Southeastern Louisiana University recently opened the 2026-27 academic year with its fall convocation that included presentation of the President’s Awards for Excellence, the university’s highest honor for faculty and staff.
The event also included announcement of endowed scholarships, new faculty and staff, faculty tenure and promotion, emeritus/emerita recipients, and recognition of service awards to faculty and staff who have worked at the university for 20, 25, 30 and 35 years.
Receiving the President’s Awards for Excellence were Instructor of Political Science Bridget Hester, excellence in teaching; Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services Keonta Johnson, excellence in unclassified staff service; Instructor of Music Philip Schuessler, excellence in creative activity, Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Studies Chelsea Slack, excellence in faculty service; and Retired Professor of Management David Wyld, excellence in research.
One of three political scientists in the Department of History and Political Science, Hester teaches a variety of courses and helps prepare students to become informed citizens and future leaders. A central component of her teaching is helping students move beyond memorizing information and toward meaningful inquiry. In her upper-level courses, students conduct in-depth research, evaluating sources to answer significant questions about the political world.
For Johnson, service is not simply part of her profession—it is the thread that connects her work at Southeastern with her dedication to the broader community. Her commitment to service is defined by strategic leadership and a deep dedication to institutional and community well-being. Johnson has built a record of engagement that extends beyond her job responsibilities, advancing Southeastern’s mission while creating opportunities for others to succeed. Johnson’s impact extends well beyond her office.
A composer, songwriter, conductor, performer, and artist, Schuessler has spent his career pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. A member of the Southeastern faculty since 2010, he writes for electronic instruments and live performers ranging from soloists to full symphonic orchestras, building a body of work that has earned recognition from musicians and audiences around the world. Over the past 25 years, Schuessler has composed approximately 140 works for a variety of ensembles and electronic media.
Slack’s foundation for a lifetime of service was built in rural South Arkansas, where she was raised by her grandparents and learned that meaningful service is measured not by recognition, but by impact. Her grandparents taught her to serve others not for recognition or reward, but because it is the right thing to do. Those early lessons continue to guide Dr. Slack’s work at Southeastern, where she has dedicated herself to preparing students for professional success while preserving and enriching the university’s story.
Wyld pursued research with a simple goal: to produce work that mattered. Over 34 years at Southeastern, that commitment resulted in an extraordinary body of scholarship that not only advanced academic knowledge but also influenced real-world decision-making across industries and government agencies. His accomplishments include the following: 221 refereed journal articles, 139 refereed conference presentations, 15 best paper awards, 32 research reports, monographs, and white papers, 17 book chapters, eight books, and 1,098 popular press articles.
