Alabama State University News January 27, 2012 Top Experts to Speak at ASU's HBCU Conference Some of the nation's top experts will deliver keynote addresses during Alabama State University's upcoming HBCU Entrepreneurship Conference. A who's who in government, education and industry will address attendees at the second annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Conference which will be held March 5-7 on the campus of Alabama State University. This year's conference theme is "Entrepreneurship: Transforming Education, Government and Industry." The goals of the conference are to offer attendees an opportunity to learn about business development, entrepreneurship, grants, contracting and fellowships, with a special focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics from an entrepreneur's perspective. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. will be the keynote speaker during the Willa Beatrice Brown Aviation Luncheon on March 6. Bolden said today's students must be given the appropriate educational foundation necessary to compete in the global technological market. "NASA pushes the boundaries of innovation, and education will be crucial to helping us develop a strong new generation of students with vital skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, so that we can reach new destinations in the solar system and continue to unfold the next great chapter of exploration," Bolden said. Nominated by President Barack Obama, Bolden began his duties as the 12th administrator of NASA on July 17, 2009. His confirmation marked the beginning of his second stint with the nation's space agency. Deborah Scott Thomas, president & CEO of Data Solutions Incorporated and conference event coordinator, said it is an honor to have Bolden participate in the conference. "NASA provides many opportunities that conference attendees would like to know more about, such as grants and contracts, student internships, career placement, research collaborations and media opportunities to cover missions," Thomas said. HBCU Conference officials said the event will provide information that can improve corporate and higher education partnerships, significantly affect the growth of HBCUs and enhance regional economic development opportunities. Participants from federal, state and local agencies, corporations, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, colleges and the public are expected to attend the conference. For additional information on the second annual HBCU Conference, visit the conference website at www.asu-hbcu.org<http://www.asu-hbcu.org/> or watch for updates on Twitter<https://twitter.com/asu_hbcu_conf> and Facebook.<http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASU-HBCU-Entrepreneurship-Conference/123816441021035?v=wall> SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street 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.