ASU to Host Joint Meeting of National Scientific Organizations
ASU to Host Joint Meeting of National Scientific OrganizationsDedicated to STEM and HBCU Access Beginning; March 27-30
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASUAlabama State University will host the joint meeting of the National Institute of Science (NIS) and the Beta Kappa Chi (BKX) Scientific Honor Society, March 27-30 in Montgomery, Ala. ASU assistant professor of Biology, Dr. Timetria Bonds, is the current national president of NIS.
The University's Dr. Oswald Tekyi-Mensah, professor of Physics in ASU's department of Physical Sciences, is among the coordinating hosts of the joint meeting. This year marks the 79th time NIS and BKX have met, bringing scientists and studentsASU's Dr. Oswald Tekyi-Mensah (photo by David Campbell/ASU).together to promote greater student interest in and access to careers in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines through novel activities.
"The theme of this year’s meeting is Sustainable STEM: Resilience in a Changing Climate and through participation in these activities, students will have access to invaluable tools to immediately cultivate their academic successes as students and, in the long-term, as future STEM professionals," asserted Dr. Tekyi-Mensah.
Among Alabama State University faculty also taking part in the conference include Dr. Harvey Hou, who will discuss “Energy Science: Challenges and Opportunities” and Dr. Olufemi Ajayi, the director of ASU's program on Industrial Hemp & Specialty Crops.
SUPPORTING DIVERSITY IN STEMMembers of both societies consist of students and faculty from a number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other schools from across the nation.The ASU-hosted meeting will provide a forum for students and educators to exchange ideas and research in the disciplines of mathematics and science. The joint meeting’s mission is to increase the numbers of well-trained minority scientists by giving students the necessary academic support, research experience, internship opportunities and career choices needed to become top working professionals. The event also encourages the formation of partnerships among host institutions, local clubs, and area high schools.
NOTE: The meetings are open to the news media, but are not open to the general public.
News media contact at ASU: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.###ASU###
ASU's Col. John E. Richardson (photo by David Campbell/ASU)
ASU Executive Nominated by President Biden as U.S. Marshal-Middle District of Alabama
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
The executive assistant to Alabama State University President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., has been nominated by President Joe Biden to be the next United
State Marshal for the Middle District of Alabama, which is headquartered in Montgomery.ASU's Col. John E. Richardson has been selected by the U.S. President to be the top law enforcement officer for
Alabama's Middle District. His responsibilities encompass leading and directing operations that include criminal
investigations, fugitive apprehension, tactical operations, execution of federal court
orders, security and protection of the United States Courts and more.
"It is an absolute honor just to be considered, much less nominated by the President
of the United States, to this critical crime fighting position," said Richardson. "My 35 years in the field of policing and leadership positions in law enforcement
pale in comparison to being nominated to this new position and I consider it the crowning
glory of my career."
The position Richardson has been nominated to lead comprises 23 counties that include
as far north as Randolph County and all the way south to Houston County. Once confirmed
by the U.S. Senate, Richardson will replace Jesse Seroyer, Jr., who was appointed
by President Donald J. Trump in March 2018 and earlier served in the position under
President George W. Bush.
RICHARDSON'S BACKGROUND
Col. Richardson, a U.S. Marine veteran, began his career in his hometown as a patrol officer
with the Opelika Police Department and then went to work for the state of Alabama
as an agent with the ABC Board Enforcement Division's narcotic bureau. He earned the
rank of captain and later became the assistant director of its entire Enforcement
Division. He then became Alabama's top law enforcement official when Gov. Robert Bentley
named Richardson as colonel and director of public safety for the Alabama Law Enforcement
Agency (Alabama State Troopers) where he was instrumental in consolidating Alabama's
law enforcement statewide.
WHITE HOUSE COMMENTS
In a news release from the White House press office, it commented on Col. Richardson
as among 27 nominees named by President Biden to serve as U.S. Marshals across the
U.S.A.
“This official will be indispensable to upholding the rule of law and was chosen for
his devotion to enforcing the law, his professionalism, his experience and credentials,
and his dedication to pursuing equal justice for all,’’ explained officials at the
White House.
PROUD OF HIS TENURE AT ALABAMA STATE
Richardson, who works in an office beside that of President Ross's, emphasized that his
time working at Alabama State University and working closely with Dr. Ross have been
among the best times he has experienced to date in his storied career.
"Although I am proud of the new opportunity presented to me by President Biden, I
have thoroughly enjoyed working with President Ross and getting to be involved with
almost every aspect of ASU in its working to enhance its students' education and advancing
the University's global reputation as a leader in higher education. Alabama State University is America's oldest state-sponsored HBCU (Historically Black
Colleges and Universities) and is where the Civil Rights Movement was created just
after Rosa Parks arrest," Richardson stated. "Alabama State is a school where history
is made. I greatly appreciate the opportunity that both President Ross and Alabama
State have given me -- ASU has helped me grow!"
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
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