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

Page 46 text:

Something extra sy nrichment and interdiscipli- ! nary studies are the goals of sel unique program that McNeese State University offers its honor students. The special university-wide Honors Seminar promotes the idea that the ‘‘well- rounded”’ student is the one who understands his field of expertise better the more that he learns about other fields of study. The program is designed for students of sophomore standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 who wish to learn and experience more than offered by their specific course of study. Dr. Robert Cooper, co-ordinator of the program, initiated the Hon- ors Seminar in 1979. In its nine years of existence, the seminar has offered various experiences to an average of 16 students each semester. Students are involved in classroom lectures, individual studies, and activites outside the classroom. Guest speakers and short trips are also incorporate in- to the program. According to Dr. Cooper, stu- dents “‘are exposed to experiences HIGH ACHIEVERS listen closely to the wisdom of Dr. Robert Hebert during an Honors Seminar ses- sion. — DR. ROBERT COOPER, co-ordinator, and Dr. Robert Hebert enjoy a quick-minute breather from the intense learning of the session. and ideas which are not part of their usual McNeese programs.” Unlike other courses, the Hon- ors Seminar has no textbooks or tests. Students are able to enroll in the class for two semesters and earn up to six hours credit because each semester offers new pro- grams and studies. Students ‘‘are exposed to experiences and ideas which are not part of their usual McNeese programs.” NIH P:

Page 45 text:

The quest goes on he McNeese Office of Research Services and Sponsored Pro- grams is responsible in part for the acquisition of funding for research, creative expression, and program de- velopment. The four-member staff, un- der the direction of Julie Northup, works diligently to provide these services, ben- efitting the faculty, students and entire university. The research programs themselves are conducted on a wide range of topics from the effects of television advertising on children to the determination of chemical levels in mosquitoes. Propos- als are submitted from faculty in every department of the university to the Of- fice of Reserach Services and Spon- sored Programs. The office staff then searches for potential funding sponsors and provides ‘“‘how-to”’ information con- cerning the format and content of each proposal and its budget. The staff also assists in the actual contact and ne- gotiations with the sponsors; they then help edit, type, duplicate, and distribute the proposals through the appropriate channels. In addition to these services, the of- fice also maintains an extensive filing system of grants and contacts; this sys- tem contains catalogues, directories of sponsors, periodicals which include award listings and sponsor information, and information on personal develop- ment. The office also acts as a liason with the Office of Federal Programs and the American Association of State Col- leges and Universities, which provides current, detailed information on funding opportunities. Each month, much of this informa- tion is condensed into a campus news- letter, published by the office staff. This contains deadline dates and updates on sponsored programs, as well as poten- tial sponsors. These sponsors may be public (including federal and state fund- ing) or private (from special-interest foundations). The funds can involve hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, and indirect sponsorship funding may increase the university budget by as much as $90,000 per year. The office also supervises the sub- mission and approval of candidates for the Shearman Research Initiative Fund, a prestigious competition of sponsored programs. McNeese was proud to have 19 faculty members designated as 1987- 88 Shearman Research Fellows. All of these efforts culminate to main- tain an optimum level of intellectual in- terest and initiative at McNeese. Its par- ticipation in the acquisition of funding is vital not only to faculty but to the stu- dents and entire university as well. With- out the department’s much needed as- sistance, McNeese could easily stagnate and fall behind in the quest for greater knowledge. ) Office of Reseach Services 41

Page 47 text:

cc ee Lessons in action ‘he Graduate School at McNeese offers degrees on the master’s level in 26 different fields from the colleges of Business, Education, En- gineering and Technology, Liberal Arts, and Science. The graduate program is fully accredited by the Southern As- sociation for Schools and Colleges and holds membership in the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States. The program began in the summer of 1961 with an enrollment of 154 students and two degree programs offered in ed- ucation. The school has continued to grow and now serves an average of 1,200 students per semester. Graduate assistantships are available to approximately 150 students per se- mester from all involved departments. These students serve in capacities such as teaching, researching and understudy to assigned professors. The graduate faculty at McNeese con- sists of approximately 150 members, holding degrees from numerous re- nowned universities in the United States and abroad. These members must first be approved by the graduate council and the Dean of the Graduate School before being designated graduate faculty by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. According to Dr. Judith Morgan, De- an of the Graduate School, McNeese’s graduate program must maintain the 26 fields it now offers; the programs are often reviewed by the Board of Regents and various other accredited agencies; thus, each works to strengthen its pro- gram with innovative ideas and projects. There are graduate degrees offered in the Colleges of Business, Education, En- gineering and Science and many of their individual specialty fields. GRADUATE STUDENT Beverly Macri instructs undergraduate math students as part of her grad- uate school requirements. ®) Graduate School 43