Alabama State University News February 8, 2013 Dedication Held for Student Center Named After Longtime Educator Alabama State University honored the legacy of longtime ASU educator, humanitarian and alumnus ('39) the late Dr. John Garrick Hardy, with the official dedication of the John Garrick Hardy Student Services Center. In a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 8, Hardy, who served ASU for 35 years in a number of capacities, including director of the Student Personnel Department, was remembered by former students, family, friends and colleagues. Elton Dean, chairman of ASU's Board of Trustees, has known the Hardy family since his teenage years, when he was taught by Hardy's wife at Carver High School in Montgomery. "This is very touching for me," Dean said. "When I was in high school, Mrs. Hardy and other teachers were like my parents away from home. When I came to ASU, Dr. Hardy and other professors were like parents over here. I appreciate all the teachings and all the things that I was taught coming up through Carver and ASU." Herman Cortez Armstrong, grandson of Hardy and ASU alumnus ('95), said it was difficult to find the words to convey what this moment means to his family. "I am humbled with pride to be a part of this moment to honor a man that is a part of the great legacy of this University, an inspirational educator, a community leader and a patriarch of my family," Armstrong said. "Not only is this building a great monument to his dedication to the students of the University, one cannot overlook the symbolism and the purpose of this building as it relates to his lifelong work to serve, mentor and groom students of this University to succeed in life." The new center was originally opened last May, but the building was never officially dedicated. Designed as a one-stop shop for recreation and for transacting important student business, the new 81,000-square-foot facility is designed to make campus life more fun - and more convenient. Kyle Burney, president of ASU's Student Government Association, said a new student center was worth the wait. "The new center is a step up in the right direction," Burney said. "It has it all - student accounts, financial aid, cashier services, records and registration, and restaurants ... Besides our restaurants, our bookstore also is a convenient store. This is good for the students." 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 404-520-0593 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.