Gwendolyn Boyd – ASU 14th President
[Dallas, TX – September 8th,2014]
History was made on the campus of Alabama State University on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, with the Investiture Service formally installing Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd as the University’s 14th – and first female – President.
There was an air of grandeur in and around the Dunn-Oliver Acadome on Friday, with great expectation, guests looked on as witnesses to a landmark occasion in Alabama State University’s 147-year history, the Investiture of the institution’s 14th President, Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd.
Among the dignitaries in attendance was the Hon. Alexis M. Herman, 23rd United States Secretary of Labor, serving under President Bill Clinton. Herman, charged with introducing Boyd just before she approached the podium to take the Oath of Office, described Boyd as a “daughter of the south” rising to “seize the helm of leadership of an institution that was founded by former slaves, in a country that was built on slave labor.”
At an official inauguration event Friday, the university’s board of trustees officially welcomed Boyd to the office in front of numerous dignitaries, including the presidents of 26 other universities. The nearly-four hour ceremony, which at times had the feel of an old-time Baptist tent revival complete with hands raised and shouts of praises, concluded with a passionate speech from Boyd, in which she promised to help ASU to a “new day.”
“This is not about me,” said Boyd, who has been working as the school’s president since February. “This is about ASU. Despite all we’ve been through, we have joy at ASU. Because we know that if we continue to do the right thing, God will bless us and this university. We know storms will come, but they will not last.”
“We will make it (ASU) a significantly greater University than it has ever been before. This is our main task, and we will accomplish it together. We will steer this University through some very difficult times, maintaining both high academic standards and a unique spirit of mutual respect that makes is possible to speak of Alabama State as strong, significant and powerful. We will remain relevant as a University,” Boyd said.
“Today from this day forward, we will make wise choices for Alabama State University. This is a great institution, a strong and powerful, progressive institution, and we will be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. This is a place of destiny for these young people and everyone who chooses to be here. This is a place of excellence and a place of unlimited potential.”
Read more about Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd Inauguration by clicking here
Alabama State University is also the Tom Joyner Foundation School of the month for October.