Latest news with #McNeeseStateUniversity
American Press
22-05-2025
- General
- American Press
Mark Bordelon
Mark Dwayne Bordelon, 59, of Lake Charles passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in a local hospital. Mark was born Nov. 11, 1965 in Houston, Texas and has lived most of his life in the Lake area. He was a graduate of Sulphur High School and attended LA Tech University and McNeese State University. He worked his youngest years with friends at Chula Vista and later worked in sales for Billy Navarre Chevrolet. He worked the past 30 years for Johnson Funeral Home where he served countless families in their most difficult times. Mark's nature was a gift to all who knew him, he humbly helped and cared for friends and family with any request, especially in their time of need. He also loved to have a good time. He was a member of Krewe des Lunatiques for many years, was Duke with his Duchess Marion and King with his Queen Marion in 2002, he also served a second time as Duke and again in 2013 was King of the Krewe. He was a member of Krewe des Pirates and was elected as Captain of the Ball for the upcoming Mardi Gras season and as a member of the Buccaneers and their Pirate Festival, Mark enjoyed being a part of the Cannon Crew. He enjoyed driving his Jeep and loved to take it out 'naked' with the top off. Mark's talent was playing pool. He was a member of the LCAPL Tuesday and Thursday night League, was ranked #1 and top 5 of the Top Gun For Men, and competed annually at the State Championship of which this year he entered from the #1 position. His down time was often spent fishing with his son, Patrick, family and friends or vegetable gardening with his son, Austin and bride, Marion, and also dining with his family and friends or watching a game in his recliner while spoiling his dogs. Amongst his greatest times were those he spent sailing the Caribbean with his family, some trips including friends, a tradition they began many years ago that became a two and three a year event. Mark will be most remembered as genuinely humble and kind, a loving son, loyal friend and adoring husband and father. He will be greatly missed. He leaves to honor his memory his wife of 35 years, Marion Mills Bordelon; two sons, Patrick Wayne Bordelon and Austin Lee Bordelon, all of Moss Bluff; his mother, Irma Molina Bordelon of Moss Bluff; brother, Darren Murray Bordelon and wife, Kelly of Houston, Texas; nieces, Regan and Rachel Bordelon and many dear friends. He also leaves his extended family, Marion's Mills family. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2025 in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home. Monsignor Daniel Torres will officiate. The Rev. Steve Shirley will co-officiate. Visitation Friday will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and will resume Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment services will follow in New Ritchie Cemetery. Pallbearers for his service will be his fellow Pirates. Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Louisiana's McNeese State to be site of national center for liquefied natural gas research
May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. officials announced Monday that Louisiana's McNeese State University will be site of the federal government's new national center for liquefied natural gas safety. The university in Lake Charles was selected by officials to be the site of the "National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety" as a subsidiary part of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. "The sheer volume of product supplied by the state of Louisiana is unparalleled and growing, and there is no better place to locate our Center of Excellence," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. McNeese State, the first U.S. undergraduate institution to offer a certificate program in the business of liquefied natural gas, is already the site of its own LNG Center of Excellence. It was described as a "game-changer" for the region in terms of workforce development and "groundbreaking research." "We are excited to be on the forefront of helping ensure safety and sustainability in the energy sector and look forward to working with PHMSA to develop a world-class facility to house their staff," Dr. Wade Rousse, president of McNeese State University, said Monday. 2020's Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act, otherwise known as the PIPE Act, established the center with the aim to "enhance" the United States as the "leader and foremost expert" in LNG operations to facilitate research and development, training, regulatory coordination and to encourage development of LNG safety solutions. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., explained that in 2020 Congress passed the PIPES Act which, he claimed, "improved pipeline safety and infrastructure" in the United States as he also thanked the Trump administration. The Louisiana Republican, 73, was critical of the Biden administration's perceived "hostility" toward fossil fuel industry industry. Last year, the current president solicited $1 billion and got hundreds of millions of dollars from the oil and gas industry in the 2024 campaign while promising to roll back fossil fuel regulations in his effort to stamp out climate change policy. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced last week it had expedited oil and gas production on public land in vehement opposition to environmental experts and activists. Meanwhile, the Trump Energy Department in February signed-off on a Biden policy to permit the use of liquified natural gas as marine fuel in order to reduce LNG regulations targeting motor boats. Kennedy, who reportedly received more than $300,000 in campaign contributions via the fossil fuel industry from 2021-2022, added that as part of the legislation was language that was included to create the "first-ever" National Center of Excellence for LNG Safety in Louisiana under PHMSA, which by 2013 had marked a record number of 116 enforcement orders against American pipeline operators for various safety violations by the federal regulator. "The Center will advance LNG safety by promoting collaboration among government agencies, industry, academia, and other safety partners," stated PHMSA's Acting Administrator Ben Kochman. "Consolidating such remarkable levels of expertise," according to Kochman, will "benefit the LNG sector for many generations to come." Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana's McNeese State to be site of national center for liquefied natural gas research
May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. officials announced Monday that Louisiana's McNeese State University will be site of the federal government's new national center for liquefied natural gas safety. The university in Lake Charles was selected by officials to be the site of the "National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety" as a subsidiary part of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. "The sheer volume of product supplied by the state of Louisiana is unparalleled and growing, and there is no better place to locate our Center of Excellence," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. McNeese State, the first U.S. undergraduate institution to offer a certificate program in the business of liquefied natural gas, is already the site of its own LNG Center of Excellence. It was described as a "game-changer" for the region in terms of workforce development and "groundbreaking research." "We are excited to be on the forefront of helping ensure safety and sustainability in the energy sector and look forward to working with PHMSA to develop a world-class facility to house their staff," Dr. Wade Rousse, president of McNeese State University, said Monday. 2020's Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act, otherwise known as the PIPE Act, established the center with the aim to "enhance" the United States as the "leader and foremost expert" in LNG operations to facilitate research and development, training, regulatory coordination and to encourage development of LNG safety solutions. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., explained that in 2020 Congress passed the PIPES Act which, he claimed, "improved pipeline safety and infrastructure" in the United States as he also thanked the Trump administration. The Louisiana Republican, 73, was critical of the Biden administration's perceived "hostility" toward fossil fuel industry industry. Last year, the current president solicited $1 billion and got hundreds of millions of dollars from the oil and gas industry in the 2024 campaign while promising to roll back fossil fuel regulations in his effort to stamp out climate change policy. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced last week it had expedited oil and gas production on public land in vehement opposition to environmental experts and activists. Meanwhile, the Trump Energy Department in February signed-off on a Biden policy to permit the use of liquified natural gas as marine fuel in order to reduce LNG regulations targeting motor boats. Kennedy, who reportedly received more than $300,000 in campaign contributions via the fossil fuel industry from 2021-2022, added that as part of the legislation was language that was included to create the "first-ever" National Center of Excellence for LNG Safety in Louisiana under PHMSA, which by 2013 had marked a record number of 116 enforcement orders against American pipeline operators for various safety violations by the federal regulator. "The Center will advance LNG safety by promoting collaboration among government agencies, industry, academia, and other safety partners," stated PHMSA's Acting Administrator Ben Kochman. "Consolidating such remarkable levels of expertise," according to Kochman, will "benefit the LNG sector for many generations to come."
American Press
16-05-2025
- General
- American Press
Matthew Jones: Favorite part of teaching is watching students become successful adults
Teacher of the Year Matthew Jones transitioned into a new role: special education. Jones is Beauregard Parish born and bred, and currently resides in Longville. Both of his grandmothers and his brother were teachers in Beauregard Parish. This played a role in his decision to become a teacher, but it was ultimately the dedication of an individual who taught him that inspired him. Throughout his schooling, he encountered several effective educators whom he still talks to today. But it was his high school band director, Gary Michaels, who was the most influential. During Jones' junior and senior years, he was given the opportunity by Michaels to work with younger students. His work to help educate his peers planted the seed that would become his career aspirations. 'Ultimately, I think that God has placed me in a position to have a positive impact on my students.' After graduating from South Beauregard High School in 1995, he earned his Bachelor's in instrumental music education from McNeese State University. He taught instrumental music for over two decades at three different schools: Moss Bluff Middle School, Sam Houston High School and South Beauregard High School. But with 2020 came the COVID-19 pandemic. And with the pandemic came a need for change in Jones' life. The landscape of education became a landmine of uncertainty and 'burnout' for teachers and students alike during 2020 and 2021. He was not immune to these symptoms. 'I seriously considered taking an early retirement,' he recalled. 'My family and I spent time praying about it and considering other options, and I kept thinking about some students that I had taught over the years who had disabilities.' One of his fondest memories as a teacher is of a sixth-grade autistic student who joined the band program. With Jones' guidance, this student stayed active in band until she graduated from high school and 'flourished.' This experience became the catalyst for his decision to make the switch. 'I had several special education students involved in music through the years and enjoyed working with them and seeing them grow,' he explained. 'I felt special education was an area where I could have a positive impact on the lives of students.' He completed the coursework required for his special education certification in 2024 through Grand Canyon University and is now teaching fifth through eighth grade special education at Singer High School. He is also the co-sponsor for the junior and senior Beta Clubs at Singer, as well as a substitute bus driver and driver for extracurricular activities. Like with the sixth-grade student who inspired Jones, his favorite part of the gig is getting to see his students become successful adults. He maintains healthy relationships with them by curating a classroom that is safe and makes it clear he cares about their success. His teaching space might look typical with a table and regular desks, but he also provides the students with cubicles and standing desks. Since each student in special education is unique, these options let them be in their most comfortable position while learning. It also offers flexibility and agency for his students. 'I like to create a place where my students have the freedom and security to tell me what is going on in their lives.' The goal is always to get his students through school so they can succeed in life. But this isn't just for the students. He believes the community benefits greatly when students get a good education and learn skills, like welding and cooking. The relationship is symbiotic, especially for members of the small, rural community, he said. Parents provide support for students and teachers alike, and the school provides services — counseling, occupational therapy, speech therapy — that some parents cannot afford. From his firsthand experience, Jones said every current and future teacher should take the time to be introspective and determine what they need to keep their fire for teaching lit. 'Education can be tough, but it is also extremely rewarding.'
American Press
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Walk springs creativity: Annual Spring Art Walk stroll to a new location
The Spring Art Walk will be noon-4 p.m. Friday at The Quad on the McNeese State University campus. The free, family-friendly event hosted annually by the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA celebrates local art and talent. (Special to the American Press) In the heart of the tree-lined McNeese State University Quad, exciting things are happening this week — especially for artists and art enthusiasts. The annual Spring Art Walk, hosted by the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA, has shifted from its traditional downtown location to the heart of the McNeese campus and the pedestrian promenade it offers. The free, family friendly event is set for noon-4 p.m. Friday. 'It is a jam-packed treat of experience,' said Arts and Humanities Council Board Member at Large Anna Alamond, who said guests can enjoy an afternoon stroll through the campus while exploring a dynamic lineup of activities. 'The Spring Art Walk is going to be absolutely bustling this year.' The open-air market will feature handcrafted goods and original works from more than 50 vendors, as well as interactive art zones. 'We're going to have everything from poetry readings happening to theater performances happening and that will all be available for everyone to see,' she said. 'Whenever you walk in, you're going to see incredible vendors and everything from ceramics to crochets to wonderful paintings — oil and acrylic — and you're going to be surrounded by the creativity.' The air will be alive with performances by local musicians, dancers, poets, and theater groups. Highlights include a sneak peek from Sulphur High School Theatre's production of 'Beetlejuice' and a musical performance by cast members of ACTS Theatre's latest play, 'A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum.' The Indie-rock band Barfly will also perform. 'If you're coming to Spring Art Walk, make sure you bring your favorite sketch book and your favorite picnic blanket because one of the The Art Factory instructors will be there to help facilitate a live figure drawing session,' Alamond said. 'Whoever wants to participate has to have courage because we'll be rotating who's the model. It will basically be a community figure drawing session for anyone who wants to drop in.' Alamond said the decision to move the walk from downtown Ryan Street to McNeese was an easy one. 'Whenever we think about our creative community, so many of our creatives come from McNeese,' she said. 'We wanted to honor those roots and we also hope that anyone who comes to this event will follow us to our events downtown.' Alamond said events like the Spring Art Walk are important for community members to establish connections. 'I can't tell you how many friends I've personally met at Spring Art Walk and it's incredible to see and realize how much wonderful talent comes and grows from right here in our swamp,' she said with a laugh. 'We feel so honored to be able to highlight our local artists and create an opportunity for them to be able to sell their wares and help supplement what it takes to create these wonderful pieces.'
