AJC Sepia HBCU of the Week: Alcorn State University's Notable Alumni

AJC Sepia HBCU of the Week: Alcorn State University
Medgar Evers -- Class of '52
Medgar Evers -- Class of '52
Myrlie Evers-Williams
Myrlie Evers-Williams
Medgar Evers Statue
Jack Spinks
Veronica Waters
Steve McNair
Steve McNair
Michael Clarke Duncan
Donald Driver
Larry Smith
Leslie Frazier
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Alcorn State University was founded in 1871 to educate the sons and daughters of black people who were formerly slaves in Mississippi.  Initially, the institution’s three major study components were the four-year college track, the two-year college track, and the three-year graded track. Students (like these from a horticulture class in 1897) spent the morning, from 7 a.m. until noon, in classes. In the afternoon, they worked in various university shops for eight cents per hour. Room and board, including laundry, cost about $5 a month. For more than a century, Alcorn state has taught and graduate thousands of students. Here are some of their brightest alumni.