Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           985-549-2341/fax 985-549-2061
   Date:  11/27/01
      Contact:                           Angey Saucier   92

Editors: Photo accompanies release   Please note local interest
BARRIERS BROKEN WITH "REAL WORLD" AT SOUTHEASTERN
     HAMMOND -- Eighteen Southeastern Louisiana University students participating in the
university's "Real World" diversity experiment gathered November 19 in a "no holds barred"
panel discussion on the valuable lessons learned in spending a week with students of differing
ethnic backgrounds.
     The program, developed by the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, paired 
students to shadow one another during the week of Homecoming 2001, November 12-16. 
Students spent time together on campus, shared meals and attended campus events to understand
the lifestyles of those from different cultures and races.
     Moderator Lance Jermaine Brown explained the project targets one of Southeastern's
core values -- appreciating diversity.  "We all need to understand and accept each other for who
we are and what better way than to spend a week in another person's shoes," Brown said.
     Molly LeBlanc, a freshman from New Iberia, admitted she had reservations about "The
Real World" when signing up.
     "I walked into this and I thought 'What am I doing here?'" she said.  "Everyone was
weird to me, but now I see they are not that different from me.  I now have 17 friends I wouldn't
have had without this experience."
     David Brignac, a junior from Baton Rouge, spent his week with Dwilette Wilkes, a senior
from St. Louis, Mo.                      
      "This was such a memorable learning experience," said Brignac.  "Dwilette brought me
places where I was the minority for the first time.  I realized there was a real world outside of
mine for others.  Playing the role of the opposite has really opened my eyes."

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Barriers Broken With "Real World" At Southeastern   add one
     Students went on to reminisce about their week and what they learned, all agreeing that
"the Real World" was a project they would participate in again through which they had made
lasting friendships.
     Milo Herson, a senior from Baton Rouge, said the program has given her a new level of
respect for every person she meets.  Her partner for the week, Rachel Guidry, a sophomore from
Lafayette, felt the same.
     "This experience broke through preconceived notions and broke cultural divisions," said
Herson.  "I think everyone needs to learn in some kind of way to see life from the different
perspectives."

                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf01.html