We are …Ready. We are Alcorn.
Lorman, Miss. (March 21, 2014) – Some are born ready and others are ready made. No matter the case, Alcorn State University is moving forward with a strong combination of energy—courage and confidence.
It’s a sense of optimism that springs forward from the student body to employees and alumni to the community at large. And President Alfred Rankins Jr. is leading the charge. It’s not easy balancing institutional control with transparency. But President Rankins is ready to find that balance working along with the Alcorn family.
In a letter to the Alcorn family on his first day on the job, President Rankins reflected on his time as an Alcornite and shared words of inspiration.
“It is essential that the Alcorn spirit manifests itself in collaborations across academic disciplines by our dedicated faculty and staff, be reinforced by our committed alumni and friends, and championed by our loyal student body whose originality in cheering on the Braves is matched only by their spirit of innovation in class and community work.”
Rankins can’t say enough about Alcorn students. He repeatedly mentioned that students are a priority during the presidential search process. Alcorn is in good hands, shares sophomore Aaron Jackson, 19, of Natchez.
“President Rankins is student oriented and his credentials are strong,” said Jackson. “He has walked in my shoes. He lives and breathes ‘Purple and Gold’ just like me. Truth be told, he’s ready to be president and he’s perfect for the job. I wish him a long and successful tenure.”
Around campus students echo Jackson and believe the president is interested in having a student-focused university. Many agree that President Rankins is forward thinking and wants to move Alcorn forward while addressing student issues or concerns.
As for Rankins’ work ethic, it precedes him. Dr. John Walls Jr. ’68, National Alumni Foundation chairman, of Vicksburg, describes Rankins as levelheaded with a willingness to take risks. “I have worked with him before and his work reflects ambitious thinking,” says Walls. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he will be an excellent president and make us all proud.”
It’s no secret that President Rankins is at the helm of Alcorn at a critical time. There’s a lot of work ahead of him and the Alcorn family. Moving forward and making decisions that help us do that is the best and only option, and President Rankins knows that.
Alcorn is ready in large part because of the quality of our students, the generosity of our alumni and the dedication of our faculty and staff who are committed to Alcorn excellence every day. And we are excited about what 2014 has in store for us. We are ready. We are Alcorn.
-ALCORN-
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.
