Homecoming 2019 will be sponsored by Hammond Square. From left are Assistant Director of Alumni Programming Jenni O’Neil, Owner of JC Consultants Charlotte Lyons, Assistant Property Manager at Stirling Properties Claire Draper, and Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs.
Southeastern Louisiana University will celebrate Homecoming Week Oct. 7 – 12 with
a myriad of spirited activities capped by tailgating, reunions, a parade and football
action in Strawberry Stadium.
With a reality TV theme of “Keeping it Real with Roomie,” Homecoming 2019 is being
sponsored by the Alumni Office and Hammond Square, with the Southeastern Student Government
Association sponsoring all student-related activities. The week culminates on Homecoming
Day Saturday, Oct. 12, when the Lions take on Incarnate Word at 4 p.m. in Strawberry
Stadium.
Homecoming Week will offer a number of time-honored traditions, such as Gumbo YaYa
for students, a campus decorating contest, and the FeLions’ Homecoming luncheon. Additionally,
the Southeastern Pennington Student Activity Center will be offering free workouts
for alumni all week.
The celebration begins on Monday with activities as part of Business Week, Oct. 7-10,
which features a variety of lectures by specialists in numerous phases of business.
Also, the National Pan-Hellenic Council Black Family Reunion is set Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
in the Student Union Mall.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the action begins at 2 p.m. when students and faculty battle it
out in the Phi Kappa Phi Quiz Bowl in the Student Union Theater. Tuesday evening is
also “Give Back Night” at both Hammond Raising Cane’s locations, where a portion of
the sales generated from loyal Lion fans from 5 – 9 p.m. will be donated to the Alumni
Association to support young alumni programming.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students will enjoy free food and fun
on campus at Gumbo YaYa, where the 2019 Homecoming court will be introduced to the
student body.
Wednesday also launches a new tradition from University Advancement —Southeastern
Giving Day, a 24- hour, one-day event for both the community and Lions everywhere
to come together in support of Southeastern and its students.
At 6 p.m. that evening the student competition “Minute to Win It” will be held in
the University Center.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the FeLions group will host its Homecoming luncheon at The Mezzanine
in downtown Hammond at 11:30 a.m., and Gamma Beta Phi will host a food drive in the
Student Union Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday evening begins at Santa Fe Cattle Company at 5 p.m. when the Alumni Association
and Homecoming sponsor Hammond Square officially kick off Homecoming reunion weekend
with a free alumni pep rally. Attendees can register in advance to be entered to win
a homecoming tailgate prize pack from Hammond Square and Southeastern. Registration
is available but not required via southeastern.edu/reunionpeprally.
Also on tap Thursday is the ROTC’s 50th anniversary celebration at Oak Knoll Country
Club at 6 p.m. Join the Southeastern ROTC Alumni Chapter as they celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the installation of the Army ROTC program on campus. Registration is
available online at southeastern.edu/rotcanniversary.
Thursday will also feature a Lady Lion Volleyball match against Northwestern State
scheduled at 7 p.m. in the University Center, followed immediately by a Lip Sync contest
for students at 8 p.m.
The Sigma Tau Gamma Alumni Memorial Brick Installation and Eternal Ritual at Friendship
Circle Memorial Plaza is scheduled Friday at 5 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by a Lady
Lions Soccer game vs. Lamar in Strawberry Stadium.
Friday evening kicks into gear at 6:30 p.m. at Cook Field on North Campus next to
the Alumni Center with a bonfire and Roar Rally spirit competition sponsored by SGA.
Spectators can also enjoy music by the Spirit of the Southland Band.
The Alumni Association will host its annual Alumni Awards Evening Friday at 7 p.m.
in the Student Union Ballroom. Tickets for the event are available at the Alumni Association,
(985) 549-2150 or online at southeastern.edu/RegisterAlumniAwards. Michele Sutton, president and chief executive officer of North Oaks Health System
and a 1984 and 1988 graduate of Southeastern, will be recognized as Alumnus of the
Year, while Northshore Technical Community College Provost and Vice Chancellor of
Academic Affairs Daniel Roberts, will be honored as the Young Alumnus of the Year.
In addition, the African-American Alumni Chapter will host its annual Homecoming mixer
beginning at 9 p.m. in the Alumni Center.
On Homecoming Day, Oct. 12, the focus shifts to Friendship Circle, where visitors
can enjoy tailgating, reunions and entertainment starting at 12 p.m. There will be
booths manned by area merchants and activities for children that include a variety
of crafts, face painting, and inflatables. Attendees are asked to please leave pets
at home.
Southeastern donors who have endowed scholarships and professorships will be honored
at a brunch at 10 a.m. in the President’s Residence. The campus bookstore will be
open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The annual Homecoming parade will roll at 12 p.m. Following the parade, Lion fans
can cheer on Head Coach Frank Schelfo and his team during the “Lion Walk” as they
make their way through Friendship Circle to Strawberry Stadium at 1:30 p.m.
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, ROTC, the Lionettes and
Greek organizations. This year, the Alumni Association is hosting a special reunion
experience for those who graduated in years ending in 4 or 9. By registering for the
class reunion, those graduates will enjoy special recognition, tours and VIP access
during the Homecoming tailgate. Registration is available at southeastern.edu/reunion.
The Alumni Association tailgate will be officially open in Friendship Circle from
12 – 3:30 p.m. and is sponsored by Hammond Square, with food and drink sponsored by
Fidelity Finance. The band the Fabulous CJ’s will perform in Pottle Performance Circle
from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
After pre-game activities, the Lions will kick off against Incarnate Word at 4 p.m.
The 2019 Homecoming queen and king will be announced and crowned at halftime.
After the game at 7 p.m., the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown
Development District will host “Railroad Roar,” an evening of dining and entertainment
with specials offered by participating area businesses. For more information, call
the Greater Hammond Chamber at (985) 345-4457.
For a complete schedule of Homecoming 2019 events, visit southeastern.edu/homecoming or call the Alumni Center, 1-800-SLU-ALUM or (985) 549-2150.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 2:14:07 PM CDT