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: Christina Chapple Date: 3/14/05   CYPRESS SEEDLINGS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT SOUTHEASTERN SCHOLARSHIP      HAMMOND – Members of Southeastern Louisiana University’s Biology Graduate Student Organization are offering cypress seedlings to the general public to help support a university scholarship dear to their hearts.      The scholarship honors the late Joseph Ramspott of Blair, Neb., a Southeastern graduate student majoring in biological sciences who died last year.       The organization is taking orders for two-year-old bare root seedlings at $1 each. The young trees, grown from seeds from the Manchac Swamp, were given to the Southeastern Wetlands Restoration Laboratory (SWRL) by Glen Martin of Blind River Properties.      “Thousands of seedlings were given to us by Mr. Martin because atypical high water conditions in the swamp have prevented further plantings this year,” said Southeastern biology professor Gary Shaffer, the lab’s director.       “Joe Ramspott was involved in research in the Manchac Swamp,” Shaffer said. “So we decided that using the seedlings to help fund his scholarship would be very appropriate.”      The approximately 3 foot tall seedlings “are very healthy and ready to go into the ground and break dormancy,” Shaffer said. He added that cypress trees grow well in any location if kept well watered.       Area residents may order seedlings by calling Southeastern biology graduate students at 985-549-3008/3009. Orders can be picked up at the Southeastern Biology Building, located on the corner of W. Dakota and N. Pine streets from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.      On Sunday, March 20, the BGSO is hosting a “Bowl-A-Thon” to raise money for the Joe Ramspott Scholarship. The event will begin at 3 p.m. at Tangi Lanes in Hammond. The cost is $15 for three games. The event will also include a silent auction with items such as a weekend get-away, dinners and spa packages.