Alabama State University News January 31, 2013 ASU to Celebrate its 113th Founders’ Day ASU will celebrate its 113th Founders' Day with a host of activities during the week of Feb. 3-8, including the convocation featuring businessman and entrepreneur Donald V. Watkins. *** Alabama State University will celebrate more than a century of educational excellence during its annual Founders' Day celebration. This year’s theme is “From Marion to Montgomery: A Commitment to Transformation through Unity, Purpose and Vision.” During the week-long festivities, Feb. 3-8, the University will host a series of events honoring the memory of the bold visionaries who helped establish a legacy of education that continues to touch lives around the world. Some events include the Student Leadership Lecture, a Community Day of Service, and Wreath-laying Ceremonies. Convocation to Feature Donald V. Watkins The annual Founders’ Day Convocation will feature guest speaker Donald V. Watkins, an attorney, banker, international entrepreneur and son of former ASU president, the late Dr. Levi Watkins. Watkins has created, managed and owned numerous successful businesses across a variety of industries and disciplines. Since 1978, Watkins has been affiliated with the Masada family of companies. Together with his college classmate, the late Daryl Harms, and their investors, Watkins first built a national cable television company in the United States. Masada then built the third-largest private cellular telephone company, followed by the company’s development of the largest private electronic home-security company in the U.S. Today, Watkins serves as chairman and CEO of Masada, the leading global waste-to-energy company, and its international business affiliates. Since its inception, Masada has built and operated more than $1.5 billion in assets in 18 states in the U.S. and seven major cities in the United Kingdom. Watkins also serves as chairman and CEO of Nabirm Energy Service (Pty) Ltd., a Namibian-based energy services company engaged in the exploration of oil and the mining of uranium, phosphorites, copper and gold in Africa. In 2000, Watkins founded Alamerica Bank, a state-chartered bank headquartered in Birmingham. His bank charter was the first and only charter granted to an African-American by the Alabama Banking Department. Watkins serves as a member of the board of directors of State Mutual Insurance Company in Rome, Georgia. He is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Founders’ Week Schedule: Sunday, February 3 10:30 a.m. ASU’s Day of Worship Old Ship AME Zion Church 483 Holcombe Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Tuesday, February 5 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ASU’s Community Day of Service Read and Rise ASU students, faculty and staff will volunteer and read to students at several elementary schools throughout the community. Wednesday, February 6 11 a.m. Lunch-n-Learn Alumni, faculty and staff share with ASU students Fred Shuttlesworth Dining Hall Thursday, February 7 9 a.m. Early Childhood Center Assembly Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center 12:45 p.m. Wreath-laying Ceremonies Alumni House Friday, February 8 8 a.m. Founders’ Day Breakfast Reception ASU Acadome Concourse 10 a.m. Founders’ Day Convocation – Presentation of the Spirit of Marion and Spirit of Tullibody Awards ASU Acadome 3:30 p.m. John Garrick Hardy Student Center Dedication Ceremony John Garrick Hardy Student Center All Founders’ Day events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 334-229-6795. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org><mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/><http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/><http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.