Debbie Settoon (’79) Impacts Future Generations of UNO Students

Debbie Settoon points to three major influences in her career: a strong family emphasis on education, an involved and enthusiastic college environment and a supportive network.

She grew up in Metairie, with both parents having family roots near bayou towns. They taught her the value of education from an early age. College was not optional for her family; it was expected.

While Debbie initially thought she would be a historian or dental hygienist, a career aptitude test showed signs that she might enjoy engineering.

So, as a college freshman, Debbie—who chose to attend the University of New Orleans because she received a full-tuition scholarship—enrolled in Engineering 101 and was hooked by the very energetic dean of the college (now the Dr. Robert A. Savioe College of Engineering), Dr. Fritz Dohse. This marked the start of a long, remarkable career as a civil engineer.

Debbie graduated from UNO in 1979 and began working at ODECO Inc, a leading offshore drilling rig company. When she retired, she managed the life extension program for all of Shell’s offshore deepwater fields in the Gulf of Mexico.

She gives credit to UNO for enabling her to build a solid career foundation and, because of that, chose to give a legacy gift to the University.

“I feel strongly that UNO offered a supportive faculty and reasonable tuition, two keys in helping me become a successful engineer, which had a positive impact in my life,” she says. “Because of my experience at UNO and the foundation it provided me to build a successful career, I want to show my gratitude by supporting UNO with a gift from my estate.”

Take Debbie’s lead and reflect on what UNO has given you or a loved one, your community and the world. Contact Eric Balukonis at 504-280-6159 or ebalukonis@unofoundation.org to start a conversation about your UNO legacy today.