Alabama State University is set to honor its legacy with a powerful celebration of its 125th Founders’ Day, bringing the campus together in a tribute to history and resilience. The celebration begins Feb. 7 with a symbolic bell-ringing ceremony at the Equinox sculpture, followed by a convocation at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. More than just tradition, this occasion stands as a testament to freedom, the courage of the Marion Nine and the movements that shaped the university’s mission.
Amber Douglas, Brand and marketing director for the Office of Marketing and Communications, emphasized the significance of this event, highlighting the contributions of those who helped establish the institution.
“This occasion will honor those who contributed $500 to incorporate this great institution,” Douglas said. “There will be the traditional bell-ringing ceremony with our President Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ed. D., and the bard of trustees ringing the bell in honor of every founder and past president.”
The bell ringing will take place near the Equinox Sculpture, in front of the library. Uniquely, as part of the tradition, a bagpipe player will play at the bell-ringing ceremony. Once the bell-ringing concludes, the celebration will proceed to the Acadome for the Founders’ Day Convocation.
The convocation, set to begin at 10 a.m., will feature keynote speaker Brandon J. Hurst, a distinguished alumnus and the only Chick-fil-A franchise owner in Manhattan, New York. Student Government Association Executive President Landon Hale will also address attendees, with additional student contributions adding to the program’s significance.
“It’s going to be a wonderful time for all of us to come together and remember,” Douglas said. “It’s always good to remember where you come from. That’s why we hold this event each year—because we can’t forget our roots.”
The university invites alumni, faculty, staff, students and the community members and encourages them to attend.
“Come dressed in your university colors—black and gold—to celebrate our Founders’ Day,” Douglas said.
For those students and faculty who may be conflicted about attending, Douglas has a message to extend.
“We’re making sure that we honor tradition,” she said. “I think there’s a lot in the world that tries to make you forget the past and say, ‘Hey, this is new, forget about that, and move forward.’ But no, you can’t. You cannot forget where you come from or where your roots are. We honor those who paved the way, those who fought hard for us as Black people, for us as African Americans, to be here. We do not take that for granted, we do not forget, and we will not dishonor that.”