Year after year, homecoming after homecoming, Southeast changes. With all of the progress the university has made and the alterations it undergoes, one thing always stays the same — the sense of community this university has to offer.

At Southeast, we are aligned by the sheer fact that we all chose to be Redhawks.

Whether your parents forced you out the door and into college or you came running, we are all here now.

Whether you graduated last year, or were the Sagamore queen in 1944 — yes, we are looking at you Janey Hequemburg — we are all here now.

Whether you have worked here for 30 years or you are just now starting, we are all here now.

The present-day Southeast culture functions on the basis of the several quirks the campus has to offer, quirks that have given the current students who attend a sense of uniqueness.

And whereas several of these traditions have been passed down through generations, some are completely new.

One tradition that will never go away, though, is the ability of the community to come together during times of tribulation and injustice.

When Hurricane Harvey hit, Redhawks pulled together to donate clothing, blood, money and time. Now, following Hurricane Maria’s devastation of Puerto Rico, the students, faculty and staff on this campus have been looking for ways to help through bake sales and other fundraisers.

This is not only on a national level, but also on one that directly affects those at the university. Southeast students, staff and faculty members have introduced a national sexual assault awareness campaign, have driven an emphasis on diversity and globalization, and have continued to work diligently to support LGTBQ+ students by creating gender neutral bathrooms and allowing preferred names on student identification cards.

They have gone forward fearlessly in beginning a dialogue with tough conversations regarding typically sensitive topics that otherwise would go undiscussed.

But most importantly, the university staff members have listened to the voices of their students and have supported and created action accordingly.

Southeast has not just made an environment encouraging philanthropy, it has made one of inclusivity and fairness. One that has allowed students to thrive.

Our university is in a constant mode of progression. This is not to the fault of the administration, the students, the faculty and staff, the surrounding area, or the alumni. It is the community members, all working together, toward the ultimate communal identity: Being a Redhawk.