LORMAN — Alcorn State University’s newest president will begin serving Monday.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning named Alfred Rankins Jr. as president of the nation’s oldest historically black land-grant university last week.

An ASU alumnus, Rankins serves as deputy commissioner for academic and student affairs for the Institutions of Higher Learning. He also served as acting president for Mississippi Valley State University for one year, beginning in November 2012.

“This is an exciting time for Alcorn State University,” Commissioner of Higher Education Hank M. Bounds said. “Welcoming a new president represents a new chapter in the history of the institution, and I am fully confident that this will be one of the most successful chapters.

“I look forward to many accomplishments ahead for Dr. Rankins, the university and the Alcorn State family.”

The search process for a new president came after former president M. Christopher Brown II resigned in December. Brown stepped down as the board moved to suspend him during an investigation into purchasing violations.

Records show Alcorn spent almost $89,000 on furniture and renovations at the president’s house without seeking bids as required under state law. Documents also show Alcorn paid $85,000 in fees to a concert production company associated with a Brown aide, possibly violating state ethics laws. And an auditor says the school spent more than $67,000 in bond money on projects not allowed in the lending agreement.

Alcorn’s main campus is located in Lorman, with satellite campuses in Natchez and Vicksburg. The historically black university is fully accredited with seven schools and degree programs in more than 50 areas, including a nursing program.