Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sims Memorial Library will host the annual Friends of Sims Library Marjorie Morrison Memorial Members’ Tea on Saturday, March 8, at 2 p.m. Guests will enjoy a variety of teas and a selection of sandwiches and pastries. Bottomless mimosas will be available as well for $10.
Author Whitney Collins is the featured speaker, and the doors will open at 1:45 p.m.
“Whitney Collins is the prize-winning author of two books of intriguing short stories, Big Bad (2021) and Ricky and Other Love Stories (2024),” said Sims Memorial Library Director David Sesser. “She has been described as ’fiercely imaginative and devastatingly astute,’ ‘wickedly funny,’ and ‘unflinchingly honest.’ Her stories have appeared in a wide variety of journals and collections, and she has been awarded several major national awards for short fiction, including the Pushcart Prize.”
The tea is free to Friends of Sims Library members. Those who renew their membership at the associate or patron level may reserve one additional complimentary seat for a guest. Friends at the Lifetime level may reserve a complimentary table for four, Sesser said. The cost for non-members is $35, which includes admission to the tea and an individual membership for 2025-26.
Additionally, this year the Friends are offering a special VIP event before the Tea – a meet-and-greet with the author. Guests will receive a copy of one of Collins’ books, champagne, light refreshments, and have a chance to chat with her. The event starts at 1 p.m., and a separate VIP ticket will be available for $25.
Checks should be made payable to the Southeastern Foundation and mailed to Friends of Sims Library, SLU 10896, Hammond, La., 70402. If paying by check, download and complete the form available at https://www.southeastern.edu/wpcontent/uploads/library/friends_membership.pdf. The completed form must be mailed with payment.
Payments can also be made securely online at southeastern.edu/librarytea. The deadline for online reservations is Wednesday, March 5.
For more information about membership or the tea, email [email protected] or call 549-2186.
