On Friday, Oct.29 the Southern University Alumni Federation will break ground for theconstruction of a new alumni house along the Mississippi River.
Five acres ofland at the end of Harding Boulevard, adjacent to Bradford Hall was donated toSouthern University by Rhodia, a chemical company. According to Cedric Upshaw,director of Southern University alumni affairs, State Senator Cleo Fieldsnegotiated on behalf of the university and convinced them to donate the land toSU.
“Through CleoFields and national officials, our dream is now coming through,” Upshaw said.
Fields has alsogiven a $10,000 contribution to the construction of the facility. Anothersizeable donation of $225,000 was given by Aramark to aide the start of thefacility.
“We have beenplanning for quite some time and when the funds became available and someonedonated the land it was just a great start,” said Catherine Jones, president ofthe Southern University alumnichapter in St. Landry Parish.
“This is acycle and we want the alumni to continue to reach back and do that (makedonations),” Upshaw said.
The alumnihouse will include a large reception room for gatherings and meetings, a giftshop, business center, lounge and many other additions that will make itfunctional and effective for alumni.
“Our main goalis to have a bigger place for us to gather and meet. Our purpose for existingis to support our university,” Upshaw said.
Students whoare not yet alumni such as Randall Wiley, a freshman fashion merchandisingmajor from Houston are also looking forward to its completion.
“It will be agood place for me and my friends to come back and reminisce about what we didin our college years,” Wiley said.
The AlumniFederation chose to name the facility the Alumni House, because it reflectsSouthern University.
“We consider usto be family and this will strengthen the ties back to the university and wewant to say to alumni that they are welcome,”
The house willbe constructed in phases, but that should not keep jaguars waiting, Upshawsaid.
”Our plans are to move forward and beginconstruction as soon as possible,” he said.
To donate tothe Alumni House, call the Alumni Federation at 771-4200.
