McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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174 Academics ...And It Takes -Knowledge- Although McNeese’s enrollment has increased a great deal in the past few years, the university has not lost sight of its goal to offer high quality education in a relaxing environment. Despite additional stu- dents and an increased faculty, McNeese continues to manifest a concern for the individual. The universi- ty helps each student strive to reach the fullest level of potential — both spiritually and intellectually. The rising number of graduates from the university is ample evidence of its success. These graduates take pride in McNeese and they have become its best advertisement. With such outstanding success, it can be seen that McNeese has what it takes to offer the students a strong academic institution in which they will take pride in attending.

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One of the most successful teams at McNeese is also the one that probably gets the least publicity. The McNeese Rodeo Team, coached by Rick Kinney, is a nationally-ranked squad with some of the top collegiate tal- ent in the country. As mem- bers of the National Intercolle- giate Rodeo Association (NIRA), both the men’s and women’s squads have consid- erable depth. Returning this year for the men’s team was ft: With hat in place and a firm grip | the rope, 1981 NIRA Rookie of 3 Year, David Fournier bursts out 'the gate on a good draw at the noupique Rodeo sponsored by the cNeese Rodeo Team. (Photo by G. wards) Despite staggering costs of competition, the McNeese Rodeo Team has gained in quality and quantity and is Back 1n the Saddle Kent Richard, a third-place fin- isher in the bareback riding event at the 1984 National Competition, and Henry ‘‘Bugs”’ Coe who finished fifth in that same event. David Fournier, the 1981 ‘‘Rookie of the Year’’ also returned for the 1984-85 season. On the women’s side, Layna Miller is a former barrel racing national finalist. Diane Robin- son, Mandy Perkins, Kathy Dennison and Raissa Prince are all past Louisiana High School All-Around Cowgirls, and transfer student Lynn McDuffy was named an Ala- bama High School All-Around Cowgirl in 1982. In addition to the regular season of competition, the team attends the national fin- als in Bozeman, Montana. The squad also co-sponsored a “Spring Fling and Rodeo” with the Intramural Department at Burton Coliseum. Burton Coliseum has be- come an important part of the team through the efforts of Di- rector Johnny Suydam who has become a co-sponsor of the Cowboys. Renovations to Burton Coliseum will include a covered arena on the east side of the coliseum that will be used for practice. Coach Kinney credits McNeese President Dr. Jack Doland, Vice President Ken- neth Sweeney, Scholarships and Testing Director Ted Bre- velle and Financial Aid Direc- tor Desmond Jones for help in establishing the program's large-scale success. Getting in some last-minute practice before the calf roping event, fresh- man Jeff Clair of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, readies his lasso for the snare.(Photo by G. Edwards) Rodeo 173

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Freshman word processing major, Mer- cedes Darbonne inputs data in the new word processors available in the Business Economic Center. (Photo by T. Maricle) Divider 175