Alabama State University News Jul 25, 2011 President's Gala Brings ASU Partners Together for 'A Great Moment in Time' By Lois G. Russell ASU partners donned their finest fashions and brought out their checkbooks Friday, July 22, as they gathered to celebrate the University's achievements and support its future during the 2011 President's Gala. Glitz. Glamour. Giving. These three words set the tone of the 2011 President's Gala held on July 22. For the second year, the Dunn-Oliver Acadome was transformed into a ritzy ballroom filled with more than 400 partners, including ASU faculty, staff, alumni and students, as well as dozens of local business and civic leaders. "This evening is about partnerships," said Zillah Fluker, ASU's vice president for Development. "Everyone here tonight partners with Alabama State University in some way. From those of us who are employed by the University to those who support ASU financially and those who have aligned with us in the advancement of the Vision 2020 Transformation Plan, this event exemplifies the importance of ASU's efforts to develop lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships." The theme of partnerships echoed throughout the evening. "We are fortunate to have had a relationship with Alabama State University for the better part of the last two decades," said Neill S. Wright, president and chief executive officer of First Tuskegee Bank. "This is a true partnership that we value tremendously. I look forward to continuing to participate in the success of ASU long into the future." Big Checks, Committed Supporters While the evening's focus was on partnerships, the event also provided an opportunity for monetary donations. "Big checks" were given to the University by business partners and ASU alumni: * Gourmet Services Inc. -- $250,000 to the ASU stadium project * ASU Foundation (also the Great Time Title Sponsor of the Gala) -- $200,000 * Oatice and Deborah Scott Thomas -- $100,000 to the HBCU Entrepreneurial Conference that was held in March 2011, with a guarantee of a future donation to fund the event in March 2012 * Class of 1961 -- $54,000 to both the Trust and the ASU Foundation * Lawrence LeMak, member of the ASU Board of Trustees -- $50,000 to the ASU football stadium project * Alabama Power Foundation, presented by Vice President Kenneth Coleman -- $25,000 to establish a scholarship in honor of the late James W. Wright, founder of First Tuskegee Bank and longtime member of the board of directors of Alabama Power * Neill S. Wright and family -- $25,000 to be invested in the James W. Wright Scholarship An additional $10,000 was given by the National Alumni Association. The Gala itself also received generous donations from Brown Chambless Architects Inc., and TCU Consulting Services, co-sponsors of the Renaissance Reception held prior to the Gala; and Proud Tradition sponsors Progressive Image Communications Inc. and the Alabama State University Athletics Department. "These donations are just an indicator of the importance and value of ASU partnerships," Fluker said. "The dollars are significant and we value them, but this goes well beyond money. It's all about the end result, and we're here to change this world one student at a time." Dr. John F. Knight Jr., ASU's executive vice president and chief operating officer, also expressed the University's gratitude to each of its partners. "When you invest in ASU, you invest in the future," Knight said. "You are investing in a University that will not only take good care of the students that you send to us, but will also take good care of the resources that you bring to us as well." More Gala Highlights An additional highlight to the President's Gala was the presentation of awards to two longtime ASU supporters. "We have so many people who make contributions to the University, but many of them are never recognized publicly," Knight said. "Tonight we want to recognize two of those supporters." Knight described Janet Sutton ('60), recipient of the Dedicated Servant Leader Award, as having made a number of significant contributions as an ASU supporter. She has an endowed scholarship in the Trust for Educational Excellence in excess of $44,000; she has served three terms as president of the National Alumni Association; she leads the annual Alumni Career Day on campus; and recently, she enlisted IBM to become a corporate sponsor for ASU. In an earlier address to the audience, Sutton expressed her love for her alma mater and congratulated the University on bringing its partners together for a gala celebration. "I see this as one big family reunion," Sutton said. "I see each one of you as family members, here to work with us and to partner with ASU. During last year's graduation season, ASU graduated more than 860 students. It was partners like you who have made sure that the hopes and dreams of these young people were met; and we thank you for that." Aner Ruth Young ('60), received the Dedicated Donor/Champion of Education Award. A longtime and committed ASU partner, Young has donated more than $140,000 to the ASU Foundation and another $50,000 to the Trust. Her endowed scholarship is valued at more than $50,000, and she also is credited with making direct donations to individual students as they need help. Mrs. Young is described as an ASU recruiter who has "sent numerous students to ASU from the West Coast." The two ASU alumnae each received a crystal clock commemorating their contributions to the University during this "Great Moment in Time." The President's Address President William H. Harris provided the final celebratory note to the evening's festivities. "We're here to tell you tonight that our commitment to the transformation of Alabama State University is relentless," Harris said. "We make that commitment with a clear understanding of what the word transformation means. It is not a destination but a journey; and we ask you to join us on this journey. In order to do that, you have to invest. We're making an investment in the lives of our young people and in this community as well; and we're asking others to invest in us as well." Harris then received a surprise when staff member Christina Mims led the audience in singing "Happy Birthday" to the president, as his special day coincided with the Gala event. SANDRA M. 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