“It is official now, Highway 552, aka “the stretch”, is now Dr. Walter Washington Parkway,” pronounced Alcorn State University 18th President M. Christopher Brown II at the historic ceremony that celebrated the unveiling of the MS highway sign today on the University’s Lorman campus.
Dr. Washington is known as Alcorn’s longest-tenured president who served the University from 1969-1994. He is remembered for his innovative vision, insightful leadership, and outstanding service to the University and the state of Mississippi. He continuously fought for equal funding and secured major public and private funds to improve life on campus, including turning a once dirt road that connected the campus with highway 61 into a four-lane highway. On July 1, 2011, legislation passed designating segments of Mississippi Highway 552 beginning at Alcorn within Claiborne County and extending to its intersection with U.S. Highway 61 in Jefferson County to be named in honor of Dr. Washington.
Alcorn students, employees, alumni, state legislators, community leaders, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated leaders, Mississippi Department of Transportation representatives and Dr. Washington’s colleagues and friends gathered in the Ecology Resource Center for the ceremony honoring the legacy of the prominent leader and great educator.
Referenced article from Alcorn State
