Alabama State University News February 8, 2013 Son of Former ASU President Delivers Founders' Day Address By Tina Joly The Dunn-Oliver Acadome was filled with faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends who gathered on Feb. 8 to celebrate ASU's 113th Founders' Day. Donald V. Watkins, son of former ASU President Levi Watkins, delivered the keynote address and praised the University for overcoming obstacles in the past. He also encouraged current leaders to stay united in the future so that the University can progress to the next level. Watkins, who is an attorney, banker and international entrepreneur, reminded the audience of the University's rich history and the many battles fought for equality. Watkins explained the growing pains that often accompany success at any organization or institution. "If you are number one, you are going to have a body of permanent haters who are there to knock you out of the number one position ... that's in sports, academics, everywhere, and so what you have to do is ignore the distractions and keep leading. ASU is leading, and everyone knows it," Watkins said. Watkins applauded the University for its competitiveness on a global level and for its strong financial position. He emphasized the University's "A" rating among the national credit rating services and the fact that recent audits show that the University's "books are clean." He said that one of the easiest ways to knock someone out of the number one position is to attack them financially. "They can't control you, so what they try to do is make the investment banks and credit agencies knock down your credit rating and then you can't get the bonds to build the buildings. That's the only tool they have left to stop you," Watkins said. Watkins added that the leadership team must continue to "stay united and continue the transformation." On a personal level, Watkins said it was very emotional and satisfying to be able to deliver the keynote address at the Convocation. "I grew up on this campus, I know what it was like, and to come back and witness it today is amazing. If you close your eyes and didn't see a student, you wouldn't know if this was a black school or a white school; you would just know that it's a major university with major stuff going on," Watkins said. The Convocation also featured performances by the ASU Wind Ensemble and the University Choir and students from the Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center. Following Watkins' address, ASU presented the annual Spirit of Marion and Spirit of Tullibody Awards, honoring two distinguished alumni. Spirit of Marion Award This year's Spirit of Marion Award recipient is alumnus Vaughn Little. The former member of the ASU Hornets football team has spent his life helping young people through his work as a high school football coach and teacher. Little, a 1983 graduate of Alabama State University, said his goal is to share the life lessons he learned at ASU with his three daughters and the young people in his church and in the classroom. He also instills in them his passion for serving others and has taken team members to several disaster sites, including Tuscaloosa after a deadly tornado in 2011, so they could help with the cleanup. The Kentucky educator has received numerous awards, including Kentucky Counselor of the Year in 2001, Danville Teacher of the Year in 2008 and the 2011 Superintendent's Excellence Award. In 2012, the University of Kentucky honored him with its Man of the Year Award. Spirit of Tullibody Award The 2013 Spirit of Tullibody Award recipient is alumna Beatrice "Bea" Forniss. The 1972 graduate of Alabama State University spent more than 20 years as a classroom teacher in Montgomery and Lowndes Counties. After retiring from teaching, she joined the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), where she now is the division chief, supervising more than 40 employees. Forniss also heads the Renewal Communities Program, the Enterprise Zone Community Program, the Delta Regional Authority Program, the Minority Business Program, Housing Opportunities for people with AIDS, and she provides technical assistance for community and economic development projects in distressed areas. She recently was appointed by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley to serve as one of four co-chairs of the Black Belt Commission. Forniss is an active member of First Congregational Christian Church and is involved with numerous civic organizations, including the Alabama State Employees Association, the Civil Justice Foundation, Leadership Montgomery and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She has served and currently serves on numerous boards, including the Montgomery Area United Way, the Montgomery Symphony and the United Church of Christ. She also volunteers at the Tutwiler Prison for Women. She has received several awards in recognition of her service to others, including the Bishop Barron State Employee Public Service Award, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Community Award and the Commerce Young Woman Leadership Award. Forniss currently serves as the president of the ASU National Alumni Association and is chairwoman of the ASU Foundation's Board of Directors. 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.