’ THE LION S ROAR S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y
Hammond, LA
September 26, 2017
Losing streak over Homecoming Week
Awareness of hazing heightens
traditions arrive soon
NIKISUN SHRESTHA
RIANA BRASELMAN
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
In the wake of the demise of Maxwell Gruver, a freshman at Louisiana State University, due to potential fraternity hazing, Greek life around the nation has been shaken. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has reached out to educate fellow members on this issue in a program at the Pennington Student Activity Center. With a slogan “These Pearls Don’t Haze,” the sorority, led by President Jessica Lewis and alumni members of the chapter Kristin Robair and LaRobyn Houston, started an open discussion on hazing during the event. The event was attended by students in Greek organizations and was overseen by grad advisor Phyllis McCraney. “Our national office sent out a request that all of our sorority members participate and encourage the public to participate in National Hazing Prevention Week, which was this week,” said Houston. “That’s when we set out to plan a program that would draw attention to the dangers of hazing.” The event had a presentation among the attendees regarding some of the myths, examples and prevention of hazing. “I believe that me being in the sorority, it should have a zero tolerance policy on hazing,” said Robair. “It should not be tolerated in any shape, form or fashion.” Houston described the policies her sorority has against hazing. “Absolutely, 100 percent safe,” said Houston. “As we mentioned in the presentation, our sorority has a zero tolerance standpoint on hazing.” She also suggested some tips for prevention against hazing. “Some of the prevention on hazing is to always do your research,” said Houston. “Look up the Louisiana law statutes on it, look up the organization’s anti-hazing policy and also the institutional policy on hazing. Basically in Louisiana, hazing is a misdemeanor and it can escalate to felony.” The aftermath of the tragic death of Gruver has led to officials reviewing their policies. Governor John Bel Edwards released a letter to the state’s higher education system presidents Thursday urging the institutions to review their hazing, drug and alcohol abuse policies.
Starting with “Downtown Decorating” and ending with the Lions facing off against the University of the Incarnate Word’s Cardinals, the week of Homecoming 2017 will be packed with many events for students to get involved in. Campus decorating will begin at 1 p.m. After “Downtown Decorating” ends at 3 p.m. A kickball tournament will begin at North Oak Park at 4 p.m. on Oct. 1. “Homecoming Kickoff” will be held on Monday at 11:30 a.m. Starting on Monday will be a new addition to the Homecoming Week festivities called “Landmark Hunt,” and this event will continue throughout the week. President of Student Affairs Jim McHodgkins explained how the Student Government Association will conduct the event. “SGA will tweet out or put on their social pages something on campus, and the students then have to go find it, take a picture of it, take a selfie of themselves, find the thing, and the team will get points for that,” said McHodgkins. That same day of Oct. 2, “Black Family Reunion” will be hosted by the university’s National PanHellenic Council. According to the university’s NPHC President Timothy Davis, “Black Family Reunion” was started in 2006. “It’s an event that allows the black organizations on campus to come together and have a great time with food, music, games, Greek role reversal and above all camaraderie,” said Davis. “It also allows us to connect with the alumni that we’ve connected with at some point on our college journey. Even though it is called ‘Black Family Reunion,’ it is surely open to students and alumni from all ethnicities to come enjoy this wonderful event and see how we like to have a good time.” “LION UP Tuesday!” on Oct. 3 is scheduled with many opportunities for students to get involved in the homecoming festivities. It will feature older events alongside some newer ones. Some reoccurring events will be “Give Back Night” at La Carreta, “Phi Kappa Phi Homecoming Quiz Bowl,” and a blood drive in the War Memorial Student Union roundabout from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. One of the newer additions to Homecoming Week will be
Redshirt junior running back Darren Johnson,top, ran the majority of rushing yards for the Lions in their 49-21 victory against Lamar university. The defense also remained solid in restricting Lamar to 119 rushing yards. Nikisun Shrestha/The Lion’s Roar NIKISUN SHRESTHA
past weekend to set up a 49-21 rushing yards out of the team victory. This was the first win of total of 366 yards, gave his the season for the team. thoughts on the victory. The Lions football team ran Redshirt junior running “It feels good,” said Johnson. all over Lamar University during back Darren Johnson, who led see FOOTBALL, pg. 6 the Hall of Fame game in the the team with career-high 176 Staff Reporter
“Can You Build It” where student organizations will create sculptures out of canned goods that will later be donated. Following that on Oct. 4, Campus Activities Board will be hosting the annual “Gumbo Ya Ya” at the Student Union Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CAB President McKenzie Tolson explained how “Gumbo Ya Ya” will experience some changes from previous years. “We’re kind of tweaking it a little bit,” said Tolson. “In the past, it’s been more of a thing where students kind of come and go. They eat the gumbo. They leave. They take the stuff that we have. They leave. But this year, we wanted to make it more about school spirit. We’re going to try and make it more of a spirited tradition. So, we want to have a little pep rally and things like that to make it the same every year and not to start a new tradition, but just tweak it a little bit.” Tolson expressed that CAB is looking to keep the focus on announcing Homecoming Queen. “It kind of just became over the years where students get free gumbo and that’s it,” said Tolson. “So, we really want to give it a purpose, make it something important. The fact that we do announce Homecoming Queen there is important.” Wednesday evening will end with “Minute to Win It” at 7:30 p.m. at Strawberry Stadium. McHodgkins explained how the “Minute to Win It” games got started as a homecoming tradition. “It’s just been kind of added over the years,” said McHodgkins. “‘Minute to Win It’ was a game that they wanted to play for years. For a while, they did ‘Fear Factor,’ but that got to be pretty bad, so we said things are just trying to get grosser and grosser. So, ‘Minute to Win It’ seemed like a better competition.” The “Roar Rally” will take place on Thursday, Oct. 5 starting at 6:45 p.m. This will include a spirit competition, bonfire and pep rally at Cook Field. “The bonfire has always been a big event,” said McHodgkins. “It’s been hosted by numerous groups, and it’s basically like a pep rally type of thing, so that’s been around for a long time.” During the day of Friday, Oct. 6, Alpha Phi Alpha will host its “Annual Step Show” at the University Center starting at 7 p.m. Before the homecoming game on
see HOMECOMING, pg. 5
Alumni to be honored at annual ceremony JENNIFER DETTWILLER Staff Reporter
The Alumni Awards Evening will be honoring the Alumnus of the Year and the Young Alumnus of the Year. The event itself will be undergoing some changes compared to past Alumni Awards Evenings. The recipients of the alumnus and young alumnus awards are Dr. William Cefalu and Charles “Chuck” Toney Jr. “They both have outstanding credentials,” said Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Biggs. Biggs explained why she believes these two men were right for this award and why they are the epitome of what the university is all about. “We’re very proud of all our graduates, but when they go on to receive such distinction as these two gentlemen have is something we all need to be proud of, and we need to share that with the world, that Southeastern produces incredible talent,” said Biggs. “We want to be able to recognize our alumni who not only have gone on to succeed and have very successful careers, but also continuously give back to the university whether that’s through volunteering or speaking to the classes, getting involved with their colleges or donating money, however it is.”
Cefalu was chosen for his accomplishments since graduating from the university. “Our Alumnus of the Year is nationally acclaimed,” said Biggs. “He is the chief scientific, medical and mission officer at the American Diabetes Association. He is well known to be an advocate for diabetes research and has written several articles and books on the disease of diabetes. The fact that he is a graduate of Southeastern is something we should all be proud of.” Biggs explained why Taylor was chosen for the Young Alumnus of the Year. “He is an attorney based out of New Orleans,” said Biggs. “He has an interesting story because he was very involved while he was a student here. He was a component of bringing back football and was instrumental in the reestablishment of homecoming. Also, he worked to facilitate the building of the new Student Union and the Katrina Rita Memorial Fountain.” Taylor was surprised when he found out he would be receiving this award. “I’ve been involved with the Alumni Association for some time and honestly didn’t think I would be named Young Alumnus of the Year,” said Taylor Taylor maintains his connection to
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Southeastern in several ways. He is an active member of the Alumni Association and the New Orleans Chapter of the Alumni Association. He is also a board member of the Foundation board, and visits the university every year for homecoming. The Alumni Awards Evening changes follow suit with the event not only honoring the Alumnus of the Year and Young Alumnus of the Year but recognizing lifetime members as well. According to Biggs, lifetime members are going to be recognized during a champagne reception before the actual event, which is by invitation only. She said that the main event in the Student Union Ballroom on Oct.6 has an expected estimate of 400 attendees. Biggs explained how the evening is getting an upgrade. “We are taking it to the next level,” said Biggs. “We will have a string quartet playing. We are moving from a buffet styled dinner to a plated dinner for a more formal and little more elegant feel. Also, there will be a dessert display in the back of the room.” Biggs went on to say the Alumni Awards Evening is sort of their premiere event with a cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., and at 7p.m. is Dr. William Cefalu, top, is the 2017 Alumnus of the Year. Charles “Chuck” Toney, when the program and dinner portion of the below, is the 2017 Young Alumnus of the Year recipient. Courtesy of Michelle Biggs and Rene evening will begin. Abadie Index
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