Southeastern Oral History Project

We want to hear YOUR Southeastern story!

Every Southeastern Louisiana University Lion has a story, and we want to hear yours. As we enter the 100th anniversary of Southeastern Louisiana University, what better way to celebrate than to share each Southeastern story. However, with over 45,000 alumni, it would take many years to meet with each of you individually. That’s why we’ve decided to embark on a new project called Southeastern Oral History Project to collect stories from alumni like you. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact Southeastern has had on your lives and who you are today. Every time we don’t capture or preserve stories, it feels like another opportunity lost. We’re excited to get started!

Your Story

So what Southeastern memory will you tell?

Is there a faculty or staff member who had a profound impact on your life?
Did you meet your Lion sweetheart at Southeastern?
Is there a defining moment at Southeastern that helped shape your future?
Have connections you made on campus turned to lifelong friendships?
Where were you on campus during a historical moment?

What’s Next?

If you haven’t already, you will receive a postcard and email from PCI, on our behalf, with two important invitations:

An invitation to update and verify your contact information to strengthen our Southeastern alumni network and to keep you updated on the latest school developments.
An invitation to share your Southeastern experience. What are your fondest memories from your time at here? PCI has a dedicated team ready to record your stories.

The PCI team will collect stories until August 2024. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in March 2025.

We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you regarding the memories of your time on campus!

Have You Moved?

As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Southeastern. Publishing Concepts Inc. (PCI) will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved and inadvertently lost touch with your alma mater.

What to Look For

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Southeastern Story!

Sample Post Card

Southeastern Oral History Project Sample Postcard

Sample Email

Southeastern Oral History Sample Email

FAQs

I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking of my personal information and story about Southeastern Louisiana University. Tell me more about the project:

We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for Southeastern Louisiana University. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at Southeastern Louisiana University and how the school helped to shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.

Does Southeastern benefit from this at all?

Yes, in a few different ways:

Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our school
Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school

How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?

PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law.

I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?

If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at Southeastern. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to Southeastern Louisiana University at the conclusion of the project.

If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.

If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated Southeastern Louisiana University update line at 1-855-300-1184.

Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your alumni record for the school/alumni association. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before Aug 11 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com .

I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.

You can call back at any time before August 11, 2024 to share your story.

I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?

You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.

If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

Can anyone purchase a book?

The Southeastern Louisiana University Oral History Publication is available for sale only to Southeastern alumni.

When will I receive my book?

The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in February 2024, the books will be distributed in February/March 2025.

I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?

Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.