Southern turns on the charm for 400 high school students

Southern University welcomed some 400 high school students from Baton Rouge and around the state today to the "LOFSA Fly Tour" on the Baton Rouge campus.

University department heads and representatives used the occasion to encourage students to enroll at Southern and join their programs. Some students signed up through the admissions process and others gathered information on academic programs that fit avenues they want to take in college.

The event was co-sponsored by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOFSA). SU provided a line up of speakers, recruiters and special entertainment coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management's Recruitment and Admissions' Office.

Some of the schools that participated included: Westgate High School, White Castle High, Scotlandville High, Broadmoor High, East Iberville High and East Feliciana High.

They were part of the "LOSFA Fly Tour" which provides services and resources to inform students about financial literacy and options available to them before selecting a college.

The tour has stopped at several colleges - Grambling State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, Dillard University and Northwestern State University - before coming to Southern.

"I look forward to working with each and everyone of you," Southern's Acting Chancellor Flandus McClinton told the students in the Cotillion Ballroom, and suggested that they spend time completing applications to SU.

Dr. VerJanis Peoples, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, said that Southern is the place for them. "Southern is a place where hopes and dreams come true," she said.

Michelle Anderson, in the Recruitment and Admissions Office, said she was pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm of the students. "I think we did a good job of getting the students to picture themselves at Southern University...We were trying to seal the deal with them."

The high school seniors were treated to skits about the pitfalls associated with getting financial aid, failing to study and to not completing college registration information. SU's Human Jukebox performed for the students at the Union along with dance routines by SU Gold 'N Bluez dance team and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

In a statement after the event, Peoples said, the university is working to increase enrollment "through teamwork: All SUBR employees, constituents and alumni across the nation have joined together to make recruiting students to SUBR their business."