Teaching 21st-Century Nurses The University that Loves Monroe National Champions in Class SPRING 2008 ULM THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE Winners – on the team and in the classroom earning at the University of Louisiana at Monroe extends beyond the classroom. In this issue of L the ULM Magazine, you will discover the limitless creativity of our faculty and staff, who constantly examine new teaching methods. Our nursing students care for simulated patients— computerized manikins that our professors program to emulate medical traumas—in our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Center, which mirrors the equipment and the medical emergencies our students will face as professional nurses. ETTER Many of our students, working closely with faculty, staff and alumni, conduct research in our community L as part of the new Social Science Research lab. Their James & Deborah Cofer research, which incorporates such disciplines as sociology, psychology, marketing and political science, benefits our economy while giving students real-world experience. Our faculty and staff designed the Mathematics Resource Center and the Write Place, two new labs that utilize the most advanced technology, including online tutorials that give students instant feedback on their work. While we will always examine methods to better the student experience at ULM, it is equally vital to realize what we have already accomplished. Our student-athletes illustrate that excellence. These students juggle more than their chosen sports; they manage class work, arduous travel schedules, practice, friends and families, all while continuing to excel in the academy. Many have earned spots on the prestigious Athletics Director’s Honor Roll, which recognizes GPAs of 3.0 and above. That dedication results in triumph both in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Our cheerleaders and our water ski team members recently secured national championship titles. ULM earned another national award, one that recognizes the strong character of our faculty, staff and students. Our university accepted the National Marrow Donor Program’s Collegiate Innovation Award, which recognizes the extraordinary outcome of ULM’s Bone Marrow Drive in 2007, when more than 2,600 ULM faculty, staff, and students as well as members of the Monroe community, poured into our Student Union Building and set a national record for participation in a one-day drive. Our alumni continue to share their professional achievements with us. I encourage you to read about our featured alumni, including Richard Cravatts (B.A. ’72, M.A. ’73), whose opinion pieces appear in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Boston Globe. PRESIDENt’S We look forward to hearing from you. James E. Cofer, Sr. President THULME maGAZine OF THE UniveRsiTY OF Louisiana MonRoe CONTENTS VOLUME 8, NUMBER 2, Spring 2008 Executive Editor Don A. Skelton, Sr. Editorial Board Don A. Skelton, Sr. Toni Bacon (BA ‘94) Keith Brown Karina Craighead (BA ’03) Susan Duggins (BBA ’77) Michael Echols (BBA ‘99, MBA ‘01) Laura Harris Anne Lockhart (BBA ’86) NURSING CONFIDENCE VICTORY 360 MORE THAN MONEY Barbara Michaelides Eric Pani The latest technology To star on the 18 ULM may rank as Tommy Walpole (BA ’83, MA ’89) 8 12 one of the largest employ- Lindsey Wilkerson combines with age-old courts and in the class- compassion in a lab where room requires focus, time ers in the region, but its Other Contributors Claudia Evans nurses train to meet demands management and drive. impact—from culture to Sara Palazzo of a new medical era. ULM student-athletes alligator snapping turtles— Diana Pinckley have what it takes. extends far beyond dollars. Photography/Illustration Mark Andresen Terrance Armstard (BA ’01, MA ’06) DEpaRTMENTS Will Crocker Richard Lupo (BA ’87) Rhonda Neal (MFA ’94) 2 News 24 Alumni News 32 Point of View John Richards n National Honors n Class Notes Gordon Studer n Wine over Water n Profiles Design n Makeover for n Faculty Honors Zehno Cross Media Communications Math & English President n Record Crowd James E. Cofer, Sr. n Numbers Retired Vice President for n Hall of Famers University Advancement Don A. Skelton, Sr. Executive Director of Alumni Relations Keith Brown President, ULM Alumni Association Paul H. Wilkening (BA ‘83, MA ‘85) The ULM Magazine is published semiannually for members of the ULM Alumni Association and friends by the University of Louisiana Monroe and the ULM Alumni Association. Letters and comments should be sent to: ULM Magazine 700 University Avenue Monroe, LA 71209-2500 Phone: (318) 342-5440 Fax: (318) 342-5446 E-mail: [email protected] Letters and comments may be published and ON THE COVER edited for length. A few of ULM’s student-athletes (clockwise, from top): Tyler Collins, co-captain of the national champion Contents © 2008 by the University of Louisiana Monroe and the ULM Alumni Association. All rights water ski team; Tiffany Coker, captain of the national champion cheerleading team; Shannon Lloyd, reserved. The University of Louisiana Monroe is a center for the Warhawks women’s basketball team; Darrius Battles, Warhawk football cornerback; member of the University of Louisiana System. Rani Giladi, triple-jump and high jump specialist in Warhawk track and field. NEWSCAMPUS Record bone marrow drive wins Collegiate Innovation Award ore than 2,600 ULM faculty, staff, students unprecedented level of participation. The Clinical and Monroe community members poured Laboratory Science Department and the Office of Minto the Student Union Building in Student Life and Leadership sponsored the drive. February 2007 to set the national record for a Snyder was tested during ULM’s drive. When he one-day bone marrow drive. discovered he was a match for a child, he immedi- ately agreed to the procedure. WE HEARD ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WERE SAVED AND The awards ceremony was a LIVES THAT WERE LOST WAITING. ULM’s drive “great opportunity,” Snyder said. “It was very humbling ... made a difference.” I was inspired by the work of – Debbie Wisenor, interim department head of clinical laboratory science everyone there.” Representing ULM at the When two ULM representatives visited November awards ceremony was a “true honor,” Minneapolis for the National Marrow Donor Wisenor added. Program 2007 Council Meeting, they shared “I am extremely proud of ULM, especially the the university’s spirit with 11,000 people from student organizations who worked tirelessly to 31 countries. make the Bone Marrow Drive successful,” she said. Debbie Wisenor, interim department head of “During the ceremony, we heard testimonials about clinical laboratory science, and Chase Snyder, people who were saved by a bone marrow trans- College of Pharmacy student and Student Gov- plant and about the lives that were lost waiting on a ernment Association vice president, accepted the donor match. These stories made me even more Collegiate Innovation Award in honor of ULM’s aware that ULM’s drive made a difference.” Agriculture goes high tech with GPS aculty and students in To cite just one example, the technology will the ULM Agriculture help students as they survey row crops like FDepartment have been corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton grown on given a substantial technol- the Morris and Ella Johnson Farm. ogy boost, making them far The decision to incorporate new and practical more competitive in an applications of biotechnology, mapping increasingly difficult market- software, and GPS/GIS technologies into the Dr. James Casey place. agribusiness curriculum demonstrates ULM’s Thanks to a $70,000 participation in the latest industry undergraduate enhancement grant resulting developments. from a partnership between the Board of “The university is committed to exposing its Regents, the university and the ULM students to state-of-the-art demonstrations in Foundation, agribusiness students may make field laboratory situations and experiences their rounds on tractors featuring the most related to farm management,” said James up-to-date electronic GPS guidance system, Casey, department head. among other savvy technology advancements. 2 University of Louisiana Monroe www.ulm.edu CAMPUSNEWS Redesigned courses focus on students first he mathematics and they use the most advanced English composition software system to complete Tcourses required for ULM homework, take quizzes and freshmen are now more examinations, and assure user-friendly and effective, they have met each required thanks to new approaches level of achievement. Faculty combined with the two and graduate students innovative initiatives – the provide individual assistance Mathematics Resource Center while the software gives and the Write Place. simultaneous, accurate Intro courses were rede- feedback. signed with an emphasis on In addition to enjoying sound methodology, student- redesigned courses, students centered learning, clear also have a new site where assessment criteria, and they can complete writing effective technology. Those assignments and exercises four elements reflect the for English 101 and 102. National Center for Academic Transformation “The Write Place, with its 50 Student Technology (NCAT) Roadmap to Redesign philosophy. Access Plan-funded computers, allows students to With a focus on increasing work on their assignments individually or to consult student retention, the math- one of the tutors, some of whom are English ematics department fully faculty, about their writing,” says director of revamped the college algebra first-year composition Dr. Christopher Harris. core courses for