Alcorn State

⚔️ Alcorn State Is the Oldest Public HBCU Land-Grant Institution in America

Founded in 1871, Alcorn State University holds the distinction of being the first public Black land-grant college in the United States and the nation's oldest public HBCU land-grant institution. This makes Alcorn one of the most historically significant universities in Black higher education.

⚔️ Founded During Reconstruction

Alcorn was established just six years after the Civil War during Reconstruction to provide educational opportunities for formerly enslaved African Americans throughout Mississippi and the South.

⚔️ Hiram Revels Was Alcorn's First President

The university's first president was Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American ever to serve in the United States Senate. His leadership helped shape the institution's early legacy of leadership and public service.

⚔️ The Braves Compete at NCAA Division I

Alcorn State competes in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), placing it among the premier athletic programs in HBCU sports.

🏈 One of the Most Successful Programs in SWAC History

The Braves football program has won multiple SWAC championships and has captured five Black College National Championships (1968, 1969, 1974, 1984, and 2014).

🎺 The Sounds of Dyn-O-mite

Alcorn's famous marching band is known as the Sounds of Dyn-O-mite (SOD). The band is one of the most respected in HBCU culture and has become nationally recognized for its powerful sound, precision, and showmanship.

👑 The Golden Girls Started a Legacy

The Golden Girls of Alcorn State are considered pioneers in HBCU dance culture. Founded in 1968, they are recognized as the first HBCU dance line to perform without traditional majorettes and batons, helping inspire generations of dance teams across Black college bands.

🌾 A Historic Land-Grant Legacy

Agriculture remains one of Alcorn's signature strengths. The university's College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences continues the land-grant mission of research, innovation, and community service throughout Mississippi.

🏛️ "The Reservation"

Many alumni affectionately refer to campus as "The Reservation." Located in rural southwest Mississippi near Lorman, the campus sits on more than 1,700 acres of rolling hills and historic land.