2026 Elections Nominations

Edward L. Boston was born in Newnan, Georgia, the sixth of seven children. He was encouraged by his parents, family, teachers, and friends to continue his education and do well in life. He started working at a very young age at a dairy farm performing a variety of duties before and after school.

Edward earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science, 1970 and a Master of Science Degree in Guidance and Counseling, 1972 at Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia. He has continued his learnings, education and development at Universities, Executive Institutes, Strategic Leadership Programs and other personal and business performance development programs.

Edward’s professional career commenced in the educational field and quickly led to the public sector, providing employment counseling through the United States Department of Labor. These experiences laid the foundation for his entry into the corporate work force in Manufacturing at United States Steel Corporation. He joined the start-up team at NCR Corporation in Peachtree City, Georgia where he broadens his knowledge, skills and abilities while making significant contribution in Human Resources Management and Development, Community Relations, Corporate Relations, etc. He moved to Mars Incorporated in Albany, Georgia. At Mars, he performed roles either locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally as Supervisor, Manager, Director or National Sales Director/Vice President of Sales relocating numerous times. His experiences span various functions and industries with direct responsibility for personnel, sales and fiscal accountability. Business associates often say of Ed: “He believes that it all starts and ends with people… People Are Our Business, Yours and Mine.”  “He has a passion for learning and thinking beyond the obvious.” After a very challenging and rewarding corporate career, Ed retired from Mars Incorporated in New Jersey, September 1999. In July 2007, he joined the staff at Fort Valley State University as Director, The Pettigrew Center and transferred to Senior Director, Career and Alumni Services in July 2014. In July 2017, he assumed responsibility for the Office of Alumni Relations. January 2020, he relocated to Vancouver, Washington to assume the Director of Alumni Relations role at Clark College Foundation.

Supporting his business and career triumphs, Edward contributes considerable time and effort to numerous groups dedicated to bettering humanity. These groups include the NAACP, Urban League, Veterans Hospitals, Boys & Girls Club of America, Thunderbirds Charities, YMCA, United Way, Hearts for Africa and many others. He is a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He is a life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.

A recipient of numerous awards and honors to include the National Alumni for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Distinguished Alumni Award, FVSU Maggie Davis Legacy Award, Fort Valley State University Alumni Association, Incorporated Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Who’s Who in the East, International Who’s Who of Professionals, International Men of Achievement and various others.

He demonstrates unwavering commitment to Fort Valley State as an annual scholarship fund contributor, a member of Women in Gold, Incorporated, Senior Class Advisor–2016-2019, Baseball Club Advisor–2018-2019, Chair, Fort Valley State University Foundation, Incorporated Scholarship Luncheon Committee–2016-2019, Foundation Board of Directors–2000-2002 and in 2020-2024. He is a Lifetime Member of the Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, Incorporated serving two terms as President–2000-2002 and again in 2021-2022, member of the National Historically Black Colleges & Universities Alumni Associations Foundation, etc. Edward continues to serve as President of the FVSU Class of 1970 facilitating a sense of community, reunions and fundraising for the FVSU Class of 1970 Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Edward and his wife, Daphne Tabor (FVSU Class of 1972), have two sons and four grandchildren.

1) The President shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall preside over meetings of the Board of Directors and regular and called meetings of the Association.

2) The President shall:

• Conduct all meetings per the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws and Robert’s Rules ofOrder, Newly Revised.

• Appoint the Parliamentarian, all standing and Ad hoc (special) committees, and may serve, ifneeded, as an ex-officio member of committees except for the Nominating Committee.

• Work with the Recording Secretary to develop an agenda for meetings.

• Communicate the Association’s mission, goals, and committee objectives to members of theAssociation, the Board of Directors, and other alumni, staff, administration, faculty, and students.

• Inspire and motivate alumni to find innovative ways to help the Association succeed.

• Direct the duties of the other officers and the Board of Directors.

3) A candidate for President must:

• Be financially active with the Association for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years prior tobecoming a candidate for President.

• Have held an elected position at the national or chapter level or have held a leadership position in his/her career or community organizations.

1) The Vice President shall:

• Perform the duties of the President in all cases in which the President is unable to serve.

• Serve as alternate to the President and assist in such matters as may be delegated to him/her by thePresident or the Board of Directors.

• Assist with administrative activities of the Association.

• Assume the office of the President in the event of death, disablement, or removal of the President until the position has been filled consistent with the procedure stated in the Constitution and Bylaws.

• Oversee the Program Committee.

• Oversee the Finance Committee.

• Chair the Membership Committee.

2) A candidate for Vice President must:

• Be financially active with the Association for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years prior to becoming a candidate for Vice President.

• Have held an elected position at the national or chapter level or have held a leadership position in his/her career or community organizations.

1) The Treasurer shall:

• Keep the official financial records of the Association and accurately maintain all financial records of the Association in a safe and secure place and prepare documents for auditing.

• Be responsible for reporting the status of all funds of the Association to the Board of Directors and to the Association at its biennial meetings or wherever requested by theAssociation.

• Keep accurate records of cash and disbursement receipts monthly and provide financereports to be made available to any officer, chapter, or financial member of the Association.

• Provide to the Board of Directors monthly financial statements of all Association accounts, to include funds received and disbursed, post the financial reports electronically on theAssociation’s Website and store in the Alumni Relations Office for public review within thirty (30) days after it is made to the Board of Directors and upload to an online electronic storage place within thirty (30) days following the meeting.

• Ensure books are prepared and available for audit in accordance with current internal audit guidelines.

• Work in partnership with Committees and the Finance Committee to develop an annual operating budget for programs and activities.

• Present the annual operating budget, prepared by the Finance Committee, to the Board ofDirectors by July for presenting the annual operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Association for approval in the September/October business meeting of each year.

• Monitor expenditures of the Association budget.

• Along with the Board of Directors, secure an external auditing firm to perform audits.

1. Submit Association books to internal auditor for review and audit each fiscal year no laterthan January 31 of the following year.

2. Submit Association books to external auditor for review and audit all financial records forthe two-year office term by October 31 of the election year.

3. Rent a safe deposit box as the Board of Directors designate.

4. Coordinate submission of income with the Financial Secretary.

5. Maintain records in accordance with the established Manual of Financial Procedures.

6. Serve as Chair of the Finance Committee.

7. Ensure a voucher system is used to request disbursement of funds.

8. Make disbursement on written authorization (approved voucher), ensuring two (2)signatures, one from the President and one from the Treasurer, on all disbursements.

9. Reconcile all bank accounts monthly using an adopted accounting software.

2) A candidate for Treasurer must:

• Be financially active with the Association for a minimum of two (2) years prior to becoming a candidate for Treasurer.

• Have knowledge of accounting principles and be able to use financial software.

• Possess good communicative, organizational, technological skills.

1) The Financial Secretary shall:

• Keep the official record of all income.

• Complete a monthly report.

• Issue official receipt for income.

• Be responsible for the receipt of cash at all Association events in accordance with the Manual of Financial Procedures.

• Work with Alumni Office Staff to ensure all cash receipts are deposited and recorded within two (2) business days of receipt.

• Prepare a roster of financial members.

• Assist the Treasurer with the submission of annual reports and perform other duties as assigned by the Treasurer.

2) A candidate for Financial Secretary must:

• Be financially active with the Association for a minimum of two (2) years prior to becoming a candidate for Financial Secretary.

• Possess good communicative, organizational, business/bookkeeping/financial, and technological skills with a focus on accounting software.

1) The Recording Secretary shall oversee the proper recording of all meetings of the Association (Board of Directors, Business Meetings, and any special or call meetings).

2) The Recording Secretary shall:

• Assemble and disseminate meeting materials to Association members at all Association meetings.

• Collaborate with the President to develop the agenda for Association meetings.

• Make sure meetings are organized and minutes are recorded efficiently.

• Have in his/her possession all official proceedings of the Association and keep same in good order and have them available during all meetings of the Association.

• Be prepared to read the minutes whenever the President calls for or authorizes such action.

• Provide draft of the minutes of all Association meetings to the President within fifteen (15) days after the meeting. Ensure copies of all general meeting minutes of the Association are made available to financial members and the Alumni Office and are uploaded to an online electronic storage place within thirty (30) days following the meeting.

• Work with the Director of Technology, Technology Committee, and Alumni Office to schedule the Association’s virtual meetings and provide any assistance required by the Director of Technology during the virtual meetings.

• Check to ensure agreed/approved actions are carried out.

• Keep up-to-date contact details of Board members.

• Pass on his/her records to the incoming Recording Secretary at the close of his/her tenure.

3) A candidate for Recording Secretary must:

• Be financially active with the Association for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years prior

• Possess and demonstrate clear communicative, organizational, technological, and time management skills.

• Possess planning and problem-solving skills.

1) The Assistant Recording Secretary shall:

• Assist the Recording Secretary as needed and serve in the absence of the RecordingSecretary.

• Assume the office of the Recording Secretary in the event the Recording Secretary is unable to carry out the duties and responsibilities during the term of office.

• Maintain a log of all motions made during business meetings.

2) A candidate for Assistant Recording Secretary must:

• Be financially active with the Association for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years priorto becoming a candidate for Assistant Recording Secretary.

• Possess and demonstrate clear communicative, organizational, technological, and time management skills.

• Possess planning and problem-solving skills.

District Representatives will serve as liaison among chapters in his/her representative district and the Board of Directors. 

The District Representative shall: 

• Conduct at least two district meetings a year.

• Assist in establishing new chapters and revitalizing inactive chapters.

• Assist chapters in coordinating fundraising and recruiting activities.

• Aid and stimulate growth and sustainability with chapters in his/her district.

• Serve as presiding officer at all district conferences and call meetings and shall coordinate the activities of the district.

• Appoint a host chapter for district meetings.

• Appoint committees and other positions as needed.

• Submit and/or present monthly reports to the Board of Directors and/or chapters in the district.

• Communicate with alumni interested in starting local chapters, networks, or affinity groups.

• Conduct new chapter orientation and serve as a major resource person for training and development of chapters.

• Perform any other duties as assigned.