On March 28, 2019, Alcorn State University (ASU) hosted their 79th Biannual Honors Convocation. Held in the James L. Bolden Campus Union Ballroom at 10:00 am, the program began with the Prelude conducted by Tony Gordon, an Instructor in the Department of Fine Arts.
Next, the Posting of Colors was carried out by the Braves’ Battalion and Sergeant First Class Stephen P. Wilson. The Invocation, done by Reverend Barry Thompson, Pastor of Laurel Hill Missionary Baptist Church, was followed by a selection by the ASU Concert Choir which was directed by Dr. Alona Alexander.
The program continued as Moriah Batiest, Miss Alcorn 2018-2019 and Robert Tatum Jr., Student Government Association President 2018-2019, did the official Welcoming. The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Tiffany M. Lloyd. Not only is Lloyd a graduate of Alcorn State University, she is also a Political Science Professor at Richland College and Tarrant County College in Dallas, Texas. One of the key points that she emphasized in her speech was, “Adversity makes creativity.”
Mr. Alfred Galtney, Director of Research and Sponsored Programs, proceeded to recognize over 600 Dean’s Scholars and over 200 President’s Scholars. Jacobi Holt, a Junior Biochemistry major, stated that, “The speaker was amazing, because she was really engaging with the crowd and she had a good message. I also enjoyed receiving a sweater today. It was something I’ve worked towards since I began at Alcorn and it’s always been a goal of mine.”
Concluding the event, Alcorn’s hosts of the event and faculty expressed to the students how proud they were of them for their achievements and maintaining high goals and standards.