Albany State celebrates legacy, alumni at Convocation Ceremony one day before Saturday shooting

ALBANY – One day before a mass shooting at Albany State University during its weeklong homecoming celebrations, ASU alumni, students, faculty and athletes enjoyed a moment of pride for the legacy the ASU community leaves in its wake.

This community gathered for the distinguished Homecoming Convocation Ceremony at the Jones Brothers HPER Complex Friday morning. Alumni greeted each other with warm smiles and hugs. The university’s football team showed up dressed to the nines in all black tuxedos. Members of the Homecoming Court wore their sparkling crowns with heads held high. Many students and alumni throughout the week of celebrating called convocation ASU’s most important homecoming event.

This year’s homecoming theme was “Not like the rest, we are ASU!”

“We are ASU is not simply a nod to the Pulitzer Prize-winning artist and poet, Mr. Kendrick Lamar, but a testament to the complexity, richness, perseverance and unmatched resiliency that is Albany State University,” Wendy Wilson, vice president of university relations, said.

The ASU “Ramily’s” resilience has been put on display after a shooting on campus that left one dead and six injured. The incident happened at about 9 p.m. Saturday, just four hours after ASU’s highly anticipated homecoming game.

“Albany State University remains committed to providing resources for the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our campus community,” interim President Lawrence Drake wrote in a statement Sunday. “Counseling and other resources are available to students during this time. We are encouraging our students to make use of these resources as needed.”

The GBI released a statement Sunday evening that it is leading an active investigation into the shooting. De’Marion Tashawn Daniels, a 19-year-old from Newnan, was killed during the shooting. According to the report, the other five victims include a 13 year-old girl, from Albany, who suffered a gunshot wound., a 17 year-old girl, a local high school student, who suffered a gunshot wound, a 16 year-old girl, a local high school student, who suffered a gunshot wound, a 20 year-old girl who was grazed by a bullet and a 19 year-old girl who was injured while attempting to flee.

An outpouring of prayers have been posted for ASU on social media platforms.

Still, Friday's convocation attendees were able to relish in the accomplishments of the university's alumni and the university’s steadfast dedication to its students. Hundreds gathered to enjoy the homecoming parade Saturday morning. Alumni from all over flocked to Albany to celebrate ASU, which is Georgia’s largest public HBCU.

“ASU is known for and proud of our authenticity,” Wilson said Friday. “Of course, our journey is filled with some challenges, but it also includes countless triumphs that are uniquely ours. When we say 'not like us, we are ASU,' we're not simply stating a fact. We're embracing and showcasing to the world that we are world-class leaders, innovators and change-makers.”

She said the university isn’t like anywhere else, and that’s what makes it extraordinary.

Sharmagne Goff, ASU’s National Alumni Association president, said homecoming is an ASU tradition that is deeply rooted in celebrating the return of alumni “who are connecting and reuniting with classmates as they reminisce about their days as students and their continuing support of the institution.”

“It is a time for alumni, friends and the surrounding communities to celebrate ASU,” she said Friday. “Homecoming is also a time for students to create their own wonderful, ‘ramily’ memories, and hopefully gain an appreciation for maintaining the legacy of this important tradition.”

Jeretha Peters, the executive director of Wells Fargo Advisors, was the keynote speaker at the convocation. Peters is an ASU alumna from the class of 2004. This year, she was celebrating her 20th class anniversary.

Peters reflected on how in 2004, she stood in the same arena to perform in ASU’s traditional homecoming “step show.” She spoke about her grandfather who was born in 1919 and only received up to a second-grade education but still instilled in the family the belief that education can take one far in life. Her grandfather, who worked for years at ASU, was a dedicated Golden Ram football fan. Peters said each year he got season tickets and attended each game with her until he became too old to do so.

Still, she said he made sure to come to the homecoming game each year.

Peters honored ASU’s distinguished alumni in her speech, alumni who she said went on to become black professionals, athletes, actors, entertainers, medical professionals and politicians.

“Our HBCU conviction is clear: We will continue to be not like the rest,” she said Friday.

Peters encouraged ASU students to seek knowledge and take advantage of every learning opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

“Remember, no matter what challenges come our way, our spirit of resilience defines us,” she said. “Our words remind us that we're unsinkable. We're indestructible. We are the Albany State University.”