Notable Alumni of Alcorn State University: A Legacy of Excellence
Alcorn State University, nestled in Lorman, Mississippi, stands as a beacon of historically Black education, with a legacy spanning over 140 years. As the first publicly funded historically Black university in the nation, Alcorn State has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing quality instruction and fostering social progress. This article explores the lives and achievements of some of Alcorn State University's most notable alumni, individuals who have left an indelible mark on society across various fields.
According to updated data from March 2, 2025, EduRank places Alcorn State University at 1765th in the world, 618th in North America, and 582nd in the United States based on aggregated alumni prominence. This ranking underscores the significant impact that Alcorn State graduates have had on a global scale.
Trailblazers in Civil Rights and Activism
Alcorn State University has a rich history of producing leaders who have championed civil rights and social justice.
Medgar Evers: A prominent civil rights activist and soldier, Medgar Wiley Evers served as the NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi. A United States Army veteran of World War II, Evers dedicated his life to overturning racial segregation at the University of Mississippi, ending segregation in public facilities, and expanding opportunities for African Americans, particularly in the realm of voting rights. His assassination by Byron De La Beckwith marked a tragic loss for the civil rights movement.
Myrlie Evers-Williams: Continuing the legacy of her late husband, Medgar Evers, Myrlie Louise Evers-Williams is an American civil rights activist and journalist. She dedicated over three decades to seeking justice for her husband's murder and served as chairwoman of the NAACP. Evers-Williams has also authored several books on civil rights and her husband's legacy. Her contributions were further recognized when she delivered the invocation at the second inauguration of Barack Obama.
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Charles Evers: Following in his brother Medgar's footsteps, James Charles Evers became a key figure in the civil rights movement. A businessman, radio personality, and politician, Charles Evers served as the NAACP field director in Mississippi after Medgar's assassination. He organized and led numerous demonstrations advocating for the rights of African Americans.
Fannie Lou Hamer: Another instrumental figure in the fight for voting rights during the 1960s, Fannie Lou Hamer's work was crucial in securing the right to vote for African Americans.
Horace Roscoe Cayton Sr.: An American journalist and political activist, Cayton launched his own newspaper, The Seattle Republican, in 1894. The paper, the longest-lived of seven African-American newspapers in Seattle between 1891 and 1901, ceased publication in 1913.
Jennifer A. Riley Collins: An American attorney and politician.
Willie Lee Simmons: Is an American politician and former member of the Mississippi State Senate from the 13th District, where he served from 1993 to 2020. Simmons ran and won the election to the Mississippi Transportation Commission for the Central District. Prior to serving in the senate, he worked in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
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Stars on the Gridiron: Football Legends
Alcorn State University boasts a proud tradition of producing exceptional football players who have excelled in the National Football League (NFL).
Steve McNair: Nicknamed "Air McNair," Stephen LaTreal McNair was a professional football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the NFL. He began his career with the Houston Oilers before the team relocated to Nashville, becoming the first franchise quarterback of the Tennessee Titans. McNair also played for the Baltimore Ravens.
Malcolm Butler: An American former professional football cornerback who played in the NFL for seven seasons. Butler played his first four seasons with the New England Patriots, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2014. In his final three seasons, he was a member of the Tennessee Titans.
KhaDarel Hodge: An American professional football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He played college football at Prairie View A&M.
John Thierry: A defensive end in the NFL, John Fitzgerald Thierry was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round (11th overall pick) of the 1994 NFL draft. He played nine seasons in the NFL from 1994 to 2002.
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Nate Hughes: A former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alcorn State.
Hardwood Heroes: Basketball Greats
Alcorn State University has also produced talented basketball players who have made their mark in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and beyond.
Lindsey Hunter Jr.: An American former professional basketball player and coach. He played in the NBA from 1993 to 2010, primarily with the Detroit Pistons. Hunter also served as the interim head coach of the Phoenix Suns in 2013 and recently held the head coach position at Mississippi Valley State.
Larry Smith: A former professional basketball player, Larry Smith played 13 seasons (1980-1993) in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. Nicknamed "Mr. Mean," Smith received NBA All-Rookie Team Honors in 1981 and became one of the best rebounders of the 1980s.
Nathaniel Archibald: An American basketball player best known for his collegiate career with the Alcorn State Braves. He was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Year as a junior in 1973 and earned back-to-back first-team all-SWAC honors during his final two seasons.
Trey Johnson: An American-Qatari former professional basketball player and coach. He played college basketball with the Alcorn State Braves and the Jackson State Tigers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). During his senior year, he won the SWAC Player of the Year award.
Alex Owumi: A Nigerian-American professional basketball player and author. He last played for the Worthing Thunder of the National Basketball League Division 1 (NBL 1) in England, which he now owns.
Entertainers and Artists: Voices and Faces of Alcorn State
Alcorn State University's alumni have also made significant contributions to the world of entertainment and the arts.
Michael Clarke Duncan: An acclaimed American actor, Michael Clarke Duncan is best known for his role as John Coffey in The Green Mile (1999), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also played Kingpin in Daredevil and Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003) and appeared in films such as Armageddon (1998), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Planet of the Apes (2001), The Scorpion King (2002), Sin City (2005), and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006).
Alexander O'Neal: An American R&B singer, songwriter, and arranger from Natchez, Mississippi.
Alex Haley: An American writer and the author of the 1976 book Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The book was adapted into a television miniseries of the same name, which aired in 1977 to a record-breaking audience of 130 million viewers.
Tim Buckley: Record producer, Songwriter, Singer-songwriter.
Leaders in Other Fields
Leslie Antonio Frazier: An American football coach and former player. He is currently the assistant head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. He played professional football as a cornerback for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL), winning a Super Bowl in the 1985 season.
Iris Kyle: An African-Indian American professional female bodybuilder. She is the most successful professional bodybuilder ever, with a total of twenty professional bodybuilding titles, including ten overall and two heavyweight Ms. Olympia titles, and seven overall and one heavyweight Ms. International titles.
Alcorn State University: A Foundation for Success
These notable alumni represent just a fraction of the many individuals who have benefited from an Alcorn State University education. The university's commitment to academic excellence, community involvement, and student success has prepared countless graduates to make meaningful contributions to society.
Alcorn State University offers a wide array of academic programs in fields such as business, education, nursing, agriculture, and the arts and sciences. By emphasizing experiential learning, research opportunities, and community engagement, the university equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers and leadership roles.
The university's faculty members are devoted scholars and practitioners who are committed to providing students with a challenging and all-encompassing education. Alcorn State University also provides a supportive learning environment, with small class sizes and individualized attention from teachers and staff.
In addition to its academic offerings, Alcorn State University provides a variety of extracurricular activities and student organizations. The university also hosts numerous events that promote inclusivity and diversity.
Alcorn State University's modern facilities, including libraries, labs, and recreation centers, provide students with the resources they need to thrive. The university's rural Mississippi location also offers unique opportunities for outdoor activities and community engagement.
Through its academic programs, research endeavors, and community outreach initiatives, Alcorn State University has a significant impact on the surrounding community and beyond. The university is dedicated to addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges and serves as an economic engine for the region.
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