Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 12/7/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   5

Editors: Photo accompanies release   Please note local interest
MOM, DAUGHTER, GRANDDAUGHTER STUDY TOGETHER AT SOUTHEASTERN
     HAMMOND -- Lisa Kindler felt right at home in her basic drawing class at Southeastern
Louisiana University this semester. It's no wonder, since her mother and daughter were seated
right next to her.
     The three women from Covington -- Kindler; her mother, Marie Riddle, and daughter,
Tiffany McCullough   took Visual Arts instructor Susan Wingard's basic drawing class together
during the fall 2000 semester. Kindler, a junior, and McCullough, a freshman, are full-time
students, majoring in business and art, respectively. Riddle takes one course at a time,
concentrating on classes that she'll enjoy. She began with a horticulture and floral design course
and took oil painting last semester. 
     "I never had the chance to go to college," said Riddle, who readily gives her age as 65.
"In my day, you were lucky to get out of high school." Busy raising her family and working in
the family's tile business, she was excited to discover the state program that provides tuition
waivers for senior citizens. 
     "Once I reached 55, I could take one course per semester at Southeastern -- free," she
said. "So, I kept talking about doing it. Now, I tell everyone about the opportunity, and they get
so interested."
     Art, a long time interest "is better than going to a psychiatrist," Riddle said, laughing.
"It's very relaxing!" 
     Her daughter and granddaughter say that Riddle is the best artist of the three. "She's very
good..." said Kindler. "...so she helps us," added McCullough. 
     Kindler, who is minoring in digital design, says that she is just as much an advocate as
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her mother for an "it's never too late" attitude toward a college degree. "If I can work and go to
school full time, anyone can," Kindler said.
     Kindler, who works for a Covington physician, said she originally started college in 1984
when her daughter was a toddler. "I went for two semesters, but quit to go to work," she said.
Returning to the classroom in 1997, she said photography is her favorite among the visual arts.
     Freshman McCullough said of college, "I love it. It's freedom!"  
     The trio said that they hope one day to combine their talents and classroom learning to
open a new business as wedding coordinators. 
     That will give a different slant to the saying, "The family that plays together, stays
together." For this trio, the family that learns together, earns together.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf00.htm