By Hazel Scott/ASU
Alabama Power Company has extended its longtime partnership with Alabama State University with the donation of $50,000 to help support University initiatives.
ASU alumna and Board of Trustee member, Pamela J. Ware (‘94), presented the check to President Quinton T. Ross, Jr., on Thursday, January 13. Ware, who sits on Alabama Power’s HBCU Council and serves as the company’s Lobbyist and Manager in the Governmental Affairs Department, said the donation is part of Alabama Power’s initiative to ensure the company is doing its part in supporting HBCUs and their students in career readiness.
“Alabama Power is honored to be part of a growing group of corporate and philanthropic partners that have increased support for HBCUs in the wake of COVID-19. HBCUs are at the forefront of innovation and academic excellence in Alabama, and across the country, and Alabama Power hopes that the company’s investment will only accelerate this important work,” Ware said.
Ross said Alabama Power’s contribution is another example of the company’s continued support of and commitment to assist ASU in providing valuable educational opportunities.
“Alabama Power has always been a strong supporter of Alabama State University. Our partnership goes back years. This gift will build upon the investments already made across the campus. We are so proud and fortunate to have one of our very own board members, Trustee Ware, who works with them and is able to advocate on our behalf. The funding will go a long way in supporting some of the initiatives that we have here at Alabama State University, particularly those that are dear and near to many – our Social Work program and our women’s athletics programs. We are excited about this opportunity and the fact that, even in what we consider a time of crisis, Alabama Power still finds a way to support this institution,” Ross said.
How Funds Will Be Used
The funds will be distributed equally between two campus entities – the Social Work Department and women’s athletics.
Ware said the allocation for the Department of Social Work will support academic endeavors, including, but not limited to, community work, growth in the department and emerging projects.
“They are doing wonderful things in the Social Work Department, and we want to ensure their efforts are continued,” Ware said. “We want them to use the funds to meet some of the needs of the students and the community. We not only support football and all the other extracurricular activities, but we also concentrate on academics. We want to be very intentional about Alabama Power’s initiative.”
For women’s athletics, the funds will help to offset expenses.
“They have travel expenses and other miscellaneous fees that they have to pay, and hopefully the $25,000 donation will help aid and make the expense burden a little lighter,” she said.
The bottom line, Ware added, is that it’s up to the departments how they wish to use the funds.
“Alabama Power wants to give the two campus entities autonomy to use the funds however they see fit for their departments and community,” Ware added.
Jennifer Anderson, executive director for Institutional Advancement Initiatives and the ASU Foundation, said the University is grateful to receive this generous gift from Alabama Power.
“We would like to thank Alabama Power, and we appreciate being on their radar. These gifts that corporations make, particularly corporations like Alabama Power, ensure that we can protect a proud tradition and ensure the promise of a brighter future for our students. So, when we talk about Protecting the Nest, it’s not just something our professors, students, faculty and staff do, it’s a true community effort. That’s why we really believe in CommUniversity, and we appreciate Alabama Power for believing and investing in Alabama State University,” Anderson said.