The College of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Monroe held its 40th Annual Honors Banquet in the ULM Library Conference Center recently to honor outstanding students in the College of Business Administration.

A committee of the College of Business Administration is responsible for choosing the top four college-wide academic awards each year.

The highest award given to a graduate from the College of Business Administration was the 2007-2008 Dean’s Award of Excellence presented to Nina Krey of Germany. She received $1,000 cash and the Wall Street Journal Award, which included a one-year subscription to the Journal. She also received the Outstanding Graduate in Marketing Award.

The 2007-2008 Distinguished Scholar award, which included $750 was presented to Amy Parsons of Jena. She also received the Outstanding Graduate in Risk Management and Insurance Award, which included $500.

The 2007-2008 Outstanding Scholar Award, which included $500 went to Katie Garlington of Monroe. She also received the Outstanding Graduate in Accounting Award, which included $500, and was named the Beta Gamma Sigma Outstanding Graduating Senior Member.

The Award of Commendation, which included $250 went to Nikhil Joshi, aviation major from India.

Outstanding awards by program included:

Sarah M. Warren of Choudrant was selected by the graduate faculty of the College of Business Administration as the Outstanding Master of Business Administration Graduate for the 2007 calendar year.

John Tyler Collins, Murray, Ken, received the Outstanding Graduate in Aviation Award, which included $250. Alex Vinson, Sterlington, received the Outstanding Graduate in Computer Information Systems Award. Adamos George Fiakkas, Cyprus, received the Outstanding Graduate in Computer Science Award. John Justice, Choudrant, received the Outstanding Graduate in Construction Management Award.

Giovanna Arrondo, Mt. Vernon, Texas, received the Outstanding Graduate in Entrepreneurship Award. Hannah Sullivan, Saline, received the Outstanding Graduate in Finance Award. Travis Jarrod Golson, West Monroe, received the Outstanding Graduate in General Business Award. Nishera M. Sanders, Bastrop, received the Outstanding Graduate in Interior Design Award. Melanie Edwards, Monroe, received the Outstanding Graduate in Management Award.

Graduating senior awards were presented to students who have stayed the course to graduation and have distinguished themselves in their major. Selected was Giovanna Arrondo, Mt. Vernon, Texas, who will receive two bachelor of business administration degrees, one in management and one in entrepreneurship; John Tyler Collins, Murray, Ken., aviation; Patrick Collogan, Ponca City, Okla., marketing; Jennifer Rachel Easom, Monroe, family and consumer science interior design; Melanie Edwards, Monroe, management; Adamos George Fiakkas, Cyprus, computer science; Katie Garlington, Monroe, accounting; Travis Jarrod Golson, West Monroe, general business; Nikhil Joshi, India, aviation; John R. Justice, Collinston, construction; Nina Krey, Germany, marketing; Landon Ledford, Monroe, entrepreneurship; Stephanie Lewis, Monroe, computer information systems; Lauren Murphy, Monroe, accounting; Rita Delaine Parker, Jena, general business; Amy Parsons, Jena, risk management and insurance; Nishera M. Sanders, Bastrop, family and consumer science interior design; Hannah Sullivan, Saline, who will receive two degrees, one in finance and one in risk management and insurance; Nicholas Trappey, New Iberia, finance; Brian Varner, Farmerville, risk management and insurance; and Alex Vinson, Sterlington, computer information systems.

Beta Gamma Sigma, the national honorary fraternity for collegiate business students, selected its outstanding students. The Beta Gamma Sigma Outstanding Junior Scholarship was awarded to Kathleen Robinson, West Monroe; Beta Gamma Sigma Outstanding MBA member was presented to Sinan Gokkaya, Turkey.

Juniors initiated into Beta Gamma Sigma were Christoher Arant, Joel Foret, Rawlins Goldston, and Salman Tahsin, all of Monroe; Conner Clark, Christopher Leader, Jacob Linder and Kathleen Robinson, all of West Monroe; Haley Chop, Winnfield; Jennifer Holtzclaw, Leesville; Abby LeLeux, Sulphur; Ashley Murphy, El Dorado, Ark.; Lindsey Posey, Fairbanks; Brandon Roberts, Van, Texas; and Marjorie Shuler, Choudrant.

Seniors initiated into Beta Gamma Sigma were Rani Giladi, Landon Ledford, and Lauren Murphy, all of Monroe; Mallory Gulley, Marion; Nina Krey, Germany; James Drew Pendarvis, Jena; and Brandon Strope Longmont, Colo.

Master of Business Administration student initiated into Beta Gamma Sigma was Sinan Gokkaya, Turkey.

Nine students were honored as outstanding College of Business Administration freshman for the year. They were Samuel Albritton, West Monroe; Lauren Babb, Crossett, Ark.; Bradley Bridges, Rayville; Ana Burjaili, Brazil; Allison Cascio, Bossier City; John Cole, West Monroe; Abigail DeSoto, Pleaseant Hill; Ruslan Hemed, Israel; and Lorie Wesley, Monroe.

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ULM student pharmacist Davis chosen to represent COP at national conference

ULM's Lauren Davis, a second-year College of Pharmacy student from Lacombe, was recently chosen to represent the college at Cardinal Health's Ninth Annual Student Leadership Conference May 15 in Houston, Texas.

Davis, who is recognized for taking academic leadership roles, will attend the conference to gain further leadership experience in the health care arena. Throughout the week she will participate in sessions focusing on resume development, professional presence, leadership potential, and much more.

"Leadership is something that is pertinent to everything in life. It is a trait that must be practiced, but is very rewarding once it becomes a part of you. At this conference, which I feel privileged to attend, I will be seeing many different aspects of pharmacy. A variety of leaders will be there, each representing their niche in the pharmacy world. I am really looking forward to it!"

Cardinal Health is an $87 billion global manufacturer and distributor of medical and surgical supplies and technologies dedicated to making healthcare safer and more productive. Their customers are located on five continents and include hospitals, medical centers, retail and mail order pharmacies, clinics, physicians, pharmacists and other healthcare providers.

For more information view Cardinal Health's website at www.cardinal.com.

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Williams receives national MFT fellowship

Maria Williams, a first year Ph.D. student in the University of Louisiana at Monroe Marriage and Family Therapy Program was awarded the two-year American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Minority Fellowship April 18.

The fellowship will facilitate therapy services for those among the underserved minority community and persons who are also dealing with substance abuse issues. Williams received a scholarship that will be used to further her professional training.

Already, Williams has worked at Serenity House, one of the nation’s largest substance abuse centers, in Abilene, Texas, while working on her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has also taken a leadership role in numerous civic organizations in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Monroe that aid the underserved population.

Certified as an HIV/AIDS and Sexual Assault Counselor, she has also led in the Upward Bound program at Dillard University, the Arc of Greater New Orleans and the McNair/SROP Research program at Michigan State University. She has worked to help minority children improve their standardized test-taking skills, to assist children with intellectual disabilities and delays, and to teach children life skills that reduce the likelihood of substance abuse.

Williams is a Baton Rouge native who received her undergraduate degree from Dillard and her master’s degree from Abilene Christian University. At ULM, Williams is finishing her first year as a doctoral student. She works as a student intern at the ULM Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic. Through research, she hopes to contribute to the mental health of ethnic minorities and to substance abuse prevention. Williams wants to open a private Marriage and Family Therapy practice and author books, offering practical and accessible approaches to creating and maintaining healthy family and marital relationships.

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Lang presents honors thesis on French feminist responses

ULM student Kristina Lang of Houston presented her honors thesis April 28 in the ULM Library. Her topic was "French Feminist Responses to Natalism and the Rejection of Biological Destiny: The Works of Nelly Roussel and Simone de Beauvoir."

Lang’s thesis advisor is Dr. Chris Michaelides, ULM associate professor of French.

Lang will graduate from ULM Saturday, May 17, with a degree in French and a concentration in global studies. She was president of the Honors Student Executive Board at ULM from 2005-2006 and spent the spring of 2007 in Paris as an exchange student with the Mission Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Echanges Franco-Americains, a consortium of most of the Universities of Paris and its region.

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ULM student Schmidt wins state voice competition

ULM graduate student Kathrine Schmidt of Carrollton, Texas, competed and won her division in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Louisiana Chapter Auditions Saturday, March 8, in Alexandria.

Students from across the state in 13 divisions, from high school through older advanced levels, competed for a share in the state honors.

Schmidt, a master of music in performance student, participated in the younger advanced division. The students in this division are comprised of super-senior men and women and graduate students under 25 years of age. Schmidt won her division singing “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” from Puccini’s opera “La Rondine.”

The National Association of Teachers of Singing holds two student auditions each year. The regional auditions for Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi were held in November in Oxford, Miss. Schmidt also placed in that competition, winning second place in her division.

Schmidt also recently sang with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra after winning a spot for the Monroe Symphony Young Artists Concert through a competition held in January.

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2008 - 2009 ULM Cheerleaders selected

Tryouts have been successfully concluded, and the 2008 - 2009 ULM Cheerleaders have been selected.

The team:

• Alli Cascio – Shreveport
  
• Allie McComas – Monroe
  
• Amber Madison – Monroe
  
• Amy Spainhower – Monroe
  
• Beaux Atkins – Shreveport
  
• Brianne Atkins – Shreveport
  
• Brittni Grantadams – Pineville
  
• Cameron Gilmore – Mandeville
  
• Chris Archie – Brandon, Miss.
  
• Desmond Ross – West Monroe
  
• Destiny Talley – Guerdon, Ark.
  
• Emmi Burgess – Enterprise, Miss.
  
• Erica Tumey – West Monroe
  
• Erika Pickett – South Cameron
  
• Erin Wooten – Bastrop
  
• Jessica Huskey – Junction City, Ark.
  
• Julie Morton – Hamburg, Ark.
  
• Katie Miller – Monroe
  
• Kristen Gix – Monroe
  
• Kristen Hirchak – Pineville
  
• Kristin Ringle – Monroe
  
• Lauren Grady – Brookhaven, Miss.
  
• Lauren Rosson – Portland, Ark.
  
• Lexi Bonner – Monroe
  
• Liana Locantro – Monroe
  
• Lindsey Anthony – Monroe
  
• Megan Cruse – Quitman
  
• Natalie Gregg – Sterlington
  
• Pearie Allison – Star, Miss.
  
• Petey Thigpen – Ellisville, Miss.
  
• Raquel Wiggins – Shreveport

The ULM Cheerleaders are composed of two cheerleading squads, an all-girl squad and a coed squad. They are joined into one for competition, which carries 16 members and four alternates. The cheerleaders are responsible for cheering at all football games and home basketball games. In addition to the university-related activities, the ULM Cheerleaders are committed to competing at one of the major national cheerleading competitions during each season.

For more information about the ULM Cheerleaders, contact: (318) 342-5293.

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ULM Clinical Laboratory Science faculty and students gain awards at national conference

ULM’s Department of Clinical Laboratory Science faculty and students attended the 2008 Joint Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science of Mississippi and Louisiana during the week of April 15 – 18.

Dr. Michael Ramsey, professor of Clinical Laboratory Science, received the “Educator of the Year” award from the Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Ramsey was recognized for his devotion to students and his compassion for patients.

The following CLS students received awards at the LSCLS awards banquet:

• Maegan Guccione, a senior from Marrero, “Student of the Year”
  
  
• Julia Hunter, a senior from Monticello, Ark., Student Paper Award for paper titled “Scleroderma: Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis”
  
  
• Bruce Bilton, a senior from West Monroe, Student Paper Award for paper titled “Hepatitis B: A Comprehensive Review”

The following CLS students were elected as officers to the LSCLS Student Forum: Guccione, chair; Quad Smalley, a senior from Winnsboro, co-chair; and Jessi Baker, a senior from Marion, secretary.

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British Studies Program offers summer travel opportunity/university credit

Students at the University of Louisiana at Monroe will have the opportunity to study abroad this summer through the British Studies Program, to be offered during the second summer term, July 3 – Aug. 3.

As a participant of the British Studies Program, students will explore the world of the British monarchy at Windsor Castle and Canterbury Cathedral, enjoy the distinctive Celtic cultures of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and experience London theatre at its finest. Students must have 28 hours of university credit to participate. Both undergraduate and graduate credit may be earned.

Cost for the four-week program is $5,199 for undergraduates, and $5,399 for graduate students. This includes tuition, fees, housing, and airline ticket. Students will be responsible for food and personal spending money. A $250 commitment payment is due by May 8.

The program is organized by the University of Southern Mississippi through an academic consortium, which includes ULM. The purpose of the consortium is to promote a more profound understanding of British culture and society among students and faculty through scholarly and educational activities in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Courses will be offered in the following areas: art, English, history, journalism, political science, sociology, speech communication, library science, psychology, theatre, and business.

Financial aid is available to interested students. For more information about the program contact Dr. Martha Anderson at: (318) 342-3486.

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ULM graduate student Rawls wins 3rd place in national criminal justice competition

Amber Rawls, a graduate student in the ULM Criminal Justice Department from Bastrop, recently won a national student paper competition April 11, sponsored by the American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha Epsilon.

Rawls’ paper, “Critical Incidents: Police officers, posttraumatic stress, posttraumatic growth, and law enforcement agencies” earned third place for the graduate division in the 2008 National Student Paper Competition at the American Criminal Justice Association – Lambda Alpha Epsilon National Conference. The paper examines how critical incidents affect the local and neighboring law enforcement agencies, the importance of identifying and assisting officers suffering from posttraumatic stress, and how to develop departmental policies to encourage posttraumatic growth.

Her paper was judged by professionals in the criminal justice field and based on criteria such as relevancy of the topic, topic coverage, clarity of presentation, organization, writing style and quality, and contribution to the criminal justice field. The graduate division category of competition included those persons enrolled in an accredited post-graduate program such as a master’s or doctorate degree program.

The August 10, 2007 shootings of Bastrop Police Detective Sergeants John Smith and Chuck Wilson led Rawls, a former Bastrop Police Department patrol officer, to study the reactions of police officers following traumatic events. “The media and public become focused on the tragic event, and oftentimes overlook the police officers who are involved. Law enforcement officers are real people who may be affected profoundly by what they experience.”

The American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha Epsilon is a professional criminal justice organization consisting of 243 chapters throughout the nation. Membership is composed of persons who are formally committed to the field of criminal justice either through their education or employment. Members are drawn from the total criminal justice spectrum – law enforcement, prosecution, defense, courts and corrections.

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ULM Sound of Today announces 2008 – 2009 color guard members

The University of Louisiana at Monroe Band Department has announced the 2008 – 2009 Sound of Today marching band color guard members.

Members and their hometowns are:

• Captain Erica Wiltz, Cecilia
  
• Assistant Captain LeAnna Simpson, Sulphur
  
• Belle Alexander, Pineville
  
• Keiaira Cooper, Monroe
  
• Alise Greely, Monroe
• Brittany Lacombe, Marksville
  
• Angela Martin, Bossier City
  
• Mercedes Martin, Shreveport
  
• Summer McCullough, West Monroe
  
• Caitlin Medley, Monroe
  
• Jasmine Miller, Monroe
  
• Bobbie Neal, Cut Off
  
• D’Janero Robinson, Monroe
  
• Mallori Sledge, Monroe
  
• Crystal Williams, Shreveport
  
• Otisha Williams, Logansport

These members were selected through a competitive audition held April 12.