Two local universities gathered Saturday to promote unity with barbecue cook-offs, sports, music and entertainment during the “College Family Reunion.”
This year Southern University hosted the 3rd Annual College Family Reunion in celebration of Black History Month. This function ended the month of events.
“The College Family Reunion is a unified event planned by LSU and SU students in celebration of Black History Month in the efforts for creating an event to bring both universities together,” said Tiffany Netters, LSU event adviser.
Since the reunion previously was held at LSU, both universities’ Black History Month committees decided to alternate hosting the event each year.
“Having LSU and SU students in the same atmosphere is unusual,” said Arthur Monroe, a chemistry junior at Southern. “Hopefully, LSU students will have much love and embrace our campus.”
Annie Gonzales, a Southern University nursing junior, said she believes having the reunion alternate between campuses will allow LSU students to explore Southern’s campus and really see how it feels to be at Southern.
“There are not many events hosted on Southern campus for LSU students to attend,” Monroe said. “But, I hope after this event, we, as in student organizations and individuals, will form relationships to bridge the gap towards unity.”
The atmosphere was truly like a “real family reunion,” with tables and barbecue grills spread out on the grounds and a stage with live entertainment. A group of LSU students reunited with old friends from high school and others who go to Southern. This event provides students with an opportunity to touch base with friends from another university.
Students came out with their video cameras, placing blankets on the ground to bask in the sun. Peope danced and had a good time.
The barbecue cook-off was an activity opened to interested student organizations from both universities. These organizations cooked a variety of food for everyone to eat and critique for free.
“The cook-off is used to get students to mingle with each other and bridge the gap,” said Andrea Allen, an LSU mass communication senior and reunion co-chair.
The event offered t-shirts, free food, dance, entertainment from local musicians, intramural volleyball and flag football. Students also had a chance to win one of two give away cruise trips to the Bahamas, one for each university’s spring break.
“Next year, the Black History Month committees are going to make the event a three-day reunion consisting of a Greek show on Friday night, the reunion on Saturday and a gospel festival on Sunday,” Netters said.