Wednesday, October 4th saw students, faculty and guests celebrate Alcorn State University’s (ASU) annual Founders Day at 10:00 am in the Oakland Memorial Chapel on the Lorman campus. This year marked 146 years of distinction at the University. The purpose of celebrating Founders Day is to allow Alcornites to share their wisdom, experiences and sacrifices made for the University in order to keep Alcorn a successful industry in educating all who step foot on the campus.
The program began with a prelude by Mr. Tony Gordon, University Organist, followed by the processional platform of guests. The posting of the colors were carried out by the Alcorn Braves’ Battalion followed by the invocation executed by Reverend C. Edward Rhodes II, Director of Student Religious Life. The illustrious Alcorn State University Men’s Chorale, led by Mr. Dwayne Griffin, sang an inspiration piece designed specifically for the event. Next was the occasion which was prompted by Patrick Herbert Jr., President of the Student Government Association. Introduced next was Dr. Josephine Posey, ASU History Research Associate, who wrote the book Succeeding Against Great Odds. She discussed how Alcorn has come a long way since its beginnings and is continuing to grow and prosper year by year.
Directly after Dr. Posey spoke, two influential Alcornites took the floor to relay their wisdom and experiences that they had at Alcorn to the audience. The speakers included 1965 alumna Dr. Linden Smith Haynes, a continuous contributor to the Alcorn State University Foundation and 2003 Summa Cum Laude graduate, Attorney Kimberly Walker Nailor, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Warren County Chapter member of the Alcorn State University Alumni Association. Llettesha Sylvester, a Junior majoring in Music Performance, stated, “The program was very inspirational. It was nice to hear from the alumni about their experiences and hear about some of the history of the Institution, see and map some of the changes that have taken place over the years, see where the University has come from and where it can potentially go in the future.”
Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., 19th President of Alcorn State University, gave the closing remarks of the program. In his conclusion, he posed a question to the students asking, “What will your legacy be when you leave from Alcorn? What role will you play in making this state, this country and this world a better place?”
For more information about this event or any upcoming events, please visit www.alcorn.edu or contact the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at (601) 877-6140.