DSBS No tes
xuladsbs
Inside:
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First DSBS Banquet
New Computer Lab
Pi Gamma Mu Chapter Established
Department News
Scholarship News and Notes
Honors and Awards
DSBS HOLDS INAUGURAL DIVISIONAL AWARDS BANQUET
DSBS celebrated in style on Sunday, April 6. Full story on pages 2 and 11.
M in ds
Follow us!
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
communication studies
PI GAMMA MU CHAPTER
ESTABLISHED AT XAVIER
o provide an on-site,
dedicated facility for handson instruction in research
methods, statistical analysis, and
other DSBS courses, in January
Information Technology completed
the conversion of 620 Xavier South
into a new instructional computer
lab (pictured below).
The lab
features 25 new desktop computers
avier University of Louisiana is
home to the newest chapter in
the Pi Gamma Mu International Social Science Honor Society. Established in 1929, with over 150 chapters
world-wide, Pi Gamma Mu is the oldest
and most preeminent social science
honor society.
Dr. Russell Frazier, Assistant Professor of Political
Science, will serve as Pi
Gamma Mu Chapter
leader.
Frazier says,
“Social science honor
students deserve recognition for their accomplishments.
That’s
where Pi Gamma Mu comes in. The
organization will honor our best and
brightest, placing our students among Pi
Gamma Mu members such as President
Lyndon B. Johnson, anthropologist Margaret Mead, Rockefeller Foundation
president Judith Rodin, U. S. Senator
Charles Grassley of Iowa, and Harvard
University (continued on page 2)
T
outfitted with SPSS, as well as an
instructional podium that allows
faculty to demonstrate procedures
while students execute them at their
workstations. (continued, page 2)
X
Pe op le,
NEW DSBS LAB ENHANCES
HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION
C aring
DSBS Class of 2014 honored in Rose Ceremony led by Professor Crump, far right.
Gre a t
mass communication
 DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
political science
p s ych o l o g y
sociology
speech pathology
O
D S B S H O S T S AWA R D S B A N Q U E T
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
Cont. from P. 1: NEW DSBS COMPUTER LAB OPENS
Photo by Irving Johnson
n Sunday, April 6 stylish Xavierites filled the Convocation Center Annex for
The Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences’ “Red Carpet Affair,” its first
annual awards banquet. Over 100 students, faculty, alumni, and community
members gathered over a catered
dinner and a program of events
that included an invocation by
Father Jerome, awards for students in each department (see
page 11 for details), recognition
for students involved in research
and student media outlets, a moment to honor Dr. Joe Melcher on his
retirement from Xavier, and a Rose Ceremony for
graduating seniors. “Mistress and Master of Ceremonies” Ms. Jazzma Reese and Mr. Gabriel Bracy
oversaw the lively program. Adding to the fun,
guests were encouraged to tweet and post pictures
Banquet committee members Wyndi Ludwikowski, Kris throughout the evening, and a team of photograWilcox, Erica Houston, Franziska Pirkl, and Kayla Houston. phers shot photos and printed them on-site for
Photo by Veronica Farve
guests to take home.
The event was hosted by a committee of DSBS students, faculty and staff, led by DSBS Administrative Specialist
Erica Houston. Assisting Ms. Houston was Administrative Assistant Ms. Kris Wilcox; professors Patricia Minnis,
Megan Osterbur, Wyndi Ludwikowski, Farrah Cambrice; and DSBS students Franziska Pirkl, Allyson Graham,
Jennifer Smith, Sabrina Washington, Kristin Williams, Eric Craig, Gabriel Bracy, Jazzma Reese, Kacie Spradley,
Jeanece Kelly, and Atrice Sheppard. Ms. Houston said, “Our goal was to highlight our sense of community as a
division, as well as what is unique within individual departments.” She says (continued on page 11)
Cont. from P. 1: PI GAMMA MU
The lab also features a research poster gallery, dis- sociology-department founder Pitirim Sorokin. So, to
playing faculty and student research projects span- put it simply, our students will be in good company. My
ning the six disciplines in the division.
hopes are that PGM will ultimately boost enrollment,
While available for use by the larger Xavier commu- increase retention and promote academic excellence in
nity, the lab increases the number of classes that the social sciences.” Frazier also noted that Pi Gamma
can be offered in a hands-on setting, as well as pro- Mu member benefits go well beyond honor to include
vides a central, convenient location. Some classes access to academic journals, lifetime membership, peer
meet in the lab regularly, but faculty are also using mentoring, securing dynamic speakers, research presenit to enhance a particular lesson or to enable stu- tation, subsided student travel, and more.
dents to work in groups. DSBS Associate Chair and
Professor of Psychology Elliott Hammer says, “For Xavier’s Lambda Chapter will induct its first members
years, we've been using the lab in the library for this fall. To be eligible, students must be juniors or senour computer-based research courses. Now we iors who have completed a total of 20 credit hours of
have the convenience of a nearby lab so that stu- coursework in any combination of social science discidents in more classes can learn computer-based plines (political science, psychology, sociology, history,
techniques for their work. It's been a major im- and economics among those offered at Xavier). In addiprovement for us!“ According to Dr. Katherine tion, students must have at least a 3.0 average in those
Eskine, the lab’s proximity to the psychology labs, courses. For more information or to request an applicaclassrooms and faculty offices “was a huge asset for tion for membership, contact Dr. Russell Frazier
my advanced research methods class, who were (rfrazier@xula.edu). Deadline for submitting an applicaconducting research in the same building.” Alt- tion is Monday, September 15 at noon.
hough student-faculty collaborations are featured
during Festival of Scholars each year, Division Chair
For more information or to request an
Amy Bellone-Hite said, “Having a large canvas to
application for membership, contact
feature all the outstanding student –faculty reDr.
Russell Frazier (rfrazier@xula.edu).
search that happens in the social and behavioral
Application deadline is Sept. 15.
sciences is a great way to motivate students who
are just learning to conduct research.”
2  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
Division News
Cont. from P. 1:
FROM NOLA TO NYC
exus Jordan (CMST major), Mia Ruffin
(CMST minor) and Tiara Barthe (CMST
minor) all attended the Patti Pace Performance Festival in Augusta, GA, from January 31 to
February 1. Jordan performed “River Psalms,” a
devised performance combining oral history, archival research, song,
and movement to
highlight both historical and contemporary
acts of resistance
along River Road. All
the students participated in group workshops with students
from other universities, creating final
performances
that
addressed the festival
theme of community
engagement.
r. Lisa Flanagan and
Dr. Ross Louis received Summer Scholar in Residence awards from the
Faculty Resource Network at
New York University. Both spent
June in New York city conducting research. Flanagan’s
research supports the development of a new special topics
course, CMST 3075: Tourism
and/as Performance. The course
will critique the status quo in tourism practices, while also
providing new models for engaging in better tourism in terms
of economic, environmental, social and cultural conditions.
Students will actively engage the practice, production, and
performance of tourism. Louis examined archival materials
related to Richard Wright’s haiku to develop a performance
script that will be staged with students in Spring 2015.
Through additional funding from Xavier’s Center for Undergraduate Research, he is collaborating with a student, Thomas Nash (Theology), on the project.
L
D
F E S T I VA L O F ( C O M M U N I C AT I O N
STUDIES) SCHOLARS
C
ommunication Studies students presented a
wide range of research during Xavier’s annual Festival of Scholars on April 10 to April
11. Mireille Lonian, Lexus Jordan, Mia Ruffin, Randi
Lemons, Veronica Miles, Kellie Richardson, Kennedi
Crosby, and Jacqueline Billings participated on panels. Presentations included work developed in multiple courses, including Communication Studies Capstone, Race, Culture & Communication, Intercultural
Communication and Performance of Literature.
FACULTY PERFORM CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP YO U ’ V E B E E N A C C E P T E D !
C
C
ongratulations to 2014 CMST graduates Allyommunication Studies faculty participated in the
son Graham (Atlanta, GA) and Lexus Jordan
launch of Xavier’s new Performance Studies La(Kenner, LA)! Graham was accepted into
boratory by staging creative scholarly work during the Faculty Performance Showcase on March 25. Drs. teachNOLA, a teacher preparation program that preLiz Edgecomb and Lisa Flanagan performed “The Diaries pares Teaching Fellows for public schools in New Orleof Adam and Eve” by Mark Twain. Dr. Flanagan also per- ans. Jordan was accepted into the M.A. program in
Applied Theatre at the City University of New York,
formed “The School,” a short
where she will study the use of theatre to address sostory by Donald Barthelme.
cial and educational
Dr. Kimberly Chandler perissues.
formed “Give Me Liberation
and Give Me Soul: A Poetic
Exploration of Oppression
Versus Freedom,” a compilation of poetry, spoken word,
and song. Dr. Ross Louis performed “5900 St. Roch,” a
devised work reflecting on
xaviercommunicationstudies
the relationship between
@XULACommStudies
architecture, presence, and
www.xula.edu/communicationstudies/
absence.
3  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
communication studies
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
PATTI PACE PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL
X AV I E R H E R A L D E A R N S
T O P C O L L E G E PA P E R
AWA R D F R O M L A P R E S S
A S S O C I AT I O N
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
newsroom where she
now works. The
spring/fall 2013
staffs earned the
LPA’s highest award:
1st in general
excellence.
The Herald’s other winners were: Kenneth Norwood (MSCM ‘13)
first place, staff generated color ad promoting New Voices; Latasha Smith (MSCM ’14) second place, “most effective use of graphic
design on a single page” for a layout on “12 Years a Slave”; and Eric
Craig, a junior political science major, second place, feature photography.
#XULA Happy
If you haven’t seen the XULA Happy video of the Pharrell song, you’re in for a
treat. Mass Communication senior Kareka Green produced the video for student
activities. Since posting it on YouTube, it’s been viewed almost 14,000 times.
Green’s production is a masterful representation of Xavier’s commitment to academics, service and fun. A little bounce interlude even infuses Xavier’s Happy video with New Orleans culture. Check it out at http://youtu.be/-2pMI4Bk4gE
PR CLASS DEVELOPS CAMPAIGN,
PROMOTES BLESSED 26 PROGRAM
AT FULTON ALLEY FUNDRAISER
I
n the Spring 2014 semester, the Strategic Communication Campaigns class partnered with local
non-profit Blessed 26 to host a speed-networking
fundraiser at Fulton Alley in the CBD. Campaigns is a
capstone course for public relations students, who are
required to find a client in need of a public relations
campaign to increase their public profile. As a team,
the students plan and implement a full-scale campaign, which includes media appearances, press releases, social media and a major event that’s open to the public—and it’s
all done in a single semester.
The class students included Ashley Bonhart, Gabriel Bracy,
Tonnesha Foster, Claire Bivens, Nicole DeLoach, Leo Clay, Ian
LaRoche, Ireon Weaver, and instructor Sheryl Kennedy-Haydel.
Students developed logos; invited more than 400 professionals;
secured sponsorship for the event, including getting Fulton Alley
free of charge; and appeared live on WDSU Saturday Morning
News and Hal Clark’s radio show on WYLD FM. The participants also had an opportunity to network with celebrity guests, such as Trombone Shorty, whom the students invited, and Casey Ferdinand, a WDSU reporter, who hosted the event. Event sponsors
were NOLA Black Professionals.com, Plessy Mason Construction, and Hair Therapy.
4  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
mass communication
S
tudents who worked on the 2013 spring
and fall editions of The Xavier Herald
received the LA Press Association’s top
award in its annual Better Student Newspaper
Herald adviser Melinda Shelton, left, displays Competition: 1st Place in General Excellence.
La. Press Association awards with fall 2013 The Herald entered the April 11 and Nov. 19,
graphics design editor Latasha Smith.
2013, editions for general excellence competiLeft: Cassie Smith, tion against university newspapers across Louieditor-in-chief spring siana. Cassie Smith (BA MSCM ‘13) was editor-in-chief in spring
2013, is pictured in 2013. She is an editorial assistant at the Austin Americanthe Austin American- Statesman newspaper in Austin, Texas. Senior English major AnStatesman
thony Lotten was editor-in-chief in fall 2013.
A
s an intern for District “D” Councilmember Marlin Gusman, little
did Jared C. Brossett know that
he would one day hold that office himself. Following his graduation from Xavier in 2004, the
political science
major
began
what has quickly
become a wildly
successful life of
public service.
Elected to the
Louisiana State
House of Representatives just
five years out of
Xavier, Brossett
served the GenN.O. City Council
tilly NeighborMember Jared
hood in that role
Brossett ‘04
until 2014. In
February of this year, he won election to
New Orleans City Council and recently
began serving as Councilmember for
District “D”, where it all began.
J
ust a year after his graduation from Xavier with a
political science degree, Jarvis Lewis
’13 was elected Councilman At Large for the
Parish of St. Charles. Jarvis' election gives
him jurisdiction
over the
entire Parish of St.
Charles.
Jarvis
serves as
a part of the legislative branch of
St. Charles Parish where local ordinances are offered and passed
for the growth and advancement
Councilman Jarvis Lewis is sworn in by of the Parish as a whole.
fellow XU alum Judge Marc Johnson Jarvis is one of 2 at-large
members who hear and
address the concerns of the citizens of St. Charles Parish. He is the first African American elected
Parish-wide (at large) since Reconstruction. He is also the youngest
African American elected and second-youngest person elected in
the Parish ever. Fittingly, he was sworn in by Judge Marc Johnson, a
Xavier alum and the first African American judge in the parish.
CRAIG WINS POSTER COMPETITION
J
unior political science major Eric Craig
won the University of Arkansas George
Washington Carver Research Program's
2014 Research Poster Competition. The award is
given annually to a summer GWCRP intern who
demonstrates exceptional research and presentation skills in his/her chosen area of study.
Craig’s winning research poster was titled,
“Ready, Aim, Adopt: Why States are Adopting
Stand Your
Ground
Laws.”
Craig was
selected as
one of only
eight students from
40 institutions
for
this prestigious internship. Interns receive a $3,000 monetary award,
work directly with a faculty mentor, and are exposed to various aspects of graduate study.
Craig is an editor for the Xavier Herald. He also
serves as chief photographer for the Herald.
Additionally, Craig is the Vice President of the
Public Policy Club. He plans to work as a federal
administrator once completing his education.
Hello Dr. Moore,
I wanted to let you know that I successfully
completed my first year of law school with a 3.0.
I am currently in London studying abroad. I’m
taking Private International Law and European Law at
the University College of London, which your courses
gave me the foundation for. It’s pretty much a review
for me at the moment.
I truly thank you for believing in me. You prepared
your students for the next level. That encouragement
from you and my family is still a driving force in my
success.
~Sunseray M. Joseph ‘13
Southern University Law Center
POLLOCK MAKES CAREER IN FOREIGN SERVICE
A
riel Howard Pollock ’02 has been posted on a
second tour of duty as a Foreign Service officer to
Chennai, India. Her position begins in August
2014. Ariel, a political science major and Pickering Fellow,
joined the US State Department in 2004 after completing
a Master’s in International Affairs at the University of
Maryland. Ariel has previously completed tours of duty
to Ethiopia and India.
LONDON TO 3M AND
BACK TO XU AGAIN
S
enior political science
major Gregory Jones,
just back from a semester studying in London, is
spending the summer in Florida completing a summer internship with the 3M Corporation.
5  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
political science
MAKING IT REAL: XU POLI SCI ALUMS WIN 2014 ELECTIONS
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
Follow us!
@XULAPoliSci
www.xula.edu/political-science/index.php
X
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
avier will be the host site of a new Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) program from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP). TCSPP has campuses in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, and it made sense to
have a program at Xavier for several reasons. One is that there is
a need for more mental health services in the New Orleans area,
and this program will produce practitioners who can provide
those services. Another is that there is a need for more advanced educational opportunities for potential graduate students in the area. In fact, a number of Xavier psychology graduates are currently pursuing their advanced degrees at TCSPP’s
other campuses.
The Psy.D. degree is a good alternative for a doctoral degree for students who have the desire
to do clinical work in a variety of settings from private practice, to schools, to hospitals. Having obtained state approval for the new program, TCSPP expects to begin with its inaugural class in August 2014. Dr. Christoph Leonhard, who is heading up the effort, can be reached at CLeonhard@thechicagoschool.edu. For more information
visit their website at http://www.thechicagoschool.edu/Clinical_Psychology_at_Xavier_University_of_Louisiana_XULA
PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE ACCEPTANCES
PSI CHI INDUCTIONS
O
n March 25, 9 psychology majors and
minors were inducted into Psi Chi, the national honor society
in psychology. This selective organization
requires a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.4 in
psychology. Inductees also must have
completed 9 hours of psychology coursework at Xavier. This semester, the following students were inducted: Jasmine M.
Blunt, Megan C. Bright, Efehi V. Edomwonyi, Nia A. James, Jazzolynn K. Kelly,
Jeanece M. Kelly, Chinyere C. Okafor,
Alana J. Peck, and Jusiah L. Prowell
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Chelsea Broussard, Nursing, LSU Alexandria
Tiffany Brownlee, Law, Loyola University New Orleans
Armond Collins, University of Rochester Medical School (early acceptance)
Gabrielle Gloston, PhD, University of Texas Graduate School of
Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Kyriante' Henry, University of Rochester Medical School (early
acceptance)
LaTisha Hodge, Marriage and Family Therapy, Long Island University Brooklyn
Kathrina McGary, Rehabilitation Counseling, LSU Health Care
Center
Charles Waller, PsyD, Chicago School of Professional Psychology
and the California Institute of Integral Studies
Yves-Yvette Young, Public Health, Johns Hopkins University,
Emory University, University of California Berkeley, Southeastern
Louisiana University, University of Texas Houston
LAB STUDIES MUSIC, SOCIAL MEDIA, ATTRACTIVENESS
D
p s ych o l o g y
PSY.D. PROGRAM TO BEGIN IN FALL 2014
r. Kate Eskine’s lab offers students multiple research opportuniService Learning at PACE
ties. In one line of research, they have been testing the effects
Students from Dr. Elizabeth Yost
of music on creativity and cognitive processing. Others are in- Hammer’s classes volunteered at PACE,
vestigating perceived attractiveness in social media contexts. Dr. Eskine, Catholic Charities’ day center for older
Ariana Mitchell, and Chinyere Okafor presented the “The Effects of Music adults. They worked on refurbishing the
on the Cognitive Abilities of Dementia Pacourtyard.
tients” at the Southeastern Psychological Association conference in Nashville, TN and at
Xavier’s festival of scholars, where Jasmine
Blunt, Breal Hillary, and Andrea Vinning also
presented their findings on “Cyberspace Romance: Dating in a Digital Word.”
This past spring, Ashanti Anderson and Dr.
Eskine completed a study exploring the effects
of music on college students’ creativity, with
results showing that listening to hip-hop music
increases scores on creativity measures comFollow us!
pared to listening to classical music or babble. Ashanti presented these
results at the first annual DSBS symposium at the festival of scholars. Cur@XULAPsychology
rently, Dr. Eskine and Ashanti Anderson are collecting data to investigate
underlying mechanisms for the effects of music on creativity.
http://www.xula.edu/psychology/index.php
6  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
eginning next year, eligible graduating seniors will receive Honors in Sociology at Xavier University of
Louisiana
the annual commencement ceremonies. Both majors and non-majors will be
HONORS IN SOCIOLOGY
B
eligible for the distinction. In order to earn Honors in Sociology, students must
have a cumulative overall GPA of 3.0, have taken at least 9 credit hours of sociology, and
have a GPA in their sociology courses of at least 3.5. Department Head Dr. Amy BelloneHite said, “Having honors offers public recognition for our highest achieving students.
Also, we already have a lot of students who even though they aren’t majors or minors,
just enjoy taking sociology courses. This acknowledges that interest and talent.” The
first class of Honors in Sociology will be conferred at graduation in May 2015.
Makeda Roberts ‘13 (pictured left) will begin a Ph.D in Sociology at Georgia State University this fall. Roberts completed the Health, Medicine & Society concentration while at Xavier. She has spent the last year as a research assistant on a project funded by the National
Institutes of Health. Roberts chose the program after weighing a multitude of acceptances, including Master’s in Public Health programs at George Washington University , University of South Florida , and Tulane University. She was also accepted to a Master’s of
Education in Human Sexuality program at Widener University.
Gerquel Bowman ’13 will begin a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling at Louisiana State
University this fall. Bowman spent the last year building her American Sign Language skills
and working at New Orleans Women’s Shelter.
Sade Wilson-Anumudu ‘14 has been accepted to Master’s in Public Health programs at Texas A&M and Tulane
Universities. Following her graduation with a degree in Sociology with a Health, Medicine & Society Concentration, Wilson-Anumudu is completing a summer research fellowship at University of California Berkeley’s School
of Public Health. She plans to pursue an MPH with a focus on Nutrition and Global Health.
LEE TO TEACH FULL TIME
O
CRIMINOLOGY ADVISORY
BOARD ESTABLISHED
S
Dr. Silas Lee,
Ernest N. Morial
Endowed Professor
n the faculty since 1984, Dr.
ociology faculty established a
Silas Lee will be resuming full
Criminology Advisory Board as
time teaching duties this year,
part of an ongoing initiative to
also continuing as the Ernest N. Morial
Endowed Professor of Public Policy. For add a concentration in criminology to
Xavier’s sociology offerings. Dr. Christopher Faircloth, who is heading up this
initiative says, “Xavier already has a rich
offering of coursework that is very relevant to this sub-specialty. Given that,
and given our students’ interest in related fields, we think an ability to concentrate in this area (like students already
can with Medical Sociology) would be a
decades, sociology students have bene- wonderful addition to our program.”
fitted from the real-life experiences Lee The Advisory Board began work in Spring
has been able to share in his roles work- 2014. It is comprised of Xavier Sociology
ing as a researcher, news commentator faculty as well as outside members, Dr.
and pollster. Most recently, Lee testi- Ray V. Robertson (University of Louisiana
fied before the Lawyer’s Committee on at Lafayette), Dr. Rae Taylor (Loyola), Dr.
Civil Rights in Washington, D.C. regard- Stephen Ostertag (Tulane), Mr. Leo Haying the impact of restrictive voting laws den (Southeat Regional Re-Entry and
on civic engagement. He also testified Restorative Services Program).
The
before the Louisiana State Legislature’s board’s recommendation thus far is that,
Labor Committee this spring regarding given Xavier’s mission and strong emincreasing the minimum wage. In fall phasis on academic rigor, the program
2014 Lee will offer Social Problems and should focus on the social and economic
Sociology of Education, as well as Intro- forces that best prevent crime and production to Sociology.
mote justice.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Alana Peck, a junior sociology major, was selected to
participate in LSU’s summer
Pre-Doctoral Scholars institute. Peck spent June conducting research at LSU on
the school-to –prison pipeline from a classroom perspective.
Jeanece Kelly ‘14 was honored at graduation with the
Sister Beatrice Jeffries Student Life Leadership and
Service Award, one of the
university’s top honors.
Kelly was also awarded a
Service Key, as was fellow
graduate Brionee Broussard
‘14.
sociology
GRADUATE SCHOOL ACCEPTANCES
xulasoci
http://www.xula.edu/sociology/index.php
7  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
DR. MARTINO VISITS ROATAN, HONDURAS
D
r. Nancy Martino went to the Honduran Bay
Island of Roatan in June, as part of a team to
evaluate and treat individuals with hearing,
speech and learning difficulties. Along with Dr. Christina
Lawrence, audiologist and speech pathologist, and Ms.
Wendy Allen, special education administrator, the team
saw 60 patients over the course of one week. The team
visited two special needs centers, one private school,
and two medical clinics. They fitted several individuals
with hearing aids and offered suggestions to clients, parents, teachers and medical personnel on best practices
for individuals with speech, language, learning and/or
hearing difficulties.
The team surveyed over thirty residents about
knowledge and attitudes about people who stutter or
have autism. They interviewed several individuals about
cultural differences relating to disability. This information will be useful here in the greater New Orleans
area as Dr. Martino continues to research Central American parents of children with communication impairments.
This is Dr. Martino’s second trip to Roatan; she first
went there in 2012. There are no audiologists or speech
pathologists on the island, so the services were greatly
appreciated. One of the highlights of the trip was fitting
an eighteen year old young lady with an aid. This was
the first time she was able to hear sound. “To see the
look on her face and that of her mother when we turned
on the hearing aids is what I go there for,” said Dr. Martino. “There is nothing in the world like it!”
Dr. Martino’s trip was partially funded by The Military
and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem,
Grand Commandery of the South. This is a Christian, lay
organization devoted to helping the sick and vulnerable.
Alumni News
Alayna Townsend ‘05
was awarded a two year
postdoctoral fellowship
as a part of the LoneStar
LEND
program
(Leadership Education in
Neurodevelopmental
Disorders) at University
of Texas Health Science
Center at Houston in the
Children's Learning Institute's Autism Center.
Pictured from top to
bottom:
Dr. Alayna Townsend
SPTH ‘05, Deshanna
McDonald ‘12, and
Yaesha Joseph ‘12
Yaesha Joseph ’12 and
Deshanna McDonald ’12
graduated from Lamar
University in Beaumont,
TX on May 17, 2014 with
Masters of Science degrees in Speech-Language
Pathology. Yaesha will be
working at the Richmond
State Supported Living
Center in Richmond, TX,
and Deshanna will be
working at Milestones
Developmental Pediatric
Clinic in Houston, TX.
Parents, teachers and students of Cattleya, a special needs
school, in Roatan, Honduras with the speech and hearing
team from the U.S.
speech pathology
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
X avier University of
Louisiana
Follow us!
xula.commdept
http://www.xula.edu/speechpathology/index.php
8  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
RECENT DSBS PUBLICATIONS
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
Dr. Liz Edgecomb (CMST) authored a piece for Text and Performance Quarterly entitled, “Grinchma, The Pixie Made Me Cry, and Other Stories of Coming to Performance
Studies.”
Dr. Pamela Waldron-Moore (PSCI) presented at a national symposium on Reinventing
Liberal Education. Her co-authored article, “Paradox of Liberal Education: Interfacing
Technology with Student-Centered and Student-Led Learning” is available at http://www.nyu.edu/frn/
publications/reinventing.liberal.education/Stephens.Lundy.Martin.WaldronMoore.html
RECENT DSBS PRESENTATIONS
Dr. Dominique Gendrin presented two papers this spring. With Psychology major Keyaisha Thomas she
presented, “Exploring Interethnic Encounters in the HBCU Context in Relation to Interethnic Communication Sensitivity” at the National Association for African American Studies in Baton Rouge. With Dr. Liz
Edgecomb (CMST) and Dr. Mustafa (Public Health), she presented, “Physician-Patient Sexual Health Communication among College Women of Color “ at the Intercultural Communication Division of the Southern
states Communication Association meeting in New Orleans.
Dr. Ross Louis (CMST) participated in the Annual Conference of the Southern States Communication Association meeting in New Orleans. He performed his research-based , “5900 St. Roch: Architecting Absence and Presence” and served on a pedagogy panel entitled, “Performative pedagogy: Choosing to be
Critical Agents of Change in the Classroom.”
Dr. Megan Osterbur (PSCI) presented, "Going to the Chapel: Adoption of Partnership Recognition Laws
Across Democratic States" at the Western Political Science Association Annual Conference in Seattle, WA.
She also attended the National Women's Studies Association Curriculum Institute in Cincinnati, OH.
To illustrate linkages among DSBS
disciplines, as well as to highlight the
quantity and quality of scholarship
produced in our division, two recent
installations greet visitors to Xavier
South.
Top Right: DSBS New Publication
board features the division faculty
members’ most recent peer reviewed
scholarship.
Bottom Right: Research poster gallery in new computer lab features
faculty-student research collaboration across the disciplines.
9  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
Scholarship News & Notes
Dr. Claire Norris (SOCI) co-authored an article entitled “Associations of Age, Income
Level, and Comorbidities with Hospitalization Costs for White and Black Stroke Patients.” It appears in Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice (Vol. 6, Issue
3).
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
DSBS FACULTY EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZED
Psychology Professor Wins Top Teaching Honor
D
Dr.
Schulte, who also celebrated
her 20 year anniversary teaching at Xavier, is known as being
highly organized, supportive,
and accessible to students.
Most recently, she has developed a new Positive Psychology course and is one of several
DSBS faculty involved in integrating contemplative pedagogies in their courses. The
Center for Advancement of
Teaching honored Dr. Schulte
with a short video available at
http://vimeo.com/95999405
The winners of the Norman C.
Francis Faculty Excellence
Awards are announced at a
special ceremony for faculty in
May. In addition to Dr. Schulte
winning the senior teaching
award, Communication Studies
professor Dr. Lisa Flanagan
was nominated for the junior
teaching award and Dr. Joe
Melcher was bestowed the title
of Professor Emeritus upon his
retirement after 44 years at
Xavier.
EAN’S LIST Congratulations to the 75 DSBS students who were included in the Spring 2014 Dean’s
List! Nikita Alleyne, Ashanti Anderson, Teyana Backey, Jovan Berry, Sierra Blanchard-Hodge, Ariel
Bonvillian, Stephen Bourgeois, Victoria Bowden, Megan Bright, Jerome Brown, Amber Brown, Armond Collins, Eric Craig, Jade Crutch, Donielle Curry, Deanna- Kaye Daley, Evangeline Dech, Bria Dixon, Deanna
Eaton. Efehi Edomwonyi, David Elliott, Shanae Franklin, Nina Gougisha, Kareka Green, Regina Hall, Kyriante'
Henry, Jodi Hill, Keshante Horton, Shanti Hubbard, Brianna Johnson, Isaiah Jones, Kayla Jones, Kalyn Jones,
Victoria Jones, Lindsey Jones, Lexus Jordan, Jeanece Kelly, Kyjeila Latimer, Dominiqueca Lewis, Mireille Lonian,
Skky Martin, Caitlin Mercier, Jirah Mickle, Glenda Middleton, Bianca Moore, Michael Moore, Amithyse Moore,
Autumn Myers, Catherine Nash, Carmen Nelson, Daniel Nguyen, Chinyere Okafor, Sydney O'Neal, Amber Owens, Franziska Pirkl, Kristen Priestley, Tamara Richardson, Betool Ridha, Megan Roell, Jade Romain, Brandon
Rouzan, Alinna Sam, Lauren Smith, Alesha Smith, Taylor St Charles, Keyaisha Thomas, Kevin Thomas, Balfour
Thompson, Khalil Thompson, Lauren Townsend, Gabrielle Walker, Sabrina Washington, Sirdaria Williams, Toiya Williams, Felecia Woolens
10  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
Honors & Awards
Top:
Xavier President
Norman C. Francis with the
2014 Faculty Excellence
Award winners. Psychology professor Dr. Lisa
Schulte-Gipson, winner of
the senior teaching award,
appears fourth from left.
Photo by Irving Johnson.
Left:
President Francis
bestows the honor of Professor Emeritus to Speech
Pathology Professor Joe
Melcher, who retired this
spring after a 44-year career at Xavier.
Right: Dr. Joe Melcher
directs traffic in preparation for his final Xavier
commencement ceremony.
Photo by Irving Johnson
T
his year’s senior Norman C. Francis Faculty
Excellence Award for teaching went to psychology professor Dr. Lisa Schulte-Gipson.
The highest honor for faculty, this award is given at
commencement to a senior faculty member who
demonstrates exceptional commitment to students,
teaching, and learning. Recipients are known for
their innovation in teaching and for their impact on
students’ lives. Winners are selected by a faculty
committee based on nominations from students and faculty.
Communication Studies:
Highest Overall GPA:
Research Excellence:
Service Excellence:
Social Justice Award:
Outstanding Minor:
Mireille Lonian
Mireille Lonian
Allyson Graham
Lexus Jordan
Megan Roell
Mass Communication:
Highest GPAs:
Lauren Smith
Ashlee Hill
Franziska Pirkl
Randi Lemons
Best in Broadcasting: Reyale Jones
Best in Public Relations: Ashley Bonhart
Best in Print:
Latasha Smith
Best Overall:
Tonnesha Foster
Jazzma Reese
Political Science:
Highest GPAs:
Most Improved:
Most Engaged:
Leadership Award:
Peer Recognition:
Jade Crutch
Evangeline Dech
Eric Craig
Gabriele Walker
Chianna Hart
Cierra Wilcox
Jodi Hill
Isaiah Jones
Psychology:
Highest GPAs:
Sydney O’Neal
Ashanti Anderson
Khalil Thompson,
Autumn Myers
Researcher of the Year: Chinereye Okafor
Outstanding Service: Atrice Sheppard
Senior Comps Champion: Cierra Bonvillain
Creative and Critical Thinking: Ashanti Anderson
Cont. from Page 2, BANQUET
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
Xavier University of
Louisiana
Having a team representing different departments allowed the committee to include traditions from previous departmental banquets in the new divisional banquet.
In addition to the forty awards presented to
students, Dr. Nancy Martino presented Dr.
Joe Melcher with a gift basket along with
heartfelt thanks for his 44 years of service
to Xavier. On hand for the honors were
several local speech pathologists who were either trained by
or who worked with Dr.
Melcher over the years.
The highlight of the evening
was a moving ceremony led
by Mass Communication
professor Mr. Arnold Crump.
Graduating seniors lined up
in the front of the room and
were each presented a longstemmed rose by one of
their professors. Accompanied by a slide presentation,
Mr. Crump then presented
an extended analogy that
compared the rose to the
paths on which the graduMistress and Master of Ceremonies,
ates were soon to embark.
Jazzma Reese & Gabriel Bracy
Sociology:
Highest GPAs:
Alana Peck
Brionee Broussard
Jeanece Kelly
Excellence in Research: Sade Wilson-Anumudu
Justine Gueno Award: Tanisha Johnson
Kelvanisha Williams
Leadership Award:
Jeanece Kelly
Spirit of Sociology Award: Jamaal Israel
Above: Dr. Joe Melcher celebrates retirement with former students and local
practitioners with whom he has worked in New Orleans’ schools.
Below: Political Scientists Sierra Blanchard-Hodge, Dr. Pamela WaldronMoore, Jodi Hill, and Dr. Willie Gin
Speech Pathology:
Highest Senior GPA: Jade Romain
Performance in Research: Amithyse Moore
Sidney Jackson
Jade Romain
Outstanding Clinical Service: Jasmine Scott
Ashley Blocker
Most Promising Underclassman: Maryana Patton
11  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014
Banquet
DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS
Division of Social & Behavioral Sciences
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
ONE D REXEL D RIVE
N EW ORLEANS, L A 7 0 1 2 5
Visit Us!
http://www.xula.edu/dsbs
Phone: 504-520-5054
xuladsbs
Campus
Location:
Xavier South
909
Jefferson
Davis
Parkway
12  DSBS Notes  Vol. 1  Issue 2  Summer 2014