Alabama State University News March 27, 2014 Alumna Honored by the White House Alabama State university alumna Deborah Scott Thomas was one of 10 "Women Veteran Leader Champions of Change" honored by the White House on Tuesday, March 25. The event honored women veterans who have made outstanding contributions to the nation's business, public and community service sectors. "Being a 'Champion of Change Women Veteran Leader' honoree means that I am in a group of strong, intelligent women who are paving the way for future female military leaders," Thomas said. "It also says to those future leaders, 'You can do it, too!'" Thomas retired as a colonel in 2006 after three decades of service in the United States Air Force Reserve. She is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Data Solutions & Technology Inc. in Edgewater, Md. For the past 20 years, Thomas has been respected for her business acumen and is considered a leader with expertise in building successful client teams while focusing on strategic operations and execution. She dedicates much of her time to educational and philanthropic causes, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) initiatives. Thomas said that ASU gave her the foundation to be successful and to be a shining example to young ladies who want to pursue military careers. "ASU's ROTC program is world-class, and it successfully prepared me for life and served as my foundation for rewarding careers in the military and as an entrepreneur," Thomas said. "And for that, I will always proudly wave the Hornet flag wherever I go." She also is a devoted supporter of the March of Dimes and has participated in an array of programs to support its goals and mission for the past 30 years. Thomas recently was recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the 2014 Minority Business Leaders and the 2013 Most Admired CEO Readers' Choice Award for Professional Services. She was recognized as the 2013 Business Leader of the Year by the Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce. She also was appointed to the Maryland Military Installation Council (MMIC) by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. The event was moderated by The Honorable Gina S. Farrisee, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Elisa Basnight, JD, MPA, Director of the Center for Women Veterans, 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. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!