Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           985/549-2341/fax 985-549-2061
    Date: 5/16/02
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple 25A

DDD HANDS OVER COLUMBIA THEATRE TO SOUTHEASTERN
     HAMMOND -- The City of Hammond's Downtown Development District formally
handed over the ownership and care of the renovated Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts
to Southeastern Louisiana University Wednesday (May 15) in a ceremony in the historic theater's
lobby.
     "The Columbia Theatre stands as a metaphor for the downtown area," said Corbet Ourso,
president of the DDD, which spearheaded the $5 million rebirth of the theater along with the City
of Hammond and Southeastern. "What was once down and out with very little hope has grown
into a glorious edifice teeming with possibilities.
     "And like proud parent, we have to let her go," Ourso said. "Our baby is going to
college." 
     Turning to Southeastern President Randy Moffett, Ourso added, "It's the best college we
know and we know you'll take great care of her."
     Since the DDD and Southeastern actually signed paperwork transferring the building's
ownership to the university several weeks ago, the event was mainly ceremonial. Ourso, DDD
Director Marco Monoc, architect Michael Holly, and Moffett took turns saluting the cooperative
efforts, the individuals, and the "leaps of faith" that turned the one-time downtown eyesore into a
state-of-the-art performance hall and convention center. 
     Monoc listed the building's former owner, First Guaranty Bank, Southeastern, the city,
the DDD board and architects Holly and Smith and Southeastern Director of Facility Planning
Michael Rickenbaker, while Moffett added former Southeastern President Sally Clausen, area
legislators, and the Sharp family, which also once owned and attempted to revitalize the
Columbia.
     Holly recognized the initial vision and "tenacious" efforts of former DDD Director 
Marguerite Walter and former Fanfare Artistic Director Harriet Vogt.  
     He said the second phase of the building's renovation, which included administrative
offices and some rehearsal and dressing room space, has now been completed and that bids have
gone out for the final phase.
     That phase will convert the adjacent former J.C. Penney building into a conference and
reception area and complete dressing rooms and a multi-purpose space on the second floor.
     "The Columbia Theatre is a perfect example of what collaboration and partnerships can
do," Moffett said. "May the baby grow into a grand old lady."

CUTLINE ...
CHANGING HANDS   Surrounded by board members, architects and Southeastern Louisiana
University  representatives, Hammond Downtown Development District Director Marco Monoc
displays a framed proclamation recognizing the transfer of ownership of the Columbia Theatre
for the Performing Arts to Southeastern. From left, are DDD board members Logan Guess, Alma
Mitchell and Sharon Dixon, Monoc, Southeastern President Randy Moffett, architect Jeff Smith,
former DDD Director Marguerite Walter, architect Michael Holly, Southeastern Director of
Facility Planning Michael Rickenbaker, DDD board member Michael Latino (seated), DDD
President Corbet Ourso, DDD Assistant Director Brenda Sibley, and Columbia/Fanfare Artistic
Director Donna Gay Anderson (seated).
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/news/spring02.html