Neighbors Notes for Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012

Academic

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN: Two area residents graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises Aug. 10 and 11. William Jarred Spencer, of Baton Rouge, graduated Aug. 11 with a bachelor of arts degree. Garret James Serd, of Walker, graduated Aug. 10 with a master of science degree.

Military

MONAGHA GRADUATES: Marine Corps Pvt. Mason J. Monaghar, son of Kim Monaghar, of Denham Springs, has graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. Monaghar is a 2010 graduate of Live Oak High School in Denham Springs.

Community

DATNOFF RECEIVES AWARD: Lawrence Datnoff, head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology in the LSU AgCenter, recently received the International Service Award from the American Phytopathological Society. The award, which recognizes outstanding contributions by society members to plant pathology in countries other than their own, was presented Aug. 5 at the American Phytopathological Society’s annual meeting in Providence, R.I.

Beginning in the 1990s, Datnoff built cooperative research projects throughout the world, influencing governmental, academic and private organizations. His work influenced regulatory policies and guidelines, and redirected cropping practices. A pioneer in the use of elemental silicon to suppress plant diseases, Datnoff initiated silicon research programs in Colombia and Brazil with subsequent collaborations with Canada, India and Japan. In addition, he was instrumental in developing a series of world conferences addressing silicon and agriculture.

The award carries with it a cash prize, a portion of which is to be designated to the international program of the recipient’s choice. Funds for this prize are made possible from the JANE Fund (John and Ann Niederhauser Endowment).

MORTON NAMED “CHAMPION OF CHANGE”: The White House honored LSU alumna Delores Morton as one of 12 AmeriCorps Alums who are “Champions of Change,” extraordinary leaders who demonstrate how AmeriCorps alumni have leveraged their national service experience to become influential in their careers and leaders in their communities. Morton, of Atlanta, Ga., is president of Points of Light’s Programs Division, where she is responsible for developing program initiatives and models to address the organizations core impact areas — education, economy, environment, and emergency response and preparedness, and veterans and military families. Prior to joining Points of Light, she served as the director of the Center for Nonprofit Resources at Volunteer Baton Rouge, executive director of the Louisiana Association for Community Economic Development, and the chair of the Mid-South Collaborative for Nonprofit Development. She began her career in the voluntary sector in 1995 as an AmeriCorps member in her home community of St. Mary Parish. She received her bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing and culture in 2001.

Reunions

FRANCIS T. NICHOLLS HIGH SCHOOL: The Francis T. Nicholls High School classes of 1962-1950 will have a reunion from 6 p.m. until midnight Oct. 20 at the Northshore Harbor Center in Slidell with music by Flipside, featuring Chuck Cavet, and catering by Patton’s. Cost is $59 per person. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Contact Kathlyn Lamarque at [phone] or email [e-mail].

z“Neighbors Notes” is published every Tuesday in the People section. Send items — including military graduations, reunions and promotions; university and college academic achievements; and neighborhood association events — to “Neighbors Notes,” The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821, or fax information to [phone] or email to [e-mail]. Deadline is Tuesday at noon of each week for the following Tuesday.