Selma University holds official inauguration in honor of Angion’s Presidency
Published 9:57 am Wednesday, October 23, 2024
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By Faith Callens
The Selma Times Journal
For eight years, Stanford E. Angion has been a staple within the Selma University legacy, leading as vice president for academic affairs in 2016, which has led to his recent role as the 25th President of the institution.
On Tuesday, an official inauguration ceremony was held at the Jemison-Owens Auditorium for Angion to receive the official baton known as “The Mace” for his role and his significant achievements since his time in the position.
Hundreds of citizens including Selma University faculty and staff and city officials gathered together in the Jemison-Owens Gymnasium to see the special moment take place.
“The meaning of today is not about Stan,” Angion said. “If you think the meaning of today is simply about me, I will assure that this place would not be almost full.
“[This event] is greater than I. This gathering signifies a soon, pivotable beautiful moment in the history of Selma University.”
Angion said the history behind the university and the ceremony is greater than one individual or any one family. He said the moment was centered around God, being in the right place and holding on to the biblical verse.
During the ceremony, Angion was celebrated and congratulated by many including Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer.
“I think it’s going to be wonderful for us and Selma University to have him officially be the president,” Boozer said. “I know he’s a great leader and a servant to the entire community.”
At the ceremony, Boozer went on to say that Angion was highly intelligent, hard working, dedicated and because of his diligent efforts to improve Selma University, he received the declaration of oath to be an Alabama State Treasurer.
Mayor James Perkins also said he is very proud to see Angion officially recognized for the role he has held since 2021 and that he’s excited about his continued leadership and his strategy moving forward.
“We’ve had an opportunity to work together over these past three years, and he has taken a little of nothing and has done miraculous things with the City of Selma and through my position as mayor, we work closely with the president of the campus and we have been very successful all things considered,” Perkins said.
Angion said since his time as president, he finds this moment to be invigorating, inspirational and informative to others within the community because it brings awareness that there are a lot of people who love the university and has the desire to support the community.
Over $55,000 funds were raised to help the university as whole before the event, according to inauguration speaker, Dr. Glenda Glover, former President of Tennessee State University.
After the event on Tuesday, an additional $39,000 in donations were considered.
Angion said his plans moving forward for the university consist of rallying around with the local leaders of Selma to push the pursuit having the university fully accredited with The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).
Angion said even though the university already has accreditation with ABHE, he plans to get the federal financial aid restored and continue the process with university’s infrastructure plans that currently include four on- campus buildings and once those are completed, he plans to keep pushing the renovation process forward.
“My message for the [citizens of Selma] is to let people know that Selma University is in the community and we are here to train people from our communities, for our communities and that’s what our dedication is to, serving the people in our communities, helping them to lift our communities by providing them with appropriate leadership education,” Angion said.
Angion said he plans to continue to grow with Selma University, continue to make a difference and as long as he’s healthy and the university continues to have him.
