Spotlight on Excellence
Relocated
Students from Louisiana Talk Importance of Education
Hurricane Katrina left many students from Louisiana deprived
from the opportunity to continue their education. Higher
education institutions across the country have helped those
displaces students. Alcorn State University accepted a number of
students last year.
Deanna Williams and Alfonso Holmes were among other students who
relocated from Louisiana and received
funding from the Congressional Delegation. They found their new Alma Mater here at
Alcorn. They are grateful for this opportunity and warm
reception and would like to share their stories with Alcorn
family.
Alfonso
Holmes
Before Katrina Alfonso Holmes attended University of New
Orleans. Now he is a junior, Psychology major at Alcorn State
University.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New
Orleans native Alfonso Holmes found himself at a crossroads in
his life. With over 80 percent of his city submerged in water,
and his university closed indefinitely, Holmes was confronted
with a tough educational choice: defer his education for an
unknown period of time or muster up the strength to pick up the
pieces of his life and find another university to attend.
In the face of one of America’s worst and
most tragic national disasters, Holmes left his temporary
quarters in Centreville, MS, as well as the security of his
family, to attend Mississippi’s historic Alcorn State
University—and he hasn’t turned back since.
An active member of the NAACP and
Psychology Society, Holmes has excelled both scholastically and
personally, having recently been honored as a university scholar
at Alcorn’s bi-annual Honors Day Convocation.
Holmes eagerly anticipates graduation in
2008 and has plans to return to New Orleans—a city that,
following Katrina, has seen an increase in clinical depression
and suicide and is in desperate need of psychology
professionals—in order to help rebuild his city.
“New Orleans is my home, and I believe
that it is up to New Orleanians to rebuild the city. I will
return, and I will rebuild,” said Holmes, whose long-term career
objective is to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and own and
operate a psychology practice.
Deanna Williams
Before
Katrina Deanna Williams attended Delgado Community College in
New Orleans, LA. Now she is a Biology/Pre-Medicine student at
Alcorn State University.
As New Orleans struggles to rebuild following the devastating
Hurricane Katrina—a city riddled with mental and physical
infirmities and suffering a dearth of medical officials and
facilities as a result of the devastating storm—aspiring medical
doctor and New Orleans native Deanna Williams’ is wholly focused
on healing the sick, as well as picking up the pieces of her
broken city.
Having attended the New Orleans Center for Science and
Mathematics, as well as graduating as valedictorian of her
senior class, Deanna Williams was always certain that her
purpose in life was to become a medical doctor.
“Being a doctor is my life,” says the confident ingénue,
“It’s all I know!”
Williams put her life plan into action, originally attended
Delgado Community College, one of the foremost institutions for
introduction in the biological sciences in New Orleans, with
plans of transferring to Xavier University of Louisiana. Just as
she was settling into her classes, however, tragedy struck in
the form of Hurricane Katrina. Their home in New Orleans’
Central Business District was completely destroyed, both she and
her family were forced to relocate, eventually landing in
Houston, TX. When she gathered the strength to further her
education, she chose the “Academic Resort,” Alcorn State
University based upon their strength in the biological sciences.
“I had never considered Alcorn until I found out about their
reputation. I’m preparing for medical school, and I know Alcorn
will prepare me for success in my field,” said Williams.
Deanna plans to return to New Orleans to
practice medicine after she completes medical school. Beyond
using her gifts to heal others, Williams is also committed to
utilizing her talents to help the unfortunate—she is an avid
volunteer and has committed herself to completing 160 hours of
community service by her 2008 graduation date.
Above all, she wants to continue to excel
both academically and socially. When asked about her source of
inspiration, she responds with trademark New Orleanian sass and
a cocky smirk, “God kept me here after Hurricane Katrina for a
purpose—I just want to fulfill my purpose.” She said that her
long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. in Biology and eventually
practice medicine.
