Dr. Quinton Ross inaugurated as ASU’s 15th president

0
105
Quinton Ross inauguration
[Photo Credit: ASU via Facebook]

Dr. Quinton Ross has been officially inaugurated as the 15th president of Alabama State University (ASU).

Quinton Ross inauguration
Program for Ross’ inauguration. [Photo Credit: Governor Kay Ivey’s Office, Hal Yeager]

Ross was inaugurated Thursday following the Alabama State University Board of Trustees Sept. 2017 decision, which named him as president as a replacement for Gwendolyn Boyd whom the Board fired in December for “failure to maintain the confidence of the board.”

He is a graduate of ASU, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1992, a Master of Arts degree in Education in 1995 and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law in 2010.

Prior to becoming President of his alma mater, he had begun his fourth term in the Alabama State Senate after having been elected to his first term in 2002. While serving in the Senate, Ross distinguished himself as a true statesman and was one of seven African Americans serving in the Alabama State Senate. In 2015, he was elected as the first African American male Senate Minority Leader and the first Minority Leader elected to a four-year term. During his service, Ross was an established legislative leader and an advocate for public education, issues dealing with child safety and the general welfare of all Alabamians. Throughout his legislative tenure, Ross served on numerous committees, including Bank and Insurance, Confirmation, County and Municipal Government, Transportation and Energy, Military Affairs and the powerful Finance and Taxation Education Committee. He also was Vice-Chair of the Education Youth Affairs Committee.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, and raised in Pontiac, Mich., Ross has been a resident of Montgomery, Ala. for more than two decades.

“I’m thrilled to join the entire Alabama State University family as they induct Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. as the 15th president of ASU,” said Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who attended the inauguration. “Today, ASU begins writing a new chapter in its rich and deep-rooted history by welcoming Dr. Ross. His passion for education and his desire to strengthen and grow this amazing university are undeniable, and I am certain his positive leadership will create a lasting legacy at ASU for generations to come. Congratulations to Dr. Ross and to the ASU community as they set out together to grow and strengthen this historic university.”

Quinton Ross inauguration
Rep. Terri Sewell with Dr. Quinton Ross [Photo Credit: Governor Kay Ivey’s Office, Hal Yeager]