One JSU Award Recipients ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR, Mrs. Vera Banks Watson
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rs. Vera Banks Watson is a 1972 and 1976 graduate of Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Masters of Art in Teaching. Mrs. Watson has been employed
by the Clinton Public School District for 35 years. She also has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Education Department at Jackson State University for over five years. Currently, she is the President of the Clinton Association of Educators, Teacher of the Year, Superintendent’s Advisory committee, Honor Society Selection Committee, Past Board Member of the Mississippi Association of Educators, Past-President of Jackson-Hinds Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University where she served two terms, Life Member of Jackson State University National Alumni Association, Past First Vice President of Jackson State National Alumni Association, Board Member of the Blue Bengal Athletic Association Incorporated, Jackson State University Honor Roll of Donors and a member of the Clay-Lackey Society. Currently, she is serving as the JSU National Alumni Mississippi Regional
Vice President. Mrs. Watson is very involved in the community. Some of her community service activities include the League of Women Voters, Past President and current Board Member of the Clinton Christian Community Corporation, Secretary of the C.A. Williams Federated Women’s Club, Vice Chair and Board Member of the Mississippi Association for the Preservation of the Smith Robertson Museum and Alamo Theatre and Life Member of the NAACP, serving as Treasurer of the Clinton Branch NAACP, and Secretary of the Mississippi Coalition on Black Higher Education. Vera has two daughters, Jocylynn Watson Coleman (Kenneth Coleman) and LaTrenda Watson, both graduates of Jackson State University; and three grandchildren, Wisdom, Kayla, and Kenneth Jr.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD, Ms. Lori Jackson-Stewart Counseling from Jackson State University. Ms. Jackson-Stewart’s matriculation at Jackson State encompassed many facets of campus life. She was active in the JSU Student Government Association, elected Miss Sophomore Class 1996-1997, Dean’s List Scholar; Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities; Junior Class Vice President; President of JSU’s modeling squad and member of JSU Pathfinders, (Jackson State’s first student mentoring organization). During her senior year, Ms. Jackson-Stewart reigned as Miss Jackson State University 1998-1999.
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s. Lori Jackson-Stewart is a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and serves as Associate Director for Campus Life at Jackson State University. Ms. JacksonStewart received a B.S. in Speech Pathology and M.S. in Guidance and
Actively involved with her community Ms. Jackson-Stewart gives her time with various community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, where she has served on the Board of Directors and chaired its annual Women Build project for the past 10 years. She is a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi Board of Directors,
Jackson Zoological Park Advisory Board, Dress for Success Metro Jackson Board of Directors, Leadership Greater Jackson Board of Trustees and served as President of the Leadership Greater Jackson Alumni Association 2009-2010. She is a proud Lifetime member of both the Jackson State University National Alumni Association and Jackson-Hinds Chapter. She was recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as a 2008 Top 40 Under 40 recipient and in 2010 was named one of the Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi. She is a member of the Jackson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Junior League of Jackson. Ms. Jackson-Stewart enjoys spending time with her family, especially nephews Cameron, 15, and Kendall, 11, and her german shepherd, Callie.
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