Alcorn to bestow five Honorary Alumnus Awards
Alcorn State, Miss. (April 24, 2013) –Alcorn will bestow five President’s Honorarii Alcornite Societatis Awards at its Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 11, President M. Christopher Brown II announced Wednesday. The President’s Honorarii Alcornite Societatis Award is given in recognition of an individual’s “distinguished service within their profession, discipline or other human endeavor.” Selection requires sufficient evidence of both “the knowledge and character emblematic of Alcornites, as well as a demonstrated interest and commitment to the University.”
The 2013 awards will be given at Alcorn’s 142nd Commencement Convocation on May 11 at 8:30 a.m. in the Davey L. Whitney HPER Complex. Recipients include renowned attorney and leader Milton C. Davis; public servant Jimmy Hammock; a gifted educator and 24th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre; community servant Frenchye Harper Latham; and lifelong Lorman resident Jesse Morris, Jr.
An accomplished attorney and leader, Milton C. Davis gained international acclaim when, as Assistant Attorney General for Alabama, he provided research and advocacy that led to the full pardon of Clarence Norris, the last known survivor of the Scottsboro Boys who were nine African-American males falsely convicted of rape in a clear miscarriage of justice. Davis’ work led Governor George Wallace to grant the first pardon in the state’s history based upon innocence. In 1993, Mr. Davis was elected as the 29th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and created the fraternity’s World Policy Council as a think tank to expand the organization’s engagement in global affairs.
Jimmy Hammock is a committed and highly regarded public servant who rose from humble beginnings to ascend to his current leadership position, the International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. In his professional endeavors, Mr. Hammock retired from ArvinMeritor, formerly Rockwell International, as Materials Manager, after 29 years of dedicated service. Recipient of numerous awards and recognitions as well as active member of a vast array of community organizations, Mr. Hammock’s work is perhaps best captured by his chosen administration theme upon election, “Changing Lives Through Service.”
Known lovingly as a “leader with a servant’s heart,” Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre is the 24th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A gifted educator who has impacted the lives of countless children as a classroom teacher and school administrator, Ms. Butler-McIntyre currently serves as the Director of Human Resources for the Jefferson Parish Public School System in Harvey, LA. Reflecting her distinguished record of community involvement, Ms. Butler-McIntyre has received a long list of awards and recognitions on the local, state, and national levels. In 2011, President Barack Obama appointed her to the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation.
The youngest of seven children born in 1923 in West, Mississippi, Frenchye Harper Latham attended Alcorn A&M College before moving to Oakland, CA to work in a munitions factory during World War II. Upon returning to Mississippi, Mrs. Harper and her husband faced harassment and threats from the KKK when he registered to vote and refused to remove his name from the voting roll. The family later relocated to Toledo, Ohio, where Mrs. Harper became passionately involved in founding, leading, and serving in a host of organizations designed to uplift the community. Known as the glue that keeps her family together, Mrs. Harper spends considerable time even today doing her part to care for others.
Jesse Morris, Jr., the son of Dr. Alpha Morris and the late Dr. Jesse Morris, Sr., is a proud and cherished member of the Alcorn community. Growing up on the campus, Mr. Morris started attending Alcorn events early on, and to this day, can be frequently found at celebratory programs, athletic contests, and educational activities.
“The Alcorn family is pleased to honor and recognize the distinguished service of these individuals,” said President Brown. “As our graduates envision their future footpaths, they will be enthused by the ways these men and women have demonstrated the knowledge and character emblematic of Alcornites with a spirit of excellence.”
Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League will serve as a keynote speaker during Alcorn’s 142nd Commencement Convocation. The 2013 Baccalaureate Ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 10 at 3:00 p.m. will feature Bishop Millicent Hunter, Founder and Senior Pastor of The Baptist Worship Center Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alcorn State University’s 2013 commencement activities will also include recording artist Chrystal Rucker and choreographer Michelle Gibson.
For a full schedule of commencement week activities, click here.
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Alcorn State University is a premier comprehensive land-grant university that develops diverse students into globally-competitive leaders, and applies scientific research through collaborative partnerships that benefit the surrounding communities, state, nation, and world.
