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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 106
BY SENATORS CROWE, ADLEY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME,
BROWN, BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAI TOR, CORTEZ,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY,
HEITMEIER, JOHNS, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY,
MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH , MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK,
PERRY, PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH,
TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHI TE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of the
former president of Southeastern Louisiana University, Clea Edward Parker.
WHEREAS, Clea Edward Parker served as president of Southeastern Louisiana
University for over twelve years, from January 1968 through June 1980; and
WHEREAS, during Dr. Parker's tenure as president, the school transitioned from a
college to a university, which increased its standing among post-secondary institutions; and
WHEREAS, Southeastern Louisiana University experienced a forty percent growth
in enrollment during Dr. Parker's term as president; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker obtained legislative approval to undertake an ambitious
renovation and construction program at the university, including the building of the
Southeastern School of Nursing in Baton Rouge, the C.E. Cate Teacher Education Center,
the Athletic Building, D. Vickers Hall (the Humanities building), the Health and Physical
Education Building, the new Sims Memorial Library, and the Southeastern University
Center; and
WHEREAS, a hallmark of Dr. Parker's term as president were his efforts to increase
the role of students in the university, including involvement in the determination of what
graduate programs to be offered; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker increased student involvement by naming students to serve
on university-wide committees, having an open-door policy for students to visit with him
in his office, and visiting students in cafeterias, classrooms, and on the grounds; and
WHEREAS, Clea Edward Parker was born to William and Lutretia Davis Parker on
April 2, 1927, in Talasheek, Louisiana, in St. Tammany Parish; and SCR NO. 106 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Dr. Parker's life was one committed to education, beginning as an
instructor at Rugby Academy in New Orleans and continuing through seventeen years in the
St. Tammany Parish School System as a teacher, coach, supervisor, and eventually, Director
of Curriculum and Instruction for the parish school system; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker served as principal of Mandeville High School and was the
first graduate of that school to serve as its principal; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker earned his Bachelor of Arts at Southeastern Louisiana
College and, interestingly, was the first alumnus of that institution to serve as its president;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker earned a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education
degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, in his many years as an educator, Dr. Parker served on a number of
local, state, and national committees and was recognized by many educational organizations
as a leader in the field of education; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker considered education to be a lifetime endeavor, and he
attended training and classes at Tulane University, Peabody College, the University of
Kansas, and the University of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, after his tenure as president, Dr. Parker was named President Emeritus
and he remained vitally interested in and active with the life of Southeastern Louisiana
University, attending events and inquiring as to the state of the university and offering his
assistance; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker is survived by his wife of more than sixty years,
Peggy Faciane Parker, and sons Brian and Stephen and their families, and daughters
Karen Parker Ellis and Robin Parker and their families; and
WHEREAS, current president of Southeastern Louisiana University, John L. Crain,
remarked that Dr. Parker's "lifelong commitment to education serves as an inspiration for
us all".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express its sincere condolences upon the death of the former president of Southeastern
Louisiana University, Dr. Clea Edward Parker. SCR NO. 106 ENROLLED
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Dr.
Parker's wife of more than sixty years, Peggy Faciane Parker of Hammond, Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES