Alcorn holds 2nd annual payroll deductee appreciation luncheon to thank its donors

Alcorn holds 2nd annual payroll deductee appreciation luncheon to thank its donors

Alcorn holds 2nd annual payroll deductee appreciation luncheon to thank its donors

On February 28, 2013, Alcorn State University Foundation, Inc. held a payroll deductee appreciation luncheon to thank the faculty and staff for their commitment to giving back to the University through payroll deductions.

Janice Gibson ’93, director of Development and Alumni Affairs, presided over the program held in the Gold Room, of the Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr. Dining Facility. She welcomed the audience and said, “We are elated at this great opportunity to celebrate you, the caring faculty and staff that guide the university’s success and make it the vibrant community that it is today. Not only are you committed to your work, but you give back a portion of your salary each month to make a difference in Alcorn students’ lives. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.”

The program continued with invocation offered by Felicia Harried ’93, User Interface architect, CITS. Larry Smith ’80, director of Athletic Development, noted that “the goal for this year is to achieve 75 percent employee participation in the payroll deduction”. Gibson shared about the impact of the gifts employees made to the Foundation, “Last year, the Foundation awarded $758,277 in scholarship to 344 students thanks to generous support of people like you and me.” She noted that unfortunately, due to limited funds, the Foundation couldn’t help all deserving students and some of them “were not able to remain in school or to purchase textbooks. Gibson said that in order to offer more assistance, Institutional Advancement came up with a number of strategies that include the Annual Fund Campaign, “Tie Me Over”, “Text to Give”, Brave Bank student giving campaign, and the employee giving campaign. She added, “We solicit your support! Go back to your offices and encourage your co-workers to join you by giving back.”

While faculty and staff enjoyed delicious lunch prepared by Sodexo, they listened to a presentation by a grateful Alcorn parent student recipient of an ASU Foundation scholarship, LLJuna Weir ’93, associate director of Athletics/senior women administrator. She thanked the University and the many donors who give to the ASU Foundation. Weir shared that her son Jonathan “practically grew up on this campus and decided early on to become an Alcorn student”. He is now a freshman majoring in agribusiness with a 4.0 GPA. His aspirations are to become a university president one day. She continued, “My husband and I are thankful to the University for supporting Jonathan’s interests and to you – my colleagues who like me know the importance of giving back.”

Two student recipients of ASU Foundation scholarship Lupele Lefiti, a sophomore majoring in accounting, and Casey Mock, a senior accounting major, shared their personal stories and expressed appreciation to the donors for their commitment to donate to the University so more students can follow their academic passion.

The program continued with a special recognition of the employees who have been participating in the payroll deductions since the project’s inception year of 1999, and the departments that have all employees on payroll deduction –Institutional Advancement, Graduate Studies and Media Relations.
Other employees who have given over the year 2012 received certificates of appreciation, door prizes and grand prizes that included iPad mini, Kindle Fire HD and iPad 3.

The luncheon concluded with closing remarks by Marcus Ward ’00, vice president for Institutional Advancement/executive director, ASU Foundation, Inc. “On behalf of ASU Foundation, Board of Directors, and our President, Dr.M. Christopher Brown II, I thank you for your dedication to investing in Alcorn’s future and making the University the best it can be.”

To sign up for payroll deduction, call ASU Foundation at 601.877.6693.

Ward presents Jimmy Smith, registrar, with certificate of appreciation

Laura Drake, account manager, ASU Foundation presents a prize to Alfred Galtney, Sponsored Programs and Contracts

Ward with students Lefiti and Mock 

Donna Horton, Printing and Duplicating, proudly holds her iPad mini

Felicia Harried, CITS, with her Kindle Fire HD

Glenda Smith-White, Upward Bownd Program, receives iPad 3