Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 2/9/99
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple 125

SLU'S "COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE" CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF FEB. 23
     HAMMOND --Southeastern Louisiana University will officially kick off its Commitment
to Excellence Campaign February 23 with the announcement that the university already has
campaign pledges totaling more than $6 million. President Sally Clausen, Campaign Chair Phil
K. Livingston and Honorary Chair Donald J. Nalty will host the event, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at
Twelve Oaks.
     The Commitment to Excellence Campaign is a present- and future-oriented fundraising
effort designed to finance major university priorities. The priorities emerged from the
development of the university's strategic plan and from a comprehensive study of the region's
educational needs.
     "The most urgent priorities have now been identified, and many individuals have
volunteered to work in the campaign," Joseph H. Miller Jr., vice president for University
Advancement, said.  "Southeastern's future, and in many ways the future of our service area,
depends on how well these needs are addressed today."
     The campaign has a base goal of $6.75 million and a challenge goal of $10.75 million. 
The goals provide an opportunity for the university's many friends and alumni to demonstrate
their loyalty and support for Southeastern through personal participation in the campaign, Miller
said.
     Goals are being achieved through a series of divisional campaigns involving the
Foundation Board; faculty and staff; alumni; foundations; corporations; friends in the New
Orleans and Baton Rouge metropolitan areas; and friends in Tangipahoa, St. Tammany and
Washington parishes.
     The campaign will fund primary objectives such as student scholarships, academic
program enrichment, faculty and staff enhancement, distinguished professorships, endowed 
                             (MORE)
SLU COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE CAMPAIGN -- Add One
chairs and ongoing support for the Southeastern Development Foundation.
     The campaign was authorized by the Development Foundation's Board of Directors, the
Southeastern Alumni Association and Faculty Senate.
     Miller said the Development Foundation has completed a highly successful Foundation
Board Division Campaign, raising $700,000 in gifts and pledges, and the Faculty-Staff Division
campaign, which raised $375,000 in gifts and pledges. The Office of Advancement is currently
conducting the Tangipahoa Division Campaign, with completion scheduled for March 15.
     The Tangipahoa campaign's divisions and volunteers are targeting  key areas of
Hammond, Ponchatoula, Amite, Kentwood and the Independence-Loranger area. The foundation
already has gifts and pledges of $1.6 million towards the division goal of $1.75 million.
     Next, the three-year Commitment to Excellence Campaign will solicit gifts and pledges
from campaign divisions in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, and the greater New Orleans
and Baton Rouge areas. The campaign will conclude with divisions for alumni, corporations and
foundations.
      "As we prepare to take the campaign into the community, I am so pleased to have more
than $6 million in commitments toward our goal," Miller said.
                            - SLU -
     This press release is available on the World Wide Web:
       www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp99.htm