News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 1/28/05   Click on image for publication quality photo  MOFFETTS TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHALS OF KREWE OF OMEGA      HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University President Randy Moffett and his wife Barbara will serve as Grand Marshals for the Krewe of Omega’s 2005 Mardi Gras parade scheduled to roll in Hammond at 6 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 3).      “We are both extremely honored to serve this year as Grand Marshals,” said Randy Moffett. “Hammond has been home for Barbara and me for nearly 30 years now, and the Krewe of Omega is one of the traditional celebrations associated with both Southeastern and the city. We are thrilled to be part of this year’s parade.”      Omega Captain Joyce Smith said Randy and Barbara Moffett were selected as Grand Marshals for their tremendous community spirit and for their ongoing efforts to make Southeastern a strong educational partner for Hammond and the entire region.      Randy Moffett is in his fourth year as Southeastern’s president, a position. Prior to assuming the university’s top job, he was provost and vice president for academic affairs. He has also served Southeastern in a number of other capacities, including vice president for planning, research and development; vice provost; and dean and professor in the College of Education. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University, a master’s in education from Northwestern State University, and a doctorate from Louisiana State University.      Barbara Moffett is professor and director of the Southeastern School of Nursing. Under her guidance and direction, the Southeastern School of Nursing has become a recognized leader in nursing education, earning the designation in 2002 as the Nursing Program of the Year by the Louisiana State Nurses Association Foundation. The foundation has also presented her with a Nightingale Award as the Nurse Educator of the Year. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Northwestern State University and a doctorate in nursing from LSU.      The Krewe of Omega will leave its staging area at the Southeastern University Center on University Avenue and roll straight onto General Pershing, turn left on Dakota, right on Oak Street, right on Charles Street, left of East Thomas Street, left on Railroad Ave. returning to the University Center.      The Krewe was started informally by the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Southeastern in the late 1970s and was officially formed under the name Northlake Carnival Club in 1986. During Mardi Gras season, the Krewe traditionally begins its parade day by traveling from Kentwood to Ponchatoula honoring and toasting the mayors of all the cities along the north-south railroad track in Tangipahoa. The day concludes with the night parade in Hammond.