Buckles named McNeese provost

Michael Buckles has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at McNeese State University, according to Wade Rousse, McNeese president. Buckles has been serving in the interim role since May 2024.

Buckles received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Louisiana State University, his Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Tulane University.

His plans include collaborative efforts to attract students from across the state and to provide the assistance they need to earn a degree. For job placement, he hopes to strengthen connections with regional employers to ensure McNeese graduates are well-prepared for their careers.

Previously he was dean of McNeese’s College of Liberal Arts. He was appointed dean in 2018. While he was dean, the college added new academic concentrations and established a food pantry for students. He worked extensively on recruiting and retaining students  and faculty, with intentional efforts to recruit non-traditional students.

Buckles, a professor of music and a violinist, began his career at McNeese in 2002 and served as head of the W.A. and Dorothy Hanna Department of Performing Arts at McNeese from 2011-2017. As department head, he oversaw the recent National Association of Schools  of Music accreditation visit and raised $25,000 in endowed funds for faculty development.

Buckles is a member of several university committees including the Student Advocacy Committee and Academic Advisory Council and is the Undergraduate Research Coordinator. He is also active in the community with Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and the Lake Charles Symphony.

Buckles was on the University of Louisiana System (ULS) Task Force-Feasibility of Maritime Education and the ULS Academic Summit Planning. He is a board member for the National String Project Consortium and on the review board for the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education.

Weeks is Mayor’s Mentor Awardee

As part of the city of Lake Charles’ Love your City event, Reginald Weeks was named the 2024 Mayor’s Mentor Awardee by Mayor Nic Hunter.

Weeks has dedicated his career to serving challenged youth. As the director and founder of local nonprofit Commitment to Change (C2C), he aims to assist our youth and young adults who have been in trouble with the school system, arrested, or on probation or parole.

Through C2C, Weeks’ program provides counseling on financial literacy, substance abuse, parenting, decision making and social skills. C2C also offers insight on how to gain access to community resources.

Additionally, he  works to tackle disparity in ACT/SAT scores for minorities and children of lower socioeconomic status. Via C2C, Mr. Weeks raises funds to purchase Casio Advanced System calculators and works with local school counselors and principals to identify and provide students with this valuable tool, equipping them for success and increasing their chances for higher scores and additional scholarship opportunities.

“We had a number of deserving nominees for this year’s award, but what really stood out about the work Mr. Weeks is doing is his commitment to youth who may have already made some ill-advised decisions. These young men and women deserve a second chance, and Mr. Weeks helps them see this opportunity, as well. His efforts are paying off,” Hunter said.

Arabie honored during training

Members of the Lake Charles Police Department motorcycle operators recently attended the 28th annual Gulf Coast Motorcycle Skills Training course in Gonzales. During the week, over 100 officers and deputies from throughout the United States participated in various training exercises designed to improve the safety and handling ability of personnel assigned to police motorcycle patrol duties.

At the conclusion of the training, officers can choose to participate in various exercises to test their skills gained, during which Lake Charles Police Officer Christian Arabie placed fifth overall in his division.

Arabie, currently assigned to the patrol division, has been motor certified since November 2022 and occasionally rides a police motorcycle for special events and parades.

Lavoi leads presentations

Sydney Lavoi, a Lake Charles pilot and member of the Ninety-Nines, served on the staff of Air Academy sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), held in Oshkosh, Wis.

Lavoi gave presentations and assisted with activities including model rocketry, flight theory, and navigation during six camp sessions for meddle and high school students.

Staff members and students were given helicopter and fixed wind airplane rides as well attended the EAA AirVenture Airshow, the world’s largest, held in Oshkosh.

Health care recognition

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Nursing Home Association is proud to honor several outstanding individuals who set the standard for excellence in long-term care throughout the state.

The Louisiana Nursing Home Association is proud to announce the 2024 Award recipients:

Medical Director of the Year: Dr. Greg Lord, The Woodlands Healthcare Center in Leesville.

CNA of the Year for Region 7: Robin Fontenot, Resthaven Nursing & Rehabilitation in Lake Charles.

The LNHA is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 250 member nursing facilities and assisted living facilities that care for more than 25,000 of Louisiana’s elderly and disabled individuals each day.