Southeastern celebrates Homecoming Week Oct. 13-18
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University celebrates Homecoming Week Oct. 13 – 18 with an abundance of spirited activities capped by tailgating, reunions, a parade and football action in Strawberry Stadium.
With a theme of "Step Right Up to Roomie under the Big Top" and sponsorship compliments of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, Homecoming 2014 features reunions, awards and recognitions, and a host of student activities. The week culminates with Homecoming Day Saturday, Oct. 18, when the Lions take on Central Arkansas at 7 p.m.
Homecoming Week will offer a number of time-honored traditions, such as the Gumbo YaYa fest for students, campus and community decorating contests, an alumni art exhibit, and the FELions' Homecoming luncheon.
Homecoming week begins with Business Week, Oct. 13-15, which features a variety of lectures by specialists in numerous phases of business. The Southeastern Family reunion will cap off the day on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Quad.
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, 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 Theatre. The day closes out with the student competition "Minute to Win It" in Strawberry Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., students will enjoy food and fun at Gumbo YaYa, where the 2014 Homecoming court will be introduced. Also on tap at 12 p.m. is the annual Lyceum Lights faculty lecture in the Student Union Ballroom C, featuring Associate Professor of Acting and Directing James Winter, presenting "Classroom Circus Acts: Using Theatre to Empower Students." The Student Government Association's Roomie's Race for St. Jude's at 5:30 p.m. in North Oaks Park will conclude the day.
On Thursday, Oct. 16, Gamma Beta Phi will host its "A Ton of Fun Food Drive" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Mall with collections benefiting the Student Food Pantry. The FeLions will host their Homecoming luncheon at Trey Yuen at noon. And an opening reception honoring artists Joseph Staples, Chic Connell and Lisa K. Blatt in the Contemporary Art Gallery at 5 p.m. rounds out the afternoon activities.
Thursday evening kicks into gear with a block party and bonfire sponsored by the Student Government Association at 6:45 p.m. 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 for students at 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17, 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, the Alumni Association will host the Alumni Awards Evening at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. 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 mixer in the Alumni Center. Tickets are available by calling (985) 549-3850.
On Homecoming Day, Oct. 18, fun and spirit will fill Friendship Circle. Alumni and visitors can enjoy a photo booth, ziplining and tailgating with live entertainment starting at 2 p.m. There will be booths manned by area merchants and Southeastern Community Music School students at the Pottle Performance Circle. Activities for children include "Roomie's Fun Run" at 2 p.m. around Friendship Circle with goodies for all who cross the finish line and a variety of crafts, face painting, train rides and inflatables.
The annual Educators Honor Roll will start at 11 a.m. in the Teacher Education Center, and a dedication ceremony for Southeastern donors who have endowed scholarships and professorships will be held at 1 p.m. in Sims Memorial Library. At noon marketplace shopping in Friendship Circle and hayride tours of campus will begin, while the campus bookstore will open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Roomie will be at the bookstore from 1 – 2 p.m. for a book signing of a book by Erin Cowser that will teach the littlest Lion fans to Lion Up.
At 2 p.m. entertainment begins in Friendship Circle. Also, the Decorate Your Tailgate Contest will be judged beginning at 4 p.m.
The Homecoming parade rolls at 3 p.m. along a new route. Following the parade, 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 4:30 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, Seventies Black Alumni, Cardinal Newman Hall Alumni, ROTC, Music and Greek organizations. The Alumni Association tailgate will take place in Friendship Circle from 4 – 6:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the Lion Athletic and Alumni associations.
After pre-game activities, the Lions will kick off against Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. The 2014 Homecoming queen and king will be announced and crowned at halftime.
Immediately after the game, the Downtown Development District will host "Railroad Roar," an evening of dining and entertainment by participating downtown businesses. For more information contact the DDD at (985) 542-3471.
For a complete schedule of Homecoming 2014 events, visit www.southeastern.edu/homecoming or call the Alumni Center, 1-800-SLU-ALUM or (985) 549-2150.
