Kevin Blaine Bell
LSMSA Class of 1992
died March 4, 1999 in Natchitoches, LA

Kevin was a Resident Assistant at LSMSA and English Instructor at Northwestern State University

President's Report

On my primary mission, I'm pleased to report tangible progress. Pre-filled House Bill No. 345 by Representative Jimmy Long, Sr. adds an ex-officio member of the board of directors for the president of LSMSAAA. At this point, it's just a bill (Ok, everyone recall their schoolhouse rock: "I hope and pray that I will, but today I am still, just a..."). If all goes smoothly, as we expect it to, then this should go through during this legislative session. We have always seen this as an important opportunity for the alumni to have a positive impact on the lives of current LSMSA students and faculty.

On the goal of keeping alumni in touch with each other, we faltered a bit on the last newsletter which was, frankly, embarrassingly late. I hope we won't see similar problems on this newsletter.

Our website remains a primary point of information dissemination. As alumni find it, I generally hear positive things. I encourage you to checkout Corey Cascio's art's page, Zephyr, and contribute information on yourself or your classmates. It's great to be reminded that our fellow alums continue to produce, and it's even greater when you can find the opportunity to experience it yourself.

We have, almost a complete set of Class Correspondents, and as we push this I'm hoping it will improve our ability to track down lost alumni and bring in more information on what alumni are currently up to.

We're all far from satisfied with the rate of progress we've made here---particularly, in the goal of helping alumni find each other. Finding and implementing reasonable ways to make it easy for alumni to find classmates remains a priority on our agenda.

One area which we are definitely underdeveloped is in creating opportunities for alumni to get directly involved with current LSMSA students. We're looking for good ideas for specific ways in which we can contribute, and we're looking for individuals who can help lead in organizing these activities. As always, this is your organization. What would you like to see it do? and how can you help?

One suggestion which came up in our electronic discussion was that of Special Projects week---perhaps alumni can run (or help run) special projects, offering opportunities and breadth beyond what the school can offer itself. Dr. Ebarb checked with LSMSA's Administrative Council and says that they will consider alumni proposals for special projects for next year (2000). Some special projects travel to locations around the state, nation, or world; the council seemed particularly interested in having alumni help out with projects which visited their respective cities of residence. This is a great opportunity to commit a small amount of your time to enriching the LSMSA experience for current students. Start thinking now about what expertise you have and what curiosity you can spark in young gifties. The school will need to see specific proposals in writing delineating scope and needs (housing? supplies?) to give the project full consideration. Nonetheless, I suspect the place to start is by discussing ideas with relevant faculty and staff. If you're not sure with whom to talk at LSMSA, Dr. Ebarb and I will try to help you make the right contacts.

This newsletter is the last for the current slate of officers. I think we have encouraged a strong slate of officers to accept the task of leading the association. I encourage you to give them your ideas, opinions, concerns, and most of all your support.

With luck, as an organization we're weathering our adolescence and moving into maturity. Started with the first graduating class in 1985, the association is now 14 years old. In just a couple of years, it will be as old as we were when we first entered LSMSA (OK, for some achievers that time has already come). The oldest alums are reaching the point where they've lived as long after LSMSA as they did before. They're taking their places as adult professionals in industry, government, and academia. Now, they can really show the world what they were able to do with the LSMSA stepping stone. And, now they have much to offer the current and coming LSMSA generations. I look forward to seeing the organization mature over the next few years.

Dr. Andre' DeHon
LSMSAAAA President
LSMSA '86

The LSMSAAA Treasury has been mildly active over the last few months. Only dues deposits and a small amount of interest have been added to the account.

Our current balances as of 3/31/99 follow:

As a reminder, the current dues structure is as follows:

All dues payments can be sent to:

LSMSAAA
c/o Ms. Anita DeRouen
715 College Ave.
Natchitoches, LA 71457

As this is the last newsletter produced by the current set of LSMSAAA officers, I would like to offer a few encouraging thoughts for advancement of the association fiscally. A recent issue has arisen on the alumni e-mail listserv regarding tax-exempt contributions to the school. One suggestion is to encourage alumni, or the businesses which employ them, to contribute money to the LSMSA Foundation as a tax free donation. An alternative suggestion involves setting up a similar tax exempt status for the LSMSAAA in order for alumni to have a venue to contribute to the school. This would facilitate alumni interactions with current students and faculty, thereby strengthening our tie with the school. For example, one could envision this fund as a mechanism to initiate programs involving students and alumni during special projects week either at LSMSA or outside of Natchitoches.

While the ideology of the two suggestions remains identical, I feel that the latter may provide a richer experience in terms of alumni/student interactions (our goal), while the former should remain a goal of a fundraising board for the Foundation. Regardless of the mechanism by which contributions can be made to the school, however, the notion of retention of intellectual stimulation and social learning at LSMSA must remain important goals for the next slate of LSMSAAA officers.

Micah Luftig, ’94
LSMSAAA Treasurer

From the Secretary

We look forward to a bright future for the Alumni Association. Our paths of communication are beginning to take shape and we may soon have an important voice by having a spot on the Board of Directors. But it is all for nothing if we don’t stand together and get involved. I’d encourage each of you to contact your friends and have them update their information with us. Encourage your class correspondent, or consider volunteering to help. As the Bible teaches, let us work together, help each other, and hold each other accountable. See what you can do in your area or at your college to promote the ideals of LSMSA. Now as I go out and Steve takes over, I know he’ll do a great job. I’d like to apologize for my e-mail inbox becoming a black hole and for the newsletters being late. But the past is the past, we learn from our mistakes, and all those other nice cliché’s. I look forward to working with you all in the future.

Brian Beavers, ‘96
Recording Secretary

Class Correspondents

We now have correspondents for half of the 14 LSMSA classes. If you would like to volunteer as a class correspondent, please contact Brian Beavers. The main job of the class correspondent is to try to keep in touch with classmates. We're asking the correspondent to try to get current info on classmates and to try to find "lost" classmates. The correspondent will work with the Secretary to keep database information updated. We would greatly appreciate it if you would consider serving the school and your class by becoming a class correspondent!

General Assembly May 99 Report

The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m. CDT by Anita DeRouen, Natchitoches Liaison of the LSMSAAA. Other officers present included President Andre' DeHon by teleconference, Treasurer Micah Luftig, and Secretary Brian Beavers. A total of 10 other alumni attended various parts of the meeting, but we never had a critical mass to make quorum at any point in time. Dr. Bill Ebarb, Director of Fiscal Affairs for LSMSA, was also present.

In the way of constitutionally required business, there were no motions to remove an officer, nor any veto reports from the Treasurer.

Dr. Ebarb gave a report on the state of LSMSA. He reported that LSMSA operating funds have increased for the past 5 years. The Annex is now LSMSA property. This year, as with the past 3-4 years, there has been a big faculty and RA turnover, but they are happy with the replacements. If the current financial trend continues, the school may have enough money on hand to fund most desired projects. There are about 4 computer labs in the high school building, one of which is top of the line. Overall, the money situation is much better now. There are now two foci: Arts and Math/Sci/Humanities, but the core curriculum has remained virtually the same. This past summer, Caddo Hall was repainted and carpet was replaced with tile. No big increase in staff is planned this year.

The floor was opened for questions for Dr. Ebarb:

About the morale at LSMSA: Things are OK. Students are dissatisfied with guided study (having to attend) and work service. There are plenty of extracurricular activities where students can get involved.

About student life: The three-year food contract is up this year, and Valley is the leading candidate, but Aramark is providing competition. The school is working on providing new and refurbished dorm furniture. The school wants to replace the beds in Prudhomme. The school is also considering building one or two decks behind Caddo and improving the patio behind Prudhomme. Dr. Ebarb said that the school would appreciate ideas on how to improve life inside the dorms. (Dr. Ebarb's e-mail address is bill@alpha.nsula.edu)

About admissions and retention: There are ~228 in the incoming class. Prudhomme will be filled this coming year. There is also a long alternate list (~50). This incoming class has a high GPA, and high SAT & ACT scores. There are ~110 girls and ~69 guys returning next year as the class of 2000. To improve retention, an orientation session handled by FTF (Friends-to-Friends, a peer counseling group that assists the counselors with student life needs among the students) and Ambassadors (student recruiters) has been set up for before the year starts to help incoming juniors be better prepared once they arrive. Counseling has come under Student Affairs so that they can better work with housing. The greatest loss of students comes from homesickness during the first 9 weeks. For the 1998-99 year, there were ~390 students which dropped to ~340, down from normal. But from the current state of admissions, there will be over 400 next year, and within the next 2-3 years hopefully attendance will be up to 420-430. Currently, the school has an attrition rate of ~20%, which seems to be consistent with the other schools. LSMSA's attrition seems to have reached its peak and may be on its way down in the next couple of years. Ten new students have declined to attend next year, but the class will start with ~230 students once things are finalized. The applicant pool was ~400 this year, up from last year (i.e. ~400 completed applications).

About LSMSA being not challenging enough: There have been very few complaints about LSMSA classes not being challenging or sufficient. Those few complains have mostly been from the arts field.

About students who go to LSMSA Summer School: Students who attend LSMSA Summer School seem to be more prepared for LSMSA social life. The academics at summer school are on par with classes during the regular year. The question was raised if we should expand summer school as a way to improve retention. The school wants to keep the size small; funding is also an issue. The orientation session will be used to help, and when school starts FTF members will work with a small group of juniors weekly. It was suggested that the school study summer school students during the regular year.

Report on nominations/election: By the nominations deadline, every position had a nominee. During the nomination acceptance period, a few people dropped out, leaving us with an uncontested slate of officers. The list of new officers is on page 2 of this newsletter.

Anita gave a report on this alumni weekend. She reported that there were ~350 people at this year's general alumni reception. She said that they gym was a good place to hold it. We ran out of food, but we had enough for the most part. It was also suggested that next year we set out more chairs and have nametags. It was reported that there were about 60-70 at the class of '94 reunion.

Brian reported that he is working on the newsletter and it should be out next week.

Reports on ongoing EC initiatives were give next.

Bill to put alumni ex-officio position on the board -- The bill has passed the House committee and House but has been amended by the Senate committee. The amendment reduces board quorum to 10. The bill will have to pass through the house once again for final approval.

Non-profit status -- Micah reported that he has compiled all the necessary information, but will wait to turn everything over to the new treasurer. A question was raised as to whether the Alumni Association should hold money from alums to be used on the school, or whether we should let all such donations go through the LSMSA Foundation. Dr. Ebarb suggested that we check into the different levels of non-profit and tax-exempt status. He suggested we check with Ryan Jannise for advice.

Class Correspondents -- Brian reported that we have received a few more volunteers as class correspondents, but still lack for the classes of '85 & '86. New volunteers for the class of '93 are Anica Stanaland Nelson and Margaret Balfour. Heidi Gomez volunteered to help for the class of 92 and Jay Johnson for the class of '94. Andre' volunteered to be interim correspondent for the class of '86 since his term as Vice President ends in June.

Regional contacts -- Some ideas were thrown around on how to create stable regional groups of alumni. There was a suggestion to form a base of older alumni; alumni still in college will only be around for a few years. One person could volunteer his/her house to serve as a base meeting location and another alum could keep records of alumni in the area. Andre' mentioned the system they have in the Bay area where they rotate among 4 houses to hold events at each house each year. Each family helps out with the cost of the events.

College Contacts -- Charles Lin was present to give a report. He said that he was checking with the LSMSA counseling office to see if they would publicize the college contact information to LSMSA students. Anita said that she would check with them to see in what ways they would advertise this resource, and also see what they see as problems or potential value with its use.

Arts Page -- Corey was not present, but Anita had a report submitted by him. He just wanted to keep this resource before the association's attention--to remind everyone to submit new arts events and to do whatever possible to support our artistic alums in their endeavors.

Those present then discussed new initiatives/priorities for the organization.

Special projects week offer for alumni to propose to run/assist -- Alumni can propose new special projects or help with existing ones. Alumni just need to check with the special projects coordinator to propose one or check with the individuals sponsoring a particular special project to help out.

More online accessible alumni contact info -- The consensus was that greater availability of online information to facilitate communication between alumni is a good thing. The main questions arose over technical specifics. The association should eventually run its own server. Perhaps an alum would donate a computer to serve as our server. Andre' suggested that we might just use current funds to purchase our own computer or ask for donations. Dr. Ebarb raised the possibility that the Economics Club purchase a system for the association. Another idea was a permanent e-mail address for each alum (e-mail forwarding was one possibility mentioned)

Career contacts -- Charles Lin volunteered to see if he could combine career contact info with college contact info.

All other business or discussion topics stood as tabled and the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m. CDT.

Class of 1989 Reunion Info

Hi to everyone!

Just wanted to extend a warm invitation to the classes of '88 and '90 to join the class of 1989 at our 10 year reunion this summer! The dates are June 4-6 and it will be in lovely Natchitoches. If you are interested in attending, please contact me and I'll give you all the details regarding cost, schedule, etc. Also, as part of the reunion, I am ordering navy blue pique polo shirts embroidered with the LSMSA crest. If you are interested in ordering one of those, please let me know that too. The cost will be between $20-25 for each shirt, depending on how many our total order is! Hope to hear from some of our juniors and seniors that they'll be attending!

Best wishes to all,

Nicole (Candell) Landon '89
Duranjt@aol.com OR nicolelandon@mindspring.com

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Praecellemus! The LSMSAAA Official Newsletter
Volume IX, No. 2, May 1999
Brian Beavers, Recording Secretary