By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
State Senator Kirk Hatcher (District 26/Dem.) awarded a $50,000 Community Service Grant Donation that was allocated to two entities at the University - the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) and the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture (National Center). The $50,000 was divided between the two different programs with $30,000 being awarded to the CVPA and $20,000 to the National Center.
Sen. Hatcher expressed his appreciation for all that ASU does in its important CommUniversity (giving back to the community by the University) efforts.
"It is an honor to be able to contribute to Alabama State University and to two of the University's dynamic programs, which are its College of Visual and Performing Arts and its National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture," stated Sen. Hatcher. "The continuous impact that the University makes to the community is wonderful."
Senator Hatcher had the grant checks presented by ASU's Col. (ret.) Gregory Clark, (vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director of ASU's Foundation) in a ceremony held at the ASU Alumni House to Dean Wendy R. Coleman (CVPA) and to Dean Janice Franklin (National Center).
Dean Coleman shared that the $30,000 grant that the CVPA was given will support both activities within the ASU Theatre and its many summer camps, which support youth involvement in the visual arts.
"We can't find the words to express our gratitude to Senator Hatcher for this important award, which helps students," Dean Coleman said. "This is yet another demonstration of the support that we have received from him over the years that has been instrumental in the success of our students."
Dean Franklin explained that the National Center's $20,000 grant will help it in many ways, but especially in terms of voting rights.
"Senator Hatcher does outstandings work for the citizens of Alabama and at ASU, and he has greatly aided our efforts at the National Center and at the Levi Watkins Learning Center for quite a while," stated Dean Franklin. "He is a great resource and help to us in many ways; especially in helping establish many things that have to do with African American culture, which includes our Voting Rights Research and Repository Project that encourages citizens to vote in elections."