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April 13, 2006

Biedenharn Endowed Chair in Gerontology to Depart ULM

ULM Associate Professor of Gerontology Dr. Bonnie Hatchett will end her tenure as the Biedenharn Endowed Chair in Gerontology this summer after four years of hard work and dedication.

Hatchett will depart ULM to care for family in Arkansas after extensively leaving her mark in the gerontology department. She is the first African American endowed chair at ULM, and the position itself is 100 percent funded by the $1 million Endowed Chair donation. Normally, the appointment lasts three years, but her extraordinary performance led to a year-long extension.

Hatchett’s legacy includes writing and revising three books for publication from her work with the elderly in the northeast Louisiana region. She has more than doubled the oral history collection and has had several articles published while simultaneously building community ties with the university.

She has also given presentations on an international level related to issues affecting older adults, including HIV/AIDS and alcohol abuse. Hatchett also became an adjunct with LSU for the Life Course and Aging Center.

“We could not be more pleased with the work that Dr. Hatchett has done while at ULM,” said Dr. James Bulot, interim department head of gerontology and sociology. “In addition to her scholarly and community service work, Dr. Hatchett also exemplified excellence in teaching. I don't think there was one student who did not praise her for the quality of education and instruction she provided. She will be sorely missed by students, faculty and staff.”

For more information on ULM’s nationally known master’s degree in gerontology program, call 318-342-1430 or go to: www.ulm.edu/~gero.

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