ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) — Louisiana State University of Alexandria celebrated the dedication and accomplishments of its faculty and staff during the annual Employee Recognition Dinner held Monday, April 28.

The university’s highest faculty honor, the Bolton Award for Teaching Excellence, was awarded to Dr. Julie Gill, Professor of Kinesiology. Established in 1989 through the estate of Mrs. James C. Bolton, the award recognizes a full-time faculty member who exemplifies LSUA’s commitment to teaching, service, and professional development.

Other major awards included the Staff Senate Boss of the Year, which went to Dr. Sarita James, RN, CNE, Professor and Director of the School of Nursing, and the Staff Senate Scholarship, presented to LSUA Head Softball Coach Trent Partridge.

Student-driven recognitions were also part of the ceremony. Cieltia Adams, Tutoring Center Coordinator, received the Outstanding Staff Service award, while Patrick Hunter, Assistant Professor of Performing Arts and the Howard and Eloise Mulder Endowed Chair, earned the Life-Changing Class honor.

Innovative classroom approaches were highlighted through the Center for Teaching Excellence Teaching Innovation honors. Refael Romero Moreno, Instructor of Business, won the Teaching Innovation Award, and Dr. Cheryl Bardales, Director of C.O.R.E., received the Teaching Innovation Grant.

The Outstanding Staff Service Award, which has recognized exceptional non-teaching employees since 1970, was presented to Judy Everett, Custodian II (classified), and Ashley Robinson, Assistant Director of Distance Learning (unclassified).

Additional honors included:

• Faculty Award for Outstanding Service: Elizabeth Azua, Instructor of Radiologic Technology
• Service Above Self Award: Teresa Seymour, Director of Distance Learning
• Rising Star Award: Josie Carmouche, Admissions Support Coordinator
• Four-Star Service Award: Ethan Lipsey, Director of First Year Experience

In a moment of distinction, LSUA Chancellor Dr. Paul Coreil and Dean Jeff Langston announced that the teaching auditorium at the university’s new Downtown Health Education Campus will be named the Haywood B. Joiner Auditorium in honor of Dr. Joiner’s nearly 20 years of service to LSUA and the Central Louisiana medical community.

Fourteen faculty members were awarded Endowed Professorships, which provide salary stipends and professional development funding through donations matched by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The 2024-2025 recipients include:

• Katy McClure – Jenkins-Mulder Endowed Professorship in Business
• Beverly Alwell – Roy O. Martin, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Business
• Adena LeJeune – Vernon & Child, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Business Administration
• Refael Romero Moreno – LSUA College of Business Endowed Professorship
• Jennifer Wright – Capitol One Endowed Professorship in Business
• Emily Weeks – Jack & Sue Ellen Jackson Endowed Professorship in Education
• Jessica Thacker – Robert Rife Sauders Endowed Professorship
• Cole Franklin – Carolyn Cole Sauders Endowed Professorship
• Skyler Braswell – Frances Holt Freedman Endowed Professorship
• Crystal Smith – Barbara Martin Endowed Professorship
• Elizabeth Azua – Rapides Regional Medical Center Endowed Professorship in Radiologic Technology
• Himael Das Gupta – Huie Dellmon Trust Professorship in Science
• Susan Myrick – Joanne Lyles White Endowed Professorship in Education
• Wangling Chou – Richard Bryan Gwartney Endowed Professorship

The evening also recognized retiring employees, including long-time custodian Claudette Green, and honored those who reached milestone years of service. Among them were Dr. Melissa Parks, with 35 years of service, and Dr. Eamon Halpin, Teresa Seymour, and Beth Whittington, each marking 30 years with the university.

LSUA Chancellor Coreil praised the honorees for their dedication, innovation, and impact. “These individuals are the heart of our university,” Coreil said. “Their contributions shape our students’ futures and help elevate the mission of LSUA every day.”