A Final Taste of New Orleans: PCAS/ACAS Day Four

Our final morning in New Orleans was spent exploring the things that local businesses had to offer, which was a wonderful end to our trip. After several busy days of attending conference sessions, exploring the city, and learning about the history and culture of New Orleans, it was nice to have a slower morning before leaving the city. Rather than rushing from one activity to another, we were able to take our time, enjoy breakfast together, and do some last-minute shopping before beginning the drive home.

Breakfast and Shopping

Written by Allie Plunk

For breakfast, we stopped by Café du Monde, which is well known for its beignets. Since Café du Monde is such a recognizable part of New Orleans, getting the opportunity to actually eat there felt like an important part of our final morning in the city. The line was much shorter than anticipated, so we were very quickly able to order and enjoy our beignets and cups of both hot and iced café au lait, a type of coffee served with milk.

The beignets were definitely worth the stop. Covered in powdered sugar, they were sweet, warm, and messy in the best possible way. There was something especially fitting about ending our time in New Orleans with a food that is so closely associated with the city. After spending the past few days learning about New Orleans through its history, literature, architecture, and culture, we were able to experience one of the city’s most recognizable foods for ourselves.

Following breakfast, we browsed through the French Market, where many of the shops are run by local businesses. The market gave us one final opportunity to experience the creativity and individuality of New Orleans before leaving. Instead of purchasing souvenirs from large chain stores, we were able to look through items made or sold by local artists and businesses. There was a little bit of everything, from artwork and photographs to jewelry, decorations, and other handmade goods.

I bought a deliciously scented lavender soap and two perfumes, while the other LEAP students bought various items such as photographs, illustrations, and jewelry. It was fun seeing what everyone chose because our purchases were all so different. In a way, the things we decided to take home became small reminders of our individual experiences in New Orleans.

Once we had shopped to our hearts’ content, we headed straight for Baton Rouge for a tour of the state capitol. Although it was difficult to leave New Orleans after everything we had experienced there, the Capitol gave us one more opportunity to learn about Louisiana before our trip came to an end.

Louisiana State Capitol

Written by Isis Hollis

A staple in every LEAP trip is visiting state capitols! The style, features, and experience are different for each building, but the Louisiana State Capitol proved to be filled with some of the most dramatic history.

Before getting into the history, there was the architecture carefully put together under Huey Long, who later served as both Senator and Governor. The building is 34 stories high, making it one of only a few skyscraper capitols in the United States. With 26 different types of stone, mostly marble, the Art Deco style is prominent throughout the building, with long columns and intricate designs. Bronze can be seen across many different surfaces on the inside, including the doors, floors, and walls.

The Capitol’s design immediately made it stand out from the other state capitols we have visited. Rather than the traditional appearance that many people associate with government buildings, the Louisiana State Capitol has a much more imposing and modern appearance. The height of the building alone makes it difficult to miss, and once inside, the amount of detail throughout the building makes it clear that the architecture was meant to communicate a sense of importance and power.

A mural painted by Jules Garron depicts the abundance of the earth surrounding Louisiana and fills the south and north walls of the main entrance. On either side of the elevators, large white marble cups with champagne-like bubbles serve as a token of friendship from the French. These details added another connection between the building and Louisiana’s larger cultural history, especially considering the strong French influence that can still be seen throughout the state.

As mentioned, the history of the Louisiana Capitol is filled with drama unlike many others. Huey Long, former Senator and Governor, was assassinated in what used to be the executive hallway of the building. On September 8, 1935, Governor Long was shot by Carl Weiss. The marble in the floor, columns, and walls surrounding the hall still contains the original bullet holes from the incident.

Seeing the location where such an important event happened made the history feel much more real. It is one thing to learn about a historical event in a textbook, but standing in the same place where it occurred gives the story an entirely different weight. The Capitol was not simply a beautiful building that we were touring; it was also a place where major events in Louisiana’s political history had actually taken place.

There is also, in the Senate chamber, what is known as the “pencil in the ceiling,” which is actually a shard of wood. The wood got there from a bombing that occurred in 1970. Ironically, the bombers, who placed the TNT near the box in the chamber, were from Texas. This was another example of how the Capitol seemed to have a story hidden around every corner. Even small details, such as a piece of wood stuck in the ceiling, could be connected to a much larger part of the state’s history.

We also learned about the unfortunate history surrounding Louisiana politics, as the state has consistently dealt with political corruption. Governor Long was nicknamed the “Kingfish,” and his controversial political career even inspired a movie about his corruption. Learning about these events provided an interesting contrast to the cultural experiences we had throughout the rest of our trip. New Orleans is often celebrated for its music, food, architecture, festivals, and unique cultural identity, but the history behind the state is much more complicated.

Despite this complicated history, Louisiana has kept its rich culture intact, creating a beautiful atmosphere that was further emphasized by the Capitol. The building itself seemed to represent many of the contradictions we encountered throughout our trip: beauty alongside violence, tradition alongside modernity, and celebration alongside a complicated past. Visiting the Capitol gave us one final opportunity to see how history continues to shape the places we visit.

Conclusion

After leaving Baton Rouge, our trip was officially coming to an end. What began with our arrival in New Orleans had taken us through conference presentations, discussions about literature and culture, historic sites, local businesses, food, and experiences that we could not have gotten from a classroom alone. Our final morning was therefore a fitting conclusion. We were able to enjoy the local culture one last time, take home a few pieces of New Orleans with us, and end our trip by learning more about the history of Louisiana.

Although we were leaving the city, the experiences from the trip gave us plenty to bring home with us. From the conversations we had at the conference to the places we visited and the things we learned along the way, the trip showed us how much can be learned when we step outside of the classroom and experience these subjects firsthand. New Orleans was more than just the location of our conference. It became another part of our education, and it was a memorable way to end our LEAP experience.

Experiencing Creole: PCAS/ACAS Day Three

Our third day in New Orleans offered a unique look at the melting pot of Creole culture. Creole, as the name suggests, grew from the city’s status as a global port, blending the best parts of nearly every nation and state, including customs, traditions, and ideas. Today, we took a deeper look at that concept, experiencing the city’s cultural blend with the rest of the world.

History at the National World War II Museum

Written by Robin Houghton

We started our Saturday by taking a taxi to the National World War II Museum, the largest of its kind in the United States. Spanning seven acres, the museum is so expansive that it offers two-day passes to see everything.

Our visit began in the Pacific Theatre, since we were less familiar with that side of the war. Given less attention both during the war and in teaching about it afterward, there was a lot we learned about this area for the first time.

The museum was jam-packed with artifacts, most frequently artillery and an impressive collection of uniforms. We especially found the nurse’s uniforms fascinating!

One thing we found interesting was the Allied strategy of island hopping. After landing in Guadalcanal, the Allied powers devised a strategy to continue advancing in the Pacific by “hopping” over heavily fortified islands — isolating Japanese-occupied islands and moving closer to Japan. This strategy was crucial to the Allied powers’ victory in the Pacific.

Near the end, we found ourselves in a replica of the room Anne Frank and her family stayed in while in hiding. Being able to immerse ourselves in the life of the Franks allowed us to experience the routine they had during their time in hiding.

Although we did not spend the two days needed to explore the museum in its entirety, the National World War II Museum gave us plenty to learn, and even more to be excited for if we come back to New Orleans!

A Look into Society and Film

Written by Ruthie Passmore

Our last session of the weekend was a deep dive into film and how it reflects society. First hearing from Chair Daniel S. Traber about Trainspotting, then Kathleen Hardesty about Social Services as the Villain, and lastly from our very own Professor Mike Yawn, speaking about The Manchurian Candidate.

Daniel Traber opened by evaluating Trainspotting through a lens that captured addiction through layers. He reflected on the film’s portrayal of addiction through a combination of surrealism and realism. This helps contribute to a more overarching theme of addiction, the main character’s drug addiction allowing audiences to draw parallels to alcoholism, nicotine addiction, gambling addiction, interpersonal dependency, and consumerism.

Following Traber’s research on addiction, Kathleen Hardesty presented on the portrayal of social workers in film. She began by studying adoption in film, noting that the language surrounding adoption in these works is usually negative. She observed multiple different children’s films that portray social work in a negative light: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Despicable Me (2010), Lilo & Stitch (2002), and The Willoughbys (2020). In most of these movies, social workers are being painted as the “bad guys.” Hardesty argues that children’s movies play an important role in the narrative of social work and adoption, and that finding more positive ways to refer to social workers in media may reduce stigmas and biases surrounding adoption and social work.

We might be biased, but saving the best for last, we got to hear from Professor Yawn, who gave a reflection on free will in The Manchurian Candidate. He mentioned the Oresteia Trilogy, arguing that there is a narrative structure similarity between the 1962 film and the Greek tragedy. Justifying this argument requires examining how Orestes, in the Oresteia Trilogy, and Raymond Shaw, in The Manchurian Candidate, both face moral dilemmas that force them to choose between family loyalty and moral responsibility. Like Orestes, who must choose between protecting his mother and avenging his father, Raymon struggles between loyalty to his mother and carrying out her orders to kill for her personal vendetta. Together, these works help display the complex relationship between The Manchurian Candidate and free will.

It was a striking ending to a very insightful conference. The LEAP students all agreed that this session was our favorite.

Blending India and Louisiana at Saffron Nola

Written by Ruthie Passmore

We ended the day by indulging in delicious Indian cuisine at Saffron Nola in uptown, near the Garden District. We started with appetizers: garlic and truffle tandoori naan, breads and spreads, and tandoori squash, which our waiter recommended. We all thoroughly enjoyed the starters, describing them as rich and savory, with a perfect balance of spices.

While waiting for our entrees, we had the delight of speaking with Chef Arvinder Vilkhu, who couldn’t have been kinder. He even shared how his son wrote the business plan for Saffron. After chatting with him about the restaurant and its delicious food, he was nice enough to allow us to take a photo with him.

As for our entrees, we ordered four distinct large plates and two small plates. Allie chose the Duck Confit Masala, Isis opted for the Chicken Biryani, and Robin selected the Pork Vindaloo. Meanwhile, Professor Yawn enjoyed the Curried Seafood Gumbo, Stephanie went with the Homestyle Seafood Bisque, and I tried the Grilled Pepper Steak. I would describe my steak as being juicy, tender, and all-around delectable, especially being soaked in the coconut white Malabar sauce, but every dish was spectacular.

For dessert, we got to try five different dishes: English Bread Pudding, Kiss From a Rose, It’s Not Even Your Birthday Cake, Ginger Creme Brulee, and the Peach Seasonal Ice Cream. Robin and I were particularly fond of the Peach Ice Cream. The flavor was perfectly balanced, subtle and delicate, rather than overwhelming. It was topped with peach chutney, which added a savory and tangy depth to the taste. Others enjoyed the Kiss From a Rose, which included ice cream, vermicelli, rose, and pistachios, describing it as floral, in a good way, but sweet at the same time.

This was the perfect way to wrap up the day. It was such a pleasure to hear from the Chef and gain a little insight into how he started the restaurant and his background. His personal touch and willingness to share a little bit about his story with us made it even more worthwhile.

Conclusion

Throughout our stay, we had the opportunity to learn not only from the conference speakers, but also from the city itself. New Orleans has a way of bringing together different histories, cultures, traditions, and ideas, creating something that feels entirely its own. Our last full day was a fitting reflection of that spirit, leaving us with plenty of new memories, new ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the city and the people who make it what it is.

LEAPing into New Orleans Culture and Cuisine: PCAS/ACAS Conference Day Two

Exploring the Southern Gothic

Written by Ruthie Passmore

We started off the second day strong by attending our first session, which was about Southern Gothic Transformations and Reimaginings; the conversation was led by Chair Stephanie Graves, who was accompanied by Rachel Pittman, Anne Bertram, and Jennie Lightweis-Goff. We got to hear about Appalachian Gothic Cinema, Southern Gothic within social media, a piece discussing the film adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and research discussing the differences between the three adaptations of Cape Fear.

First, Rachel Pittman presented her paper, “Deep in the Bone,” which explores Gothic themes in Appalachian literature and highlights the region’s historical economic lag. From her findings, I interpreted Appalachia in literature as fundamentally isolated and decaying, a key part of the Southern Gothic. I found it very interesting how literature seems to interact with the culture and folklore of a place with such a rich history.

Anne Bertram then discussed the impact of the Southern Gothic on popular culture. By sharing various TikTok videos, Bertram demonstrated how the genre is depicted online, highlighting artist Ethel Cain and the film Sinners as key reasons why it keeps growing. Additionally, she emphasized the irony that the vast majority of people interested in Southern Gothic online are young, teenage females from Russia, though the genre emphasizes its location in the South United States as a defining feature.

Moving forward, we heard from Jennie Lightweis-Goff, who covered John Berendt’s novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. She noted that the story takes place in Savannah, Georgia, where the main character Jim Williams kills Danny Hansford. Since this novel is based on a true story, it led her to discuss modern true crime, claiming that much of today’s true crime coverage is fraudulent, and that true crime capitalizes on tragedy itself, turning real loss into a profitable trend.

Finally, Chair Stephanie Graves shed light on the three different adaptations of Cape Fear, first examining the 1962 version, moving on to 1991, and lastly the new series that came out in 2026. Across all three iterations, one thing remains constant: Max Cady remains the antagonist. She went on to explain that the differences among the three alter the central Gothic relationship. For instance, in the 1991 movie, Bowden represents Cady as his criminal defense attorney, unlike in the 1962 film, where he is not his attorney. This complicates the conflict in the story, giving Cady a motive for his crime, because in this adaptation, Bowden suppresses evidence that would have been able to lessen Cady’s sentence.

Though I was previously unfamiliar with these works, it was a wonderful opportunity to gain new insights, and I thoroughly enjoyed attending!

Sports & Video Games

Written by Robin Houghton

Isis and I decided to sit in on the panel discussing Games, Fans, and Fandoms for our conference session. Led by chair Vlada Botoric, all three panelists discussed the use of media, mostly video games, in fostering community and culture.

Vlada Botoric began with his presentation on LEGO fan cultures and the concept of peripheral fandom, a term he defined as a subordinated fan community experience, where members are deprived of access to their objects of fandom.
Botoric explained that although material conditions and accessibility of LEGO products affected creativity, across cultures such as Japan and Mexico, they still managed to create unique cultural expressions with LEGO products.

Next, Cheryl Briggs presented on digital communities, particularly through the VR exercise game Supernatural. Supernatural is unique from most exercise media as its VR platform allows the user’s body to produce the experience, rather than simply being a passive participant. The formatting creates a workout experience that turns exercise into play — but it was its multiplayer feature that turned Supernatural into a way to develop community. Briggs detailed how scheduling routines with people through Supernatural also turned the platform into a community of friends that also helped keep her and thousands of users motivated to continue exercising.

Finally, Dr. Tom Attah presented on how culture, particularly of the American South, can be depicted through video games. Using the game South of Midnight, Dr. Attah discussed how, compared to most media, video games turn a cultural witness into a performer of the culture, using the characters as functions to tell a story. Players gain agency when experiencing the cultures represented that could be otherwise inaccessible without the means to travel to those locations. Attah concluded that video games should be treated as a form of cultural expression similar to music or literature. With more and more people regularly playing video games, the cultural impact of the games people consume can no longer be ignored.

We found the session to be an enlightening discussion on the connection between community, video games, and fandom that left us more curious about the ways we connect with individuals and cultures through technology.

Lunch at Cafe Reconcile & Hansen’s Sno-Bliz

Written by Allie Plunk

Following the morning’s sessions, we had time for a little fun and food! We had initially planned to eat at Cafe Reconcile, a restaurant known for its community outreach and internship programs for disadvantaged youth. Facing an hour-long wait, we decided to eat dessert first, and headed to Hansen’s Sno-Bliz!

Hansen’s Sno-Bliz was unlike any snow cone shop we’d been to. The ice that made up the core of the “snow-bliz” was soft and fluffy, almost the texture of ice cream. The flavor choices were unique too, offering selections that ranged from cardamom and ginger cayenne to cream of chocolate and coffee.

We all tried different combinations of flavors, though our favorite was probably Stephanie’s ginger and cardamom snowbliz, topped with condensed milk. Some other delicious combinations were strawberry and chocolate cream, banana and chocolate cream, and cardamom and chocolate cream with ice cream.

After dessert, we headed back to Cafe Reconcile for lunch, where we enjoyed a variety of dishes! I had the Reconcile Cheeseburger, which featured a massive onion ring atop a classic cheeseburger. A few other favorites were the fried chicken, the red beans and rice, and the portobello po’boy.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience and a delicious lunch that allowed us to try new things, as well as twists on familiar favorites.

Experiencing Culture at the New Orleans Museum of Art

Written by Isis Hollis

Following our delicious lunch, we had the opportunity to visit the New Orleans Museum of Art. We were able to explore some of the major forms of art LEAP typically sees, such as impressionism, expressionism, and modernism, in addition to some of Louisiana’s characteristic folk art!

With three floors to explore, we started on the second with Professor Yawn as our guide. Something we don’t see often in the museums we visit is decorative art. Many people know this as Tiffany lamps or floral vases, but we were able to see this in various forms. The Eames chair, most popularly known for its modern look, is one of the many decorative art pieces we saw. One of my favorite decorative art pieces was a Tiffany vase adorned with intricate flowers. It caught my attention specifically for its variety of colors in the glass and its unique shape. Another notable piece was an intricate stair railing by Louis Sullivan, who’s credited with designing the first-ever skyscraper!

Another highlight from the second level was impressionist art. Many of us particularly like the impressionist style and the range of moods that it can encompass. My favorite piece, In the Garden, Giverny by Frederick C. Frieseke, is an American impressionist piece depicting a woman walking through a garden with flowers and a wall of greenery behind her. One of my favorite features was the cool-toned colors and pops of white throughout the painting.

On that same floor were pieces by Jackson Pollock, Picasso, and Monet.

What was perhaps our favorite exhibit was a life-sized cabin titled America, by Will Ryman. Created entirely out of symbols of American industrialization, such as iPhones, bullets, lightbulbs, and even chains, it proved to be an incredibly thought provoking piece that asked us to reflect on the impacts that rapid industrial growth have had on America.

After our guided exploration, we got to view the other parts of the museum on our own! Allie, Ruthie, and I looked at the Asian art, including Japanese, Indian, and Chinese pieces. Allie and I liked many of the Japanese pieces, specifically the Byobu art. Byobu pieces are traditional Japanese folding screens, often painted with intricate landscapes, portraits, or animals.

Overall, the museum strengthened connections between the artists we’ve seen before and gave us a better look into art throughout different times in different parts of the world.

Press Street Train Stop and Heard Dat Kitchen

Written by Allie Plunk

As a conclusion to our busy day, we ordered delicious meals from New Orleans hidden gem Heard Dat Kitchen! While our food was being prepared, we paid a visit to the Press Street Railroad Yards, the site of the train stop made famous withthe arrest of Homer Plessy. This culminated in the court case Plessy v. Ferguson, which established the “separate but equal” ruling that was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education, 1954. There was a beautiful mural in honor of the amazing steps towards civil equality that have been made over the years, featuring figures like Ruby Bridges.

After our train “pit” stop, we headed over to Heard Dat Kitchen, eager to eat. Sitting outside at tables while we enjoyed our food provided a New Orleans atmosphere that paired well with our meals.

Some of our dinnertime favorites were the creamy Superdome, a blackened fish dish with mashed potatoes and lobster sauce, and the Heard Dat Pasta, a crawfish pasta topped with fried shrimp and green onions.

Following our deliciously seasoned meals, we enjoyed bread pudding, many of us trying it for the first time! The delicious, nutty dessert was well-liked by all the LEAP students and provided an excellent close to an excellent day.

Conclusion

Our second day in New Orleans gave us the opportunity to experience the city from several different perspectives. From exploring Southern Gothic literature and the cultural communities surrounding video games to enjoying New Orleans cuisine and examining art from around the world, we continued to discover how culture can be expressed through many different forms. Each experience gave us something new to consider and helped us better understand the history and creativity of the city around us. After such a busy and exciting day, we are all looking forward to seeing what our next day in NOLA brings!

Presentations, Popular Culture, and Pavlova: PCAS/ACAS Day One

Presenting at PCAS

Written by Allie Plunk

Our first day in New Orleans began late, but with plenty of excitement! I was going to present my paper, Modernism in Billy Collins‘ Poem “Forgetfulness,” at the PCAS/ACAS conference.

As soon as we arrived at the Conference Hotel, I checked in and found the room in which I would present. While waiting for my session to start, fellow presenter Richard Vela introduced himself. He was very friendly and said he was excited to present. A former professor at the University of North Carolina–Pembroke, he was sharing his research on Hispanic poet Julia Alvarez. Though we were supposed to have a third presenter, it ultimately ended up being just the two of us.

Professor Vela acted as Chair for the room, introducing our topics as well as the overall theme of the session: “Poetry and Postmodernisms.” His presentation was first, and his insight into Julia Alvarez was intriguing! I had never read any of her work, but his presentation was well thought out and ended up tying neatly into mine, as we both addressed Postmodern poets and the intersection of memory and identity.

Though there were some technical difficulties that resulted in me being unable to display my slides, I did my best to read my paper as interactively as possible. The lack of slides definitely threw me off, but I was delighted to hear afterward that no one could tell I was bothered!

Following my presentation, we had a brief Q&A, during which we were able to discuss some key features that might not have made their way into our presentations, such as more of the key factors of postmodernism and how they likely affected Alvarez’s work, and the presence of mythology in Collins’ poem.

Overall, it was an incredibly impactful experience, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to present at my very first academic conference. It was a wonderful opportunity to share my research, meet another scholar, and experience what presenting at an academic conference is actually like. I hope it will be the first of many.

(Professor’s Note: Allie did a wonderful job. Following the session, an attendee came up to me and said, “She has a great future!”)

Exploring Southern Culture at PCAS/ACAS

Written by Ruthie Passmore

After the first session, we moved on to a session discussing Southern Gothic, a theme much covered during this conference. This particular session covered folklore, masculinity, and southern decline, led by Chair Grace Becker, and included presentations by Lauren Butte and Kerbie Addis. All three speakers explored how the region’s anxieties refuse to stay buried, shifting from the monstrous myths of local cryptids to the slow violence of environmental and psychological decay.

Grace Becker opened the floor by interpreting William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. She gave a depiction of how the novel captures misogyny and toxic masculinity through Jason’s actions in the story, focusing on the femininity and repressed sexuality seen in characters like Caddy and Quentin. I found it interesting to see how these ideas could be explored through the relationships between the characters and the expectations placed on them.

Lauren Butte then began talking about the “Alabama White Thang,” explicating the folklore in a way that was very comprehensible. She explained that sightings began in the early 1900s, with the most recent being August 2026. Being described as anywhere from seven to eight feet tall, white, cat-like, and elusive, the “White Thang” certainly sounded like an intriguing beast. Her presentation showed how folklore can continue to exist and evolve even as the culture surrounding it changes.

Kerbie Addis proceeded to give a brief analysis of literature, cinema, and digital media, exploring Jesmyn Ward’s acclaimed novel Salvage the Bones, the movie Beasts of Southern Wild, and the video game Norco. She focused on the environmental aspects in the Southern Gothic and how this is transcribed across different media platforms. I especially liked seeing how the same concerns can be expressed through different forms of storytelling, rather than being limited to traditional literature.

Shifting to the last session of our day, we got to hear about Vampire Literatures as Decolonizing Practice from three professors from Louisiana State University of New Orleans. The chair and one of the presenters was Lisa Verner, along with colleagues Robin Werner and Elizabeth Lewis, who deconstructed three different texts in an analysis of minority representation in vampire literature.

Robin Werner started by discussing Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I liked how she focused on the idea of identity in the book. Elizabeth Lewis then talked about The Black Vampyre and shared how her students reacted to it. Lisa Verner wrapped things up by looking at Indigenous literature through Stephen Graham Jones’s The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.

Ultimately, the speakers all shared a common goal: presenting their research, asking for feedback, and ensuring that the books they teach leave a lasting impression on their students. Even though the presentations covered very different subjects, each one demonstrated how literature and other forms of storytelling can be used to examine larger cultural anxieties and give readers new ways of understanding them.

Creole Delights at Arnaud’s

Written by Robin Houghton

Feeling pretty hungry after a busy day at the conference, we visited Arnaud’s, which specializes in Louisiana Creole cuisine. We started boldly with Oysters Arnaud, a collection of baked Oysters: Bienville, Kathryn, Ohan, Rockefeller, and Suzette, as well as Escargots en Casserole—baked snails with a flaky pastry top. The escargot’s earthy taste received mixed reviews; however, the oysters were agreed to be one of the best dishes of the night.

To experience Creole cuisine in its brevity, we chose a wide variety of entrees: a fittingly-shaped Crabmeat Karen, flavorful Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, and a delicious bowl of Turtle Soup. We all loved Arnaud’s savory Crab Cakes, as well as the Shrimp Creole. We even had the opportunity to try Frog Legs Provençale!

For dessert, we had the Chantilly Pavlova, Baked Alaska, and a New Orleans staple: Bananas Foster. The latter two desserts — which were served flamed — were a highlight of our meal. Arnaud’s was a wonderful introduction to Louisiana Creole, and we left full and happy, a satisfying conclusion to our day.

Conclusion

Our first day at PCAS/ACAS was a busy one, but it was also an incredibly rewarding experience. From presenting our own research to listening to scholars discuss poetry, Southern Gothic literature, folklore, and decolonization, we were able to see just how many different perspectives can come together at an academic conference. Beyond the presentations themselves, getting to experience New Orleans added another layer to the day. Between the conference sessions and our exploration of New Orleans, our first day at PCAS/ACAS was a great beginning to what would become an unforgettable conference experience.

Honoring Alumni at SHSU’s Distinguished Alumni Gala

Written by Jacob Wessels

Students recently had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Gala at the Lowman Student Center, kicking off Homecoming weekend by celebrating alumni and university leaders who embody the campus motto: “The measure of a life is its service.” Hosted by Sam Houston’s Alumni Association, it proved to be a night to remember for many of the students and alumni alike.

The evening opened with dinner and a welcome from VP Matt Bethea…

…before he turned it to Master of Ceremonies Mia Gradney and Alumni Association Board President Dr. Deirdre Holloway. University President Dr. Alisa White then addressed the crowd, highlighting the university’s growth and milestones, including a historic fundraising year surpassing $31 million, enrollment nearing 22,000 students, and the opening of the new Health Professions Building in Conroe. She emphasized how Bearkat alumni directly shape student success through career networks like “Bearkats Hiring Bearkats” and hands-on community engagement.

The heart of the program was the presentation of awards honoring exceptional service, entrepreneurship, and leadership:

Dr. Kathleen Gilbert, a first-generation college graduate, has directed the SHSU Food Pantry and Tripod’s Thrift since its opening. She transformed a small student initiative that once served 17 students from an office bookshelf into an operation recording over 5,000 visits annually, ensuring students facing food and professional clothing insecurity stay enrolled and earn their degrees. She was aptly honored for her work with the first of two Service Awards.

Mattie C. Provost also recieved a Service Award! Provost shared her journey from being a first-generation student to spending three decades rising through the ranks of the Houston Police Department to become Assistant Chief. Now serving as Chief Deputy of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, she spoke on the value of second chances and leading with empathy for front-line workers.

Joseph Anderson was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. A former Bearkat track-and-field student-athlete, Anderson translated discipline and corporate internships into becoming a Chick-fil-A owner-operator in Southeast Houston, an area known to be a ‘food desert.’ Managing more than 100 team members, he creates opportunities by funding employee scholarships and partnering with local food banks.

Regina Bynote Jones, reflecting on her time as an Orange Key student host and navigating personal health hurdles, detailed her career journey leading legal operations across global energy and agriculture giants. She currently serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary for Archer Daniels Midland while actively mentoring future generations of legal and corporate leaders. She was recognized with the highest SHSU Honor: the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Larry D. Larrison was also a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Coming from a multigenerational Bearkat family, Larrison built a 42-year career in the insurance industry alongside his ranching operations. During his tenure as Alumni Association President, he helped establish the “Hire a Bearkat” initiative to create clear pathways between alumni businesses and graduating students.

Kenneth Ross was the final recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Starting as a student-athlete and a Huntsville police officer, Ross transitioned into insurance, becoming one of State Farm’s top agents nationwide over a four-decade career. Throughout his success, he maintained continuous involvement in Bearkat athletics and community initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity.

The gala concluded with a spirited performance by the Bearkat Marching Band and the traditional singing of the Alma Mater led by music student Tito Portillo.

Hearing these stories firsthand demonstrated that life after college is rarely linear. Each honoree showed resilience through obstacles and setbacks, with an enduring commitment to lifting others up, which remains the defining standard of the Bearkat community.

Exploring the Houston (LSAC) Law Forum

Written by Robin Houghton

This past weekend, LEAP students drove into Houston to attend the Law School Admission Council’s Houston Law School Forum. This event brings together representatives from over a hundred law schools across the United States, allowing prospective law students to speak directly with them about the law school experience. Even though some of us are only sophomores, we all arrived eager to learn more about law schools across the country.

The purpose of the law-school fair is to educate pre-law students about law school in general and about specific law schools in particular. For the general aspects of law school, the fairs have workshops on topics such as “paying for law school” or “applying to law school.” Law school representatives are there to answer specifics, with LSAC also suggesting specific questions for each school (see, for example: Law School Forums and Fairs Near Me | LSAC).

With so many schools to choose from, we ended up at the South Texas College of Law, a law school that frequently visits SHSU to present to our Pre-Law Society. We were excited to reconnect with a familiar name and ask more personal questions about their law school and the admissions process.

One of the most memorable moments came from visiting the table for the University of Minnesota Law, a school I have been interested in for a while.

Speaking with Robin Ingli about the university’s concentrations and focus on Human Rights advocacy made my many options in law schools clearer. Their emphasis on public service and practical training was a highlight for me, and I left knowing more about a school I thought I already knew a lot about.

Overall, the experience is much like a career fair, with lots of booths to pick up literature and the like.

Much of the information can be found on the schools’ websites. But, as a sophomore pre-law student, the event allows you to see all the opportunities that exist, which is perhaps more than people come into college realizing.

And, for the upper-classmen among us, the experience allows the opportunity to obtain more specific information and narrow down options. It’s a worthy event.

Face to Face with a Dictator: The Real Story Behind The Hunt for Saddam

LEAP Students are always eager for opportunities to expand their understanding of global affairs and politics. Recently, we returned to Houston for a special World Affairs Council event featuring a screening and discussion of TNT’s limited series High Value Target: The Hunt for Saddam, alongside the man who lived it: former CIA Senior Leadership Analyst John Nixon.

The program was moderated by Ronan O’Malley, WAC’s Chief Programs Officer, who has followed and hosted Nixon since the 2016 release of his groundbreaking memoir, titled Debriefing the President: The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein.

The evening took a slight departure from the traditional format, opening with a screening of the premiere episode. Starring Joel Kinnaman as Nixon and Waleed Zuaiter as Saddam Hussein, the dramatization pulled us straight into the tension of 2003 Iraq and retraced the relentless intelligence work that led U.S. forces to an underground spider hole in Ad-Dawr.

Following the screening, Nixon took the stage to talk more about Hollywood’s adaptation, the reality of Iraqi leadership, and what it was like to look the Iraqi dictator in the eye.

As the CIA’s top Hussein analyst, Nixon was flown in the middle of the night along Baghdad’s perilous Airport Road to answer the critical question: Had they truly captured Saddam Hussein?

Nixon recounted that the moment the door opened to the holding room, he knew instantly that the person sitting across from him was Hussein. Yet instead of seeing a broken captive, Nixon encountered a master manipulator sitting calmly on a folding chair, acting as though the interrogators were merely guests arriving on a routine Saturday evening. Hussein immediately sought cracks in the room, attempting to pit the CIA and military interpreters against one another when translation discrepancies arose.

Nixon also discussed how Hussein’s chaotic record-keeping contributed to the catastrophic intelligence failures surrounding weapons of mass destruction. For example, Iraq had destroyed vast amounts of stockpiles, but Hussein kept no verifiable paper trail, which was partly out of bureaucratic disarray, and partly out of fear of showing regional weakness to neighboring Iran.

Perhaps most surprising was Hussein’s reaction to September 11. Far from expecting a confrontation, Hussein genuinely believed the attacks would bring Iraq and the United States closer together against shared extremist threats, completely failing to grasp that Washington was already preparing to seal his fate.

Addressing the broader takeaways of the war, Nixon offered a candid reflection that regime change is deceptively difficult, and removing a strongman without a stable post-war framework creates a vacuum that endures for decades.

Before concluding, attendees had the chance to mingle, snap photos, and discuss the nuances of intelligence analysis with Nixon, making it another unforgettable night with the World Affairs Council.