Ribbon Cutting/Block Party Celebrate Renovated Alumni House, Black & Gold Game

By Hazel Scott/ASU

On a windy but festive Friday afternoon (April 14),  the Hornet Family, including members of the ASU Foundation Board and the University Board of Trustees, and the community “Swarmed the House” at Alabama State University for a Block Party and ribbon cutting ceremony.

“The ribbon cutting ceremony is in celebration of the newly renovated Institutional Advancement/Alumni Relations building,” said Audrey Parks, director of  Development.  “So, we are celebrating going back home after being displaced for two years.”

Parks pointed out that the ribbon cutting was also a testament to the leadership and vision of Col (ret.) Gregory L. Clark, vice president of Institutional Advancement.

“One Team. One Mission. One Alabama State University,” said Clark during his remarks. “This is your house. I thank everybody who had a hand in this…We needed a place to raise money, and we have it now. So, we wanted to have a celebration today to honor that commitment to renovate our house.”

Clark said the event also was a celebration of the University’s Golden Classes. “These men and women are kind of like our Special Forces at Alabama State. You can call on them (at any time)  and they will be there...To honor these Golden Classes, we have dedicated the boardroom in this building to the Golden Classes of Alabama State University.”

Block Party

The block party, which is part of ASU’s CommUniversity initiative, was a pre-celebration for Saturday’s annual Black & Gold Spring Game at The ASU Stadium, which will close out the football team’s spring practice.

Head Football Coach Eddie Robinson said people will have the opportunity to have a first look at the 2023 football team on Saturday.

“Our opening game is against the Southern University Jaguars at home on Labor Day. So, tomorrow’s Black & Gold Game is a preview of what’s to come. We are looking forward to having a great championship season,” Robinson said.

The festive afternoon was complete with food trucks, music by DJ Bad Boy Butch Entertainment,  a performance by the ASU choir, prizes, and more.

The event included a special giving moment. The “Golden Class,” a combination of several Golden Classes, presented the ASU Choir with a $30,000 check to help support their upcoming trip to Carnegie Hall in May.

“We are extremely happy that this choir is going to the historic Carnegie Hall.  This will be a phenomenal experience for our students,” said President Quinton T. Ross, Jr.

To help support students, ASU Foundation Board Secretary Jimmy Morris presented a $125,000 check, on behalf of the Foundation, to the Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Malinda Swoope.

The night ended on a high note. “It seemed that everyone enjoyed themselves,” Parks said. “There was dancing, catching up with old friends and making new ones. Everyone was there in support of our students."