February 2025

Sims Library Members’s Tea

Sims Memorial Library will host the annual Friends of Sims Library Marjorie Morrison Memorial Members’ Tea on Saturday, March 8, at 2 p.m. Guests will enjoy a variety of teas and a selection of sandwiches and pastries. Bottomless mimosas will be available as well for $10.

Author Whitney Collins is the featured speaker, and the doors will open at 1:45 p.m.

Sims Memorial Library Director David Sesser said that “Collins is the prize-winning author of two books of intriguing short stories, Big Bad (2021) and Ricky and Other Love Stories (2024). Collins has been described as ‘fiercely imaginative and devastatingly astute,’ ‘wickedly funny,’ and ‘unflinchingly honest.’ Her stories have appeared in a wide variety of journals and collections, and she has been awarded several major national awards for short fiction, including the Pushcart Prize.”

“The tea is free to Friends of Sims Library members. Those who renew their membership at the associate or patron level may reserve one additional complimentary seat for a guest. Friends at the Lifetime level may reserve a complimentary table for four,” Sesser said. “The cost for non-members is $35, which includes admission to the tea and an individual membership for 2025-26. Additionally, this year the Friends are offering a special VIP event before the Tea, a meet-and-greet with the author. Guests will receive a copy of one of Collins’ books, champagne, light refreshments, and a chance to chat with the author. The event starts at 1:00 p.m., and a separate VIP ticket will be available for $25.”

Payments can be made securely online at southeastern.edu/librarytea. The deadline for online reservations is Wednesday, March 5.

For more information about membership or the tea, email FOSL@southeastern.edu or call 985-549-2186.

Hosting the Annual Black History Month Lecture Series

The Department of History and Political Science is hosting its annual lecture series in honor of Black History Month. The series features lectures that are free and open to the public.

The first lecture, titled “From Slavery to Segregation: Reckoning with White Supremacy in the American South,” was held on February 11.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Theatre, Ashley Tarleton of the Hammond Downtown Development District will present “An Ambiguous Estate in Life: Free People of Color in Louisiana’s Rural Florida Parishes.”

“Most studies of Louisiana’s free people of color center on New Orleans or other regions outside of the Florida Parishes,” said Department Head of History and Political Science Bill Robison. “Here, however, Ashley Tarleton, Southeastern alumna and former research assistant in the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies, will focus on East Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, St. Helena, Livingston, Washington, and St. Tammany parishes (Tangipahoa was not established until 1869), using New Orleans as a comparative base to show how various global influences shaped the Florida Parishes and the policies of successive regimes affected the growth, experiences, and status of free communities of color there.”

“Barack Obama and Civil War Memory,” the final lecture of the series, is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m., in the Student Union Theatre. It will be given by retired LSU History Professor Gaines Foster.

“The Civil War Sesquicentennial occurred with the first African-American President of the United States in office. He faced criticism for continuing the tradition of laying a Memorial Day wreath on the Confederate Monument in Arlington National Cemetery and for not attending the Gettysburg Address anniversary celebration,” said Robison. “Dr. Foster will argue that his response reflected his interpretation of the Civil War’s meaning, one rooted in traditional African American memory and his personal fascination with Abraham Lincoln, but also his larger vision of the meaning of American history.”

For more information about Southeastern’s Black History Month lecture series, contact Robison at 985-549-2109 or wrobison@southeastern.edu.

Named a Top Green College

The Princeton Review has recognized Southeastern in its 2025 Guide to Green Colleges. The university was ranked among the top 100 in the country for efforts towards eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

According to the Princeton report, data was collected from institutional and student surveys that highlighted key factors relating to green colleges. The notable criteria for the ranking included student reports of a high-quality of healthy and sustainable living on campus, the school’s efforts to prepare students for future employment in a growing green U.S. economy, and the university’s policies that reflect environmental responsibility.

The statistics provided by the Princeton Review mark high levels of sustainability for the universities that met the standards for their Guide to Green Colleges. According to Princeton Review’s website, for each university on the list, “28% of their energy comes from clean and renewable sources, 46% of their waste is diverted from incinerators or solid-waste landfills, and 98% offer a sustainability-focused undergraduate major or degree.” Additionally, every school recognized has a campus sustainability officer who focuses on issues such as energy usage, conservation, and anti-pollution efforts.

Rankings and additional information on the Princeton Review’s 2025 Guide to Green Colleges can be accessed here.

Creating a Partnership for New Work Study and Internship Opportunities

North Oaks Health System, the official healthcare provider of Southeastern Athletics, has partnered with Southeastern’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies to help recruit top students pursuing a master’s of science degree in athletic training (MSAT).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, athletic training is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions. Certified athletic trainers play a crucial role in the health and wellness of active populations, working in diverse settings—including sports, medical and industrial fields, the military, law enforcement, and performing arts.

North Oaks offers qualified aspiring athletic trainers the opportunity to participate in post-graduate work-study and internship opportunities through its sports medicine program. North Oaks Sports Medicine is also the exclusive provider of sports medicine and sports performance services for 14 area schools in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes.

“We are proud to further partner with Southeastern to enhance its MSAT curriculum, provide valuable clinical learning sites, and attract the best and brightest future athletic trainers,” said North Oaks President and CEO Michele K. Sutton, FACHE. “With the demand for athletic trainers projected to grow by nearly 20 percent over the next decade, this partnership is truly a win-win. By strengthening our community’s healthcare resources, we’re ensuring a healthier future for its citizens and shaping the next generation of skilled athletic trainers.”

To be eligible for these opportunities, applicants must first be accepted into Southeastern’s MSAT program, complete the required prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and have at least 40 hours of observation under a certified athletic trainer. Additional application materials include a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a current resume.

Southeastern’s Department Head of Kinesiology and Health Studies Charity Bryan said, “Southeastern Louisiana University offers the best MSAT program in Louisiana, and our partnership with North Oaks enhances its value and competitiveness.”

According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the rise in demand for certified athletic trainers stems from factors such as the growing demographic of active senior adults and heightened focus on the safety of youth sports. This trend has led to more health systems, like North Oaks, as well as schools and businesses seeking the expertise of athletic trainers to help prevent and treat injuries.

“Southeastern and North Oaks have a long-standing, fruitful partnership,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “We are grateful to have a partner like North Oaks that helps us prepare the next generation of caregivers with hands-on, real-world training.”

Dean of Southeastern’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences Ann Carruth added, “Support like this helps us attract the best students.”

Southeastern’s MSAT program is nationally accredited. It encompasses 2.5 years of comprehensive classroom instruction, skills labs, and valuable clinical experiences working with high school, collegiate, and professional sports teams. Upon successful completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification national exam.

To learn more about Southeastern’s MSAT program and work placement opportunities, interested candidates can contact Ryan Green at msat@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-2351.

To learn more about athletic training careers with North Oaks Health System, contact North Oaks Sports Medicine Manager Steven Poche at poches@northoaks.org or (985) 230-6177.