JT happened to be downtown Tuesday evening and heard music coming from the Riverbank stage. JT actually pulled over to listen as they finished a piece. It really impressed JT. JT later learned the NSU Jazz Combos and NSU Steel Band will send students into finals on a happy note with a concert Friday, April 30 at the Alumni Plaza near the A.A. Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts at 5 p.m. The Steel Band plays at 6:30 p.m. In case of bad weather, the concert will be in Magale Recital Hall. Those attending are required to wear masks and observe social distancing. JT plans on being on the NSU campus to hear the entire program.
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At a time when LSU needed something positive…boy did they get it! Kim Mulkey is coming home! This does not take away from the terrible situation the University has gotten itself into. They still have to answer for their mistakes. BUT – the announcement that the former National Championship player and coach from Hammond High School as the new Lady Tigers basketball coach sent an adrenalin jolt throughout the campus and state. LSU has landed a true “Louisiana Legend.”
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On the sad side of that news is how much more emphasis athletics is getting over academics. Mulkey will reportedly draw $2.2 million a year as the head coach of the Lady Tigers. The only coach making more is football coach Ed Orgeron and it’s not very much more. Can you imagine the impact $4 million would make on the academic side. JT can remember when you would go to college for an education…now it appears it’s for the sporting events.
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JT also reads where Dr. Jim Henderson (our former NSU President) made the cut to the final three candidates for the LSU top administrative post. A decision is expected on Friday. This will be an interesting selection that includes Henderson, who is president of the University of Louisiana System, which has nine state colleges serving about 90,000 students. Kevin Droegemeier was the director for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for part of President Donald Trump’s term and the final candidate William F. Tate IV is the provost at the University of South Carolina
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JT knows one thing for sure….the Louisiana Legislature is appreciating LSU taking the spotlight this week while their actions seem secondary.
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