Staff changes: Governor Bobby Jindal has tapped Aaron Baer to serve as deputy communications director and Frank Collins III as press secretary, following the appointment of Kyle Plotkin to be communications director earlier this week. Both Plotkin and Collins will begin their new roles on Dec. 1. Baer’s start date will be Nov. 20. Baer, originally of Topeka, Kan., most recently served as communications director for Jindal’s re-election campaign. Prior to joining the campaign, he served as communications director for the Republican Party of Louisiana. Collins, originally of Stonewall, La., most recently served as Jindal’s deputy press secretary. Collins has been the governor’s assistant press secretary; previously, he was a press assistant during Jindal’s transition into office and a field director for his gubernatorial campaign in 2007.
Academic expansion: New academic programs for two north Louisiana universities are coming closer to fruition after receiving approval from the Board of Regents this week. The board OK’d a new bachelor of science in cyber engineering at Louisiana Tech University, making it the first program of its kind in the nation. The board also approved a letter of intent for a master’s degree in occupational therapy at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Stan Napper, dean of Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science, tells The News-Star the cyber engineering degree will combine computer science with the university’s other engineering programs with an emphasis on software security. The ULM program would offer an entry-level, online graduate degree for occupational therapy assistants who want to earn their master’s in occupational therapy.
Don’t forget: On Monday, LSU Lifetime Priority Points will be frozen for distribution of postseason football tickets, including the SEC Championship and bowl games. Monday is also the deadline for LSU Philanthropic Priority Points for distribution of new baseball season tickets and parking permits. This includes the new suites and terrace seats currently under construction at Alex Box Stadium. For questions regarding the deadline, contact the TAF offices at 800-644-4823 or email tafinfo@lsu.edu. LSU football season ticket holders may view their postseason ticket application on their ticket account at lsusports.net. The deadline to place orders is Nov. 21. Season ticket holders must submit a request for any bowl game they would like tickets for if LSU is invited to attend. Once LSU is invited to a bowl game, the LSU Lifetime Priority Points from the Monday freeze date will be used to distribute tickets. You will only receive tickets for the bowl game to which LSU is invited.
