The ASU Dekalb 2013 GAAHBSU experience began on Wednesday morning with a downpour! Along with the heavy rain, the lack of parking, and massive construction made it difficult for some to get to the Coverdell Legislative Office Building. Some gave up and simply went to the site of GAAHBSU, while others did show up.
The CLOB is where State Representative Earnest Williams had invited GAAHBSU attendees for breakfast. Yet, to the surprise of many, there were other lawmakers in attendance. State Representative Calvin Smyre and State Senator Freddie Sims were among those telling the gathering that GAAHBSU should plan sessions at the capitol. They also said that the state is not done merging schools.
During the sessions, at the Capitol Holiday Inn, kicking off the Legislative Conference, several guests provided some great information and advice. Clark-Atlanta University President Dr. Carlton Brown said, "If you don't engineer change, you will die a slow death. We have to prepare our schools to live and work in the whole world." Brown also said, "We have an arthritis of love. We love our institutions to death." He added, "Violence of love is when we come to dislike someone so much that we destroy the university."
ASU Dekalb Chaplain Barbara Butler was a participant presenter.
ASU Dekalb President Tamara Nelson served as the Placement Coordinator for Wednesday's luncheon. During the luncheon students recalled their morning visitations to Atlanta-area schools. The session, organized by ASU Recruitment's Melody Pierce, was applauded as a great GAAHBSU presentation.
ASU President Dr. Everette Freeman delivered the keynote speech, telling those gathered the importance of thinking more on a world wide scale. He asked, "What is our preferred future?"
Also on Wednesday, Georgia Board of Regents Chancellor Hank Huckaby reitorated what the three HBCU presidents lamented during their earlier session, "Get behind your presidents and support their agendas."
At the Thursday luncheon, ASU Dekalb Reporter Maria Boynton recognized special guests and brought greetings. ASU Dekalb's Ruby Crews organized the entertainment portion featuring the chorus and dancers from Stephenson High School. They gave a performance that brought the crowd to it's feet! The lunch speaker was Cedric Ward of the Griffin Alumni Chapter. Ward spoke of efforts for younger alumni to get involved.
The 2013 Conference was hosted by ASU.
FVSU hosts the event in 2014.
Thanks for Reading and for Your Continued Support,
Maria Boynton '86
ASU Dekalb Reporter
PR Chair