News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 11/12/04   CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS SLATED AT SOUTHEASTERN NOV. 16      HAMMOND -- The campus of Southeastern Louisiana University will take on a holiday air when the university’s “Celebration of the Lights” ceremony launches its season of giving on Tuesday, Nov. 16.      The event, which begins at 5 p.m. in the Pottle Performance Circle in Friendship Circle, will feature the official lighting of campus holiday decorations, a candle-lighting ceremony, holiday music and entertainment. All faculty, staff and students as well as the public are invited to the ceremony.      “Admission” to the event is a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the Tangipahoa Food Pantry.      “Lighting the campus for the holidays gives us an opportunity to reflect on how very fortunate most of us are,” said President Randy Moffett. “Southeastern traditionally gives back to the community at this time. Many of our student organizations adopt the true meaning of the holiday season with service projects such as food and clothing drives, helping local families in need, and hosting holiday parties for various agencies and organizations. Our campus lights reflect on their shining example of community service.” Moffett will flip a ceremonial switch to illuminate the trees, displays, wreaths and lights that decorate buildings throughout the campus.       “There is also a ‘forecast’ for snow in Friendship Circle, which should be a real treat for kids,” said Alumni Association Director Kathy Pittman, one of the organizers of the event.      The program will feature an organizational card contest sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, in which student organizations are painting oversized boards with holiday messages to be displayed in Friendship Circle. Music will be provided by Southeastern Laboratory School students and Southeastern’s Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Instrumental Ensemble. Southeastern’s lion mascot, dressed as “Roomie Claus,” will be joined by student athletes and student leaders in handing out candy canes to the youngsters attending.      Southeastern student organizations and their community service holiday plans include the Campus Activities Board’s participation in Santa Bear, the citywide collection of toys, gifts and donations for needy families, and Gamma Beta Phi’s collection of gifts for young people in the Berean Home in Albany and collection of more than 200 coats for the “Pat’s Coats for Kids” drive benefiting underprivileged children throughout the Florida Parishes.      In addition, EXCEL (Excellence in Commitment to Education and Leadership) plans to adopt a family for the holidays and will sell holiday pictures of Roomie for coloring with all proceeds going to Santa Bear; Pan Hellenic Council and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority intend to adopt local families. The Student Government Association is conducting “Operation Christmas Child,” a collection of shoeboxes filled with supplies, cash and other items for distribution to needy children.