Interim President Dunning thanked the students, parents, faculty, staff and dedicated alumni for giving up their Saturday to visit and work to make this a successful event. They were greeted by Dr. Linda Grimsley, Asst. VP Academic Affairs, Interim VP of Student Affairs, Dr. Rhonda Bryant and Fred Suttles, Associate Director.
The ASU Gospel Choir brought the audience to their feet. Antonio Leroy recognized all the young men in the audience and spoke to the expectations of them. SGA President, DeJane Thompson, shared tips to the students as well as Miss Albany State University. The Holley Ambassadors gave “Ramspiration” as they introduced themselves, telling their home towns, majors and expected graduation dates. President Nelson commented, “I was very happy when one of the ROTC Holley Ambassadors spoke about the benefits of ASU's ROTC program because of our Cadets from Towers High School.”
Several acceptance letters were passed out by Dr. Patricia Wilson. Sydnei Bumpas from Langston Hughes was one of the names called. For those unaware of their status, it was a great way to find out that they had been accepted to ASU.
Students broke up into Departmental groups for intimate sessions with the Deans while the parents remained in the auditorium receiving information from Student Health Services, Learning Communities, Academic Advising , Security, Residential Life and Financial Aid. The sessions were very informative. Michelle Jones commented, “I thought the presenter of the Residential Life Session was very good.” Some very real truths were presented to parents concerning student behavior after they drop their kids off at the dorm.
Afterwards, the Ambassadors conducted tours around campus. It was a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree day. Outside of the extreme departure from snow and ice and complaints that the Bookstore was closed, the parents were pleased, and some of the students who had not applied before arriving were now convinced to attend. Here is a short video from Arabia Mountain students. (Alexis Arnold, A’Yanna Kelly, twins Xaviea and Xaziera Conover.)
Many thanks to Michelle Jones, Thomas Greene, Kim Geter and other Scholarship and Recruitment Committee members who took Campus Visitation consent forms to High Schools, to Ruby Crews who personally called several school counselors, and members who reached out to students in their lives. You made this possible. Pictures can be found on facebook and the website.
Written by:
Tamara H. Nelson, President
Chair, Scholarship and Recruitment Committee
