MARION, IN – For the first time in seven years, Southern University at New Orleans has an individual national champion in track and field.  Junior Sheldon Williams won the men’s 400 meter hurdles with a time of 51.81, edging out Nathan Magstadt of Dickinson State by just four-hundredths of a second.  The last athlete to earn an NAIA title for the Knights was current head coach Yhann Plummer, who won the 100 meters in 2006.

“It was an amazing feeling to win,” said Williams.  “SUNO has such an amazing tradition of All-Americans, Olympians…and for me to be a part of that as a national champion is an honor.”

On the women’s side, Junior Tamara Hunter earned All-America honors after an eighth place finish in the Women’s 400 meter hurdles.

“I’m so proud of both Sheldon and Tamara, and also of our entire team,” added Coach Plummer.  “This is a great day for the University and something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

In overall team competition the men’s team finished tied for 29th out of 60 teams with the women finishing tied for 53rd.

SUNO to launch Forensic Science Degree Program

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Southern University at New Orleans proudly announces the introduction of a new academic program after earning approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents earlier this week.  The University will be offering a 120-credit-hour Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science program.  The addition is part of SUNO’s commitment to developing career-ready degree programs for its students.

“We conducted a tremendous amount of research and enlisted the support of our partners within the local law enforcement community in the development of the Forensic Science program,” said Chancellor Victor Ukpolo.  “This will be the only undergraduate program in Forensic Science in the state of Louisiana, and with the increasing demand for qualified individuals in this field SUNO and its graduates are poised to have a great impact on criminal justice in this region.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that job growth in forensic science is predicted to be near 20 percent over the next six years.  The Forensic Science degree program is a natural complement for the University’s successful BS and MS programs in Criminal Justice.

Dr. Ukpolo continued, “Through discussions with our student body, we are certain that the interest in the baccalaureate degree program in Forensic Science would be a welcomed addition to the campus.  Our science majors view this as an attractive and exciting option as they prepare for their career pursuits.  SUNO also makes the program accessible to students who may not be able to otherwise pursue it, keeping in line with our long standing mission to our community.”

The program will be housed in the Department of Natural Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences.  SUNO will be seeking accreditation for the program with the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).

For more information click here.

SUNO will be conducting ACT residual tests in the upcoming weeks.  These tests are administered only to students who are currently admitted and/or enrolled in the University or those who have a verified admissions application on file for the fall 2013 semester.

There is still time for students to apply for admission for the fall semester.  Students may apply in person at SUNO’s admissions office located in Room 308 of the Bashful Administration Building or online at www.SUNO.edu.

Testing Dates

• Tuesday, May 28th
• Wednesday, June 5th

For more information contact the Center For Planning, Research and Evaluation in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at (504) 286-5279.

The ACT score reports for students who have tested at SUNO may only be used for Southern University at New Orleans.  No reports are generated for students or high schools.  A valid photo I.D. (driver’s license/current school I.D.) is mandatory for testing.

Southern University at New Orleans’ College of Education and Human Development is hosting  two free workshops:

• Saturday, June 1st:  Praxis II Workshop (Elementary Education Content Knowledge 5014/0014)
• Saturday, June 29th: Praxis II (Principles of Learning and Teaching)

Both  sessions will be held from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm in Trailer  24 on the University’s Lake Campus.

For more information call (504) 286-5351 or visit the College of Education & Human Development, Building 44 or 45 Southern University at New Orleans.

New Orleans, LA – Southern University at New Orleans took a big step towards bolstering its backcourt with the addition of combo guard Melvin Davis who spent the last two seasons lighting up scoreboards for Delgado Community College.

Davis, listed at 6-0, 165 lbs, is a New Orleans native who prepped at John McDonough High School.  He was named to the All-Miss-Lou Conference team this past season after averaging more than 25 points per game.  For the season he had 10 games of more than 25 points including 9 games where he topped 30 points.  He poured in 38 points against Pensacola-Florida, a contest in which he knocked down 9 three-pointers.

“Melvin Davis is a quality player and a quality individual,” said SUNO Head Coach Dale Valdery.  ”His versatility, his scoring ability and his desire to compete on both ends of the floor are very exciting to us and we needed someone who wants to come in and make guys better.  Even with his ability to put the ball in the basket and dominate offensively, Melvin is always looking to get others involved.  What I really like about the young man is that he’s a student of the game.  He loves to watch film, he’s a basketball junkie.  The competition for minutes will be tough, but we expect big things from him.”

Davis, who joined Delgado’s 1000 point club in just about a season and a half, has the full support of his former coach as he takes the next step in his career.  ”SUNO is getting a tremendous basketball player,” said Delgado Head Coach Tommy Smith.  ”The young man performs in the classroom and on the court.  His leadership qualities should be a great asset to the program here just like they were for us.  He’s going to make an impact and he should enhance everything that Coach Valdery is trying to do.  Wherever the bar is for the expectations for Melvin, I promise you he has set the bar higher for himself.  I wish him all the best moving forward.”

“I’m excited to play for SUNO and to be able to continue my career close to home, with my family and support system nearby,” said Davis.  ”I’m ready to come in and do whatever the coaches ask me to do.  I’m going to come in and help push my teammates to be their best, motivate them and try to be another coach out there on the floor.  I think we have the potential for great success here and I want to help this team get back to the NAIA tournament and do some big things.”

NEW ORLEANS, LA – This Saturday, May 11^th at the Kiefer Lakefront Arena, 532 graduates will receive their degrees from Southern University at New Orleans.  This figure represents a new high since the University reopened following Hurricane Katrina.

“We have continued to be impressed by the resiliency of our faculty and most importantly our students,” said Chancellor Victor Ukpolo.  “For all of the challenges that they have faced in terms of resources, both physical and financial, they continue to work extremely hard and remained focused on the goal of earning their college diplomas.  SUNO is moving forward in helping them meet their own personal expectations and preparing more students for successful careers.”

When the first commencement post-Katrina was held, just 304 graduates were on hand to receive their diplomas.  After seeing modest gains in the number of graduates prior to the 2009-2010 academic year, SUNO has seen a steady increase in each of the last three graduating classes with totals of 455 in 2011, 484 last year and this year’s 532.

Chancellor Ukpolo continued, “These numbers are a testament to the effort that all parts of the SUNO Community, from the Southern University System to everyone at the campus level, have put forward to rebuild this institution and to help it continue its mission of service to the people of New Orleans.”

END

UNO and SUNO to Collaborate on Engineering Program

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans have agreed to collaborate on a joint curriculum and degree program for SUNO students to earn engineering degrees at UNO. UNO President Peter J. Fos and SUNO Chancellor Victor Ukpolo participated in a signing ceremony on UNO’s Lakefront Campus.

Students who do not meet the initial requirements of the UNO engineering program will be able to attend SUNO where they can earn the necessary prerequisites and then transfer to UNO to complete their degrees.

 ”Our faculties will work closely together to ensure that this agreement benefits students by increasing the diversity of future engineers who graduate from the University of New Orleans,” said UNO President Peter J. Fos “This agreement is a partnership between our two universities that is focused on preparing our students to thrive in their chosen field.”

The crafting of this agreement was set in motion by Louisiana Senate Bill Number 266, Act Number 419, which seeks to increase the chances for success of students in the New Orleans region as well as maximizing the assets of the public institutions that serve it. Since that time, administrators from the two universities have met regularly and this is the first step in meeting those goals.

“This is a great opportunity for both of our universities to come together in the spirit of increasing educational opportunities here in the region,” said SUNO Chancellor Victor Ukpolo. “Engineers continue to be in demand in Louisiana and utilizing the resources of both SUNO and UNO, we can reach more people and give them real skills on their way to building successful careers.”

Southern University at New Orleans is a four-year public institution founded in 1956, categorized as an SREB Four-Year 5 institution, a Carnegie Master’s College and University I, and as a SACSCOC Level III institution.  SUNO, known for its highly-engaged faculty and academic support, offers a wide range of baccalaureate degrees including those from its nationally accredited School of Social Work (CSWE), College of Education and Human Development (NCATE) and College of Business and Public Administration, accredited by AACSB International. SUNO is also committed to graduate education through the master’s degree, offering graduate programs to meet regional and statewide needs.

Media Advisory

What: Signing Ceremony for New Collaborative Engineering Agreement between the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans

When: Wednesday, May 8 at 9:30 a.m.

Where: UNO Administration Building, Room 101 (no. 1 on campus map http://uno2.uno.edu/maps/lakefront/)

Who: UNO President Peter J. Fos and SUNO Chancellor Victor Ukpolo

Details: The leaders of the two universities will participate in a signing ceremony to collaborate on a joint curriculum and degree program for SUNO students to earn engineering degrees at UNO.

What:              Open house for prospective students at the Southern University at New Orleans Westbank Satellite Campus.

Why:               Earlier this month, SUNO entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Algiers Charter School Association to establish the first public 4-year college on the Westbank of New Orleans.  Classes are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2013 at the L.B. Landry Educational Complex.  This is an opportunity for those interested in taking courses to meet with the various instructors and enrollment personnel prior to the beginning of classes.

Who:               Open to any potential students who meet the Louisiana Board of Regents minimum admissions requirements.

When:             Wednesday, April 24, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm.

Where:           L.B. Landry Educational Complex, 1200 L.B. Landry Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70114

For more information, contact Dr. Donna Grant, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs/Enrollment Services at (504) 286-5015 or visit www.SUNO.edu