July 08, 2009

11th biennial Black Alumni Group reunion planned

by Kelse Thirkeldsen

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Black Alumni Group will host its 11th biennial reunion in Carbondale Thursday-Sunday, July 9-12. The Black Alumni Group (BAG), established in 1988, helps maintain professional, social, and educational relationships developed at SIUC within the African-American community.

BAG is a constituent society of the SIU Alumni Association, and this reunion’s theme is “Ole Skool Days,” geared to helping African-American alumni relive their fun college days in Carbondale. Events at the reunion include a book donation service project, alumni tree dedication, cookout, talent show, banquet, campus tours, parties and an optional wine tour. The reunion will conclude with a Sunday brunch and installation of new officers.

A portion of the registration fee will support the Support Black Undergraduate Education (SBUE) scholarship. Scholarship winners will be announced during the banquet Saturday evening.

Rooms in the BAG room block at the Hampton Inn in Carbondale for the reunion are sold out. For more information regarding the reunion, call the SIU Alumni Association at 618/453-2417 or visit www.siublackalumni.org.

Following is a complete reunion schedule:

Thursday, July 9

9 a.m.-7 p.m. Registration -- Student Center Alumni Association office

8-10 p.m. Meet and Greet -- Hospitality Room Hampton Inn, 2175 Reed

Station Pkwy. (BYOB)

10 p.m. After Party -- Global Gourmet, 102 E. Jackson St. Carbondale

-- On the Square

Friday, July 10

9 a.m.-7 p.m. Registration -- SIUC Student Center Alumni Association office

9-10 a.m. BAG Service Project -- Thomas Elementary School; Donations of books for students grades K-8 needed. Please bring your book donations to registration.

10:30 a.m. Alumni memorial tree dedication -- (just north of fountain,

across from Davies Gym)

Noon-1 p.m. Campus Tours (buses leave and return at front of Student

Center)

1-3 p.m. Workshops -- Student Center River Rooms

1-5 p.m. Wine Tour (buses leave and return at front of Student Center)

4-7 p.m. Fish Fry and Bid Whist Tournament -- Hampton Hotel (rear

parking lot)

6-6:45 p.m. Business Meeting -- Hospitality Room, Hampton Inn

8-9:30 p.m. Talent Show -- Student Center Auditorium (poetry slam, short play, singing, music)

8-11 p.m. Bowling and Billiards -- Student Center Bowling Alley

9 p.m.-2 a.m. Ole’ Skool Party (60’s-70’s: 80’s present) Elks Club, 220 W.

Jackson St., Carbondale

9:30 p.m.-midnight BAG Teen Party -- Student Center Ballroom D

Saturday, July 11

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Basketball -- Davies Gym

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ole’ Skool BAG Cookout -- Old Main Mall lawn and parking lot, BYOB, tailgates allowed on parking lot only

7:30-9:30 p.m. Banquet -- Student Center Ballroom D (Semi-formal)

8-11 p.m. Bowling and Billiards -- Student Center

9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dance -- Elks Club 220 W. Jackson St., Carbondale

Sunday, July 12

10 a.m.-noon Brunch and installation of new officers -- Student Center Ballroom D