PHILANTHROPIC FOODIE - University of New Orleans
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R A L U M N I , S T U D E N T S A N D F R I E N D S O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W O R L E A N S
SPRING 2021
PHILANTHROPIC FOODIE
For University of New Orleans student Samira Bechara,
charity starts at home – specifically in her kitchen where
she prepares gourmet meals for nonprofit causes.
This Mardi Gras banner was one of the few signs of Carnival 2021 on campus as the Krewe of UNO took its festivities virtual with a shoebox parade that was streamed live on Facebook.
2 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021
T A B L E O F
F E AT U R E S
24 PHILANTHROPIC FOODIE
UNO student Samira Bechara cooks up
charity with gourmet flair
28 LESSONS FROM LIFE’S STORMS
Restaurateur Scot Craig’s no quit attitude
helps propel his success
30 NOLA’S EMERGING FITNESS GURU
Alumna April Dupré is founder of
Footprints to Fitness
32 COUNTING IT ALL JOY
Alumnus Dan Crumb is executive vice
president and chief financial officer for the
NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs
36 FILMMAKING DEBUT
Alumna Kd Amond releases first feature film
38 OPERATION NETFLIX
Alumna Robin Rose, a mechanical engineer,
keeps operations running smoothly at
streaming giant Netflix
DEPARTMENT S
5 CAMPUS SCENE
10 NEWS AND EVENTS
18 FACULTY FOCUS
40 ATHLETICS
44 DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Alumna April Dupré, founder of
Footprints to Fitness, leads a yoga session
46 ALUM NOTES
at Audubon Park during a collaboration
with the National Park Service. 50 IN MEMORIAM
52 THEN AND NOW
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 3
DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS:
AS WE START TO MOVE OUT OF THE RAVAGES OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, I HAVE TRIED
to remind myself to reflect on what we have endured and, more importantly, learned as a VOLUME 45 s ISSUE 1
university community. The effects of the coronavirus will be long lasting and, in some cases,
everlasting. There is plenty we will want to forget. Yet my hope is that we don’t resume our
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
pre-pandemic lives, oblivious to the wisdom we have gained. This is our challenge as resilient Littice Bacon-Blood
people and members of a resilient community. Determination and tenacity are part of our EDITOR
Adam Norris
institutional DNA. UNO was the first—and only—New Orleans university to reopen during the
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
fall 2005 semester following Hurricane Katrina. There are moments of opportunity that only Eric Gernhauser
present themselves after a crisis. I believe that we are approaching one of those moments. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
In March 2020, our faculty and staff did the unimaginable. In a matter of days, they moved all Matthew Schaefer
Emma Seely
of our courses online and instruction continued remotely. Student support services went virtual
PHOTOGRAPHY
as well. Did everything go smoothly? Of course not. In the face of such swift and drastic change, Andy Antunez
Shane Banegas
our employees and students encountered daily challenges. But we proved we could do it. We
Avery Gray
solved problems, acquired new skills, became acquainted with new technology and figured it out. Tracie Morris Schaefer
Sean Seghers
That kind of entrepreneurial and nimble mindset should stay with us long after the pandemic has
receded. Higher education institutions are notoriously slow to change. In this case, we did not have
Send Correspondence to:
a choice. The change was thrust upon us, and we still had to serve our students. So we did. But the Silver and Blue Editor
lessons we learned will allow us to do this much better into the future. University of New Orleans
Administration Building 103
We expect our fall 2021 semester will look much more like a traditional semester on 2000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans, LA 70148
campus. We will have an abundance of in-person classes and many of our customary activities
Phone: (504) 280-6832
and events will return. However, in my view, it would be a mistake to try to replicate the Email: unomagazine@uno.edu
University of New Orleans that existed before March 2020. The pandemic
taught us that we need to accommodate the lives of our students
through remote and hybrid learning. Access to a UNO education will
increase if we are flexible about how we deliver instruction. Many of
our students have jobs, children or caregiver responsibilities. They
Silver & Blue Magazine is published by
will unquestionably benefit from their UNO degree and the the University of New Orleans. Articles
pathway to a career that it provides if we give them represent the opinions of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the views of
options and support along the way. anyone but the authors.
My pledge to you is that I will take my own To inquire about alumni events or to join
the UNO Alumni Association, contact:
advice. I will contemplate the upheaval we Office of Alumni Affairs, University of New
Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148
navigated together, examine where we triumphed Phone: (504) 280-2586
Fax: (504) 280-1080
and where we failed, and try to become a more Email: alumni@uno.edu
effective leader. I firmly believe that we will © 2021 The University of New Orleans
This public document was published at a total cost
emerge a stronger and more strategic university, of $22,559. Forty-five thousand (45,000) copies of
this public document were published in this first
one that will make you even prouder to be part of and only printing at a cost of $22,559. There will be
no reprints, so the total cost of all printings of this
our community. document is $22,559. This document was published
UNO Proud, by the University of New Orleans, 200 Lakeshore
Dr., New Orleans, LA.70148, to promote the purpose
John Nicklow of the University under authority of 17:3351(A)(12).
This material was printed in accordance with the
PRESIDENT standards for printing by state agencies established
pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was
@UNOPresidentJN @unopresident purchased in accordance with the provisions of
Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
4 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021
HEADLINES AND HAPPENINGS
INSIDE
DRIVE-THROUGH
COMMENCEMENT
CELEBRATION
VIRTUAL GRADUATION
CEREMONY
KREWE OF UNO
SWORDPLAY
COASTAL RESTORATION
WORKSHOP
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 5
DRIVE-THROUGH COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION In November, the University of New Orleans hosted a drive-through commencement celebration on campus for summer and fall 2020 graduates. As the processional of vehicles passed slowly, with enthusiastic waves, honking horns and thumbs up signs from graduates and their rela- tives, President John Nicklow handed each graduate a souvenir box of UNO paraphernalia. 6 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021
VIRTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY
Actor Harry Shearer shared the irony of life, luck and prepara-
tion in his 10-minute commencement address at UNO’s fall 2020
virtual ceremony held on December 12.
Shearer, who maintains a residence in New Orleans, has served
as one of the principal voice actors on “The Simpsons” for the
show’s entire 31-year run, including voicing the role of Mr. Burns.
In closing out his address, Shearer addressed graduates in the
famed voice of “The Simpsons” character Mr. Burns, telling them
that they were “excellent.”
President John Nicklow addressed the class of 2020 during the
fall commencement ceremony while standing on campus near the
fountain at the Robert Merrick/Latter & Blum Patio.
Approximately 970 students participated in the ceremony,
which was streamed live on YouTube, and included a roll call of
graduates and Shearer’s keynote address.
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 7
KREWE OF UNO
The Krewe of UNO rolled virtually in 2021
in keeping with the City of New Orleans coro-
navirus restrictions on Mardi Gras parades.
This year’s event was a shoebox float pa-
rade that streamed live on Facebook with host
commentators LeeAnne Sipe, director for the
Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
and Mike Esordi, UNO’s associate director for
web strategy.
The theme of the parade was “Oh, the
Places You Can’t Go!” and featured color-
fully decorated shoeboxes created by students,
UNO campus organizations and people from
the community.
8 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021SWORDPLAY
En Garde! Students
in film and theatre
professor David Hoover’s
course “Combat for Stage
and Film” practice the
art of swordplay.
COASTAL RESTORATION WORKSHOP
(RIGHT) Dinah Maygarden (pink cap), director of the UNO
Coastal Education Program at the Pontchartrain Institute for
Environmental Sciences (PIES), led a coastal restoration field
workshop as part of a partnership with the National Wildlife
Federation New Orleans.
(ABOVE) Community leaders and legislators traveled by boat
to a critical marsh restoration area near Lake St. Catherine to
learn more about plans for restoration and ways in which to sup-
port and protect the project area.
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 9President Nicklow Recognized as NCAA Champion
of Diversity and Inclusion
UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW by this recognition. I am
Orleans President John Nicklow grateful to the NCAA,
was one of five individuals and I congratulate
recognized as Champions of my fellow honorees,”
Diversity and Inclusion by the Nicklow said. “I share
NCAA Minority Opportu- this honor with members
nities and Interests Committee of the University of New
in February. The honorees Orleans team.
are selected for their work in “This is a reflection
supporting ethnic minorities of our campus commu-
and other underrepresented nity’s collective efforts
groups and individuals. to ensure that diversity,
The honor was created equity and inclusion
in 2015 to recognize those are more than just
who have a commitment to something we talk
advocating for and advancing about—it’s something
others in inclusive efforts we value and that we
around athletics. In addition live each day. As I tell
to Nicklow, the other honorees students frequently,
are Tommy Amaker, Harvard some of the most
men’s basketball coach; Jen important lessons I’ve learned University also hired a diversity New Orleans. “They have been
Fry, community supporter throughout my life are from officer focused specifically champions for diversity and
with JenFryTalks; Allen Green, those who are different from on students. Nicklow created inclusion throughout their
Auburn athletics director; and me. Diversity brings new ideas, the President’s Award for careers and continue to do what
Jacqie McWilliams, commis- cultures and experiences to the Advancement in Diversity is right in 2021. They have been
sioner of the Central Intercolle- table to create better outcomes and has built new community inspirations to our student-
giate Athletic Association. and solutions for us all.” partnerships that focus on athletes and administrators in
Individuals were nominated Nicklow, who became equity and access. athletics, and they play a big part
based on how they are influ- President at UNO in 2016, has “As we move through in molding our industry and our
encers in promoting diversity led an effort to make the campus this challenging time in our country. MOIC applauds them
and inclusion, how they are community more diverse and country’s history, the committee for their intentions and bravery
assisting in diversifying pipeline has focused on transformative wanted to recognize five people in such unprecedented times.
opportunities in their senior or actions to help students feel who lead from different seats Leading with conviction and
influential position, how they more welcome. He and his staff within and around college courage moves us all to a better
are providing support to under- have improved hiring practices athletics,” said Dena Freeman- place in athletics and certainly as
represented populations, and and conducted climate surveys Patton, chair of the NCAA we look to the future.”
their consistency in supporting and listening sessions to discuss Minority Opportunities and The winners will be formally
diversity and inclusion initia- key issues and bridge gaps. Interests Committee and deputy recognized at the 2021 Inclusion
tives. In addition to employing athletics director/chief operating Forum, which will be held
“I am incredibly humbled a chief diversity officer, the officer at the University of virtually June 2-4.
10 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021UNO chemistry professor Phoebe
Zito uses the inductively coupled
plasma triple quadrupole mass
spectrometer—the ICP-QQQ.
UNO’s Chemistry Department Acquires New Mass
Spectrometer Capable of Advanced Sample Analysis
THE UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW chemistry professor Phoebe Zito sample elements. nanometals in environmental
Orleans’ chemistry department says. She refers to the tool by its Think about being near a samples such as soil and
has acquired a new research initials: ICP-QQQ. neighborhood that has a bakery seawater, the ICP-QQQ is
tool that allows researchers “The triple quadrupole is that makes king cakes, Zito necessary in order to get the
to analyze and identify trace used to separate two overlapping explains. The more sensitive sensitivity needed to detect and
samples with more accuracy. elemental signals which makes your sense of smell, the farther measure nanometals.
The state-of-the-art tool it more sensitive. The ICP-QQQ you can be from the bakery and The new instrument is able
comes with a $1 million price can determine low concentra- still smell it, she says. Once you to detect and measure near
tag and a name that’s a mouthful tions of elements in complex detect the smell, you can trace miniscule concentrations in a
to say. The inductively coupled samples,” Zito says. “The it and as the smell becomes liquid or gas sample.
plasma triple quadrupole mass laser accessory allows for the strongest, you will find the “It is capable of measuring
spectrometer coupled with an detection of elements on solid bakery. down to femtomolar which
interchangeable excimer laser surfaces like ancient pottery, fish “Our new instrument is is extremely sensitive,” Zito
ablation system is the only one bones, rocks and teeth making it like the nose,” Zito says. “For says. “It would be equivalent
in the Southeast United States. extremely versatile.” example, our instrument can to detecting 100 drops of food
The closest machine with Zito uses the human nose to detect and trace small concen- coloring in an Olympic sized
similar capabilities is at Auburn explain the machine’s advanced trations of metals, such as pool.”
University, but it doesn’t have abilities to sift, measure, arsenic, lead, mercury that The instrument was funded
the triple quadrupole, UNO categorize, track and identify can be toxic to human and from a major research instru-
organisms, to its source.” mentation grant through the
Zito explains how “There are many environ- National Science Foundation
the machine is used mental applications … An and will be housed in the
to detect elements on anthropologist will use this Chemical Sciences Building as
solid surfaces. instrument to measure the part of the Chemical Analysis
elements in pottery to determine & Mass Spectrometry (CAMS)
how long they were in the facility at UNO.
ground prior to excavation. A “We want to bring
biologist will use it to measure researchers from many disci-
the concentration of calcium plines together to use this
in reptile egg shells to obtain cutting-edge technology,” Zito
information about their growth says. “Furthermore, it will
patterns,” Zito says. provide underrepresented
For Zito, whose research students a chance to use
focuses on detecting extremely advanced analytical instruments
small concentrations of even if it’s not in their field.”
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 11Professor Pat Austin Receives Light Up for Literacy Humanities Award
PAT A U S T I N , F O R M E R
professor of children’s literature
and curator of the University
of New Orleans Children’s
and Young Adult Library,
has received the Light Up
for Literacy award from the
Louisiana Endowment for
the Humanities. The LEH
announced the award on Dec. 3.
The award, which is
presented in partnership with
the State Library of Louisiana’s
Center for the Book, honors
individuals who have made
significant and lasting contribu-
tions to literacy efforts in the
state.
After 16 years as an
elementary school teacher,
Austin earned a doctorate in
curriculum and instruction
from the University of New
Orleans, where she went on to Beabout says. “The most thousands of students in the Pat Austin was professor of
serve as a faculty member for impressive element of Pat’s area as she mentors, educates children’s literature at the
26 years. She retired from UNO commitment to building literacy and certifies educators who University of New Orleans and a
in 2020. awareness is her unmatched make a huge impact on our faculty member for 26 years. She
Austin, who has said one of record of community service. diverse region,” Douglas says. retired in 2020.
her all-time favorite activities “Dr. Austin served as the “Meanwhile, at Hynes, our
is reading to children, served curator of the UNO Children’s students are such successful In addition to the literacy
as curator of UNO’s Children’s and Young Adult Library for readers because they have award, the LEH announced
and Young Adult Library for 20 years. She has worked with equitable access to our amazing eight other Humanities Awards
two decades and mentored publishers to secure thousands collection of books and recipients on Dec. 3. Each
countless student library volun- of books, process them and add materials.” award is selected by a special
teers and librarians in training. them to the library’s collection.” Most recently, Austin committee made up of experts
She has authored more than 40 Austin trained student created the collection for in the field and LEH staff and
articles in educational journals, library volunteers and worked the newly opened Children’s board members.
hundreds of book reviews and with her students to create Museum in City Park. She Austin, along with the
a picture book, “The Cat Who library collections for Hynes also has led African-American other award recipients, will
Loved Mozart.” Charter School, Medard Nelson literature read-ins and Best New be highlighted in 64 Parishes
Over the course of her Elementary School and Morris Books for Children sessions at magazine, published by the
more than 40-year career as Jeff Community School whose dozens of schools across south LEH, and they will be recog-
an educator, Austin helped library collections had to be Louisiana. nized during the Bright Lights
develop the literacy teaching completely re-created after “For 11 years, she Awards ceremony.
skills of thousands of Louisiana Hurricane Katrina, Beabout says. sponsored the Literary The LEH Humanities
educators. Michelle Douglas, chief Lagniappe, a quarterly Awards offer a collective
“Dr. Austin is truly a executive officer at Hynes newsletter that provided opportunity to celebrate all the
woman of the book and I Charter School, credits Austin undergraduate and graduate humanities have to offer and
can’t imagine a more fitting for the academic achievement students the opportunity to honor those who have made
candidate for this award,” that 91% of her students are publish reviews of recently great contributions to the
University of New Orleans reading at or above grade level. released children’s books,” understanding of Louisiana’s
education professor Brian “Her outreach has impacted Beabout says. history and culture.
12 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021news in brief
UNO Student Affairs Earns 2021 NASPA
Excellence Gold Award
The University of New Orleans has earned the 2021 NASPA
Excellence Gold Award for its student orientation program, called
MAMBO. The four-day orientation is designed to immerse new
freshmen in the Privateer experience.
The acronym stands for Move-In, Academic preparation, Making
memories, Building connections and Orientation. LeeAnne Sipe,
interim assistant dean for Student Affairs, coordinates the program
along with April Gremillion, who is assistant director for New Stu-
dent Experience.
The master’s degree in cybersecurity and operations is designed to provide “The University of New Orleans MAMBO Week Program has
a deep conceptual understanding of the modern cybersecurity landscape proven to be an outstanding program that contributes to the success
and advanced practical skills in a broad range of areas. of students and the continued growth of the student affairs profes-
sion,” National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
said in announcing the award.
UNO Offers New Master’s Degree UNO Student Melanie Casey’s Team
in Cybersecurity and Operations Wins MIT Hackathon
University of New Orleans healthcare management graduate
The University of New The program is part of student Melanie Casey was part of a five-member team that placed
Orleans is now offering a the Department of Computer first in MIT’s healthcare hackathon challenge, which sought ways to
master’s degree in cybersecurity Science and is supported by deliver healthcare in a more equitable fashion.
and operations. The program is the UNO Cyber Center, a The theme of the competition, held virtually Oct.16-18 because of
designed to provide graduates research unit recognized by the the coronavirus pandemic, was “Hacking Racism in Healthcare.”
with both a deep conceptual Louisiana Board of Regents and Casey’s team, Hook, Line and Linker, focused on bringing commu-
understanding of the modern NSA/DHS National Center in nities and healthcare resources together as part of the social justice
cybersecurity landscape and Cyber Defense Research. and policy track.
advanced practical skills in “Graduates have a wide The team’s idea centered on using aggregate data to focus on
a broad range of areas, such variety of employment choices community need and redirecting services to the most needed popu-
as digital forensics, malware in both private industry lations using geo-mapping software, Casey says.
analysis, network penetration and government agencies; The hackathon participants form impromptu multi-disciplinary
testing and defense. nearly every modern organi- teams of up to seven people who collaborate, research and then ad-
The degree curriculum zation requires cybersecurity dress effects of structural racism in healthcare in the United States
is flexible and offers oppor- expertise,” Abdelguerfi says. over the two-day competition. The goal, according to organizers, is
tunities for students with a “Career options include to connect teams to tools, resources and supporters that will foster
variety of academic and work security analyst, malware motivated partnerships to bring solutions to life through open in-
backgrounds to specialize in expert, forensic investigator, novation after the event.
cybersecurity. This includes penetration tester, security
ones with non-STEM under- consultant, security architect, Chemistry Student Katherine Humpal Awarded
graduate degrees and working chief information security Arctic Science Research Fellowship
professionals, says Mahdi officer among many.”
University of New Orleans chemistry student Katherine Humpal
Abdelguerfi, University of Alumni of the department
has been awarded a graduate research fellowship from the Arctic
New Orleans computer science have established cyber
Domain Awareness Center. The center, housed at the University
professor and department chair. careers in local and inter- of Alaska Anchorage, is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Relevant experience also national companies such as Security.
can be used to satisfy specific Google, Amazon, Microsoft The fellowship will support Humpal’s tuition and stipend for the
academic prerequisites, Abdel- and Facebook, as well as next three years as she works with the lead principal investigator
guerfi says. banks, software companies Patrick Tomco, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University
The new degree integrates and a variety of government of Alaska Anchorage. The two will work on a project titled, “Photo-
with the University’s bachelor’s contractors, Abdelguerfi says. Enhanced Toxicity of Dispersed and Burned Crude Oil to Arctic
degree in computer science Others have joined Mussels.”
to allow students with strong federal agencies and security The project explores the increase in toxicity associated with the
academic performance to enroll contractors, such as Booz presence of sunlight and the potential impact it has on bay mussels,
in the accelerated master of Allen Hamilton and Lockheed which are an integral component of coastal ecosystems and an
science and complete both Martin, to directly contribute important food source for both wildlife and humans.
degrees in five years, Abdel- to the nation’s cyber defense,
guerfi says. he says.
To read more about these stories, visit news.uno.edu.
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 13UNO Student, Alumni Produced Film Screens at Sundance Film Festival
A FILM PRODUCED BY
University of New Orleans
film student Kelsey Scult and
alumni Ben Matheny and Lizzie
Guitreau screened at the presti-
gious Sundance Film Festival on
Jan. 30. A third UNO alumnus,
Lee Garcia, worked as a sound
editor for the feature film titled,
“Ma Belle, My Beauty.”
Sundance, which was
started in part by legendary
Hollywood actor Robert
Redford, is considered the most
prestigious independent film
festival in the United States and
one of the top in the world. It
has launched countless careers,
including Quentin Tarantino
and Steven Soderbergh, as well
as forecasted many academy “Others have won accolades relationship of two recently A current UNO film student
award winners. at many festivals … To now married musicians adjusting and three film school graduates
“This is a clear sign have our students and alumni to life in France when “their helped make the movie, “Ma
of continued growth and compete in the Sundance Film beloved ex, who abruptly disap- Belle, My Beauty,” that screened
excellence at the UNO film Festival is fantastic and we peared from their relationship at Sundance.
program,” says professor Hamp couldn’t be prouder.” years ago, finally visits.”
Overton, director of the film Scult, currently pursuing Garcia earned a bachelor’s Matheny says. “We all feel very
program at UNO. “In the past an MFA; Matheny, who earned degree in 2013. lucky.
we have had alumni go on as a bachelor’s degree in 2011; “Sundance is the apogee of “I’m excited for folks to
executives at networks such as and Guitreau, who earned a the independent filmmaker’s see the movie. Marion Hill,
the SyFy Network and writers bachelor’s degree in 2014, are ambition. So, I was honored our writer/director, is brilliant
for television shows such as producers on the film that and a bit startled to get in—let’s and this is just the beginning
NCIS New Orleans. explores the polyamorous just say this wasn’t my first try,” for her.”
UNO Expands The Privateer Pledge to Jefferson Parish Students
STARTING IN THE FALL Parish residents who graduate enrolled full time by June 1 for is the pledge will make that
2021 semester, the University of from a public or private high the fall 2021 semester. degree more attainable.
New Orleans will begin offering school in the parish. In order “We’ve had such a wonderful “It’s our promise to eligible
the Privateer Pledge, a promise to qualify, students must be response to The Privateer students in both parishes that
that the University will fill the admitted as a freshman to the Pledge with Orleans Parish we will marshal all of the federal,
unmet financial need for tuition University of New Orleans and students, which is why we are state and institutional aid
and fees of eligible Jefferson must have filed the Free Appli- so excited to be able to expand necessary to fill any financial gap
Parish students. This marks the cation for Federal Student Aid the program to students from for tuition and fees.”
expansion of a program that (FAFSA). Jefferson Parish,” President John In order to maintain the
was piloted in 2020 for Orleans They must also be eligible Nicklow says. “We know the award, students must remain
Parish students. for a Pell Grant and their annual difference a UNO degree can enrolled full-time (minimum of
The pledge now applies family income cannot exceed make in the lives of our students 12 hours) and keep a GPA of 2.0
to both Jefferson and Orleans $60,000. Students will need to be and their families, and our hope or higher.
14 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021Caroline Andrews Jasmines Curtis Yvonne Everhardt Montana Pinell Han Chen Yvette Green
UNO Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Students
Take First Place in Market Study Competition
UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW teamwork, analytical expertise, and five graduate teams were providing a platform entirely
Orleans graduate students in critical thinking and presen- selected to advance to the final online during a challenging
the Lester E. Kabacoff School of tation skills. round, where they conducted time. The students and the
Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism The team, composed of a 30-minute online presen- faculty are grateful for this
Administration earned first Caroline Andrews, Jasmines tation to a panel of senior-level opportunity to represent the
place in the 2020 STR Market Curtis, Yvonne Everhardt and industry judges. University of New Orleans and
Study Competition held Montana Pinell, was tasked “It was a team effort. The the school of HRT.”
virtually Nov. 21-22. with analyzing the Austin, graduate students who partici- Each presenting team
The competition included Texas hotel market under the pated in the STR market study received a plaque, while the top
50 teams representing 44 guidance of hotel, restaurant enjoyed the whole competition three teams received special
colleges and universities from and tourism administration process, right from choosing recognition and the winning
17 countries. It is designed to professors Han Chen and the city, analyzing real-world teams received a $1,000 prize.
give students an opportunity Yvette Green. data, drawing practical conclu- SRT is an international
to showcase their knowledge The team presentations sions and presenting them in a company that provides data
and research ability using data were evaluated and scored professional manner in front of benchmarking, analytics and
provided by STR. by seasoned STR speakers. judges from the industry,” Chen marketplace insights for global
The competition emphasizes Ten undergraduate teams says. “We appreciate STR for hospitality sectors.
Innovate UNO Symposium Showcases Students
Scholarly Research and Creative Work
THE UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW vice president for research and who ranked in the
Orleans Office of Research economic development. “So top five presenta-
wrapped up the ninth annual many people have contributed tions within their
InnovateUNO with an awards to the success of this event, categories were
ceremony on Nov. 24 that which is an important platform invited to present
recognized the winners of the for our undergraduate and at the University
research symposium. graduate students to showcase of Louisiana
Over the course of the their achievements and gain System’s annual
weeklong virtual event, experience with public presen- Academic
attendees viewed more than tations. Summit, held
100 oral, art, theater, music and “Even during adversity, virtually in the
film presentations. Presenters our students have shown spring.
included UNO students, faculty their ability to succeed. The The first-
and staff from every discipline presentations this year were place presenters
whose work was evaluated by a outstanding.” were invited to
panel of 55 volunteer judges. The highest-ranked presen- present at the
“InnovateUNO continues tations were awarded a total of National Confer-
to be a great opportunity for $2,500 by the Office of Research ences on Under-
our students, faculty members and the Oscar J. Tolmas Chari- graduate Research, also to be Ash Gaude was awarded first
and staff members to present table Trust. Both undergraduate held virtually in the spring. place for her painting “French
their accomplishments in and graduate students were Attendance at these events will Quarter Musician” during
research, creative and scholarly awarded prizes. be sponsored by the Office of InnovateUNO 2020, which was
endeavors,” says Matthew Tarr, Undergraduate students Research. held virtually.
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 15Transportation Institute Creates
Statewide Recreational Trails Plan
THE UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW committee and all agencies
Orleans Transportation Institute and organizations involved in
has created a statewide plan to the planning, development,
guide the Louisiana Recreational construction, operation, highlights that now is the time,” stakeholders.
Trail Program (LRTP) on ways maintenance and programming Tolford says. “Trails are ideal The surveys were conducted
to encourage trail use while of current and future Louisiana for these perpetually-COVID in the summer of 2018 and
supporting the care of wildlife, trails, says UNO Transportation times.” garnered nearly 1,000 responses
habitats and other natural Institute researcher Tara Tolford. The LRTP has helped build from birdwatchers, ATV riders,
resources. The goals relate to funding, trail projects in every parish mountain bikers, paddlers and
The trails program is a environmental stewardship, and hundreds of municipalities, other trail users, as well as stake-
national initiative that help states operations, trail network communities and neighbor- holders directly responsible for
provide and maintain recre- development and other areas, hoods throughout Louisiana. trails-planning, Tolford says.
ational trails and trails-related she says. The plan notes that 74% The trail plan was created in
facilities. Louisiana has received The plan also encourages of all Louisiana residents live partnership with the Louisiana
$1.5 million from the federal the linking of trails throughout within five miles of one or more Department of Transpor-
government annually since 2009 the state with the aim of creating LRTP projects. tation and Development, U.S.
to support its recreational trails large networks of recreation and In formulating the plan, Department of Transportation’s
program. transportation facilities, Tolford researchers utilized data Federal Highway Adminis-
The plan provides a variety says. collected through two statewide tration, and the Louisiana
of goals intended to guide the “The heightened use of surveys given to trail users as Department of Culture, Recre-
actions of the LRTP, its advisory our local trails facilities really well as agency and organization ation and Tourism.
Water Institute and UNO Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental
Sciences sign Memorandum of Understanding
THE WATER INSTITUTE OF “Although we’ve been policy matters in water, coastal levels,” says Mark Kulp, director
the Gulf and the University of sharing opportunities, and deltaic issues, risk reduction of the Pontchartrain Institute for
New Orleans formalized their equipment, and students and helping communities build Environmental Sciences.
collaborative relationship on for some time, we wanted resilience against disasters and “The Water Institute’s
Nov. 10 through the signing of a to formalize this agreement climate change. support of growing the
Memorandum of Understanding recognizing our shared goals in “This is an exciting knowledge base and training
which will lead to sharing providing the science needed to partnership that helps the the next generation of coastal
resources and opportunities for serve the people and commu- University better prepare our scientists while advancing
hands-on research training for nities of south Louisiana while future coastal scientists and the applied research needed
graduate and undergraduate educating the next generation of engineers by providing under- to address current challenges
students. coastal practitioners,” says Justin graduate and graduate students facing New Orleans and the
As part of that agreement, Ehrenwerth, Institute president with extraordinary research entire Gulf Coast, is collabo-
the Institute will have access to and CEO. “This agreement also experiences,” UNO President ration at its best,” says Christy
the University’s state-of-the-art continues to fulfill a mandate John Nicklow says. Brown, Institute board member
laboratory facilities, research given to the Institute earlier this “This relationship will and past chair of the Greater
vessels and equipment used to year when Governor John Bel leverage our collective resources New Orleans Foundation.
collect data in the field while Edwards designated us as the to foster the development of “Working with UNO and our
UNO’s Pontchartrain Institute state’s Coastal Innovation and scientific opportunities for numerous partners in the New
for Environmental Sciences Collaboration Hub.” UNO, The Water Institute Orleans area, this agreement
will be a core Institute partner The MOU outlines a and Louisiana and elevate represents another step in the
participating in applied research commitment to work together our understanding of coastal commitment to help coastal
projects in Louisiana and on field and laboratory research, sciences and education to communities find a science-
beyond. technological developments and national and international based way forward.”
16 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021Rishav Rajendra
Computer Science Student Rishav
Rajendra Lands Job at Facebook
LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER the pizza place for you every
graduating from UNO with a other Friday to get you a pizza.
degree in computer science, “Simple stuff like that.”
Rishav Rajendra started his first At Facebook, Rajendra
job with one of the world’s most is looking forward to the
recognizable brands: Facebook. exponential impact of his
Rajendra, who completed computer science capabilities.
a 12-week internship with “At Facebook anything I do
the company last summer, affects millions of people, so the
is in Menlo Park, Calif. the prospect of that is pretty exciting
headquarters for Facebook. for me,” he says.
Because of COVID-19, Rajendra, who is from
Rajendra’s internship was Nepal, chose to attend UNO
performed remotely. after hearing friends speak
Rajendra says he’s excited positively about the University
about his position as a software and its computer science
engineer on the Facebook Watch program.
team. Facebook Watch is a “My favorite thing about
video-on-demand service. UNO was the computer science
“I mainly focus on streaming department and the College of
music videos, stuff like that,” he Sciences supporting undergrad-
says. “If you go and search for a uates like me to get into research
Taylor Swift song … I make sure very early into my studies,”
that you find that video on top Rajendra says.
of the feed.” He was awarded a research was my secret favorite place to two tips: Apply early and be
Rajendra is also looking assistant role under computer study,” he says. comfortable coding under
forward to the Facebook science professor Stephen G. Rajendra also was involved pressure.
employee benefits, such as Ware in his first year, which in activities outside of the “For a summer internship …
free lunches and dinners from was supported by the College classroom, such as the UNO the process is in its final stages
on-site food courts and an of Sciences Undergraduate Robotics Club; he competed in October. To even get a chance
on-site laundry delivery service. Research Program funding, in programming and coding to interview, you need to start
“The campus is basically Rajendra says. contests. applying in August,” he says.
like, I would say, Disneyland After that, he worked with He advises students not only Rajendra says he applied
for technical people,” Rajendra computer science professor to pay attention in class, but also for his summer 2020 Facebook
says with a laugh. “Everything and department chair Mahdi to explore the benefits of extra- internship in August 2019
is taken care of on campus. You Abdelguerfi at the Canizaro curricular club activities. and received a final offer in
get to work basically without Livingston Gulf States Center for “If there are no event or November of that year.
anything else bothering you.” Environmental Informatics for groups you are interested in, There are usually multiple
Rajendra has been two years. maybe form a new organization, rounds of technical and behav-
working with computers and “The research I was or tilt an existing organization ioral interviews, Rajendra says.
programming since high school fortunate enough to be a part of towards what you may want to The full process could take from
and finds computer science at UNO provided a huge boost do,” Rajendra says. “I introduced one to three months, he says.
interesting because he says it to my resume,” Rajendra says. (computer vision and machine “Data structures and
allows “you the freedom and Perhaps, not surprisingly, learning) to the UNO Robotics algorithms are the core funda-
ability to do anything.” an empty classroom in UNO’s Club and now almost all teams mentals of the interviews,”
“Suppose you want pizza math building, which houses the in the club have fully adopted Rajendra says. “Learn how
every second Friday at your computer science department, the method.” to code under-pressure. As
house and you don’t want to call was Rajendra’s go-to study spot. For students who want interviews are always time
the pizza place,” Rajendra says. “(The) library gets very internships at major technology constrained, you may have to
“You can write a program to call busy during the exams, so that companies Rajendra offers solve multiple problems.”
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 17English Instructor
Chioma Urama Wins
Georgia Poetry Prize
UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW says. The
Orleans instructor Chioma poems are
Urama, winner of the national the result of
Georgia Poetry Prize for 2019, a conver-
has released her debut collection sation Urama
of poetry that earned the prize. opened with
The prize includes a $1,000 her ancestors,
award and a publication contract whose
with the University of Georgia documented
Press. Urama’s book, “A Body and oral
of Water,” was published in histories have been fragmented
February. by a history of enslavement.
“This award is a great The 2019 judge, poet
achievement that highlights the Magdalena Zurawski, described
great artistic work that is coming Urama’s collection of poems as
out of UNO’s English and a “surprise and delight in their
foreign languages department,” style and daring.”
says Urama, who teaches “The strength of the work is
creative writing and English the communication that occurs
composition. between poems,” Zurawski said.
The University of Georgia “A constellation slowly emerges
Press established the national where each poem becomes
poetry prize in partnership for the reader a different point
with the Georgia Institute of on a map, a map that marks
Technology and the University the distances, the proximities,
of Georgia to celebrate excel- between historical trauma and
lence in poetry. its intergenerational effects.”
The annual contest is opened As the winner, Urama has
to residents of North America. been invited to read excerpts
“A Body of Water” is a from her work at Georgia
poetic exploration of ancestry Institute of Technology and the
in the American South, Urama University of Georgia.
18 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021Kim Jovanovich To Receive
2021 Engineering Faculty
Professionalism Award
K I M J O VA N O V I C H ,
University of New Orleans
assistant dean of engineering
and Chevron USA Endowed
Professor in electrical
engineering, has been awarded
the 2021 Engineering Faculty
Professionalism award by
the Louisiana Engineering
Foundation.
Jovanovich received the
award during a ceremony on
April 27, 2021.
The purpose of the Kim Jovanovich
Engineering Faculty Profes-
sionalism Award is to highlight School of Engineering became
enthusiastic professional the College of Engineering under
engineers who are among faculty the direction of founding dean of
at universities in Louisiana. The engineering Fritz-Egbert Dohse.
goal of the annual award is to Jovanovich’s one semester
encourage other engineering has evolved into an academic
faculty and students to become career spanning four decades
professional engineers. at UNO that has included
Jovanovich has been a faculty several honors and recognition,
member at UNO for 40 years. including the University’s
He was first approached Presidential Staff Medallion.
in 1980 to teach an electrical The medallion is awarded to the
engineering class for one staff member who has demon-
semester as an adjunct professor. strated outstanding service to the
That was also the year that the University community.
Norma Jean Mattei Named ASCE New Orleans
2020 Educator of the Year
N O R M A J E A N M AT T E I , construction materials. Her Commission and was the 2017
University of New Orleans technical research interests president of the American
professor of civil and environ- include large watershed Society of Civil Engineers. She
mental engineering, has been management, material and is still active on the executive
named the 2020 Educator of the structural testing, sustainable committee of the ASCE New
Year by the American Society reuse of spent construction Orleans’ Chapter of the Struc-
of Civil Engineers New Orleans and fabrication materials, and tural Engineering Institute.
Branch. residual stress measurement. Mattei has served on
Mattei, who has been a She is also active in diversity, several National Council of
member of the UNO faculty licensure and ethics issues. Examiners for Engineering and
Norma Jean Mattei
since 1995, is a renowned Mattei serves as one of two Surveying committees and task
researcher and educator in civilian civil engineer commis- forces and is a former guber- Louisiana’s licensing board for
the areas of structures and sioners on the Mississippi River natorial appointed member of professional engineers.
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 19Leadership, Innovation Drives Recipients of Four University Awards
THE FOUR RECIPIENTS OF nationally and internationally ethic, and she is devoted to President John Nicklow bestowed
the University of New Orleans’ recognized researcher in the international exchange and university awards to (from left)
annual awards are leaders who field of acoustics and signal global causes like climate Juliette Ioup, Irene Ziegler, Paul
continually strive for excel- processing,” Malkinski says. change,” Cot says. “She is unfail- Weiser and Margaret “Peggy”
lence and innovative ways to get “Professor Ioup attracted a ingly organized and polite … Gaffney.
their jobs done, according to significant amount of funding I know that keeping the flame
colleagues who nominated them for UNO students and alive would not be possible Diversity and Inclusion.
for recognition. researchers. She was principal without having passed the The award is designed to
President John Nicklow or co-principal investigator on Innsbruck ‘torch’ from Nick honor those who have had a
announced the 2020 award grants received by UNO totaling Mueller over the years to so measurable impact in improving
winners during his fall state of over $12 million dollars.” many key people, to where it UNO’s profile as an institution
the university address, which Irene Ziegler, program now rests with Irene Ziegler.” that fosters racial equity and a
was delivered virtually because director, UNO-Innsbruck Paul Weiser, application campus environment of inclu-
of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Summer School, analyst, Office of Information sivity for all people.
The recipients of the four awarded the 2020 Gordon Technology, awarded the 2020 In nominating Gaffney
awards are: “Nick” Mueller International Presidential Staff Medallion. for the award, management
Juliette Ioup, professor Leadership Medallion. It is awarded to the staff professor Dinah Payne
of physics, awarded the 2020 The medallion is named member who has demonstrated highlighted Gaffney’s work
Cooper Mackin Medallion. for Mueller, who spent 33 outstanding service to the with colleagues, students and
The Mackin Medallion was years at UNO as a professor, University community. community groups.
established to honor the third dean, vice chancellor, the Weiser has worked at UNO “A review of her resume is
chancellor of the University founding president of the UNO for more than 20 years and replete with instances of Peggy’s
of New Orleans and was first Research & Technology Park his professionalism, talent and service regarding diversity
presented in 1998. It is awarded and co-founder of The National dedication are unmatched, and inclusion. For example,
to a faculty or staff member who WWII Museum. It is awarded Learning Resource Center she led and coordinated
has made outstanding contribu- to an individual who has director Shannon Williamson articulation agreements with
tions in support of the Univer- provided significant leadership wrote in her nominating letter. local community colleges …
sity’s mission. toward the internationalization “One of Paul’s gifts is that he She did the same agreements
Among the many accom- of the University. can so easily translate between with foreign universities: this
plishments in her nearly 40-year Ziegler, who arrived at UNO the technical and functional augmented the richness of new
career at UNO, Ioup has created as an exchange student from sides,” Williamson says. “He is student diversity to additional
23 new courses for under- Austria and earned her master’s comfortable speaking with end cultures, ethnicities and nation-
graduate and graduate students, degree at UNO before earning users, listening to their needs, alities,” Payne says.
has directed thesis for 29 her Ph.D. in Graz, Austria, has wrapping his brain around “As part of her service as
doctoral and master’s students worked at the University for the work of academic and liaison between the College
and has authored more than 100 more than 20 years. Under her student affairs and bringing of Business and the college’s
publications, including a book decade of leadership, Ziegler has the technology to life to make student organizations, she
and six book chapters, Leszek help to broaden the academic the workflow of hundreds of facilitated conflict resolution.
Malkinski, physics professor and scope and reputation of UNO’s employees more efficient.” This type of leadership is criti-
department chairman, wrote in flagship study abroad program, Margaret “Peggy” cally important in today’s world
his nominating letter. Alea Cot, assistant provost for Gaffney, assistant dean, College wherein different people from
“Professor Juliette Ioup International Education, wrote of Business Administration, diverse backgrounds must be
is not only an exceptionally in her nominating letter. awarded the 2020 President’s able to work together to achieve
dedicated educator but also a “Irene has a strong work Award for the Advancement in common goals.”
20 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021Professor Wendy Schluchter’s Research Featured in
National Academy of Sciences Journal
RESEARCH
Wendy Schluchter,
conducted by
biological sciences
Wendy Schluchter,
professor and
University of New
department chair.
Orleans biological
sciences professor group of widespread
and department microbes called
chair, is featured Synechococcus
in the prestigious succeed in photosyn-
National Academy thesis by studying
of Sciences journal how these organisms
Proceedings of the modify their
National Academy pigment compo-
of Sciences. sition to adapt to
Schluchter, changes in light.
along with two This process is
graduate students called chromatic
and an under- acclimation, and it
graduate, authored involves only a few
“Molecular bases genes that allow these
of an alternative microbes to tune
dual-enzyme their pigments to
system for light absorb the available
color acclimation of marine The article explores marine comprise the base of the food color of light filtering through
Synechococcus cyanobacteria.” phytoplankton, a micro- web because they take carbon the ocean.
The article is based on algae found in the ocean that dioxide from the atmosphere The research provides novel
research that earned Schluchter provides food for a variety of during photosynthesis and turn highlights on the evolutionary
a $521,578 grant from the sea creatures such as whales it into a form that all life in the history of Synechococcus
National Science Foundation and shrimp. ocean can use. acclimation to light color in the
Biology Division in 2020. Marine phytoplankton The research studies how a oceans, Schluchter says.
Professor Dan Shahar Wins 2020
Environmental Philosophy Award
UNIVERSITY OF NEW professor of philosophy, was courses in ethics, political
Orleans philosophy professor awarded the prize for his paper, philosophy and philosophy,
Dan Shahar is the winner of the “Harm, Responsibility, and the politics and economics. He is
2020 Holmes Rolston III Early Long-Term Impacts of Climate the co-editor of the popular
Career Essay Prize in Environ- Change.” As part of the win, textbook, “Environmental
mental Philosophy. The award, Shahar receives $500 and will Ethics: What Really Matters,
named in honor of one of the have his essay published in the What Really Works,” published
discipline’s early pioneers, is journal Environmental Ethics. by Oxford University Press.
given annually by the Interna- Shahar’s research focuses on He holds a joint
Dan Shahar, assistant
tional Society for Environmental implications of environmental appointment in UNO’s Urban
professor of philosophy.
Ethics. challenges for liberal societies Entrepreneurship and Policy
Shahar, an assistant and their members. He teaches Institute.
SPRING 2021 S I LV E R & B L U E 21Professor Eric van Holm’s COVID-19
Research Featured in Journal of Health
LAST SPRING, UNIVERSIT Y more cases of COVID-19,” the census tract level.
of New Orleans political science van Holm says. “The spatial The analysis found a
professor Eric van Holm began models help to address the fact particularly strong and large
studying the data the state of that even after accounting for correlation between race and University of New Orleans
Louisiana was publishing weekly community demographics the COVID-19 cases. In addition, political science professor
on the number of corona- rates of COVID-19 cases were neighborhoods with lower rates Eric van Holm
virus cases. At the time, he spatially uneven, there were still of poverty and those with fewer
was serving on the Louisiana areas being under and over- residents over 70 have fewer individuals and minorities,
COVID-19 Health Equity predicted.” cases, van Holm wrote. who were more likely to have
Taskforce and co-chairing the Van Holm’s COVID-19 While van Holm’s analysis cases of COVID-19. If those
Policy and Regulatory Affairs research analysis titled “Neigh- addressed COVID-19 testing, he communities have more spread
subcommittee. borhood conditions and the says there are parallels that can of COVID-19, it becomes
Van Holm, whose expertise initial outbreak of COVID-19: be applied to help guide admin- paramount to get those
lies in economic development the case of Louisiana,” was istering the vaccine. individuals vaccinated and to
and neighborhood change, said featured in the June 2020 issue “I think there are definite slow transmission within those
he wanted to use some of his of Journal of Health. parallels, although I’ll start areas, van Holm says.
background studying urban and The paper assesses the with a caution,” he says. “The “To some degree, the
community demographics to predictors of outbreaks at the analysis was done in May, so government has already followed
help understand the problems neighborhood level using data it’s possible that what we found that strategy. Retirement homes
related to COVID-19. from the Louisiana Department to predict which communities across the country were early
“Essentially, we used it to of Health. Van Holm used had more cases has changed hot spots, and they have been an
answer whether neighborhoods spatial regression models to since then as the pandemic has emphasis with the early vaccines,”
with more African Americans, analyze the case count through evolved, though much should be he says. “If we can target spaces
more residents over 70, more May 3, 2020 and its relationship consistent.” where the disease has had the
individuals employed in tourism to individual and geographic The research identifies largest impact, we can slow its
industries, etc. tended to have neighborhood characteristics at groups, particularly older worst consequences.”
Music Professor Brent Rose’s
Band Wins a Grammy
UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW history and saxophone.
Orleans music professor Brent Rose is a staple
Rose can add the title “Grammy on the New Orleans
winner” to his resume. music scene and is
Rose is a member of a widely sought-
the New Orleans Night- after performer and
crawlers, whose 2020 album studio musician. In
“Atmosphere” was named addition to playing
best regional roots music with the New Orleans
album during the 63rd Annual Nightcrawlers and
Grammy Award held March 14. Otra, Rose’s profes-
It is the band’s first Grammy. sional career has
Rose, who plays saxophone, included stints with
has been a UNO faculty Quintology, Galactic,
member since 2002. He is the Nicholas Payton, the
program coordinator for the Temptations, Flavor Kings, Professor Brent Rose, (back row, second
music department and teaches Adonis Rose, New World Funk from left in blue jacket) is a member of
courses on music theory, jazz Ensemble and Joe Krown. the New Orleans Nightcrawlers.
22 S I LV E R & B L U E SPRING 2021You can also read
