Dear Southernites and Friends:

SU National Academic Signing Day was bigger and better than ever last weekend.  Carlton B. Jones, Jr., the Federation's 3 ^rd VP, led the planning for the event this year.  Now in its third year, Carlton and his team took the event to another level. Unsung heroes like our very own, Khadijah Thompson, the Federation's Assistant Executive Director, worked her fingers to the bone to ensure every little detail was perfect.  The participation by the University administration was exponentially better with President Belton, Interim Provost Luria Young, VP for Finance Flandus McClinton, Enrollment Management Director Dianna Gilbert Depron, and a host of other administrators attending.  Here in Baton Rouge, the student participation was so great, Carlton and Khadijah had to move the Baton Rouge location from the Fieldhouse to the Event Center.  Eldred Jackson with the TOP JAGS had an amazing number of students to attend.  Nearly half the room was filled with TOP JAGS.  Eldred and Patricia Deamer, you two deserve a standing ovation for the success you are having with this program!