By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University is the beneficiary of a $50,000 donation from Hyundai's Genesis Gives, the corporate social responsibility initiative of Genesis Motor America.
The University's vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation, Col. (retired) Gregory Clark, explained that the donation is in honor of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama's (HMMA) 20th commemoration of the opening of its facility in Montgomery, Alabama, which has to date produced more than six million vehicles.
"The ASU Hornet Nation appreciates Hyundai's Genesis Gives for reaching out to our University community as the company celebrates its 20-year manufacturing presence in the River Region of Alabama. The gift reflects the longstanding and close relationship that HMMA and ASU have enjoyed over the years," Clark stated. "We have had a long and steady Communiversity partnership with Hyundai that produced such milestone interactions as ASU’s health department being invited to provide testing and vaccinations of company employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company also has a strong working relationship with our STEM faculty and students and with our Mechanical Engineering Department."
ORIGIN OF MONTGOMERY MANUFACTURING
Hyundai opened its Montgomery facility with 2,000 employees and the production of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata.
HMMA's employment has now soared to more than 4,000, producing more than 350,000 vehicles each year for North America. The company is also responsible for the location of several suppliers to the Montgomery area, providing even more jobs for the local economy.
Chris Susock, president and CEO of HMMA, shared that over the last 20 years, the car manufacturing company has spent more than $3 billion for expansions, allowing for the manufacture of a variety of vehicles, including gasoline powered, hybrid and electric vehicles.
“Together, we have built more than vehicles and engines; we've built a family with a history to be proud of, on a firm foundation that many future generations of our HMMA family can learn from and build upon,” Susock said. "While the celebration was held last week, the Montgomery plant's 20th year of production will officially be marked on May 20."
A COMMITTMENT TO EXCELLENCE
ASU's Col. Clark shared that both HMMA and ASU share the same commitment to global excellence.
"ASU is extremely proud of its growing partnership with HMMA, as we work together to create pathways for success for our students. We look forward to strengthening our relationship in the future. Our University's President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., and the Hornet Nation congratulate HMMA on reaching this tremendous anniversary milestone.”