Student showcase kicks off Centennial Celebration

Southern University’s students started the Centennial Celebration with a script highlighting the most significant historical events and top graduates at Southern University. 
Some key historical events were the founding of Southern University; designation as a land-grant institution; relocation to Scott’s Bluff; President Felton G. Clark 1942 speech on the 28th Founders Day celebration; Southern University in the civil rights movement; the Denver Brown and Leonard Smith tragedy; and Southern’s higher education. 
There were students introducing the top graduates and those who made a difference at Southern with their accomplishments. Other students sang songs such as “Wake up Everybody”, “We Shall Overcome” and more. Students showcased their artwork and the Blue and Gold dancers performed also. 
Marshaun Robertson, a senior nursing major Clinton, La was one of the participants who sang in the event. 
“I had submitted a video on instagram to be a part of the Centennial,” said Robertson. “This event was very memorable and nice.” 
Margaret Ambrose, executive vice chancellor, praised how good Southern University students put on this showcase. “It was wonderful working with the students.  I am extremely proud of our students.  I thought they did a great job.  They came through really big time,” said Ambrose. “I worked very close with the students getting the script together and having them prepare to deliver this script.  Working so close with the students gave me a chance to go back in history and relive some of the history that I actually was a part of.  I have been here for 40 years.” 
Ambrose also stated the two things she wanted to emphasize in the student program along with the historical highlights of Southern University.
“One was to emphasize the fact that in spite of all of Southern challenges, defeats and setbacks, the university has been successful and the graduates have become some of the most successful people in the world,” said Ambrose.
Simone Bray, co-chair of student extravaganza sub-committee and SGA President, thought the program was a great turn out.
“A lot of people learned something they did not know,” said Bray. “It was a great presentation and fun.”
James L. Llorens, chancellor of Southern University love the historical aspect of Southern University. 
“The event was very good,” said Llorens. “I think this story needs to be repeated through our Centennial year messages: What Southern University is and what it has been, the type of graduates we produce.  This is a perfect example of the talent and quality of students at Southern University.”
The next official Centennial event is March 10th , which is Southern University Founders Day at the F.G. Clark Activity Center at 10 am.  In April there would be a Centennial Gala, which hasn’t been set yet.  In the summer 2014 , the alumni will have an event and the Centennial celebration will culminate with Southern University homecoming week. 
Donations to the ”Chancellor’s Centennial Scholarship Fund” and “$100 for 100 years “will still be accepted until the 2014 homecoming week. To donate please go to the web page www.subr.edu and click on the Centennial giving: “$100 for 100 years,” The Chancellors Scholarship Fund link.