University Marks 150th Anniversary with First-of-its-Kind Celebration
Alabama A&M to Crown 75th Miss AAMU, First Mister AAMU in Historic Coronation
As Alabama A&M University celebrates its 150th Anniversary, the institution is preparing to make history once again. On Friday, September 19, the University will crown both its 75th Miss Alabama A&M University and its first-ever Mister Alabama A&M University – a milestone moment that honors legacy while embracing new traditions on The Hill.
The 2025–2026 coronation will not only celebrate the longstanding legacy of Miss AAMU, but also introduce a new chapter in student leadership. For the first time, a Mister Alabama A&M University will serve alongside Miss AAMU as an ambassador, representing the values, mission, and spirit of the Bulldog community.
This year’s student leaders are Jacoriah Tigner, a senior accounting major from Roanoke, Alabama, elected as the 75th Miss AAMU, and Maxwell Joyner, a senior plant biotechnology major from Warner Robins, Georgia, elected as the University’s inaugural Mister AAMU.
Tigner, a former Fabulous Flag of the Marching Maroon & White, member of the Alabama A&M Gospel Choir, the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), and Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity, said she embraces the crown as both a responsibility and an honor.
“For me, wearing the crown is about embodying tradition, serving with purpose, and uplifting others,” Tigner shared. “It’s about creating an everlasting Bulldog legacy for years to come.”
Joyner, who is active in Collegiate 100, University Echoes, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., said he is eager to set the standard as the University’s first Mister AAMU.
“As the first Mister Alabama A&M, I stand with pride and purpose – excited not just for this moment, but for the legacy it begins,” said Joyner. “My standard today is the foundation for generations tomorrow.”
Earlier this year, the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees approved the addition of Mister AAMU to reflect the University’s commitment to inclusivity, leadership, and evolving student representation. Together, Mister and Miss AAMU will embody the excellence, service, and Bulldog spirit that define Alabama A&M University.
The 2025–2026 Mister and Miss Alabama A&M University Coronation will take place on Friday, Sept. 19, at 6:00 p.m. in Elmore Gymnasium. This cherished tradition is a highlight of campus life, honoring student excellence and leadership while uniting the community in celebration. The University invites students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to join in this historic occasion.