Page 2 - Alcorn - The University Magazine: Spring, 2010

From the President
Dear Alcornites and friends,
I am pleased to have been chosen as interim president of Alcorn State University. It is now my responsibility to lead Alcorn at a critical time in the University’s — as well as the state’s — history.
Let us be positive. History is on our side. We have overcome many threats and financial hardships, and the University has emerged better and stronger as a result. Alcorn has existed as a state institution for 139 years. It is predated only by the University of Mississippi. e state of Mississippi was the first state in the union to establish a state-supported institution for the education of black males. e university officially became co-ed in 1903 when it admitted its first female student. e university now admits all qualified students without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, or physical handicaps.
Alcorn has always been a land-grant college. It has supplied agricultur- alists, teachers, physicians, dentists, and others for the learned professions throughout its long and illustrious history.
Each new president does what he can do to make Alcorn stronger. We must have support from our alumni and friends to recruit students to oc- cupy the new housing now under construction on campus.
We hope that you will take pride in the accomplishments of students, faculty, staff, and alumni that are contained in this volume.
Remember the Purple and Gold forever,
Norris Allen Edney Interim President