MADAM PRESIDENT Judy Perry Martinez Leads The American Bar Association - A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI, STUDENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ...
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A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R A L U M N I , S T U D E N T S A N D F R I E N D S O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W O R L E A N S
FA L L 2 0 1 9
MADAM
PRESIDENT
Judy Perry Martinez
Leads The American
Bar Association
2 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019
T A B L E O F
Alumnus Mitchell Ervin referees
a New Orleans Pelicans game.
F E AT U R E S
22 MADAM PRESIDENT
New Orleans attorney and UNO alumna
Judy Perry Martinez is the new president
of the 400,000-member American Bar
Association
26 PRIVATEER IN THE PROS
NBA referee Mitchell Ervin has earned
his stripes
30 FOUNDING DEAN HONORED
Fritz Dohse, the founding dean of the
College of Engineering, left his mark in
many ways. The college’s auditorium now
bears his name
32 ALOHA IRBY
Alumnus Irby Morvant Jr. started out
waiting tables at a Hyatt restaurant while
attending college, now he’s the general
manager of a large resort in Hawaii
34 DATA TRAIL
UNO researcher Tara Tolford is tracking
joggers, walkers and bicyclists statewide as
part of a $240,000 data collection grant
D E PA RT M E N T S
5 CAMPUS SCENE
10 NEWS AND EVENTS
18 FACULTY FOCUS
36 THE UNO TRAVELER
38 ATHLETICS
42 DONOR SPOTLIGHT
44 ALUM NOTES
52 THEN AND NOW
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 3
DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS: VOLUME 43 s ISSUE 2
C HA N G E I S T H E O N LY C O N S TA N T I N L I F E . T H I S A P H O R I S M I S AT T R I B U T E D T O
Heraclitus, and it is something we think about a lot at the University of New Orleans. The com- EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Littice Bacon-Blood
munities and organizations we serve are constantly evolving, and the nature of work is shifting
EDITOR
drastically before our eyes. A 2017 report from the Institute for the Future, an independent futures Adam Norris
research group, states that 85% of jobs that today’s students will hold in 2030 have not yet been DESIGN AND LAYOUT
created. Ponder that for a moment: we cannot conceive of most of the work that will be performed Eric Gernhauser
in a decade. Wow. That gets my attention. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mallory Moore
In particular, it is difficult to imagine the types of jobs that sophisticated emerging technolo- Alicia Serrano
gies like artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, robotics and cloud computing will PHOTOGRAPHY
reveal across all industries. The inescapable conclusion is that to successfully Frank L. Aymami III
Littice Bacon-Blood
compete, each of us must be willing to also change, primarily through continu- Avery Gray
ous learning and retooling, especially if we are to compete in these new jobs. Joshua Matthews
Tracie Morris Schaefer
Continuous learning is a necessity—it makes us more valuable, keeps our Alicia Serrano
brains nimble, nourishes our minds and our curiosity, and it represents
an enduring investment in our own well-being, one that often yields
a strong return on investment. Send Correspondence to:
Silver & Blue Editor
For the University of New Orleans, our imperative is to University of New Orleans
provide you with up-to-date learning opportunities, now and Administration Building 103
2000 Lakeshore Drive
in the future. Whether you are 18 or 88, we engage with New Orleans, LA 70148
students in different ways using a variety of delivery methods. phone: (504) 280-6832
email: unomagazine@uno.edu
In fact, our growing portfolio of professional and continuing
education programs, coupled with an evolving curriculum of
degree programs, allows us to transform lives, and not just those of
traditional age college students.
I am proud that the University continues to be a beacon of Silver & Blue Magazine is published by
the University of New Orleans. Articles
enlightenment, creating shared knowledge and honing the skills of represent the opinions of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the views of
the people we serve. One of the most exciting facets of working on anyone but the authors.
a college campus is encountering our students and their thirst for
To inquire about alumni events or to join
knowledge. They are an example to all of us. We are reminded to the UNO Alumni Association, contact:
Office of Alumni Affairs, University of
ask questions, engage in discussion, branch out beyond our own New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148
phone: (504) 280-2586
areas of expertise and be humble enough to learn from oth- fax: (504) 280-1080
email: alumni@uno.edu
ers. A lifelong commitment to learning can be both financially
rewarding and emotionally satisfying. If you are interested in © 2019 The University of New Orleans
This public document was published at a total cost
pursuing new intellectual or professional goals in our ever- of $21,475. Forty-five thousand (45,000) copies of
this public document were published in this first
changing world, let us know how we can support you. and only printing at a cost of $21,475. There will be
no reprints, so the total cost of all printings of this
document is $21,475. This document was published
UNO Proud, by the University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Dr.,
John Nicklow New Orleans, LA 70148, to promote the purpose of
the University under authority of 17:3351(A)(12). This
PRESIDENT material was printed in accordance with the standards
for printing by state agencies established pursuant to
@UNOPresidentJN @unopresident R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was purchased
in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the
Louisiana Revised Statutes.
4 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019
HEADLINES AND HAPPENINGS
INSIDE
SPRING
COMMENCEMENT
MOVING IN
CONVOCATION
TAKING A PLUNGE
SUCbAUF
A proud family member displays
a larger-than-life version of his
graduate outside the Lakefront
Arena at spring commencement.
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 5
SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Alumna Sheba Turk, a co-anchor of WWL-
TV’s Eyewitness Morning News, served as the
principal speaker at the University of New
Orleans spring commencement on May 17. The
2019 graduating class hailed from 28 U.S. states
and territories and 32 countries.
As the graduates prepared for the next chapter
of their lives, Turk urged them to remember that
life happens in seasons and that they shouldn’t
wait for things to be perfect in order to make
positive moves.
“I realize now that there’s power in what
you think and how you think,” Turk told the
graduates. “When I decided to move forward
anyway, even though things weren’t perfect,
things started to really happen for me.”
SUCbAUF
For more than 30
years, UNO students
have celebrated the end
of spring semester by
chowing down at a free
crawfish boil! Sponsored
by the Student Activities
Council, SUCbAUF offers
an afternoon buffet of all-
you-can-eat crawfish and
side fixings of potatoes
and corn!
6 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019
MOVE-IN DAY
The UNO Move-In Krewe—
made up of administrators
(including President Nicklow),
faculty, staff and returning
students—help freshmen and new
transfer students move into the
Pontchartrain Hall residence halls.
CONVOCATION
The Class of 2023 was
officially welcomed to campus
with a formal ceremony and
a get-to-know-you party
with their peers. The annual
convocation at the UNO
Lakefront Arena, which
included faculty marching
into the arena in full
academic regalia while “Pomp
and Circumstance” plays,
commemorates the start of
the academic journey for new
students with an opening
ceremony followed by free
food and games.
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 7
PRIVATEERS TAKE
A PLUNGE
Privateer Plunge is a six-week welcome
for new students. The schedule is packed
with events, workshops, parties, and
presentations designed to introduce new
students to available resources and help
them get to know campus!
8 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 9
New Associate Provost Newtona ‘Tina’ Johnson Sees
‘Scaffold of Support’ As Key to Faculty Success, Retention
NEWTONA “TINA” JOHNSON , of the preeminent urban research a comprehensive professional in the classroom and to oversee
the new associate provost for institutions in the nation noted development program, mentor- the University’s commitment to
faculty and diversity affairs at the for its commitment to excellence ing or facilitating grant activities diversity and inclusion.
University of New Orleans, rose in teaching and in student suc- because faculty should be viewed “So, I have two hats,”
through the ranks of academia cess,” Johnson says. holistically. Johnson says. “Faculty affairs is
holding various faculty and ad- Johnson holds a doctorate in She instituted tenure and essentially to work with faculty
ministrative leadership positions literary and cultural studies from promotion workshops and initi- to ensure their success in differ-
that she feels has well-prepared Emory University, a master’s in ated faculty mentoring programs ent ways … the other is diversity,
her to assist faculty in being suc- applied linguistics from Con- for specific affinity groups, such and that is to ensure that this
cessful. cordia University in Montreal, a as women associate professors, institution’s commitment to di-
“You know what faculty is master’s in English from Dalhou- while at Middle Tennessee State. versity and inclusion is pursued.
going through because you have sie University in Halifax, Nova “When we talk about success, To make sure that we can retain
gone through it yourself,” John- Scotia and a bachelor’s degree in it’s not just success professionally, our students and faculty by
son says. “You know what the English language and literature it’s also about personal growth,” making sure they feel that they
struggles are and what you need from the University of Sierra Johnson says. “For me, faculty belong here.”
to do to recalibrate to make sure Leone. success is enabling professional As the chief diversity officer
that what you do, you do well. She also has extensive train- and personal growth. Then at Middle Tennessee, Johnson
“It’s invaluable experience, ing in senior-level higher educa- faculty are engaged and they have provided administrative person-
especially for this position, when tion management and leadership, that sense of being committed to nel support to the University’s
you’re working with faculty.” including a yearlong American the institution, because the insti- 18-member diversity advisory
Johnson comes to UNO from Council on Education Fel- tution is committed to them.” board and was the liaison with
the 21,000-student Middle Ten- lows Program and the Harvard Johnson says she views her the state board of regents on
nessee State University where she Institute for Management and role as a facilitator—somebody diversity-related matters.
was a professor of English and Leadership in Education. who motivates and provides Johnson, who has studied the
previously served as interim vice “To me, faculty success and support for others to do well in city of New Orleans from afar as
provost for academic affairs and student success are intertwined,” whatever position that they serve. part of her cultural research on
chief diversity officer, and direc- Johnson says. “If you want your “My management approach diaspora and hybridity, says she
tor of women’s studies/women’s students to be successful, your is that I’m there to help, to mo- is excited about living here and
and gender studies. She spent faculty have to be successful tivate,” she says. “Everybody can getting to know the UNO com-
eight years at Spelman College as well. How do we aid them? succeed with the right circum- munity.
in Atlanta prior to her time at By facilitating professional and stances, the right help. That’s “It’s just a wonderful oppor-
Middle Tennessee State. personal growth.” what I love to do.” tunity to be where I can con-
“I was drawn to UNO’s com- Johnson, who arrived on Johnson says her dual roles tribute to moving the institution
mitment to provide educational campus in July, describes her will allow her to work with forward,” Johnson says. “I am
excellence to a diverse under- leadership approach as providing faculty to ensure they are as committed to the institution’s
graduate and graduate student a “scaffold” of supportive services well-equipped and comfort- mission and to President Nick-
body, and its vision of being one such as training, supporting able to be the best they can be low’s transformative vision.”
10 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019Leading a Joint Effort to
Recover Missing World War II
Airmen in Germany
The University of New Orleans, through its
partnership with the University of Innsbruck in
Austria and the UNO-Innsbruck International Sum-
mer School, led a joint effort to excavate the site
of a World War II aircraft crash in Germany, in the
hopes that the project will help the Defense POW/
MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in its mission to
make the fullest possible accounting of American
personnel. The team was joined by volunteers
from the Task Force Dagger Foundation (TFDF), a
nonprofit that serves U.S. Special Operations Com-
mand members and their families.
University of New Orleans anthropology
professor D. Ryan Gray led the excavation, which
concluded in mid-August, as part of a field school
in archaeology. The site is located in southern Ger-
many, and it is thought to be the location of a crash
of a B-17 shot down during a 1944 bombing raid.
The field investigations, combining traditional ar-
chaeological methods with state-of-the-art inves-
tigative techniques, will hopefully allow for missing
air crew associated with the crash to be recovered
and identified. The project included 15 students in
the UNO-Innsbruck International Summer School,
two students from the University of Innsbruck and
six volunteers from Task Force Dagger.
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 11Retired Professor Charles O’Connor Donates $60K
for Endowed Chemistry Professorship
AS A YOUNGSTER, CHARLES A $60,000 donation from $50 million in outside funding ate students, and the research
O’Connor was fascinated by O’Connor and his wife, Sally E. for research, including a five- activities of more than 40 post-
the attraction between two bar O’Connor, will help establish year grant from the Defense doctoral students. Results of his
magnets that would cause one an endowed professorship in Advanced Research Projects research have been reported in
to move, even though they were chemistry. The University will Agency for $8.2 million to more than 400 peer-reviewed
not touching. pursue a $40,000 match from conduct research on nanophase publications in the scientific
“I just always thought that the Louisiana Board of Regents. magnetic particles for advanced literature and more than 250
was really neat,” O’Connor says. O’Connor, who retired materials. presentations at scientific con-
That early interest never following a 35-year career at “A lot of that had to do ferences and symposia.
waned. It prompted O’Connor the University, describes the with trying to make magnetic His research work at the
to earn a doctorate in chem- endowment as his way of giv- particles smaller and able to University bore applications
istry and to pursue a career at ing back. hold the magnetism to try and for the data storage industry
the University of New Orleans “I spent my whole career improve the density of data and miniaturizations of electric
that spanned more than three there,” says O’Connor. “I just storage,” O’Connor says. devices and sensors, among
decades researching and teach- thought I could give something O’Connor also developed other things.
ing chemistry. back to the chemistry depart- an outreach summer research O’Connor is a world-re-
His assignment, when he ment and help them recruit program at UNO for high- nowned and respected chem-
joined the UNO faculty in faculty.” school students, high-school ist, says Steven Johnson, dean
1979, was to teach and develop That career included being teachers and underrepresented of the College of Sciences and
research programs in inor- the founding director of the minority undergraduates, and chairman of AMRI’s campus
ganic, solid-state and materials Advanced Material Research directed an effort at UNO to advisory board.
chemistry. Institute at UNO, which was help develop a doctoral pro- Johnson credits O’Connor
“I was always intrigued by developed to meet the research gram in advanced materials and for developing an interna-
magnetism and that’s generally needs of the University in nanoscience as a collaborative tionally recognized materi-
the area I ended up doing my the area of materials science. program between Louisiana als research institute and for
work in, magnetic properties of The institute has established a State University, the University recruiting “fabulous” faculty
materials,” says O’Connor, who research consortium that in- of New Orleans and Southern members to UNO whom he
retired in 2012. cludes academic, government, University Baton Rouge. also mentored.
Now, O’Connor is manifest- and industrial participants and During his tenure at UNO, “I would say that his dona-
ing his fondness for chemistry their research laboratories. O’Connor directed the Ph.D tion is a testament to his gener-
in another way: The creation of During his tenure at UNO, and M.S. thesis research of osity and his willingness to help
an endowment fund. O’Connor received more than more than a dozen gradu- faculty,” Johnson says.
12 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019news in brief
Saxophonist Brian Wingard Receives
ASCAP Foundation Louis Armstrong Jazz Award UNO Increases Enrollment Again
The University of New Orleans in-
The University of New Orleans music faculty has selected Brian Win-
creased its overall student enrollment for
gard for the 2019 ASCAP Louis Armstrong Foundation Jazz Composition
the second straight year, marking the first time in more than a decade that the
Award. Wingard, a jazz saxophonist and composer, will represent the
University has grown in back-to-back years. Total enrollment increased from
University at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publish-
8,151 students in fall 2018 to 8,231 students in fall 2019.
ers Foundation awards ceremony in New York City on Dec. 11.
“While the increase is a modest one, we are thrilled that we continue on an
The annual award, which carries a $3,000 scholarship, is awarded to
upward trajectory,” said President John Nicklow. “Particularly at a time when
a UNO graduate student in jazz studies who demonstrates excellence
many universities across the country are grappling with enrollment declines,
in composition, and is supported by the Louis Armstrong Educational
we consider this to be an indicator of continued progress. I am grateful for
Foundation.
the work of our entire team across campus that has made recruitment, reten-
tion and student success our top priorities.”
Undergraduate enrollment increased nearly 2% to 6,713 students. It is the
first time that the number of undergraduates has grown in three consecutive
years since prior to Hurricane Katrina.
Two Biotech Companies Move to the University
The founders of two biotech research companies moved their lab to the
University of New Orleans in July. LaCell LLC, and its spin-off company,
Obatala Sciences, are now housed on the second floor of the Science Build-
ing within the Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI).
“We are excited about these new companies moving into AMRI. This will
expand the number of startups in the institute, further increasing internship
and job opportunities for our students,” said John Wiley, director of AMRI.
The focus of LaCell LLC is on stem cell research and the clinical translation
of that research, according to its website. Obatala is a tissue-engineering
company that offers, among other services, a 3-D human adipose tissue cul-
ture system that is marketed for disease modeling and drug discovery within
the obesity, diabetes, metabolism, pharmaceutical and academic sectors.
LaCell LLC and Obatala Sciences join startups InnoGenomics and Advano
already on campus in AMRI facilities.
$75,000 Grant Will Expand College Beyond Program
A $75,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation will allow the University of New Or-
leans to provide more students with targeted support through its partnership with
College Beyond. College Beyond’s success coaches, who are housed on UNO’s
campus, provide academic and non-academic interventions to Pell Grant recipient
college students who graduated from greater New Orleans high schools.
The program served 80 freshmen during the 2018-19 academic year. The
Kresge grant will enable as many as 100 additional students to participate.
Many first-generation, Pell-eligible students face additional challenges such
as transportation barriers, food insecurity, work commitments and financial hur-
dles. College Beyond coaches are trained to help students access community-
based resources to overcome those challenges and succeed in college.
The Water Institute Celebrates Opening
The University of New Orleans and The Water Institute of the Gulf cel-
ebrated the Institute’s new home at the UNO Research and Technology Park
during a reception in April.
“This not only strengthens the partnership between the University of New
Orleans and the Institute, it also allows us to leverage our respective field
research capacities now and into the future to benefit the state and our other
partners,” said Matthew Tarr, vice president for research and economic de-
velopment at the University of New Orleans. “The University of New Orleans’
expertise in areas such as environmental sciences, civil and environmental
engineering, coastal resilience, and hazard mitigation makes it a natural
partner with The Water Institute.”
The Baton Rouge-based Institute has had a presence in New Orleans
since its inception and has collaborated with Tulane University, Greater New
Orleans Foundation, GNO, Inc., UNO and many other partners on a variety of
projects around the city.
To read more about theseF Astories,
L L 2 0 1 visit
9 S Inews.uno.edu.
LV E R & B L U E 13Phillip May and Roxanna Rodriguez-Torres To Be Honored
at 2019 Distinguished Alumni Gala
E N T E R G Y L O U I SIA NA of transition management, in general studies from the
president and CEO Phillip and managing director of University of New Orleans.
May will receive the 2019 corporate strategic planning She has completed linguist
University of New Orleans and analysis. certifications in Russian,
Homer L. Hitt Distinguished May, who joined Entergy Kurdish and Spanish from
Alumni Award, the UNO in 1986, holds a bachelor’s the Department of Defense’s
Alumni Association an- degree in electrical engineer- Defense Language Institute.
nounced. Additionally Rox- ing from the University of May is the 36th honoree
anna Rodriguez-Torres, the Southwestern Louisiana and to receive the Homer L. Hitt
National Security Council’s a Master of Business Admin- Distinguished Alumni Award.
director for Transnational istration from the University Previous recipients include
Organized Crime, has been of New Orleans. He serves on State Rep. Julie Stokes, New
named the 2019 Homer Hitt the boards of the U.S. Cham- Orleans Tourism Marketing
Young Alumna of the Year. ber of Commerce; GNO, Inc.; Corporation President and
Both will be honored at the Louisiana Nature Con- CEO Mark Romig, engineer
Phillip May
the Distinguished Alumni servancy; Teach for America and executive Roy Glapion,
Gala, which will take place of South Louisiana; City Year television news executive
on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Baton Rouge and Second Kim Bondy, former Gambit
National WWII Museum’s Harvest Food Bank. Communications Chairman
United States Freedom Pavil- Rodriguez-Torres Clancy DuBos and former
ion: The Boeing Center. advises and supports the Lieutenant Governor Melinda
“Alumni from the president, his senior national Schwegmann. The honoree
University of New Orleans security advisers and cabinet is selected by a committee of
excel in every imaginable officials on national security former award recipients.
endeavor,” said President and policy issues related The Distinguished
John Nicklow. “It is fitting to transnational organized Alumni Gala will also rec-
that we are honoring Phillip crime. In 2018 she served as ognize distinguished alumni
and Roxanna because, while the deputy assistant secre- from each of the University’s
they work in very different tary for law enforcement four academic colleges, and
fields, they exemplify the policy under the Department athletics.
determination, perseverance of Homeland Security’s Of- The gala’s venue is a testa-
and excellence found in so fice of Strategy, Policy and ment to UNO’s lasting impact Roxanna Rodriguez-Torres
many of our graduates. They Plans. Her previous positions on the community—the
are both very deserving of within the Department of National WWII Museum was
this recognition.” Homeland Security include conceived in UNO’s history
As president and CEO intelligence analyst and chief department by professors
of Entergy Louisiana, May is of staff for the Homeland Stephen Ambrose and Nick
responsible for the com- Security Investigations Of- Mueller, the museum’s former
pany’s customer service, fice of Intelligence. She also president and CEO.
regulatory and public affairs, worked as an analyst for the Proceeds from the Dis-
resource planning, economic U.S. Customs Service. She tinguished Alumni Gala will
development programs and began her career as a coun- increase funding for student
charitable contributions, as terintelligence agent and scholarships and support
well as its financial perfor- linguist with the Louisiana the UNO Alumni Associa-
mance. He previously served National Guard. tion’s programming to ensure
as vice president of regula- Rodriguez-Torres re- student success and alumni
tory services, vice president ceived a bachelor’s degree engagement.
14 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019Students Put Engineering
Concepts to Work at
Robotic Eel Camp
It takes imagination to look at the seg-
mented white PVC pipes splayed on the
table with the long protruding wires and
exposed batteries and see a robot—spe-
cifically a robotic eel capable of undulat-
ing underwater and through waves.
That was the vision and goal Univer-
sity of New Orleans professor Brandon
Taravella shared with local middle and
high school students who piloted the
School of Naval Architecture and Marine
Engineering’s inaugural eel robotics camp
this summer.
The weeklong camp, funded through a
National Center for Advanced Manufac-
turing grant, introduced a variety of engi-
neering concepts, such as 3-D modeling,
mechanical and hydrodynamics design,
and electrical engineering.
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 15University of New Orleans Engineering Student
Spends Summer Aboard Electric-Powered Yachts
UNIVERSITY OF NEW
Orleans senior Nigel Watkins
spent his summer vacation
along the French Riviera and
scenic Italian waterways. It was
not, however, just “fun in the
sun.”
Watkins, who is majoring in
naval architecture and marine
engineering, was honing his
skills through a two-month
internship with the European
boat builder Vita Yachts.
“To be honest, I didn’t know
what I was getting myself into,”
Watkins says.
He’d read about the compa-
ny and was intrigued that they
specialized in high-performance
electric-powered boats, Watkins
says. He contacted the company,
and after a flurry of Skype inter-
views and emails, he was offered
the job as a naval architecture
and marine engineering intern.
“I’ve always had a passion
for clean energy and believe manufacturers to get the best systems and software to allow so that by the end of the intern-
that’s where the marine sector product,” he says. clients to seamlessly cruise ship it would be equally beneficial
will eventually migrate to, so Watkins was assigned to along the Mediterranean with for both parties. I can’t thank
it was a perfect fit being able work under the company’s head zero carbon emissions.” everyone at Vita enough for the
to combine my two passions of performance, who is a former Watkins spent the rest of experience and look forward to
of luxury yachting and clean chief engineer for the Mercedes the summer between Cannes, what’s in store for the future.”
energy,” Watkins says. Formula 1 auto racing team, France and Monaco working Watkins says the College of
“What I didn’t realize and Vita’s head of production, with clients and consultants Engineering, as well as his in-
was over the span of a couple who is a former super-yacht to perfect the final designs for volvement in student government
months I’d get to travel all over project manager. a full production roll-out, he and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity,
southern Europe working with The first month was mainly says. gave him the leadership and com-
some of the best designers and spent performing sea trials in “It’s satisfying work know- munication skills that made for a
engineers this side of the world Lago Maggiore, Italy and testing ing that this project will hope- successful internship.
had to offer.” the newest Vita model, Watkins fully have a domino effect and “The naval architecture and
The first couple of weeks says. The boats, a 27-foot and show the world the capabilities marine engineering depart-
were very production-focused 30-foot models, can fit eight to of electric propulsion,” he says. ment at UNO is second to none,
and included meeting all of the 10 people comfortably, he says. “Being a part of a small team and it really shows when you’re
boats’ contractors and manufac- “Vita is also the only boat in has given me the opportunity to put in the field,” Watkins says.
turers, Watkins says. the world that can supercharge be involved in every aspect of “The professors prepare you in a
“The company is constantly much like Tesla, and we have the company from marketing to way where they don’t hold your
trying to improve anything and our own in-house network of design to testing. hand, but rather make you work
everything from hull design to superchargers along the French “Thanks to my education at through problems on your own
seat fabric so it was important Riviera,” he says. “We’ve spent UNO, I felt like I could consis- which is realistically what will
to meet with those respective this summer perfecting those tently contribute and add ideas happen once you graduate.”
16 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019Second Line Brewing Releases Privateer Ale
SECOND LINE BREWING, giving our alumni an opportu- by volume with 15 international UNO in 2005.
in collaboration with the nity to enjoy a delicious local bitterness units, making it a light Privateer Ale is available at
University of New Orleans, craft beer and support their and thirst-quenching beer. Second Line Brewing, 433 N.
has released Privateer Ale, alma mater in the process,” says “We are so pleased to be Bernadotte St., and on campus
a refreshing golden ale and President John Nicklow. “We working with my alma mater at The Sandbar inside The Cove
the University’s new officially have more than 47,000 alumni in to create Privateer Ale. We look and the UNO Lakefront Arena.
licensed beer. Privateer Ale metro New Orleans and I’m sure forward to supporting and It’s also sold at the Balcony
represents the first collaboration they’ll be UNO Proud to drink promoting the university that Bar & Café, Katie’s Restaurant
between UNO and the indepen- Privateer Ale. If your favorite helped me achieve my goals, just & Bar, Red Door, 504 Craft
dently owned Mid-City craft bar, restaurant or grocery store as it has for so many others in Beer Reserve, Craft Beer Cel-
brewery, well known for beers doesn’t carry it yet, ask for it.” the city,” says Second Line Brew- lar, Elio’s Wine Warehouse,
such as Batture Blonde Ale and Privateer Ale is a crisp gold- ing co-founder Karen Logan, Homegrown Pizza, Lakeside
A Saison Named Desire. en ale brewed with Mosaic and who earned a Master of Business Country Club and select loca-
“We’re really excited about Idaho 7 hops. It is 4.3% alcohol Administration degree from tions of Breaux Mart.
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 17Howard, Mosterman and Horne
Win Faculty Excellence Awards
ALTHOUGH THE SERVICES sterman, and John Horne. al practice in biological sciences. The recipients of the Faculty
they render in helping to shape Howard, associate professor Johnson said Horne’s active Excellence Awards were
the next generation of leaders in biological sciences, received learning methods has helped l-r: John Horne, Andrea
are far-reaching and priceless, the mentoring award. improve student success rates Mosterman and Jerome
educators aren’t drawn to a Howard created the summer in introductory science courses Howard.
career in teaching expecting STEM Scholars Program, and has that tend to be challenging.
to get wealthy, University of an “affinity” for connecting with “He cares about innova-
New Orleans Provost Mahyar students and helping steer them tion in teaching and he has
Amouzegar said during an to success, said Steven Johnson, done a fabulous job in the research, Long said in making
April ceremony honoring three College of Science dean. HHMI grant,” Johnson said. the award presentation.
faculty members for outstand- The STEM camp, funded in “His approach has really excited “This method of visualizing
ing work. part by a grant from the Howard students and allowed them to the topics that she is teaching,
“I think all of us are here, Hughes Medical Institute, is succeed.” helps to bring the topics to life
not for personal gain, it’s really an intensive six-day residential Kim Martin Long, dean and ensure that students know
because we care,” Amouzegar program aimed at boosting the of the College of Liberal Arts, how to research, analyze, discuss
said. “We care about our com- academic readiness of incoming Education and Human Develop- with others and present visually
munity, we care about our cam- freshmen who have chosen to ment, wished she’d had a history sometimes very complex topics,”
pus, we care about our students, pursue majors in science, tech- professor like Mosterman who Long said. “Skills that … transfer
we care about our colleagues nology, engineering and math. she said believes in “active and to jobs and life.”
and it shows.” Howard researched the idea engaged learning.” Mosterman also allows
The ceremony at the Earl and now facilitates the camp, Mosterman, an associate students “voice and choice” in
K. Long Library was the second which completed its fifth year at professor in the department of content, Long said. Students
year for the Faculty Excellence the University last summer. history and philosophy, also can propose their own historical
Awards established by Academic “He’s done a phenomenal received the faculty excellence in topics, and with justification,
Affairs to recognize faculty job in mentoring through the teaching and teaching innova- Mosterman incorporates that
members in two categories: STEM Scholars HHMI camp,” tion award. into the syllabus.
Excellence in Mentoring and Ex- Johnson said in presenting the Mosterman doesn’t just “In these ways history does
cellence in Teaching and Teach- award to Howard. lecture about history, but continue to live and these stu-
ing Innovation. The awards Johnson also presented one requires her students to seek out dents are able to understand how
include a $5,000 prize. of the two awards for teaching historical places around their important understanding our
The award recipients were excellence and innovation to neighborhood and produce pre- present time period is in know-
Jerome Howard, Andrea Mo- Horne, a professor of profession- sentations based on their own ing their history,” Long said.
18 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019Management Professor
Nicole Fuller Left Corporate
For The Classroom
WHEN SHE WORKED AS A career that allowed for continu-
financial analyst in Washington, ous learning, mentoring future
D.C., Nicole Fuller, now an leaders and producing work
assistant professor of manage- that impacts the community in
ment at the University of New meaningful ways,” says Fuller,
Orleans, says she felt unfulfilled who teaches business policies and
and longed for a career that problems, and business planning.
not only challenged her, but In 2010 she was selected to nonprofit organization. Fuller incorporates her re-
impacted lives. attend the PhD Project’s annual “The decision to leave my search into the business courses
“I didn’t feel like I was mak- conference at which participants corporate position in finance that she teaches at UNO, by
ing a difference in anybody’s life, are introduced to the doctoral and move across the country to pushing her students to look
and I have a passion for working program process through a va- enroll in graduate school full- beyond the textbook’s typical
with young people,” says Fuller, riety of sessions, including talks time was a complete step out on focus on management practices
whose expertise is in strategic with deans, professors and cur- faith,” Fuller says. “The support at large, well-known companies.
management and entrepreneur- rent doctoral students of color I received and network connec- “I often would use an
ship. “A lot of my volunteerism about the benefits of pursuing a tions I established through The example of a large company, but
after work had to do with men- business Ph.D. PhD Project made the rocky then I would say, ‘Now let’s look
toring and teaching.” Once a candidate is enrolled road from enrollment to gradu- into inner-city Dallas, or let’s
Still, the sense of being “mis- in a doctoral program, the ation smoother. I am grateful for apply the same thing to inner-
aligned” and not maximizing her program offers resources and its The PhD Project and excited to city New Orleans and let’s see if
full potential lingered. members act as a support system, be Dr. Cinco!” this still stands up.’”
It was not until she found Fuller says. Fuller’s dissertation “Or- Her research interests
herself applying for her fourth “I ended up quitting my ganizational Marginalization also include corporate social
corporate job, that Fuller recalled job at the end of 2011 because I and Embeddedness in Dis- responsibility and exploring
a conversation with one of her decided to get an MBA,” Fuller tressed Business Environments” how companies choose to serve
former Georgetown University says. “A lot of the Ph.D. programs focused on small businesses the communities they operate
business professors. He had asked don’t require an MBA, but it does located in Houston’s inner-city in, and business gentrification,
whether she’d thought about make you more appealing in the neighborhoods. she says.
pursuing a doctorate degree. application process.” That research fuels her “We talk about gentrifica-
At the time, she had not, Fuller earned a full graduate passion for advocacy, Fuller tion and how individuals and
intent as she was on finishing her scholarship to the University says. She wants to develop and households are being relocated
bachelor’s degree and getting a of Arkansas-Fayetteville and share business theories about the and displaced, but there’s also a
job. About five years after gradu- went on to earn her doctoral operations of small companies in sense of gentrification happen-
ating, she found herself contem- degree in business from Texas poor communities. Management ing in business environments
plating whether she really wanted A&M University in 2018. She theories developed from study- sometimes,” Fuller says.
to stay in corporate America. also earned the title “Dr. Cinco” ing larger companies in more When new businesses move
“I reached back out to my for quintupling the number of affluent environments are not in, and the area becomes a
undergraduate professor … and minority business school pro- always applicable, she says. more up-and-coming neighbor-
we met for dinner,” Fuller says. “I fessors since The PhD Project “I want to speak for the hood, some existing businesses
said ‘What were you saying about started in 1994. business environments that continue to thrive. Others end
getting a Ph.D.?’” Fuller, who was honored other people or other research- up shutting down, she says.
He told Fuller about the PhD at the organization’s annual ers are not speaking for,” Fuller Fuller, who moved to New
Project, a support network aimed conference in October 2018, says. “It’s typical for research- Orleans in 2018, said she’s look-
at increasing workplace diversity became the 1,470th doctor- ers to do research on S&P 500 ing forward to expanding her
by increasing the number of ally qualified minority busi- firms, but I’m really interested research canvas to include New
African Americans, Hispanic ness school professor. In 1994, in the smaller businesses oper- Orleans businesses.
Americans and Native Ameri- there were only 294 doctorally ating in distressed communities, “I want to look back and
cans on business school faculty. qualified minority professors and I’m interested in the large know that the work I did was
Fuller was intrigued. in business schools across the businesses operating in or near meaningful and impactful,” she
“My goal was to pursue a Unites States, according to the distressed communities.” says.
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 19Professor Researches Possible Link
Between Common Pain Reliever
and Developmental Disorders
COULD USING A COMMON, pilot study on the question.
over-the-counter pain reliever The goal for the project is
contribute to neurodevelopmen- to generate data that can be
tal disorders, such as autism, in used to obtain funding to take
children? University of New Or- a larger, more in-depth look
leans assistant professor of psy- at this possible link, while also
chology Christopher Harshaw examining the effects of other
is pursuing the answer to that fever-reducing medicine, such
question using mice to develop a as ibuprofen, he says. Harshaw
“translational” model. said he’d also like to study a
Several recent epidemio- common practice among par-
logical studies have linked the ents of switching back and forth
use of acetaminophen in infants between Tylenol and Motrin to
and young children to atten- reduce fever in children.
tion deficit and social disorders “Just to do a more thor-
in humans, Harshaw says. A ough, full analysis of the situa-
few animal studies have also tion,” he says.
found long-term differences in While genetics play a major
brain and behavior. However, role in the development of
few studies have examined autism, epidemiological studies
behaviors specifically relevant indicate that other environmen-
to autism spectrum disorders, tal factors likely act as triggers
and none has used appropri- for certain individuals with
ately scaled doses comparable genetic vulnerabilities, Har-
to what parents would give shaw says. Studies have shown alone, acetaminophen alone or Assistant professor of psychology
children suffering from a fever, a relationship between early fever plus acetaminophen. The Christopher Harshaw conducts
so it is not clear if those results exposures to acetaminophen, control group will not receive research on his study of a
are relatable to what happens in either prenatally or early in life, any drugs. common pain reliever and its
humans, he says. and the emergence of attention “One of the primary things possible contibution to develo-
Harshaw’s study focuses deficit hyperactive disorder that I’m doing is giving ap- mental disorders in children.
on the developmental reaction (ADHD) and cases of autism propriately scaled doses—doses
that mice have to acetamino- with a lot of hyperactivity, he that we know are equivalent
phen, best known by its popular says. to what humans get,” Harshaw the nest by day 21, so the last
brand name version, Tylenol. His hypothesis is that early says. “We’re actually treating fe- injection on day 11 would be
“It’s something that needs to exposure to acetaminophen will ver in the animals; some of the comparable to a 10-year-old
be looked at given that it’s the have some long-term impact animals have fever, some don’t. child, Harshaw estimates. His
most frequent drug that any kid on the behavior of the mice, Some of them get acetamino- lab will then study the mice for
in the U.S. will take, and most especially in males. Toxicol- phen, some don’t. So there are about 80 days, which by then
kids will get a lot of it,” Harshaw ogy studies have indicated that four different conditions.” they are sexually mature.
says. acetaminophen is more toxic The mice will be injected Harshaw said he expects to
Harshaw, whose specialty to males, Harshaw says. His starting around day five, complete his study by December.
is developmental psychology, is yearlong study will examine which is comparable to a late “This is just to start the ball
also a trained animal research- autism-relevant social, commu- stage gestational human fetus, rolling,” Harshaw says. “Hope-
er. He received a one-year grant nicative and repetitive pheno- Harshaw says. Other injections fully we’ll have a good model
for $6,600 from the Louisiana types in mice exposed during will be given at day eight and of exposure that is relevant to
Board of Regents to complete a early development to fever day 11. Mice get kicked out of what’s going on in humans.”
20 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019Chemists’ Research On Oil Spill Response Seeks Better Measures of
Impact While Providing Field Experience For Students
F O R T H R E E Y E A R S , Uni- Podgorski says.
versity of New Orleans assistant “So basically we’ve had this
professors of chemistry David site that’s been left for us to study
Podgorski and Phoebe Zito natural attenuation and fate of
spent a portion of their sum- crude oil over an extended pe-
mer prodding the soil at an oil riod of time,” he says. “It makes
spill site near Bemidji, Minn., it a really unique site.”
to assess the potential risks of The site is opened to scien-
the petroleum-contaminated tific researchers annually for two
aquifers. One goal of their weeks, Podgorski says.
research is to develop a standard Podgorski and Zito returned
of measuring for toxicity in the to the site in June.
oxygenated compounds created “There are so many different
by the naturally disintegrating areas of research that they have
petroleum. a web page just for this project,”
The oil spill research project, Podgorski says. “All these differ-
which Zito describes as includ- ent scientists are looking at these
ing “a suite of scientists,” has different areas.”
allowed for collaboration with Podgorski and Zito, whose
private companies such as Shell, expertise is in organic geo-
Enbridge Energy Inc., the U.S. chemistry, are interested in the
Geological Survey Toxic Sub- compositional makeup created
stances Hydrology Program, and by the oil spill and the potential
networking with other research environmental impact of those
professionals. new compounds.
In addition, Podgorski and Crude oil is made up pre-
Zito have been awarded nearly dominantly of hydrocarbons,
$250,000 in grants over the last and is regulated because of its
18 months that have allowed potential harm to the environ-
them to offer paid fieldwork ment and to human health. lytical measurement techniques, University of New Orleans
research experience to graduate While current regulatory stan- so it’s a pretty huge amount.” graduate student C. Nacaya
and undergraduate students. dards call for tests that measure Moreover, because they are Brown (center) works with Jared
“That’s what we’re here for those hydrocarbon levels, not tested, their environmental Trost and Barbara Bekins from
for; our purpose is providing it does not include testing for impact is unknown. the U.S. Geological Survey at the
opportunities for our students,” the potentially toxic oxyhydro- By tracking and testing the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and
Podgorski says. “It’s about giving carbon – the matter created as various composition of these ox- Natural Attenuation Research
them experience.” the petroleum breaks down, the ygenated compounds overtime, Site near Bemidji, Minn.
Last year undergraduate professors say. the researchers hope to develop
student Katherine Humpal and “It’s a part of natural attenua- levels of “risk zones” that could tration of them is changing too,”
graduate student Nacaya Brown tion. The bad part about it is that be applied in Minnesota and Podgorski says. “What we’re
accompanied their professors to … we found the tests that they do other spill sites, Podgorski says. trying to work on is establishing
the oil spill site. for these compounds are analyti- Knowing the chemical methods to test equal concentra-
The Minnesota site, which cally blind to these oxygenated makeup of the compounds and tion and equal composition so
is over seen by the U.S. Geologi- compounds that are forming that their potential hazards allows for we can control variables.
cal Survey, is a result of a 1979 have the potential to be toxic,” more informed short and long- “We’re trying to lock the
pipeline rupture that spilled oil Zito says. “So our work is looking term spill response decisions, compositional understanding
over about 10 acres in a remote at those oxygenated compounds he says. that we’re getting here so that
area, Podgorski says. The light in the water and how they are “The problem is the com- we can just go test the composi-
crude oil was left to naturally mobilized in the aquifer. position of these compounds tion of those water solubles,
break down and its changing “We are missing 85 percent is changing, going from being and we’ll already know its
composition and movement has of the carbon in the water with a hydrocarbon to oxygenated potential toxicity and where it
been studied for nearly 40 years, our current extraction and ana- hydrocarbons. Also the concen- falls in the zones.”
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 2122 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 23
UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW ORLEANS ALUMNA “I will be guided by the association’s unparalleled history of
Judy Perry Martinez grew up in Chalmette, La., about a block from standing up for the voiceless and its unwavering commitment to sup-
the St. Bernard Parish courthouse. Despite that proximity to the par- port our members to be the best that they can be each day for their
ish’s judicial epicenter, Martinez, the president of the American Bar clients and the public they serve,” Martinez said during her 2018
Association, never thought about being a lawyer. acceptance speech when she became president-elect.
“I just think it’s wonderful when someone says, ‘I was 6-years As president, Martinez will be the official spokesperson for the
old, and I knew I wanted to become an attorney,’” Martinez says. “I group. She is also charged with advancing the ABA’s four primary
was not one of those children, and I really didn’t know any attorneys goals:
growing up.” t4FSWFNFNCFSTCZQSPWJEJOHCFOFĕUT QSPHSBNTBOETFSWJDFT
That epiphany, instead, came after a business law class at the Uni- that promote professional growth and quality of life.
versity of New Orleans where Martinez was pursuing a marketing t*NQSPWFUIFMFHBMQSPGFTTJPOCZQSPNPUJOHRVBMJUZMFHBMFEVDB
degree. The professor asked Martinez to stay after class one day, and tion, competence, ethical conduct, professionalism, pro bono and
gave her a nudge that would change the trajectory of her life. public service
“He said, ‘You should go to law school,’” Martinez, an attorney t&MJNJOBUFCJBTBOEFOIBODFEJWFSTJUZ
with Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn LLP in New Orleans, recalls t"EWBODFUIFSVMFPGMBX
with bemusement. “To have that expression of confidence, that he “Everything we do, we do to advance those four goals,” Mar-
saw something in me that made him think that I should go to law tinez says. “In some organizations, the presidency sort of zigs and
school, was something that made me turn that way.” zags because it’s just one year, but our organization really strives
After graduating from UNO in 1979, Martinez headed to Tulane for strategic leadership and continual leadership that advances the
University for law school. She graduated law school in 1982 and organization’s goal.”
embarked on a corporate legal career that has spanned nearly four From her election in 2018, Martinez traveled with the immediate
decades, including a stint as vice president and chief compliance past-president Bob Carlson to various events, including spending a
officer for Northrop Grumman and a fellow-in-residence at the week providing pro bono legal work at a residential detention center
Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard
University.
Prior to joining Northrop Grumman,
the multibillion-dollar aerospace company,
Martinez spent 21 years as a commercial
litigator at Simon, Peragine, Smith &
Redfearn, where she was a member of its
management committee.
“That just tells you that somebody’s
belief in a young person can change their
lives,” Martinez says referring to her former
marketing professor’s suggestion.
On August 13, Martinez was sworn
in as the president of the American Bar
Association, an organization of more than
400,000 members that, among other ser-
vices it provides, recommends legal policies
and sets academic accreditation require-
ments for U.S. law schools.
Martinez has held various leadership roles
in the ABA for more than 30 years, includ-
ing chairing the ABA’s Standing Committee
on the Federal Judiciary, which evaluates all
prospective nominees to the federal bench.
“I see the active participation in a bar
association as essential to good lawyering,”
Martinez says. “I can attest to the fact that
they expose you to new ideas, different thoughts and expose you to in Texas where she helped interview migrants, some of whom were
people with different perspectives than you have and, as a result, they seeking asylum in the United States.
help you hone your skills.” “You see people who are desperate to come to this country,” Mar-
tinez says regarding her observations of the detention center. “They
ROLE AS ABA PRESIDENT need help telling their stories … getting information about the (legal)
Martinez’s inauguration took place during the organization’s process and what’s going to happen in court when they pursue their
annual meeting in San Francisco. Louisiana Supreme Court Chief claims is critically important.”
Justice Bernette Johnson conducted the swearing-in ceremony at The ABA projects that its members will provide legal aid to more
Martinez’s request. than 20,000 unaccompanied minors this year to help them make
Martinez’s husband, Rene, along with their four children, at- informed decisions throughout the immigration process.
tended. In June, the ABA issued a statement decrying the “inhumane
24 S I LV E R & B L U E FALL 2019and illegal” treatment of unaccompanied immigrant children held in dome, Uptown, and, on a recent summer day, a cloudless blue sky.
government custody, as had been widely reported in the news media. “I love the rain,” Martinez says. “It just feels great. You see the
“We issue statements if we feel an issue is critical for us to speak clouds roll in and the rain.”
on,” Martinez says. Her office is neatly arranged with sleek furnishings that comple-
ment the abundance of natural light and the aerial view. Pictures of
STELLAR LEGAL CAREER her husband and their four children line a bookshelf. There’s also a
Martinez’s previous leadership roles in the ABA includes a 2011 picture of Martinez and several women associates at the firm laugh-
appointment as chair of the ABA Standing Committee on the Feder- ing together—it was taken during “the early years,” Martinez says.
al Judiciary, which evaluates all prospective nominees to the federal Despite a career steeped in service and accomplishments, Mar-
bench, she served as the ABA’s lead representative to the U.N., has tinez shrugs off compliments and counters that she’s been given
been a member of the ABA Board of Governors and a member of its opportunities.
executive committee. “I see them more as opportunities than accomplishments,” she
She previously has served as chair of the 170,000 member ABA says.
Young Lawyers Division, a member of the ABA Commission on In the 1950s, Martinez said her dad owned a furniture store
Women in the Profession and chair of the ABA Commission on on the corner of St. Claude and Desire in the Upper 9th Ward. Her
Domestic Violence. three older brothers attended Holy Cross, while she graduated from
Martinez worked with other Louisiana bar leaders to establish St. Mary’s Dominican High School. She initially attended LSU after
the New Orleans Pro Bono Project, and served as its first chair in high school, but her family’s finances dictated a transfer after three
the early 1980s. She has received numerous awards and recognition semesters, Martinez says.
for her work in the legal field, including the Sam Dalton Capital De- “We had a good life, and UNO fit in perfectly,” she says. “I
fense Advocacy Award from the Louisiana Association of Criminal worked two jobs while I was there, and was blessed to have a strong
Defense Counsel in 1997, the Michelle Pitard Wynne Professional- education.”
ism Award from the Association of Women Attorneys in 1998, and Her siblings and one of her sons live in Baton Rouge. Her old-
est brother, Al, also an attorney and UNO alumnus,
moved there following Hurricane Katrina, she said.
She and her husband recently downsized to a
“I will be guided by the smaller home in New Orleans about 10 blocks away
from the house they’d lived in for 27 years, she says.
association’s unparalleled To her delight, another son and his wife recently
purchased a house nearby after living out-of-state for
a decade.
history of standing up “They moved 200 steps from our new house,”
Martinez says. “That’s the greatest joy! His dog was
for the voiceless and its over this morning.”
Her family, which also includes a daughter and
unwavering commitment son living in Washington, D.C. keeps her rooted and
motivated, she says.
to support our members “I have a big extended family and we love getting
together,” Martinez says. “We eat; it’s all about the
food!”
to be the best that they As she prepared to take the helm of the organiza-
tion that bills itself as the “national representative of
can be each day for their the legal profession,” Martinez already knows the fre-
netic pace of the job. Her schedule is basically booked
clients and the public through next year with national and international
obligations.
To handle the chockablock schedule, Martinez
they serve.” says she tries to exercise daily and give herself at least
10 minutes every morning to center herself. She has a
“calming” app on her phone that provides daily themes.
the Alliance for Justice Award in 1999 from the National Gay and “Today it was accepting criticism,” she says. “It’s just about 90
Lesbian Law Association. seconds to two minutes of talk at the end, but the first eight minutes
She was named The Outstanding Young Lawyer in the State of are just music and breathing, and then I walk.”
Louisiana in 1990 and the Louisiana Bar Foundation’s 2001 Distin- Martinez said she is honored and humbled to become the new
guished Attorney. In 2012, the Federal Bar Association, New Orleans ABA president, where she also will represent her state, city and
chapter, presented her with its Camille Gravel Public Service Award. alma mater.
“I’m so proud to be doing this and being from Louisiana and
“OPPORTUNITIES, NOT ACCOMPLISHMENTS” from New Orleans and being a UNO graduate,” she says. “It could be
The half-dozen floor-to-ceiling windows in Martinez’s Poydras someone else easily doing this, but because of all the support all these
Street corner office, located on the 30th floor in downtown New years, that’s why I’m able to do this.
Orleans, offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River, the Super- “There is nobody more proud of her city.”
FALL 2019 S I LV E R & B L U E 25You can also read
