My fellow students,

It is with great honor that I stand before you this afternoon having accepted the tremendous responsibility of being your Student Government Association President. I will keep my remarks short, because I, along with the rest of your student leaders am eager.

Eager to move forward; to move SGA forward, to move our university forward.

First and foremost, the way we conduct our business must be above reproach. We must be transparent in our actions and responsible with our finances. To that end, we will be proposing a new constitution for ratification by the student body before the end of this semester. And we will be providing a detailed budget that will maximize the resources provided by your student fees while working to find new sources of revenue. And as president, I will be working closely with the administration to ensure that our voices are heard clearly and consistently.

I am proud to be a SUNO Knight, but I understand that there may be those walking this campus today or who have left this university without feeling or sharing that pride. All of us in this room, by our decision to serve, share in a commitment to exemplify what it is to be a proud member of the SUNO community. As we lead, others will follow; from our alumni to the students who have yet to walk onto our campus. It is our responsibility to build connections and open communication with every segment of our family so that the world can see just what a SUNO Knight is capable of.

The Knights of days past lived by a code. Today, these oaths of office serve as our acceptance of a similar code. I believe that through our service, we can bring more of our students, alumni, business leaders and community members to the table in facing our challenges and creating a truly world-class institution. The work will be hard and our time this year is short, but together we can accomplish anything.

Thank you again for this opportunity to serve.

Go Knights!

The Southern University at New Orleans Student Government Association is currently seeking to fill a number of vacancies within its leadership.  The SGA looks to fill the following positions by Wednesday, January 16, 2013.

• Freshman Class President
• Freshman Class Senator
• Magistrate Judge
• Student Advocate General

If you would like to learn more about these positions, please contact the SGA Office at 504.286.5386.

SGA is also seeking volunteers to serve on the Student Activities Committee and the Safety Committee.  This is your opportunity to serve your university.

“It is truly a tragedy what has occurred in Newtown and the thoughts of the entire Southern University at New Orleans community are with those families and all affected by this horrible moment in our nation’s history.  Our schools, no matter the level of education should be safe havens where students are taught how to make their dreams into reality and not to have them snuffed out.  We stand with those who wish to see an end to the violence that has plagued far too many cities across the country, including our home here in New Orleans.  As educators our greatest role is to inspire our students and to show them that the path to success in life and as a contributing citizen to society does not include the use of violence. ”

Victor Ukpolo, Ph.D.

Chancellor

Courtesy – The SUNO Observer/Kareem Kennedy

On December 15, SUNO’s 2012-2013 Sophomore Class led by class President, Samuel Okpechi,  sponsored a “Christmas Gift Drive” for children in the New Orleans area. The sophomore class donated toys, books, bicycles, and money to Raintree Children and Family Services. Raintree is a non-profit organization that provides “an array of services to vulnerable persons” in the Greater New Orleans community, and has recently extended its services to Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. Their mission of, “encouraging hope and creating opportunities for independent lives” is what inspired the Sophomore Class to embark on a gift drive to children under their care. Samuel Okpechi (Class President) called the event a huge success saying, “a life saved today can be a lifesaver tomorrow.” In attendance were  2012-2013 Sophomore Class representatives, SUNO SGA executives along with faculty; Joe Marion, Director of Career Counseling/VA; Josephine Okoronkwo, Director of Student Development Center; Debbie Foster, Administrative Assistant (S.D.C); Theta Blakes, Drug and Tobacco Counselor; Keishelle Jones, Guidance Counselor; and Derrick James, Lead Engineer.

For more information on how you can donate to Raintree Children and Family Services

Visit: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/RaintreeServicesInc/OnlineDonation.html

The SUNO Knights, originally scheduled to play the Loyola Wolfpack on Monday, December 17 will now play this week’s home contest at 4pm on Saturday, December 15.  Fans are encouraged to come out and see the 21st-ranked team in the country take on their intracity rivals.

December 4, 2012

SUNO Men ranked 21^st in latest NAIA Basketball polls

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Southern University at New Orleans Men’s Basketball team moved up three spots to 21^st in the latest NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll released today.  SUNO currently holds a 4-1 record on the season with its signature win so far being a 76-69 defeat of 15^th ranked William Carey in “The Castle” last week.

The Knights have been outscoring their opponents by more than 11 points per contest and have one of the nation’s toughest defenses.  SUNO currently ranks 8^th in the nation in Field Goal Percentage Defense at just under 38 percent allowed per game and 3^rd in 3-point Field Goal Percentage Defense at slightly more than 26 percent allowed.  The Knights are ranked in the top 50 in 16 different offensive and defensive categories.

“This is a good start for the team, but it’s way too early for us to get excited about rankings”, said Head Coach Dale Valdery.  “I glad that these young men are getting recognized for the hard work that they’ve put in for themselves, for each other and for SUNO…but there is a lot of basketball to be played and we’re focused on where we want to be at the end of the season more so than where we are right now.”

END

SUNO student curates exhibit for internationally renowned Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Keisha Washington, a candidate for a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies at Southern University at New Orleans is using the skills that she has learned at the University to support the work of The Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp.  She will be hosting a photography exhibition entitled “Satchmo’s Kids: Students’ Conversations with Musical Instruments” on Saturday, December 8 from 3:00pm until 6:00pm at Le Musee de f.p.c., located at 2336 Esplanade Avenue.  The exhibit will highlight the talent of young musicians who have been a part of the programs through the work of photographer JR Thomason.

The camp, founded in 1995, has annually offered intensive music instruction for young people ages 10-21 under some of the best musicians in the city.  Under the direction of Jackie Harris, the program has received international recognition for its contribution to jazz music education.  Over the years, eminent musicians such as Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Calvin Johnson, Gregory Agid, Troy Sawyer, Michael Ballard, Joseph Peebles, Jonathan Batiste, Sammie “Big Sam” Williams and many others have benefitted from the lessons learned at the camp.  Musicians such as Edward “Kidd” Jordan, Mr. Roger Dickerson Sr., Alvin Batiste, Clyde Kerr, Germaine Bazzle, Norma Miller,  Kent Jordan,  Marlon Jordan, Darrell Lavigne, Jonathan Bloom, Donald Harrison, Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, George Duke, Nicholas Payton have lent their expertise and guidance as instructors.

“The opportunity to tell the story of this camp, which is now woven into the fabric of New Orleans through the eyes of Mr. Thomason and the faces of the students is something that I am very proud to be a part of”, said Ms. Washington.  “I think the public will enjoy this exhibition and see just what goes into the building of an artist.”

This event is free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact 504-319-2693.  To learn more about the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp visit www.louisarmstrongjazzcamp.com

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Following a detailed and rigorous review, evaluation and adjustment process, Southern University at New Orleans has earned accreditation for its College of Business and Public Administration from AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).  AACSB International serves as the world’s longest tenured accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees in business and accounting.  SUNO received accreditation for both its undergraduate and graduate business programs.  Southern University at New Orleans is one of just twenty-three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to have earned such a distinction.

Dr. Igwe Udeh, Dean of the College was extremely excited upon receiving the news, “This is something that our staff has worked tirelessly for.  Our Chancellor has given us the charge of building SUNO into one of the premier learning institutions in the region, if not the nation.  This is a significant step forward for the University, both in our standing within the educational landscape and in the students whom we will be able to attract.  This is a very proud moment for SUNO.”

Accreditation by AACSB is the highest status that any institution that awards business degrees aspires to achieve.  Fewer than five percent of all business programs globally are able to earn this honor.  The process is years in the making and requires a full commitment by the University and its educators.  “I want to commend Dr. Udeh for his leadership and the entire faculty and staff at the College of Business and Public Administration”, said Chancellor Victor Ukpolo.  “SUNO continues to move forward and we believe that the impact here in the city of New Orleans and throughout the region of those who leave the College of Business with their degrees in hand will be tremendous.”

“As we work to create a pipeline for an educated workforce and attract new businesses to Greater New Orleans, programs like the one SUNO is building and the graduates these programs produce will drive our efforts,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc.  “Growing our pool of workers and leaders within the business community is critical to sustaining the remarkable progress our region has made, and we are proud of the work that Southern University at New Orleans is doing to ensure our success.”

By John Pope, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 

on November 28, 2012 at 5:15 PM, updated November 28, 2012 at 5:20 PM

SUNO will receive $3.1 million to repair its University Center and $2.3 million for its Administration Building. Work on the University Center will include flood-proofing measures, such as a design for a 4-foot-high floodwall to protect it, and it will pay for elevating mechanical and electrical equipment to prevent flood-related damage.

Similar work will be done on the Administration Building. Among the flood-proofing measures there will be pumps and a 5-foot-high floodwall with gates that will operate automatically.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., announced the grants. “I commend SUNO for working hard to rebuild stronger in the face of disaster, and for remaining an important presence in the New Orleans community,” she said in a statement.

The campus was pounded by the storm’s wind and rain, and inundated with floodwater that stood for weeks. In the seven years since Katrina, SUNO has received upwards of $117 million from FEMA to help it rebuild.