Alabama State University News May 1, 2014 Students, Alumni Honored at Annual COBA Awards Banquet Student excellence, alumni achievement and business accruement were celebrated as Alabama State University's College of Business Administration held its annual COBA Awards Banquet on Wednesday, April 30. President Gwendolyn E. Boyd served as the keynote speaker for the event, held in the Dunn-Oliver Acadome banquet room. She encouraged students to pursue excellence and always remember the shoulders on which they stand. "As you prepare for success, I remind you to take with you all of the instincts of fairness and integrity, and maintain a firm moral compass in everything that you do. Take with you, as you leave this place, success and excellence, because it is required as you participate in all world activities," Boyd said. "Also, as you leave, take with you a major dose of courage, consistency and commitment to be excellent in everything you do. Remember, as you go forward, that you honor us, Alabama State University, by being the very best that you can be." More than two dozen awards were presented, including three alumni awards, six small business awards, 19 student awards and one faculty award. COBA recognized its distinguished alumni with the Silhouette of Service Award. Since its inception in 2011, the award has honored COBA alumni who are trailblazers not only in the boardroom, but also in the community. This year's Silhouette of Service Award recipients are: * Juliette McNeil ('75): Retired financial management expert with the Department of Defense and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Vice President of McNeil Family Foundation and trustee member of the Hopkins House, a learning center for children ages 5 weeks to 5 years old. * Elton N. Dean Sr. ('71): Chairman of the Montgomery County Commission, Chair of the ASU Board of Trustees, owner of Dean Realty and 21st Century Hair Studio and chairman of the Trustee Board at Mt. Zion AME Zion Church. * TallaDallas/Turning Dreams into Realities (TDI): Mentorship organization that supports the collegiate, financial and developmental needs of young men attending ASU. TDI was founded by 10 ASU alumni from Talladega and Dallas. Dean said he was thrilled to be honored at the event, and he welcomed the opportunity to show students that they can achieve great things as ASU alumni. He also commended the college for its dedication to recognizing academic and professional achievement. "What I do is all because of the people in the audience and the people that I represent, both here at ASU and on the County Commission. I really want to be the shining example to let students know that there are opportunities here at ASU, and I don't know of any other institution that nurtures students like Alabama State," Dean said. "I applaud the faculty and staff of COBA for recognizing the students because, they (the students) are our lifeline." McNeil and her husband, James, are longtime, committed supporters of their alma mater and ASU students. "I give because it is the right thing to do. I also give because I know what it feels like to be in need. I have been blessed with a successful career in life, and if someone hadn't helped me, Alabama State among others, I wouldn't be where I am today," said McNeil. "I would like to commend Dean Booth for having a program that doesn't just acknowledge outstanding achievements, but also acknowledges and recognizes the importance of community service." B. Donta Truss ('96) represented the members of TDI. "I'm so happy that Alabama State decided to recognize us for our efforts," Truss said. "We love Alabama State University; it has been an unbelievable blessing for all of us in the organization. We look forward to the relationship being enhanced and giving back more to ASU." ASU's Small Business Development Center presented six awards for excellence in business. * Percy J. Vaughn, Jr. Entrepreneur Legend Award: Henry Pugh, George Trawick and Ora Trawick of Pugh, Trawick & Trawick (PT&T) * Achievement in Procurement Award: Dr. Eugene Tinker, Certified Technical Experts * Madam C. J. Walker Women-Owned Small Business of the Year Award: Martha Hawkins, Martha's Place Buffet and Catering * Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Allen and Dawneese Bowen, The Space Walker, LLC * Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year Award: William Scott, Tristatz, LLC * Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year Award: Thomas Overton, Overton Properties COBA and its sponsors (Regions Bank, ADP, ARD Logistics, Robbins and Morton, Cintas and River Bank and Trust) presented various awards to 19 students who exhibit academic prowess, leadership, citizenship and a commitment to service. The 2014 COBA Student Awards recipients are: * Burrelle Wilkes: ARD Logistics Scholar Award, presented to the top freshmen student * Kyle Martin: Regions Scholar Award, presented to the top sophomore student * Barry Davis: River Bank and Trust Scholar Award, presented to the top junior student * Joseph Killebrew: Robins & Morton Scholar Award, presented to the top senior student. * Jasenn Hardin: ADP MACC Student of the Year Award, presented to the top Master of Accountancy Student. * Brooke Beasley: Dean's Award (sponsored by Regions), selected by the dean and presented to a student with a 3.2 GPA or better who embodies COBA's mission and vision. The ADP Book Scholarship Award is a $500 book scholarship presented to the top returning students in COBA's undergraduate programs: * Bryan Womack: 4.0 GPA, Accounting * Stefan Vojnic: 3.95 GPA, Computer Information Systems * Moses Law: 4.0 GPA, Finance * Chassidy Whitaker: 3.87 GPA, Management * Aquondria Danielle Long: 3.84 GPA, Marketing Student Business Organization Members of the Year: * Shaquilla Thornton: Delta Mu Delta * Marvin Cox: National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) * Lyndsay McCall: Enactus * Kathleen Crocker: Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM) * Willie Roller: American Marketing Association (AMA) * Erika Moore: Phi Beta Lambda * Moses Law: Financial Management Association (FMA) * Derick O'neal: Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) COBA also recognized one of its own, Dr. Sara Kiser, associate professor of management, as the 2014 COBA Faculty of the Year. Dr. Le-Quita Booth, dean of the College of Business Administration, offered closing remarks, offering praise to those who help to make the University and COBA exceptional. "I think we have some phenomenal students here, and we have some phenomenal alumni. This is an opportunity for students to see what our alumni do as it relates to students, and it is also a way for our alumni to see what our students do," said Booth. "Our small business people also make contributions not only to the University, but also to the community, and I think that should be celebrated." 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. 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