Day Two: President’s Tour Makes Stop in Atlanta

News Date

Mon, 02/24/2020 - 12:00

By Hazel Scott/ASU

Excitement was in the air once again when Alabama State University’s President’s Tour made its way to Atlanta, Ga. (Monday, March 2) on its second day of the annual tour.

The “Moving ASU Forward with Hornet Pride!” tour (Feb. 5 and Feb. 24-March 7) includes stops in eight areas of Alabama and Georgia: Atlanta, Mobile, Montgomery, Selma/Marion, Birmingham, Decatur/Huntsville, Phenix/City/Columbus, and Greene County, which was the kickoff city.

Alabama State University President Quinton T. Ross Jr. said the tour took to the highways to share an up-close look at ASU in an effort to recruit some of the best and brightest students in Alabama and Georgia.

“This tour is a unique opportunity to showcase ASU programs, students and faculty for seniors and juniors at 14 high schools in seven cities, including Montgomery,” Ross said. “Once the students learn about all the great things that The Alabama State University has to offer, we are confident that they will choose our University for the next step of their transformational journey to earning a college degree.”

The eight-day tour will allow Ross and his road team of faculty, staff, recruitment advisers and students to meet with high school students and parents from multiple high schools, and reconnect with ASU alums.

The University will host college fairs, alumni receptions and sign historic MOU agreements with area community colleges to provide a pathway for students who have achieved their two-year or associate degrees to enroll at ASU to attain their bachelor’s degree.

Visiting High Schools

While in Atlanta, the President’s Tour made its way to Lovejoy and Frederick Douglas High Schools, where representatives talked with students about educational opportunities at ASU.

“I think it’s important for our high school scholars to see a presentation like this because it lets them know it’s cool to go to college,” said Nelson Render, principal of Lovejoy High School. “There are so many scholars here that may not have this opportunity, Their parents and grandparents didn’t go to college, so they need to know it is actual.”

Ross, along with Freddie Williams, director of Admissions, continued the hallmark of the President’s Tour -- awarding student scholarships.

“ASU is excited to give a number of students scholarships for this year’s event,” Ross said. “We were able to give individual scholarships on the spot.”

Mia Willis, a senior at Lovejoy High School, was one of the students who received a surprised scholarship. She said knowing she has the scholarship lifted a heavy burden off her shoulders about where she will attend school. Mia will major in speech and language pathology or elementary school education in the fall at ASU. .

“I didn’t expect to get an academic scholarship so that was a surprise,” Mia said. “It was something like you didn’t expect but I’m happy that it happened because I was still trying to find out where I wanted to go to school and this scholarship gave me a big opportunity.”

Mia said ASU presentation helped confirm that the University was the right choice.

“I see ASU in the community reaching out and trying to get students involved. You guys didn’t have to come here and give us scholarships, but you did.” Mia said.

Render said receiving scholarships on the spot, let students know they have a chance.

“Plus, it builds relationships. So ASU can come back every single year and get every single one of our scholars because we want them to go somewhere to be something,” Render said.

Surprised scholars also were handed out at Frederick Douglas High School.

The day’s event culminated with a 5 p.m. (EST) reception where networking and reconnecting was the focus of alums, friends of ASU, students and parents.

The next stop on the bus tour is Phenix City/Columbus on Wednesday, Feb. 26, with the last leg of the tour ending with a Hornet Extravaganza on March 7.

Though all the Hornet Alumni and Friends Receptions are free, registration is required. To register, please visit http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07egxisvqtk6wp3183/start

For day-by-day updates, follow the tour on ASU Facebook page (alabamastateuniversity) or visit the University’s website at www.alasu.edu/asu-presidents-tour-2020

The complete schedule is listed below:

Monday, Feb. 5 -- Greene County

School Visit – All Times Central

10 a.m. -- Greene County High School

Monday, Feb. 24 -- Atlanta

School Visits – All Times EST

9:30 a.m. – Lovejoy High School

1 p.m. -- Frederick Douglas High School

Hornet Alumni and Friends Reception

5 p.m. -- Ivy Community Foundation, 3850 Stone Road SW, Atlanta, Ga.

Wednesday, Feb. 26 -- Columbus / Phenix City

School Visits – All Times EST

8:30 a.m. -- Central High School

Noon -- Shaw High School