Captured Event

March, 09 2007 - Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Lt. Gen. Russel Honore honored by Southern University

What: Southern University Alumni Federation Founder's Day Gala

Where: Smith-Brown Memorial Union

When: March 9

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Beneficiary: Southern University

Host(s): Domoine D. Rutledge

Honoree(s): Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco & Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore

Gala Chairperson(s): Olga Gaines

Co-Chair(s): Edselle K. Cunningham

Executive Director: Domoine D. Rutledge

Committee Members: Willie Mae Williams, Vernell Haynes, Charles Stokes, Jackie Marsellus, Melvin Robinson, Emma Mensia

Staff: Patricia Flood, Glinda Rutledge, Cynthia Robinson

Invocation: Rev. James Brown, National Chaplain, SU Alumni Federation

Welcome: Johnny G. Anderson, Chairman, SU Board of Supervisors

Speaker: Charles Vincent, SU Dept. of History, & Victor Ukpolo, Chancellor, SU at New Orleans

Catering: University Campus Dining

Music: Chris Rogers & the Ed Perkins Jazz Ensemble

Sponsors: Anna Jones, State Farm Insurance Agency; BR Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Baton Rouge Branch, NAACP; Chicken Shack Restaurant; Decuir, Clark & Adams Attorneys at Law; EBR SU Alumni Chapter; Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco; Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church; Kean, Miller Attorneys at Law; Liberty Bank; New Prospect Baptist Church; Phelps, Dunbar Attorneys at Law; Sheriff Greg Phares, EBR Parish; Southern Teachers & Parents Federal Credit Union; Southern University 6th Man Club; SU Agricultural & Extension Center; SU Alumni Federation; SU at Baton Rouge, Edward R. Jackson, Chancellor; Southern University Board of Supervisors; SU Law Center, Ret. Judge Freddie Pitcher, Chancellor; SU at New Orleans, Ray Belton, Chancellor; SU Systerm, Ralph Slaughter, President; Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillilps, Attorneys at Law; Truevine Baptist Church

Menu: Caesar Salad, Filet of Fish topped with Shrimp Etouffee set on a bed of Wild Rice; julienne spring vegetables, raspberry iced tea, strawberry or turtle cheesecake

Attire: Semi-formal

Blacktie Photos by: Chris Russo

Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Kim Hunter Reed & Abagail Braxton
Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Kim Hunter Reed & Abagail Braxton
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For the first time ever, the Southern University Alumni Federation hosted a Founders’ Day gala.

The inaugural event honored Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, commanding general, First U.S. Army.

Domoine D. Rutledge, alumni federation national president, presided over the evening and Johnny G. Anderson, chairman of the Southern University Board of Supervisors, welcomed guests.

Several hundred participants enjoyed historical reflections by Charles Vincent, professor of history at Southern and author of “A Centennial History of Southern University and A&M College, 1880-1980.” Victor Ukpolo, chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans, gave an update “After the Storm.” Olga Gains, chairman of the Founders’ Day Gala committee, spoke before Rev. James Brown gave the benediction.

In 1994, Blanco became the first woman to serve as governor of Louisiana. Before serving in the state’s top office, she completed two terms as lieutenant governor, where she supervised the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. Under her leadership, tourism in Louisiana grew by 41 percent. She began her career as a public servant in 1984, when she became the first woman to represent Lafayette in the state legislature. Prior to that, Blanco taught at Breaux Bridge High School.

Honore is a native of Lakeland and was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation from Southern University. He also holds a master’s degree from Troy State University and a Ph.D. from Stillman College.

During his army career, Honore’s overseas assignments included tours in Korea and Germany. In his last assignment, he served as commander, standing joint force headquarters, Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command. While serving as the commanding general First Army, he commanded Joint Task Force – Katrina, leading the Department of Defense’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.


Honore has received a plethora of awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

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