Naquin named Sulphur fire chief

Sulphur Mayor Mike Danahay is proud to announce the official appointment of John “Rusty” Naquin to Fire Chief for the City of Sulphur Fire Department.

Naquin has served with the city of Sulphur Fire Department for 25 years, as well as the United States Marine Corps for four years.

“We are confident that Chief Naquin’s leadership and experience will be an integral part in moving our city forward,” Danahay said.

Buck wins LCTCS  educator award 

Sowela Instructor Darrell Buck recently received the top honor at the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) conference, the first Sowela faculty member to receive the award since its inception. Buck beat out numerous Louisiana community and technical college applicants to take home the “President’s Award for Teaching Excellence” and the $5,000 cash prize.

Buck is a digital arts and communication Instructor and has worked at Sowela for 10 years. He is a faculty advisor for SkillsUSA and won the “Pillar of SkillsUSA” award at the Louisiana SkillsUSA competition this past spring, among numerous other honors during his tenure. Buck is also the Sowela Graphic Arts Club Advisor and serves on several college committees, including the Digital Arts and Communication Advisory Committee, Sowela Student Art Show Committee and Honors Ceremony Committee. He is an Army veteran.   

The “President’s Award for Teaching Excellence” aims to recognize an exceptional educator in Louisiana’s community and technical colleges. It is awarded annually to one teaching faculty member in LCTCS who distinctly represents the teaching excellence found in the statewide system of colleges.

McNeese bestows 7 Emeritus status

McNeese State University honored seven faculty members with Emeritus status for their exemplary service to students, the university and the community.

The 2023 recipients were recognized at a recent reception during McNeese Week for faculty and staff.

Emeritus titles are awarded to retired faculty and administrators in recognition of distinguished academic careers and professional contributions and those who have served significant portions of their careers at McNeese.

Receiving 2023 Professor Emeritus status were: Dr. Dan Denson, health and human performance, Burton College of Education; Dr. Linda Brannon, psychology, and Dr. Amy Bufford, nursing, both in the College of Nursing and Health Professions; Dr. Juliana Hinton and Dr. Mark Wygoda, both in biology in the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics; Robert Earl Turner, vice president for business affairs; and Richard Reid, vice president for university advancement.

Edmiston named award recipient

NEW ORLEANS — Visit Lake Charles President and CEO Kyle Edmiston was honored with a Louisiana Community and Technical College System Foundation 2023 Impact Award. Edmiston received the Joe D. May Excellence in Public Policy Award during at the LCTCS Impact Awards Gala in New Orleans.

The LCTCS Impact Awards recognizes individuals, organizations, business and industry whose leadership efforts have been notably effective in advancing Louisiana’s education and workforce needs of students, businesses and communities.

Sowela Technical Community College Chancellor Neil Aspinwall said he nominated Edmiston because of his outstanding work in developing policies, engaging stakeholders, and advocating on behalf of the education and workforce needs of the state.

BECi named  ‘5-Star Co-op’

DERIDDER — BECi has been named a “5-Star Co-op” by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

The 5-star designation recognizes BECi’s high level of participation in Co-ops Vote, a national get-out-the-vote campaign. The non-partisan campaign seeks to engage voters and boost voter turnout in areas served by electric co-ops all across the country.

Five-star status marks is achieved when a participating co-op completes at least five activities under the program.

BECi earned this distinction by promoting its campaign on social media, placing an article in its co-op newsletter, displaying a poster/materials in the Co-op lobby/office, placing a release, guest column, or editorial about the campaign in a local newspaper, and developing a political game plan.