Start your year off right with the 75th Anniversary Calendar from the Southern University Alumni Federation. This calendar highlights our organization and its awesome chapters, as well as commemorates the Federation's 75 years of service.
Air Force One left the Baton Rouge Airport yesterday with President Barack Obama on it. President Obama held a Town Hall Meeting at McKinley High School, and the city was buzzing with excitement. The president's visit to Baton Rouge was simply the icing on the cake of a marvelous week. Before the Town Hall Meeting, President Obama met Louisiana's newly-minted governor, John Bel Edwards. Among other things, they discussed Governor Edwards' new Executive Order authorizing the acceptance of federal Medicaid funding and federal funding for our state's highway system.
President Castille with Governor Edwards' Cabinet during Inauguration
On Monday, I had the privilege of sitting on stage on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol during the Inauguration of Governor Edwards and other statewide elected officials. I sat on the front row with members of the Governor's new cabinet. Later that night, Marian and I also attended the Inaugural Ball. Both events were phenomenal. During his inaugural address, Governor Edwards continued to express his commitment to Higher Education. But, he also lamented the $1.9 billion budget shortfall that he and the Louisiana Legislature will have to tackle in the upcoming legislative sessions. Governor Edwards' shared his goal to increase the state's support for post-secondary institutions like Southern from 30% state funding to 50%. He explained that one of Louisiana's greatest natural resources is its people, and that the state needs to invest more in the education of its people. I want this governor to succeed, but I know it will not be easy. We all have our work cut for us to make our universities and this state stronger.
Home Chapter members at Alumni Night during Southern v. Grambling basketball game
