Dear Southernites:
Yesterday, I went to the Louisiana State Capitol to testify before the House Education Committee along with Dr. Leon Tarver, the Chairman of the SU Board of Supervisors. House Bills 152 and 169 filed by State Representatives Rick Edmonds and Thomas Carmody, respectively, were on the agenda. Those bills propose constitutional amendments to abolish the Louisiana Board of Regents and all other higher education managements including the Southern University Board of Supervisors.
If passed, the Southern University System would be abolished and a single "superboard" would be created to replace all the current boards. I, of course, oppose the dismantling of the Southern System, which would almost immediately lead to the closure of Southern University campuses. As soon as the meeting started, the chair of the committee announced that the two bills had been rescheduled. There are companion bills in the Louisiana State Senate. We need to watch this legislation carefully as it threatens the entire Southern System. Please go to www.legis.la.gov
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| | President Castille and Chaplain James Mahomes celebrate Alumni Pride Day with current and new Federation members
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to follow this legislation and share your support for Southern.
In the meantime, it is important that we stay focused on the good work Southern is doing and the assistance we, the Alumni, are providing the University. For the last two years, we have focused aggressively on student recruitment and achieved great results. Local and national student recruiters are working with local alumni chapters around the state and country. Applications for admission and the number of admitted students are up substantially again this year.
We are gearing up for our second annual National Academic Signing Day, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 23rd. All three undergraduate campuses, along with alumni chapters from all across the country, will join us at the same time (11a.m. - 1p.m.
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Alums enjoying Alumni Pride Day on the mighty Mississippi River.
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CDT) to celebrate and welcome new students who plan to attend one of our Southern University campuses this fall. Last year, National Academic Signing Day was a huge success, and we look forward to you joining us for this exciting student recruitment event later this month.
This Sunday, I am the guest speaker for the Lafayette Chapter's Annual Founders' Day and Scholarship Banquet. This is always a fantastic event, and the chapter does a fabulous job celebrating our alma mater's history and ensuring its future by raising funds for scholarships for current and future students. If you are in the Lafayette area, I hope to see you at the banquet. Before leaving for Lafayette, I plan to go to "Southern University Day" at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church here in Baton Rouge. Please also join us at Bethel AME Church, 1358 South Boulevard, Baton Rouge, on Sunday.
Last Friday, Alumni Pride Day was great! The rain slowed us down, but did not stop us. We had a great turnout for our Student Appreciation event on the lawn of the Alumni House. The rain came just before the parade, but it didn't stop the Human Jukebox from performing - and perform they did. Our band both embodies and amplifies the spirit of Southern. We capped off the day with a reception at the Donald Wade House with an absolutely beautiful view of the mighty Mississippi River in the background and the sun setting as alums danced and enjoyed the evening festivities. We also picked up new Annual and Life Members. I had a great time meeting alums I had not met before and look forward to working with them to continue to make our Alumni Federation and our University great!
Defending the Gold and Blue,
Preston
Preston J. Castille, Jr., JD
National President
HBCU Alumni Coalition President | 
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DFW Jags Meet & Greet Reception with the SU Band Staff
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Gwendolyn Perry Honore
