As the Georgia Assembly nears the close of the 2015 Legislative Session, the Albany State University community will converge upon the state capital from across the state in a wave of blue-and-gold Tuesday, March 31. 

The agenda is set: ASU wants to thank the governor and legislative body, show our university pride and recognize such seasonal ASU highlights as the Lady Rams 2015 SIAC Basketball Champions; the ASU Honda All Star Challenge Team and the ASU Marching Band’s premier invitation to the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade. The ASU Marching Band is the only band from the state of Georgia participating in the parade. 

Mike Matthiessen, 2015-2016 Tournament of Roses Parade, and his wife, will serve as Albany State’s special guests from March 31 – April 4. Matthiessen will join ASU friends and supporters in ASU Day at the Capitol activities and will provide special remarks to legislators. 

The ASU Band, the pride of Albany and Southwest Georgia will perform in the nationally televised parade, which takes place in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2016. It is a prelude to the college football playoff semifinal game.

The criteria for parade performance selection is based on “excellent musicianship, strong performance skills, interesting entertainment value and outstanding directorship” according to Richard DeJesu, chairman of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses

“We are extremely pleased and excited. It will showcase the hard work that our students and faculty have put toward this effort as they do all the time. We are also extremely proud of them and excited to showcase our institution,” said ASU interim dean of the College of Arts and Humanities Dr. Marcia Hood.

A midday ASU Day at the Capitol luncheon will take place at 12:30 p.m. for the local delegation, university officials and guests, and alumni; space is limited. The program will feature remarks by ASU Interim President Arthur N. Dunning, Mike Matthiessen, president of the Tournament of Roses Parade, the ASU Concert Choir and the ASU Marching Band. Albany State University alumni legislators will be recognized, as well as, other special guests.