INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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National Champion StudentsLSU ACADEMICS Fills up theTrophy Case in 2009 withNational Honors Aplenty

Roger Ogden EstablishesProfessorship in Business

Art Favre’s Gift ShowcasesEngineering Commitment to Campaign

America’s Wetland FoundationAnnounces $300,000 Donationto Forever LSU to Establish New CoastalSustainability Studio

ExxonMobil, EmployeesSet New RecordWith $1.16 Million Donation to LSU

6 LSU Petroleum EngineersUnveil New Additionsto Drilling Education Program

Charlene Muffoletto Favre SupportsLSU College of Education andTiger BandWith Gift to the Forever LSU Campaign

Bashore Family EstablishesMemorial Scholarshipfor Manship School Students

LSU Law CenterProfessorship Establishedin Memory of Louisiana Judge

Endowed Professorship HonorsLSU Law Professor

Back in the SpotlightLSU’s Venerable Music and Dramatic ArtsBuilding Returns to Life

LSU Foundation RemembersJack Overton Colle

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SUMMER 2009 • Volume 21, Number 2

2 CORNERSTONE • SUMMER 2009

A Publication Devoted to the Benefactors of the LSU Foundation

EDITOR Scott M. Madere

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Haley Edman

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mimi LaValle

Damian Foley

Haley Edman

Tammy Abshire

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jim Zietz

Eddy Perez

Rachel Saltzberg

Haley Edman

Mark Rayner

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Charlene MuffolettoFavre as an LSUGolden Girlin 1971.

Page 10: The America’sWETLAND ConservationCorps is a cooperativeproject with the LSUAgCenter, LouisianaServes and Americorps,which places volunteersinto service to saveLouisiana’s valuablewetlands.

How well do you know the campus? Can youidentify where this campus detail resides?

The answer appears later in this issue!

Dear Friends,

As we head into the fall semester,it’s a good time to reflect on thesuccess stories of the ’08-’09

academic year and remind ourselves of the impact that we,as supporters of LSU, can have on campus.

In every college and department at LSU, there are students andfaculty that carry on our strong academic tradition every day.Most of the time we never know about the student who goesabove and beyond to achieve excellence. But more than ever, LSUstudents are gaining national recognition for their hard work andcommitment to our university community.

On page 6 of this issue of Cornerstone, you will meet some ofthese students. We call them our “National Champion” students,because that’s exactly what they are. Each of these studentsreceived national-level recognition for their outstandingaccomplishments here at LSU. Their efforts have been recognizedafter head-to-head competition with some of the best andbrightest college students our nation has to offer.

Once again, LSU is proud to have another Truman scholarshipwinner in our ranks. This particular award is one I consider to beparticularly special, as it is an award that recognizes that treasuredquality in any person: leadership. This year’s recipient is on thecover, LSU Mass Communication and Honors Student Micaela deGruy. Micaela plans on pursuing a master’s degree and Ph.D. insocial work and says she would like to one day recruit and trainvolunteers for refugee camps in Africa. She personifies what isbecoming a very real tradition here at LSU, generating leaderswho are looking to make an impact not just here in Louisiana,but on a national and international scale.

This year, three LSU students have been recognized on the USAToday All-USA College Academic Team. Former TrumanScholarship winner Brian Goh, political science student MichaelRhea and biological engineering student John Casey were allrecognized by USA Today as three of the very best our nation hasto offer.

Speaking of newspapers, LSU journalism student Amy Brittainwas selected as one of the nation’s 10 best student journalists byScripps Howard Foundation.

Another great LSU biological sciences student, Sarah DeLeo, wasa recent winner of a National Science Foundation Graduate

Fellowship. A doctoral student, Sarahintends to be a university professor andresearcher.

For the 17th time, an LSU studentearned the highest student score on the

International Certified Internal Auditor Exam. Graduate studentYves Damoiseau is this year’s top-scoring student in the world.

Of course, these are only a handful of examples of the greatthings LSU students accomplish every day. One of the best ideaswhich can arise from working at a university like LSU is thenotion that right now an LSU student or faculty member isworking on something that may change the world. Every personat LSU is in pursuit of accomplishing a dream, a vision or a goal.Even if we may have never heard of these labors, theseundertakings have the potential to affect us all, whether asmembers of the LSU community or the global community.

Each of you who support LSU through philanthropicdonations, volunteer hours and deep loyalty to this universityhave a share in these successes.

Over the next year, we are going to pull together to accomplishour university’s most important goal to date, the completion ofthe Forever LSU campaign. As of this printing, the Forever LSUcampaign has raised more than $643 million of its ultimate $750million goal by the end of 2010. The support given to thiscampaign by thousands of LSU friends and alumni has alreadyhad a huge effect on the classroom environment and campus lifehere at LSU. The proof is in the quality of our students and thefaculty who inspire them to such great heights.

Now, more than ever, is a great time to support LSU’schampionship spirit by becoming an LSU Foundation memberand by contributing to the Forever LSU Campaign. As always, weare grateful for your leadership and dedication to our universitycommunity and its future.

Sincerely,

Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon, USMC Ret.President and CEO, LSU Foundation

5

It’s a sight that, no matter how frequent, never seems to get old: an LSU athleticsteam hoisting a championship trophy overhead. Our 2009 LSU baseball teamwas the latest in a long line of great LSU sports teams to achieve the pinnacle of

intercollegiate athletics competition: a national championship title. They did sobefore a national audience of millions on ESPN. Their names, rightfully recorded incampus legend.

For many people outside of Louisiana, this is the image of LSUthat is most often encountered. Our pursuit of excellence inathletics is second to none, and the success of our sports teams isno matter of luck. It is born in hard work, vision and a love ofcompetition.

But 2008-09 wasn’t just a banner year for LSU sports. LSUacademics had one of the best years ever, with students earningnational recognition from virtually every corner of campus.These “national champions” reveal what we have always knownabout our students and the faculty that inspire them here at LSU:they can compete head-to-head with anyone in the world.

One of these champions is LSU senior Micaela de Gruy, a masscommunications and Honors College student who took home aprestigious Truman Scholarship in 2009. She is the fifth LSUstudent to be recognized by the Truman Scholarship Foundation,which bestows the nationally-competitive designation to the topcollege student leaders in America.

“We are proud of Micaela and all of LSU’s Truman Scholars overthe past few years,” said LSU ChancellorMichael Martin. “This is proof that LSUstudents areperforming at avery high levelnationally, andLSU is doing itspart as a

university committed to excellence in everything it does.”“I never expected to receive any honor of this caliber. I have

proof now that dedication and passion really can get you whereyou want to be,” de Gruy said. “It has been a truly humblingexperience to be around other finalists and hear about theiraccomplishments. I promise to use this opportunity for thebenefit of others; my future is not about me, but about the kind ofchange I can make in the world.”

De Gruy plans to attain a master’s degree and Ph.D. in socialwork and make an impact on the global scene, specifically byaiding in the rehabilitation of trauma victims in Africa’snumerous refugee camps.

“In Sudan, there is one counselor for 6 millionpeople. The need is great and there is little resource tomeet it,” said de Gruy. “I want to learn as much as Ican about the problem and how to impact change,so that I may teach and inspire others to keep thechange going.”

LSU also placed three students on USA Today’s 20th AnnualAll-USA College Academic Teams in 2009, the third year in arow that LSU has placed a student on the teams.

Brian Goh of Denham Springs was selected to one of the20 spots on the First Team. John Casey of Mandeville andMichael Rhea of DeRidder also appear on the list as membersof the Second Team. This is the first year that LSU has threestudents selected. All three students are members of the LSUHonors College.

Both Goh and Casey are former recipients of the prestigiousBarry M. Goldwater Scholarship, which recognizes our nation’stop science students. Goh won the award in 2008, Casey in 2007.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized among 20outstanding college students from around the country,” Gohsaid. “More importantly, being named to the First Team alongwith two others from LSU on the Second Team demonstrateswhat we do here at LSU. We have outstanding students whodo outstanding things. These things are not only exceptionalhere at LSU, but they have impact nationally. That makes meproud to be at LSU and proud to be a Tiger.”

Casey was also a recipient of a 2009 National ScienceFoundation graduate fellowship. His classmate, biomedicalengineering and Honors College doctoral student Sarah DeLeo,was also recognized by the National Science Foundation with agraduate fellowship as well. These fellowships are among themost prestigious available to any college researcher on thenational level.

DeLeo said she intends for her research to contribute greatlyto understanding degenerative neurological conditions such asAlzheimer’s disease.

Another LSU Tiger with a national title is recent masscommunication graduate Amy Brittain, who was named one ofthe nation’s 10 best student reporters by the Scripps HowardFoundation in 2009.

Brittain, a sportswriter currently on an MLB.com internshipin San Diego, said she was shocked to hear the news that shewas honored by the Scripps Howard Foundation. “It was anhonor just to be the one nominee from LSU. I never imaginedI would win the national contest. Needless to say, therecognition was amazing,” she said.

Brittain said she plans on getting her master’s degree injournalism at Columbia University, where she hopes tospecialize in investigative reporting. “I got my foundation atLSU,” Brittain said. “I had the opportunity to regularlyinterview the chancellor, system president, head football coachand numerous other prominent individuals. I grew from a shy,timid girl out of high school into a confident reporter who wasintimidated by no one. It was a great ride.”

LSU graduate student Lauren DeFrank was recently selected as a2009 Presidential Management Fellow, a prestigious and highlycompetitive program administered by the U.S. Office of PersonnelManagement. The program is designed to draw outstandinggraduate, law and doctoral students to federal service.

Exactly how tough was the competition this year? DeFrankwas recognized from a pool of more than 5,000 applicants, thelargest number of applicants in the program’s history.

DeFrank came to LSU after completing her undergraduatework at Tulane. “LSU has the strongest environmentalscience graduate program I looked at,” she said “I didn’t evenapply elsewhere.”

In many ways, these students represent a new direction forLSU academics, one in which our very best studentambassadors can be recognized on any level, regardless offield of study. It’s an attitude that mimics the best parts ofour university’s love for competition, because like ourathletics Tigers, these academic Tigers know what it takes tobe a champion.

For many of these students, the path toward nationalcompetition starts in the LSU Honors College’s Office ofFellowship Advising. The Office of Fellowship Advisingspecializes in helping these outstanding students in applyingfor prestigious scholarships and fellowships, such as theRhodes, Marshall, Gates, Mitchell, Udall, Truman andGoldwater awards. Students interested in applying for theseand other scholarship opportunities should contactfellowships@lsu.edu. •LSU’s Department of Media Relations contributed to thecontent of this report.

Micaelade Gruy

AmyBrittain

MichaelRheaSarah

DeLeo

BrianGoh

LSU Remains in theTop Tier in U.S. News &World Report RankingsFor the second year in a row, LSU is ranked in the first tier for “Best

National Universities” in U.S. News &World Report’s 2010 edition ofAmerica’s Best Colleges.

LSU’s business and engineering programs are also ranked by U.S. News&World Report. The LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business moved up frombeing ranked 74 last year to 57 this year in the Best UndergraduateBusiness Programs ranking. The LSU College of Engineering moved upfrom being ranked 86 last year to 85 this year in the Best UndergraduateEngineering Programs ranking.

We are excited about being in the top tier of U.S. News &World Report’srankings,” LSU Chancellor Michael Martin said. “This again proves what thefaculty, staff and students here already know, that LSU is one of the topuniversities in the nation. As Louisiana’s Flagship University, being ranked inthe top tier not only brings recognition to our institution but to the state as awhole.We commend our peers and U.S. News for taking note of the greatthings being accomplished on our campus.”

In its report, the magazine ranks LSU 128th among 262 American publicand private universities in the United States. LSU ranks 64th overall whencompared to public universities only. LSU is the only public university inLouisiana ranked in the top tier.

“We are elated but not surprised to find LSU once again in the top tier ofAmerican universities, as reported by U.S. News &World Report,” saidLSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Astrid Merget. “Our nationalstanding among the best universities in the country is not only a tribute tothe impressive academic achievements of our faculty, students and staff; itis also a point of pride for our alumni and friends, as our ambassadorschampioning LSU as among the nation’s best in all its accomplishments.”

In the past five years, LSU has seen improvement in a number of areasthat the U.S. News &World Report Rankings take into consideration,including LSU’s graduation rate, which has risen from 57.5 percent in 2004to 60.7 percent in 2008, and incoming freshmen ACT scores, which haveincreased from 24.5 in 2004 to 25.3 in 2008. • 7

98 CORNERSTONE / SUMMER 2009

Roger OgdenEstablishesProfessorship inBusinessBaton Rouge businessman Roger Ogden honored his

business partner and friend, Jimmy Maurin, with aprofessorship established in Maurin’s name at a May 14luncheon held at the LSU Faculty Club.

Maurin is a Louisiana State University alumnus and along-time E.J. Ourso College of Business supporter. BothMaurin and Ogden are members of the E.J. Ourso CollegeDean’s Advisory Council and serve on the LouisianaBusiness Building Oversight Committee, where Maurincurrently serves as co-chair.

“This is an incredibly touching gesture,” said Eli Jones,dean of the E.J. Ourso College. “Roger and Jimmy’sfriendship extends for decades and includes the creation ofStirling Properties. Their mutual respect for one another isself-evident.”

The James E. “Jimmy” Maurin Professorship will providescholastic support to doctoral students in the E.J. OursoCollege. Special consideration will be given to doctoralstudents who specialize in real estate or entrepreneurshipresearch.

Maurin received a bachelor’s degree in aerospaceengineering from LSU in 1971 and earned an MBA fromTulane University in 1972. He is the chairman of StirlingProperties, founded in 1975.

Maurin served as the chairman of the InternationalCouncil of Shopping Centers and is currently thechairman of the Ochsner Health System Board. He is also afounding trustee of Blueprint Louisiana.

In addition to Jones, the event was attended by LSUChancellor Michael V. Martin, LSU Foundation PresidentWilliam Bowdon and Tiger Athletic Foundation ChiefOperating Officer Ron Richard. The LSU Foundationpresented Maurin and Ogden framed proclamations to

recognize theestablishmentof the newprofessorship.

For news andinformationregarding the E.J.Ourso College,visitwww.bus.lsu.edu.

•(L-to-R): Eli Jones, dean of the E.J. OursoCollege of Business, Jimmy Maurin, RogerOgden, Michael V. Martin, LSUChancellor, Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon,president and CEO of the LSU Foundation,Maj. Gen. Ron Richard, president andCEO of Tiger Athletic Foundation.

Alumni leaders are critical to the growth and advancement ofevery college at LSU, but the LSU College of Engineering

boasts a record of involvement and participation that is secondto none. This is exemplified by the volunteers serving on theEngineering Campaign Steering Committee, who have reachedthe 100 percent participation mark, and given 12 percent of theCollege of Engineering’s $100 million goal.

Recently, Art E. Favre pledged $1.2 million to establish anendowed chair for the benefit of the Department ofConstruction Management and Industrial Engineering (CMIE) atLSU in the College of Engineering. Once matched with statefunds of $800,000, the chair will total $2 million. As LSU andthe College look to successfully complete the Forever LSUCampaign by 2010, Favre and the Engineering CampaignSteering Committee’s dedication encourages others to focusefforts toward academic excellence.

The Art E. Favre Industrial Construction Chair will enhanceeducational quality and research in the field of industrialconstruction management. Favre’s leadership gift represents thelargest commitment to the department from an individual.Leading comes naturally to him. Favre is a 1972 LSU graduate inconstruction—the inaugural graduating class.

Owner and President of Performance Contractors, Inc., Favrefounded the industrial services company, which specializes inconstruction, maintenance and pipe fabrication for refineries,petrochemical, chemical and power industries. The firm isheadquartered in Baton Rouge with offices in Lake Charles, LA;Freeport, TX and Mobile, AL.

LSU Chancellor Michael V. Martin acknowledged Favre’sunparalleled support to the construction management programand College of Engineering that has and will continue to make apositive impact on LSU students and research.

“Art Favre’s gift supports the education of future leaders in theconstruction industry to safely build the next generation petro-chemical facilities. We must look to the future and take action tokeep pace with advancements in industry and technology, tocompete with peer institutions, and to advance our position ofnational prominence,” Martin said.

Over the years, LSU has played a major role in providing qualitystaffing candidates to Performance Contractors, and Favre isactive in supporting the University and the College ofEngineering. He contributes much of his time as an activemember of the Dean’s Advisory Council, the chair of the ForeverLSU Campaign Steering Committee for CMIE as well as the recentDean’s Search Committee. A founding member of theConstruction Industry Advisory Council, Favre has served as past

president and currently serves on the board of directors. Favre is amember of the LSU Alumni Association, the LSU Foundation andTiger Athletic Foundation. In 2007, Favre was inducted into theLSU College of Engineering Hall of Distinction.

“LSU started the Construction Management curriculum duringmy sophomore year, and I found a pathway to fulfill myeducational objective. The knowledge instilled in me by thededicated faculty at LSU has served me well throughout my career.My first job opportunity after graduation was with a Baton Rouge-based general industrial contractor. The disciplined thoughtprocesses toward problem solving taught at LSU, coupled withseveral great mentors within industry, allowed me to learn theunique characteristics of industrial construction early in mycareer,” said Favre.

Tom Ray, CMIE Chair, said, “Our program’s success has much todo with support from the construction industry and Art Favre hasalways led the way. Art’s generosity of his time and resources areimmeasurable to the department. His gift will enable our facultyto provide the best instruction in industrial constructioneducation and to conduct important research within theindustrial sector.”

Favre said, “I contribute a significant portion of my professionalsuccess to the educational foundation I received at LSU. As ourcompany has grown, we have continued to look toward LSU as aprovider of quality personnel to expand our company’scapabilities. The better student product the CMIE Departmentproduces, the easier it becomes for us to reach our corporate goals.Undergraduate education coupled with cutting edge research,yield an excellent return on our contribution dollars.”

“LSU has been very fortunate to have Art Favre as the chair ofour CMIE campaign steering committee,” said Maj. Gen.William Bowdon, president and CEO of the LSUFoundation. “Having the guidance of a construction businessleader like Art is critical to the long-term development of ourconstruction management curriculum at LSU. Our College ofEngineering students directly benefit from the involvementand generosity of alumni like Art.” •

(L-to-R): Tom Ray, chair of Construction Management & IndustrialEngineering; Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon, LSU Foundation president andCEO; LSU Chancellor Michael V. Martin; Art Favre; David Constant, interimdean of the LSU College of Engineering.

Happy BirthdayTo Us (Almost)By Damian Foley

Columbia University’s Law School celebrated its in 2008 withevents in Hong Kong, Beijing and London.

The state of Minnesota celebrated its in 2008 withcommemorative license plates and a specially commissioned song.

The city of Boulder, Colo., celebrated its in 2009 with a publicdowntown stroll on July 4, visiting the city’s historic landmarks.

The state of Oregon celebrated its in 2009 with a service projectthat saw 24,000 Oregonians turn out to participate in communitycleanup programs.

Louisiana State University will officially mark its on January 2,2010, and will celebrate with an entire year’s worth of festivities.

What is it?A sesquicentennial—or, specifically, a 150-year anniversary.In 1860, LSU began as a small school in Pineville with only 19

students. Now, 149 years later, LSU is one of the largest universities inthe nation, with an undergraduate enrollment of more than 26,000students. The University also employs more than 1,500 facultymembers who teach in the 10 senior colleges and schools. The bodyof work LSU has produced over the years has helped the Universitymove into the U.S. News and World Report’s top tier of universities.

That, in and of itself, is worthy of a celebration—not that a statewith the unofficial motto laissez le bon temps rouler needs muchprompting to celebrate life.

So celebrate LSU will, with a list of events that will see the festivitiesbegin in September 2009 and not stop until December 2010.

The first sesquicentennial-related event will be the launching of thestatewide museum tour, “LSU: Building an American Renaissance,” atthe LSU Student Union Art Gallery on Sept. 10. The exhibition, puttogether by architecture professor Michael Desmond, will takepatrons through the physical history of LSU, from its humblebeginnings in Pineville to the majestic oaks and arches 150 years andfour campuses later in Baton Rouge, and will travel throughoutLouisiana during 2010.

“LSU Serves the World” will launch in January 2010, and will giveTigers around the world the chance to come together online to learnabout the various service projects LSU has been involved in globallyfor the last 150 years.History of LSU, a documentary LSU put together in conjunction

with Louisiana Public Broadcasting, will air on March 14, 2010, andwill run on LPB a number of times throughout the year.

There will be a book, Treasures of LSU, that will showcase some ofthe undiscovered gems on campus, an ornament that celebrates LSU’siconic architecture, and “LSU Day,” an open house for the public onApril 24 for a free, fun-filled day of exploration and discovery,highlighted by performing arts showcases, tours and exhibitionsshowing off LSU’s history in all its purple and gold glory.

Join Louisiana State University as it marks its sesquicentennial in2010 with a year of reflection, celebration and commitment. Weinvite all former and future students, faculty and staff, as well asfriends of LSU worldwide to join us in celebrating the University’s150 years of excellence. •

By Mimi LaValle

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10 CORNERSTONE / SUMMER 2009

The America’s WETLAND Foundation

(AWF) announced a $300,000

donation to LSU and the Forever LSU

campaign today. The gift will be used to

establish the LSU Coastal Sustainability

Studio, a university-based professional

training studio to restore, protect

and sustain America’s WETLAND.

“We are very proud to be the founding sponsor of thisinitiative, which is really the first of its kind,” said AWFChairman R. King Milling. “Building capacity in science andengineering is critical for the Gulf states, and especiallyLouisiana and its ability to plan and implement large-scaleecosystem restoration and protection projects—that’s why thisis so important. Through this innovative concept, we will beable to gauge the sustainability of projects underconsideration. As part of the foundation’s Climate, Energy &the Coast Project, the Coastal Sustainability Studio will helpsupport the development of best practices in coastalengineering through a multidisciplinary approach to complexdesign challenges. Other AWF initiatives, such as America’sEnergy Coast and the America’s WETLAND ConservationCorps, allow us to impact policy development and maximizevolunteer efforts on the ‘front lines’ of the battle. Throughthese and other efforts, I have no doubt we can makesignificant strides toward saving America’s WETLAND.”

The Coastal Sustainability Studio is also a part of LSU’s newCoastal Sustainability Agenda, or CSA, which seeks to integrateknowledge that will create informed policies and promoteenvironmental and economic sustainability in coastallandscapes around theworld.

“The CoastalSustainability Studio is amultidisciplinary effortthat will use thechallenges of restoringand protecting theMississippi River Delta todevelop new approachesto building more resilientcommunities,” said RobertTwilley, associate vicechancellor of research andeconomic development atLSU, director of theCoastal SustainabilityAgenda and professor inthe LSU Department ofOceanography and CoastalSciences. “The physicalstudio will be situated onLSU’s campus, but theexpertise will be drawnnot only from LSU facultybut from coastal experts around the world.”

Twilley will head the effort, which will focus its restorationefforts on parishes in the delta plain as a test case in thecoming months. Lynne Carter serves as Associate Director withexpertise in developing resilient communities.

“We are truly grateful for the generous support of the

America’s WETLAND Foundation and for all it does daily toraise awareness of the fight to save Louisiana’s coastalecosystem,” said Twilley. “This gift will allow LSU to developnew ways to help our friends and neighbors live near the waterin a sustainable fashion.”

The grant was made possible by generous support fromChevron, who is a partner in the foundation’s America’sEnergy Coast initiative.

The studio will be supported by an executive committee,which includes representatives from various disciplinesincluding: hurricane research, engineering, art and design,landscape architecture, geography, and law, among others.The studio will also be supported by an advisory committeethat includes representatives from: AWF, Chevron, Shell,Arcadis, the Shaw Group, the Louisiana Recovery Authority,engineering firms, industry representatives, planning councils,professional planning firms, Governor’s Office of CoastalActivities, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security andEmergency Preparedness and the Louisiana Office of CoastalProtection and Restoration.

This project is the second partnership between the America’sWETLAND Foundation and LSU. The America’s WETLAND

Conservation Corps is acooperative project with theLSU AgCenter, LouisianaServes and Americorps, whichplaces volunteers into serviceto save Louisiana’s valuablewetlands.

America’s WETLAND is oneof the largest and mostproductive expanses of coastalwetlands in North America.This valuable landscapeextending along Louisiana’scoast is disappearing at a rateof 24 square miles per year.

The America’s WETLANDFoundation manages thelargest, most comprehensivepublic education campaign inLouisiana’s history. Thecampaign is raising publicawareness of the impact ofLouisiana’s wetland loss onthe state, nation and world.The initiative is supported by

a growing coalition of world, national and state conservationand environmental organizations and has drawn privatesupport from businesses that see wetlands protection as a keyto economic growth. For more information, visitwww.americaswetland.com. •

(L-to-R): Warner Williams, Chevron North America Exploration and ProductionCompany, Michael V. Martin, LSU Chancellor, Robert Twilley, Associate ViceChancellor, Research and Economic Development, R. King Milling, Chairman,America’s WETLAND Foundation, Sidney Coffee, Senior Advisor, America’sWETLAND Foundation, Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon, President & CEO,LSU Foundation

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ExxonMobil employees and retirees achieved a new level of giving with anotherrecord gift to LSU academics. On May 8, the LSU Foundation received a gift of$1,163,585 from the ExxonMobil Foundation.

This total represents the matching of 210 gifts to LSU which were eligible forExxonMobil’s Educational Matching Gift Program in 2008. This is the second year in arow in which LSU received more than $1 million in matching funds from ExxonMobil.In 2008, LSU became the first university in the world to receive more than $1 millionin matching funds from ExxonMobil in one calendar year.

ExxonMobil’s Educational Matching Gift Program is a leader in private industry,having donated more than $36 million to more than 900 colleges and universitiesacross the United States in 2008. In the past year, LSU alumni and supporters withinthe ExxonMobil Corporation gave $533,775 to LSU academics, $387,861 of which wasmatched on a 3-to-1 basis by ExxonMobil’s Educational Matching Gift Program($1,163,585). Historically, LSU is one of the top universities in the world for attractingsupport from this program.

“When you think of the world’s great companies, ExxonMobil is certainly atthe top of any list. Their leadership and positive influence can be felt inevery corner of the globe,” said Maj. Gen. William Bowdon, president andCEO of the LSU Foundation. “For LSU to have the support and cooperationof a company like ExxonMobil is a true honor and a gift for which we arevery grateful. We thank all the employees, retirees and annuitants ofExxonMobil for their continued support of LSU students, faculty and staff,”said Bowdon.

Participants in the ExxonMobil Educational Matching Gift Programinclude current employees, retirees, annuitants and surviving spouses offormer employees and company directors. Since its inception in 1962, theprogram has provided more than $400 million to higher education in theUnited States.

“These donations are a remarkable testament to the value ExxonMobilemployees and retirees place on higher education,” said George Pietrogallo,ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Area Public Affairs Manager.

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the ExxonMobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation and the Corporation engagein a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in thecommunities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States,ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12and higher education levels.

Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education and combatmalaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. Additional informationon ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contributions programs is available athttp://www.exxonmobil.com/community. •

Representatives from ExxonMobil present LSUwith a donation of $1.16 million fromExxonMobil’s Educational Matching GiftProgram. This is the second year in a row thatLSU has received more than $1 million fromthe ExxonMobil Foundation in matching gifts.

Arecent contribution ofcutting-edge technology

to the LSU College ofEngineering will help studentsgain valuable practicalexperience in petroleumengineering.

On May 7, the Craft &Hawkins Department ofPetroleum Engineering (PETE)and NOV M/D Totco®

unveiled a RigSense system and a Physical Drilling model atLSU’s Petroleum Engineering Research Technology TransferLaboratory (PERTT Lab) facility. The ceremony recognizes therelationship developed between PETE and NOV’sIndustryConnect Program and gifts, valued at $225,000, ofphysical drilling model and RigSense system to benefit PETEstudents, faculty and industry training.

This contribution helps secure LSU’s long-standing status as aleader among universities developing and transferringtechnologies to enhance drilling performance and safety.

John Rogers Smith, Ph.D., PE and PETE associate professor,explained, “LSU’s PERTT Lab is unique in utilizing a full-scale rigcirculation system, multiple wells and the ability to inject naturalgas into the wells to support undergraduate and graduateeducation, university research and industry activities to developand transfer new technologies.”

In 2008, NOV M/D Totco® established the IndustryConnectProgram with the Craft & Hawkins Department of PetroleumEngineering (PETE) at LSU for the purpose of developing industryrelevant skills and solutions in universities by exposing, educatingand developing PETE students with NOV technologies.

NOV made two contributions to the LSU PERTT Lab. The firstcontribution is a RigSense system, which gives students the abilityto train with new and modern instrumentation technology. Thesecond is financial assistance to develop a physical drilling model.The model is a fully functional small scale rig with a circulationsystem, current RigSense instrumentation and performancedrilling enhancement using the e-Wildcat Auto-Drilling System.

“Through NOV’s gift, LSU will enable our professors and staff toadvance their research efforts and provide one-of-a-kindexperiential learning opportunities for our students” said StephenO. Sears, Ph.D. and PETE Department Chair. “Using thisequipment and model will enable our students to become evenbetter prepared for successful careers in the industry.”

LSU’s PERTT Lab provides a versatile teaching, systemdevelopment and research environment for performingmultiphase flow experiments on field scale tubulars at highpressures. It represents nearly $2 million in industry andgovernment capital investment since the early 1980s. Much of theequipment was assembled to support research and trainingactivities in the area of blowout prevention. The facility hassubsequently supported research and development for a muchbroader range of technologies including pipeline leak detection,mud pulse telemetry, solids and environmental control for drillingfluids, and managed pressure drilling. It continues to be used forundergraduate and graduate classes as well as industry schools inwell control and blowout prevention.

National Oilwell Varco (NOV) is a worldwide leader in thedesign, manufacture and sale of comprehensive systems andcomponents used in oil and gas drilling and production, theprovision of oilfield tubular inspection, internal tubular coatingsand other services, as well as in providing supply chainintegration services to the upstream oil and gas industry.

NOV M/D Totco® provides technological leadership, innovationand response to the needs of the industries it serves. Thefoundation products of drilling instrumentation, sensors, dataacquisition and controls have made NOV M/D Totco® theacknowledged leader in drilling activity information gathering andnow provide the platform to be the premier solution provider ofintegrated reporting and information services to the back offices ofboth operators and contractors alike. •

12 CORNERSTONE / SUMMER 2009

(L-to-R): JeffMcLain, VicePresident forDevelopment,LSU Foundation,Steve Sears, Chairfor the Craft &HawkinsDepartment ofPetroleum Engineering (PETE), David Constant, Interim Dean for the Collegeof Engineering, John R. Smith, Associate Professor in PETE, Bill Koederitz,Principal Engineer in the Applied Research Incubator of NOV’s Rig Solutionsdivision, Bob Bloom, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer forNOV, based in Houston, Texas, Greg Martin, Vice President and GeneralManager of the M/D Totco product line, Dave Murray, Director of Engineeringat NOV M/D Totco

15

The Forever LSU Campaign announced a gift to the LSUCollege of Education and the LSU Tiger Band from alumna

Charlene Muffoletto Favre, of Baton Rouge. This gift will createa scholarship program within the College of Education thatbenefits Tiger Band members, and help the LSU Tiger Bandachieve its goal of building a new state-of-the-art band hall onthe LSU campus.

“Charlene’s passion to provide opportunities for studentspursuing teaching as a profession and who are active in the TigerBand is both commendable and praiseworthy,” said Dean JayneFleener of the LSU College of Education. “The College ofEducation is extremely grateful for her generosity andcommitment to our college and our students. This scholarshippresents a unique opportunity to combine her love for teachingand her love for the Tiger Band in a way that typifies Charlene’sbroad involvement with LSU. Her gift will greatly benefit ourstudents who share her passion and will have a far-reachingimpact upon sustaining LSU as a top Tier University.”

The Charlene Muffoletto Favre Scholarship will provide ayearly scholarship to students in the College of Education whoare members of the LSU Tiger Band, Drum or Flag Corps and arein good standing.

Favre said her motive for establishing the scholarship is rootedin her student experience at LSU. “I know that the students whomake up the Golden Band from Tigerland are some of the hardest-working and dedicated students on campus,” she said. “I know,because I’ve been in their shoes as a student. As a band alum, Ihave watched for many years as our Golden Band has captivated

the imagination ofthousands of Tigerfans, both youngand old. Theyinspire us all withtheir relentlesspursuit of excellence, and they spread happiness and joy whereverthey perform.”

Charlene Muffoletto Favre’s gift to the Forever LSU campaignalso includes direct support for the construction of the new LSUBand Hall, which will serve as the home of the entire LSU BandDepartment.

“We’re delighted that Mrs. Favre reflects upon her time in theTiger Band with such fondness,” said Steven Covington, directorof development for the LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts.“When she speaks about the experience, it’s clear it was awonderful influence in her life.”

“We’re drawing closer every day to our ultimate goal of $14million to fund the Band Hall project thanks to hercontribution,” Covington added. “Mrs. Favre’s enthusiasm andcommitment surely will encourage others to join her insupporting the Tiger Band Hall.”

Mrs. Favre said, “I view this gift as an opportunity to say ‘thankyou’ to those who have given so much to represent LSU with theirconsiderable talent. It is also an opportunity to re-affirm mycommitment to the future of the LSU College of Education, whichhas had a significant influence on my life, and the lives of countlessstudents statewide, in more than a century of service.” •

Randy and Gail Bashore of Fork Union, Va. recently pledged$100,000 for the establishment of a scholarship in memory oftheir son, Luke, an LSU Manship School of Mass Communication

junior, who died in an automobile accident in 2008. A promising fall2009 student at the Manship School will soon become the first recipientof the Luke S. Bashore Memorial Scholarship.

“Randy and I thought creating a scholarship in Luke’s name would bean appropriate way to remember his passion and pride for LSU,” said GailBashore, Luke’s mother. “He truly loved being a part of the ManshipSchool, and he would be pleased to know that many students are going tobenefit in the future from this scholarship. We have truly appreciated theheartfelt compassion and sensitivity of all the LSU administration, faculty,and staff that we have worked with this past year while creating thescholarship. Luke’s scholarship creates a bond between our family and theLSU family that will only strengthen over time.”

“Luke was a passionate LSU football fan who wanted to become abroadcast sports journalist,” said Manship School Dean John MaxwellHamilton. “His professors and fellow students were deeply saddened bythe accident that kept him from returning to us for his senior year. TheBashore family is creating an exceptional legacy by helping other

students like Luke achieve their dreams of a degreefrom the school.”

“Luke loved all LSU sports, and would have beenespecially thrilled with the Tigers’ College WorldSeries win,” Gail Bashore said. “During the titlegame, all of Luke’s friends were thinking of him,and his high school coach even wore an LSU hatthat day in Luke’s honor. That means a lot,considering he’s an Auburn alum!”

The Luke S. Bashore Memorial Scholarship at theManship School is a four-year scholarship for out-of-state students interested in broadcast journalism,new media communication, visual communicationor other electronic media. The Bashore Scholarship

eventually will provide funds for four students per year.Bashore’s family and friends returned to LSU for graduation in

May, where they accepted Bashore’s posthumous degree.Chancellor Michael Martin initiated a new LSU tradition duringthe ceremony with the presentation of an LSU flag that flew overcampus to the Bashore family.

Gail Bashore said that coming to LSU was the fulfillment of achildhood dream for Luke. “Luke often said, especially during hislast year at LSU, he was ‘living the dream,’ and he truly was. Heenvisioned the dream of attending LSU as an eight-year-old withabsolutely no personal or family connection to the school, and hewas able to see that dream come to fruition during his senior yearof high school when he received his acceptance letter. I remember

coming with him to the campus in the spring when he needed to makehis decision whether to come to LSU or attend a school closer to home,and I knew when he stepped on that campus, proudly wearing the purpleand gold, that he was ‘home!’”

“That phrase, ‘living the dream,’ has become a mantra for many of hisfriends and family,” Gail said. “It is on the commemorative plaque at thebase of Luke’s oak tree at Tiger Stadium, and I get many texts, emails andFacebook messages from Luke’s friends that just say ‘I’m living the dreamtoday,’ and I know that would make Luke happy.”

Those interested in contributing to the Luke S. Bashore MemorialScholarship may contact the LSU Foundation at (225) 578-3811, or visitwww.lsufoundation.org. •

Manship School of Mass CommunicationAssociate Dean David Kurpius (left)presents a memorial LSU flag to (l. to r.)Gail, Kate and Randy Bashore at theManship School’s commencement exerciseon May 15, 2009. The flag honors LukeBashore, an LSU student who died in anautomobile accident in 2008. TheBashore family recently established ascholarship in Luke’s name within theLSU Manship School of MassCommunication.

(L-to-R): LSU Foundation President and CEO, Maj.Gen. William G. Bowdon, Charlene Muffoletto Favre,LSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost AstridMerget and LSU Chancellor Michael V. Martin.

14 CORNERSTONE • SUMMER 2009

LSUHonors Generosity of Qatar withStudent Union Sculpture DisplayLouisiana’s recovery from multiple hurricane strikes this decade has been aided

by many national and international sources. But few have had the impact ofthe Middle Eastern nation of Qatar.

The citizens of Qatar donated more than $100 million to entities all along theGulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, with $3.3 million aiding the LSU HurricaneStudent Relief Fund. This fund helped approximately 1,400 LSU students affectedby the storm with tuition and living expenses.

On May 8, LSU honored the nation of Qatar with the unveiling of a memorialsculpture at the LSU Student Union, recognizing and thanking the citizens of Qatarfor their generosity in a time of great need.

A senior Qatari diplomat Hamad Al-Dosari was on hand for the unveiling, andwas thanked in person by many LSU students who were recipients of aid sent by thecitizens of Qatar.

The sculpture will permanently reside in the LSU Union, near the second floorentrance to the facility. •

(L-to-R): LSU Chancellor Michael V. Martin, Qatarisenior diplomat Hamad Al-Dosari, and Maj. Gen.William G. Bowdon, president and CEO of the LSUFoundation attend the unveiling of a sculpturerecognizing the generosity of the nation of Qatar onMay 8, 2009.

Luke Bashore

16 CORNERSTONE • SUMMER 2009

By Haley Edman

17

The 2009 University CollegeSummer Scholars Program,

an eight-week summerprogram that aids high schoolstudents’ transition to collegelife, came to a close on July 30.The Summer Scholars Programgives high-achieving minoritystudents across the country theopportunity to enroll insummer courses; reside in on-campus housing; participate insocial and cultural activities;and attend academic, self-improvement and leadershipworkshops.

LSU Law Center ProfessorshipEstablished in Memory ofLouisiana JudgeIn May 2009, the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center received funding for a new law

professorship established in memory of the late Judge Earl E. Veron by his wife,Verdy Veron, and son, J. Michael Veron.

Judge Veron graduated from the LSU Law Center in 1959 and became a widelyrespected jurist from Lake Charles. LSU Law Chancellor Jack M. Weiss rememberedJudge Veron as, “a friend who earned his reputation as a dedicated, thorough andconscientious judge.”

The Veron professorship provides support for the recently expanded Clinical LegalEducation Program, where law students represent actual clients in the communityor serve as externs in the judiciary and legal divisions of state agencies. The gift willqualify for a double match of funds by the Louisiana Education Trust Fund (LEQSF).The Fund, administered by the Louisiana Board of Regents, sustains excellence inhealth sciences, research and education in Louisiana.

Veron left the small family grocery business in Lake Charles to enter McNeese StateUniversity, becoming the first person in his family to attend college. After completingthe necessary course work, Veron entered LSU’s law school at the age of 32. At 37,Veron proudly became a lawyer.

Nine years after receiving his law degree, Veron became a state district judge in LakeCharles. In 1977, he was appointed to the federal bench for the U.S. Western District ofLouisiana by President Jimmy Carter. Veron held this position until his death in 1990.

“Those of us who were law school classmates of Earl Veron remember him fondly asone who combined the best traits—discipline, enthusiasm, warmth, a love for the lawand empathy for the people upon whom the law impacts,” said Professor FrankMaraist of the LSU Law center. “We were not surprised when he became a successfullawyer and an even more successful judge, both at the state and federal levels. It isfitting that Judge Veron will be formally remembered by the Law Center, its alumniand its future students as one of our finest.” Professor Maraist was a former classmate,peer and friend of Judge Veron.

Judge Veron married Verdy Veron in 1948. Mrs. Veron and son, J. Michael, recentlyattended a swearing-in ceremony for LSU Law students participating in the Center’sClinical Legal Education Program. Michael recalled discussions he held with hisfather while Michael contemplated following his father’s footsteps. “There is alwaysroom for another good lawyer,” said Judge Veron to his son. J. Michael is now a LakeCharles area attorney atVeron, Bice, Palermo &Wilson, LLC.

The Veron family giftsupports the LSU LawCenter’s Forever LSUcampaign aimed atincreasing private supportfor the benefit of the LawCenter’s students, facultyand programs. For moreinformation, visit the LawCenter’s website atwww.law.lsu.edu or call(225) 578-8645. •

“

The Summer Scholars Programproduces students with higher retentionand graduation rates than all other LSUstudents combined. The programmaintains a 72 percent graduation ratewithin six years, compared to 58.9percent for all LSU students.

Donations such as a recent gift of$15,000 from the Entergy CharitableFoundation to University College makeprograms like the Summer ScholarsProgram possible. Gary Huntley,University College advisory boardmember and Entergy employee, wasinstrumental for the acquisition of theEntergy grant.

“I am a supporter of the LSU SummerScholars Program because it is a nationallyrecognized successful program for therecruitment and retention of qualifiedminority students. The entire staff’splanning and execution has made thisprogram a running success each year forthe past 18 years. The Summer ScholarsProgram is aligned with LSU’s FlagshipAgenda and is one of the first of its kindfor minority recruitment and retention,”said Huntley.

The Summer Scholars Program aims toprovide selected, under-representedminority students with a structuredenvironment, encouraging the building ofessential skills necessary to obtain a

bachelor’s degree. Students selected asLSU Summer Scholars receive a summerscholarship, which covers tuition,housing and meal plans.

With extensive academic, career andpersonal counseling, the program offersstudents the opportunity to adjust to theacademic, personal and social challengesthat accompany a transition to collegelife. Summer Scholars are also providedwith on-campus job opportunities for thesummer, which can last throughout theirperiod of study at LSU.

Former 1995 Summer Scholar MelissaDillon Dotson had a wonderfulexperience with the program. Herexperience translated into a desire topromote and give back to the program,which she fondly remembers as a criticalelement in her academic career. Dotson isan Engineer with Shell Oil, and in 2000,she began providing book awards forSummer Scholar students, majoring inEngineering. After Ms. Dotson marriedAttorney Anderson Dotson, theyestablished the Dillon-Dotson BookAward for multiple outstanding SummerScholars Program participants who arepursuing degrees in Engineering orPolitical Science. Ms. Dotson’scontribution is matched by her company.

“The Summer Scholars programprovided the foundation for me to hit the

ground running my freshmen year. Afterfinishing LSU in Chemical Engineering,I immediately began Book Scholarshipsfor pre-engineering students in theprogram with the support of Shell'sMatching Gift Program. After gettingmarried, we now incorporate pre-lawstudents as well. The choice to give to theprogram has always been an easy one. It’sabout sustainable development of ourfuture. Everyone can make a difference,”said Ms. Dotson.

Fellow 1995 Summer Scholar and NewEngland Patriots professional footballplayer Kevin Faulk is also among themany outstanding alumni of the SummerScholars Program.

“The Summer Scholars Program helpedme to discover what college life wasreally like in a time where I was new tocampus and had many responsibilities.I was grateful for the opportunity toparticipate in this program and feel thatthis experience assisted me in adjustingto college and maturing as a student,”said Faulk.

The Summer Scholars Program providesa unique experience that helps generatemany success stories for alumni likeMelissa Dotson and Kevin Faulk. If youare interested in donating to thisprogram, visit the LSU Foundationwebsite at www.lsufoundation.org. •

LSU Law Center Chancellor Jack M. Weiss (center) is joined bymembers of the Judge Earl E. Veron family at an eventcommemorating the establishment of the Judge Earl E. VeronEndowed Professorship for support of the Law Center's ClinicalLegal Education program. Joining the Chancellor (L-to-R) arefamily members Louis Veron, brother; Mrs. Verdy Veron, wife;J. Michael Veron, son; and Michael's wife, Melinda Veron.

Order yours today!All proceeds go toward

the LSU CampusBeautification Fund.

Visit www.lsuornament.com.

Forever LSUReaches$643 MillionThe Forever LSU Campaign is closing

in on its ultimate goal of $750million of support for our university.The campaign’s donors have given$611,611,225 in support of LSU,consisting of cash, pledges, in-kind giftsand planned giving. These private gifts

have generatedanother $32million in statematching fundsas of June 2009,

bringing the total from all fundingsources to $643,611,225.

The Forever LSU Campaign runsthrough 2010, LSU’s 150th Anniversary.To find out how you can join thecampaign for LSU’s future, visitwww.foreverlsu.org. •

18 CORNERSTONE • FALL 2008 19

Alumni Make AnniversaryGift to Support StudentsBy Tammy Abshire

Scott and Susan Brodie Donate $200,000Benefiting College of Basic Sciences, Honors College—Forever LSU Campaign

Joel Ocmand, Jr. (ECE ’02) and Jennifer Welshons (JD ’04)dated, fell in love and even married at LSU. So when they

approached how to honor their second anniversary, LSU was,once again, not far from their mind.

Ocmand earned his degree from the Electrical and ComputerEngineering (ECE) Department in 2002, and Welshons receivedher juris doctorate from LSU in 2004. Her desire to give back andsupport their alma mater is what motivated Jennifer Welshons tocontact the Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) Department.

“We’ve talked so long about getting actively involved in supportof the school; for him, the ECE Department, and the Law Schoolfor myself. I am so happy take the first step for us. I know he'sgoing to be so excited that this is going to become an annual giftfor us,” exclaimed Welshons.

After inquiring about ECE's recent initiatives and fundingopportunities, Jennifer Welshons was able to tailor her honorarygift to her husband by choosing a funding program that closelyaligned with his professional interests.

Ocmand’s gift is specifically dedicated to the “Electric PowerSupport Fund,” since he specializes in the area of electric power.Established earlier this year, the ECE Power Program Support fundis dedicated to support all ECE activities that benefit teaching andresearch in the technical area of electric power. This includes, but

is not limited to, equipmentpurchases, laboratory upgrades,and recruitment and retention ofundergraduate and graduatestudents.

Joel Ocmand’s position withShell leverages their gift to LSUeven further. He is employedwith Shell, one of hundreds ofemployers that provide matchingfunds for employee contributionsto eligible education institutions.Jennifer Welshons includedShell’s matching gift form with her donation and tripled theimpact of her gift.

Jennifer Welshons is currently an attorney and member of theLegal Department of Oceaneering International, Inc. Joel Ocmandserves as an electrical engineer with Shell at the Deer Park facility.The couple married on March 24, 2007, and currently reside inHouston. Their gift to LSU is another way in which the Ocmandscan show their support and gratitude to the institution that firstbrought them together. •

LSU and the Forever LSU campaign have announced a gift of$200,000 to the College of Basic Sciences from Scott and

Susan Brodie of Spring, Texas. The gift will provide support tothe Department of Physics and Astronomy, the College of BasicSciences, and the LSU Honors College.

The Brodie gift provides $140,000 in endowed funds to theScience Honors Scholars Program, which attracts topundergraduate students from Louisiana and around the U.S. toLSU. Participants in the program are dually enrolled in theCollege of Basic Sciences and the Honors College. Theremaining $60,000 of the gift establishes the Scott and SusanBrodie Professorship in the Departmentof Physics and Astronomy. Theprofessorship donation will becomplemented by an anticipated$40,000 match from the LouisianaBoard of Regents Support Fund, to bringthe total gift to $240,000.

“Scott and Susan’s gift will help usattract outstanding students and facultyto LSU. This donation represents theirexcitement about LSU’s academicachievements and their strongcommitment to helping us bettercompete on a national level. Theybelieve in the sustainability thatendowment provides to our programs,

and we are delighted that they are so generously supporting theCollege of Basic Sciences’ Forever LSU initiatives,” said Kevin R.Carman, dean of the LSU College of Basic Sciences.

Originally from Kenton, Ohio, Scott Brodie earned a bachelor’sdegree in geology from LSU in 1982. He is currently ageophysicist with Castex Energy, who specializes in 3D seismicoperations, creating subsurface maps, and discovering potentialdrilling sites for hydrocarbon resources. He has held similarpositions with Superior Oil/Mobil Oil and Denbury Resources.

Scott and Susan Brodie have been married since 1979. Theyhave three children, Matthew, Meredith, and Eric.

“We donate to LSU as a way to giveback to the University for providing uswith a great education,” said ScottBrodie. “We hope to help attract thebest and brightest students from withinLouisiana and around the country, andprovide them with the sameeducational opportunities we had.Through this effort, we hope LSU willcontinue its growth of academicexcellence and be recognizednationally, as it was recently, with itsnew top tier status.”

The Brodies are also members of theLSU Foundation and AlumniAssociation. •

(L-to-R): Kevin Carman, dean of the LSU College of BasicSciences, Dr. Mary Lou Applewhite, Forever LSU campaigncabinet member for the College of Basic Sciences, SusanBrodie, Scott Brodie, and Nancy Clark, dean of the LSUHonors College.

EndowedProfessorshipHonors LSULaw ProfessorLSU Law never had a better friend,” said Richard J.

“Jerry” Dodson, about former LSU Professor A.N.

Yiannopoulous. Dodson and his wife, Gloria, recently

established the A.N. Yiannopoulous Endowed

Professorship at the LSU Law Center in honor of the

former Law Center faculty member. Chancellor Jack M.

Weiss, Yiannopoulous and his family, friends and

colleagues, gathered at the Law Center on May 29 to

commemorate the gift.

“We are grateful to Jerry and Gloria for honoring ProfessorYiannopoulous with this gift,” said Weiss. “The professor is a partof the rich history of the Law Center, and his work on theLouisiana Civil Code has contributed to both legal education andpractice. The Dodsons’ gift will make a lasting impact on the livesof our faculty and students, while also recognizing the professor’scontributions to our program and the broader legal community.”

The Chancellor presented Jerry Dodson with aplaque commemorating the new professorship, andProfessor Yiannopoulous received a small replica ofthe bronze plaque that is now in the permanentcollection at LSU Law. Dodson is a 1966 graduate ofthe LSU Law Center.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to be recognized and tohave this occasion to be together,” said Yiannopoulous uponreceiving the award from Dodson and the Chancellor. “The civillaw of Louisiana is a torch that we should keep alive. LSU Lawwas my first professorship, and in a very significant way, wasimportant to my life.”

In 1958, Colonel John H. Tucker, the President of theLouisiana Law Institute, and LSU Law Dean Paul M. Hebertcollaborated to bring Yiannopoulous from Greece to the LSU

Law School. He joined LSU as a research assistant in civil lawproperty and was quickly brought in to the revision of the state’scivil code by the Louisiana Law Institute. He was asked to jointhe Law Center on a permanent basis, eventually teachingcourses in property and maritime law. His scholarship added tothe growing national reputation of the LSU Law Center,according to his long time friend, Professor Bill Crawford,

director of the Louisiana Law Institute.After leaving LSU, Yiannopoulous joined the faculty

of Tulane Law School. Now semi-retired, he continuesto teach and run a summer program on comparativelaw in Greece. He resides in Baton Rouge.

Dodson is in private law practice with DodsonHooks & Fredericks, PLC in Baton Rouge. He teaches

International Admiralty and Maritime Personal Injury law at theSouthern University Law School and is part of the Tulane SummerSchool Program in Greece. He lectures frequently on topics ofinternational shipping interests and foreign seaman claims andhas published extensively in these areas.

He and his wife, Gloria Middleton Dodson, have a 20-year-oldson, Richard. They reside in Baton Rouge. •(L-to-R): Jerry Dodson, A.N. Yiannopoulous and Paul M. Hebert Law

School Chancellor Jack M. Weiss

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20 CORNERSTONE • FALL 2008

(1) Exterior of the College of Music andDramatic Arts Building

(2) A modern control room has been addedto allow for professional-qualitylighting and sound.

(3) The restored building also features anumber of “smart” classrooms withfull multimedia capability.

(4) A beautiful new dance and operastudio offers a large, open space tostudents and teachers this fall.

(5) The centerpiece of the renovation is afully restored and improved ShaverTheatre. This stage will serve as theprimary home of LSU’s student theatreproductions. The Shaver stage is nowvibrant and well-lit, an inspirationalbackdrop to the Theatre Department’stradition of excellence.

(6) and (7) The auditorium’s art decoinspired details have been fullyrestored to their original glory.

(8) Side detail of a theatre seat, restored tooriginal specifications.

(9) Seating in the theatre has actuallybeen reduced, to provide more space fora control room and enhance thequality of seating available.

The Music and Dramatic ArtsBuilding will be rededicated onSept. 20. For more information onthe College of Music and DramaticArts, and future events at the newlyrestored building, visitwww.cmda.lsu.edu.

More than 1,200 stunning live oak trees garnish the LSU campus. Eachoak symbolizes the many decades of care and pride of LSU students, alumni, donors, faculty and staff. The LSU Foundation’s “Endow an Oak”program gives you the opportunity to preserve the legacy of the LSU oak.

By giving to the Endow an Oak program, you will ensure the continued care and protection of one of LSU’s most valuable campus assets. Yourendowment includes a customized, permanent bronze plaque installed nearthe base of your selected tree. An endowed oak is a unique gift for a familymember, friend or organization.

“WHERE STATELY OAKS AND BROAD MAGNOLIAS SHADE INSPIRING HALLS,THERE STANDS OUR DEAR OLD ALMA MATER, WHO TO US RECALLS...”- LSU ALMA MATER

Oaks currently available include:Quad Oaks: $50,000 Parade Ground Oaks: $10,000Campus Oaks: $4,000

For more information, visitwww.lsufoundation.org or contact the LSU Foundation:P. (225) 578-3811 or (800) 452-7928E. oaks@lsufoundation.org

EndowanOakLSU’s Venerable Music and Dramatic Arts Building Returns to LifeAfter more than Four Years of Renovation

It’s been a fixture on the LSU campus since 1930, the

setting for hundreds of productions and thousands of

classes for LSU students eager to experience live

performance. The College of Music and Dramatic

Arts building, featuring the Claude L. Shaver Theatre,

is back in operation after 4½ years and $22

million in repairs, retooling and

expansion. Here’s a look at some of the

new, and better-than-new additions and

improvements to the facility.1

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4

5

6 7 8

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2322 CORNERSTONE • SUMMER 2009

The LSU Foundation board of directors, staff and

membership would like to extend its condolences to the

family of former LSU Foundation President Jack Overton

Colle, who died this summer at the age of 93.Colle, a 1938 Geology graduate of LSU, was a U.S. Army Air

Corps officer and World War II veteran, having served in thePacific theatre as a reconnaissance specialist. Colle’s final rankupon discharge in 1946 was that of Major, and he was awardedNew Guinea, Bismarck, Archipelago, Philippine and LuzonCampaign medals for his service in the Pacific. He also earnedthe Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal with four bronze stars, thePhilippine Liberation Ribbon with a bronze star and theAmerican Campaign medal of victory.

Following the war, Colle settled in Houston and foundedJack Colle and Associates in 1949. He later founded LynbrookOil Company in 1960, the company from which he retired inMarch 2009.

Colle was a founding member of the Houston chapter of theLSU Alumni Association, and was the first fundraisingchairman in the Houstonarea. Colle was alongtime member of theLSU Foundation andserved as director andpresident of ourorganization. He is amember of the LSUAlumni Hall ofDistinction and was arecipient of the LSUFoundation President’saward for his lifetime ofsupport for the LSUuniversity community.

Jack Colle is survived by his wife, GraceChambers Colle, who he married in1995. His first wife, Olga TreigleColle, passed away in 1991. Jack Colle leaves behind twochildren, one grandchild and two great-grandchildren, amongmany cousins, nephews, nieces and stepchildren.

The Colle family has asked for those who wish to makecontributions to LSU in memory of Jack Colle to do so for thebenefit of the LSU Department of Geology and Geophysics,which is part of the LSU College of Basic Sciences. Interestedparties can donate by visiting the LSU Foundation’s onlinegiving page can be at www.lsufoundation.org. •

Staff NewsJane Henslee was selected as the 2009 Outstanding

Professional Fundraiser of the Year by the Greater Baton Rouge

Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

For almost 50 years, AFP has been the standard-bearer for

professionalism in fundraising. She will be recognized in

November during the Baton Rouge National Philanthropy Day

ceremonies. Jane serves as the Associate Director of Planned

Giving for the LSU Foundation.

Courtney Hart joined the LSU Foundation in April as

the Special Projects Manager for Corporate and Foundation

Relations. Courtney earned her B.A. at LSU in 2003 and her

MBA from Johnson and Wales University in 2005. Prior to

joining the Foundation, Courtney worked at both the Boston

and New Orleans convention centers as an event planner

from 2003 to 2008.

Laura Gilder became a part of the LSU Foundation in

May as an Accounting Manager. Laura has a B.S. and M.S.

from LSU. She completed her studies in 2005 and recently

earned her CPA license. Before joining the Foundation, Laura

worked with Georgia Pacific at their paper mill in Zachary, La.

Bonnie Radley joined the LSU Foundation in March as

an Information Services Analyst. Bonnie graduated from

Southeastern Louisiana University in 2006 with a B.A. in

Liberal Arts Studies. Prior to joining the Foundation, Bonnie

worked for Wink Companies, LLC in Baton Rouge, La. as a

Training Coordinator. •

Meet Monica Derozan…LSU Foundation Employee of the Second Quarter, 2009

The LSU Foundation’s gift processing supervisor, Monica Derozan, holds a criticalposition on our staff. Among her many responsibilities at the Foundation, Monica

receives gifts and ensures they are applied according to donor intent.Monica joined the Foundation in January 2004 as a temporary employee but

transitioned to full-time status in March 2004. She credits her hard work and intensedrive to helping her achieve the position of gift processing supervisor.

Monica’s fellow employees sparked her interest in the Foundation. “The LSUFoundation staff is the best group of people I have ever had the pleasure of workingwith. There is indeed a spirit of family and oneness among the staff,” she said.

Currently an LSU student, Monica loves the Tiger Spirit and its presence in athletics,academics and the community. She will graduate in December 2010 with a degree ingeneral studies, concentrating on business, leadership development, communicationsand sociology. She dreams of seeing LSU become the top university in the country.

When asked if she could be anyone at LSU for one day who would she be, Monicaanswered Gina Dugas, CFO of the LSU Foundation. “During the five years I have beenemployed at the LSU Foundation, I have been inspired by her charismatic leadershipstyle. Gina is fair to all and maintains a professional by-the-book quality that I admiregreatly. She has a passion for the University, the LSU Foundation and her employees,”said Monica.

When she’s not working with the Foundation, Monica enjoys traveling“tremendously” and spending time with family, friends and her poodle, Coco. •

Meet James Harris…LSU Foundation Employee of the Third Quarter, 2009

Among the many positions here at the LSU Foundation, the business analyst is thegrease on the wheels that keeps the Foundation running. That’s the job of our

Employee of the Third Quarter, James Harris.James joined the Foundation in June 1996. Currently, he handles accounting and gift

processing needs, including but not limited to setting up new Foundation accounts,working with pledges, distributing monthly pledge reminders and preparing monthlyreports and reconciliations.

James’ favorite aspect of the LSU Foundation is the staff. “We are all distinctindividuals who come together as a strong team with the common goal of supportingLSU,” he said.

James is also an alumnus of LSU, earning both his accounting degree in 1991 and hisMBA in 1993. James holds high aspirations for LSU’s future. “I would like to see LSU getthe national and international recognition it deserves for its academics, includingresearch accomplishments and the quality of our graduates,” said James.

When he isn’t punching numbers and writing reports, James enjoys hiking, camping,reading, watching movies and doing work around the house. For many years, James,along with a friend, has aspired to reach every geographic highpoint of each state. “Itook a hiatus from traveling when my dog, Whitey, got too old for strenuous activity,but he passed away in January. Twenty-four states have been visited so far,” said James.Whitey climbed right by his side for 20 of those peaks. In the long term, James hopes toreach each high point of the remaining states. “The states remaining to be visited are faraway and some are big mountains, so this will take a while,” he said. • If you guessed the Alex Box Stadium, home of the 2009

NCAA Baseball National Champions, you’re right!Look for your next “Where Am I?” challenge in the next

issue of Cornerstone! •

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