ASU President Speaks at AFCEA Scholarship Luncheon

ASU President Addresses the AFCEA Education Foundation Scholarship Luncheon.

By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU

Alabama State University's President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., served as the guest speaker for the 2021 Virtual AFCEA Education Foundation Scholarship Luncheon. The luncheon, which was streamed live on July 21, included representatives of the River Region’s top computer and information technology (IT) professionals. AFCEA members represent such diverse workplaces as senior Maxwell Air Force Base leaders, government contractors, local business and education leaders, and military and civilian officials who work for the Department of Defense. 

According to Eric Sloan, director of the Montgomery chapter of Education Foundation and the host of the July 21 event, President Ross was the "perfect fit" to speak before such an accomplished group of IT and computer professionals. 

"Dr. Ross is doing a wonderful job at Alabama State in every aspect as its president, and in doing so, he always places its students first," said Sloan, president of 

1 SYNC Technologies, a prominent Montgomery firm specializing in IT and cybersecurity for business and government. 

"We feel that it was important for Dr. Ross to bring greetings so he may further the knowledge about ASU, which we feel is a gem among institutions of higher education," said Sloan. "From just a technology standpoint, the University is doing so well for its students and its campus, as evidenced from its recent interactions with Apple and coding, Hyundai on autonomous vehicles, internships with Fearless and Zigabyte, its leadership and advanced protective services that it employed to combat COVID-19 on campus, as well as numerous other great things that the University is accomplishing."  

PRESIDENT ROSS ELABORATES ON ASU "EXPERIENCE" 

Sloan said AFCEA members were excited by the information Ross shared during his presentation. 

“Many of our members were not aware of all of the innovations and educational opportunities that are offered at Alabama State University,” Sloan said. “Dr. Ross was able to give us valuable information about course offerings, unique partnerships, internship programs and alumni achievements, particularly as it relates to IT. Because of my longstanding engagements with ASU, I was knowledgeable of much of what the University has to offer. It was important to me that Dr. Ross have the opportunity to expose my colleagues to the ASU experience. He did an excellent job in enlightening them about Alabama State.”

Sloan said the event also featured the presentation of scholarships to students from area colleges and universities, including $20,000 in scholarships to four ASU students “who are majors in various computer-related fields.” 

Ross said the event provided a welcome opportunity to expose another audience to ASU.

"We want to share the ASU experience with as many audiences as possible," Ross said. "This is how we build partnerships and expand our CommUniversity initiative. Eric Sloan has been a great partner for the University, providing internships for students and sharing resources that allow for greater opportunities for our graduates, particularly in the IT field. We are extremely grateful to AFCEA for their generosity and vision for helping students to be successful." 

* Note: ASU News Services will feature a story next week on the four ASU scholarship recipients, sharing their perspectives on the importance of incorporating technology into the workforce.

ABOUT AFCEA & ASU 

Montgomery's AFCEA chapter has long worked with the University to advance IT opportunities for ASU students. AFCEA also collaborates with ASU to provide education for local junior and high school students about the field of Information Technology.  

AFCEA and ASU collaborations include CAMP IT, a summer camp experience for junior and senior high school students. Also, ASU's Center for Leader and Public Policy has been the host for several years of the "Best Robotics Championships" that pits the best young minds from both public and private high schools in a competition to build robots to accomplish a themed task, which is new and unique to each year's competition.  

According to its website, the Montgomery Chapter of AFCEA is among the top information technology organizations in the Montgomery River Region. The group’s mission is for its members to work hard to create a positive impact in the Montgomery area by raising funds for educational advancement of students in the technology area. AFCEA also provides technology grants to local schools and invests in regional initiatives to help build and enhance the River Region's technology workforce. The group also promotes networking among Montgomery's industry, military and academic leaders during chapter meetings. 

News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104. 

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