CLIFT MARTIN (Omega 1914)
As a fall 1914 initiate, Clift Martin already had one year of law school under her belt. Clift became the first woman to attend the LSU Law School, enrolling in 1913. Clift graduated from law school in 1916 and was admitted to the bar the same year. Per the November 1916 issue of the Adelphean:
“Clift came to LSU in September 1913, from Shreveport High School, one of the best high schools in the State. During her “freshie” days she afforded much excitement and aroused admiration in the College World being the first girl to deviate from the courses of the Academic Department and since then we are proud to say that “Judge” (her title acquired from the Law School) has made a record of her own. Her recent success as Judge of the last session of Moot Court makes it safe to us, supported by the opinion of Dean Tullus, to predict a brilliant future for the young lawyer, who will win honors for Alpha Delta Pi. Clift has held various class offices and has not limited her energy to the professional life but has always taken a prominent part in the social circles of the University.”
As an alumna, Clift assisted in forming an alumnae association in Shreveport.
Sadly, Clift died in Shreveport on August 14, 1923 at the age of 29.
MARY DIVINE COLEMAN HERGET (Honorary Omega 1916)
Mrs. Mary Coleman Herget was a patroness of Omega chapter practically from the time the chapter was founded. Mary hosted many Omega luncheons, teas and parties at her home in Baton Rouge. She was initiated as an honorary Alpha Delta Pi on May 24, 1916. Her daughters were also Omegas. Mrs. Herget went on to become the Dean of Women at LSU, taking on the job during the 1920-1921 school year. She served as LSU’s Dean of Women for many years.
Judging from news articles from the 1920’s, Mrs. Herget must have had her hands full with the antics of the co-eds, as evidenced by this news item from December 18, 1925:
BATON ROUGE, La., Dec. 18. — A. P.)—Co-education at Louisiana State University must be proven by the co-eds themselves that it is a safe thing. This is the opinion expressed by Col. Thomas D. Boyd, president of the university. “Report has gone abroad,” says the L. S. U. president, “that because of the lack of dormitories the young women of the school are uncontrolled and consequently every questionable act committed in Baton Rouge is attributed to the co-eds at Louisiana State.” Col. Boyd has put it up to the coeds of L. S. U. to disprove this, for he says, “If the girls want to go to the new university permanently it is their duty to prove to the people of Louisiana that co-education at Louisiana State University is a safe thing.” In connection with this, the president has warned the co-eds against indiscreet actions, such as smoking in view of the reflection cast on the university, Mrs. Mary C. Herget, dean of women, has also urged the girls of Louisiana State to even greater efforts for the rest of the year “We are at the first hurdles of the year,” she explained, “and I sincerely hope that every girl will make the grade, and that none will fall by the wayside.”
And here is another missive, this one from the United Press on August 21, 1928:
Baton Rouge, LA (U.P.) August 21, 1928
Co-eds of Louisiana State University here are facing a curtailment of their heretofore almost “go and come as you please” life when the new semester begins in September, all because Governor Huey P. Long believes modern youth has too much freedom.
The edict of the governor, imparted to the faculty by Mrs. Mary C. Herget, dean of women, deprives the girls of several date nights a week and inures them more sleep.
No girl student will be allowed out later than 10 o’clock at night on her “nights out.” Other nights she must be in the dormitories by 7 o’clock. Under the new ruling sophomores will be allowed two “dates” a week; juniors, three and seniors, four. Co-eds will not be allowed to ride in automobiles unless accompanied by their parents.
Mrs. Herget passed away in 1963 at the age of 90. Omega chapter honored her memory by commissioning a portrait of her. The painting was presented to LSU during Omega Chapter’s 50th anniversary celebration on May 3, 1964. LSU also honored Mrs. Herget by naming a dormitory in her honor: Mary Coleman Herget Hall, which opened in 1964.
DORIS BROUSSARD BENTLEY, PhD (Omega 1936)
Doris Broussard Bentley received her BS in 1938, her MS in 1956 and her PhD in 1971, all from LSU. Dr. Bentley joined the faculty at USL (now ULL) in the fall of 1959 teaching in the Department of Secretarial Science. Upon completion of her doctorate, Doris was appointed the department head of the newly named Department of Office Administration. Doris retired from USL in 1986, but she continued to serve as a Supervising Teacher for Business Education Teachers for several more years. In addition to her faculty position at USL, Doris also taught in UL’s continuing education program called BITS — Business and Industry Training.
Doris has been very involved in the Lafayette community. She was a founding member of the Lafayette Mayor’s Commission on the Needs of Women. In 2006 the Zonata Club of Lafayette named her the 2006 Woman of Achievement Award Winner. In 2009 she was recognized by the Louisiana Association of Business Educators for her lifetime commitment to business education within the State of Louisiana.
In 2011, the Dr. Doris Broussard Bentley Endowed Professorship in Business Administration at UL-Lafayette was endowed by her son, Bruce Bentley in honor of Dr. Bentley.
Dr. Bentley passed away on February 7, 2015 at the age of 95 years.
JEWEL LYNN DE GRUMMOND DELAUNE (Omega 1942)
Lynn de Grummond Delaune is the author/co-author of several children’s books. Lynn received her undergraduate degree in 1945 where she was salutatorian of the graduating class. She went on to receive her master’s degrees in Southern history and library science from LSU. She served as a Special Services Librarian in Japan in the early 1950’s. Lynn’s first book was published in 1955. She went on to collaborate with her mother, Dr. Lena de Grummond, on several children’s biographies. Their books are part of the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi.
For several years, Lynn was an assistant professor of education, teaching children’s literature, at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. In addition to her literary skills, Lynn is also very artistic. She had her own crewel embroidery business where she created and sold nine different Colonial style embroidery kits based upon Lynn’s own designs. Lynn continues to live in Williamsburg, where she has been very active in several civic organizations.
HELEN BURKHART PREHN (Omega 1945)
Helen Burkhart Prehn began her college career at Baylor University, but after her freshman year she transferred to LSU where she majored in history and Spanish. Helen joined Alpha Delta Pi’s Omega chapter at LSU and was initiated in 1945. She served as treasurer of LSU’s Panhellenic Council and then as President of Omega chapter.
Helen began her volunteer work with Alpha Delta Pi in 1952 when she served as a Province President. In 1975 she was elected to Grand Council of Alpha Delta Pi serving as Grand Secretary for four years. She served two more terms as a Province Director and was the Collegiate Panhellenic Relations Director in District 5 from 1998 to 2007 when she completed her volunteer service. During her more than fifty years of service to the sorority, she was also an advisor to Delta Beta chapter at Lamar University, City Panhellenic representative for the San Antonio Alumnae Association, and Alumnae State Director for Texas.
Helen’s career included working at IBM, Baylor Medical Center, Texas Health Science Center and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Department of Neurosurgery. She served on the boards of St. David’s Medical Center, St. David’s Foundation, and People’s Community Clinic. She was also President of the St. David’s Medical Center Auxiliary.
At the time of Helen’s passing in 2013, Alpha Delta Pi International President, Tammie Pinkston, commented, “Helen was a life loyal Alpha Delta Pi. She exuded class, grace, and poise in a manner to which we should all aspire. She will certainly be missed.”
Helen Burkhart Prehn certainly exemplified our motto, “We live for each other” and her devotion to Alpha Delta Pi and her community is something all LSU Omegas should strive to emulate.
ARGIRO LOUCHIS MORGAN, PhD (Omega 1952)
Argiro Louchis Morgan was recently honored with a prestigious national award when she was selected for the American Library Association Trustee Citation for distinguished service, an honor that recognizes contributions of key individuals out of more than 60,000 American citizens who serve on library boards.
Argiro has served on the St. Tammany Library Board since 1999 and has been president since 2006, not to mention being appointed to the State Library Commission by Governor Bobby Jindal in 2008. She now serves as the president of the Louisiana State Library Commission.
Not only has Mrs. Morgan been involved for more than 20 years with the library system, both locally and at a state level, but it seems she has more enthusiasm now than ever before to support the library system. In 2011, she revitalized the St. Tammany Parish Library Foundation as a way to assist with declining state funding.
But for Argiro, her love of libraries did, in fact, begin when she was 7 or 8 years of age, and is tied to a close relationship with her father—a man who only obtained a fifth grade education because his family in Greece needed him to work and help the family. It was later in life, married in the United States, that he encouraged a young Argiro to “do well in school and make your intellectual efforts the number one thing in your life.”
“He wasn’t teaching me because of money, he taught me that no matter what level in life you achieve, do your best and gain the best education you can,” she recalled.
Growing up in New Orleans, Morgan followed her father’s advice as she walked close to a mile every day to get from her home on Ursulines Avenue to Canal Street, where a public library was available to her.
“Back then, New Orleans was a safe city and you could walk that far,” she said with a smile. “The library became my place to go—I loved fairy tales since they are very exciting, very moral and the good people usually prevail. It’s where I perfected my reading skills.”
As she got older, she moved on to Charles Dickens and Jane Austen books, and developed such a love for the libraries, that it inspired her in school. She graduated as the Valedictorian at John McDonough High School, was the student body president and skipped two grades since she was such a good student.
“The interesting thing is that I was really quite shy, but I loved dramatics and plays, which brought me out of my shell,” she said. “That also led to an opportunity to be interviewed for a teen show they were starting on WNOE, and I was selected to do the show every week, interviewing other teens, even though I was only 15.”
Morgan said her inspiration to do her best always came from her father, who was one of nine children in a Greek family that was suddenly fatherless and on their own. “The tradition in Greece is that if a father dies, the oldest boy has the responsibility to take care of the orphan children, and that’s what happened,” she said. “That’s the reason my father could only go through the fifth grade. He began to work on ships, helping support the other children, which ended up taking him around the entire world.”
The stop in New Orleans is what settled the matter of traveling for her father, as he met a woman working in the big city, who lived in Alabama. “He and my mother ended up getting married and he no longer traveled, but settled in New Orleans,” she recalled.
“Greek fathers are known for being more like a mother and a father,” Morgan said with a chuckle. “He was everything to me. Greek fathers are very loving to their daughters, and he was just that way with me. I learned so much from him.”
Morgan said she headed for college, planning to continue in drama. She excelled again and graduated as the Valedictorian of her class at LSU with a Bachelor’s of Arts in literature, with minors in history, political science and communications. She earned a prestigious scholarship as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow to Washington University in St. Louis, where she met and married her college sweetheart and raised four sons.
She later earned a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from UNO, before also adding a Masters in Theology in 1994.
“I loved learning,” she said quite clearly. “To this day, I love learning and that’s why books are so wonderful, and why the library is so important to our community.”
She stayed home to raise her four sons, but once they were older, taught for 25 years, beginning at Xavier University where she instructed students in Children’s Literature and Language Arts. She began the first Montessori school in New Orleans in 1964 and was the first private school in the city to admit African American students.
Moving to the North Shore just over 20 years ago, she became involved in the library system, getting appointed to the St. Tammany Board in 1999 and being named president in 2006, a position she holds to this day. She was instrumental in aiding the system to get funding for the newest parish library in Madisonville that was opened less than a year ago, the first parish library built in 20 years. However, she said St. Tammany Parish still needs more libraries and the next target area is the south side of Slidell, since that branch was shut down by Hurricane Katrina.
“People still think libraries are only a warehouse of books. But we have kept up with the times and have every high tech capability you need,” she said. “We have classes to teach people how to use computers, we have dozens of computers for public use, and our online system offers e-books from your home computer. You can even get any magazines for free through the library system.”
But through all she does, Morgan’s successes still go back to the Greek father, whom she remembers today as if it were 60 years ago. “He taught me to always do my best at anything I do,” she said. “And do it with kindness.”
Source: Excerpts from The Tammany West 4/29/2014
SHEILA LYTLE MOORE (Omega 1957)
Sheila was one of six women to receive a medical degree from the LSU Medical School in 1964. She became board certified in pediatric hematology/oncology in 1984. Dr. Moore served as the medical director of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Affiliate Clinic in Baton Rouge from 1998 until 2014. She now serves as the clinic’s medical director emeritus and continues to work four days a week at the clinic. Dr. Moore has authored several publications focusing on sickle cell anemia.
Sheila’s professional memberships include: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association of Blood Bank, Baton Rouge Oncology Group; Past President, American Medical Woman’s Association, Baton Rouge Chapter, East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society; and School Health Committee Member.
ADDIE TUREAU RUEY (Omega 1967)
Addie Tureau graduated in 1969 from LSU with a degree in accounting. She worked in public accounting and financial services in New Orleans where she became a Certified Public Accountant. After marrying John Ruey, Addie moved to Chicago with her new husband. She began a career in international banking and completed her MBA at night at DePaul University. While at a predecessor company of Bank of America, she managed the worldwide accounting and operations for the bank’s global trading and investments sector. Later she became part of senior management of a predecessor company of J P Morgan Chase where she managed the organization’s operations for the $1+ billion public and private equity proprietary investments. She currently has a consulting firm, A.T. Ruey CPA, where she has helped clients centralize their international operations, start new businesses and assist businesses in making process improvements.
During Addie’s active career, she had two sons who are now both successful professionals in Chicago. Addie found time to also be active in volunteer boards and charities. She was a board member of the Ronald Knox Montessori School and she was a co-chairman of New Trier High School’s strategic planning process. More recently, Addie was highly involved with the Winnetka Community House, which is a non-profit organization that provides an array of enriching services to the local community with no taxpayer costs. Addie was part of the Community House’s executive board where she was treasurer, head of the audit and finance committee, and a member of the endowment board.
Addie lives in Winnetka, Illinois with her husband, but makes frequent trips to Louisiana to visit relatives.
DINAH CUROLE BRADFORD (Omega 1968)
Last August, Dinah Curole Bradford was awarded the Papal Medal Benemerenti, awarded to those who have exhibited long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church. Dinah has been involved in Parish work for many years, most recently retiring as Principal of Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Lake Charles where she served for 12 years. Pictured with Dinah are Most Reverend Bishop Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, Deacon Derek Conner, and John Bradford, Dinah’s husband.
SUSIE ELLABY FOWLER (Omega 1971)
Following graduation from LSU in 1974, Susie began her career as a Speech/Language pathologist in elementary schools in southern Maryland. Susie continued her professional growth, receiving her MA from George Washington University. She worked as speech/language therapist for seventeen years, and then moved into Administration, receiving an Advanced Professional Certificate and an Administrator II Certification.
As a principal, Susie was able to flourish in the role as a gifted leader! Her long term vision helped others set goals that translated into significant improvement on state and local assessments. However, her leadership in creating innovative programs was about much more than academics.
Susie realized that eighty percent of her student population was growing up in poverty. Her priority became to provide an educational learning environment that is nurturing, respectful and safe. She created a place where teachers are enthusiastic, caring, creative and passionate about helping children learn.
Here are just a few of the initiatives that Susie started to support students in achieving their highest potential:
GENTLEMEN ON A MISSION – male mentoring program aimed at meeting the academic and social needs of at-risk students.
I.M.A.G.E. – extended day mentoring program providing young girls with a positive self-image, encouraging academics, physical and spiritual development, guiding them to become responsible women.
RED WHITE AND BLUE – a lunch group to support students of military families as they regularly face the challenges of deployment and relocation.
SNACK SACS – a partnership with United Way, providing food for students to take home at the end of the week to supplement their weekend nutrition. Children can’t learn if they are hungry.
CHERISH THE CHILDREN – Perhaps one of her most successful programs at her elementary school began when the staff recognized the difficulty families have in providing for their children during the holiday season. Susie created “Cherish the Children,” a once a year event for families providing free holiday gifts for hundreds of children and their families. This program combines community resources, local churches and volunteers on the school staff who solicit donations of toys, books, games, bikes, food and clothing to be given away to families. The event has been a success each year, growing in support and donations for those less fortunate!
In 2011, Susie received The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, which recognizes those principals who go beyond the daily challenges of their position to create an exceptional educational environment. This award acknowledges that the level of excellence a school achieves is related to the level of leadership provided by its principal. It is the combination of the principal’s ability to manage, interest in staff and students, respect for learning, and vision of the future that sets the tone for the school’s efforts to educate children. Susie was nominated by one of her staff who wrote, “over the years, we have not only witnessed how high her expectations are, but learned to expect them from ourselves as teachers and leaders within our school community. Her commitment toward the students, staff and community has brought us rewards, recognition and closer to our educational goals.”
As a principal for many years, Susie sacrificed personal time working long hours witnessing successes within her school. However, she was able to balance her career and family life. She and her husband, Henry, raised two children who are now accomplished adults, and they are looking forward to welcoming their first grandchild this fall.
Source: Marie Jeanne de Lassus Lopez
BRENDA S. KINDARD, M.D. (Omega 1974)
Brenda S. Kinard became a licensed physician in 1985. Following her undergraduate education at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge (1973- 1977), Dr. Kinard began medical training at the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico from 1979-1982 followed by the Louisiana State University School of Medicine from 1983-1985. She then continued in her fields of urology and general surgery at the University of South Florida from 1987-1991. She became board certified in 1993 as one of the first 75 female urologists in America. Dr. Kinard has practiced in St. Petersburg, Florida, until November, 2013.
Dr. Kinard’s professional affiliations include the American Urologic Association; the American Association of Clinical Urologists; and the Society of Women in Urology where she served on the Executive Board from 1998-2002. She held the offices of Treasurer (2002-2004); Vice President (2005); President (2006); and Past President (2007). Dr. Kinard has also been affiliated with the American Urologic Association’s Women’s Issues Committee (2002-2004); and the American Medical Association’s Women Physicians Congress (Urology Liaison, 2002-2006).
Dr. Kinard has authored numerous presentations, delivered many lectures and has made several television appearances. She has been a highly sought-after presenter for several major pharmaceutical companies. The honors bestowed upon Dr. Kinard include Recipient of National Leadership Award (1998); Businessmen of the Year (1999 – 2001); and the Chairman’s Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence (2001).
On a personal note, Dr. Kinard has four sisters, all of whom pledged Alpha Delta Pi (Alpha Kappa Chapter at the University of Tennessee and Omega Chapter, Louisiana State University).
Source: Cindy Kinard Mouch
KARLYNN PELTZ O’SHAUGHNESSY (Omega 1976)
Brigadier General Karlynn O’Shaughnessy, former commanding general, 2nd Brigade, 75th Division, Fort Dix, N.J., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from LSU in 1979 and was commissioned as a Regular Army 2nd Lieutenant through LSU Army ROTC. She also holds an accounting certificate from the University of Virginia, an M.B.A. from the University of Kansas, a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and she completed the National Security Management Course at Syracuse University.
Karlynn began her military career in 1979 as a platoon leader in the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., serving in leadership and staff positions in the division for four years. Her Reserve assignments include deputy commanding general, 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), and assistant division commander-operations, chief of staff, and commander, 6th Brigade (Professional Development) in the 108th Division (Institutional Training). Before assuming command of 6th Brigade, she served as deputy chief of staff, Eighth U.S. Army in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Her other Eighth Army assignments include deputy chief of staff, G5, and Chief, G2 Plans and Readiness Division. She has held positions in the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; U.S. Special Operations Command and Special Operations Command Central, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; and U.S. Army Special Operations Command and the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C. She was promoted to brigadier general in 2008.
Karlynn was named the New York Area USO Woman of the Year in 2010. Among her military honors are the Master Parachutist Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Meal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, and Reserve Component Overseas Service Ribbon.
Karlynn is principal fiscal analyst and team leader for transportation and information technology for the Fiscal Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly, Raleigh, N.C. She is a member of the Reserve Officers Association, Information Technology Financial Management Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association, YMCA of the Triangle, Habitat for Humanity, and the U.S. Army War College Alumni Association. Karlynn was inducted into the LSU Alumni Association’s Hall of Distinction in 2013.
She and her husband, retired Army Lieutenant Col. John F. O’Shaughnessy, Jr., have two daughters, Kelly and Jackie. The family resides in Holly Springs, N.C.
Source: LSU Alumni Association