Southeastern celebrates Homecoming October 20-27
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
Date: October 18, 2012
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University celebrates the 85th anniversary of its Alumni Association with an abundance of spirited activities capped by tailgating, reunions, a parade and football action in Strawberry Stadium during Homecoming Week Oct. 20-27.
With a theme "Roomie Goes for the Gold," Homecoming 2012 features reunions, awards and recognitions, and a host of student activities culminating with Homecoming Day October 27 when the Lions take on the UCA Bears at 7 p.m.
Homecoming Week will offer a number of time-honored traditions, such as the Gumbo Ya Ya fest for students, campus and community decorating contests, an alumni art exhibit, and the FE-Lions' Homecoming luncheon.
Activities begin on Saturday, Oct. 20, when Southeastern Athletics and the Lions Athletic Association host the inaugural Green & Gold 5K and 1 Mile Run at 7 a.m. The course will wind around Southeastern's campus and will finish in the north end zone at Strawberry Stadium. Entry fee is $30. All proceeds benefit Southeastern Athletics. For more information or to register, contact Ross Barbier at ross.barbier@southeastern.edu.
Homecoming week begins Monday, Oct. 22, with "Lunch with the Lions" at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Park. The event, which serves as the official kick-off for Homecoming festivities, features free food and music with student-athletes in attendance. The Southeastern Family reunion will cap off the day at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Park and Mall.
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the action begins at noon when students and faculty battle it out in the Phi Kappa Phi Quiz Bowl in the Student Union Theatre. Following the Quiz Bowl, the Lion Pride Powder Paint Run for students will take place on North Campus. Registration is at 4:30 with the race at 5:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m students will enjoy food and fun at Gumbo YaYa. The 2012 Homecoming court will be introduced. Also on tap is a free professional development program for healthcare professionals featuring Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre. Call 549-3772 for more details. At 7 p.m. the Wesley Foundation will host a reunion for its members at the center at 307 W. Dakota St.
On Thursday, Oct. 25, the FeLions will host their Homecoming luncheon at Trey Yuen. Also scheduled Thursday at 12:30 p.m. is the Lyceum Lights faculty lecture at the Center for Faculty Excellence. This year's lecture is "Roomie Goes Gold with a Gold Medal for Education."
Thursday evening kicks into gear when the Lady Lions volleyball team takes on Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m. in the University Center. The big finale Thursday will be a block party and bonfire sponsored by the Student Government Association at 6:45 p.m., which includes Gamma Beta Phi's annual "A Ton of Fun Food Drive." The organization asks that all donations be dropped off by 5 p.m. to the Freshmen Commuter parking lot outside Greek Village.
The bonfire will be torched at the traditional spot adjacent to the Alumni Center. Spectators can also enjoy music by the Spirit of the Southland Band, followed by a Lip Sync contest at 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 26, begins with the Homecoming Golf Tournament at Carter Plantation at 9 a.m. Cost of the event is $150 per person or $600 per four-man team. Participants will receive tournament logo gifts including a shirt, cap, and a luncheon following play. All proceeds from the event will benefit Southeastern Athletics. For more information, contact Tim Baldwin at 985-549-5186 or tbaldwin@southeastern.edu.
Also scheduled Friday is a Lady Lions soccer matchup against Northwestern State at the Southeastern Soccer Complex on north campus at 3 p.m. In addition, the Pennington Student Activity Center will sponsor free workouts throughout the day.
Also, the Alumni Association will host the Alumni Awards Evening at 7 p.m. in Twelve Oaks. The evening will include announcements of several awards and recognition of the 2012 Alumnus of the Year, Steve Cossé, Murphy Oil Corporation president and chief executive officer. Tickets for the event are available at the Alumni Association, (985) 549-2150 or 1-800-SLU-ALUM.
At 9 p.m. the African American Alumni Chapter will sponsor a Homecoming meet and greet mixer in the Student Union ballroom. Tickets are available by calling (985) 549-3850.
On Homecoming Day, Oct. 27, fun and spirit will fill Friendship Circle. Alumni and visitors can enjoy tailgating, bands and booths manned by area merchants and Southeastern art students at the Pottle Performance Circle. Activities for children include a variety of crafts and games and trick or treating for the kids among the tailgaters.
The annual Educators Honor Roll will start at 9 a.m. in the Teacher Education Center, and a dedication ceremony for Southeastern donors who have endowed scholarships and professorships will be held at 10 a.m. in Sims Memorial Library. At noon the campus bookstore will open, and marketplace shopping in Friendship Circle, as well as campus tours will begin.
The Decorate Your Tailgate Contest will be judged beginning at 1 p.m. At the same time, Lion Pride Preview Day for high school students will start at the Pennington Student Activity Center. The Kids Costume Contest, where the best costumed little Lions will be judged on spirited Southeastern attire, is set for 2 p.m. at the Information Booth in Friendship Circle. Also at 2 p.m. the volleyball team takes on Northwestern State in the University Center.
The Homecoming parade will roll at 3 p.m. Lion fans can cheer on Head Coach Ron Roberts and his team as they do the traditional "Lion Walk" through Friendship Circle to Strawberry Stadium at 4 p.m.
The Alumni Art Exhibit featuring the work of Elizabeth Ann Chase will be open to the public from 12-5 p.m. in the Contemporary Art Gallery at 100 East Stadium. Chase, a 2011 graduate, is now working on a graduate degree at the famed Philadelphia School of Fine Art.
Reunions and tailgating will be hosted by many of the university's colleges and divisions, as well as by groups such as the former football players, Seventies Black Alumni, music and Greek organizations. The Alumni Association tailgate will take place in Friendship Circle from 3 – 6:30 p.m. and is sponsored by Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.
A few special reunions are set for Saturday, including the Rec Sports and Wellness reunion at 9:30 a.m. and the volleyball reunion at 11:30 a.m.
After pre-game activities, the Lions will kick off against Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. The 2012 Homecoming queen and king will be announced and crowned at halftime.
Immediately after the game, the Downtown Development District will host "Downtown Bound," an evening of shopping, dining and entertainment by participating downtown merchants. For more information contact the DDD at (985) 542-3471.
For a complete schedule of Homecoming 2012 events, visit www.southeastern.edu/homecoming or call the Alumni Center, 1-800-SLU-ALUM or (985) 549-2150.
