Once an Alcornite, Always an Alcornite: Why Now Is the Time to Come Home to the Memphis Alumni Family

Coming Home to “Brave Nation” in Memphis

If you’ve ever walked across the Yard at Alcorn State University, cheered in the stands, or stayed up late in those residence halls swapping dreams with classmates, you already know this: being an Alcornite isn’t just about where you went to school. It’s about who you are.

But life happens. Careers move us. Families grow. Weekends fill up. For many Alcornites in the Memphis metro area, the connection has become more memories than momentum. You still feel that pride when you see purple and gold, but you may not be plugged into the powerful alumni network that’s growing right here in the Mid-South.

That’s exactly where the Alcorn Memphis Alumni Chapter comes in. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the chapter channels the love we have for our alma mater into real impact—through student recruitment, scholarships, alumni engagement, and community service across Shelby County and surrounding counties.

And with the 2026 Alcorn State University National Alumni Association (ASUNAA) Mid-Winter Conference coming to Memphis February 19–22, 2026, there has never been a better time to reconnect, re-engage, and come home to your Memphis alumni family.

Why Local Alumni Chapters Matter More Than Ever

You might be thinking, “I support Alcorn in my heart—why do I need to join a chapter?”

Here’s the reality: local alumni chapters are where legacy becomes action.

Alcorn State University emphasizes that membership in the National Alumni Association is open to all graduates, former students, and even fans—and that alumni engagement is essential to sustaining the university’s mission of lifelong learning, research, and service.  Local chapters like Memphis are how that mission becomes visible in our cities and neighborhoods.

When alumni gather and get organized in one place, a few powerful things happen:

• Students see what’s possible.
  A young person from Memphis or North Mississippi meets an Alcorn graduate thriving in their career and suddenly college feels real—not abstract.

• Scholarships and support multiply.
  Through dues and fundraising, the Alcorn Memphis Alumni Chapter helps support scholarships, endowments, and initiatives that directly benefit students and the university. 

• Networking becomes natural.
  Instead of “cold networking,” you’re connecting with people who already share your history and values.

• Alcorn’s name stays strong in the region.
  In a city full of big-name schools and organizations, a visible, active alumni chapter keeps Alcorn’s brand and story alive.

In other words, your membership is not just a feel-good gesture—it’s a strategic investment in Alcorn, in Memphis, and in yourself.

Who Is the Alcorn Memphis Alumni Chapter?

The Alcorn Memphis Alumni Chapter is the local arm of the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association, serving Alcornites who live, work, worship, or frequently travel through the broader Memphis metro area, including nearby parts of Mississippi and Arkansas. Cause IQ+1

A few key things define this chapter:

• It’s a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, meaning your contributions help fuel scholarships, programs, and community initiatives in a structured, accountable way. 

• The chapter focuses on student recruitment, scholarships, alumni engagement, and community service, with a special focus on culturally enriching the Memphis community and supporting Alcorn’s broader mission. 

• Its leadership and volunteers are committed to “iron sharpening iron”—building a strong, supportive network where Alcornites encourage and uplift one another, as highlighted in the chapter president’s message. 

From the outside, it might look like just another alumni group. But when you’re in the room, it feels like family: familiar faces, new connections, and a shared love for a place that changed all of our lives.

What It Feels Like to Be Part of the Memphis Alumni Family

Let’s talk about the experience—not just the structure.

Being part of the Alcorn Memphis Alumni Chapter feels like:

• Walking into a room and instantly being understood.
  You don’t have to explain where Lorman is, why Homecoming matters, or what it feels like to hear the band strike up that first note. People just get it.

• Seeing Alcorn represented across Memphis.
  Whether it’s a tailgate, a community service project, a scholarship brunch, or a professional mixer, you see purple and gold woven through the life of the city.

• Knowing your support is going somewhere specific.
  You’re not just “donating to a school.” You’re helping send local students to Alcorn, contributing to endowments, and backing programs that make a measurable difference. 

• Watching younger Braves find their footing.
  Recent grads and young professionals show up unsure of how to navigate careers in Memphis. They leave with business cards, encouragement, and sometimes even job leads.

For spouses, family members, and friends, the chapter becomes a welcoming gateway into the Alcorn experience—whether or not they ever sat in an Alcorn classroom. The chapter embraces all who love and support Alcorn.