Fanfare opens Sept. 28 with dedication of Columbia performance hall to Sen. Hainkel
Contact: Christina Chapple
9/22/06
HAMMOND – The 21st season of Fanfare, Southeastern Louisiana University’s annual festival of the arts, will open Sept. 28 with the dedication of the performance hall in the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts to the memory of Senator John J. Hainkel Jr.
Hainkel, whose legislative career spanned 37 years until his death in 2005, was “a true friend of Southeastern,” said President Randy Moffett.
“He called the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts his ‘pride and joy,’” Moffett said. “The historic theater’s restoration was largely the result of his efforts in garnering state support for the project.”
The dedication ceremony, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the downtown Hammond theater, 220 E. Thomas St., will include remarks by Moffett, John J. Hainkel III, University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen, Sen. Tom Schedler, and Rep. Emile “Peppi” Bruno.
Also on the program are a video tribute to Hainkel, and a performance by the Southeastern Wind Symphony directed by Glen J. Hemberger.
Hainkel was the only state legislator in the United States to be elected the presiding officer of both the House and Senate. He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1967, a member of the “Young Turks” dedicated to reforming the politics of the state. He served in the House of Representatives for 20 years and as Speaker of the House from 1980-1984. He was elected to the state Senate in 1988 and was chosen President of the Senate in 2000, a position he held until 2004.
At the time of his death, Hainkel represented a Senate district encompassing parts of four parishes ranging from uptown New Orleans to Tangipahoa Parish. He helped unify the area’s delegation and fought to see that Southeastern would get an equitable share of funds from the state. Under his leadership, the delegation obtained more than $90 million in construction and renovation funds for new university facilities.
Included in that push for funds was the renovation and restoration of the Columbia Theatre.
“The first time I made a speech here,” Hainkel recalled in an interview when the Columbia opened, “four or five people came up to me and asked if there was anything I could do to save the Columbia Theatre. It became apparent that Southeastern needed that type of a theater, so we were able to put together a cooperative effort.”
In recognition of his support for Southeastern, the university in 1996 presented Hainkel with the first “Golden Ambassador” award, an honor designed to recognize outstanding service, achievement or humanitarian efforts.
Thursday’s dedication ceremony is free and open to the public, however, a ticket is required for admission. Tickets are available at the Columbia Theatre box office, 220 E. Thomas, (985) 543-4371. Box office hours are noon-5 p.m. weekdays and one hour before an event.
For additional information about Fanfare events and the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts visit http://www.columbiatheatre.org or call 985-549-4366 for a 2006 season brochure.
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