Derailment money pays for math lab at LSUE

More than 15 years after the train derailment just west of Eunice, repercussions are still being felt in the community, but the accident’s most recent impact is a positive one — a math lab at LSUE.
LSUE Chancellor Kimberly Russell said, “The modular math lab is an innovative and interactive approach to teaching foundational college mathematics courses. This spring LSUE has 292 students enrolled in 16 sections of modular math. Students who complete their math sequences courses through the modular setting tend to outperform students taking traditional face to face math courses.”
“We are so proud today to unveil this new modular math lab.”
The $270,000 lab was funded by three sources — $63,000 from the train derailment settlement, $125,000 from the Board of Regents Support Fund, and $83,000 from the Carl Perkins Fund. The lab has 38 computers.
Former Western District Judge Richard Haik, who was the presiding judge overseeing the train derailment litigation, was on hand for ribbon-cutting at the new lab.
“This is the second or third time we have given money to LSUE (from the settlement) because its important,” Haik said. “Education is the most important thing. If we can educate our children, the young people of the community, then everyone is going to grow and everyone is going to prosper.
“This is great opportunity to highlight the wonderful things they are doing here at LSUE. I am very proud to be a part of this.”
Haik said the court had discretion over how some of the settlement funds would be used. In addition to LSUE, the Eunice Community Health Center and City Lake received settlement funds.
“The help of the individuals from this parish, including Judge Terry Hoychick and Jacque Pucheu and Judge Gerard Caswell, these guys did a lot of work and they were very concerned,” Haik said. “Pat Morrow from Opelousas was very involved. These individuals were very concerned with making sure the people of Eunice were taken care of, which we did.
“The funds that were left, over, we gave most of that back to education. Education is the cornerstone of building a wonderful community.”
During the train derailment litigation, Hoychick served on the plaintiff’s liaison committee as an attorney, working with Caswell and Pucheu.
“When settlements arrived and money was distributed, Judge Haik and I sought places where the money would be best used,” Hoychick said. “We are extremely excited to be able to help and give encouragement. LSUE is a good place to put the rest of this money.”
Jamie Thibodeaux, modular math lab coordinator, said, “Essentially what we do in here is students have a choice of taking traditional or modular class. It’s a little faster paced, and they are able to finishes two course in one semester. We’ve had about 57 students finish two math courses in one semester.”