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Spring 2010 a Bio Ready Researchers Get Editor’s note a university and a community? a and university a earthquake. the after fled had they where hadlost four loved ones tovisit hismother andsister inFlorida, example,provided frequent flier miles that enabled thestudent who raisedmoney toassist theHaitian students. generousA donor, for help. to there simply anybody.from kudos earn wereor They publicity positive generate to there not were administrators Lafayette UL The night. that be restaurant’sthe to you” guests. “Thank say to stopping tables, the among walked They students. customers. next the for set be could tables so napkins and dishes dirty away cleared Others orders. beverage and food diners’ took Some guests. seated Some serve. to therewere They Bailey’s.weren’teat. at they to thereBut story.”the of rest “the as described February.in them struck. quake earth- the after distress their imagine only could He home. from far living while faced Haitians the challenges day-to-day the hand first- experienced had he student, international an As Grill. and too. it, took earthquake the and lifeline a was money That school. in stay them help to spare could they cash what sending been had families students’ Haitian The ity: destroyed.were homes family students’ 14 All fiancée. and write. and read can older or old years 15 are who Haitians percentof 53 only because notable especially was presence Their hit. quake the poverty.in lived population its of cent per 80 earthquake, the Before world. the in countries poorest the of one already was Haiti homeless. left were million one than more In January In We hope you enjoy this issue of issue this enjoy Weyou hope about convey can meal simple one much how amazing Isn’tit Thebenefit dinner wasjust oneof many ways that people have would servers their who advance in knew diners the of None Lafayette’sUL present: was groupHaitian noteworthy Another dinner benefit the for Topup showed administrators university have would Harvey Here’sPaul broadcaster late the what for dinner fund-raising a hold to decided restaurateur the So Bailey’sowns who Seafood graduate Lafayette UL a is Haq Ema real- grim this was there loss, unthinkable such to addition In grandmother,his godmother,lost students aunt the of One FourteenHaitian students were attending ULLafayette when killed; were country Caribbean that in people 200,000 Over , a massive earthquake shook the Republic of Haiti. of Republic the shook earthquake massive a , La Louisiane. La – Kathleen Thames Kathleen ­­– - 44 contents 2 22

Features Departments

ON The Cover: 22 Researchers Get research Graduate student Satish 2 Innovation at Work Patil transfers a biofuel Bio Ready 4 Top 100 sample into a glass beaker. An interdisciplinary team of faculty and students seeks alternative fuel 5 Closer to a Cure Photo by Doug Dugas solutions. www.dougdugasphotography.com On Campus 10 Red, White and Green Photos on this page: Left: Terri Fensel; Center: Doug 12 Little Houses Dugas; Right: Denny Culbert 14 More To Manage

students 18 Electrified Ride

Sports 34 Winning Ways 36 Spirited Composition

38 Alumni Association 44 Foundation

LaLouisiane Dr. Joseph Savoie Kathleen Thames La Louisiane is published twice President Editor a year by UL Lafayette’s students University of Louisiana at Lafayette Sarah Spell through the Student Government Assistant Editor Association, by alumni through the UL Lafayette Alumni Volume 20, Number 2. $5 an issue. Oceanna Trzeciak-Cates Association, by donors through the Student Editor La Louisiane is published by the Office of UL Lafayette Foundation, and by Communications and Marketing in the Division Megan Barra community supporters through of University Advancement (337) 482-6397 [email protected] Art Director advertising and other support. © 2010 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Christine Payton, Matt Tarver, Oceanna Trzeciak-Cates Contributing Writers University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a member of the University of Louisiana System. Gwen Aucoin, Denny Culbert, Doug Dugas, Terri Fensel, Travis Gauthier, Sean Manuel, Oceanna Trzeciak-Cates Photographers Alicia Buelow ■ www.louisiana.edu Illustrator Research

Innovation at Work Folklorist documents the crawfish boat and its creators

“When you can identify actual in- dividuals who have participated in the creation or development of an idea or artifact, it presents a double opportunity: to understand the idea better, and also to gain a better understanding of the way the culture works.” The crawfish farming industry is driv- en by these boats and the people who build them, Laudun said. “Over the past 30 years, a dozen or so men have played a vital role in the development the crawfish industry.” Laudun stands at the edge of a craw- fish pond near Roberts Cove in Acadia Par- ish. He gestures across the water, his hand tracing the gentle curve of a clover-green levee. He points to the next pond, and the next, then to the horizon. “This is a subtle, manmade landscape. From the highway, it doesn’t look like much — just so many flooded fields. But you can’t understand it from that perspec- Terri F ensel tive. You have to be in the environment, t least once a week, Dr. John feet on the ground — or perhaps in the Laudun leaves the classroom and mud — to appreciate its complexity. If you A heads out to the coastal prairie. look closely, you can see that each of these A folklorist and assistant ponds sits at a slight- professor of English at UL ly different elevation. Lafayette, he is interviewing This terracing is in- farmers and fabricators there credibly beautiful.” for a book he’s writing about The rich, dark Terri F ensel Top: Crawfish farmer Randy Gossen the crawfish boat in Louisiana. soil of the prairie lifts a trap from the water, working in Almost every crawfish region, west of the a boat designed and built by Gerard pond on the prairie harbors Atchafalaya Basin, Olinger. Right: Dr. John Laudun makes such a boat: a flat-bottomed, is a remnant of the notes as he conducts field research. aluminum craft topped with Pleistocene delta. The a canopy and driven by hy- bayous that now feed draulics. “As a folklorist, I’m the Mermentau River interested in the boat and were once channels the people who developed it. of the Mississippi But I’m also interested in the River. Bison grazed crawfish boat as an example the tall grass prairie,

of creativity in cultural con- Terri F ensel the homeland of Na- text — how creativity bubbles tive American tribes. up out of the ordinary,” said Laudun in a In the late 1700s, some of the Aca- recent interview. dians who were exiled from Nova Scotia

2 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 settled on the prairie and pressed into service by their fel- began replacing the bison low farmers. Within 10 years, with cattle. The following Habetz built 300 boats. Others century brought an agri- got into the business, including cultural revolution, when Gerard Olinger of Roberts Cove German and Midwestern and Greg Frugé of Eunice. Mike American settlers realized Richard of Richie and Kurt Ven- the land was suitable for able of Rayne would later be- growing rice. A layer of clay come the primary manufacturers lies a foot or two below the of crawfish boats. delta soil, which makes the “They were not only build- area ideal for holding water. ing custom drive units, but were The former Midwestern- also building custom hulls. Each ers adapted equipment maker was experimenting with designed for wheat produc- enhancements based on what tion; the development of his customers were telling him, rail transportation in South as well as his own sense of what Louisiana in the 1800s might work better,” Laudun said. helped make rice a com- In 1985, Olinger made a ma-

mercial commodity. Terri F ensel jor change to the original design By the 1960s, farm- stake, winch the boat that future makers would adopt. ers had established the over it, then unhook it,” Instead of connecting the wheel drive at the now-common practice of he explained. “These front of the boat, he attached it to the rear, reflooding rice fields after Cajun and German so that it could move more easily over le- the fall harvest to produce farmers knew there had vees. But by improving the design, he soon an additional crop: craw- to be a better way.” encountered a problem. A steady stream of fish. Before the creation of Laudun credits customers was bringing in their boats for prairie ponds, the fresh- farmers Tedmon “Ted” hull repair. Because the boats handled better water crustaceans were Habetz of Loreauville with the rear wheel, farmers were driving caught in the Atchafalaya and Harold Benoit of them from pond to pond on gravel roads, Basin. In the ’70s and ’80s, Morse with “the simul- instead of moving them by trailer. Olinger’s the crawfish farming in- taneous invention of solution was to add tires to the front of the dustry had a major growth the crawfish boat.” boats, an innovation that made the vessels spurt. According to the Although Habetz and fully amphibious. Louisiana Department Benoit had arrived at Venable contributed another improve- of Agriculture, statewide their inventions inde- ment by welding steel rods at the ends of pond acreage jumped from pendently, their boats the driving-wheel cleats to keep them from about 20,000 acres in the were similar. Both were quickly wearing out. That innovation pro- Terri F ensel early 1970s to 132,000 Top: Randy Gossen and Gerard modified jon boats, fit- vided an additional benefit, Laudun said. acres in 1988. Last year, Olinger discuss boat design in the ted with a cleated steel “The wheels ride more smoothly on the 173,000 acres were devot- field. Above: Olinger welds a steel wheel that rode on the bottom of the ponds, rutting them less.” ed to crawfish farming. channel to create a custom tractor bottom of the pond, He points out that none of the build- The price of crawfish attachment, a powertrain-operator pulling the boat through ers has patented their products. “Instead, has remained in a fairly ditcher. the water. Notably, both they contribute and draw from a common stable range over the last boats were powered by pool of ideas. They value their reputations 30 years, noted Laudun. “That’s because a hydraulic system, which uses pressurized more than a copyright portfolio.” large amounts of crawfish are being raised oil within a series of sealed hoses. While visiting farms, fabrication and in managed ponds. That would not be pos- “Hydraulics, quite literally, are what welding shops, and farmers’ equipment sible without these boats.” drive this industry,” Laudun said. “Grit — sheds, Laudun said he’s also learning more Before the modern-day boat emerged, in particular rice hulls — can cause havoc about the Cajun and German cultures still a crawfish farmer might walk through a with chain drives and pulleys. A hydraulic present in south Louisiana. shallow pond, emptying traps into a float- system makes a lot more sense because it’s “I think a lot of people drive by these ing washtub. Others used flat-bottomed better suited to the environment.” places and never realize just how smart jon boats, pushing and pulling them Farmers quickly realized they could and creative these guys are. In many cases, through the fields. Although relatively increase their productivity with such a boat these men are working entirely from de- lightweight, the aluminum fishing boats — and it seemed every farmer wanted one, signs that exist only in their minds. were cumbersome, making the work dif- said Laudun. “The blue spark of the welding torch ficult and tedious. “Every time you needed Neither Habetz nor Benoit consid- is not just a physical phenomenon — it’s to cross a levee, you had to put down a ered himself a boat builder, but both were an idea being manifested in the world.” n

LA LOUISIANE | spring 2010 3 Resea r ch Top 100 UL Lafayette ranks among nation’s elite public research institutions

he University of Louisiana at expenditures by public universities in a long history of using research as an Lafayette is one of the top 100 Louisiana in 2008 ranks UL Lafayette as economic development tool. T public research universities in the third highest, with a total of $58.6 Its University Research Park, for the nation, a new report by The Nelson million. LSU Baton Rouge is first, with instance, was established after Louisi- A. Rockefeller Institute of Government $136 million in total expenditures. LSU ana’s oil-dependent economy faltered shows. The institute is the public policy Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in the mid-1980s. Today, the research research arm of the State University of is second with $59.5 million. Pen- park has more than 575 employees and New York. an annual payroll of more than “A New Paradigm for $36 million. Economic Development,” re- One of its tenants, the leased in March by the Rock- Louisiana Immersive Technolo- efeller Institute, describes gies Enterprise, was created the growing role colleges and specifically as an economic universities play in economic development tool through a development and community partnership formed by the uni- revitalization. It ranks public versity, State of Louisiana and research universities and state- the Lafayette Economic Devel- wide public systems. opment Authority. UL Lafayette is third in Dr. Steve Landry, provost Louisiana and 99th in the and vice president for Aca- country. Louisiana State Uni- demic Affairs at UL Lafayette, versity Health Sciences Center said the university’s commit- (New Orleans and Shreveport) ment to research is evident in is 95th in the nation. LSU, in- the caliber of faculty it hires cluding the main campus, Pen- and its reputation for involving nington Biomedical Research students in research projects. Center and LSU AgCenter, is “Our goal is always to hire first in the state and 45th in faculty members who excel at the nation. research and teaching. We want According to the report, our students to benefit directly UL Lafayette attracted $47.3 from the research our faculty is million in research funding in 2006, nington Biomedical Research Center is conducting,” he said. while LSU Health Sciences Center (New fourth, with $40.5 million, followed by Landry noted that UL Lafayette is Orleans and Shreveport) received $79.9 LSU Health Sciences Center in Shrev- also dedicated to using research to help million and the LSU campus obtained port, with $33.4 million. solve real-world problems. He cited the $246 million. The University of New Orleans is BeauSoleil Louisiana Solar Home as an Only UL Lafayette, LSU in Baton ranked sixth, with $24.8 million in total example. Rouge and LSU Health Sciences Center expenditures, while Louisiana Tech is Last year, UL Lafayette was one of are cited in the Rockefeller Institute seventh, with $19.4 million. only 20 universities in the world chosen study as top public research universities The Carnegie Foundation has to compete in the U.S. Department of in Louisiana. designated UL Lafayette as a Research Energy’s Solar Decathlon in Washing- Total research dollars of all three University – High Research Activity. ton, D.C. Its BeauSoleil Home, designed institutions – $373.3 million – earned Others in that category include Baylor, and built by UL Lafayette architecture, Louisiana 27th place in the country. Clemson and Auburn. engineering and business administra- An analysis of National Science Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of UL tion students and advisors, earned two Foundation research and development Lafayette, noted that the university has first-place awards. n 4 LA LOUISIANE | spring 2010 Closer to a Cure Can this sea creature help reverse human hearing loss?

r. Glen Watson and his graduate D students are work- ing to answer an intriguing question: Can one species heal another? The answer may lie within the starlet sea anemone. A cell biologist, Watson has studied sea anemones since 1978. Since arriving at UL Lafayette in 1989, he has The starlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis) produces a self-healing protein. UL Lafayette research suggests this received more than $1.37 marine animal could hold a cure for human deafness. million in federal funding to continue his work. the hair cells’ tip links are damaged. She placed healthy fish in a tank Starlet sea anemones, which feed on “Most forms of human deafness containing calcium-depleted water for 15 brine shrimp, possess an extraordinary come from a death of the hair cells,” he seconds; that’s long enough for their tip ability, Watson said. When the cells they explained. Noise-induced hearing loss can links to be broken. The fish became dis- use to detect their prey are damaged, they be caused by a single event, such as an oriented, their movements chaotic. Calais can heal themselves. explosion, or by exposure to loud sounds then placed them in water that contained Watson and his team are exploring over an extended period of time. “The hair anemone hair-cell proteins. “They were cellular and genetic connections among cell pivots in response to sound, but when perfectly fine. It’s as if they were never starlet sea anemones, zebrafish and hu- it pivots too much, the tip links are ripped damaged,” she said. mans, with the hope of someday contribut- apart. As a result, the hair cells die and Watson finds that result amazing. “Pro- ing to a cure for deafness. The three species hearing is lost.” teins from a primitive, invertebrate animal are among the relatively few whose entire In mammals, including humans, hear- can not only repair anemone hair cells, they genetic code is known and readily available ing loss is typically painless and perma- can repair vertebrate hair cells as well.” to researchers. nent. But in some fish and in the anemo- He suspects the starlet sea anemone The species also have similarities at nes, it’s a different story. The fish re-grow proteins might have an effect on some the cellular level, Watson explained. Hair damaged hair cells and tip links, replacing types of human deafness. The two spe- cells are found on the anemones’ tentacles, them in a few days. Starlet sea anemones cies share a number of common genes, on the fishes’ scales, and in humans’ inner go to work even faster, making the fix in including a gene anemones use to produce ears. At the tip of these cells are finger-like a matter of hours, using a mix of proteins cadherin 23, a calcium-dependent protein, projections called stereocilia, which are that bind with calcium to repair the tip which forms tip links. Mutations in the interconnected by linkages called tip links. links. “Tip links use calcium as a kind of cadherin 23 gene cause deafness in both Anemones rely on the hair cells to glue, giving the tip link its structure,” Wat- mice and humans. detect the movements of the anemones’ son explained. The next logical research subjects prey, brine shrimp, as they swim by. Hair Watson and his team have learned that would be mice, whose genetic code has cells on the lateral lines of fish allow them the protein mixture produced by the anem- also been unlocked, Watson said. to orient themselves while swimming in a ones can be used to heal the damaged hair He remains hopeful that one day his current. Human hair cells respond to vibra- cells of blind cave fish. The research team work might lead to a cure for deafness and tions in inner-ear fluid, sending electrical is also studying the effects of the protein other disorders, such as impaired balance. signals to the brain, which are interpreted mixture on zebrafish. “If you can make new hair cells, as as sound, music or language. Nesha Calais, a doctoral student pursu- fish do, or if you can keep the hair cells What’s interesting, said Watson, is ing a degree in environmental and evolu- you have from dying, then you can cure what happens in the different species when tionary biology, carried out the experiments. deafness.” n

LA LOUISIANE | spring 2010 5 Resea r ch Tailored Approach Researcher fine tunes study of cancer recovery and fitness

r. Andrew Hatchett, an assis- Perret and is named for their 8-year-old tant professor of kinesiology, is son, who died in 1996 after being diag- Dworking with people recovering nosed with a malignant brain tumor. from cancer to see how they may benefit In 2008, Hatchett and Carla from exercise. Duhon, the center’s wellness director, “Published research on fitness and created Miles Strong, a 10-week reha- cancer recovery has only been avail- bilitation program focusing on exercise able for about 30 years. Compared with and nutrition. cardiac rehabilitation, cancer rehab is a Duhon, a clinical exercise physiolo- relatively new area of study,” he said in gist with a certification in cancer and ex- a recent interview. ercise, leads the workout sessions. Held Research generally suggests that twice a week, the sessions are designed physical activity is beneficial, according to increase strength and flexibility, and to Hatchett. He’s looking more closely to educate patients about overall health, at the connection between working out nutrition and fitness. and getting well by focusing on indi- Judy Arabie was diagnosed with vidual patients. breast cancer in July 2009. Four weeks “Cancer is not a cookie-cutter dis- Dou g Du gas Dr. Andrew Hatchett after a mastectomy, Arabie’s doctors gave ease. You may have two patients with the her permission to begin the Miles Strong same type of cancer, receiving the same more widely available to oncologists program. “I was very fortunate. I had full treatment, who will have totally different and their patients. He has partnered range of motion in my arm. My goal was reactions to the treatment. So, it’s dif- with the Miles Perret Cancer Center, a to start bowling again,” she said. ficult to identify standardized measure- Lafayette non-profit agency that pro- Arabie completed the Miles Strong ments in rehabilitation,” he said. vides free support services to cancer pa- program and has returned to her favorite Hatchett is working to make tients and their families. The center was sport. “Some days, it’s a huge goal just research-based rehabilitation programs established in 2002 by Hank and Debbie to walk from one side of the room to the other. If you’ve never gone through it, it’s hard to understand how difficult it can be and how important it is to have sup- port and encouragement,” she said. Each Miles Strong session is limited to four participants, so they may receive personalized attention. Duhon collects clinical data by monitoring the heart rate, oxygen levels and blood pressure of patients during their workouts. She also tracks patients’ progress over the course of the program. Hatchett follows up with partici- pants via e-mail to reinforce what they learn at the Center. “Published research shows that regular exercise can speed

Dou g Du gas recovery for cancer patients. The ul- Shown at the Miles Perret Cancer Center, from left, are: Patsy Von Hoosen, Joni Hill and timate goal is for patients who have Crystal Anderson, patients; Travis Tolbert, a cancer exercise specialist; Dr. Andrew Hatchett, participated in this program to remain an assistant professor of kinesiology; and Carla Duhon, the center’s wellness director. active,” he said. n 6 LA LOUISIANE | spring 2010 Scientists try to solve mystery of chocolate trees’ killer

UL Lafayette research- At first, spores infect the tree without ers are working to pro- any visible problems. “Later on, you might tect the world’s supply see some green broom, massive growths of chocolate. Roseline within the host, but the tree is not dying Devariste, a graduate stu- yet. Then, something happens. This fungus dent in biology, and her switches its lifestyle and begins feeding off advisor, biology profes- the host,” Devariste said. sor Dr. Karl Hasenstein, She grew the fungus in material with are learning more about varying levels of carbon, mimicking inter- the relationship between nal conditions in living trees. “The data a deadly fungus and its show nutrition plays a role in the develop- host, the chocolate tree. ment of the disease,” she said. The fungus Trees infected with t es grew more slowly in material with higher Moniliophthora perniciosa levels of glycerol, a naturally occurring spores develop witches’ substance. broom disease, so called The results support similar studies because the fungus forms but Hasenstein said there’s still work to be Oc eanna Tr z e c ia k-c a broom-like growths. The Graduate student Roseline Devariste and biologist Dr. Karl Hasenstein done. Even though the chocolate tree has chocolate industry — and harvest a chocolate tree seed pod at UL Lafayette’s Center for Ecology been cultivated for thousands of years, it the global economy con- and Environmental Technology. has not been widely studied. “To better nected to it — have suf- understand the disease in general and the fered major losses from witches’ broom. Bra- “I wanted to gain a better under- interaction between host and pathogen, zil, once South America’s largest producer, standing of the physiological interactions we need to study the fungus and the choc- lost 70 percent of its crop in just 10 years, between this pathogen and the tree itself,” olate tree and how one affects the other,” for example. said Devariste. he said.

good guys work to get a step ahead of cyber attackers

Researchers in UL Lafayette’s Center for Advanced Computer with insights into Studies are focused on strengthening the nation’s cyber infra- mechanisms used structure. by attackers. Their goal is to develop a deeper understanding of the cat- Dr. Bradd and-mouse game played by cyber attackers and cyber defenders. Clark, dean of Their newest project reflects a rare partnership among in- the Ray P. Authe- dustry, higher education and government. It is led by Dr. Arun ment College of Lakhotia, a professor of computer science and head of the CACS Sciences at UL Software Research Laboratory, and Dr. Andrew Walenstein, as- Lafayette, said the sistant professor of computer science in CACS. techniques and The pair is collaborating with Dr. Vir Phoha, director of the strategies used Center for Secure Cyberspace at Louisiana Tech in Ruston and Dr. by cyber attackers Bin Mai of Bowie State University in Bowie, Md. evolve rapidly. The group will work with McAfee Labs, a leader in the anti- “Participation of McAfee Labs in an advisory capacity will virus software industry. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research help ground this research in reality so that the results produced will oversee the three-year project, which is funded by a $790,000 can more directly impact development of defensive technolo- grant from by the U.S. Department of Defense. gies,” he said. Researchers will develop theoretical models of offensive The involvement of McAfee Labs in the early stages of this and defensive strategies used on the Internet. These models will project is expected to speed up research. help cyber defenders predict hackers’ next moves. “We are very excited to participate in this project to help ad- “So far, the defenders have been reactive, scampering to vance the state of research at a faster pace,” said Hiep Dang, McA- respond to the move by an attacker. The research will change fee Labs’ director of anti-malware research. “A deep understand- the nature of the game,” Lakhotia said. ing of the design options of stealth and anti-stealth techniques Rachit Mathur, a McAfee Labs research scientist and one placed in the context of game theory should provide the industry of Lakhotia’s former students, will provide the investigators a new way to design and analyze our defensive technologies.”

LA LOUISIANE | spring 2010 7 Team promotes technology

A new consortium at the University a diverse group of ex- Glycerol is an of Louisiana at Lafayette is taking a perts will allow LITE abundant product 3-D look at new methods of academic to tap into client mar- with limited use. A research. kets that we couldn’t modified enzyme

R esear ch The Computation and Visualization have tapped into on could use it as a Enterprise consortium is an interdis- our own,” he said. catalyst for chemi- ciplinary team of 15 faculty members. Clark said the cal processes, help- It was formed to encourage the use of combination of re- ing to reduce waste supercomputing, 3-D visualization and searchers’ expertise and make chemical high-speed fiber optics available at the and supercomput- processes cleaner. Louisiana Immersive Technologies En- ing capabilities is Supercomputers terprise in University Research Park. key. “Most research are helping to nar- LITE technology could ultimately problems are too dif- row the number of speed up conventional research. ficult for one person enzymes that could “This consortium is an extension to solve. With these be successfully of the partnership between LITE and teams and this compu- modified. the university. Assembling this mul- tation power, we’ll be “We are ex- tidisciplinary team will help us more better able to work on cited about being effectively handle modern science and solutions,” he said. D oug ugas able to provide our engineering research,” said Dr. Bradd UL Lafayette re- Louisiana Immersive Technologies faculty with the Clark, dean of the Ray P. Authement searchers in chemical Enterprise equipment it takes College of Sciences and chairman of the engineering and biochemistry, for ex- to conduct research – like with these LITE Commission. ample, are exploring ways to use glycerol enzymes – that requires difficult compu- Henry Florsheim, chief executive in a more efficient, green way. They are tations,” Clark said. officer of LITE, said the consortium en- testing and identifying enzymes that can Dr. Azmy Ackleh, a professor of hances the relationship between LITE help convert glycerol into compounds mathematics at UL Lafayette, is the con- and UL Lafayette. “Having access to such utilized by the chemical industry. sortium’s director.

LITE shines in louisiana technology council competition

The winner of the they’re using, the work they Florsheim said LITE concentrated 2010 Innovator of the do across all industries made on economic development last year. Year award couldn’t them a very worthy choice The facility’s versatility is reflected in travel to New Orleans for Innovator of the Year its clients. to be honored for its Award. They’re doing great Pixel Magic, a leading digital effects achievements. things with companies and company, opened a studio at LITE in So Dr. Bradd government to put Louisiana November. And, 3-D visualization mod- Clark, dean of UL on the map when it comes els were created at LITE for Our Lady of Lafayette’s Ray P. Au- to technology,” Mark Lewis, Lourdes Regional Medical Center, the thement College of Sci- president of the Louisiana City of New Iberia and Lafayette Con- ences, and Henry Flor- Technology Council, told solidated Government. sheim, chief executive The Advertiser, Lafayette’s This year, 3-D training simula- officer of the Louisiana daily newspaper. tion has been conducted at LITE for Immersive Technolo- LITE is one of the first the state Department of Transportation

gies Enterprise, ac- D oug ugas multi-user six-sided digital and Development. LITE helped create a cepted the recognition LITE’s Total Immersive Space 3-D total immersive spaces Technology Business Accelerator to as- on its behalf. that’s based on CAVE® tech- sist startup technology firms and to help The Louisiana nologies. It opened in 2006. recruit other technology companies. Technology Council bestowed the Inno- It was created as an economic develop- A Louisiana Technology Council vator of the Year designation on LITE, ment tool by a partnership formed by committee chose award recipients with which is located in University Research the State of Louisiana, UL Lafayette and input from Gov. Bobby Jindal’s staff. Park on UL Lafayette’s campus. the Lafayette Economic Development More than 50 companies and individu- “When you look at all the ap- Authority. Clark is president of the als were nominated for the Council’s plications and high-performance tools LITE Commission. awards this year.

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Red, White and Green UL Lafayette deepens its commitment to planting and preserving trees

L Lafayette is one of only four times of storms, they protect our buildings. universities in Louisiana to be “By becoming a Tree Campus, the Unamed a Tree Campus USA by the university is setting an example within the Arbor Day Foundation. The others are community of how to plant, care for and Louisiana State University at Alexandria, honor our trees,” he said. Northwestern State University and Tulane By summer, the campus and com- University. munity landscape will include a splash of “We have a long history of celebrat- red and white, when hundreds of crape ing trees, going all the way back to our myrtles begin to bloom. Apache Corpora- first president, Dr. Edwin Stephens. So, tion donated about 500 trees to add color it made perfect sense to become a Tree to the campus and to help create a gateway Campus,” said Mike Hess, UL Lafayette’s to the university. grounds manager. More than 300 of the trees were plant- Hess said more than 100 trees have ed at the intersection of University Avenue been planted on campus since the desig- and Interstate 10, where artist Robert Daf- nation was announced ford has created in December. Trees Tree Campus USA two murals depict- and shrubs have been ing the university To become a Tree Campus USA, a added near Burke- logo beneath the university must: Hawthorne Hall; An- interstate overpass. gelle Hall; Olivier Hall; • establish a campus tree advisory The murals direct Montgomery Hall; the committee

t ion drivers toward the Student Union; within • create a campus tree-care plan campus via Univer- the Quad and Legacy • verify dedicated annual expenditures sity Avenue. Daf- y Founda Park; and along Heb- on the campus tree plan ford volunteered rard Boulevard. • hold an Arbor Day observance the labor to create At an Arbor Day • develop a service-learning project the murals; the involving students. t es y o f A rbor D a ceremony held April City of Lafayette 17, more than 50 UL paid for the paint- cour Students, from left, Ashton Abel, Lafayette students, ing materials. Letesha Davis, Tyler Dunphy and including members of AmeriCorps, a na- Jan Swift, executive director of the Aimee Graugnard plant trees near tional service corps, planted 43 trees. Bald Upper Lafayette Economic Development Broussard Hall. cypresses, red bud trees, maples and mag- Foundation, said the improvements “will nolias were placed near Broussard Hall and enhance the interstate exchange and remind Lee Hall. The Arbor Day Foundation and visitors and residents that our university is Toyota Corporation provided the trees. an integral part of this community.” The planting ceremony was part of a The gateway project is a partnership campus-wide cleanup day, which involved among Apache Corporation; the Upper more than 150 UL Lafayette students. Lafayette Economic Development Foun- Some faculty members, university staff and dation; UL Lafayette; Dafford; the City of other volunteers pitched in to help. Lafayette; and McDonald’s of Acadiana, Jim Foret, an instructor in the Renew- which provided labor and equipment. able Resources Department, serves on the Hess said the remainder of the donated advisory committee. “Our trees make the crape myrtles will be planted on campus campus more appealing and inviting. They and along University Avenue. “Visually, the provide shade and improve the air. And, in trees will tie the gateway to the campus.” n

10 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 century oaks

L Lafayette’s Century Oaks aren’t the largest live oaks on U campus, but they are the most treasured of the Quercus virginiana. On Jan. 1, 1901, Dr. Edwin Ste- phens, the university’s first president, planted 18 young trees near the campus entrance. Ten remain, lining the corner of Johnston Street and University Av- enue and shading the grounds of Girard Hall. (See map below.) “At the turn of the 20th century, Johnston and University were dirt roads,” said Jim Foret, a UL Lafayette instructor and licensed arborist. “Over time, horse-and-buggy traffic became car traffic but there were no curbs at the intersection. People would park their cars right up on the roots, compacting the soil. “Mature trees are especially vul- nerable to root damage because they rely on an extensive root system.” The Century Oaks are receiving excellent care, said Mike Hess, UL Lafayette’s grounds manager. “They are healthy. We’re adding lots of mulch at the base of the trees to keep the roots cool and moist.” The Century Oaks are among more than 250 live oaks on campus. “In many ways, our trees are the ambassadors of our culture,” said Hess. “By planting trees, Dr. Stephens was carrying out a vision. He was planning G au t hier Travis

for something he would never see but he wanted to es- tablish a foundation. That’s a tradition we’re very proud of — and it shows in the beauty of the campus.” Stephens’ commitment to promoting and preserv- ing live oaks extends beyond the campus, said Hess. In 1934, he created the Live Oak Society, a registry of mature live oaks that now includes more than 6,000 trees throughout Louisiana. The society is managed by Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc. Stephens’ oaks were added to that list in 2001, when they reached the UL Lafayette’s Century Oaks are located near the North Gate. 100-year mark. n

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 11 O n C ampus Little Houses Filmmakers lead effort to preserve cemetery tradition

hey are monuments to the there were a number of houses there. ways recognize the significance of our dead unlike any others in Acadi- “At one time, there were perhaps traditions,” said Jeremy Broussard. Tana: small wooden houses with as many as 40 or 50 grave houses in the “We wanted to find out why the gabled roofs, windows and doors, built Istre cemetery. When we began to docu- houses were built. They don’t look like over a handful of graves in a rural Aca- ment them, there were only three left any other above-ground structure you dia Parish cemetery. standing,” Jeremy Broussard said. might see in a south Louisiana cem- A trio of filmmakers, Donny, Jere- etery. They’re not crypts. my and Zach Broussard, tell the story of They’re not mausole- these structures in a short film, “Little ums. They’re something Houses: A Small Film About Death,” altogether different.” which has inspired the rebirth of the He said there were unusual burial custom. three goals associ- The Istre family of Mermentau Cove ated with the film. “We set aside land for the cemetery in the wanted to preserve the 1800s. No one knows for certain when houses on film, to get the first grave houses were built, but the houses listed on the records dating back to the 1930s show national historic register and to inspire people to preserve the graves.” Jeremy Broussard and Donny Broussard began the film project in 2002, working with a camera crew of six UL Lafayette student volun- teers. Donny Broussard, a UL Lafayette grad who is director of the universi- ty’s Visual Arts Resource Center, recalled the experience. “At the be- ginning, we didn’t have a clear idea of what the story would be. We just G wen A ucoin Left: The Istre grave house. Top left: Jeremy Broussard, Donny knew it was important Broussard and Zach Broussard, creators of “Little Houses.” to document the houses Above: The LeBlanc grave house is one of three such monu- that were still standing. ments listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “We camped out for two days and filmed Jeremy and Zach Broussard, who in the freezing cold,” he said. The team are brothers, grew up in Mermentau captured footage of the cemetery and Cove near the cemetery. “In Acadiana, began interviewing residents in the we’re surrounded by unique cultural community, collecting stories about the expressions but I think because we’re grave houses and their possible origins.

G wen A ucoin immersed in the culture, we don’t al- “When we started the film, we were 12 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 c i n e m at i c contributions

art of the UL Lafayette Cinematic Arts Workshop’s mission is the P“expression of art and ideas through digital media.” Its productions include award-winning documentary films, promotional videos and content for educational computer games. The Workshop’s main focus is to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among students and professionals, including off- campus producers and faculty. Conni Castille, a folklorist and film- maker, is assistant director of the Work- shop. Its latest project, a documentary set for release in June, tells the story of

G wen A ucoin how Breaux Bridge became known as the The documentary “Little Houses” explores the history and folklore connected with grave houses in Crawfish Capital of the World. an Acadia Parish cemetery. Other Cinematic Arts Workshop pro- ductions include: hoping to find out why the houses were In April, Jeremy Broussard published n “Pin Pal,” a promotional video built. We never found that answer, but I Grave House Legends, a book that comple- that supports Festival International de think the fact that the question remains ments the film. Ten percent of the book’s Louisiane, the largest outdoor Franco- unanswered makes the film even more profits are dedicated to the preservation phone live music event in the United compelling.” effort. States. Held in downtown Lafayette After the initial filming, “Little Hous- Charles Richard, director of the Cin- each April, the festival relies on the sale es” was “put on the back burner for several ematic Arts Workshop, said the film is “an of artist-designed pins to maintain free years because of family commitments,” ideal example of the kind of project the admission. The festival has an estimated said Jeremy Broussard. workshop supports. It’s a annual economic impact of more than “Then my brother Zach well-told story with aes- $20 million. picked up the project and thetic merit that is helping n finished it for us.” to increase cultural aware- “BeauSoleil: Louisiana’s So- In 2007, Zach Brous- ness. lar Home,” a promotional video for UL sard enlisted the help of “Donny, Jeremy and Lafayette’s Louisiana BeauSoleil Solar UL Lafayette’s Cinematic Zach have definitely taken Home project. The energy-efficient, sus- Arts Workshop, working on the role of activist film- tainable home won two top awards in the with folklorist Conni Cas- makers with this piece,” U.S. Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar tille and filmmaker Allison Richard added. Decathlon, an international competition Bohl to update the script Leonard Smith, a life- among 20 universities. and shoot additional foot- long resident of Mermentau n “Congrès Mondial: the Bid for age. The Workshop also Cove and president of the Louisiana,” a 10-minute documentary provided office space and Istre Cemetery Board, said created for the Lafayette Visitors and editing facilities. the filmmakers inspired Convention Center, accompanied Louisi- “It took a long time him to carry on the grave ana’s proposal for the world gathering of Cajun and Acadian descendants. to complete the film, but G wen A ucoin house tradition. In March we eventually reached all Interior of the Istre grave house of last year, he built a new n “Raised on Rice and Gravy: A our goals,” Zach Broussard house over the grave of his Film About Plate Lunch Houses In said. In February 2008, the grave houses infant granddaughter, Karien Joy Benoit, South Louisiana,” a documentary that were added to the National Register of His- who died in 1990. serves up the traditions of Cajun and toric Places. In 2009, the filmmakers creat- The unpainted cypress house has a Creole cooking in neighborhood lunch ed Benefilms, a non-profit organization that metal roof, “a window on each side and a houses. distributes “Little Houses.” It dedicates 20 little door with a latch. It kind of looks like n “I Always Do My Collars First: percent of DVD sales for the houses’ pres- a little doll house,” Smith said. A Film About Ironing,” a documentary ervation. The film premiered May 1, 2009, “I just felt that I needed to put some- look at how a mundane chore is valued at the Rice Theatre in Crowley. To date, thing over her. And I thought, ‘If I make as a ritual and an expression of cultural Benefilms has raised about $1,500 for the a little house, maybe other people will get identity in the lives of four Cajun women preservation project. interested and build some more.’ ” n in French Louisiana. LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 13 O n C ampus More to Manage Health information experts brace for a major shift in medical billing

hen health information CDC can look at trends in diseases,” majors at UL Lafayette learn Venable said. Wabout a new medical code over She cited the human immunode- the next couple of years, they will be ficiency virus, which causes AIDS, as taught by the best in the business. an example. “Many years ago, it didn’t Carol Venable, professor and head fit into any code. They designed a new of the Health Information Management code for it and over time, refined it, so Department, and Anita Hazelwood, that now we have a code that adequate- professor of health information man- ly describes that condition.” agement, have been studying the new Venable said the ability to collect identification system at the request of more specific data will have far-reach- the American Health Information Man- ing benefits. agement Association. They are “expert “Several years ago, emergency trainers,” according to the AHIMA. Only room staff began treating injuries sus- about 100 people in the United States tained in three-wheeler accidents. So, have earned that designation. by assigning a code to that particular A medical code is abbreviated in- circumstance, we’ve collected that formation used by health care providers information across the entire United to describe services. “Codes are like States. It gives you a tremendous shorthand or like a zip code,” Hazelwood amount of statistical information about explained. A physician’s diagnosis, for trends and patterns that we wouldn’t A licia B uelow instance, has a predetermined code. Carol Venable, left, and Anita Hazelwood otherwise have.” The United States has been using Other countries have been using the versions of the International Classification and help create an orientation guide for expanded ICD for about 20 years. “Each of Disease for the past 30 years. In 2009, health care providers. Training manuals country takes the umbrella document, is- the federal government enacted a law that they have written are top sellers in the sued by the World Health Organization, requires health care providers to switch to health information management field. and produces its own version, but there’s an expanded ICD on Oct. 1, 2013. Both have earned AHIMA Legacy Awards really very little difference from one “This will likely have as much of for their work. country to another,” Hazelwood said. an impact on health care as the creation In October, Venable and Hazelwood The professors said the switch to the of Medicare and the enactment of the attended an intense three-day training expanded code in the United States is a Health Insurance Portability and Ac- session for ICD-10. They, in turn, will “massive undertaking.” counting Act,” Hazelwood predicted in use their knowledge to train others. “Not “Adoption of the new system is going an interview this spring. just our students, but staff in doctors’ of- to be an expensive process,” Venable said. The current version, ICD-9, is com- fices, hospitals and so on,” Venable said. In addition to receiving extra training, posed of numbers. Letters were added The faculty members have already health care providers must develop and to ICD-10. This extension will create a started offering continuing education modify their computer systems to accom- much more detailed database. There are classes for people who handle billing for modate new equipment and software. about 10,000 codes in ICD-9; there will health care providers, such as physicians’ Hazelwood teaches the coding sys- be about 68,000 codes in ICD-10. office managers. tem to UL Lafayette students each spring. “This will have a major impact on ICD-10 will produce data that can “I have a challenge, over the next everyone in health care. This is going to be used for statistical purposes as well two or three years, of teaching students affect anyone who files any kind of medi- as billing for medical services. “So, the current system, while preparing them cal claim,” Hazelwood said. reimbursement is important, but this for the new system. There will be one The AHIMA asked Venable and Ha- information is also used in analysis by class that will have to be fully versed in zelwood in 2000 to learn about ICD-10 the Centers for Disease Control. The both,” she said. n 14 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010

Readers keep up with ul Lafayette online

Would you like to keep up with the latest UL She welcomes feedback and news tips Lafayette news? from readers. “The response to ENews has Sign up for ENews, a weekly electronic been gratifying. There are a lot of people with newsletter produced by the university’s Office a keen interest in UL Lafayette,” she said. of Communications and Marketing. Readers can access ENews through the “It’s an easy, quick way to learn about university’s home page, www.louisiana.edu, what’s happening at the university. Content said Payton. “Click on the ‘News’ button in is eclectic. It ranges from faculty accomplish- the top left portion of the page. It will take you ments to fun facts to information about inno- to the Communications and Marketing home vative research,” said Christine Payton, assis- page. Click the ‘News and Events’ bar, which tant director for print media, who is in charge leads to the ‘electronic news’ link.” of ENews. Signing up to receive ENews is just as In addition to writing news and feature simple. The Communications and Marketing articles related to the university, Payton con- home page includes a link to an online request stantly monitors a wide range of publications form. “It’s as easy as filling out the designated for references to UL Lafayette. So she often fields and clicking ‘Submit.’ “The newsletter’s provides links to articles that were produced first issue was posted in September; issues are by media across the United States, ranging archived for easy retrieval. from The New York Times to the Pittsburgh For more information, contact Payton at Post-Gazette. (337) 482-6397 or [email protected]

Nation’s education leader turns spotlight on university

UL Lafayette’s College of tion. Now, the Obama English language arts. Education has earned national administration wants to “We got the numbers and said, ‘We’ve media attention for its teacher use test scores to evalu- got to figure this out,’ ” Savoie stated in the training program. ate teachers and the uni- article. He quickly gathered administrators It began with cover- versities that train them. within the college to discuss remedies and age of a speech given by U.S. Reporters with The decided to increase admissions criteria and Secretary of Education Arne Washington Post and add more writing and grammar instruction Duncan at Columbia Univer- National Public Radio to the curriculum. sity’s Teacher’s College in late met with UL Lafayette “As the institution that prepares the October. He recognized Loui- officials on campus in majority of the teachers in this area, it is siana for being the first state in December to learn more our responsibility to make sure our gradu- the country to tie student test about the university’s ates are ready for the classroom and can scores to effective and ineffec- teacher preparation. deliver effective instruction to our children tive teacher preparation pro- Post reporter Nick on day one. We welcome ways to ensure grams. Duncan called Louisi- Anderson spoke with Dr. that this preparation is successful and have ana a model for the nation and Joseph Savoie, president no problems looking at the data and mak- then cited UL Lafayette. of UL Lafayette, and Dr. ing changes if necessary,” Savoie stated in “Officials at the University Gerald Carlson, dean of the article of Louisiana at Lafayette opted its College of Education. Anderson wrote, “In the tradition- to increase admission require- Carlson, in turn, intro- bound world of teacher education, experts ments, added a career counsel- duced Anderson to some say, such rapid-fire decisions based on ing program to better prepare teachers for students and recent graduates who are now classroom test results are rare.” the transition to the classroom, and boost- teaching in Acadiana. The article was published in a Sunday ed coursework requirements in English In the Post article, Savoie described issue of the Post, which has a potential au- language arts. Real change, based upon the the university’s initiative as “account- dience of 2 million people. real outcomes of children—revolutionary, ability on steroids” and addressed a report NPR’s Larry Abramson interviewed isn’t it?” he said. from the Louisiana Board of Regents that Savoie and Dr. Steve Landry, UL Lafayette’s Louisiana’s accountability efforts be- examined three years of test data from provost and vice president for Academic gan in 2002 with the federal No Child Left classrooms. In the report, UL Lafayette Affairs. NPR has a potential audience of 27 Behind initiative of the Bush administra- scored lower than expected in elementary million people.

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 15 100 new jobs: not just an illusion Quotable

Pixel Magic, a special effects com- ties in Canada, Louisiana, New “He just grabs you by the throat pany in University Research Park, is Mexico and other states, we chose with those big chords. But it’s not gearing up for the latest entertain- Louisiana because of its variety of beautiful. It’s compelling.” ment innovation – 3-D television. locations and diverse environments, Dr. Susan V. Nicassio, UL It has begun the process of the growth of film production in Lafayette history professor,

O n C ampus converting 2-D movies the state, and its describes Puccini’s score for into 3-D movies. industry-specific Scarpia, the main villain in The demand tax incentives,” he “Tosca,” in the St. Petersburg Times for 3-D movies is said. “LITE has the expected to increase JOBS skilled personnel and “The Louisiana State Penitentiary quickly when 3-D experience in digital has a model prison hospice. With televisions hit the JOBS HIRING media and the busi- the help of an instructional teaching marketplace this year. ness community of Sony announced that Lafayette has a repu- grant, I had the opportunity to bring it will start selling 3-D tation of innovation the students there to meet with the televisions in Japan that made our deci- patients. It was a very powerful in June, for example. sion to open an office experience for them.” Sales in the United in Lafayette a clear Theresa Frederick, a UL Lafayette States will begin this year, too. choice. This relationship will enable nursing instructor, comments on Stereoscopic conversion is Pixel Magic to utilize LITE’s cutting- nursing students’ trip to Angola, labor intensive. So Pixel Magic has edge tools for visual effects creation in The Oncology Nurse, a national already started hiring and training and high-speed infrastructure in the publication for hematology and artists who can do the frame-by- rendering and transfer of data to our oncology nurses and advanced frame work. Company officials clients.” practitioners predict that about 100 jobs will be Pixel Magic will benefit from added over the next year. Louisiana’s recently strengthened “With regard to which gives you Pixel Magic’s main office is in film-production tax credits and the greatest benefit — a credit or the heart of the Media District in Los could also utilize the new digital- a deduction — the best course of Angeles. It opened an office in the interactive media tax credits for action would be to compute your Louisiana Immersive Technologies projects. The company has enrolled Enterprise Center in November. in the Louisiana FastStart™ tax liability both ways and use the The company provides digital program, which helps recruit and option that is of greatest value to visual effects for motion pictures and train qualified employees. you.” television. It has worked on major Pixel Magic will also receive Ellen Cook, assistant vice films, such as “Marley and Me” and one free year of office space. It is president for academic affairs “Get Smart.” It’s handling special ef- one of the first tenants of the busi- at UL Lafayette, offers advice fects for “Secretariat,” a Disney film ness accelerator at LITE. The ac- about education tax credits and about the racehorse that won the celerator is designed to encourage deductions in the “Ask an Expert” Triple Crown in 1973. Parts of that the creation of new and innovative feature of a New York Times blog movie were shot in Acadiana. technology businesses in Acadiana Pixel Magic was included in a through start-ups, joint ventures of “Waiting and delaying the first sales list of “50 Companies We Can’t Do existing businesses and the recruit- to mid-April means that the U.S. Without,” published in the spring ment of out-of-state technology Treasury is rolling the dice.” 2010 issue of 1012, a Baton Rouge companies. It was created by LITE, Dr. Linus Wilson, an assistant business magazine. The publication UL Lafayette and the Lafayette Eco- professor of finance at UL focuses on the Interstate 10 and nomic Development Authority. Lafayette, remarks in the Wall Interstate 12 corridor in Louisiana. “The establishment of the busi- Street Journal about the potential It chose the companies on the basis ness accelerator at LITE and having sale of the Treasury’s 7.7 billion of their global footprint, innovation, Pixel Magic as its first tenant is a Citigroup shares value to key industries and reputa- perfect example of Lafayette’s wild- tion as good corporate citizens. catter mentality and technological “She has leverage, and she’s not Pixel Magic General Manager savvy converging to create the fu- afraid to use it.” Ray Scalice said a confluence of fac- ture of innovative and creative busi- Dr. Pearson Cross, head of tors made opening an office in LITE ness in Acadiana today,” said Gregg UL Lafayette’s Political Science attractive. Gothreaux, president and chief ex- Department, comments on Sen. “After reviewing opportuni- ectutive officer of LEDA. Mary Landrieu in USA Today

16 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010

The Dictionary of Autism: The Diagnosis, Louisiana French as Treatment and Etiology spoken in Cajun, Creole of the Undeniable and American Indian Epidemic Communities Spirit Wind From the Bookshel f From

John W. Oller Jr., Stephen D. Oller Barry Jean Ancelet, Tamara Lindner and Jon L. Gibson Jones and Bartlett Publishers other co-editors The University of Alabama Press University Press of Mississippi One in 110 American children has Dr. Jon L. Gibson, a former UL been diagnosed with some form of This long-awaited volume is both Lafayette anthropology professor, autism, according to the Centers a reference book and a window on blends imagination and reality in for Disease Control and Prevention. south Louisiana cultures. The 800- this coming-of-age novel. Although This introductory textbook focuses page dictionary reveals the use of its characters are fictional, Spirit on the causes of autism spectrum language by French-speaking people Wind is an “anthropologically ac- disorders. in five regions of south Louisiana: curate story of American Indian “Autism is a compelling subject coastal marshes, the banks of the cultures in conflict,” according to of study, because it is the fastest Mississippi River, central and north- its publisher. growing diagnosis on the horizon,” ern areas, and the western prairie. Gibson tells the tale of an or- said co-author Dr. John W. Oller Jr., The dictionary is the culmina- phan, Storm Rider, who is reared Hawthorne Regents Professor in the tion of 10 years of work and includes by the Chitimacha tribe and cap- Department of Communicative Dis- words collected from hundreds of field tured by an enemy raiding party. orders at UL Lafayette. He founded interviews. Its editors also collected His story is set in the Atchafalaya the university’s applied language and words from archival recordings and Basin and anchored in Chitimacha speech sciences doctoral program. from texts published after 1930. culture and rituals. Autism and its related disorders, Research for the book was funded Julian Granberry, author of such as Attention Deficit and Hyper- in part by the National Endowment for The Americas That Might Have activity Disorder and Asperger Syn- the Humanities. Been: Native American Social drome, include symptoms such as Entries include each word’s Systems through Time, described impairment in thinking, feeling, lan- conventional French spelling, its pro- Gibson’s narrative as “not only guage and the ability to relate to oth- nunciation, its classification as a part an excellent fictional approach ers. In this book, he points to toxins of speech, its English equivalent and to Chitimacha tribal mythology, and their interactions as the primary the word’s use in common phrases. but a fascinating and extremely causes of ASD. An English-to-Louisiana French index well-written book, capturing the Although it is a textbook, Au- shows readers how particular ideas or essence of Chitimacha storytelling tism: The Diagnosis, Treatment and sentiments would be expressed in the technique in an excellent and thor- Etiology of the Undeniable Epidemic French of south Louisiana. ough manner.” also includes information for parents Dr. Barry Jean Ancelet and Dr. Gibson retired from UL and other caregivers of children Tamara Lindner are among the diction- Lafayette in 2001. His research has affected with autism and related ary’s editors. been focused on the native peoples disorders. Ancelet is a professor of foreign of Louisiana. Dr. Stephen D. Oller is an as- languages, research fellow for the He also is the author of sistant professor in the Department Center for Louisiana Studies and holds The Ancient Mounds of Poverty of Biological and Health Sciences at the Willis Granger and Tom Debaillon/ Point: Place of Rings and coeditor Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He BORSF Professorship in Francophone of Signs of Power: The Rise earned a doctoral degree from UL Studies I. Lindner is an assistant pro- of Cultural Complexity in the Lafayette in 2005. fessor of foreign languages. Southeast.

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 17 Students

Electrified Ride Student’s design featured at Detroit auto show

eegan McClain is making some studying industrial design, I really got fast moves in the design world. into what everybody calls ‘green’ design. KIn January, he traveled to Detroit, Green’s a buzz word now, but back then, Mich., where his concept design for an just a few years ago, I was kind of ‘that electric motorcycle was featured at the guy,’ the guy who was doing something North American International Auto Show, different. the industry’s annual showcase of up-and- At first, I was just designing ‘things.’ coming vehicles. His design was one of 33 At some point, those things have to be- chosen in the international Michelin Chal- come meaningful. As a designer, you have lenge Design competition, which included to find something to stand on. So, I de- 292 entries by students and professionals. cided that sustainability and green design He earned a bachelor’s degree in would differentiate the meaningless from industrial design from UL Lafayette in the meaningful in my work. 2008. He designed the MC Type 2 while working in the How did you come up with the design? Transportation De- First, I asked, ‘What are the basic sign Studio class requirements of a commuter vehicle?’ It taught by Jerry would have to be able to carry two people Malinowski, an in freeway traffic. That was my basic start- internationally ing point. regarded de- I also wanted it to be something peo- signer who ple could afford, so I chose affordable ma- helped terials, like aluminum, and batteries that create are commercially available. I didn’t want it the Ford to be a rich man’s toy. Mustang. Now, How fast will it go? McClain’s This thing can do 100. moving his design off the And where does it get its power? Keegan McClain imagined and drawing board and into reality by build- There are 142 rechargeable lithium- designed an electric motorcycle in the ing a life-size prototype, starting with a ion cells positioned in the cooling fins at Transportation Design Studio of UL dirt bike chassis. He’s also a student again, the base of the bike. You would recharge Lafayette’s Industrial Design program. pursuing a second undergraduate degree in the bike by plugging it into a standard, mechanical engineering. 110-volt outlet. La Louisiane magazine spoke to Mc- It’s also partially solar-powered. The Clain about the MC Type 2 and his design fairing (a design feature that protects the philosophy. rider from weather and lessens wind re- sistance) and the fender are covered in a Why did you design an electric motor- thin-film, solar-cell material, so they can cycle? collect passive energy from the sun to I’ve always been interested in motor- charge the batteries. It wouldn’t be your cycles and in transportation. I like things main source of power, but the solar collec- that go. tion system would be an auxiliary means While I was in my third year of to charge the batteries.

18 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 it. Someone who’s 6’5” can ride it, too. It’s got a memory-foam seat that’s adjustable. It’s attached to a hidden rail system. It sits at 26 inches at its lowest point. At its highest point, 33 inches, the bike can accommodate two people. The handlebars pivot at two points, so they are almost universally adjustable. You can position them in a clip-on rac- ing style or the big tall bars they call ape hangers. You could have anything in between.

What about safety? The bike has airless tires, so there is less maintenance and you’ll never have a blowout.

And comfort? The fairing telescopes back to cover the seat and protect it from the elements. So, let’s say, while you have it parked, there’s a light shower. Your seat’s not going to be all wet when you come outside. Or you can cover the seat to shield it from the sun and keep it cool. And while it’s do- ing that, the fairing is collecting Top left: An image of the MC Type 2 on display at the Detroit auto show. Top right: A page from McClain’s solar power, recharging your sketchbook. Above: A scale model of the MC Type 2 battery.

What about the look of the bike? works. I think that makes it a lot more fun. Is there another project you’ve worked There are two schools of thought The design is clean and simple. That’s one on that really shows who you are as a about how motorcycles should look. There of the philosophies I really stand on. designer? are bikes that hide their technology and I had an assignment in my second year those that show it off. How is your design different from other of industrial design to build a calculator I designed a naked bike. In the U.K., electric bikes? out of balsa foam. The assignment is sup- they call them hooligan bikes, in the U.S., Instead of putting the motor into some posed to teach you how to use balsa foam they call them naked bikes. They’re bikes kind of plastic-covered cave in the interior as a modeling material. that don’t have a big fairing. of the vehicle, I placed it in an area where I Most students designed calculators Naked bikes are part of a trend in de- could showcase it. that were shaped kind of like a steak or Af- sign right now. Victory Motorcycles came I have a perpendicular hub motor in rica. It’s that blob-object school of thought out with its new touring bike. It’s got a big an orbital, or hubless, wheel. It can be air that I don’t belong to. I used negative space fairing on the front, saddlebags and a big cooled really well and it’s really exciting throughout the calculator. So, the trunk. But Victory left the V-twin engine looking. You can see the motion it seems idea is that it would give you exposed. to have. the satisfaction of punching They understand that the engine is the keys, kind of like on an the heart of the vehicle. That’s why people Who is it designed for? old typewriter. buy it. And I think that’s something that’s This bike fits 100 percent of It’s the difference important in a motorcycle. the market segment for mo- between a static ob- torcycles. It weighs less than ject and a non-static You want to see the engine? 300 pounds and it’s adapt- object. A conventional Yes. I really like honesty in design. able to almost any rider. McClain’s calculator is a static I want to see the engine and see how it Someone who’s 5’2” can ride calculator design object. This isn’t. n

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 19 Student-Athletes Score in the Classroom

Almost half of UL Lafayette’s student-athletes posted a 3.0 nine semesters, including the past five consecutive grade point average or higher for the Fall 2009 semester. semesters. A total of 177 of them hit that mark. That’s 47 UL Lafayette’s soccer team was right be- percent of 380 Ragin’ Cajuns® who participate in the hind, with a Fall 2009 GPA of 3.217. Fall 2009 Student s NCAA-sanctioned sports of football, basketball, baseball, was the soccer team’s 14th consecutive semester softball, soccer, tennis, golf, track and field, cross country with a GPA greater than 3.0. and volleyball. TM The golf team led the men’s programs for the Eighteen Cajuns earned a perfect 4.0, while 52 others fifth straight semester, with a 3.098 GPA. The Ragin’ obtained 3.50 to 3.99 GPAs. A total of 107 had GPAs between Cajun golf team has had a 3.0 GPA or higher for eight of the 3.0 and 3.49. past 11 semesters. Eleven of the 14 sports teams saw their Fall “It seems like we say it every year but our student-athletes 2009 team GPA increase from the Spring 2009 total (indoor continue to amaze us. They work hard and are committed to and outdoor track are considered one sport for this data). In academics,” said Christy Alford, acting director of UL Lafay- addition, 10 of the 14 teams posted a better team GPA in Fall ette’s Student-Athlete Academic Center. 2009 than Fall 2008. The softball team captured the best team GPA with a Ten of 14 teams had a GPA of 2.9 or better for the Fall 3.228. Since 2003, it has gone to the Women’s College World 2009 semester, including six teams that posted a GPA of 3.0 Series twice and has posted a team GPA of 3.0 or higher for or greater.

Students Help Transform Urban Landscape

the Community Design Workshop has included revitalization plans for the following Louisiana communities and cities: Breaux Bridge Lafayette Broussard Maurice Carencro New Iberia Cameron Opelousas Delcambre Scott Dry Prong Washington Kaplan

urban planning designs within

C o mmun i ty D e sig n W rk s h op the City of Lafayette: UL Lafayette’s Community Design workshop created plans for a bicycle and pedestrian path UL Lafayette master plan on campus. Interstate 49 connector Over the last 15 years, UL Lafayette’s velopment. Bids for the project will be Interstate 10 service roads Community Design Workshop has opened this summer. North-South beltway produced more than 80 detailed plans “Each project is a complex puzzle,” Johnston Street master plan Ambassador Caffery master plan to improve neighborhoods and com- said Tom Sammons, a UL Lafayette Oil Center revitalization plan munities. That’s an average of about five architecture professor who has served Simcoe Street neighborhood plan collaborative design projects a year. The as director of Community Design Freetown neighborhood plan Workshop provides expertise in urban Workshop since it was created in 1995. planning and landscape design, as well as Faculty and students talk with residents derings, which appear in brochures that architecture, housing and preservation. and business owners in planning meet- describe each project. Its latest design is a bicycle and pe- ings called charrettes, to find out what Communities use the brochures destrian path to connect the university’s they want and need. as tools when seeking funding for their main campus with University Com- “We’re able to take that informa- projects. “Once we’ve given a commu- mon. The $1.2 million project, which tion and help community members nity a starting point with design, that includes lighting and landscaping, is visualize solutions,” said Sammons. momentum typically grows and they’re funded by a grant from the Louisiana Fifth-year undergraduate and graduate able to carry the project forward,” Sam- Department of Transportation and De- architecture students create digital ren- mons said.

20 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 New Look planned for quadrangle Geaux R.E.D. Recycling Program Starts to Take Shape

A campus known for wearing red is go- ing green. This semester, the UL Lafayette Student Government Association created a sustainability committee to explore ways to reduce waste and conserve energy. Five SGA senators serve on the committee. “We’re working with the university’s administration to identify and implement sustainable practices across campus,” said Laura Bullinger, SGA vice president. The collaboration among students and adminis- trators is already bearing fruit, she said. Sodexo Dining Services, which oper- ates the university’s food service program, C o mm unit y Design W orks h op Students in UL Lafayette’s Community Design Workshop created a new design for The Quad. has removed food trays from the Student Union’s Cane Break Cafeteria. With no trays The Student Government Associa- proposal that incorporated the circular to wash, the cafeteria uses less water. tion is spearheading an effort to rede- walkway and additional trees. sign one of the most popular places on Blake Kidder then synthesized their campus: the Quadrangle. work; Trevor Ducote digitally animated In March, it approved a plan creat- it. Max Nochez developed related con- ed by the UL Lafayette School of Archi- struction documents. tecture’s Community Design Workshop. The architecture students unveiled The workshop gives senior-level and their plans to SGA and UL Lafayette graduate students hands-on experience President Dr. Joseph Savoie in February. designing public spaces. “We each presented our own The redesign features the addition proposal so that they could see what of a brick water fountain in the shape elements each of us thought were im- of a fleur-de-lis; a circular walkway portant. The final design includes com- that encompasses most of the Quad; ponents from all three presentations. the addition of four live oaks, 14 crape It’s really a combination of elements The SGA and university are preparing myrtles and eight magnolia trees; and the SGA asked for, ideas that students to launch a campus-wide recycling the addition of 40 benches. contributed and some ideas we found program. Tom Sammons, professor of archi- while doing research for the design,” “I think people are willing to recycle if tecture and director of the Community Russo said. it’s convenient,” said Bullinger. Design Workshop, said the plan is The students kept cost in mind. The SGA plans to place large recycling versatile. “It provides intimate gather- “As we worked on the redesign, we containers in high-traffic areas on campus ing places, yet it can be transformed for paid attention to the existing lighting. It and provide small recycling containers for larger assemblies or press conferences.” costs a lot of money to put in lighting, faculty, staff and students in dorms and of- Seven graduate architecture stu- so we left the existing infrastructure in fices. Bullinger said the containers should dents contributed to the project. Four place in the new design,” Russo said. be in place by the Fall 2010 semester. were appointed by Sammons to form SGA President Dustin Domangue Conor Runkel, an SGA senator, created a “brainstorming” team: Kelly Russo, said the student group has earmarked a slogan for the recycling effort: “Geaux Aaron Schaubhut, Stephanie Graziano $15,000 as seed money to establish a R.E.D.: Recycle Everything Daily.” Trey Pe- and Justin Fredricks. foundation dedicated to the Quad beau- titjean, a sophomore studying industrial Russo said Sammons “had us brain- tification project. Half of that amount design, created an original logo that incor- storm for a couple of weeks. Then we was raised by an SGA-sponsored scooter porates the message. started developing our designs.” raffle; the remainder was allocated from “The green initiative is going to provide Graziano focused on creating a the organization’s general fund. us with an environment that is safe and central fountain, while Fredricks con- “The whole idea behind this proj- beautiful. We can look at it as beautifying centrated on the open space. Russo and ect is to add to the campus ambiance our campus, cutting costs, and setting an Schaubhut combined their ideas for a and encourage interaction,” he said. example for future students,” Bullinger said.

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 21 22 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 The world’s appetite for energy continues to expand. And while demand for oil and natural gas isn’t likely to wane any time soon, there’s also a growing hunger for energy sources that are renewable and eco-friendly. A team of UL Lafayette experts is exploring some intriguing alternatives to fossil fuels.

By Sarah Spell photography by Doug Dugas

Dr. Barbara Benson leans forward, taking a closer look at a tabletop aquarium in an engineering lab in UL Lafayette’s Madison Hall. • To the untrained eye, the tank filled with olive green slime may look like a science experiment run amok. To Benson, the algae growing inside are a beautiful sight. In the murky water, she sees a source of renewable energy. • Benson is an assistant professor of environmental science in the Department of Renewable Resources. She is part of UL Lafayette’s Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, a multidisciplinary effort involving more than 20 faculty members from the College of Engineer- ing, the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences and the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration. The engineers, chemists, biologists, economists and Left: Dried, crushed algae. Opposite page: Vaughn Hulin, a the students who study with them, are investigating alternatives to petroleum- freshman chemical engineering based fuels. • The Bioprocessing Research Laboratory encompasses several fa- student, takes a sample from cilities across campus where experiments are under way to unlock power from a a 10-liter biodiesel reactor in a variety of materials, from algae to alligator fat, from sweet potatoes to sausages. Madison Hall lab.

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 23 r. Mark Zappi, working there, he Biofuels Ddean of the Col- completed master’s Glossary lege of Engineering and doctoral degrees and leader of the re- in chemical engineer- search team, describes biofuel: fuel made from renewable ing at Mississippi State the quest for alterna- University. In 1995, biological resources tive energy as a “horse he began his academic biodiesel: liquid fuel produced by race” of competing career at MSU. the separation of fats and glycerin technologies. “It’s While at MSU, in biological material. It can be too early to tell how Zappi conducted that race will end. So, used in diesel engines. research, taught classes we’re spreading our and was director of the biomass: biological source mate- bets, collaborating on Mississippi University rial. Biomass can include but is several possible solu- Research Consortium not limited to wood; grasses and tions,” he said. Dr. Mark Zappi, Dean of the College of for the Utilization of woody plants; food crops; animal When Zappi was Engineering Biomass and director named dean in 2005, of the MSU Environ- parts; algae; and the organic com- he was well-qualified mental Technology Research Laboratory. During his career, ponents of municipal and indus- to establish high-level biofuels he’s helped secure $30 million for projects ranging from trial waste. research. He earned a bachelor’s basic technology research and development to industrial energy crops: agricultural crops degree in civil engineering from economic development. UL Lafayette and then began grown specifically for their energy He serves as an advisor to several Mississippi compa- more than a decade of work as nies involved with biofuels and bioproduct development. value an environmental engineer at the At MSU, Zappi and other scientists created a manure ethanol: liquid fuel produced from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ biorefinery on a poultry farm in south Mississippi to the fermentation of sugar that can Waterways Experiment Sta- conduct to research poultry litter as a power source. The be used in gasoline engines tion in Vicksburg, Miss. While biorefinery on the 1,000-acre farm transforms chicken

feedstock: biological material used in the creation of a particular Louisiana’s Regional Advantages biofuel & potential energy sources gasification: heat process used

to convert carbon-based materi- LEGEND Production of power als into a gas that contains carbon from waste wood chips GLOBAL DRILLING OPERATIONS monoxide, carbon dioxide and LOUISIANA Potential alternative hydrogen energy sources ACADIANA ALTERNATIVE green diesel: liquid fuel derived ENERGY REGIONAL NORTH LOUISIANA PARTNERSHIP

from biomass. Unlike biodiesel, Production of power from biogas at poultry green diesel is compatible with operations Bunkie Production of exisiting petroleum industry infra- ethanol from NORTH SEA switch grass structure. Ville Platte Production of possible WESTERN U.S. energy from solar cells syngas: synthesis gas; gas pro- Opelousas ACADIANA ALTERNATIVE Baton Rouge ENERGY REGIONAL duced from biomass through the PARTNERSHIP Slidell Lake Charles gasification process. Syngas can Lafayette Crowley be used to produce liquid fuels, Production of biodiesel AFRICA from algal oil New Orleans Abbeville New Iberia including ethanol and green die- Production of ethanol from sugar cane Production of power sel, as well as other chemicals and Morgan City from river Houma hydro-turbines products, such as biodegradable MEXICO plastics. Grand Isle transesterification: the chemical GULF COAST INSHORE AND process in which alcohol reacts OFFSHORE Gulf of Mexico with trigylcerides in vegetable oil or animal fats, separating the glyc- erin and producing biodiesel Acadiana is an international hub of the oil-and-gas industry. Its infrastructure and shipping capabilities could be used to produce and distribute alternative energy.

24 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 Dr. Barbara Benson, assistant professor of environmental science, and chemical engineering graduate student Harry Daultani inoculate a bioreactor tank with algae. components of A successful biofuel industry litter into a methane-rich biogas, which is then used to range of research.” generate electricity. Solids and liquids left over from the He points to a number process can be used as fertilizer. of indicators that suggest Renewable Feedstocks “To see a project like that move from idea to reality that shift may already have Long-term availability is extremely rewarding. But what’s more exciting is that it started. For instance, the Chemical stability shows the potential for biofuels research in general,” he said. Obama administration’s Suitable land economic stimulus bill, appi said UL Lafayette researchers are “re- signed into law in February, Resource Collection Zthinking and rebuilding” Louisiana’s energy indus- has earmarked billions of Harvesting try. “Louisiana is well-positioned to make an economic dollars for grants, tax cred- Storage and handling and industrial transition to biofuels. We have the its and investments in clean Transportation infrastructure and industry already in place, along with energy development and research capabilities.” training. And, noted Zappi, Product Conversion UL Lafayette is a member of the statewide Clean “oil and gas companies are Processing and waste management Power and Energy Research Consortium, which includes redefining themselves as Tulane University, Louisiana State University, Nicholls energy companies.” Last Potential to create secondary products State University, Southern University, the University of year, Exxon Mobil an- Profit analysis New Orleans and the LSU AgCenter. The consortium sup- nounced it would invest ports interdisciplinary research to improve existing energy $600 million to produce Product Distribution/Usage technology and to explore alternative energy sources. fuel from algae. Chevron Market development “Petroleum is a finite resource,” Zappi said. “Expert and Weyerhaeuser have a Price opinions differ as to when petroleum supplies will be partnership to develop bio- Product performance depleted but I think the economics of petroleum will fuels from wood waste. play out before the world actually runs out of petroleum. Non-toxic and There will be an economic shift toward renewable fuels. biodegradable, biofuels can be made from any biomass, or We’re preparing for that shift by conducting a broad biological source. Two of the most promising options are

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 25 ing step of fermentation – to convert the cornstarch into sugar – before it can become fuel. “There’s at least one other draw- back, Zappi said. “Using corn as a feedstock has really spurred the food- versus-fuel debate.” Louisiana moved away from corn- based ethanol in 2008 with the cre- ation of the Advanced Biofuel Industry Initiative, signed into law by Gov. Bobby Jindal. The legislation created a pilot program that combines research, production and distribution of non-corn based ethanol. Zappi said the UL Lafayette team is exploring sources such as cultivated plant materials and waste materials that don’t compete with food supply. Plants can be cost-efficient to grow and harvest for biomass feedstock and can provide a desirable feedstock-to-fuel ratio. UL Lafayette researchers are also exploring the use of low-grade rice and waste sweet potatoes to produce ethanol. Judith Adewusi, a chemical engineering graduate student, compares the amount of oil produced by yeast grown on rice versus yeast grown on sweet potatoes.

ethanol and biodiesel. Consumers are likely familiar with ethanol, which is often blended into gasoline at the pump. Ethanol is an alcohol, but it is also a hydrocarbon, which sweet potatoes Rice makes it compatible with gasoline. Ethanol can be made from three types of feedstock: sugars, starches and cellulosic, Biodiesel is made from plant or animal oils through or plant, material. Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of a chemical process called transesterification, which trans- ethanol, produces the fuel from sugar cane. In the United forms fats into fuel. Green diesel, or renewable diesel, is States, corn has been the staple ingredient in ethanol. made through catalytic processing of the oils produced Unlike sugar cane, corn requires an additional process- from biomass, a process that’s similar to the traditional refining process for petroleum crude oils. Dr. Stephen Dufreche, an assistant professor of ‘There will be an economic shift chemical engineering at UL Lafayette, said biodiesel is relatively simple to make. “With the right equipment toward renewable fuels. We’re and materials, you could make it at home,” he said. In the engineering lab, researchers use a portable reactor to produce biodiesel. preparing for that shift by That fuel could go into a standard diesel engine, but might cause some problems, said Dufreche. The fats con- conducting a broad range of geal in cold temperatures, changing the liquid fuel to a gel. And because biodiesel is a solvent, it will break down research.’ deposits of residue left by diesel, clogging fuel lines. Green diesel is chemically similar to traditional Dr. Mark Zappi, Dean of the college of engineering Continued on page 28

26 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 Technology enables researchers to see molecules in a new light

n interdisciplinary team of top researchers at the University Xu has identified about 25 similar enzymes. However, test- of Louisiana at Lafayette is exploring a “green” way to use ing each enzyme using traditional chemistry would be expensive Aglycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing. and time consuming. So scientists at UL Lafayette’s Center for Its members are identifying and testing enzymes present in Advanced Computer Studies are using its supercomputer, Zeke, to bacteria commonly found in soil. An enzyme is a protein that come up with calculations and visualizations of enzymes ideal for speeds up chemical processes. These scientists are working to de- glycerol conversion. velop enzymes that are able to convert glycerol into compounds Bajpai explained that enzymes fit chemical compounds “like with much higher value for the chemical industry. a key in a lock.” The desired product of the enzyme is obtained They are harnessing the power of Zeke, UL Lafayette’s super- when a water molecule is removed from glycerol. “If the glycerol computer, to make mind-boggling computations and then convert fits exactly, the enzyme can unlock the water molecule. If it doesn’t these data into images match up precisely, noth- that can be examined ing will happen,” he said. using virtual reality at Dr. Dipesh Bhattarai the Louisiana Immer- and Si Feng, UL Lafay- sive Technologies En- ette research scientists, terprise on campus. used the computations of LITE is one of only Dr. Yen-Shan Liu, a re- a few public facilities searcher in Dr. Wu’s lab, that combine high- to develop 3-D images speed networks and of the enzyme with the high-performance com- most potential. puting with 3-D visual- These enzyme mole- ization and immersive cules are large. That may technologies. seem like an oxymoron,

“So this enzyme si Feng but in the overall scheme project is an amazing of tiny particles that confluence of brain- make up matter, enzyme Dr. Dipesh Bhattarai, left, and Si Feng use The Flex, an immersive visualization power, computer horse- molecules are giants. power, computational tool, to get a 3-D look at a glycerol dehydratase protein molecule. Some molecules are chemistry and advanced composed of only a few immersive visualization,” said Dr. Bradd Clark, dean of the Ray P. atoms. The enzymes that the UL Lafayette team is studying are Authement College of Sciences at UL Lafayette. made up of about 15,000 atoms. As the volume of biodiesel, an alternative to fossil fuels, has The images can be displayed in The Flex, an interactive 3-D increased dramatically worldwide, the amount of glycerol produced immersive space in LITE that has a three-projector curved screen, has grown too. For every 10 pounds of biodiesel, about a pound of motion tracking and an immersive sound system. The researchers glycerol is created. So glycerol is abundant and inexpensive but of can add and subtract atoms; the images morph to illustrate the new limited use. configurations. Dr. Rakesh K. Bajpai is a professor of chemical engineering When viewed through special eyeglasses, the images are three- and holds UL Lafayette’s endowed chair in bioprocessing. He is also dimensional. “You actually feel like you can touch the molecule. associate director of the Bioprocessing Research Laboratory in the That’s the exciting part,” Bhattarai said. university’s College of Engineering. When the scientists find the virtual enzyme they want to Using a chemically modified enzyme to convert glycerol would produce in the laboratory, they will turn to another team member, be a “green” alternative to chemical processes that require more Dr. Andrei Chistoserdov, an associate professor of biology and mi- energy, Bajpai said. “Using this modified enzyme, we would not be crobiology, to genetically modify the bacteria so they will produce producing anything harmful and we would reduce waste.” desired enzymes. Enzyme development is of great interest in Europe and the LITE’s technology may be used in another enzyme-related United States. In 1994, a French group of scientists sequenced project. Dr. Stephen Dufreche, an assistant professor of chemical the gene of an enzyme that was capable of converting glycerol. engineering, is exploring the use of enzymes to create trinitrotolu- Last year, a patent was granted for improvements of the enzyme’s ene, better known as TNT. properties. When a patent is obtained, future work on that enzyme Chemical processes have been used to make the explosive for becomes off limits to other researchers. the past 80 or 90 years. “But with those processes, we make an un- Clark said Dr. Wu Xu, an associate professor of biochemistry desirable byproduct in environmentally unacceptable quantities,” at UL Lafayette, is working to improve a different type of enzyme, Bajpai said. “We think that if we can make it enzymatically, we can one that is even more efficient than the patented one. make it in an environmentally safe manner.” n

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 27 Powerful partnership Continued from page 26 diesel, so it doesn’t present those challenges. It remains fluid in cold n alternative energy production facility planned for Acadia Parish will provide UL temperatures and can be used in faculty and students with research opportunities while generating power for Louisi- existing industry infrastructure. ana utility customers. A It can be blended with diesel and Cleco Power LLC will build a $1.5 million gasifier on a five-acre site in Acadia Parish In- produces lower emissions than dustrial Park, adjacent to interstate and rail transportation. The project is a partnership among traditional diesel. Cleco, NorthStar Resources LLC, Acadia Parish and UL Lafayette’s College of Engineering. “Because of the obvious advan- Construction is set to begin this summer. tages, energy companies are moving Dr. John Guillory, associate professor and acting head of UL Lafayette’s Department of Me- away from investing in biodiesel chanical Engineering, is the lead designer of the facility. He collaborated with EDG Inc., an inter- development in favor of renewable national engineering firm based in Louisiana. diesel,” Dufreche said. Dr. Mark Zappi, dean of UL Lafayettte’s College of Engineering said the gasifier will be a UL Lafayette scientists are training facility where students learn to make fuels. addressing two primary challenges “A gasifier can transform any combustible material,” he explained. Material is burned at in biofuels research: developing high temperatures with low levels of oxygen. Instead of burning completely, the raw material is high-yield feedstocks, or biological converted into syngas, or synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon source material, and cost-effective dioxide. Syngas can be processed further to generate electricity or create liquid fuels or other extraction and refining methods.(See chemical compounds. related article, page 27.) “We’re essentially ripping apart complex chemicals and reducing them to their build- ing blocks. Then we can reassemble those chemicals into compounds we want to produce,” he most desirable feed- Zappi said. stocks for biodiesel contain Students and faculty will explore the energy potential of rice hulls, sugar cane bagasse, T high amounts of fat, which can be poultry litter and sewage sludge. Researchers are also considering cultivated energy crops, refined into fuel. Chinese tallow such as switchgrass, a perennial grass native to Louisiana’s coastal prairie, and giant reed, a trees, for example, are “an almost grass that produces a bamboo-like stalk. The facility is designed to process three tons of mate- perfect feedstock” for green diesel, rial each day. Dufreche said. That’s because “UL Lafayette will be one of a few institutions to have access to a large-scale facility,” said their white, waxy seeds yield large Zappi. The facility will be a model for commercialization of full-scale gasifiers. “It is designed amounts of polysaturated fat. exactly as an industrial facility, with all of the safety systems and protocols in place,” he said. “To produce renewable diesel, Ben Russo, director of market development for Cleco, said the research and development you have to introduce high levels of facility will help his company form long-range plans for investment in alternative energy. hydrogen into the refining process. “We’ve been moving in this direction for about two years, but we still have lots of unanswered If you’re working with a highly satu- questions about what materials will work best and what the overall cost may be. rated feedstock, it’s already full of “We want to look at a wide variety of renewable energy sources. Ultimately, the research hydrogen to begin with,” he said. conducted by the UL Lafayette group will help us determine a cost-benefit ratio for a variety of In addition to tallow trees, materials. We want to know, for instance, how much energy we can produce from a ton of rice the UL Lafayette research team hulls or a ton of wood chips.” n is analyzing alligator fat as a fuel source, Dufreche said. “We can look at almost any oil as a basis for Feedstock to fuel research. What we want to know is: Can we develop technology to pro- duce that fuel in a way that is both Feedstock cost efficient and environmentally responsible?” Gasifier Rice hulls ouisiana sweet potatoes may Catalytic Electricity Lbe a source of fuel, accord- Conversion ing to research under way in UL followed Sugar cane Lafayette laboratories. The work is bagasse Syngas by refining being led by Dr. Rakesh K. Bajpai, a for liquid fuels professor of chemical engineering. Diesel Fuel Bajpai, who came to UL Lafayette Switchgrass from the University of Missouri- Columbia, is an internationally known biofuels expert. Wood chips Satish Patil is a graduate student working in Bajpai’s lab.

28 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 “We are focusing on sweet potato starch because we are in Louisiana, partnering with local industry,” Patil said. Each fall, part of the crop is left in the field because it doesn’t measure up to food- Chinese Tallow Tree grade standards. Researchers are using sweet potato waste — raw sweet potatoes and sweet potato peels — as food for yeast. “The yeast we are using for our research has strong extracellular y ette C onvention & V isitors ommission enzyme activity, a L a f which means it louisiana Alligator has the ability to break down the sweet potato starch and consume it,” Patil explained. As the yeast, or fungi, feed on the starch, they produce oil. Top: Chemical engineering graduate student Satish Patil takes a sample He measures the amounts of carbon and nitrogen as the fermentation process unfolds. As the yeast deplete the of algae grown under fluorescent light. Patil built the reactors, which carbon in the starch, nitrogen levels rise. “As long as car- are used in a Madison Hall laboratory. Above: Srividya Ayalasomayajula bon is present, the yeast are multiplying. But when they filters oil from alligator fat. LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 29 ‘Waste disposal is often a

major cost to industry. We can

take that waste and turn it into

a product that has value.’

Dr. Mark Zappi, Dean of the college of engineering

ment plants to explore the potential to make fuels and other products. Oil can be harvested from the sludge for biodiesel or green diesel. The sludge can also be used as a fuel LUS wastewater pond source in a gasifi- er, a facility that burns biological matter to produce synthesis gas, or syngas (See related story on page 28 for more information.) Bridget Meaux, a chemical engineering undergradu- ate, has conducted experiments to measure the amount of methane produced by sewage sludge and other materials. To take those measurements, she uses a small bioreac- tor, a glass vial topped with an air-pressure gauge. “We built these bioreactors to find out how much gas is being produced. Whatever’s in there, it will release gas under airtight conditions,” she said. Bacteria digest the biologi- cal material, producing methane. Meaux has worked with algae, sewage sludge and other ingredients. “We added chicken blood, old meat, chicken litter. It was disgusting, but it created more gas,” she observed. “We also added vitamin solutions to the reactors. Chemical engineering student Bridget Meaux measures Just as the function of a human body is improved and the amount of methane being produced by fermenting enhanced with vitamins, so are the bacteria’s.” sewage sludge. ne of the most promising sources of alter- Onative fuel is algae. The microorganisms produce start feeding on nitrogen, the oil globules become bigger lipids, natural oils that can be converted into biodiesel and bigger.” and green diesel. Patil is also exploring ways to extract the oil, including Dr. Barbara Benson said algae “don’t require much. using ultrasonic waves to break open the cells, and using They need sunlight and water, carbon dioxide and trace solvents to remove the oil through a chemical reaction. nutrients to grow.” They aren’t picky about water condi- tions either. Algae are found in saltwater, freshwater and appi said when researchers can “take some- brackish water. Zthing out of the waste stream and convert it to energy, Benson and her students are cultivating and evaluat- they know they’re on the right track. Waste disposal is ing multiple strains of algae, measuring and analyzing often a major cost to industry. We can take that waste and their growth rates and levels of oil production. turn it into a product that has value.” “I was originally interested in algae as a source of He and his team are taking samples of sewage sludge pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. When from the Lafayette Utilities System’s wastewater treat- I came to UL Lafayette, Dean Zappi steered me in the

30 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 Students create vehicle for service learning

L Lafayette students are preparing to hit the road to engineering students designed educate others about sustainable living. The RUN- the fold-out stage and civil Ubus, a modified school bus, will serve as a mobile engineering students devel- classroom for demonstrations of clean energy, energy-efficient oped plans to elevate the roof,” building strategies and community-based food production. Benson said. The bus will also It will include seating, cooking and sleeping facilities, and a include solar panels. 12-foot-square, foldout stage. Students at Louisiana UL Lafayette student Chance Gabehart organized the Technical College, who are fol- Resourceful University Network, a non-profit student group lowing designs created by UL devoted to environmental awareness, in 2008. “We were look- Lafayette students, are modify- ing for a fun way to network with other people with the same ing the bus. Students at the interests. During one of our meetings, someone suggested a Teche Area Campus in New bus that could run on used cooking oil.” Iberia raised the roofline and Gabehart purchased a used bus for $1,500 and donated created the framework for the it to the non-profit group. “We wrote three grants, none of stage, which will fold out from which were funded, but we learned a lot in the grant-writing the side of the bus. Students process. It forced us to solidify our ideas,” he said. Gabehart at the Evangeline Campus in is a senior majoring in general studies, with a focus on liberal St. Martinville prepared the arts and a minor in business. exterior of the bus for painting. Dr. Barbara Benson, an assistant professor of environ- The project is expected to be complete by this summer.

mental science in the Department of Renewable Resources, O ceanna T rzecia k- cates became the group’s faculty liaison last year. She wrote a suc- The RUNbus will be used cessful $12,655 grant, funded by the University of Louisiana in a variety of settings, includ- System’s service learning program. RUN also has received Chance Gabehart, founder of the ing schools, university cam- more than $15,000 in donated matching contributions from Resourceful University Network puses and community events. community sponsors, Benson said. It will also be available to Students have been involved in every step of the process. More transport UL Lafayette students to competitions and conferences. than 100 of them have contributed to the project. Some received “Our students have shown creativity in their work on this course credit for designing components of the exhibition vehicle. project. With the RUNbus, they will be able demonstrate practical, “Industrial design students worked out the plans for the affordable strategies to solve real-world problems, while highlight- interior and the aesthetics of the exterior of the bus. Mechanical ing local resources,” Benson said. n

Department of Natural Resources, where she oversaw Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone one of the state’s coastal management programs. She also worked for the Louisiana Department of Environ- mental Quality, as a program manager for its Hazard- ous Waste Division. In 2003, she earned a doctoral degree from LOUISIANA Louisiana State University in civil engineering, with Lake Calcasieu Sabine Lake an emphasis on ecological engineering. “I ended up Atchafalaya River doing my dissertation on growing algae,” she said. Mississippi River At UL Lafayette, she’s growing and testing algae Terrebonne Bay collected in the water of the Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone, which forms at the mouth of the Mississippi River each spring and grows throughout each sum- Gulf of Mexico mer. In the spring, water flowing from streams and rivers to the gulf is overloaded with nutrients from agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks and industrial waste. direction of alternative fuels and I got real fired up about The excess nutrients cause an overgrowth of that,” Benson said. algae, which bloom then die. They sink to the bottom, She brings real-world experience to her classroom where they decompose, robbing the water of oxygen. and laboratory. In the 1980s, she worked for the Louisiana Without oxygen, the water cannot support fish, shrimp

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 31 also produced a decent amount of lipids.” She’s looking more closely at a type of algae found in the dead zone, cyanobacteria, or blue- green algae. “It’s an amazingly adaptable organism,” she said. Like most algae, cyanobacteria grows in light. But it also grows in darkness. When it does, it increases oil production and also pro- duces ethanol. “So, there’s a possibility you could create a mixed scenario. Cultivate them phototrophi- cally for a while, to encourage growth, then grow them under stressed conditions to get the lipid content and ethanol production you want,” Benson said. She also plans to study the growth of algae in wastewater generated during sugarcane processing. “A certain amount of sugar is left behind in the waste stream. We want to know which strains of algae grow best in that type of wastewater.” Above: Bryant Meyer, a senior The most cost-effi- studying natural resources and cient way to grow algae environmental quality, checks commercially is in open a sample of algae being grown ponds. Harry Daultani, in sugar-mill wastewater in an a graduate student in incubator that uses LED lighting. chemical engineering at Right: This algae bioreactor, UL Lafayette, is investi- gating the potential for made from a 55-gallon drum, growing algae indoors, is used to study how LED light under LED lighting. affects algae growth at various “If you’re growing water depths. algae under a full- spectrum light, you’re and other species. wasting energy, because Benson is interested in dead algae doesn’t need the full zone water because “it is like wastewater. It’s very high in spectrum to grow. They mostly need red and blue light,” nitrogen, phosophorus and carbon dioxide.” She hopes to he explained. develop wastewater remediation processes, using algae to Light-emitting diodes use minimum energy and can improve water quality, while producing oil. be designed to emit light at specific frequencies, or colors. Benson used samples of algae and water taken from In the algae lab, Daultani lowers a modified measur- the dead zone and cultured them in the lab. “We were ing stick into a blue plastic, 55-gallon drum, an algae impressed with the levels of growth of biomass, and they bioreactor. A series of softly glowing red and blue lights are positioned across the top of the tank. The light shining down in the water fades, or attenu- ‘Louisiana is the best among ates. Daultani uses light sensors, positioned inside the tank, to measure the strength of the light at different levels. all the states for algae “I’m looking at light dynamics, how the light behaves in the reactor and how the algae respond to the light.” production, because of its Daultani is collecting data to design a large-scale, cost- effective reactor. climate and the presence of UL Lafayette is conducting research for Aquatic Energy LLC, testing solvents for algal oil extraction. The company, based in Lake Charles, La., is developing refinery and distribution technology and facilities to turn freshwater algae into fuel and food. facilities.‘ Aquatic Energy operates pilot facilities in Cameron, Calcasieu and Allen parishes. “We’ve been selecting our David Johnston, CEO, AQuatic energy algae strains, domesticating them, getting them to go

32 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 through our system in just the right way,” said CEO David Johnston. “Louisiana is the best among all the states for algae production because of its climate and the presence of refinery and distribution facilities. With the existing aquaculture industry, you have the right climate and the right environment. So that makes it very advanta- geous to grow algae.” “There’s also a great advantage in having an area where all the sciences and the engineering can be done very readily for renewable fuels.” UL Lafayette has provid- ed “great support” in devel- oping extraction technology for the company, Johnston dried algae said. “Probably the greatest strength of the research team is the understanding of commercial extraction and conversion of biofuels.” One of the challenges in harvesting oil from algae is the extraction process. Because algae have resilient cell structures, crush- ing or pressing the cells does not sufficiently release the oil. Instead, a chemical extraction process, using a solvent, is required. Aaron Graham, a master’s student in chemical engineering, has been working with algae grown by Aquatic Energy. The company sends samples of algae paste to the lab, where it’s dried and prepared for experimentation. Graham has been testing various solvents, including hexane and isopropyl alcohol, along with high pressure and temperature, to release the oil from the algal cells. “We wanted to keep an industrial focus for this project, so we were using chemicals that are cheap and relatively easy to use,” Graham said. Johnston said the company’s goal is to develop a “drop-in fuel,” compatible with existing industry infrastructure. He envi- sions “an integrated industry where you’re growing the algae on site, harvesting and Top: Molli Dugas, a sophomore studying chemical engineering, and Kiran Pathapati, drying it, creating algal oil and algal meal a graduate student in chemical engineering, refine and analyze a sample of tall oil, a through the extraction process, then sending paper manufacturing byproduct. The tabletop unit is a small-scale refinery that breaks the algal oil to a refinery. oil down into fuel and other chemicals for analysis. Bottom: Chemical engineering “Our work with UL Lafayette is helping us build a new generation of biofuels that graduate student Aaron Graham places a sample of dried algae into an oil extractor plays well to the existing energy industry here that uses chemical solvents. Graham compares the effectiveness of various solvents in Louisiana.” n in removing oil from algae.

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 33 Sports

Winning Ways Cajuns recruit accomplished head basketball coach

ob Marlin, UL Lafayette’s new ‘As a coach, I have three head basketball coach, is focused Bon success in the classroom as well goals for my players. I as on the court. want them to be the best He spent the past 12 years as head coach at Sam Houston State University students they can be, in Huntsville, Texas. During his tenure, the best people they can the Bearkats compiled a 225-131 record, earned three conference cham- be and the best basket- pionships and made two appear- ball players they can be.’ ances in the NCAA tournament. “We won the most games Bob Marlin over a 12-year period in the Southland Conference but we ing spot at three other schools: Auburn also had the most student- University, the University of Houston and athletes on the academic all-con- the University of Texas at El Paso. ference team. We also finished UL Lafayette hired a consulting firm among the top three teams in our to assist with a search to replace Robert league seven out of eight years. Lee, its head basketball coach for the past So, we were very consistent,” six years. Lee’s employment contract was Marlin said in a recent interview. not extended this year. An advisory com- That’s the kind of program he mittee helped evaluate candidates for the intends to build at UL Lafayette. position. “As a coach, I have three “When we had the opportunity to goals for my players. I want them meet Coach Marlin, we were convinced he to be the best students they can was the coach to lead our program,” said be, the best people they can be David Walker, UL Lafayette’s athletic di- and the best basketball players rector. “But Bob Marlin was no longer the they can be,” he said. best-kept secret in college basketball. Sev- In March, the National As- eral universities saw the same qualities in sociation of Basketball Coaches him that we saw and the fact that he chose named Marlin Coach of the Year to be at UL makes this even more special.” in his division. A native of Tupelo, Miss., Marlin In April, he received the earned a bachelor’s degree in physical edu- 2010 Skip Prosser Man of the Year cation from Mississippi State University in Bob Marlin was named UL Lafayette’s Award. That award was estab- 1981. He holds a master’s degree in health 13th head basketball coach in late March. lished in 2008 to honor successful basket- and physical education, with a minor in ball coaches who are known for their moral guidance and counseling, which he earned integrity – on and off the court. Prosser was at the University of Louisiana at Monroe head coach at Wake Forest University when in 1983. he died in 2007. He was the only coach Marlin was a graduate assistant coach in NCAA history to lead three schools to at ULM before moving to Houston Baptist the NCAA Tournament in his first year of University, where he spent six seasons as coaching their teams. an assistant from 1983-89. After a year Before accepting UL Lafayette’s offer, at Marshall University in Huntington, Marlin was considered for the top coach- W. Va., he accepted his first position as a

34 LA LOUISIANE | spring 2010 head coach at Pensacola Junior College. Marlin’s accomplishments there, in- CAREER HIGHLIGHTS cluding a national championship, helped him move to the Southeastern Confer- 2010 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award ence. He was an assistant coach at the 2010 District 23 National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Coach of the Year University of Alabama from 1995 until 1993 Kodak/NABC National Coach of the Year 1998, when he became head coach at Sam 1993 Basketball Times Coach of the Year Houston State. Coached three Academic All-Americans Marlin is the 13th head basketball Coached 31 Academic All-Conference players coach in UL Lafayette’s history. When he took the reins of the Ragin’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT Cajun program March 24, his first priority SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY was assembling his coaching staff. Marlin chose Neil Hardin, Darby Rich and Nikita Three Southland Conference championships (2000, 2003, 2010) Johnson as assistant coaches. Hardin and Two NCAA Division I national tournament appearances (2003, 2010) Rich worked with Marlin at Sam Houston Most NCAA Division I victories in one season – 25 (2009-2010) State University. Johnson comes to UL Most NCAA Division I road victories in one season – 17 (2009-2010) Lafayette from Louisiana Tech. Best NCAA Division I non-league record – 12-1 (2007-2008) Marlin said the assistant coaches im- Longest SHSU NCAA Division I winning streak - 11 games (2010) mediately began to evaluate team members, SHSU teams have broken 41 NCAA Division I school records including three new recruits. “We’ve got a SHSU players have broken 27 school records good nucleus but it’s still a bit of a puzzle. If we plug in the right guys, I feel like we could have a strong team in the com- ing season. We’re trying to build a solid What others are saying: foundation, so we don’t want to just have a great season this year, then drop off the radar. We want to build a strong program “Bob Marlin is a program builder. The job he did at Sam Houston State and be consistent,” he said. was remarkable and a big reason why all of his coaching peers admire UL Lafayette’s sports facilities are a him. He is a great fit for the passionate Ragin’ Cajuns fan base. They will plus in recruiting. “We have outstanding admire how his teams play.” facilities. The Cajundome is a great arena FRAN FRASCHILLA and the indoor practice facility gives us the ESPN basketball analyst opportunity to practice day or night,” Mar- lin observed. “Bob Marlin is one of the best coaches in America that not many people He described the Southland and Sun- may know.” belt conferences as “comparable leagues,” with one notable exception. JAY BILAS “The Southland Conference is a Texas- CBS/ESPN College Basketball Analyst Louisiana league, while the Sunbelt encom- passes teams all the way from Denver to “Bob Marlin is a hard worker who is very organized. He communicates Miami, so the travel’s a lot more extensive.” well with players. He has a real knack for recruiting quality players As he prepares for his first season as a and then getting them to do what he wants them to do. He’s done Ragin’ Cajun head coach, Marlin said he’ll a tremendous job at Sam Houston State. Not only has his program stay focused on the approach he’s devel- been successful on the court, he has created excitement for college oped during his career. basketball in the community. Bob is not a ‘rah! rah!’ guy. He is a “At the end of the day, a coach is an thorough, methodical coach who dots the Is and crosses the Ts and educator. We help the student-athletes in does a great job.” the classroom and on the court. We help DAVE HOBBS them to be better people. The reason I coach Former head coach, University of Alabama is because of the relationships you develop with people. And certainly, some of the most “Marlin has won everywhere he has been. He recruits quality people. important people are your players. His teams are always well-coached. When you play Bob’s team, you “We have a core philosophy that nev- better be ready. You have to beat them. They are not going to beat er changes and that’s fundamental basket- themselves.” ball, teamwork, playing hard defensively and sharing the basketball. Sticking to the BILL SELF fundamentals will give us the best chance Head coach, University of Kansas to be successful.” n

LA LOUISIANE | Spring 2010 35 s s p o rt

Spirited Composition Fight song penned by 1950s songwriting team

L Lafayette’s fight song sorority; the Red Jackets, an all-female is a tune with staying power. pep squad; and SLI’s Mixed Chorus. U The sports anthem that de- LaBauve, a 1941 graduate of SLI, buted in 1950 still gets fans pumped had recently joined its faculty. “His up at games and tailgating parties. expertise was arranging music. He was Hilma LaBauve hired as the arranging Levis is the song’s teacher in the Music De- originator. In a re- partment. He also taught cent interview from brass instruments and her home in Santa percussion,” Levis said. Fe, Texas, the 1953 The Student Council grad shared the story announced a contest to of how she and her create an original fight late brother, Jack song, offering a $100 sav- LaBauve, created the ings bond as the prize. composition. “At the time, we were In the fall of using the Yale University 1950, Levis was an fight song, which had energetic 19-year-old been written by Cole sophomore studying Jack LaBauve Porter, who was one of its education at SLI and students,” Levis said. Yale reporting for The Vermilion, the stu- and SLI shared a common mascot, the dent newspaper. “I jokingly say that bulldog. Hilma LaBauve in 1952 I minored in lower elementary edu- SLI students had borrowed the Ivy cation and majored in ex- League version, “Bull-dog! Bull-dog! tracurricular activities,” she Bull-dog! Bow, wow, wow, Eli Yale!,” sub- said. Levis embodied school stituting “S-L-I!” at the end of the lyric Original Fight Song lyrics spirit. She was a member of line. “It was catchy and it was fun, but Delta Sigma Delta we needed an original song,” Levis said. “I had a little tune in my head,” Fight on, Bulldogs, fight on to vic’try she recalled. That tune had been For the red and white. developing since she was a We all sing of triumph and glory student at Logansport High For our boys tonight. School in Logansport, La., You will hear the bark of the Bulldogs where her brother served as band director. Soaring to the sky Several band members Hustle up and rustle up were also football players. And fight on to vic’try, S-L-I! “During spring scrimmage, the band was short on musicians. So, even though I wasn’t a music The fight song was included on a 1951 RCA Victor album student, my brother would have recorded by the SLI Band and Male Chorus. me fill in,” Levis recalled. She learned to play the glock- enspiel, or bells. “He would bring it home for me to practice on, so

36 LA LOUISIANE | Spring 2010 I could play it in the band. That’s when I found this little tune. I would play on the Ragin’ Cajuns To Face OSU bells and I came up with the melody. “I’d never mentioned it to my brother in Televised Game before. But when the contest was an- ® nounced, I hummed it for him. Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns have a 12-game schedule this fall that includes a Friday “He wrote the music down on some night contest against Oklahoma State to be broadcast on ESPN2. staff paper, then he played it on the piano. It’s the second consecutive season that the Cajuns play a team from the Big 12 We made some adjustments here and there Conference. They defeated the Big 12’s Kansas State last year, 17-15, at Cajun Field. and it sounded pretty good.” The Oklahoma State game on Oct. 8 will also be played on the Cajuns’ home turf. LaBauve transformed his sister’s sim- UL Lafayette’s first home game is Sept. 11, when the team faces the Arkansas ple melody into a full-band arrangement. State Red Wolves. It’s the earliest Sun Belt Conference game in school history. “He wrote parts for all the instruments and UL Lafayette has been bowl-eligible in four of the last five seasons. the manuscript for the director. “We got it in at the last minute. A few www.ragincajuns.com days later, I got a call from the student body president, Winston Fontenot, who said that the song was very good and that I was among the finalists.” Although the arrangement was solid, the brother-sister team had overlooked a key ingredient: lyrics. Fontenot told her he thought the entry would have a better chance of winning if it had words, Levis recalled with a laugh. She turned to war- time songbooks for inspiration and was drawn to the words “victory,” “triumph” and “glory.” Levis’ composition was among 11 entries, which were narrowed to four. The morning of Tuesday, Dec. 19, 1950, the S ean M anuel contest was held during general assembly Football fans set a Cajun Field attendance record Sept. 5, 2009, when 41,357 of them turned in Earl K. Long Gymnasium. out to watch the Cajuns defeat the Southern Jaguars 42-19. “The students voted and I won,” Levis said. “Everybody clapped and cheered. They asked me to come up on stage with Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns® the band and direct the band as they played the fight song. I didn’t really know what I 2010 Football Schedule was doing, but that was kind of exciting.” Levis turned her winnings into a gift Sept. 4 University of Georgia at Athens, Ga. for her brother. “He had just starting teach- Sept. 11 Arkansas State* Cajun Field ing, so I cashed in the bond and bought 10th Annual Herbert Heymann Football Classic him a desk. I thought, ‘If he hadn’t helped me with the song, I wouldn’t have won.’ Sept. 25 Middle Tennessee* Cajun Field I wanted him to include his name on the Oct. 2 North Texas* at Denton, Texas entry but he wouldn’t do it. He said, ‘It’s Oct. 8 Oklahoma State Cajun Field your song.’ ” Oct. 16 Troy University* at Troy, Ala. LaBauve died in 2006. After serving Oct. 23 Western Kentucky* Cajun Field in the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned to Louisiana, where he earned a 65th Homecoming master’s degree in music education from Oct. 30 Ohio University at Athens, Ohio LSU. He retired from UL Lafayette in 1977. Nov. 6 University of Mississippi at Oxford, Miss. Levis retired in 1997 after teaching Nov. 13 Florida Atlantic* at Boca Raton, Fla. elementary school in Texas. She said she’s proud of the contribution she and her Nov. 20 Florida International* Cajun Field brother made. Nov. 27 UL Monroe* at Monroe, La. “The music is still there. It’s nice that everyone seems to have enjoyed it for al- • Sun Belt Conference Games most 60 years.” n

LA LOUISIANE | spring 2010 37 ALUMNI Association

Gridiron Chapter Camaraderie continues after Ragin’ Cajuns hang up their cleats

s a former member of Louisiana’s Dan Hare, executive director of the Ragin’ Cajuns® football team, Marty Alumni Association, said he’s grateful for ACannon understands the power of the Gridiron Chapter’s leadership. “Our teamwork. alumni chapters and clubs are volunteer He and other former players are har- driven,” he said. The association provides nessing that positive force into the Grid- staff support for clubs’ and chapters’ activi- iron Chapter of the UL Lafayette Alumni ties and development. Association. It’s one of several alum- Members of the newly formed chap- ni groups based on members’ shared ter are eager to expand its size by inviting interests or experiences, such as the former team managers, trainers, coaches College of Nursing Alumni Chapter and support staff to join the Alumni As- or Alumni Band Chapter. sociation. “We’re starting to pull people in Cannon is a former offensive from across the country. We’re letting them lineman and four-year letterman know that we have an alumni chapter that who graduated in 1999. is doing more tailgating activities, more “Some of my best memories reunion-type activities,” Cannon said. from college are of my football team- The Athletic Network has helped find mates. We had some great times and former players who live around the coun- they are some of the best friends that try and around the world. It identifies, I’ve ever known. We’ve stayed in con- locates and communicates with former tact,” he said in a recent interview. athletes and associated groups. Peter Batton and Paul Norton Over the past seven years, Gridiron formed an independent nonprofit Chapter members have donated about organization, the Gridiron Alumni $25,000 for athletic equipment for the Club, in 2003. Batton played foot- football team. ball at UL Lafayette from 1982-86; The group hosts an annual Bill “Black- Norton played from 1986-90. jack” Landry Memorial Golf Scramble at “Some coaches at UL asked Acadian Hills Country Club in honor of Peter to organize former players to an equipment manager who served in the help with some equipment purchas- university’s Athletics Department for 32 es. We wanted to unify former play- years before his death in 1998. “. . . he was ers and encourage them to support a very special man. He was also one of UL’s the team,” Cannon said. greatest fans,” Cannon said. Earlier this year, the Gridiron The chapter provides meals twice a O ceanna T r z ecia k- cates Alumni Club joined the Alumni As- year for the football team, coaches and Members of the new Gridiron Chapter include, sociation as a chapter. from left, Kevin Guilbeau, punter, 1993-96; Marty support staff. Cannon, offensive lineman, 1994-98; and Robby “I’ve been a member of the Alumni Chapter members get together to tail- Waguespack, offensive lineman, 1990-93. Association since I graduated, so I know gate during football season. “A couple of the benefits of membership and I like being years ago, we had 60 years of UL Lafayette connected to the university. Our member- football represented at one of our tailgating ship was growing each year and we wanted parties. That was incredible,” Cannon said. to connect with the Alumni Association so For information about joining the we could do even more to support the team. Alumni Association, phone (337) 482-0900 By becoming an official chapter, we were or send e-mail to [email protected] n also able to show our support for the uni- versity in a more formal way,” Cannon said. www.louisianaalumni.org

38 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 A lumni

in the U.S. Air for Woman’s Hospital in Baton vice chair of international practice 1950 Force, he was Rouge, La. She is chair of the at Baker and Daniels, a legal and TOMMY O. HARRISON JR. manages a recognized for American Hospital Association’s consulting firm based in India- farm and timber estate that spans his involvement Section for Maternal and Child napolis, Ind. Castille serves as three parishes and more than 500 in hostage res- Health. Its members evaluate chair of the international section acres. He received a bachelor’s cue missions, health information and make of the Indiana State Bar Associa- degree in agricultural animal hus- top-secret intel- policy recommendations for the tion. She attended law school at bandry from SLI and a master’s ligence gather- national organization. She is trea- Freie Universität Berlin. She holds degree in education from North- ing and for his service in the U.S. surer of the Council of Women a bachelor’s degree in French western State University. Harrison Air Force Special Operations and Infant Specialty Hospitals. from USL and a juris doctor from got the nickname “Lefty,” while Command. Guidry has worked as Crawford volunteers and par- University of Notre Dame Law pitching for the SLI Bulldogs a real estate broker, developer and ticipates in civic and professional School. She and her husband, baseball team. He was later a property manager since 1986 and organizations including Capital Scott Sutton, have two sons, pitcher for minor league teams in is principal broker at Pat Guidry Area United Way and the Com- Nicholas and Alexander. Maine, Texas and Louisiana for Agency Inc. He is a certified real munity Partnership Committee. four years. He served four years in estate instructor. Guidry holds She holds a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. Air Force as a non-com- a bachelor’s degree in electrical health information management. 1979 missioned officer for the Special engineering from USL, a master’s STEVE OATS was elected chair of Services Department. Harrison degree in astronautical engineer- the Louisiana retired in 1983 as superintendent ing from the U.S. Air Force Insti- 1972 Wildlife and of Grant Parish schools, where he tute of Technology and a master’s BARRY F. BERTHELOT was recently Fisheries Com- previously served as a principal, degree in business administration named executive vice president mission for coach and teacher. Harrison and from the University of West Flori- and director of organizational 2010. He has his wife, Paula, live in Montgom- da. He and his wife, PATRICIA ANNE development for IberiaBank Corp. served on the ery, La. They have a son, Gilbert, BOUTTE, ’63, live in Destin, Fla. He previously served as president commission for and a daughter, Jennifer. of the Acadiana Market for JP the past three Morgan Chase. He also served as years. Oats is a 1968 president of Bank One of Lafay- partner at Oats and Hudson law 1959 GLEN JEANSONNE is a professor of ette and of First National Bank firm, which has offices in Lafay- The Florida State Council of the history at the University of Wis- of Lafayette. He is a former chief ette, Baton Rouge and New Or- Knights of Columbus, District consin-Milwaukee. He has written administrative officer for Lafayette leans. He holds a bachelor’s degree 38, recently honored SLI gradu- or edited 14 books, including a Parish and former director of ad- from USL and a juris doctor from ate RICHARD DIETZ for 60 years of recent biography, Changing Times: ministration and finance for the Tulane University. He is married service. He is a member of Bishop The Life of Barack Obama. He holds City of Lafayette. Berthelot holds to SYLVIA MARIAN MINEO, ’78. Verot Council No. 5845, in Cano- a bachelor’s degree in history from a bachelor’s degree in business ad- va Beach, Fla., which he helped USL and earned a master’s degree ministration from USL and a mas- establish in 1966. A veteran of the and doctorate in history from ter’s degree in public affairs from Korean War, he served four years Florida State University. From Northern Michigan University. He 1900-1921 in the U.S. Air Force, completing 1973 to 1975, Jeansonne taught and his wife, Rebecca, have five Southwestern Louisiana his service in 1955. In 1990, Dietz Louisiana and U.S. history at USL, children, Ross; Luke; Hayes; BEN- Industrial Institute retired after working for 31 years and was associate director for the JAMIN, ’98; and Jerome. at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Center for Louisiana Studies. He 1921-1960 He holds a bachelor’s degree in has received several teaching and Southwestern Louisiana electrical engineering. He and his research awards from the Universi- 1978 Institute wife, Carmen, have six children: ty of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Jean- ANGELLA CASTILLE is included in Sonja, Jeffrey, Rick, Christopher, sonne has two children, Leah and the 2010 issue of 1960-1999 Janelle and Franz. Hannah. He and his wife, Lauren The Best Lawyers University of Southwestern Priegel, live in Milwaukee, Wis. in America for Louisiana her contribu- 1961 tions in interna- 1999-Present ROLAND GUIDRY was inducted into tional trade and University of Louisiana at 1970 Lafayette the Air Commando Association’s NANCY CRAWFORD is senior vice finance law. She Hall of Fame. A retired colonel president of Medical Staff Services is partner and

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 39 Alumni Profile: Dr. Milton cormier ’48 2001, the firm has specialized in new construction and historic preservation. Albert earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Alum Makes Glowing Contribution to Science He and his wife, Amanda, live in New Orleans. A lumni Dr. Milton Cormier, ’48, was a pioneer in the development of one of the most powerful tools in science: glow-in-the-dark genes. The After graduating with a bach- elor’s degree in sociology, MARY bioluminescent proteins are used in genetic studies and medical I. HICKS spent two years teaching research as markers in living cells. The glowing proteins can be English in Japan. She returned taken from one organism and inserted into another. So, scientists to the United States and earned can literally see how genes are expressed or perhaps detect tumor a master’s degree in education tissue without surgery. from the University of New After joining the University of Georgia faculty in 1958, Cormi- Orleans. Hicks ran the Critical er established a research laboratory at UGA and was a founder of Languages Program at UNO, which included languages that the school’s Biochemistry Department. In 1985, Cormier published were not commonly taught in the first example of cloning a gene with coding for a bioluminescent protein. the university’s curricula. She Dr. J. David Puett, UGA’s Regents Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has served as president, vice said Cormier influenced major research in his field. “Many of his trainees became profes- president and as a board mem- sors in major universities … his research has withstood the test of time, being at the fore- ber of the National Association front of a growing field that has continued to advance science.” of Self-Instructional Language Programs. She also has served One of Cormier’s former colleagues, Dr. Douglas Prasher, was the first to clone green on the board of the New Orleans fluorescent protein using techniques developed in Cormier’s lab. GFP is widely used in Citizen Diplomacy Council. She genetic studies and medical research. In 2008, three scientists, Drs. Osamu Shimomura, is married to Scott Smith. Roger Tsien and Martin Chalfie, earned the Nobel Prize in chemistry for the discovery and development of GFP. Cormier holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UL Lafayette. He earned a mas- 1994 ter’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Texas, Austin and a doctorate in micro- SHAWNE HUVAL TAYLOR serves on the Louisiana biology from the University of Tennessee. Math Fellows Cormier retired in 1993 and was named a distinguished research professor emeritus of Advisory Panel. biochemistry at UGA. In 2007, he published his autobiography, My Journey. The 21-mem- He and his wife, Dolores, live in Sun Lakes, Ariz. The couple have three children, Mil- ber panel ton Joseph Cormier Jr., ’80; Wil Cormier; and Mark Cormier. includes seven mathematics educators rep- keting and sales for Acadian Mon- USL and juris doctors from the resenting each 1982 itoring Service. He and his wife, University of New Orleans and school level – elementary, middle OWEN T. CHOATE flies MD-88 STEPHANIE ANN HANAGRIFF, ’86, Loyola University. He also earned and high school. They work with planes for Delta created Advice Marketing in 1992. a master of laws from George the Department of Education Airlines. He He is a private pilot who provides Washington University National to increase students’ readiness is a check air- volunteer marketing services for Law Center. He and his wife, for college and careers. Taylor man, qualified charity events such as the Sertoma Dawn, have two sons, Nicholas teaches seventh and eighth grade to certify other Cajun Air Festival and the Acadi- and Christian. mathematics at Cecilia Junior pilots. Choate ana AirFest. He also has served as High School. She holds a bach- flew military chairman of Le Festival de Mardi elor’s degree in elementary edu- cargo planes Gras à Lafayette for 17 years. He 1989 cation from USL. She earned a during Opera- holds a bachelor’s degree in public MICHELLE BACQUE WILSON, who master’s degree in education and tion Desert Shield and Opera- relations. Mann and his wife have holds a bachelor’s degree in mass post-master’s 30 plus certification tion Desert Storm and has been a son, Michael Tyler, and a daugh- communication, supervises 23 in education from UL Lafayette. a transport pilot in the U.S. Air ter, Emily. They live in Lafayette. employees at Fox Sports Network She and her husband, Chad, have Force for 21 years. He partici- Engineering and Operations a son, Braelon. pated in humanitarian missions, in The Woodlands, Texas. She delivering food and supplies and 1987 manages the production of com- providing airlift rescues in Russia TROY D. TAYLOR was recently pro- mercials, programs and promo- 1997 and Africa. Choate holds a bach- moted to colonel in the U.S. Ma- tions for 20 national television KACEE SCHEXNAYDER THOMPSON is elor’s degree in business admin- rine Corps Reserve and chosen as networks. She and her husband, vice president of business devel- istration. He and his wife, JULIE staff judge advocate for the 4th Jason, have a daughter, Ava Elise. opment at The Cartesian Com- PINKERTON, ’82, live in Summer- Marine Aircraft Wing at the U.S. pany, a real estate and financial ville, S.C. They have three sons: Marine Forces Reserve in New solutions business in Lafayette. Adam, Thomas and Matthew. Orleans. He is chief counsel for 1990 She also serves on the board of NASA Shared Services Center at RICHARD P. ALBERT is owner and the Lafayette Land Revitalization the Stennis Space Center. Taylor principal of Albert Architecture Authority, a non-profit organiza- 1985 received a bachelor’s degree in and Urban Design, which is tion that restores and redevelops Randall Mann is director of mar- business administration from based in New Orleans. Since abandoned property. She holds a

40 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 bachelor’s degree in English. She and her husband, ERIC SCHEX- NAYDER, ’98, have three children: A Look Back Ben, Ryan and Mary Louise.

Attorney LEE WHITE was recently appointed to the board of directors for Downtown Dallas Inc., a downtown development organization. He is a partner at Jackson Walker LLP in Dal- las. He has been named a “Texas Super Lawyer-Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters, a professional review organization, for three consecutive years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from USL and a juris doctor from Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU. He and his wife, DR. SHARON ANDREWS, ’87, ’94, live in Dallas. 1999 MILAURA BAUGHN SPELMAN owns

the Reading T erri F ensel Remediation Lady Cajuns first baseman Alyson Habetz stretches for a catch in 1993. The team went and Speech Lan- guage Pathology to the College World Series for the first time that year. It returned in 1995 and 1996. UL Center, where Lafayette’s softball program celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

she provides 1993 speech and lan- guage therapy. She is also the lead facilitator of Lafayette, a program dedicated to degree in general studies. Since WILLARD AVINELL FAVRE, ’54, died Social Bridges, a social cognition the advancement of community 2009, he has served as advertis- Nov. 23, 2009, program used to teach social skills issues. Gaubert and his wife, Me- ing manager for HDB & Associ- in Baton Rouge, to children with communication lissa Topham, live in Lafayette. ates, an in-house marketing and La. He was deficiencies. She is nationally advertising agency for Eyemart 79. In 1959, certified by the American Speech- Express LTD. He and his wife he joined the Language-Hearing Association 2003 JENNIFER JAMISON DUGAS, ’04, live Louisiana State and holds a Florida teaching cer- ROGER J. TIMBER plays the role of in McKinney, Texas. Division of tification focused in speech and Benny in the Administration. language impairment. She earned HBO drama He retired in a bachelor’s degree in communica- series, “Treme,” IN MEMORIAM 1986 as director of state account- tive disorders from the University about life in SHIRLEY HOFFPAUIR CRAWFORD, ing. He also maintained a private of Central Florida and a master’s New Orleans ’38, died June 20, 2009, at the accounting business until his degree in speech language pathol- after Hurri- age of 100. She held a bachelor’s death. Favre served in the U.S. ogy from UL Lafayette. Spelman canes Katrina degree in education from SLI and Army from 1954 to 1956. He was and her husband, Jason, live in and Rita. He taught in Acadia Parish for more an assistant scoutmaster with Oviedo, Fla. appeared in than 32 years. She was a member the Boy Scouts of America and a “Brazil,” an episode of the televi- of the Retired Teachers of Acadia member of the Order of the Ar- sion series, “Law & Order,” which Parish and the Ebenezer Home row. He also conducted volunteer 2000 aired in March. Timber also ap- Demonstration Club. Crawford research for Magnolia Mound In January, STEphEN C. GAUBERT peared in two films released in was preceded in death by her Plantation Museum in Baton established Gaubert and Smith 2009, “The Bad Lieutenant: Port husband of more than 50 years, Rouge. Favre earned a bachelor’s law firm in Lafayette with his of Call New Orleans” and “I Hope George W. Crawford, and their degree in accounting at SLI. Sur- business partner, RICHARD E. They Serve Beer In Hell.” Timber daughter, ELEANOR FRANCES vivors include his wife, KATHER- SMITH, ’80. Gaubert holds a bach- holds a bachelor’s degree in per- CRAWFORD COLEMAN, ’68. She is INE ELAINE BELLARD, ’55, and four elor’s degree in general studies forming arts. survived by her daughter, Kayren children, Willard A. Favre Jr.; from UL Lafayette and a juris Ann Mingus; four grandchildren; Alexandra Farve Smith; Rebecca doctor from Southern University and four great-grandchildren. Favre Lipe; and AnnKatherine Law Center. He has been selected 2005 Favre Watkins. to participate in Leadership Cory J. Dugas holds a bachelor’s

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 41 MICHAEL PAUL TRAHAN died Dec. sured-geothermal energy. He also Alumni Information Form 27, 2009, at the age of 22. He was worked with physicists at the pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Acadiana Research Laboratory on musical education with a minor a particle accelerator project. He If you enjoy reading about where your former classmates are now and in jazz studies. He played trum- was instrumental in developing what they’re doing, consider this: They’d like to read about you, too. pet in the UL Lafayette Sympho- a 3-D computer-based instruc- A lumni Please fill out the form below and mail it back to UL Lafayette or go to ny Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, tion and research facility in UL www.louisiana.edu/lalouisiane to submit the information online. Big Band and Pride of Acadiana Lafayette’s Hamilton Hall. Keeley Marching Band. Trahan taught retired in 2001. He is survived Name private lessons and served as an by his wife, Mary Ruth Altepe-

First Middle Last Maiden name instructor at area band camps. He ter; daughter, Mary Patricia; and also was a studio musician who brother, Thayne Robert. recorded with local bands, such Address as Feufollet. He is survived by DR. FRANS AMELINCKX died March Street or Box his parents, Monique Goutierrez 28, 2010. He Trahan and Paul Trahan, and his was 78. A native Joshua Ryan Trahan, City State Zip brother, a of Belgium, he sophomore at UL Lafayette. served in the Belgian Army Phone DR. DEAN F. KEELEY died Feb. 11, during the Ko- Home Office 2010. As a U.S. Marine private rean conflict. He first class in Iwo Jima, Keeley and DR. CAROL E-mail Fax shielded two fellow Marines BERNIECE CEDAR, when a hand grenade exploded ’87, ’95, were married in Venezu- in their foxhole. After two years ela in 1959. They moved to the Major & Date of Graduation of recovery, he was honorably United States, where he earned or the semester you last attended The University discharged as a fully disabled vet- a bachelor’s degree in education eran. He also received a Purple from Northern State College and Current Job Title Heart. Keeley graduated magna a master’s degree and doctorate cum laude from the University of in French literature from the Illinois with a bachelor’s degree University of Iowa. He taught Business Name in chemistry. He began teaching at the Universities of Iowa and at USL after receiving a doctorate Nebraska before becoming head Business Address in chemistry from Florida State of USL’s Department of Romance University in 1957. He received Languages in 1983. He served as the UL Lafayette Foundation’s professor of modern languages Professional Duties Distinguished Professor Award and received the UL Lafayette in 1995. That same year, he was Foundation’s Distinguished Pro- part of 50th anniversary ceremo- fessor Award in 1989. He retired nies at the National Cathedral in 2002 and was named professor and the U.S. Marine Corps Me- emeritus of Francophone Stud- morial, which honors the 50,000 ies. Survivors include his wife, Accomplishments troops who served in Iwo Jima. Carol, and three children: ALAN Keeley collaborated with the U.S. LEE AMELINCKX, ’95, ’02; Andréa Department of Energy on a 12- Amelinckx; and ANDREW K. year project involving geopres- AMELINCKX, ’93.

Spouse’s Name First Middle Last Maiden name Alumni Directory Gets Update Spouse’s USL or UL Lafayette Graduation Date

and major, if a former UsL student Over the next few months, University of Louisiana at Lafayette alumni may receive postcards, e-mails or Children phone calls from Harris Connect. That’s a company

(if any are UL Lafayette students or USL graduates, please indicate) working with the UL Lafayette Alumni Association to update its alumni directory. Dan Hare, the association’s executive director, urged all alums to respond. “The directory is a valuable resource and its success depends on how many people participate. It just takes a few minutes to stay in touch,” he said. For more information, contact the Alumni Associa- Current Date tion at [email protected] or (337) 482-0900. Please mail this form to La Louisiane, Box 41009, Lafayette, LA 70504-1009 or send it online at www.louisiana.edu/lalouisiane

42 LA LOUISIANE | Spring 2010 collegeofSciences n schools: n ULLafayettehas10collegesand each fallandspring. n About1,200studentsare graduated Louisiana University. ship byULLafayetteandSoutheastern degree isoffered ineducationalleader engineering. Ajointdoctorofeducation ematics, computerscienceand English, Francophonestudies,math- sciences, biology, cognitivescience, offered inappliedlanguageandspeech n DoctorofPhilosophydegrees are and one post-master’s certificate program. n There are 27master’s degree programs ate degree programs. n Theuniversityoffers 78undergradu - university. n ULLafayetteisaselectiveadmissions n n n n research funding an $8.62return. invested inULLafayettegenerates million 2,100employees $50+millioninnewexternal dollarofstatefunding Every T HealthProfessions BusinessAdministration n n n n n n n n n UniversityCollege GraduateSchool RayP. Authement CollegeofNursingandAllied CollegeofLiberalArts CollegeofGeneralStudies CollegeofEngineering CollegeofEducation B.I.MoodyIIICollegeof CollegeoftheArts otal spendingimpactof$755 Economic imp a ct Academics - Enterprise in University Research Park. This approach could speed up conventional research processes. will collaborateonprojects thatcanbenefitfrom technologyoffered bytheLouisianaImmersive Technologies members, is bringing supercomputing and 3-D visualization to more academic research projects. Its fellows n expended nuclearfuelrods onadesignatedcourse. team placedthird outof27schoolteams.Itstaskwasto buildanautonomousrobot thatcouldtransport 10 atanInstituteofElectricalandElectronics Engineers robotics competitionthisspring.ULLafayette’s n Forthethird yearinarow, undergraduate engineeringstudents from ULLafayetteplacedinthetop Solar DecathloninWashington, D.C. water forhomeuse.TheBeauSoleilHomewontwotopawards intheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’s 2009 shades thehome’s transitionalporch whilesolarthermalcollectorsthreaded through themetalprovide hot and facultyadvisors.Theskylight and businessadministrationstudents Lafayette engineering,architecture which wasdesignedandbuiltbyUL Louisiana BeauSoleilSolarHome, this spring.Itwasusedinthe Technologies forGreener Homes” Mechanics magazine’s “14Best New BeauSoleil wasincludedinPopular n AskylightdesignedbyTEAM Research Centerisfourth. second andPenningtonBiomedical Sciences CenterinNewOrleansis Baton Rougeisfirst,LSUHealth universities inLouisiana2008ranksULLafayetteasthethird highest,withatotalof$58.6million.LSU n AnanalysisofNationalScienceFoundationresearch anddevelopmentexpenditures bypublic research universitiesinLouisiana. Lafayette, LSUinBatonRougeandHealthSciencesCenterare citedinthestudyastoppublic UL Only Government. of Institute Rockefeller A. Nelson The by report a to That’s according nation. n TheComputation and Visualization Enterprise, a new interdisciplinary consortium of UL Lafayette faculty The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is one of the top 100 public research universities in the the in universities research public 100 top the of one is Lafayette at Louisiana of University The Noteworthy

n n Cajuns

the highestlevelofcollegiateathletics. Louisiana’s Ragin’ Louisiana’s Ragin’Cajuns n n n n n n n n n Soccer Volleyball T Golf T Basketball Softball Baseball Football ® ennis rack andField sports: Athletics LA LOUISI ANE |SPRING 2010 43 ® competeinNCAADivision1,

UL Lafayette at a glance Foundation

Student Focus UL Lafayette Foundation’s award criteria emphasize superior teaching

ome teachers leave an indelible work, who inspire their students and their mark by challenging and inspiring colleagues,” said Julie Bolton Falgout, ex- Stheir students. The UL Lafayette ecutive director of the UL Lafayette Foun- Foundation honored four such influential dation. The awards are presented each April educators this spring. at a banquet and awards ceremony. Dr. Suzanne Fredericq, professor of This is the first year the Foundation biology, and Brian Kelly, professor of print- honored two professors and two teachers. making, received its Distinguished Profes- Previously, three Distinguished Professor sor Award. Geoff Gjertson, associate pro- Awards and one Excellence in Teaching fessor of architecture, and Dr. Lisa Graley, Award were typically given. a lecturer in the English Department, were Falgout said the change reflects the presented with its Dr. Ray P. Authement value and importance of teaching. “UL Excellence in Teaching Award. Lafayette faculty members have earned “These awards shine a spotlight on fac- the reputation of being committed to stu- ulty members who are exemplary in their dent success. Both of these awards honor that commitment.” The Distinguished Professor Award was established in 1965. The Excellence in Teaching Award, which began in 1992, was renamed in 2008 in honor of former UL Lafayette President Dr. Ray P. Authement. Honorees receive a stipend and their names are inscribed on plaques that are permanently displayed in Edith Garland Dupré Library.

Inspired by nature And the arts Dr. Suzanne Fredericq

r. Suzanne Fredericq has been fascinat- Ded with nature since she was growing up in Belgium, her native country. “As a child, I loved to play with ani- mals, and then as an adolescent, I had a passion for bird-watching, for hunting fos- sils and for looking up the names of every plant and animal I came in contact with,” the UL Lafayette biology professor said during a recent interview.

t This early interest led her to the State University of Ghent in Belgium, where she pursued an undergraduate degree in

Denn y Cul b er zoology with a specialty in marine inverte- Dr. Suzanne Fredericq examines algae taken from Cypress Lake on campus. brates. She began studying marine worms,

44 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 which led her to marine algae, or seaweeds. “I wanted to learn more about the algae to better understand the worms. The more I became fasci- nated with those algae, the more I realized that they were the organ- isms I wanted to keep on studying for the rest of my life. They pushed the worms out of my life.” Fredericq received the UL Lafayette Foundation’s 2010 Dis- tinguished Professor Award. She joined UL Lafayette’s faculty in 1996 after completing post-doctoral work at the Mu- seum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution in Wash- ington, D.C. She was attracted to the Biology Department’s research

and the university’s close proxim- t ity to the Gulf of Mexico. “Some people get a runner’s high from running a marathon. I Denn y Cul b er get a rewarding feeling every time Professor Brian Kelly, left, works with student Matt Bell in UL Lafayette’s printmaking studio. I look at a red algae and every time I understand something new about icq is a fan of the arts. Her late husband, create “a superior learning atmosphere” for it,” she said. Eugene J. Martin, was a prolific and well- students and faculty. Fredericq is an international expert in known painter. “He is 100 percent enthusiastically her field. She’s been invited to give lectures “I am drawn to the visual in biology interested in his students and is totally from Japan to Mexico and has published and also in the arts,” she said. “I love look- driven by their abilities to learn, to de- more than 80 papers in her career. ing at great art hanging in museums and velop, to grow. His constant willingness to She has directed the dissertations of art galleries, no matter the style or period.” work alongside his students in the learning nine doctoral students. All of them remain So, it’s no wonder that she is smitten process is inspiring to them as well as to collaborators with her. Recently, a former with the intricate shapes and hue of red algae. his colleagues,” she said. student from Brazil returned to Lafayette Kelly’s role within the department has for a short visit to work with Fredericq on Professor fosters come full circle. He joined the faculty in completing two manuscripts. In August, collaborative learning 1999 to teach printmaking and was named she’ll join another former student, now a department head in 2003. Kelly returned to faculty member at a Rhode Island univer- Brian Kelly the printmaking studio in the fall of 2009. sity, on an algal collecting trip in Panama. He was just 34 years old when he “It gives me so much pleasure that all rofessor and printmaker Brian Kelly became department head. Gordon Brooks, nine were able to stay in the field of phy- Pdoesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. dean of the College of the Arts, said Kelly cology, the study of algae, and that they all “I’ve always been a hands-on person. was ready for the challenge. “This was an have become highly regarded as experts in I’m a hands-on teacher. Sometimes that unusual appointment for a newly tenured their field,” she said. requires you to be in the muck with the faculty member, but he brought the same Fredericq’s work is not limited to the student. I’m not going to walk away from qualities in his administrative work as he laboratory. She also teaches a freshman bi- a student who’s having trouble,” he said in brought to his teaching and creative activ- ology course. recent interview. ity,” Brooks said. “Suzanne has taught hundreds of A visitor to the printmaking studio is As department head, Kelly oversaw students in our freshman-level series of likely to find Kelly working alongside his successful re-accreditation of visual art and classes aimed at non-majors where she students. “One of the things that drives me design programs through the National Asso- has been highly successful,” said Dr. Glen is the fact that this university is student- ciation of Schools of Art and Design. He also Watson, head of the Biology Department. centered,” he said. obtained more than $300,000 in grants. “In addition, her course in Marine Botany Kelly received the UL Lafayette Foun- Kelly helped expand Marais Press, the aimed at senior biology majors and gradu- dation’s Distinguished Professor Award department’s printmaking press established ate students is well-attended and well- this year. in 1991. Since 1999, he has invited received by her students.” Professor Chryl Savoy, head of UL’s professional artists to collaborate with In her life outside academia, Freder- Visual Arts Department, said he has helped UL Lafayette students, creating limited

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 45 46 Alumni LA LOUISIANE |SPRING 2010 Architecture Professor GeoffGjertson,center, meets withstudentsJasonLantier, left,andCarsonDonhaminside theBeauSoleilHome. odology aswecan,”Kellysaid. new information,technologyandmeth- toexposethemasmuch we alsotry ible andadaptabletotheirneeds.But studio, wemaketheenvironment flex- artists. “Whenwebringartists intothe duced collaborationswithmore than80 that path,someonewho’s successful.” artist. Theyseesomeonewho’s taken they’ve madetopursueacareer asan collaboration. Itreinforces thedecision print. Thestudentsseetheresults of and they’llwatchaswe’re making this ing process. with theartist outtheprint- andcarry artist’s approach andmethod,interact said. Studentslearnaboutthevisiting dents’ knowledgeandexperience,”he tive program. that conductsaprofessional collabora- ful ofuniversitiesintheUnitedStates said ULLafayetteisoneofonlyahand- one weekworkinginthestudio.Kelly scholarships. to visitingartists andtofundstudentart the press, usedtopayexpensesrelated from thesaleofprintsare reinvested in editions oftheartists’ work.Proceeds Since 1999,theprogram haspro - “We’ll haveawholeclasscomein “It’s anopportunity toexpand stu- Each year, fiveto12artists spend T learning from it,”hesaid. leil homeasalaboratory. “We are still in whichtheyhavetrueownership.” students learnthemostfrom are those dents taketherisks.Theprojects that propriate tostandbackandlet thestu- leil homereally taughtmewhen itisap- ing Award. Ray P. AuthementExcellenceinT UL LafayetteFoundation’s 2010Dr. the two-yearproject. Hereceived the of architecture, wasfacultyadvisorfor Department ofEnergy. in thecontestsponsored bytheU.S. 19 universitiesfrom around theworld Award. ULLafayettecompetedagainst ability Award andThePeople’s Choice 2009 SolarDecathlon:theMarketV two awards inWashington, D.C.,inthe signed andbuiltbystudents,earned Hall. Thesustainablesolarhouse,de- BeauSoleil Home,nexttoFletcher welcomes visitorstoULLafayette’s wo daysaweek,Geoff Gjertson “We putithere oncampusso Gjertson describedtheBeauSo- “MyinvolvementwiththeBeauSo- Gjertson, anassociateprofessor

Geoff Gjertson Master Builder each- i- of theprofession. Theterm‘architect’ goes allthewaybacktobeginning to designsomething.Thatconcept making something,youtolearnhow should beabletoswingahammer. “In based onhisbeliefthatanarchitect teacher,” hesaid. out myownworkhelpsmegrow asa engaged intheprofession. Carrying practice. “It’s important formetostay 2000, maintainsaprivatearchitectural good citizens.” chitecture, butchallengestudentstobe based projects thatnotonlyteachar who knowshowtodevelopservice- Geoffhow toserve. isamasterteacher buthowtothriveand how tosurvive, educators ispreparing studentsnotonly learning. based andservice-based students howtolearnthrough project- ofexcellenceinteaching long history lege oftheArts, saidGjertson has“a ing lighting,heatingandcooling. system andautomatedsystems,includ- monitoring thehome’s solarelectrical Engineering students,forexample,are next severalyearsandlearnfrom it.” that studentscanexperienceitoverthe His philosophyofteaching Gjertson, whojoinedthefacultyin “One ofourgreatest challengesas Gordon Brooks,Col- deanofthe -

Denny Culbert means ‘master builder.’ ” Gjertson helped estab- lish the UL Lafayette Build- ing Institute, a design/build studio in which students participate in real-world proj- ects. Through the institute, students have helped restore an historic Acadian home and improved facilities of the Aca- diana Outreach Center and the Boys and Girls Club. “We wanted to make the institute a more central part of the curriculum, so now it is no longer an elective. It is part of our undergraduate and gradu- ate programs,” Gjertson said. Students gain hands- on experience, not only in t construction, but in aspects of architectural practice such as team collaboration, Denn y Cul b er conflict resolution, financial Dr. Lisa Graley is coordinator of UL Lafayette’s Interdisciplinary Humanities Program. management and client communication. and a doctorate at UL Lafayette. the breadth of the courses Graley teaches. The BeauSoleil Home is also a project Since 2002, she has been a lecturer “Many teachers are strong teachers in one of the Building Institute. in UL Lafayette’s English Department and or two general areas but it is rare for fac- “The culmination of everything we its Interdisciplinary Humanities Program. ulty to excel while teaching so many differ- have been doing is service learning. We She has also served as coordinator of the ent kinds of subjects.” provide community outreach, teaching humanities program since 2002, oversee- He noted that Graley is popular people about sustainable design techniques ing scheduling and course creation, and among students. He described her as “an and strategies, so that people can use them recruiting faculty. encouraging, student-centered teacher. in their own homes.” She has taught a variety of courses, “I see this especially in her comments Gjertson said he thrives on teaching including honors classes, survey courses, on student papers. Her comments are al- because “every day is different. I learn from creative writing workshops and lower- ways encouraging, always positive, and my colleagues when we are working with a and upper-level interdisciplinary courses. always very specific about what is working group of students ... .” Many have intriguing titles, such as “The in an essay or short story and what is not Fallen Woman in the Nineteenth Century,” working,” he wrote. Humanities ‘ambassador’ “Plagues and Poxes,” and “Jacob’s Ladder: Graley said there is something thrill- Angel Encounters in the 20th Century.” ing about seeing students catch on to the Dr. Lisa Graley “I’d love to take any of these courses,” material she is teaching. She views her role stated Dr. James McDonald, head of UL as an ambassador who shows students the fter Dr. Lisa Graley earned a degree in Lafayette’s English Department, in a letter relevance of humanities in their lives. She Ajournalism from Marshall University, recommending Graley for the Dr. Ray P. sometimes fosters creativity by asking stu- she got a job as a newspaper reporter in Authement Excellence in Teaching Award dents to complete art or music projects, as her home state of West Virginia. Over the this year. “She brings to these courses sig- well as writing assignments. next four years, she served as a reporter, nificant knowledge of, curiosity about, and Graley credits Dr. Darrell Bourque, UL page designer, photographer and managing zeal to do research on literature, art, film, Lafayette professor emeritus of English and editor. But journalism wasn’t a career she history, music and culture (and often other Louisiana’s poet laureate, as the mentor wanted for a lifetime. fields such as psychology and religion) who helped shape her involvement with “There was something in my heart over several centuries and across numerous literature and the humanities. that kept pulling me back to literature. national borders. From 2003 until 2008, Graley was That was my first passion,” she said in a “Dig into her syllabi and other materi- editor of Interdisciplinary Humanities, a t recent interview. als for each class, and you’ll see rich and journal that specializes in essays by teach- So, in 1992, Graley left West Virginia carefully thought-out sets of questions for ers, for teachers. and journalism and moved to Louisiana, class discussions and provocative writing She recently received a grant to com-

Denn y Cul b er where she earned two master’s degrees at assignments ... ” plete work on a book of short stories set in McNeese State University in Lake Charles McDonald said he is impressed by West Virginia. n

LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 47 Thr ou gh t h e lens v is Gaut h ie r Tr a In 1940, Southwestern Louisiana Institute students held a dance on campus. It was so successful that revenue from ticket sales exceeded ex- penses. Bob Dugas, ’48, left, was president of the freshman class that year and Harold Comeaux, ’47, right, was president of the sophomore class. They decided to use the extra proceeds to commission a neon Southwestern sign, which was originally installed at the university’s north gate and later moved to Earl K. Long Gym. Dugas and Comeaux have attended Ragin’ Cajun football games together since 1963.

48 LA LOUISIANE | Spring 2010

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P a u l a n d L u l u H i l l i a r d U n i v e r s i t y A r t M u s e u m V i s i t U L L a f a y e t t e’ s U n i v e r s i t y o f L o u i s i a n a a t L a f a y e t t e M u s e u m o f A r t t h i s y e a r a n d e x p e r i e n c e a p a n o r a m i c m a s t e r p i e c e r e f l e c t i n g t h e b e a u t y a n d a m b i e n c e o f t h e A n c i e n t B a y o u T e c h e. v i e w t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f s e v e n t e e n m a j e s t i c p a i n t i n g s b y c e l e b r a t e d A m e r i c a n A r t i s t H u n t S l o n e m M a y 2 1 - D e c e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 0

A l s o o n v i e w, A j i a c o: S t i r r i n g s o f t h e C u b a n S o u l & J a c q u e l i n e H e y m a n n C o h n C o l l e c t i o n o f J a p a n e s e P r i n t s 7 1 0 E a s t S a i n t M a r y B l v d. L a f a y e t t e T u e. - T h u r. 9 - 5, F r i. 9 - n o o n, S a t. 1 0 - 5 G r o u p t o u r d i s c o u n t s a v a i l a b l e V i s i t o n t h e b a y o u . o r g o r c a l l (337) 4 8 2 - 2 2 7 8 Lakeside, 2009, oil on canvas, 9 x 9 feet On the H U N T S L O N E M Also featuring an exhibition catalogue with excerpts from the literary works of James Lee Burke and Darrell Bourque

BayouImage left: Hunt Slonem, Lakeside, 2009, oil on canvas, 9 x 9 feet