A Time to Remember: Founders’ Day Convocation

All classes ceased last Thursday as hundreds gathered in the F.G. Clark Activity Center for Southern University’s Founder’s Day Convocation with a sense of dignity.

Introducing Angelique Roché: Marvel Consulting Editor

Women’s History and noon on March 9, were suspended to allow all system members to participate in this historic event.

A multitude of Southern University alumni, faculty, staff, laboratory school and current university students were in attendance for this esteemed celebration of Jaguar pride, history, and culture. In an effort to express the importance of this event, all university classes scheduled between 9:30 a.m.

Success, dedication, and gratitude, which stem from graduates of the university and African Americans altogether, were the highlighted topics from the keynote speaker, John

Wilson Jr., the executive director of the Millennium Leadership Initiative and former president of Morehouse College. Wilson helped “highlight our successes, and envision our future as a renowned higher

Calling all Gamers: New Esports Innovation Gaming Lab Grand Opening

Southern University is always looking for new innovations that can be implemented on campus. Recently, their sights have been set on a new Esports Innovation Lab gaming room in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union which came to fruition earlier this week.

Roche’

Month is a time to celebrate women, past and present, who have made history and a mark on the world today. Mass Communications Department professor Angelique Roché is one of the many women on Southern University’s campus who has made a mark, not just on campus, but on the world today.

Angelique Roché is a Mass Communication Department Professor here at Southern page 3

The Southern University Law Center launches a new Esports Innovation Lab in the Brown-Smith Memorial Union with a ribbon cutting to unveil the long awaited room.

ESports, a short term for electronic sports, is a form of competition where players can compete in multiplayer video games individually or as teams. The virtual competition has been around since the late 1970’s, but it has gained traction over the years as technology progresses.

The idea of this room has been discussed for the past 2 years, and finally, in the last spring semester, the school decided to move out the old game room equipment, such as the pool tables, ping pong tables, and TV’s, to make room for the new esports equipment. Upon clearing this room out, Southern University Law Center partnered with the Union to begin designing a new, modern room students could enjoy. The room has about 25 state-of-the-art gaming computers, and high

Director

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

SUITE 1064 T.H. HARRIS HALL

POST OFFICE BOX 10180

BATON ROUGE, LA 70813

PHONE: 225.771.2231

FAX: 225.771.5840

ONLINE @ www.southerndigest.com

STUDENT MEDIA OFFICE

Jermaine Proshee

Publications Mgr. Devin Hadrick

CONTACTS (area code 225) Student Media Newsroom

Director’s Office

Staff Writers

DeBrandin Brown

Deidrick Johnson

Nodea Sewell

Taniya Nichols

Laila Hazel

Alexis Easton

Savannah Williams

Kailen Bourne

Sandy Huggins

Thomas Walker, III

Kynnedi S. Jackson

Christopher Toler, Jr.

Aaliyah Bennett

Ashiriah Williams

Jalyn Jacobs

Vincent Pardo

Sydney Cuillier

Jaidyn Nix

Kara Porter

Sarah Griffiths

Taniyah Nichols

Isaiah Clay

Jasmine Meriedy

Staff Photographers

Terren Thomas

Ramon Johnson

Corey Quinn

Justin Moore

Christian Phillips

Stefan Davis

Terae Collins

Amaya Rosser

Taylor Haywood

Jakayvion Ashley

Clementine Rice

J’Me Bryant

Submissions Policy

The Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its editorials, commentaries, ans speakouts. The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be e-mailed to digest@subr.edu.

Publication Associations

The Southern DIGEST is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), College Media Advisers Association (CMA), Full member of the Associated Press (AP) and the Louisiana Press Association (LPA).

The Office of Student Media is a department in the Division of Student Affairs.

University.

Roché is the child of Southern University alumni and former employees. “SUBR has always had a strong presence in my life. I also know first-hand the power that professors can have in helping students engage in education and how significant it is to find creative ways to teach and digest the material,» Roché stated.

When Roché was asked to consider teaching Communications law in the Mass Communications Department, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, she was not only flattered but excited to pay forward all the energy and effort that her professors put into her matriculation.

While attending Southern University, Roché was involved in many activities and clubs. Roché graduated from Southern University Honors College, earned her bachelor’s in arts in Mass Communications, Print Journalism (2003), she earned her Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center (2006), and her Legal Letters master’s education institution,” here at Southern University.In addition to Wilson’s speech, words from the Southern University System head, PresidentChancellor Dennis J. Shields, preached of elevation across all Southern University’s campuses. “The people invested in this institution; the alumni, the staff, the family… the lives of this community, this city, and this state know the impact of Southern graduates. The history of this state knows the passion that we (Southern alum) bring,” stated President-Chancellor Shields. President-Chancellor Shields took time to recognize the laboratory students in attendance, speaking of the importance of building on the foundation of the institution’s future. He spoke of “helping young people along the path” towards in international and Comparative Law from The George Washington University Law School (2006).

Although Roché is a professor here at Southern, she has an outstanding career at home. In 2017, she was the vice president of external affairs at the Ms. Foundation for Women.

“I was also lucky to have a CEO who allowed me to continue writing for outlets like NBCBLK, RewireNews, and Black Girl Nerds. I was also taking improv classes/performing sporadically and was a part-time host/imaging artist for SiriusXM progress,” Roché stated.

During that time, Marvel Entertainment was expanding and creating new podcasts. Her work was submitted by a trusted friend and colleague to be considered as a host.

While in Bahrain, she got an email from Marvel and scheduled a call for a day off they had in Abu Dhabi. When she returned stateside, she met with Marvel, followed by a voice test in 2018 for a brand-new show spotlighting artists and fans of color. A couple of success through education, which has been a strong emphasis of his work throughout the system thus far since being inducted last summer. days later, she received a call from the producers about being the host of what is now “Marvel’s Voices”.

In addition to the speakers, the Southern University concert band and gospel choir provided a light soundtrack to the warm atmosphere of the gathering.

After all speeches had concluded, a benediction pledging the Southern University alma mater resonated throughout the building with a heartfelt rendition by the university choir, which was met by a warm round of applause. Mr. Winton Anderson, Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Engagement, led the closing prayer that formally concluded the convocation.

Since then, her role and work at Marvel have expanded, as has Marvel’s Voices. She has also worked with NBC, Disney+, Marvel Studios, Syfy Wire, Harper’s Bazar, BBC/AMC, CBS/ Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO, Vox Creative, New York Public Radio, and Nerdist, among others.

Roché is currently working as the consulting editor for Marvel’s Voices Anthology series and Women of Marvel anthology books. In that role, she works with the editing team on content but also has the privilege of writing pieces for each issue. This includes editing interviews, crafting character profiles, and analyzing comics’ history.

In 2002 she wrote a speculative fiction/afro futuristic graphic novel called “Trinity City” for a non-profit organization in New Orleans called the Black and Blue Story Project in conjunction with Yaya, Inc. That book will be available in 2023 and will be

Attendees were then welcomed to a jazz reception performed by the concert band which immediately preceded the benediction. Guests were encouraged to mingle and connect afterward.

The impact of the Founder’s Day celebration resonated with students and staff alike with Destenee Woodard, a sophomore majoring in social work from Menden, Louisiana, stating, “I’m excited to see our university progress as we move towards more opportunities, especially for incoming students.” Woodard expresses that her favorite part of the ceremony was the rendition of the alma mater, which she proclaimed was very moving.

Similarly, Charles M. Green, Director of the Wesley Foundation at Southern University, expressed, “This founder’s

CONVOCATION from page 1 free to the public online. She is also working on three separate comic/graphic novel projects in various stages of development that are not currently public.

And, while not a comic writer, she is the co-author of the forthcoming book My Super Hero is Black with Eisner Award-winning writer/artist John Ira Jennings. You can read more about those works on her website, AngeliqueRoche.com

In closing the interview, Roché shared her thoughts on women’s history month as a whole. “Much like Black History Month, Women’s History Month should not just be a chance to reflect on the accomplishments of the past but to ensure that we are continuing to create paths forward toward a future that not only ensures equality but equity.” During this month we would like to continue honoring our women here at Southern University and acknowledging their accomplishments and achievements on and off campus.

FOUNDERS’ DAY from page 1 day was truly getting back to the nature of Southern—being the flagship, being the standard, recognizing that it’s truly a team.” To Green, the meaning of founder’s day is more than merely an onslaught of speeches but, “a collected, unified effort to come together and truly be the standard that Southern University is, and that’s carrying out the good old mantra: pride, excellence, and tradition.”

In a communication issued by the Office of Academic Affairs, officials encouraged the Jaguar Nation to participate in all Founders’ Month events that “highlight the legacy and future of our university,” which can be found at www.subr.edu/ foundersmonth.

ESPORTS from page 1 definition monitors that is applicable for an amazing gaming experience. Currently, the room is located in the Smith Brown Memorial Union next to prime grill and the I.D. office.

Khristopher Harmon, a graduating senior majoring in computer science from Shreveport, Louisiana, expresses his thoughts on the gaming room. “Right when I want to leave Southern wants to start renovating new things for students.” He then goes on to say, “I feel Southern is trying to appeal to its students with the generational trend of video games.”

The school even allowed some students to test the new equipment on opening day. When sat down at one of the computers, the computer requests individuals to create a gamer account to initially login to the computer. Upon successful login, people are able to choose between 2 games at the moment: Fortnite or Rocket League. Once haven chosen which game they want to play, they have one of 2 options. They can connect their game saved info to the computer through their Epic or Google account. Once connected, they are able to enjoy quality and entertaining gameplay to their hearts content.

A freshmen tester, Bruce Greene Jr. a psychology major from Plaquemine, Louisiana, says, “I find it very cool how you don’t have to start anything from scratch, if you’re already a serious gamer. I can finally enjoy and progress through my games in between classes.”

The introduction of this lab has been a process but many are excited to finally release it. “It’s been a labor of love, but yeah we can’t wait to celebrate.” stated by Chris Turner, the coordinator of S.U.LC.’s Mixed Reality Virtual Innovation Gaming and Esports Institute.

Turner mentions that there will be more events down the line and students can get involved soon. “At some point we’re going to develop a membership…we got some activations down the pipeline that I cannot let out right now but, it’s going to be an exciting time.”