Delgado's Largest Enrollment Ever

Delgado Community College has registered 16,670 students this fall, representing the largest enrollment ever for the college since its inception in 1921, according to Delgado Chancellor Alex Johnson.  Northshore (Covington and Slidell sites) experienced the largest jump in enrollment—a 21 percent increase over last fall, enrolling 1,478 students this fall. The Covington facility, the newest of the Delgado sites has increased it course offerings and attracted students who might otherwise not be attending college. The Charity School of Nursing had a 19 percent increase over last year, enrolling 860 students this fall.  This fall, the nursing school added more faculty and classroom space to accommodate an evening division and the admission of more students in the LPN (licensed practical nurse), RN (registered nurse) and PN (practical nurse) programs.  The City Park Campus enrolled 11,383 students and the West Bank Campus enrolled 2,949 students.

Pilot Freshman Orientation on City Park Campus a Success

The Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services on the City Park Campus piloted full-day freshmen orientations on July 13, July 29 and August 3. A total of 204 new students and 50 parents attended the new-styled orientation days. 

Unlike the current Orientation sessions, which consist of placement testing on one day and orientation on a second day, freshmen completed both placement test and orientation on the same day.  An added feature of the all day sessions was a Parent Orientation conducted by Gwen A. Boutte, director of Admissions, and Linda Jackson, coordinator of Enrollment Services.  Financial Assistance counselors Ana Parfaite and Dana Gables conducted the Financial Aid portions of the orientations.

In addition to placement testing, college introduction, and financial aid presentation, students had an opportunity to take the DISCOVERY career inventory, complete a college readiness inventory, participate in a “learning style” workshop, meet with an academic advisor to schedule their classes, and tour the campus. Participants and parents also enjoyed lunch sponsored in part by Bank One and Hibernia Bank. As an added feature, the Delgado Dolphin Dance team provided entertainment. 

The success of the pilot can be attributed to the team work of the Admissions & Enrollment Services staff, Delgado PALs, The Advising, Retention and Counseling Center, the Testing and Assessment Office, the Financial Aid Advisors, Academic Advisors in Technology, Allied Health Division, Melanie Deffendall, coordinator for College & Career Success Skills, and the Delgado Dance Team.

Parents Participate: (left to right, seated) Cindy Bergeron, mother of Gerald (Fisher High School graduate), Gwen Boutte, director of Admissions and Enrollment Services; Fay Washington, mother of Kyle (Warren Easton graduate), (standing) Karen North, mother of Jason (Northwest High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, graduate)

Touring the Campus: Delgado staff members with Delgado PALs and students during a campus tour.

Dr. Johnson: Celebrity Waiter for a Day

Delgado Chancellor Alex Johnson participated as a “celebrity waiter” at the First Annual Celebrity Waiters Luncheon to benefit Bishop Perry Middle School, August 27 at the Audubon Tea Room. 

Dr. Johnson served in his capacity alongside of other notables including Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, Louisiana State Senators Diana Bajoie, Ann Duplessis and Paulette Irons, State Representative Derrick Shepard, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Irma Muse Dixon, New Orleans District Attorney Eddie Jordan, Xavier University Vice President Joseph Byrd, Dillard University Dean of Business Edgar Chase, WDSU-TV news anchor Roop Raj, and others.  

Dr. Johnson catered to his table of invited guests, providing excellent service and entertainment including joke-telling, raffles of personally autographed articles and leading a second-line. Dr. Johnson’s efforts generated $2,290, the second largest sum raised at the event.  Other highlights of the event included Senator Paulette Iron’s performance of “I’m a Little Teapot,” and Lt. Governor Landrieu’s serenade of “You Are My Sunshine.” 

The proceeds from the event support Bishop Perry Middle School’s “Preparing Young African American Men for Success in High School and in Life” program.  The beneficiaries, from low-income families in the New Orleans area, receive tuition-free educations and access to top area high schools. 

Chancellor Alex Johnson and Kathleen Mix (center) pose with New Orleans City Council Members Renee Gill Pratt and Marlin Gusman.

Harold Gaspard and Fr. David Theroux, principal of Bishop Perry Middle School

Jim Eagan with guests Dee Moody and Alex Lepine of Xerox

Tommy Brown of Sizeler Architects and Alex Johnson

NO Public Service Commission Chairman Irma Muse Dixon, State Senator Ann Duplessis and Alex Johnson

Kathleen Mix, Alex Johnson and Carol Gniady

Greg St. Etienne of Liberty Bank, Chancellor Johnson and Todd Francis    

Community Forum Held at Delgado

The Department of Social Services hosted a Community Forum at Delgado Community College Student Life Center on September 8.  The Honorable Oliver Thomas, Council Member at Large, was the keynote speaker at the event attended by 100 community, faith-based, non-profit, and governmental agencies. 

Malayne DeMars, director of Workforce Development & Training Initiatives, made a presentation on Delgado's successful 12-year partnership with the Office of Family Support (OFS) New Orleans Region.  DeMars also addressed the Louisiana Community and Technical System's involvement with “Strategies to Empower People” (STEP) initiative.  The family case management program is designed to help families move toward financial independence.  Through a network of community partners, individuals receive training to gain employment, improve workplace skills and move up the career ladder.

Regina Radosta, Workplace Literacy Facilitator, delivered an overview of one component of this program, WorkKeys, a national system from ACT to assess individual's workplace skills. 

Leigh Bates, a Delgado alumnus and former client of the Office of Family Support, received an award for her academic and professional achievement.

Leigh Bates (left) received a certificate of appreciation from Malayne DeMars, director of Workforce Development & Training Initiatives, during the Community Forum, September 8.

United Way Campaign Launched at Delgado Community College

The United Way Campaign is in full swing at Delgado and all employees should have received their pledge cards.  If you have not received a pledge card, and want to participate, please contact Daryl Talbert, EAEO officer, at (504) 483-4323.  Contributions and pledge cards may be handed in to the communicator most convenient to you.  

The communicators for this year’s campaign are: 

Marvanell Williams, Administration Building   

Paula Miller, Administration Building                      

Regina Payton, C.P. Dean’s Office

Ray Gisclair, Allied Health

Pat Fabbra, City Park

Danielle Shoemake, City Park

Stacey Lewis, Warehouse

Tim Galliano, Bldg. # 11

Tania Carradine, Bldg. # 2

Jerome Williams, Bldg. # 2

Eunice Davenport, Printing Services

Sherlyn Lambert, West Bank

Donna Bayard, West Bank

Joan Andry, Charity School of Nursing

Albert Malveaux, Library, City Park

Curt Cowan, Workforce Development and Education

Vivian Foley, Campus Police

Evelyn Napoli, Bldg. # 10

Kris Scott, Slidell

Ashley Chitwood, Northshore

Delgado faculty, staff and numerous community members attended a Memorial Service for Mr. Yih-Han Lee held in the Student Life Center on August 25.

Ramon Ariza, professor of Electrical Electronics Engineering Technology, who was a colleague and long-time friend of Lee, led the brief service.  Dr. Alex Johnson, Delgado Chancellor; Dr. Raymond Garrity, former Interim Delgado Chancellor; and Paul Mayoral, attorney for Mr. Lee, all gave remarks.  During the ceremony, prayers were offered to Mr. Lee by a Buddhist monk and members of the Buddhist faith.

Mr. Lee, who died in a house fire on June 23, was remembered as a quiet, happy man who gave much to his students.  Lee had retired as associate professor of Electrical Electronics Engineering Technology in 2002 after 27 years of service.  He continued to teach as an adjunct faculty member in the Technology Division until the time of his death.

In tribute to Mr. Lee, a plaque in his honor was unveiled after the memorial service.  The hall in Building 22 near where is office had been was named Mr. Lee’s Hall.

A neighbor of Mr. Lee holds a memorial card during the service.

Ramon Ariza unveiled Mr. Lee’s plaque.

Chancellor Alex Johnson shares a light moment with Ken Kreiger, Ramon Ariza and Victor Mirzai, all colleagues of Mr. Lee.

Chef Nancy Burback and Lou Demarest, lab assistant, participated in “A Snappy Turtle  Soup Competition” to find the finest turtle soup recipe in New Orleans sponsored by Osborne Sherry and Culinary Concierge Magazine.

Tasting panel: (left to right) Kendal Ginsler, editor-in-chief Culinary Concierge; Lorin Gaudin, contributing editor Culinary Concierge, Chef Nancy Burback and Lou Demarest.

Click here for the turtle soup recipe.

Steven Edwards, associate professor of Music and coordinator of the Music and Music Business Programs, returned to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for his fifteenth season as Music Director of the Superior Music Festival. Eight concerts over the eleven day period from July 25 – August 5 included a String Orchestra Program (Bartok Divertimento, David Diamond’s Rounds for String Orchestra, Dag Wiren’s Serenade) a Full Orchestra Program (Mendelssohn Overture to a Midsummernight’s Dream, Enescu Rumanina Rhapsody, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5) and fully staged presentations of Igor Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” The concerts were presented in collaboration with churches and schools throughout the region (including Bay de Noc Community College, in Escanaba). The series will be broadcast this fall as part of the Superiorland Concert Series on WNMU-FM in Marquette, MI

Editor: Deborah A. Kohler, APR, Asst. Director, Public Relations