OUR HISTORY
Alcorn State University is the oldest public historically black land-grant institution in the United States and the second oldest state-supported institution of higher learning in Mississippi. Alcorn State University (then Alcorn University) was founded in 1871 as a result of the efforts of Mississippi’s Reconstructionist legislature to educate descendants of formerly enslaved people. It was named in honor of James L. Alcorn, former governor of Mississippi. Hiram R. Revels, the first African-American to serve in the U.S. Congress, resigned his Senate seat to serve as the university’s first president.
In 1878, Alcorn University became Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College. Initially, the college was exclusively for men, but began admitting women in the early 1900s. In 1974, Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College was renamed Alcorn State University.
In 1919, graduates of Alcorn wanted to continue the bond that they shared at Alcorn after they had migrated to Chicago. The Alcornites also wanted to collectively help students in need attending Alcorn. In March 1919, the graduates formed the Alcorn Club at the home of Dr. Richard Clark Chatman. Other attendees included Louis Boatner, Jake Howard Horton, Dr. Arganey L’Anvnire Lucus, Dr. John H. Mitchell, Dr. Riley Fisher Thomas, Lynch Jerome, Carl Hansberry, Dr. E. Albert Dumas, Carry L. Briggs, J.M. Myers, R.H. Lake, and Mary H. Flowers.
The Alcorn Club was incorporated in 1930 as the Alcorn State University Chicago Alumni Chapter. The motto is “SED ETIAM ACTUM: NON TATUM VERBUS,” which translates to “NOT ONLY BY WORDS BUT BY ACTS.”
The Chapter purchased its own building, affectionately known as The Clubhouse, in 1992. The Clubhouse, located at 1360 W. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620, continues to serve as the Chapter’s meeting space.
The Alcorn State University Chicago Alumni Chapter has held the title of “Highest Scholarship Donation” from an alumni chapter to the university for several years. The Chapter makes annual donations as much as $15,000.00 to the Alcorn State University Scholarship Foundation.
