The Hammond Chamber of Commerce recently held a luncheon where members heard about the state’s budget from the University of Louisiana System President and learned the recipient of this month’s Spirit Award.
The luncheon was held on Friday, Sept. 30 at 11:30 a.m. in Twelve Oaks Dining Hall on Southeastern’s campus.
Members of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives from different sponsors, Senator Jack Donahue, Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster and Dr. Randy Moffet, past president of Southeastern and current president of the University of Louisiana System, attended the event.
Several community plans and awards were acknowledged.
The Hammond Fire Department was recognized as the recipient of the Spirit Award for this month for having a green and gold fire engine in support of Southeastern.
“It’s really a great honor,” said Chris Ferrara, owner of Ferrara Fire Apparatus, which produced the spirited fire truck. “We’re always looking to get involved with the community, especially university.”
After the award, Moffet spoke on behalf of the University of Louisiana System about the distribution of state finances to its eight universities and “the good, the bad, the ugly and the hope” in regards to Southeastern’s budget.
Moffet summarized the highs and lows of the university’s budget, comparing the time a few years ago when funds were low to a similar period in the 80s. Although there was significant financial reduction and reduced payroll for university staff, Southeastern pushed to remain a four-year university by growing and becoming nationally accredited.
According to Moffet, there was an $83 million reduction in the University of Louisiana System’s budget in late 2009, which affected all eight universities in the UL System: Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and University of Louisiana at Monroe.
“I’ve lived a lot of what he spoke about,” said Crain about Moffet’s lecture. “I think he did a good job giving historical perspective on the situation and was accurate in painting that balance.”
Linda Sharpless, Chief Executive Officer of the Multipractice Clinic, a sponsor of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce said that she thinks Southeastern is important to the community of Hammond.
“Basically, it brings in a lot of revenue to the city of Hammond,” said Sharpless. “It gives our children the opportunity not to go far from home, and it provides a marvelous education at a reasonable