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Celebrating a New Class of Southeastern Graduates

On Saturday, Dec. 14, Southeastern honored 1,096 new graduates at the first Commencement ceremony during its 100th year in operation.

Due to the large number of graduates being celebrated, two separate ceremonies are now held every December and every May. The first ceremony at the Winter 2024 Commencement, held at 10 a.m., celebrated undergraduate and graduate students from the colleges of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Education; and Science and Technology. At 3 p.m., the second ceremony acknowledged the accomplishments of students from the colleges of Business and Nursing and Health Sciences.

Receiving 15 different degrees, 389 men and 707 women were officially welcomed into the alumni family. These graduates represented 15 states and 16 countries.

Combating Food Insecurity through New Food Pantry Grant

Southeastern has been awarded an $11,220 grant through the 2024 Food Love Grants Program. The prestigious award makes Southeastern only the second university to receive the grant since the program’s inception.

Made possible by the Popeyes Foundation’s SERVING WITH LOVE® initiative, the grant will enhance resources for the Southeastern Food Pantry, which serves students experiencing food insecurity.

The grant was made possible through the efforts of Student Engagement Assistant Director Adonica Reed, Graduate Assistant Patrick O’Neil, and the Office for Student Engagement staff who successfully applied for the funding to support the university’s ongoing work in combating food insecurity.

O’Neil shared his enthusiasm for the grant. “I’m excited to be partnering with Popeyes to help give back to our campus community,” he said. “I can speak for all of the pantry staff when I say that our students and campus workers are going to be ecstatic when we have an abundance of food.”

The Food Love Grants Program, inspired by Popeyes’ New Orleans heritage, focuses on food access and community support. The funding will help the Southeastern Food Pantry expand its services, ensuring students can prioritize their academic goals without the challenge of food insecurity.

“This generous grant will make a big difference for our students,” Reed said. “We’re grateful to the Popeyes Foundation for their support, which will help us continue to serve those who need it most.”

“Popeyes® and the Popeyes Foundation are proud to give back to our local communities. Through our SERVING WITH LOVE® initiative, we will continue providing our team members emergency-related support and give back to local Popeyes® communities through our Food Love Grants Program,” said Executive Director of the Popeyes Foundation Renee Hobbs. “The Popeyes Foundation partners with Popeyes® restaurants to raise funds for our SERVING WITH LOVE® initiative, so we can support our Popeyes® family and our local neighborhoods.”

For more information on Southeastern’s Food Pantry and its services, visit southeastern.edu/foodpantry.

Collecting Discarded Christmas Trees to Enhance Local Wetlands

Southeastern is asking area citizens to give the environment a gift after Christmas.

Turtle Cove and its partners are providing Christmas Tree Recycling, allowing discarded Christmas trees to be dropped off and used for wetland restoration rather than thrown out with the trash.

“Recycled Christmas trees can be put back to work in our area marshes, while also reducing the waste going into landfills,” said Rob Moreau, manager of Southeastern’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station, located on Pass Manchac between Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas.

Although grant funding from the state programs for Christmas tree recycling in many areas ended years ago, local partners stepped up to keep the project going. This marks the 30th straight year Southeastern has conducted its recycled tree program. Each year students from Moreau’s environmental awareness class, as well as volunteers from the local community, have helped to deploy the trees into areas needed most in the Manchac Swamp Wetlands. This year, Turtle Cove Education/Outreach Coordinator Ariel Ebanks is teaching the class and will lead students in the deployment of the trees in mid-March. Approximately 45,000 trees have been deployed through the Southeastern program in the past 29 years.

Southeastern scientists and volunteers at Turtle Cove use the discarded trees to help build up marshland in areas that have been impacted by erosion and other factors, said Moreau.

Moreau explained that the trees will be used in a variety of ways, creating new habitats for wildlife and, of course, helping to control erosion along various shorelines, most recently occurring on Galva Canal and in areas around the research station itself on Pass Manchac and the boatshed/parking lot area at Galva Canal.

This practice also provides hands-on environmental education opportunities for students and other volunteers who help with the project.

Collaborating on the project for the 10th consecutive year is the Southeastern Sustainability Center, which will serve as a drop-off point for area residents to leave their used Christmas trees. Other primary partners include the city of Hammond, city of Ponchatoula, Middendorf’s Restaurant in Manchac, and the Hammond Downtown Development District. Several local tree farms and other businesses usually jump in on the action as well in terms of providing leftover trees.

Trees can be dropped off through March 5 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hammond maintenance facility, located at 18104 Hwy. 190 next to Piggly Wiggly Supermarket. Trees should be dropped off using the gate on Falcon Dr. next to Piggly Wiggly. During these same dates, city of Ponchatoula residents can drop off trees anytime at 385 North 4th St. by the fence.

The Southeastern Sustainability Center, located at 2101 North Oak Street, will collect trees beginning Jan. 6 through the end of the month from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Fridays. Moreau said a Turtle Cove trailer is maintained at Middendorf’s Restaurant, so diners going there can also drop off trees.

Starting this year, two new partners are joining the effort: The Hammond Farmers and Artisans Market will serve as a drop-off location with more information forthcoming, and St. John The Baptist Parish will also be collecting trees and bringing them to Manchac. Curbside pickup can be scheduled in St. John the Baptist Parish by calling Public Works at 985-652-4815, and will take place on Thursdays through Feb. 13.

“The city of Hammond will again provide transport of collected trees from Hammond and Ponchatoula to the Turtle Cove Galva Canal parking lot area in Manchac, where they will be stored until they are deployed in the marshes in the spring,” Moreau said.

For all of these sites, no flocked trees will be accepted, and all trees should be stripped of any ornaments, lights, tinsel, stands, nails and screws, etc.

“This greatly helps our efforts to get the trees quickly deployed,” Moreau said.

For more information, contact Moreau at rmoreau@southeastern.edu, Ebanks at Ariel.Ebanks@southeastern.edu, or visit the website at southeastern.edu/turtlecove.

Donations to help support the activity can be sent by check payable to Southeastern Foundation – c/o Turtle Cove and mailed to Southeastern Box 10585, Hammond, LA 70402, or can be made by credit card through the Turtle Cove website under the donations link.

Ranked a Top School by U.S. News and World Report

Southeastern has earned three rankings from U.S. News and World Report, again being named among the top universities in the region. The university was listed as one of the top 50 public schools and one of the top 100 universities (private or public) in the South. Southeastern also was named as one of the top national performers for the social mobility of its students.

“These accolades are yet another testament to the tremendous support Southeastern students receive from our faculty and staff,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “We are wholly committed to the academic success of every student.”

Every year, U.S. News and World Report publishes college rankings in the United States. Colleges and universities are reviewed based on academic quality and measures, such as graduation rates, retention rates, and social mobility.

“Although the methodology is the product of years of research, we continuously refine our approach based on user feedback, literature reviews, trends in our own data and availability of new data. We also regularly engage with institutional researchers and high-ranking academic officials, including presenting at higher education forums and conducting interactive webinars,” U.S. News said. “Our detailed methodology is transparent in part for use by schools and academics, but mostly because we believe prospective students will find our rankings more useful if they know what the rankings measure.”

Graduation rates for first-generation college students were once again factored into the ranking’s overall methodology. The ranking “evaluates which schools best serve underrepresented students” and analyzes enrollment and graduation rates of low-income students with Pell Grants. Southeastern was ranked 117th nationally in social mobility.

The rankings can be accessed here.

Offering a New Medical Sales Certificate

Southeastern’s College of Business is now offering an undergraduate certificate in sales leadership.

The Medical Sales Certificate program allows students from all majors the opportunity to upskill and enhance their degree. Sales skills are relevant for a variety of roles, including, but not limited to, sales and sales leadership, said Interim Department Head of Marketing and Supply Chain Management April Kemp.

“In an increasingly competitive job market, this program offers comprehensive training in medical products, sales strategies, and effective communication techniques tailored for healthcare professionals,” Kemp said. “The Medical Sales Certificate enhances students’ resumes and connects them with industry leaders and potential job opportunities, positioning graduates for career success.”

The program curriculum was designed using an interdisciplinary approach by faculty in both the College of Business and The College of Nursing and Health Studies and an advisory board of medical sales professionals to ensure students would gain knowledge and experience to set them up for success. Courses include topics in medical terminology, applying evidence to improve healthcare outcomes, professional selling, and opportunities for internships and surgical observations.

Travis McCoy, a leader in the industry with 20 years of experience in domestic and international healthcare sales, serves as the Southeastern Medical Sales Advisory Board Chair.

“The demand for skilled medical sales representatives is on the rise, and this program aims to serve as a gateway to rewarding career paths,” said McCoy. “Southeastern faculty and the advisory board members are committed to providing students with industry knowledge and the networking opportunities they need to thrive.”

For more information about the Medical Sales Certificate program, contact the Southeastern Department of Marketing and Supply Chain at marketing@southeastern.edu or call 985-549-2277.

Empowering Future Hispanic Leaders

Southeastern’s Latin American Business Development Initiative recently concluded its Young Hispanic Pre-College Preparation and Leadership Program, an initiative that brought together 30 high school seniors from Hammond, Independence, and Ponchatoula. The program, held several Saturdays in September and October, aims to prepare Hispanic students for higher education and leadership roles in their communities.

The program addresses a critical need in the region. According to recent data, the U.S. Hispanic population grew by 2% from 2013 to 2022, close to half of the nation’s overall population growth of 5.5%. Hispanics in 2022 represented 19.1% of the total U.S. population. Despite this growth, Hispanic students face persistent challenges, including lower college enrollment and completion rates. ( Pew Hispanic Center)

In fall 2022, the number of Hispanic students enrolled in U.S. degree-granting postsecondary institutions was 3.8 million. Twenty-one percent of U.S resident students enrolled in degree-granting institutions were Hispanic/Latino. However, according to Latin American Business and Leadership Development Initiative Director Aristides Baraya, gaps in educational attainment remain, making programs like Southeastern’s Pre-College Preparation and Leadership Program vital in addressing these disparities.

“The Fall 2024 program featured dynamic workshops on leadership, personal branding, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, STEM, artificial intelligence, and ACT preparation,” Baraya said. “Participants engaged in a rigorous schedule that blended academic instruction with real-world skill development.”

Recognizing the importance of parental involvement, Southeastern also hosted a dedicated session for parents, Baraya explained. The daylong event covered vital topics, including preventing substance abuse, online safety, understanding vaping risks, and navigating financial aid options at Southeastern.

“This impactful program was made possible through partnerships with such prominent organizations as JPMorgan Chase and Co., Shell, Miguel A. Elias – A Professional Law Corporation, Chick-Fil-a, and others,” he said. “These collaborations underscore the commitment of both the private and academic sectors to supporting the Hispanic community.”

Organized by the Office of the Latin American Business Development Initiative, Baraya said, the program exemplifies Southeastern’s dedication to supporting underserved communities and fostering a sense of belonging.

“For more than 24 years, LABDI has strengthened leadership and educational opportunities for the Hispanic population, both locally and internationally,” he said.

For more information, contact Baraya at abaraya@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-2171.

Caring Doesn’t Take a Break

One Staff Member’s Unexpected Journey into Filling a Gap for International Students

By Brock Sanders

Josh Randall, the production manager at Southeastern’s Document Source Print and Mail Center, started the Fall 2023 semester with a surprise visit from a student asking about mail. The simple interaction between Randall and Imole Olugbola, a student from Nigeria studying music performance, opened the doors to a problem in dire need of a solution.

Olugbola had come to the Mail Center to ask about the delivery of his Social Security card, which would allow him to work at the on-campus dining services. Working on campus provided Olugbola with finances to pay for his off-campus apartment and not need transportation to work. However, the card never came in after weeks of asking. Randall took it into his own hands to produce results that the Social Security card office was not providing to Olugbola.

“Let’s just get in my Jeep and drive to the Social Security office to figure this out,” Randall said.

The pair were told that the paperwork had gone through some rerouting but would arrive. Olugbola received his paperwork days later and was able to work on campus. However, this wasn’t the end of their friendship.

Randall inquired about his new Nigerian friend at lunch after the mystery of the lost Social Security card was solved. Olugbola grew up in an impoverished area of Nigeria, according to Randall, and learned how to play the violin at his local library where YouTube was accessible on the free computers. He later moved to Hammond, Louisiana, on a scholarship to play the violin in the Department of Music and Performing Arts.

Throughout the semester, Randall readily kept up with Olugbola until the cusp of finals in November. It was then that the international student came to the Mail Center asking about job opportunities over the winter break when the university would be shut down.

Due to departments being closed, Olugbola would be out of a job for close to three weeks. An initiative to produce results and try to find a solution drove Randall down a rabbit hole of more questions than answers.

Lack of a work visa or transportation posed a precarious situation in finding a job for one international student and an even larger problem when Ogubola introduced his friend.

“[Ogubola] came in one day and asked, ‘Mr. Josh, I have a friend who is in the same shape and needs a job, can you help him too?’” Randall said.

Curious as to how many other international students were in the same boat as Ogubola and his friend Ayomide Olubuse, Randall asked if a poll could be done. The survey, conducted by Olubuse, produced a list of 34 students at Southeastern from Nigeria who were going to be without a job or family during the winter break.

“It was Christmastime, and you can’t go pinching pennies at Christmastime. That’s not what we do here,” said Randall.

Randall, again, pushed himself to try harder.

He contacted business owners, department heads, and members of the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce to give these students a chance to not only live but thrive during the four-week break.

“If there is something that can be done, why can’t it be done?” Randall said, living by the mantra to help people where help is needed.

This urge to help flows into his pastimes, where he is a volunteer fireman; assistant director at his local youth association in Springfield, Louisiana; and the owner of a 20-year-old jeep club.

Randall said he only brings problems to the table if solutions are readily available. He proposed that departments that have to work over winter break and have room on their budget from students who return home promote those open positions for students who are eager to work. Forming a network of business owners who could offer jobs for short periods could also open a larger door for other international students that attend Southeastern.

Randall is hopeful and driven that he will do his part to be part of the solution. “I promise you I will do what I can to not let this happen again,” he said.

To further help combat this predicament, the Office of Student Engagement jumped in to arrange a food program to provide for international students remaining close to campus during the break through the Lion Pantry food pantry program. The Lion Pantry provides perishable and non-perishable items to any active Southeastern students who are in need of services throughout the year, and during breaks, this critical resource can make an especially big difference to members of the campus community.

Within the Office of Student Engagement, Southeastern’s Multicultural and International Student Affairs (MISA) office provides support services, along with social and leadership opportunities, to international students throughout the year, including hosting a popular International Night and housing international student organizations. MISA and other university departments are continuing to investigate additional ways to make sure all students have everything they need to achieve a successful and happy experience at Southeastern, no matter the time of year.

There are close to 160 international students currently enrolled at the university, a number which continues to rise as Southeastern’s reputation for academic excellence mixed with caring support in a welcoming community continues to grow across the globe.

During the Hammond Christmas Parade in December, Southeastern President William Wainwright was adamant that a magnet be placed on one of the floats stating “We love our international students.”

“At Southeastern, you matter here,” Randall said. “I live by that.”

Building Epic

Alumnus Kyle Snyder is Helping Bring to Life One of the World’s Most Immersive Theme Parks

By Sheri Gibson

In May 2025, one of the most revolutionary theme parks ever constructed will open its doors. It will also be the first new major theme park to open in Orlando, quite arguably the mecca for such attractions, since 1999. While many may dream of what it would be like to help bring such an amazing project to life, one Southeastern alumnus is actually living it.

Kyle Snyder, an EHS (environment, health, and safety) construction specialist for Universal Orlando Resort, fell in love with construction from a young age. It ran in his family, with his dad building oil and gas drill ships. He even had the opportunity to work with his father in Singapore soon after enrolling at Southeastern. There, a colleague who was a health and safety inspector took him under his wing, and the trajectory of Kyle’s life began to take a new path.

Kyle fell in love with the health and safety side of construction, and when he returned to Southeastern, he enrolled in courses that would help him pursue this new passion. He joined the university’s chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, an organization which he is an active member of to this day. And to further enhance his experience, he completed a safety engineering internship at Citgo Petroleum Refinery in Lake Charles—gaining not only valuable hands-on experience, but also solidifying in him a knowledge that his true course lay in commercial construction rather than oil and gas.

“It was amazing. It set me up for my future,” Kyle said of the occupational, health, and safety program at Southeastern that he majored in. “It set me up to handle real-world experiences and not be a deer in the headlights, and to know what employers expect and how to communicate in the real world. So many things that I learned in my program I’m applying every single day in my work.”

The student experience, and being able to simply enjoy and be part of Southeastern’s campus, was also powerful for Kyle, and it left him with memories he cherishes to this day. “When the days were numbered, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I’m going to graduate and won’t be coming here every day.’ I just remember taking a little extra time to walk through campus and take it all in, the oak trees, the Spanish moss, all of it. It’s a beautiful campus. And sometimes I do miss those days, even though they were long with studying. Because that’s home. And it’s where I grew into myself and found out a lot about myself.”

In 2021, Kyle graduated with his bachelor’s degree and began embarking on the next chapter. He landed a position with a concrete construction company in Tampa, Florida, and relocated to the Sunshine State. But a few months later, he came across an interesting opening for Universal Orlando Resort, which then operated two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure; Universal Citywalk, a dining, shopping, and entertainment destination that links the two theme parks; Volcano Bay waterpark; and eight resort hotels. He applied, and when the recruiter told him it would be for the construction of Epic Universe, an entirely new theme park being built down the road from the current resort, he instantly knew it was an opportunity he had to grab.

“I still pinch myself every day because it really is one of the coolest jobs in the world,” he said.

Not only are massive theme parks on the scale of Disney or Universal built few and far between, but Epic Universe itself is unique in its concept. The park will feature a celestial theme with a hub that spokes off into different self-contained lands: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe (which will feature Universal’s classic movie monsters). Visitors will be transported to these different lands through “portals,” or themed, rounded entranceways, for the most enveloping and awe-inspiring experience possible.

In addition to an exquisite level of detail on the man-made elements throughout the park, the hub will also be lush with greenery, water features, and pathways, “putting the park back into theme parks,” as Universal Destinations and Experiences Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Woodbury said.

“It’s immersive, visceral, and just pure adrenaline,” Kyle described. “It’s going to leave people speechless.”

“This is going to be a game changer for the theme park world and the entertainment world,” he added. “I think people are going to be in awe, and it’s only going to help the company continue to produce amazing attractions for years to come. It’s going to set the precedent. It’s going to set the bar even higher than what it already is.”

In addition to being good for consumers and Universal, he noted the positive effect it will also have on the entire industry. “I think competition is really good for the industry. I don’t know anything about what they’re doing down the road [at Disney], is what we say. But it’s going to push them to give their best on the next thing that they come out with.

“I think competition’s a good thing for that reason. It’s just going to set the bar even higher, and there’s going to be even more intensity moving forward with how we can create something that is literally going to make our guests’ jaws drop. And something that people will never get tired of, with them constantly getting that fulfillment of excitement, joy, and immersive experiences that we provide.”

As an EHS construction specialist, Kyle works on the construction and newbuild side of operations for Universal, positioning him to help bring Epic Universe to life throughout the entire construction process. His responsibilities include making sure the designs of attractions meet company, federal, and even international standards; that OSHA construction standards are met; and managing contractors that are hired for the build, working with them as a team to create a safe park and doing it in a way that’s also free of injury, illness, and even property damage. He works in multiple areas in the park, including Super Nintendo World.

“It’s so humbling. Never in a million years did I think I would get this opportunity so soon out of college. I was always optimistic, I’ve got a good degree, I’ve got a good education, and I’ve got the right mindset, so I believed I’d have an opportunity to work on an amazing project. But to be on this so soon, at such a young age and right out of college, has been truly humbling.”

Kyle looks forward to the day when the doors open and people get to experience Epic Universe for themselves, along with when he gets to also try out some of the rides—including in the area he’s perhaps the most excited for, Super Nintendo World. And, for years down the road, he is able to anticipate enjoying it with those closest to him.

“The legacy of looking back on this 30 years from now, when I have my own family, bringing my children and grandchildren here, that will be a very fun time. Being able to experience the ride not just by myself but with my family and saying that I was a part of this.”

“Most people work their whole lives to get an opportunity to work on a project like this,” he added. “And I’ve been so blessed and fortunate to have it presented to me at such a young age. That’s not lost on me. I don’t take it for granted. It’s being part of history.”

Named Louisiana’s Nursing School of the Year

Southeastern’s undergraduate nursing program has been recognized by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation with the Nightingale Award as the Nursing School of the Year, and faculty member Kristi Lamarque-Bordelon was honored with the Nightingale Award for Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year. The awards recognize the achievements of the nursing program’s students and faculty.

This is the sixth time Southeastern has been recognized with a Nightingale Award for the undergraduate nursing program.

The competition is evaluated by a panel of out-of-state judges who review the nominations submitted by nursing programs throughout the state. The Nightingale Awards are the foundation’s highest recognition for quality, service, commitment and excellence among Louisiana registered nurses.

Ann Carruth, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said nursing programs are evaluated for the award by a wide range of criteria, including accreditation status, innovations in education and teaching, nursing examination passage rate, and comments solicited from graduates, faculty and area employers.

Assistant Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Ken Tillman attributed the success of the undergraduate program’s students and graduates to the dedicated nursing faculty and teaching resources.

“The nursing faculty is committed to the students’ success, and the program offers excellent instructional spaces, skills practice labs, and patient simulation labs both on campus and at the Baton Rouge Center.”

A Southeastern faculty member since 2023, Lamarque-Bordelon teaches medical/surgical and maternal health clinical courses. She is a perinatal bereavement nurse at St. Tammany Hospital.

School of Nursing Department Head Lindsay Domiano said she is proud of the students and faculty for their dedication and excellence to once again be recognized with the prestigious Nightingale Award.

“This award reflects our commitment to providing innovative and high-quality nursing education that prepares our graduates to excel in their careers. Our faculty’s dedication and the state-of-the-art resources available to our students are key to our success,” she said. “We are honored to be acknowledged as the Nursing School of the Year and proud of Kristi for being recognized as Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year. We will continue to strive for excellence in nursing education.”

For more information about Southeastern’s Nursing Program, visit southeastern.edu/nursing.

Brewing Up Southeastern’s Centennial Beer

Southeastern is getting a special beer in honor of its upcoming 100th birthday thanks to Gnarly Barley Brewing Company, a locally owned brewery. Named Lion’s Legacy Lager, the special brew is a craft beer.

Southeastern will always hold a special place in the hearts of Zac and Cari Caramonta, owners of Gnarly Barley Brewing, who met while attending college at Southeastern.

“Anytime there’s an opportunity to collaborate with the university, we jump on it,” said Cari Caramonta. “They’ve shown us so much support over the years, and that means a lot to us.”

Caramonta described the lager as “crisp and crushable, brewed cold for a snappy and refreshing finish.” The beer clocks in at a reasonable 5% ABV (alcohol by volume) and is a limited edition, she explained.

“One hundred years of Southeastern is something to celebrate. We suggest a beer that’s just as storied and timeless, like an American lager,” she added.

“We are truly grateful for the Centennial Lion’s Legacy Lager specially crafted by Zac and Cari and their love of Southeastern,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “We appreciate their generosity in helping us celebrate 100 years of educational excellence and look forward to 100 more.”

An official launch event is scheduled at Gnarly Barley on Wednesday, November 20, from 4:30 until 6 p.m.