McNeese State University officially opened May 7 the $15.7 million addition to the Shearman Fine Arts Building to area media and invited guests who toured the state-of-the-art facility after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

McNeese State University is one of the first universities in a national pilot program to award associate degrees to students who stopped attending classes for personal reasons but otherwise met university criteria for an associate degree under Project Win-Win, an initiative sponsored by the Education Trust, a national education policy organization, and the National Association of System Heads.

The McNeese State University student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management has received the Merit Award designation from the national SHRM organization for an exceptional job of providing opportunities for growth and development to its student chapter members.

McNeese State University and the Port of Lake Charles are working together to improve the environment and economy of Southwest Louisiana, according to Janet Woolman, director of research services and the Louisiana Environmental Research Center at McNeese.

McNeese Theatre Season 71, a premiere year of productions in the new Shearman Fine Arts Theatre, is opening with a world premiere of "Our Hurricane Kaleidoscope,” a multimedia documentary remembering Hurricanes Rita and Katrina after five years, Sept. 29-Oct. 3.

In his first official address to university faculty, new McNeese President Dr. Philip C. Williams described his personal philosophies, explained the upcoming budget "Cliff Year” and ways the university will make up the loss of $9.2 million in state funding, and encouraged the faculty to remain optimistic about the future.

The 2010-2011 McNeese State University Faculty Colloquia Series will feature seven scholarly presentations by faculty members throughout the year. This event is co-sponsored by the McNeese Alumni Association and the Write to Excellence Center.

This fall marks 22 years that the McNeese Senior Academic Group Encounter, or SAGE, program has offered a series of topics for area adults age 50 and over. This year's theme is "Cane River—Traditions” and will be offered from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mondays, with one exception. Cost is $39 for all five lectures.

Anne M. Fournet, Dr. Henry B. Sirgo, Dr. Mark Wygoda and Dr. Robert F. Mahfoud are featured in the latest McNeese people briefs.

McNeese State University's Piano Pedagogy program has openings for piano students from ages 5 to adults. Students meet with a qualified piano instructor once a week for a private lesson.

The McNeese Leisure Learning Program will offer several non-credit courses in September, which are designed for self-improvement and enjoyment.

McNeese State University's paralegal studies program will host a social forum from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, in the McNeese Business Conference Center for paralegal studies alumni and students majoring in paralegal studies.