Year NORMA JEAN MATTEI, construction materials. Her Commission and was the 2017 University of New Orleans technical research interests president of the American professor of civil and environ- include large watershed Society of Civil Engineers. She mental engineering, has been management, material and is still active on the executive named the 2020 Educator of the structural testing, sustainable committee of the ASCE New Year by the American Society reuse of spent construction Orleans’ Chapter of the Struc- of Civil Engineers New Orleans and fabrication materials, and tural Engineering Institute. Branch. residual stress measurement. Mattei has served on Mattei, who has been a She is also active in diversity, several National Council of member of the UNO faculty licensure and ethics issues. Examiners for Engineering and Norma Jean Mattei since 1995, is a renowned Mattei serves as one of two Surveying committees and task researcher and educator in civilian civil engineer commis- forces and is a former guber- Louisiana’s licensing board for the areas of structures and sioners on the Mississippi River natorial appointed member of professional engineers.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 19

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 21 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Leadership, Innovation Drives Recipients of Four University Awards

THE FOUR RECIPIENTS OF nationally and internationally ethic, and she is devoted to President John Nicklow bestowed the University of New Orleans’ recognized researcher in the international exchange and university awards to (from left) annual awards are leaders who field of acoustics and signal global causes like climate Juliette Ioup, Irene Ziegler, Paul continually strive for excel- processing,” Malkinski says. change,” Cot says. “She is unfail- Weiser and Margaret “Peggy” lence and innovative ways to get “Professor Ioup attracted a ingly organized and polite … Gaffney. their jobs done, according to significant amount of funding I know that keeping the flame colleagues who nominated them for UNO students and alive would not be possible Diversity and Inclusion. for recognition. researchers. She was principal without having passed the The award is designed to President John Nicklow or co-principal investigator on Innsbruck ‘torch’ from Nick honor those who have had a announced the 2020 award grants received by UNO totaling Mueller over the years to so measurable impact in improving winners during his fall state of over $12 million dollars.” many key people, to where it UNO’s profile as an institution the university address, which Irene Ziegler, program now rests with Irene Ziegler.” that fosters racial equity and a was delivered virtually because director, UNO-Innsbruck Paul Weiser, application campus environment of inclu- of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Summer School, analyst, Office of Information sivity for all people. The recipients of the four awarded the 2020 Gordon Technology, awarded the 2020 In nominating Gaffney awards are: “Nick” Mueller International Presidential Staff Medallion. for the award, management Juliette Ioup, professor Leadership Medallion. It is awarded to the staff professor Dinah Payne of physics, awarded the 2020 The medallion is named member who has demonstrated highlighted Gaffney’s work Cooper Mackin Medallion. for Mueller, who spent 33 outstanding service to the with colleagues, students and The Mackin Medallion was years at UNO as a professor, University community. community groups. established to honor the third dean, vice chancellor, the Weiser has worked at UNO “A review of her resume is chancellor of the University founding president of the UNO for more than 20 years and replete with instances of Peggy’s of New Orleans and was first Research & Technology Park his professionalism, talent and service regarding diversity presented in 1998. It is awarded and co-founder of The National dedication are unmatched, and inclusion. For example, to a faculty or staff member who WWII Museum. It is awarded Learning Resource Center she led and coordinated has made outstanding contribu- to an individual who has director Shannon Williamson articulation agreements with tions in support of the Univer- provided significant leadership wrote in her nominating letter. local community colleges … sity’s mission. toward the internationalization “One of Paul’s gifts is that he She did the same agreements Among the many accom- of the University. can so easily translate between with foreign universities: this plishments in her nearly 40-year Ziegler, who arrived at UNO the technical and functional augmented the richness of new career at UNO, Ioup has created as an exchange student from sides,” Williamson says. “He is student diversity to additional 23 new courses for under- Austria and earned her master’s comfortable speaking with end cultures, ethnicities and nation- graduate and graduate students, degree at UNO before earning users, listening to their needs, alities,” Payne says. has directed thesis for 29 her Ph.D. in Graz, Austria, has wrapping his brain around “As part of her service as doctoral and master’s students worked at the University for the work of academic and liaison between the College and has authored more than 100 more than 20 years. Under her student affairs and bringing of Business and the college’s publications, including a book decade of leadership, Ziegler has the technology to life to make student organizations, she and six book chapters, Leszek help to broaden the academic the workflow of hundreds of facilitated conflict resolution. Malkinski, physics professor and scope and reputation of UNO’s employees more efficient.” This type of leadership is criti- department chairman, wrote in flagship study abroad program, Margaret “Peggy” cally important in today’s world his nominating letter. Alea Cot, assistant provost for Gaffney, assistant dean, College wherein different people from “Professor Juliette Ioup International Education, wrote of Business Administration, diverse backgrounds must be is not only an exceptionally in her nominating letter. awarded the 2020 President’s able to work together to achieve dedicated educator but also a “Irene has a strong work Award for the Advancement in common goals.”

20 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 22 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Professor Wendy Schluchter’s Research Featured in National Academy of Sciences Journal

RESEARCH Wendy Schluchter, conducted by biological sciences Wendy Schluchter, professor and University of New department chair. Orleans biological sciences professor group of widespread and department microbes called chair, is featured Synechococcus in the prestigious succeed in photosyn- National Academy thesis by studying of Sciences journal how these organisms Proceedings of the modify their National Academy pigment compo- of Sciences. sition to adapt to Schluchter, changes in light. along with two This process is graduate students called chromatic and an under- acclimation, and it graduate, authored involves only a few “Molecular bases genes that allow these of an alternative microbes to tune dual-enzyme their pigments to system for light absorb the available color acclimation of marine The article explores marine comprise the base of the food color of light filtering through Synechococcus cyanobacteria.” phytoplankton, a micro- web because they take carbon the ocean. The article is based on algae found in the ocean that dioxide from the atmosphere The research provides novel research that earned Schluchter provides food for a variety of during photosynthesis and turn highlights on the evolutionary a $521,578 grant from the sea creatures such as whales it into a form that all life in the history of Synechococcus National Science Foundation and shrimp. ocean can use. acclimation to light color in the Biology Division in 2020. Marine phytoplankton The research studies how a oceans, Schluchter says.

Professor Dan Shahar Wins 2020 Environmental Philosophy Award

UNIVERSITY OF NEW professor of philosophy, was courses in ethics, political Orleans philosophy professor awarded the prize for his paper, philosophy and philosophy, Dan Shahar is the winner of the “Harm, Responsibility, and the politics and economics. He is 2020 Holmes Rolston III Early Long-Term Impacts of Climate the co-editor of the popular Career Essay Prize in Environ- Change.” As part of the win, textbook, “Environmental mental Philosophy. The award, Shahar receives $500 and will Ethics: What Really Matters, named in honor of one of the have his essay published in the What Really Works,” published discipline’s early pioneers, is journal Environmental Ethics. by Oxford University Press. given annually by the Interna- Shahar’s research focuses on He holds a joint Dan Shahar, assistant tional Society for Environmental implications of environmental appointment in UNO’s Urban professor of philosophy. Ethics. challenges for liberal societies Entrepreneurship and Policy Shahar, an assistant and their members. He teaches Institute.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 21

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 23 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Professor Eric van Holm’s COVID-19 Research Featured in Journal of Health

LAST SPRING, UNIVERSITY more cases of COVID-19,” the census tract level. of New Orleans political science van Holm says. “Th e spatial Th e analysis found a professor Eric van Holm began models help to address the fact particularly strong and large studying the data the state of that even aft er accounting for correlation between race and University of New Orleans Louisiana was publishing weekly community demographics the COVID-19 cases. In addition, political science professor on the number of corona- rates of COVID-19 cases were neighborhoods with lower rates Eric van Holm virus cases. At the time, he spatially uneven, there were still of poverty and those with fewer was serving on the Louisiana areas being under and over- residents over 70 have fewer individuals and minorities, COVID-19 Health Equity predicted.” cases, van Holm wrote. who were more likely to have Taskforce and co-chairing the Van Holm’s COVID-19 While van Holm’s analysis cases of COVID-19. If those Policy and Regulatory Aff airs research analysis titled “Neigh- addressed COVID-19 testing, he communities have more spread subcommittee. borhood conditions and the says there are parallels that can of COVID-19, it becomes Van Holm, whose expertise initial outbreak of COVID-19: be applied to help guide admin- paramount to get those lies in economic development the case of Louisiana,” was istering the vaccine. individuals vaccinated and to and neighborhood change, said featured in the June 2020 issue “I think there are defi nite slow transmission within those he wanted to use some of his of Journal of Health. parallels, although I’ll start areas, van Holm says. background studying urban and Th e paper assesses the with a caution,” he says. “Th e “To some degree, the community demographics to predictors of outbreaks at the analysis was done in May, so government has already followed help understand the problems neighborhood level using data it’s possible that what we found that strategy. Retirement homes related to COVID-19. from the Louisiana Department to predict which communities across the country were early “Essentially, we used it to of Health. Van Holm used had more cases has changed hot spots, and they have been an answer whether neighborhoods spatial regression models to since then as the pandemic has emphasis with the early vaccines,” with more African Americans, analyze the case count through evolved, though much should be he says . “If we can target spaces more residents over 70, more May 3, 2020 and its relationship consistent.” where the disease has had the individuals employed in tourism to individual and geographic Th e research identifi es largest impact, we can slow its industries, etc. tended to have neighborhood characteristics at groups, particularly older worst consequences.”

Music Professor Brent Rose’s Band Wins a Grammy

UNIVERSITY OF NEW history and saxophone. Orleans music professor Brent Rose is a staple Rose can add the title “Grammy on the New Orleans winner” to his resume. music scene and is Rose is a member of a widely sought- the New Orleans Night- aft er performer and crawlers, whose 2020 album studio musician. In “Atmosphere” was named addition to playing best regional roots music with the New Orleans album during the 63rd Annual Nightcrawlers and Grammy Award held March 14. Otra, Rose’s profes- It is the band’s fi rst Grammy. sional career has Rose, who plays saxophone, included stints with has been a UNO faculty Quintology, Galactic, member since 2002. He is the Nicholas Payton, the program coordinator for the Temptations, Flavor Kings, Professor Brent Rose, (back row, second music department and teaches Adonis Rose, New World Funk from left in blue jacket) is a member of courses on music theory, jazz Ensemble and Joe Krown. the New Orleans Nightcrawlers.

22 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 24 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Save the Date Thursday, November 4 | 7-10 pm National WWII museum United States Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center

In-Person & Virtual Options Available ◆ Auction Onsite & Online ◆ Live Awards Presentation ◆ SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES NOW AVAILABLE ◆ WITH SPECIAL MARKETING AND EVENT-SPECIFIC BENEFITS uno.edu/gala

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 25 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM UNO student Samira Bechara cooks up charity with

BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TRACIE MORRIS SCHAEFER

24 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 26 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 25

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 27 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS STUDENT SAMIRA BECHARA we’d go to Lebanon for the summer, I’d hang out with my grand- grew up near Seattle, Washington but spent many summers visiting mother,” Bechara says. “So I have a lot of experience in cooking extended family in Beirut, Lebanon. Lebanese food.” When an explosion ripped through the city of Beirut on Aug. Bechara decided to put her skills to work and created a charity 4, 2020, killing more than 200 people and destroying thousands of project called Le Beirut. The name comes from a popular song by homes and buildings, Bechara was devastated. Lebanese singer Fairuz called “Li Beirut.” The coronavirus pandemic had caused the cancelation of “It is just a really beautiful, sorrowful song,” Bechara says. “It’s Bechara’s summer plans to study French at the American University always been an important song, especially so after the blast, so in Beirut; otherwise she would have been there. that’s why I chose that name.” “I was already feeling very nostalgic and missing Lebanon a lot With the help of the owners of Turkey and the Wolf—the and then the explosion happened,” Bechara says. “I kind of had a celebrated Irish Channel sandwich shop—Bechara hosted her first meltdown and felt like I just needed to help in some way.” pop-up gourmet brunch a week after the explosion. Her father had immigrated to the U.S. as a young man and “I actually posted on Instagram ‘Does anyone have a restaurant brought with him the knowledge to create flavorful Lebanese dishes, to host a fundraiser?’ And Turkey and the Wolf reached out to me,” Bechara says. Having worked in the restaurant industry since she was Bechara says. “We raised $4,000, which was amazing.” a teenager, Bechara knows her way around the kitchen. She donated the proceeds to a nonprofit in Lebanon that focus “I always hung out with my dad in the kitchen and whenever of helping elderly residents and rebuilding homes destroyed in the

26 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 28 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM explosion, Bechara says. Bechara’s charity work has also made her start considering Another charity event followed with a local ice cream maker. other career paths. When she enrolled at UNO in 2019, she was “I did two ice cream events, that was really fun,” Bechara says. looking to explore options in the wine industry in France. She is “We sort of did nostalgic Lebanese ice cream flavors.” pursuing dual majors in French and international studies. In November, Bechara’ s charity and pop-up brunches earned The American Journal of French Studies recognized Bechara her a feature story on Eater New Orleans, a food and dining last year for an essay “Ma Cousine Rima” about her experience as a website. Lebanese American. It was chosen as one of the top 20 submissions And while the COVID-19 pandemic has curbed her charity out of more than 1,000 for publication and recognition. events, Bechara is looking for possible locations to host more “Now what I see is working with refugees in Lebanon,” Bechara brunches. said. “So, if we could shoot for the stars, I’d love to work for the UN “I would like to figure out if I could do a weekly gig,” she says. in Beirut.” “I don’t have the capacity to do more than once a week because of school.” BELOW: Bechara, who has worked in the restaurant industry since Eventually Bechara sees the project “morphing into more of a she was a teenager, makes sambousek in her kitchen. Lebanese bakery.” BELOW RIGHT: With the help of the owners of Turkey and the “I like to do meat pies, spinach pies, baklava and other types of Wolf, Bechara hosted a charity brunch for victims of an explosion in baked goods,” she says. “That’s what I’m most passionate about.” Beirut, Lebanon.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 27

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 29 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM SCOT CRAIG’S NO QUIT ATTITUDE

University of New Orleans alumnus Scot Craig owns the beloved Mid-City eatery Katie’s Restaurant. 28 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 30 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM SCOT CRAIG CAN TALK ABOUT LIFE’S STORMS AND SETBACKS. “I worked with a lot of great people and I’ve learned from them. His experiences could fi ll a book, he says. However, the University Katie’s is what it is today, which is an absolute incredible transfor- of New Orleans alumnus, who owns the beloved Mid-City eatery mation post-Katrina,” he says. Katie’s Restaurant, prefers to concentrate on the triumphs—the how Th e popular restaurant features Craig’s take on many New of getting through challenging times. Orleans staples, such as Redfi sh NOLA, chargrilled oysters, barbecue He calls it “personal focus.” For Craig, the success of Katie’s shrimp and grits, as well as pizzas, burgers and po-boys. is the manifestation of that phrase—even during the COVID-19 Katie’s was featured on the Food Network’s show “Diners, pandemic, which has caused some businesses to close their doors. Drive-ins & Dives!” episode called “Flavortown Favorites” in 2018. “From day one we’ve had this, ‘We’re not quitting’ attitude,” says Craig’s UNO pride also was on display as that episode featured Craig. “All of us, the whole team, and it’s been extremely benefi cial to Privateers men’s basketball coach Mark Slessinger and a menu being able to survive so far.” favorite “Oysters Slessinger.” Aft er state and local mandates prohibited inside dining in an “Th at’s a big UNO item for sure,” Craig says. eff ort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Craig immediately Tuesday night’s feature is all-you-can-eat catfi sh named in honor adopted a new strategy. of UNO’s head baseball coach Blake Dean. “I just decided, `Hey I’m going to make my wait staff delivery “I want to help my school in any way I can,” Craig says. drivers’,” he says. “Th inking that the customers who come in the restaurant like to see certain waiters or waitresses, so I’ll just get TRANSFORMED BY HURRICANE KATRINA them to bring it to the customers.” In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ripped off the roof and inundated PROPELS HIS SUCCESS Craig, who also owns the Lakeview deli Francesca with his wife, Stephanie, set up tents for outside dining at both restaurants. BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD “Th e teams that I have at the restaurants, they were all in when this went down. Nobody left , nobody quit on us,” says Craig. “It’s Katie’s with 7 feet of water. Th e destruction seemingly buried Craig’s all about working together and having the momentum from never restaurant dreams under a wreckage of the once thriving eatery. His closing.” insurance coverage was not enough to cover the extensive repairs. He didn’t always have the focus that has allowed him to weather Craig was in Little Rock, Arkansas when CNN called looking the on-going coronavirus pandemic, Craig says. Th at focus came for a chef. Th e cable news network was opening a bureau in New courtesy of another storm named Katrina. Orleans to cover the storm’s aft ermath and needed someone to cook Aft er two unproductive semesters at Louisiana State University, meals for around 150 people. Craig’s dad ordered him home. He wasn’t taking the academic side of “I got to cook anything that I wanted; they didn’t care,” Craig college seriously, Craig says. says. “It was a great learning experience for me because I was just He enrolled at the University of New Orleans, joined a fraternity doing what I loved and taking care of these people.” and fell in love with the Privateer community, Craig says. It was the When Craig realized that his kitchen would be closed by the time 1980s and the campus was beehive active. many of the reporters and producers returned to the bureau, he took “Intramural sports were incredible, we had so much fun,” Craig the meals to them. says. “All of the fi elds next to the HPC on Friday aft ernoons were just “I started going out to the sites and set up a table and served full of people playing football. Th ose are just great memories. them on site,” Craig says. “Th e extra eff ort I gave them in that regards “I got to take classes with Dr. (Stephen) Ambrose! He was turned a three-month contract into a year-and-a-half.” incredible, talk about a phenomenal professor!” During this time, Katie’s was shuttered. Craig, however, was Craig earned a history degree from UNO in 1987 with plans to undergoing a personal transformation, he says. attend law school. Th en, in 1989, he bought a bar. He was fi nding a level of personal satisfaction, confi dence and a “My thoughts of going to law school were quickly extinguished personal focus, he says that allowed him to accept being called chef when I bought the bar and got into owning my own business,” Craig although he was not “traditionally trained” in a culinary school. says. “It’s one of the best ‘bad’ decisions I ever made.” “I started being comfortable with people calling me chef and so Craig had worked as a bartender for years and was a general suddenly I became a chef,” he says. manager at a bar and restaurant called Bart’s On the Lake when he “My whole life sort of evolved into a diff erent person, what I decided to purchase his fi rst business. feel is a very good person,” Craig says. “I believe in giving. I believe Having a love for cooking and a knack for managing food in doing things for the city ... for the people of our city. It just was a cultivated as a general manager, Craig was looking to return to the transformation for me that just has changed my life.” food industry. Th at desire led him to buy Katie’s in 1993. Th ere he Th at personal transformation extended to the reopening of started to hone his culinary skills and expand his knowledge of the Katie’s in 2010 with a focus on quality service and good food that restaurant business, Craig says. consistently has earned Craig and the restaurant rave reviews locally He grew up in a diverse New Orleans neighborhood with and nationally. diff erent cultures that allowed him to explore that diversity through And to anyone looking to replicate his success Craig off ers this culinary dishes, Craig says. advice, “Do what you love, focus on it and get it done!”

AVERY GRAY PHOTOGRAPH SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 29

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 31 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM TO SAY THAT ALUMNA APRIL DUPRÉ is a busy woman would be under- stating the obvious. Her schedule, which includes traffic anchor duties on WWL-TV’s morning show and managing Footprints to Fitness, the health and wellness company she founded and its nonprofit foundation, is Marine Corps regimented. Her day starts around 2:30 a.m. and by noon, following a nap after the morning show ends at 9 a.m., she is up and running her two organizations. Dupré, incidentally, is not a coffee drinker. “I just tell people that I’m working on God and a prayer. That’s what’s keeping me,” says Dupré. “They are both rewarding and what I do is fulfilling. “ Dupré founded Footprints to Fitness in 2014 and was hired by WWL in 2017, adding television personality to a resume that already included entrepreneur. “I live this double life of being an entrepreneur, but then also being a public figure in the city,” Dupré says. “Being on television every day is kind of surreal when I think about it. It’s exhausting, but surreal.” Footprints to Fitness is a marriage of Dupré’s twin loves of physical fitness and the laissez-faire culture that is the hallmark of her hometown. As the head fitness instructor, Dupré still teach classes and leads some of the company’s programming. “We have a small team, but we get it done,” she says. ALUMNA APRIL DUPRÉ: As a native of New Orleans, Dupré says she understands that the city is known more for its indulgence and extravagance in food and fun than for fitness. However, she also knew there was a NOLA’S passion and niche for health and wellness in the city not only for residents, but for visitors as well. “I wanted to mesh the two worlds that EMERGING I love,” Dupré says “There is no way that you can tell someone who lives or visit New Orleans that they can’t eat and drink unhealthy food; it’s not going to happen! So, you have to find a way to work around FITNESS that. We got really, really, creative.” They call them “Healthy Happy Hours,” and it includes all of the aspects of a New Orleans experience—eating, GURU drinking, music and dancing, Dupré says. “But we did it in a way that is a little BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD bit more balanced,” she says. “Yep, you

PHOTOS COURTESY OF APRIL DUPRÉ

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 32 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM can drink. Yep, you can eat. But we’re also going to get you to move could buy anything they wanted … and the other half of the day I’m and have fun … Many of the options that we would offer for food with children who literally don’t know where their next meal is going and beverage there would always be a healthier option for people. to come from. That kind of sparked something in me.” “New Orleans favorites sometimes healthy with a twist.” Dupré decided to create her own space in an effort to expand her The company revolves around four main program sectors: level of fitness expertise to a more diverse group of people. community outreach in which they collaborate with charitable “As a young Black woman I was like, my community needs this groups to implement interactive experiences; workplace wellness in so much more,” Dupré says. “How can I bring this level of expertise which they partner with organizations or businesses to create on-site to them? I really didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew I wanted events; tourism wellness in which they host customized events for to serve more people and in a more diverse situation and that’s how conferences or something exclusive, such as a bridal party and CPR I started.” training, Dupré says. It was about a year later that Dupré says she realized she had Fitness and wellness have always been an interest for her, Dupré actually created “a business.” says. She jokes that “P.E. and lunch” were always her favorite subjects “No one else was doing what we were doing in the city,” she says. in school. “We literally are a full-service health and wellness company. We do a In high school, a physical education teacher stoked her interest lot of on-site programming and we do fitness and wellness events.” in fitness. Three years after launching her company, WWL-TV called with “She didn’t teach us sports … we learned Pilates, we learned an offer to join its morning show after seeing the positive impact yoga, we did dance,” Dupré says. “We did all of these unconventional Dupré was making in the community. styles of exercise.” As part of the morning show, Dupré has to be on set for the 4:30 The teacher pushed Dupré to become certified as a fitness a.m. start of the broadcast. She also hosts a weekly fitness segment on instructor, which she did, while attending UNO. WWL called “Workout Wednesday” with Mackie Shilstone. “As a college student most of my friends were making $5 an “We bicker like brother and sister,” says Dupré about her on-set hour and I was making $20 an hour teaching fitness classes,” Dupré interactions with Shilstone. “But it’s very informative because it’s an says. “I learned so much during my time in college. Had I not expertise of ours.” had that foundation at UNO, I probably would not have followed Being on television has also allowed her to expand her fitness through with it all. It probably would have been something that platform and further share the importance of health and wellness, sounded really nice or I might have gotten into it later in life.” Dupré says. Dupré earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology in 2008 “It’s brought me so many opportunities, just the amount of and spent the next eight years teaching physical education at several people that I’m able to reach,” she says. “It’s just kind of been the best metro New Orleans high schools. As she had done in college, Dupré of both worlds.” also continued to teach fitness classes at gyms and private studios Her advice to students, Dupré says, is to try to align your around town. passions with action. Dupré says she was struck by the socioeconomic differences in “I always tell people to find what you’re passionate about and her high school students, some of whom were homeless, and her then figure out how to make money from it,” Dupré says. “Take a mostly affluent fitness clients. leap of faith.” “The main gym that I worked at was within walking distance from the school that I taught at, and the level of disconnect within (BELOW, LEFT) Alumna April Dupré, founder of Footprints to Fitness, the few blocks would blow your mind,” Dupré says. “I’m in uptown leads a CPR session. (BELOW, RIGHT) She also hosts a weekly fitness New Orleans and on one end I’m literally surrounded by people who segment on WWL called “Workout Wednesday” with Mackie Shilstone.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 31

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 33 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM Alumnus Dan Crumb is Executive Vice President and CFO for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs

BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD

32 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 34 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM University of New Orleans alumnus Dan Crumb, Executive Vice President and CFO for the Kansas City Chiefs, stands in Arrowhead Stadium.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 33

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 35 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM DAN CRUMB IS A NUMBERS PERSON. HE RECALLS, AS A As the CFO, Crumb oversees the finance, IT and strategy and youngster growing up in New Orleans, reading the financial pages of analytics departments. His finance staff is responsible for all financial the newspaper with his dad and older brother. reporting and analysis, cash management, budgeting and forecasting, “He would show us how to look at stock, at companies. He would Crumb says. buy stock and would buy stocks for us,” Crumb says. “It was really The IT staff is responsible for the safe, efficient flow of the interesting to track them … I really felt this connection to operating organization’s electronic information both internally and exter- a business and the financial aspects of it because of what he intro- nally, he says. duced me to at a very early age.” “A big responsibility of IT is to be the lead on innovation for our Crumb knew a career in finance awaited him. He just never organization, that includes finding the most efficient and effective dreamed it would include a journey to the Super Bowl—and yes, a way of getting the work done,” he says. “Strategy and analytics Super Bowl ring. is responsible for analyzing all of the data we collect across the “It was the most amazing experience to just be part of that,” organization and developing insights that we can use in developing Crumb says. “I was actually on the field at the Super Bowl after our business strategy, also working with IT to find the most efficient the game when the confetti was shot off. That was just an amazing ways to collect, store and retrieve data, and leading the effort for experience to see our owner, coach and players up there receiving annual business planning.” the Lombardi trophy.” Crumb says he was able to parlay a solid education in finance For the past decade Crumb, who holds a bachelor’s degree in and accounting and his prior experience as a CFO to become the finance from the University of New Orleans, has been the chief Chiefs’ CFO. financial officer for the National Football League’s Kansas City “It helped me to be in the position for when the right opportunity Chiefs. He was promoted to executive vice president in March 2021. arose,” Crumb says. “Also building a good network of professionals in The Chiefs were world champions in 2020 after defeating San the sports business and keeping in touch with them was important.” Francisco in Super Bowl LIV. Creating and building a professional network is top among “I never dreamt about being in sports when I was in college or Crumb’s advice to students. He was a member of UNO’s Finance grad school, just because I didn’t even know how you got those jobs Club, Crumb says. at that time,” Crumb says. “So for me to be able to be there and be a “Make the most of your time in college. Choose a degree or part of it, it was just a sensational experience.” course of study that aligns with your personal goals and the type

34 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021 PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DAN CRUMB

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 36 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM of work you like to do,” he says. “But, I would say you have to be Crumb’s career in finance is a journey that has led him adaptable to change and embrace technology because things change to the Kansas City Chiefs and a Super Bowl ring. and move very fast.” Crumb, who graduated from UNO in 1987, says he was attracted sional football team and in a corporate setting, Crumb says. There is, to the University because the College of Business Administration has however, a major difference. a strong reputation, especially in the area of finance and accounting. “The biggest differences are the game day experiences and inter- “I knew that it would give me a really solid education at a very actions with your fans and corporate supporters who, along with reasonable cost,” Crumb says. you, are supporting the efforts of a pro football team competing for With a bachelor’s degree in hand, Crumb proceeded to graduate championships,” Crumb says. school at Tulane University where he earned an MBA. “I’m privileged to work for the Hunt family and the Kansas City “I think a degree in finance gives you strong technical skill sets, Chiefs that have such a rich history in pro sports and I’m reminded but it also gives you a broad overview of how to run a business,” of it every day I go to work in our facility. From seeing Arrowhead Crumb says. “I feel like I had a really good solid foundation with my Stadium, our mission statement and photos of all the Chiefs players UNO degree in finance and then I leveraged that to go on to grad and coaches in the NFL Hall of Fame on the walls in our lobby to school. I feel that it gave me the knowledge and skill to be a CFO.” being able to look out of the windows in my office to see the team Crumb arrived in Kansas City by way of the New Orleans practicing. Hornets. He spent nearly four years as the CFO for the NBA team All of these things give me a strong connection to the team and before being hired by the Chiefs. The Hornets post was his first foray its history and that I am so blessed to be part of this.” into handling finances for a professional sports team. When the Chiefs play at home (before the COVID-19 Prior to joining the Hornets, Crumb was CFO at Abita pandemic), Crumb typically walks the quarter-mile from his office Springs Bottling Company. The bottling plant was destroyed to the outdoor stadium just to soak up the excitement of tailgating during Hurricane Katrina and the company was sold. A former fans, he said. Arrowhead Stadium, per Guinness, holds the record for colleague passed Crumb’s resume along to the Hornets, who were being the loudest outdoor stadium in the world, Crumb says. in the process of moving the franchise back to New Orleans from “That passion is very apparent when you’re in our stadium it’s a Oklahoma, where the team had relocated after Katrina. sea of red, just loud and having a great time,” he says. “To be a part of There are some similarities working as the CFO for a profes- that is just really special.”

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 35

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 37 5/3/2021 2:14:01 PM ALUMNA KD AMOND RELEASES FIRST FEATURE FILM BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD

UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS ALUMNA KD AMOND, The radio DJ, who ties the girls to the outside world, is played who earned an MFA in film production in 2012, has released her by Michael Cudlitz from “The Walking Dead,” ABC’s “The Kids’ first feature film, “Five Women in the End.” The dark comedy, Are Alright,” “Band of Brothers” and “Grosse Pointe Blank.” which Amond directed, co-wrote and co-produced, is available on Cudlitz, who Amond had met previously through friends, Amazon Prime. happened to be in Nashville for a charity event while Amond was In a sign of the quickly-evolving film industry—it was shot filming. completely on an iPhone. “So he was gracious enough to lend us his time,” Amond says. The movie premiered at the 2019 Nashville Film Festival and The film, which was shot over an eight-day period in 2018, was garnered positive reviews. It also received a standing ovation from Amond’s foray into shedding the “first-time movie director” tag. the audience after the festival showing. Since graduating from UNO in 2012, Amond has worked on “The most rewarding part to me, as a director, is seeing actors movie sets, such as “Best of Me,” “Terminator 5” and “The Big bringing my words to life,” says Amond, who lives in Nashville. Short.” She has also directed short films, commercials and music “Fulfilling on a larger scale is when you actually see it at a theater videos. on the big screen with an audience and people are laughing and However, she found the movie industry reluctant to take a clapping and having reactions to the materials. That’s nice.” chance on someone without a feature film credit—so she created The movie takes place in a high-rise condominium in Nashville the opportunity for herself. and revolves around five friends whose bi-monthly girls-night-in “It became more of, ‘OK, let me just show you what I can do takes a dire turn after a chemical attack on the city. with very little, show that I’m capable of making a feature film,’” The friends’ characters are based on five stereotypes of women that Amond says. Amond recalled reading about years ago: the career girl, the girl’s girl, She filmed the movie using an iPhone, which Amond says has a the guy’s girl, the domestic darling and the drama queen. The girls- camera sophisticated enough to capture images at the right speed, night-in scenario is “loosely” based on Amond’s and her friends’ “Poor but small enough that it could have been taped to a wall to get a Choices Thursdays” gatherings in New Orleans, she says. particular shot. “The plot is basically I wanted to see what happens with those “If you’re willing to go through a little trial and error, you can stereotype women when they’re in a situation where they have shoot a really cool movie on a phone,” Amond says. “I’m of the to face their own mortality,” Amond says. “Their only ties to the mentality that we can lug around this heavy equipment and spend outside world is this little storm radio that one of their boyfriend’s thousands in rental, or we can take the 4K camera that’s already in brought over because he’s a doomsday prepper, ready to head for my pocket, put it on a gimbal and add some lenses to it and get just the hills, but he makes sure they have supplies before he left.” as cool of a picture.”

36 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 38 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM A UNO FILM FAMILY then we shot two more days,” she says. “That’s extremely quick.” Amond grew up in the small town of Livingston, La., and says she’s A typical Hollywood movie takes anywhere from six to 10 weeks, wanted to make films since she was 11. if not filmed with special effects, Amond says. A low-budget sci-fi or “I grew up in the 90s and 2000s where there was a huge surge in Lifetime-type movie schedule is typically 14 to 16 days, she says. independent films and Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers,” One of the female leads in “Five Women in the End,” is UNO Amond says. “All those great movies that are mostly dialogue and I alumna Nichole Lovince, who flew in from California for the filming; just loved it.” Christopher Martin drove from Los Angeles to be Amond’s gaffer; One such pivotal film for her was the movie “Trainspotting,” UNO professor James Roe, who graduated from UNO a year before starring Ewan McGregor as a heroin addict. Amond remembers being Amond, created the visual effects; and alumnus Tim Connor was the fascinated by the cinematic freedom of one scene. sound recorder. “I was way too young to see it, kind of traumatized me,” Amond “It was a tight knit family, and it still is,” Amond says. “I don’t know says laughing. “But there’s a scene where Ewan McGregor dives into if that sort of thing exists outside of the South.” a toilet and comes out into the ocean … and then comes back out through the toilet. I was like ‘Whoa! You can make anything happen in BUILDING HER RESUME movies!’” In 2019, Amond formed her own production company, AZ If Amond chose to attend UNO to pursue her film career after Productions, with her business partner Sarah Zanotti. The two have earning a bachelor’s degree in English with a creative writing focus completed two feature films and are working on a third project that from LSU. they hope to start filming in March, Amond says. “It was still close to home and the industry was basically “I love being the writer-director hyphenate,” she says. “I really love in Louisiana at the time,” Amond says. “UNO literally gave me every aspect of storytelling.” my skillset. People are blown away that I can basically prep an The three projects, which are of various staffing sizes and budgets, independent film from budgeting to shooting.” all originated from her production company and illustrate her broad While Amond’s degree program was film production, she liked skills to studio executives, she says. that the University didn’t require her to pick a focus, she says. “I’m about to have three features under my belt,” Amond says. “I’m “I didn’t have to focus on just cinematography or just directing or building my own resume.” just editing,” Amond says. “I got this very broad education. “One of the things that UNO gave me was the ability to commu- nicate with anyone in any department and speak the language, which I FACING PAGE: University of New Orleans alumna Kd Amond, think is invaluable.” who earned an MFA in film production, has released her first UNO also gave her a “film family,” alumni who have helped her feature movie, “Five Women in the End.” BELOW LEFT: Kd on numerous projects, including the grueling eight days spent filming Amond and the cast of “Five Women in the End” pose at the “Five Women in the End,” Amond says. Nashville Film Festival. BELOW RIGHT: Amond used her UNO “We basically shot six days and then we took two days off; and “film family” in the production of her film.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 37

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 39 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS ALUMNA ROBIN ROSE Despite its global standing as a media leader, Rose says Netfl ix is began her college career on scholarship as a music major at Loyola a company that values the importance of work-life balance, embraces University. However, aft er a semester of studying the violin, she cultural diversity and applauds teamwork. realized she was in love with math. “I love the technical projects that I’m working on, but I love the “I was like, “I can’t get math out of my head. I want to deal with people component of this company. It’s huge,” Rose says. “I love the math,” Rose says. “When I see phone numbers on TV, I’m literally culture of this company; that is the most meaningful part to me.” looking at them like an equation I need to balance in some way.” Rose is working to build a central monitoring location system for She sought advice from a friend’s father who happened to be a Netfl ix that will allow them to see all critical systems and remotely test mechanical engineer. diagnostics on equipment. She created a similar soft ware program and “He said fi nd yourself a good state school with a solid engineering monitoring system during her time at NBCUniversal. program, and he recommended “So we’re building that from UNO,” Rose says. the ground up right now for Rose, a native of Algiers, Netfl ix,” Rose says. “Th at was the took that advice and earned a number one project I was hired to mechanical engineering degree come on board to do.” from UNO in 2002. It was not easy, Currently technicians have Rose recalls. She was oft en the only to go on-site and physically view woman or African American in equipment and run diagnostics. class. Once the central monitoring “Th e engineering school was system comes online later this rigorous at UNO, so it taught me year, that won’t be necessary, Rose how to think. I have a pretty tough Alumna says. skin coming out of UNO,” Rose “You know how the CIA has says. “It taught me perseverance, to a bunch of screens in a room and keep going.” Robin Rose it’s like you can see everything Rose recalled going to meetings that’s going on?” she explains. as a member of the UNO chapter “Basically this allows us to have of the National Society of Black works in the visibility through automation of Engineers and taking to heart the all our critical assets to perform chapter president’s words. diagnostics remotely.” “He said we are here to get a ‘Heart of Hollywood’ Rose is also working to set up degree by any means necessary,” an asset management soft ware Rose recalls with a laugh. “I always program that keeps track of the remembered that.” at Netflix maintenance cycles of equipment. Her perseverance has paid Th at’s thousands of assets off . Rose’s degree and engineering BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD housed in about 10 buildings in skills have landed her positions the greater Los Angeles area that in public and private companies, fall under her responsibility. from the education fi eld in Dallas, “Most of our buildings in Los Texas to the world’s entertainment Angeles are right in the heart of epicenter—Hollywood. Hollywood,” Rose says. “You can Rose spent six years at see the Hollywood sign from those NBCUniversal in Los Angeles locations.” before taking a position at Netfl ix Yes, that iconic white-letter in 2020 leading the building infra- sign, Rose confi rms with a laugh. structure department. Her advice to students, At Netfl ix, Rose oversees particularly to young women, is to an eight-person team—soon to have “tunnel vision” in pursuit of expand to 20—that is responsible their college degree. for keeping all building equipment “You can come from very operational. humble beginnings; just keep “I oversee all MEP operations, your eye and focus on getting that’s mechanical, electrical and that degree and learning the plumbing engineering operations,” curriculum; and it can really Rose says. “We are responsible transform opportunities,” Rose for critical equipment that serves says. “You can end up where you Netfl ix, like chilled water systems, couldn’t imagine because of this fan coil units, electrical panels, one degree.” fi re light safety systems, building automation systems. We make Robin Rose, a mechanical sure all of that equipment is always engineer, helps keep Netfl ix online and operable.” operational.

38 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021 PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ROBIN ROSE

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 40 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM PLUG IN to the

CONNECT Ī NETWORK Ī MENTOR

featuring JOB BOARD Ī EVENTS CALENDAR Ī SPECIAL INTEREST/LOCATION GROUPS *NEW UNO BUSINESS DIRECTORY WITH PRIVATEER DISCOUNTS* Visit unomatrix.com ~or~ Download the app Apple/iOS: Find Graduway Community app, and select University of New Orleans from dropdown menu. Android: Download UNO Matrix app.

TAG US ON SOCIAL: #unomatrix

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 41 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM A Lot On His Plate Privateer catcher becomes U.S. citizen while excelling on diamond and in classroom BY EMMA SEELY

NEW ORLEANS PRIVATEER of being in a different country, the field after a Privateer victory .215 as a freshman, and .483 third-year catcher Jorge Tejeda noting that, at first, he would against Southern University. on-base percentage. In 12 games, is no stranger to obstacles. “go to class and would not “Once I told my teammates, they he collected three multi-hit At 14 years old, he and his understand anything.” During were really excited about me. performances, including back- father emigrated from Cuba to those difficult times, he I was really happy about that. to-back two-games in wins over Florida. His mother and sister continued to play, and excel, When I got in that clubhouse Southland rival Nicholls State. later joined them. Even though on his school’s baseball team, and everybody saw me, it was Known for his defensive ability, the move promised opportu- earning honors like MVP and a really special moment. They he also threw out five baser- nities free from Cuba’s political All-District. made it special.” unners. and economic restrictions, While he was improving Parents of his Privateer Despite the unexpected it wasn’t easy to adjust to a as a baseball player and as an teammates also chimed in by turmoil, Tejeda chooses to completely new way of life. But English speaker, Tejeda was cheering Tejeda’s name. remain positive about the baseball—as it has throughout working on another goal: to “It’s exciting,” he says. future, saying that he’s excited Tejeda’s life—helped. become a United States citizen. “I’m a citizen. I can say I’m an to work hard for other oppor- “I talked to the coach, and The process can take many American, and that’s something tunities that might come his he let me in the baseball team years. He had to be a resident of I’m really proud of. You think way. Those opportunities are my freshman year in high the United States for five years about all the grinding that went not restricted to baseball. He school,” says Tejeda, an electrical before applying for citizenship. through that, all the hard work.” was named to the Southland engineering major. “Having However, all that waiting Unfortunately, Tejeda’s Conference Spring 2020 those teammates helped me paid off when, on March 11, enthusiasm was short-lived. That Commissioner’s Honor Roll. out. Some spoke Spanish. That 2020, Tejeda was finally granted 11-5 home win against Southern “My parents made a lot of basically got my English better.” his full citizenship. ended up being the last game of sacrifices; they left their lives During his time at “It was a big moment,” a pandemic-shortened season. and careers behind just to get Southwest Miami High School, Tejeda says about celebrating Tejeda tries to keep the setback me and my sister to this country. Tejeda dealt with the challenges his citizenship that same day on in perspective. Although I have many goals “The season’s cancellation to accomplish in the near and teaches you that you can’t take distant future, one of my prior- any game for granted,” he says. ities is to show that the sacrifices “Things like this are going to weren’t a small feat. They were to happen. I enjoyed the moment. give us a better life.” Once we finished the game one Ever the optimist, Tejeda of my teammates, (fellow catcher says the challenges of his Cuban Jackson) Murphy, told me it childhood have helped shaped might be the end of the season. his outlook on life. Such a good thing happened and “It was tough because of the then this.” situation in Cuba, but growing Tejeda ended his sophomore up over there, struggling over season—what was version 1.0 of there taught me a lot of things,” New Orleans Privateer catcher Jorge Tejeda tags an opposing player the sophomore campaign—with he says. “Now that I’m here, I at home plate. a .318 batting average, up from value things a little more.”

40 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 42 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 41

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 43 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM women also came in fourth with 112 points to beat out its old Southland school record by seven spots and 162 points. It was the best championship meet finish for the men’s group since the Priva- teers placed fourth at the 2005 Sun Belt Championships and the best for the women’s side since a fourth-place finish at the 2002 Sun Belt Championships. New Orleans standout Arina Kleshchukova finished as the runner-up in the women’s 6K champi- Cross Country has record-setting day onship race. Her time of 20:46.93 set the new school record for a female student- at Southland Championships athlete at the 6K distance. It was also BY MATTHEW SCHAEFER the fastest time ever ran by a Privateer in a THE NEW ORLEANS CROSS setting day for best team finish Louisiana University’s campus championship meet and a new country program rewrote since joining the conference in Hammond on Feb. 21, 2021. personal best by three seconds. the record book at the 2020 as both the men’s and women’s The men finished fourth Kleshchukova earned First Southland Conference Champi- squads finished fourth overall with 113 points, a six-spot and Team All-Southland for the onships. at the championship that 93-point improvement from its third consecutive year. The program had a record- ran through Southeastern previous program mark. The Newcomer Anna Dohmen also impressed; she placed 11th with a new personal record of 21:44.3 in the 6K. She was named Southland Newcomer of the Year and earned Third Team All-Conference with the performance. Privateers Ariana Jimenez, Amelia Bretz and Anna Martin also set personal bests at 6K. On the men’s side, Kolyn Saltzman continued to add to his already impressive two-year resume with the Privateers as he claimed fourth

42 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 44 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM overall with a new personal best of 23:44.86. The mark was the fastest time recorded by a New Orleans student-athlete at the 8K distance in school history. Saltzman earned First Team All-Southland with the showing, the second All-Conference honor for the sophomore in cross country. He won Second Team in 2019. Saltzman’s fourth-place finish was the best place ever received by a male student-athlete in a champi- onship race at UNO. Jaden Forester put up the second-best showing by a freshman in the championship meet as he finished seventh at fastest time ever ran by a UNO for the U.S. Track & Field The 2020 Southland Conference 23:49.9 taking home Second freshman in school history at and Cross Country Coaches Championships was the best Team All-Southland honors. the distance. Association (USTFCCCA) championship meet finish for the Forester’s time was a new After the record-setting day Regional Rankings for the first men’s group since the 2005 Sun personal record and slotted at the cross country champion- time in school history. The men Belt Championships and the best into the top-10 in program ships, the New Orleans women’s improved to a program-best for the women’s side since the history at 8K. It was also the cross country team was selected mark. 2002 Sun Belt Championships.

Women’s Basketball Program Hosts Winter Clothing Drive to Benefit New Orleans Mission The New Orleans women’s basketball program wrapped up a “This winter I had the idea to give back to Thibodaux,” Thomas says, successful Winter Donation Drive for the homeless, coordinated by speaking about her hometown, a little over an hour drive from New student-athlete Dionjhae Thomas. Orleans where she held a previous donation drive. “There are a lot of The drive collected new or gently worn coats, blankets, scarfs, hats people who are less fortunate, and winter is here. and gloves that were then distributed to members of the homeless “My teammates and I wanted to give back to the city of New population downtown and to the New Orleans Mission. Orleans next, the great city that supports us. I would like to thank Thomas and her teammates collected the donations over a month- everyone for their donations to #NOLAsTeam.” long period as they set up collection boxes throughout the University of New Orleans community and at a men’s and women’s basketball ABOVE LEFT: Women’s basketball program hosts winter clothing drive doubleheader. to benefit the New Orleans Mission. In total over three carts filled with bins and bags was able to make it ABOVE RIGHT: Student-athlete Dionjhae Thomas spearheaded the to people in the community who really need it. clothing drive that collected donations for the New Orleans Mission.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 43

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 45 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM Alumnus Henry Singer establishes endowed scholarship for College of Engineering and College of Sciences BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD

THE DECISION TO ATTEND His mom was a high school started work at the Blue Plate books because the books were the University of New Orleans graduate, Singer says. Foods factory earning $1.25 an actually more expensive than was easy for alumnus Henry “We had 10 of us in a hour making mayonnaise, salad the tuition!” Singer. His family did not have two-bedroom, one-bath rental dressing and other condiments. When he started school money and the University’s house,” Singer says. “One thing Despite the minimal wages, that fall, he worked on campus. $35-per semester tuition was that I learned from them was Singer says he was able to earn Singer says he “had it easy” affordable, says Singer, the the value of hard work. I think enough to pay tuition at UNO compared to today’s working fourth of seven children born a lot of UNO students are like and buy books. college student. into what he calls a “working that, they come from meager “I started at UNO in ‘64, “I didn’t have to work class poor family” in New means but they do have parents so in two weeks I had a year’s that long to be able to afford a Orleans. or a parent who does work very worth of college tuition paid lot,” Singer says. “I could do it His dad, a clerical worker hard.” for at a minimum wage job,” without having to get student who often worked three jobs, Two days after graduating he says. “Now, it took three loans or without having a had an eighth-grade education. high school in 1964, Singer more weeks to pay for the scholarship. Nowadays very

44 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 46 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM few working class kids can do it Singer recalls the University spent the better part of four know how you’re going to be without one or both of those.” also was attempting to create its decades as a safety adminis- enlightened.” That insight and empathy own identity. He was a part of trator for the Public Buildings Singer recalls his epiphany has led Singer to donate money the student body that voted to Service of the General Service came while sitting in the back to establish The Henry J. Singer choose the University’s colors Administration, the agency that of a philosophy class listening Endowed Scholarship at UNO and its mascot. oversees federal buildings. to a fellow student discuss for the College of Engineering “At the time I characterized Singer retired in 2012 and topics with their professor. and the College of Sciences. it as growth, but you know what moved back to New Orleans in “She would really engage “I’d like to help others I characterize it as now?” Singer 2016. him in really interesting discus- reach their potential. Making asks. “Like a butterfly going “I loved working for the sions,” Singer says. “I’m in the a donation is really making an from the chrysalis to the wings government and working with back of the class and I realized, investment into the future of the student. It is even an investment into the future of the University, the city, the state or even the country,” Singer says. “You never know which students are going to go on and do something really incredible.” Singer enrolled at UNO as the lakefront campus was slowly evolving from its naval base origins. “When I arrived on campus, you had the Liberal Arts Building, the Sciences Building and they had just opened the library like a month before I arrived on campus,” Singer says. “Every- thing else was the old barracks and military buildings from the old naval base that was there.” Singer, who earned an and flying. That takes like a other agencies too. I got to do President John Nicklow with engineering degree in 1969, week or two for that to happen some really neat stuff,” Singer alumnus Henry Singer at recalled attending class in a so you make that years … that’s says. “When you’re in the a New Orleans Privateer wooden building near the about what it took for LSUNO safety business, you’re doing baseball game. Singer earned smokestack that housed the to go from those first classes to things that protect human life an engineering degree in College of Sciences. Years later, a butterfly that was now flying.” and health and that resonates 1969. the Department of Engineering After earning an with me.” would become the School of engineering degree, Singer His time at UNO also ‘You know, she is smarter than Engineering and eventually worked six years with the U. resonates, Singer says. It was I could hope to be, and she’s the fully accredited College of S. Army Corps of Engineers there that his “19th century” Black. How can I be superior Engineering. as part of its safety division prejudices on racial and gender to her?’” “One of my biggest that created policy and work equality were challenged That was my awakening, memories is that the theme of procedures. and the fallacies of his views Singer says. the University seemed to be “At the time, engineers were exposed, says Singer, who is “I’m not superior to her. growth. Chancellor Homer in great demand and I had three White. I’m not superior to anybody,” Hitt had a master plan for the or four job offers, and it was a “UNO was integrated, Singer recalls thinking. “UNO campus and that was commu- matter of deciding which one I which was pretty remarkable prepared me, and other nicated to the students,” Singer wanted to take,” Singer says. for the day because public students, for success in a says. “It seemed like every year He left the Corps to work colleges in the South were different world than what we a new building was added.” in Washington, D.C. where he not,” Singer says. “You never were brought up in.”

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 45

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 47 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM Judy Schott (B.S., ‘82) Alumna Judy Schott of Mandeville, Louisiana, co-inventor of the Better Bedder sheet fastener, got the chance to pitch her innovation on primetime network television. Schott, along with her business partner Nita Gassen, appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank on an episode that aired Feb. 26. The women came away with an investment deal with the “Queen of QVC,” Lori Greiner. Schott, who earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UNO, says she got the idea for the invention after her son starting sleeping on her sofa to avoid having to make his bed. She and Gassen decided to create a better way to make a bed so that the linen wouldn’t come untucked. Nita Gassen, left, and Judy Schott, both of Mandeville, pitched their “The Better Bedder is like a giant headband that wraps around your mattress,” product, an invention that makes changing bed linens faster and easier, Gassen told New Orleans television station WGNO. “You fit the sheet into the Better to investors on ABC’s Shark Tank in an episode that aired in February. PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC Bedder and once the sheets are on, they won’t come out of the Better Bedder, you can kick and pull and they are going to stay on tight.” 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s Leah Eskine (B.A., ’66) Charles Beasley (B.S., ‘78) Julia Carcamo (B.S., ‘85) Timothy Ganser (M.F.A., ‘89) Jeff Baudier (B.A., ‘90) Leah Eskine has published her Charles Beasley, president Julia Carcamo, a casino Timothy Ganser has been Jeff Baudier is the new chief first novel, “CC’s Road Home,” and CEO of Baptist Community marketer with the marketing firm named managing marketing executive officer for Intermoun- an historical, coming of age Ministries in New Orleans, has J Carcamo & Associates, has director for the University of tain Rural Electric Association young adult novel. Eskine, a retired after 25 years of service. released her first book, “Reel Nebraska-Lincoln’s Johnny (IREA), an electric cooperative retired public school teacher, Beasley joined the faith-based Marketing,” a study into the art Carson School of Theatre and based in Sedalia, Colorado. He says the novel was inspired by philanthropic agency as chief of creating casino brands. Film. He assumed his new duties will oversee the operations of her former students. financial officer at its inception Carcamo earned a bachelor’s in January. IREA, including general manage- Eskine earned a bachelor’s in 1995. degree in marketing from the Ganser earned a bachelor’s ment, financial stewardship, degree in education from the Beasley earned a bachelor’s University of New Orleans. degree in broadcast journalism operational planning and imple- University of New Orleans. degree in accounting from the and theatre from the University mentation, and board relations. Dan Crumb (B.S., ’87) University of New Orleans. of Nebraska-Lincoln and an Baudier holds a bachelor’s Dan Crumb has been promot- MFA from the University of New degree in English and minor ed to executive vice president Orleans. in political science from the and CFO for the National Football University of New Orleans and League’s Kansas City Chiefs. a J.D. from the Loyola University Crumb was hired as the club’s School of Law in New Orleans. chief financial officer in 2010 and was named an executive vice Bridget A. Derbyshire (B.A., ’92) president in March 2021. Bridget A. Derbyshire, a St. Crumb earned a bachelor’s Bernard Parish public school degree in accounting from the educator, was named Andrew University of New Orleans and Jackson Middle School’s an MBA from Tulane University. Teacher of the Year for the 2020- 21 school year.

46 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 48 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM Gene Frazier (M.P.A.,’10) Gene Frazier is the new deputy director of facilities for the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport. Kimberly Frazier (PhD., ‘03) Frazier previously was the Kimberly N. Frazier is the president-elect of the superintendent for airport American Counseling Association for 2021 – 2022. She facilities management at will begin her term as ACA President-Elect on July 1, the Tallahassee International Airport where he was 2021 and will begin serving as the American Counseling responsible for a $3 million operating budget and a Association’s 71st president on July 1, 2022. $50 million airport capital budget. The ACA is a not-for-profit, professional and edu- As deputy director, Frazier will provide executive cational organization dedicated to the growth and leadership and oversight for facilities maintenance advancement of the counseling profession. Founded activities, manage airport assets and lead all techni- in 1952, it is the world’s largest association exclusively cal trades services as well as represent the airport representing professional counselors in various practice settings. with federal regulatory agencies, airlines, tenants, “I am honored to work with counseling professionals who are passionate about and consultants. the counseling profession as well as specific sub-areas where I share their in- “I am humbled and excited about the opportunity terest,” said Frazier. “These three components—diversity in leadership, clinician to serve as deputy director,” Frazier said. “Although involvement and representation and student involvement and representation— this is a challenging time for the aviation industry, I are the life-blood of the organization that will keep ACA fresh with ideas and am optimistic about the path outlined by SJC leader- mirror the principles the organization was founded.” ship. I look forward to working alongside other high Frazier is an associate professor in the Clinical Rehabilitation and Counseling performing staff and contributing to the airport’s Department at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New continued success.” Orleans. She is a national certified counselor and a licensed marriage and family Frazier earned his bachelor’s degree in political therapist. science from Howard University and his master’s Frazier earned a doctorate in counselor education from the University of degree in public administration from the University of New Orleans. New Orleans. 2000s Derbyshire, who has taught Gordillo began his banking Jonathan K. Reynolds (B.A., ’00) Mike D. Jackson (B.S., ’01) diverse marine projects along for 23 years, earned a bachelor’s career with the company’s man- Jonathan K. Reynolds, chief Mike D. Jackson, the con- the Gulf Coast. degree in communications from agement training program after commercial officer at Carter struction technology subject Cardella, who has over 13 the University of New Orleans. earning his bachelor’s degree in Federal Credit Union in Shreve- matter expert for the U.S. Air years of experience as a naval economics from the University of port, Louisiana, was featured Force, earned the Air Force Civil- architect and project engineer John L. Stelly (B.A., ‘92) New Orleans. by KSLA-TV news for his work ian Achievement Award Medal within the maritime field, John L. Stelly has been named in reshaping neglected areas of for his work. earned a bachelor’s degree in library director by the Ascension John Zollinger IV (M.B.A., ‘98) Shreveport through real estate Jackson holds a bachelor’s naval architecture and marine Parish Library Board of Control. John Zollinger IV has been investment partnerships aimed degree in mechanical engineer- engineering from the University Stelly had been the assistant promoted to senior vice presi- at restoring the properties to ing from the University of New of New Orleans. library director since 2001. dent and director of commercial commerce. Orleans. Stelly earned a bachelor’s banking for Home Bank in New Reynolds holds a bachelor’s Ryan Kruse (M.S.,’06) (M.A., ’02) Ryan Kruse has joined degree in history from the Orleans. He will be responsible degree in psychology from the Lisa Marie Brown Lisa Marie Brown has written LaPorte CPAs & Business Advi- University of New Orleans and for the bank’s commercial bank- University of New Orleans. a master’s degree in library ing line of business covering a children’s book, “The New sors as a director, serving in the and information science from Acadiana, southwest Louisiana, Stacie M. Williams (B.S., ‘00) Orleans 12 Days of Christmas,” firm’s tax services department in Louisiana State University. Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Stacie M. Williams has been released through Pelican Pub- New Orleans. North Shore, Natchez and named chief executive officer lishing Company. Kruse has 15 years of Philip Gordillo (B.S., ‘96) Vicksburg, Mississippi. of Susan G. Komen Louisiana, Brown earned master’s experience advising clients in Philip Gordillo has been Zollinger earned a bachelor’s a nonprofit agency dedicated degree in history from the the areas of trusts and estate named regional wealth manager degree in finance from Spring to combating breast cancer by University of New Orleans. planning, as well as multistate for Louisiana for Hancock Whit- supporting health education, tax planning. Hill College in Mobile, Alabama Joseph Cardella (B.S., ‘06) ney. He previously was head of screenings and treatment Kruse received his bachelor’s and an MBA with a concentra- Joseph Cardella has been its corporate banking group in programs. degree in accounting from tion in finance from the Univer- named project manager for south Louisiana. Williams earned a bachelor’s Louisiana State University and sity of New Orleans. Elliott Bay Design Group, a degree in general studies from master’s in accounting with a Seattle-based naval architects the University of New Orleans. tax option from the University of firm. He will lead and manage New Orleans.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 47

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 49 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM Kay Miller (B.S., ‘94, M.S., ‘00) Kay Miller, a partner at Ericksen Krentel CPAs and Consultants in New Or- Mandi Mitchell (B.S., ‘00, M.B.A., ‘03) leans, has been promoted Mandi Mitchell, Louisiana Economic Development As- to partner in charge of the sistant Secretary, has been named a certified economic firm’s tax services section developer by the International Economic Development where she specializes in Council. helping small businesses. This recognition denotes a mastery of skills in economic As a leader on the firm’s tax and hospitality development and professional attainment, and a commit- segments, Miller is instrumental in mentoring and ment to personal and professional growth. leading tax team members on everything from com- An eight-year veteran of LED, Mitchell manages initia- pliance to tax planning, with a focus on partnerships tives and programs related to legislative and congressio- and individuals. nal affairs, community competitiveness, small business services and state economic Miller has 25 years of accounting and tax experi- competitiveness. She has served as assistant secretary since 2015. ence. Her accounting and tax background involves “Mandi Mitchell is a key member of our LED leadership team and this CEcD managerial experience with both local and regional certification reflects her commitment to the economic development profession in CPA firms. She previously served as chief financial Louisiana,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “Economic developers use this accred- officer for a regional healthcare provider special- iting process to hone their skills to improve opportunities for individuals, businesses izing in orthopedics, in addition to serving as an and communities. I congratulate Mandi on this notable achievement and I applaud adjunct professor with a local community college her dedication to our ongoing mission of cultivating jobs and economic opportunity where she taught bookkeeping, accounting and for the people of Louisiana.” computerized accounting. Mitchell earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from the Miller earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees University of New Orleans. in accounting from the University of New Orleans. 2010s John Mather (B.S., ’06) Allyson Balara (M.Ed., ‘08) Latricia D. Blain (B.S., ‘10) University AgCenter and College Todd Rauch (B.S., ‘14) John Mather is the director of Allyson Balara has been pro- Latricia D. Blain has earned of Agriculture. Guient was an Todd Rauch has been named marine projects for Mercy Ships, moted to associate director of her doctoral degree in profes- assistant dean for academic di- vice president and chief an international charity that pro- the Children’s Team for Elevate sional counseling from Missis- versity and inclusive excellence financial officer at Metairie vides humanitarian aid through Counseling Services in Easton, sippi College in Clinton. Blain at the Thomas J. Watson College Bank and Trust. Rauch, who the operation of the largest Massachusetts. She will super- earned a bachelor’s degree in of Engineering and Applied Sci- began his banking career in non-governmental hospital ships vise all clinicians who work with psychology from the University ence at Binghamton University, 2018, previously served as in the world. children ages 12 and under. of New Orleans. which is part of the State Univer- senior accountant/treasurer Mather earned a bachelor’s Balara earned a bachelor’s sity of New York system. with American Bank and Trust in degree in naval architecture degree from Bridgewater State Kenny Eldridge (B.S., ‘10) She holds a bachelor’s degree Covington, Louisiana. and marine engineering from the University in Massachusetts and Kenny Eldridge has been pro- in psychology from Xavier He earned his bachelor’s University of New Orleans. a master’s degree in educa- moted to a senior manager in the University of Louisiana and degree in management at tion from the University of New tax services section of Ericksen a master’s degree in sociol- Louisiana State University and Erin Larmann Reynaud (M.B.A., ‘07) Orleans. She holds the licensed Krentel CPAs and Consultants. ogy from the University of New his accounting degree from the Erin Larmann Reynaud has mental health counselor des- Eldridge has experience in Orleans. University of New Orleans. been hired as a marketing strat- ignation. multistate taxation matters, egist for the New Orleans-based cash flow for startup business Wendo Brunoir (M.F.A., ‘14) Jenna Chiasson (Ph.D., ‘15) public relations firm Gambel Peter L. Cho (Ph.D., ‘09) through federal and state tax Wendo Brunoir is one of 56 Jenna Chiasson has been Communications. Peter L. Cho has been named incentives, and assisting compa- Louisiana artists selected for named assistant superinten- Reynaud earned a bachelor’s the dean of the Delgado Com- nies with corporate reorganiza- the 2020 edition of Louisiana dent of the Office of Teaching degree in consumer affairs from munity College Business and tion strategies. Contemporary, presented by The and Learning at the Louisiana the University of Alabama and Technology Division. In addition Eldridge earned a bachelor’s Helis Foundation. Department of Education. In an MBA with a concentration to this appointment, Cho con- degree in accounting from the Brunoir has been chosen for this role, she is the chief state in management information tinues to serve as the executive University of New Orleans. best in show and is the recipient official for K-12 academic systems from the University of dean of Delgado’s West Bank of The Helis Foundation Art prize standards, teacher support and New Orleans. Campus. Monica Guient (M.A., ‘10) for his works, “Don’t Catch You evaluation, and support of spe- Cho earned a doctorate in Monica Guient has been Slippin’ Up” and “Appropriation cial high-needs populations. educational administration from named assistant vice president of a Masterpiece.” Chiasson earned a doctorate the University of New Orleans. for diversity, inclusion and op- Brunoir earned a master’s in educational administration portunity for the Louisiana State degree in fine arts from the from the University of New University of New Orleans. Orleans.

48 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 50 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM Eric Bosch (B.S., ‘89) Jeff Nagy (GHCM, ‘12) Eric Bosch has been selected as president and CEO- Jeff Nagy is the execu- elect of LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors in Metairie, tive director for Habitat Louisiana. He will assume his duties on Dec. 1, 2021. for Humanity of Spring- Bosch joined LaPorte in 1990 and quickly rose through field, Missouri. the ranks. He is currently a director in the audit and He has nearly 15 years assurance services group and has served in a variety of experience within of leadership roles throughout the firm, including as the nonprofit sector a leader within the firm’s healthcare industry group, including at-risk youth chairman of the firm’s compensation committee and vocational training, com- former leader of the financial services industry group. munity development, affordable housing, disaster “I am truly honored to be selected to lead such a dynamic group of people,” response, veterans’ health care, food security and Bosch said. “I am proud of how far LaPorte has come in the many years that I psychological trauma. have been here and I look forward to building on our solid foundation of high- “The Search Committee and the Board of HFHS quality work and great service for our clients.” are excited to bring Jeff to Springfield as he draws Bosch has decades of public accounting experience providing accounting and upon his extensive education and diverse experi- auditing services to financial institutions, manufacturing firms, energy service ence to lead our Habitat affiliate,” search commit- companies, governmental entities, healthcare and other nonprofit organizations tee chair Glenn Green said in a news release. “We and mid-sized, family-owned businesses. look forward to seeing the ideas and innovation for He serves as a faculty member for the Delgado Community College 10,000 Small the next stage of HFHS as Jeff works with our staff Business Program and as an adjunct professor for the University of New Orleans … to accomplish our vision of Springfield as being in its healthcare management program. a community where everyone has a decent place Bosch earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UNO. to live.” Nagy holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of New Orleans and a doctorate in health science from Trident University International as an expert on the neu- robiological effects of chronic and acute stress within U.S. combat veteran populations. Woodi Jones (M.P.A., ‘15) Tyler Gillespie (M.F.A., ‘16) King earned a master’s de- He also has a bachelor’s degree in natural sci- Woodi Jones has been pro- Tyler Gillespie, a fifth-gener- gree in arts administration from ence from the University of Findlay and a master’s moted to program analyst for the ation Floridian, has published a the University of New Orleans. degree in health science from Touro College, New Building Resilient Infrastructures book of essays about the state. Ashley-Crystal Firstley (M.A., ‘19) York with a focus in epidemiology. in Communities (BRIC) program “The Thing about Florida: Explor- Ashley-Crystal Firstley has at FEMA headquarters in ing a Misunderstood State,” is Nagy served four years in the U.S. Army as a been named grants and market- Washington, DC. Jones began scheduled for release in April by combat medic and is a decorated combat veteran ing manager of the Arts Council her career in the Governor’s the University Press of Florida. New Orleans. from his deployment to Sadr City, Iraq in 2008-09. Office of Homeland Security Gillespie earned a master’s Firstley earned a master’s de- and Emergency Preparedness degree from the University of gree in arts administration from in Baton Rouge and has since New Orleans Creative Writing the University of New Orleans. worked for FEMA in North Texas Workshop. and Sacramento before moving Bill Morgan (M.B.A., ‘19) Michelle Espinoza (M.P.A., ‘17) into her current position. Bill Morgan has published Michelle Espinoza has been Jones earned a master’s his first book, “Haze Gray and promoted to external affairs degree in public administra- Underway: Sea Stories of the US branch chief for the state of tion from the University of New Marines.” Ohio’s Emergency Management Orleans. Morgan, a retired Marine Agency. colonel, earned an MBA from Diana Ward (Ph.D., ‘15) Espinoza earned a master’s the University of New Orleans. Diana Ward was honored degree in public administra- by the Loyola University New tion from the University of New Nicole Ralston (Ph.D., ‘19) Orleans women’s resource Orleans. Nicole Ralston has been center as “Outstanding Feminist named director of education and India King (M.A., ‘18) Staff Member.” She is the chief programming at Beloved Com- TELL US YOUR NEWS! India King has been named student conduct officer and munity, a nonprofit consulting executive director of New Title IX coordinator at Loyola firm in New Orleans dedicated Orleans Video Access Center, a University. to fostering diversity, equity and DID YOU: Get married? Get a new job? Receive nonprofit organization founded Ward earned a doctorate in inclusion initiatives. in 1972 that provides education, an award? Have a baby? Send your alum note to educational administration from Ralston earned a doctorate in training, resources and opportu- the University of New Orleans. educational administration from [email protected] nities to Louisiana’s storytellers. the University of New Orleans.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 49

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 51 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM Robert Shenk, Professor Emeritus of English UNIVERSITY OF NEW “I served as communications recalls working with Shenk as for a reprimand. Orleans English professor Robert officer on a destroyer that chased the newly minted director of the “He came to my office,” Walsh Shenk, who spent more than three carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin and MFA program. Shenk was the says. “Instead of belaboring this decades teaching bombarded North director of the English master’s point, though, Bob gave me a CD technical writing, Vietnamese shore degree program and the two had as a present. I looked at the cover editing and various batteries,” Shenk to work together to build course and it was picture of him.” literature courses— told the Driftwood schedules and advise students. It turned out that Shenk was including his peren- during an interview “Bob was very old school in also a classically trained pianist, nially popular course in 2000. “I was on his approach, a military veteran, and had recorded an album of on John Milton— river patrol boats a scholar, and I was intimidated Christmas carols on the piano, died Jan. 30, 2021. for a year in the by him, to be honest. He was also Walsh says. It was called “A Bob He was 78. smaller rivers and very tall,” Walsh says. “Anyway, Shenk Christmas.” Shenk taught in canals of Vietnam.” he disliked email, did every- “It was the most unexpected the Department of Shenk distin- thing on paper on little sticky thing,” Walsh says. “It was a great English and Foreign Robert Shenk guished himself as notes in his difficult-to-read reminder that people are so much Languages for 34 an editor, literary handwriting. Since I didn’t know larger and more complicated than years until his retirement in 2019. critic and, most recently, a what I was doing yet, I made the versions we see of them at A retired captain in the U.S. historian, following the publi- numerous mistakes in our early work. I considered Bob a friend Naval Reserve, Shenk arrived at cation of the well-received book days together, which I could tell from that moment forward. He UNO following a military career “Black Sea Fleet: The U.S. Navy frustrated him.” will be missed.” that included academic positions Amidst War and Revolution, One time Walsh mistakenly A funeral mass was held at the U.S. Naval Academy and 1919-1923.” over-enrolled a course because at Most Holy Trinity Catholic the U.S. Air Force Academy and M.O. Walsh, director of he had missed one Shenk’s sticky Church in Covington, LA on active duty service during the the University of New Orleans notes. Knowing he had messed Wednesday, Feb. 3. The service Vietnam War. Creative Writing Workshop, up, Walsh says he braced himself was also broadcast online.

Earle Bryant, Professor Emeritus of English EARLE BRYANT, PROFESSOR Dan Doll, who shared an office of African American literature. journalism, “Byline: Richard emeritus of English and former with Bryant for a dozen years. His mission was to bring that Wright,” was published in 2014 Africana studies endowed “We could fill every seat in literature not just to his Black by the University of Missouri professor, died March 25, 2021. every room on this campus students, who benefitted greatly Press. He was 74. with students from his knowledge, but to all At UNO, Bryant received Bryant taught whose lives Earle his students.” numerous honors and awards, in the Department touched.” Bryant was born in Phila- including the Amoco Award of English and Bryant was delphia, Pennsylvania and raised for Excellence in Teaching, the Foreign Languages considered one there and in New Orleans. 2007 UNO Alumni Associ- for 39 years until his of the most gifted “I’m half West Philly and ation Award for Excellence retirement in 2017. teachers in his half Seventh Ward,” he was fond in Teaching and the 2016 Even in department and of saying. Distinguished English Faculty retirement, however, colleagues say they Bryant received his bache- Award. Bryant’s love for learned as much lor’s degree in English from In 1997, Bryant was awarded teaching could not from Bryant as his Xavier University and earned his the Louisiana Endowment for keep him out of the Earle Bryant students. master’s and doctorate degrees Humanities’ Humanitarian of classroom. “He under- from Harvard University in 1971 the Year Award in recognition He continued to teach stood the power of literature to and 1978 respectively. of his work in adult literacy. post-retirement, especially his transform lives, to give people Bryant specialized in African In 2001, he was honored as a favorite course: ENGL 2071: new ways to imagine this world American literature, American Seraphia D. Leyda University African-American Literature I. and their place in it,” says literature and English Renais- Teaching Fellow, one of the “He was the best teacher I Janet Barnwell Smith, English sance literature, distinguishing most prestigious honors the have ever known, and he was the instructor and director of the himself as a scholar through University of New Orleans best human being I have ever Greater New Orleans Writing publication of numerous articles. grants to faculty members for known,” says English professor Project. “This was especially true His book on Richard Wright’s their exemplary teaching.

50 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 52 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM Retired chemistry professor Edwin Stevens Tony French: EDWIN STEVENS, A RETIRED Stevens, who retired from UNO in 2014, Theatre Professor distinguished professor of chemistry and taught physical chemistry and was inter- department chair who spent 33 years at the national known in X-ray crystallographer, UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS University of New Orleans, died Trudell says. He also had a passion theatre professor Anthony “Tony” May 7, 2020 in Bowling Green, for fine wine. French, who spent nearly three Kentucky. He was 72. “He was fascinated by the decades teaching theatre and costume “I always referred to him as chemistry,” of wines, Trudell says. design, died Oct. 27, 2020. He was 60 a real gentleman scientist,” UNO “He was very passionate about years old. chemistry distinguished professor understanding how the different “Tony was the consummate Mark Trudell says. “He was inter- regions would affect the flavor.” professor: scholarly, creative and a ested in everything and he was Stevens earned a bachelor’s beloved teacher,” film and theatre willing to help anybody.” degree in chemistry from Oregon professor David Hoover says. “He will Stevens was a mentor, guide State University, a doctorate in truly be missed.” and frequent collaborator for chemistry with a specialty in X-ray French was the New Orleans research projects and papers, Edwin Stevens crystallography from University Theatre Association Endowed Trudell says. of California, Davis, and much Professor in Theatre and Costume “I think his biggest impact was his support of later a master certificate in winemaking from Design and taught for 27 years. He research within the department,” Trudell says. University of California, Davis. retired in 2019. “He was also very active in the local section Stevens is survived by his wife Cheryl, French, who earned a bachelor’s of the American Chemical Society and help sons Richard, Michael, Geoffrey and Scott, degree in fine arts from University of build connections to the University around the a daughter, Heather Chumbley, a sister Dian Evansville and a master’s in fine arts city. He was influential in getting University Zinckgraf and eight grandchildren. from Carnegie- relations built with the USDA (Southern) He was preceded in death by his parents, Mellon Regional Institute. He had a lot of collaboration Richard F. and Eveleen Stevens, and his University, with them.” brothers, Richard F., Jr. and Kenneth Stevens. designed well over 150 shows over the course of his career, earning Joe King, former dean, acting chancellor awards from the Kennedy JOE KING, WHO RETIRED FROM THE System to the University of Louisiana System in Center among University of New Orleans following a 20-year 2011. Since its opening in 1958, UNO had been a many others. Tony French career that included stints as a biology professor part of the LSU System. “He was and dean of the College of Prior to being named acting such a versatile artist,” says Chris Day, Sciences, provost and interim chancellor, King served as provost UNO political science professor and chancellor, died Aug. 2, 2020 at and vice chancellor of academic department chair. “In addition to Lakeview Regional Hospital in affairs for two years. He retired being a talented and award-winning Covington, La. He was 76. from UNO in 2012 as the executive artist and designer, Tony has been one King was born in Conroe, director of graduate school. of my favorite hangout-friends since Texas and arrived at UNO in 1992 “I will always remember what he first came to UNO 27 years ago. when he was hired as a biology a caring person he was and his “His artwork hangs in a professor and dean of the College incredible sense of humor,” says prominent place on my wall, and of Sciences. King guided the Johnson, who succeeded King as memories of sharing secrets and college for 16 years. College of Sciences dean. laughs with Tony hold a prominent “Joe was an outstanding Joe King King went on to serve as provost place in my head and in my heart.” mentor to me as a chair and at Auburn University at Montgomery French enjoyed travel and taught was always there to listen,” says Steve Johnson, from 2012-16, after which he returned to the for two summers in Prague. dean of the College of Sciences and professor classroom as a professor of biology and environ- He was also an accomplished of biological sciences, who was recruited to mental science. photographer having shown in many UNO by King. “He was a passionate teacher King is survived by his daughter, Rachel group exhibits around the country. and researcher even as a dean; and he was a Rebecca King-Dunn, son-in-law, Danny Mac French is survived by his sisters, critical part of UNO becoming a Tier 2 research Dunn Jr. and grandson, Jacob Easton Dunn. Maxine Stephenson, Rebecca university.” His wife, Kathryn Pauline Palmer King, and Markham, Kay Vormbrock, Beverly King was acting chancellor when the parents, Walter and Willie Mae King, precede Morris, Terry Egan, Lisa Destreza and University of New Orleans moved from the LSU him in death. his brother, Fred French.

SPRING 2021 SILVER & BLUE 51

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 53 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM View of Milneburg Hall THIS VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH houses the College of Business of Milneburg Hall is undated, Administration, is visible just but the change on campus over above Milneburg Hall. the years is indisputable in the What once was a clear view picture taken in 2021. of the Liberal Arts Building is The almost barren landscape curtained now behind tree lines. of yesteryear is now filled with The vehicles might offer a mature foliage, a variety of trees, clue as to the decade in which sidewalks surrounded by grass the vintage picture was taken. and an additional building. There appears to bethree classic Today Kirschman Hall, which VW Beetles in the parking lot.

52 SILVER & BLUE SPRING 2021

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 54 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM Homer L. Hitt Society

On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of Annually, since 2015, the UNO art faculty has the University of New Orleans, we would like to selected a recipient of the Homer L. Hitt Society thank all our donors whose generosity is helping Art Award which identifies the artistic to advance UNO and ensure that New Orleans’ achievements of the student body and increases preeminent public university can continue to community awareness of the high quality of educate, ignite ingenuity and drive economic work produced at the University of New Orleans. development in our region. The selected artwork is reproduced as a limited edition and made available to our Homer L. Hitt Specifically, we wish to acknowledge the donors Society donors, in recognition of their who give $10,000 or more annually to support the philanthropic leadership. University, and are recognized in the Homer L. Hitt Society, named for the founding chancellor of the For more information on the Homer L. Hitt University of New Orleans. Society and the Donor Honor Roll please visit uno.edu/homer-hitt-society

2020 Homer L. Hitt Art Award Barbara J. Mileto Artist Statement: For the Homer L. Hitt Society Award I decided to work with one of my favorite techniques, Cyanotype. The Cyanotypes are one-of-a-kind. Each one of the prints is created individually by hand and are unique pieces. I kept the original blue color of the technique to represent the University of New Orleans. I used flowers, vegetation, lace, and handcrafted crochet pieces. A thin crocheted chain is the one element that is repeated in all the prints. This chain stands for the need of unity the world needs to go through this difficult moment. www.bmileto.com

full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 55 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM full magazineUNOSpring21.printer.pdf 56 5/3/2021 2:14:02 PM