Conference Attendees from 1960 - 1962

The 2008 conference begins 3 weeks from today. Are you ready? Detroit is ready for you! OK ladies, it time to go shopping for that knock-out outfit for the banquet. The attire for that event is formal/after five. So you have three weeks to find just the right thing.

The following individuals from the classes of 1960, 1961, and 1962 are ready. So join John Trammel, Deloris Cagins, Christler Chaffee, Erlexia L. Johnson, Emma S. Jordan, Barbara B. Quinn, Christine L. Simmons, Dora P. Simpson, Mary L. Smith, Larry Claiborne, James Clark, Pearl Clark, Sheral A. Jones, James U. Paige, Celia G. Pearson, Bertha L. Reed,Willie N. Simpson, Grace S. Smith, Emma B. Stamps, Elnois Tucker, James L. Tucker, Queen C. Van Norman, Mary R. Wiley, Doris Williams, Malvin A. Williams, and Tina Williams in stepping up and stepping out in style. While these folks were studying and hanging out on the "yard", what else was going on? John F. Kennedy was elected President, Alan Shepard made the first U.S space flight, and four students from North Carolina A & T begin sit-in at a segregated Woolworth lunch counter. The first Walmart was opened in 1962 in Bentonville, AR. We could make breakfast for the entire family for less than $1.50 with bacon at 67 cents a pound, eggs at 30 cents a dozen and make biscuits with flour at 49 cents for a 5 pound bag. After eating a big breakfast, we could exercise it all off by dancing to Chubby Checker's songs: "The Twist", "Huckebuck", "Pony Time" and "Limbo Rock". We lost weight because there was a"Whole Lotta Shaken Goin'On".

1971 and 1972 Attendees

Last Day to Get Your Registration Postmarked

Today's attendees are from the years of 1971 and 1972. Remember the year of graduation is as accurate as your registration form. So these individuals put 1971 and 1972 on their form: Martha B. Aikens, Lecrease Hicks, Eunice Hollingworth, Bernice W.Maxwell, Annie M. Moffett, Betty H. Mosley, Vivian Brandon, Lettie S. Brox, Jewell Cole, Harry Crockett, John Evans, Patricia Moncrief-Maxie, Alvin Moore, Richard A. Mosley, Dorothy K. Wilbourn. These years saw some firsts: Shirley Chisholm, the first African American congresswoman, announced her candidacy for president of the United States; Bob Douglas was the first African American elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame; and Satchel Paige was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. These were the disco years. We danced to Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady", Kool and the Gang's "Love the Life you Live",and Denise Lasalle's "Trapped by a Thing Call Love". In 1971, the Nasdaq debuted and in 1972, the Dow closes above 1,000 for the first time. Nike debuted it "Swoosh" trademark and FedEx started up. If I had only known then what I know now, I could afford someone else to keep this site updated. In 1971, a gallon of gas was 40 cents, a first-class stamp 8 cents, and a movie ticket average $1.50. Those were the good old days!

Attendees from 1950 through 1954

2 Days to D-Day

Late Registration Ends January 31, 2008

As promised, another edition of conference attendees. Today's list is from the classes of 1950 to 1954. They include Virginia Henderson, Thelma Johnson, Mildred S. Neal, Gertrude Payton, Helen J. Pointer, Wallace Rayborn, Esco Hemphill, Christine F. Doby, Willie C. Harper, Alpha L. Morris, Henry Purnell, Melville C. Tillis, Bessie Fowler, Robert L. Prater, Floyd Stewart, Bennye Hayes, Elijah Moore, Helen Moore, Esther M. Rigsby, John D. Rigsby. In music, Nat King Cole was on a roll. His hit records: Mona Lisa ('50), Too Young ('51), Pretend ('53), and Answer Me My Love ('54) kept everyone humming. At the end of that period in 1954, Hank Aaron began his career with the Milwaukee Braves. Yes, you youngster---that is not a mistake, the Braves (now the Atlanta Braves) started in Milwaukee. 1954 was also the year of the historic Brown vs Board of Education decision. In that year, you could buy a Ford, made in Detroit, for $1,548; buy a gallon of milk for 92 cents; a gallon of gas for 21 cents; a loaf of bread for 17 cents, and if you were really rich, you could buy a T-bone steak for 95 cent a pound. Of course, some of us grew our own T-bone steak. It was called a "cow".

Countdown to Late Registration Deadline

3 Days to D-Day.

Time is running out! Late Registration must be postmarked by January 31, 2008. Remember forms available at http://www.alcorndetroit.com/.

Come back tomorrow for another edition of conference attendees.

Conference Attendees from 1967 - 1969

Someone wanted to know about 1968...you know who you are! Well today's edition of conference attendees are from the years of 1967, 1968, and 1969. Is there anyone here you know?
Mary T. Davis, F. Ruth Gee, Edith K. Glaspie, Gloria M. Griffin, Henry Houze, Addie M. Lowe, Lillian McDonald, Cleon McKnight, Eula R. Morant, Mary W. Reese, Nancy J. Stewart, Mamie J. Williams, Joan G. Bradshaw, Bobby Dykes, Alice D. Gill, Eleanor D. Goines, Pastella Hampton, Selestine N. Hardy, W.C. Johnson, Eddie L. Murphy, Audrey C. Murphy, Percy Norwood, Jr., Norma R. Oliver, Joseph W. Reese,
Percy L. Reese, Susie M. Thompson, John E. Walls, Jr., Frank M. Wilson, Audrey D. Beck, Juanita Bell, Charles E. Davis, Mary L. Dunlap, John W. Hearns, Julia V. Hudson, Gloria L. F. Mcknight, Pearlean Y. McReynolds, Jean Morgan, Susie L. Ware.

What else happen during these years? These were the years that we lost some of our greats: Dr. Martin Luther King, Langston Hughes, Robert Kennedy and Otis Redding. But it was also the years of our first: Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first black U.S. Supreme Court Justice on October 2, 1967. Motown greats kept putting out the hits: Love Child, Respect, I Wish it Would Rain,, Standing in the Shadows of Love, ---just to name a few. Come see where it all started!

1/31 Deadline for Late Registration and Hotel Registration

January 31, 2008 is less than a week away and that is the deadline for late registration at $75. After that date, registration must be made onsite and goes up to $100. Also, our hotel room rate of $99 per night expires. If you have not registered and reserved your room, you need to do it now. If you have misplaced the registration form, you can print one at our website: http://www.alcorndetroit.com/

Don't let the date pass! We can't do this without you!

Conference Attendees from Class of 1965

Today's attendees are from the class of 1965. So far, this class has the largest number of classmates registered. Get ready to share memories with: Shirley Bittings, Dorothy S. Chesser, Betty J. W. Coleman, Isabell Coleman, Fred Davis, Brenda P. Earhart, James Gladdis, Maggie Gladdis, Annie Harper, Barbara Hooper, Carnell Lewis, Gertrude Magby, Wilma R. Mason, Juanita M. Norwood, Joyce C. Nzerem, Clara M. Pinkney, Earlean Rainey, Tommie Ratliff, Nate Smith, Eleanor E. Stewart, Mat Thomas, Ola Mae Tucker, Sarah H. Tucker, David Williams, Jr. What else happened during 1965? The march from Selma, Al to Montgomery was stopped at the Pettus Bridge. Fifty marchers were hospitalized after police used tear gas, whips, and clubs against them. Later this year, the Voter Rights Act was signed. Malcolm X was assassinated and the great Nat "King" Cole died. The cost of a first class stamp was 5 cents.

Conference Transportation Instructions

Train
Roundtrip bus transportation for the group that is arriving at the Detroit Amtrak Station at 6:49 PM on 2/21/08 and back to the Train Station on 2/24/08 has been arranged. Roundtrip cost is $25.00 per person (includes gratuities) payable to Mr. Charles Davis during your arrival train trip. Since contract for buses must be guaranteed, there will be no refund for anyone that decides to return to train station other than by bus. On 2/24/08, the return bus is estimated to begin boarding at 9:30 AM and depart from the hotel at 10:00 AM. This will ensure that luggage is loaded and unloaded in a timely manner.

Airport (Shared Passenger Service)
Agreement with Aristocat Limousine Services has been arranged to transport conference attendees to the hotel and back. Reservations must be made at least 24 to 48 hours prior to arrival and must be guaranteed by credit card. Credit card will not be charged until completion of service. Once reserved, cancellation must be made at least 4 hours prior to scheduled airport arrival. Agreement requires that a minimum of 3 passengers must be present to obtain the lowest rates. It is critical that reservations are made in advance so Aristocat can notify the Detroit Alumni representative when there are less than 3 arriving within a particular time window. If there are less than 3 passengers, the Detroit Alumni representative will provide transportation. When advance reservations are made, airport transportation will average from $25.00 to $35.00 per person each way depending on how many arrive in the same time window. If advance reservations are not made, or if one person decides to take limo alone, transportation can exceed $75.00 each way. Limo driver will meet passengers in the airport baggage claim area with Alcorn sign.

To reserve Airport Transportation, contact Aristocat Limousine by phone from 9:00 AM to midnight (leave message if no answer). Please have the following information ready: date of arrival, airline, flight #, time of arrival and names of all passengers in your party. Please make return reservations at the same time.

Phone: 1-800-682-1453
or email: nancy@aristocatlimo.com

With other questions, contact the Detroit Alumni representatives:
Donald Vardaman (Home: 248-948-7054) before conference or (Cell: 248-910-9365) during conference dates or Robert Tucker (Home: 248-366-8737) before conference or (Cell: 248-535-2489) during conference dates.

Transportation Update

Transportation arrangements are almost complete. For those of you that completed the survey on SurveyMonkey, thank you. It was very helpful in negotiating with the limo company. In the next few days, you will be getting an email or telephone call with instructions. Please read and follow the instructions. If you did not include your email address on your registration form, you can still provide it by going to http://www.surveymonkey.com/ and enter it into the survey.

Stay tuned to this site for additional updates.

Conference Attendees from Classes of 1940 - 1949

Today's edition of conference attendees are from the classes of 1940 - 1949. They include Vera G. Hunter, Cyrus H. Nero, Rosa B.W. Williams, Alma Edwards, Millicent B. Jackson, Evelyn R. Palmer, Gladys Owens, Lurene J. Traynham. The 1940's were dominated by World War II. This was the first exodus of women into the workplace to replace men gone off to war. It was also the exodus from the south to find work in the automotive factories of Detroit. The average salary was $1,299 per year and the minimum wage was 43 cents per hour. Radio was the lifeline of Americans as we danced the jitterbug to music by Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Come back tomorrow for an update on conference transportation.

HAPPY MLK DAY

As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King today and pledge to keep his dream alive: let's remember how he stepped up during the bus boycott in Montgomery, AL in 1955; remember how he stepped up to lead the Southern Leadership Conference in 1957; remember how he stepped up and was named the "Man of the Year" by Time Magazine in 1963; remember how he stepped up with his "I have a Dream" speech during the march on Washington in 1963; remember how he stepped up and was the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964; and remember the ultimate in stepping up--giving his life in Memphis, TN in 1968.

Now it is your time to step up and give back to Alcorn State University. Take the first step by registering for the 2008 Mid-Winter Alumni Conference to be held in Detroit, MI on February 21 - 24, 2008. You won't be sorry!

Conference Attendees from the Years of 1990 -2007

1990 - 2007 graduates - I know you're out there! What are you waiting on to step up and get involved? Call your friends and tell them to join you for a great time in Detroit. If your friends can't come, come along and join James F. McDonald*, Latrina D. Bledsoe, Erica R. Willis, Janice H. Gibson, Taunya Smith, Katalba N. Allen, Terry Sadler, Zenobia L. Harris in developing a strategy to get your classmates to Houston in 2009.

The Years were 1955 - 1959

1955 - 1959 We witnessed the explosion of television. The westerns: Gunsmoke ('55), Cheyenne('55), Bonanza ('59), and Rawhide ('59) and soaps: As the World Turns ('56), and The Edge of Night ('56)premiered and drew a loyal following. The average home price was $10,950 and gas was 23 cents a gallon. Minimum wages were a $1.00 per hour but the following conference attendees manage to graduate from Alcorn State University: John W. Bennett, Henry L. Berry, Jennie L. Burton, Samuel S. Jackson, Richastine P. James, Bernice A. Long, Bernice V. Ott, Theresa Prater, Mary V. Stewart, Bettye B. Thompson, Davis Weathersby, Exie T. Williamson, Bertha F. Byers, Mary P. Denby, Benjamin Harper, Jr., Audrey W. Jones, Susie Koonce, Jewell C. Lockhart, Lucy V. Myricks, Marva S. Russell, Mamie S. Thompson, Commattee S. Anderson, Warren E. Cox, Marguerite C. Davis, Grady C. Jordan, Ida M. Raspberry, Dorothy B. Risby, Hollis Stevens, Myrna R. Turner, Bertha M. Brown, Cora S. Carter, Elnora Lee Jackson, Sidney James, Lavern C. Johnson, Ruth S. Lockhart, Clynell G. Moses, Fred C. Prater, Joseph C. Risby, Clyde A. Smith, Doris J. Smith, Sarah G. Britton, Pearl E. Dunlap, Katie McCullough, Irene B. Moore.

Final Opportunity for Souvenir Ad and Another Addition of Conference Attendees

Your final opportunity to get your ads in the souvenir book is here. Contact Juanita Bell or Patricia Vardaman to ensure that your ad makes the deadline for publication.

Today's list of registered conference attendees are from 1973 through 1979. The era began with the average cost of a new home at $32,500 and the cost of a gallon of gas at 40 cents. By 1979, the average cost of a home was $58,100 and a gallon of gas had skyrocketed to 85 cents. A couple of songs introduced during that time were "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye (1973) and "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor (1979). As the countdown to the conference continues, our member are ready to welcome you. Again the years were 1973 through 1979 and the following individuals left the "yard": Elner D. Booth, Mildred Crockett, Melvin Hicks, Mildred L. Holland, L. B. McGill, Victory D. Mumford*, Imogene V. Stubbs, James C. Stubbs, Addie Walker, Evelyn B. Dawson, Mary E. Welch, Gloria McGill, Marian Mixon, Arthetta Owens, Robbie S. Price, Augustus Russ, Frank E. Taylor, Beulah C. Walker*, Jerry E. Paige, Marilyn Shelton, Debra S. Stamps, Andre V. Young, Evelyn Johnson, Arthur Matlock.

Conference Attendees from the Class of 1966

Oh, how time flies. The 2008 Mid-Winter Conference is just under a month away. We are looking for Alcornites and "We ain't too proud to Beg" (Temptations). So we're reaching out, waiting for you to say "I'll be there" (Four Tops). Remember when the average price of a home was $14,200; the price of a gallon of gas was 32 cents; and the following registered conference attendees graduated from Alcorn State University: Shirley S. Christian, Wellington Cox, Yvonnie H. Dillard, Edith L. Harris, Charles Johnson, Sr.*, Barbara B. Kennedy, Norva D. Kitchens, Andrea M. Martin, Bobbie H. Minor, James A. Minor, Zelmarine A. Murphy*, Willie Jean Odom, Walter T. Sheriff, Roosevelt Tardy, Henry Tucker, George Warren, and Alberta Whitaker. The year was 1966.

Come back tomorrow for more conference details and see who else is coming to Detroit! Register today! As the Supremes said in 1966, don't "keep us hanging on".

Registration Update

You still have time to join your alums for the conference. So far, 286 alums and friends have registered. To avoid being left out in the "cold", get your registration in today. Stay tuned to this site for a list of those that have registered and other updates regarding transportation, dress code for events, and other information of interest.

Souvenir Booklet Deadline

The January 15th deadline for the souvenir booklet is only two days away. Get your ads in Now! We don't want to go to press without you! We need all chapters to participate in order to make the conference a success. Your registration, attendance at all functions, response to transportation survey, and ads in souvenir booklet are all factors in making the conference a worldclass event. Stay tune to this site for up-to-date information.