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Sept. 20, 2002

Groovin' In The Grove At ULM

This Saturday, Sept. 21, The University of Louisiana at Monroe will hold Groovin' in the Grove (GIG) for students at 2:00 p.m. in "The Grove" area by Malone Stadium. GIG is a combination of music and other activities designed to encourage ULM students to mix fun with school spirit on game days.

"The idea for Groovin' in the Grove was developed by 10 students as part of a class project for Dr. McConkey involving a Strategic Marketing Plan. The student group invited various staff and personnel to their class power point presentation. From that presentation, their project went from paper into reality. The students look forward to enhancing collegiate life with various actives," said Valerie Fields, Director of Student Development and Chair person of the Groovin' in the Grove project.

With financial assistance from several area businesses, members of the The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Pi Sigma Epsilon, as well as other campus groups, will work as a team to utilize mass communication and marketing strategies to advance this school spirit campaign. Residents of Northeast Louisiana may soon see billboards, t-shirts and television and radio spots promoting GIG.

Mary Louisa Lee, Junior Public Relations Major, and member of PRSSA says, "Concerts, tailgating, and exciting college football are the ingredients for boosting community and student involvement at ULM."

ULM President, Dr. James Cofer, is a strong advocate of the enthusiasm associated with promoting school spirit and community involvement. "I think GIG is a great way to increase student involvement, and I look forward to seeing more students present in the grove and at the game," said Cofer.

Some University organizations involved in the GIG campaign include the Campus Activities Board, Office of Student Development, Department of Marketing, Department of Athletics, Student Government Association, Department of Communications as well as others.

ULM Campus Activities Board (CAB) President Jarratt Butler thinks Groovin' in the Grove is another wonderful change within the university. "This event is going to generate school spirit, more interaction with students, faculty and staff and more enjoyable activities for students to be a part of on weekends," said Butler.

CAB is working to bring concert groups to play in the grove on game days. Campus organizations and people in the community are being encouraged to attend Malone Stadium on game days to tailgate and support the University.

Jo Lynn Peacock, President of PRSSA, is one of the members of the team of marketing students that designed this project. Peacock said, "Groovin' in the Grove is an event that was developed to bring the community and students together while creating a fall tradition. The university could not have chosen a better time to undertake this project with the highest football ticket sales ever."

For more information contact: Mary Louisa Lee, PRSSA member, at 318-280-8384.

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