Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: November 3, 1995
      Contact:                           Kemp  75

SOUTHEASTERN'S INDUSTRIAL TECH DEPT. WINS QUALITY AWARD
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University's department of industrial technology
has received a major award through the 1995 Greater Baton Rouge "Total Quality Management"
recognition program.
     Receiving the "Significant Merit Recognition" award at a standing-room-only ceremony
in the Baton Rouge Centroplex was department head James Owens.
     Owens said involvement in the Greater Baton Rouge Total Quality Management Award
Program has benefitted the students, faculty and staff. "These benefits," he added, "resulted form
a comprehensive self-study and on-campus team review of the program. A considerable number
of the items under review are also keystone components in the SECURE Louisiana Plan."
     The awards program is sponsored by the City of Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish,
Uniroyal Chemical Co. and Dow Chemical Co. 
     According to the Greater Baton Rouge TQM Council's mission statement, the award is an
annual recognition of Baton Rouge area organizations that "excel in total quality management
and quality achievement. The award is given to organizations that are role models of quality
excellence in the area." A Baton Rouge city official said Southeastern is the first university to
win the Total Quality Management award in the Baton Rouge area.
     The award citation stated that Southeastern's industrial technology department prepares
students for "successful careers in industrial technology and drafting technology." 
     "The department," continued the citation, "was commended by the National Association
of Industrial Technology for advances it has made to remain at the forefront of technology. Its
academic program is one of only 39 nationally accredited programs in its field.
     "In addition, the funding it receives through the state university system, the Department
of Industrial Technology has generated over $452,000 in revenue from grants and private sources
over the last three years. Enrollment in the department has increased also. In 1987 there were 175
majors enrolled. Today there are 375 enrolled, representing a 114 percent increase."