NSU Press Release From 05/26/2010

Three hundred and eighty-eight students at Northwestern State University have been named to the President’s List for the Spring 2010 semester, according to NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. Students on the President’s List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and make A’s in all academic courses pursued. Those students named to the President’s List for the spring semester listed by hometown were:

APO AP - Sarah E. Stahl;

Abbeville -- Taylor Danielle Orgeron;

Alameda, Calif. -- Gabrielle L. Assayag;

Alexandria -- Kristina S. Allen, Daniel M. Azua, Sarah Marie Durham, Jamar Shaquille Ferguson, Roy T. Henry Jr., Jill Katherine Marien, Adrienne Angele Matt, Mark Steven Sabbides, Kasey C. Spencer, Gina Marie Thompson, Lesley LeAnne Thompson;

Anacoco -- Jessica Nicole Cavanaugh, Tori V. Clemens, Ashley Hillman, Theresa D. McCauley, Connie M. Norris, Matthew Corbin Turnipseed;

Austin, Texas -- Jose Bustamante;

Ball -- Lydia Esther Gomez Kilgo, Tonya Nycole McVay, Destiny N. Westergard;

Basile -- Mariah Glade Courville, Nicholas Clements Courville;

Baton Rouge -- Angelle Renee Lamartiniere, Miles S. Parsons, Kayla L. Porche;

Belle Rose -- Meghan M. Breaux;

Benbrook, Texas -- Jeff C. Campbell;

Benton -- Miranda Rashay Blackmon; Mark F. Springer;

Bienville -- Kaitlin Deanna Doss;

Big Sandy, Texas -- Grace A. Moulton;

Birmingham, Ala. -- Megan Elise Gibson;

Bossier -- Kevin G. Black Jr., Amber Mae Evans;

Bossier City -- Carrie C. Anderson, Victoria Gail Barnhill, Taylor R. Cox, Amy Elizabeth Fain, Justin W. Gieger, Heather N. Guyans, Ryan M. Hernandez, Charissa L. Jobrey, Kristen Kay Lee, Rebecca Rose Meehan, Joshua James Patton, Shannon Marie Pitts, Cara Teece Pulliam, Jennifer Erin Rich, Lauren Elizabeth Sadka, Destiny McKenzie Spoor, Kimberly Rae Stanfield, Courtenay Alessandra Stevens;

Bourg -- Monique Renee Arceneaux, Brittany Lynn Rogers;

Boyce -- Crystal N. Battles, Paul Bonial, Andrew J. Coombs, Jackson Samuel Harmeyer, Donald Edward Mote, Brittani Elizabeth York;

Brno, Czech Republic -- Andrea Nedorostova;

Brusly -- Corwin M. Barnes;

Canton, Texas -- Blair Elizabeth Pierce;

Castor -- Melissa Erin Hall, Jesika Warren Joyner, Joseph L. Joyner, Zachary Trey Thrasher;

Charleston, S.C. -- Julie A. Dunn;

Chelles, France -- Isabelle Zdancewicz;

Choudrant -- Lindsey Nicole Bridges;

Church Point -- Sarah Elizabeth Boudreaux;

Cloutierville -- Courtney A. Rachal;

Colfax -- Betty Rachal;

Columbia -- Sherri Lynn Martin;

Converse -- Emily A. Snelling, Katie J. Springer;

Coppell, Texas -- Sarah Sadler;

Coushatta -- Andreia N. Barbieri, Holly Marie Bradshaw, Jeremy Horton Jones, Taylor A. Lee, Leigh Ann Lockey, Hayley N. Upshaw, Ella L. Winn;

Covington -- Nicholas David Frederick;

Crowley -- Amy Elizabeth Marquart;

Dallas, Texas -- Richelle J. Stephens;

DeQuincy -- Michelle L. Ashworth; Candra L. Chapman;

DeRidder -- Kriston Nickole Brewer; Keith A. Cooley, Ami M. Gaudette, David Paul Moreau, Marcia Jean Reid, Lisbeth Vonbuelow;

DeSoto, Texas -- Kirstie A. White;

Denham Springs -- Ashley Nicole Camp;

Deville -- Cody Wayne Edwards; Dustin Cade McPhate;

Doyline -- Sara B. Mitchell;

Dry Prong -- Laura Michelle Bell Whalen;

Erath -- Ashley N. Kasperski, Donna M. Touchet;

Euless, Texas -- Brendon James Mizener;

Eunice -- Rachael E. McGee, Meagen E. Vasseur;

Falls Church, Va. -- Amanda Katherine Weaver;

Farmerville -- Chassity Hamilton, Chelsey R. Hamilton, Summer N. Tate;

Flint, Texas -- Christopher Davis Lanier;

Fort Polk -- Nancy Flores, April M. Gallant, Joanna C. Harrison, Andrea R. Kephart, Elena Knyshev, Megan Nicholson, Brittney Ann Posey, Jennifer Lee Price;

Geonggi, South Korea -- Min Jung Kim;

Glenmora -- Matthew Francis English, Whitney J. Jones;

Gloster -- Ethan A. Taylor;

Goldonna -- Angela D. Garner;

Gonzales -- Taylor Elaine Morgan;

Grand Cane -- Kayla Nicole Dunn;

Gray -- Lacey D. Campbell;

Grayson -- Kevin Wayne Foy;

Gretna -- Shelita Marie Dalton, Andrew Kyle Lessig;

Harvey -- Jude T. Briscoe;

Haughton -- Taylor B. Campo, Jeffery S. Donaho, Gregory Adam Gagneaux, Jennifer Lou King, Luke J. Teutsch;

Holt, Mo. -- Mathias Simmons;

Hornbeck -- Melissa Mary Ellen Hale, Tiffany Nicole Lora, Treasure L. Stringer;

Houma -- Richard A. Ellender;

Ironton -- Adasha R. Trufant;

Jasper, Ga. -- Christopher Daniel Ridler;

Jena -- John J. Barker, Leslie Bradford;

Jennings -- Anthony J. Gloston, Eddie Higginbotham IV;

Joaquin, Texas -- Alix Claire Andres;

Katy, Texas -- Yaser H. Elqutub;

Keithville -- Michael P. Rigby;

Keller, Texas -- Tatiana Elena Vincent;

Kilgore, Texas -- Paul R. Adams;

Knoxville, Tenn. -- Brandy Marquetta Hines;

Lafayette -- Joshua R. Fage;

Lafayette -- Sean Daniel McClellan, Jessica Marie Quebedeaux;

Lake Charles -- Kimberly M. Cascio; Caitlyn Danelle Davis, Whitney Danae' Duhon, Hannah Marie Kelly, Oshe Renee' Lewis, Israel Shane Mouton, Allison L. Reed, Kevin Ross Stallion, Ashanti Nicole Walls;

Las Vegas, Nev. -- Philip Patrick Duffy;

Laurel, Miss. -- Jacob A. Deniakos;

LeBlanc -- Jennifer Marie Duhon;

Lebanon, Ill. -- Krysta LiAnne Engel;

Lecompte -- Wendi Jenkins;

Leesville -- Christianna Burwell, Steven T. Cambron, Emily Nicole Clarke, Rachel Mekenzie Cooper, Samantha M. Haymon, Patience M. Mattes, Watson Kent Nichols, Amber N. Powell, Kacee D. Rogers, Thomas Q. Stanford, Timothy S. Stanford, Marlana M. Stokes, Crystal Marie Triche, Diana E. Veseth-Nelson, Mathew Allen Wallace, Solmarie Wright;

Lena -- Andrea E. Kile;

Lindale, Texas -- Bryan Scott Johnson;

Logansport -- Misty Carol Taylor;

Luling -- Cherrelle M. Williams;

Lutcher -- Janell Marie Bourgeois;

Madisonville -- Lori M. Engolia;

Mamou -- John Vidrine;

Mandeville -- Justin I. Lyon, Melody Martin O'Connell;

Mansura -- Jesse E. Johnson;

Many -- Stephanie Leigh Branch, Ashley Nicole Davis, Laurin N. Guillot, Nichole Rose Halpain, Anna C. Williams;

Marksville -- Brandi Lynn Guilbeau, Caitlin Michelle Guillory, Jessica M. Lacombe, Jamie M. Laborde McNeal;

Marthaville -- Phillip B. Adams, Jessica M. Bass, Vanessa Renee Birdwell, Devin S. Lewis;

Mena, Ark. -- Casey Leigh Broadway;

Merryville -- Mary C. Pitre;

Metairie -- Katherine R. McGowan;

Millbrook, N.Y. -- Matthew William Reilly;

Minden -- Lanetta Leona Green, Ruby L. Paul, Sarah Jean Timmons;

Monroe -- Jaleesa M. Garth, Debra Renee Robinson, Ashley N. Tolliver;

Montgomery -- Tonya Lawson Ayres, Trinicia Shalise Leonard, Lindsey M. McQueary;

Morgan City -- Kristen Michelle Daisy;

Natchez -- Lawrence Dewayne Seawood;

Natchitoches -- Juliana da Silva Abreu, Tenita L. Almore, Brandon L. Bernard, Lauren D. Berry, Michael James Blackburn, Sheena Ann Brauer, Petra Bubanja, Jana L. Burnett, Cassidy Brooke Byles, Michael Chasteen, Christopher Edward Collins, Victoria Crews, Angelica Cruz, Glen Anthony Daigle, Heather D. Daigle, Molly Fay Danley, DeAnn Renae Carpenter Elkins, Gaelle Faraudello, Rhonda Vanessa Farris, Maria Jeanette Forsius, Mylie G. Hadden, Amber Leigh Ann Hamous, Brooke R. Humphries, Carolyn A. Jolivette, Annabel Fiske Jones, Sussette Thomas Lane, James C. Lasyone, Katie J. Maggio, Rachel A. McCalister, Jeanne Michelle Meyer, Whitney L. Mixon, Stephanie L. Montgomery, Ashley R. Nielsen, Joshua Lawrence Nuss, Leah D. Pagels,

Shannon L. Pearce, Hannah Machelle Perot, Sheri Lynn Prothro, Brandon Latroy Raymond, Nichole E. Rogerson, Lindsey Nicole Rome, David C. Royal, Nicole Kristin Rung, Bianca Isabell Schulz, Clinton A. Stanfield, Julia Marie Storrs, Nicholas Alan Treusch;

Negreet -- Adyson Breanne McMillian;

New Iberia -- Vanner James Erikson;

New Orleans -- Arielle B. Craige;

Oakdale -- Crystal Nicole Craig;

Olive Branch, Miss. -- Allison Marie Brewer;

Opelousas -- Corey A. Chachere, Laramie D. Lemon, Meredith Richard;

Ore City, Texas -- Cameron J. Jones;

Pelican -- Brendan Jay Hall, Willis Glen Wilburn;

Pine Prairie -- Alyssa Brooke McDaniel;

Pineville -- Allison Kaye Carpenter, Cassidy Noel Cole, Skylar R. Collins, Marissa J. Copeland, Ashley Nicole Difulco, Joshua W. Greer, Cheryl N. Lewis, Gwendolyn D. Mayeux, Brittni Shea Mendoza, Allison Jill Miller, John Reynolds Sewell, Kacie L. Smith, Joanna R. Snipes;

Pitkin -- Jenny M. Abel, Carrie Virginia Falke, Jamey L. Nelson;

Pittsburg, Texas -- Austin Alexander Jesmore;

Pleasant Hill -- Arthur Kirk Martin, Emily C. Neal;

Pollock -- Daphne Fay Howell-Price;

Prairieville -- Brittany Michelle Culotta;

Provencal -- Amanda K. Jones;

Ralston, Alberta, Canada -- Rheanne M. Gibbons;

Rayne -- Mary Joyce Hebert, Kaitlin Elyse Peart;

Rhinehart -- Dustie G. Guillotte;

Richmond, Texas -- Yelena C. Enwere;

Rio Vista, Texas -- Stephen Wade Duncan;

Robeline -- Vera Kay Day, Austen Moore Dockens;

Robert -- Micah Gregory Malnar;

Rockwell, Texas -- Whitney D. Gochinas;

Rosepine -- Erin E. Dupuis, Kimberley Lynn Thompson;

St. Amant -- Morgan Deshea Hebert;

St. Augustine, Fla. -- Catherine A. Morrison;

St. Gabriel -- Hattie J. Vaughn;

St. James -- Tonga M. Jones;

Saline -- Gillian D. Hough;

Sarepta -- Jared Wayne Weems; Keli Marks Weems;

Scott -- Eric S. Deblanc;

Senica, Slovakia -- Jana Krajciova;

Shreveport -- Emily Danielle Adams, Shardai Simone Adesola, Ashley Lynn Allred, Bijay Kumar Banstola, Amie Wilson Bartlett, Reagan Ansley Burke, Angel Dawn-Marie Butler, Kimberly R. Caswell, Sarah Elizabeth Crawford, Angela Janesse Cutrer, Amy Renee Deramus, Amber Nicole Henderson Estess, Austin E. Folks, Lakisha Meshell Hayes, Tiffany Patton Henderson, Diana Marie Holman, Adrielle T. Jackson, Emily Jett Jones, Millie Kay Kimmell, Jacob Damien Leger, Lauren Nichole Lewis, Travis G. Loftin, Lauren Lupo, Amber Nicole Merendino, Miles Jay Oliver, Jean Michelle Robinson, Gerald Wayne Stephens, Brian Keith Thomas, Allison Nicole Tison, Laura Beth Whitehead, Erin E. Williams, Krastina S. Wittman;

Simmesport -- Mareo M. Webb;

Simpson -- Devin Kory Averitt, Jessica Marie Bolton;

Springfield -- John Matthew Hughes;

Starks -- Zechariah T. Jones, Desire'e Glorice Parker;

Stonewall -- Cassie Dene' Allums, Christian Danielle Bentley;

Sugar Land, Texas -- Eva L. Wilson;

Tatum, Texas -- Randall C. Sullivan;

Terrytown -- Katie M. Stockton;

The Woodlands, Texas -- Brandon Michael Gay;

Thibodaux -- Sarah Elizabeth Hunt;

Ustinad Laben, Czech Republic -- Martina Rubesova;

Ville Platte -- Jacob P. Matherne;

White Sands Missile Range, N.M. -- Leasha Marie Hillhouse;

West Monroe -- Molly Elizabeth Harris, Staci K. Holloway;

Westlake -- Mary P. Hebert;

Winnfield -- Caleb Dewayne Austin, Wendy M. Barton, Rachel Ann Collins, Megan Rene` Rabalais;

Woodworth -- Eileen F. Peterson;

Zachary -- Cherie' Nicole Primes;

Zwolle -- Hilary S. Parrie.

John Taylor...50 in 9 Days...

...and all I can really think is... if he's going to be fifty, that means that I'm going to be fifty one day. I never thought such was possible. Who ever heard of such? Fifty?

Oh You've Got Green Eyes Oh You've Got Blue Eyes Oh You've Got Grey Eyes

Tuesday night.

Started behavioral statistics at one o'clock this afternoon after working all morning in multiple departments at NSU. It was one of those classes where I was constantly hoping that I would get out of there early and only halfway paying attention to the lecture. I mean, I got it. I learned it. I heard it. But I wasn't really into it. Foreshadowing? The first of twelve classes. Only eleven more to go. I'm hoping that some of them will be at least a little more captivating than this one.

When I left the building, there was a silver summer storm brewing and big, fat drops of rain scattered all over the parking lot. Not enough to accumulate. Not enough to wash all these dead, dried flowers off my car. Not enough to really cool things down from this near one-hundred degree, almost oppressive heat.

Came home. Worked on the group Facebook page for the NSU Shreveport SNA. I hope I can get a few new members to join and be a part of this deal. Of course, I can only be fair with my expectations. I mean, I have moments of tremendous passion followed by periods of extended apathy when it comes to everything. How do you make that go away?

Third Six Weeks Session

Today is the start of the third weeks summer session at NSU and the end of my brief period of freedom from checking messages and announcements and instructor posts until July 17th, when the session screeches to a halt and another, shorter break begins.

As always, I set the alarm on my cell for fifteen minutes prior to the time that I actually wanted to rise and start getting ready for my day. The beeps began at 0430 and the radio alarm blared its breath at 0445. Of course, I didn't actually get up on time. Instead, I jumped up to silence the radio and hit the cell snoozer about six times before finally resigning myself to the finality of the weekend and struggling to pull myself to the land of the living.

In a way, I feel a little sad that the break's already done, but the truth is I really don't know what I'd do with myself without deadlines and extra work towards my future and commitments and assignments and special projects that are all set to aid my nursing and addiction studies endeavors. I suppose I really should already be in the shower, but my clothes for today at Garden Park are already laid out and my lunch is made and it shouldn't take me more than twenty minutes to shower and shave and dress for the first day at work where my desk won't be littered with piles of everything that has been building and pressing and urging attention. I experienced a successful run last week as I completed everything that was anything, even putting the idea of going in over the weekend out of my mind as I knew I'd need the rest prior to a six week term that would suggest my attention on all sorts of personal endeavors in addition to scholastic stipulations.

At approximately 0701, I stubbed out a Marlboro Light (now, only Marlboro gold packs because to call a cigarette a "light" cigarette supposedly somehow suggests a less dangerously addictive cancer stick), and I already have the 21mg nicotine patch laid out on the counter and ready for its placement on the right upper deltoid - the other times I've done this, I've always started on the left, and I've never started the day with the last of my cigarettes to apply a patch later. I'm hoping that this time will be the time that I will be successful in my plan for cessation.

We shall say which way the wind blows. If I can quit smoking, then I know that I can beat just about anything as long as I put my heart and my soul and my determination into it. My plan is to document the sights and sounds and cravings and issues that arise here and to see how many days I can last.

Today is Day One.

Maintenance

Yes, I have been quite remiss in any updates...even managed to pass my one year anniversary of keeping this blog. Wonderful dad I am sometimes, but that's what happens when academics and work-studies and work-related efforts begin to generally overtake your life and request and require more of your time than you expect and/or plan to give initially. Odd deal, the hurrier you go, the behinder you get... but I've written about that before, haven't I?

Imprint, one of the student nursing magazines to which I subscribe, is requesting submissions from student nurses that offer innovative and creative study tips for their upcoming fall semester issue. I've been working on it and decided to compile a few of the bits here to see how things look when transcribed from the hand-written to the typed-up face of my laptop screen:

"In addition to my overzealous matriculation as a full time student working toward a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing, I've added a secondary major in Addiction Studies; and because several of the clinical semesters I have ahead are only composed of about nine hours (and twelve is the magic number to maintain financial aid stability), and if it's necessary that I take additional courses to achieve full-time status, I should definitely ensure those courses count towards something. Between semesters composed of anywhere from fifteen to twenty hours, adhering to a schedule of thirty-plus hours with work, holding positions with both SGA and SNA, and balancing academic related commitments with exercise, hobbies, a personal life, and some time for rest, finding the most tactical approaches to studying is absolutely essential.

First of all, I make it a point to never miss a lecture. Although textbooks are replete with a plethora of unbeatable information, there are often details and instructor-stressed aspects that would otherwise be easily, passively skimmed or completely overlooked. Additionally, I try to arrive for lectures prepared, having read through chapters and any other appropriate information prior to class time. If I haven't gotten all the way through the reading, I at least read the chapter headlines, section breaks, summaries, key words, and review questions. If this information is important enough to the men and women creating the textbook and the instructor has selected the book as his or her manual, then this highlighted information is likely essential to my understanding of the material. Between lectures, I never allow more than two days to pass before I peel out my notes and neatly recopy them from the crude pencil notes into a very legible binder loaded with looseleaf paper. In a way, it's like receiving the lecture twice, and I can consult my textbook or the internet to better explain any concepts I may be finding difficult to grasp. That being said, keep in mind that the internet can be an absolute wonderland of videos and animations and even thousand-dollar lectures on the same topic that have been recorded to broadcast from prestigious universities.

Once the notes are re-written, I can easily go through to highlight points on which to focus, a practice from which note cards and quick study guides can be generated. One must note that nursing is a field that incorporates the arts and science. Many answers may be black and white, but it is imperative to begin thinking critically and to begin trying to think through to the best possible conclusion.

Finally, the best advice I can give is that everyone must begin to network: make friends and formulate a small study group. Compose your circle of students working toward the same degree, preferably those who are also at the same level. Surround yourself with others who are just as passionate and pushing towards the same ends as you. Compile your group of others you admire and respect and remember that the more diverse and varied your circle, the more information you're likely to receive and retain."

Not bad. A bit long. Definitely needs some revision and editing... and the ending needs work. Ah... lemme move on to something else now.