Tri-parish Newsmakers

Poche’ tapped by Jindal for state’s GIS Council

Charlette Poche’, the assistant council clerk for the Terrebonne Parish Council and Houma resident, has been appointed to the Geographic Information Systems Council by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

She was nominated by the Police Jury Association of Louisiana. Poche’ is a member of the Organization of Parish Administrative Officials of the PJA of Louisiana.

The 20-member GIS Council’s role is to guide the development of geographic information systems, spatially enabled data, and geographically related information technology for the state of Louisiana.

Barr named NSU professor emeritus

Dr. James Edward Barr, retired distinguished service professor at Nicholls State University, was awarded the title of professor emeritus at the first faculty meeting of the fall 2009 semester.

Barr was recognized for his outstanding professional contributions to the university and the academic community beyond. A 20-year veteran of the Nicholls faculty, he retired from the Department of Teacher Education in May 2007.

From 1988 to 2009, he served as author, co-author, principal investigator, co-principal investigator or grant evaluator for nearly $45.7 million in state, federal or privately funded grants.

He also represented Nicholls through his work with the Louisiana Department of Education and the National Association of Charter School Authorizers.

Barr joins 43 Nicholls faculty members who have previously been awarded the emeritus title.

Viosca receives Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence

Dr. Chuck Viosca, assistant professor of marketing and assistant dean of the College of Business Administration at Nicholls State University, was awarded the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence Aug. 13 at the first faculty meeting of the fall semester.

The award was established in 1994 to recognize those individuals who have been consistently dedicated to the principles of sound, effective teaching.

Each year, the university president awards a certificate of recognition, and the Nicholls Alumni Federation presents a one-time, $1,000 cash award to the recipient.

Pasani reappointed to gov. advisory committee

Gov. Bobby Jindal reappointed Raymond Pisani Jr. to the state Respiratory Care Advisory Committee.

Pisani is a Berwick resident and the director of the cardiopulmonary department at the Teche Regional Medical Center. He is a licensed respiratory therapist.

The 10-member committee advises the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners on issues affecting applicants for licensure and regulation of respiratory therapy in the state.