News release
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Contact: Christina Chapple
Date: 5/5/05
 
Roomie, Jarod Mason, President Randy MoffettClick on image for publication quality photo 
PRIDE OF SOUTHEASTERN AWARD – Southeastern Louisiana University President Randy Moffett, right, and Roomie, the university’s mascot, congratulate the winner of the Pride of Southeastern award, Jarod Mason, a senior kinesiology major from Moore, Okla. The award recognizes “unsung heroes” among the Southeastern student body.
JAROD MASON RECEIVES 'PRIDE OF SOUTHEASTERN' HONOR
       HAMMOND – An offensive lineman holding a green and gold balloon bouquet may look a little incongruous, but the award that the balloons represent fits Jarod Mason "to a T." 
       The senior kinesiology major from Moore, Okla., a member of the 2003 and 2004 Southeastern Louisiana University Lions football team, is the latest recipient of the CLAWS/Pride Committee’s "Pride of Southeastern" award. 
       CLAWS/Pride, a campus committee charged with staging activities to promote student pride and involvement in campus and athletic activities, initiated the award last year. The Pride of Southeastern award recognizes “unsung heroes” -- students who have demonstrated extraordinary service or performance on campus and within the community. Recipients are chosen from faculty and staff nominations. 
       President Randy Moffett, accompanied by committee members and the university’s mascot, Roomie the Lion, surprised Mason with the announcement and a package of prizes last week, filing unannounced into his early morning anatomy and physiology class in Wilson Hall.
       “You’re never going to forgive us for this, are you?” Moffett joked as he called a somewhat taken aback Mason up to the front of biological sciences instructor Felix Palmer’s class.
       Mason is the university’s third “Pride of Southeastern” award winner. Eddie Hebert, interim head of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, nominated him for the honor.
       “You’ve got him to blame,” Moffett said.
       "Your nomination,” the president told Mason, “shows that you have excelled both within and outside the classroom.”
       In addition to his efforts on the gridiron and in the classroom, Mason served as president of IMPACT, a Christian outreach organization for young men and women, and helped organize "Kennedy’s Krewe," a colorful and spirited group of students who support Head Coach Billy Kennedy's men's basketball team. 
       "Your community service to Special Olympics, Live Oak Middle School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and helping to raise funds for medical bills for our soldiers shows your commitment to the community," Moffett added.