SIU - Cover Story

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Several prominent civil rights activists will join 500 of their African-American peers at the upcoming Black Alumni Group Reunion, set for July 17-20, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Peruvian fish farmers display their crop

Peruvian fish farmers display their crop

Dick Gregory, another alum and successful activist, comedian, nutritionist and civil rights pioneer, will deliver the keynote address.

The reunion’s theme is “Coming Home To Nourish Our Roots.” The Black Alumni Group is a constituent society of the SIU Alumni Association and hosts a reunion in Carbondale every other year.

Reunion activities will include workshops, socials, an open market, campus tours, golf and tennis outings, a picnic, banquet, and prayer breakfast and business meeting.

Interested alums are welcome. Costs are as follows: $110 for SIU Alumni Association members, $165 for non-members; $165 for each member couple; $220 for each non-member couple; $220 per member family; $275 for a non-member family.

For more information call the SIU Alumni Association at (618)453-2408. Or, send registration fees to the Black Alumni Reunion, SIU Alumni Association, Mailcode 6809, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901.

Also, John M. O’Neal Jr., playwright, artistic director and founder of Junebug Productions Inc., will perform his critically acclaimed play, “Don’t Start Me to Talking or I’ll Tell You Everything I Know: Sayings from the Life and Writings of Junebug Jabbo Jones.” O’Neal is a 1962 graduate of SIUC.

The mission of Junebug Productions Inc., located in New Orleans, is creating, producing and presenting high-quality theater, dance and music to inspire and support individuals who strive for justice in the African-American community and in the world at large. O’Neal tours extensively throughout the United States performing the three-volume series of plays known as “The Life and Writings of Junebug Jabbo Jones.”

SIUC alumnus Peter Alexander will address reunion participants at the prayer breakfast. He became dean of the SIU School of Law on June 1, and is the school’s first African-American dean. He came to SIUC from The Pennsylvania State University’s Dickinson School of Law, where he served as a professor.

Alexander earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University in 1979 and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston in 1983.

Another highlight of the weekend’s festivities will be a workshop presented by state Rep. William Davis and Linda Reneé Baker, former secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services. Davis and Baker will present a workshop entitled: “Relationship of Politics and Education.”

Davis, a 1989 SIUC graduate and former admissions counselor at the University, has served in several legislative assignments including committees on appropriations for elementary and secondary education, higher education and local government. Baker recently joined the Public Policy Institute staff at Southern. She came to SIUC after holding key managerial positions under three Illinois governors.

The Black Alumni Group, established in 1988, helps maintain professional, social and educational relationships developed at SIUC within the African-American community.

Thursday, July 17
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Reunion registration, Student Center, SIU Alumni Association Office, Second Floor.
7 – 10 p.m.	Reunion mixer and Bid Whist Tournament, Carbondale Horizon Inn (formerly Holiday Inn), 800 E. Main.
Friday, July 18
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Registration, Student Center , SIU Alumni Association Office, Second Floor.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.	African Market, Student Center Hall of Fame area (South End).
1 – 3 p.m.	Youth Motivational Program, Browne Auditorium, Parkinson Room 124: Featured guests include SIUC alumni of Little Rock Nine and alumnus Darzel Price of Wrigley Co.
2 p.m.	Campus Tours, leave from the front of Student Center
3 – 4 p.m.	Workshop, Mississippi Room, Student Center , second floor: Understanding Financial Aid for the College Student; presenter Daniel R. Mann, director of SIUC Financial Aid Office.
3 – 4 p.m.	Workshop, Ohio Room, Student Center, second floor: Financial Planning — tuition saving, investments and retirement, presented by Lorenzo R. Wilson, senior financial advisor and chief financial planner of American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
4 – 5 p.m.	Workshop, Mississippi Room, Student Center , second floor: The Relationship of Politics and Education, presented by Linda Reneé Baker of the Public Policy Institute and alumnus Will Q. Davis.
5 – 7 p.m.	Reception with SIUC administrators in honor of the Little Rock Nine, Student Center - West Side of International Lounge, Second Floor.
7:30–9:30 p.m.	“Alumni Expo” welcoming SIUC alumnus, playwright, artistic director and founder of Junebug Productions, John M. O’Neal Jr., who will perform his critically acclaimed play, “Don’t Start Me to Talking or I’ll Tell You Everything I know, Sayings from the Life and Writings of Junebug Jabbo Jones.” – Student Center Auditorium and International Lounge, Second Floor.
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.	Afterset, Mugsy McGuire’s, Carbondale (across the street from Turley Park )
Saturday, July 19
7 a.m.	Golf, Hickory Ridge Golf Course (pay upon arrival).
8 a.m. – noon	Tennis Tournament, SIUC tennis courts.
10 a.m.	Black Alumni Reunion Business Meeting, Anthony Hall Conference Room.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Picnic, Recreation Center (east end), lunch served 1-3 p.m.
6:30 – 9 p.m.	Banquet featuring Dick Gregory, SIUC alumnus, activist, comedian and nutritionist, Student Center Ballrooms C & D.
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.	Afterset, Mugsy McGuire’s, Carbondale , (across the street from Turley Park).
Sunday, July 20
10 a.m. – noon	Prayer Breakfast and Business Meeting with elections at 11 a.m., Student Center, Ballroom D. Peter Alexander, the first African-American dean of SIU’s School of Law, will speak.

Black alumni reunion features civil rights activists