Delgado Community College presented the third annual “Roast of the Town” featuring Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu. The event was held Friday, April 1 in the Student Life Center on the City Park Campus. Approximately 300 friends of the college attended the “sold out” event.

The Patron Party began at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the program at 7:30 p.m.

Roasters included Governor Kathleen Blanco, Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard, Judge Moon Landrieu, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals (retired); New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin; former Governor Dave Treen; and Oliver Thomas, New Orleans Councilmember at Large. John “Spud” McConnell, radio host, WWL-870-AM, served as Master of Ceremonies.

The annual “Roast of the Town” fundraiser was sponsored by the Delgado Foundation Board. The Delgado Foundation is comprised of a distinguished cross-section of business men and women from the New Orleans metropolitan area. They provide resources in identifying funds for scholarships and programs, as well as guidance and support to the mission of the College.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) scholarship fund. TAP scholarships are designed to help students who often do not qualify for Federal and State Financial Aid. The scholarship fills the gap between a student’s current income and their educational expenses in the event of a legitimate crisis in their lives. It is anticipated that 41 TAP scholarships will be awarded during the spring 2005 semester.  

State Representative Emile “Peppi” Bruneau and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin were featured at previous “Roast of the Town” events.

Also as part of the “Roast” festivities, the 2005 Champion Award recipients were acknowledged for their contributions to Delgado’s Workforce Development program. Business and community leaders will be formally honored at the 2005 Champion Award Reception, developed and hosted by the Workforce Development and Education unit of the college, on May 2.                               

Karla Sikaffy, Site Facilitator of the Kenner/East Jefferson location, pinning a boutonniere on guest of honor Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu.

Ranata Coxie, Administrative Assistant, Office of Institutional Effectiveness; Marvanelle Williams, Executive Services Assistant/Secretary, Chancellor’s Office; Kimberly Baxter, Executive Services Assistant/Secretary, Office of Public Relations; and Peggy Griffin, Resource Associate, Development Office, were checking in guests for the Roast.

Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu celebrates the evening with his wife Cheryl and daughters Gracie and Emily.

Honoree Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu with Governor Kathleen Blanco and Dr. Alex Johnson

Judge Moon Landrieu, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals (retired), shared anecdotes on his son’s childhood.

Admissions and Workforce Development and Education Departments Recruit at Local Events

Delgado Community College participated in the Sixth Annual Education/Summer Camp Expo held at Lakeside Shopping Center on March 12. The event, sponsored by Kids Directory of New Orleans, Lakeside Shopping Center and WDSU-TV, provided parents with a one-stop shopping event to preview camps and educational programs offered in the area. Delgado participated in Family Success Fair, sponsored by the City of New Orleans Office of Workforce Development and Job 1, held at the Franklin Ave. Baptist Church on March 19. Representatives from Delgado’s Admissions and Workforce Development Departments distributed information on admission to the college, job openings and workforce development programs at the City Park, West Bank and Gretna locations. Attendance was estimated to be over 1,000. This Family Success Fair was the first in a series of four that will be held throughout the city. Delgado plans to participate in future Family Success Fairs, including the next one scheduled for April 16 at the Life Center Church in Algiers.

Job Fair Held at West Bank Campus

Delgado’s West Bank Campus hosted a Job Fair on April 6 in Building 1, and despite rain and severe thunderstorms, approximately 30 employers were present to recruit Delgado students. Many Delgado students turned out to meet the potential employers and get information on possible job openings. The fair was sponsored by the Student Affairs and the Career Services offices.

Michelle Greco, Director of Student Life; Dennis Coulon from the Career Services office; and Terry Markuly, Academic Advisor; organized a highly successful job fair on the West Bank campus.

West Bank Networking Event Held at Our Lady of Holy Cross

The Algiers Economic Development Fund organization sponsored a networking event in the Moreau Center of Our Lady of Holy Cross College on Thursday, March 31st. This event was organized to spotlight West Bank area businesses. Sallye Raymond, director of the message therapy program, with a message therapy student in action. Annual Enrollment for Health Insurance Scheduled for This Month The Annual Enrollment period for the Office of Group Benefits is April 10-30, 2005. Annual Enrollment is the period of time when employees who already have health insurance may switch to another plan. Any change will be effective July 1, 2005. Employees who do not want to change health plans do not need to submit a form. Information about the health plan options is included in the OGB newsletter that was sent to members’ homes recently. It is also on the OGB website, www.groupbenefits.org    An Annual Enrollment meeting will be held on April 15 at 1:00 p.m. in the City Park Campus’ Student Life Center, Dolphin Dining Room, 1st floor. At the meeting you can hear about the options available and have your questions answered by representatives from the Office of Group Benefits.

Delgado Hosts Regional Honors Council Conference

Delgado Community College was the host for the Louisiana Collegiate Honors Council conference held on the City Park Campus in the Student Life Center, March 11 - 13.

The Louisiana Collegiate Honors Council (LCHC) is a council of students and faculty representing honors programs throughout the state of Louisiana. Each year, a different Louisiana college or university hosts the conference.  This is the first time in more than six years that Delgado has hosted the event.  The conference was an opportunity for Delgado’s Honors Program and Delgado students to be in the spotlight.  In addition, the conference provided an opportunity for students to network with future professionals and faculty from local four-year colleges and universities.

Students competed in the LCHC Quiz Bowl, participated in a talent competition, gave academic presentations, and campaigned for elected positions on the statewide council.  This event fosters academic excellence as well as promoting scholarship and community on campus.

Approximately 145 students and faculty members attended from nine institutions---University of Louisiana Lafayette, Southern University of New Orleans, University of New Orleans, University of Louisiana Monroe, Southern University, Loyola University, Grambling University, Nicholls State and Delgado Community College. The Delgado faculty and staff in attendance included Arnel Cosey, Dr. Sandra Wright, Charles Bellone, Sally Mooney, Paul Rosefeldt, Dr. Shameem Choudhury, Dr. Brenda Bryant, Bob Lawyer, and Dr. Philip Mabe.

The Honors Program, The Honors Council, and the Liberal Arts Division hosted the conference.  The Student Government Association also provided support.  In addition, many Delgado students participated in organizing the conference.

On Friday, the event opened with a “Swing into Jazz” reception and the first annual talent competition. Delgado Honors student Tiresheka Keelen won second place for her excellent rendition of Alicia Keyes “If I Ain’t Got You.” Delgado alum and full-time ULL student Michael Williams won first place with an amazing juggling act. He is a former Delgado Honors Program graduate who received a full scholarship to ULL.

ULL won first place in the LCHC Quiz Bowl championship and Loyola won second place.  In qualifying rounds, Southern won third and Delgado won fourth place (out of 9 colleges and universities). The quiz bowl was held on Saturday, March 12, and Dr. Mabe served as the faculty advisor for the Delgado team, which included Charles Wiggenhorn, Jonathan Williams, Lisa Chauvin and Hesam Akbarian.

On Saturday, following the qualifying rounds, students read a variety of papers. Delgado student Jonathon Williams read his paper “The Great Gatsby and the Demise of the American Dream.” 

Sally Mooney, Kerry Fitts and Brenda Bryant at the “Swing into Jazz” opening reception.

Dr. Steve Favors, chancellor of the Honors College of Grambling University and president of LCHC, and Mrs. Favors at the opening reception.

Delgado Honors Program Students Yvette Richoux, Mary McDonald and Eddie Brumfield worked the registration table.

Charlie Ballone reads a question for the Quiz Bowl.

Students enjoy the Friday evening opening reception, “Swing into Jazz” and the 1st annual LCHC talent show.

Jazz Ensemble Performed at Loyola

The Delgado Community College Jazz Ensemble performed at the Loyola University Jazz Ensemble Festival on March 11. Both the full Jazz Ensemble and small Jazz Combo performed during the annual event and received unanimous excellent ratings. The Jazz Ensemble received a plaque for “Excellence” and three Delgado music students received “Excellent Musician” awards. They are Jason Butler for Piano, Yukiko Komi for Vocals, and Mike Lala for Trumpet.

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