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First week of President's tour marked by scholarships & Important MOUs!

Sandra Phoenix

Thu, Apr 11, 2019 12:45 PM

Alabama State University News
April 4, 2019

First week of President's tour marked by scholarships & Important MOUs!

Alabama State University's President's Tour hit four cities in the first week of the University's annual bus tour (March 29 - April 4) in an effort to recruit prospective students and to tell ASU's story.

The bus tour "buzzed" into Atlanta, Ga. (the first stop), Mobile, Dothan and then Phenix City/Columbus.

A week into the bus tour, ASU President Quinton T. Ross Jr. said he's excited by "the awesome start of the 2019 Presidential Tour and looks forward to its continuation."

On the tour, President Ross and his road team (consisting of students, faculty, staff and administrators) saw a series of highs, including signing a important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three area community colleges - Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Enterprise Community College in Enterprise and Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City. The MOU provides a pathway for students who have achieved their two-year or associate degrees to enroll at ASU to attain their bachelor's degrees.

The hallmark of the 2019 President's Tour is scholarships. Students attending the tour had a chance to qualify for scholarships and some were awarded on-the-spot!

One ASU scholarship recipient, Kennedy Freeman, a senior at Atlanta's Dutchtown High School, had offers from more than 30 schools and $1.2 million in scholarships, but she decided on the Hornet Nation after hearing what ASU has to offer. She will start school in the fall on a Presidential Scholarship totaling $72,976.

Though two friends at Russell County High School, who both have a 4.3 GPA, didn't receive scholarships, the University's emphasis on education, its state-of-the-art programs and bringing the University to their school influenced their decision to attend ASU.

"High-quality teaching was a main factor for me," said Tykerria Grey, a senior at Russell County High School. "Also, with ASU bringing the university to us, it shows they care enough about us to want us to come to their school. I didn't have the transportation to visit ASU's campus, so them coming to us is a huge factor, it has brightened my future. ASU's environment makes it feel like home."

Grey's friend, Malea Jones, also a senior, agreed.

"The tour coming here shows me that the University really cares about me and wants to get to know me as a person and wants to help me get into their institution," Grey said. "The school is also close to home, but I would have come to ASU if it were far away - its emphasis is on education, plus it has the same values that I share. That was something I just couldn't pass up."

Scholarships also were handed out at Atlanta's Booker T. Washington High School, Mobile's Mattie T. Blount High School and C.F. Vigor High School; and Phenix City's Russell County High School.

Principals at the stops said the bus tour benefited their students.

"I know this will be a great exposure moment for my students. That's what I want to do for them to show them what the next step looks like beyond Russell County High School," said Sheila Baker, principal.

Students attending the tour received information about ASU's Transformation, the Vision 2020 plan and the University's strategic globalization initiative.

President Ross' first week also saw crowded schools eager to engage and be a part of the Hornet Family. Hundreds of students attended ASU's college fair to learn more about the University's academics and college life.

ASU received red-carpet treatment at each stop, including the University's Hornet Alumni and Friends Reception.

ASU Board of Trustee Napolean Bracy helped coordinate the evening reception in Mobile that included live music and glamorous decorations. The evening concluded with a Mardi Gras emphasis, complete with a second-line band, which had the President and other participants dancing and celebrating that "Ol' Bama State Spirit."

"This was really a big surprise for me," President Ross said. "Being a Mobile native, I understand the enthusiasm surrounding Mardi Gras. I really enjoyed the festive atmosphere. The Gulf Coast Chapter of the ASU National Alumni Association went above and beyond making the evening special for us. They rolled out the Black and Gold carpet on the tour."

The receptions are a way of networking, thanking ASU alums and strengthening their connection with the University by discovering opportunities to get even more involved with the school.

The second week of the bus tour will kick off in Birmingham on April 8, and the last leg of the tour will end with a Hornet Extravaganza, which features the Black and Gold Game at the ASU Stadium on Saturday, April 13.

To get daily updates on the President's tour, go to ASU Facebook page (alabamastateuniversity) or visit the University's website at www.alasu.edu/presidentstour.

The tour's complete schedule is as follows:

March 29 Atlanta
9:00 am - Dutchtown High School

12:00 pm - Booker T Washington High School