JANUARY BOARD ACTION
View a recording of today’s meeting .
οƵ SYSTEM ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIPS FOR REGINALD F. LEWIS SCHOLARS
More Scholars Reached Thanks to Partnership with Verizon and Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Blue CrossandBlue Shieldof Louisianaand Verizonare partnering withtheUniversity of οƵ Foundation to supportthefirst cohort of the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars.
“In only six months our first cohort has shown great promiseas they have advancedacademically and socially,” οƵ System Vice President of Advancement Claire Norris said. “This program would not be possible without community partnerships,and we are so appreciative of Verizon andBlue CrossandBlue Shield of Louisiana for their investmentin our scholars.”
Verizon is supporting the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars with human capital in the form of 70 V-Teamers to serve as mentors and financially in the amount of $25,000.
“On behalf of Verizon, we are proud to partner with the University of οƵ Foundation to help cultivate diversity and enhance the collegiate experiencefor Black males”, said Tandra LeMay, State Government Affairs, Verizon.“The Scholars program aligns with Verizon’s commitmentto educational equity and to enrich the learning experience for students”.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield was the first statewide organization to partner monetarily. They have also committed to providing mentorship and internships for the Scholars.
“Blue Crossis committed to improving the health and lives of people throughout Louisiana. Partnering with the οƵ System through the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars program allows us to support promising young people from diverse backgrounds as they pursue their academic and professional careers throughout our state and, in doing so, make Louisiana an even better place to live in the years to come” saidMichael Tipton, head of community relations for BCBSLA and president of the BCBSLA Foundation.
These partnerships bring the οƵ System closer to reaching its goal of $1.5 million to support the first threecohorts of Reginald F. Lewis Scholars,a hallmark program to enhance the collegiate experience of Black males attending οƵ System member institutions.
Clickhereto learn more about the program.
FOR OUR FUTURE CONFERENCE SET FOR MARCH
This year’s Universities of LouisianaForOur Future Conference will be held March 10 – 11 inNatchitoches.Faculty and staff are encouragedto register early as space is limited.
Conference programmingdetailswillsoon be announced.Sessions willhighlightthree tracks: Core Community: Engaging the student holistically, Core Mission: Fulfilling our purpose through teaching and research, andCore Performance: Operating through a lens of stewardship and strategic growth.The System alsointroducedtwo priority themes—diversity and inclusion and modernization and technology—which willbe highlighted throughout the event.
All conference information including registration can be found atulsystem.edu/conference.
REGINALD F. LEWIS SCHOLARS PRESENT CARRYING ON A DREAM EXHIBIT TOUR
The University of οƵ’s Reginald F. Lewis Scholars are presenting a statewide tour of the exhibit “Carrying on a Dream” which features regional civil rights artifacts and a rare display of the hearse that carried civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s body at the time of his death more than 50 years ago.
Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s, led the preservation ofthehearseand,through its exhibit,wantsto remind Louisianians what Martin Luther King, Jr.contributed to society. “It’s important that the next generation really understands how the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the world,” said Graves. “Many of us did not get a chance to hear MLK during his lifetime, so I am hoping they will be able to appreciate him and his work through this tribute to honor his life.”
The Reginald F. LewisScholars are working to ensure the tour’s success through various roles. “This exhibit provides ourScholars the opportunity to be a part of something much bigger than themselves,” οƵ System President Jim Henderson said. “Honoring the legacy of Dr. King will inspire them to dream even bigger as individuals and for others.”
The Reginald F. Lewis Scholars program enhances the educational experience for exemplary Black male students. Two students from each of the System’s nine member institutions are participating in the inaugural cohort of the three-year program focusing on key areas—academics, social advancement and community service.
Tour stop information is available below. Additional stopswill be added. For the latest information visitulsystem.edu/rflewis-scholars/mlk-traveling-exhibit.
Jan. 16 – Jan. 18
Ruston, LA
Location: Louisiana Tech Student Center, 100 WisteriaStreet
Times:Sunday noon – 8 p.m., Monday – Tuesday 8 a.m. –8 p.m.
Partners: Louisiana Tech, Grambling State University, οƵM
Jan. 20 –Feb.5
Natchitoches, LA
Location: Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, 800 Front St.
Times: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Partners: Northwestern State University, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum
Feb. 7 – Feb. 10
Lake Charles, LA
Location: Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr.
Times:10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Partners: McNeese State University, City of Lake Charles, Ward 3 Marshal Nathan Keller
Feb. 14 – Feb. 19
Lafayette, LA
Location: Blackham Coliseum, 2330 Johnston St.
Times: TBD
Partners: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
BOARD ACTION:
Nicholls State University: approval to negotiate and purchase a commercial building located at 203 West Second Street, Thibodaux, Louisiana, formerly occupied by Capital One Bank.
