‘Stay in the room:’ State Rep. Teddy Reese gives Albany State Homecoming Convocation address

ALBANY – Albany State University students, faculty and alumni joined community members and leaders of the city of Albany for the university’s 2025 Homecoming Convocation.

The convocation, on Friday came after a week of celebration and ahead of ASU’s Saturday Football win, which saw the Golden Rams beat the Tuskegee Golden Tigers 7-3. Georgia Rep. Tremaine “Teddy” Reese, D-Columbus, was the ASU alumni who gave the convocation address. The celebration also included welcome remarks from Albany Mayor Bo Dorough and Dougherty County Commission Chairman Lorenzo Heard. It was also new ASU President Robert Scott’s first homecoming address since he took office in May.  

“Homecoming is a celebration of the many achievements, the pride, spirit that connects our Albany State family,” Scott said. “This year’s theme, ‘Reigniting the Flame,’ reminds us of our shared responsibility … our renewed commitment to the journey that Albany State University’s on.” 

Dorough said he brought greetings to the ASU family from 70,000 Albany residents. 

“Let me say, particularly to the alumni, welcome home,” he said. “I know it is exciting for you to see these remarkably talented students. It’s exciting to you to see new buildings, new programs as this institution moves forward. We welcome Dr. Scott. We’re excited for the future of this institution. We know that with new administration, we have a new vision and new direction.”

Dorough also apologized for the closure of the Oglethorpe Bridge, which would cause traffic disruption in downtown Albany as visitors made their way from west to east Albany to take part in homecoming activities. 

“There is nothing in the world like homecoming at Albany State University,” Heard said. “No one has done so much, for so many, for so long, with so little as Albany State University. ASU has impacted Albany, southwest Georgia, the state of Georgia, the U.S. and the world.”

Kiersten Jones, the 83rd Miss Albany State University, welcomed the crowd with her sparkling crown along with the 13th Mister Albany State University, Brison Williams. Jonathan Bing, the president of the ASU Student Government Association, welcomed keynote speaker and ASU graduate Reese. 

Reese was born in Gordon and was the first in his family to attend a college or university. He served as SGA president at ASU during his time as a student, graduating in 2003. He worked as a lawyer in Columbus and was elected to the Georgia House in 2022. 

He emphasized the role his time at ASU played in him becoming a Georgia lawmaker. 

“I never expected a little black boy from rural Georgia, raised in poverty by a single mother … to one day hold a significant place in rooms where laws are made for almost 12 million Georgians,” Reese said. “I was born in rural … Georgia, but Albany State and Albany made me a man.” 

Reese talked about the historical significance of ASU and historically black colleges and universities in elevating black Americans. “We need” these institutions, he said. 

“We need you, southwest Georgia. From Negro educational departments … to black folks with PhDs, we need you,” Reese said. “From youthful years being stolen by forcing our people to work in fields, to sitting on committees that develop agriculture policy in this state and in this country, we need you. From watching innocent people hanging from trees to sitting on the bench as judges administrating justice, we need you.”

Reese spoke of the political, economic and social state of the U.S. today, calling it a “momentous” and “terrible” time. 

“Without question, our world … is threatened and tormented by international tension, national frustration, statewide agitation, and local character assassinations,” Reese said. “We are seeing it all. Politicians talk less about ideas and more about their opponents. Business leaders are ditching the tried and true impacts of diversity and inclusion for lies, institutional racism, and separation. We can no longer take the back seat.” 

He called on the ASU alumni to vote, to stir up “good trouble” and most importantly, to stay in the room. He said there are many days, serving in the Georgia House, that he questions why he is there and if he’s making an impact. 

“My grandmother reminded me … ‘We fell, and died and bled so that you could get in the room. Now stay in the room,’” Reese said. “So to all of you … I say stay in the room. No matter how large it is, stay in the room. Even when they tell you you don’t have a seat, you stay in the room. When they tell you that there’s no space for you on the agenda, stay in the room.”