June 24, 2011

Black Alumni Group reunion set for next month

by Phil Riggs

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Black Alumni Group (BAG), a constituent society of the SIU Alumni Association, will be bringing back alumni from all over the country next month to participate in the 12th biennial reunion held on the Carbondale campus. This year's theme is "Southern Nights."

BAG has been a part of the SIU Alumni Association since 1988, when a group of alumni came together to maintain professional, social, and educational relationships within Southern’s African-American community. The organization is also a philanthropic provider of scholarships for SIU’s students, and donates books for children attending Thomas Elementary School in Carbondale.

The reunion will kick off July 7 with a meet and greet at the Hampton Inn east of Carbondale. Friday’s events include an opportunity to participate in financial workshops, a writers symposium, a fish fry and bid whist tournament, tours of local wineries and the SIU campus, and an Old School 80’s party. Nominations for 2011-2013 officers will be accepted on Friday during the annual business meeting being held at the Hampton Inn, and those elected will be installed at the Sunday brunch.

Saturday’s festivities include a cookout, step show, and health fair in the afternoon, followed by a semi-formal banquet that evening. After the banquet, the group will have the option of travelling to the Saluki Club located at the new Saluki Stadium for one final toast at the “Grand Finale” party or attending the Herb Kent party at the SIUC Student Center. Kent is one of the nation’s most notable disk jockeys with more than 60 years of entertainment experience.

Registration fees for the reunion support the Black Undergraduate Education Scholarship (SBUE). The recipients of this award will be recognized at Saturday’s banquet. If you would like to learn more about the BAG Reunion or would like information on how to register, please call the SIU Alumni Association at 618/453-2417 or visit siualumni.com/bagreunion.