Plugged In Inaguration

David Whitlow Jr.,the current student body president of Alabama State University, had his official inauguration; along with his executive board, commonly known as the Plugged-In Administration, on Wednesday, Sept. 4 in Ralph D Abernathy Auditorium.

Those who make up the Plugged-In Administration are student body Vice President Tyler Rice, Chief-of-Staff Devoski Boyd, Executive Secretary David Hammond, Executive Treasurer Aliyah Muhammad, Attorney Genral Autumn Pate, and Chief Justice Joshua Wilkinson.

At the conclusion of his speech, Whitlow was left with a standing ovation from students, faculty and family. He referred to his speech as a “thank you letter.” Whitlow went down the list of individuals and establishments that played a prominent role in his life and rode to success.

To the city of Montgomery, Ala he thanked it for allowing him the opportunity to not become another statistic. “Thank you for the lessons you taught ne, to Montgomery, I say thank you,” he said.

“To the game I love so much… football,” Whitlow thanked the sport and his coaches for teaching him life lessons and discipline. Whitlow is a Montgomery, Ala. native and played football up until he became the SGA President. “It is because of you that I will never take no for an answer, not being rebellious, but always finding a way to get it done,” Whitlow explained the impact that Football had over his life.

“Thank you for allowing me to do what many people in America think is the hardest thing to do… and that is to earn a degree.” To the university, affectionately known as Ole Mother Dear, Whitlow thanked it for giving him the opportunity to do something that many people thought to be impossible,

Proceeding his freshman year of college that his grade point average was below a 2.0, but he was given the opportunity to be and do better, which resulted in him becoming student body president.

Each executive board member was greeted with words of encouragement by Associate Juice Kleo Torres and sworn in by Associate Justice, Freddie Hawkins.

Whitlow was also greeted with kind words from the student body president of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Richard Moicette, Micah Grey of Tuskegee University (TU), and Jacobi Gray of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU). Each student government association (SGA) President congratulated him on his success and wished him luck on his new venture.

“Congratulations to David Whitlow, I know this will be a great school year, “ said senior Reunna Fisher.

Miss Alabama State University (ASU) Second Attendant, Soroyah Johnson, applauded Whitlow and the performances by Sigma Alpha Iota sorority, who sung the Black National Anthem. The university’s Theatre Dance Department moved the crowd with their touching performance to Every Mountain.

Student Government Association (SGA) Advisor Rakeisha Hines complemented Whitlow on his dedication, passion and commitment. She referenced Whitlow’s late night phone calls about student concerns and assured the audience that Whitlow has the students best interest in mind, at all times.

Whitlow’s parents David Whitlow Sr. and Daileen Carter were also in attendance, and as Whitlow wrapped up his speech, they were one of the first to stand to show their support.

“You were the best thing to ever happen to me, to us, me and your mother,” Whitlow Sr. said.

“I am so proud of you and I can not wait to see you do great things,” Carter expressed.

The Plugged-In Administration has already jump started the year with keeping the students first. Whitlow has addressed student concerns with lack of housing, wi-fi issues, brought in high-demand food options for students like Wharf’s Seafood and Moe’s Southwest Grill which has helped build student morale.

“I can’t wait to see my line brother do great things,” said senior and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Caleb Petty.