Drs. Cook and Ward were recipients of 2024 Diamond Awards for Excellence in Leadership, Philanthropy, Humanitarian and Community Engagement.

The Diamond Awards are designed to honor faces and images of excellence in the entertainment, corporate and creative industries for their professional accomplishments and contributions to society on a local, state, or international level.

The Not Alone Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta and dedicated to providing, transportation assistance, financial assistance, educational and medical resources for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients and their families. The Foundation also supports interconnected health initiatives such as diabetes and high blood pressure awareness, children with disabilities, cardiovascular and pulmonary initiatives, culinary services and support, auxiliary patient support and cancer research.

The post Dr. Tracy M. Cook and Dr. Marcus Ward honored with excellence in leadership awards appeared first on 91����.

She was born in New Orleans, LA on December 27, 1933, to Alcee LaBranche and Thelma Wethers Johnson.

Joyce was raised on the campus of Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute, a college preparatory and junior college institution of higher learning, which was founded by her paternal grandparents, Jonas Edward and Bertha LaBranche Johnson in June of 1907.

Joyce received her early education at the Institute. She grew up loving music and played piano at age 4 in all the local churches in Prentiss and surrounding areas. At 15 she began her collegiate education at Fisk University (Nashville, TN) and graduated in the spring of 1953, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and subsequently added organ to her repertoire of musical training.

Dr. Bolden extended her education and studied music at Harvard University and earned a Master of Arts in Music at the University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana (Urbana, IL). She also studied music at Heidelberg University (Heidelberg, Germany) earning her Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan State University. She was the first African American woman to receive a doctorate in music from Michigan State University.

Dr. Bolden’s teaching and professional career began at Utica Junior College in Utica, MS where she met many lifelong friends, including the love of her life, James L. “Billy” Bolden. They were married in 1954 and later moved to 91���� in 1957. To this union their only child was born, Pamela Joyce Bolden Gracin, while they both served on the faculty at 91����.

She gave 42 years of devoted love and service to 91���� and considered herself an “Alcornite.” She served in many capacities at 91����: Concert Choir Director, Music Professor, Honors Colloquium Professor, and Department of Fine Arts Chair. Along with teaching and mentoring, the accomplishments she was most proud of were initiating scholarships for music majors and music ensemble participants and in particular, spearheading the initial accreditation for 91���� into the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). She later became the first woman and first minority Chairman of the Commission on Accreditation for NASM headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

After retiring from 91���� in June 1999, Dr. Bolden served as a consultant to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities aiding them in their successful quest to have their college music programs accredited by NASM. 91���� named its Fine Arts Department Building in her honor on November 18, 2016, and additionally named her one of its “Notable Alcorn Women.” Her social and professional memberships included: Alpha Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Fisk University; The Links, Inc.; charter member of 91���� Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Prentiss Institute Board of Trustees; NASM; Phi Delta Kappa professional organization for educators; and the Claiborne County Preservation Committee.

Joyce was proceeded in death by her parents Alcee and Thelma Johnson; her loving husband of 42 years, James L. “Billy” Bolden; a grandson, James Anthony Hutchinson; sister-in-law, Dr Jacquelyn Bolden Beck and brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas Bolden. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Pamela Bolden Gracin (Richard); beloved grandson Nicholas Hutchinson; brother Al Wethers Johnson (Classie); nieces Tasha Johnson Brown (Harry), Juanda Beck Jones, Classie LaShae Johnson, Jennifer Lee Swanson (Richard); nephew Eric Bolden; great nieces Elizabeth Jones, Taija, Taylor, and Tia Brown; great nephew Cameron King; cousins, Barbara Carson, Eva Hannah, Carla Wethers Bell (Kenneth) and a host of other relatives.

“Dr. Joyce Bolden was a pillar and cornerstone in the music department and community for over four decades,” said Dr. Tracy M. Cook, interim president. “An accomplished educator, Dr. Bolden took great pride in her work. She made sure students were knowledgeable and ready for the workforce. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.”

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., in the Dr. Rudolph Waters Sr. Classroom Building, 91����. An Omega Omega Ceremony will be held earlier at 9:30 a.m. in the Waters Classroom Building. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in her name to Prentiss Institute, 91����, or Fisk University.

The post Alcorn mourns the passing of distinguished 91���� professor, Dr. Joyce J. Bolden appeared first on 91����.

The post Cedric Thomas named head football coach of 91���� Braves appeared first on 91����.