Delgado Day at the Legislature

Dr. Brenda Bryant, professor of English at Delgado Community College, received the 2005 Seymour Weiss Excellence in Teaching Award.  Bryant received $5,000, an “Excellence in Teaching” plaque, pin and certificate.Bryant, who has been with Delgado for 15 years, was selected based on recommendations by peers and student input.

"Students are always asking me why I am not at a four-year college,” said Bryant. “I tell them that I would not be the kind of teacher you see today, because my main focus would be on research and publishing, and not on teaching. My time at Delgado has made me a student-focused teacher and also has allowed me a great deal of freedom to develop and implement a variety of creative English courses, such as my popular Madness in Literature class."

Several Delgado faculty members were nominated for this prestigious award. They are Ramon Ariza, Stanley Bagbey, Candace Clanton, Phyllis Dodson, Jeanne Gagliano, Terri Gonzales, Edna Hull, Debbie Kern, Linda Kice, Linda Kieffer, Leslie Knowles, Missy LaCour, Khalid Saleh, Jane Tavlin and Karl Tipton.   

Delgado established the annual Excellence in Teaching Award in 1988 to commemorate sustained exemplary service to the teaching profession and Delgado. The Seymour Weiss Endowed Professorship Fund of Delgado funds the award.

Delgado Community College Graduates 545 Students Two Tie for Top Honors

Delgado Community College graduated 545 students from the City Park Campus, the West Bank Campus and the Charity School of Nursing on Thursday, May 12 in Spring 2005 Commencement Exercises at the Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena.

Dr. Norman Francis, president of Xavier University, New Orleans, delivered the commencement address. Delgado’s chancellor, Dr. Alex Johnson, conferred the associate degrees and certificates.

Two students tied for top honors, graduating with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA (grade point average). They are Kimberly Dean Cooper, general studies; and James Norris, interior design.

The Charity School of Nursing Honor Pin went to Jorina Preyan. The Honor Pin is the highest award presented by the nursing faculty. The honor goes to a graduating student who meets the criteria of character, nursing ability, scholarship, leadership, participation in school activities, positive influence on the student body, and loyalty to the school. Danielle Bacala had the highest nursing program grade point average.  Stacy Porcuna received the New Orleans District Association Leadership Award. Jeanne Pabst received the School of Nursing Award of Distinction. Stacey Porcuna received the Sister Blanche McDonnel Award. Carmen Griggs received the Lifecare Award sponsored by Lifecare Hospitals of New Orleans.

Associate degree graduates who have cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 to 4.00 are designated Chancellor Honor Graduates. They are:

Maria Musso Albares

Houcin Benbreek

Derek Anthony Burke

Kimberly Dean Cooper

Tran Ngoc Dang

Derek Anthony Burke

Kimberly Dean Cooper

Tran Ngoc Dang

Paul Michael Giangrosso

Ramona Ann Grass

Michelle Grimes-Morrison

Lara K. Ictech

Mayumi Kozaki

Kerri Lynn Montagnino

Khanh Quoc Ngo

James Michael Norris

Associate degree graduates who have cumulative grade point averages of 3.50 to 3.79 are designated Honor Graduates. They are:

Victor Amaya

Adam Joseph Aysenne

Danielle Marie Bacala

Jessica Marie Bacino

William K. Bayhi, Jr.

Robert Gregory Bennett

Brian Barry Bolerjack

Karen Ritter Burlet

Rebecca L. Cardinale

Jean Stallinger Clavier

Laura Shelhorse Corke

Regina Lúcia Macedo Corrêa

Lolita D.L. Cousin

Brian Patrick Dunn

Terry John Gilmore

Gina Rubymae Guss

Mandy Marie Haas

Danielle Rene Harris

Susie Chabert Hebert

Aaron Robert Henning

Ashley Rene Hillard

Laura S. Hord

Silivia Elizabeth Idiaquez

Nada Michelle Johnson

Michelle Renee Ledet

Sarraīou Mariko

Sparkle Allison Matas-Nickerson

Joanetta Poret Pepitone

Pamela Parker Perry

Chris James Pitre

Lilibeth T. Price

Stanjuan Robertson

Christopher Joseph Rogers

Anita Marie Sclafani

Cynthia B. Wright

Dr. Alex Johnson congratulates the two graduates that tied for the top honors, earning 4.0 perfect grade point averages---Kimberly Dean Cooper and James Michael Norr.

Jorina Preyan received the Charity School of Nursing honor pin.

Dr. Brenda Bryant received the Excellence in Teaching Award at the Spring Commencement Exercises.

Dr. Norman Francis, president of Xavier University, and Delgado Chancellor Alex Johnson at the Spring Commencement Exercises.

Flag Presentation Made at Graduation

At the May Commencement Exercises, Rick Seymour, instructor at the Maritime, Fire and Industrial Training Facility, made a special presentation to the college. Seymour, also a Sergeant in the Louisiana National Guard, presented an American flag, which was flown in his line of duty in Bagram, Afghanistan. 

Sergeant Seymour has been actively involved with the military through the Coast Guard and the National Guard for the past 16 1/2 years. Currently, and for the past three years, he has served with the National Guard’s 205th Engineering Battalion, located in Bogalusa, LA. 

Seymour was deployed with the 205th in July 2003 to Afghanistan and stationed at a former Soviet airbase called Bagram to provide support to the units operating from the base. Their main mission was to improve the quality of life for our troops stationed there. Projects included building drainage systems, installing showers, paving roads, runway improvements and building new camps for newly arriving troops.

Seymour drove a fuel truck and his job was to fuel various equipment used for construction and generators on the base. By the end of his tour he had delivered over a half million gallons of fuel. He was awarded the Army Commendation Award for meritorious service.  

“The story of this flag is one of remembrance and of national pride, not to mention it made it easier for my troops to find me for fuel,” said Sergeant Seymour. “Flying the flag on my vehicle did so much to boost the morale of our troops. I remember one early morning, I saw three helicopters disembarking troops and you could tell they were dead on their feet from a nighttime operation in the mountains. When they saw my truck cruise by with the big American flag blowing in the wind, they all stood tall and had real pride in their stride. From that point forward I decided that our boys would always see that flag when they returned from the missions. While I was there I changed the flag a total of nine times, every 30 days, and brought the flags home to friends and to present one to the college for supporting my family and me during my deployment.”

Enhancement Grant Awarded to Delgado

Delgado Community College was recently awarded a $30,000 Board of Regents Enhancement Grant for “Training Instructors to Create Web-Based Content for Regular or Online Courses” written by Frank Smith, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Technology (CATT).

Delgado and Louisiana Delta Community College will collaborate in providing training to instructors for the creation of web-based instructional modules. Participating faculty will receive stipends. The grant also will provide software, cameras and microphones. This brings Delgado’s 2005-06 Enhancement Grant total to $235,089.

Other grant recipients are Pat Egers, provost of the Delgado Charity School of Nursing; Donita Qualey, associate professor of nursing; Dave Shroyer, dean of Developmental Studies; and Glenn Schiro, director of Testing, Student Affairs.

Delgado Attends NISOD

Delgado Community College was well represented at this year’s National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Conference held in Austin, Texas, May 29 through June 1. Thirty-three Delgado faculty and staff members attended the conference. 

Eleven Excellence in Teaching nominees attended. They are Stanley Bagbey, instructor of nursing; Dr. Brenda Bryant, professor of English; Phyllis Dodson, associate professor of chemistry; Jeanne Gagliano, associate professor of mathematics; Edna Hull, assistant professor of nursing; Debbie Kern, associate professor of dietetic technology; Linda Kice, instructor of business, West Bank; Linda Kieffer, assistant professor of psychology, Northshore; Khalid Saleh, assistant professor of civil construction management; Jane Tavlin, associate professor of business; and Terri Gonzales-Kreisman, assistant professor of business.

Fifteen Delgado faculty and staff members presented their teaching/learning/teamship development “Best Practices” at the NISOD conference. They are Kendris Brumfield, assistant dean of Evenings & Weekend Division, West Bank Campus; Dr. Pat Cox, coordinator of Adjunct Faculty, Science & Math; Leslie Gilliland, instructor of English, Northshore; Terri Gonzales-Kreisman, assistant professor of business; Ruby Holiday, professor of business; Estella Lain, executive director for program development, West Bank; Mary Ellen Logan, assistant professor of business; Janet McArthur, instructor of English; Mercedes Munster, college-wide assistant dean of Evenings & Weekends, and Part-Time Development; Jerrie D. Protti, executive assistant to the provost, West Bank; Warren Puneky, instructor of business law; Nancy Richard, Adjunct Mentoring coordinator, English & Developmental; Suzanne Riche, assistant dean of Evening/Weekend and Adjunct Development, Charity School of Nursing; Susan Santolucito, instructor of mathematics; and Katina Whorton, instructor of criminal justice.

“The Ice is Broken---Now What?” round table discussion was lead by Terri Gonzales-Kreisman and Warren Puneky, Jr. “M&Ms of Online Teaching and Learning” round table discussion was lead by Mary Ellen Logan and Ruby Holiday. “Mentoring and Supervising Part-Time Faculty for Retention” was presented by Kendris Brumfield, Dr. Pat Cox, Mercedes Munster, Nancy Richard, and Suzanne Riche. “Center for Entrepreneurship Excellence” was presented by Estella Lane and Jerrie Protti. “Making the Most of Classroom Presentations” was presented by Leslie Gilliland and Linda Kieffer. “Energizing Your Introductory Algebra Classroom” was presented by Susan W. Santolucito. “Louisiana Lagniappe: On-Line Learning with LaCADE (Louisiana Consortium for the Advancement of Distance Education)” was presented by Janet McArthur.

Other attendees were Marsha Childers, associate professor of English; Arnel Cosey, provost for the City Park Campus, Melanie Deffendall, coordinator of Career and College Success Skills; Monica Fields, instructor of English; Elbert Hamilton, instructor of English; Dr. Alex Johnson, chancellor; and Dr. Sandra Wright, dean of Liberal Arts.

“Rodeo Night” at NISOD included (standing) Jan McArthur, Dr. Brenda Bryant, Mercedes Munster, Leslie Gilliland and Linda Kieffer; (seated) Phyllis Dodson, Susan Santolucito, Jeanne Gagliano and Dr. Pat Cox.

West Bank Students Attended Harvey Canal Industrial Association Meeting

On June 2, Admiral Yount of Northrop Grumman spoke to the Harvey Canal Industrial Association general meeting. Seven Delgado West Bank Campus drafting majors and their instructor Janet Colletti were guests of Northrop Grumman. The students were selected for the event because of their classroom achievements, effort and being near completion of the program and therefore ready for employment. They were excited to be there and appreciated the opportunity to meet the Northrop Grumman executives.

Admiral Yount speaks to attendees at the Harvey Canal Industrial Association meeting.

Hispanic Publication Hosted Ladies’ Luncheon

N.O.sostros, New Orleans’ newest Hispanic magazine celebrating culture and community, held its first annual Ladies’ Spring Luncheon June 25th at Muriel’s Jackson Square with guest of honor New Orleans’ First Lady, Mrs. Seletha Nagin. Delgado Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Education Kathleen Mix led a bevy of friends and Delgado representatives for the Saturday social including Laura Ditta, Carmen Walters, Karla Sikaffy, and Carol Gniady. Delgado representatives and friends donned their finest for the luncheon. Blackboard Summer Institute Held The 4th annual Blackboard® Summer Institutes were held at  Delgado Community College May 16-19 and May 23-26. A lottery drawing set the stage for the selection of thirty faculty members from a list of over eighty requests for registration. Selected faculty trainees who successfully completed the Institutes were each awarded stipends of $500. Ed McGee, Academic Blackboard coordinator/E-Learning coordinator, and Dorothy Ward, former Blackboard Coordinator for the CATT, wrote the departmental proposal and were awarded Carl Perkins funding for the faculty stipends. They developed and facilitated the Institutes for providing professional development opportunities in both basic and advanced level pedagogy and technology of web-based online teaching. Certificates of completion for thirty hours instruction at the Basic Level Institute were awarded to Cynthia Allen, Fatemah Bicksler, Elmer Ducorbier, Lillian Grose, Elbert Hamilton, Linda James, Debbie Kern, Nancy King, Lisa Melson, Kabrina Smith, Catherine Strength, Elaine Tolliver, Diann Torrence and Erin Vonsteuben. Faculty who received certificates of completion for thirty hours training at the Advanced Institute were Joseph Danos, Linda Donahue, Leslie Gilliland, Ruby Holliday, Linda Kieffer, Brad Koski, Freda Leonard, Mary Logan, Karen Muhsin, Warren Puneky, Sallye Raymond, Amanda Rosenzweig, Jane Tavlin, and Sonia Taylor. Carmen Walters, executive assistant to the Chancellor, presented opening remarks at the orientation sessions for both Institutes. She acknowledged the support from Carl Perkins and wished the participants successful outcomes of the training. Frank Smith, CATT director, welcomed trainees and described future professional development opportunities being offered by the CATT. At the Advanced Blackboard Institute, Missy LaCour, program director of Health Information Technology, demonstrated the Tegrity system for online delivery of course materials. The faculty graduates of both Institutes have, as a final product, an active Blackboard course site that will be used to support student learning at Delgado Community College. Dorothy Ward, Carmen Walters and Ed McGee at the Blackboard Summer Institute. College Viewbook A National Winner Delgado Community College’s Public Relations Office won the “Communicator Award of Distinction for 2005” for the college’s 16-page full-color high school viewbook. The Communicator Awards are an international competition that recognizes outstanding work in the fields of advertising, public relations and corporate communications. Public Relations Director Carol Gniady displays the award and the nationally recognized publication. SGA Summer BBQ On Thursday, June 30th, the Student Government Association, West Bank Campus, served hamburgers, chips and soft drinks to students, faculty and staff during their annual Summer BBQ Blast. To encourage membership in its student organizations, the SGA also held a welcome party at noon for new students who received scholarships to Delgado. During the welcome party, students had a chance to meet student leaders and faculty members who represented ten student organizations. The festivities were held under a tent donated by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. West Bank students enjoy a BBQ hosted by the SGA. Recent Grads to Attend Delgado This Fall Of the 2005 valedictorians in the New Orleans area, two “Top of the Class” high school graduates featured in a recent Times-Picayune newspaper article have identified Delgado Community College as their intended college. They are Blair Spera, Knights High School in Harvey; and Christina Olivia, Fredrick A. Douglas High School in New Orleans. Spera plans to study business administration and Olivia plans to major in office administration and technology. Also noteworthy is Meaghann McCarthy, a recent Jefferson Parish school system’s Adult Education graduate, who received the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship from Delgado to continue her studies and major in nursing. McCarthy was honored for scoring the highest on her GED tests; she scored 3,760, averaging 752 out of a possible 800. Delgado Alumni Association Donates to TAP Scholarship The Delgado Community College Alumni Association Board recently presented Delgado  with a $5,000 check for the TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) Scholarships. Rae Ann DiMaggio, vice president of the Alumni Association, made the presentation to Chancellor Alex Johnson, who acknowledged, “this donation will serve at least fifteen Delgado students who are not eligible for Federal or State Financial Aid and are experiencing a legitimate crisis.”  The TAP scholarship, also known as the “gap” scholarship, was established by the Delgado Foundation and is aimed at assisting low and moderate-income students by providing a means for them to continue their education. The check presentation: (left to right) Colleen Ulfers, secretary; Rae Ann DiMaggio, vice president; Dr. Alex Johnson, chancellor; Gerald Shields, president emeritus; and Karen Howard, treasurer.

Media Representatives Visit Delgado

Delgado Community College’s Public Relations Office and the Culinary Arts Department sponsored the fifth annual Media Appreciation Luncheon in the Culinary Dining Room on the City Park Campus, June 28. 

Twenty-six media representatives from television, radio and print dined with Delgado administrators. The second edition of the new Delgado Directions magazine and the new Delgado Community College Success Stories publication were disseminated along with other College promotional materials. The graduating student chefs of the award winning Culinary Arts program prepared and served a delicious five-course gourmet meal.

 Culinary Arts Sets Summer Luncheons

Taste the creations of Delgado's emerging young chefs at the college’s Culinary Arts Luncheon Series held this summer. Gourmet luncheons will be open to the public Wednesday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 26 at 11:45 a.m. in the Dolphin Dining Room, Michael L. Williamson Complex (Building 11) on the City Park Campus.

Students in Delgado's chef training program prepare and serve these four-course gourmet meals. The program follows the traditions of European culinary apprenticeship programs by providing students with a combination of classroom training and practical work experience under the supervision of the leading chefs in metropolitan New Orleans.

Dining room seating is limited and reservations are necessary five working days before the luncheon. The cost is $20 per person. Reservations must be made by calling the Culinary Arts Program at (504) 483-4923, between 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. the week prior to the luncheon date.                                                                                            

Delgado Classified Employees Recognized by Association

The Classified Employees Association held the inaugural Classified Employees Recognition Day on Friday, May 27th in the Lac Pontchartrain Ballroom of the Student Life Center on the City Park Campus. This recognition program celebrated the accomplishments, integrity, and contributions of the college’s classified employees. The theme for the occasion summed up the Classified Employees spirit and pride:  “Together! Striving for excellence, we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” 

Ms. Seneca Ketchens-Thornton presided over an auspicious occasion where classified employees were lauded for their service to the college. Ms. Stephanie Press provided the invocation, and Ms. Shanika Price, president of the Classified Employees Association, gave welcoming remarks and introduced speaker Joyce Smith. At Ms. Smith’s conclusion, Ms. Audrey Powell introduced Delgado administrators. Ms. Sherlyn Henry-Lambert introduced the Classified Association Officers for 2003-2005:  Ms. Sanika Price, president; Ms. Terry Hamilton, vice president; Ms. Sharon Breland, treasurer; Ms. Felicia Herring, secretary; Ms. Makisha Foster, sergeant-at-arms. 

Dr. Alex Johnson was asked to present certificates of appreciation to classified employees having served the college 30 to 40 years. “Everything we do at Delgado is for the betterment of our students, our community, the region, the state, and even our country. This outstanding group of individuals makes us very, very proud for being actively engaged in fulfilling the college’s mission” said Johnson. Dr. Johnson was pleased to present a certificate of appreciation to the college’s longest-serving classified employee, Ms. Cynthia Downes, for 40 years of service. Dr. Johnson also presented certificates to 10 individuals who have served the college for 30 to 35 years:  Leonard Dubourg, Patricia Fabbra, Alinda Henderson, Anita Hilliard, Rosemary Holloway, Stephen Hoover, Anita McCarty, James Marshall, Audrey Powell, and Kay Robin. 

Dr. Smith presented certificates to classified employees who have served the college 20 to 29 years; Ms. Arnel Cosey presented certificates to employees who have served the college 10 to 19 years; Ms. Sharon Breland, Ms. Terry Hamilton, Mr. Tommy Gannon, and Ms. Eunice Davenport gave remarks and presented certificates to employees having served 1 to 9 years; and Ms. Lynda Edgerson presented certificates to employees having served less than a year. In addition, special presentations were made by Ms. Seneca Ketchens-Thornton—gifts were presented to Dr. Alex Johnson and Vice Chancellor Jim Eagan in appreciation of their support for this endeavor. Ms. Ketchens-Thornton also made mention that the Classified Employees Association wished to recognized Dr. J. Terence Kelly, Delgado’s prior chancellor, for initiating a recognition program for the Classified Employees.

Each Classified Employee received a Certificate of Appreciation as well as a commemorative goblet. Refreshments were served at the conclusion of the program. Classified Employees Recognition Day was sponsored by the Classified Employees Association, and made possible by the hard work of the following committee members:  Ms. Toni Booker, Mr. William Burras, Ms. Eunice Davenport, Ms. Lynda Edgerson, Mr. Tommy Gannon, Ms. Cynthia Givens, Ms. Sherlyn Henry-Lambert, Ms. Seneca Ketchens-Thornton (chair), Ms. Audrey Powell and Ms. Stephanie Press.

Cynthia Downes and Dr. Alex Johnson. Ms. Downes was recognized for 40 years of service to Delgado.

Classified Employees celebrating 30-35 years of service included (left to right):  Anita McCarty, Rosemary Holloway, Alinda Henderson, Audrey Powell, Anita Hilliard and Kay Robin.

Vice Chancellor Jim Eagan, Classified Employees Recognition Day Committee Chair Seneca Ketchens-Thornton, Dr. Alex Johnson, and outgoing Classified Association President Shanika Price.

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