ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 53
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Dr. Dana
Carpenter.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
House of Representatives learned of the death on April 12, 2019, of Dr. Dana Carpenter; he
was seventy-four years old; and
WHEREAS, Dana met and married the love of his life, Barbara West; left to cherish
fond memories are his wife, their son, Patrick, and his wife Christa, daughter, Erin, and
extended family of siblings and relatives; and
WHEREAS, Dana earned a bachelor of science degree in speech and drama and
English education from Grambling State University in 1967, a master's degree in speech
education from Northwestern State University in 1970, and in 1977, he earned a Ph.D. in
curriculum and instruction while simultaneously serving as coordinator of the English,
speech, and journalism component of the Competency Based Teacher Education Program
at Kansas State University; and
WHEREAS, after he acquired his doctorate, Dr. Carpenter accepted employment in
1977 at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge as an associate professor and
coordinator in the university's Communication Skills Center with responsibilities for the
administration of a federally funded Title III program, and thus began a long and successful
tenure at Southern University; and
WHEREAS, from 1986 to 2016, Dr. Carpenter served at Southern University in the
posts of professor, director of counseling and advisement in the Junior Division, teacher
quality coordinator, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management in the University
College, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, dean of the University College,
director of the Dual Enrollment, Trio Programs, and COMPASS Testing, interim associate
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vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, and director of Academic Outreach Programs with
supervision over Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search; at the time of his passing,
Dr. Carpenter was serving as the assistant to the senior associate vice chancellor for
Academic Affairs; prior to his duties at Southern University, Dr. Carpenter taught and served
in the administrations of the Calcasieu Parish school system and Kansas State University;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Carpenter was an experienced and prolific grant writer who
obtained funds for tutorial and educational enrichment activities for fourth and fifth graders
in learning Spanish, desktop newspaper publishing, engineering, architecture, and Louisiana
culture, and he acquired grants to teach strategies to prevent substance abuse and family
violence, train first-year principals and assist them with state certification, fund a dropout
prevention program, and supply the components necessary for after-school and Saturday
tutorial classes for students in all academic areas; a grant of more than $500,000 also
provided for a motivation and counseling program and visitation to schools; Dr. Carpenter
was vigilant in his desire to improve the educational fortunes of students; and
WHEREAS, the diligent and vanguard work of Dr. Carpenter garnered much respect
in the state and was recognized at the highest levels of leadership in Louisiana; in 1996,
Governor Mike Foster appointed Dr. Carpenter to the Capital Area Human Service District
Board as an advocate for developmental disabilities, where he served two years as board
chairman; Dr. Carpenter was elected to the city of Baker school board in 1998, reelected in
2002, and served several years as president and vice president; he was appointed in 1995 to
the city of Baker Economic Development Commission by Mayor Bobby Simpson; and
WHEREAS, the organizations which were proud to claim Dr. Carpenter as a member
include Phi Delta Kappa; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, of which he was a life
member and served as polemarch and president; the Krewe of Camelot, Incorporated;
Citizens for a Better Leland Community; Kiwanis International; the Louisiana School Board
Association; the American Federation of Teachers; and the Louisiana Chapter of the Autistic
Society; Dr. Carpenter was named College Teacher of the Year at Southern University in
1992, received the Outstanding Service Award in 1991 from the National Academic
Advisory Association, and received an Outstanding Developmental Educator's Award for
the 1989-1990 academic year; and
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WHEREAS, volumes of books could not contain the vast quantity of events, awards,
appointments, and works that filled the life of Dr. Dana Carpenter; he was a visionary
advocate for quality education for all; he worked to promote honesty and integrity in
government, was a catalyst for the resolution of critical issues faced by students, and he was
fully engaged in his quest to improve the lives and enhance the economic growth of all of
the citizens he served; during his career, Dr. Carpenter mentored generations of leaders; his
impact will forever remain in the Baker and Scotlandville communities in the form of the
Dr. Dana Carpenter Scholarship that has been established for students in the City of Baker
School System in his honor.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
death of Dr. Dana Carpenter and does hereby recognize and record for posterity his
distinguished career of excellence and unyielding advocacy for educational equality.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Representative Barbara West Carpenter.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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