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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 106
BY SENATOR CROWE
CONDOLENCES. Offers condolences upon the death of the former Southeastern Louisiana
University president, Clea Parker.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of the2
former president of Southeastern Louisiana University, Clea Edward Parker.3
WHEREAS, Clea Edward Parker served as president of Southeastern Louisiana4
University for over twelve years, from January, 1968 through June, 1980; and5
WHEREAS, during Dr. Parker's tenure as president, the school transitioned from a6
college to a university, which increased its standing among post-secondary institutions; and7
WHEREAS, Southeastern Louisiana University experienced a forty percent growth8
in enrollment during Dr. Parker's term as president; and9
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker obtained legislative approval to undertake an ambitious10
renovation and construction program at the university, including the building of the11
Southeastern School of Nursing in Baton Rouge, the C.E. Cate Teacher Education Center,12
the Athletic Building, D. Vickers Hall (the Humanities building), the Health and Physical13
Education Building, the new Sims Memorial Library, and the Southeastern University14
Center; and15
WHEREAS, a hallmark of Dr. Parker's term as president were his efforts to increase16
the role of students in the university, including involvement in the determination of what17
graduate programs to be offered; and18 SCR NO. 106
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WHEREAS, Dr. Parker increased student involvement by naming students to serve1
on university-wide committees, having an open-door policy for students to visit with him2
in his office, and visiting students in cafeterias, classrooms, and on the grounds; and3
WHEREAS, Clea Edward Parker was born to William and Lutretia Davis Parker on4
April 2, 1927, in Talasheek, Louisiana, in St. Tammany Parish; and 5
WHEREAS, Parker's life was one committed to education, beginning as an instructor6
at Rugby Academy in New Orleans and continuing through seventeen years in the St.7
Tammany Parish School System as a teacher, coach, supervisor, and eventually, Director of8
Curriculum and Instruction for the parish school system; and9
WHEREAS, Parker served as principal of Mandeville High School and was the first10
graduate of that school to serve as its principal; and11
WHEREAS, Parker earned his Bachelor of Arts at Southeastern Louisiana College12
and, interestingly, was the first alumnus of that institution to serve as its president; and13
WHEREAS, Parker earned a Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees14
from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; and15
WHEREAS, in his many years as an educator, Dr. Parker served on a number of16
local, state, and national committees and was recognized by many educational organizations17
as a leader in the field of education; and18
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker considered education to be a lifetime endeavor, and he19
attended training and classes at Tulane University, Peabody College, the University of20
Kansas, and the University of Maryland; and21
WHEREAS, after his tenure as president, Dr. Parker was named President Emeritus22
and he remained vitally interested in and active with the life of Southeastern Louisiana23
University, attending events and inquiring as to the state of the university and offering his24
assistance; and25
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker is survived by his wife of more than sixty years,26
Peggy Faciane Parker, and sons Brian and Stephen and their families and daughters27
Karen Parker Ellis and Robin Parker and their families; and28
WHEREAS, current president of Southeastern Louisiana University, John L. Crain,29
remarked that Parker's "lifelong commitment to education serves as an inspiration for us all".30 SCR NO. 106
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby1
express its sincere condolences upon the death of the former president of Southeastern2
Louisiana University, Clea Edward Parker. 3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Dr.4
Parker's wife of more than sixty years, Peggy Faciane Parker of Hammond, Louisiana.5
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Mary Dozier O'Brien.
DIGEST
Crowe SCR No. 106
Expresses condolences upon the death of the former president of Southeastern Louisiana
University, Clea Edward Parker.