By Lisa Addison / American Press

Ann Moss Bruney, a 1967 graduate of McNeese State University, is looking forward to catching up with classmates who also graduated 50 years ago as the McNeese Alumni Association’s Golden Scholars Society honors the group throughout the weekend.

“It’s so hard to believe that it’s been 50 years since we graduated from McNeese because sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday when we were college kids,” Bruney said.

“Sonja Moreaux and I were cheerleaders together at McNeese all those years ago, and we became great friends. We’ve stayed friends through the years, and our children and grandchildren are all friends too.”

Bruney said she was reminiscing about her college days and experienced a moment of incredulity when she realized that she attended summer school one year and her tuition was only $15.

“Also, back then, girls couldn’t wear slacks or shorts to school; it had to be dresses or skirts and blouses,” she said.

“Guys could wear jeans, slacks or Bermuda shorts, but they had to wear a coat and tie for their yearbook photos.”

To share in the celebration honoring the graduates, the class of 1967 has invited all previous Golden Scholars inductees to participate, said Stephanie Clark, McNeese assistant director for alumni affairs.

“This is one of our favorite events that the McNeese Alumni Association sponsors,” Clark said.

“It’s truly amazing to meet our Golden Scholars, visit with them and hear their stories about campus life. We enjoy spending the weekend reminiscing and celebrating all that they have accomplished in their 50 years since graduation.”

On Friday, some of the graduates gathered at the Stream Alumni Center for a reception and virtual tour of the campus before moving to the End Zone Club Room of the Doland Field House for dinner and an induction and pinning ceremony.

Some of the 1967 graduates planned to march in McNeese’s spring commencement ceremony in Burton Coliseum on Saturday.

The Golden Scholars: Terry J. Barrett, Lake Charles; Bruney, Sulphur; Sibley Cooley, Houston; Leroy Crochet, Lake Charles; Jenny Esthay, Jennings; Wilbert Esthay, Jennings; Ruta Fay, Lake Charles; F. Diane Foggin, Eustis, Fla.; Robert L. Hackett, New Orleans; and Sharon B. Hanchey, Lake Charles.

Also, Sandra A. Hill, Lake Charles; Thyria F. LeDoux, Lake Charles; Teeter N. Longtain, Lake Charles; Moreaux, Sulphur; Juanita S. Morgan, Lake Charles; Patricia A. Morisak, Willis, Texas; Col. Anthony J. Polk, Manassas, Va.; Cecil R. Sanner, Hackberry; Susan E. Simmons, Lake Charles; Alice Tilton, Sulphur; and Barry B. Thomas, Lake Charles.

“My husband and I are active members of the McNeese Alumni Association, so we’re always doing something that’s related to McNeese,” Bruney said.

“We go to all of the McNeese games — home and away — and we’ve been doing that for at least 20 years. We love the games, tailgating and visiting with friends. We usually drive to the away games, but we have flown to a few of them and we end up making a vacation out of it.”

Bruney recalled that when she and her fellow students first cheered for McNeese, the university didn’t yet have its own stadium. The football team played on the Lake Charles High field during her first two years at McNeese.

“By the time I was a junior, McNeese had its own stadium. I was also in a sorority, Chi Omega, so I was always involved in something or going to something,” Bruney said.

“I have some really great memories of those days, and I can’t wait to reconnect with some of my old friends and some of the other Golden Scholars, although I have stayed in touch with some of them.”

The McNeese Alumni Association has done a great job at helping to keep former students connected throughout the years, Bruney said, and added that she and others are thankful for that.

“I’m just very fortunate to still be healthy and able to chase grandchildren, go to their ballgames, spend time with family, visit with friends, and everything else that makes up our full lives,” Bruney said.

“I’m thankful that we can look back and reminisce and recall the golden days. I feel so blessed.”

Among the Golden Scholars honored this weekend are class of 1967 graduate Cecil Sanner. (Special to the American Press)