Dr. M. Christopher Brown II’s contract as president of Alcorn State University has been extended for four years.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning voted unanimously Thursday to extend the contract four more years, the maximum allowed by state law. Brown was named president in 2010 and since has garnered several awards, including Alcorn’s recognition as the Historically Black College and University of the Year by the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy in April.

Brown took over as the 18th president of Alcorn, the nation’s first historically black land-grant institution, in January 2011.

About 4,000 students attend Alcorn, which includes the main campus in Lorman and satellite campuses in Vicksburg and Natchez.

Board President Ed Blakeslee said he is pleased with Brown’s performance.

“Dr. Brown provides great leadership to Alcorn State University,” Blakeslee said. “He has a vision for the university and boundless energy and enthusiasm to lead the campus community in bringing that vision to fruition.”

Robert Gage IV, president of the ASU Foundation and a Port Gibson native, also said he is happy to have Brown’s contract extended.

“I am indeed proud of President Brown. I was proud the day we hired him and I am still proud,” Gage said. “President Brown, even in difficult financial times, has fostered a strong sense of community involvement and support for Alcorn State University. The University is more efficient and metrics-driven, and he has also worked to strengthen the foundation’s leadership team.”

Brown said he hopes to continue the work done at Alcorn the past two years.

“I am honored for the vote of confidence the board has placed in me, my leadership team and the Alcorn community,” Brown said. “Together, we will continue to raise the stature of the institution where knowledge and character matter, remaining true to our mission of academics, agriculture, athletics and access while transforming Alcorn into a great university.”

The board also voted to extend Jackson State University President Dr. Carolyn Meyers’ contract for another four years.