Alabama State University’s annual President’s Gala will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center in downtown Montgomery. This event is one of the university’s largest fundraisers, and it has sold out after ticket sales increased from 600 to 700. Individual tickets were priced at $350.

Executive Director of Marketing and  Strategic Communications Shani L. Crayton is in charge of planning the gala and the vision behind this year’s theme. She joined the university in 2023 as brand and marketing director before being promoted 10 months later to her current position, which she has served for about a year and a half.

In her role, she oversees the university’s name, image, branding, and CommUniversity. Those responsibilities extend to the gala, where she serves as an appointed member of the planning committee and helps shape the program and presentation.

“This is one of the biggest fundraisers we have for the university,” Crayton said. “It is when corporations make their commitments on how they want to contribute financially.”

This year, the event was moved from the Dunn-Oliver Acadome to the Convention Center because the Acadome is presently undergoing renovations as part of the Focus 2030 Improvement Plan.

The theme of this year’s gala is “Elevating Tradition and Embracing Excellence.” Crayton said the idea came naturally as she reflected on the university’s direction. She explained that the phrase was chosen to ensure inclusivity.

“We have shied away from saying only ‘Black excellence,’ because while it is evident who we are, we want to make sure no one feels left out,” she said. “Everything we do is centered on excellence. We want to highlight our tradition but also be sure that we are inclusive and that all things are done in excellence.”

The program will feature a plated dinner, student performances, check presentations, remarks from administrators, and entertainment by Ruben Studdard, an American singer and actor who rose to fame as the winner of the second season of American Idol and received a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his recording of “Superstar.”

Crayton said Studdard was selected because his style matched the Met Gala theme.

“You cannot do boots on the ground with a Met Gala dress on,” she said. “I need to be lulled.” The program will conclude with an after-party.

Crayton said that students are always included in the program to ensure donors see their contributions at work.

“That is how you actually get your donor dollars,” she said. “You show what the funds are going to, and those funds are helping students through travel, scholarships and activities that are student-focused. When we are able to hold activities for students, many of those opportunities are funded through the university’s foundation. By showing donors how their support helps students succeed and stay engaged on campus, we encourage them to continue giving.”

The gala’s design is led by Brittany Sharp of Sharp Standard, who also worked on last year’s event. Crayton said Sharp’s work consistently exceeds expectations.

“We give her a vision, and she brings back something better than what we thought about,” she said.

This year will mark Crayton’s third gala as a member of the planning committee, and she said each year brings the same challenge of building on past success.

“Once we get through the gala, then we start thinking about the next one,” she said. “The question is always, how do we top last year?”

She added that the guiding principle remains the same.

“Our goal is to elevate tradition and embrace excellence in everything we do,” she said.