Brewton-Parker plans building's Dedication Week, Alumni Weekend

MOUNT VERNON -- Brewton-Parker College dedicates its new Student Activities Center with a week featuring concerts and activities Monday through Thursday in the new facility and in other campus venues, followed by Alumni Weekend events Friday and Saturday (April 11 and 12).

The week opens Monday with a performance of flute, harp and viola music by the Allegro Chamber Trio at 7:30 p.m. in the Gilder Recital Hall of the Miller Music Building on campus. The concert is free and part of the Dennis and Quinelle Sikes Fine Arts Series.

Student Activities Center events begin Monday night at 10 with a movie, popcorn and soft drinks behind the center.

On Tuesday, a Southern Gospel concert featuring award-winning artists Squire Parsons and Sue Dodge will be in the center starting at 7:30 p.m. Concert ticket and other event inquires may be made by calling 912-583-3207.

Parsons has numerous awards from "Singing News," including Favorite Song of the Year for "Sweet Beulah Land," Favorite Gospel Songwriter five times and Favorite Southern Gospel Male Singer in 1988. Dodge is a four-time winner of the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Also on Tuesday, at 8 p.m., Robins Air Force Base Brass Quintet will play at Gilder Recital Hall in the Miller Music Building. Admission to that concert is free.

Champions of Character, a youth-geared program sponsored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, is planned for Wednesday at 7 p.m. The initiative creates an environment in which student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators are committed to the true spirit of competition through respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

Wednesday also marks the opening of the comedy-drama production "Louder than Words," written and directed by senior Mark Stokes, at 8 p.m. in Gates Auditorium. The play also will be performed Friday and Saturday nights. For ticket information concerning group rates, contact Luke Stokes after 5 p.m. weekdays at 583-3535.
On Thursday, the Student Activities Center dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting will take place at 11 a.m. in the center's gymnasium. College representatives include Dr. David Smith, Brewton-Parker's president; Dr. Allen Hughes, chairman of the Board of Trustees; and junior Josh Hartley, president of the Student Government Association.

Special speakers include Dr. Robert White, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Convention; Jerry Burk of Stanmar Inc., the center's contractor; Steve Baker, president of the NAIA; and local-area dignitaries.

A barbecue lunch for students, staff and special guests will follow the ceremony at noon on the grounds of the center, with games and contests for students on the soccer field beginning at 2 p.m.

The Brewton-Parker Concert Choir begins a night of entertainment with its spring concert at 7 in Saliba Chapel, with Christian comedian Dennis Swanberg taking the stage in the SAC gym beginning at 8. Known as "America's Minister of Encouragement," Swanberg is host of the cable network variety show "Swan's Place" on the Odyssey Channel. Concert ticket and other event inquires may be made by calling 583-3207.

Dedication Week activities give way to Alumni Weekend beginning Friday with the annual alumni association golf tournament at Rocky Creek in Vidalia.

The class of 1953 will meet at the home of Dr. and Mrs. David Smith at 5 p.m., with the Alumni Weekend dinner at 6 p.m. Class meetings will begin at 7 p.m., and "Louder than Words" will be presented for the second time at Gates Auditorium beginning at 8 p.m.

Saturday's Alumni Weekend schedule begins with the Half-Century Club breakfast at 8 a.m. in the cafeteria inside the Phillips Student Center. The Alumni Weekend chapel service follows at 10 a.m. in Saliba Chapel, and the alumni luncheon is planned to start at noon in the cafeteria.

The alumni Musical Showcase, featuring acclaimed singer/pianist and Appling County school music specialist David Williams, begins at 2 p.m. in Gilder Recital Hall. Admission is free.

Also at 2 p.m., the Student Activities Center will be open for tours, pick-up softball and volleyball games will begin and the Historic Village will be open.

The closing performance of "Louder than Words" begins at 8 p.m. in Gates Auditorium.

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