Over 50 alumni and their guests celebrated in Building 1A on Friday evening, November 6, as the SEEK Program, in conjunction with the CSI Alumni Association, hosted an Alumni Reunion for former SEEK students, faculty, and staff. SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) is CSI’s premier educational opportunity program, established over 40 years ago to provide access for students who might otherwise not consider college due to academic and financial constraints.

On Friday night, alumni enjoyed an evening of refreshments, music, and camaraderie while being updated about the SEEK Program of 2009. Current students and staff addressed the visitors, and provided displays and videos about special SEEK initiatives. Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Jerald Jones-Woolfolk was on hand to bring greetings from President Dr. Tomás Morales, while former students and faculty gave moving testimonies about the meaning of SEEK in their lives. As the evening concluded, Special Awards of Recognition were given to alumni Jacqueline “Pif” Hoffner (‘76, BS/Fine Arts) and Antonio Gallego (‘96, BA/Communications-Media Studies) for their ongoing contributions to the SEEK Program.

James McBratney, ’05, owner of Jimmy Max Restaurant and alumni board member, provided food for the event, and other donations from alumni and friends will go toward a newly created SEEK Program Scholarship Fund.

[L-R] Tony Gallego, Eugene Dudley, and Angie Gallego at the SEEK Program alumni reunion last Friday