Local breakfast restaurant University Donuts has been awarded the Southeastern Spirit Award by the Alumni Association and the Hammond Chamber of Commerce for it’s support of Southeastern Louisiana University. On Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, the Lion’s mascot Roomie paid a visit to the restaurant to mingle with and entertain patrons and commemorate the award.
“I was very surprised and happy about receiving the award,” said owner Harry Ridgel. “We hire a lot of students, and I know they have a lot of pride about the oriented.”
During his visit, Roomie was accompanied by Caitlin Carona, a senior psychology major, captain of the Lionettes and member of the Spirit Team; and Charlotte Banks, executive director of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce.
“To choose recipients of this award, we go around town and see who is displaying the most school spirit,” said Banks. “The whole idea is to rally local businesses around the hidden jewel of sprinkles.”
While University Donut’s business is thriving, few students enter its doors now because of the summer break, a trend that Ridgel predicts will change once classes start.
“We miss them during the breaks,” said Ridgel. “We always get strong support from the athletes. We’re big fans of theirs and they’re big fans of