SUMMER ‘15 for alumni & friends of xavier university The Future is Bright 40Under 40 Also in this issue: Alumni Spotlights Commencement 2015 Honor Roll of Donors Alumni Homecoming is produced annually. For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 504.520.7575. For alumni and friends of Xavier University Published by The Office of Institutional THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT Advancement 09 New President at the Helm Dr. C. Reynold Verret President Gia Soublet ’91 Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS Kimberly Reese ‘95 16 Director Football & Fashion Alumni Relations Richard Tucker Editor-in-Chief [email protected] Irving Johnson III COMMENCEMENT 2015 University Photographer 39 No. 88 is Now in the Books Xavier University of Louisiana 1 Drexel Drive, Box 66 New Orleans, LA 70125 Phone: 504-520-7575 Fax: 504-520-7915 53 ALUMNI HOMECOMING www.xula.edu A Very Special Occasion Photo Credits: Irving Johnson III, cover, 3-12, 39-43, 52-61, 64-68, inside back cover; 59 40 UNDER 40 Bernie Saul, 3, 56, 60-61; courtesy A New Tradition is Born Ed Cassiere, 1, 18; courtesy Kristine Pichon ’99, 17; courtesy NCF Tribute Campaign, 19; courtesy XU Office of Alumni, 43, 52; Gavin Goins, 43, 53-58, 60-62, 64, 66, 68. 64 CLASS REUNIONS Forever XU DEPARTMENTS 2 President’s Message > University News 3 Au Courant 22 Honor Roll of Donors XG 42 Gold Pages >Alumni News > Class Notes > Chapter News 2015 Summer 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Summer 2015 Dear Xavier Alumni and Friends, With joy and hope, I address you as president of Xavier University of Louisiana! You will find an article by Richard Tucker within this publication that will offer a small glimpse into who I am and where I’ve been, so I won’t provide those details here. But let me just take this opportunity to convey how deeply honored I am to be at Xavier and how eager I am to work with all of you – the faculty, staff, alumni, students, friends and other stakeholders – to assure that the distinctive mission of this University is sustained and enhanced in the evolving higher educational environment. As you would expect, the initial months in this new position have been quite hectic. There has been much to learn (and am still learning) about what makes Xavier “Xavier” — its culture, its opportunities and its challenges. There is also much to do pertaining to the day-to-day operations of the University and preparing for the arrival of the new class. I am looking forward to visiting with our distinguished alumni who are dispersed out across the nation. I look forward to meeting with as many of you as I can in the near future, most especially at our Fall 2015 Homecoming. May you enjoy this issue of Xavier Gold magazine, which covers a range of University highlights, alumni accomplishments, and many events from the past year. As is the custom, we also include in this issue the annual Honor Roll of Donors. The continued support and generosity of each and every donor is vital to our mission to educate deserving students. We are forever grateful for your generosity. The future of Xavier University of Louisiana is bright. With your unwavering support, commitment, and prayers, together we will continue to ensure that Xavier University remains this great gift to the nation. Sincerely, C. Reynold Verret President XG 2 2015 Summer Au Courant Current Events, News and Other Happenings at Xavier University Highlights n Xavier has been awarded an $8.3 million three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHR) to support activities designed to increase the number of African Americans and other minorities entering the pharmacy profession and to further ensure that its pharmacy graduates are prepared for leadership in health care practice, education, and research. n In February 2015 WHITE COAT CEREMONY: First-year College of Pharmacy students (L-R) Erica Olivier, Tomi Gilliams, the College of Pharmacy Taylor McBride, and Raymond Curry sign their received reaffirmation of professional oaths at the 12th annual White Coat its accreditation by The Ceremony, during which the neophyte students Accreditation Council received their first professional uniform - the white for Pharmacy Education jacket - symbolizing ethical practice and signifying the (ACPE) for the next eight beginning of their professional pharmacy educations. years – the customary cycle between self-studies. ACPE has also reaffirmed accreditation of the University’s Continuing Pharmacy Education Program for six years – again the customary cycle. n The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR: Visiting students recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation who studied at Xavier through various (CHEA) has granted accreditation of the following programs in the Division of international education programs during Education and Counseling at Xavier: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) and 2014 – some of whom left at the end of the fall School Counseling (MA). semester – shared a moment with XU President n A 2015 National Science Foundation report (Women, Minorities, and Persons with Emeritus Dr. Norman C. Francis and CIIP Director Disabilities in Science and Engineering) shows that Xavier ranks third in the nation Dr. Torian Lee. On hand were: (L-R) Lee, Pedro Sa (Brazil), Camila Duarte (Brazil), Jose Anselmo in graduating African Americans who go on to obtain Ph.D.s in the STEM (science, (Brazil), Jessica de Silva (Brazil), Irum Raza technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. The report, released in January (Pakistan), Edina Schones (Brazil), Jelena Vujicik by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics Directorate for Social, (Serbia), Fakhreddin Zouari (Tunisia), Ralitsa Behavioral and Economic, indicated that during the covered period – 2008-2012 Hadzhistoyanova (Bulgaria), and Francis. – Xavier had 72 of its graduates earn doctorates in science and engineering. That placed it third behind only Howard University and Spelman College, with 106 and 86 graduates respectively. 3 Current Events, News and Other Happenings at Xavier n The National Science Foundation awarded Xavier a two-year, $250,000 grant to support research and education designed to provide more precise measurements of gamma rays emissions produced by lightning. Dr. Anderson Sunda-Meya, the Norwood Endowed Chair in Physics at Xavier and principal investigator, said the project, “Terrestrial Gamma Flashes at Ground Level,” provides an opportunity for students to work on real hands-on projects in the laboratory with practicing engineers and scientists and enable faculty scientists to enter into a field that is completely new for the University. n Xavier received a grant of $80,000 from the Black and Indian Mission Board in support of its educational ministries. The University will use the grant – which was among those approved this year by a commission which administers funds derived from the Catholic Church’s annual National Black and Indian Mission Collection – to sponsor culturally appropriate events and formation activities which encourage Christian values through its robust Campus Ministry program. n Xavier received a $19.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as part of the national Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Initiative. SPIRIT OF MLK: Taylor Thibeaux, a senior Xavier will use the grant to expand the already thriving biomedical programs the chemistry/premed major from Shreveport LA historically Black university offers its students. The award is part of a $240 million (Caddo High), is congratulated by XU President NIH investment involving more than 10 institutions to develop new approaches to Emeritus Dr. Norman C. Francis after receiving engage student researchers, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, a student community service award during the and prepare them to thrive in the NIH-funded workforce. Xavier and fellow awardees 29th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Week for will establish a national consortium to train, mentor and encourage students from Peace Convocation for her leadership role in the underrepresented groups to enter into and stay in research careers. University’s MAX service program and numerous other activities. n A Xavier cooperative project with the dual purpose of seeking to improve the performance and safety of lithium batteries and creating a reliable pipeline of underrepresented minority undergraduates prepared for careers in STEM has been awarded a five-year, $5 million dollar grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Xavier project, “Solid High Energy Lithium Battery Institution,” is a cooperative effort involving scientists from Georgia Institute of Technology, Auburn University, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and the NASA Glenn Center. XU chemistry professor Dr. Lamartine Meda is the principal investigator (PI) for the project, which has both a research and education component. n The 100,000 Strong Foundation (100K Strong) – a national organization leading the movement to ensure that the next generation of Americans is equipped to engage effectively with China – designated Xavier as the lead institution for its “Advance Louisiana – Educating a Globally-Competent Workforce” initiative. The partnership has three major objectives: to expand Mandarin teaching in Louisiana primary and secondary schools, community colleges, and HBCUs, to facilitate and enhance study