The THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MagONROE azinFALLe 2013 ULM plans to catapult into a phase of modern innovation, University of economic feasibility, and creative restructuring. LOUISIANA THE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE at Monroe FROM THE PRESIDENT T he University of Louisiana at Monroe lauds its academic and athletic programs, its serene and scenic campus, and its success as an institution of higher learning, but ULM has proven itself more than a location on Bayou DeSiard. We are a fluid and evolving community, welcoming new Warhawks into the flock and preparing well trained and dedicated graduates every year. This edition of the ULM Magazine highlights many of these new faces and former graduates. As we greet new and exciting members of the ULM team including the new Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom and Director of Alumni Affairs Devin Girod, we also remember those who have attended ULM and found success beyond our campus. Some remain active members in the local community and contribute to the northeast Louisiana workforce, such as Eric Liew and his wife Linda Pruett. Many Warhawks, such as the White family, send generations of their sons and daughters through our university, entrusting ULM with the education of their children year after year. The university faces change and adaptation. This year, we have collaborated to envision two separate but symbiotic plans for ULM’s growth: the campus Facility Master Plan, to guide future construction and renovations of our campus facilities, and the Strategic Plan, to outline the future direction of the overall institution. With these roadmaps in hand, ULM prepares to face any changes in the education and economic landscapes and to ensure success regardless of those changes. Keeping these changes in mind – particularly those in the economic landscape – ULM has launched its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign. “SOAR: Taking the University of Louisiana at Monroe to New Heights” seeks a working goal to raise $54.233 million. With “SOAR,” I ask supporters of the Warhawk family to invest in the present and the future of our great institution, focusing specifically on the advancement of student success, of opportunities for innovative academics, of ULM athletic programs, and of renovations and construction. A community built on education requires a thirst for knowledge and constant renewal. With “SOAR,” the Master Plan, and the Strategic Plan, ULM readies itself as never before to welcome the changes required of us – as eagerly as we welcome new students and keep long-time supporters, alums, and friends in our thoughts. As you read the ULM Magazine, I urge you to remember the best experiences you have had with your university. I ask that you continue to assist us in our efforts to thrive, and advance the future of our region through support of education. Nick J. Bruno, Ph.D. ULM President The 10 Magazine THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE CONTENTS Fall 2013 • Volume 13, no. 1 the magazine oF the uniVersity oF louisiana at monroe 18 10 From the Ground Up ULM embarks on a plan for the future with a five- year strategic plan and master facility plan to set the SOAR foundation for the next generation of Warhawks. The Campaign 15 President’s Report 23 ulm President nick J. Bruno, Ph.D., presents his annual report on the progress of ulm, its key supporters and his vision of SOAR — a $54.233 million capital campaign. 23 The Task at Hand new athletic Director Brian Wickstrom hit the ground running — literally — and plans to take Warhawk athletics to greater heights with newfound excitement. 4 4 Campus and Sports News n Ben and Jerry’s late night snack: Ice cream, and a speech, too! n New faces in the ULM crowd n a Crowning achievement: ULM student Jaden leach, miss louisiana 2013 n new look, new logo n ULM offers concentration in drone technology 8 n ULM Foundation Awards of Excellence winners n Fishing and water ski teams win national titles n Basketball season tickets now on sale 26 Alumni News n alumni ProFiles: Family of Jack and Coralie White Pat and Catherine Mitchell ON THE COVERS: Eric Liew and Linda Pruett (Front) ULM’s Master Facility Plan offers a n Class notes : glimpse into the future look of the campus. Milestones, achievements, Births, in memoriam, retirements (Back) Fall means football, Homecoming Week, turning leaves, cooler days and nights as cypress trees grace Bayou DeSiard, which flows through the heart of the ULM campus. University of Louisiana at Monroe 3 ULM CamPus neWs LATE NIGHT SNACK: ULM ALUMNI POTATO CHIPS AND FUDGE! 2013 AWARD WINNERS lyceum series presents ice Cream Duo Ben & Jerry Outstanding ULM Alumni honored ULM welcomes the community to The Golden Arrow Award enjoy Ben and Jerry as Lyceum Series co-recipients are Glen Williams (B.A. ’60, B.S. speakers at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, in ‘63) and Jo Ann Williams (B.A. ’60, M.A. ’66, Brown Auditorium. Ed.S. ‘84). Longtime season ticket holders, Glen and Jo attend almost every football and Since 1978, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield basketball game, and as educators, have have combined unique ice cream flavors such provided a Franklin Parish teacher scholarship. as the potato chips and fudge creation called “Late Night Snack,” inspired by Jimmy Fallon GLEN & JO ANN Robert “Bob” Anderson is the recipient of the and his Late Night talk show. WILLIAMS George T. Walker Lifetime Achievement Award. A long-time ULM icon, Bob has written about This flavor, along with many others, helped alumni, athletics, and scholarships, as well as catapult the entrepreneurs — more popularly being a local sportswriter, statistician, and known as Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream — to the general sports information writer. Bob wrote forefront of people’s minds and freezers. “Indian Territory: The Story of ULM Athletics.” Tickets are available for purchase at He is a lifetime member of the “L Club” and a ulmtickets.com. Student tickets cost $2 with a member of ULM Athletics Hall of Fame. ULM ID, tickets for the general public are $25, and patron party tickets are $50. BOB ANDERSON Tim Rightsell (B.B.A. ‘97) is the recipient of the Rising Alumni Award. Tim is an assistant vice Initiated in 2003, ULM’s Lyceum Series president at Chase Bank, and is a member of the promotes intellectual exchange among ULM ULM Alumni Association Board as well as the students, faculty, staff and the community. ULM Athletic Foundation Board. Since that time, authors, political pundits, journalists, captains of industry, movie and TV The Greater Baton Rouge Alumni Chapter is celebrities, as well as other notable the recipient of the Chapter of the Year Award. personalities have participated in ULM’s The Greater Baton Rouge Chapter sponsored Lyceum Series. their second Annual Golf Tournament, drawing TIM RIGHTSELL closer to endowing their first scholarship. 4 University of Louisiana at Monroe ulm.edu Devin Girod Jessica Gilbert Tommy Walpole NEW FACES IN WARHAWK A CROWNING THE ULM CROWD HERITAGE PARK AchIEVEMENT Alumni Affairs New tailgate area Miss Louisiana 2013 Jaden Leach In July, the face of Alumni Affairs Warhawk fans have a Jaden Leach, a junior changed when longtime Director new place for tailgating this political science major, captured the Tommy Walpole was promoted to football season — the ULM 2013 Miss Louisiana title at the Executive Director of Auxiliary Alumni Association’s Warhawk Monroe Civic Center’s Jack Howard Services. In August, ULM alum Devin Heritage Park, located off Bon Theater on June 29. She is the Girod was named as the new Alumni Aire Drive between the ULM fourth ULM student in the past five Affairs Director. Girod subsequently Alumni Center and “Bon Aire,” years to win the crown following appointed ULM alum and former the University Residence. Hope Anderson (2011), Kelsi Crain Miss ULM Jessica Gilbert as (2010), and Katherine Putnam Heritage Park contains 64, Associate Director of Alumni Affairs. (2009). 40-foot by 70-foot spaces, Girod and Gilbert seek to identify the many overlooking Bayou Leach, of West Monroe, said it components ULM alumni are looking DeSiard or shaded along Bon was “truly a treat” to win the for in their regional events and Aire Drive. crown. Her platform is “Children at encourage alumni to get excited Risk,” and her talent is vocal For information, pricing about all the great things happening performance. She sang “Can’t Let inquiries, and tailgating at ULM. Go.” Leach, who competed as guidelines, contact the ULM Miss Spirit of the Ouachita, is the Girod obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Alumni Association office at daughter of Martha and Don Mass Communication in 2011 and 318-342-5420 or visit Leach. Master of Arts in Communication in ulm.edu/alumni/tailgating 2013. Gilbert received a Bachelor of Leach competed in the Miss Arts in Psychology in 2012. America Pageant in September. She will return to ULM after her For more information about the ULM reign as Miss Louisiana ends in Alumni Association, June 2014. call 318-342-5420 or visit ulm.edu/alumni ulm.edu University of Louisiana at Monroe 5 ULM CamPus neWs University of LOUISIANA at Monroe ULM UNVEILS NEW ULM OFFERS STATe’s INSTITUTIONAL LOGO FIRST UAS CONCENTRATION New identity standards implemented New aviation concentration utilizes drone technology ULM officialsunveiled a revamped This fall, ULM’s Aviation Department in the College of version of the university’s institutional logo. The Business began offering the state’s first concentration in restyled logo — designed in-house by Director of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Associate professor of aviation Graphic Design Christi Bailey — will serve as a Paul Karlowitz, a former military pilot and airport director, more modern interpretation of the university’s worked closely with David King, associate professor of most recognizable symbol — the Kitty DeGree aviation, and Dr.