Myrlie Evers-Williams keynote speaker at Alcorn alumni event in Atlanta

Myrlie Evers-Williams

By Monica Land

ATLANTA – Alcorn University’s Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence, civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams, will be speaking at an annual alumni event this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

Myrlie Evers-Williams

Evers-Williams, 79, is the keynote speaker and her theme is: “Coming together, moving forward.”

More than 600 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of Alcorn State University will come together on Thursday, Feb. 21 through Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 for the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association’s annual Mid-Winter Conference.

“A Past to Cherish…. A Future to Fulfill” is the theme, and the meeting will be held at the Marriott Marquis Atlanta.

Evers-Williams, the widow of slain civil rights icon, Medgar Evers, has been at Alcorn University since her return to Mississippi in 2012. She was asked by President Barack Obama to deliver the invocation at his second presidential inauguration on Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C., and 10 days later, she spoke at the Governor Phil Bryant’s prayer luncheon in Jackson, Miss.

Alcorn officials said the purpose of the Mid-Winter Conference is to provide a unique “venue for engagement and ideas.”

“Attending the conference is a chance to converse with others who, like you, share a passion for all things purple and gold,” said Alcorn State University National Alumni Association President James Stubbs.

Stubbs went on to commend Gynedrya Frison, President of the Metro-Atlanta Chapter, for their efforts with the conference.

“President Frison and the Metro-Atlanta Chapter have planned a dynamic action-packed program for attendees.”

Frison felt strongly that this year’s conference should offer something for everyone regardless of their Alcorn affiliation.

“We are proud that participants will get the chance to interact with President M. Christopher Brown concerning the state of the University and other Alcorn representatives including keynote speaker Myrlie Evers,” Frison said.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings attendees will have the option of participating in the Zumba fitness program, followed by informative meetings and workshops on topics relating to finance, health, alumni membership, and cloud technology. HBCU Alumnus of the Year 2012 Dr. Shelby Wilkes will facilitate a workshop on “Diabetes and the Eyes.”

The First Annual Marino Casem Golf Tournament will take place on Friday at 10 a.m.

Friday afternoon, Dr. Derek Greenfield, director of Educational Equity and Inclusion at Alcorn State University, will speak at the Heritage Luncheon. And a “fun-filled” Friday evening will help alumni unwind with comedy, music, and dancing featuring Alcorn’s own Marion Kendrick and DJ Charles “Kaveman” Smith.

Saturday night’s Purple and Gold Gala will feature a walk on the “Purple Carpet” and an inspirational address from Evers-Williams.

The conference will conclude Sunday with a morning Ecumenical Service featuring “Krystal and Friends.”

President Brown said the strength of Alcorn State University continues to lie with the people who love it.

“There is nothing I love more than coming together to exchange ideas with our ambassadors who extend Alcorn’s reach around the world,” he said. “Without them, we could not move forward or continually invest in the knowledge and character of our students. We appreciate their support.”

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