Southeastern launches first and only collegiate recovery program in the state
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
by: Tonya Lowentritt
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1) LION UP RECOVERY LAUNCH - Southeastern Louisiana University officially launched the first and only collegiate recovery program in the state with several dignitaries on hand in support of the program. From left are Southeastern Interim Coordinator of Collegiate Recovery Madison Evans, Southeastern President John L. Crain, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed, and University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson.
2) LION PRIDE – Attending the Lion Up Recovery launch event are, from left, University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors member Pam Egan, Assistant Director of the University Counseling Center Annette Baldwin, and UL System Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Romero.
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University is home to the first and only collegiate
recovery program in the state.
“Lion Up Recovery,” officially recognized by the Association of Recovery in Higher
Education, is a voluntary program to help students in recovery achieve their higher
education goals. State higher education and local community leaders recently joined
with members of the Lion Up Recovery Advisory Board and supporters of the program
for a launch event on campus.
“This new program as a resource for our students is an extension of Southeastern’s
core values of caring and excellence. It is a game changer for our institution,” said
Southeastern President John L. Crain. “This is a great program for the university,
our students and our community, and we are very proud to offer it.”
The program offers students on-campus support groups, academic advising and counseling,
accountability, and staff intervention, if needed. Also offered are leadership and
civic engagement opportunities, sober tailgating for select Southeastern football
games, studying and sober socials, service opportunities through recovery-oriented
support groups, and participation with ARHE regional and national events.
Stating that it was good to be home, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education
Kim Hunter Reed, who previously in her career served as a member of Southeastern’s
administrative team, thanked Southeastern for making sure talent development is all-inclusive.
“Thank you for being first, for stepping out and making sure that when we talk
about talent development in the state we talk about how to develop and support every
student regardless of race, place, challenge or opportunity,” she said. “We want to
make sure that every student knows their unlimited potential can be reached at an
institution like Southeastern.”
“It is fitting that a campus that cares as deeply as Southeastern is the first
to step up and say, ‘Here we are, our welcome mat speaks to everyone. We are here
to make sure that you excel, that we are building a place where recovery will continue
and advance, where dreams will become a reality, where students are proud to call
this campus home,’” she added.
Citing Southeastern as an inspiration and a pioneer of firsts, University of
Louisiana System President Jim Henderson said he is proud Southeastern has taken the
lead in serving students.
“From textbook rentals to the Southeastern Promise, if students get on the path
to success, Southeastern is going to be a partner to help them get to that finish
line,” he said. “It should come as no surprise that Southeastern is the first university
to develop a collegiate recovery program in Louisiana. Thank you for being on the
cutting edge in helping move Louisiana forward.”
Southeastern Interim Coordinator of Collegiate Recovery Madison Evans said the
program’s overall aim is to provide the education, resources and community connections
needed to help change the trajectory of recovering students’ lives.
“I am blown away by Southeastern’s latest efforts to meet the needs of their
students’ behavioral health. Southeastern students who are in recovery from substance
abuse will now have a fully dedicated space where they can experience fellowship and
receive much needed services and resources,” said Assistant Director of Governor’s
Office of Drug Policy Kristy Miller. “It is beyond impressive and we challenge other
higher education institutions across Louisiana to follow Southeastern’s lead and adopt
the collegiate recovery community approach.”
For more information on Lion Up Recovery, email recovery@southeastern.edu or go to southeastern.edu/recovery.
