June 26, 2007
Black alumni reunion set for July 12-15
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Black Alumni Group plays host to fellow black alumni at its biennial reunion weekend beginning Thursday, July 12.
This year's theme is "Reaching Back, Giving Back… 400 Years in America." The reunion features guest seminars, workshops, recreational and social events, an Afrikan Market and a gala evening that begins with dinner and a keynote address from SIU President Glenn Poshard and ends with dancing.
At selected times throughout the reunion weekend, members enjoy special prices on bowling, free use of the SIUC Recreation Center and the Campus Lake boat docks and discounts on SIU apparel in the University Bookstore.
The Black Alumni Group, established in 1988, helps maintain professional, social and educational relationships developed at SIUC within the Afrikan-American community. BAG hosts a reunion in Carbondale every other year. This year marks the 10th reunion. Nearly 600 alumni attended the most recent BAG reunion in 2005. The alumni group is a constituent society of the SIU Alumni Association.
Here is a complete schedule:
Thursday, July 12
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Registration, SIU Alumni Association office, Student Center.
8-10 p.m. – Meet and greet, (BYOB), Hampton Inn, 2175 Reed Station Parkway.
Friday, July 13
9 a.m.-7 p.m. – Registration, SIU Alumni Association office, Student Center.
10 a.m. – BAG meeting, open to all BAG members. Includes nomination of officers. Kaskaskia Room, Student Center.
10 a.m.-11 p.m. – Afrikan Market, International Lounge (east side), Student Center.
1 p.m. – Campus tour, leaves from Student Center main entrance.
2-3 p.m. – "Where Do We Go from Here?" SIUC alumnus Darzel Price workshop - Mackinaw Room, Student Center. Price works for the Wrigley Company. He has presented motivational workshops at previous reunions.
3-4 p.m. – "Living Your Passion" SIUC alumnus Ken Brown workshop. Participants learn to find their passions, take action and make their lives, their organizations and their societies better and more productive. The workshop is in the Missouri Room in the Student Center.
3-4 p.m. – "Preparing for College at SIU" workshop with SIUC alumni Kesha Williams from the Office of Financial Aid and Jeff McGoy of the Undergraduate Admissions office. The workshop is designed for families with college in their not-so-distant futures. Emphasis is on college planning, financial assistance and highlights of SIU.
5-7 p.m. – Wine and Cheese Chat, International Lounge (west side), Student Center.
8-9:30 p.m. – Jazz by SIUC alumnus Eric Frazier, Ballroom B, Student Center.
10 p.m.-2 a.m. – Party – Student Center ballrooms. Also available – bowling, billiards and video games on the first floor of the Student Center.
Saturday, July 14
7 a.m.-1 p.m. – Golf, Hickory Ridge Golf Course – additional fee required.
8 a.m.-noon – Tennis tournament, SIUC tennis courts
11 a.m.-3 p.m. – BAG Fun in the Sun, Old Main Mall and Davies Gym, features election of officers, food, music, step show, Afrikan Market, Legacy hoops, Legacy volleyball. NOTE: Lunch is served from 1 to 3 p.m. Polls are open 2-3 p.m. – voting open only to current SIU Alumni Association members.
7-9 p.m. – BAG Gala Dinner, Student Center ballrooms. NOTE: Afrikan or all-black attire requested. Keynote speaker is SIU President and alumnus Glen Poshard.
9 p.m.-2 a.m. – BAG Gala Dance, Student Center ballrooms. Also available – bowling, billiards and video games on the first floor of the Student Center.
Sunday, July 15
10 a.m.-noon – Closing brunch and installation of officers, Ballroom D, Student Center. Officers announced at 10:30 a.m.
Interested alumni are welcome. Costs are as follows: $130 for SIU Alumni Association members, $185 for non-members; $220 for each member couple; $275 for each non-member couple; $275 per member family; $330 for a non-member family. A portion of the registration fee will be contributed to the Support Black Undergraduate Education (SBUE) scholarships.
For more information call the SIU Alumni Association at 618/453-2417. Or, send registration fees to the Black Alumni Reunion, SIU Alumni Association, Mail Code 6809, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901.