Greg Hylick, ASU alumnus and president of the ASU Foundation, (right) receives an original painting by artist Leroy Campbell (left) after bidding $4,000 during a live auction at Saturday’s “Party with a Purpose” benefit in Atlanta. Photo credit: Reginald Christian
Albany State University
ALBANY, Ga.
– A lively and energetic atmosphere proved to be the best setting for
raising funds for student scholarships. Albany State University alumni
and supporters raised $30,600 for need-based scholarships at Saturday’s
“Party with a Purpose” benefit held at the prestigious Commerce Club in
downtown Atlanta.
“This is a proud day for ASU,”
President Art Dunning said to a group of nearly 160 alumni and
supporters. “The future of the university depends on the people in this
room.”
The event, held in collaboration with
the Tom Joyner Foundation, was the first of many university initiatives
for the Tom Joyner School of the Month campaign. As the November School
of the Month, the TJF will promote raising funds for the university and
highlight its programs for the entire year. ASU will be featured daily
during the month of November.
During the live auction, Greg Hylick,
president of the ASU Foundation, made a successful bid of $4,000 on an
exclusive Leroy Campbell original painting. Dunning and first-lady Karen
Baynes-Dunning were so inspired, they committed another $4,000 to
support need-based scholarships. A silent auction that featured original
artwork by ASU students was also a great success, with many of the
pieces earning more than $100 bids.
“Much like the band’s performance in
Pasadena, the student artwork was just another shining example of how
talented ASU students are,” said Chanta Haywood, ASU vice president of
Institutional Advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation.
“They need our support to nurture that talent so that they may graduate
and inspire future generations.”
Co-hosts, television actress JoMarie
Payton and the Honorable Glenda Hatchett, Atlanta attorney and star of
the former “Judge Hatchett” television show, helped to reinforce the
importance of giving by making donations of their own.
After hearing about the upcoming
groundbreaking for the ASU Fine Arts Center, Payton wrote a check for
$500 toward fine arts scholarships.
“The young people that we support with
our donations are the biggest investment we can make in our lives,” said
Payton, a native Albanian.
“We don’t want to look back and say we
wish we would have done a little more,” said Hatchett, who served as the
2014 Spring Commencement speaker at Albany State. “We are claiming
extraordinary things for ASU. We have work to do, and it’s on our
collective shoulders to get it done.”
Fitting the occasion, a $2,500
scholarship was presented to social work major, Debra Rucks. The
inaugural scholarship is part of the $25,000 endowment by Virginia
Harris and family, in honor of her husband, Keith Harris.
“Ms. Rucks will likely graduate on time
and begin helping her community as a result of this generous donation,”
Haywood said. “All donations matter, no matter the size. Collectively,
small amounts add up to make large differences and that's something to
celebrate.”
“Party with a Purpose” was the first
event in ASU’s “Week of Giving” initiative, which began Saturday, March
26 and will culminate on Founder’s Day, Friday, April 1. The “Week of
Giving” is an invitation to students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents
and friends to give back through donations and personal involvement. To
make a donation, visit giveto.asurams.edu.
###
About Albany State University … Albany
State University, in Southwest Georgia, has been a catalyst for change
in the region from its inception as the Albany Bible and Manual Training
Institute to its designation as a university. Founded in 1903 to
educate African-American youth, the university continues to fulfill its
historic mission while also serving the educational needs of an
increasingly diverse student population. A progressive institution,
Albany State University seeks to foster the growth and development of
the region, state and nation through teaching, research, creative
expression and public service. Through its collaborative efforts, the
university responds to the needs of all of its constituents and offers
educational programs and service to improve the quality of life in
Southwest Georgia. For more information see http://www.asurams.edu. Follow the university on Twitter at @AlbanyStateUniv and on Facebook at Albany State University Official Page.
No comments:
Post a Comment