Albany State University to hold Community Gospel-Fest for second year as part of homecoming week
ALBANY, Ga. – Albany State University students are coming together Tuesday night for what’s becoming a new homecoming tradition, the Community Gospel-Fest.
It only started in 2022, but for Albany State University, a celebration of gospel struck a chord with ASU students.
“It’s praise on the lawn. Basically what it is this year is a community choir style. We wanted all students to participate, and praise and worship with each other, and just to be with one another,” said Quinton Matthews, Freshman Leadership Academy, ASU.
For some students, this is definitely an opportunity to lend even an ear to each other to help them through a difficult time.
And, even help reinforce one of the major values of a historically black college.
“This past year I know we had a lot of loss on campus, we just dealt with a lot of things that the students did. So what we did this year, especially with the community choir aspect was just to get people together to assemble and worship together. Because I guess the cornerstone of an HBCU is family, and sharing a praise or worship experience with you family can actually help them,” said Matthews.
The event was so well received in 2022 that Albany State officials felt it necessary to bring back the Gospel-Fest….
Especially since it fosters such a strong sense of unity on the campus.
“It actually means a lot because of the response last year. People really enjoyed it. So we wanted to bring back this year, and just add different aspects and elements…It means a lot. It’s so good to see they actually enjoyed themselves and being one ASU family,” said Matthews.
As students get set to gather on the east campus after sunset, its a chance for them to pray and possibly heal together.
The homecoming festivities will continue throughout the week in downtown Albany, culminating with the homecoming football game on Saturday.
Brian Roche reporting.
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