Golden Ambassadors & Alabama State University

Posted on September 22, 2015

The Golden Ambassadors, the official hosts and hostesses of Alabama State University, recently received leadership training from longtime leaders in business and industry.

With the fall semester beginning, Golden Ambassadors received first-hand advice on what it takes to become a great leader.

The GA’s were the invited dinner guests of former ASU Board Chairman Larry Thornton. Thornton, owner of several Birmingham-area McDonalds restaurants and member of the Board of Directors for Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc., hosted the dinner at The Club. The Club is a unique, private club founded in 1947. Thornton is now the incoming board chairman of The Club and the first African-American to hold the position. Thornton, an ASU alumnus, grew up in Montgomery and was one of the first black students to integrate Montgomery public schools. He said he invited the GA’s to dinner because it’s important to share his story and give back to current students.

Thirty-six GA’s and university officials attended the dinner along with Trustees Joe Whitt and Robert Gilpin. Representatives from Coca-Cola addressed the participants and shared the importance of continuing to invest in our students and educational institutions.

Rachel Kazungu, a senior majoring in Finance and chief Golden Ambassador, said the information she gained from the dinner will go a long way in helping her as a G.A. and in life. “I was honored to be in the same room with such influential people. It was a great networking opportunity. We received great advice on what it takes to become a successful leader learned about the importance of serving others,” Kazungu said.

Zillah Fluker, vice president of Institutional Advancement and adviser to the Golden Ambassadors, said it’s important that leaders like Larry Thornton and Trustees Whitt and Gilpen spend time with current student leaders. “The Gold Ambassador organization was established on the foundation of leadership and service and I think it’s really important for them to meet leaders who embrace those values, “Fluker said.

The dinner was sponsored by Birmingham Coca-Cola, a division of Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. In addition, each Ambassador received a customized can of Coca-Cola pre-printed with his or her name.