Alabama State University News July 31, 2015 Hundreds of Alumni Flock Home for NAA Convention By Timothy C. Ervin Hundreds of alumni began gathering on campus today for the National Alumni Association's 33rd Biennial Convention. The convention, which will be held July 30 to Aug. 2, will bring alumni from across the country home to "O' Mother Dear." The theme for this year's event is "Moving Onward & Upward: Building a Stronger NAA." "Hosting the National Alumni Association is the best thing that could have happened to ASU. Everybody gets a chance to come back home to our old stomping grounds and reunite with old friends and acquaintances," said Oris Bryant-Jackson ('64), vice president of the Montgomery Alumni chapter. "I hope that when it ends, all of our alumni will have a deeper commitment for ASU." A number of special events are planned for the long weekend, including campus tours, workshops, luncheons, committee meetings and an afternoon of music at the Nat King Cole Society Jazz Festival<http://www.alasu.edu/events/event-details/index.aspx?eid=1276> on Saturday. Also during the convention, the delegates will vote on a new slate of officers for the NAA. Sheamon McCants ('13), one of the younger alumni attending the convention, said it feels good to come back and give back to ASU. "I just graduated two years ago; so, I am fairly new to the NAA. For me to have this chance to come back and assist with the convention is a really good thing," McCants said. "I hope I can do a lot of networking with the different alumni and learn more ways we can keep improving this organization." In addition to business meetings and workshops, some alumni will have the opportunity to live on campus in one of the residence halls to see firsthand the transformation of their beloved campus up close. Cheldia Ann Fairley ('79) said she lived on campus as a student, but her convention "suite" is a definite upgrade. "I am very excited about staying in the suite. It's very nice inside, and I know it will definitely be an outstanding experience," Fairley said. Helen Washington Ballard ('73) said she has warm memories of her time at ASU, including meeting her husband Carl on the campus. She has looked forward to staying in the residence hall since finding out about the opportunity. "When I found out that you could stay in the dorm, I signed immediately," said Ballard. "I understand that you can't go (back to college) again, but I just wanted to experience staying in a dorm again." For more information about the NAA Convention, download the complete schedule of events<http://www.alasu.edu/news/news-details/download.aspx?id=13164>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 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/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.