Tuskegee hosts Pentagon and Alabama State at Grey Columns

February 23, 2023

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In its partnership with Alabama State University to host the Taking the Pentagon to the People summit, Tuskegee opened the event with a reception at the home of the university president at Grey Columns Wednesday evening.

The Pentagon special guests included the U.S. Department of Defense鈥檚 Gilbert R. Cisneros, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The welcome reception was a preview of an all-day conference at Alabama State University on Thursday featuring panel discussions and workshops to encourage students of HBCUs to consider the Department of Defense as a career option.

鈥淭he Navy gave me an opportunity to make something of myself,鈥� said Cisneros. 鈥淲e want to create some of that opportunity with HBCUs. I am so excited to see so many college presidents and deans here. It鈥檚 exciting to talk to you, but I鈥檓 looking forward to talking to the students.

鈥淎t the Department of Defense, we鈥檙e looking for talent,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hether you want to be an engineer, an accountant, or an auditor. We need the talent. We need teachers, we need doctors, and counselors. Think of the Department of Defense as an employer of choice. Think of the Department of Defense when you think 鈥榳hat am I going to do with my life, my career.鈥欌��

In addition to remarks by Cisneros, the crowd of more than 100 heard from the Director of Diversity for the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Equal Opportunity) at the Pentagon and TU alum Clarence 鈥淐.J.鈥� Johnson, Alabama State Rep. Anthony Daniels and Alabama State Senator Bobby Singleton. They also enjoyed a few songs from the Golden Voices choir.

鈥淭his is a win for today,鈥� said Alabama State Sen. Singleton. 鈥淭his is something that would have never been dreamed of 鈥� that the Pentagon comes to Tuskegee. We really appreciate the position you take to want to go to the students.鈥�

Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., President, Alabama State University, who served as cohost, used his catch phase to sum up the extraordinary event. 鈥淵ou have to go, to know.鈥� 鈥淲e are delighted to be here. Born out of the necessity, we the elite institutions called HBCUs, we are excited you are here with us. It is important to our future.

鈥淭ouching this hallowed institution, that has scholars all over the world, leaders of HBCUs, presidents of those institutions are here,鈥� said Dr. Ross. 鈥淵ou have arrived at the learning meccas. It is our responsibility to provide our students with a leadership opportunity of a lifetime.鈥�

Despite the high energy of the evening, Provost Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, who served as emcee with Chief Operating Officer Dr. Rolundus Rice, reminded the crowd of last week鈥檚 loss of Dr. Shaik Jeelani, vice president for Research and Dean of Graduate School, who coordinated Tuskegee鈥檚 participation and never missed the annual event.

鈥淭he passing of Dr. Jeelani challenges us to be more dedicated, more committed to serve,鈥� Dr. Hargrove said.

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