Month: September 2024

By Aleigh Sanders

Steven Cossé, a Southeastern alumnus, is undoubtedly leaving a lasting impact on his alma mater. His generosity has allowed for the creation of four First Generation Scholarships.

Cossé graduated from Southeastern in 1969, earning a bachelor of arts degree. He later graduated from Loyola University in 1974, earning a juris doctorate.

In 2012, Cosse’ was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award. The Alumni Association Awards Program recognizes Southeastern alumni who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have honored the legacy of excellence at the university. Recipients of the Alumnus of the Year Award have reflected outstanding qualities as a Southeastern student, have excelled in their field after graduation, and have continued to be supportive and active in Southeastern’s future. Cossé has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate each of these qualities.

At the time of his recognition, Cossé served as president and CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation. The company hoped to create a scholarship in his honor, which inspired the first of the four First Generation Scholarships. The Steve Cossé/Murphy Oil First Generation Scholarship was established shortly after his recognition in 2012. It was matched by the Louisiana State Board of Regents in 2013.

Cossé continues his support of Southeastern through the establishment of three successive endowments. The first was the Steve Cossé First Generation Endowed Scholarship, which was matched in 2022. The Steve Cossé First Generation Endowed Scholarship No. 2 was established a year later, and it was matched in 2023. The Steve Cossé First Generation Endowed Scholarship No. 3 was most recently established, and it was submitted for matching in 2024.

Several recipients of the First Generation Scholarships have thanked Cossé for his generosity that has ultimately allowed them to attend the university.

One recipient of the Steve Cossé/Murphy Oil First Generation Scholarship, Marissa Pareti, thanked Cossé saying, “What you did was so thoughtful, and so appreciated.” She went on to say how his generosity meant the world, as this support allowed her to continue her education at Southeastern and to continue chasing her dreams. Upon graduation in 2003, Pareti enrolled in Southeastern’s RN-BSN nursing program and is now on her way to becoming a labor and delivery nurse, a career which will in turn allow her to also help countless others.

Teresa Huerta, another recipient and current health sciences major, said that “If it wasn’t for this scholarship, I probably wouldn’t have been able to fully afford to come to Southeastern. . . . I am really glad and thankful for it.”

The university is and will forever be thankful for Steven Cossé. He continues to leave a lasting impact on the university through his support to students receiving an education at Southeastern.

Endowed scholarships, such as those established by Cossé, allow students to focus more on their studies, to boost their academic success, and to help them graduate within four or five years.

If you are interested in establishing a scholarship, please contact the Office of Development by calling 985.549.2239 or emailing advancement@southeastern.edu. For more information on applying for a scholarship, contact scholarships@southeastern.edu.

A Southeastern professor and student have been selected as winners of the 2024 edition of Louisiana Contemporary, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s annual juried exhibition, presented by The Helis Foundation.

Professor of New Media + Animation Cristina Molina received The Helis Foundation Art Prize for Best in Show with her work The Memory of Miss River, 2023, a multi-channel video installation, while Southeastern student Ginina Biondini of Covington won first place for her work I didn’t know You then but I know You now, 2023, a work of inherited fabric, fiber fill, thread, wood, and lace. Molina also received an unrestricted $5,000 grant as part of her award.

This year’s exhibition features 41 works by 37 artists from over 1,000 submissions and is on view at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans, located at 925 Camp St., through Oct. 13. Head Curator of Governor’s Island Arts and Vice President for Arts and Culture at the Trust for Governors Island, Lauren Haynes served as the 2024 guest juror.

“I was truly honored to be selected as the juror for the 2024 edition of Louisiana Contemporary,” Haynes said. “I enjoyed having the opportunity to see over 1,100 artworks by 367 artists living and working in Louisiana.”

Nationally recognized lawyer, negotiator, and legal strategist Calvin C. Fayard, Jr. has been selected as the Southeastern Alumni Association 2024 Alumnus of the Year. A 1965 graduate of Southeastern, Fayard will be honored at the Alumni Association’s annual awards evening Friday, Oct. 18, during Homecoming Week.

“An Alumnus of the Year is someone who not only embodies the core values of Lion pride, excellence, caring, and service, but also goes above and beyond in their commitment to making a difference,” said Vice President of University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale. “This year’s recipient, Calvin Fayard, exemplifies these qualities in every way. His unwavering dedication to Southeastern is unparalleled.”

“Calvin has not only been a steadfast supporter, but has also played a pivotal role in shaping the future of our institution. His generosity, vision, and leadership have paved the way for countless students to achieve their dreams,” Lauderdale explained. “The transformational opportunities he has created are a testament to his belief in the power of education and his desire to leave a lasting legacy. Calvin Fayard’s impact on our community will be felt for generations to come, and we are profoundly grateful for his contributions.”

A native of Springfield, Fayard is a nationally known trial attorney, renowned for his negotiation and settlement skills. He majored in agronomy while at Southeastern, went on to graduate from LSU Law School in 1969, served in the Louisiana Air National Guard until 1974, and also served as an elected delegate to the 1973 Louisiana Constitutional Convention.

In addition to practicing law, Fayard currently serves the US Diplomatic Consular Corps as Honorary Consul to the Principality of Monaco for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. He is also recognized for his support of educational and community causes, particularly in the parishes of Livingston, Tangipahoa, and Orleans.

Fayard was instrumental in the return of football to Southeastern in 2003 and the opening of the Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center in 2005, served as president of the Southeastern Alumni Association in 1979, and was the recipient of the Golden Ambassador Award in 2000. Fayard Hall, located in the center of campus, is named in honor of his late mother and father.

Southeastern’s Department of Computer Science is hosting the first of the fall Industry Connect Distinguished Lectures Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. Scheduled in the Envoc Innovation Lab, located in room 2026 in the Computer Science and Technology Building, the free lecture is titled “Cybersecurity – The Elephant in the Room.” Senior Director of Cyber Resilience with CommonSpirit Health Andres Calderon will serve as guest speaker.

Calderon has over 30 years of experience in strategic and information technology roles. Previously, he was the cyber resilience officer at Centura Health and held various IT leadership positions at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.

Throughout his career, Andres has taught master’s level courses in analytics, cybersecurity, and information technology. He has extensive expertise in aligning analytics, cybersecurity, and technology with corporate vision, as well as in business development, product design, system architectures, and decision support systems.

Guests are welcome to join in person at the Computer Science and Technology building or virtually via Google Meet. To be added to the RSVP list and receive all event details, email industryconnect@southeastern.edu.

For more information, contact the Department of Computer Science at 985-549-5740.