LORMAN, Miss. – Among a packed crowd at the Davey L. Whitney Complex on Saturday during 2017 Spring Commencement were 45 Alcorn State University student-athletes who picked up their degrees in-hand on stage.
"We are very honored to have such a large, accomplished group of graduates who put in countless hours on and off the field for this University," said director of athletics
Derek Horne. "One of our main goals at Alcorn is to assure that all of our student-athletes are prepared to compete at the highest level in the next chapters of their lives."
Saturday closed out a monumental year of academic achievement for Alcorn student-athletes. The 45 spring graduates added to the 19 from the fall. The 64 graduates total for 2016-17 are the most in the institutions recorded history.
"We are tremendously proud of each of these students who have devoted his or her time pursuing academic excellence, in addition to athletic excellence. We are confident that our graduates will continue to excel in their chosen career field and continue to make us proud as Braves Alumni," said
Jason Cable, assistant vice president for athletic compliance and academic services.
ESPN Anchor Jay Harris delivered the commencement speech on stage to over 500 Alcorn graduates. Harris has worked at ESPN since 2003 and has over 25 years of experience in television and radio. He played a vital role in
SportCenter's Emmy Award-winning efforts in 2004 and 2005.
"If you do not go after what you want, you will never have it," said Harris. "If you do not ask, the answer will always be no. If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place. Live by these rules, and everything will go well. Your time is limited; so don't waste it by living someone else's life. Don't let the voice of others' opinion drown out your inner voice. Most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition," Harris said.
Spring 2017 Alcorn Student-Athlete Graduates
Aikerson-Russell, Alessandria - Animal Science | Women's Track & Field
Baker, Arron - General Studies | Football
Belmont, Daniel - General Studies | Baseball
Boseman, Oliver - General Studies | Football
Brantley, Kenyon - Sport Management | Football
Caddell, Erica - Criminal Justice | Volleyball
Castillo, Jazmin - Psychology | Softball
Collins, Sametria - Social Work | Softball
Connolly, Kimberly - Mathematics | Soccer
Corona, Daniel - Pre-Physical Therapy | Baseball
Crespo, Wilfredo - Business Administration | Baseball
Cruz, Jasmine - Accounting | Volleyball
Dade, Detonio - Health & PE | Football
Fletcher, Robert - Recreation | Baseball
Footman, Lenorris - Criminal Justice | Football
Foster, Eric - Applied Science | Football
Gresly, Jessee - Criminal Justice | Softball
Grimes, Evan - General Studies | Football
Gutierrez, Adriana - Biology | Softball
Hennington, Darien - Applied Science | Men's Track & Field
Hurns, Michael - Biology | Football
Jackson, Christopher - Accounting | Men's Track & Field
Jefferson, Christopher - Biology | Men's Track & Field
Lester, Michael - Sport Management | Football
Levels-Morgan, Myquis - General Studies | Women's Track & Field
Luton, Brianna - General Studies | Women's Basketball
Martin, Samiria - Criminal Justice | Women's Track & Field
Mellom, Sydney - Biotechnology | Volleyball
Prentiss, Marquis - Computer Networking | Men's Track & Field
Robinson, Jasmine - History | Women's Track & Field
Sama, Deago - Recreation | Football
Sanez, Jason - Criminal Justice | Baseball
Scriven, Taylor - Psychology | Volleyball
Sears, Jordan - Accounting | Baseball
Sherman, Talisa - Psychology | Women's Basketball
Smith, D'Andre - Criminal Justice | Football
Strane, Jazmine - Sport Management | Women's Basketball
Taylor, Jordenne - Sport Management | Softball
Thigpen, Edric - General Studies | Football
Turner, De'Lance - Psychology | Football
Turner, Denzel - Political Science | Men's Golf
Veal, Norlando - Recreation | Football
Wells, Henrietta - Biology | Women's Basketball
Williams, Laderrick - Recreation | Baseball
Willis-Greene, Austin - General Studies | Baseball
#FearTheBrave
