Ag alumni convene to support the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences
On Feb. 7, agriculture alumni and friends convened at the Center for Ecology and Natural Resources Building on the Lorman campus of Alcorn State University to hear from the dean and director of Land-grant Programs, School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences, Dr. Ivory W. Lyles, and to discuss their strategies for enhancing support of the School and the University.
Alumni from throughout the state of Mississippi, as well as out-of-state, attended the Agriculture Alumni Luncheon. The event provided them with an understanding of the direction that the School is moving in and how they can provide assistance in various ways such as fundraising, recruiting of students and faculty, and offering support for Alcorn.
Alexander Anderson from Tupelo, Mississippi, class of 1970, president of the National Alumni Association Agriculture Alumni Committee, expressed, “I hope this [alumni luncheon] will create another vehicle to bring us [alumni] closer together, so we can work to promote the University and especially the School of AREAS, which is very important since Alcorn is a land-grant institution.”
Lyles stated, “We have a core group of alumni who have been actively supporting the School and participating in the University’s life. We are planning to start with this group and build alumni involvement.”
Lyles further stressed the importance of alumni and industry support to satisfy the needs for student scholarships, equipment, new buildings, including a swine farm on the Lorman campus and a state-of-the-art science facility, for reactivating the 4-H program as well as garnering support for other projects.
Following Lyles’ presentation, alumni and friends enjoyed good food and fellowship.
