Volume
1 Issue 4 - June 2001
Donald V. Watkins
"...my vision for ASU is not shared by a majority of the board now led by Chairlady Catherine Wright...and Dr. Joe L. Reed..."
After serving nearly eight years on the Alabama State University Board of Trustees, Voter News Network's Publisher, Donald V. Watkins resigned his post on Monday, May 14, 2001. Watkins, whose term on the board would have expired on January 31, 2002, announced his resignation in a letter to Governor Don Siegelman. Watkins plans to spend his time building Voter News Network into a powerful political force by the 2002 political elections.
*Actual Resignation Letter Below*
Governor Don Siegelman
State Capitol
600 Dexter Avenue, Room N-104
Montgomery, AL 36130
RE: Resignation from ASU Board of Trustees
Dear Governor Siegelman:
I regret to inform you that I must resign my position as an ASU trustee, effective immediately. Two events at last Friday's board meeting made it clear to me that my vision for ASU is not shared by a majority of the board now led by Chairlady Catherine Wright, in whom you express confidence, and Dr. Joe L. Reed, whom you reappointed to the board two years ago.
First, the Board's disparate treatment of newly appointed Trustee Herschell Hamilton has caused irreparable damage with key corporate friends of ASU with whom I work on a daily basis around the world. I cannot be a part of any university board that accords white trustees greater rights and respect than black trustees. As you know, Mr. Hamilton, who is black, replaced Lanny Vines, who is white. Both are non-ASU graduates. The Reed-Wright chairmanship team recognized Vines as a trustee for two years. At Friday's meeting, both Reed and Wright led the attack on Mr. Hamilton's standing as a trustee. This portion of the meeting was ugly, unprofessional and embarrassing. Not only is Mr. Hamilton's track record and professional career unassailable, he also works with some of the top business executives who have taken a significant interest in ASU's stadium and museum project. The treatment of Trustee Hamilton constitutes a slap in the face to those executives who unconditionally extended their time, personnel and worldwide resources to ASU.
Second, Chairlady Wright appointed Dr. Reed as Finance Committee Chairman on Friday. Dr. Reed is the staunchest opponent of ASU's move to Division 1-A Football. One of the critical funding steps of the financing plan for elevating ASU to a level of recognized academic excellence was through ASU's stadium and museum project. Dr. Reed has publicly labeled the financing plan that RSA Chief David Bronner termed "brilliant" as "voodoo financing." He has also pledged to do everything in his power to defeat this project. Ms. Wright's appointment of Dr. Reed as Finance Committee Chairman strategically assures that he would have to be included in the ongoing talks and negotiations of the potential corporate sponsorship deals. Dr. Reed's entrenched personal opposition to the project would certainly kill these sponsorship talks. Now that Dr. Reed is Finance Chairman, any further time spent by me on the project would merely be an exercise in futility.
I want to publicly thank former Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. for affording me the opportunity to serve on the ASU Board. I would also like to thank the faculty, staff and students who supported me throughout my 8-year term.
Sincerely,
Donald V. Watkins
Related Links:
Montgomery Advertiser - Watkins determined to spearhead I-A move
Related Links:
Birmingham News - Watkins: I-A plan not dead
Related Links:
Montgomery Advertiser - Trustees continue fighting
Related Links:
Montgomery Advertiser - Watkins quits ASU board
Related Links:
Birmingham News - Watkins leaves ASU trustees
back to the top
SIEGELMAN FAILS LEADERSHIP TEST
Commentary By: Donald V. Watkins
U.S. SENATOR JEFFORDS SPLITS FROM REPUBLICAN PARTY, POWER SHIFTS IN WASHINGTON
SPECIAL BULLETIN:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS WITH GOOD NEWS FOR CONSUMERS
ALFRED SEAWRIGHT KNOWN AS "RISING POLITICAL LEADER"
WATKINS RESIGNS ASU TRUSTEE POSITION (the actual resignation letter)
Q: WHY WOMEN? A: WHY NOT WOMEN?
By: Natalie Davis
MIDDLE CLASS BLACK VOTERS KEY TO VICTORY IN 2002 ELECTIONS
By: Artur Davis
DEVIL RAYS NOT FOR SALE, WATKINS EYES OTHER VENTURES