Sept. 1 Whataburger News Conference with President Ross

(Photo credit: David Campbell/ASU).

News Conference Hosted by President Ross Announcing Grand Opening of ASU's Student Resource Room in Partnership with Whataburger

WHAT: News Conference hosted by President Ross announcing the Grand Opening of ASU's Student Resource Room in Partnership with Whataburger.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: At ASU's Patterson Hall foyer, on South Jackson Street, directly past the building that houses the President's Office. 

By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU 

Alabama State University will host the Grand Opening of the University's Student Resource Room (Resource Room) in partnership with Whataburger on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. at the University's Patterson Hall foyer, located on South Jackson Street. The grand opening will begin with a news conference hosted by ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. 

All members of the accredited news media, and the Hornet Nation family are invited to attend with the University's Mask-Mandatory policy in place along with social distancing protocols. The news media may ask questions at the conclusion of the formal remarks by President Ross and others. Joining Dr. Ross in speaking at the event will be Whataburger executives and Dr. Denise Davis-Maye, chairperson of ASU’s Social Work department and coordinator of the Student Resource Room.

ABOUT ASU'S STUDENT RESOURCE ROOM 

The Alabama State University Resource Room Powered by Whataburger will be located inside Patterson Hall in room 104 with ancillary rooms supporting the operation with the overall purpose of providing enhanced student access to perishable and non-perishable foodstuffs. The facility will also offer other items that benefit student health and life, according to President Ross. 

“We have been proud to provide a food pantry for our students for the past few years; however, this new Student Resource Room takes that effort to another level,” said Ross. “This room will be specifically dedicated to providing food, toiletry items, cleaning supplies and other resources to those students who find themselves in need of those items. We appreciate the partnership with Whataburger and other community partners in making this resource available to ASU students.” 

Dr. Davis-Maye added that the Resource Room will also have a clothing-closet where students may “shop” for business attire to wear on those important job interviews, during internships or on other special occasions as required. Students will receive all of the room’s resources free of charge. 

"We will also offer workshops and seminars for our students that focus on safe health practices for eating and lifestyle, professional development and through our Social Work department, provide references to students for other resources both on campus and throughout the community which includes varied types of health counseling, employment assistance training and many other forms of resources that benefit and uplift our student body," Davis-Maye said.  

“It’s been really inspiring to see students and faculty from Alabama State University come together to help provide essential resources for their fellow Hornets,” said Aaron Valdez, Whataburger regional director of Operations. “No student should ever have to choose between food and books, so Whataburger is proud to help stock everyday supplies students need at the new Alabama State Student Resource Room Powered by Whataburger.” 

IMPORTANCE TO THE HORNET NATION FAMILY 

In addition to the tangible resources, coordinators of the Resource Room will assist in the mentorship and educational internships of the University's students by providing informal volunteer peer mentoring opportunities, as well as formal educational internships in many programs including those housed within ASU's Social Work department, where faculty will be available to provide confidential assistance to students in need of their services. 

"We want our ASU Student Resource Room to be a welcoming resource to all of the University's students in need," Davis-Maye added. 

Jennifer S. Anderson, executive director of ASU's Office of Advancement Initiatives, believes the Student Resource Room helps fulfill a fundamental purpose at the University.

"Having community partners like Whataburger who recognize the value and importance of investing in Alabama State University's students is refreshing and enlightening and makes for a student body that is well rounded, and healthy in mind, body and soul. It additionally helps them feel supported and to study more positively by knowing that their ASU is working diligently to enable them to be the best in all aspects of their lives and education," Anderson stated. 

ABOUT WHATABURGER

Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 850 locations across its 14-state footprint, and sales of more than $2.8 billion annually. Whataburger has 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than 60 million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it. Visit whataburger.com or pivot-you.com for more information. To apply for Whataburger jobs now, visit whataburger.com/careers.

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

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