The Bengal Bottom Line Spring 2012 1

barked on its own mission to provide its students with a

fulfilling, yet safe, college experience.

First known as the Campus Community Coalition

for Change (CCCC), the department has since revamped its

mission under the name Louisiana Center Addressing Sub-

stance Use or simply, LaCASU. LaCASU aims to foster

healthy collegiate communities by reducing problems asso-

ciated with students‘ substance use. This is done with the

help of various institutions and key community and state

stakeholders. One of LaCASU‘s main functions is adminis-

tering the Core Alcohol and Other Drug Survey to more

than 12,000 undergraduates across all of the Louisiana

higher education institutions. Survey results are then re-

ported directly to college and university administrators for

the purpose of addressing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug

problems among their student populations.

Every year, LaCASU also hosts the Louisiana

Higher Education Coalition (LaHEC) Professional Devel-

opment Summit, as well as regional training sessions for

Louisiana‘s university administrators and student leaders.

During these training sessions, Core Survey data is used to

assess areas of problematic substance use, and guest speak-

ers and seminars center on implementing new initiatives at

the different institutions.

Spring Issue · March/April 2012

In this Issue:

Black History in BR 2

Brother to Brother 2

Brandon’s Bottom Line 2

LSU Engagement Efforts 3

CUP of Facebook 3

LSU Preview Day 4

Top Forty Under 40 6

Given Louisiana‘s festive culture on its campuses,

universities and colleges across the state have a growing

concern for the health and safety of its students. According

to the results from the 2011 administration of the Core Al-

cohol and Drug survey, over 60% of underage college stu-

dents are current alcohol drinkers, 36% of students report-

ed binge drinking in the past two weeks, and 27% used

marijuana at least once in the past year. Following the

1998 drinking death of sophomore Ben Wynne, LSU em-

The MLK and Black History

Month committees recently hosted au-

thor, poet, writer, activist and educator

Nikki Giovanni the keynote speaker at

the MLK Commemorative Celebration. Giovanni is currently the Gloria D.

Smith Professor of Black Studies and a

University Distinguished Professor in

the English department at Virginia Tech

University. The author of 30 books, she

has been awarded 25 honorary degrees,

and her books have been awarded hon-

ors including three NAACP Image

Awards and been in the Top 10 on the

New York Times best-seller list. Named

the ―Woman of the Year‖ by several

publications over the course of her career,

she was also recently named one of Oprah

Winfrey‘s 25 ―living legends.‖ Following

the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy in

2007, she was selected to close out the me-

morial convocation and did so with a pow-

erful chant-poem. Giovanni‘s address was

held at 6 pm at the Manship Theatre and

was free and open to the public.

Giovanni shared poetry and her

personal memories of King. ―He knew that

he wouldn‘t live to see his children grow

up because someone would eventually

shoot him, but that did not stop him from

doing the job that was necessary,‖ she pro-

claimed. She also stated that if King were

LaCASU meets monthly with the Baton Rouge Collegiate Alli-

ance (BRCA), one of their major community alliances.

The Bengal Bottom Line Spring 2012 2

When the sounds of laughter fill a room at a local

church, one might not assume they are discussing blood

pressure. But that‘s exactly what happened. Recently, male

students of LSU and men from the community gathered at

Wesley United Methodist Church to discuss health topics

as part of a ―Brother to Brother‖ session. The program,

hosted by the LSU Community University Partnership

(CUP), served as a follow up educational outreach for its

―Fresh Cuts Clean Health‖ barbershop initiative.

―Fresh Cuts Clean Health,‖ or FCCH, provides

free blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol health

screenings for men in local barbershops. To complement

the health screenings, FCCH coordinates ―health nights‖ to

provide information and raise awareness. The initiative is

funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foun-

dation (BCBSLA).

Instead of just presenting information, the ―Brother

to Brother‖ Men‘s Health Night brought men, doctors, and

professionals together for a discussion on health. ―What

made this event different is that the men were able to par-

ticipate in a dialogue to receive information and be the ex-

perts at the same time.‖ said Brandon Smith, community

affairs liaison at LSU. ―They asked the doctors questions

and the conversations would progress from there.‖

The health night was facilitated by Dr. Rani Whit-

field, a local health advocate also known as the ―Hip Hop

a swimming pool and recreational facility for African

American children after several children drowned while

swimming in lakes and ditches. This effort became a sym-

bol of the struggle for equality in the community.

The month‘s festivities included an essay competi-

tion and an art celebration with the theme, ―Swimming to

Freedom: The Story of Brooks Park and Equality in Baton

Rouge.‖ The artwork and winners of the essay competition

were showcased and honored in early March.

The essay competition featured original pieces

written by students of McKinley High School. The win-

ners were Janiesha O‘Connor-Harris in first place,

De‘Vante Bethley in second place, and Abigail Winget in

third place. O‘Connor-Harris‘ essay was entitled

―Breaking Through Shallow Water.‖

Students of McKinley Middle School participated

by using their talents to celebrate Brooks Park through

artwork. These students also watched the documentary but

expressed its impact and their understanding through visu-

al art. Over twenty students submitted artwork, which will

be displayed at the BREC Baton Rouge Arts Center later

this year.

During February, LSU Community University

Partnership coordinated opportunities for youth to learn

and reflect on black history within Baton Rouge. In collab-

oration with Capitol One Bank, CUP sponsored the Black

History Month Essay Competition and Art Celebration.

Participating students were encouraged to watch a docu-

mentary that portrayed

Baton Rouge from the

1940s, to present victo-

ries of equality.

The documentary enti-

tled ―Baton Rouge’s

Troubled Water,‖ illus-

trates the struggles of

African Americans in

South Baton Rouge liv-

ing in the times of Jim

Crow. In 1947, Reverend

Willie K. Brooks orga-

nized the United Negro

Recreational Association

to raise funds to provide

English Teacher Pam Middlebrook,

Principal Armond Brown and stu-

dent winners (left to right) Abigail

Winget, De’Vante Bethley, and

Janiesha O’Connor-Harris.

Greetings! Thank you for your unwaver-

ing support of LSU‘s community outreach

and engagement efforts. Your openness

continues to create new engagement op-

portunities for our faculty, staff, and stu-

dents. Moreover, your expertise continues

to improve our initiatives and keep us accountable to our

mission.

As you may have heard, LSU formed the Consor-

tium on Civic Engagement nearly one year ago to more

effectively serve our community. One example of the

Consortium‘s efforts is the upcoming launch of ―LSU

Serves,‖ a new website that will organize all university-

community efforts to a single location. This site is being

developed based on feedback we often receive from peo-

ple outside of the campus. If you‘re looking for us, we

want you to be able to find us; if are interested in a com-

munity program, ―LSU Serves‖ will help get you the ad-

ditional information you need. But this is only the begin-

ning. LSU understands the need to expand partnerships

that make our communities stronger. This takes a com-

mitment of time, people, and resources.

Finally, CUP would like to thank Campus Federal

Credit Union for their consistent support of our programs,

namely The Bengal Bottom Line. Their contributions

make printing this newsletter possible and we owe them a

debt of gratitude for helping us serve you! GEAUX TI-

GERS!

The Bengal Bottom Line Spring 2012 3

For more information regarding LaCASU, visit

www.lsu.edu/lacasu or contact the office at

lacasu@lsu.edu or 225-578-5958.

Current projects of the office include using social

media to promote substance abuse prevention and advo-

cate on alcohol outlet density (AOD) research. Recent

studies have shown a direct correlation between the num-

ber of alcohol outlets (liquor stores, bars, etc.) in a neigh-

borhood and the rate of alcohol-related crime, more pre-

ventative efforts were put in to motion. In recent years, the

Baton Rouge Metro Council, an affiliate of LaCASU, suc-

cessfully established a moratorium to ban the issuance of

liquor licenses in six high-crime neighborhoods, including

Old South Baton Rouge.

LaCASU is housed at LSU as a part of the office

of Equity, Diversity, and Community Outreach (EDCO)

and is the only department of its kind in the state. It serves

as the administrative office for the Baton Rouge Commu-

nity Alliance (BRCA) and LaHEC and is funded by the

state.

This winter, over 80 community partners and cam-

pus leaders gathered for the 8th Annual Chancellor‘s Com-

munity Updates Meeting and Breakfast hosted by LSU

Chancellor Michael Martin. CUP coordinates this event

to review LSU‘s partnerships with its neighboring com-

munities. This year‘s meeting focused on the newly

formed LSU Consortium on Civic Engagement.

The LSU Consortium on Civic Engagement aims

to make LSU a national pacesetter by championing inclu-

sive excellence. ―While we see a boundary between the

neighborhood and the University, in reality, there is

none,‖ Martin said. ―As we grow as an institution, I be-

lieve it is clearly in the best interest of the student popula-

tion, faculty, and staff that [LSU] is part of a community

that serves them and that we serve well.‖ The plan is to

accomplish this goal through institutional efficacy, exter-

nal coalitions and memberships, and public relations.

Specifically, LSU hopes to develop transformative policy

to broaden support with outside groups such as govern-

ment, business, and community leadership.

To promote the new Consortium and engagement

efforts, LSU went on the road to three cities – Lake

Charles, New Orleans and Shreveport – for the "LSU in

Your Backyard" tour. The tour featured presentations and

remarks from administrators, faculty members working in

different areas of the state, and students from the region.

A second ―backyard tour‖ is scheduled for late spring of

2012.

Through the current community engagement ef-

forts and the big ideas expected from the consortium, LSU

hopes to improve its commitment to economic, social, and

cultural revitalization.

CUP is now on Facebook!

Get up to date news on what CUP is doing for

the community by ‗liking‘ us on Facebook.

Here‘s how to do it:

Log in at www.facebook.com

Search ―LSU Community University Partner-

ship‖

Click on our page

Click the ‗Like‘ button at the top

Once you‘ve become a fan of our page, you will

begin receiving updates, announcements and pic-

tures in your news feed regarding our events.

Join CUP on Facebook to stay connected!

www.facebook.com/LSUCUP

CUP has a new website!

Visit our new and improved site to learn more

about the history of CUP, its programs and ini-

tiatives, and its partners.

www.lsu.edu/cup

The Bengal Bottom Line Spring 2012 4

alive today, he would still be fighting for those who cannot

defend themselves.

―The answer should always be yes,‖ Giovanni

said. ―If you succeed and finish what you started, great;

but if not, then you can say you‘re sorry.‖

Speaking before a packed house, Giovanni enter-

tained the audience with her humor, inspired them with

her stories, and challenged them to make a difference.

―It was

really refresh-

ing to see that

she was so

frank and gen-

uine—she‘s a

regular person.

You can really

see yourself in

her,‖ said Jar-

ed Avery,

graduate stu-

dent in the De-

partment of

Educational

Theory, Poli-

cy, and Practice. ―Seeing someone of her stature in such a

relatable role makes her level of success seem more attain-

able.‖

Each year, the LSU Office of Multicultural Affairs hosts

the MLK Jr. Commemorative Celebration to highlight and

memorialize the work, accomplishments, and legacy of

one of the Civil Rights movement leaders. It strives to ed-

ucate the LSU and Greater Baton Rouge communities

about the significant undertakings of Dr. King and enlight-

en the public about the opportunities all have gained be-

cause of his deeds and accomplishments.

The LSU Black Male Leadership Initiative, or

BMLI, hosted its inaugural LSU Preview Day during the

2011 Homecoming Week.

The program, designed to provide young black

males with an insight into college life, invited over 90

black male students from local schools to learn more about

LSU and its admissions requirements.

The attending schools included McKinley Middle

Magnet School, East Baton Rouge Lab Academy, Mentor-

ship Academy, Scotlandville Magnet High School, Pointe

Coupee Central High School and Glen Oaks Institute of

Science.

―Having students experience LSU through the

BMLI Preview Day gives middle and high school students

a first-hand look at what it takes to attend a flagship insti-

tution,‖ Multicultural Affairs Director Chaunda Allen said.

―In particular, having young black men spend the day at

LSU demonstrates the university's commitment to seeing

black men succeed at every point of the educational pipe-

line.‖

The Preview Day included a campus tour, infor-

mation from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, a

"hype" session with Mike the Tiger, and a lunch discus-

sion with former LSU student-athlete and current NBA

player Tyrus Thomas, a native of South Baton Rouge.

Thomas, who operates a non-profit foundation fo-

cused on youth development, is a strong supporter of the

BMLI Fellows Program and ethnic minority recruitment

and retention at LSU.

―I am honored to be able to come back to Baton

Rouge and be embraced by my LSU family,‖ Thomas

said. ―Yet, I know that there is much to do when it con-

Author, poet, writer, activist, educator Nikki

Giovanni spoke to audience at Manship Thea-

ter.

Student leaders spent time with Giovanni at a “meet and greet”

following the lecture. Photo by Georgetown Photography.

Author, poet, writer, activist, educator Nikki

Giovanni spoke to audience at Manship The-

ater. Photo by Georgetown Photography.

Visiting teens were welcomed by Mike the Tiger, the LSU mascot,

during their visit on campus. Photo by LSU Communications &

University Relations.

The Bengal Bottom Line Spring 2012 5

Doc,‖ and Dr. Robert Newton, assistant professor of inac-

tivity physiology at Pennington Biomedical Research

Center. ―The doctors were really down to earth and put

hard medical jargon into simple everyday terms,‖ said

Phillip Nelson, information systems decision sciences

junior. ―It was also nice to hear what the other men said

and the questions they had about their health.‖

In keeping with the football season, the night was

themed ―Get in The Game!‖ with sessions titled ―Playing

Offense‖ (Prevention and Awareness) and ―Playing De-

fense‖ (Detection and Maintenance). The sessions fo-

cused on what to do before and after you acquire a health

condition. ―Awareness and prevention of chronic diseases

in African American men is critical to their health,‖ said

Newton. ―Chronic diseases are the leading killers of Afri-

can American men and providing them with knowledge at

events like ‗Brother to Brother‘ will motivate them to im-

prove their health.‖

Free health screenings were given by a phleboto-

my team from LSU Health, as well as free hearing tests

by Dr. Chester Charles, adjunct professor of communica-

tion disorders at Southern University and a member of

Wesley; and tobacco information was presented by

Frankie Poland from Southern University‘s AgCenter

Communities of Color Network. Finally, healthy food

options were provided to the attendees of the program.

―The food went along with what the doctors were saying

about eating healthier and choosing better food selec-

tions,‖ said William White, local resident and program

participant. ―Overall, I really enjoyed the program and

can‘t wait until the next one!‖

For more information regarding Fresh Cuts Clean Health,

contact the LSU Community University Partnership at

lsucup@lsu.edu or visit www.lsu.edu/cup.

cerns ensuring our youth have brighter futures and an op-

portunity to attend college.‖

Since 2007, the percentage of black males enrol-

ling at LSU as students has risen steadily. In 2007, 158 of

the 4,596 incoming freshmen were black males, or 3.44%.

In 2010, 4.43% of the incoming freshmen class was black

males. In fall 2011, the trend continued as black males

made up 4.63% of the incoming freshmen class.

The BMLI Fellows Program was established by

the LSU Office of Equity, Diversity & Community Out-

reach and the Office of Multicultural Affairs to assist LSU

in reconceptualizing practices, programs and engagement

with students in general, and black males in particular.

For more information on BMLI, contact Dr. Marco

Barker at 225-578-5736, Ms. Chaunda Allen at 225-578-

4339, email at bmli@lsu.edu, or visit the website at

www.lsu.edu/bmli.

Men en-

joyed

healthy

food op-

tions that

went along

with the

information

they receive

from the

doctors.

Baton Rouge teens were able to meet and hear from LSU faculty

and staff, and also had a candid conversation with former LSU

student-athlete and current NBA player Tyrus Thomas. Photo

by LSU Communications & University Relations.

Dr. Rani Whitfield (right), also known as the

“Hip Hop Doc,” and Dr. Robert Newton (left)

provided heath information to local men.

FCCH

Fact

Did you

know that

African

Americans

are twice

more likely

to develop

diabetes

than their

counter-

parts?

FCCH

Fact

Did you

know that

40% of Afri-

can Ameri-

cans are af-

fected by

hypertension

or high blood

pressure?

The Bengal Bottom Line Spring 2012 6

educator in the East Baton Rouge Parish School Sys-

tem. As an LSU student, Smith was involved in Leader-

ship LSU, Student Government, Black Student Union

and the former Union Program Council. In 2004, he

became the first African-American elected speaker of

the Senate.

Smith‘s community affiliations include work

with interfaith groups, Teach For America® South

Louisiana and the A.P. Tureaud Sr. Black Alumni

Chapter of the LSU Alumni Association, where he

serves as president. He is also an ordained minister in

the Church of God in Christ Inc., and he has an idea

about his ability to do much for so many.

―I'm convinced that God adds a few extra hours

to my day,‖ Smith said. ―Either he knows I need more

time or he feels sorry for me.‖

He is married to Rachanda Wilson Smith, and

the couple has one daughter, Katelyn, and one son,

Wilson.

To read the full profile of Smith, visit the link

on CUP‘s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/

LSUCUP .

Brandon M.

Smith, an LSU alum-

nus who currently

serves as the universi-

ty‘s community af-

fairs liaison, was re-

cently named to the

2011 class of the Ba-

ton Rouge Business

Report‘s ―Top Forty

under 40.‖ A Baton

Rouge native, Smith

joined the university

in August 2007.

In the role of commu-

nity affairs liaison, he serves as the primary contact be-

tween LSU and its neighboring communities, with a par-

ticular focus on Old South Baton Rouge. Smith also as-

sists the Chancellor and Provost to build and maintain

partnerships with local leaders and external non-profit

organizations.

Before assuming this position, Smith served as an

OFFICE OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Community University Partnership

950 East Washington Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Special thanks to

CAMPUS FEDERAL

for assisting with

newsletter printing costs

Editor: Aleidra Allen Contributing Writers: Rayna Anderson, Leslie Brockhoeft, Melissa Foley, Carl Gerhardt,

Brandon Smith, Kristen Smith, Carlissa Wells Photographs: Georgetown Photography, LSU Communications &

University Relations Advisor: Brandon Smith

LSU Chancellor Michael Martin and

Smith showcase Smith’s award and

celebrate his success.