Derrick Fourroux May `10

FALL 2009 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1
Derrick
Fourroux May ‘10
A Leader by Example
page 6
1
2009 Foundation
Board of Directors
Contents
Officers
3........... Creating Value in the Classroom: Dr. Banamber Mishra
Emma DiCarlo-Vincent,
President
Willie Mount, Secretary
4.......... Sidekick for Life: Judy and Bill Fuller
5........... Fuller - McNeese Collaboration: The Heifer Enhancement
James Taussig, Treasurer
Members
Program
6........... Cover Story, A Leader by Example: Derrick Fourroux
Bob Davidson
Judy Fuller
Tom Henning
Joe T. Miller, Sr.
Lee J. Monlezun, Jr.
George Paret
Patricia Prebula
Glenn Pumpelly
Donna Richard
Billy Rose
7........... It Only Takes A Spark: Josi Andrus Brady
8........... The Typewriter: Theodore Witherspoon Petersen
10......... Smokey: Erma “Smokey” LeBlanc
11......... Preparing the Nursing Graduate: McNeese College of Nursing
12......... Lake Charles High School Collection
13 ........ Old-School Teaching: Miss Murphy and Miss Leaton
14......... IRA Charitable Rollover
John Scofield
Jim Serra
15......... Snowbirds Really Do Fly South: Nancy and George Kuffel
Eli Sorkow
16......... McNeese Foundation, Jennifer Pitre Griffith: David Stine
Ray A. Todd, Jr.
Tom Tuminello, Sr.
Aubrey White
Ex Officio Members
Robert D. Hebert
Richard H. Reid
Advisory Board Members
Billy Blake
Coral Crain Byrd
Fred R. Godwin
Marilyn Hays
Charles Viccellio
2
Planned Giving & Donor Research Specialist
17......... Rotary Club Commited to Academic Excellence
18......... Building a Solid Foundation: David Stine
FOUNDATION TIES
Dr. Banamber Mishra • Recipient • JPMorgan Chase Bank Professorship in Business Research
Creating Value in
the Classroom
When Dr. Banamber Mishra developed a proposal to apply for a professorship, he knew it was not a simple undertaking.
Cultivating an idea from concept to publication can take anywhere from three to five years.
Dr. Mishra obtained all of his degrees in economics, including a bachelor’s degree from Ravenshaw College, India, a master’s
degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India, and a second master’s degree and a doctorate degree both from the University
of Alabama. With such an extensive education and 22 years of employment at McNeese State University, he serves as a tenured
professor certified to teach economics and finance at the baccalaureate and graduate levels.
When McNeese awards a professorship, it signifies that the faculty member is highly knowledgeable about a particular subject.
Professorships, often linked to research, are awarded to faculty who are academically
qualified from an institutional point of view. Professorships provide a financial stipend
which may be used at the recipient’s discretion. These funds are expended to further the
As McNeese experiences
project and may include purchase of supplies, software or equipment or for travel to industry
continued state budget cuts,
conferences. Dr. Mishra has received several professorships over his extensive teaching career
funding for professorships
including the JPMorgan Chase Bank Professorship in Business Research, which he now holds.
To be awarded a professorship, a faculty member must first submit a proposal on an
appropriate topic. According to Dr. Mishra, “Topics often originate from the researcher’s
previous work on a related issue or from a subject area where the researcher has a great
interest.” The proposal may be a short-term project of one-year duration or a long-term
project carried out over multiple years. Once the proposal is developed, it is submitted to the
respective college for review. Professorships are awarded each fall pending available funds.
Research results are submitted for approval for presentation at industry conferences and
published in discipline-specific journals.
McNeese’s College of Business is one of only 14 percent of all business schools
internationally to be accredited by AACSB International–The Association to Advance
Collegiate Schools of Business. According to the AACSB Web site, “Accreditation is a process
of voluntary, non-governmental review of educational institutions and programs.” To meet
the high standards required of AACSB, faculty members must publish at least two articles
in refereed journals within the past five years for undergraduate instruction or at least three
articles in the past five years for graduate instruction.
Faculty utilize their own research as well as the research of others to create value in the
classroom. Dr. Mishra’s current project, “Dynamics of Stock Market Return Volatility: Evidence from Singapore and Thailand,” helps students to understand the global economy,
to comprehend global markets and to invest on a global scale. With 52 foreign countries
represented at McNeese, or 5 percent of the student population, integrating global
understanding into the curriculum is sound business practice.
is critical. A professorship
may be funded with a
donor’s $60,000 investment.
The Louisiana Board of
Regents matches the
investment with a $40,000
contribution, bringing
the total professorship to
$100,000. Donors name the
professorship and select the
field of interest in which to
designate the funds.
McNeese currently has
84 fully funded and 14
partially funded named
professorships. To
inquire about starting a
professorship, contact
Jennifer Griffith at
337.562.4191 or jgriffith@
mcneese.edu.
3
FOUNDATION TIES
Judy and Bill Fuller • Donors • Judy and Bill Fuller Scholarship • Hester and Parrish Fuller Memorial Scholarship
Sidekick for Life
Sidekick – a close companion who assists a partner in a superior
position (dictionary.com). A person closely associated with another as a
subordinate or partner (Merriam-webster.com).
As Tonto is to the Lone Ranger, Dr. Watson is to Sherlock Holmes
and Robin is to Batman, Judy Fuller is to Bill Fuller. Wherever William
Porter “Bill” Fuller goes, Judy, his trusted sidekick and wife, isn’t
far behind. Judy fondly describes Bill as a pioneer, a dreamer and a
charmer. “He expects excellence of others, especially his wife. He
thinks there is nothing that I can’t do,” stated Judy.
Bill is the son of Parrish Fuller and Hester Porter, residents of
Indiana who moved to Louisiana in 1919 to work in the hardwood
industry alongside E.L. Hillyer, J.B. Edwards and Col. Albert Deutsch.
Bill attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, Ind., before
graduating from Oakdale High School. He served in the U.S. Navy and
completed course work at the University of Southeastern Louisiana
(now called University of Louisiana at Lafayette), Tulane University
and Louisiana State University. With classroom training under his belt,
Bill sought on-the-job training in the family’s sawmill and dimension
plant operations business. He eventually took over the reins of Fuller
Forest Products, a company started by his father.
Judy and Bill Fuller
Judith Lane Mizell, called Judy, grew up in Glenmora and graduated from Bolton High School in Alexandria. Upon completing her
degree in business administration at LSU, Judy took a job in the office of Fuller Forest Products. Although Bill was busy with logging
and lumber procurement, he wasn’t too busy to take notice of Judy. As a self-described tomboy with strong agrarian values, it didn’t
take long for Judy to respond to Bill’s advances. Bill and Judy married on Oct. 6, 1969, and will soon celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Bill Fuller is a pioneer, much like his father, Parrish, who pioneered reforestation as a way to replenish one of Louisiana’s greatest
natural resources–timber. Bill has designed a trailer capable of transporting double loads of logs from sawmills to increase efficiency.
He has successfully grown corn to produce corn silage on acreage where others said it was impossible. Bill, who would describe
himself as a practical engineer, has a keen ability to solve problems using trial, error and relentless pursuit.
He also loves auto racing. While Judy doesn’t particularly “love” auto racing, she does love Bill. As he pursued his passion for
racing, Judy was in the sidecar. They followed vintage racing before transitioning to sports cars. Bill served as the driver, Judy as
the cheerleader. The Fullers spent many years traveling from coast-to-coast to racing events living out of a van Niesmann + Bischoll
CLOU motor home. The motor home was one of only two in the United States that had a garage in the back where a car could be
driven under the queen-sized bed.
In designing the couple’s dream home in Kinder, Bill mulled over his plans on an octagonal table that had been handed down to
him by his family. Eventually inspiration took flight as Bill designed their 3,000 square foot, multi-southern hardwood, octagonalshaped home. After Judy’s initial shock at the idea wore off, construction began with Judy concluding, “As long as it (the house) was
on a concrete foundation without wheels, I’d be happy.”
Education has played a significant role in the Fuller dynasty with Parrish having served on the Louisiana State Board of Education
for six consecutive terms (1929-53). Judy and Bill have continued this legacy and commitment to education. The Hester and Parrish
Fuller Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of Bill’s parents, is open to agribusiness or mechanical engineering students. The
Judy and Bill Fuller Scholarship is designated for the College of Business. The Fullers have also donated more than 100 acres in Kinder
to McNeese’s Harold and Pearl Dripps Department of Agricultural Sciences to conduct research to learn about the corn silage cattle
feed business. The 650-acre Soileau Farm owned by the Fullers has also been donated to McNeese to grow corn and soybeans. The
Fullers have also partnered with the department to build a heifer enhancement and development program on an 800-acre cattle
operation. The goal of this one-of-a-kind program is to help local cattle producers improve the quality of their herd and maximize
their cattle operation potential.
The Fullers don’t idle well. When they aren’t busy tending to their hardwood, cattle and farm operations, Bill may be found
cooking homemade jelly while Judy knits or sews. According to Judy, “Wherever home is, and Bill is content, I’m going to be happy.”
With a sidekick like Judy, Bill can’t go wrong!
4
FULLER – McNEESE COLLABORATION
The Heifer Enhancement Program
The Heifer Enhancement Program (HEP) began with a generous donation from Judy and Bill Fuller. The Fuller Farm,
composed of more than 100 acres in Kinder, was donated to McNeese State University’s Harold and Pearl Dripps
Department of Agricultural Sciences for the purpose of education and research. The farm operation consists of land to
grow row crops, pasture to graze cattle and produce hay, cattle working facilities and an asphalt surface for feeding cattle.
The Fullers and the McNeese agricultural sciences department share a common interest–the farming industry in Southwest
Louisiana. The traditional crop in this region is rice. While rice farming has been lucrative in years past, some farmers have
undergone difficult economic times and their land now sits idle. Mr. Bill would like to see this unused resource put back into
production.
This may be accomplished by non-traditional uses of the land. One such farming enterprise that has been extremely
successful for Bill is the implementation of a feedlot system for cattle. The Kinder Farm property was originally a family
operated sawmill. The sawmill had a hard surfaced area adjacent to it that now functions as an area to feed cattle. He
grows corn that is processed as corn silage and fed to growing cattle. The challenge was to grow corn in an area that is
not conducive to producing this grain crop. To put that land back to work in agriculture, Bill proposed opening a feedlot
sustained by raising corn silage. Initial results were poor. Starting with the first yields of approximately 25 bushels per acre,
he now produces 130 bushels of corn per acre.
Soil conditions in Southwest Louisiana with its clay pan would not seem conducive for growing corn, but Bill worked to
prove otherwise. He cultivated the soil, installed center pivots for irrigation and planted a crop. The corn silage is cut when it
is nice and green and moist. The silage is placed in poly-bags that hold 130 tons, pressed down and fed to cattle, providing
a high energy, affordable content that maximizes the cattle growth.
After the Fullers donated the property, McNeese professors and Bill discussed possible options for the operation that
would benefit everyone involved and provide important information for producers and farmers. The best fit was to utilize
the feedlot and the corn silage program to develop heifers for area producers. The HEP encourages producers to
develop replacement heifers for their herds as opposed to selling the heifers after weaning. Producers turn responsibility
for developing the heifers over to McNeese’s department of agricultural sciences, which is in charge of feeding them corn
silage produced on the Fuller Farm. The development period lasts between 150-180 days. Producers pay a per diem cost
for enrolling their stock in the program.
The Heifer Enhancement Program has been beneficial to all participants. McNeese faculty and staff have gained handson experience and research knowledge that would be difficult to attain from a book. Faculty and students collect data on
average daily gain, temperament and carcass merit and examine the heifer for reproductive tract soundness. Producers
receive healthier heifers at program’s end, and in turn, strengthen their overall herds. Producers also have the option of
enrolling their heifers in the artificial insemination program. McNeese compiles
and disseminates monthly results to the producer who may then select the
better performing heifers to retain in their herd. Seeing their land used to support
The Heifer Enhancement
agriculture and education provides Judy and Bill Fuller tremendous satisfaction.
Dr. William “Bill” Storer, McNeese assistant professor/research associate, is assigned
to the Fuller Farm full time to monitor operations, to conduct research and to work
with undergraduate and graduate students and student interns. According to Dr.
Chip LeMieux, department head, “The Fuller’s donation of farmland, supplies and
equipment enables us to work within a segment of the agricultural industry that we
would never have been able to do before. The HEP is a unique program to this area.”
In addition to the Kinder farm, McNeese is able to utilize the Fuller’s 650-acre
farm located in Soileau. This acreage is used to grow corn and soybeans
that are combined and used as feed grain. This year a 40-acre experimental
plot of forage soybeans was planted to determine yield and quality. This
is another non-traditional farm crop for this area. Hopefully, the McNeese/
Fuller partnership will continue for many years and will be able to cultivate
this property into a research station that will provide beneficial information for
producers throughout Southwest Louisiana.
Program, now in its
fourth year, accepts
heifers on a consignment
basis. The 2009-10
program begins Oct. 19.
Heifer calves weighing
between 400 and 600
pounds are eligible for
the four-month program
on a first-come, firstserved basis. For further
information, contact Bill
Storer at 225.266.1821.
5
COVER STORY
Derrick Fourroux • Recipient • Josi Andrus Brady Memorial Scholarship
A Leader by Example
To read the statistics that Derrick Fourroux has achieved in just three
short years as a first-string quarterback is impressive. To get to know Derrick
Fourroux as a person…now that is remarkable.
Derrick lives in Erath, a small Louisiana town with about 2,100 residents in
Vermilion Parish, nestled between Abbeville and Delcambre on U.S. Highway 14.
Unlike his cousins who spent hours hanging out in their grandfather’s
machine shop, Derrick preferred being outside playing ball. “Ball” could
be baseball, basketball or football. He was proficient at them all. His first
introduction to the quarterback position was playing parish league football at 8
years old. It was only natural that he was named quarterback his freshman year,
playing the position all four years for Erath High School’s Bobcats. He earned
all-state honors as quarterback for football, all-district honors as forward for
basketball and as pitcher and shortstop for baseball and all district and regional
honors for javelin and triple jump for track.
I have had the privilege of knowing
Derrick since he was a freshman here
at McNeese because I am the nursing
athletic adviser. One thing that has always
impressed me about him is his nonassuming attitude. He has always been
very courteous and respectful, and in my
opinion, has been able to accomplish
things that other students could not.
I feel the reason that Derrick has been
able to juggle his very busy nursing
curriculum and the rigors of being a
student-athlete is that he is committed.
Early in his academic career, he had
many semesters when he was enrolled
in many rigorous courses. I never heard
Derrick complain---he just got the job
done. He knows what is necessary for
him to be successful in the classroom as
well as the football field.
I feel that Derrick has the drive and
integrity to be successful in his chosen
career, and he has proven himself as an
outstanding McNeese Cowboy in the
football arena. It has been my pleasure
to know this young man, and I wish him
continued success.
Cynthia (Cindy) Howard,
Assistant Professor
College of Nursing
6
Brothers, Bruce and Zach, sister, Jasmine, and extended family were always
in the crowds cheering Derrick on. His most ardent supporter back then and
to this day is his mom, Patricia. Derrick describes his mom as a “hard working
mom” who never pushed, but provided consistent discipline and support.
Recognizing Derrick’s talent and passion, his mom worked hard to afford to
send him to McNeese’s football camps and to the Manning Passing Academy. It
became obvious that the training was not in vain when McNeese’s Head Coach
Matt Viator recruited at Erath High School during Derrick’s junior year and
offered him a football scholarship. Derrick describes Coach Viator as “a great
coach who really has a mind for the game.”
Players may be “red-shirted” their first year to allow them time to learn
“the lay of the land” or at another point in their college career due to injury.
A red-shirted player may practice with the team but not play in any games.
Red-shirting preserves another year of eligibility for the player. Derrick was
red-shirted his first year at McNeese and younger brother, Zach, an entering
freshman in 2008-09, was also red-shirted. Derrick now leads the Cowboys as
starting quarterback. He is a dual threat in the conference, excelling in both his
running and passing games. Zach, who seems destined to follow in Derrick’s
footsteps one day, is currently the third-string quarterback for the Cowboys.
While Derrick’s activities on the field are to be commended, his
accomplishments off the field are even more impressive. Derrick is a senior
nursing student with an excellent academic track record. Students enrolled in
McNeese’s nursing program undergo a rigorous course curriculum that includes
extensive off-site hours in a clinical setting. Despite the demands on his time,
Derrick has been successful in all his endeavors and has been named to the
Southland Conference Commissioners Honor List. His dad, Bruce, a nurse
himself, served as Derrick’s inspiration in pursuing a health care career. As a
child, Derrick used to meet his dad at Lafayette General Hospital where Bruce
worked in the Oncology Department.
He said the key to his success has been “time management.” With a schedule
that starts with strength training on Monday, a full class schedule TuesdayFriday, a game Saturday and football practices and study time in between, there
is no time wasted. His nursing study group, which he meets with several times
a week, has provided structure and motivation.
Derrick Fourroux is the recipient of the Josi Andrus Brady Memorial
Scholarship, awarded to a deserving football player in good academic standing.
“Financially, things are not that stable. If not for the scholarship, I wouldn’t
be at McNeese. I would probably be in the National Guard or the Marines or continued on page 9
McNeese Athletic Foundation
Wendy and Keith Romero • Donors • Josi Andrus Brady Memorial Scholarship
It Only Takes
A Spark
“Josi was an ordinary person who touched so many in an
extraordinary way,” wrote Tanya Emmer Miles in her selfwritten book, Josi Stories, A Tribute.
Josi Andrus, David Brady, Jace Eskind and Tanya became
fast friends while students at New Iberia High School where
they graduated in 1976. Since parting ways was out of the
question, all four moved to Lake Charles to attend McNeese
State University. They soon joined the band and became
active participants at the Catholic Student Center.
Keith Romero and Wendy Frederick were also frequent
visitors to the Catholic Student Center. Who knew that a
competitive game of “Horse,” in which Wendy challenged
Keith, would plant the seeds that would eventually blossom
into 25 years of marriage. By the way, Wendy won the game
hands down with the loser, Keith, taking her to dinner.
Activities at McNeese and the Catholic Student
Center nurtured friendships that lasted the test of time,
tribulations and celebrations. The friends all completed their McNeese degrees and went on to productive lives as community
members, employees, parents, and always, friends. Josi Andrus married David Brady, Keith Romero married Wendy Frederick, Tanya
Emmer married Ray Miles, another member of the Catholic Student Center, and Father Jace Eskind married his faith.
Wendy and Keith Romero
Upon Josi’s graduation in 1980, she began her life as a teacher. Her education prepared her well for the field, but it was her
enthusiasm for life that garnered her “Teacher of the Year” awards.
Sadly, Josi died in 2005, leaving behind a husband and two children, Matthew and Tyler. Wendy and Keith, honoring Josi’s memory,
started the Josi Andrus Brady Memorial Scholarship. With matching funds from Keith’s employer, Smith International, the scholarship
was established. In 2007, to celebrate the scholarship and to provide others the opportunity to pay tribute to Josi, Tanya and Ray
hosted a fundraiser in their home. With family, friends, McNeese administrators and the scholarship recipient in attendance, the
event was a rousing success financially and is a testament to Josi and her lifelong friendships.
The Romeros specified that the Josi Andrus Brady Memorial Scholarship be given to a deserving football player in good standing. The
football coach selects the recipient. In that way, Keith said, “Every time we meet for a football game, we will remember why we are
there…for Josi.”
continued on page 9
7
FOUNDATION TIES
Marianne and Paul White • Donors • Theodore Witherspoon Petersen Scholarship in Business
The Typewriter
The most vivid memory Marianne White has of her father is that of
him sitting behind his desk working away in a white starched button-down
shirt and tie while pecking feverishly at the typewriter keys.
Theodore “Ted” Witherspoon Petersen was the grandson of Otto Julius
Petersen, superintendent of the Franklin Sugar Refinery in Philadelphia,
Pa. To rise to the rank of superintendent in the early 1900s was a
significant accomplishment for an immigrant from Germany. The senior
Petersen’s business prowess set the standard for his grandson’s business
accomplishments later on. After a brief stint with Budweiser, young Ted went to work for
Beneficial Finance Company. With a wife, four children and a much loved
bassett hound, Cleopatra, in tow, Ted moved around the country as he
moved up the corporate ladder. The family finally settled in Houston,
Texas, in 1963.
Ted’s family spent considerable time with him at his office. The office
was rather drab–the basic white, sterile room filled with uninviting
furniture and with a few awards scattered about. To daughter, Marianne,
it was heaven. She loved to watch her father work, typing away one finger
at a time on his manual Royal-brand typewriter. He would occasionally
roll the paper feed to check for errors before hitting the carriage return
again. The carbon paper used to make duplicate copies in those days made
it difficult to correct his numerous mistakes. At that time, liquid paper
and correction tape were not yet invented and “spell-checker” was still
decades away. Marianne was fascinated with her dad and mesmerized by
the typewriter while the other children tugged on mom’s skirt tail to signal
they were impatient to go home.
Over time, the manual typewriter evolved to an electric typewriter,
a Selectric typewriter, and eventually, a computer with keyboard. Ted
Petersen, however, did not evolve with technology, choosing instead to
continue using his faithful companion.
The memories of her father as a businessman undoubtedly shaped
Marianne’s decision to pursue her education and her employment in
business just as her father and his grandfather had.
Marianne and Paul White have started the Theodore Witherspoon Petersen
Scholarship in Business in honor of her father. The scholarship will be
awarded to a business student that maintains at least a 3.0 grade point
average. Their contributions are matched dollar-for-dollar up to $3,000
per year by Paul’s employer, Entergy. With additional matching funds
received from the McNeese Foundation during its capital campaign, the
$20,000 endowed scholarship will be fully funded in five years.
Many years ago, Ted gave Marianne one of his awards for his business
accomplishments at Beneficial, a plastic-encased silver dollar. While it
holds little value monetarily, it is priceless to her. The other item Marianne
hoped to receive one day was Ted’s trusted and lifelong companion, the
Royal typewriter. Ted surprised her several years ago with the official
handing-over-of-the-typewriter. The manual typewriter holds a special
place in her house and an extraordinary place in her heart, permanently
bonding her with her father, Theodore, and great-grandfather, Otto.
The displayed typewriter now holds a letter that a young Ted had
typed to his cousins in 1948, while serving in the U.S. Navy in Hong
Kong. Although it is full of misspelled words and grammatically incorrect
sentences, to his daughter, it is perfectly written.
8
continued from page 6
something. I’m very thankful for the scholarship,” stated
Fourroux. Derrick hopes to become a nurse anesthetist
one day. He will graduate in May 2010, and if not playing
football professionally, he will work for Lake Charles
Memorial Hospital where he served as a student extern
this summer in the intensive care unit. He will be the first
child and the first grandchild in his family to graduate
from college.
Derrick’s mom, his high school sweetheart, Megan
Dronet, and family members from Erath can be heard in
the stands rooting loudly for their favorite quarterback.
Right beside them are Erath’s high school coaches
and town folk who Derrick says are “like family…very
supportive and caring.” Traveling by caravan, Erath
supporters begin tailgating early on game day. When
the lights of Cowboy Stadium dim you will find Derrick
heading to the parking lot to join his extended family
and greatest fans.
Derrick Fourroux is interviewed following the Tulane game by Alex
Hickey (left) of the Lake Charles American Press and Rick Sarro
(right) of Lagniappe and Soundoff.
continued from page 7
With the scholarship off to a great start, the
Romeros felt called to do more. After Hurricane
Rita, the baseball complex was in shambles. Keith
and Wendy launched the Field of Dreams fund, again
matched by a grant from Keith’s employer. “Smith
International has been a wonderful company to work
for and with. They are very positive and generous
toward education,” said Keith. Additional support
came from baseball family members and from friends
through the GeauxCowboys Web site. The Field of
Dreams fund combined with generous contributions
from other donors has produced a McNeese baseball
field that is state-of-the-art.
The Romeros are active supporters of McNeese
sports and are members of the Cowboy Club, Tip
Off Club, Diamond Club and Athletic Cowboy
Corral, to name a few. Recent contributions to the
women’s basketball team and men and women’s strength
training program have been matched by Smith International. Keith
explained, “By being supportive and helping the student-athletes
have a wonderful experience here at McNeese, we hope, in turn, that
when they become alumni they will support their alma mater.” The
generosity comes full circle.
Live, Love, Learn and Leave a Legacy is not just a motto to Wendy
and Keith Romero; it is a way of life. As the song goes…“It only
takes a spark to get a fire burning…” The Romeros are sparks
which have ignited a fire of generosity, a spark that started with
their tribute to Josi Andrus Brady.
9
Foundation Ties
Friends of Smokey and Roger LeBlanc • Donors • Erma LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship
Smokey
Erma “Smokey” LeBlanc spent most of her adult life healing the
sick. “Erma was a nurse. That means a lot more than someone who
empties your bedpan for you,” recalled Vivian Jester Whitman, her
co-worker and friend.
Smokey served with the United States Army during World War II
in the European Theater, receiving four battle stars. Erma met her future
husband, M.A. “Chic” LeBlanc, in France during the war. She was the first
nurse to go into France on a glider and she helped set up the second MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit. Chic landed at
Normandy on D-Day in the third wave and earned the Silver Star.
Smokey was a native of Altoona, Pa., while Chic was a native Louisianian from New Orleans. After their war service, the LeBlancs
settled in Lake Charles, and had two children, Roger and Ann. Ann remembered that when she and Roger got in trouble as children,
“the little colonel,” as they called their mom, would bring them into “the office” for discipline.
Smokey and Chic were ardent storytellers who saw life through humorous lenses. Smokey would tell of sneaking out to farms
during the war to steal chickens so she could make chicken broth for the wounded men. One Thanksgiving Chic found two turkeys
and wrung their necks, only to find out that they were the general’s personal pets. Oops!
Smokey worked alongside the nuns at St. Patrick Hospital as the director of nursing (DON). Vivian was a young graduate
nurse trained by nuns at St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas, when she moved to Lake Charles to work under Smokey. Vivian
reminisced, “I have never been more scared of someone in my entire life. Smokey carried around that clipboard like it was armor!”
After moving to Lake Charles Charity Hospital, now W.O. Moss Regional Medical Center, with Smokey as the DON and herself
as a nurse anesthetist, Vivian became less intimidated by Smokey. In fact, Vivian came to love Smokey, stating, “What can be better
than friendship and high respect?”
When Joint Commission, the accrediting agency for
health care organizations, came to inspect Moss Regional’s
nursing service under Smokey’s leadership, the department
was in 100 percent compliance with no deficiencies.
Dr. Everett Schneider, head of pediatrics from 1964-92,
remembered, “Smokey demanded excellence and placed
good people under her. As the hospital expanded, Erma
always recruited the best nurses in their field.”
Smokey expected her nurses to tow the line. Linda
Patterson, a nurse working under Smokey, said, “She was
mean as could be with a heart of gold. I worshiped her.”
Smokey kept an open door policy for her supervisors,
welcoming their suggestions but expecting loyalty on the
floor at the same time. Schneider said, “You always knew
where you stood when you worked for Smokey.”
Even when she was diagnosed with cancer, Smokey
continued to work despite undergoing extensive treatment.
Vivian helped Roger and Ann with caretaker duties. In fact,
Smokey trusted Vivian to the extent that she posted a sign
on her bed that read, “In case I am rendered unable to make
medical decisions, please call Vivian Whitman.”
Nursing staff at Moss Regional Hospital and friends
created the Erma LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship as a tribute
to Smokey. The contributions received from Mr. and
Mrs. Roger LeBlanc have brought the scholarship to an
endowed level. The Erma LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship
provides funds to support a nursing student in good
standing for up to four years.
10
Erma “Smokey” LeBlanc
FOUNDATION TIES
Dr. Peggy Wolfe • Recipient • Emily and Charles Stokes Trust Professorship in Nursing
Preparing
The Nursing
Graduate
If you drive by the corner of Common Street and Sale Road, you
might notice a three-story building with a red metal roof. It may
look like the Red Roof Inn, but it is actually home to McNeese
State University’s College of Nursing.
The College of Nursing has grown from humble roots. In the
early 1950s, area organizations including the Calcasieu Parish
Medical Society, the Lake Charles District Nursing Association
and the Seventh District Medical Association came together to
encourage the addition of a nursing curriculum at McNeese State
College. Fifty plus years later, McNeese’s college of nursing is one of
the most respected and largest nursing programs in operation–with
an undergraduate enrollment of 1,244 and a graduate enrollment of
92.
Fifteen percent of all students who enrolled at McNeese in the
fall of 2009 enrolled in the College of Nursing. And, nursing is no
longer considered only a woman’s career with more and more men
entering the profession. Nineteen percent of the students enrolled
in the college of nursing for fall 2009 were men.
Anetha Craft, left, clinical adjunct faculty member, and Dr.
Peggy Wolfe, nursing dean
Most nursing schools admit students into their programs
according to grade point average (GPA). The McNeese College
of Nursing has a unique admission policy that honors McNeese’s own students first. A student enrolled at McNeese and meeting
the published minimum GPA has priority over a transfer student with a higher GPA from another school applying for admission.
Nursing faculty supported this decision to ensure that Southwest Louisiana stays equipped with adequate nursing staff who choose
to live and stay in this area.
McNeese is fortunate to have a dedicated faculty who work hard to ensure that nursing graduates receive the quality education
that prepares them to pass the strenuous NCLEX exam, the licensing exam for nurses. According to a report issued in October
2008 by the Louisiana Board of Nursing, McNeese has far fewer faculty per graduate than does Northwestern State University,
Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of Louisiana Lafayette.
McNeese’s College of Nursing is the beneficiary of three Emily and Charles Stokes Trust Professorships in Nursing. The professorships
were established by the Stokes Family through bequest. The professorships are dedicated to program development which includes
expenses related to accreditation, travel, equipment purchases and faculty training for the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), the
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Each professorship is assigned to a
faculty member who manages the award’s use and expenses.
The baccalaureate program recently underwent a redesign to ensure the curriculum reflected the best preparation possible for the
student. According to Dr. Peggy Wolfe, dean of the College of Nursing, “We work to prepare the nursing graduate to practice in the
real world.” Tremendous community support is received from outside agencies who allow their master’s-prepared nursing employees
to serve as clinical adjuncts. By combining outside resources with inside talent, McNeese students are provided opportunities to
implement theoretical training in a live, on-the-job setting.
Applied Technology Research Corporation of Baton Rouge, in a March 2009 report, found that McNeese graduates nearly 80
percent of all nurses employed in Lake Charles and surrounding communities. The next time you seek health care in a clinic or
hospital setting, take comfort in the fact that you are probably being cared for by a McNeese nursing graduate.
11
Lake Charles High
School Collection
The Archives and Special Collections Department
of Frazar Memorial Library collects and preserves
materials and books that document the
University and the history in and around
Southwest Louisiana.
Among the Archives’ vast
collections are memorabilia
from the years of 1895-2003
at Lake Charles High School
(LCHS). When LCHS’s
Wildcats merged with Lake
Charles Boston High School’s
Cougars, LCHS lost much of
its history. Thankfully, alumni came together to preserve
their history, donating trophies, yearbooks, personal
items and other mementos to the collection.
The McNeese Archives not only collects and
preserves donated materials of value for the
community, but it also makes the collections
available for review and research. The LCHS
collection includes catalogs, photographs,
clothing, scrapbooks and other memorabilia from
its era. The items are often used at class reunions
or similar events.
Archives staff clean, arrange and catalog
historical items donated to McNeese.
Materials are preserved in archival-quality
containers that minimize the ill effects of
temperature, light and moisture. Fragile
items, such as old newspapers, certificates
and diplomas, are preserved using
special conservation techniques such as
deacidification and encapsulation.
If you are interested in the collections
available at the McNeese Archives, visit http://
library.mcneese.edu/depts/archive/index.
htm. If you are interested in making a financial
contribution in support of the Archives or you
wish to inquire about starting a collection, contact
Pati Threatt, assistant archivist, at 337.475.5734.
12
FOUNDATION TIES
Former Students & Friends of LCHS • Donors • LCHS Murphy/Leaton Scholarship, Murphy/Leaton Professorship in Teaching Excellence
Old–School Teaching
Students often recall their favorite teachers, but few start a scholarship in their
honor…unless, of course, you were instructed by Miss Iris Murphy and
Miss Lucille Leaton.
Miss Murphy and Miss Leaton taught together at Lake Charles High
School (LCHS) for 30 years. Miss Murphy taught English and Latin while
Miss Leaton taught Spanish and English. Both taught at a time when
the instructors’ mere silence created fear and trepidation among
students. Strict discipline in the classroom stimulated respect
from students who strived to achieve just so their teachers would
be proud of them.
According to Jo Ann Cline Humble, LCHS class of ‘47
president, “Miss Leaton was undoubtedly my favorite teacher.
She was extremely elegant, learned, intelligent and gracious. She displayed
the best of manners and she called upon her students to show
their good manners as well.” Daniel Ieyoub, class of ‘52 and later
LCHS principal, remembered, “Miss Murphy and Miss Leaton
were prim and proper. They would carefully set their plates at
lunch to include a sprig of mint for decoration.”
Miss Murphy and Miss Le
aton with Kiltie drum
Back in the days before Title IX, LCHS had boys’ sports, but the girls were left on the sidelines. Principal G. W.
Ford suggested starting a girls’ marching squad, and in 1939, the Kilties were created.
Though they weren’t the first and only sponsors during the Kilties 44-year existence, Miss Murphy and Miss Leaton were
the most renowned, taking over its leadership in 1942. They would draw out the formations while
sitting at their coffee table. Cissie McLeod recalled, “Miss Murphy and Miss Leaton could make
you do things that you didn’t think you could do, such as marching in a pinwheel in perfect
unison.” These two teachers commanded absolute perfection, giving students the confidence
needed to achieve whatever was set before them.
Under their direction, the Kilties gained national recognition appearing in the Sugar Bowl
and Cotton Bowl and marching in numerous local and regional parades. As “all good things
must come to an end,” the Kilties tradition came to a close in the early 1980s.
Former students, Kiltie members and friends of Miss Murphy and Miss Leaton created the
LCHS Murphy/Leaton Scholarship and the Murphy/Leaton Professorship in Teaching Excellence.
Faren Kleckley White, senior nursing student, is the recipient of the
scholarship. “Being given the opportunity to receive the Murphy/
Leaton Scholarship at McNeese has given me the extra inspiration to get
through school knowing that people believe in me. Having that extra
push, especially when registering for the semester, reminds me that I
can and I will succeed in school,” said Faren.
Their students were like family to Miss Murphy and Miss
Leaton, and they remained in close contact with their
students long past retirement. Miss Leaton died in 1998
and Miss Murphy died in 2005. Honored guests at Miss
Murphy’s funeral included former Kilties and Wildcats
from LCHS.
A memorial to LCHS stands proudly at Lock Park in Lake Charles.
On occasion, you can still watch former Kiltie members doing their 220
steps-per-beat shuffle when the rumble of drumbeats commence.
Excerpts included from “Footprints of the Kilties,” by Nola Mae Ross and Susan
McFillen.
13
DOING THE ROLLOVER
The IRA Charitable Rollover
There are many ways to make a planned gift to the McNeese
Foundation. In 2009, the IRA Charitable Rollover may be one of
the best options.
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extends
the IRA charitable rollover provision through Dec. 31, 2009.
This provision allows individuals who are 70 1/2 or older
the ability to make a tax-free distribution to the McNeese
Foundation from their IRA up to a value of $100,000 per year.
A distribution made to the Foundation prior to the end of 2009
is totally excluded from income. Before this law was enacted,
contributions to charities from an IRA were treated as taxable
income under federal law and under some state laws, and then
offset, or partially offset, with a charitable itemized deduction.
Who benefits most from an IRA charitable rollover?
• Individuals who are 70 1/2 or older that are required to
take minimum distributions from their IRAs, whether
they need the funds or not.
• Individuals who would like to make a charitable gift
in excess of 50 percent of their adjusted gross income.
• Individuals who do not itemize their deductions.
• Individuals who live in states that don’t provide tax
incentives for charitable deductions.
• Single individuals who want to reduce estate tax
attributable to their IRA.
When Marianne White, coordinator of planned giving
and donor research in the McNeese Foundation, asked
William “Bill” Beaton why he chose to use an IRA
charitable rollover to start a scholarship, he responded,
“It just makes good sense.” Bill taught economics and
finance in the College of Business in the late 1980s/early
1990s. Dr. Michael Kurth, former department head,
interviewed and hired Beaton for an instructor position.
Many years later, in gratitude to Dr. Kurth, Bill Beaton
created the Dr. Michael Kurth Scholarship in Finance.
There are a few rules for making an IRA charitable
rollover to the McNeese Foundation:
• Distributions must be made in the form of an outright gift
to the Foundation.
• Distributions must originate from either a traditional or
Roth IRA.
• Distributions must be made directly from the IRA
custodian to the Foundation.
• Distributions cannot be made to donor advised funds and
supporting organizations.
It is always wise to check with a financial adviser prior to executing an
IRA charitable rollover.
To begin the process of contributing funds from an IRA or to receive a
brochure with more information, contact the McNeese Office of Planned
Giving and Donor Research at 337.562.4107 or [email protected].
14
FOUNDATION TIES
Ms. Margaret
MunroKuffel
• Donor
• John •J. Munro
III Memorial
Scholarship
Nancy
and George
• Donors
Professorships
in Education
and Psychology
Nancy and George Kuffel
Snowbirds Really Do Fly South
How do two snowbirds from the northernmost regions of this
country wind up in hot, humid Southwest Louisiana and decide
to call it home?
Maj. George S. Kuffel hails from St. Cloud, Minn., while
wife, Nancy, is a product of British Columbia, Canada. Looking
for a bit of adventure, Nancy enlisted in the Royal Canadian
Air Force. George was looking for a bit of adventure himself
when he joined the U.S. Army via the ROTC program at North
Dakota State University.
He was commissioned into the Army after graduation, began
his career with the Korean Police Action and was stationed
in cities around the world before he retired from active duty
20 years later after his last trip to Vietnam. While stationed
in France, George met Nancy who was working in a civilian
position. Upon returning to the United States, the couple
eventually married.
One of their many stops along the way included Lake
Charles. While stationed here, the Kuffels had the
opportunity to observe the impact McNeese State University
had on the community of Southwest Louisiana. Upon Maj.
Kuffel’s retirement in 1971, he and Nancy decided to call Lake
Charles “home.”
Although George retired from the Army, he didn’t retire
from his love of learning. George’s proclivity to education was
developed from childhood. His father served as the psychology
department chair at Western Michigan State University
while his mother received her library science degree from the
University of Indiana. George graduated from North Dakota
State with dual majors in chemistry and zoology.
Once the couple settled in Lake Charles, George enrolled as
a graduate student in McNeese’s psychology department. He
received his master’s of science degree in 1972 and worked as a
graduate assistant. George also served as counselor at DeQuincy
High School for three years before returning to McNeese to
work in the Office of Continuing Education. George retired
from McNeese in January 1995. Fourteen years later, he still
continues to teach psychology courses at McNeese.
George has committed the past 37 years of his life to
education and he continues to do so today. George and Nancy
Kuffel have left a planned gift to the McNeese Foundation
through a bequest in their wills with the funds dedicated to
establishing professorships in the Burton College of Education.
George serves as president of the Outriders, the McNeese
retiree association. When George isn’t teaching or volunteering,
he can be found crafting fishing lures or toiling away in his
workshop. Nancy keeps busy cooking for friends and family and
playing bridge. The Kuffels are often spotted amidst the social
scene in Lake Charles attending Banners events, art shows or
symphony concerts. They continue to participate in their Friday
night happy hour with their retired military friends, a tradition
that has surpassed 20 years.
(For information on making a bequest or other planned gifts, visit
www.mcneesefoundation.org/plannedgiving).
15
Jennifer Pitre
Griffith
gf
Planned Giving &
Donor Research Specialist
Within the Office of Development and Public Affairs, there is another area few
people are familiar with–the Office of Planned Giving and Donor Research.
Established in 2004, the mission of the planned giving and donor research
office is to support the missions of McNeese State University and the McNeese
Foundation by working with individuals interested in making a contribution through
planned gifts. Jennifer Pitre Griffith became the first planned giving and donor
research specialist in the office in 2007.
Planned gifts include bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder
trusts and charitable lead trusts, among others. There are numerous ways to make
these types of planned gifts including cash, securities, stock, retirement plan assets,
savings bonds, real estate and life insurance.
It is this office’s responsibility to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward current
and potential donors making sure that the donor’s philanthropic intent aligns with
the core values of the University.
The planned giving and donor research office is not limited to just those areas.
It also assists with marketing, Web presence and donor relations efforts. Both
PILLARS and Dispatch from the Outriders, the retired faculty and staff newsletter,
are produced biannually by the office. The Foundation Web site was completely
redesigned under the office’s direction in conjunction with the Web company
Bizzuka. The planned giving program was also revived with a new name, The 1939
Living Oak Society, for those making a planned gift to the Foundation.
The retired faculty/staff association, the Outriders, continues to grow under the
planned giving and donor research office. An annual picnic and day trips are held
each year to help keep retired faculty and staff connected to each other and the
University.
Jennifer is responsible for maintaining the Foundation Web site, assisting with
online giving, conducting donor research, updating the donor database and helping
with marketing and donor relations. For more information on planned giving, visit
www.mcneesefoundation.org/plannedgiving or contact Jennifer at 337.562.4191
or by e-mail at [email protected].
16
FOUNDATION TIES
The Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles • Donors • Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles Scholarships
Rotary Club
Committed to
Academic Excellence
The Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles has contributed greatly to this community
since the initial charter was granted by Rotary International in July 1963. The Club, with
over 70 members, continues to uphold its long-standing reputation for philanthropy.
The Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles is one of Rotary International’s 33,000 clubs
with more than 1.2 million members worldwide. Club members adhere to the motto,
“Service Above Self,” volunteering to combat hunger, to fight domestic abuse, to educate
youth and to promote world peace.
Perhaps Rotary is best known for its international work to eradicate polio. The spread
and fear of polio were very real world wide not too long ago. Baby boomers and older
generations may remember ingesting inoculation-laced sugar cubes as children. In 1985,
Rotary made a commitment to immunize children against polio worldwide. Other
partners soon joined forces, including the World Health Organization, the U.S. Center for
Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF. More recently, the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation has formed a $555 million funding agreement with Rotary to continue its polio
project. According to Rotary International’s Web site, “In 1988, polio infected nearly 1,000
children every day. In 2008, fewer than 2,000 cases were reported for the entire year.”
The Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles was created from the merging of two smaller
clubs–the Rotary Club of South Lake Charles and the East Lake Charles Rotary Club.
Since joining forces, the Club has actively supported youth outreach, victim abuse and
education, among others projects. The Club started the first Interact Clubs, service
clubs for high school youth, in Southwest Louisiana. In fact, LaGrange High School,
[Washington] Marion High School and Lake Charles High School Interact Clubs were the
first in Louisiana. The Club also sponsored a statewide high school championship tennis
tournament many years ago, which contributed to the formation of the Lake Charles
Racquet Club. The Club participated with Rotary International when the Group Study
Exchange program first began and continues its involvement of that program today.
Funds to support Rotary International or local, regional or state projects begin with each
member contributing quarterly dues. Clubs also host varying fundraising projects such as
the Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles’ annual auction. Held each spring, the auction
includes dinner and silent and live auctions. Members may also become fellows in the
“Paul Harris Society,” a distinction reserved for members who contribute $1,000 or more
annually to Rotary International.
The Club created the Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles Scholarship in December 1991 to
provide funds for a Calcasieu Parish resident maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 to attend
McNeese State University for up to four years. The initial $10,000 contribution funded
one scholarship. Eighteen years later, the Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles Scholarship
provides funds for 17 students to attend McNeese. All told, 75 students have received the
scholarship since its inception, making this the largest single scholarship fund established
by a civic organization for the McNeese Foundation.
“Recognizing the importance of education, the Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles has
made it a priority to contribute to the McNeese Foundation to provide scholarships that
will help deserving students. Rotary members place a high priority on education and
literacy,” stated John Hoffpauir, Rotary president.
I am a freshman majoring in
agricultural sciences with a
concentration in pre-veterinary
medicine. All of my life I have
wanted to pursue a career in
veterinary medicine and last
semester I began my pursuit.
I currently work at a local
veterinary clinic where I have
been on staff for five years
seeking to obtain priceless
experience. Once I complete
my doctorate, I plan to come
home to Lake Charles and
open up a practice.
Thank you for your extreme
generosity in funding the
Rotary Club of Greater Lake
Charles Scholarship. I am very
thankful for the opportunity to
be the recipient of this award.
Sincerely, Kevin Shrewsberry
17
Building a
Solid
Foundation
Dear McNeese Foundation Supporters,
McNeese State University’s three-year Building a Solid Foundation
endowment campaign has now come to a conclusion. The McNeese
Foundation is pleased to announce that despite recent economic downturns
the campaign goal of $15 million has not only been reached, but also exceeded.
The McNeese Foundation serves as the conduit to provide an outside
funding source to the University. The Building a Solid Foundation campaign,
begun November 2006 and ended June 2009, was initiated to raise funds
to grow the endowment, a pool of funds held by the Foundation and
invested over time for the purpose of achieving a positive return. The
endowed principal remains intact while the income from the investment
is used to support student scholarships, faculty professorships and
chairs, and other projects that advance the University’s mission. The
McNeese Foundation endowment has now provided over 300 academic
scholarships, 35 athletic scholarships, one First Generation Scholarship, 84
professorships and two chairs.
I would like to thank the McNeese Foundation and its donors for the
opportunity of serving as the chair for the Building a Solid Foundation
campaign. While the campaign has drawn to a conclusion, the work of the
McNeese Foundation continues. Your philanthropic contributions as a donorpast, present, and future-are greatly appreciated and ensure that McNeese
State University remains on the forefront of higher education in Southwest
Louisiana and beyond.
Sincerely,
David Stine
David Stine
Campaign Chair
McNeese Foundation Board of Directors Member
FALL 2009 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1
We trust that you have been informed or enlightened by something you have read
in this issue of PILLARS. Comments or suggestions for future bi-annual editions are
welcomed and appreciated. Please take a moment to complete this form and return it
to the McNeese Foundation, Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609 or send comments via
e-mail to [email protected]. You are also encouraged to visit the Foundation
Web site at www.mcneesefoundation.org for further information about our
activities or methods of giving.
First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Work Phone:
E-mail Address:
Preferred Method of Contact:
E-mail
Mail
Home #
Work #
Cell #
Comment/Suggestion:
Please contact me regarding making a contribution or planned gift to the McNeese Foundation.
18
Zip:
EDITOR
Marianne White
Coordinator of Planned Giving and Donor
Research
[email protected]
STAFF WRITERS
Jennifer Griffith
Planned Giving and Donor Research Specialist
[email protected]
ART DIRECTION, DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY
Anne Cobb
Graphic Designer/Multimedia Specialist
[email protected]
Renee LeLeux
Public Information Officer II
[email protected]
FOUNDATION STAFF
Kimberly Donalson
Gift Management Specialist
[email protected]
Jennifer Griffith
Planned Giving and Donor Research Specialist
[email protected]
McNeese/Tulane Game 2009
Kelly McGough
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Pam McGough
Coordinator of Athletic Development
[email protected]
PILLARS is published by the McNeese
Foundation to educate and inform the
community of the role that the Foundation
plays in support of McNeese State University. The name, PILLARS, was chosen to represent
the importance of the Foundation’s support of
McNeese as an institution of higher learning.
Melissa Ellis Northcutt
Director of Development Operations and Special
Events
[email protected]
Richard H. Reid
Vice President of Development and Public Affairs/
Executive Vice President, McNeese Foundation
[email protected]
Beryl Romero
Administrative Specialist
[email protected]
Marianne White
Contact Information
McNeese Foundation
Box 91989
Lake Charles, LA 70609
Phone 337.475.5588 Fax 337.475.5386
www.mcneesefoundation.org
Coordinator of Planned Giving and Donor
Research
[email protected]
19
www.mcneesefoundation.org
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
McNeese Foundation, Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609
20
Permit No 336
Lake Charles, LA