ALBANY, Ga. – Albany State University (ASU) enjoyed a successful Homecoming week celebration Oct. 8 – Oct. 14. The theme, There’s No Place Like Home…coming, acknowledged the students, alumni, community members and supporters who call the institution and Albany, Ga., home. Students, alumni, and community members participated in several activities throughout the week, including health and wellness activities, faculty, staff and students events, the annual parade and of course the culminating football game.
“With the thousands of Rams supporters descending upon the city, the annual ASU Homecoming brings millions of dollars to the local economy and much appreciated support to our campus,” said ASU President Art Dunning. “Of course, the continued support of ASU alumni and friends is critical to our university’s future.”
Topping the lineup of events was the crowning of the 2017-2018 Miss Albany State University, Wanesia Francis, and Mr. Albany State University, Santo Nina. Alumnus William R. Shepherd, longtime educator and leader of contemporary inner-city school reform, served as a homecoming convocation keynote speaker. Following his remarks, Shepherd presented his contribution as part of the Reunion Class of 1967 fundraising campaign. Alumna Shareka L. Nelson, Facebook’s diversity business partner for the Global Marketing Solutions teams, also served as keynote speaker. Nelson, on behalf of the Delta Rho Chapter Spring 1997 line of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., presented the first portion of a new endowment for the ASU Foundation during the morning ceremony. Earlier in the week, the ASU Chi Epsilon Alumni Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. presented a $15,000 gift in honor fraternity member Albert W. “Smitty” Smith. The Reunion Class of 1967 presented a $50,000 donation towards their a $100,000 campaign. In addition, 22 alumni presented the university with more than $8,000.
Aligning with this year’s theme, former ASU student-athlete and Grammy-nominated recording artist Rick Ross headlined a student appreciation concert. Ross is the owner of several Wingstop franchises and the Maybach Music Group record label. In addition to his homecoming performance, Ross participated in a panel discussion on the portrayal of women in hip hop.
ASU’s oldest living alumni, Clano Stephens, 105, participated in many activities, including the annual parade in downtown Albany, where members of the 1960 Golden Rams football team served as this year’s parade marshal. The team boasts an undefeated record, while posting a season-long shut out.
The week-long celebration concluded Saturday with a football game win against the Morehouse College Tigers. Head coach Gabe Giardina presented President Dunning with the winning game ball to celebrate Dunning’s last homecoming before retirement.
Visit the ASU Flickr page for high resolution photos of the week’s events.
Albany State University students receive free passports to study abroad
ALBANY, Ga. – As part of Albany State University’s (ASU) efforts to encourage global insight and unique cultural experiences, 100 ASU students received funding for free passports. The event was a collaborative effort between the University and the Council on International Educational Exchange’s (CIEE) Passport Caravan.
“A traveling passport is a gateway to studying abroad,” said Nneka Osakwe, director of the ASU Office of Global Programs. “The collaboration with CIEE and ASU is helping to bring the funds required to fund at least 100 students to get a free passport. We are hoping that this will motivate more students to get a passport and study abroad.”
During the event, students submitted first-time U.S. passport applications and supporting documents. Each $135 application fee was paid by the CIEE and the ASU Student Affairs and Success division. Students first visited the Office of Global programs table to learn what student abroad opportunities are available. Then, students spoke to CIEE representative, Stacey Woods, to receive funding for processing. Lastly, they submitted all required materials to the visiting U.S. postal service passport agents. Passports will be delivered in the next few weeks.
To be eligible for the passport, students must be first time passport recipients and be in their freshman, sophomore or junior year.
“This opportunity was honestly a blessing,” said Cauntillia Pollard, a junior who is majoring in psychology. “I know a lot of people who say they have not traveled out of the country because they do not possess a passport. Usually, the reason for not having a passport is the cost. For the school and the organization to pay for 100 passports is just awesome!”
So far this year, 36 ASU students participated in study abroad opportunities in Belize, China, Japan, France, India and Trinidad and Tobago. The CIEE is working with universities and institutions around the country to sponsor passports for 10,000 students as part of its participation in the national Generation Study Abroad initiative. The Passport Caravan seeks to aid diverse students who are underrepresented in study abroad opportunities.
Note to editors: High-resolution images of the Passport Caravan event can be found on the ASU Flickr page. (Photo credit: Reginald Christian).
ASU receives funding toward violence, sexual assault prevention
ALBANY, Ga. – Albany State University (ASU) recently received funding to be an active player in preventing dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking on college campuses. The university was awarded a three-year, $300,000 grant by the Department of Justice and the Office of Violence Against Women to engage, educate and empower the campus and surrounding communities on a nationwide problem.
“The grant is especially significant because colleges and universities face unique issues and challenges in preventing and responding to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking,” said Rowena Daniels, ASU Chief Legal Affairs Officer. “ASU will be very intentional in addressing key populations in an effort to increase awareness and decrease biases and stigmatization.”
The campus partners will collaborate with local police departments and organizations, including the Lily Pad, Liberty House and Turning Point behavioral health and campus partners, to develop a comprehensive coordinated community approach which will focus on response, prevention, intervention and education.
“Our goal is to enhance the ASU student experience by creating a culture of excellence,” Daniels said. “We cannot do this without our community partners. Together, we will strengthen our policies and protocols and ensure that campus and community resources are easily accessible.”
Media contacts:
Denise Ward, 229-454-9083, Denise.ward@asurams.edu
Danyelle Gary, 229-873-0382, Danyelle.gary@asurams.edu
About ASU …Albany State University, in Southwest Georgia, has been a catalyst for change in the region from its inception as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute to its designation as a university. Founded in 1903 to educate African-American youth, the university continues to fulfill its historic mission while also serving the educational needs of an increasingly diverse student population. A progressive institution, Albany State University seeks to foster the growth and development of the region, state and nation through teaching, research, creative expression and public service. Through its collaborative efforts, the university responds to the needs of all of its constituents and offers educational programs and service to improve the quality of life in Southwest Georgia. For more information, please visit
https://www.asurams.edu/. Follow the university on Twitter and Facebook @AlbanyStateUniv.
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