Alcorn State honors three alumni at its CAAS Hall of Fame Luncheon
JANS – Alcorn State University’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (CAAS) in partnership with the ASU National Alumni Association hosted the 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Aug. 16 on the university’s Lorman campus.
“Our Hall of Fame ceremony is more than an awards luncheon,” said Dr. Dexter B. Wakefield, dean and director of Land Grant Programs. “It is a tribute to the spirit of Alcorn, our values, our perseverance, and the power of service-driven leadership. These inductees represent the best of what it means to be an Alcornite.”
The celebration recognizes alumni who have made contributions to agriculture, education, public service, and community leadership. This year’s honorees are Delmas J. Battle, Neddie Winters, and the late Charlie M. Thames Jr.
Delmas J. Battle, a 1970 graduate from Carthage, Mississippi, earned his degree in industrial arts education before serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He later became one of the first Black members of the Leake County National Guard Unit. Battle spent more than 30 years teaching industrial arts, science, and math in the Memphis City School System, where he also coached and mentored students. He is being honored for his commitment to education, military service, and impact on vocational learning.
Charlie M. Thames Jr., a 1951 graduate, was honored posthumously. He was a pioneer in vocational agriculture education during the segregated school era. Thames taught agriculture in Mississippi for more than 30 years and made history as the first Black president of the National Future Farmers of America Teachers Association after the merger of the New Farmers of America and FFA in 1965. A World War II veteran, Thames, received numerous awards and was inducted into the Mississippi Vocational Agriculture Teachers Hall of Fame. He is being recognized for his contributions to agriculture, education, and service to his community.
Rev. Neddie Winters, a 1972 graduate, is a faith and civic leader from Tunica County, Mississippi. He serves as director of development for Mission Mississippi and previously served as its president. His work focuses on racial reconciliation and unity across faith communities. Winters has more than 40 years of leadership experience in USDA Rural Development, housing finance, ministry, and nonprofit work. He is a former president of the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association and a past recipient of the Alcornite of the Year award. He is being honored for his leadership in community development and service to others.
The Alumni Hall of Fame was launched in 2015 to honor graduates from programs within the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences who have made contributions to their professions and society. The first ceremony was held in 2016.
