Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 10/31/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   4

SLU HOMECOMING 2000 CELEBRATES "DIAMOND DAYS"
     HAMMOND -- Lacombe native Russell Carollo, a 1980 Southeastern Louisiana
University graduate and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, will be honored as 2000 Alumnus of
the Year at the annual Alumni Awards Evening on Nov. 18.
     The Awards Evening, scheduled for Twelve Oaks, will feature a buffet and, as a special
75th Anniversary treat, dancing to the music of the Al Belletto Big Jazz Band featuring alumnus
and Students of the States founder Leif Pedersen. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. and also will
feature recognition of former Alumni Director and Alumni Association President Lloyd Spring
with the Distinguished Service Award; Head Athletic Trainer Robert "Doc" Goodwin with the
L.E. Chandler Award for service to students, and Livingston Parish attorney Calvin Fayard with
the Golden Ambassador Award.
     Tickets for the Awards Evening are $15 and are available at the Alumni Center, 504-549-
2150 or 1-800-SLU-ALUM, and online at www.selu.edu/alumni.
     The theme for Homecoming 2000 is "Southeastern's Diamond Days." Led by the Dream
Team, Southeastern's student Homecoming committee, students will kick off Homecoming
action with a noon celebration, including a pep rally and the Fashion Council's annual fashion
show on Monday, Nov. 13, in the Student Union Mall. At 6 p.m. at Hammond Square Mall, the
winners of the Homecoming coloring contest for children will be announced. Southeastern
students will have "spirited" fun at a games night on Tuesday, Nov. 14, and at Gumbo Ya Ya on
Wednesday, Nov. 15.
     On Thursday, Nov. 16, students will stage their annual "Two Tons of Fun" holiday food
drive. That evening, the Alumni Association will join fellow hosts C'est Bon Restaurant,
Popeye's and BellSouth Mobility in hosting the Chamber After Hours social at the Alumni
Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Outside the Alumni Center, the annual Homecoming bonfire will be
torched at 6 p.m., followed by a street dance from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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SLU HOMECOMING   Add One
     Homecoming Day, Saturday, Nov. 18, will get off to a running start with the annual
Options Holiday Prance Fun Run. Registration is at 7 p.m. at the Alumni Center and the 1-mile
run/walk and 5K race will take off at 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively. For additional
information, call 504-549-6269 for more information.   
     At 9 p.m. on Homecoming Day, Gamma Beta Phi will head the dedication of historical
markers. The markers will be located at the sites of Hammond Junior College on Morris Street in
downtown Hammond and Southeastern's first classroom building near the Pottle Music Building
in Friendship Circle. 
     The day's events also include an open house at the Alumni Center at 10 a.m.; the
Homecoming parade at 11 a.m.; the annual barbecue, scheduled for noon to1 p.m., also at the
Alumni Center, and a tour of the new Greek Village at 1 p.m. The Lady Lions will meet Loyola
University at noon in the University Center arena, while the Lions will vie against Dillard
University in the Homecoming game at 2:35 p.m. Between the two contests at 1:45 p.m., former
Homecoming queens will be recognized. At halftime of the men's game, 1999 Queen Kenya
Toney will transfer her crown to her successor and President Sally Clausen will draw the names
of Homecoming contest winners. 
     If your game seat number is drawn, you will win $400 (two $100 American Express gift
certificates to keep and $200 for the Southeastern program of your choice). If you catch one of
the special giant-sized doubloons tossed during the parade, you could win a pair of airline tickets
compliments of Navigant Vacations. 
     Homecoming Day festivities will conclude with the dedication of a 75th Anniversary time
capsule immediately following the Homecoming game.
     Also during the Homecoming weekend, the SLU Rodeo Club will help host Mid South
Bull Riding Championship Rodeo at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18 in Cefalu
Coliseum. Advance tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children and are available at Sign World
in Hammond and G's General in Loranger. Tickets will be $8, adults, and $5, children, at the
door.
     For more information about Homecoming, call the Alumni Center, watch for special
mailings and check Southeastern's web site, www.selu.edu/alumni.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf00.htm