McNeese Community Represented at Mayor’s Arts Awards

Several McNeese alumni, faculty and staff were recognized for their contributions to the arts in Southwest Louisiana at the 2020 Mayor’s Arts Awards.

Artist of the Year went to 2008 art graduate Morgan Allain, who creates custom pieces for donations to area community organizations.
The Black Heritage Gallery was selected as the Arts Organization of the Year for its innovative arts programming. Stella Miller, a 1986 graduate, is the director and chief curator of the gallery.

The Keystone Award went to 1982 marketing graduate Randy Partin and 1991 mass communication graduate Heather Partin for their work with the Lake Charles Little Theatre both behind the scenes, on the stage and, this year, on the air in collaboration with Banners at McNeese to produce the “War of the Worlds” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” on McNeese Radio KBYS 88.3 FM.

Arts Educator of the Year went to McNeese Associate Professor of Ceramics Ken Baskin for his work in providing a diverse and creative education in the arts to a new generation. He coordinated the Food Scarcity Project, where citizens could donate food items for a local food bank in exchange for a student-made ceramic.

Morgan Turpin, a 2010 marketing graduate, 2013 Master of Business Administration graduate and Internship Director for the McNeese College of Business, was named Citizen of the Humanities. Morgan, who is the outgoing Arts and Humanities Council President, was recognized for her work with the Living History Cemetery Tour and Better Blocks.