Dr. Vincent J. Marsala

SHREVEPORT, LA - Dr. Vincent John Carmelo Marsala passed away December 13, 2017 at the age of 82. Visitation will be Sunday, December 17, 2017 at the Chapel of Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Marshall Street from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with a Rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 18, 2017 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with a reception to follow at the Burleigh Center and burial at 1:30 p.m. at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Ave. Officiating will be Father Timothy C. Hurd. Vincent was the son of Vincent Marsala and Rosalie Cecelia Parrino Marsala, both first gener ation Italian-Americans who made their home in North Louisiana. Vincent learned to hunt and fish in and around Bayou DeSiard and his love of the outdoors continued throughout his life. Vincent graduated from St. Matthew's High School and attended Louisiana State University Baton Rouge where he pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. After transferring to Northeast University he be came an ROTC cadet and met his future wife Carol Ann, a Northeast Beauty and graduate of the Arts. Vincent earned his Bachelor Degree in General Studies with the focus on Political Science and History, and after gradua tion he continued his military service at Fort Benning, Georgia where he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He and Carol Ann married April 17, 1959 and though Vincent aspired to move through the ranks of the military, he also had a passion to pursue education, research and scholarship. Vincent returned to LSU where he earned a Master's Degree in Government and Sociology in 1962 and then served as a Political Science instructor at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. His passion for academic achievement continued as he completed his doctoral studies at LSU and earned the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Latin American Studies (History and Political Science). Vincent and Carol Ann spent three months in Jamaica while he completed his historical dissertation, "Sir John Peter Grant, Governor of Jamaica 1866-1874: An Administrative History," which was subsequently published. The time they shared on the island researching and reveling was a topic of conversation throughout their lives. In 1967 Vince was recruited by Dean Donald Shipp to join a new branch of the LSU System as a founding faculty member, thus beginning his 45 year academic career with LSU Shreveport. His career path included Professor of History, teaching Louisiana History, Louisiana Government and Latin American History. As an administrator he served as Dean of the College of General Studies, Dean of the College of Continuing Education and Public Service and in 1995 he was named Chancellor of LSU Shreveport, a position he held until his retirement in 2012. Vincent did extensive research in his areas of expertise including several publications on the late US Senator Joseph E. Ransdell as well as editing and publishing the following books: Abraham Lincoln: "Sources and Style of Leadership"; "Louisiana Catholic Church History with Dr. Philip Uzee;" and Grassroots Constitutionalism: Shreveport, the South and the Supreme Law of the Land. His professional presentations were vast, but some of the more memorable include, "Causes of Socio-Political Unrest in Central America;" "Revolution in Central America;" "Corruption and Scandal in Louisiana Politics; "The U.S. Constitution - 200 Years Strong;" "Racism - A Personal Statement;" "Italian Settlements in North Louisiana;" and "Louisiana - The Seamy Side of Democracy Revisited." As a political science scholar, Vincent frequently interacted with elected officials and community leaders, forging friendships and professional asso ciations to the benefit of the university and the community. He participated in many local political forums and was a strong proponent of attaining four year status for the university. Vincent always remained appreciative of the vast community support for LSU Shreveport and felt a deep, personal connection to not only the brick and mortar of the campus structures, but to the significant impact a degree in higher education would have on the individual student. Vincent was appointed in 1994 to serve on the Governor's Higher Education Commission for the 21st Century. He received a Fulbright Award for a Group Study Project to Costa Rica entitled, The Social Context of Crisis in Central America. He also received the President's Award by 100 Business Men and Women of America, was named a Distinguished Fellow of the Louisiana Government Leadership Institute, and was listed in the Directory of Scholars and Specialists in Third World Studies. Vincent was honored for his academic achievements throughout his career, selected as Administrator of the Year 1995; recipient of the first Pilot of the Year Award by the LSUS Alumni Association; Gingerbread House Toast and Roast Honoree; and recognized by Junior Achievement of North Louisiana as a Laureate of the North Louisiana Business Hall of Fame. In 2012, Vincent and Carol Ann received the LSUS Alumni Association's Loyalty Award given to retiring LSUS faculty or staff who played a strategic role in the advancement of LSUS and must have given selflessly to the university. In addition to his academic achievements, Vince was very civic and community minded, elected to two terms as a Caddo Parish Commissioner and chaired the Consortium for Education, Research and Technology. He has served on the Board of Directors of Willis-Knighton Health System, the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, The Boy Scouts of America, KDAQ Public Radio, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club, Alliance for Education Board of Directors, and the Shreveport Committee of 100 Board of Directors. Dr. Marsala was an advocate for the early detection of breast cancer in men after he received his diagnosis. He forged ahead, electing to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment and boldly worked to raise aware ness of the disease. Dr. Marsala was proud to be selected as an Honorary Co-Chair of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in 2006. Chancellor Marsala retired from LSU Shreveport in 2012 in order to spend more time with his family and enjoy his pursuits of hunting and fishing. Unfortunately, significant health concerns limited his endeavors, but he accepted each new medical diagnosis and with it, each new challenge to forge ahead. In the Spring of 2017, he elected to forgo further chemotherapy treatments for Myelodysplastic Syndrome and make the best of time with family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother-in-law, James E. Goodrum. Dr. Marsala is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Ann Goodrum Marsala; his daughter Shawne Christy Marsala; brother, Dr. Andrew James Marsala and his wife Renee; nephews, James Goodrum and wife Amy; Dr. Andrew James Marsala II and wife Anne; neices, Dr. Linda Goodrum; Sharon Goodrum Sly and husband Paul; Marissa Marsala Patton and husband Scott; and Ana Marsala Stout and husband James; sister-in-law Judy Goodrum; and numerous grand nieces, grand nephews, and cousins. Vince is also survived by his precious miniature schnauzer, Missy Beignet Marsala. He will be remembered by the thousands of students he taught, advised and mentored throughout his collegiate career at LSU Shreveport. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Mr. James Elrod, Mr. Mike Ferrell, Dr. George Kemp, Dr. William Jenkins, Dr. Sonny Jimes, Dr. Andrew Marsala II, Mr. John Milazzo, Dr. Tasmin Plater, Mr. Larry Rambin, Dr. Robert Rasmussen, Mr. Bruce Simon, and the former and current administration, faculty and staff at LSU Shreveport. The family wishes to express its appreciation to Dr. Dan Moller and the many physicians and nurses at Willis-Knighton Cancer Center, Willis-Knighton Pierremont, and MD Anderson Cancer Center that were involved in Vincent's care; and the nurses and aides of The Oaks of Louisiana Health Center for their professional care and personal compassion. Carol Ann and Shawne especially wish to extend their thanks to Sam, Tamekia, Janet, Betty, Yolanda, Brenda, and Sharon for the attention shown not only to Vince, but to them as well during this most difficult time. Also thank you to longtime administrative assistants Mrs. Wanda Norman and Mrs. Jackie Reed and LSUS Alumni Director Dianne Howell. Our family continues to appreciate the former and current administration, faculty and staff at LSU Shreveport. The family suggests memorial donations in honor of Dr. Marsala may be made to the LSUS Alumni Association Vincent J. Marsala Endowed Pro fessorship in Teaching Excellence; or the Vincent J. Marsala Alpha Guarde Scholarship, 1 University Place, Shreveport, LA 71115. "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." John 11:25-26.