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La’Ketha D. Prioleau (BGS ‘00), has been awarded the Army Achievement Medal for her significant contributions as a member of the Shortstop Electronic Protection System (SEPS) Special Mission Team known as Warlock. She contributed to the design, development and fielding of a critically needed capability which will protect U.S. Forces against remotely detonated booby traps and car bombs. She has recently been promoted to Captain in the United States Army. A Senior Signals Intelligence Officer stationed at Fort Monmouth, Prioleau has served as a member of the SEPS Special Mission team. She has deployed the Shortstop electronic countermeasures systems in support of both OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM with ground units to protect personnel and equipment. Previously she was awarded an Army Commendation medal for her service with the 66th Military Intelligence Group in Darmstadt, Germany. Prioleau is a proud member of the LSUS Alumni Association.

Michelle Landrum (B.A. ‘01) has been named Resource Connection Coordinator for Service Connection in Shreveport. Her responsibilities include researching funding sources, writing grant proposals for various programs, implementing the annual membership campaign, and working with membership in grant development. “My undergraduate, graduate, and employment experiences at LSUS, particularly the American Humanics Program, Master of Science in Human Services Administration Program, and the expert tutorship of my LSUS professor/mentor/friend, Dr. Norman A. Dolch, have been the ideal foundation for my career as a nonprofit professional. LSUS has a reputation in our community of being a challenging school. I am proud to have traveled on that path of excellence. GO PILOTS!”

Lynn Scroggins (BGS ‘81) reports that she is a Planner with the Squaxin Island Tribe in the state of Washington. “Professors who greatly influenced my life include Dr. Alfred McKinney, the late Opal Menefee (Accounting) and Luvonia Casperson (Economics). Their teachings are internalized in my being and becoming. As I’m now learning the Native Lushootseed language, I must also mention a Spanish professor Dr. Joe Patrick who helped shaped my life-long love of language.” Raised in Minnesota, Scroggins wound up in Louisiana almost by accident. “Since the two areas were so different, life at LSUS was a huge culture rush, but after a while it became one that I much appreciated because I became so much richer and smarter! The impact of LSUS on my life was much greater than any other higher-ed institution I attended. And, because my husband Glen’s family still lives in Bossier City, I’ll forever have ties to Louisiana.”

Karol Birchfield (B.S. ‘90) has recently published her first novel, Jesus in Texas. The novel takes a humorous look at a Texas family and their trials and tribulations associated with what they perceive is a miracle in their midst. The book, which has been well received, is the ninth novel Birchfield has written. As one reviewer notes, “The author breaks new literary ground in her style, her unmatched metaphors and similes. You can taste the sand and grit in her Texas landscape. Excellent novel with unique dialogue and challenging plot.” Birchfield’s publication is available at any major bookseller or at www.jesusintexas.com. Birchfield is a licensed mental health therapist who now devotes much of her time to writing. Most of her novels are set in East Texas and North Louisiana, particularly Northwest Louisiana where she lives with her husband, Cliff Birchfield, a retired USAF Major.

Randal M. Beach (BGS ‘75) is a founding partner of Beach Law Firm, L.L.P. He received his Juris Doctorate, 1983, cum laude, from Southern University School of Law. An attorney for 20 years, his practice focuses on insurance regulatory work. As special counsel to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, he writes and handles the agency’s legislation at the Capitol. Beach serves as General Counsel to, and a Director of, a financial services holding company. He is a former Executive Counsel to the Mayor of Baton Rouge, served as Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Baton Rouge, and also served as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel to the Department of Insurance. Beach is the former president of a life insurance company, and former chairman of two property and casualty insurance companies. He is a member of the Louisiana State and the New Orleans Bar Associations. He is a long time activist in political, charitable and civil rights organizations.
A member of the first graduating class, Beach remembers his years at LSUS fondly: “The early 70’s were an exciting time to be at LSUS as we made the transition to a 4-year institution. We were so small that it seemed like you knew everyone on campus. But it presented great opportunities. As a 19 year old junior, I represented the SGA in lobbying the Legislature in 1974 for funding for the student center, and the next year was back winning funding for the physical education complex. That accident of timing proved fortuitous, since all these years later I still work as a lobbyist. LSUS was very fortunate to have such an outstanding faculty in those early years, and I enjoyed learning from many great professors. Two who stand out clearly in my memory are Dr. Vince Marsala and Dr. Mary McBride. Both were extraordinarily inspirational, and both took an intense interest in their students. I’m very proud of the education I received at LSUS, and proud to have been a part of its impressive history.”