Alabama State Hornets' many academic achievements were recognized at the university's fall 2021 graduation ceremony on Friday. During the event, keynote speaker and alumnus Ronnie Thomas delivered a commencement speech that paid tribute to the efforts of the university's founders, the Marion Nine. The Marion Nine is comprised of Joey P. Pinch, Thomas Speed, Nicholas Dale, James Childs, Thomas Lee, John Freeman, Nathan Levert, David Harris, and Alexander H. Curtis. In 1867, the formerly enslaved men founded Alabama State 's predecessor, the Lincoln Normal School in Marion . View this post on Instagram A post shared by Delta Pi Lambda (@the_blackbeltalphas) Eventually, the institution relocated to Montgomery in 1887 and after a series of name changes, became known as Alabama State University in 1969. "I'm reminded of the humble beginnings of ASU and our purpose of being here today," Ronnie Thomas said in his commencement speech. "The concept of [being] stronger together...
