Louisiana at Monroe Fall 2014
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THE agazine UTHE MAGAZINE OF THEL UNIVERSITY OFM LOUISIANA AT MONROE FALL 2014 OAR SThe Campaign University of Honoring the PAST, living LOUISIana the PRESENT, poised at Monroe for the FUTURE FROM THE PRESIDENT The University of Louisiana at Monroe continues to be regarded as an icon of academic excellence at home and abroad because it remains rooted in tradition, while recognizing that sustaining those traditions requires a willingness to keep pace with the diverse needs of our ever-changing world. We continue to attract new Warhawks to join our ongoing mission, sending graduates around the globe equipped with a first-class education acquired in state-of-the–art facilities. This edition of the ULM Magazine will introduce you to new acquaintances and reunite you with old friends. We welcome the arrival of new ULM family members — including Executive Director of Foundation and Alumni Relations Susan Chappell, Alumni Affairs Director Robin Underwood, and Associate Director of Alumni Affairs Brooke O’Bryant — and share in the good news of Warhawks who have advanced beyond our borders in pursuit of their dreams. Although we celebrate the successes of our Warhawks whether near or far, we are especially pleased when their career paths lead them back to the nest. Stan Humphries and E.J. Ok are two former ULM athletes, who have progressed from talented players to outstanding coaches, helping to groom the next generation of sports stars in their capacities as assistant and associate coaches for the ULM Women’s Basketball team. While some of our Warhawks return to extend to others the guidance they once received here, others pledge their allegiance to ULM by sending more loved ones our way, as the Scelfo family has done now for over forty years. Still others express their continued support for ULM with generous donations and a regular presence at campus and community events, like Buddy Embanato, the university’s first mascot and a longtime member of the ULM Letterman’s Club (L Club). We are delighted to know that so many members of our extensive ULM family stand with us as we journey towards the realization of campus constructions and renovations projected in our 2013 Facility Master Plan. On July 1, 2014 local community leaders joined us in a groundbreaking ceremony for the cutting-edge renovations in store for 51-year-old Sandel Hall. In August 2014, we gathered once again for the Liew International Student Center groundbreaking. The facility will serve as ULM’s center for facilitating the cultural transition of our many international students, doing our best to ensure that they begin their new lives as Warhawks without the usual hassles of relocation. As we enter the 2014 school year, we gladly accept our role in shaping the lives of new students and in maintaining the ties that bind us together with our alumni, friends, and community supporters who make our continued existence richer with each passing year. I trust that the stories in this issue of the ULM Magazine will remind you of the joys of your own university experience, and encourage you to join me in ULM’s drive to propel the education of our region toward a promising future. Nick J. Bruno, Ph.D. ULM President THE ULM 4 Magazine THE MAGAZINE OF THE COntents UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE Fall 2014 • Volume 14, no. 1 6 4 Campus and Sports News n Breaking ground on the new International Student Center n Alumni Award Winners n new Faces at ulm n Louisiana’s “Most Underrated” College n Points of Pride n Sandel Hall Gets Face lift n ulm Foundation awards of excellence winners n Baseball and Softball end season with great runs n Basketball season tickets on sale 14 n Water Ski Team wins national title n Brett Preuett heads to Bassmaster Classic n Welcome new Warhawk coaches n Warhawk Football 2014 schedule n 2014 ulm Homecoming 14 Stan Humphries: Back to the Nest Yes, Stan Humphries has returned as assistant coach for the ulm women’s basketball team, and is ready 20 to add his level of excellence to their program 20 ULM — A Year in Pictures a collage of photographs representing events occurring at ulm during the 2013-2014 academic year 22 Alumni Spotlights 29 n e.J. ok: To the fans who impacted her life n Scelfo Family: Scelfo-ulm legacy continues n Sunil Kumar: one of the world’s foremost executives in his field n Buddy embanato: maintaining his school spirit OAR 29 SOAR: The Campaign S Taking the University of Louisiana at Monroe to new heights The Campaign on THe CoVerS: 34 Alumni News (Front) Rendering of ULM campus n milestones, achievements from a soaring bird’s view n In Memoriam (Inside Back Cover) Water Ski team exhibiting n Retirements why they are national champions n alumni association executive Committee and Board of Directors Fall 2014 • The UlM Magazine 3 ULM CamPuS neWS eric liew (right) with his wife linda (middle) and President Bruno (left) NEW InternatIOnal ULM ALUMNI STUDENT CENTER 2014 AWARD WINNERS ulm welcomes the world outstanding ulm alumni honored In January, Eric Liew (BBA ‘93) and his wife The Golden Arrow Award recipient is Bart Dornier linda Pruett pledged $1 million to the building of a (BBA ‘85). He is a State Farm agent in metairie, and is an alumni new International Student Center on the ULM legacy member. He served as alumni association President in 2006-07, campus. The center and his dedication and love of ulm is evident to all. He is a supporter will serve as a base of the ulm Golf program and an active athletic Foundation member. camp for arriving Gary Hamilton is the recipient of the George T. Walker lifetime international stu- achievement award. He is retired from Bancorp South and is active dents, many of in many civic organizations. Throughout his years of service, he has whom arrive with no supported the athletic Foundation and has been a dedicated Grove friends or connec- tailgating resident. Through his generosity with time and service to tions in the area. the alumni association, he has been a key supporter of the shrimp The center will house students until they are placed boil and la’ louisianne Crawfish Boil for many years. into campus housing or find an apartment. It will also Michael Davis (B.S. ‘08) is the recipient of the rising Young alumni be a place for students to socialize. award. He is the assistant Director of Housing at ulm. He has The liew family broke ground on the project in served on the ulm Staff Senate since 2012, and is currently serving august. The new facility will be next to as Staff Senate President for 2014-15. michael is working on his Col. T. William Hemphill Hall on northeast Drive. master’s degree in student affairs administration. He is both an alumni and athletic Foundation member, and has been active in Construction is set to be completed in spring 2015. both organizations since graduation. michael frequently volunteers and assists with events and activities at the anna Gray noe alumni Center, and also serves as a deacon at north monroe Baptist Church. He is married to Kristi and has one son, Cole, and is expecting his second child in october. The Lincoln/Union Alumni Chapter is the recipient of the Chapter of the Year award. The chapter held its 29th annual Golf Tournament and Silent auction. This fundraiser is held each year to sponsor a ulm student scholarship. 4 The UlM Magazine • Fall 2014 ulm.edu Susan Chappell Robin Underwood Brooke O’Bryant GET TO KNOW “MOST UNDerrateD” THESE NEW ULM faces LOUISIana COLLEGE ULM Foundation and Alumni Relations ranked by BusinessInsider.com meet Susan: as a wife and mother of three, ulm has been ULM has been ranked by a part of my life for as long as I can remember. my father, Van BusinessInsider.com as louisiana’s mcGraw, began employment at what was then northeast louisiana “most underrated” college. State College in 1959, and served for the next 37 years. my husband ryan and I are both proud ulm graduates who have worked hard to BusinessInsider.com, in partnership make our community a better place. as the new executive director with niche.com, published a list of of Foundation and alumni relations, I hope to use my years of 50 underrated colleges around the management experience to further the university’s success and country — one from each state — BART DORNIER ensure a stable financial future for its students and constituents. which exhibited great academics, high acceptance rates and strong Meet Robin: I have a lifelong passion for ulm. Growing up I never in-state student populations. had any doubt that I would attend ulm, and I enrolled with joy in the fall 1997. I am a 2000 graduate with a major in marketing, and I am “I have said many times, ulm is the current Director of alumni affairs. my father, Coach roger the best kept secret in louisiana’s Stockton, is a Hall of Fame member, and my mother, Dr. Cathy higher education system,” said Stockton, earned the first doctorate of education issued in our ulm President Dr. nick J. Bruno. university’s history. my husband Geoffrey underwood and his “It is very rewarding to see parents Geoff and Donna underwood have degrees from ulm. We independent sources recognize that GARY HAMILTON are proud parents of three future Warhawks: Grace, 14, emma, 12, ULM is an institution that has a lot and roger, 7, who bleed maroon and gold. to offer to students seeking a quality education.” Meet Brooke: Growing up in South louisiana, ulm was not always on my radar, but after one fateful trip to monroe for Browse on the ULM was ranked with other Bayou, that changed — it was love at first sight.