Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           985-549-2341/fax 985-549-2061
    Date: 03/06/02
      Contact:                           Rene Abadie or Christina Chapple

SOUTHEASTERN DEDICATES STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER
IN HONOR OF CLAUDE B. PENNINGTON JR.
     HAMMOND   Officials with Southeastern Louisiana University and representatives of
the Pennington family of Baton Rouge officially dedicated the university's new $11 million
student activity center in memory of the late Claude B. Pennington Jr. at ceremonies Wednesday.
     "This is by far the most popular gathering place on the campus," Southeastern President
Randy Moffett said in his remarks. "It has brought people to Southeastern who may have never
set foot on the campus before. It is the first stop in our recruiting tours, and you can see the eyes
of perspective students open widely when they see what a first-class facility we have for
students,
faculty, staff and alumni."
     Joining Moffett in removing the curtain that covered the building's name were
Pennington's sons, Claude III and Daryl, and his daughter, Paula de la Bretonne. 
     Pennington, the only son of Louisiana independent oil operator Claude "Doc"
Pennington, was a World War II veteran and 1949 Southeastern graduate. A member of the
Pennington Oil Company, he was killed in a drilling accident in an oil field near Jackson in 1957. 
      In 1982, the  Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation was established to provide
philanthropic support for qualifying charitable, religious, educational and governmental
organizations. The foundation is probably best recognized for the Pennington Biomedical
Research Center in Baton Rouge.
     Moffett noted that the foundation funded Southeastern's Claude B. Pennington Jr.,
Endowed Professorship in Special Education in 1999, which is now held by Sonya Carr, and
established one of Southeastern's first Presidential-level scholarships. The university, he said, is
honoring Claude B. Pennington Jr. for additional significant contributions made recently by the
foundation in his memory.
                              -MORE-

DEDICATION   Add One
     "The reality today is that a public university like Southeastern cannot rely solely on state
funds," Moffett said, emphasizing that Southeastern has raised more than $20 million in its
Commitment to Excellence Campaign since 1996, twice the university's goal. "Those funds  
mostly from individuals, families, businesses and foundations   are used to enhance our
academic, cultural and athletic programs," he said. "They provide our students with scholarships;
they give us endowed professorships, and other support."
     Also speaking at the dedication were Brad O'Hara, vice president for student affairs, Jim
McHodgkins, assistant dean for student development, and Kalen Miller, president of the
Southeastern Student Government Association.
     The center opened in June 2001 and was largely funded by student fees. The facility
includes a state-of-the-art cardio-theater, 11,000 square foot fitness area, two racquetball courts,
two multi-purpose/aerobic rooms, four full-court basketball/volleyball courts, six badminton
courts, an indoor walking/jogging track, a large meeting room with a demonstration kitchen, and
a "Wellness Suite."
     The facility was designed by an architectural joint venture by the firms Gossen-Gasaway-
Holloway  and Singleton-Hollomon. General contractor was Frank Anzalone, Inc. 
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/news/spring02.html