A Department of the Army civilian will receive the Alabama A&M University Business and Industry of the Year award for her contributions to university students and the community.
Dr. Claudette Owens, chief, Information and Computational Engineering Division, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, will receive her award during an annual gala April 8 at the Von Braun Center North Hall.
"Dr. Owens exhibits outstanding leadership and has an ability to energize young minds," said Allen P. Vital, vice president for Institutional Advancement, AAMU. "She has a commitment to education, and she is a leader in her chosen industry."
The award is presented annually to a company and its leader who has demonstrated a genuine concern for the education of students at AAMU. Owens said she was shocked when she learned of the award.
"There are so many who deserve this award more than I do," she said. "My genuine concern for students is that they understand the need and importance of several points in today's job market and their lives."
These points include: the essential need of computer skills in all disciplines; professionalism, networking and marketing are key to upward mobility; co-op, intern and summer work are critical in today's job market; versatility will make navigating a career easier; character and integrity are still important; always maintain a balance with career and personal life; never let a career make you, you make the career; and never sacrifice what's really important - personal values and family.
"Seeing people who are real, transparent and who show interest in what's important to them energizes young people," Owens said. "Young people today are visual not only when it comes to computers and other media, but people also. They want to 'see' in you what you 'say.'"
Owens said these awards are an opportunity to bless or honor someone and that they encourage recipients to keep going even in tough times. Vital said it is important to recognize the good work community members do.
"It is our honor to recognize Dr. Owens and SMDC for not only their contributions of scholarship and internships to A&M students, but for their contributions to the citizens of Huntsville and all of north Alabama," Vital said.
Owens said that recognizing the support and accomplishments of the community is a key to the university's relationship with the community, but credits the University for instilling strong values in herself.
"AAMU itself is part of the reason I'm privileged to have accomplished many of my dreams and aspirations," Owens said. "I am honored and I want to continue to give back to the school wherever and in whatever way I can to ensure that young minds always have an opportunity."
Carrie.Ford@smdc.army.mil
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