Southeastern dedicates Centennial Monument

With one century in the books and another just beginning to unfold, Southeastern Louisiana University officially dedicated the newly added Centennial Monument with a ribbon cutting ceremony last week. Named “Aion,” which is a Hellenistic deity associated with time, the orb or circle encompassing the universe, and the zodiac, the monument is a celebratory landmark of Southeastern’s Centennial year.

The project and surrounding space was funded in part by the Southeastern Student Government Association and Percent for Art Louisiana. The monument is a reflection on the past and a physical beacon indicating a strong and enduring future as Southeastern enters its second century, an achievement made possible by the support of Southeastern alumni, students and the surrounding community.

Positioned adjacent to the newly renovated D Vickers Hall and its Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center, the monument serves as an impactful addition to the campus landscape, celebrating a century of progress and community.

Designed by X-TOPIA and CRG Architecture, the Centennial Monument is a dynamic blend of art, history, and purpose. Its innovative design features a three-dimensional timeline constructed from powder-coated aluminum fins, engraved with each year of Southeastern’s first 100 years. The monument’s spine, which links these elements, serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of the Southeastern community—students, alumni, staff, and faculty—across generations.

This space is not just for admiration, but also for engagement. With features designed to encourage reflection, connection, and collaboration, the monument provides seating areas and open zones where members of the campus community and visitors can gather, study, or simply take a moment to immerse themselves in the university’s story.

“What a great marker to celebrate our past and stand as a testament to who we will become in our future. We are thrilled to have had the support of our SGA and the Percent for Art program to create this incredible work of art and the space around it,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright.