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AGAINST ALL ODDS David Begnaud's unlikely rise to the top of TV news EDITOR’S NOTE spirit thathelpsdefineULLafayette.spirit working, andresourceful. Theseare allelementsoftheRagin’ Cajun justicereform.criminal research to publicpolicyareas thatshechampioned,suchaspoverty and ontheworkcarry ofLouisiana’s onlyfemalegovernor. Itwillcontribute coach andlittlefunding. eight top ofhisprofession. for thefirsttime,oneofchallengeshehad to overcome rise to to the out whosometimeswashesdishesathisrestaurant. watched himcompete ontheFoodNetwork’s “Iron ChefGauntlet.” Find Foundation andBonAppetitmagazine,isalsofeatured. You mayhave Medal, oneofthehighesthonorsbestowed bythe U.S. government. World War II.Herecently waspresented withtheCongressional Gold Death March, ordeals oneofthemosthorrific in soldiersexperienced it’s filledwithstories aboutpeoplewhoembodytheRagin’Cajunspirit. Lafayette inwaysthatwe maynothave envisionedinitially. collectively convey amessageabouttheUniversity ofLouisianaat of topics; content shiftsandmorphsaswe refine what we’ll write about. we senditto theprinter forpre-press work. We start outwithanoutline preparing itscontent. We hopeyou enjoythisissueofLaLouisiane. All ofthesepeoplesucceededbecausetheyare determined, hard- And, theKathleenBabineauxBlancoPublicPolicy Center will We write abouttheUniversity’s weightlifting teams, whichwon CBS nationalnewscorrespondent DavidBegnaudreveals publicly, Kevin Tien, achefwho’s earnedpraisefrom theJames Beard Take 97-year-old James Bollich,forinstance.Hesurvived theBataan This issueisagoodexample.Aswe were finishing it,I realized that Often, bythetimewe’re wrappingup, manyofthearticles The magazineissort ofaliving,breathing upuntil document,right Each issueofLaLouisianeseemsto take onalifeofitsownaswe’re national championshipsfrom 1957to 1971,despite havingno – KathleenThames

26 22 16 FEATURES the University ofLouisianaSystem. University ofLouisianaatLafayette isamemberof © 2018University ofLouisiana atLafayette LaLouisiane@.edu University Advancement (337) 482-6397 of Division the Marketingin and Communications La LouisianeispublishedbytheOffice of Volume 27,Number1$5anissue. Communications andMarketing Chief CommunicationsOfficer Aaron Martin University ofLouisianaatLafayette President Dr. JosephSavoie COVER PHOTO OFDAVID BEGNAUD INPUERTO RICO COURTESY OFCBSNEWS.

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CONTENTS Lafayette’s Moncus Park is a proving ground in the effort to fill research that information gap. In partnership with the Acadiana Planning Commission and the Teche-Vermilion Freshwater District, Habib and Dr. Robert Miller, a UL Lafayette assistant civil engineering professor, have installed sensors in Coulee Mine, which bisects the park and flows into the Vermilion River. Pilot Project The pilot project uses several New center to take collaborative approach to reduce flooding kinds of gauges. Some are mounted on a bridge with ultrasonic sensors he new Louisiana Watershed Flood Center at UL pointed toward the water. Others Lafayette is poised to be a linchpin of state and regional are tethered to the side of the Tflood mitigation efforts. coulee and float in the water. DOUG DUGAS It was created earlier this year as part of the Institute for The gauges measure rainfall, Coastal and Water Research. and the flow rate and height The center will use numerical models and data, culled of water running through the Dr. Emad Habib, left, and Dr. Robert Miller discuss water gauges by the Vermilion River. from a network of electronic monitoring gauges placed in coulee. The data is automatically rivers, bayous and coulees, to identify flooding hot spots. transferred, via an on-site, solar-powered communications hub, to Mermentau, Vermilion-Teche and Atchafalaya watersheds. That will enable local governments to better understand the an online database, providing real-time monitoring that eventually In May, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced creation of the Council dynamics of flooding and how to prepare for – and possibly will be made available to the public on the internet. on Watershed Management. Its aim: to adopt regional approaches to prevent – it, said Dr. Emad Habib, a civil engineering professor The Moncus Park pilot project will be expanded to include flood and drainage planning that mirror Acadiana’s efforts. who will direct the center. between 200 and 300 sensors placed in watersheds throughout the The Louisiana Watershed Flood Center has since received “We look at the center as an effort to help local region. The $2.4 million price tag for the monitoring network will inquiries from planning agencies in Calcasieu, Cameron and Sabine communities and regional agencies that will be in charge come from $25 million in federal aid the region received after the parishes. of flood mitigation. We want to provide technical expertise 2016 floods. “They want our help,” Miller said. “This is a Louisiana problem. and solutions on how to move forward with watershed The data the gauges collect will enable the center to collaborate The more people you have looking at flooding, the more brains you management,” he said. with the Acadiana Planning Commission on flood models for the put on it, the more likely it is that a solution will emerge.” Watersheds are areas of land that drain water to rivers, bayous and other tributaries. In Louisiana, watershed management historically has been Hydrolearn: An up-to-date textbook that can be tailored a local concern, with individual cities and parishes responsible A researcher at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is leading develop and test the cyber infrastructure. for drainage basins within their jurisdictions. But Habib contends a project to create a virtual platform that will enable educators and HydroLearn will give users the ability to create individualized there has long been a problem with that division of responsibility. students across the globe to make contributions and share content. content that they can share with others, Habib said. “Watersheds cross political boundaries and break those The web-based platform – HydroLearn – will address flood The sharing aspect is important. THE ADVERTISER boundaries. We need to prepare ourselves as a region. forecasting, flood protection and drought mitigation. Real-time data, Information gleaned in Louisiana – developing technology “We are a university, so we are not really affiliated with a interactive maps, case-based research, links to databases, lesson plans to funnel floodwater into a depleted aquifer, for example – could certain political boundary,” he continued. “We hope we can and workbooks are a sampling of what the online hub will house. benefit researchers in a region experiencing drought. bring people together within an environment where they don’t Once complete, students and professors who log in will be able “Water considerations are critical in our world. How do we feel like it’s this parish versus that parish.” A coulee directs water in Lafayette after heavy rains in 2016. to tailor material about water-related issues in a region, state, or a protect people from the hazards of water? How do we manage Many of the region’s waterways are connected. Habib said perspective,” about the need for comprehensive mitigation specific location in a community, such as a bayou. water? How can water be used sustainably for industry and flood mitigation efforts should be unified as well. efforts backed by data and analysis an interdisciplinary “You will basically produce your own version of this web-based irrigation?” Habib asked. Unprecedented, stunning floods in 2016 brought that academic entity can provide. University faculty from textbook. It won’t be a static resource,” said Dr. Emad Habib, a civil HydroLearn will be geared primarily toward engineering and lesson home. Between Aug. 11 and Aug. 13, more than 30 engineering, geosciences, architecture and design, and the engineering professor at UL Lafayette. geosciences students preparing for careers in water management inches of rain fell in South Louisiana. The economic impact humanities will be affiliated with the flood center. Habib is principal investigator for the four-year project. It and water infrastructure. of the storms topped $8.7 billion across 20 parishes. Thirteen Louisiana has 12 large watersheds. The U.S. Geological is funded by a $1.8 million National Science Foundation grant. As an “open-source” platform accessible to anyone, however, people died statewide as a result of the deluge. Survey and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operate gauges along Researchers at Brigham Young and Utah State universities will help HydroLearn will be a global resource for the study of hydrology, a Nearly 23 inches of rain besieged Lafayette Parish alone. inland waterways. build the system. Hydrolearn is being developed in collaboration branch of science that deals with water on the Earth’s surface and in The Vermilion River crested 5 feet above flood stage, reversing “But if you go away from those main rivers, over the with the National Water Center and the Consortium of Universities its atmosphere. the natural flow of bayous, coulees and other watersheds, and hundreds and thousands of channels that Louisiana has, there for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science. It builds on an earlier Flood analysis components of HydroLearn will aid UL Lafayette inundating roads, businesses and neighborhoods with water. is no monitoring whatsoever. During storms, people don’t really HydroViz project also funded by NSF. engineering students who are trying to develop and design retention About 2,000 homes were affected; many were destroyed. know what’s going on at the local coulee or channel that impacts Fellowships will be awarded to faculty members and post- basins or other flood mitigation projects. Habib said the 2016 flood “brought everything into their neighborhood,” Habib said. doctoral students – including at other universities – who will help “It’s problem-based, hands-on learning,” Habib explained.

2 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 3 Researchers seek new ways to tap oil reservoir University crosses $ t’s a wildcatter’s wildest dream 100 million – an 8-million-acre subsur- R&D threshold Iface rock formation estimated to hold about 7 billion barrels of The University of Louisiana at RESEARCH light, sweet crude oil. But the Tus- Lafayette has a 2020 vision and nearly caloosa Marine Shale has teased Tuscaloosa $101 million it spent on research is – and largely spurned – the energy bringing the future into focus. industry for decades. Marine Shale UL Lafayette expended a record Enter the University of $100.98 million in the fiscal year Area of Study Louisiana at Lafayette. that ended June 30, 2017, placing It’s the new home of the it among the top 25 percent of U.S. Tuscaloosa Marine Shale Laboratory, colleges and universities in terms of a multidisciplinary consortium of research and development funding. geologists, petroleum engineers, That’s according to the Higher geophysicists and economic development Education Research and Development experts from UL Lafayette and four Survey, the National Science other institutions. They’ll study how Foundation’s annual index of research to best recover the substantial bounty expenditures. its namesake offers and help unlock UL Lafayette competes against

a potential black gold mine for the other universities and private DOUG DUGAS communities that it touches. development firms for federal and In addition to UL Lafayette, the state government grants and private consortium includes researchers sector contracts. The money faculty from New Mexico’s Los Alamos researchers secure comes to the National Lab, the Missouri University of Science and University, which acts as a steward for Department of Energy grant empowers Technology, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of the funds. UL Lafayette engineer’s fuel cell research Southern Mississippi. UL Lafayette spent $80 million A $9.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2016 and ranked 158 among A chemical engineering professor’s research into high-performance, low-cost fuel cells has and several energy companies funded the lab’s creation. held some promise but geological challenges, combined with 640 institutions the HERD Survey received a boost from the U.S. Department of Energy. Industry sources ponied up $5.98 million, which was lower oil prices, impeded expanded, large-scale production. included. Of those institutions, just Dr. Xiao-Dong Zhou secured a nearly $500,000 grant from the department’s Office of Fossil combined with $3.68 million in federal funds. Energy companies have drilled conventional wells in 148 disbursed over $100 million. Energy. The money will further his research of solid oxide fuel cell, or SOFC, technologies. The grant, announced in January, is part of an initiative south and central Louisiana for years and continue to do so. As La Louisiane went to press, Solid oxide fuel cells are electrochemical devices. They convert chemical energy into by the Energy Department’s Office of Fossil Energy to examine The geological information they’ve collected is a valuable the University’s 2017 ranking hadn’t electrical energy from coal and natural gas at an efficiency as high as 70 percent, Zhou said. By unconventional oil and gas plays. resource when considering unconventional plays, and the TMS been released. The $100.98 million comparison, the thermal efficiency of a gasoline engine is about 30 percent. The energy industry considers a play – the name it gives Laboratory will put that data to use, as well. nevertheless satisfies a goal of the In addition, SOFC technologies generate cost-effective electricity, emit little, if any an area where oil and gas exists – as unconventional based on Researchers plan to conduct seismic surveys in some of the University’s strategic plan: to reach $100 pollutants, and can produce clean water. its geographic size and geological makeup. areas oil and gas companies have previously scouted. One such million in R&D expenditures by 2020. The cells are tough. During preliminary research, Zhou operated them for more than 500 An unconventional play might encompass thousands, area is a 9.7-square-mile section in East Feliciana Parish, near the Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, vice hours. They showed no sign of degradation at the end of the period, “even while operating at a even millions of acres. The Tuscaloosa Marine Shale covers 28 Mississippi border. There, geophysicists and other researchers will president for Research, Innovation very high power,” he said. parishes in south and central Louisiana, and several southwestern use sound waves to determine how much hydrocarbon sits below and Economic Development, said Zhou, director of the University’s Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, said he will Mississippi counties. The formation varies in depth from 500 feet the surface and how brittle rock formations are. the “hard work of our outstanding use the grant to examine how the cells’ internal chemistries and structures affect “their durability to 15,000 feet – 2.9 miles – below the surface. Both will determine whether the field is economically researchers” made reaching the to generate electricity at the highest power.” By contrast, conventional hydrocarbon reservoirs have viable and what extraction methods companies should use. milestone possible. “Their intellect The research aims to uncover “the thermodynamic principles that govern the longevity of a more limited boundaries. While they chart Louisiana’s energy future, the laboratory’s got us this far, and it will enable us fuel cell.” That information then can be applied to the production of “a high-performance fuel cell Unlike conventional oil and gas reservoirs, unconventional researchers are watching the eye-popping successes of to reach the next level,” becoming a with a superior stability for use in reliable and durable SOFC power systems,” Zhou explained. resources are usually trapped within formations with poor unconventional plays in other parts of the United States. Research 1 university. The Energy Department announced the grant June 29. UL Lafayette and 15 other universities permeability, such as shale. That means the liquid is suspended The Eagle Ford Shale, for example, produces about 1 The Carnegie Classification of and companies were awarded a total of $13.5 million in federal money. Each institution also and retrieving it requires nontraditional methods of extraction, million barrels a day and supports 100,000 jobs in south Texas. Institutions of Higher Education received funding from outside sources. such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Exploration in the Marcellus Shale has returned nearly $1.5 categorizes universities based on Other recipients include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Michigan State and The Tuscaloosa Marine Shale’s size, depth, and frequently billion to communities in Pennsylvania, one of four states the research activity, among other criteria. West Virginia universities, and the universities of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, South Carolina and unstable geology have made the play among the most formation touches, since 2011. UL Lafayette is considered a Research Maryland. expensive places to drill in the country. Exploration of both plays has produced revenue streams 2 university. Private research and development firms in Ohio, Connecticut, New York and Maryland also But that doesn’t mean the industry has found the formation that have been used to improve schools and infrastructure, UL Lafayette’s strategic plan secured grant money. inhospitable or even unfruitful. Exploration in the past decade among other projects. envisions Research 1 status by 2020. Federal funds Zhou received will be supplemented by $125,000 from UL Lafayette.

4 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 5 The complex sits on a 12-acre section on campus that formerly was home to Youth Park. The University acquired the park in 2012 when it sold its former horse farm – now Moncus Park – to Lafayette Consolidated Government. UL Lafayette can accommodate 3,190 students in its existing housing. The additional 590 beds will enable 22 percent Under Construction of the University’s student population to Student housing complex will include retail space live on campus. Residents of the apartments will range What do students want in on-campus housing? spaces, and top-notch health and fitness facilities. from sophomores to graduate students. The answer is a paradox. “That’s not to say today and tomorrow’s students aren’t still Construction of the five buildings on “On-campus residents want to feel as if they live off interested in more stylish features,” the article stated. “Luxury the site is anticipated to cost $48 million. campus,” said Jules Breaux, UL Lafayette’s director of Housing. touches are still expected.” Those “must-haves” include The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors approved The partnership was responsible for the 2003 construction of The Heritage at Cajun Village should provide the ambience swimming pools and grilling areas. the expenditure of up to $105 million if the University chooses to Legacy Park, the University’s first apartment-style housing, and the that students are seeking. The Heritage has all that and then some. expand the apartment complex. addition of 1,800 suite-style units in four residence halls between The University began constructing it in May. It will offer students a choice of two-, three-, and four- The project will be financed through a partnership with the 2011 and 2012. The complex will include five buildings with 590 beds bedroom units. Each furnished apartment will have a full kitchen, private, nonprofit Ragin’ Cajuns Facilities Inc. In 2010, the University began a renovation, replacement and at the corner of Johnston and East Lewis streets. One of the and washer and dryer. Meal plans will be offered but not required. The University’s partnership with Ragin’ Cajuns Facilities Inc. construction program for its on-campus housing. It received UL buildings that will front that intersection will have 4,883 square The complex’s outdoor recreation areas will include a pool, began in 2003. The late Robert Trahan, a Lafayette businessman System approval for up to 5,000 new beds in anticipation of the feet of retail space on its first floor, with apartments on the sand volleyball court and grilling pavilion. A clubhouse will and alumnus, founded the organization, which acts as a financial University’s continued growth. second and third floors. feature a fitness center, study and game rooms, and a common extension of the University. RISE Real Estate, formerly Ambling University Development The Heritage mirrors the latest national trends in on- area. Ragin’ Cajun Facilities Inc. maintains funds needed to design Group, is project developer of the new complex. Niles Bolton campus housing. It also reflects UL Lafayette students’ wishes. Breaux said The Heritage delivers “the off-campus and build student housing and other University-related construction Associates is the architect, and The Lemoine Company is the general The University conducted three rounds of market research experience on campus, just as students told us they wanted.” projects. It qualifies for tax-exempt status because it is a nonprofit. contractor. Each firm was on the project design and development

to determine what students want in a living space. Two surveys Retail space, a first for University housing, also reflects Bond funding enables the University to construct facilities without team for the 2011-12 student housing renovation project. iPad iPhone in 2015 and a third in 2016 showed the same requirements a growing national trend in student living, Breaux said. “To having to compete for limited state capital outlay funds. Learn more about on-campus housing at housing.louisiana.edu among respondents. whichever vendor is awarded this promising piece of real estate, La Louisiane “Today’s student is most concerned about convenience, an amazing opportunity awaits them for a unique connection safety, privacy and amenities,” Breaux explained. “They want a to our institution.” safe and convenient location. They want blazing fast internet The Heritage is scheduled for completion by Fall 2019. and they want to cook their own meals.” Plans include 632 parking spaces for residents, guests and An article published earlier this year in a national real retail customers. More than half of the spaces will be on the estate trade publication said students who live in on-campus east side of Coulee Mine, which runs through the site. A new housing also want “useful” amenities, such as common study pedestrian bridge will connect the properties.

6 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 7 From the Bookshelf Montezuma’s reign: Rare cypress takes its place on roster of champions ON CAMPUS he University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus is home to more than 2,000 Ttrees and large shrubs, but only one is a champion. The campus’ sole Montezuma cypress joined the Louisiana Forestry Association’s Directory of Champions earlier this year. The association judges native and naturalized Novel Ventures: Fiction and trees on their height, circumference and Field Guide to the Print Culture in England, crown spread to determine which make the of the Amazon, Orinoco, 1690-1730 championship cut. and Guianas Leah Orr UL Lafayette’s Montezuma cypress stands The Tragedy of Brady Sims Peter van der Sleen and University of Virginia Press 60 feet and has a circumference of 16 feet. Its Ernest J. Gaines James S. Albert, editors branches spread 80 feet. By comparison, the Penguin Random House Princeton University Press Dr. Leah Orr’s debut book offers largest Montezuma cypress in the United States a compelling portrait of 18th-century is 70 feet tall and 28 feet in circumference, and In The Tragedy of Brady Sims, Ernest The Amazon and Orinoco river English publishing. She considers all 475 spreads 90 feet. It’s in San Benito, in southern J. Gaines’ first book-length publication basins and the Guianas region in northern works of fiction printed during a 40-year Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. in 12 years, UL Lafayette’s writer-in- contain the highest period, including new texts, translations of “This is the largest Montezuma cypress residence emeritus offers a story of race concentration of freshwater foreign works and reprints of older fiction. in Louisiana,” said James Foret, an instructor and power in the fictional Louisiana town on Earth. Piranhas, electric eels and Readers meet printers and in the School of Geosciences. “There may be of Bayonne. stingrays are among more than 3,000 booksellers; see how publishers a bigger one out there somewhere that we After his son is convicted of robbery species and 564 genera. manufactured, priced and advertised don’t know about, and we’ll get bumped off and murder, Brady Sims shoots him Field Guide to the Fishes of the volumes; and learn how imitations the list, but for now, it’s the largest.” in the courtroom. The incident leads Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas is the first of popular works drove fiction’s Whether the Montezuma’s reign is a newspaper reporter to approach the comprehensive overview of the fishes in development. long or short, the University is planning denizens of a local barbershop in search Greater Amazonia, an expanse of more The Licensing Order of 1643 accommodations fit for a king. That’s of details about the shooter’s life. than 3.2 million square miles. imposed restrictions on printing, appropriate, since the tree shares its name

Barbers and shop regulars narrate the The region’s size and its fish diversity including strict censorship, in with two rulers of the Aztecan Empire that DOUG DUGAS story with empathy, sadness and humor. have long defied even the most basic Parliamentary England. The act lapsed in flourished in Mexico between 1345 and 1521. They portray Sims as an honorable, but standardization of names. The guide 1695, an event that scholars previously The tree, behind Billeaud Hall, was unsparing man who, in a self-appointed offers a remedy. With 700 drawings, 190 argued freed authors such as Daniel boxed in by a parking lot, a greenhouse and role, beat the town’s children if he color photos, 500 maps and an illustrated Defoe and Henry Fielding to write a maintenance building. The University believed they had misbehaved. glossary, it provides descriptions and masterpieces Robinson Crusoe and Tom has removed four parking spots and will build a deck with seating Nelson traveled the world in search of rare plants. He collected Learning good behavior as children identification keys for all known fish Jones, respectively. around the tree’s base. That will alleviate the pressure of concrete on those that he knew would respond well to South Louisiana’s might ensure good behavior as adults, he genera in Greater Amazonia. Orr offers a counter narrative. The its root system and enable the cypress to receive more water, oxygen semitropical climate and distributed them to local plant enthusiasts. reasoned. In the often violent Jim Crow Dr. James S. Albert and Dr. Peter van UL Lafayette assistant professor of English and nutrients, improving its viability. So, speculation that Nelson brought the Montezuma cypress South, a person’s behavior could mean the der Sleen are the volume’s editors. Albert suggests that publishers, and not authors, “We should see a burst of growth,” Foret said. back to Lafayette and planted it on campus seems logical, Foret said. difference between life and death. is a UL Lafayette biology professor; van capitalized on the lack of limitations and The University’s efforts to preserve the champion Montezuma The tree’s size suggests it was planted in the early 1950s. The 114-page novella is “a taut and der Sleen is a postdoctoral fellow at the fueled the genre’s growth. Orr concludes cypress exemplify proactive measures that have earned UL Lafayette The species has gained popularity among local gardeners in searing tale about race and small-town University of Texas at Austin’s Marine publishers ultimately had more influence nine consecutive Tree Campus USA designations by the Arbor recent years because it grows well in Acadiana and offers shade, justice,” a reviewer wrote in the American Science Institute. on the 18th-century “rise” of the English Day Foundation, said Gretchen Lacombe Vanicor, director of the said Frank Thibodeaux of Bob’s Tree Preservation. That company Library Association’s Booklist. The guide’s more than 50 novel than writers did. University’s Office of Sustainability. maintains campus trees, particularly the more than 250 live oaks. “The history the men recount is, contributors include four doctoral Novel Ventures “challenges orthodoxy “This tree is pretty magnificent,” she said, looking up at the He was standing among the parking spaces that will be indeed, riveting in its insights into how candidates in UL Lafayette’s Department at almost every turn,” one reviewer noted. cypress’ drooping branches carpeted with green, feather-like leaves. removed and replaced by the planned deck. He studied the racism harms everyone, crystallized in of Biology: Maxwell J. Bernt, Jack M. Another concluded that “the trailblazing How UL Lafayette’s Montezuma cypress arrived on campus Montezuma cypress and marveled that the modern mindset that (local sheriff) Mapes’ heartbroken tribute Craig, Lesley Y. Kim and Brandon T. study ... will help shape the contours of is something of a mystery, although University lore holds it places a premium on parking has been reversed so that a champion to his friend: ‘Hell of a man, that Brady Waltz, and one former Ph.D. candidate, 18th-century fiction studies for decades was planted by Ira S. Nelson. He was a nationally recognized tree can thrive. Sims.’ Gaines tells a hell of a story.” Dr. Kory M. Jackson. to come.” horticulturalist and professor from 1941 until his death in 1965. “How about that?” Thibodeaux said. “The tree finally wins.”

8 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 9 Public policy center to examine far-reaching issues Homecoming: Alum returns as chief academic officer

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco concluded her term increase in education funding Dr. Jaimie L. Hebert didn’t need a map to navigate campus “That’s my challenge as governor in 2008. The University of Louisiana at in Louisiana history. Blanco when he became UL Lafayette’s provost and vice president for to myself. We shouldn’t Lafayette is ensuring her legacy of service continues. expanded the state’s pre- Academic Affairs in July. be only a good option for The planned Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public kindergarten program and He knew the terrain well. The Abbeville, La., native earned students. We want to be a fully funded colleges and destination.” ON CAMPUS Policy Center will house the former governor’s papers. bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University. It also will contribute interdisciplinary, independent universities for the first time “It was a wonderful school when I attended, but what this Hebert became research to public policy areas such as criminal in a quarter of a century. University has become over the past several decades is just Georgia Southern’s justice reform, poverty and economic opportunity, In August and September astounding – literally a nationally ranked institution of higher president in 2016. In governmental ethics, and education. 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and education,” Hebert said. that role, he led its “Gov. Blanco championed these issues throughout Rita struck Louisiana. At the “There has been so much progress. It’s amazing what has consolidation with her career,” said Dr. Jordan Kellman, dean of the College time, they were the largest happened since I left. But there are many things that haven’t Armstrong State University of Liberal Arts, which will oversee the policy center in natural disasters in U.S. history. changed, and it’s all the good stuff.” in Savannah, Ga. partnership with Edith Garland Dupré Library. Blanco’s gubernatorial Hebert returns to his alma mater after serving as president of Hebert previously was “The center will draw on expertise from UL Lafayette papers detail her direction of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. provost and vice president faculty and other scholars from across the country who storm recovery efforts as well As UL Lafayette’s chief academic officer, he’ll collaborate of Academic Affairs at Sam will gather data and offer nonpartisan analysis to confront as her administration’s other with administrators, college deans and faculty to determine and Houston State University. challenges facing our state and nation.” priorities. The 90 boxes of implement the University’s academic priorities. He also served as dean Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Dr. Jaimie Hebert The center will issue policy papers that inform material she donated to UL Hebert said the responsibility is eased by “the enormous of the Huntsville, Texas, public discussions and host lectures and symposiums. Lafayette will be transferred to the policy center and made available amount of intellectual capital that exists on this acreage. In brains university’s College of Arts and Sciences, and as chair of its Department Blanco graduated from the University in 1964 with a to researchers once University archivists process the collection. per square foot, we outdo everyone. of Mathematics and Statistics. bachelor’s degree in business education. During her 25-year Gubernatorial collections are rare in Louisiana. Prior to “We have extraordinary faculty. We have well-prepared, wonderful Hebert taught at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., political career, she was elected twice to the state House of 2015, state law permitted former governors to retain ownership students who have great work ethics. We have a community that goes as an assistant professor of mathematical science. Representatives, twice to the Public Service Commission and of their papers. Most chose not to make the materials publicly to bat for us and welcomes our students into it. Those are all the things He earned three degrees in statistics from UL Lafayette: a twice as lieutenant governor. available. However, Blanco hired an archivist and “ensured that that every provost wants. I walk in with those.” bachelor’s in 1986, a master’s in 1988 and a Ph.D. in 1990. She was governor from 2004 to 2008 and remains the only future generations would have an unparalleled vantage point Hebert pointed to a drink coaster on his conference table. A Hebert said the foundation he received at UL Lafayette prepared woman to have served as the state’s chief executive. from which to view an extraordinary period in Louisiana’s fleur-de-lis, part of the University’s academic and athletic logos, is him for his 28-year career. Blanco said the center will do more than gather information recent past,” Kellman said. embossed on it. “This place made me ready to launch the fortunate career that for academic purposes. “I see it also as a voice of balance, a voice Most of the funding for the $2.7 million center will come “When people see that symbol, I don’t want them to think just I have had. Being able to come back and to work to help a place of honesty so that the people can trust in the information delivered from private gifts. about food and wonderful music and a great community. I want progress that’s so close to my heart is just, oh, I don’t even know from the center. I envision it as the voice of reason.” The center’s founding director is expected to be hired by them to think about one of the most extraordinary undergraduate how to describe it. No one deserves to have it this good.” As governor, she led economic trade missions to Cuba, the end of the year. There are plans to open the center in 2019 and graduate experiences in the country. That’s what we need to be Hebert replaces Dr. David Danahar, UL Lafayette’s interim Taiwan, China and Japan. She also directed the single-largest in Dupré Library. associating with that symbol. provost since 2016.

New virtual tour The virtual tour isn’t intended to replace in- person tours, which can be scheduled through UL shows off campus Lafayette’s Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Anyone who’s considering which university to attend “It’s another option to discover what the Univer- can take a “stroll” around campus via a new virtual tour sity has to offer, especially for people who aren’t able coordinated by UL Lafayette’s Office of Communications to travel to campus,” Abshire said. “And, online visi- and Marketing. tors can make return trips any time they would like.” A series of short videos, accompanied by features The tour is intended to help bolster the such as an interactive map and text, enable prospective University’s already strong enrollment. It students to step inside classrooms and laboratories, and particularly targets prospective students from other learn about myriad academic and research opportunities. states and countries. The virtual tour also offers a peek at a colorful region About 12 percent of the University’s more than of Louisiana that’s famous for its distinctive food, festivals 19,000 students are from outside Louisiana, said and music. Dr. DeWayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment It paints a detailed portrait of University life, Management. said Aimée Abshire, the University’s interim chief “The virtual tour provides a valuable communications officer. recruitment tool for engaging a much wider pool “Potential students can explore a place where they of potential applicants by showcasing what a great

will live, learn, make friends and build a foundation for University we have,” he said. iPad iPhone successful futures,” she explained. Watch the tour at louisiana.university-tour.com

La Louisiane

10 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 11 At the conclusion of each week’s work, students filled a first-floor conference room at V.L. Wharton Hall on students campus to recount their experiences and share what they learned. McCarthy gave an example of the kind of feedback instructors receive. “Let’s say you have inmates who are in the hospital. One of the big things students mention about the jail is that it’s closed. There are no windows. So, what is one of 'Community' Nursing BY JAMES SAVAGE the most important things to that inmate Students leave campus to broaden perspectives on care PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOUG DUGAS when he goes into the hospital? Opening the blinds, so he can see the light.” “This is the most people I’ve had in the house in ages. Every nurse should have respect for It’s usually just me and Maggie.” patients and the ability to quickly adapt “Miss Pauline” surveys her Lafayette living room. to changing situations. The Community It’s filled with visitors. Sitting in a red and blue striped course emphasizes both, said nursing armchair that envelops her 4-foot-9-inch frame, the junior Margaret Pellerin. “They always 96-year-old isn’t complaining. Neither is Maggie, an aged say to be prepared for the unexpected schnauzer that bounces happily among the new faces. in nursing. You cannot go into a day of Student Mi M. Dinh offered free clothing during a community outreach event. Nursing student Zoe Ainsworth runs her fingers nursing and have your day planned. You through the dog’s grey coat. Being attentive to Maggie is can have an idea, but that’s not how it a way to build trust with “Miss Pauline,” so Ainsworth works out at all.” references the pooch a few times as she proceeds to check Pellerin was taking a break during her patient’s blood pressure, respiration and pulse. She her shift at Wellness Wednesday. It was gently reaches beneath the nonagenarian’s shirt, and a busy morning during a busy spring presses a stethoscope against her stomach to listen for semester. The clinic provided nearly 1,700 digestive sounds. screenings in the nine days it was open. Ainsworth is enrolled in Nursing 340, the formal name In 2017, nursing students performed for a course that requires a personal touch. As shorthand, 3,500 screenings at the clinic alone, and students and instructors call the class “Community.” provided just short of 10,600 individual The moniker reflects concisely what the course entails: services across the course’s three facets. it takes second-semester juniors in the College of Nursing The screenings that the clinic and Allied Health Professions out of a hospital setting where provides focus on preventive health, while they perform clinical work and puts them in grocery stores, the University’s Saucier Wellness Center jails, homeless shelters, libraries, businesses, parks, living treats students who are ill. rooms and in an on-campus clinic. The clinic’s three rooms are filled The students meet a myriad of people and offer health with exam tables, scales, and equipment screenings, information on diet and exercise, and at times, for testing hearing and vision. Eye charts help with technology. and anatomy posters cover the walls. During her home visit with “Miss Pauline,” for Forget about its location in Wharton example, Ainsworth showed her how to text iPhone photos Hall, and it could be any doctor’s office, of Maggie to friends and family. The point of “Community” anywhere. Nursing students put encouraging notes in bags of snacks they distributed. is to treat the whole person, not just an ailment. Zoe Ainsworth talks with "Miss Pauline" at the 96-year-old's home. Bailey Romero was on the same Dr. Lisa Broussard, associate dean of the college, said Wellness Wednesday shift as Pellerin. A few it’s an important lesson. “People always think of nurses as student nurses to experience “the dynamics of vulnerable weeks earlier, she and her classmates taught first-graders the value of to shift mindsets. Rather than focusing on patients when they are taking care of sick people in the hospital. So it’s really good for populations” – the elderly, prisoners, the homeless and oral health as part of the course’s Community as a Client requirement. ill, as taught in clinicals, the course emphasizes prevention through our students and the community to understand the wide role children – so they’ll be better prepared to help a wide audience Through observations and interviews with pharmacists, elected assessments and education. nurses play,” she said. when they enter the profession. officials, doctors, school counselors, business owners, clergy and first “Nurses don’t just treat someone in a bed in a hospital room. It The course encompasses several elements: Wellness “A lot of times, nursing graduates will go right into the responders, student teams compile data, diagnose a town’s greatest can be a difficult concept, but it’s important.” Wednesday, a free clinic available to University students, hospital to work and they don’t realize what needs are out there,” health need, and then engage in a service learning activity to promote Dr. Deedra Harrington, an assistant nursing professor, said the faculty and staff; community outreach, which includes health McCarthy continued. “They may not have worked in these healthy habits. In the spring, they visited 16 communities and offered interactions student nurses have with the public during the course promotion events; and Community as a Client, a semester-long populations but when they go into a hospital setting, they will.” wellness education sessions in each. teach them to “treat the person and not their situation.” examination of Acadiana municipalities to discover what’s ailing Students also conducted basic screenings for some The town Romero’s group visited doesn’t have a dentist’s office. “We expose them to all facets, so when they see people in the residents. Students also do rotations in area psychiatric facilities. inmates at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center. For several So, using a comically large set of teeth, they demonstrated proper community, they see them as part of the community. Whether they Dr. Jessica McCarthy is a nursing instructor, one of hours, they checked vision, hearing, pulse and blood pressure brushing techniques at the elementary school there. live on the streets, they live in the jail, or they live in a mansion – we four who taught the course in the spring. She said it enables and made other health assessments for LPCC employees. Romero explained that Community requires nursing students care for them all.”

12 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 13 The Soprano Honors Program thrives as it hits the half-century mark

Graduate student takes the stage at fabled New York City venues UL Lafayette’s Honors Program computers, dance, movies, black culture, spiring opera singer Natalie Bodkin had a chance to Music, after all, is in her blood. marks its 50th anniversary this year. firearms, pornography and philosophy. hone her performance skills in New York City in June. Bodkin’s father, Clyde, the owner of a marketing Since its inception in 1968 as an “Students often asked members of the The 23-year-old graduate student in the University of communications firm, plays accordion and was once a wedding eight-member “honors community,” Honors Seminar to explain what Seminar STUDENTS A Louisiana at Lafayette’s School of singer. Her mom, Jill, a nurse, it has given “bright minds more room was,” the yearbook’s editors wrote. “All Music and Performing Arts sang plays piano. to use that brilliance,” said Dr. Julia answers were different.” at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall Clyde Bodkin’s love of Frederick, the program’s director. When the program marked its 30th and The National Opera Center. Cajun and zydeco music To be admitted to it, students must birthday during the 1998-99 school year, Bodkin, who is from contributed to his daughter meet required ACT or SAT scores and the yearbook again asked for a description. Zionsville, Ind., was training enrolling at UL Lafayette. He’s maintain minimum GPAs – 3.0 for The program’s director had her answer with the New York Lyric Opera a longtime volunteer for the freshmen and 3.2 for sophomores, juniors down pat. Theatre. The professional Jazz and Heritage and seniors. “The purpose of the seminar is to company conducts a month- Festival and for the Breaux Students take some classes with build community among Honors students, long program that includes Bridge Crawfish Festival. only fellow Honors Program members. and to provide practice in discussion and performances and voice lessons. Natalie often accompanied her In courses they share with non-Honors students, program members leadership,” said Dr. Patricia Rickels, who helped formalize the program She was one of 34 artists selected dad on trips to south Louisiana complete additional projects and assignments to receive honors in 1975. She became its director four years later. from applicants across the world. and fell in love with Acadiana. course credit. Before earning an honors baccalaureate, they must “She was Honors,” said Frederick, who succeeded Rickels in Bodkin made the most When she began to complete and present a thesis. 2007. Rickels died in 2009. of the opportunity. “I better consider colleges to attend, she The Honors Seminar, a weekly intellectual exchange between Honors’ Fall 2018 semicentennial class has an enrollment of understand now what it takes checked out UL Lafayette. “It faculty and students, remains the program’s centerpiece. It was one nearly 1,600. Frederick said class members share a quality with the to fully develop an operatic role was a really good fit for me.” of the first courses the nascent program offered. Seminar tackled students who preceded them. and make it your own,” she said. Bodkin liked the music subjects in a freewheeling, immersive style that differed from “They think in different ways. That’s the wonderful part of The soprano’s biggest role faculty, including Margaret traditional lecture courses. Honors. It lets you dive into a subject, dance with it and then think was Pamina, a lead character in Daniel, who recently retired Honors operated as a “community” until 1975, when it became a about doing new things with what you have learned. That’s what Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” after 45 years at the University. formal program with 50 students. That year’s L’Acadien yearbook listed you do with knowledge. You open doors and windows and lift Elizabeth Hastings, stage Daniel was Bodkin’s professor topics the Honors Seminar explored: music, human biology, drama, shades and decide what you want to do.” director for the production, said and primary voice teacher. “As a among many attributes, Bodkin musician, it’s really important to puts “a lot of thought into what DOUG DUGAS find a teacher who will help you University makes Top 25 she sings.” improve and I found that in Ms. Opera singers must be Daniel,” she said. UL Lafayette is the only Louisiana university to rank in the actors who are able to convey Natalie Bodkin practices with voice coach Margaret Daniel. Daniel said that of the Top 25 of U.S. News and World Report’s list of “Universities and emotion with the timbre of hundreds of students she has Colleges Where Students Are Eager to Enroll.” their voice, Bodkin explained. “If something horrible happens, mentored, Bodkin is among the best. “I would say top three.” It’s sandwiched between Dartmouth (23) and Duke (25). you might sing with a darker tone or, during an intimate duet, Bodkin realized that with a “music school that is a little The ranking, released earlier this year, is based on with a softer tone.” smaller than some, I knew I would have many chances to universities’ popularity with first-time freshmen. Character study – researching personality traits and perform.” In April, she starred as Gretel in the UL Lafayette The list includes schools with selective admissions that have motives – is also essential. Bodkin studied Pamina, a princess Opera Theatre’s adaptation of “Hansel and Gretel.” Bodkin also a high “yield.” That term refers to the percentage of students rescued from an evil demon, intensely. “It gave me the ability performed in the University’s production of “Sweeney Todd,” a admitted by an institution who end up enrolling at the school. to make decisions such as, ‘Pamina is like this, so I believe she tale about a barber who kills his customers. She played the part U.S. News and World Report studied data from national would do this.’ ” of Johanna, who is imprisoned by an evil judge. universities. It classifies a national university as one that offers a Singers must often study different languages, as well. Shawn Roy, the School of Music and Performing Arts’ wide range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Bodkin has performed in Italian, French, German and Spanish. coordinator of vocal studies, directed Bodkin in “Sweeney Stanford University had the highest yield among national Understanding the meaning of words is crucial for delivering Todd,” and has coached her during voice lessons. “Natalie has a universities, according to data submitted by 294 schools. them with the proper context or feeling. “It’s sometimes hard beautiful voice, is studious and has an open mind. She’s a huge Brigham Young University was second, followed by Harvard “Students want to to catch nuances of language – especially in German – because asset to our program, not just as a performer, but as a teacher.” and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Yale was No. 5. attend the University, and we, in there are words that have no English equivalent,” she said. Bodkin earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance UL Lafayette’s yield was almost 51 percent. turn, attract academically gifted students.” Bodkin is a classically-trained pianist. She began taking piano in May 2017. She will earn a master’s of music in vocal High yields reflect a school’s popularity among applicants, The rankings are based on data from the Fall lessons at age 6; she joined her school choir in seventh grade. performance in Spring 2019. and the ability of a college or university to enroll a first-time 2016 semester. In high school, she was an all-star lacrosse player on a She is teaching a voice class this semester. Her time in freshman class composed of a large number of academically In Fall 2016, the 3,024 freshmen who enrolled at the University state championship team. She quit after coaches suggested she the classroom will help her prepare for her second career. “I prepared students. marked the third-largest freshman class in school history. That class give up music to concentrate on the sport. “I never looked back want to make a living in opera as long as possible, then find a Dr. DeWayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment had the highest average GPA, 3.39, and the highest average ACT or regretted it. It just gave me more time to focus on piano and really great university where I can impart whatever wisdom I’ve Management at UL Lafayette, said “the ranking by U.S. News and score, 23.87, in school history. It also included 160 high school voice,” Bodkin said. garnered,” she said. World Report reinforces what we already know.” valedictorians.

14 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 15 At dawn, the 4,200 solar panels that inhabit six acres of University Research Park begin another workday. Power The black rectangles – standing in martial rows like a battalion awaiting a command – ingest the first rays and, with nary a hum, start to make electrical power. By day’s end, as the western horizon envelops the sun, they’ll have produced up to 1.1 megawatts, enough to power 220 homes, or, in UL Lafayette’s case, By James Savage Photography by Doug Dugas much of the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns athletic complex.

16 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 Player LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 17 One of the PART Lab’s major objectives is empowering A light-soaking chamber bombards panels with students to think more broadly about where energy intensified artificial sunlight that inflicts years of degradation traditionally has – and where it potentially can – come from. in a few weeks. Another instrument, called a multi-tracer, UL Lafayette is the only Louisiana university, and one of a controls how power is distributed through a module. A tilt handful nationally, that can examine solar technology outside table permits testing a panel at any angle in relation to the sun. and in a controlled, indoor laboratory space, said Dr. Terrence The centerpieces of the collection are a thermographic Chambers. He’s a mechanical engineering professor and camera and a flash tester. director of the University’s Energy Efficiency and Sustainable The thermographic camera is 21 feet long. A solar panel Energy Center who oversaw the lab’s development. is placed in a steel frame carriage, which can be moved toward or away from the lens along tracks. That lets researchers photograph an entire panel in search of defects and evidence of degradation. “We take a solar module, we apply power to it, and it will glow,” Chambers explained. “The glowing is not visible to the human eye, but it is visible to a thermal camera.” Hues of yellow, orange and red appear on a nearby computer screen and indicate hot spots that have retained heat; less-vibrant colors pinpoint areas that aren’t functioning. The flash tester is a black cabinet containing 140 LED lights that’s sometimes called an artificial sun. Solar panels are Dr. Terrence Chambers and graduate student Mounirat Mahmoud examine the thermal camera. mounted on the inside As planning began for the lab, Chambers visited facilities of the cabinet’s door. When the door is closed, the LED lights he terms “the big boys” – the National Renewable Energy replicate the sun’s rays in a controlled setting so researchers Laboratory in Colorado, Arizona State University, and the can gauge a panel’s longevity without worrying about clouds Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, among others. and other obstructions. Student Cy Kipp adjusts a solar panel inside the PART Lab’s flash tester, or artificial sun. He asked staff at each the same two questions: “What do you “We are going to every year remove a sample of modules The solar panels are the public faces of the Photovoltaic The data the lab collects, analyzes and releases will do, and how do you do it?” from the field, bring them to the lab and very accurately Applied Research and Testing Laboratory that went live in June. buttress a slowly evolving conversation about solar energy’s Sandia National Laboratories provided Chambers with a characterize how they are performing. And then we do it a year The lab’s mission control is three miles from University place in the state’s energy landscape. list of five pieces of essential solar testing equipment. That’s later, and then a year later, and we’ll see how they’ve degraded.” Research Park, in Rougeou Hall on campus. A wall- Renewable energies provided 4 percent of Louisiana’s when luck intervened. A contact told Chambers a research Analyses the UL Lafayette lab complete will be shared mounted screen enables real-time monitoring of the field’s power last year. Biomass energies, which come from plant firm was shutting down and selling its equipment; the online, so consumers can use the information to assess power production. In adjacent rooms, high-tech equipment and material, and hydroelectric power accounted for liquidation sale included the five pieces on the Sandia list, at solar energy’s feasibility, said graduate student Deepakjain sits ready to evaluate whether solar panels can withstand much of the total. Solar was just a sliver. Fossil fuels such as a fraction of what they would cost new. Veerendrakumar. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in systems Louisiana’s sultry climate. natural gas produce 60 percent of the state’s electrical power. “We got them all,” Chambers said, his satisfaction still engineering and helped construct testing equipment as it evident. arrived, in pieces, at the University.

18 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 19 Bourgeois Hall, Blackham Coliseum and the Ira S. Nelson

Eraste Landry Rd. Horticulture Center. Photovoltaic An underground power line carries current to a substation Applied near the intersection of 1) Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) National Wetlands Research Center Johnston Street and 2) An inverter converts electricity from DC to alternating current (AC) Estuarine Habitats Research and and Coastal Fisheries Boulevard, over a mile away. Research Center

CajundomeBlvd. The panels produce 1.1 Testing Lab megawatts; athletic facilities and other buildings require 1.2 megawatts of power, so the solar panels rarely will produce Abdalla Hall CGI more than is expended. Also, LEDA without a battery system to store

To I-10 the unlikely excess, the panels Cecil J. Picard LITE E. Devalcourt St. Center Center Hilton Garden will provide power only during Inn Child and daytime hours. Family Studies Early Childhood Laboratory Lafayette Primary On sunny days during a Care Building Cajundome typical semester, the PART Lab Cajundome Convention Souvenir Gate will produce about 10 percent of Center How It Works Sorority Row BertrandDr. West Congress St. the 10 megawatts of power the Reinhardt Dr. Cajunj Field 3) The inverter sends AC power via a mile-long underground cable to a Stadium University uses daily. In a year, the solar facility will make about 3 substation, which then transmits it to athletic facilities and other locations. Louisiana Accelerator Fraternity Row Center Coxox AthleticsAthleticA s Mosing Rec Sports percent of the University’s energy Center Student-Athlete Performance Complex Center and save UL Lafayette $100,000 the facility turns rice hulls, switchgrass, sweet potatoes and public. To make that possible, we had to put it on the MonlcaM l IndoorI d Practice Facility Printing Cajundome Blvd. CajunC un Courts/Courts/s// Services Intramuralntramura on its electric bill. similar agricultural products into energy. Other systems con- ground and not on the roofs.” Shot put Russo Park Culotta Center Lamson Coliseum Dr. Fields Reinhardt Dr. rack/ StudentStudSude Park Tenniseen The lab is also moving UL vert animal and farm waste. The University countered: Would NRG consider Cajun T CourtsCCouou Soccer Complex Lafayette toward an objective of The center, like its counterpart in Lafayette, provides funding a photovoltaic research and testing laboratory? Bourgeoisg To Main Campus Student Hall Aquatic its Sustainability Strategic Plan, testing and lab space. But its most notable feature is two On a cloudless spring day, Chambers stood at the heart Center Agriculture Facilities which calls for a decrease in banks of mirrored, parabolic solar troughs that gradually of the company’s answer. “This is the result,” he said, with a campus energy use by 2021 as track the sun’s path, and use the harnessed sunlight to grin. “This will allow us to do education, research, outreach, Agriculture Facilities Ira Nelson Horticulture well as an increase in available heat water held in tubes beneath the panels. Steam that’s workforce development and have a much bigger public Center Creamery renewable energy sources. produced powers a turbine that generates electricity. impact than simply putting solar panels on the roof.” Blackham Building Coliseum Whittington House Gretchen Lacombe Vanicor, The panels, part of the Solar Thermal Applied The University initially considered five locations for To Main Campus the University’s director of Research and Testing Lab, are responsible for more than the lab, but Chambers said the choice came down to an on St. Johnst sustainability, said the PART electricity. They also laid the groundwork for the PART intuitive maxim: “Let’s do research in the research park. The PART Lab’s 1.1 megawatts partially powers the red-shaded areas of the Lab “reduces our emissions Lab, said Dr. Mark Zappi, dean of the University’s College And here we are.” University’s athletic complex and other adjacent spots. associated with purchasing of Engineering. A brick and mortar structure with classroom space There’s also potential for collaboration with electricity generated from nonrenewable sources, namely Not long after the Crowley facility became that could accommodate the testing equipment now national firms to compare how solar panels respond to coal. This is critical to achieving our goal to cultivate a operational, Louisiana Generating LLC and its parent housed in Rougeou Hall is on Chambers’ wish list. It environments that aren’t as hot and humid as Louisiana. healthier, more resilient campus community.” company, NRG Energy Inc., approached the University would also serve as a visitor center for tour groups to learn Endurance is part of solar’s appeal, Veerendrakumar said. with an offer. about sustainable energies, he said. “People think that solar is just cool stuff and that it’s NRG Energy proposed an investment of $4 million The mechanical engineering professor has already used still in the beginning stages. We need to show people it’s There are two types of solar energy technology: for a rooftop system of solar panels, similar to smaller the field as an open-air classroom. In late spring, before the not only cool. It’s also cost-effective compared to other photovoltaic, which generates electricity directly from residential installations, but enough to provide 1.1 facility went live in June, he took students in his graduate- sources of energy.” solar power, and solar thermal, which uses heated water as megawatts of power. They’d also invest $1 million through level sustainable energies course to the research park. a go-between. the UL Lafayette Foundation for the maintenance of the “We are studying solar energy right now,” Chambers Four years ago, UL Lafayette invested in solar thermal. system for 25 years. said before the visit. “We are actually in the section of the The power produced at the solar facility will With the opening of the PART Lab to study photovoltaic “We want the University to be a living laboratory,” book for photovoltaic power. This is perfect. I can bring my electrify University-owned property and buildings from technology, the University has all its solar bases covered. Chambers explained. “We wanted this to be a way to class out there. We can walk through the solar field, and I Johnston Street to West Congress, and from Coliseum The Cleco Alternative Energy Center, a partnership be- make power for the University. We wanted this to be an can say, ‘This is an inverter. This is a monocrystalline panel. Road to Bertrand Drive. The area includes Cajun Field, tween UL Lafayette and Cleco, a power company that serves educational facility. We wanted it to be a research facility. This is polycrystalline panel. This is the thin film module. M.L “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park, Lamson Park, south and central Louisiana, opened in 2014. Equipment at We wanted it to be accessible to our students and to the This is how this whole thing works.’ That’s the real benefit.”

20 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 21 CBS News national correspondent David Begnaud’s broadcasts Milder symptoms, like Begnaud’s, include repeated sniffing and and social media posts when Hurricane Maria battered grunting, and sudden movements. He sometimes sticks his tongue last year kept millions of viewers riveted to the plight of the island’s from his mouth at an odd angle, for example. “I sort of kick it out to 3.4 million residents. the side like a lizard,” he explained. The storm made landfall as a Category 4, just 2 mph shy of Maria Placer is a former, longtime news director at KLFY-TV a Category 5. It knocked out all of the U.S. territory’s electricity, 10, the CBS affiliate in Lafayette where Begnaud got his professional destroyed its communications infrastructure, flattened property start when he was only 18. and wiped out crops, causing as much as $95 billion in damage. In an interview this summer, she reflected on the extraordinary Estimates of the number of people killed have varied drastically, situation she found herself in as one of the eager, ambitious young from the Puerto Rican government’s total of 64 to a report by man’s first mentors. She still marvels at the incongruous career Harvard researchers that put the death toll at more than 4,600. choice he made. Disaster relief was widely criticized as particularly slow. Many “Imagine a kid with Tourette’s wanting to be on national hurricane survivors were stranded for days, weeks and months television,” she observed. without power, drinking water and adequate supplies. Begnaud arrived on the island three days before Maria hit on Sept. 20. He and a CBS crew spent the next 15 days reporting on the A neurologist diagnosed 36-year-old Begnaud with Tourette effects of the hurricane. His coverage spurred quicker, more efficient Syndrome when he was 7. aid from Puerto Rican officials and federal agencies. During elementary and middle school, manifestation of his There were symptoms were the several followup trips. equivalent of wearing Six months after the a “kick me” sign on storm, his focus was his back. He left home on the Puerto Rican each morning braced government’s failure for stares, snickers, to restore electricity in taunts or shoves from many areas, and loss other kids. of temporary housing “It was a brutal for evacuees relocated thing to deal with,” to places such as he recalled in an Florida. interview with La Begnaud's Louisiane. relentless reporting At one point, earned him a guidance counselors

prestigious George CBS NEWS went to some of Polk Award for Begnaud’s classes public service. His obvious compassion for the Puerto Rican people to talk with students about Tourette’s, hoping the children would elevated his status to superhero in the eyes of many. stop their abuse once they knew why he sometimes acted a little During an interview with La Louisiane, , who co- differently. It didn’t help. hosts “CBS This Morning,” summed up why Begnaud’s reporting of Begnaud enrolled in four schools in eight years. He wasn’t able the hurricane’s aftermath was so powerful: “David got to the heart of to outrun the abuse. that story and he got to the heart of the people.” Fourth-grade classmate Ashley Guidry Allen of Lafayette recalls school being “very, very tough” for him. “I always remember seeing the hurt in his eyes,” she said. Few viewers watching Begnaud’s coverage of the crisis in Puerto Medications would ultimately help mitigate the symptoms of AGAINST Rico knew how improbable it was that he would ever have a career Tourette’s. But Begnaud said he relied heavily on denial to cope. in broadcasting, much less one on the world stage. “In many ways, I had to almost lie to myself and just say that Begnaud has Tourette Syndrome, which is characterized by everything was rosy. That was the only way I could get through the day.” involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. Tics are classified as complex or mild. ALL ODDS “Complex motor tics might include facial grimacing combined Begnaud’s gift for communication and his natural charisma with a head twist and a shoulder shrug,” according to the National began to surface when he was a teenager at Teurlings Catholic High David Begnaud's unlikely rise Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Some people with School in Lafayette. severe cases may uncontrollably wave their arms wildly. Others are He sacked groceries after school at Adrien’s Supermarket. The to the top of TV news unable to completely control their speech, so they randomly blurt store manager told Begnaud’s father, Glenn Begnaud: “He’ll talk out inappropriate words, such as curses or epithets. to anyone and people will come in asking for him. He’s the best BY CHARLIE BIER 22 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 23 ambassador for the store we’ve “He was like a little ever had.” leech,” Placer fondly recalled, Begnaud credits Josette with a deep laugh. Surrat, Teurling’s then-speech “He had all of these and debate coach and an English questions: ‘What’s a good teacher, with planting the seeds of story? How hard should his broadcast journalism career. you press sources? In what Surrat noticed what she instances shouldn’t you calls “the voice” when he was reveal the names of sources?’ a freshman. “His voice was These questions were flowing definitely a broadcasting voice,” through his mind and he she recalled. needed answers.” Surrat approached Begnaud Begnaud proved a quick about participating in speech study. and debate, but he was the He became a full-time football team’s videographer, reporter at the station at which took much of his spare age 18. He quickly moved time. She made her pitch into bigger roles, including again at the beginning of his evening anchor and host

sophomore year. “He was a little CBS NEWS of “Passe Partout,” KLFY’s reluctant,” she remembered, David Begnaud with Gayle King, co-host of “CBS This Morning” morning newscast. “but by December, I said, ‘OK, it’s After about four years now or never.’” at the station, and simultaneously earning a degree in general studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he left in

Begnaud relented. It was a smart move. He placed AMY WINDSOR second at his first tournament against more than two dozen 2005 to work in other markets. competitors. At least two spectators marveled when, tic-free Begnaud logged stints at several regional news outlets, and poised, he nailed his debut. including in Shreveport, La., and Sacramento, Calif. Before “My jaw dropped in amazement,” Glenn Begnaud said. joining CBS, he covered national breaking news as a Los At UL Lafayette’s Fall 2017 Commencement, David Begnaud urged new graduates to “find the public service in your profession.” Mom Cydney Begnaud’s reaction was stronger. “Tears just Angeles-based reporter for Newsbreaker at ORA TV, a started rolling down my face. He never missed a word. He never social media platform. He was also a regular contributor to He told a boss at CBS News only after agreeing to talk with La There is a precedent for his revelation. In June 2018, Begnaud paused. To this day, I treasure that moment,” she said. “Entertainment Tonight.” Louisiane about his experience with the disorder. “I said, ‘FYI, this is sent a tweet that conveyed that he is gay. Although he had not Surrat said Begnaud earned trophies at each of the dozens Begnaud became a full-time correspondent with CBS News in going to come out.’” hidden his sexual orientation, he had not publicized it, either. of local, state and national tournaments he competed in during August 2015. The previous month, the network had enlisted him Begnaud feared an admission of having Tourette Syndrome “Reporting the truth means sharing my own,” his tweet stated. high school. as a freelancer to cover the Grand 16 Theater shooting in Lafayette. would have stunted his career. “I worried it would create a glass In a follow-up Facebook post the next day, Begnaud said he hoped Lindsay Fite Finley, a speech and debate rival who A gunman, described by police as a mentally ill drifter, opened fire ceiling,” he said. Keeping quiet was easier because his symptoms “that this story is the encouragement that other people need to tell attended St. Thomas More High School in Lafayette, remembers in the movie theater. Two people were killed; nine were injured. have lessened, which can happen in adulthood. Begnaud quit taking their story.” the first time she saw Begnaud “strutting down the hall” at a The gunman died after turning his gun on himself. medication to control his symptoms at about age 18. Likewise, he told La Louisiane that he hopes that talking about hotel where competitors were staying during a tournament. “I “I had a responsibility to bring a certain humanity to Although he still displays symptoms at times, they disappear his own experience with Tourette’s will “help people see that their thought: ‘Who is this guy with all this confidence?’” the story because the victims were my people but I also had when a TV camera is rolling. struggles – if it’s Tourette’s or something similar to it – won’t keep They quickly became friends and Finley learned that to maintain the veneer of a journalist. I couldn’t get super- “When the red light goes on, I don’t tic,” he said, referring to them from achieving their goals.” Begnaud’s confidence was surface deep after he began opening emotional. In many ways, I felt like the network was testing me the signal that indicates the camera is recording. Begnaud realizes that, in some ways, he’s lucky. His Tourette’s up to her about how he was tormented at school because of to see how I would do in my hometown,” he recalled. When people with Tourette’s participate in activities they enjoy symptoms were not extreme. having Tourette’s. He passed the test. or that engross them, tics can lessen, said Dr. Jack Damico, a professor Still, he doesn’t minimize the traumatic affect that bullying had “People were pretty cruel to him and I think it affected him CBS News hired him full-time and stationed him in Miami. in UL Lafayette's Department of Communicative Disorders. on him when he was growing up. deeply,” she said. In early 2017, he relocated to the network’s Dallas bureau. “When you’re focusing on talking and making something “I came out just fine on the other end but I wouldn’t want any He has found a niche covering breaking news. happen, or you’re really engaged in something you’re interested in, kid to go through what I went through,” he said. Assignments have included volcanic eruptions in Hawaii and you end up doing a lot of voluntary motor movements,” Damico Begnaud harbors no ill will toward classmates who made his life Begnaud’s foray into broadcast journalism began when he the 2016 nightclub shooting in Orlando, where 49 people explained. “The tics really come to the forefront when you’re at rest, difficult. “When I see some of them today, they’re so proud and they’re sought and landed a gig as a teen reporter for KLFY. were killed and 53 others were wounded. He has covered the or when you’re not focusing on other things.” so complimentary. It makes it easier for me to let go,” he explained. Placer quickly noticed several traits: talent, a strong work separation of children from parents who tried to enter the Fourth-grade classmate Ashley Guidry Allen is more than proud of ethic, drive, and boundless curiosity. He was also tenacious country illegally at the U.S./Mexico border. him. She gathers strength from remembering his childhood struggles. when pursuing information. “I’m just here until the phone rings and then I hop on a plane Begnaud said he decided to open up about his Tourette’s Her third child, Jake, has cerebral palsy. She’s anxious about She would walk on a treadmill at Red Lerille’s Health and go. I really enjoy being at the scene of a big story,” he said. because he’s tired of keeping it a secret. enrolling the 6-year-old, “who’s not going to walk the same as his and Racquet Club before starting her long, busy days at the More importantly, he wants to use his enormous public classmates” in kindergarten. television station. Begnaud, eager for one-on-one time to learn platform to inspire and influence others with Tourette’s. It’s “I saw David not long ago and I told him that I hope my son about the news business, showed up one morning to walk on a Begnaud has never divulged – on a large scale – that he has estimated that 200,000 Americans have the most severe form; as has the drive that he does, because he overcame something that was treadmill next to hers. He joined her morning after morning. Tourette Syndrome. many as one in 100 exhibit milder symptoms. very tough.”

24 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 25 Her Majesty Queen Endymion LII

By Charlie Bier Hannah Autin Photography by Chris Granger The 52nd Queen of Endymion, Hannah Autin, is Autin didn’t bear any of the load of the accessory. often asked about the costume she wore this year for New It was suspended by small chains hanging from a huge Orleans’ largest Mardi Gras parade. purple-domed crown that sat on four golden columns. Her dazzling, bejeweled crown doesn’t prompt “It rests right above your shoulders,” she explained. the bulk of the questions. Neither do inquiries about Autin is a senior at UL Lafayette majoring in biology her one-of-a-kind gown, nor the spangled white who plans to attend medical school after she graduates. tennis shoes she wore beneath its floor-length hem, a On Feb. 10, she filled one of the most coveted Mardi concession to comfort. Gras roles in a city that hosts one of the world’s premier People want to know how she kept her balance while revelries before the start of the Lenten season. carrying a 5-by-5-foot headpiece that fanned out behind She had dreamed of being Endymion queen since her on the queen’s float. Made of a frame covered with middle school, when she applied to wear the crown. “I cloth, rhinestones, sequins, intricate beading and ostrich checked every year to make sure I was still on the list,” she feathers, it weighed 50 pounds. said with a laugh.

26 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 27 “There’s nothing to really compare Due to their tight schedule, Autin and her it to,” said Autin, a 21-year-old from court were given food – including po-boys, Thai Galliano, La., a small town south of New beignets and fried oysters – to eat in a Mercedes- Orleans. Benz van that would take them to the parade After beginning her big day dressed formation site near City Park. A police escort in blue jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, accompanied them as they traveled along streets she received royal treatment. She had barricaded to other vehicles. “It was so out of the her hair and makeup done at the Hyatt norm that it was kind of cool and weird at the Regency Hotel early that morning. She same time,” she said. was then ferried to the Mercedes-Benz After arriving at the staging area, Autin Superdome to find her gown, which was first walked over to say “hello” and shake hands hanging in a Tulane University football with the driver of the tractor that would pull the locker room, along with the gowns of her queen’s float. four-maid court. Before stepping aboard her float, she spotted Autin’s gown was encrusted with silver some young girls behind metal barriers who and black rhinestones. Her crown was were looking at her as if she were Cinderella fronted with her initials – HJA for Hannah incarnate. Autin spoke with them warmly and June Autin – and a representation of her posed for photos. beloved pet dog, a Goldendoodle named “I was so excited I could bring them so much Zoe. The initials were also featured on joy,” she said. Autin’s beads, which were thrown from the queen’s float. Once her transformation from college student to queen was complete, Autin joined krewe members and their families at a Catholic Mass inside the Superdome. It was led by the Most Rev. Gregory Aymond, archbishop of New Orleans. The solemnity of the service was infused with touches of Mardi Gras excitement. One of the priests reminded krewe members who would be riding on floats to be considerate of spectators. “Throw beads to them, not at them,” he advised. Afterward, Autin and her maids headed to two Mid-City restaurants, Maypop and Ralph’s on the Park, where family members and friends were waiting to pay tribute. In one toast, Charles Giraud III, father of maid Robin Giraud, summed up the magic of their extraordinary experience. “Ladies,” he said, “today the streets of the city are yours.”

28 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 29 Because of a threat of rain, the four-hour Endymion parade began about 30 minutes earlier than originally planned Saturday afternoon. It traveled six and a half miles through Mid-City thoroughfares. Talk of cancelling the 2018 parade, due to weather forecasts, swirled in the days preceding it. The show went on despite intermittent showers. The queen didn’t mind the weather. Neither, apparently, did revelers. “It just seemed to make the crowd more enthusiastic,” said Autin, who basked in cheers and waves from spectators standing beneath trees festooned with multi-colored beads. The Krewe of Endymion’s motto is “Throw ’til it Hurts.” True to its word, members flung about 15 million beads, doubloons and trinkets, such as bouncing balls and illuminated flying discs, to about a million parade-goers. Autin’s pink and purple chariot featured several emblems of Louisiana architecture and Amid the purple, green and gold, Hannah Autin saw plenty Orleans from among the names of eligible members of the culture. A fleur-de-lis that of vermilion and white. Parade spectators wearing University all-male krewe. changed colors was on the front. colors and flashing displays of Ragin’ Cajun spirit heartened her. She also hosted the Queen’s Party on Jan. 27 at the Her float was flanked on both “I saw a lot of people giving the UL signal,” she said, Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. She sides by white balustrades tinged referring to the ubiquitous hand gesture that symbolizes UL worked with a caterer to choose which foods to serve to about with pink. LED and fiber-optic Lafayette pride. 250 guests and added her personal touch to decorations. lighting sparkled and pulsed. Shull Autin said acknowledgement from UL Lafayette At her suggestion, fried potatoes – one of her favorites Her father, Shull Autin, is students and supporters was gratifying. – were on the menu, along with dishes such as shrimp and president of an offshore supply “The thing that stands out in my mind was the hundreds grits. Yellow flowers – another favorite – were scattered boat company in Larose, La. of people representing UL. To hear them screaming ‘Our among traditional Mardi Gras-colored decorations of He has ridden in the Endymion queen! Our queen!’ was fantastic. It brought goosebumps to purple, green and gold. Parade for the past 15 years. the back of my neck,” he said. The captain of Endymion selects the queen, with His daughter, perched atop The parade capped weeks of duties for the queen. One input from an executive board. Autin was crowned during her throne, “looked like a 7-year- of her responsibilities was to choose the Endymion king. a coronation ceremony Jan. 20 in the Ernest N. Morial old girl in a toy store,” he said. She randomly pulled the name of Jacob Winfield of New Convention Center.

30 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 31 UL Lafayette sophomore reigns as Queen Evangeline LXXIX

Lauren Guilliot, Queen Evangeline LXXIX, the Queen of Carnival, carried more than a wand for Lafayette’s Krewe of Gabriel; she carried on a family tradition. Five generations – more than two dozen of the 19-year-old UL Lafayette student’s relatives – have played prominent roles with the Krewe of Gabriel, the largest krewe in Lafayette. The tradition started with Guilliot’s great-grandfather, Paul John Blanchet Sr., who reigned as King Gabriel XIX. Members of her family have also been queens, dukes, pages and maids. Queen Evangeline is traditionally a college-age daughter of a Krewe of Gabriel member. Guilliot’s father, Paul, is a member. This year’s King Gabriel LXXIX, the King of Carnival, was Dr. Michael Judice, ’77, a Lafayette pediatrician. Evangeline and Gabriel were chosen as names for the king and queen of Lafayette Mardi Gras celebrations in 1934. They were inspired by the hero and heroine of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Evangeline.” According to gomardigras.com, the names were suggested by Edith Garland Dupré, an English professor for whom UL Lafayette’s library is named. The poem, published in 1847, is set in Nova Scotia and Louisiana, and revolves around the deportation of Acadians. It tells the story of a French-Canadian woman who spends years searching for her fiancé after the JAY FAUGOT Monarchs have ruled Mardi Gras in New Orleans the Mercedes-Benz Superdome; it’s the only parade to couple is separated on their wedding since the city’s first parade in the mid-1850s, said Wayne travel through that venue. day. The names remained after the Krewe of Gabriel was formed in 1949. Phillips, a Louisiana State Museum curator. “Royalty is About 20,000 guests had gathered inside for the The krewe hosts two signature parades. The Queen’s Parade “It was a long week, but it was an amazing experience,” Guilliot so important to Mardi Gras because in many ways the Endymion Extravaganza. A white spotlight trained on rolls on the night of Lundi Gras, which is the Monday preceding said. monarchs are the public face of the whole celebration,” Autin heralded the star of Endymion. Mardi Gras. The King’s Parade is held the next day. The Queen’s Parade began at Pontiac Point near downtown he explained. Thousands of guests danced as purple, green and For Guilliot, a sophomore in UL Lafayette’s pre-dental hygiene Lafayette and ended near Cajun Field. The procession rolled down Autin was joined on her float by her father and a gold lasers pierced the darkened ’dome’s interior. After program, Lafayette’s Mardi Gras fun and celebration amounted to a Johnston Street, near the University. security guard. The trio led a procession that included the last float exited, British rock legend Rod Stewart and whirlwind. “It was awesome around that area. It was cool to throw beads a stream of floats, marching bands and torch-bearers hip-hop/pop/and R&B artist Jason Derulo performed, She was interviewed by reporters and posed for photographs. and wave to people I knew from Kappa Delta, and the Ragin’ Jazz carrying flambeaus fueled by kerosene. One of the floats is along with other entertainers. Also, she helped host a Queen’s Luncheon at the home of her Dance Team,” said Guilliot, referring to fellow members of two parents, Paul and Mary Gretchen Guilliot, ’88. student organizations to which she belongs. more than 300 feet long and carries more than 250 riders. “It was an amazing way to end such a remarkable She also learned the protocol for the post-parade Grand Ball of More than revelry, Guilliot relished claiming a familiar spot on Heavy rainfall began right as the parade entered experience,” Autin said. the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association, where she the family tree. would reign with King Gabriel LXXIX. “I feel so honored to be a part of my family’s legacy,” she said.

32 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 33 9 10 11 12 7 13 sports 8 3 4 6 2 5 1

Glory Days Documentary to chronicle weightlifting team’s national triumphs

ary Perrin and Cheryl The team’s record, which included Thompson sat side- undefeated seasons, regional team titles Mby-side on a sofa at and individual records, drew attention the University of Louisiana at from national weightlifting publications Lafayette’s Alumni Center and and newspaper sportswriters. It was an chatted. A few steps away, their irresistible story: a small college with husbands, Warren Perrin and no coach and little money that managed Mike Thompson, were time trav- to defeat better-equipped and better- eling, reliving their glory days funded programs such as Pennsylvania as members of one of the na- State University and the universities of

tion’s most-successful collegiate Michigan, Texas and Maryland. DOUG DUGAS weightlifting programs. The squad would return from Mary and Cheryl know championships with trophies in tow, every inch of this particular and a small group of students and the stretch of Memory Lane. “Oh, University’s band would be waiting. The Former members of the University’s weightlifting teams gathered in July at the Alumni Center yes, we’ve heard all the stories,” next day, team members would be back for documentary filming. They included (1) Walter Imahara, (2) Rollie Andre, (3) Bill LeBlanc, (4) Cheryl said with a laugh. in Earl K. Long Gymnasium, where they Mike Thompson, (5) Gene Hebert, (6) Jim Reinhardt, (7) Jay Trahan, (8) Warren Perrin, (9) George There are many stories to trained after Stansbury’s downtown gym Weatherford (10) John Arceneaux, (11) Alvin Chustz, (12) Lynn Aurich, and (13) Wayne Vizzini. tell. Between 1957 and 1972, closed in 1960, preparing for the next meet. replicated stances demonstrated in photographs. They had no coach, the University’s squad won eight With cameras rolling, the veteran lifters returned to Earl K. but they had each other, recalled Warren Perrin, who approached national championships. L'ACADIEN Long Gym in July carrying only memories. Campbell with the idea for the documentary. A forthcoming Jim Reinhardt and Alvin Chustz peered into a storage space “We all came from unique backgrounds, but we helped each documentary, “The Ragin’ 13,” where they first trained. It’s beneath the bleachers. They recounted other gain a positive attitude, that through hard work, you win – Jim Reinhardt demonstrates a lift for members of the University’s 1966-67 weightlifting will chronicle the University’s that the low clearance meant lifters had to take care when they and gain pride.” team. Watching him, from left, were John Stelly, John Arceneaux, Warren Perrin, George improbable domination of the hoisted barbells above their heads or else they might hit and damage “It was a shared passion for the sport – man against iron – that Weatherford, Randy Peloquin and Eddie Ortego. sport. The title is a reference the bleachers’ underside. forged the team and its successes,” Perrin said. to the number of first- and second-place finishes the team Among the students Stansbury introduced to the sport was The squad later moved its equipment into a more-spacious Weightlifting at the University of Southwestern Louisiana – the collected, explained filmmaker Nick Campbell. Walter Imahara, one of the most-decorated student-athletes in former handball court in the gymnasium’s recesses. They called school’s name changed from SLI in 1960 – ended after the 1972 “It’s an underdog story. They excel on every level, beating UL Lafayette’s history. As a weightlifter at SLI, in the U.S. Army, it “the dungeon,” and as the veteran lifters returned to the space season, when the squad’s last two members graduated. universities that had a lot of support and a lot of money behind and after his discharge, Imahara amassed nearly 200 regional, during their tour, they greeted the room like an old friend. Recreating the 17-year period the sport existed at the University them,” said Campbell, who holds bachelor’s degrees in history national and international titles between 1957 and 2005. The film crew had placed a barbell in the room’s center. requires scores of primary sources. Training diaries and scrapbooks and media art from UL Lafayette. In 1955, Imahara enrolled at SLI and met Stansbury, whose Imahara approached the bar and began to explain for the cameras – of photographs and newspaper clippings kept by the competitors are Competitive weightlifting requires speed, skill and gym on Jefferson Boulevard in Lafayette welcomed students and to the hushed ex-lifters who stood around him in a semicircle particularly valuable. Many were on display at the Alumni Center on strength. In the 1950s through the 1970s, judges scored lifters who wanted to lift. By 1956, a group of them – with the – the importance of foot positioning, gripping the bar properly and the first day of filming for the documentary. as they hoisted bars loaded with weighted iron plates in three blessing of Dean of Men Glynn Abel – felt confident enough breathing on successful lifts. The material will help corroborate decades-old details competitions: the clean and press, the snatch, and the clean and in their skills to represent the school at the National Collegiate “OK, I think we got it now, Walter,” teased squad member Gene recounted by ex-lifters during interviews, Campbell said. jerk. Elevating the weights was only part of the struggle. As a Weightlifting Championship. The team placed second. Hebert. “Now lift it.” “Walter (Imahara) has an old notebook. It’s yellowed and three-judge panel watched, lifters were required to “hold and The following year, the team took the crown decisively, Imahara, now 81, smiled, but declined. “I didn’t bring my belt brownish from age, but it’s got every single competition he ever took control” the weight with their arms fully extended overhead more than doubling the score of its nearest opponent, the with me,” he said. part in – every single one. for two seconds, then return the weight to the platform in a University of Hawaii. It was the first national championship in During the summertime, the unairconditioned “dungeon” grew “Warren (Perrin) did the same exact thing. Every competition similarly restrained manner. any sport in UL Lafayette’s history. so hot that the walls dripped with humidity. Despite the conditions, they were ever a part of, how much they lifted, what they felt they Weightlifting at UL Lafayette, then known as Southwestern Seven more titles followed, in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, “we wanted to be there,” recalled Jay Trahan. “Our bond was could have done at that moment to do better. All the guys who were Louisiana Institute, began in the mid-1950s at an off-campus 1968, 1970 and 1971. National competition was cancelled for weightlifting.” really successful kept one. gym owned by student Mike Stansbury. 1969, because of a lack of a sponsor. It resumed the next year. Team members shared and devoured training publications and “You can’t ask for any better primary sources than that.”

34 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 35 CAJUNS POST IMPRESSIVE GRAMBLING SEPTEMBER 1 | CAJUN FIELD | 6 P.M. MISSISSIPPI STATE SEPTEMBER 15 | STARKVILLE, MS | 6:30 P.M. RECORDS FOR OTHERS TO CHASE COASTAL CAROLINA SEPTEMBER 22 | CAJUN FIELD | TBA ALABAMA SEPTEMBER 29 | TUSCALOOSA, AL | TBA TEXAS STATE OCTOBER 6 | SAN MARCOS, TX | TBA NEW MEXICO STATE OCTOBER 13 | CAJUN FIELD | TBA APPALACHIAN STATE OCTOBER 20 | BOONE, NC | TBA 2018 ARKANSAS STATE OCTOBER 27 | CAJUN FIELD | TBA LOUISIANA TROY NOVEMBER 3 | TROY, AL | TBA GEORGIA STATE NOVEMBER 10 | CAJUN FIELD | TBA FOOTBALL SOUTH ALABAMA NOVEMBER 17 | CAJUN FIELD | TBA SCHEDULE ULM NOVEMBER 24 | MONROE, LA | TBA VISIT RAGINCAJUNS.COM OR CALL 337-265-2357 TO GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY ST 1 SUN BELT TM CONFERENCE REGULAR-SEASON TITLE THE RAGIN' CAJUNS LED THE UL Lafayette Mobile TITLE LEAGUE IN SCORING OFFENSE FOR SINCE 1999-2000 SINCE 1991-92 THE 6TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON (SHARED WITH SOUTH ALABAMA) • News AT HOME RECORD SCHOOL-RECORD • Events SCHOOL-RECORD 27 • Interactive VICTORIES 14-1 campus map LOUISIANA MAJOR COLLEGE • University LABC COACH COACH OF THE YEAR numbers OF THE YEAR LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES Search UL download Lafayette 1 OF 4 RAGIN' CAJUNS by Ellucian for free COACHES WHO HAVE COACH OF THE YEAR FOR SECOND TIME EARNED THAT HONOR LOUISIANA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION

JIM HATFIELD, 1977 1 OF 4 DIVISION 1 COACHES NAMED AS FINALISTS FOR BOBBY PASCHAL, 1980 2018 SKIP PROSSER MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 36 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 MARTY FLETCHER, 1994 JIM PHELAN NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 37 from Clemson University and a In Memoriam master’s degree and doctorate in 2011 2014 alumni information systems from Indiana REX MOROUX was recently a The U.S. KALISTE J. SALOOM JR., ’39, who University in Evansville. He and his contestant on Jeopardy! A Lafayette Department served four decades as Lafayette wife, LORRAINE L. ROBERT, ’96, live in commercial real estate agent, he of State and City Court Ann Arbor. appeared on an April episode of the the J. William judge, died popular television game show. He Fulbright Dec. 2, 2017. 1998 went into the Final Jeopardy! round Foreign He was 99. DR. JACK BEDELL received two with $9,000 after answering five Scholarship Saloom was a notable accolades in 2017. Gov. of the last seven clues, including a Board named link with UL John Bel Edwards selected the Daily Double. The Final Jeopardy! DR. MATTHEW Lafayette’s past author and professor as Louisiana clue was: “Congress met in June TEUTSCH as a recipient of the who knew 1959 presented architect EDWARD C. as the St. Charles Parish School 1991 poet laureate. Bedell’s two-year 1778 to sign these but found Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program each of its six MATHES with its 2018 SPARK Board’s assistant tax director term expires in 2019. In addition, errors in the official copy; it had to Award. Teutsch earned a Ph.D. presidents. In a statement following JAMES R. POUSSON retired after Lifetime Achievement Award. from 1991 to 2004. Friloux ABDULLAH BIN IBRAHIM AL- Louisiana Life magazine named him reconvene with a new set in July.” in English from UL Lafayette Saloom’s death, UL Lafayette working 33 years as an electrical Mathes holds a bachelor’s degree also was the Concordia Parish SAADAN was appointed chairman one of its 2017 Louisianians of the Although Moroux asked the correct and was interim director of the President Dr. Joseph Savoie engineer. After graduating from in architecture from USL. He Police Jury’s secretary-treasurer of the Royal Commission for Jubail Year. Bedell’s nine books include question – “What are the Articles University’s Ernest J. Gaines Center. eulogized the retired jurist as “a SLI, he was employed by Baker became president of Mathes from 2013 until his retirement and Yanbu in June. The Royal Call and Response, a 2010 poetry of Confederation?” – to accumulate He is an English instructor at walking encyclopedia of University Hughes, an oilfield services Brierre Architects in 1970, and in 2017. He earned a bachelor’s Commission is an autonomous collection he coauthored with $15,500, he placed third. In a first- Auburn University in Alabama. As and community history” and an company, as a staff engineer. the firm’s chairperson 12 years degree in political science from organization of the Saudi Arabian former poet laureate and retired person account published in The a Fulbright scholar, Teutsch will integral participant in the school’s In 1967, he began working for later. He directed the expansion USL and served in the U.S. Naval government. Jubail and Yanbu are UL Lafayette English professor DR. Current, a local online magazine, he lecture at the University of Bergen in development and evolution. As an Thompson Ramo Wooldridge, of the National World War II Air Reserve. He now owns a real industrial cities in Saudi Arabia. DARRELL BOURQUE, ’65. Bedell’s No summarized the experience. “It was Norway. His residency will explore SLI student, he was a member of which provided products to Museum in New Orleans; the estate agency in Vidalia, La., and Al-Saadan has served as senior Brother, This Storm is set for release uncomfortable, surreal, and one of how African-American authors numerous academic and leadership the defense, aerospace and design of the J. Edgar and Louise is a notary public. vice president of finance, strategy in 2018. In addition to a doctorate in the greatest experiences of my life.” imagine and represent the Southern fraternities and honor societies. He automotive industries. He S. Monroe Library at Loyola and development at Saudi Aramco, English from UL Lafayette, he holds Moroux holds a bachelor’s degree United States to a global audience. was president of the Newman Club, retired in 1992 as a senior staff University New Orleans; and 1984 as well as other key positions in a master of fine arts degree from the in political science. Teutsch is among more than 800 a Catholic student organization, engineer. He and his wife, Maria, the renovation and restoration CHARLES GADDY is a senior that company, according to Arab University of Arkansas in Fayetteville U.S. citizens named as 2018-2019 and was on the staffs ofThe live in Manhattan Beach, Calif. of two cotton warehouses environmental project manager at News. He holds a bachelor’s degree and bachelor’s and master’s degrees 2013 Fulbright scholars. The Fulbright Vermilion student newspaper and that are now part of the New Freese and Nichols, an in chemical engineering from in English from Northwestern State ANDREW R. BESSE is a special Program is an international L’Acadien yearbook. He later served 1966 Orleans Center for Creative engineering firm in Fort Worth, King Fahd University of Petroleum University in Natchitoches, La. He is education teacher at Port Barre High educational exchange sponsored by as Alumni Association president The Louisiana Political Hall of Arts. Mathes’ work has earned Texas. He previously worked at and Minerals in Dhahran, Saudi an English professor at Southeastern School in Port Barre, La. He earned the U.S. government. It is designed from 1958-1959. Saloom received a Fame in Winnfield included regional and national awards APTIM, a Arabia, and a master’s degree in Louisiana University in Hammond. a bachelor’s degree in history from to build connections between the bachelor of arts degree from SLI former state Rep. CHARLES from the American Institute of construction chemical engineering from UL UL Lafayette and holds a master’s United States and other nations. and then a law degree from Tulane D. LANCASTER JR. among its Architecture. He established the company, as a Lafayette. Al-Saadan also holds 1999 degree in teaching from Louisiana Congress established the program University in New Orleans in 1942. 2018 inductees. He represented Edward C. Mathes Endowed senior a master’s degree in business PR News, an information source College in Pineville. He and his in 1946. He joined the U.S. Army Counter portions of Jefferson Parish Superior Graduate Student engineer. After administration from Massachusetts for communications and marketing wife, Elizabeth Dunn Besse, live in Intelligence Corps during World in the Louisiana House of Scholarship in Architecture at managing the Institute of Technology. professionals, recognized LORI Rayne, La. 2015 War II and served in North Africa, Representatives from 1972 to UL Lafayette in 2013. Two years company’s MEAUX STEELE with its 2018 Top ANGELA BOXIE is a 2017 recipient France and Germany as a special 1976, and from 1980 to 2008. later, he endowed a lecture series office in 1995 Woman in Public Relations Award. NATHAN WALKER, a professional of the prestigious Milken Educator agent. Saloom returned to Lafayette His 32-year tenure made him the in the School of Architecture and Dallas, he LIONEL ROBERT, an associate Steele was among more than 90 dress designer known as Romey Award. She is a teacher and head of in 1946 and became city attorney lower chamber’s longest serving Design. Previous SPARK award oversaw the environmental professor of information at the recipients honored during a Jan. Roe, created gowns worn by two the Math Department at Edgar Martin two years later. In 1953, he was Republican member at the time of winners include A. HAYS TOWN, assessment and remediation of the University of Michigan in Ann 23, 2018, awards banquet in New actresses who walked the red carpet Middle School in Lafayette. Boxie is elected city court judge. He his retirement. Lancaster attended ’22, locally renowned architect; Trinity River Vision Authority and Arbor, is an expert on human- York City. Steele is the Louisiana at the 69th Primetime Emmy the first Lafayette Parish educator to remained on the bench until his USL on a track scholarship and Elmore Morgan Jr., landscape the Texas Regional Water District, computer interaction. He has Organ Procurement Agency’s Awards. Shanna Forrestall and receive the award since the Milken retirement in 1993. At the time of earned a bachelor’s degree in artist and UL Lafayette professor; both in Fort Worth. Gaddy has conducted two studies on human community educator. In that role, Liz Fenning donned dresses for Family Foundation first presented it his death, Saloom’s judicial tenure history. He then attended Loyola and George Rodrigue, an artist also worked on environmental trust in autonomous vehicles, she has worked to increase donor the ceremony designed especially in 1987. She was among 44 recipients was the second-longest in the state’s University New Orleans College known for his “Blue Dog” projects for multiple state and is working on a third. Robert awareness among college students, for them by Walker. Regional in 2017, and received a $25,000 cash history. As judge, Saloom instituted of Law. He was later a fellow paintings. agencies, including the Texas has published papers on the which resulted in the addition lifestyle magazines have featured award. Boxie holds a master’s degree- reforms to the city court’s of Loyola’s Institute of Politics Department of Transportation and humanization of robots in several of 1,000 names to the Louisiana cover models wearing his work. plus 30 graduate hours with a math operations that other systems in the and served as president of the 1975 the Texas Commission on peer-reviewed journals, including Donor Registry since 2012. Steele Raw Artists, an international specialization from UL Lafayette. state and nation emulated. He also National Republican Legislators KEVIN M. FRILOUX retired after Environmental Quality. He earned the International Robotics and earned a bachelor’s degree in mass organization that provides tools She previously earned a bachelor’s became a recognized expert in Association. Lancaster retired a 29-year career working for a bachelor’s degree in geology Automation Journal. Robert holds communications at UL Lafayette. and publicity to novice filmmakers, degree in elementary education and traffic safety. Saloom is survived by as a major after 22 years in the government agencies in two from USL. He also holds two a bachelor’s degree in business She is a former anchor and reporter musicians, and hair and makeup a master’s degree in educational his wife of 59 years, Yvonne Nassar Louisiana Army National Guard. Louisiana parishes. From 1976 to master’s degrees – in geology and administration and a master’s at television stations in Lafayette artists, named Walker its Fashion leadership from Southern University Saloom; four children, KALISTE J. 1988, he was administrator, and in environmental water resources degree in telecommunications from and Baton Rouge, La. She and Designer of the Year in 2013. in Baton Rouge, La. SALOOM III, ’81, current Lafayette 1968 then president, of the St. Charles engineering – from Vanderbilt USL. He also earned a master’s her husband, Mike Steele, live in He studied fashion design at the City Court Judge DOUGLAS J. The UL Lafayette College of Arts Parish government. He served University in Nashville. degree in industrial management Denham Springs, La. University from 2008 to 2013. SALOOM, ’82, Leanne Saloom

38 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 39 Howell and Gregory J. Saloom; 11 Elizabeth “Betsy” Curet Crigler, U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater EILEEN FRUGE, ’81, Catherine grandchildren; and five great- Marion Curet Coffman,MICHAEL during World War II. He was a Hardy, Lucille Bourgeois, Gertrude Acclaimed chef's restaurant isn't a secret anymore grandchildren. The family asks CURET, ’85, and Isabel Curet Pease; Seabee, a member of the U.S. Naval Trahan and Yvonne Shelfer; and 16 that memorial donations be made 19 grandchildren; and 11 great- Construction Battalions, a military grandchildren. Two years ago, when Kevin Tien, ’09, and his business partner steak, and Peking duck served with Southern-style biscuits. to the Judge Kaliste J. Saloom Jr. grandchildren. His wife, Elizabeth construction unit. After his were preparing to open their new restaurant in Washington, D.C.’s “Our restaurant isn’t Japanese,” Tien told Food & Wine. “It’s not ALUMNI Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair Grayson Curet, preceded him in discharge in May 1946, he earned DR. SAMMIE W. COSPER, ’60, a Petworth neighborhood, residents would stop in to ask what kind of Vietnamese. It’s not Southern. It’s all of those things – everything I in Political Science, administered death. His family has established a bachelor’s degree in engineering former vice president for Academic food it would serve. love on a plate.” by the UL Lafayette Foundation. the Bernard Curet Endowed from SLI. He then worked for a Affairs at USL who later served Tien and co-owner Carlie Steiner cooked up a stock answer: It’s Himitsu is Tien’s first foray into restaurant ownership, although Scholarship in Journalism through seismograph company, where as the state’s higher education a secret. at age 31, he might be considered an industry veteran. DALTON COMEAUX, ’43, a retired the UL Lafayette Foundation. he helped create instruments to commissioner, died Sept. 19, So when it came time to The Lafayette native’s county agricultural agent, died measure earthquake waves. He also 2017. He was 83. Cosper was the name the restaurant, the pair first job was behind the Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. He was 96. Retired Rayne, La., City Court worked as a mechanical engineer University’s chief academic officer chose “Himitsu,” the Japanese sushi counter at Tsunami, a After graduating with a bachelor’s Judge DENALD A. “DENNY” for Mississippi Road Services until from 1973 to 1989. During his word for secret. downtown restaurant and bar. degree in agriculture from SLI, he BESLIN, ’51, died Oct 29, 2017. He his retirement. Survivors include a tenure, USL expanded its existing In retrospect, the moniker He was 17 and a student at served in the U.S. Army during was 88. At SLI, he was a member brother, WILLIE O. RAY JR., ’51, of computer science and nursing was ironic. Himitsu didn’t stay a Ovey Comeaux High School. World War II. He worked in St. of the Blue Key Honor Society and Flora, Miss.; two daughters, Kathy programs; strengthened its ties secret for long. He remained on staff while Landry Parish for 25 years for the an officer in the National Honor Ray Denson of Ridgeland, Miss., to the area’s oil and gas industry; Measuring about 1,000 earning his bachelor’s degree in Louisiana Cooperative Extension Society. He was president of Pi and Jayne Hust, of Madison, Miss.; prioritized the preservation of square feet and seating only two business administration from Service. Comeaux spent six Lambda Beta Pre-Law Fraternity four grandchildren; and a great- South Louisiana’s Cajun and dozen patrons at a time, the UL Lafayette until he moved to years in the African nation of and secretary of Pi Gamma Mu grandson. His wife, Martha Hunter Creole cultures; and assumed a restaurant is a small space that’s Washington, D.C., six years ago. Tunisia, teaching local ranchers national honor society for the Ray, preceded him in death. role in the restoration of the state’s earned big praise since it opened. After arriving in the techniques for raising beef cattle. social sciences. After graduating coastline. As higher education Within a few months, the nation’s capital, Tien worked at The U.S. Department of Agriculture from SLI, Beslin earned a juris JAMES HUBERT “RED” DUMESNIL, commissioner from 1990 to 1994, James Beard Foundation – the Oyamel, owned by José Andrés, later asked him to continue the doctorate from Loyola University ’52, who worked 40 years for Cosper was an advocate for the nation’s premier culinary arts the award-winning chef who’s program in five other West African New Orleans’ College of Law. He Lafayette’s Guaranty Bank & Trust creation of a statewide community organization whose annual credited with introducing the countries. He was a member of the returned to Rayne and began his Co. and its successor institutions, and technical college system. prizes are considered the Oscars small plate concept to American American Legion for 60 years and legal practice in 1952. In 1958, died March 18, 2018. He was 86. Cosper enrolled at SLI after serving of food – had named Tien a restaurants. Under Andrés’ organized the St. Landry Parish he was elected to the Rayne Board A Lafayette native, he received in the U.S. Navy. He graduated semifinalist for its 2017 Rising tutelage, he learned the ways Cattlemen’s Association. Survivors of Aldermen and served as mayor a bachelor’s degree in business first in his class with a bachelor’s Star Chef Award. He was an Asian and Latin American include his daughter, Ann Carol pro tempore until 1962. He began administration from SLI, where he degree in physics. Cosper then award semifinalist this year, too. cuisines complement each McKinney of St. Simons Island, his tenure as city court judge in was a member of the tennis team. earned a doctorate in nuclear Bon Appetit magazine listed other. Ga.; two grandchildren; and three 1965 when he completed his Dumesnil was a longtime member physics at Purdue University in Himitsu among its 2017 Top 50 In opening Himitsu, Tien great-grandchildren. His wife, predecessor’s unexpired term. of the Alumni Association, 1965. His postdoctoral research Best Restaurants in America. wedded the food freedom he Evelyn Toups Comeaux, preceded Beslin was elected subsequently to which recognized him as its at Lawrence Radiation Laboratory The restaurant has appeared witnessed at Oyamel with the him in death. five full terms. His tenure totaled 2009 Spring Gala honoree. at the University of California at on best-of compilations by The camaraderie he felt at Tsumani. 32 years. He was a member and He earned a master’s degree in Berkeley resulted in the discovery Washington Post and Eater, an “I really like the idea of ADOLPH BERNARD CURET JR., past president of the Acadia Parish economics from LSU. Service in of four previously unknown online publication. the space feeling like you are ’44, a newspaper columnist and Bar Association, the Louisiana the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 isotopes. Cosper returned to USL in Earlier this year, Tien’s going over to your friend’s historian, died May 4, 2018. He Juvenile Court Judges’ Association interrupted Dumesnil’s pursuit of 1967 as chair of the newly created skills as a chef were on display house for good food, drinks was 94. The Pointe Coupee Banner, and the Louisiana City Judges’ a doctorate at Tulane University Department of Physics, which for an international audience and a good time,” Tien said in a weekly newspaper in New Association. The Evangeline Area in New Orleans. He returned was then under the guidance of when he was a contestant an interview with La Louisiane. Roads, La., first introduced his Council Boy Scouts of America to Lafayette after his discharge the College of Liberal Arts. He on the Food Network’s “Iron “Having a smaller space gives “Fricassee” column in 1947. It honored Beslin with its 2012 and joined Guaranty Bank as a was the college’s dean from 1971 Chef Gauntlet.” The reality you that feeling because you

became a regular feature in 1952, Distinguished Citizen Award. He teller in 1957. He retired in 1998 to 1973. Survivors include his competition uses a series of FOOD NETWORK get to see all the action that and appeared uninterrupted until is survived by his wife of 65 years, as chairman emeritus of Bank wife of 63 years, Shirley Aguillard cooking challenges to test a Kevin Tien was named one of Food & Wine's 2018 Best New Chefs. happens in the restaurant, from 2012. Curet was a reporter and CLAIRE ARCENEAUX BESLIN, ’51; One Acadiana. He received the Cosper; three daughters, CAPRICE chef’s versatility, innovation and the drinks being made to every editor at the newspaper from 1950 seven children, ANNE CREDEUR, Lafayette Civic Cup in 1993 and COSPER, ’77, MICHELLE C. ABSHIRE, resourcefulness. dish that comes out of the kitchen.” to 1974. He authored Our Pride, ’80, DENISE TRAHAN, ’77, Jeanne was a 2013 inductee into the ’80, and RENEE C. REAUX, ’85; five Tien was eliminated in the second season’s third episode, And if customers stick around long enough, they might see an Pointe Coupee, a history of the Walk, Marie Elise Trahan, Matthew Junior Achievement of Acadiana grandchildren; and two great- which was broadcast in mid-April. But the setback didn’t stop the unusual sight: its award-winning executive chef washing dishes. southeastern Louisiana parish, and Beslin, JOHN JUDE BESLIN, ’87, Business Hall of Fame. He and his grandchildren. accolades. “I did them last night,” Tien said with a laugh. “You always contributed stories to newspapers and Luke Beslin; 13 grandchildren; wife established the Hubert “Red” In May, Food & Wine magazine named Tien among its 2018 hear fame changes people, but with all success and attention comes in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. and 13 great-grandchildren. and Gertrude Dumesnil Endowed WILTZ P. CHAMPAGNE JR., ’63, Best New Chefs. The magazine’s editors wrote: “Tien has devised even more eyes on you and your business. If anything, I need to The New Roads native earned Beslin’s son, MARK F. BESLIN, ’80, Professorship in Economics at UL a former University professor a highly personal, individualized style of cooking that’s as hard to keep my head down and work even harder. a bachelor’s degree in history preceded him in death. Lafayette in 2006. In addition to and administrator, died May 4, categorize as it is to forget. But then again, why would you want to?” “It was easier being unknown, but now we are busier than from SLI. He is survived by seven his wife, survivors include two 2018. He was 79. Champagne Tien bristles at the term “fusion” to describe the restaurant’s ever, and we just want to keep serving good food and drinks. Hard children, Adolph "Dolph" Curet HORACE H. RAY, ’51, died Oct. 17, sons, Emile Dumesnil and James held a bachelor’s degree in fare, but the menu includes Mexican-influenced Japanese dishes, work brought us here and continuing to work hard will take us III, Thomas Curet, Stephen Curet, 2017. He was 91. He served in the Dumesnil Jr.; five daughters, mathematics from USL and a Vietnamese breakfast dish combined with Latin American strip even further.” Continued on page 42 40 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 41 ALUMNI INFORMATION FORM later earned a master’s degree in MARK F. BESLIN, ’80, died July mathematics from the University 29, 2017. He was 60. He was Death march survivor has a grateful nation's thanks of Texas at Austin. He joined the retired from the Louisiana State If you enjoy reading about where your former classmates are now and USL faculty in 1966 as an assistant Probation and Parole Office, James Bollich, ’49, has lived every day, and more than a few midday of the second day, that we figured they were trying to kill what they’re doing, consider this: They’d like to read about you, too. mathematics professor and later where he worked for more than 33 nights, of the last 76 years with memories of Bataan. us all. So, we were going to get water whether they wanted to give it Please fill out the form below and mail it back to UL Lafayette or go to louisiana.edu/lalouisiane to submit the information online. served as registrar and as dean of years. Survivors include his wife, The Philippine peninsula fell to Japanese forces five months to us or not. The minute we left the road, the Japanese would start admissions. He retired in 1996. RENÉE BULLER BESLIN, ’81; two after the United States entered World War II. Bollich was among shooting. And if you were lucky, you got a little bit of water and got Survivors include two daughters, daughters, JENNIFER RICHARD, 76,000 American and Filipino defenders who retreated to Bataan, back on the road. If you were unlucky, you died right there.” NAME Anne Marie Gaudin and JENNIFER ’03, and MARGARET BESLIN, ’17; a a finger of land on the western edge of Manila Bay, in a last-ditch After walking for five days, Bollich arrived at Camp O’Donnell, FIRST MIDDLE LAST MAIDEN NAME LEMEUNIER, ’92, executive son, MARK F. BESLIN II, ’08; mother, effort to hold the islands. where captors made him director of the UL Lafayette CLAIRE ARCENEAUX BESLIN, ’51; Surrounded and without dig graves for the 20 to 30 ADDRESS Alumni Association; and seven four sisters, ANNE CREDEUR, ’80, reinforcements, “we ran prisoners killed daily by STREET OR BOX grandchildren. Champagne’s wife, DENISE TRAHAN, ’77, Jeanne Beslin out of everything,” Bollich malnourishment and disease.

Catherine Sanford Champagne, Walk and Marie Elise Trahan; three recalled in an interview with “I probably dug graves CITY STATE ZIP preceded him in death. The family brothers, Matthew Beslin, JOHN La Louisiane. “We had to kill for four, five, six weeks. That requests memorial donations to the JUDE BESLIN, ’87, and Luke Beslin; and eat cavalry horses. After place was just dying bodies PHONE Wiltz and Catherine Champagne and five grandchildren. those were gone, we ate a few all over, open latrines, and HOME OFFICE Education Endowment, which mules. By that time, we were everywhere you looked, these supports UL Lafayette music DR. GEORGE S. LOLI, a professor completely out of food. big flies. If one touched what E-MAIL FAX education students. The UL Lafayette in the School of Architecture and “The Japanese brought in you had to eat, you may as Foundation manages the fund. Design for 36 years, died Dec. 28, new troops. That’s when our well throw it away, because MAJOR & DATE OF GRADUATION 2017. He was 72. A native of Syria, general decided to surrender. if you caught dysentery, you OR THE SEMESTER YOU LAST ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY MARY A. WASHINGTON, ’77, ’84, he held a doctorate in architecture We were in no shape to do more were going to die.” retired president of the Louisiana from the University of Florence, fighting, and it would have been Later, Bollich was sent CURRENT JOB TITLE Association of Educators and Italy. He also studied drawing at slaughter if he hadn’t.” by ship to a prison camp in former member of the state Board Florence’s Accademia di Belle Arti. The Bataan Death March Manchuria, in northeastern BUSINESS NAME of Elementary and Secondary Loli joined the UL Lafayette faculty followed. It claimed at least China. The voyage lasted 32 Education, died April 4, 2018. in 1975 and taught courses in Paris 10,000 lives. Japanese guards harrowing days. BUSINESS ADDRESS She was 63. A native of Crowley, and Florence through its Study beat and starved prisoners, and “We were just packed in. La., she earned bachelor’s and Abroad program. He retired in 2011. executed captives who collapsed Unfortunately, some of the guys PROFESSIONAL DUTIES master’s degrees in education from Survivors include three children, or attempted to get water. had dysentery, and at night, USL, and completed a master’s Joseph Loli, Juliana Loli and Untold others died in they’d shut the hold. It was dark degree-plus 30 graduate hours in JENNIFER LOLI, ’06; seven siblings; prison camps, but Bollich and hot. They were screaming 1990. Washington was a 34-year and a granddaughter. survived. In May, the 97-year- and cursing and praying. It was employee of the Lafayette Parish old received the Congressional just unbelievable. That, to me, ACCOMPLISHMENTS School System. She taught math. Gold Medal, one of the highest was much worse than the entire As a teaching specialist, she later awards the U.S. government length of my POW experience.” coached teachers in mathematics confers on civilians. Bollich remained in instruction. She and a colleague The Eunice, La., native Manchuria for the remainder created Project Opportunity, an left Southwestern Louisiana of the war. Soviet forces alternative program designed Institute in August 1940 to join liberated the camp in August SPOUSE’S NAME to help overage middle school the U.S. Army Air Corps. After 1945, and Bollich returned FIRST MIDDLE LAST MAIDEN NAME students earn a high school diploma more than a year of training, to Eunice to discover his SPOUSE’S USL OR UL LAFAYETTE GRADUATION DATE

or equivalency. As LAE president he arrived in the Philippines DOUG DUGAS two older brothers had died AND MAJOR, IF A FORMER UL LAFAYETTE STUDENT from 1994 to 2000, she represented 1898-1921 18 days before the Dec. 7, serving in Europe. The 20,000 public school employees. Southwestern Louisiana 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl following year, he re-enrolled CHILDREN Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Industrial Institute Harbor, Hawaii, brought the at SLI, but his wartime (IF ANY ARE UL LAFAYETTE STUDENTS OR USL GRADUATES, PLEASE INDICATE) James Bollich shows his Congressional Gold Medal to visitors in his home. Blanco appointed Washington to a 1921-1960 U.S. into World War II. experiences haunted him. four-year term as a BESE member- Southwestern Louisiana By April 1942, Bollich was a prisoner. His ordeal lasted 40 Even today, more than three quarters of a century later, dreams at-large in 2003. Washington also Institute months. Before forcing captives to march 100 miles to Camp occasionally awaken him. served on the state Board of Regents’ 1960-1999 O’Donnell, a former military facility converted into a prison, the “I dream I am across a big ocean, by myself, in the jungles. And Louisiana Systemic Initiative Project University of Southwestern Japanese first stripped internees of valuables, Bollich said. I know I have to walk for days and days and days and miles and advisory panel and as president of Louisiana “If anybody had a watch, a wallet, dog tags, mess kits, they miles and miles before I get to where I want to go. And in my mind, the Lafayette Parish Association of took everything we had. And once we had nothing left to steal, that’s I think, gosh, I thought I did this already.” CURRENT DATE 1999-PRESENT Educators. Survivors include five when they started beating on us. After graduation from SLI, Bollich worked more than 35 years Please mail this form to , Box 43567, Lafayette, LA 70504-3567 University of Louisiana sisters and three brothers. “They didn’t give us food or water. Every community had as a petroleum geologist. He published his memoir, Bataan Death or send it online at louisiana.edu/lalouisiane at Lafayette an artesian well next to the road. And it got to the point, around March: A Soldier’s Story, in 2003.

42 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 43 newborn babies were critically ill and their mothers’ postpartum needs required a deft foundation hand as well. “I focused on neonatal nursing because it is such a vulnerable population,” Lemoine recalled. “I was always a teacher. As a bedside nurse, there’s always a level of teaching that’s done.” Her journey to babies and bedsides began in a bank, where she worked as a mortgage loan officer while pursuing an High Five economics degree. Eminent Faculty Award recipients give all – to their students and communities “My happiest customers were nurses,” she recounted. They “all relayed stories nurse, a chemist, a biologist and two engineers. That faculty commitment to teaching and innovation since 1992. of making a difference in the lives of their might sound like the start of a “walked into a bar” joke, The Leadership in Service Award went to Dr. Terrence patients. So, I thought to myself: Does Abut it describes the recipients of the 2018 Eminent Fac- Chambers, a mechanical engineering professor. It pays tribute being a mortgage loan officer really make ulty Award and their accomplishments are no laughing matter. to a faculty member who combines service learning with a difference at the end of the day? Am I

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation has classroom instruction to forge skills and knowledge that transforming lives? The answer was ‘no.’” DOUG DUGAS recognized top faculty members annually since 1965. More students can apply to community leadership opportunities. It Lemoine soon changed her major to than 190 UL Lafayette educators have received its awards in the was first presented in 2016. nursing and “never looked back,” she said. past half century. Speaking at an April awards banquet, UL Lafayette She’s now an assistant professor and the Three awards – the Distinguished Professor Award, the President Dr. Joseph Savoie said honorees embody “love recipient of the 2018 Dr. Ray P. Authement r. Febee Louka has great chemistry with her Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award, and of teaching, enthusiasm for students and their futures, and Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Febee students. More than a dozen current and former the Leadership in Service Award – are presented through the limitless curiosity for their fields of expertise.” Neonatology Dpupils wrote letters to support her nomination for Eminent Faculty Award program. “They have shown us that thoughtful inquiry can combat is her primary ‘When she's called the Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. James Albert and Dr. Xiaoduan Sun are the 2018 ignorance, can improve lives, can inspire others, and ultimately focus. She and to help, she doesn't Louka Mark Spell took undergraduate chemistry courses Distinguished Professor Award honorees. Albert is a biology can ensure a future that is brighter than the past.” two colleagues with Louka while at UL Lafayette, and worked alongside professor. Sun is a civil engineering professor. Nominations are made by fellow faculty members. A conducted a say ‘no.’ ’ the associate professor of chemistry in her research lab. Spell is pursuing a master’s degree in Established in 1965, the award is the oldest honor the committee with representatives from each academic discipline study on safe Dr. Lisa Broussard synthetic organic chemistry at LSU in Baton Rouge. Foundation presents. It recognizes faculty for their research, selects recipients. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend. sleep practices for “Dr. Louka cares for every single student in her classes. She wants them involved in the teaching effectiveness, and contributions to their professions Video profiles of the recipients and a photo gallery from newborns. She also examined how opioid learning process, answering questions and obtaining a real understanding of the material and campus life. the ceremonies can be viewed at ullafayettefoundation.org/ use by pregnant women has resulted in a rather than just memorizing, a method that doesn’t work in a subject such as chemistry,” Dr. Jennifer Lemoine, an assistant nursing professor, and Dr. event/efavideos. rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome, or Spell said. Febee Louka, an associate chemistry professor, received the Dr. The UL Lafayette Foundation assists with the acquisition withdrawal, in newborns. “During three semesters of research in her laboratory, I found my passion for chemistry. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award this year. of donations to the University. It invests and manages all private Lemoine is considered an expert on While she cared for the chemistry work being done, she cared even more about the Named for the University’s fifth president, it has honored assets given to the University. effects of state and national public health individuals doing it.” policies on patients’ access to quality care. Since joining the chemistry faculty in 2005, Louka ‘Dr. Louka is an active and She coordinates the college’s Doctor has mentored 70 undergraduate researchers. They strong mentor, tirelessly of Nursing Practice program. It’s offered assist her as she examines environmental pollution advising students and helping Dr. Jennifer mostly online to professionals already caused by chlorinated hydrocarbons, which are used to working in the health care field; their work manufacture insecticides and synthetic rubber. them in their quest to reach schedules and the University’s hours don’t When the research results in publications or their educational goals’ Lemoine often align. conference papers, Louka lists the students as coauthors. Dr. Thomas Junk The clock and calendar make no “They are doing the work, and they deserve credit,” r. Jennifer Lemoine was a difference to Lemoine. Students who email she said. “And, they understand that we are a team.” teacher before she ever set her on weekends or after hours likely will Chase Louviere collaborated with Louka on a 2014 paper on polycyclic hydrocarbons. Dfoot in a classroom. She receive a prompt response, said Dr. Lisa He was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at UL Lafayette at the time. He’s now a joined the College of Nursing and Broussard, associate dean of the College of pharmacy major at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Allied Health Professions faculty in Nursing and Allied Health Professions. “Dr. Louka’s lab never felt like I was doing something menial,” Louviere wrote. “She 2007 as an instructor. “When she’s called to help, she doesn’t explained every process while showing exactly why we were doing the work. Over the She also was working as a say ‘no.’” course of the semesters, I began to feel less like her student and more like her family.” neonatal nurse practitioner at the It’s all in a day’s – and night’s – work, Chemistry faculty members echoed praise Louka’s students have given her. They rated time. The job required her to tend to Lemoine said. “If I can help students her classroom instruction as the department’s best for three consecutive years. DOUG DUGAS newborns and to instruct new parents succeed, and it’s not necessarily between “Dr. Louka is an active and strong mentor, tirelessly advising students and helping and other family members on proper the hours of 9 and 5, then I am willing to them in their quest to reach their educational goals,” said Dr. Thomas Junk, head of the care. It was a delicate task. Some do that.” Chemistry Department. “She is well known among students for her patience and insight.”

44 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 45 Dr. James Dr. Terrence Albert Chambers he ghost knifefish, electric fish and armored ar- en’t in the same scientific families, but they are related hen Dr. Terrence Chambers was T– sort of. 12 years old, his Boy Scout troop Each is named for a member of the Albert family. The Wleader instructed him to “police the ghost knifefish, orcompsaraia samueli, honors Dr. Samuel campsite” by picking up gum wrappers, cigarette FOUNDATION Albert, a physician. His son, UL Lafayette ichthyologist Dr. butts and other refuse left behind by previous James Albert, inspired names for the remaining two. The campers. The idea was to leave the area better biology professor has studied freshwater fishes in South than the troop had found it. America and Central America As Chambers advanced in rank, he and his for nearly 30 years. ‘Dr. Albert is one of the fellow Scouts began to look for other problems

Among James Albert’s 112 they could solve. They repaired bridges and DOUG DUGAS peer-reviewed publications smartest and most complete restored eroded trails, for example.

are descriptions of more than scientists I have worked with.’ DOUG DUGAS The lesson of improving a community 50 species and six genera Dr. Victor A. Tagliacollo is one Chambers – the 2018 Leadership in previously unknown to science. Service Award recipient – never forgot. Now ‘Engineers have reduced the incidence of many He recalled one service project The ghost knifefish is one. a mechanical engineering professor, he strives major diseases ... by providing clean drinking in which students cleaned up the Samuel Albert accompanied his son on an expedition to the “almost a synonym for neotropical diversity.” to instill that principle in his students through Vermilion River. Peruvian Amazon in 2005, the same year the younger Albert Other scientists have cited Albert’s scholarship more than service learning projects. water and sanitary waste disposal.’ At first, they used personal joined UL Lafayette’s biology faculty. While perusing the day’s 3,700 times. His three book-length publications have extended Chambers sees engineering as a giving Dr. Terrence Chambers boats to fish trash from the water. catch at a market, Samuel Albert noticed a fish with elongated his influence as well, and students he’s taught at UL Lafayette profession. He admits he’s playing against type. To expedite the process, they then jaws that set it apart from specimens the expedition was are on university faculties around the world. People don’t often think of engineers as humanitarians. designed a barge that would float down the river and scoop up more collecting. He purchased the fish and brought them to his son. Dr. Victor A. Tagliacollo was among a number of students He begs to differ. “Engineers have reduced the incidence of litter more quickly. “And sure enough, they turned out to be a new species,” drawn to UL Lafayette by Albert’s reputation. many major diseases, such as malaria and dysentery, by providing “They were internalizing the concept that engineering is a compsaraia samueli, James Albert recounted. He’s now an environmental science professor at Brazil’s clean drinking water and sanitary waste disposal. We generate service-type profession,” he observed. Nine years later, James Albert’s colleagues named two Universidade Federal do Tocantins. As an undergraduate, electrical power, invent cars and airplanes, and build highways and Chambers’ work in solar and renewable energies provides newly discovered South American species – an electric fish, Tagliacollo used Albert’s “Historical Biogeography of bridges. We provide air conditioning. another example of his giving ways, said Dr. Mark E. Zappi, dean of brachyhypopomus alberti, and an armored catfish,hisonotus Neotropical Freshwater Fishes” as a textbook. It deepened “We provide for instantaneous worldwide communication the College of Engineering. alberti – for him. his interest in systematics, a biological field that concerns through a network of satellites, cell towers and cell phones. Chambers’ partnerships with businesses led to the creation The recognition confirmed Albert’s status as an classification, and convinced him to apply to the University’s “We help people all day, every day.” of the Cleco Alternative Energy Center in Crowley, La., and the international expert on neotropical fishes. Colleagues who biology doctoral program. Chamber’s courses require students to volunteer as a way to Photovoltaic Applied Research and Testing Lab, a solar farm in wrote letters supporting Albert’s Distinguished Professor Award “It was my best decision,” Tagliacollo said. “Dr. Albert is one engage different communities. Like his scoutmaster did, Chambers University Research Park on campus. nomination labeled him “an icon,” whose work has made him of the smartest and most complete scientists I have worked with.” encourages his students to identify a need and then meet it. The projects are “a huge service,” Zappi said, “to the entire globe.”

“Accidents happen. A crash is ‘Her multifaceted contributions are not collision rates even further. Each is a preventable,” she said. monument to Sun’s research, said Dr. Dr. Xiaoduan just within academic circles, but directly Sun is a groundbreaker, both in her Mark E. Zappi, dean of the College of field and at UL Lafayette. When she joined impacting Louisiana citizens as they take to Engineering. Sun the College of Engineering faculty in 1994, the road to travel. For an engineer, there is no “Her multifaceted contributions she was its first female professor. better proof of the value of one’s work...’ are not just within academic circles, but r. Xiaoduan Sun is driven to save lives. Sun was among the first researchers directly impacting Louisiana citizens as The civil engineering professor’s pio- in the state to link highway design Dr. Mark E. Zappi they take to the road to travel. For an Dneering highway safety research has with safety. She created an innovative engineer, there is no better proof of the resulted in a reduction in roadway fatalities in highway engineering safety course that’s since been emulated by value of one’s work than when this work is used and success is Louisiana. universities worldwide. Her early research asked how infrastructure noted,” he said. It’s a critical issue in a state that improvements might mitigate collisions and improve traffic flow. Sun has broadened her research focus in recent years. She now consistently ranks in the Top 10 nationally in Her studies indicated that the addition of edge lines along rural explores how human psychology affects highway safety. She offers traffic fatalities. The 704 crashes on Louisiana’s two-lane highways reduced crashes by 17 percent, for example. guidance to engineers on how they might take human factors into roadways in 2016 resulted in 757 deaths. Another study showed that converting an undivided four-lane account when designing roadways. Each was avoidable, Sun said. Aggressive section to a five-lane highway resulted in a 25 percent reduction of While her interests have changed, her career-long desire to behavior behind the wheel, speeding, drinking crashes and saved local communities $3 million annually. reduce fatalities hasn’t. and driving, low seatbelt usage and a host of Installing rumble strips and cable barriers along highways “Saving lives is a noble cause,” Sun said. “Safety is a very serious

DOUG DUGAS other factors combine to increase roadway risks. and rural roads, and roundabouts in urban settings, have reduced issue facing the state, facing the nation, and facing the whole world.”

46 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 LA LOUISIANE | FALL 2018 47 TM THROUGH THE LENS DOUG DUGAS

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