Utica National Alumni Association, Inc.

05/18/2026

Spark! Smithsonian Exhibit Opening This Week

With support from America250 Mississippi and the Mississippi Humanities Council, our grand opening of the exhibit will be on Thursday, May 21st at 6:30 p.m., featuring Utica Mayor Calvin Williams and Brandi & Carlton Turner from Sipp Culture. You’ll hear about all the exciting things happening in Utica, followed by a tour of the new exhibit with light refreshments.

The exhibit is all about innovation in rural communities like Utica and the ways in which towns are reinventing themselves to meet today’s needs. Our local exhibit focuses on William Holtzclaw’s innovations and will feature exhibits on Holtzclaw’s early telephone exchange, printing press, and a 1912 invention debuted at a Utica Farmer’s Conference to combat the boll weevil.

05/15/2026

05/11/2026

Check out this month’s newsletter as we celebrate the arrival of Spark! Places of Innovation from the Smithsonian. And be sure to join us for our grand opening celebration on Thursday, May 21st at 6:30pm! https://uticainstitute.substack.com/p/southern-notes-news-from-the-utica-5bf

05/08/2026

If each alumnus encouraged just one student to attend the Awesome and Amazing HBCU The U, what a difference we can make in continuing the legacy of Utica Institute, Utica Junior College, Hinds Community College Utica!
Each One, Reach One.

The museum welcomed Utica Campus alumnus, Dr. Cedrick Torry. Dr. Torry was Mr. Utica (2000) and was a member of the Jubilee Singers. He is the Director of Pharmacy at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center. Dr. Torry brought Davon Rance to view the exhibits. Davon plans to come to Utica in Fall 2026.

04/24/2026

Congratulations to Bre Ward for signing with Hinds CC this morning to continue her athletic and academic journey. Bre, you have been a joy to watch over the years as you continued to push yourself to be the best version on the court and off. Your Tribe will continue to cheer you on and support you throughout your journey. Once a Chief, always a Chief.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MTt5uEB9Xs5csVRY7

04/18/2026

04/17/2026

04/16/2026

We are pleased to announce the second season of our podcast Sips from the Sipp! In this series, we are focusing on gospel music in the Southern Black tradition with a slate of fantastic guests you won’t want to miss. Episode one of the season is out now and features Dr. Debra Mays-Jackson who reflects on her life in music, the influence of Dr. Bobby G. Cooper, and the importance of gospel music. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts! New episodes drop every Wednesday and for early access, become a Museum Member on Patreon!

04/09/2026

Check out our latest issue of the Museum newsletter here! https://uticainstitute.substack.com/p/southern-notes-news-from-the-utica-d94

04/09/2026

Learn how to safely clean historic headstones at our cemetery preservation workshop and service project! We will be working on the historic St. Peter MB Church Cemetery, which has deep connections to the Utica Institute. Dress for the weather! All supplies will be provided and service hour forms will be provided. Thursday, April 23 at 10am.