August 14, 2024, signaled a significant transition in the life journey of nearly 600 young people as they traveled from near and far to their new home, Alcorn State University. Freshmen and their families were welcomed onto the campus with open arms as they embarked on this new endeavor.
Hope, promise, excitement, pride, and a few tears accented the day, which featured a coordinated schedule to ensure a smooth move-in process. Dedicated staff and volunteers were also on hand to assist and provide guidance. Themed “Brave Beginnings,” the remainder of the week and the weekend will be filled with fun activities and educational sessions, including opportunities to hear from faculty and staff, dinner and a welcome jam, a campus “class crawl,” a basketball tournament, advising sessions, and a 90s party for incoming freshmen, among other activities.
Move-In Day was not just about moving boxes; it was about creating a sense of community and belonging from the very first moment students arrived.
The process began early in the summer when alumni arrived on campus to pitch in with painting, cleaning, and renovations. Since then, the Faculty and Staff Institute has shared best practices, the University vision, learning sessions, and innovative practices. The Housing and Facilities Management departments have been abuzz with preparations. In a coordinated effort, all departments of the University moved in synchronicity to fulfill the Brave promise for a new generation of freshmen, as well as our returning and transfer students.
Kahari Allen, a junior agriculture plant and soil science major, serves as a resident assistant (RA) for Revels Hall, a men’s dormitory. He shares, “We’re here today making sure students have all their forms and information that they need, making sure that they have their keys and Gold Cards, basically every essential need. My hope is just to form a sense of community for the guys on my floor,” he shared.
Azaria Darneaud, an RA in Burrus Hall, a women’s dormitory, shared, “We’re trying to help all the freshmen move in today and get ready so that we can have our first meeting with them tonight. We want to let them know the kind of environment we want to implement and encourage them to stay within the rules but also have fun and know that this is a safe place for them.”
The effort was apparent and noted by both first-time parents and alumni returning to the University, who remarked on the family atmosphere and the spirit of welcome.
Hinds County natives Christopher and Alantha Hunley were excited about their daughter Morgan’s arrival on campus. Christopher shared, “We’re nervous! She’s our baby, so anyone would have anxiety about their kid leaving home for the first time.” Alantha concurred and shared, “…but the more we spend time on campus, and we see how it’s such a family-oriented environment and so welcoming to everyone here, we feel more comfortable. We’re Jackson State fans,” she smiled, “but Alcorn was Morgan’s choice.”
Saniyah Warner, an incoming freshman, brought dual-enrollment credits from Copiah Lincoln Community College to Alcorn with her diploma from Natchez High School. The eighteen-year-old junior was excited to follow in the footsteps of her dad, Arthur Owens, an alumnus and employee of the University. Saniyah shared, “I’ve been a Brave fan since I was born because of my dad.” He added, “This is a sweet moment. My daughter’s going to be 45 minutes away from home. I’m used to her being next to me, but I have no worries. She’s going to be with me the whole time because I work here,” he laughed. “But seriously, I just want her to have a great time. My hopes for her experience at Alcorn are good grades, new friends, thriving in her new environment, and making great memories as I did in my Alcorn experience,” he shared.
Yolanda Pilton Campbell, a 1997 graduate of the University, and her husband J.C. moved their daughter Jaici into Burrus Hall. Yolanda shared, “Jaici was practically raised here on this campus, and now she has chosen it for herself. I just want her to do well. I have taught her well, and now I need to let her succeed by herself. Twenty-eight years ago, my parents let me find my way here, and I did well. So, we have to let her find her way.” “I’m not nervous at all,” she added. “Alcorn State University gave me a family outside of my family. The friends I made here, my roommates, and my sorority sisters are my ‘framily.’ We’re friends, but we chose to be family. Alcorn creates that for its students, so I know this is the best place for her.”
Her daughter Jaici shared, “Alcorn is all I’ve ever known. I hope to find people I can take with me and to learn things that I didn’t even think I could. My roommate is my best friend, so I’m excited about that as well.” Her best friend Antionette shared, “I’ve been coming down here to Alcorn since the third grade—just coming to the games and having fun. It feels like home; it feels like family down here. I hope to have fun, make new friends, and make sure I stay on my schoolwork.” Antionette’s mom, Sharon Foster, shared, “My hope for her time at Alcorn is that she just stays focused and achieves the goals that she came here to do.”
Geraldine and Thomas Gremillion, Baton Rouge natives, were on campus to move in their grandson, Frank, an agriculture major, and his girlfriend Jamiah, a criminal justice major. “We chose Alcorn because it’s an HBCU, and also this is where he wanted to go. I hope that he’s successful, does well, and graduates,” said Thomas. Geraldine laughed, “He chose Alcorn because of his little girlfriend, but his mother also went here. My niece went to school here as well, so it’s a bit of a family school for us. I think he’s going to enjoy it.” She said, “He’s a good kid and a respectful kid, so I think he’s going to be good. Both of them are.”
As students prepare for this new chapter, the Alcorn community stands ready to support them every step of the way. From Brave Beginnings Week to the funds and scholarships available through the ASU Foundation, Inc., the University is poised to assist its freshman class and all students toward success.
For more information about Move-In Day, including schedules and resources, please visit https://alcorn.presence.io to download the app.
For more on the GAP Funds available through the ASU Foundation, Inc., visit https://alcorn.scholarshipuniverse.com/public.
For late registration, visit https://www.alcorn.edu/academics/register-for-classes/.
