Alabama State University renames residence hall for civil rights leader Jo Ann Robinson
Alabama State University is naming a residence hall after civil rights pioneer Jo Ann Robinson. Robinson played a key role in the historic 13-month Montgomery Bus Boycott in the mid-1950s, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. University officials named the building after her this week in Montgomery. The hall was previously named for Bibb Graves, former Alabama state governor and a member of the Ku Klux Klan. The Board of Trustees had voted to change the name in September. “She’s finally being brought to the forefront,” said Dr. Sheree Finley, one of Robinson’s relatives. At a ceremony this week on the campus, civil rights attorney Fred Gray recalled the times that he planned the bus boycott in Robinson’s living room. “Little did many know that (many of the) activities that (had an) impact on the civil rights movement in Alabama occurred at Jo Ann Robinson’s house,” Gray said. “She was the person who was interested in having mass participation,” Gray said after the ceremony. “We could have desegregated the buses without a protest, but she was interested in getting something done with the community.” Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Dr. Quinton Ross inaugurated as ASU’s 15th president
Dr. Quinton Ross has been officially inaugurated as the 15th president of Alabama State University (ASU). 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.”
Alabama State University enters new partnership with Maxwell Air Force Base
Alabama State University has committed itself to building partnerships within its community, the metropolitan area and beyond to create opportunities for the community and the University. On July 16, ASU President Quinton T. Ross Jr. and Lt. Gen. Anthony Cotton, Commander and President of Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, entered into a Community-University partnership to continue to expand new programs and initiatives. “Exposing and continuing to put ASU in a positive light not just in the community, but throughout the land is the mission,” Ross said. “We want to be an intricate part of this community, the River Region and throughout the state and the nation.” Cotton, the first 3-star African-American ever to be assigned to Air University, said he wants ASU to have a seat at table when it comes to grants and other opportunities, especially collaborating with other HBCUs. “One of the things I really want to do … is to better establish a relationship between the base and Alabama State University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities within the area because I think there are some opportunities lost,” said Cotton. “I have a $500 million annual budget and I give away a lot of grants and I give a lot of exposure to universities across this nation to help us fight some problems in the our department and the Air Force in particular, and I would like to give our HBCUs an opportunity to play because we do a lot of work with some of your peers, Troy and AUM for example, as well as universities around the country.” Cotton said some opportunities are twofold: It gives people exposure to the quality of work HBCUs can bring to the fight. It gives students who are at HBCUs an opportunity to see what the Air Force can bring to them. “I need to get that exposure out so young African-American men and women can see what the Air Force can bring to the fight for them,” Cotton said. Ross said the new alliance with Air Base is important. “Strong alliances are vital, and ASU is clear on the importance of partnering with dedicated community leaders such as Gen. Cotton who share the University’s objectives to promote the preservation and long-term sustainability of HBCUs, Ross said. “There are so many ways that this partnership can work together. The sky is the limit.” Ross said he sees possibilities in collaborating with other HBCUs under the new partnership. “I think all of us realize that working together there’s competition, but we know that working together is for sustainability, particularly for historically black colleges,” Ross said. “So we just have to find ways to connect, to latch on to these opportunities to help us in terms of sustainability. There are probably less than 100 historically black colleges now, so we have to find a way to lift everybody up because we need it in a major way. So I’m excited about the opportunity.” The new initiative is the result of ASU’s efforts to continue to build on the countless partnerships the University has made over the years with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, local businesses and individual citizens, Ross added.
House District 77 candidates working for high voter turnout in runoff election
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has predicted 15 to 18 percent of voters will show up to the polls on July 17 for the runoff election. But two first time Democratic candidates for House District 77 are hoping to encourage even more voters to show up on election day. Since the June 5 Democratic primary, Malcolm Calhoun and Tashina Morrishave doubled down on their canvassing efforts in hopes of motivating a high voter turnout. The two are going head-to-head in the Democratic primary runoff election, seeking to win the seat currently held by Rep. John Knight. Knight, who’s held the seat since 1993, is running for the Alabama Senate District 26 seat, disqualifying him from running in the House District 77 race and thus creating the open seat. Calhoun is currently the owner and operator of an insurance agency and holds an M.B.A. in marketing from Auburn University. He looks forward to taking his business expertise to Montgomery. “When I traveled that district there are too many buildings that were once vibrant places of business that have closed up and are left now and eyesore of a vacant building. We need to change that,” Calhoun told WSFA. “I understand having to budget, make sacrifices, make those decision and being successful in doing it.” Meanwhile, Morris is the director of the TS Morris Youth Intervention — a non-profit geared towards educating children and families on conflict resolution, anger management, teen pregnancy, and drug and alcohol abuse. Earning her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University, Morris has a strong stance on criminal justice reforms. “I believe in people over politics, purpose over power. I believe in your voice and your voice should be heard,” she told the Montgomery Advertiser. Both candidates are seeking to reform education and increase funding for Montgomery schools. “Unity is one of the main key components in move us forward,” Morris told WSFA. “I would like to bridge the gap between people and government. Some people just don’t know different things about government. I want to bridge the gap so you will be involved”
Analysis: Alabama bioscience industry’s impact tops $7.3 billion a year
Alabama’s multifaceted biosciences industry generates $7.3 billion in economic activity annually while supporting 780 companies and nearly 48,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state, according to a new analysis by researchers at the University of Alabama. The comprehensive study underscores the contributions and growth potential of the statewide life sciences sector, a robust combination of research institutions, medical labs, innovative startups, international pharmaceutical manufacturers and more. “We have exceptional strengths in biosciences, including world-class research organizations and a roster of cutting-edge companies, so it’s a natural growth area for the state,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We’re committed to helping accelerate the development of the life sciences sector, and we want the state to become home to more of these high-paying jobs and the talented individuals to fill them,” he added. Massive impact The analysis, conducted for the BioAlabama industry trade group, shows that Alabama’s 780 life sciences companies directly employ 17,871 workers, each earning an average annual salary of $67,664. Total expenditures of those companies exceed $3.8 billion a year. Other key findings in the University of Alabama report: The bioscience industry’s 47,980 direct and indirect jobs in Alabama support a total yearly payroll of $2.3 billion. The industry contributes $3.9 billion annually to Alabama’s gross domestic product (GDP), nearly 2 percent of the state’s total economic output. The industry’s earnings impact generates $161.4 million in tax revenue annually, including $74.7 million in state income taxes and $86.7 million in state and local sales taxes. In addition, the UA researchers examined the economic contributions of bio-industries such as agricultural feedstock and chemicals, and bioscience-related distribution. They found that these activities magnified the impact of the core life sciences sector in Alabama, elevating overall economic output to $11 billion a year with more than 70,000 jobs and annual tax revenue topping $233 million. “This analysis confirms the far-reaching impact of Alabama’s bioscience industries throughout the state, and demonstrates why we continue to pursue strategies that allow the sector to continue to grow and create even more high-caliber jobs across the state,” said Blair King, president-elect of BioAlabama and manager of economic development and existing industry at Alabama Power Co. Diverse activities The foundations of Alabama’s bioscience research rest on the work conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Southern Research, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, and the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Cancer Institute. The specialties of these organizations include drug discovery and development, genomics, and personalized medicine. They also frequently engage in collaborations such as the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance, a partnership between UAB and Southern Research that has developed a pipeline of potential therapeutics for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Alabama is also home to multinational companies involved in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing. In March, Germany’s Evonik, for example, announced plans to expand production of biomaterials and launch a Global Competence Center for Medical Devices at its Birmingham facility. “Evonik’s investments in the Birmingham site reflect its commitment to the medical device and drug delivery business as well as the city of Birmingham and its history of world-class medical research and technology,” said Kel Boisvert, Birmingham site manager for Evonik. Other manufacturers operating in the state include Kowa Pharmaceuticals (Montgomery), Nektar Therapeutics (Huntsville), Baxter and Pharmavite (both Opelika), and Oxford Pharmaceuticals, Avanti Polar Lipids and BioHorizons (all Birmingham). At the same time, a number of innovative startup companies have sprung up in Alabama, with many of them based at HudsonAlpha and Birmingham’s Innovation Depot, the Southeast’s largest technology business incubator. Promising startups include Birmingham’s Blondin Bioscience, Huntsville’s GeneCapture, Mobile’s Swift Biotech and Auburn’s Vitruvias Therapeutics. “We are fortunate to have started our business in Alabama because we have benefited from the highly collaborative entrepreneurial spirit throughout the state, including Alabama Launchpad and the various Small Business Development Centers, and especially our connection with HudsonAlpha and the University of Alabama in Huntsville,” said BioAlabama President Peggy Sammon, CEO and co-founder of GeneCapture. “We have been able to find highly skilled molecular biologists, chemical engineers, optical engineers and lab specialists,” she added. “Our membership in BioAlabama has connected us with other scientists and business professionals who have significantly helped us advance our business plan.” Alabama’s research universities are key players in the bioscience ecosystem and contribute to the industry’s economic impact. The network includes Auburn University, USA, Tuskegee University, Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University and the three University of Alabama System campuses. The analysis is the first to comprehensively examine the economic impact of the state’s bioscience sector. It was prepared by Senior Research Economist Sam Addy, Ph.D., and his team at the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business, with assistance from BioAlabama. Addy noted in the report that investing in life sciences should remain a pillar of the state’s overall economic development strategy. “Alabama should continue to keep biosciences as a focus in its economic development strategy since these industries provide high-wage jobs and are highly productive,” he writes. What others say “Since launching its cancer program in 1946, Southern Research has discovered seven FDA-approved oncology drugs and made many significant discoveries that have helped patients with cancer and other diseases,” said Art Tipton, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Birmingham nonprofit. “This highlights the vital importance of the groundbreaking bioscience work that continues to be done in labs in Alabama.” “I see UAB as not only the hub for healthcare innovation in Birmingham, but definitely throughout the state and the region,” said Kathy Nugent, Ph.D., executive director of UAB’s Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “That means producing as many companies as possible. It’s harder to produce biotech companies, because it takes time to develop new drug therapies. What we’re trying to do is think about it strategically and give our faculty the resources they need to be entrepreneurial to turn their research into new life sciences ventures.” “HudsonAlpha has gone from just a handful of startups and faculty to more than 35 life sciences companies and 15 faculty investigators in just 10 years,” said Carter Wells, vice president for economic development at HudsonAlpha. “It goes to show that Jim Hudson and Lonnie McMillian’s model works, and we’re proud
ASU names Darrell Hudson Chairman of Board of Trustees, Brenda Brown Hunter Vice-Chair
The Alabama State University Board of Trustees has a new chairman. Darrell Hudson was elected by a vote of 9 to 5 to serve as head of the Board. The vote came as former chairwoman Alfreda Green’s term ended. Trustee Green had announced that she would not seek re-election to the position. “I want to thank everybody in this room, those at this table and the entire university for their support during my tenure,” said Green. “Everyone was so wonderful to me. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and enjoyed very opportunity that I had to serve this University. I will continue in my ‘non-chair’ position as a trustee. I will do whatever I can to support the new chair, this Board and Alabama State University.” Green received high praise from the new chairman, several of her fellow Board members and from President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. “You were my first chair, and I wanted to stand and tell you thank you for the leadership and guidance that you have provided for me, this Board and for Alabama State University,” Ross said following the ceremonial passing of the gavel from Trustee Green to Trustee Hudson. Hudson has served on the Board for three years. “This is a great honor,” said Hudson. “I am humbled that my fellow board members have entrusted this position to me. I want to continue to move The Alabama State University forward and work with President Ross to ensure that our students receive the best possible education at our University. I do want to say that the ‘buzz is back’ at ASU, and we’re moving in the right direction.” Just minutes after being elected as chairman, Hudson assumed his new position and presided over the rest of the Board meeting which included the election of Trustee Brenda Brown Hunter as vice chairman. Trustee Angela McKenzie had served in that position for several years and also was praised for her work on behalf of the University.
Pay raise for teachers approved by Alabama lawmakers
Alabama lawmakers have approved a 2.5 percent pay raise for teachers and school employees that will cost more than $100 million. The Alabama Senate voted 29-0 Thursday for the pay raise in the education budget for the next fiscal year. The total $6.7 billion budget included a controversial $1.2 million boost to Alabama State University to offset the damage of a finance investigation that found no wrongdoing. It also added $18 million to expand the state’s pre-kindergarten program. Gov. Kay Ivey called for a teacher pay increase in her State of the State speech at the start of the session. The amended bill returns to the House for a final vote. The legislature also approved a 3 percent raise for state employees and a one-time bonus for retirees this year. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Personnel note: Quinton Ross named President of Alabama State University
The Alabama State University Board of Trustees named state Sen. Quinton Ross to be the next president of the University. The Board chose Ross over three other finalists for the job on Friday, pending the verification of his background check. The initial vote was 12 to 2, but a later recommendation by Trustee Darrell Hudson led to a change in the initial tally. “It’s going to take all of us to ensure that our next President is successful,” said Hudson. “Therefore, I would like to see the vote be unanimous.” Trustees Joe Whitt and Robert Gilpin ultimately conceded and changed their votes to “yes,” drawing applause from Board members and the audience. Ross, a state senator from Montgomery since 2002 and the current Senate minority leader, replaces Gwendolyn Boyd whom the Board fired in December for “failure to maintain the confidence of the board.” “Dr. Quinton Ross is a true public servant. He has a heart for Alabama and for Alabama State University. His wealth of experience in higher education and in state government will serve him well as he takes on the mantle of ASU President,” said Governor Kay Ivey who participated in the vote as president of the board. “Alabama State University is a historic institution and is integral to our state’s college and university system. Having received three degrees from ASU, I know my friend Quinton Ross will lead this fine school with distinction and vigor. I look forward to working with him to guide ASU to its brightest days yet.” Anniston-Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh congratulated Ross on his selection. “I would like to congratulate my friend Quinton Ross on being chosen as the next President of Alabama State University. Along with his professional qualifications, he is a man of integrity that ASU will be proud to have as its leader,” said Marsh. “While we will miss his leadership in the Senate, there is no doubt that our loss is ASU’s gain. I look forward to working with President Ross in his new capacity.” Born in Mobile, Ala., Ross holds three degrees from ASU — the Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1992, a Master of Arts in Education in 1995 and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law in 2010.
Alabama Small Business Development Center has big impact
The Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network was recognized recently for its role in helping thousands of small businesses in Alabama, as part of national “SBDC Day” to share the impact SBDCs have in communities across the country. The Alabama program is an accredited member of America’s SBDC, the largest and most comprehensive business assistance network in the U.S. “Alabama fosters an environment that allows small business enterprises to put down roots and thrive,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The Alabama SBDC Network leverages resources from Alabama’s higher education institutions and is a vital part of the state of Alabama’s support system to help small firms succeed. “Their programs for capital access, government contracting and international trade are important for small business growth and help sustain the state’s entrepreneurial culture.” Small business is a vital component of the Alabama economy. Approximately 97 percent of the state’s businesses are considered small, with fewer than 500 employees. More than 300,000 small businesses provide more than 765,000 jobs, representing almost half of the state’s workforce. Fostering growth Growing and sustaining the small business sector is a key component of the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Accelerate Alabama 2.0 strategic plan. Working in partnership with Commerce, the Alabama SBDC Network plays an important role in accomplishing the plan’s goal for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. The Alabama SBDC provides confidential, no-cost technical assistance and is a proven resource for aspiring and emerging small business owners. Over the last five years, the SBDC assisted 10,710 small firms in Alabama and helped 987 new business startups. It facilitated access to $379.6 million in capital for small business expansion projects. Among the Alabama companies the SBDC has assisted are Creative Concepts, a candy maker; Motus Motorcycles, whose handcrafted bikes have smashed speed records; and Sun Charge Systems, which produces solar-powered benches that act as charging stations. In addition, clients of the SBDC’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) program reported winning $1.45 billion in government contracts during the five-year period. These efforts created and retained 4,359 jobs. Figures are supported by client attribution and are not projections or estimates. SBDC customers have experienced 12.9 percent sales growth vs. the national average of 3.4 percent and employment growth of 8.5 percent vs. the national average of 1.9 percent. The program also helps new business spinoffs from university and industry research. A majority of the participants in Alabama Launchpad and other pitch competitions receive help from the SBDC. As economic developers look at ways to help local existing industry, the Alabama SBDC Network is a viable resource with 10 offices and 25 professional business advisers. Many advisers are co-located with incubators and local economic development organizations and travel to meet business owners in all 67 counties. The program is hosted by the University of Alabama and participating institutions include Alabama State University, Auburn University, Jacksonville State University, Troy University, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of North Alabama, University of South Alabama and the University of West Alabama. The SBDC is a partnership program with the Small Business Administration, the state of Alabama and higher education institutions. For more information on small business assistance, please contact Eddie Postell in the Small Business Division of the Alabama Department of Commerce and visit the SBDC website. This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with permission of Alabama NewsCenter.
Hearing set on future of Gwendolyn Boyd as ASU President
Trustees at Alabama State University in Montgomery have decided to hold a hearing that could result in the removal of president Gwendolyn Boyd. The decision came during a board meeting held Monday. Boyd was suspended from work 10 days ago, and the hearing set for Dec. 16 will determine the next step. Board members complained that they can’t get information from Boyd. They mentioned a laundry list of issues on campus including prisoners being allowed to clean dorm rooms. Chairman Ralph Ruggs says he has lost confidence in Boyd’s ability to lead. Trustees hired Boyd as Alabama State’s first female president three years ago. She received a $300,000-a-year contract, and board members gave her a three-year extension last year. The provost is acting as president during her suspension. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
