Image associated with the ASU ‘Family’ Shows Support for Selma’s Concordia College news item
Author: Lois G. Russell
Alabama State University showed up in big numbers to help students attending Concordia College find a new home at ASU as the Selma institution prepares to close its doors.
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Members of Hornet Nation hit the road for Selma, Ala., on Thursday, March 15, with an offer of hope for students who would be displaced by the pending closing of Concordia College.
The 95-year-old institution will close at the end of the current semester.
“We were on the campus of Concordia College to help the students there find a new home at Alabama State University,” said President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. “When I heard about what was happening at Concordia, my heart was touched and I knew that ASU had to help those students finish their education.”
Ross spoke personally with several Concordia students, assuring them that the University is ready to open its arms to those who choose to make ASU their home.
“We were there for the students today, and we will be there for them when they make the transition to ASU,” said Ross.
Alabama State University was one of several institutions from across the state to take part in the College Fair sponsored by Concordia. The college’s interim president, Dr. James Lyons, expressed his gratitude for the show of support from ASU.
"Many students will be unable to complete their degrees here, so it's important to have Alabama State University here on campus to offer academic alternatives for our students,” said Lyons. "And, to have the President of Alabama State University, Dr. Quinton Ross, here at Concordia today with a bus load of ASU educators, admission officers and others speaks volumes about ASU's commitment to help our students."
ASU’s Director of Admissions, Freddie Williams, said more than 35 ASU employees representing Admissions and Recruitment, Financial Aid and 15 units of the University’s colleges, attended the College Fair. The ASU team also included representatives from ASU’s Department of Human Resources who were there to talk to Concordia employees about potential positions at ASU.
“I was so proud of the response from our campus and from our alumni in the Selma area,” said Williams. “Today was an awesome opportunity for ASU to show our support for our sister institution as they face the devastation of having to close their doors. We talk a lot in the HBCU community about how we’re all family. This was a perfect opportunity to show how family wraps its arms around each other in times of need. That’s what we wanted to do here today.”
Williams said 25 students were admitted “on the spot” to attend Alabama State University. Another 40 students completed applications.
One of those students was Camden, Ala., native, Imani Dortch.
Dortch said while she was saddened by the news that Concordia would be closing, she is grateful for the opportunity to complete her studies at ASU.
“It was sad at first because this is where I started, and my brother had planned to attend here (Concordia),” said Imani Dortch. “I am excited (about ASU), and I plan to continue as a social work major.”
Williams said Dortch’s comments were reflective of those given by many of the Concordia students.
“As a matter of fact, I spoke with the CFO of the college who said that they conducted a student survey about their choice of an alternate school if Concordia had to close. He said their overwhelming choice was Alabama State University. That’s why it was so important for us to show up the way that we did today,” said Williams.
http://www.alasu.edu/index.aspx
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Wednesday, March 21st 2018 at 11:43AM
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