Members of the community gathered together in the Student Union Park for a ceremony of candles, silence and remembrance to honor the deceased Southeastern faculty, staff, alumni and students, along with a few community members.

The traditional Golden Silence Ceremony was held Wednesday, April 18 as a part of Spring Daze. The ceremony has been held annually for 15 years and sponsored by Southeastern Alumni Association.

“I believe Golden Silence is one of our most moving events.  I say that because I believe people who participate are sincerely touched by the ceremony that honors Southeastern family members who we have lost over the past year,” said President John L. Crain. “In fact, every year following the ceremony, I have many of the attendants tell me how much it means to them and how much they appreciate it.”

Kathy Pittman, director of the Alumni Association, explained that Golden Silence was begun to demonstrate one of Southeastern’s core values.

“It started because we had some students die and we wanted to do something to bring closure and also continue to recognize all of our Southeastern family that we lose,” said Pittman. “Caring is one of our core values at the university.”

The ceremony began as Crain came to the podium to give opening remarks.

According to Crain, the Student Union Park is used for the ceremony every year because it is the busiest place on campus and the people whose names were listed in the program have all walked through the union.

Immediately following the introduction was the Memory Roll Call during which the “In Remembrance” list was read in alphabetical order naming an estimated 270 people. Unfortunately, the quantity of names listed this year was exceptionally high compared to past Golden Silence ceremonies.

The mood of the ceremony was solemn as name after name was listed and attendants sat in silence, remembering their lost friends and loved ones.

 “I’m very privileged that my daughter Carol Foster was honored by Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association at the Golden Silence Ceremony,” said Freda Green of Hammond. “The ceremony was very inspiring and a tribute to the deceased.”

 Following the listing came the candle lighting, a traditional and cherished component of the ceremony, despite the threatening winds.

The main candle is meant to represent Southeastern and was lit by Crain. He then lit a candle held by Gayle Neal, president of Alumni Association, who in turn lit a candle held by Luke Holloway, president of Student Government Association. From there, Holloway lit the candles of several Greek members who spread the light throughout the audience.  

“It is symbolic that we are all involved in honoring our deceased alumni,” said Pittman of the candles.

The ceremony came to a close with a flag ceremony by the color guard from Ponchatoula High School ROTC members, Taps lead by David Kraus of Southeastern Music Department and the Alma Mater, sung by Julie Perise, assistant director of Alumni Relations.

“I was there to honor my uncle Charles Locascio who was an alumnus at Southeastern. I loved the ceremony and thought that it was very lovely and thoughtful how Southeastern honored him,” said Lisa Locascio, a freshmen psychology major. “I liked how everyone lit a candle as a symbolic way of their soul living on and how we down on earth will never forget their impact on our lives.”