House Concurrent Resolution 59

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY UPON BEING NAMED 2012 HBCU OF THE YEAR.

WHEREAS, Alcorn State University, the nation's oldest public historically Black land-grant institution, was founded in 1871 and has been educating and equipping students in the State of Mississippi to be leaders in a wide range of professions for over 138 years; and

WHEREAS, on April 21, 2012, Alcorn State University's heritage and outstanding accomplishments in higher education were celebrated when the state institution of higher learning was presented with the coveted HBCU of the Year award at the second annual HBCU Awards hosted by the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, in presenting the award in Bowie, Maryland, in front of a capacity audience, Jarrett Carter, executive director of the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, noted that "Great things -- outstanding research, high-quality teaching and public engagement -- are happening at Alcorn State University, and ... it is an elite institution that embodies the spirit of the HBCU community"; and

WHEREAS, in addition to receiving the highest honor of HBCU of the Year, Alcorn captured two other awards at the 2012 ceremony, which is the only awards ceremony honoring excellence at historically Black colleges and universities in the nation: Male Alumnus of the Year, honoring Alcorn graduate, Dr. Shelby Wilkes; and Best Alumni Publication for The Alumni Magazine; and

WHEREAS, Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, President of Alcorn, credits the hard work and dedication of the school's faculty, students, alumni and staff for the tradition-rich and stellar academic reputation of the university which helped earn the three awards captured by Alcorn in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Alcorn's selection for the 2012 HBCU of the Year award brings honor to the entire State of Mississippi, and it is with great pride that this Legislature joins with the students, alumni, faculty, staff and administration of Alcorn State University to celebrate this well-deserved and outstanding recognition:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Alcorn State University on being awarded the 2012 HBCU of the Year award and extend heartfelt appreciation to the institution for its significant role in educating the state's leaders of tomorrow.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Alcorn State University and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.