'HELP ME PRESENT A FACE OF CONCENSUS'
"Ruby Crews, Class of 1958"!
When Ms. Crews stood and introduced herself to the Interim President of Albany State University the room erupted in applause.
Each of the ASU DeKalb Alumni Chapter members, present for the visit of Dr. Art Dunning, were more than happy to
show him that they are graduates of the University that he currently leads.
Dunning told alumni, "I will be your chief advocate", adding that, "we need to collaborate and leverage our resources."
He told the audience of about 40 attendees to, "think, as a chapter, about how you can help us with students and contribute to the students'
ability to persevere and succeed." When it comes to job placement, Dunning said, "we want our students to graduate and get a job."
He asked the chapter to start thinking in a structured and organized way as to how we can help the students.
Dunning said that when he visited the Board of Regents, he had "great stories to tell about our students and our faculty."
Dunning said, "let's tell our great stories. I'm hitting the road telling extraordinary stories about the campus."
Along with mentoring and working with students, Dunning also touched on retention, graduation, and performance.
He said, "We need to ratchet up our recruitment", adding that states are not getting enough money to support what they need to do.
He said there needs to be more private giving. Dunning said that he would be the "chief advocate" for our "well being and future".
When asked by ASU DeKalb member Wanda Isaacs if he was interested in a permanent position as ASU President, while he didn't provide a direct answer,
Dunning did say that, when questioned by the University System Chancellor about how things are going, "I told the Chancellor that I'm having fun!"
According to Dr. Dunning, Chancellor Huckabee said a Fine Arts building at ASU is at "the top of the list".
ASU's Interim President asked alumni to, "help me to present a face of consensus". Let's solve issues on the campus. If not, it will ricochet in a way that is not helpful."
ASU DeKalb Alumni Chapter President Tamara Nelson said of Dunning's visit, " I particularly liked how he initiated the visits with the alumni chapters.
We had a great turn out to receive the message he wanted to share. I believe he has a true desire (for us) to work together to strengthen the University."
To Become A Member of ASU DeKalb
Upcoming Events:
February 22 - Campus Visitation
February 22 - ASU Night with the Hawks
March 1 - Hearts of Fire
March 8 - Chapter Meeting - 10:30am
Piccadilly's @ South DeKalb Mall
Go Rams!!
Maria Boynton
ASU DeKalb - Vice President
ASU National Alumni Association - Secretary