Archived News | Return to News Center

April 1, 2003

The President's Speaker Series to Bring Accomplished Professionals to ULM

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's President's Speaker Series sponsored by Citgo began this spring. ULM President James Cofer created this outlet to bring distinguished speakers, lecturers, artists, and other talented people to ULM. A University is the perfect setting for accomplished professionals to share stories about their success and their vast knowledge of a particular subject matter. The President's Speaker Series is made possible by a gift from Citgo. ULM and surrounding communities can look forward to expanded educational opportunities through these free, public talks.

Kicking off the President's Speaker Series is Robert Mann, ULM graduate and U.S. Senate aide for Senator John Breaux of Louisiana. He will speak on "Lessons Learned from Vietnam and the Cold War" at 7 p.m., April 2, in the new Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall.

Mann, who received a B.A. in journalism in 1981 from ULM, is a journalist, political historian and U.S. Senate aide whose essays and reviews have appeared in a number of national publications, including The New York Times, the Houston Chronicle, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the International Herald Tribune and the American Prospect Magazine. During the early 1980s, Mann covered Louisiana politics for the Shreveport Journal and The News Star in Monroe.

Mann is the author of "A Grand Delusion: America's Descent into Vietnam," a critically acclaimed political history of the Vietnam War. In a review, The New York Times called it "appealingly accessible" and said that Mann turns complicated history into a vivid and engaging story. In its review of the book, The Washington Post called Mann an authority on the modern U.S Congress. The Denver Post observed that Mann "has permanently altered the landscape of serious scholarly debate on the topic that draws passionate attention from all walks of American life."

Mann is also the author of: "The Walls of Jericho: Lyndon Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, Richard Russell and the Struggle for Civil Rights," a widely praised political history of the civil rights movement; "Legacy to Power," a biography of Senator Russell Long; and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Cold War."

Mann is currently state director for U.S. Senator John Breaux of Louisiana. From 1992 to 1999 he was Breaux's Louisiana press secretary and from 1987 to 1992 Mann served as Breaux's Washington press secretary. He was also the press secretary to U.S. Senator Russell Long of Louisiana from 1985 to 1987 and was press secretary to the 1990 re-election campaign of U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston. Man is also a graduate of California State University-Dominguez Hills.

Next for the President's Speaker Series is Professor Charles Castleman. He will hold a Violin Masterclass at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall from 10:30 a.m. until noon on April 9. The class will also feature performances by three ULM students. Professor Charles Castleman is an internationally distinguished violinist and pedagogue on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music. During the class, Castleman will perform on the Stradivarius violin known as "Marquis de Champeaux", dated 1707. Castleman's biography appears in the International Who's Who in Music, published in Cambridge, England.

Everyone is invited to attend this free performance, and seating will be by reservation only. Please call Carolyn Bruce at 342-1569 for reservations. Seating is limited.

Castleman's appearance is being made possible through a generous gift from the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost at ULM and from the Louisiana String Teachers Association.

Later this spring, on April 30 at 6:30 p.m., the President's Speaker Series will present Dr. Thomas Hatfield, famous WWII historian and close friend of C.C. Colvert, to talk about the life of C.C. Colvert. Colvert was the first president of ULM and remained at ULM for 13 years. Hatfield wrote his dissertation on the early years of ULM under the direction of Colvert. He also knows the early history of ULM intimately. During his friendship with Colvert they became so close that Hatfield delivered Colvert's eulogy at his funeral in 1991.

Friends of the Library at ULM recently announced the arrival of "I think you can, and I believe you will" Selected Writings of C.C. Colvert 1932-1943. The book was edited by Associate Professor of Biology Dr. John A. Knesel and Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership and Counseling Dr. Holly B. Casey. ULM Friends of the Library published the book.

Hatfield, Dean of Continuing and Extended Education at the University of Texas at Austin, will talk about the effects Colvert had on his life and the impact Colvert made to this part of Louisiana through this University. The recently published Colvert book will be available for sale at this event.

Hatfield is a noted military historian, lecturer and writer with a special focus on World War II. He teaches in the Normandy Scholars Program, an intensive undergraduate study of the War, which concludes with an educational tour of European battlefields and historic sites. Dean Hatfield organizes and leads many World War II study tours geared for adult learners. Hatfield is a military historian specializing in World War II. Widely sought as a lecturer and writer, he has led many undergraduate and adult groups across World War II battlefields in Normandy, the Ardennes, Italy, North Africa, and the Central Pacific.

Clyde Cornelius Colvert known as C.C. Colvert was the first president of ULM and remained at ULM 13 years. "I think you can, and I believe you will" Selected Writings of C.C. Colvert 1932-1943 is a book filled with short columns that Colvert wrote for the school paper, the Pow Wow. The book is on sale now at BellTower Books on the fourth floor of the ULM Library. You can also buy it in the ULM Library Director's Office. The book is $11.00 with proceeds going to Friends of the Library.

The Following is an excerpt from the book:

"Clyde Cornelius Colvert, called simply 'C.C.' or 'Colvert' by those who knew him well, guided what is now the University of Louisiana at Monroe through the first thirteen years of its development. If an institution's development can be measured in human terms, C.C. Colvert guided this institution through its infancy, toddling steps and brought her to the brink of adolescence.

Dr. Colvert practiced his belief in an available, appropriate education for everyone who had a thirst for post secondary training in his devotion to the students and community of Ouachita Parish Junior College. When he left Monroe to return to his native Texas, Colvert 'fathered' the Community College Leadership Program at the University of Texas at Austin and subsequently influenced the development of the community and junior college movement across the nation.

Dr. Colvert (1899-1991), cast a very long shadow. He dedicated his professional life to the growth and development of his students. He had the seemingly unique ability to make his students believe they could achieve the goals set by themselves and by Dr. Colvert. During his tenure at the small junior college nestled in a bend of Bayou DeSiard in Monroe, Louisiana, Colvert wrote approximately 120 columns entitled "Colvert's Corner," for the student newspaper, the Pow Wow. It is in these writings that the spirit of C.C. Colvert lives as an exemplar of the consummate teacher: supporter, friend, and wise counselor."

Find this and other ULM News at http://www.ulm.edu.

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ULM.