Members present:  Joe Nordgren, Kate Downing, Dean Terrebonne, Grayson Meek, Juan Zabala, Bianca Easterly, Pat Heintzelman, Marleen Swerdlow, Berna Tokgoz, Freddie Titus, Heather Reading, Trina Nolen, Rebecca Boone, Ashley Dockens, Robert Spina, and Trevion Wilson

Members unable to attend: Buddy Low and Shelly Vitanza

Dean welcomed all on the call and explained the importance of all committees and councils meeting in September or early October to establish goals for the coming year, and again in May, to report on progress made throughout the year.  Since the Lecture Series events are held as endowment funds permit, it was reported that funds will not be available to hold another event until 2023.  The next event will be in conjunction with Lamar University’s Centennial Celebration.  As soon as the Centennial Committee establishes a calendar of events for 2023, this committee can begin discussing possible speakers.  Therefore, this committee will more than likely not meet again until May 2021.

Dean provided a brief recap of the successful Lecture event on Monday, March 9, 2020, just before COVID-19 Pandemic changed the scope of on-campus activities.  While the attendance was not what we had hoped, perhaps due to weather, John Dickerson was engaging and fulfilled our expectations.  The expenses for the 2020 event totaled $49,883.28, compared to the 2016 event total, $103,274.50.

The selection of a committee Chair shall be elected from and by the members.  Dean asked if anyone had an interest in serving in this capacity, to be considered.  Trevion Wilson expressed interest, asking if a representative of SGA could be considered.  Dr. Nordgren shared that the Chair position has traditionally been held by the Associate Provost, and would we consider having a Co-chair?  Dean said he would look into that and get back with the committee via e-mail. 

Dean thanked the committee for attending the meeting and the meeting was adjourned.

Subsequent to the meeting:

Dean confirmed there is an Organizational Chair, who is out of the Office of the Provost, and a committee Co-chair shall be elected from and by the members.  Therefore, Dean will solicit interest in serving as Co-chair and facilitate an election via e-mail. 

An electronic election was held, and Ashley Dockens was selected as the Co-chair.  The new Co-chair will be notated on the list of members posted on the website.