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

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Alumnus Chris Dier is Louisiana Teacher of the Year

UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 1 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM Sand under their feet and a blanket of blue sky overhead makes for perfect beach volleyball practice conditions for the Privateers.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 4 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM TABLE OF UNO alumnus David Burnham, paleontologist at the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum in Lawrence, Kansas.

FEATURES 22 LOUISIANA TEACHER OF THE YEAR Chalmette High School history teacher and UNO alumnus Chris Dier is the Louisiana Teacher of the Year and one of just four finalists for the national title.

26 DIGGING UP THE PAST Paleontologist David Burnham unearths rare finds. 30 OUTSTANDING IN HER FIELD Alumna Yelena Rivera, a civil engineer, plots a course to success. 32 A FRANCOPHILE IN FRANCE Graduate student Kathy Bradshaw always had an affinity for all things French. An internship in France was a dream come true for the self-proclaimed “Francophile.” 34 STRINGS IN HARMONY T-Ray the Violinist performs popular hits in a fresh way.

DEPARTMENTS 5 CAMPUS SCENE 10 NEWS AND EVENTS 18 FACULTY FOCUS 36 THE UNO TRAVELER 40 ATHLETICS 44 DONOR SPOTLIGHT 46 ALUM NOTES 52 THEN AND NOW

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 5 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS: DURING THESE EXTRAORDINARY TIMES, MUCH WILL CHANGE BETWEEN THE time I am writing this message and you are reading it. Disruption has roiled our campus, VOLUME 44 s ISSUE 1 our university community and our world, leaving us acutely aware of our vulnerabilities as a society. The worldwide pandemic has provoked understandable fear and anxiety among our students and employees; I am sure the same is true for many of you. We’ve been forced to EXECUTIVE EDITOR Littice Bacon-Blood cancel traditional campus events. Students have returned home prematurely to continue their EDITOR classes via remote instruction. Faculty and staff are working from home. Sadly, we decided to Adam Norris postpone spring commencement. DESIGN AND LAYOUT In spite of all of these challenges, I thought it important to make sure that this issue of Silver Eric Gernhauser & Blue arrived in your mailbox. The people contained within these pages—UNO students, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS faculty and alumni—are the connective tissue of our university community. These are our fellow Matt Schaefer Privateers. We are linked through a common affinity for and a pride in our institution. This PHOTOGRAPHY university is more than just a physical place; it is our people and our triumphs. The stories you will Shane Banegas Avery Gray read here can inspire hope and be a salve for the spirit as we endure this collective hardship. As we Joshua David Matthews have been since our inception, the University of New Orleans is a resilient community. It was the Tracie Morris Schaefer first and only university in New Orleans to reopen during the fall 2005 semester after Hurricane Katrina and the failure of the levees. That resilience has been on full display in recent weeks. I offer my gratitude to our faculty and staff who have chosen to put our students first. All Send Correspondence to: Silver and Blue Editor instructors had to quickly move their courses online and continue to teach remotely. University of New Orleans This is a Herculean task. I could not be more appreciative of their dedication, Administration Building 103 2000 Lakeshore Drive creativity and innovation. Our staff has continued to support our students in a New Orleans, LA 70148 variety of ways. The delivery method may be different, but their approach of Phone: (504) 280-6832 care and concern remains intact. I would like to thank our students for Email: [email protected] their patience and understanding. They are the reason we do what we do. We will help them through these travails together. Finally, I’d like to acknowledge the steadfast support, encouragement and assistance of our alumni and friends. I believe the bonds that connect us all will only strengthen as we persevere through this crisis. Please allow me to make an appeal on behalf of our students. Silver & Blue Magazine is published by Many of our supporters have asked me how they can help. For those the University of New Orleans. Articles who have the ability, please consider a gift to the UNO First Student represent the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Support Fund (give.uno.edu). Its purpose is to support our students in anyone but the authors.

their pursuit of a UNO degree. Given the unprecedented circumstances To inquire about alumni events or to join of the pandemic, those needs have become more critical. I will close the UNO Alumni Association, contact: Office of Alumni Affairs, by quoting the insightful words of UNO alumnus and political University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148 commentator Clancy DuBos: “Today, as we confront COVID-19, Phone: (504) 280-2586 plenty of folks who aren’t sick are still suffering. Many are out of work, Fax: (504) 280-1080 Email: [email protected] while others, especially health care workers, are pushed beyond © 2020 The University of New Orleans human limits. So let’s remember the most important lesson of Katrina This public document was published at a total cost of $21,475. Forty-five thousand (45,000) copies of by doing all we can for one another—friends, family and strangers this public document were published in this first and only printing at a cost of $21,475. There will be alike. That’s what instills the priceless gift of hope.” no reprints, so the total cost of all printings of this document is $21,475. This document was published UNO Proud, by the University of New Orleans, 200 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans, LA.70148, to promote the purpose John Nicklow of the University under authority of 17:3351(A)(12). PRESIDENT This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established @UNOPresidentJN @unopresident pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 6 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM INSIDE

SWAMPBALL CARNIVAL UNO CAREER FAIR NATIONAL ENGINEER’S DAY JAZZ AT THE SANDBAR HEADLINES AND HAPPENINGS

MARQUES COLSTON SPEAKS AT FALL COMMENCEMENT Entrepreneur and former New Orleans Saints star receiver Marques Colston was the principal speaker at the University of New Orleans fall com- mencement on Dec. 13.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 7 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM FALL COMMENCEMENT In his address, Marques Colston urged graduates to set actionable goals that exceed expectations, to become a master of their craft and to work consistently to create posi- tive habits. “The harder you work, and the more you dig in, the more you stack the odds of success in your favor,” Colston said.

CAREER FAIR A career fair sponsored by the Office of Career Services in October attracted nation- al, international and local companies who recruited for internships, part-time work and full-time positions. Em- ployers represented a range of industries, including those from hospitality, retail and food service to engineering, financial services, medical and government agencies.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 8 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM JAZZ AT THE SANDBAR Famed jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis, an emeritus faculty member, plays at Jazz at the Sandbar at Th e Cove on the University of New Orleans’ campus on Oct. 2. Jazz at the Sandbar is presented each Wednesday night for eight weeks during the fall and spring semesters and features a diff erent renowned jazz artist who performs with UNO music students. Marsalis established the music series in 1990. Sadly Marsalis died in April at the age of 85 from pneumonia brought on by COVID-19, according to family members.

TRUNK OR TREAT Snowballs, popcorn, a kid friendly DJ and a bouncy slide – along with lots of free candy – marked the trunk-or- treat event held in the Human Performance Center parking lot on Oct. 28. Th e event was sponsored by the Progressive Black Student Union.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 9 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM NATIONAL ENGINEER’S DAY The University of New Orleans offers the only civil, electrical, mechanical and naval architecture and marine engineering programs in the metro area, making it the ideal host for a National Engineer’s Week event. The value of engineering was on display with dozens of interactive exhibits during a daylong event held on cam- pus Feb. 19 that drew nearly 2,000 area middle and high school students.

SWAMPBALL It was dirty fun for a good cause when teams of students, alumni and residents battled for the golden volleyball trophy in the annual mud fest known as Swampball. The volleyball games, played in water-filled pits in the quad, raise money for student scholarships. The event is sponsored by the UNO Ambassadors each fall.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 10 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM CARNIVAL AT UNO Laissez les bons temps rouler! Indeed, the good times did roll as the Krewe of UNO made its way through campus on Feb. 18, celebrating its 2020 theme of “2 Infinity & Bey0nd!” Parade-goers were bestowed with plenty of Privateer-flavored throws and savored free king cake as the parade culmi- nated at the University Center.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 11 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM University Celebrates Alumni- President John Nicklow speaks during the celebratory luncheon honoring the Led Businesses at UNO 25 Event 2020 class of UNO 25. PRIVATEER PRIDE TOOK others. Some serve families center stage at a celebratory in their own neighborhoods luncheon Jan. 16 for the 2020 while others have clients across class of UNO 25. The event, the country and around the held in the silver and blue hued globe. Grand Ballroom at the Ritz- “To all of our honorees, Carlton, New Orleans, honored your university is especially 25 businesses and nonprofit proud of your accomplish- organizations led or owned by ments,” UNO President John UNO alumni. Nicklow said. “Your achieve- Honorees represented a ment is the best form of valida- variety of industries includ- tion that your alma mater can ing engineering, health care, receive. Your professional status education, transportation, confers a level of prestige on the hospitality, accounting, bank- University of New Orleans that ing, construction, technology, we cannot generate in any other human resources, marketing way. We deeply appreciate you and public relations, among and your success.”

The 2020 class of UNO 25 is: Baptist Community Ministries, New Orleans Hotard Coaches Inc., New Orleans Blue Runner Foods, Mandeville Infinity Engineering Consultants LLC, Metairie Brand Society, New Orleans M S Benbow & Associates, Metairie CommTech Industries, Metairie Parking Management Services Inc., New Orleans Crescent Technology Inc., New Orleans Payroll RX LLC, Metairie Davis Davis & Harmon LLC-Sales Tax Experts, Dallas, Texas Satsuma Café, New Orleans The Dupuy Group, New Orleans Second Line Brewing, New Orleans Edward Hynes Charter School, New Orleans Spears Group, New Orleans Electromedical Products International Inc., Mineral Wells, Texas Stokes & Associates, Metairie Eustis Engineering LLC, Metairie TJ’s Carnival & Mardi Gras Supplies, Terrytown Fourrier & de Abreu Engineers LLC, Baton Rouge Universal Data Inc., New Orleans French and Montessori Education Inc., Audubon Schools, New Orleans UNO Federal Credit Union, New Orleans Gibbs Construction, New Orleans

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 12 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM Gloria Walker is New Vice President for Business Affairs GLORIA WALKER, THE NEW house,” says Walker, who grew vice president for business affairs up in Dallas. and chief financial officer at Walker spent seven years the University of New Orleans, as the executive vice chancellor laughingly refers to herself as an for finance and administration analytical “bean counter” and a and CFO for the 70,000-student “workaholic.” Houston Community Col- She also considers herself lege where she oversaw a $300 fiercely loyal to her employees million operating budget and a and a motivator who believes $600 million capital improve- mentoring is a key to helping the ment budget, among other University meet its mission of duties. providing educational excel- “I’m not afraid to make hard lence. decisions,” Walker says. “I take “I don’t like to get in the a strategic approach to decision weeds—I have the skill set to do making and understanding what that—but I really like to men- the issues are. I’m a fact finder.” tor folks and give my staff as Walker says her role in much control over their subject keeping the University of New matter as possible,” says Walker, Houston Community College. operations and business services Orleans successful is ensuring a certified public accountant by When Walker arrived at gleaned from different types of that resources are available for trade and a big-city girl by birth. Texas Southern, the university institutions. Early in her career, the institution to execute its “Critical, I think, to the mission was on the brink of insolvency. she worked as a state auditor in mission. of the institution, is having Over a three-year period, she Texas but quickly realized her “Just as if you were in a For- people who are well-versed in helped develop a financial plan personality was not suited to the tune 500 company, you’re trying their subject matter.” and created operating policies often-isolating work. to develop the best product,” Walker comes to the Uni- that kept the university finan- “I’m a people person,” says Walker says. “The best product versity with more than 25 years cially stable. Walker. “When I got to higher is our student, that’s our end of executive-level leadership “I, working with the president education accounting, I was just results. So, in order to do that experience in higher education. and the leadership team there, flourishing! I really love being we must have the resources to She holds a bachelor’s degree in was able to keep them from be- around the students. You can see deliver education in a fashion accounting from the University ing insolvent,” Walker says. the bigger picture of what higher that students are going to have a of Houston, an MBA from the Throughout her tenure in education does.” monetary gain at the end of the University of St. Thomas in higher education, Walker has She left state government day from being with us; either Houston and a doctoral degree been primarily responsible for for the private sector, working getting a better job or getting a in higher education administra- establishing the finance plan and as an accountant in the oil and job or going into research.” tion from Northeastern Univer- polices, and financial report- gas industry for several years. Walker says higher educa- sity in Boston. ing for the institution. She has She later became the chief tion is a business with a budget She succeeded Gregg Lassen developed, implemented and financial officer and controller that spans across all areas of the who retired. maintained internal control for the Harris County-Houston institution. Walker, who arrived on cam- and financial reporting policies, Sports Authority where she was “It’s incumbent on us to pus Jan. 21, was most recently standards and procedures that responsible for construction and make sure our product is good,” vice president for finance and ensure compliance. managing the debt on Houston’s she says. “The business side of administration at Cowley Col- “I’m about growing the professional sport arenas and that is looking at the resources lege in Kansas. She was previ- bottom line. I’m about students ancillary facilities, including the and how do we develop those ously executive vice president being successful,” says Walker. construction of Minute Maid monetary resources and how do and chief operating officer at “If students are successful, our Field for the Houston Astros. we get the money beyond tuition Texas Southern University in bottom line is going to grow. It’s “I knew they did a lot of and fees, state appropriation—all Houston as well as executive going to attract more students.” construction and bonding of those avenues … to make sure vice chancellor for finance and Walker has broad knowledge in Texas so I wanted to learn the institution is affordable for administration and CFO at of all major areas of financial finances from that side of the the students we attract.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 13 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM Alumni Achievement Celebrated at 2019 Distinguished Alumni Gala

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT honored their own distinguished College of Business the Department of Veterans was on full display at the 2019 alumni of the year. Administration: Timothy J. Affairs, including serving as University of New Orleans Former Homer Hitt Adams. Adams is the president the director of pathology and Distinguished Alumni Gala at Alumnus of the Year Clancy and CEO of Systems Appli- laboratory medicine at the New The National WWII Museum. DuBos served as the master of cation & Technologies, Inc. Orleans VA Medical Center. The U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The ceremonies and President John (SA-TECH) in Maryland. Athletics: Randy Bush. Boeing Center, was a dramatic Nicklow provided the audience College of Liberal Arts, Bush has spent 13 seasons as the venue for the 500 attendees with a review of recent university Education and Human Devel- assistant to the general manager celebrating the University and highlights, including growth in opment: Jan Aronson. An of the Chicago Cubs. He was the profound influence of its enrollment and an expansion of accomplished painter, Aronson the head baseball coach at the graduates. partnerships. has exhibited her works both University of New Orleans from Entergy Louisiana president “I hope that tonight’s event nationally and internationally 2000-04, and he spent his entire and CEO Phillip May received will continue to build shared over the past four and a half 12-year major league baseball the 2019 Homer L. Hitt Distin- pride and reinforce the value decades. career playing for the Minnesota guished Alumni Award, while of our beloved university,” College of Engineering: Twins. Roxanna Rodriguez-Torres, Nicklow said. “As I say to nearly Riley Parker. Parker is the the National Security Council’s every group I speak to: New discipline lead and technical Honorees Roxanna Rodriguez- director for Transnational Orleans doesn’t work without the authority for instrumentation Torres and Phillip May in Organized Crime, accepted the University of New Orleans.” and controls engineering for photograph on the left. Honorees 2019 Homer Hitt Young Alumna In addition to May and Shell in the Gulf of Mexico. seated from left, Timothy Adams, of the Year Award. Additionally, Rodriguez-Torres, the following College of Sciences: Riley Parker, Jan Aronson, Dr. the University’s four academic UNO alumni were also recog- Dr. Fred H. Rodriguez Jr. Dr. Fred Rodriguez, Randy Bush, colleges and Privateer Athletics nized: Rodriguez spent 35 years with Rodriguez-Torres and May.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 14 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM news in brief

UNO’s Green Initiatives As University of New Orleans officials plan for the evolution of the campus, sustainability efforts are criti- cal elements in determining the future of the institution’s physical space, President John Nicklow says. The University’s Sustain- ability Circle, made up of faculty, staff and students, has implemented several initiatives around campus, such as the new bicycle fix-it station located between the University Center and the Recreation and Fitness Center. Two of the university’s visible green initiatives are a new recycling team and the installation of thousands of energy efficient bulbs around campus that not only saves money but also brightens the campus and improves safety. The University also has finalized plans with Entergy New Orleans (ENO) for a solar panel project on top of two buildings on campus that will add 600-Kilowatts of clean energy to the New Orleans grid. This partnership with UNO is an important step for ENO’s commercial rooftop solar program, and the community, according to company and university officials. Career Services Opens ‘Suited for Success Career Closet’ The University of New Orleans Office of Career Services has opened a career closet that contains business attire for students to use for interviews, career fairs or other professional networking events. The clothing is free and students get to keep the items, career services director Celyn Boykin says. The career closet, which is located in Room 250 in the University Center, has men and women clothing and shoes. Students can make an appoint- ment to shop at the closet through the career services Handshake app. Le Kèr Creole Exhibit Unveiled At The Cabildo The Louisiana State Museum, in partnership with the Neighborhood Story Project at the University of New Orleans and L’Union Creole, has unveiled “Le Kèr Creole (The Creole Heart): Runaway Slaves, Music, and Memory in Louisiana” at the Cabildo in New Orleans. The exhibition explores the legacy of the Louisiana Creole language through the historical memory of Juan San Malo, the leader of a com- Jazz Studies Professor Steve Masakowski Receives munity founded by former enslaved people in the 1780s and contemporary Lifetime Achievement Award in Music Education Creole music. Rachel Breunlin, University of New Orleans assistant professor of University of New Orleans jazz studies professor Steve Masa- anthropology and co-founder of the Neighborhood Story Project, curated kowski was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Music the multimedia exhibit along with artists Bruce Sunpie Barnes and Education by OffBeat Magazine, a publication dedicated to New Francis X. Pavy. Orleans music and culture. Masakowski arrived at UNO in 1992 and holds the Coca-Cola Endowed Chair of Jazz Studies, a title first held by his teacher and Bayer, Spicer awarded Computer Science Scholarship mentor, Ellis Marsalis. He has released numerous CDs and has been Founded By Google Engineer an active member and composer for the award winning New Orleans University of New Orleans students Ashley Bayer and Veronica Spicer jazz group, Astral Project. are the recipients of the 2019 Women in Computer Science scholarship Masakowski has published lessons in Guitar Player magazine, founded by University of New Orleans alumna Sabrina Farmer, who is vice authored a book on jazz ear training for Mel Bay, and also performs president of engineering site reliability at Google. and records with his children, bassist Martin and vocalist Sasha, a Bayer and Spicer each received a $6,000 scholarship to offset the cost graduate of UNO. of tuition, books and living expenses for the fall 2019-2020 academic year. He received the lifetime achievement award at the OffBeat Best of They also receive mentoring from Farmer who earned a bachelor’s degree the Beat Business Awards on Jan.16. in computer science from the University in 1995. RYAN HODGSON-RIGSBEE PHOTOGRAPH RYAN To read more about these stories, visit news.uno.edu. SPRING 2020 SILVER & BLUE 13

UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 15 4/24/2020 7:50:02 AM The Privateer Pledge: A Promise to Orleans Parish Students

STARTING IN THE FALL order to qualify, students must fall 2020 semester. education and ensure there is 2020 semester, the University of be admitted as a freshman to “A University of New Or- one less obstacle in a student’s New Orleans will begin offering the University of New Orleans leans education can transform pursuit of a UNO degree.” the Privateer Pledge, a promise and must have filed the Free a student’s life,” says President In order to maintain the that the University will fill the Application for Federal Student John Nicklow. “The Privateer award, students must remain unmet financial need for tuition Aid (FAFSA). They must also Pledge is our promise to eligible enrolled full-time (minimum and fees of eligible New Orleans be eligible for a Pell Grant and Orleans Parish students that we of 12 hours) and keep a GPA of students. their annual family income will marshal all of the federal, 2.0 or higher. The pledge applies to Or- cannot exceed $60,000. The first state and institutional aid neces- The Privateer Pledge covers leans Parish residents who grad- group of Privateer Pledge fresh- sary to fill any financial gap four years of unmet need for uate from a public or private man students will need to enroll for tuition and fees. This will tuition and fees or until gradua- Orleans Parish high school. In full-time by July 1, 2020 for the support greater access to higher tion, whichever happens first.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 16 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM Raphael Cassimere Jr., University of New Orleans professor emeritus of history, (right) talks about his experiences in the civil rights movement.

Civil Rights Activist and UNO Historian Raphael Cassimere Jr. ‘I Was Able to Change Minds’

RAPHAEL CASSIMERE JR., ring to the targeted violence lead a successful boycott and “When I walked into the University of New Orleans pro- directed at members of the picketing campaign of local class and announced that I fessor emeritus of history, who civil rights organization as they businesses on Canal Street that would be teaching the class, two made his mark on the politi- campaigned against discrimina- had refused to hire African whites walked out and demand- cal landscape of New Orleans tory practices locally and across American workers in capacities ed that they be given a transfer by helping lead boycotts as the U.S. other than janitors and cooks. to another class ‘for obvious rea- president of the NAACP Youth It was 1960, a tumultuous The businesses also refused to sons,’’’ Cassimere recalled. “The Council during the civil rights time for race relations, particu- serve black people in the restau- department chair kind of knew movement in the early 60s and larly in the South. rants and lunch counters. what the obvious reasons were 70s, did not set out to make Cassimere, a student at Cassimere still savors the and he told them ‘for obvious history. what was then LSUNO, said he victory because their actions reasons’ he would not!” In fact, he hadn’t even reluctantly followed a friend help to make positive changes. Cassimere would remain in planned to major in history, to an NAACP meeting in New “It was very successful,” he the history department for more he told an audience at UNO in Orleans and “got caught up.” said. “It was something that I than 35 years, rising to rank of February. Cassimere quickly be- feel very good about.” professor. He retired in 2007. Cassimere, who received his came actively involved in the In 1967, Cassimere became Cassimere said he learned bachelor’s and master’s degrees organization’s mission to end the first African American to navigate the prejudices inside in history from UNO, shared his prejudicial practices and racial teaching assistant at UNO and and outside his classroom by experiences as the first African discrimination. It led him to in 1969, he was the first African learning how to live with others American instructor hired at change his college major. American instructor hired at the who were different and by teach- UNO and as a leader in the civil “I was a pre-med major for University. ing his students to be willing to rights movement. 2 ½ years,” Cassimere said. “This It was a difficult time, he listen to other people’s opinions. “Bad things happened to was almost like a revolution. I got said. Some students balked at “That’s one thing I learned people who belonged to the so caught up in the movement.” having him as their history as a teacher, I was able to change NAACP,” Cassimere said, refer- In 1962, Cassimere help to teacher, Cassimere said. minds,” Cassimere said.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 17 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM InnovateUNO Symposium Showcases Students Scholarly Research and Creative Designs

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW from every discipline and area and room moderators staffed ning and urban studies graduate Orleans’ eighth annual In- high school students engaged the event. student, was one of two present- novateUNO wrapped up Nov. with UNO programs. “The impact UNO has on its ers awarded a $500 travel grant. 21 with an awards ceremony “This was our biggest Inno- undergraduate students through Moore is creating a pub- recognizing the winners of the vateUNO, with a 30% increase engagement in research, scholar- licly accessible GIS map and a research and creative sympo- in presentations compared to ship and creative activities was calendar that lists government sium. The first and fourth floor last year,” said Matthew Tarr, more evident than ever,” Tarr meetings that involve decisions of the Earl K. Long Library was vice president for research and said. “UNO’s impact on the on coastal issues. The public the center for the showcase in economic development. “We regional, national and interna- will be able to add events to the which students presented their saw participation from across tional communities was also calendar and upload their own independent research, schol- disciplines and effectively in- clearly demonstrated.” pictures and maps to help docu- arly or creative activities to the volved our entire campus com- This year, Louisiana Sea ment changes along the state’s campus community. munity as well as high school Grant also hosted a Coastal coastline, Moore said. Over the course of the students, alumni and business Connections Competition open The best-ranked presenta- three-day event, 415 presenters, partners.” to graduate students from UNO tions were awarded a total of co-presenters, and collaborators The presentations were and Tulane University. Eleven $3,800 by the Office of Research delivered 237 oral, poster, art, evaluated by 63 judges including students from a broad range of and the Oscar J. Tolmas Chari- theater, music, and film pre- UNO faculty, staff, graduate stu- disciplines presented on coastal table Trust. Both undergradu- sentations. Presenters included dents, alumni and business part- issues. ate and graduate students were UNO students, faculty and staff ners. More than 20 volunteers Alahna Moore, a UNO plan- awarded prizes.

The University of New Orleans’ eighth annual InnovateUNO, held Nov. 19-21, showcased outstanding research, scholarly activity and creative work.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 18 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM A panel of mental health professionals discuss “Mental Health in the Black Community” during a forum at the University of New Orleans.

Mental Health Panelists: ‘Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help’

MANY PEOPLE FIND THE “As a group we have a ten- excited that these young men emotional struggles, include topic of mental illness difficult dency to not necessarily identify chose this topic because I believe severe changes in eating or to discuss, in part because of mental health as an issue,” said it shows somewhat of a shift in sleeping habits, being constantly the negative stereotypes as- Watson, who is African Ameri- overall thinking. I think people angry or worried, said Al White, sociated with it, according to can. “It wasn’t something that are open to having more of these owner and director at Self-En- mental health professionals. we discussed. It was something conversations.” hancement Center, Inc. However, an alarmingly steady mostly to hide.” The panelists discussed the A constant theme from the rise in the number of suicides The need to bulldoze that need to be “self-aware” about panelists: Don’t be afraid to ask among young people, particu- uncommunicative wall led to the your mental health, and to know for help. larly among people of color, Nov. 20 panel discussion “Mental when to ask for help. “Everybody in here is men- means society has to remove Health in the Black Community.” “As a practitioner I tell my tally ill. If you’ve grown up in the the fear of labels when it comes The organization is an aca- clients all the time that there United States, you’ve got issues,” to mental health and seeking demic and social support pro- is no ideal state of mental Watson said.” You have baggage. professional help. gram established to address the functioning,” said Danielle I have issues. I’m in constant Suicide is the leading cause needs and challenges faced by Burton, a doctoral student in recovery. The only question is of death for African Ameri- African American male students UNO’s counselor education and how far does the impact go and cans aged 15 to 24, said Zarus at the University. The program’s supervision program. “What are you aware?” Watson, University of New 16 members chose the topic of you can do is define for yourself Ryan O’Pry, assistant direc- Orleans associate professor of mental health for its fall panel who you are, what your values tor and coordinator of clinical counseling. discussion, said Taryn Chevis, are and what your baselines are training of UNO’s Counseling Watson said the suicide manager of academic adminis- in terms of what you’re able to Services, gives this reminder: “I rate for African Americans was tration and a co-director of the accomplish … So, a mentally always think that it’s important a “trace” number in the early program. healthy person does recognize for me and clients and anyone to 1970s and climbed over 250 “A few lighter topics were those limitations and a mentally just remember that our mental percent by 1995. He thinks part thrown out for us to choose unhealthy person is usually just health is not our whole iden- of the reason is because mental from, however, the guys unaware.” tity,” he said. “It’s part of us, just illness was “swept under the overwhelmingly chose men- Possible signs that someone like our physical health or our rug” for so many years. tal health,” Chevis said. “I was may need help or is having some spirituality.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 19 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM 2019 Medallion Award Winners Named

THREE UNIVERSITY OF who spent 33 years at UNO as a New Orleans employees were professor, dean, vice chancellor, recognized for their outstand- the founding president of the ing contributions and presented UNO Research & Technology with University medallions by Park and co-founder of The Na- President John Nicklow during tional World War II Museum. It his State of the University ad- is awarded to an individual who dress in October. has provided significant leader- The recipients of the three ship toward the international- annual awards are: ization of the University. Parviz Rastgoufard, pro- Davidson, who was in fessor of electrical engineering, Austria and was unable to was awarded the Cooper R. attend the ceremony, has Mackin Medallion. The Mackin worked for 30 years to enhance Medallion was established to the internationalization of honor the third chancellor of the University, Nicklow said. the University of New Orleans “Colleagues cite Dr. Davidson and was first presented in 1998. for her passion, ingenuity and It is awarded to a faculty or tenacity,” he said. staff member who has made Karen Thomas, associate outstanding contributions in dean for STEM recruitment, support of the University’s retention and outreach in the mission. College of Sciences; received “Dr. Rastgoufard is an the Presidential Staff Medal- eminent scholar, researcher and lion. It is awarded to the staff teacher,” Nicklow said. “He has member who has demonstrated served as a principal investiga- outstanding service to the Uni- tor on more than 50 research versity community. projects and his mentorship of “Dr. Thomas is an outstand- junior faculty members ensures ing communicator who works his legacy is a lasting one.” closely with academic advisers Margaret Davidson, to improve student success,” TOP: President John Nicklow (far right) with resident director and faculty Nicklow said. “She supports two of the three recipients of the University’s member of the UNO Innsbruck undergraduate students groups annual awards, (l-r)Parviz Rastgoufard Academic Year Abroad pro- with a special focus on women and Karen Thomas. ABOVE: President John gram, was awarded the Gordon in STEM. And she plays a key Nicklow presents a University medallion to H. “Nick” Mueller International role in bringing young people Margaret Davidson. Leadership Medallion. The and community organizations medallion is named for Mueller, to campus for events.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 20 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM University of New Orleans Researchers Teach Coastal Environment in Ghana

TWO UNIVERSITY OF NEW research by teaching about Orleans researchers spent time wetlands and coastal ecosys- in West Africa last summer as tems and leading a laboratory part of the Coastal Ocean En- exercise on plastic transport in vironment Summer School in the ocean. Ghana (COESSING). Ebenezer The 2019 summer school Nyadjro and Madeline Foster- was held Aug. 5-10 at Regional on a range of subjects in the University of New Orleans Martinez lectured, conducted Maritime University in Accra, morning, including wetlands, researchers Ebenezer Nyadjro and hands-on labs and led project Ghana and attracted 350 appli- satellite oceanography, plastic Madeline Foster-Martinez spent teams for the school, which cants for the 120 available spots. transports in the ocean and a week along the Gulf of Guinea serves undergraduates, gradu- The participants at the school, Gulf of Guinea oceanography. teaching coastal environmental ate and faculty participants which is free, are mainly from In the afternoon, hands-on concepts to graduate and undergraduate students in Ghana. from across that country. Ghana and Nigeria, but others laboratory exercises were Since 2015, a group of are from Benin, Liberia, Côte conducted on those subjects ocean experts from the U.S., d’Ivoire and Cameroon. and participants were taught raphy or ocean modeling. For Italy and France has teamed Ghana’s location on the where and how to obtain data others, it may be their first time up with colleagues in Ghana Gulf of Guinea in West Africa for their research work, as well programming for data analysis, to run the weeklong intensive gives it access to resources such as how to process and analyze using oceanographic instru- summer school that is designed as fisheries, tourism, and oil the data. ments or going on a boat. to increase interest and build and gas, but bordering an ocean The school, which receives “The school also provides knowledge capacity in coastal and having a coastline also funding from the National the opportunity to network and and oceanography research. brings challenges, Nyadjro says, Science Foundation, the build future collaborations.” Nyadjro, an assistant profes- such as coastal erosion, pollu- University of Michigan, and Nyadjro and Foster-Marti- sor of research in the physics tion and piracy. The International Centre for nez said the summer school has department at UNO and a “There has been limited Theoretical Physics in Italy, was been a success because it has native of Ghana, has taught formal research to understand started by University of Michi- helped many budding scientists satellite oceanography since the how people co-exist with, and gan professor Brian Arbic. in the sub-region to develop school’s inception. sustainably use these resources “COESSING is important their research skills in coastal Foster-Martinez, a post- in West Africa,” Nyadjro says. because it provides an oppor- processes and oceanography. doctoral research associate in “COESSING was established tunity for new experiences,” After the summer session, the Pontchartrain Institute for to help expand the interest and Foster-Martinez says. “For the facilitators keep in touch with Environmental Sciences, has expertise in coastal and ocean some participants, it is their the participants, and help them spent three summers in Ghana research.” first time studying topics like acquire and analyze data for their pursuing her interest in coastal The school offered lectures satellite oceanography, hydrog- studies and dissertations.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COESSING SPRING 2020 SILVER & BLUE 19

UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 21 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM Center Austria Director Guenter Bischof Receives ‘Scholar of the Year Award’ UNIVERSITY OF NEW Founded in 1997, Cen- Innsbruck to UNO— Orleans history professor ter Austria is a research and 1,000 or so since 1998— and Center Austria director discourse hub for Austrian and is much appreciated in Guenter Bischof was honored European studies at UNO and Austria and not taken by his home state of Vorarlberg, in New Orleans. The center for granted,” Bischof Austria with the “Scholar of the advances understanding of says. Year Award.” Austrian and Central European Bischof, who Bischof grew up in the culture through scholarly and received his master’s de- Alpine village of Mellau on the artistic activities, and academic gree in history from the Swiss border. From skiing and partnerships. University of New Or- playing soccer as a youngster, The award was bestowed by leans, enjoys teaching at UNO’s Center Austria director Guenter Bischof says he has graduated Vorarlberg governor Markus international summer schools in Bischof (center) received the to swimming and hiking in his Wallner during a November Innsbruck and Prague. “Scholar of the Year Award” from beloved Alps. ceremony at the state capitol in He has been a visiting the Austrian state of Vorarlberg The award is in recognition Bregenz, Austria. professor at the Universities of with Markus Wallner (right), for Bischof’s work in Austria “To me this award indicates Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, governor of Vorarlberg, and Lt. and for his work bringing that my work on Austrian- Vienna, the Economics Uni- Gov. Barbara Schoebi-Fink. students from the University of American relations and our versity in Prague and the State Innsbruck to UNO on a regular Center Austria work to bring University for the Humanities in basis through Center Austria. students from the University of Moscow.

Researcher Awarded NSF Grant To Study Marriage Attitudes in the 21st Century THE SIGNIFICANCE OF graduate-level courses in feel about marriage and family marriage in American society is social psychology, gender and and why? We also want to ask seen in the myriad ways that it sexualities, research methods questions about divorce and binds individuals legally, social- and social statistics, has been involvement with the State.” ly, politically and symbolically. awarded a $261,666 grant from Compton says the research Marriage entails not only social the National Science Founda- is important because many of and emotional attachments, but tion to research attitudes toward those questions have not been also legal obligations and access marriage among heterosexual asked to a national sample and to privileges, says University of and same-sex couples. the responses can be compared New Orleans sociology profes- Compton is conducting the across sexual orientations. sor D’Lane Compton. research in collaboration with There is very little nationally D’Lane Compton Historically, marriage has Gayle Kaufman, a sociology representative data on topics re- meant heterosexual mar- professor at Davidson College in lated to the LGBT community, feel the same toward marriage as riage and has been studied North Carolina. Compton says. the heterosexual community?” overwhelmingly as such, says “We have seen some signifi- “For example, we know that The three-year study will Compton. She wants to under- cant changes in behavior—more some of the LGBT community include a national survey con- stand what marriage attitudes folks are opting out of marriage, is very pro-marriage and we also ducted by AmeriSpeak and will are in the 21st century, par- and are waiting longer to get know there are people that are include follow-up interviews ticularly in the wake of the 2015 married,” Compton says. “Same very against marriage. But we with LGBT adults in diverse U.S. Supreme Court ruling in with regards to having children. have no rate. We also have no regional locations around the which same-sex marriages were We also are seeing new types of way of comparing LGBT indi- country, Compton says, who ex- deemed legal. family structures and chosen vidual’s attitudes toward mar- pects to complete a book based Compton, who currently family formations. riage with non-LGBT individu- on the findings within the next teaches undergraduate and “We want to know how folks als. Does the LGBT community several years.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 22 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM Chemistry Researchers Are Going Green UNIVERSITY OF NEW very mild “green” conditions, These characteris- Orleans chemistry researchers Trudell says. tics are all extremely have developed a new, environ- Making such connections important to highly mentally friendly material for between molecules, called desirable clean, envi- the production of important Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, ronmentally friendly molecules that are used in is significant for the production green chemistry, pharmaceuticals and agro- of important molecules used in Trudell says. chemicals, such as herbicides pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals “This catalyst will and insecticides. and other fine chemical prod- allow chemists to The research appeared in a ucts, he says. make a large variety of recent edition of the prestigious What is especially exciting important molecules, American Chemical Society about this discovery, Trudell impacting all areas Journal “Organic Letters,” and says, is that, unlike previous of synthetic organic chemistry department chair systems, which required high chemistry,” he says. Mark Trudell is currently seek- reaction temperatures and The catalyst consists of The research team, led by ing both U.S. and international expensive, environmentally a naturally occurring clay Trudell, also includes chemistry patents on the invention. unfriendly solvents, this new nanoscale tubular mate- doctoral student Alexis Blanco, Jumanah Hamdi, a chemis- catalytic material works at rial, halloysite, with palladium undergraduate Brooke Diehl try doctoral student in Trudell’s room temperature, in water, nanoparticles inside. Nanoscale and John Wiley, chemistry group, developed the new and can be used repeatedly materials are about one ten professor and director of UNO’s catalyst that allows molecules without significant loss in activ- thousandth the width of a hu- Advanced Materials Research to form chemical bonds under ity or leaching of the metal. man hair, Trudell says. Institute.

Researchers To Study Community Resilience as Part of $5.5 Million Grant

RESEARCHERS IN THE group of scientists from 10 the Gulf region to improve the and other short- and long-term University of New Orleans universities, including Tulane dissemination of information stressors while maintaining the Center for Hazards Assess- University. about potential hazards to resi- integrity of its community and ment, Response and Technology The University’s portion of dential housing that can change culture. (UNO-CHART) will study ways the grants is just over $290,000, overtime. The United Houma Nation is to enhance the resiliency of Gulf according to Monica Farris, The ultimate goal of the a Louisiana state-recognized tribe Coast communities as part of director of UNO-CHART. project is to identify practices primarily based in southeastern two grants totaling more than A project titled “The New most likely to result in residents Louisiana that is striving to main- $5.5 million from the National First Line of Defense: Building taking actions to reduce risk and tain its unique culture amidst Academies of Sciences, Engineer- Community Resilience through increase resilience. dramatic climatic, environmental ing and Medicine’s Gulf Research Residential Risk Disclosure,” was The second project, titled and socioeconomic change. Program. awarded a $3.4 million grant. “Climate, Culture, Movement: The project team will col- UNO researchers will work Led by the University of Cen- Navigating Decision-Making laborate with the United Houma on the two projects in collabora- tral Florida, researchers will work in a Shifting Landscape for a Nation to examine existing and tion with an interdisciplinary with communities throughout Resilient United Houma Nation,” emerging stressors, identify was awarded $2.1 resilience strategies and produce million. actionable information, tools and Led by Tulane interventions that can be used University, the goal by the tribe to navigate these of this project is challenges. to determine how Researchers say the project’s the United Houma findings will be useful to other Nation can adapt Gulf Coast communities facing to climate-related similar issues.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 23 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM 22 SILVER & BLUE FALL 2019

UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 24 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM ALUMNUS CHRIS DIER is LOUISIANA TEACHER of the YEAR

BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD PHOTOGRAPHS BY TRACIE MORRIS SCHAEFER

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 25 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM CHRIS DIER, THE 2020 LOUISIANA TEACHER OF THE YEAR That class, Room 215, is loaded with memorabilia acquired and a finalist for the national title, once considered becoming an during summer travels abroad. Inspirational quotes from Caesar attorney. However, during his senior year in college, frustrated by Chavez, Marcus Garvey, Helen Keller, Mark Twain and others adorn a constitutional law course, he accepted his mother’s invitation to the walls, along with student-drawn pictures of Dier. One drawing observe her teaching class at Chalmette High School. has a conversation bubble written in Spanish that says “Tenga un As he watched his mother, a veteran educator of more than 30 buen dia!” (Have a nice day). Around the room an eclectic offering years, Dier saw an entirely new world—and a different career path of books—classic and contemporary fare—spill from shelves. for himself. Traveling, particularly to foreign countries, challenges him and “I was immediately taken aback by the atmosphere in her offers new perspectives, Dier says. He wants to bring a similar sense classroom. Students were learning, discussing, asking questions and of exploration to his students, he says. developing a sense of self in real time,” says Dier, who teaches world “It might not be appealing for students to just hear me talk about history and AP human geography at Chalmette High School. “It was Peruvian culture, but what if I passed around a tapestry hand-woven Cthe first time I watched a class from the teacher’s perspective. After by an indigenous Q’eros family for them to feel?” Dier says. “Simi- that day, I decided to give teaching a go.” larly, I also bring stories of other cultures to my students. In Vietnam, Dier, who grew up in St. Bernard Parish and evacuated to Texas I explored how they study the Vietnam War, or as they call it—the after Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters inundated his community in American War, and share those perspectives with my students.” 2005, returned to Louisiana after completing a bachelor’s degree in While studying the Holocaust, Dier held class in a grassy history at East Texas Baptist University. courtyard outside. He assigned students to explore what the Jewish He applied for teaching positions and enrolled at the University people faced while being held at the German concentration camp in of New Orleans where he earned master’s degrees in teaching and Auschwitz using photos and text excerpts left at designated stations. educational leadership. The assignment was intended to allow students to discuss the “I was drawn to the University of New Orleans because it pro- traumatic events from the Jews first arrival, to their daily work vided a sense of community while providing an opportunity to get assignments and ultimately the deadly gas chambers disguised as a high-quality education,” Dier says. “UNO is a staple in the New showers. Orleans community. My first program there was such a success that I “What didn’t you know?” Dier asks one group. went back to get another degree.” “About the different types of tests they did,” student Derek Dier followed his mother’s lead and has become a history teacher Hutchinson says. who attempts to contextualize the subject by bringing real-world “Right, there were a lot of different experiments conducted on examples and an infusion of empathy and diverse viewpoints into the Jews,” Dier says. the class. A picture of a mother leading her child on what history has revealed was a death march, stood out to Jenna Riess. “She didn’t know,” Riess says. Dier agrees. “Looking at that picture now we know, and it’s an eerie feeling. It gives us chills.” Courtney Assavedo and Logan Dusang, both seniors at Chalmette High School, say they enjoy Dier’s class because he’s passionate about what he teaches and makes it interesting. “He puts it into perspective to us now, like everything he teaches he relates it back to us and how it has af- fected us,” Assavedo says. “It makes it easier to learn.” For example, during a study of world wars, Dier created a skit and assigned students different countries to represent their interest in the conflicts, Assavedo recalled. “He doesn’t just teach us about it from one perspective,” Dusang says. “He teaches about other countries’ perspectives as well.” An accurate study of history offers valuable lessons for the future and al- Traveling, particularly to foreign countries, challenges him and lows students to gain a greater under- standing of other cultures, values and offers new perspectives, Dier says. He wants to bring a similar beliefs, Dier says. “This understanding fosters sense of exploration to his students. empathy for others as it centers on

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 26 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM human connection. So many societal issues are due to misunderstandings; an accurate study of history is the first “Since Katrina, our district has become more diverse as step toward addressing misunderstanding,” Dier says. “I work to create an environment of understanding each day in my classroom because our students deserve communities we have immigrants from Latin America, the Middle East where that is also true.” and Southeast Asia. These waves of immigration provide LOUISIANA TEACHER OF THE YEAR Dier has taught school for 10 years and was selected as St. Bernard’s Teacher of the Year to represent the parish in plenty of opportunities to incorporate other cultures the state competition last year. It was the second time he’d earned the honor of the parish’s top teacher. and histories into my classroom.” On July 19, 2019, following months of interviews and making the list of nine finalists that were culled from more than 200 applicants, Dier was named the 2020 Louisiana pleted an Advanced Placement Summer Institute course at Fordham State Teacher of the Year at the state’s 13th annual Cecil J. Picard University and currently participates in professional development Educator Awards Gala held in Baton Rouge, La. programs at Harvard Business School that focus on case method “I was in a state of disbelief and shock. I almost thought they teaching. made an error because I did not think it would’ve been me,” says “I believe students flourish when they see themselves reflected Dier. in the classroom, and we have a lot of culture in our state,” says Dier Dier says the biggest highlight was seeing his mother’s face when who points out the current demographics of St. Bernard are radically the announcement was made. different from the homogenized parish that he grew up in prior to “She just burst out in tears,” he says. “She is still a teacher and Hurricane Katrina. first inspired me to become a teacher, so I think it’s more than just a “Since Katrina, our district has become more diverse as we have moment of being proud of a son for an accomplishment.” immigrants from Latin America, the Middle East and Southeast In addition to representing Louisiana in the national competi- Asia. These waves of immigration provide plenty of opportunities to tion, Dier also has a state and national platform from which he gets incorporate other cultures and histories into my classroom.” to tout his education initiatives on student equity and inclusion. Incorporating student diversity into the classroom also brings a Dier says he wants to collaborate with other educators to develop certain level of learning “ownership,” Dier says. culturally responsive teaching practices across the state, “from Cajun “If we make their identity a part of their education, then students country to north Louisiana.” take ownership over their own learning and become autonomous In 2016, he was selected as a Hollyhock Fellow at Stanford Uni- learners,” he says. “By spotlighting identity and culture, we teach to versity, a program that brings educators together to work collectively students’ strengths and experiences, thus empowering students to toward creating classrooms that are more inclusive. In 2018, he com- succeed while supporting their emotional well-being.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 27 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SHERLOCK HOLMES The discovery, made near Montana’s Hell to deduce the research interest of University of Creek Formation in 2017, yielded an upper jaw New Orleans alumnus David Burnham. In fact, section, with all of the teeth intact, along with he gives a T. rex-size clue in his one-word email parts of the skull, foot, hip and backbone of the address: dinosaur. young T. rex that the team named Laurel. That keen interest, first cultivated as an Burnham estimates Laurel’s age to have been undergraduate student at UNO, helped Burnham around 11 years old and projects that it would to lead the excavation team that uncovered the have been about 20-feet long with a skull extend- fossils of a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex estimated ing another 3-feet. It would have stood 7-feet-tall to have lived 66 million years ago. at the hips, he says. The discovery of a juvenile T. rex is un- That is about half the size of an adult, which common, says Burnham, paleontologist at the experts estimate to have been about 40 feet University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum in Lawrence, Kansas. “They are incredibly rare with less than a handful found,” Burnham says. “We know very little about the lifestyle of young T. rex so the KU discovery gives us another data point.” The fossils help researchers learn more about how the dinosaurs developed and how they lived. However, because of the juvenile’s rapid growth rate, they were not small for long. Scientists believe that T. rexes matured at 19, Burnham says. “They lived hard, fast lives. The oldest T. rex is about 30 years old,” Burnham says. Even if the juvenile managed to escape the cannibalism of the adult Tyrannosaurus rex, their bones were more fragile and subject to erode quicker after death, making them more difficult to find, Burnham says. Alumnus David Burnham REALLY DIGS

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 28 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM DINOSAURS

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 29 4/24/2020 7:50:03 AM Burnham spends at least a month in the summer and a few weeks in the fall at excavation sites to collect specimens.

million years ago. Researchers say the rock forma- tions at Hell Creek date back to that time and are a hot bed for dinosaur fossils. Burnham has Laurel’s fossils in his lab where they are being cleaned, examined and prepared for exhibition. For now, the skull of the juvenile T. rex is “fairly complete,” so those bones might be exhibited fi rst, he says. “We are in the early planning stage but we are not fi nished digging at the site,” Burnham says. Burnham’s job is a mixture of lab work, research and public outreach, he says. “I also mentor undergraduate and graduate students as a thesis adviser,” he says. “On Fridays I have a volunteer program so anyone who wants to work on dinosaur bones can come in and participate.” His interest in fossils was piqued aft er taking a paleontology course at UNO from earth and environmental sciences professor Kraig Derstler, Burnham says. “As an undergrad I almost became an English major and studied screen- writing under Andrew Horton. I also wrote fi lm reviews for the school newspaper and was on the board of the student union movie committee,” Burnham says. “But aft er that paleon- tology course, I was hooked.” Burnham holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in geology from the University of New Orleans and a doc- long, with 12 inches of sharp, bone-crushing teeth. Th e average T. torate in geology from the University of Kansas. rex height was 12 to 20 feet tall, scientists say. Th ey are estimated to “I was able to get a very robust education in biology and geol- have weighed about 10,000 pounds. ogy, both of which a paleontologist needs,” he says. Th e speed of these massive creatures ranged from 5 mph to 20 Derstler’s paleontology program sparked his return to UNO for mph. Juveniles at Laurel’s size averaged 25 mph to 40 mph, Burn- graduate school, Burnham says. ham says. “We were able to go on many fi eld expeditions to search rock Th e fi nd revealed that the young T. rex did not have the outcrops in the South for sea monsters called mosasaurs as well as tremendous bite force of their adult counterparts and might have going out west to hunt dinosaurs,” Burnham says. occupied a diff erent ecological niche that allowed them to go aft er Burnham spends at least a month in the summer and a few diff erent prey, Burnham says. weeks in the fall at excavation sites to collect specimens. “Th e adults were too slow to catch the fast-running, feathered “I bring them back to my lab where they can be removed from ostrich-like dinosaurs. But the young ones, we presume, utilized the rock and carefully cleaned so they can be studied and put on their faster speed to catch them,” Burnham says. “Th ey were not exhibit,” he says. dumb reptiles. In fact, they are the progenitors of birds and were Th e fi eldwork is the best part of the job, Burnham says. probably more intelligent than we have assumed. T. rex had a brain “Discovery is such an adrenaline punch that lights up my curi- as large as ours!” osity about what the world was like millions of years ago,” he says . Scientists estimate that the T. rex lived during the last two “I also enjoy traveling around the world visiting other museums to million years of the Cretaceous Period, about 65 million to 67 conduct research.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 30 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM VE THE DATE SA S

HOMECOMING WEEK November 9-14, 2020

Activities all week including Distinguished Alumni Gala Ī Class Reunions Ī Homecoming Tailgate & Game Īand Much More

UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 31 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM YELENA RIVERA HAS LEARNED TO TAKE THE CURVE BALLS the feasibility of projects, creating specifi cations, plans, construc- of life with a calm assurance that unforeseen circumstances will tion schedules, and designs for projects, and providing support for straighten out; she just has to stay the course. For instance, Hurri- bidding and construction of projects. cane Katrina forced Rivera to evacuate New Orleans just two weeks Last September, Rivera was named the American Society of aft er moving from Belize to attend the University of New Orleans. Civil Engineer Outstanding Young Civil Engineer in Louisiana. Th e University was able to reopen later in the fall semester, Th e annual award is given in recognition of professional achieve- largely through courses that were taught online or at the Univer- ments, leadership and exceptional dedication and service to the sity’s campus in Metairie. In spite of all of the upheaval and the profession. fact that she had no relatives in New Orleans, Rivera followed her “I just feel sometimes that things are just meant to be and you instincts and decided to remain enrolled at UNO. are just projected in the direction,” Rivera says. “You may have a “I think there is something to say about the fact that my experi- general idea … but, I don’t know, it just all works out.” ence was so positive all of the two weeks that I was here, that I de- Th at’s not to say that Rivera does not plan. She does—in detail. cided to come back and fi nish my degree,” Rivera says. “I probably She laughs as she tells the story of how she “mapped out” a portion could have transferred somewhere else, but … I decided to come of downtown New Orleans in search of a job shortly aft er gradua- back and fi nish what I started.” tion. Th at decision set her on a path to earn a degree in civil and en- “I guess because I’m an engineer I literally mapped out down- vironmental engineering in 2009. In the decade since graduating town New Orleans and the exact buildings of where I was going to college, Rivera has established a career as a professional engineer at go, companies that I was going to target,” Rivera says. C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, LLC, a Lafayette-based consult- She had researched the companies that she planned a “cold ing fi rm with offi ces in downtown New Orleans. call” visit to get an understanding of the kind of projects they Rivera’s responsibilities include calculating cost, determining worked on, what they were successful at doing and aligning those

Alumna Yelena Rivera recognized as Louisiana’s Outstanding Young Civil Engineer

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 32 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM findings with what she wanted to do as an engineer. time because that will kind of carry through to your job.” “I did a map and laid out a strategy,” she says. “I was just being Now with 10 years of experience, Rivera takes the lead on open-minded. I knew that I was walking in cold.” projects and oversees two employees in her New Orleans office. Rivera also knew that she needed to find a job before her stu- She is also the chair of the Louisiana Civil Engineering Conference dent visa expired and she was forced to leave the country. and Show, an annual professional development conference in New “I decided to just go down Poydras, park and see what comes of Orleans that attracts hundreds. it,” Rivera says. The best part of her job, she says, is seeing how her company’s Her tenacity paid off when representatives at two companies projects improve the community. agreed to meet with her. These were not full-blown interviews, but “Whether it is transportation, flood fighting, just basically how informal discussions about what she could do and what she wanted it contributes to the growth and protection of the community,” she to do, Rivera says. says. “That’s the most satisfying part. You have to spend a lot of “Fenstermaker was one of them,” says Rivera. “They called time doing the design work, overseeing the construction, but you me back for a formal interview, and that’s pretty much how that really don’t see the end result until the project is done, and you see worked out.” it implemented and being used by the public.” Although she did not have experience, Rivera says her stellar One of Rivera’s first projects was the more than $32 million academic record and involvement in volunteer work outside the elevation of an existing levee in Plaquemines Parish. She worked classrooms and in engineering clubs boosted her standing with with her mentor on the long-term assignment. potential employers. “It was good experience to see the project go from the begin- “I had just completed my bachelor’s degree and graduated with ning to the end,” she says. “There were a lot of lessons learned, honors,” she says. “I think a company likes to see that you are a a lot of growth for me. I think that was one of my proudest mo- well-rounded student who can handle different projects at the same ments, completing that project.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 33 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM French internship a Francophile’s dream for graduate student Kathy Bradshaw

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 34 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS GRADUATE STUDENT searched countries for planned visits by the senator. Kathy Bradshaw describes herself as an irrepressible “Francophile” “And once, I got to join the senator for lunch. That, to me, was who fell in love with France at age 12 during a family trip to Europe. one of the most exciting opportunities to write home about—lunch As a middle school student in Michigan, she went against the with a senator! I’ve never had that experience before.” grain to study French as her foreign language elective, although a Bradshaw lived in the south central part of Paris in the Cité friend chided her selection “as dumb.” Universitaire, an international campus of dormitory-style housing However, Bradshaw had decided that no matter what it took, she owned by a private foundation whose mission is to accommodate was going to learn to speak French “like a French person.” university students and researchers from around the globe. “I love almost everything about France—the food, the architec- She was assigned a room in the “American” house with a shared ture, the history, the shopping and especially the language,” Brad- bathroom down the hall. shaw says. “The things I don’t love about France are strikes, their “I fixed up my room with lights and posters on the walls and gi- bureaucracy and their lack of public bathrooms.” ant maps of France,” Bradshaw says. “I even got two pet fish, named She majored in French as an undergraduate at Kalamazoo Col- Normandy and Montpellier. Or, Norman and Monty for short.” lege in Michigan, has lived in France several times over the years and The campus was next to one of the city’s major train and tram has taken lessons at the Alliance Française of New Orleans. lines, which made getting around easy, Bradshaw says. That is, until “When I look back, the whole thing French public transportation workers makes me laugh. I can’t believe I ever went on strike in December 2019 to considered not learning French,” says protest proposed government changes in Bradshaw. “French has become such a retirement and pension plans. part of me and of who I am. That trip to The strike has resulted in transporta- France as a kid changed my life!” tion slow downs and shut downs, she says. Bradshaw, now fluent in French, “It was hard to get around anywhere, spent last fall in Paris after being selected both on public transportation in Paris for a four-month internship through and on trains going anywhere outside of the French American Fund, a nonprofit Paris,” Bradshaw says. “The trains within organization that gives students an op- Paris only ran at certain times—mostly portunity to study the country’s legisla- during rush hours during the week and tive process. midday on weekends … Some people The organization receives support would walk for over an hour to get some- from the City of Orleans, France, the where. Any form of public transportation Consulate General of France in New Or- was almost always packed to the gills.” leans and the New Orleans mayor’s office. Bradshaw says she realizes that Bradshaw heard about the internship France’s “right to strike” laws were differ- through UNO’s Division of International ent than in the U.S. where certain federal Education. workers are more regulated and often “They were looking for someone in a prohibited from striking if it would create master’s program at UNO who was fluent a national emergency. in French and ideally had some experi- “Whereas the French have a free and FACING PAGE: ence in France,” Bradshaw says. “There University of New Orleans graduate legal right to strike,” Bradshaw says. “And were two of us who applied, and I was student Kathy Bradshaw takes a seat in the they readily and regularly take advantage THIS selected!” conference hall at the French Sénat in Paris. of this right to an extreme, even to the PAGE: Bradshaw, who returned to New Or- Bradshaw in Paris with the Eiffel Tower in point of incapacitating the country.” leans in late December, worked in the of- the background. Bradshaw’s free time was spent ex- fice of French Sénateur Damien Regnard ploring and trying to soak in as much of at the Sénat/Palais Bourbon; she also took a class at the renowned the authentic nature of the country as possible. Paris university the Sorbonne. “It’s much easier to stay within a group of friends, speak English, The experience will be part of her master’s thesis, which is a and basically bring America abroad with you,” Bradshaw says. “That’s comparison of French and American cultures, says Bradshaw, who understandable. But, at the same time, you’ll learn so much more is pursuing a master’s in English with a concentration in professional if you force yourself to speak another language or try to meet the writing. locals. Integrate. “It’s meant to be a look at the quirky things about each of our “I’ve traveled alone all over France because I’d rather go alone than countries and to poke fun a bit on both sides,” she says. not go at all. And I still had an amazing time and saw incredible cities.” Like the U.S. Congress, the French Parliament is composed of Bradshaw says she “traveled like crazy” during her months in two chambers: the Senate and the National Assembly, or “Assemblée France and discovered new regions and cities while learning more Nationale,” and Bradshaw was able to observe both chambers in about the country and its diverse culture. session. “And probably most importantly, I’ve learned about the govern- “The legislative process is not very different from that in the ment of France and what makes the country tick,” she says. Sates,” she says. “But because I’ve never been inside the U.S. Senate or Bradshaw uses pop culture to describe her excitement and ap- Congress, I might possibly know more now about the French system preciation for her French immersion. than I do about our own legislature. “When you love a place as much as I love it here, it’s an honor “I’ve even gotten to watch them vote on a law,” she says. to get this sort of insider’s perspective,” she says. “Kind of like the Bradshaw, who worked a flexible schedule around her university superfan-equivalent of getting invited to a party at Kim Kardashi- class, also helped to create a database of French mayors and re- an’s house.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 35 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM 34 SILVER & BLUE FALL 2019

UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 36 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM Alumnus

THE RED CANTINI ELECTRIC VIOLIN started to like it.” is slung over his shoulder, much like a Trenton That “like” of the violin bloomed jacket. The stringed instrument, fancy into passion in high school when though it is, is neither prop nor acces- Thomas heard contemporary jazz vio- sory. For Trenton Ray Thomas, known linist Michael Ward’s music. Thomas in the entertainment world as “T-Ray “T-Ray” and Ward’s son, Shaun Ward, were the Violinist,” it is a necessity. friends at Woodlawn High School. The University of New Orleans “He brought the album to school music education graduate travels the and I listened to it,” Thomas says. “It country dispelling stereotypes by mak- really changed my perspective of the ing his violin sing tunes as myriad as Thomas violin because up until that point the the venues in which he’s performing only music that I related to the violin them. was classical, zydeco, Cajun fiddler “Sometimes people will see me music.” with a violin and before they hear me, makes merry During his junior and senior year say ‘Oh, he’s going to play some classi- of high school, Thomas attended the cal music,’” Thomas says. “Or, they hear New Orleans Center for Creative Arts my name and they automatically have on the weekends and knew he wanted a preconceived notion about what it’s to pursue a career in music. going to be.” on the violin When he earned a full scholar- Last year Thomas was a featured ship to UNO, he enrolled in the music artist during the Essence Festival in program. July and entertained at New Orleans “I met people that I’m still friends Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ 40th with to this day,” says Thomas, a for- birthday bash in January. mer UNO Ambassador and member “It was just cool to be in that space of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. “I built and just soak it in,” Thomas says of great relationships with people who Brees’ soiree. “It’s not like a once-in-a- worked there and who have gradu- lifetime thing, but you know it kind of ated.” gave me a preview of what’s to come.” Thomas later switched his major to Thomas describes himself as a music education, which allowed him multi-genre violinist and his repertoire to land a salaried teaching job while consists of Top 40, R&B, hip-hop, jazz still playing gigs. and, yes, classical music. Five years ago, he decided to leave “The reason I say multi-genre is the classroom to pursue music fulltime for people to understand that it’s more after his day job conflicted with the than just one musical type that can be chance to play the French Quarter played on this instrument,” Thomas Festival with the now-Grammy Award says. “When I was teaching, and when nominated band, Tank and the Bangas. I do workshops, I tell kids, even though It was a difficult decision, he says, you’re playing the violin or you’re play- but it has paid off. ing the clarinet or tuba, don’t let that “I can see the progression of me as box you in … music is music. You have an artist, branding myself and being the ability to choose whatever type of able to handle certain situations on music you want to convey through that the music side and the business side,” instrument.” Thomas says. Thomas understands the staid Thomas is completing two projects stereotype because he once thought the same way: the violin was that are scheduled for release this year. One is called “Unexpected for playing classical, orchestra-type music—or zydeco. Sounds Vol. 3,” which is a cover project of well-known songs fea- He was introduced to the violin as a fourth-grade student in turing a violin lead. Baton Rouge. He saw the twice-a-week arts enrichment visits as “My goal was to get people to see the violin in a different light,” a ticket out of his regular class. He had never handled such an Thomas says. “It wasn’t just a background instrument it can hold a instrument and had never seen an African American man playing melody just as good as somebody singing or rapping or whatever it, Thomas says. the case might be.” “That was my first time ever seeing somebody that looked like A debut compilation of original music called “Visionary” is set me, play the violin and I was like, ‘This is amazing’,” says Thomas. for release in the fall, Thomas says. “It originally started out as just a way to get out of class then I “It’s been a busy year,” he says. “It’s been a blessing.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 37 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM UNO-INNSBRUCK International Summer School Turns 45

Students pose for a picture in 1976 before boarding the airplane for that inaugural summer session in Innsbruck, Austria.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 38 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM IN 1976, THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF WHAT WOULD become the University of New Orleans’ fl agship study abroad pro- gram, stood on an airport tarmac—in front of the airplane they would soon board—and posed for posterity. Given the dramatic changes in airport security, it is fair to say replicating that photo- graphic feat is unlikely. UNO administrators, however, have duplicated the quality study experience of that fi rst year, as evidenced by the 10,528 students who have participated in the UNO-Innsbruck Interna- tional Summer School in Austria since 1976. Th is summer, the program turns 45 years old. As further proof of the program’s success and popularity, the 275 available slots were fi lled in less than two weeks. “We attribute it to the way the program is run so well,” says Alea Cot, assistant provost and director of international educa- tion. “It’s known for its quality.” Based on feedback surveys, students also appreciate the broadness of the program, which off ers up to 40 classes in multiple discipline areas, including business, history, political science, and fi ne arts, Cot says. Th ere are also guided group fi eld trips to nearby countries, such as visiting the BMW car factory in Munich, Germany; exploring castles in Bavaria, Germany or touring the archeo- logical museum in Bolzano, Italy. “Study abroad is very much a value-added part of

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 39 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM their undergraduate UNO experience,” Cot says. “Yes, it’s going to cost money to invest, but the dividends that you reap continues long aft er you return home. You refl ect more and more about how you’ve grown and what you’ve learned, and how you want to do it again!” UNO alumna Jaclyn Wagers can attest to that sentiment. She participated in the program in 2015 and 2018. Her mother, also an UNO alumna, studied at Innsbruck in the 1980s, Wagers says. “She always shared such good memories of it,” Wagers says. Now, Wagers has her own stories to tell. “Innsbruck is amazing,” she says. “Th e city itself is beautiful; there’s a river that fl ows through it and mountains are all around it.” UNO-Innsbruck is the University’s largest and oldest study abroad program. In 1976, then-UNO history professor Gordon “Nick” Mueller, founding president of the National WWII Museum, opened the UNO International Summer School in Innsbruck. Students live in a dormitory at the University of Innsbruck. Th e central location of Innsbruck, in the heart of Europe, off ers easy ac- cess to many other countries, such as Italy, Switzerland and France. In 1979, the UNO history department off ered a graduate fellow- ship to Guenter Bischof, the fi rst Innsbruck degree-seeking student

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 40 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM at UNO. By 1982, the two universities were conducting joint sympo- to do when a train strike happens or a plane is delayed,” Ziegler says. sia and exchange programs. “A lot of students really like the program because of that independent An offi cial partnership treaty was signed in 1983 and still travel opportunity they have.” governs their relationship. Today, approximately 40 students from Wagers, who graduated in 2018, says her travels included Am- University of Innsbruck study at UNO each year. sterdam, Paris, Venice, Budapest, Rome and London. Irene Ziegler, the program director, arrived at UNO in 1992 from “I tried to go somewhere every weekend,” she says. Austria as an exchange student. She met her husband, a fellow UNO Wagers, the corporate sales and events manager for Reginelli’s student, in New Orleans and later returned to live and work in the Pizzeria, says scholarships helped pay for her study abroad programs. city. “I was very fortunate to have found some good scholarships “I can share my home country and my culture with our stu- that help pay for a majority of my trip,” she says. “Th ere are more dents,” Ziegler says. “It’s really special.” organizations than not that really want to see young people studying Ziegler says there are three main reasons why she thinks the abroad, and I was lucky enough to fi nd that.” study abroad program is important: academics, international experi- Wagers’ advice to students looking to participate in the study ence and independent travel. abroad program is simple. During the six-week program, students are in class with Austrian “Say yes to every opportunity,” she says. “I tried to go on every students, sharing and hearing diff erent perspectives in an interna- fi eld trip they off ered … Go to the lectures, they are very interest- tional setting, she says. Classes are held Monday through Th ursday, ing. Th ere were some required lectures that I wasn’t interested and students can earn up to nine credit hours. in, but I left happy that I went because I learned so much good Th e three-day weekends allow students to plan their own travel information.” excursions, Ziegler says. EDITOR’S NOTE: Th e University of New Orleans canceled all 2020 “A lot of learning takes place doing that as well because they are summer study abroad programs due to the outbreak of respiratory ill- on their own and they have to fi gure out their trips, fi gure out what ness caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 41 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM From Kyrgyzstan to New Orleans How distance athlete Arina Kleshchukova found a home in the Big Easy after she discovered her new love: running. BY MATT SCHAEFER PHOTOS BY SHANE BANEGAS

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 42 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM NEW ORLEANS DISTANCE STANDOUT Arina Kleshchukova made history in November when she became the first Privateer in program history to compete at the NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana. Not only did the standout junior become the first Privateer to advance to the NCAA Division I National Championships, she also produced one of the best individual cross country seasons in school history. For her efforts, Kleshchukova was named Southland Runner of the Year, Louisiana Cross Country Runner of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and was a Southland First Team All-Academic honoree. The story of how the native of Kyrgyzstan arrived in New Orleans, however, might be just as remarkable as her feat of qualifying for nationals.

START IN THE SPORT Running wasn’t something that Kleshchu- kova partook in immediately. While she was al- ways an active child in the mountainous Central Asian country, the future distance athlete was Arina Kleshchukova a gymnast before her mother and father had a became the first Privateer grand idea about seven years ago. to advance to the NCAA “My parents thought that I could do run- Division I National ning very well so one day they asked if I wanted Championships, and also to try and I said, ‘Yeah, why not,’” Kleshchuko- produced one of the best va says. “So then we headed down to the local individual cross country stadium and asked one of the coaches there if I seasons in school history. could join his team.” Kleshchukova started as a sprinter and

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 43 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM advanced from the 100-me- to become a college student- a chance. completed. ter event to the 200 and then athlete. “My father was helping me “Proving I knew English was the 400. The new sport didn’t “Studying abroad to be a send emails to different uni- the main issue,” Kleshchukova come easy at first but she kept coach or runner or to get the versities, but nobody accepted says. “I had to pass a few exams working. chance to play sports in the my requests,” Kleshchukova along with filling out all the “That first year I remember States, it was a childhood dream says. “Then I got an invitation paperwork and documentation I was struggling because I didn’t for me and for my parents as from New Orleans. He (Adam that was required. It took prob- like long distance,” Kleshchu- well,” Kleshchukova says. Carlisle, the former head cross ably one and a half to two years kova says. She knew that coming to country coach) saw me in the to get all my transcripts and all But she stuck with it and the United States would be her World Junior Championships the paperwork sorted out.” continued to compete, starting best opportunity to pursue her and he invited me.” Kleshchukova first stepped in local meets and moving all dream. Even with the offer of a col- foot in New Orleans when she the way up to regional champi- “The main sport back home lege scholarship in hand, moving got off the plane in mid-August onship races. is wrestling for sure,” Klesh- across the globe gave her pause, of 2018, a week before her class- At the Asian Champion- chukova says. “They support Kleshchukova says. It was going es began. She had no family in ships, it was her coach’s turn them and they do everything to be more than a 7,000-mile her new country and had never to ask a favor. He wondered if for them. But, for the track, of journey from her home. even visited the United States. Kleshchukova could compete in course, it was miserable. It was “After some thought, I “It was hard mentally,” the 800-meter. nothing. They did the minimal, realized I should do it. It was she says. “The biggest fear The question was answered but it wasn’t enough.” a great chance to make my or problem was I didn’t have quite quickly. In her first time Kleshchukova’s view of dreams come true. “ friends here and just to be alone running the event, Kleshchu- distance running evolved over was kind of hard. That and you kova won the race. time. GETTING TO NEW ORLEANS have to do well at practices and “It’s my passion,” she says. Kleshchukova was a swift workouts while at the same time FINDING A PLACE TO She had made up her mind. runner but that had no bear- being a student and all this pres- COMPETE STATESIDE It was time for her to leave ing on the speed with which sure together.” Kleshchukova’s goal was Kyrgyzstan. All she needed was her relocation paperwork was She overcame her first-year

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 44 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM Arina Kleshchukova was named Southland Runner of the Year, Louisiana Cross Country Runner of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and was a Southland First Team All-Academic honoree.

struggles and began to play a kova was introduced to the sport mud and I remember (assis- “It was ‘Let’s go,’” Kleshchu- central role in the success of the in her first weeks on campus. tant distance coach) Clayton kova says with a smile about Privateer program. “When I came here, I didn’t (O’Callaghan) telling me, ‘Arina how O’Callaghan motivates her “This year I realized that know that I was going to do it’s not always like this. It just during a race. I’m in the right place for sure,” cross country,” Kleshchukova happened randomly. I promise The accolades piled up for Kleshchukova reflects. “I can says. “It was the first team meet- next meet will be great. It will be Kleshchukova in 2019: 4-time contribute something and get ing and the coaches told me ‘So better for sure.’” Southland Conference Athlete of a sense of fulfillment, and that now in the United States, it’s Kleshchukova ended her the Week, winner of four of her feeling is really important to me. cross country season if you don’t first ever season of competition six races, Southland Champion It’s important to my personal know and you’re going to be do- with finishes of third, fourth, and Athlete of the Year to go growth as well.” ing cross country.’ second, second at the Southland with a 10th-place finish at the “So I thought, ‘OK, it’s Championships and 18th overall South Central Regionals that INTRODUCTION TO something new but I would like at the South Central Regionals. earned a First-Team All-Region CROSS COUNTRY to try,’” she says. “And my first She trusted her coaches, selection. If you mentioned “cross meet was terrible. It was raining which allowed her to thrive as She qualified to compete in country” in Kleshchukova’s the day before and there was a an athlete. the national championships, the hometown, there’s a very good lot of mud.” “It’s very important to have first athlete to accomplish that chance no one would know what The meet was the Nicholls a good relationship with your feat in program history. you are talking about. State Invitational, which was coach,” she says. “Communica- “It’s hard to believe for “It’s not big back home,” inundated by rain throughout tion is key for sure because if me even right now; it’s crazy,” Kleshchukova says. “Running the week leading up to the race. something happens I can always Kleshchukova says. “At the in general, but especially cross The conditions were less than come to their office and talk to beginning of the year it wasn’t country; no one knows about ideal—particularly for an athlete them. I feel comfortable. And I like the main goal or the thing cross country. It’s nothing for just getting acquainted with the think we have fun with it. I had to accomplish. I think as them.” sport. O’Callaghan even picked up we moved towards it, step by “Nothing” quickly became “It was so messy. We were a little of her native language, step, practice by practice, the “something” when Kleshchu- literally swimming in the she says. dedication paid off.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 45 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM on the comings and goings in his Lakeshore neighborhood, DuBos said. “I joke that when he’s good, I Alumnus Clancy DuBos, call him Teddy Roosevelt. When he’s bad, I call him Ted Cruz,” DuBos says with a laugh. the prolific political pundit DuBos, who earned a bach- elor’s degree in history from the BY LITTICE BACON-BLOOD University of New Orleans, loves politics. He is a political analyst for WWL-TV in New Orleans, and is the political editor and columnist at Gambit, the weekly newspaper he and his wife, Margo, owned for 27 years. He is a former politics reporter for The Times-Picayune and WDSU-TV. During election season, DuBos is a sought-after voice to opine about candidates, the nature of political races, voter turnout or other political issues. “I live for telling people the big picture,” DuBos says. “My UNO history degree is some- thing I use every time I sit down and write a column because I try to put things into historical context.” DuBos’ career has spanned the manual typewriter era of print journalism, broadcast television before cable news and now the digital media age. He still recalls the early career advice given to him by a former UNO professor. “He said, ‘remember journalism is the front line of history,’” DuBos says. “That was putting a responsibility on me. I try to think about somebody 10, 20, even 100 years from now, reading what I’ve written and make sure I get it right and put it into context.”

PERHAPS IT’S APROPOS infamous Jefferson Parish politi- From his favorite perch on A CHARMED LIFE that one of New Orleans’ pre- cian: Clancy. Just as befitting is a living room sofa, it is Teddy’s DuBos credits a long list mier political pundits, Clarence that DuBos’ dog—a schnoodle face peering outside that a of mentors with helping his James DuBos III, has a nick- named Teddy Roosevelt—has visitor sees first. He likes to sit journalism career evolve from name that is the last name of an created his own reporting gig. in the window and keep an eye a fledging newspaper intern

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 46 4/24/2020 7:50:04 AM assigned to rewrite news releases with very little journalism son Parish who ran the into the seasoned political jour- experience at the time—was casinos,” DuBos says. “So, nalist who can craft analytical even hired as an intern. my nickname came from columns that deconstruct com- DuBos was working a politician.” plex issue, and who can deliver part-time for photographer Further molding succinct political commentaries Ralph Romaguera who young Clancy’s view of on the nightly TV news. owned a photography stu- his world was the fact that “I was taught by people who dio and tuxedo rental shop he grew up in a family of were doing it,” DuBos says. “My in New Orleans East. It was nine children—six girls print training and my TV train- Romaguera who encour- and three boys. Out- ing was on the job.” aged him to apply to the ranked by three older His reporting career has newspaper. sisters and outvoted by allowed him to witness first- Romaguera knew Du- gender, DuBos jokes that hand some of the city’s defining Bos from the summer journal- The editor took care of the his younger self was not a fan of news moments: Reporting from ism workshops that Romaguera paperwork and formally hired democracy. the scene of the 1973 Upstairs conducted at UNO. DuBos DuBos. “And, lo and behold, I grew Lounge fire with its multiple attended the two-week sessions “And that’s how I got my up to write about politics and deaths; covering the adminis- each year as a student at Holy job,” DuBos says. “So when I tell democracy,” he says laughing. tration of Dutch Morial, New Cross High School. you I’m Forrest Gump, I’m not “I think it was either irony or Orleans first African American By the end of his intern- lying!” preordained. I’ll let y’all decide!” mayor; and advocating for New ship, DuBos knew he had found Orleans’ recovery in the national his professional calling. He IRONY OR PREORDAINED? UNO PROUD news media in the aftermath of had fallen hard for journalism DuBos remembers that DuBos, who attended UNO Hurricane Katrina. and loved the adrenaline rush his third-grade teacher made a with the help of a scholarship, Reflecting on his journalism brought on by breaking news prophetic statement about her says he and his siblings were the career leaves DuBos unequivo- and seeing his byline in print. young charge that resonated first in their family to earn col- cally grateful. He approached the manag- with him. lege degrees. “People ask me how did you ing editor about staying on, “She told another teacher, “UNO was a great univer- get to be where you are, and I offering to work weekends and “Clarence is going to be my sity,” DuBos says. “I truly got say well, I’m kind of a real life nights. The internship was sup- writer,’” DuBos says. “She was a a world-class education in the Forrest Gump,” DuBos says posed to be just a summer job, great teacher. The only teacher history department.” with a laugh. “I was just dum de DuBos was told initially. that ever called me by my proper His parents taught him dum, going through life, and I He was sent to talk to the name—Clarence. I loved her through their Catholic faith that happened to be here, that’s how city editor. so much, I forgave her for it! I it is important to be charitable I feel. I didn’t script it. I just got “He said, ‘You just keep never corrected her.” and to give back to help others, really, really lucky. I’ve lived a showing up and as long as Fueled by the schoolboy DuBos says. His decision to sup- charmed life.” they don’t tell you to go home, crush, DuBos said he was deter- port his alma mater financially A few incidents in DuBos’ we’ll just see what happens,’” mined to prove her right. comes naturally, he says. career lead him to jokingly com- DuBos says laughing. “I went Nevertheless, he ponders “To me it is easy,” says Du- pare his professional opportuni- all through college part-time whether his career was fated Bos. “UNO gave me a scholar- ties with the fabled Forrest who during the semester and over at birth when he was given the ship when I didn’t even ask for it.” just happened to be an unwitting Christmas break and spring nickname “Clancy” to differ- The University also created participant in many iconic and break I would work full-time be- entiate him from his dad and a middle class by providing an historical events, such as report- cause I wanted the experience.” grandfather. He was the fourth affordable college education to ing the Watergate break-in and After graduating from child—and the first son—born working class families and even influencing Elvis’ swivel hip UNO in 1976, he asked about a to Clarence Jr. and Dorothy people who were already work- dance moves. full-time job as a news reporter. Nunez DuBos. ing, DuBos says. Chief among them is how When the city editor inquired As DuBos family lore goes, “That is something to be DuBos was able to parlay what with the business office about a hospital nurse suggested that proud of. UNO is vital to the was supposed to be a six-week changing DuBos’ status, he got a “Clarence” was too large of a success of New Orleans,” DuBos college internship at The Times- surprise. handle for such a tiny lad. She says. “New Orleans will not Picayune into a full-time job that “You’ve never officially been suggested “Clancy” which Du- succeed as a city unless UNO is lasted throughout college and hired here,” DuBos recalls being Bos’ mother preferred to “Clay.” recognized for the success that it for years after he graduated. told. “I said, ‘But my name’s on “Sheriff (Frank) Clancy was is and is nurtured to grow to be DuBos is amazed that he— the sign-in sheet!’” a notorious sheriff in Jeffer- even more of a success.”

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 47 4/24/2020 7:50:05 AM LaVita Tuff (M.U.R.P., ’11) LaVita Tuff is the new associate regional director for the Anti-Defamation League’s southeast office in John Warner Smith Georgia. She will be heading up #HateFreeGA, the ADL’s (M.F.A., ’12) initiative to pass hate crimes legislation in Georgia’s John Warner Smith has 2020 state legislative session. been appointed Louisiana’s In addition to her legislative advocacy, Tuff also will Poet Laureate for 2019-2021 oversee the ADL’s civil rights committee, among other by Louisiana Gov. John Bel responsibilities. Edwards and the Endow- Tuff has a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State ment for the Humanities. University and a master’s in urban and regional planning from the University of The appointment makes New Orleans. She also holds a law degree from the University of Baltimore. Smith the first African American man to hold the She has spent the last 10 years working to empower marginalized communities position. in Baltimore, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. “John Warner Smith’s writing captures the hu- man experience through meaningful, passionate poetry that moves your emotions. John is not only a talented and gifted poet, he is a trailblazer who devotes himself to education and the greater good of the community,” Gov. Edwards said in making the announcement. “I’m confident that John will serve our great state well.” Smith, a native of Morgan City, began writing 1970s 1980s poetry while simultaneously building a successful Edward O. Kennedy Jr. (B.S., ’76) success in hospitality marketing Cissy LaForge ( M.Ed., ’84., M.Ed., career as a public administrator and a banker. Edward O. Kennedy Jr. and his leadership roles in such ’93, Ph.D., ’04) He now teaches English at Southern University in graduated July 2019 from Florida organizations as the Mid Atlantic Cissy LaForge has been Baton Rouge, in addition to regularly publishing International University – Miami Chapter of the University of New named the new head of school with a master’s degree in Latin Orleans Alumni Association and for St. Michael Special School new works of poetry. American and Caribbean stud- the Delta Sigma Pi Professional in New Orleans. LaForge, is cur- “As poet laureate, I hope to broaden awareness ies. It is his second master’s Commerce Fraternity. rently president of the all-girls of how poetry enriches our lives,” Smith said. degree from FIU. He earned a Catholic high school St. Scho- “Having spent my early childhood in a public hous- master’s in business administra- lastica Academy in Covington, tion in 2008. Louisiana, and will assume the ing project and attended public schools during the role of head of school for St. Paul Arrigo (B.S., ’74) tumultuous years of the Civil Rights Movement, I Michael on July 1. Paul Arrigo, president and would especially like to bring that awareness to Laforge earned a doctorate CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, was in educational leadership, a the youth of poorer, rural parts of Louisiana.” awarded the Joseph I. Giarrusso master’s in educational leader- Civic Award during the 35th an- Smith has published four collections of poetry: ship and a master’s in special nual Louisiana American Italian “Muhammad’s Mountain” (Lavender Ink, 2018), education and teaching from the Sports Hall of Fame gala. The “Spirits of Gods” (University of Louisiana Lafayette University of New Orleans. award recognizes local Italian Press, 2017), “Soul Be A Witness” (MadHat American individuals who have Larry Daniel (Ph.D., ’89) Press, 2016), and “A Mandala of Hands” (Kelsay worked to better the quality of Larry Daniel is the new dean Books-Aldrich Press, 2015). His fifth collection, life for Italian Americans and of the College of Education at “Out Shut Eyes: New & Selected Poems on Race in their communities while excel- the University of Texas Permian ling in their career. Basin in Odessa, Texas. Daniel, America,” is forthcoming from MadHat Press. Arrigo, who earned a bach- whose career in education Smith is a graduate from the University of New elor’s degree in business admin- spans nearly 40 years, was Orleans’ Creative Writing Workshop (CWW). istration from the University of previously dean of the Zucker New Orleans, was noted for his Family School of Education at

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 48 4/24/2020 7:50:05 AM Bryan Washington (M.F.A., ’17) Craig Todaro (B.A., ’90) Bryan Washington, a graduate from the Univer- Craig Todaro has joined the Bos- sity of New Orleans’ Creative Writing Workshop ton office of the Goulston & Storrs (CWW), is collecting some serious literary law firm as a director in the firm’s awards for his debut book, “Lot.” Washington’s real estate group. He brings nearly book, published by Riverhead Publishing in 20 years of experience represent- March 2019, is a collection of short stories set in ing institutional investors in highly his hometown of Houston, Texas. complex, commercial real estate Washington is the winner of the 2019 Ernest transactions and financings. J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. The Todaro’s nationwide real estate practice is concentrated national award, which carries a $15,000 cash prize, is given annually by on sophisticated structures such as joint ventures, recapi- the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to recognize the talent of promising talizations, acquisitions and dispositions, and lender- and new African American fiction writers. borrower-side mezzanine and mortgage financings. The award, now in its 13th year, was established to honor Gaines, an “Craig is a great addition to our world-class real estate acclaimed novelist and native of Louisiana. practice and we are thrilled to have him onboard. His broad Washington is also the recipient of a 2020 PEN America Literary Award. experience handling large, multi-faceted real estate deals for He was awarded the Robert W. Bingham prize for debut short story col- institutional investors across all property types – including lection. The award, which includes a $25,000 prize, is given to an author multi-family, hospitality, office, and retail – aligns perfectly whose debut collection of short stories represents “distinguished literary with our core competencies,” said Bill Dillon, co-managing achievement and suggests great promise for future work.” director of Goulston & Storrs. “His vast expertise will be Washington’s fiction and essays have appeared in a variety of publica- invaluable to our clients and elite client service teams.” tions, including The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Todaro received his law degree from Northeastern Univer- New Yorker, BuzzFeed, Vulture, The Paris Review, Boston Review, and sity School of Law in Boston, a master’s in social work from Catapult, where he wrote a column called “Bayou Diaries.” Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in English from the He was named one of Publishers Weekly “Writers to Watch” last year. University of New Orleans. 1990s The Citadel in Charleston, South John T. Hanson (B.S., ’90) LaSonn Porter (B.A.,’92, M.Ed., ’08) Patrica Snyder (Ph.D., ’92) Michael D. Nelson (B.S., ’96) Carolina. John T. Hanson is a managing LaSonn Porter is principal at Patricia Snyder of Gainesville, Michael Nelson has been He earned a doctorate in director in BDO’s Forensic Inves- Albert Cammon Middle School Florida has been appointed to a named vice president of digital educational administration from tigation and Litigation Services in St. Rose, Louisiana. She was four-year term to the Children’s strategy and technology for Cul- the University of New Orleans. practice in Washington, D.C. previously an assistant principal Trust of Alachua County in Florida. tural Vistas in New York and will He has almost 30 years of fraud in the St. Charles Parish Public Snyder was appointed by Florida drive the company’s strategic Laurie Vignaud (B.A., ’81) investigations, forensic account- School System. Gov. Ron DeSantis in February. and cross-company use of tech- Laurie Vignaud has been ing, corporate compliance and Porter earned a bachelor’s de- She is the director of the Anita nology. Nelson holds an MBA appointed chief executive officer ethics, and auditing experience. gree in education and a master’s Zucker Center for Excellence in degree from Champlain College and president of Unity National Hanson earned a bachelor’s in educational leadership from Early Childhood Studies at the in Burlington, Vermont and a Bank of Houston. As CEO, Vi- degree in accounting from the the University of New Orleans. University of Florida. Snyder bachelor’s degree in computer gnaud will assume day-to-day University of New Orleans. earned a doctorate in early child- science from the University of leadership of the company and Vanessa Reed (B.S., ’92) hood special education from the New Orleans. will join the bank’s board of Gabriel Newman (M.S., ’92, Vanessa Reed has been University of New Orleans. directors. Ph.D.,’95) promoted to regional external Nyka Scott (B.S.,’96, M.B.A., ’17) Vignaud previously served Gabriel Newman, director affairs manager for Comerica Rosalie Mortillaro (B.A., ’94) Nyka Scott, an attorney as the president of Capital One at The Neuroscience Team in Incorporated in Houston. She The New Orleans Ernest N. with Baker Donelson Bearman Bank’s Community Development Baltimore, Maryland, is being will oversee external affairs Morial Convention Center has Caldwell & Berkowitz law firm Corporation and senior vice recognized by Continental Who’s operations in Arizona, Florida, named Rosalie Mortillaro as in New Orleans, has been president of community develop- Who as a top psychologist in the Michigan and Texas. director of marketing and com- appointed vice chairwoman of ment banking for their South field of psychology. Reed joined Comerica Bank in munications. Mortillaro will head the New Orleans pro bono com- Central region. He holds a master’s degree 2000 as a credit specialist in the the creative services unit and mittee. Scott advises clients on Vignaud received a bachelor’s in psychology and a doctorate commercial real estate division, oversee the planning, develop- legal and policy matters in the in sociology and social welfare in applied psychology from the and most recently served as the ment, design and production disaster recovery, energy and from the University of New University of New Orleans. Texas external affairs manager. of all marketing strategies for maritime industries, as well as Orleans, and a master’s in bank- She holds a bachelor’s degree internal and external customers. providing public policy advice. ing from Southern Methodist in business management with a She holds a bachelor’s degree Scott earned a bachelor’s University. concentration in accounting from in communications from the degree in general studies and a the University of New Orleans. University of New Orleans. master’s degree in business ad-

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 49 4/24/2020 7:50:05 AM DaShawn DeCou Cox (B.A., ’02, M.A., ’14) DaShawn DeCou Cox, a senior program specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Hampton, Georgia, competed with her sisters on the nationally televised game show “Family Feud.” The episodes aired Feb. 19th, 24th and 25th. The survey says the sisters and their New Orleans flavor were a huge hit! Cox earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in sociology from the University of New Orleans. UNO alumna DaShawn DeCou Cox, (far left) pictured with her sisters and “Family Feud” game show host Steve Harvey.

2000s ministration from the University Brice Howard (B.S.,’98) Annette LeBlanc (B.S., ’00) Kelly Theard (B.A., ’00) of New Orleans. She holds a law Brice Howard is the new Annette LeBlanc is the chief Kelly Theard, head of the degree from Loyola University. president of American Bank and financial officer for the New Or- construction department at New Trust, which is based in Coving- leans Area Habitat for Humanity. Orleans based law firm Deutsch Brandon Hole (B.S., ‘98) ton, Louisiana. Howard had been She brings 30 years of financial Brandon Hole has been hired Kerrigan, has been elected the chief lending officer at the leadership, having held positions as the managing director for as the law firm’s most recent bank since 2017. with Second Harvest Food Bank CIFC LLC’s high-yield bond team managing partner. Theard is the He holds a bachelor’s degree of Greater New Orleans and the in New York. He joins CIFC from first female elected to the firm in business management from Archdiocese of New Orleans. Millennium Management where as managing partner in the firm’s the University of New Orleans. LeBlanc holds a bachelor’s he was a senior analyst. Hole 94-year history. degree in accounting and a earned a bachelor’s degree in She holds a bachelor’s degree minor in management from the business administration from the in communications from the University of New Orleans. University of New Orleans. University of New Orleans and a law degree from Louisiana State Maurice Carlos Ruffin (B.A.,’00, Mark Rapp (M.F.A., ’98) University. Mark Rapp, trumpeter and M.F.A., ’13) New Orleans attorney and founder of ColaJazz.com, Emily Cassidy (B.A., ‘01) novelist Maurice Carlos Ruffin headlined the 2019 Ashby and Emily Cassidy, a thoracic has been selected as the 2020- Friends Christmas Concert, an surgeon, focusing on the chest 2021 John and Renée Grisham annual benefit for Greenwood, organs, including the lungs, Writer in Residence at the Uni- South Carolina. Rapp, named an esophagus, trachea and thymus, versity of Mississippi in Oxford. Ambassador of Jazz for South has joined Our Lady of the Lake His debut novel, “We Cast A Carolina by the state’s House of Physician Group network of Shadow,” was released in 2019 Representatives, earned a mas- providers. Cassidy received an to widespread acclaim. ter’s in music with an emphasis undergraduate degree from the Ruffin earned a bachelor’s in jazz from the University of University of New Orleans and degree in English and an MFA New Orleans. obtained a medical degree from in creative writing from the the LSU School of Medicine in University of New Orleans. New Orleans.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 50 4/24/2020 7:50:05 AM Lacey Merrick Conway Albert Allenback (B.A., ’16) (M.B.A., ’04) Albert Allenback, saxophone and flute player, is a member of the Lacey Merrick Conway has Grammy nominated New Orleans band Tank and the Bangas. been appointed chief executive Allenback has been a band member since 2014 when he arrived in officer of Latter & Blum, Inc., New Orleans to study jazz at the University of New Orleans. one of the largest and oldest, The band, formed in 2012 by lead singer and poet Tarriona “Tank” Ball, full service real estate compa- was nominated in the Best New Artist category for the 2020 Grammy nies in Louisiana. The company Awards. The group has performed to sold out crowds at major shows has more than 3,000 agents in and festivals around the country and was the unanimous judge’s choice offices located in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. out of more than 6,000 entries for NPR’s “Tiny Desk Contest” in 2017. Conway began her career at Latter & Blum in 2005, The group released their first major label album, “Green Balloon,” in 2019. and has assumed increasing responsibilities since that Allenback earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of time. She was named principal broker in 2017 and will New Orleans. continue to serve in that capacity. Members of Tank and the Bangas: (L-R) Norman Spence, Tarriona Conway holds a certified commercial investment “Tank” Ball, Joshua Johnson and UNO alumni Albert Allenback. member designation, awarded to top professionals in commercial and investment real estate, and holds real estate licenses in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. She serves on the boards of United Way SE Louisiana and Greater New Orleans, Inc. and is active in numerous community and philanthropic efforts. Conway, who graduated from Boston University and earned a master’s in business administration from the University of New Orleans, succeeds her father, Bob Merrick, who had served in the position since 1986. Merrick will continue in his role as company chairman and owner.

Ebonee Shaw (M.B.A., ’03) and holds a master’s degree in Fernis LeBlanc (M.B.A.,’07) degree in accounting from matters. Ebonee Shaw is develop- business administration with a Fernis LeBlanc is the chief Louisiana State University and a LaRocca received his juris ment director for the Walker concentration in finance from executive officer for Ochsner St. master’s degree in accounting, doctorate from Loyola University Scottish Rite Clinic and program the University of New Orleans. Mary in Morgan City, Louisiana. with a concentration in internal New Orleans College of Law and director for Kids Rock Cancer at He previously served as chief audit, from the University of New his master’s in business admin- David Bowser (M.A., ’04) operating officer of Ochsner’s Orleans. istration from the University of Maryville University in St. Louis, David Bowser is the com- Missouri. She was recently Bayou Region, overseeing New Orleans. munications and public relations Jason Saul (B.S., ’08) featured in Gazelle Magazine for operations, quality and patient manager representing the Jason Saul is the news direc- Yelena Rivera (B.S., ’09) her fundraising prowess. safety. Durham County Sheriff’s Office tor at WYSO public radio, the Yelena Rivera, a civil engineer Shaw, who got her nonprofit LeBlanc joined Ochsner in in Durham, North Carolina. He NPR station in Yellow Springs, at C. H. Fenstermaker & Associ- career start at Catholic Charities 2015 and has been instrumen- holds a master’s degree in com- Ohio. Saul, who earned a degree ates, L.L.C, in New Orleans, was New Orleans, holds a bachelor’s tal in growing key services, munications from the University in urban studies and planning, named The American Society degree in finance from Xavier increasing quality, safety and of New Orleans. was the editor of the campus of Civil Engineer Outstanding University in New Orleans and patient engagement scores. newspaper, The Driftwood, Young Civil Engineer in Louisi- an MBA from the University of Sonja S. Mongar (M.F.A., ‘04) He holds a master’s in busi- and worked at WWNO radio ana. The annual award is given New Orleans. Sonja Mongar of Stuart, Flor- ness administration from the while attending the University in recognition of professional ida was awarded a prestigious University of New Orleans. of New Orleans. He was previ- achievements, leadership and Adam R. Smith (M.B.A., ’04) Royal Palm Literary Award by (M.S., ’06) ously news director at a Seattle, exceptional dedication and Adam R. Smith has been the Florida Writers Association, Emily Kain Emily Kain has been promoted Washington radio station. service to the profession. Rivera named vice president and senior Inc. for her novel, “Two Spoons commercial relationship manag- to chief human resources officer earned a bachelor’s degree in of Bitter, A story of love, betrayal Luke LaRocca (M.B.A.,’09) er for Home Bank’s North Shore at Stewart Title in Houston. engineering from the University and redemption.” Attorney Luke LaRocca has market in Covington. He was In her new role Kain will be of New Orleans. The novel also received the been named a partner in the vice president and relationship responsible for overseeing the association’s Gold Award for New Orleans law firm of Simon, manager at Chase Bank and has people side of the business, published fiction. Peragine, Smith & Redfearn LLP. 18 years of banking experience. focusing on attracting, retain- Mongar earned an MFA in He concentrates his practice Smith has a bachelor’s degree ing and engaging associates creative writing from the Univer- in commercial litigation, con- in business administration from worldwide. sity of New Orleans. struction law and employment the University of Mississippi Kain holds a bachelor’s

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 51 4/24/2020 7:50:05 AM Jennifer S. Williams (B.A., ’05) Jennifer Williams has earned a $25,000 Milken Educator Award in recognition of her leadership and outstanding contributions as a teacher. Williams is among a select few educators to receive the award. Williams, who obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, teaches sixth grade English at John Q. Adams Middle School in Metairie, Louisiana. The 14-year classroom veteran was surprised with the award—described as the “Oscars of Teaching”—during a school assembly in November attended by the Louisiana Educa- Jennifer Williams with her students. tion Superintendent John White and Milken Educator Awards founder Lowell Milken. “Outstanding teachers like Jennifer Williams ignite a passion for learning in their students and create a nurturing environment for them to thrive,” Milken said. “Her leadership plays an important role in affording all students quality educational opportunities.” Williams was applauded for, among many things, her engaging teaching style. For example, her classroom includes fl exible workstations: exercise balls near the computer writing research center, a large carpet where students spread out their materials and work on assignments, and a corner with easy chairs and coffee tables where students collaborate and discuss books and writing projects. 2010s Danielle Blasko (M.F.A., ’10) Ashlyn Mehlhaff (B.S., ’10) Christy Cappel (B.S., ’17) Jaclyn Wagers (B.S., ’18) Danielle Blasko is the new Ashlyn Mehlhaff has been Christy Cappel, a tax auditor Jaclyn Wagers is the corpo- executive director for The Little named executive director of for the Louisiana Department of rate sales and events manager Traverse Bay Humane Society the First Tee of South Central Revenue, has earned her CPA for Reginelli’s Pizzeria in New in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Wisconsin, the local chapter of license. She earned a bachelor’s Orleans. Wagers earned a bach- Blasko has an undergraduate the national organization whose degree in accounting from the elor’s degree in hotel, restaurant degree in creative writing from mission is teaching young University of New Orleans. and tourism administration from the University of Detroit Mercy people life skills and how to play the University of New Orleans. Christopher Ganucheau (B.S., ‘17) and a master’s degree in fi ne golf. Mehlhaff holds a bach- Christopher Ganucheau Sean Hickey (Ph.D., ’19) arts from the University of New elor’s degree in marketing from is project manager for Incat Sean Hickey has accepted Orleans. the University of New Orleans. Crowther in Lafayette, Louisiana. a position as a senior lecturer Gene Frazier (M.P.A., ’10) Frank Kerner (B.S.,’14) Incat Crowther is a diversifi ed in organic chemistry at Wayne Gene Frazier, the superin- Frank Kerner, content and marine design business with State University in Detroit. He tendent of airport facilities digital strategist at Pelican State offi ces in Sydney, Australia; La- earned a doctorate in chemical management at the Tallahas- Credit Union, has spoken at fayette and Winchester, United education research from the see International Airport, was Facebook’s Boost Your Business Kingdom. University of New Orleans in recognized as one of Airport events and national webinars Ganucheau earned a degree summer 2019. Business Magazine’s 40 under for the Credit Union National in naval architecture and marine 40 recipients. Frazier leads a Association and Pelican State engineering from the University division of more than 20 employ- Credit Union. He was recognized of New Orleans. ees and oversees an annual globally for innovative marketing Alex Augillard (B.A., ’18) operating budget of more than efforts in the fi nancial services Alex Augillard was the $3 million. He earned a master’s industry. production manager for the 2019 in public administration from the Kerner earned a bachelor’s New Orleans Film Festival. Augil- University of New Orleans. degree in marketing from the lard earned a bachelor’s degree University of New Orleans. in sociology from the University of New Orleans.

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UNOSpr20.full wed magazine.pdf 53 4/24/2020 7:50:05 AM A Truckload of Fun FASHION AND STYLES MIGHT COME and go, but the fun of a UNO campus parade is timeless! Check out the flared-leg pants, the butterfly collar and the flat-bill cap in that bottom photograph. The truck itself is filled to capacity with exuberant students as it chugs pass the University Center. Fast forward to the 21st Century and stu- dents are still enjoying the parade—albeit they are a bit more safety conscious! UNO’s Social Media Coordinator Avery Gray captured these truckers as they motored down Founders Road as part of the 2020 Krewe of UNO parade “2 Infinity & Bey0nd!”

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