Southeastern celebrates Homecoming October 31 - November 5
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
10/20/11
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University and its Alumni Association will welcome back alumni and friends with a week of spirited activities capped by tailgating, reunions, a parade and football action in Strawberry Stadium during Homecoming Week Oct. 31-Nov. 5.
This year’s theme, “Roomie takes a Road Trip,” will feature Southeastern’s Lion mascot Roomie on the road in a variety of settings.
Homecoming Week will offer a number of time-honored traditions, such as the Gumbo Ya Ya fest for students, campus and community decorating contests, including a kid’s contest, an alumni art exhibit, and the FE-Lions’ Homecoming luncheon.
Activities begin on Monday, Oct. 31, when Southeastern African American groups will sponsor the Southeastern Family Reunion at 7 p.m. in Greek Village.
Tuesday, Nov. 1, will include the Lyceum Lights lecture and luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at Twelve Oaks featuring guest speaker Amber Narro, assistant professor of communication. Narro will present “England Lights, Camera, Olympics!” and share information about the upcoming study abroad program, which immerses Southeastern students in the culture of the country, while teaching about London’s theatrical history and the media in England. Following is the annual Phi Kappa Phi Homecoming Quiz Bowl at 2 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, where faculty teams will take on student teams.
The Dream Team, the committee that plans student Homecoming activities, will sponsor its version of the popular game show “A Minute to Win It” at 6:30 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium, followed at 7:30 p.m. by the fourth annual students vs. staff flag football match, also in the stadium.
On Wednesday, Nov. 2, beginning at 11 a.m. students will enjoy food, fun and a mini-pep rally at Gumbo YaYa. The 2011 Homecoming queen and beau courts will be introduced, and the winners of campus door decorating contest will be announced. Judging for the downtown decorating contest and the Alpha Omicron Pi Cook-Off will begin at noon. Also on tap are “Up ‘til Dawn” from 6 – 11 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom and a Fanfare guest lecture by former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts at 7:45 p.m.
On Thursday, Nov. 3, the action begins with Gamma Beta Phi’s annual “A Ton of Fun Food Drive” from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Student Union mall, and the FE-Lions will host their Homecoming luncheon at noon at Trey Yuen.
The big finale Thursday will be a pep rally at 7 p.m. followed by the bonfire, which 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. Southeastern Volleyball will also take on the University of Texas at Arlington at 7 p.m. in the University Center.
Friday, Nov. 4, 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. A silent auction will be available where participants can bid on outstanding items. All proceeds from the event will benefit Southeastern Athletics. For more information about the golf tournament, contact Tim Baldwin at 985-549-5186 or tbaldwin@selu.edu.
Also scheduled Friday is the third annual ROTC Homecoming Skeet Tournament at noon at the Florida Parishes Skeet and Gun Association in Amite. For more information, contact Gary Sandifer at 985-542-0483 or Preston Rodrigue at 504-430-6846.
The Alumni Association will host the Alumni Awards Evening at 7 p.m. in Twelve Oaks. The evening will include announcements of several Alumni Association awards and recognition of the 2011 Alumnus of the Year, ¬¬¬Stanley Fornea, a 1979 graduate. He is a U.S. Navy Commander and former White House Chaplain to President Bush.
Awards Evening tickets 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 at (985) 549-3850.
On Homecoming Day, Nov. 5, fun and spirit will fill Friendship Circle. Alumni and visitors can enjoy tailgating and booths manned by area merchants and Southeastern art students in Friendship Circle and bands at the Pottle Performance Circle. Tailgaters are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. 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 10 a.m. in Sims Memorial Library. At noon the campus bookstore opens, and Marketplace shopping in Friendship Circle and campus tours begin.
The Decorate Your Tailgate contest will be judged beginning at 1 p.m., entertainment in Friendship Circle begins at 1:30 p.m., and Senior Day will take place from 2 – 4 p.m. Also at 1 p.m., the Lion Volleyball Team will take on Texas State in the University Center.
In conjunction with its reunion, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences will host a health fair at 2:30 p.m. in Friendship Circle.
The Homecoming parade will roll at 3:30 p.m. Lion fans can cheer on Head Coach Mike Lucas and his team as they “Lion Walk” through Friendship Circle to Strawberry Stadium at 4:15 p.m.
The Alumni Art Exhibit will open to the public from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Contemporary Art Gallery at 100 East Stadium.
Beginning at 3 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 U.S. Army ROTC and Greek organizations. The Alumni Association tailgate will take place in Friendship Circle from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
After pre-game activities, the Lions will kick off against Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. The 2011 Homecoming queen and king will be announced and crowned at halftime, and the Alumnus of the Year will be presented.
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 2011 events, visit www.selu.edu/homecoming or call the Alumni Center, 1-800-SLU-ALUM or (985) 549-2150.
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