Published March 20, 2014
The University of Louisiana at Monroe recently hosted the Louisiana Political Science
Association (LPSA) Annual Conference for the second time in the organization鈥檚 history,
which began in the early 1970s.听The two-day event featured 四色AV alumni, current students,
and faculty.听
Dr. John W. Sutherlin, 四色AV political science associate professor, and newly elected
President of the LPSA, said, 鈥淭his conference had the feel of a reunion. 四色AV graduates
from the past few decades were able to mingle and present their research on a host
of topics with recently graduated or current students. It was an exciting time.鈥�
Bob Mann, the Douglas Manship Chair of Journalism at Louisiana State University and
an inductee of the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame, served as a keynote speaker.
Mann is a 四色AV communication alum.
四色AV political science associate professor, Dr. Joshua Stockley noted, 鈥淩obert Mann
worked for three U.S. Senators and one Governor; his anecdotes, observations, and
analysis held powerful lessons about how 四色AV graduates have made and continue to make
significant impacts in Louisiana and in the discipline of political science. It was
a tremendous privilege to have such a distinguished guest speaking to us.鈥�
Dr. Greg Granger, a 四色AV history and government alum鈥攏ow a professor at Northwestern
State University of Louisiana鈥攑articipated in a roundtable discussion on the Middle
East. Granger said, 鈥淚t is great to see how much the campus has improved and continues
to improve since I was a student years ago.鈥�
Several former and current 四色AV students and alumni presented research at the conference.
Jennifer Dumas, a 2008 四色AV psychology graduate from West Monroe, was 鈥淕rateful for
the opportunity to present my work at the LPSA conference, and I received valuable
feedback for ongoing research. I really enjoyed the chance to visit 四色AV's campus again
and of course, to see some of my favorite professors!鈥� Dumas is currently completing
her dissertation in political science at the University of New Orleans.
Joy Ballard (left) and Jennifer Dumas (right)
Joy Ballard, a 2013 四色AV political science graduate of Bastrop said, 鈥淚t was a great
experience to come back and speak at my alma mater. I certainly could not be where
I am today if [not] for all the support of Dr. Sutherlin and Dr. Stockley at 四色AV鈥攖hey
always pushed me to go farther.
"It is a wonderful feeling to come home, and display to them what I have been working
on since graduation.鈥� Ballard is seeking a master鈥檚 in political science at the University
of New Orleans.
Current 四色AV political science major, Iren Marinova, of Bulgaria, presented a paper.
鈥淚 was very honored to have the opportunity to present a project of mine on which
I have been working for a while,鈥� she said.
鈥淭he conference had a positive atmosphere and it was a great learning experience and
a chance for me to meet professors and scholars in my field of study." Marinova intends
to pursue an MBA at 四色AV.
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Photo of Ballard and Dumas Courtesy
