Quit, it said. Stop. It would be easier.

He kept running.

“If I could push past that voice telling me to quit on a run,” he said, “I could push past the voice telling me to get high. It’s the same fight. Just a different battlefield.”

On May 9, White will walk across the stage at 91°µÍř and receive his Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies. He will do it with a 3.17 grade point average (GPA), an acceptance letter to Jackson State University’s School of Social Work Graduate Program, a book on Amazon, and a job at Mississippi State Hospital, where he now helps others find the same footing he once could not find himself.

John “Trey” White turned his journey through addiction and recovery into a published book, Meth 2 Marathons: Running From Rock Bottom to Real Life. The 91°µÍř graduating senior will walk across the commencement stage on May 9.

He is from Vicksburg, Miss. Most people who know him call him Trey.

The road here was not straight. White will tell you that plainly, without drama, the way a man tells you about terrain he has already crossed.

He battled addiction. He was incarcerated. He attempted school more than once and walked away, or was pulled away, each time. There were semesters he did not withdraw from classes during the worst of his addiction. The failing grades stayed on his transcript long after he got clean, a paper record of his lowest years following him into his attempt at a new one.

“My academic record didn’t reflect who I knew I could become,” he said.

The turning point came in a prison cell.

“For the first time in my life, I sat there and had no one to blame,” he said. “I had always been able to point the finger at somebody or something. That last time, I ran out of excuses.”

What followed was not a feeling. It was a reckoning.

“I realized for the first time that I was the problem. Not just saying it, not empty words, but in my heart, I accepted that I was the one creating my own misery. And everything changed in that moment.”

He went back to Alcorn. He retook classes. He stayed on a routine and showed up even when he did not want to.

“I had to learn discipline,” he said. “Not motivation — discipline.”

Slowly, the GPA climbed. The transcript began to tell a different story. He leaned on people who believed in him when he could not locate that belief himself, and he kept one thought close on the hard days.

“I didn’t want to go backwards,” he said. “That kept me moving forward.”

The 3.17 GPA he finishes with is not just a number to him. It is evidence. It is the sum of every class retaken, every early morning, every decision to stay the course.

“You don’t fix years of damage overnight,” he said. “You stay consistent. You keep going. Even when it feels slow.”

While still a student, White wrote a book. It is titled Meth 2 Marathons and it is available on Amazon. The title is not metaphor for its own sake. He ran the Houston Marathon in January 2026. Those Ěý26.2 miles that taught him something about the nature of endurance that he had not been able to articulate before.

“The marathon is life,” he said. “It’s the long road. It’s showing up every day, even when it hurts. It’s about endurance, not speed. Recovery is the same way. You don’t fix everything overnight. You just keep going.”

He already knew that. The marathon just made it concrete.

White now works at Mississippi State Hospital and serves as a Peer Support Facilitator with the Mississippi Association of Peer Support Specialists. When he sits across from someone still in the middle of their struggle, he does not arrive with a clipboard and a clinical distance.

“I show up real,” he said. “I’ve been where they are. I understand what it feels like to be stuck. So I meet people where they are, not where I think they should be.”

He chose to make his story public at a time when many people in recovery choose privacy. It has cost him something.

“Some people only see my past,” he said.

But the other side of that ledger, he said, is bigger.

“Guilt and shame kept me in a dark place for years,” he said. “Once I finally faced my problems, I stopped letting that shame and guilt hold me back. I accept my past now, and it doesn’t carry that same weight anymore. I’ve forgiven myself.”

In the fall, White will begin graduate study at Jackson State University, working toward his goal of becoming a drug and alcohol counselor. He changed his major from psychology to general studies once he understood that a master’s degree was the path forward.

He has a message for anyone sitting in the back of a Commencement audience, in the place he once occupied.

“Your past doesn’t disqualify you,” he said. “It can actually prepare you. Don’t give up on yourself. Even when you’ve messed up. Even when it feels too far gone. It’s not. If I can turn my life around, you can too.”

John White will receive his Bachelor ofĚý Arts degree General Studies at 91°µÍř’s Spring 2026 Commencement on May 9. His book, Meth 2 Marathons, is available on Amazon.

John White, second from right, turned his personal journey through addiction and recovery into public advocacy — joining Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and fellow advocates for the signing of the Overdose Awareness Bill.

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The event is free and open to the public.

“This fall, we are thrilled to feature Grammy-nominated recording artist and composer Joe Chambers as our guest artist, along with members of his M’Boom Tribute Ensemble,” said Dr. Sean Daniels, associate professor and director of the Jazz Festival. “The ASU Jazz Festival has long been committed to showcasing world-class jazz musicians, and this year’s event is a proud continuation of that tradition. Thank you for your ongoing support and for helping us keep the spirit of jazz alive.”

The festival will pay tribute to the Original M’Boom Jazz Percussion Ensemble, founded by Max Roach in 1970. The ensemble’s original members included Roach, Roy Brooks, Joe Chambers, Omar Clay, Warren Smith, Freddie Waits and Richard “Pablo” Landrum.

Chambers, a jazz artist and composer was an original member of M’Boom. He will be joined by Thomas Taylor, Lamon Lawhorn, Sean Daniels, Don Parker, Marcia McCants, Don Johns and Malcolm Jackson.

For more information, contact Dr. Sean Daniels atĚýsedaniels@alcorn.edu.

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The event featured 10 of the nation’s top HBCU marching bands in a thrilling exhibition of musical artistry and showmanship.

The band opened its show with a high-energy drill to Michael Jackson’s classic hit, “Off the Wall.” The performance continued with a dynamic transition into a field formation that spelled out “ALCORN” as the band played an Alcorn State classic, “It’s Real Real” by James Ingram. The World-Renowned Golden Girls, recognized as a top danceline among HBCU bands, dazzled the crowd during a featured performance to BeyoncĂ©’s “America Has a Problem.”

“This performance was a great start to what will be a memorable season for the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite, and it was a joy to see our students perform on this stage,” said Dr. Everson Martin, director of bands. “We are proud to see HBCU culture and a love of the arts at an all-time high, and it is a privilege to contribute to that legacy.”

The band’s impressive field show resonated with fans, who later voted the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite as number one in the HBCU Band Poll: Who Won the Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands? poll, sponsored by hbcusports.com. While the event was an exhibition with no official winner, the poll allowed attendees to voice their opinions on the best performance of the night.

“This was my first time performing with a collegiate band, and it was an unforgettable experience,” said Alexander Thomas of New Orleans, La., a freshman music education major. “To be able to represent Alcorn and contribute to the legacy of the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite in front of such an amazing crowd felt incredible.”

The lineup of bands included Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Talladega College, Alabama A&M, Langston University, Alabama State, Grambling State, Mississippi Valley State, Southern University, and Jackson State.

The Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite’s participation marked its first time in the classic, and the band’s presence began a season that will culminate in a historic performance at the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Donations to the band’s March to Macy’s fundraiser can still be made at .

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“We look forward to welcoming hundreds of Alcorn alumni, students, friendsĚýandĚýsupporters toĚýPurpleĚýandĚýGoldĚýDayĚý2025 at the Mississippi State Capitol,” said Dr. Marcus D. Ward, senior vice president of institutional advancement, legislative liaison, and executive director of the ASU Foundation. “The annual alumni legislative advocacyĚýdayĚýshowcases our rich legacy, academic excellence,ĚýandĚýcommitment to serving the state of Mississippi.”

The in-person event will provide attendees with updates on the university’s 2025 legislative priorities and crucial legislation affecting the institution. Alcornites will have the opportunity to present special greetings to the Mississippi Legislature, joined by various Senators and Representatives.

Registration is required for all attendees and can be completed online at https://e.givesmart.com/events/HgV/

“For over 15 years, the highly anticipatedĚýPurpleĚýandĚýGoldĚýDayĚýhas provided the Alcorn community with an opportunity to engage with legislatorsĚýandĚýstate leaders to highlight our achievements, reinforce the importance of continued investment in Mississippi’s oldest public HBCU,ĚýandĚýensure that Alcorn remains a beacon of economic opportunityĚýandĚýinnovation forĚýfuture generations of Mississippians,” said Ward.

For additional information or inquiries, please contact the Office of Advancement at advancement@alcorn.edu.

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“We are thrilled to announce that the 91°µÍř School of Nursing’s RN to BSN Program has been ranked as one of the best in the state for 2025,” said Dr. Shirley Evers-Manly, dean of the School of Nursing. “This recognition reflects our commitment to excellence in education, the dedication of our faculty, and the hard work of our students. We are incredibly proud of this achievement, highlighting our program’s outstanding clinical training, innovative curriculum, and support for student success.”

She continued, “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making our program one of the best in the state. We look forward to continuing to provide top-tier education and preparing exceptional nurses who make a difference in their communities daily.”

Located on Alcorn’s Natchez campus, the School of Nursing has a proud and longstanding tradition of graduating competent, caring, professional nurses who make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Founded in 1977, the School of Nursing has produced hundreds of entry-level and advanced practice nurses employed in various healthcare settings. Equipped with a state-of-the-art learning environment, students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide safe, effective, client-centered care.

It has two academic programs — undergraduate and graduate. The undergraduate programs include the Associate of Science in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The Graduate Program comprises the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice.

To find out more about Alcorn’s School of Nursing or to apply, go to School of Nursing – 91°µÍř.

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Pictured from left are A’zarianne Johnson, Alyssa Robinson, Andre Herndon, and Johnny Holloway

Four 91°µÍř students attended the 24th annual Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute, securing multiple job offers and expanding their professional networks during the four-day conference in Washington, D.C.

According to a TMCF press release, Dr. N. Joyce Payne, the organization’s founder, stated, “Remember that as you move through this journey of professional development, know that you have mentors out there who would like to help you, who are willing to provide their time.”

“This is an incredible program for our students,” said Michael Harper, director of Career Services. “I want to give this opportunity to as many of our students as possible. It gives our students exposure to companies that don’t frequently visit our region.”

“The experience was nothing short of amazing,” said Johnny Holloway, a senior agricultural business management major from Huntsville, Alabama. “I was able to network with so many people and develop leadership skills, and a clear understanding of what agribusiness is all about.”

Alyssa Robinson, a native of Mound Bayou, Miss., agreed with Holloway about the experience.

“The conference provided me with a wealth of knowledge through insightful panel discussions and hands-on breakout sessions led by industry leaders,” said Robinson, a senior business administration major.

Andre Herndon, a senior business administration major from Chicago, called the experience “truly transformative.” He added, “Each day began in a vibrant atmosphere, surrounded by like-minded individuals from HBCUs all over who motivated and challenged one another.”

A’zarianne Johnson, a junior mass communications major from Minden, Louisiana, secured multiple job offers through the conference.

“I received over four major job offers from top companies in places like Texas, Virginia, and Chicago,” she said.

Johnson now serves as TMCF’s Yard Ambassador and Influencer at Alcorn State.

The conference featured a surprise appearance by actress and Grammy winner Coco Jones.

The Leadership Institute’s goal is to prepare juniors, seniors and graduate students from TMCF member schools for the global workforce through networking opportunities, skills development and direct engagement with employers.

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Each William Winter Scholar is chosen by his or her college, university, or community college as the Humanities Division’s most outstanding student, faculty member, or professional. This award allows winners to attend most of the NLCC free of charge. The annual award also carries prestige and public acknowledgment of how highly each scholar is regarded by his or her institution.

“On behalf of the 91°µÍř Department of Fine Arts, it gives me great pleasure to celebrate Dr. Bianca Jackson and her student Ms. Azaria Darneaud,” said Dr. Sean Daniels, chair, Fine Arts. “Dr. Jackson is an outstanding vocal pedagogue and performer. She moves above and beyond the call of duty for the betterment of 91°µÍř students. Ms. Darneaud is a prominent member of the 91°µÍř Concert Choir. She has been awarded Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society membership, and she is an outstanding academic student and performer.”

Dr. Babu P. Patlolla, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, said, “Dr. Jackson’s dedication and passion for teaching voice are truly inspiring. Her expertise and guidance have made a significant impact on our students, and we are grateful to have Dr. Jackson on our faculty. We applaud her commitment to excellence and for enriching the lives of those she teaches.”

Jackson teaches several music courses and has a voice studio in the ASU Department of Fine Arts. She is a classically trained vocalist and current Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars Fellow. Her research highlights Black composers of classical music. Some of her conference presentations include a lecture-recital at the MS Spring Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing at the University of Mississippi, Bethune-Cookman University’s Hip Hop Hurston Virtual Conference, and artist-in-residence at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Jackson is vice-president of an HBCU Opera & Musical Theater Collective. Honors include a Mississippi Arts Commission Artist Fellowship, Encouragement Award for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and finalist in New York City’s Career Bridges Competition. She is an alumna of the UNCF/Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship and Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers.

Darneaud is an international student from Trinidad who was recruited by 91°µÍř from the National Academy of Performing Arts in Trinidad to complete a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance. Her Alcorn State accomplishments include membership in the Pi Kappa Lambda Honors Society, Honor Council, National Society of Leadership and Success, and a three-time awarded President Scholar. She is currently a graduating senior involved in Alcorn State’s Chamber, Women’s, and Concert Choir and a prior member of the Mississippi Joint Honors Choir. She works as an English tutor and is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church’s Senior Choir in Natchez.

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The masterclass will be held on February 27 at 11:00 a.m.; the lecture-recital is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

According to Central City Opera, a coloratura soprano sings high, light, and fast notes and has the highest voice of all sopranos and treble voices. It is considered to be a unique operatic voice.

The Natchez, Miss. native serves as Alcorn State’s voice coordinator and associate professor of music in the Department of Fine Arts. In her role, she has been charged with teaching undergraduate and graduate courses and coordinating the vocal performance program.

She expressed joy in her opportunity to go back to ULM.

“I’m excited and honored to be asked to return to my alma mater,” said Jackson. “I performed my first starring opera roles at ULM, and that was the last time my late grandmother saw me on stage. I also sang with an orchestra for the first time there. It will be a different feeling to be there now as a professor. It feels like my life has come full circle, in the best of ways.”

Following in her mother’s footsteps, she pursued her love of singing. Jackson’s musical influences span the breadth of the many genres available today.

“My mother is my greatest musical influence; I grew up watching her sing throughout Natchez and on tour,” said Jackson. I’m greatly influenced by folk song, spirituals, and classical music. I admire the composer William Grant Still and have studied him for almost twenty years. I’m definitely a child of Mississippi, so gospel and blues singers are near to me.”

She continued, “I listen to music of the world. It’s tough to narrow it down because I love so many genres, from classical to K-pop.”

Jackson considers music as a calling and a form of communication.

“I have a deep connection to sharing music with others,” said Jackson. “I can communicate best through song. I especially enjoy learning more about my culture, as well as diverse music. I love to learn and teach. Music pushes me to excel in many different ways, like singing in foreign languages and performing. Music takes me to a very special place.”

Through her passion, she believes in giving back and sharing her gift with students and others.

“I truly believe that we receive when we give, so professors, giving back is of the utmost importance,” she said. “Students need to know that we were once in their shoes, and they will one day be in ours. You never know what or who will change a person’s life. Even small gestures can make an impact. It’s important to invest in others.”

During her Masterclass and Lecture-Recital, she hopes students will gain knowledge to take ownership of their identities as artists.

“I want students to feel the power of classical music by Black American composers and realize that they are in control of who they are as artists by making meaningful music decisions and taking creative risks,” said Jackson. “These composers have overcome great odds to share their music. I hope students will see in my work with them that music is a reflection of their history, story, and culture. Music is very powerful and as musicians we hold and distribute that power to our audiences.”

Jackson earned her bachelor’s degree from Tougaloo College and a Master of Music degree from ULM. She received a Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance from The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, Jackson was the first graduate music student with portfolio certification in African and African American Studies.

Her portfolio certification enhanced her doctoral studies by allowing her to focus on Black history, art, and culture.

“I presented a lecture-recital on Black cultural trauma and opera, which was part of my portfolio project,” said Jackson. “I took several graduate courses concerning the African Diaspora. It exposed me to brilliant professors and gave my research socially conscious direction. It allowed me to frame my music study with an Afro-centric perspective, and that has set the foundation for my music research and performances thus far.”

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