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2019 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 146
BY SENATORS MILKOVICH, ALARIO, ALLAIN, APPEL, BARROW, BOUDREAUX,
CARTER, COLOMB, CORTEZ, DONAHUE, FANNIN, GATTI,
HENSGENS, HEWITT, JOHNS, LUNEAU, MARTINY, MILLS,
MIZELL, MORRELL, MORRISH, PEACOCK, RISER, GARY SMITH,
TARVER AND WHITE
A RESOLUTION
To express sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death
of Dana Carpenter, PhD, a Southern University administrator and husband of
Louisiana House of Representatives member, Barbara West Carpenter, PhD.
WHEREAS, Dana Carpenter was born to O.C. and Mary Payton Carpenter, their
sixth child, on January 8, 1945, in Natchitoches, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Dana Carpenter attended public schools in Natchitoches Parish where
he was a scholarly leader; being diligent about his studies, he graduated from Central High
School with highest honors and moved to further his studies at Grambling State University;
and
WHEREAS, at Grambling, Dana Carpenter excelled academically and graduated
with a bachelor of science degree in speech, drama, and English education; and
WHEREAS, Dana Carpenter went on to study at Northwestern State University in
his home town of Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he earned a master of arts degree in speech
education with an emphasis on teaching, administration, and supervision; and
WHEREAS, Dana Carpenter's terminal degree came from Kansas State University
in Manhattan, Kansas, where he earned a PhD in curriculum, instruction, and higher
education; and
WHEREAS, Dana Carpenter came from a religious Christian family and he took his
love of his wife and family to be a reflection of that faith and he was devoted to them,
especially his wife, state representative Barbara West Carpenter, PhD and to their children,
Erin and Patrick; and
WHEREAS, one of Dr. Carpenter's greatest strengths was in modeling a love for
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learning, and all who were fortunate enough to cross his path, particularly as his student,
were much the better for knowing or being taught by him; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Carpenter's teaching career took him to the Calcasieu Parish School
System where, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he taught speech and drama to high school
students whose lives were greatly influenced by his deep love for learning and his guiding
and encouragement of their own educational experiences; and
WHEREAS, even beyond his classrooms, Dr. Carpenter garnered a reputation as a
gifted and talented teacher, and Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recruited
him to join the university; and
WHEREAS, upon arriving at the campus in Baton Rouge, Dr. Carpenter immediately
affiliated with the Richardson Chapel Church of God in Christ, seeking a home church to
nurture his soul in his new surroundings; and
WHEREAS, at Southern University, Dr. Carpenter became a tenured full professor,
no small achievement in the competitive world of academia; and
WHEREAS, in his career at Southern University, Dr. Carpenter held a variety of
positions, including associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, associate vice chancellor
for enrollment management, director of academic outreach programs, and Dean of
University College, all essential positions for the academic reputation of the university; and
WHEREAS, Dana Carpenter, PhD, also served the profession of education in a
variety of roles, including as an inaugural member of the City of Baker school board, to
which he was elected in 1999, and this initial board oversaw the establishment of the system,
separating from the East Baton Rouge Parish schools in 2003, and he went on to serve three
terms as board president; and
WHEREAS, Dana Carpenter, PhD, was an immensely talented scholar, educator, and
administrator who influenced the lives of hundreds of students in the Lake Charles schools,
at Southern University, and the City of Baker schools, leaving a legacy of people who see
themselves with a broader horizon to which to aspire because Dr. Carpenter ensured that his
students knew that their intellectual grasp could reach beyond the immediate and that they
could live to serve and to inspire others to reach their full potential, academically and as
adults in any role they chose for themselves.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Dana Carpenter, PhD, a Southern
University administrator and husband of Louisiana House of Representatives member,
Barbara West Carpenter, PhD.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Representative Barbara West Carpenter and her family.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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