Dr. Rudolph E. Waters Sr., interim president (1994-1995) at Alcorn State University, died Sunday [Sept. 14] at River Region Health Systems in Vicksburg at the age of 82 after an extended illness.Waters served Alcorn for more than 48 years. He joined the administration in September 1957 as the dean of students and his leadership greatly influenced the progress and legacy of the institution.
During his esteemed career, Waters held influential positions such as dean of instruction, coordinator of Title III Programs, vice president and he retired from the post of executive vice president. In 1964, he was a participant in the Institute for Academic Deans at Harvard University.
“Alcorn has lost a giant,” said President Alfred Rankins Jr. “His service to and love for Alcorn was unmatched. The Alcorn family will miss him dearly.”
Waters’ whole life centered on education, service and leadership development. Even after retirement, he continued to be of service to the University as an executive vice president emeritus and as a member of the ASU Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors.
A native of Brookhaven, Miss., Waters attended public schools in Brookhaven and Hattiesburg. He graduated from Alexander High School in Brookhaven. Waters earned a B.S.C. degree from DePaul University in Chicago, his Ed.M. degree from Boston University, and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. He also studied at Southern Illinois University.
The Alcorn Family extends its deepest sympathy and prayers to his wife, Kathleen, his children Rudolph Jr. and Veronica, his grandchildren, Arielle, Arrington, Ashton, Christopher White, Crystal White and Rudolph III, and the entire Waters family.
The family of Dr. Rudolph E. Waters Sr. will celebrate his life Saturday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. in the Davey L. Whitney HPER Complex on the Lorman campus of Alcorn State University.
