Two excited Albany State alumni prepare to lead Homecoming events

ALBANY – Two of this year’s most anticipated ASU Homecoming events will bring back two alumni with deep ties to the university.

Jeretha Peters, from the class of 2004, will give the keynote address at Friday’s Convocation ceremony, and Jesse Massey, from the class of 1980, will lead Saturday morning’s Homecoming parade as the parade marshal.

Peters, the branch manager at Albany’s Wells Fargo Advisors and the Board Chair of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, said the honor means a lot to her as someone with a family legacy at ASU.

This year marks Peters’ 20th class reunion. By attending ASU, she followed in the footsteps of several family members who were Golden Rams, most special to her, her grandfather, who retired from the university after working as a janitor for years.

Her grandfather was born in 1919 and was never formally educated. Still, Peters said he instilled in his children and grandchildren that education was key.

“While he worked there, he would also make relationships with the professors to make sure he could learn things and tell us to be mindful of what we should explore,” she said. “He was a conduit for encouraging us to learn and excel and do great things in life. So this particular opportunity holds a very special meaning for me.”

Peters’ grandfather taught her the importance of responsibility in any role one might have. She said as a janitor, he held his role to great importance, ensuring students had a clean environment to stay focused and learn.

“I think he’d be super proud of me,” Peters said. “Just as he had been generous throughout our entire lives before he passed, sharing knowledge and wisdom, he’d be happy to see me doing the same. As long as I’m giving back to others and helping build our community, I think he’d be delighted.”

Peters said when she was invited to speak at convocation, she accepted the honor for two reasons: one, to honor her grandfather’s legacy and two, to return to her alma mater and share with its current students advice in creating success and building a career.

“It’s more significant than just returning to the campus for fun and activities … but it’s an opportunity to celebrate the overall journey that began there, that turned into real-world experiences and lessons that have helped me build a success path in my life,” she said.

Peters said ASU’s homecoming had a special meaning to her family. They plan to bring an RV to the large grassy area where ASU’s upper campus now sits, and tailgate.

“The memories that we created around the grill and the food and the fellowship … it was the one time that we could look forward to coming together,” she said.

Peters said homecoming is an opportunity for reconnection, whether it be with family or friends from college who travel back with their families and stories of successes.

“It’s a lot about reaffirming who I am as a person again, knowing the culture of the community, and ASU was one of opportunity, generosity and support,” she said.

Convocation kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday. Peters said the conversation she plans to have with the ASU community will be game-changing in reminding them who they are and why they’re not like the rest.

Massey, who was the ASU class president in 1980 and a retired Dougherty County educator, said the honor of being parade marshal means volumes to him. Massey was born and raised in Albany. He said he grew up on ASU’s campus, being surrounded by the spirit and culture of the university. He knew from a young age he wanted to attend ASU as the first in his family to get a college education.

Massey studied early elementary education at ASU, where he was often the only male in his classes and where he has fond memories of the dedication and care his professors displayed to each of their students.

“Those were the times people really took heed to you, the teachers and instructors,” he said. “Those folks were instrumental, and my mother – I want to mention her.”

Massey lost his mother to Alzheimer’s. He said she was a big Golden Ram fan and emphasized the importance of going to school and going to work as Massey grew up. He said she’d be excited to see her son leading the parade.

Massey, who was recently inducted into the ASU Alumni Hall of Fame, said he plans to wear his alumni jacket during the parade. He’ll be at the front of the parade, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. He said he’s looking forward to seeing faces both old and new.

He said his favorite homecoming memory was getting to see R&B group Kool & the Gang perform after the homecoming football game one year. While ASU no longer hosts post-game concerts, Massey said the university has changed and grown a lot, especially in how it celebrates homecoming.

“As the week gets on, it gets more and more hyped,” he said. “There was no tailgating back in the ’70s. You went to the game, you went on campus, you went home. Now, it’s a week of festivities and activities, hoopla and all kinds of good stuff.”

To Massey, homecoming is about giving back.

“It means that you’ve gone off and you’re coming back to be a part of what the university has to offer,” he said. “If you’re coming back, give back.”

Massey will be collecting donations by check and money order at the parade. He said he’s encouraging everyone to give $25 to benefit the students at ASU. Checks must be made out to ASU Foundation for Endowment.

He said college is expensive, and all students could use support. Already, donations have funded some of the Homecoming events for students so that they can celebrate at no charge.

“If you’re going to come back, come back with a purpose – to give back,” Massey said. “Everybody’s hoping for a victory … to meet old friends .. to come back and give back.”

Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan
[email protected]
Special Photo: Phoebe