Alcorn holds ribbon cutting ceremony for Medgar Evers’ memorial statue
Alcorn holds ribbon cutting ceremony for Medgar Evers’ memorial statue
Alcorn State University students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered at the site of the Medgar Wiley Evers memorial on October 2, 2013, for the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Dameon Shaw, assistant vice president for Advancement Services, opened the ceremony welcoming the audience. The program followed with the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation by Joel Jackson, a junior majoring in education, and the Heritage Anthem by the ASU Men Chorale.
In his statement of occasion, Marcus Ward, vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director, ASU Foundation, Inc., said, “Today, we think about Medgar Wiley Evers ’52, who laid down his live for all of us. We wouldn’t be here today if it was not for people like him, who made sacrifices for all of us. As we gather today to cut the ribbon and open this memorial for the world to see, I charge to you to remember Medgar Evers and respect the monument.”
Dr. Samuel L. White, executive vice president and provost, welcomed the audience to the ceremony and said, addressing the students, “All of you present here today, serve as ambassadors for all our students, spread the word, so there is no one on this campus who doesn’t know who Medgar Evers was and what he has done for all of us.”
The program continued with remarks by Avery Ford, SGA President 2013-14, and Medgar’s classmate Dr. Alpha Morris, retired professor and chair of the Department of Social Sciences. Dr. Morris shared with the audience about what kind of person Evers was as a student, “Medgar was serious about his education, he spent many hours in the library and never missed a class. He was socially active and often engaged others in conversations on what can be done to make things different. Medgar was kind and cared about people, which was a precursor of what he is best known for – fighting for a better life for all people in this country. I urge you to read about Medgar’s life and his assassination that happened 50 years ago.”
The ceremony concluded with a benediction, musical presentation by the ASU Gospel Choir and the official ribbon cutting.
Alcorn State University thanks all Alcornites and friends for helping us honor the courage, leadership, and dedication of a fellow Mississippian and Alcorn State graduate: Medgar Wiley Evers ’52. Help support the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the larger-than-life statue of a determined, forward reaching Evers by donating today. To give today, click here or contact ASU Foundation at 601.877.6693.
