Page 5 - Alcorn - The University Magazine: Spring, 2011

Purple & Gold
purple
and
gold
forever
No matter when you graduated or where you live, you will always be an Alcornite.
You may not find it on the globe, but Alcorn State University is always found in the hearts of winning alumni, selfless educators, committed students, and faithful friends. It is rare to find a place so cherished. And the reasons are just as fascinating and unique as the institution itself.
Rich Tradition. From its founding days to the present, Alcorn has had a rich and storied history. Hiram Revels, the first African- American to be elected to the United States Senate, was its first president. It boasts a distinguished list of alumni that includes Medgar Wiley Evers ’52, Leslie Frazier ’82, and Kimberly Morgan ’05. e passion and leadership of these extraordinary individu- als and the heritage that defines Alcorn have continued to drive students like Derrick Everett ’03 to the campus. “I love Alcorn because it was the first historically black land-grant institution and because of Steve McNair ’95. He put Alcorn and the SWAC on the map,” shared Everett.
“I bleed PURPLE and GOLD.”
— Lisa Gilmore Mose
First-generation Students. When Arnold Harris ’60 walked onto the campus of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College, he did so as one of the first persons in his family to attend a post- secondary institution. is feat evoked tremendous pride as he — and one of his five brothers who also attended — expressed deep gratitude for Alcorn. “Alcorn gave me an opportunity to go to col- lege and develop a career as a teacher in Memphis City Schools,” shared Harris. “It was really the first college campus I’d ever been
to, coming here as a member of the 4-H Club and as an ‘Ag boy’ many years ago,” he recalled. His brother, James Harris ’64, be- came an educator also: “I came and just fell in love with Alcorn.”
Developing Careers. College is one of the first steps in career development. e instructors at Alcorn care about their students’ futures. “As a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law, I owe much of my success to Alcorn State Univer- sity. I was encouraged to attend law school by Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr., and while at Alcorn, I participated in the LSAT preparation courses,” shared Bernard Hubbard II ’03. Frances Foster Moon ’77 shared similar sentiments. “I received a great education which I have been able to use over the past 30-plus years,” said Moon.
Home Away From Home. Whether from Mississippi, another state, or a whole different country, students find that Alcorn feels like home. “I’ve made lots of friends here. We’re just like a huge family,” shared current student Morgan Genereaut of Canada. Andrea Vera ’12, of Mexico, agreed. “It’s like a home away from home,” she said.
Family Legacy. Attending Alcorn is a tradition for some fami- lies, and for Garciea Vaughn, continuing his family’s legacy is an honor. “I’m a third-generation Alcornite, and I absolutely love this university, the people, and its background,” shared Vaughn. Michelle Shelton ’03 also attended her parents’ alma mater. “My entire family went to Alcorn: my mom, dad, sisters, and cousins. It’s all family history here!” she explained.
For these reasons and others, Alcorn State University is greatly loved. And Alcornites everywhere proudly shout along with Miss Alcorn State University ’89-90 Lisa Gilmore Moses, “I bleed PURPLE and GOLD.”
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