Alcorn's expansion begins new era in Vicksburg with new modern facility
August 23, 2013, marked a new era for Alcorn State University’s Vicksburg Expansion Program as the University’s new facility at the Vicksburg Pemberton Square Mall was opened with a pompous ribbon cutting ceremony.
Some 200 people attended the ceremony and enjoyed the tour of the state-of-the-art facility. Dr. Samuel L. White, executive vice president and provost for Alcorn State University, presided over the ceremony and welcomed the audience, “Today is an awesome day for Alcorn as we celebrate the opening of this amazing and beautiful new location that adds values to the University’s operations and our partnership with the city of Vicksburg.”
Dr. Cheryl Kariuki, executive director of the Vicksburg Expansion Program, acknowledged Dr. Hank M. Bounds, commissioner, Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., William Banks Jr., Warren County Board of Supervisors, Christi Kilroy, Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce, Mike Coontz, Rockstep Capital and Mike Carlisle, Vicksburg Pemberton Square Mall and other dignitaries. Reverend Paul H. Fleming, pastor, Cedar Grove Baptist Church, offered the invocation.
The program continued with a welcome on behalf of the University by Carmen Gibson, Miss Alcorn State University 2013-14, and Avery Ford, 2013-14 Student Government President.
Commissioner Bounds offered special greeting on behalf of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). He encouraged the audience to thank Dr. Brown for his vision on the Vicksburg Expansion as being one of the most critical areas for the University, and translating his vision into reality, as “every small town in Mississippi needs more education.”
President Brown stirred up the audience, “This is dawning of a new day in the life of our University and the next step in the manifestation of our Vicksburg Vision,” He went on to explain how the Alcorn facility in the Vicksburg Pemberton Square Mall will thrive and be most conducive to high quality teaching and learning.
“Alcorn will continuously make investments in bringing best-in-class postsecondary education to the citizens of Vicksburg and the surrounding area,” President Brown said.
Inspired by President Brown’s speech, the audience proceeded to the official ribbon cutting that was followed by special remarks by the platform guests. The event concluded with Vicksburg residents enjoying a tour of the facility and refreshments.
Classes begin on August 26. Alcorn has rolling admissions, enroll today by visiting alcorn.edu.
