Southeastern celebrates Homecoming Nov. 5-10

Contact: Tonya Lowentritt

10/26/07

2007 Homecoming Schedule

     HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University will celebrate Homecoming Nov. 5-10 with the theme “80 Years of Rockin’ with Roomie.”

     As the Alumni Association marks its 80th anniversary, the university welcomes all alumni and friends with a week of spirited activities capped by tailgating, reunions, a downtown Hammond parade and football action in Strawberry Stadium.

     The Homecoming Week schedule will include a number of time-honored favorites, including the Gumbo Ya Ya fest for students, campus and community decorating contests, including a kid’s cardboard cake decorating contest in honor of  the 80th anniversary celebration, an alumni art exhibit, a golf tournament, and the FE-Lions’ Homecoming luncheon.

     Activities on Tuesday, Nov. 6, will include the Lyceum Lights lecture and luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at Twelve Oaks, the Phi Kappa Phi Homecoming Quiz Bowl at 2 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre, and the zany student “Fear Factor” games at 8 p.m. in the Student Union park.

     Tuesday’s schedule also includes a continuing education opportunity for health care professionals on weapons of mass destruction awareness training for health care professionals.  The seminar, sponsored by the School of Nursing, will take place in the University Center, room 139 from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

     On Wednesday, Nov. 7, beginning at 11 a.m. students will enjoy food, fun and a mini-pep rally at Gumbo Ya Ya. The community decorating contest will be judged at noon, with the winner receiving 10 free tickets to watch the Lions take on Sam Houston State for Homecoming.

     On Thursday, Nov. 8, Gamma Beta Phi will hold its annual “A Ton of Fun Food Drive” from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Student Union mall, and the FE-Lions will host their Homecoming luncheon at noon at Trey Yuen. “Tailgate and Celebrate … Alumni Turns 80,” the annual Homecoming faculty/staff cook-off, is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Alumni Center. Thursday concludes with the annual bonfire at the traditional spot adjacent to the Alumni Center at 7:15 p.m., where spectators can also enjoy the music of the Spirit of the Southland Band.

     On Friday, Nov. 9, the day begins with the Homecoming golf tournament at Carter Plantation at 8:30 a.m. Alumni can take advantage of free fitness workouts at the Pennington Student Activity Center throughout the day.

     Friday is also the date for the Alumni Awards Evening, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Twelve Oaks. The evening will include announcements of a several Alumni Association awards, including the 2007 Alumnus of the Year, which will be presented to ­­­­­­­William J. Handal, a 1974 Southeastern graduate who currently serves as the minister of finance of El Salvador.

     Awards Evening tickets are available at the Alumni Association, (985) 549-2150 or 1-800-SLU-ALUM.

     The action begins early on Homecoming, Nov. 10, and fun and spirit will fill Friendship Circle for most of the day. Alumni and visitors can again enjoy more free workouts and campus tours, tailgate in Friendship Circle, and bands at the Pottle Performance Circle. Meanwhile, children can have fun with a variety of activities, crafts, and games, and everyone can browse a ceramics sale and display by Southeastern art students.

     A reception and dedication ceremony for Southeastern donors who have endowed scholarships and professorships will be held at 11 a.m. in Sims Memorial Library. An opening reception for the Alumni Art Exhibit will take place at 3 p.m. in the Contemporary Art Gallery at 100 East Stadium.

     Reunions and tailgating will be hosted by all five of the university’s colleges, Greek organizations and student organizations. 

     The Homecoming parade, which will immediately follow the Veterans Parade, will role from campus to downtown Hammond and back again at 2 p.m. Members of the 2007 Homecoming queen and beau courts will be recognized, and the queen and king will be announced and crowned at halftime of the football game.

     For more information about Homecoming 2007, call the Alumni Center, 1-800-SLU-ALUM or (985) 549-2150, or visit www.selu.edu/alumni.