News release
Public Information Office
SLU 10880 Hammond,
LA 70402 phone:
985-549-2341 fax:
985-549-2061publicinfo@selu.edu
www.selu.edu/news
Contact: Christina Chapple
Date: 1/23/03
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AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CONCERT – Southeastern Louisiana University’s acclaimed Gospel Choir will help celebrate February as African American Heritage Month with a concert featuring guest vocalist Karen Clark Sheard, at 7 p.m., February 15, at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts.
SOUTHEASTERN CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH HAMMOND -- A pioneering Navy diver, a Gospel legend, and the Crescent City’s former mayor are among the guests who will join Southeastern Louisiana University in celebrating February as African American Heritage Month. Eric Summers, director of Southeastern’s Office of Multicultural and International Affairs, said approximately a dozen events are planned from January 29 through the end of February. They include a concert by the university’s acclaimed Gospel Choir, a black history trivia contest, seven lectures, a town hall meeting focusing on tolerance, and a special honor for Southeastern’s greatest Lady Lions basketball player. Summers said one of the month’s highlights will be the February 15 concert at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts by the acclaimed Southeastern Gospel Choir, featuring Gospel great Karen Clark Sheard. As a member of the legendary Clark Sisters and daughter of gospel pioneer Mattie Moss-Clark, Clark Sheard has carved a niche in the gospel music industry as an untouchable songstress and award-winning solo performer. With her powerful soprano, she has provided lead vocals on such classics as "Hallelujah," "Endow Me," "Take Me Higher," and "Praying Spirit." Her musical ministry has inspired legions of followers, including recording artists Kenny Lattimore, Faith Evans, Mariah Carey, and Nancey Jackson. Reviewers have touted Clark Sheard’s latest album, “2nd Chance,” as “one of the best records of 2002.” Tickets for the Gospel Choir concert are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, and are available in the Multicultural and International Affairs office, War Memorial Student Union room 112, 985-549-3850. The African American Heritage Month schedule also includes two evening keynote speakers and an afternoon lecture series sponsored by the Department of History and Political Science. All lectures are scheduled for the War Memorial Student Union Theatre. On February 18, former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial will speak at 7 p.m. in an event sponsored by the Black Student Union. On February 20, also at 7 p.m., the Campus Activities Board will bring to campus Carl Brashear, who became the U.S. Navy’s first African-American Master Diver, despite a crippling injury. Brashear’s inspiring life story became the subject of the 2000 motion picture, “Men of Honor.” Admission to Brashear’s lecture is free to Southeastern students, who must present their university I.D. Ticket for the general public are $2. The lectures in the history and political science department’s free series are all scheduled for 1 p.m. in the War Memorial Student Union Theatre. The first lecturer, scheduled for January 29, is Louisiana State University history professor Leonard Moore, who will discuss “Carl B. Stokes and the Rise of Black Political Power in America,” a topic based on his new book. Wayne Brumfield, vice president for student affairs at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, will present “School Desegregation in Tangipahoa Parish: A Legacy of Change” on February 5. Brumfield, a Hammond native, was among the first African American students to complete the university’s graduate program in history. He began his career in higher education as a Southeastern enrollment counselor. His topic is based on his master’s thesis. On February 12, Southeastern history professor Randy Sanders will contribute “Mighty Peculiar Elections: The New South Gubernatorial Elections of 1970 and the Changing Politics of Race,” which is based on his book, recently published by the University of Florida Press. Reginald Span, a recent Southeastern graduate and part-time history instructor, will explore “Prosperity and Peril in the Piney Woods: An Examination of the Negro Communities of Louisiana’s Eastern Florida Parishes, 1920-1940” on February 19. His topic is also based on his master’s thesis. Louisiana Assistant Attorney General Donovan Hudson, who is also a part-time history instructor, will conclude the series on February 26 with “African-American History: A Keeping-It-Real Primer” on February 26. For additional information about the lectures, contact William Robison, head of the history and political science department, at 985-549-2109 or wrobison@selu.edu. On February 1, Southeastern Athletics plans to honor Lady Lions basketball great Queen Brumfield Nard, the teams’ all-time scoring and rebounding leader, Hall of Famer, All American and member of the 1977 Lady Lions national championship team. Brumfield’s jersey – 32 – will be retired at halftime of the 4 p.m. Lady Lions game at the University Center. After the game, the Southeastern African American Alumni Chapter will host a reception in Nard’s honor in the UC’s St. Tammany Room hosted by the university’s African American Alumni Chapter Delta Sigma Theta sorority will join the schedule with a black history trivia game, scheduled for 6 p.m., February 19, in Lee Hall. “They plan to stage something similar in format to ‘The Weakest Link’ television show,” Summers said. The month’s final event is a town hall meeting sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences on February 27. Interim Dean Al Doucette said the theme of the 7 p.m. event in the Student Union Theatre will be “tolerance.” He said the audience will be asked to react to a series of short skits performed by students. “We want to let people see how others react to different situations involving tolerance and to get a dialog going about it,” Doucette said. For additional information about African American Heritage Month, contact Summers at 985-549-3850. |
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