Over the holiday season, the youngmen and women of the Dillard UniversityConcert Choir capitalized on the opportu-nity of a lifetime when they traveled fromNew Orleans to Washington, D.C. andperformed at the White House.

Dillard’s ensemble was among theselect few university choirs invited toperform at the White House in December.On the morning of Dec. 7, they per-formed for two hours in the building’sEast Wing for guests touring the buildingand viewing its holiday decorations.

The choir, dressed in matching tuxe-dos and black dresses, performed aninspired selection of Christmas classicsand contemporary holiday tunes.

"I am truly blessed to be the choirdirector for such wonderful young peoplewho are passionate about cultivating theirvoices and their performances,” said S.Carver Davenport, who has directedDillard University’s choir for over 35years. Assistant Choir Director MoniqueWeaver-Sigmon and pianist LucianZidaru accompanied Davenport and 30members of the choir on the trip to thenation’s capital.

On the evening before their WhiteHouse performance, Dillard Universityhosted a reception for the choir and D.C.area alumni in the Georgetown Room ofthe Dupont Circle Hotel. The choir per-formed holiday selections and met formerdenizens of Dillard – many of whohelped make the choir’s D.C. trip possi-ble through generous donations.

The White House performance cappeda successful winter season for the DillardChoir. Just two days before they flew toD.C., they performed “A Child Is Born,”Dillard’s 75th annual holiday concert.The free show, held in Lawless Chapelon the Dillard campus, was a standing-room-only affair for the whole communi-ty. At the show, the choir sang alongsidea full band and orchestra, as well asGrammy-nominated recording artistLedisi.

This spring the choir will host itsannual Spring Concert on Sunday, April 1at 4 p.m. Then the choir will embark onits yearly concert tour of the U.S.

But for 30 lucky choir members, the2011-2012 year may be best rememberedfor a special trip to the District ofColumbia.

Dillard junior Kayla Blain hoped toimpress President Obama if given thechance. "We would love for him to hear

and see the precious jewels we have inthis choir," she said.

And while the choir was not given thechance to meet Obama or the first familyin person, they were still grateful for theopportunity to perform at the president’s

house. "We want to say thank you [to

President Obama] for setting an examplefor us,” said choir member MichaelKelley, “especially as African-Americanmales.”

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Dillard Choir performs at the White House

Dr. Kimbrough / 5

Community Service / 4

Melton Fellows / 5

Enjoy this special edition of theLouisiana Now!

featuring Dillard University in New Orleans, La. a United Methodist

institution

Top, despite stormy weather, spirits were high for Nancy McGee, left, JasmineWeathersby and Choir Director S. Carver Davenport during the choir’s trip tothe White House last month. Above, the gentlemen of the Dillard UniversityConcert Choir gather in front of the White House.

A letter from the Executive Vice President of Dillard University

2 JANUARY 27, 2012

Louisiana Conference Now!

Louisiana Conference NOW! is the newspaper of the Louisiana AnnualConference of The United Methodist Church and is published twice a month.

Subscriptions are $20 for one year, $30 for two years.(Please make checks payable to Louisiana Annual Conference.)

Send subscriptions, news and information to: Editor

527 North BoulevardBaton Rouge, LA 70802

E-mail: bettybackstrom@la-umc.org(888) 239-5286 ext. 227

(225) 346-1646, (225) 383-2652 fax

You can find the Louisiana Annual Conference on the Internet athttp://www.la-umc.org

William W. Hutchinson

Don Cottrill

Betty Backstrom

Resident Bishop

Provost

Editor

Academic ProgramDegrees:

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Colleges:

general Studies Arts and Sciences Professional Studies Business

Academic Majors: 20

2011/2012 RankingsU.S. News & World Report: No. 9 among all HBCUsWashington monthly: No. 25 among all liberal arts colleges

Students and Facultyenrollment: 1,249full-time faculty: 82doctorate degrees: 68%endowed Professorships: 19Student/faculty Ratio: 12:1

Coststuition: $13,650/yearCampus Housing (Average):$8,868/year

Student Lifemascot: Bleu devilintercollegiate Athletics: men andWomen's Basketball, Cross Country,and track & field; Women's VolleyballActive organizations: 29greek Chapters: 6

Special dillard University edition

To the LouisianaConference of theUnited MethodistChurch,

Dillard Universityhas long shared aspecial relationshipwith the UnitedMethodist Churchand its LouisianaConference. Over theyears, our venerable institutions have sup-ported one another and grown together.That support was never more evident thanin Dillard’s greatest time of need:Hurricane Katrina.

In the wake of the storm, Dillard lostmore than $400 million to physical dam-age and business interruption. The cam-pus sat submerged in eight feet of flood-water. Over 35 buildings sustained dam-age, and our students were spread far andwide, forced to enroll in more than 200colleges across the country.

One of the very first organizations tostep up and offer support – moral, spiritu-al and financial – was the LouisianaConference of the United MethodistChurch. We will be forever grateful forthe kindness and generosity you showedto Dillard in its darkest hour. Your supportenabled us to right the ship, bring our stu-

dents home, and continue giving the qual-ity education that has defined DillardUniversity for over 140 years.

We’ve come a long way since Katrina.In 2011, Dr. Walter Kimbrough, the sonof an esteemed Methodist minister, agreedto serve as Dillard’s next president. Histenure promises to be one of great changeand renewal. Washington Monthly rankedus among the top 25 liberal arts collegesin the country, and U.S. News & WorldReport ranked us among the nation’s top10 HBCUs. These are but a few ofDillard’s recent accomplishments; youcan read about many more in the pages ofthis publication.

The Louisiana Conference’s annualcontributions to Dillard and to the BlackCollege Fund of the United MethodistChurch continue to be a critical invest-ment that positively impacts the lives ofour students. To the Louisiana Conferenceand the entire United Methodist Churchcommunity: Thank you for your contin-ued support of Dillard University. Mayyou and your families have a happy,healthy and blessed 2012.

Sincerely,

Dr. Walter L. StrongExecutive Vice President

Walter L. Strong

On-Campus Admissions Activities for Spring 2012

ACT Prep Workshop(Test Strategies)

Saturday, January 28, 2012 10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

DUICEF 115 High School Sophomores,

Juniors and Seniors

ACT Prep Workshop(Practice Test)

Saturday, March 3, 2012 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

DUICEF 115 High School Juniors and

Seniors

Audition Day / Spring Open House

Saturday, March 24, 2012 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

PSB (Various Rooms) Prospective Students

(Admitted Student Focus)

Transfer Student Open House

Thursday, April 12, 2012 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

PSB 136 /138 Prospective Transfer Students

ACT Prep Workshop(Practice Test)

Saturday, May 12, 2012 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

DUICEF 115 High School Juniors and

Seniors

Campus Tours

Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (except

official university closings)

Rosenwald Hall 110 Prospective Students

Quick facts about Dillard University

Louisiana Conference No !

Valedictorian Jasmi Sky Brown poses with award-winning journalist and CNNcorrespondent Soledad O’Brien, who gave the commencement address and wasawarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Commencement 2011 inMay.

3JANUARY 27, 2012

Self-reflection, introspection and con-templation are lofty undertakings for every-one. But some Dillard University studentsare taking the time to ask big questions –like “what gives our lives meaning?” –with the help of two special programs: theLeadership Institute and VisionQuest.

Under the guidance of Rev. GailBowman and Assistant Director JoshuaLazard, a group of Dillard students havejoined the Leadership Institute andVisionQuest to develop more skills thatwill help them reach their goals.

Consisting of seven hours of intensestudy, the Leadership Institute is held in thesocial room in Lawless Chapel on twoevenings each week. Students share ideas,perspectives and conversation and taketime to reflect on their journeys in life.

“It’s a scene,” says Bowman, who creat-ed the program a decade ago to address theconcept of leadership on campus.

After reading an engaging article in theChronicle of Higher Education about stu-dent leadership programs, Bowman tookinitiative and spoke to school administra-tors about what a leadership program mightlook like on Dillard’s campus. She tooksteps to ensure she had all the knowledgeand techniques necessary to create a suc-cessful program by reading leadership liter-ature, visiting other universities with simi-lar programs, and writing down ideas that

would fit Dillard students. Gleaning infor-mation from gurus such as Stephen R.Covey, Sharon Daloz Parks and TavisSmiley, Bowman crafted a series of mod-ules that encourages students to ask them-selves important questions and supporttheir dreams.

“We play, woo, lecture and interact withour students so that they feel welcome andsafe to speak,” says Bowman. “We treatthem like adults, but visit with their innerchild.”

Though it may seem childish, playingand creating with clay or paint or pipecleaners is an important element in the pro-gram. There’s a method to her madness andBowman sees the results she’s after.“There’s an ‘aha!’ moment where you seethe light bulb turn on,” says Bowman, whoadvocates for opportunities to creativelyexplore one’s self. The Leadership Instituteworks hard at providing as many mediumsas possible to do such exploration.

Though the program is not overtly reli-gious, questions of morality, ethics andspirituality are addressed. Many of thesequestions are shared via true-life stories,which, Bowman says, “really resonates”with students.

What’s more important is the sense ofempowerment that students walk awaywith. “It’s not an abstract concept,” saysBowman. She adds that the Leadership

Institute assesses well, with students able touse the tools they have just acquired.

Many students take the skills they gar-ner from the Leadership Institute andVisionQuest and use them in their personaland professional lives, as Assistant DirectorJoshua Lazard has. A Dillard alumnus andformer VisionQuest member, Lazard saysthe program was instrumental in shapinghis journey and bringing him back to theNew Orleans campus.

“If it weren’t for VisionQuest, I would-n’t be here today,” he says. Lazard fondlyremembers trips to divinity schools aroundthe country with VisionQuest while he wasa business major at Dillard. Those tripshelped him decide to pursue seminary andfocus on helping others.

Bridget Sisney, a junior biology major atDillard, joined the Leadership Institute inorder to meet the requirements for a coupleof other extracurricular activities, includingclass council and the Alpha Kappa Alphasorority. But she soon found there wereother benefits to joining both theLeadership Institute and VisionQuest.

“I had to collaborate and learn to workwith people I might not otherwise crosspaths with,” says Sisney, who plans toattend medical school. “I had to discovermy strengths and learn how best to usethem”.

VisionQuest has choral and dance com-

ponents, which allow students to explorestories and challenges through the arts. TheVisionQuest Chorale, VisionQuestLiturgical Dancers and Mime Ministry giveat least one performance each semester.

Sisney joined the liturgical dancers, anexperience she says is also very rewarding.Beyond using her gift of dance, Sisneylikes the idea of reaching people spirituallyas well.

“I saw the liturgical dance group duringmy visit to Dillard as a prospective studentand it had an effect on me,” she says.

With the support of the LillyEndowment, VisionQuest is able to hostdifferent programs throughout the yearincluding their “Sunday Nite Live” and“Message in the Middle.” The next“Message in the Middle” service is sched-uled for Feb. 29. Students, faculty and staffare invited to a special service in LawlessChapel in the middle of the day, in the mid-dle of the week.

The Leadership Institute is open to allDillard students and has become a require-ment for future dormitory RAs and classcouncil candidates. For more informationon the Leadership Institute andVisionQuest, contact Rev. Gail Bowman at(504) 816-4791 or gbowman@dillard.edu,or Joshua Lazard at (504) 816-4555 orjlazard@dillard.edu.

Reverend Gail Bowman and VisionQuest Assistant Director Joshua Lazard help students answer big questions

Providing a Vision for Dillard Students

Joshua Lazard, VisionQuest assistant director, is a Dillard alumnus and formerVisionQuest member. VisionQuest liturgical dancers perform on campus, left.

Rev. Gail Bowman, director of VisionQuest, works with Dillard students toencourage skill development and reflection on their life’s journey.

Special dillard University editionLouisiana Conference No !

4 JANUARY 27, 2012

Dillard University recently announcedthat it has been awarded a $25 millionendowment grant from the NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH) to expand itshealth disparities research initiatives. Thegrant, which will be disbursed over a five-year period, was announced by Dr. JohnRuffin, director of the National Institute onMinority Health and Health Disparities of

the NIH. “What’s so exciting about this award is

that it not only strengthens and advancescurrent research activity, but it will alsofacilitate the hiring of additional stellarresearch faculty, including an endowedchair and a number of endowed researchprofessors,” said Dr. Phyllis WorthyDawkins, Dillard’s provost and senior vice

president for academic affairs, who servedas one of the grant’s principal investigators.“All of this dramatically advances under-graduate research by enabling us to recruit,support and mentor additional students inhealth disparities and related research.”

In 2010 and 2011, Dillard was alsoawarded $6.5 million and $5.6 milliongrants from the NIH to fund a MinorityHealth and Health Disparities ResearchCenter in conjunction with the LouisianaState University Health Sciences Center.The center has already spearheaded a num-ber of exciting projects, including researchthat examines the genetics behind prostatecancer in African American men; researchthat studies the lack of health education inminority communities, and how it relates tothe contraction of human papillomavirusand cervical cancer; and research thatprobes the causes and treatments of asthmaand obesity in young African Americanwomen.

Dillard students, too, have many oppor-tunities to conduct research in the burgeon-ing field of minority health disparities.Members of Dillard’s Summer ScholarsProgram have committed 24 weeks overthe next three years to health disparitiesresearch in LSU laboratories.

Multiple cohorts of New Orleans nurseshave completed a clinical research associ-ates training program through the MinorityHealth and Health Disparities ResearchCenter. These nurses are in turn advancingminority health research by combating neg-

ative perceptions of clinical trials in minor-ity communities.

Dillard’s Minority Health and HealthDisparities Research Center also maintainsa community focus. Faculty from Dillardand LSU met with community organiza-tions and citizens more than 20 times overthe past year to develop a Strategic Plan forCommunity Wellness for the Lower NinthWard, a predominantly African Americancommunity that has been slow to recover inthe years since Hurricane Katrina. Thewellness plan contains recommendationsregarding education and schools, recre-ation, economic development and jobs,housing, the environment, medical care,and community infrastructure.Representatives from the community havepledged to help make these recommenda-tions a reality by promoting wellness andpartnering with non-profits and governmentagencies.

The $25 million NIH endowmentannounced in October, the biggest grant inschool history, will enable Dillard’sMinority Health and Health DisparitiesResearch Center to capitalize on the poten-tial that it showed over the past two yearsand also to explore exciting new avenuesof the minority health field. In the shortterm, it’s Dillard students who stand tobenefit most, by conducting important,graduate-level research. In the long-term, itmay be the New Orleans community – andbeyond – that reaps the benefits ofimproved health and wellness.

Never doubt that a small group ofthoughtful committed citizens can changethe world. Indeed, it is the only thing thatever has.

-- Margaret MeadChanging the world may seem like a tall

order, but Dillard University students areworking to bring change to local residentsand organizations through community serv-ice efforts. Giving back to the communityis as much of a part of student life atDillard as sports, lectures and labs.

Although community service has been alarge part of the Dillard experience for over60 years, official recognition of theseefforts has come more recently. In 2010,the Corporation for National andCommunity Service recognized DillardUniversity for its work with the homelessand disenfranchised communities in NewOrleans. Over 850 schools applied to the2010 President’s Higher EducationCommunity Service Honor Roll for recog-nition; Dillard not only received the award,but also boasted the most community serv-ice hours in the state of Louisiana.

“Our students generally finish withalmost three times the number of requiredhours,” says Dawn Williams, director ofthe Center for Career and ProfessionalDevelopment, and interim assistant vicepresident of student affairs.

Since Hurricane Katrina, Dillard stu-dents – both out-of-towners and nativeNew Orleanians – have shown an incredi-ble urge to help rebuild the city.

Community service provides them with anopportunity to get involved. Dillard stu-dents routinely volunteer with mentalhealth and human services agencies, localschools, neighborhood organizations, shel-ters and food banks.

"My parents instilled in me the impor-tance of giving back," said Sierra Spears, asenior political science major at Dillard."They taught me that others will be morewilling to help you, if you are there to helpothers. It's the circle of giving."

On Jan. 21, Spears co-lead the MartinLuther King Jr. Day of Service, which sawDillard students joining their peers fromother New Orleans schools to engage in aseries of service projects throughout thecity. The event is part of the annual MLKWeek for Peace, which celebrates the lifeand work of Dr. King and his vision ofsocial justice. This year, Spears receivedthe MLK Week for Peace OutstandingCommunity Service Award.

"I hope everyone understands that com-munity service can be fun,” said Spears.“We can have a good time and make a dif-ference at the same time."

Dillard University students are requiredto complete 120 hours of community serv-ice before graduation, and at least 60 ofthose hours must entail service-learningspecific to their major field of study.Dillard University’s Center for the First-Year Experience (CFYE) integrates serviceinto the curriculum through the first-yearseminar course, a general education

requirement for all students. For eight straight years, the CFYE has

facilitated first-year students’ participationin national Make a Difference Day. Andduring the spring semester, the CFYEguides students through a semester-longplanning process so they can execute aservice-learning project on Global YouthService Day in April. This year, Dillard’sClass of 2014 led numerous projects,including raising awareness of domesticviolence, feeding the homeless, and plan-

ning clothing and food drives to benefit theneedy. Students also spoke to high schoolstudents about attending college and taughtelementary and middle school studentshow to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

“I am incredibly impressed by the com-passion and creativity our students pos-sess,” said Dr. Henrietta Harris, director ofthe Center for the First-Year Experience.“They are using the skills acquired in theircoursework to impact the problems facingthe world around them.”

Special dillard University editionLouisiana Conference No !

Dillard awarded $25 million grant for Minority Health Research

Opportunities for community service infuse Dillard’s curriculum

Dillard University Interim President Dr. James Lyons, right, with Dr. John Ruffin,director of the NIH’s National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities.

In the fall, Dillard’s Class of 2015 completed Community Emergency ResponseTraining, a hands-on course that teaches individuals how to provide immediateservices in their communities during a disaster until professionals can arrive onthe scene. Sierra Spears, ‘12, pictured on the cover, is the 2012 recipient of theMLK Week for Peace Outstanding Community Service Award.

5JANUARY 27, 2012

What do some Dillard University stu-dents have in common with students fromChile, China, India and Germany? They areall Melton fellows, whose goals are to con-ference and communicate on ideas andissues of global consequence.

Dillard University is the only U.S. rep-resentative of the Melton Foundation, anorganization that unites students from fivedifferent universities across the globe tofacilitate intercultural dialogue, leadershipdevelopment and global education. It’s a

distinction greatly appreciated by Dr. LanaChambliss, a Dillard professor and thecampus coordinator for the MeltonFoundation.

“As individuals, we can do something tobring about positive change, and that is partof Melton’s mission,” said Chambliss.

Each year, the Melton fellows meet andwork together on projects that may includeteaching geography, history or linguistics tocitizens of other countries. The MeltonFoundation held its 2011 symposium in

Temuco, Chile from Sept. 27 to Oct. 2. Thetheme was “Identity,” and the week wasspent exploring different facets of self-identity as well as group identity.

“The experience was truly great,” saidCandace Banks, Dillard’s lead Melton fel-low. “As a black American I was able toshare a perspective and history of Americathat is not always seen or heard about inother countries,” she adds.

Banks and her cohorts presented infor-mation about American culture, attended a

TED seminar (short for technology, enter-tainment and design) and worked withother fellows to create a photo journal ofart from across all five Melton countries. Itwas an experience Banks will never forget.

“It was great to learn more about othercultures and in the process learn moreabout myself. This was my first sympo-sium, and I left Chile with more friendsand a better understanding of global citi-zenship,” she said.

When Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough takesoffice as the seventh president of DillardUniversity on July 1, 2012, it won’t be hisfirst time stepping onto a United Methodistcampus – far from it. At Philander SmithCollege in Little Rock, Ark., where he hasserved as president since 2004, Kimbroughworks in the very same building as thebishop of the church’s Arkansas AnnualConference. Having worked closely withthe UMC for the past seven years,Kimbrough understands the benefits that areligious affiliation can have on a campuscommunity.

“The added dimension is you reallyhave a space for serious discussions aboutfaith development for students,”Kimbrough said. “You don’t have thosesame kind of opportunities for public insti-tutions. So when you’re a religious institu-tion, especially one that’s affiliated with aparticular denomination, it really helps youprepare well-rounded individuals – what Ilike to call a whole individual – and notjust someone who graduates from collegewith a degree.”

Kimbrough’s experience with the UMCprecedes his career in higher education; infact, it dates back to his childhood. Hisfather, Walter L. Kimbrough, served as aMethodist minister for decades. Walter L.preached at two Atlanta megachurcheswhose congregations swelled to over 7,000

members during his tenure.“I grew up in an environment where I

really understood how the UnitedMethodist Church works,” saidKimbrough. “It’s all I knew.”

In the next phase of his career,Kimbrough will be tasked with furtherdeveloping the relationship between DillardUniversity and the UMC.

“Dillard’s going to be unique becausethere’s also the relationship with the(United) Church of Christ, so it’s like a two-pronged approach,” he said. “I think thereare opportunities with both of them to havecloser relationships and find ways wherestudents can engage in the programs and theprojects of those two denominations.”

Kimbrough’s refreshing approach tospirituality on a college campus will comeas no surprise to those familiar with hisbody of work. He has earned a reputationas a well-rounded, forward-thinking univer-sity administrator, and at just 44 years ofage, he is a rising star in the world of high-er education. Kimbrough, who earned abachelor’s degree from the University ofGeorgia and a doctorate from Georgia StateUniversity, served in administrative capaci-ties at Albany State University, OldDominion University and EmoryUniversity before taking on the presidencyat Philander Smith. He is an expert on fra-ternities and sororities, especially those of

minority students; his book Black Greek101: The Culture, Customs and Challengesof Black Fraternities and Sororities is in its10th printing.

Dillard students: get ready for some-thing completely different.

“I guarantee they’ve never seen any-body operate like I do. I operate so differ-ently from most of my peers. I’m from adifferent generation,” said Kimbrough,whose embrace of social media has gar-nered rave reviews and media attention.His Twitter feed, @HipHopPrez, is themost followed among all HBCU presi-dents.

“I have a five-year-old and a three-year-old, so [students] are going to get used toseeing these little kids running around withthe president,” he said. “It’s just a differentexperience. But it works. It’s worked here[at Philander Smith]. We’ve been very suc-cessful. And I have to be true to who I am.”

The arrival of Dr. Walter M. Kimbroughsignals the beginning of an exciting newera for Dillard University and its students.Dillard’s future president has big plans.

“Everybody knows Dillard’s a reallygood institution,” said Kimbrough. “Butthere are some things we haven’t done.How do we tap our full potential? How dowe have much more of a national pres-ence? That’s going to be exciting for me tofigure out.” Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough

New President Walter Kimbrough has deep ties to the United Methodist Church

Dillard participates with the Melton Foundation: A Global Learning Community

Students from Germany, India, China, Chile and Dillard University gather togetherfor the annual Melton Symposium. Recent Dillard graduate Cedric Blair teachesgeography to students in Ju County, China as part of his Melton Foundationexperience.

Special dillard University editionLouisiana Conference No !

6 JANUARY 27, 2012Special dillard University editionLouisiana Conference No !

www.umf.org (225) 346-1535 (800) 256-9317

2012 Tax SeminarsIncome Taxes for Clergy

and

Financial & Legal Issues for Churches

Offered twice:

February 15 - FUMC, Baton Rouge

February 16 - Trinity UMC, Ruston

• Simplifi ed answers to tax issues specifi c to clergy

• “How-to” methods for clergy preparing income tax returns

• Basic church fi nance and accounting

• Recent developments in tax code that pertain to clergy and churches

• Procedures related to the fi nancial management of churches and related ministries such as preschools.

A seminar that every pastor and church fi nance manager should attend! Amy Hume, a CPA with more than 20 years of experience, will discuss:

Advanced registration is required. $60 all day (2 sessions)$45 half day (1 session)

For more information or to register, go to our website.

Register by February 8 and save $15!

Dillard University’s new Student Unionand Health & Wellness Center is open forbusiness. The $15 million, 55,000 square-foot facility houses a variety of excitingfacilities that enhance students’ collegeexperiences.

A 60-seat movie theater and a bowlingalley highlight the building’s recreationalofferings. A fitness center features exercisemachines, an aerobics studio, and a jog-ging track that encircles the third floor.Weight training, dance fitness, and taekwon do are just some of the classes beinghosted in the Student Union, where theStudent Government Association keeps itsoffices.

The final element of the facility is acommunity health clinic, which is current-ly in development. The clinic will serveboth Dillard students and residents of theneighboring Gentilly community, whichhas experienced a shortage of qualityhealthcare in the years since HurricaneKatrina.

Prospective students: we invite you tocome and tour our beautiful new building!

Dillard’s new 55,000 square foot Student Union ‘open for business’

Anthony Austin is a double graduate of theUniversity of New Orleans, holding a bachelor’sof science in economics and a master’s of sci-ence in higher education. He is currently pursu-ing a doctoral degree in higher education admin-istration. He is passionate about college admis-sions and assisting students and families withtheir college choice. Austin has over 13 years ofadmissions experience from having worked at amid-size, highly selective university and a mid-size public institution. He is particularly excitedabout joining the Dillard University community.Vast opportunities await prospective Dillard stu-dents – academically, socially and professionally.Thus, his goal as a new director will be toincrease student enrollment, enhance awarenessof Dillard University, and strengthen relation-ships with Dillard alumni who are eager to assistin our recruitment and admissions efforts.

For 142 years, DillardUniversity has been com-mitted to providing stu-dents with a quality, four-year, liberal arts education.Dillard University contin-ues to grow its studentbody. The fall 2011 semes-ter saw Dillard with anoverall enrollment of1,249, including 469 newstudents. Dillard is locatedin the cornerstone of NewOrleans’s Gentilly commu-nity and sits on a beautifuland serene 55-acre cam-pus. Students from 29states and 10 foreign coun-tries call it home. We workclosely with our chaplain, Rev. GailBowman, to maintain relationships withMethodist congregations and to attend col-lege fairs and programs sponsored byMethodist churches.

What are some of the goals of theOffice of Recruitment, Admissions andProgramming this year?

Dillard University’sstrategic intent is toincrease student enrollmentincrementally over the nextseveral years. RestoringDillard’s enrollment andenhancing retention willenable the university toreach its full potential. Wewill continue to focusrecruitment efforts on ourcurrent targeted marketswith special attention tobuilding our applicant poolin our Louisiana market.Our goal is to continue tobuild a strong freshmanclass and prepare graduatesfor professional studies andthe global workplace.

Who on campus is leading this effort?

Within the Office of Recruitment,Admissions and Programming, there are 10staff persons dedicated to leading therecruitment efforts. We are also pleased towelcome a new director of Recruitment,

Admissions and Programming that willguide the staff in meeting our recruitmentgoals.

Is there any special financial supportavailable for Methodist students?

Dillard University cherishes, highlights,lifts up and celebrates its historic and con-tinuing covenantal relationship with theUnited Methodist Church. DillardUniversity is especially pleased to welcomethe matriculation of the sons and daughtersof ministers of the United MethodistChurch. Their presence serves to strengthenthe ties between the United MethodistChurch and Dillard. Hence, we enthusiasti-cally encourage their collegiate experienceat Dillard.

Dillard University awards scholarshipsto the sons and daughters of ministers ofthe United Methodist Church. Studentsmay be eligible to receive additional insti-tutional scholarships. We encourage all stu-dents to apply for federal financial aid,which consists of grants, loans and workassistance.

Is there anything that church memberscan do to assist Dillard University?

One of the main goals of the Office ofRecruitment, Admissions andProgramming is to continue to strengthenour relationship with United MethodistChurches in Louisiana. We welcome theopportunity to visit churches during specialprogramming for youth so we can shareinformation about educational opportunitiesat Dillard University. We also host On-SiteAdmission and Summer Send-Off pro-grams in collaboration with AlumniRelations and welcome the opportunity toutilize churches to host the programs. Forany church that hosts an On-SiteAdmission program, the $30 applicationfee will be waived. We also encouragechurches to refer students to the Office ofRecruitment, Admissions andProgramming. To receive more informationabout Dillard University, or to apply, emailadmissions@dillard.edu or call (800) 216-6637.

7JANUARY 27, 2012

Admission: Your Avenue of OpportunityAn interview with Dr. Alecia Cyprian, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management

Dr. Alecia Cyprian

Anthony Austin

Meet the Dillard Admission Staff

Anthony Austin: New director of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming

Talia Pennington, a 2004 Dillard graduate,received an award for serving on the local advi-sory committee for the 2011 NationalAssociation for College Admission Counselors(NACAC) conference. Founded in 1937, thisevent draws over 3,000 college admission pro-fessionals, college enrollment managers, andhigh school administrators from around thecountry and some international territories.Participants attend workshops that focus on edu-cational policy, student engagement, retention,recruitment, technology, and other topics centralto the admission industry. The New Orleansadvisory committee was proud of its secondhosting since NACAC’s founding.

A native of Chicago, Pennington majored incriminal justice and sociology at Dillard. Sheearned a master’s in journalism from RooseveltUniversity in 2006. She is passionate about work-ing with people. As an individual development manager for a non-profit organiza-tion in Chicago, she worked effectively with a diverse client base, providing men-toring and advocacy for employed clients. Pennington also worked as a junior highwriting teacher with the Chicago Public Schools. Now, she serves her alma materas the senior admissions counselor. Before relocating to New Orleans, Ms.Pennington served as president of the Dillard University Alumni Association ofChicago, and as the second vice president of the Inter-Alumni Council of theUnited Negro College Fund. In her spare time she can be found volunteering forthe Second Harvest Food Bank. She also enjoys reading and vacationing with herbest friends.

Talia Pennington

talia Pennington: Senior Admissions Counselor

Special dillard University editionLouisiana Conference No !

8 JANUARY 27, 2012Special dillard University editionLouisiana Conference No !

Your Avenue of OpportunityStarts at Dillard

In 1942, when Albert Dent and Rita Miller created the �rst accredited nursing program in the state of Louisiana, their goal was simple: to provide an education that would develop better people and better nurses.

Since then, the Dillard University School of Nursing has graduated thousands of students. Today’s program offers celebrated faculty and six nursing laboratories with patient simulators that exhibit a wide range of human

behaviors. The School of Nursing is housed in the new Professional Schools and Sciences Building, a beautiful and modern facility in which to learn and grow.

Louisiana has the highest concentration of nursing jobs in the country, and one of the highest numbers of licensed practical and vocational nurses. Become part of a proud legacy. Apply to Dillard University’s School of Nursing today!

Celebrating 70Years of Nursing

Experience Dillard University20 major �elds of study, including pre-law, pre-med and pre-dental

LEED-gold certi�ed Professional Schools and Sciences Building

New Student Union with a movie theater, bowling alley and �tness center

Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center funded by the NIH

Signi�cant scholarship support and �nancial aid

Top 10 among Historically Black Colleges & Universities (U.S. News & World Report)

Top 25 among Liberal Arts Colleges (Washington Monthly)

For more information, contact the Of�ce of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming:(800) 216-6637 or (504) 816-4670 admissions@dillard.edu2601 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70122 www.dillard.edu

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