A distinguished strategist, consultant, and pastor has been tapped to deliver this year’s Baccalaureate Service address. Dr. Kia Conerway, founding pastor of Church at the Well, will deliver the keynote speech to the graduating Class of 2024. The service will take place on Thursday, May 9, at 10 a.m. in the historic Oakland Memorial Chapel on the Lorman campus.
This event is free and open to the family and friends of the Class of 2024 and the University community.
“Baccalaureate is an opportunity for Alcorn graduates to express gratitude and praise to God for their victory against great odds,” said Dr. C.J. Rhodes, director of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Hiram Rhodes Revels Institute for Ethical Leadership. “Dr. Kia Conerway, a young preacher and HBCU grad whose leadership impact is felt from Memphis to the White House, will certainly inspire continued God-graced bravery for the Spring Class of 2024.”
Conerway is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, the University of Chicago, and Memphis Theological Seminary.
With nearly two decades of experience shaping strategies for churches, politicians, and non-profits in the South, she has become known for her expertise in fundraising and consulting. She has successfully raised funds for multiple church launches and the three largest churches in the Mid-South.
As founding pastor of the Church at the Well, Conerway has overseen significant growth, enabling nearly $300,000 in mission funding. Her doctoral work, which raised nearly $500,000 in a single weekend, highlights her skills in consulting for health disparity programs.