ITTA BENA, Miss.— Attorney Carver Randle, Sr. of Indianola, Miss. came to Mississippi Valley State University for the chance to play football and earn a solid education by way of an athletic scholarship. However, he graduated in 1965 with so much more—unforgettable memories, life-long connections, and a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship with his beloved alma mater.
That relationship will now be solidified for years to come with MVSU announcing plans to name its Social Science Auditorium in Randle’s honor.
MVSU’s Carver A. Randle Social Science Auditorium will be revealed Saturday, May 5, during a special ceremony hosted immediately following the 11 a.m. Commencement Exercise in the W.A. Butts Social Science Building.
“It is indeed a privilege to honor our dear alum, Carver Randle, Sr. with the naming of his auditorium,” said MVSU President Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr. “Mr. Randle has been an unwavering supporter of his alma mater. We've truly appreciated all that he has done and will continue to do to assure our university remains ‘IN MOTION.’”
Randle said he’s humbled by the announcement.
“It’s unimaginable. It’s quite rewarding, and it’s a distinct pleasure to have something named in your honor—even if it’s nothing more than a broom closet,” Randle said. The fact that the University has extended this honor to me is really special, and I’m thankful to President Briggs and all those who helped make this possible.”
Even after graduating 53 years ago, Randle has continued to show his support for MVSU through monetary gifts, volunteering and recruiting.
Randle has personally donated more than $25,000 to MVSU and has helped to raise more than $150,000 with the Douglas T. Porter Athletic Scholarship fund.
“I have a love for Valley because I know the opportunities that it provided me and what it continues to do for me,” Randle said. It’s an ongoing relationship that still has its benefits. It’s always home for me.”
Randle, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science at MVSU, said the University provided him with a holistic experience, preparing him to succeed both socially and academically.
“Valley provided me with a good college education and the opportunity to meet some acquaintances that have lasted a lifetime,” he said. It prepared me to go on to the next level educationally.”
After a brief stint teaching and coaching, Randle continued his education at the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctorate degree.
He has been practicing law in the Mississippi Delta for 45 years.
During his extensive career, Randle served as special assistant to the president for former MVSU Presidents Dr. William Sutton and Dr. Lester C. Newman for 10 years.
He was instrumental in bringing blues legend B.B. King to MVSU’s campus for several years and helped to bring the state-of-the-art B.B. King Recording Studio to MVSU’s campus.
Randle has received several awards on behalf of the University, including the prestigious James H. White Award, the Alumni of the Year award, and induction into MVSU’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
He was named Indianola’s “Citizen of the Year” in 2011 and was a founding board member of the B.B. King Museum. In addition, Randle served as the president of the local NAACP chapter for several years.
According to Randle, understanding the importance of the University to the Mississippi Delta is what has fueled his dedication to MVSU over the years.
“Look at all the great things that people who graduated from MVSU have done,” he said.
Randle has been a staunch supporter of MVSU, starting in his own home; all three of his children have attended the University.
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunities and exposure that the University has given me and would encourage anybody to go to Mississippi Valley State University,” he said.
“I’ve always loved being at home, and I think we should always look at the best in our backyard before going somewhere else,” he added.
For Randle, the dedication further proves his point that for MVSU alums, Valley is always home.
“You’ll always have a home at Valley State. You can be gone 50 years, but you’ll always have a home,” he said.
Randle resides in Indianola with his wife, Rosie Knox Randle. Together, they have three children, six grandchildren and two great grands.