Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 5/18/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple  108

Editors: Photo accompanies release   Please note local interest
PRESIDENT'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE WINNERS ANNOUNCED
     HAMMOND  -- Two Southeastern Louisiana University professors and a staff member
have been awarded the university's most prestigious honor   the President's Award for
Excellence    in the areas of research and service.
     The awards were presented at the university's May 13 commencement exercises to 
Daniel McCarthy, associate professor of physics, for  research; Robert W. Hastings, professor of
biological sciences and director of Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station, for faculty
service, and Terry Passman, assistant director of the university physical plant, for staff service.
     His fellow scientists in the field of plasma physics have called McCarthy "one of the top
three fusion theorists of his generation." They also stress the rarity of a scientist conducting
theoretical plasma physics research outside of a national laboratory or major research university. 
     McCarthy, who works with scientists at research facilities such as the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology Plasma Science and Fusion Center and the University Maryland Institute
for Plasma Research, said he came to Southeastern because of the opportunity to combine
research and teaching. McCarthy, said Southeastern chemistry professor William Parkinson,
"was able to bring first-class fusion theory research to Southeastern."
     "Dr. McCarthy's research embodies the spirit of Southeastern Louisiana University," said
Albert Doucette, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Although he collaborates
with some of the top individuals in his field, he still deems it important to include undergraduate
students at SLU in his research. Five of his six publications at Southeastern have as co-author an
undergraduate student."
     A resident of Covington, McCarthy received his bachelor's degree in physics from Case
Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Md., and doctoral degree in plasma physics from the
University of Maryland. 
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PRESIDENT'S EXCELLENCE AWARDS   Add One
     As head of Southeastern's Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station for 15 years,
Robert W. Hastings has built a strong legacy of service to environmental education, according to
his colleagues. Hastings has staged teacher training programs that have impacted more than
200,000 students in the Pontchartrain Basin area schools. Since 1991, he has conducted more
than 30 "Lessons of the Lake" weekend workshops for teachers at Turtle Cove, prompting the
Environmental Protection Agency to give him its 1998 Award for Excellence in Environmental
Education.
     Hastings also has hosted countless university, school, civic and environmental groups at
the research facility on Pass Manchac. Kate Mytron, director of New Orleans Inner City Outings,
said under Hastings leadership, "Not only is Turtle Cove the favorite destination of our
participants, but Bob's expertise and teaching skills make an important contribution to our goal
of making learning fun."
     Because of his continuing service to various environmental organizations and his
reputation and involvement in environmental protection activities and education, Hastings has
been chosen to serve on numerous committees, panels and boards such as the Sierra Club,
Citizens for a Clean Tangipahoa, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and the Gulf
Restoration Network. 
     He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and master's and
doctoral degrees from Florida State University. Before joining the Southeastern faculty in 1984,
he taught at Rutgers University.
     Terry Passman joined the staff of Southeastern's Housing Department after his graduation
from Southeastern in 1981. He served as a hall director, coordinator of men's housing and
assistant director of housing before moving to the Physical Plant staff as assistant director in
1996. 
     Throughout his career at Southeastern, Passman has served as advisor to student groups,
including the Kappa Alpha fraternity, Gamma Beta Phi Honor and Service Society and the SLU
Rodeo Association. Gamma Beta Phi President Amy Daigle called Passman "the silent 
backbone" of the organization which has grown from 20 to almost 500 members since Passman
became a co-advisor in 1984. An agricultural business major at Southeastern, he helped students
reorganize the SLU Rodeo Association in 1992. Three years later the Tri-State Rodeo 
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PRESIDENT'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE   Add Two
Association honored the organization for having the Best Rodeo of the Year.
     He has worked closely with the Residence Hall Judicial Commission and the Student
Government Association's Capital Outlay Committee. He has been a key member of committees
for campus events such as Homecoming, Rock 'n Roar, and Chefs Evening and has been active
in the Tangi and Residence Lifers alumni chapters. The Southeastern Alumni Association in
presented Passman with its 1996 L.E. Chandler Award, which recognizes service to Southeastern
students.
     Passman also was named by the Tangipahoa Parish Council to the Multi-Purpose
Agriculture Facility Commission and served as director of site and facilities for the 2001
Louisiana Special Olympics Summer Games.
     Recipients of the President's Awards for Excellence receive a cash award and plaque and
will be recognized at the university's Faculty/Staff Convocation in August.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp00.htm