Southeastern to celebrate new, improved student union

Thursday, March 31, 2016 Student Union
by: Tonya Lowentritt

STUDENT UNION CELEBRATION - Southeastern Louisiana University will celebrate completion of its newly renovated and expanded War Memorial Student Union project with a week’s worth of special offers and activities culminating with an official grand opening ceremony on Thursday, April 14, at 12 p.m.


     HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University will celebrate completion of its newly renovated and expanded War Memorial Student Union project with a week’s worth of special offers and activities culminating with an official grand opening ceremony on Thursday, April 14. The campus and community are invited to take part in the festivities and attend the ribbon-cutting that will take place at 12 p.m. between the Student Union and Fayard Hall.
     Refreshments and tours will be available immediately following the ceremony. In addition, various offices located throughout the Student Union will host open houses from 1 to 3 p.m.
     The completed project is part of a $32 million student-funded initiative that expanded and renovated the existing Student Union. The new additions now house a Lion’s Den food court on the first floor, the Mane Dish dining facility on the second floor, and ballrooms and meeting spaces on the third floor. The renovated facility also houses the Center for Student Excellence, the University Counseling Center, the University Health Center, University Bookstore, Document Source and the offices for the Division of Student Affairs.
     “While our students have positively embraced the new Student Union and all its amenities, we want our area residents to also know what we can offer,” said Robin Parker, director of marketing and strategic initiatives for the Office of Auxiliary Services. “The new union is beautifully designed and offers considerable space for conferences, receptions and other events.”
     Starting Monday, April 11, a number of special events will be held in conjunction with the grand opening celebration. The University Bookstore will offer a 15 percent discount to anyone wearing green or gold and will also invite guests to register for a gift basket door prize drawing. Students will be treated to various dining promotions with discounts throughout the week. Follett, the organization that operates the bookstore, and Aramark, the university’s food service provider, will hold a drawing for an Apple Watch. And Campus Activities Board will be distributing free popcorn on Thursday prior to the ribbon cutting.
     All registrations for drawings must be completed prior to the 12 p.m. ribbon cutting, and winners need not be present.
     Two book signings are also scheduled during the week at Southeastern’s bookstore. On Tuesday, April 12, from 1 to 3 p.m., Sim’s Memorial Library Director Eric W. Johnson and Catherine H. Tijerino, head of cataloging, will sign their book “Hammond,” a largely pictorial work that covers the history of Hammond from its founding to 1950.  On Thursday, April 14, at 12:30 p.m., Southeastern Director of Public and Governmental Affairs Erin Cowser will sign her children’s book “Lion Up with Roomie.” The first 25 copies of her book will be given away.
     For additional information, contact Event and Conference Services at (985) 549-2094.




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