Annual Christmas at ULM brings holiday cheer Dec. 1

The Annual Christmas at the University of Louisiana at Monroe is scheduled for 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec.1 in Scott Plaza.

The public and campus family is invited to attend this fun-filled holiday celebration sponsored by the ULM Student Government Association.

Starting around 4:30 p.m., Santa Claus will visit the plaza, arriving on the Acemobile and ready with treats for the children. Ace the Warhawk will also be lending a hand in the festivities.

The ULM campus will be aglow with the Christmas spirit on Dec. 1 as Christmas at ULM kicks off the holiday season.

The ULM Chorale and Brass Choir will perform Christmas carols, and there will also be a time for participants in the gathering to sing along.

ULM President James Cofer will pull the switch for the annual tree and candle lighting ceremony.

The event follows the annual Employee Holiday Reception in the ULM Conference Center from 3–5 p.m., hosted by the president and First Lady Deborah Cofer.

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ULM’s social work department receives full accreditation

Saulsberry

Cass

The Council on Social Work Education recently reaffirmed the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s social work department’s accreditation through 2015. The CSWE sets standards for social work programs around the country.

Accreditation is important for students looking either to enter into the social work field or pursue an advanced degree after graduation.

“Degree holders from a university with an accredited social work program are recognized as professional social workers,” said Dr. Pamela Higgins Saulsberry, social work department head. “They also qualify to apply for advanced standing when seeking a master’s degree in social work.”

Saulsberry oversaw the re-accreditation process, which began with a self-study completed by the social work department. Saulsberry and her colleagues reviewed course offerings, department resources and faculty to ensure compliance with accreditation standards. The study was then submitted to the CSWE’s Council on Accreditation.

Following a review by the CSWE, which included a site visit, the department was reaffirmed as fully accredited.

“The Department of Social Work, and particularly Dr. Saulsberry, have worked tirelessly to achieve re-accreditation for their program,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Jeffrey Cass.

“Her report, which addressed concerns of the visiting team regarding staffing and autonomy, is an example of the high-level of effort and work ethic typical of ULM faculty, even in these troubled financial times.”

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ULM School of Construction Management receives reaccreditation

Parker

Berry

The University of Louisiana at Monroe’s School of Construction Management recently received reaccreditation from the American Council for Construction Education. The ACCE provides accreditation standards for schools around the country.

Reaccreditation was awarded following a site visit from the ACCE and industry practitioners. Dr. Keith Parker, associate professor and director of the School of Construction, headed the reaccreditation effort.

“We are very excited about the results of our accreditation visit,” Parker said. “As the first program to receive accreditation in the country over 30 years ago, it is very meaningful for us to receive the positive results of this most recent accreditation review.”

The school is housed in the College of Business Administration and is tasked with preparing students for careers in the construction industry.

“The School of Construction Management has a long history of success, producing over 1,500 alumni who have become leaders in the Construction industry,” said Dr. Ronald Berry, dean of the CBA. “Our faculty continues the tradition of providing an outstanding education that meets the highest expectations of quality, as evidenced by the success of the program reaccreditation efforts.”

“Dr. Parker and the construction faculty are to be commended for their focus on excellence and continuous improvement,” he added.

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National championship water ski team competes with newly donated trailer

Local businessman Dean Blackett leads a successful environmental services company today, but he once spent time in Redondo Beach, Calif., lifeguarding along the Pacific Ocean.

ULM's Water Ski team with the new equipment trailer donated by Dean Blackett (plaid shirt.)

When Blackett and his wife eventually relocated to Louisiana, he founded PAC Environmental Services, but never forgot his days near the open water. Almost instantly he was drawn to the outstanding accomplishments of the University of Louisiana at Monroe Water Ski Team.

Echols

Landrum

Blackett recently contacted ULM Ski Coach Treina Landrum about what he could do to demonstrate his support.

Landrum – recalling the team’s frequent trailer rentals for hauling equipment to national competitions – realized exactly what was needed.

Blackett not only purchased the team their own trailer, he had it customized with past and current team members’ pictures, as well as the ULM Warhawks logo. Members of the ULM ski team visited with Blackett and thanked him for the generous donation, unveiled at a ceremony in Warhawk Circle on campus earlier this month.

“We’re here to celebrate a history of success,” said Michael Echols, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications, of the national championship team. “In recognition of that history, we have a donor who has followed your success.”

“It’s pretty neat when someone calls and asks what you need,” said Landrum. “Mr. Blackett said ‘it sounds like what they really need is a trailer’... and, with all the extras he insisted be included, he made it so much more than just something to haul equipment.”

“I looked at all the awards you had won,” Blackett told the ski team members. “And I thought, these are the people that need something special. You need the recognition, that’s why I did it. Keep up the good work!”

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ULM’s KEDM 90.3 Public Radio names News and Public Affairs Director

Lenox

KEDM public radio, 90.3 FM, announces the addition of Bob Lenox to its staff as the station’s news and public affairs director.

The station broadcasts from the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The news director will host KEDM’s local coverage during the public radio daily magazine Morning Edition, the station’s Lagniappe interview program, local newscasts and other issue and event reports.

“The presentation of local news is an important role for KEDM,” says Lenox. “Public radio is noted for its quality, in-depth story telling. I look forward to presenting engaging news and information significant to our listeners.”

Lenox most recently was program director of KNOE-FM in Monroe, and formerly worked for WGGZ-FM and WQCK-FM, both in Baton Rouge. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in radio, television, and film from ULM.

He and his family reside in West Monroe.

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New International Study Abroad Program focuses on La Belle Époque; info session Nov. 19

The University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Division of Music and Division Of Theatre and Dance will provide an informational meeting about a new interdisciplinary study abroad program to be held in Paris next year.

Humes

Stephens

The informational session is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, in Student Union Ballroom B. The session will cover details about the program, which will be focused on the "La Belle Époque" era, or “Beautiful Period.”

This new interdisciplinary study abroad program will run from May 17-June 4, 2010.

During La Belle Époque, which began with the 1889 World’s Fair and the construction of the Eiffel Tower, the arts underwent a radical transformation during the decades before World War I, according to Dr. Scot Humes, assistant professor of clarinet and saxophone at ULM.

“This program is an interdisciplinary study of dance, music, art, architecture and even cuisine during this interesting time period in history,” said Humes.

The period lasted until about 1915, just as Europe was engaged in World War I, and right before America’s entry into the war. Humes is presenting this course with Robin Stephens, assistant professor of dance.

For additional information, call 318-342-1576 or 318-342-1312, or email humes@ulm.edu or stephens@ulm.edu.

For more information about ULM's Study Abroad program, please visit www.ulm.edu/studyabroad.

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ULM to host annual VAPA Day Nov. 18

The University of Louisiana at Monroe will once again offer area students its annual Visual and Performing Arts Day on Nov. 18.

The day is for high school juniors, seniors, as well as transfer students who are interested in ULM’s music, art, theatre and dance departments. The first 195 students to arrive will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Online Registration and an outline of the day’s activities are available at www.ulm.edu/vapaday.

For more information about the School of Visual and Performing Arts, call 318-342-3811.

 

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ULM celebrates first “Greek Songfest” Nov. 19

The University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Office of Greek Life, in partnership with the City of Monroe, will sponsor the first “Greek Songfest” at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 in Brown Auditorium. Admission is $2 and the event is open to the public. All money raised will benefit the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.

Hembree

ULM’s 16 Greek chapters will compete in a Christmas song and dance competition, featuring an overall first, second and third place, calculated by the highest score totals. The first place winner will perform at the Christmas at ULM event on Dec. 2 in the Quad.

“We chose the Salvation Army Angel tree program is because Songfest is Christmas themed,” Keith Hembree, Greek Life coordinator said. “With the recent economy and job situation, we felt that this would be a great way to show the Monroe Community how Greek Life supports our area children.”

The Angel Tree program provides local underprivileged children with clothing and/or toys for Christmas.

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ULM Library Special Collections presents Lee Estes photography exhibit through Dec. 17

The ULM Library Special Collections Department will feature a public exhibit and program showcasing the works of documentary photographer Lee Estes through Dec. 17.

Estes documented the people, buildings, landscape and culture of Highway 80 in north Louisiana and will have forty 16x20, framed photos on exhibit at the library.

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is funding this program and exhibit through an outreach grant.

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Upcoming VAPA Events

Now through Nov. 24: "Big and Tall" Sculpture Exhibition, Sculpture Exhibition, Bry Gallery, free.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 - Faculty Artist Concert Series, Micah Everett and Coralie White, Biedenharn Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Monday, Nov. 23 - ULM Percussion Ensembles, featuring the Steel Band and African Drum Ensembles, conducted by Larry Anderson. Brown Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Tuesday, Nov. 24 - Faculty Artist Concert Series, featuring Scot Humes, Sandra Lunte and friends, Biedenharn Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Monday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 4 - Annual Art Sale, Bry Gallery, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday.

Tuesday, Dec. 1 - Christmas at ULM, Tree Lighting and Choral Singing, Scott Plaza on the ULM campus. 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 3 - Student String Quartet, under the direction of Jason Rinehart, Biedenharn Recital Hall. 7:30 p.m. Free.

Friday, Dec. 4 - Dance Fusion, under the direction of Robin Stephens, Gretchen Jones, and Tina Mullone, Brown Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Free.

For more information on VAPA and ULM events, call 318-342-1414 or visit www.ulm.edu/calendar

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