Tiger Trails: The Official History of the JSU Memphis Alumni Chapter

THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - MEMPHIS CHAPTER PRESENTS: FIRST FEDITION IRST EDITION 2021 2021 The Official History of the Memphis Alumni Chapter

Jackson fair, Jackson dear, Refrain Hail, hail to thee, Yes, hail to thee; Hail to the College of my heart, Hail, hail to thee, Yes, hail to thee; Hail to the College of my heart.

Jackson fair, Jackson dear Thee I love, thy colors rich and bright Thee I love, the blue and the white Jackson fair, Jackson dear. The Alma Mater

Jackson fair, Jackson dear Thee I love my dear old College home Thee I love wherever I may roam.

C O N T E N T S T A B L E O F 9 H I S T O R Y J A C K S O N S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y 1877 and Beyond 4 C H A P T E R L E A D E R S H I P 11 T H E U N O F F I C I A L H I S T O R Y O F T H E J S U N A A Connecting Alumni through the Decades 32 H I S T O R Y O F T H E J S U N A A - M E M P H I S C H A P T E R JSU Alumni in Memphis, TN 65 J S U M E M P H I S & T H E S O U T H E R N H E R I T A G E C L A S S I C Get Ready! 67 A P P E N D I C E S Appendix A: JSUNAA Memphis Presidents, pg 64 Appendix B: JSUNAA Presidents, pg 65 Appendix C: Jackson State University Presidents, pg. 66 50 J S U M E M P H I S T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R S A Pictorial Exploration 62 T H E J S U M E M P H I S P A R E N T C L U B Parents Making a Difference! 71 A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S 7 I N T R O D U C T I O N

JSUNAA - MEMPHIS CHAPTER 2019-2021 Officers Lori Jackson Evans, President Roshanda DeBoise, First Vice-President Jacqueline Faulkner Orr, Second Vice President Audrey Fullilove, Treasurer Chris Evans, Financial Secretary Arianna Elliot, Assistant Financial Secretary Tabitha Liddell, Recording Secretary Allyson Chambers, Assistant Recording Secretary Jozelle Luster Booker, Parliamentarian D. Nicole Kennebrew, Chaplain

JSUNAA - MEMPHIS CHAPTER 2019-2021 Committee Leadership

Joy Brownlee, Co-Chair Courtesy

Jozelle Booker. Chair Fundraising

Delila House, Chair

Amy Davis Smith, Chair

Legal Issues

Cheryl Hearn, Esq.

Jarmila Allen Reed, Chair Community Service

Audit

Koresa Taylor, Co-Chair Constitution & Bylaws

Whitney Smith-Dunning, Co-Chair

Krystal Giboney, Co-Chair

JSUNAA - MEMPHIS CHAPTER 2019-2021 Committee Leadership Membership Shawana Lewers, Chair Derek Henson, Ph.D., Co-Chair Policies and Procedures Jozelle Luster Booker, Chair Scholarship Brittany Gibson, Chair Jimi Monix Dyson, Co-Chair Social Media Brandy Flynn, Co-Chair Terrice Thomas, Co-Chair Student Recruitment & Success Arlinda Fair, Chair Destini Jones, Co-Chair Dillon Robinson, Co-Chair Website Chiketa Jiles

INTRODUCTION T H E

Historica are a sacred an mination, and intestinal fortitude in the midst of oppression and racial injustice.

Sincerely, Thee Memphis, Tennessee Tiger Trails Committee

For almost one-hundred and fifty years, Jackson State University has produced several of the world’s greatest athletes, trained many award winning musicians, and molded some of the country’s greatest minds. From Walter “Sweetness” Peyton to United States Secretary of Education Rod Paige, JSU Alumni across the country have left an indelible mark on various industries and arenas.

The Memphis Alumni Chapter is honored to help promote and extend our Dear Old College Home's great legacy through various community service events, college fairs, and the scholarship program For over forty years, the chapter has been instrumental in developing a pipeline of Memphis area scholars heading down I 55 to Jackson, MS, to join the JSU Family. We are proud to produce the first edition of Thee Memphis, Tennessee Tiger Trails under the administration of President Lori Evans. It has been a labor of love, and we look forward to this publication being enhanced and enriched for years to come.

JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY T H E H I S T O R Y O F

H I S T O R Y O F

The state assumed support of the college in 1940, assigning to it the mission of training teachers. Subsequently, between 1953 and 1956, the curriculum was expanded to include a graduate program and bachelor’s programs in the arts and sciences; the name was then changed to Jackson State College in 1956. Further expansion of the curriculum and a notable building program preceded the elevation of Jackson State College to university status on March 15, 1974. In 1979, Jackson State was officially designated the Urban University of the State of Mississippi. Presently, Jackson State University, a public, coeducational institution, is supported by legislative appropriations supplemented by student fees and federal and private grants.

Source: Jackson State University - Official Website

men and women for leadership, having undergone seven name changes as it grew and developed. Founded as Natchez Seminary in 1877 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the school was established as Natchez, Mississippi “for the moral, religious and intellectual improvement of Christian leaders of the colored people of Mississippi and the neighboring states.” In November 1882, the school was moved to Jackson; in March 1899, the curriculum was expanded, and the name was changed to Jackson College.

the JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION T H E U N O F F I C I A L H I S T O R Y O F

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Jackson State University was founded in Natchez as Natchez Seminary on October 23, 1877. At that time, it was a private American-style institution of higher learning, based on the European model, established by Baptists to train ministers. Like Harvard in 1636, it was modeled after Oxford and Cambridge universities. The earliest graduates (until 1924) earned certificates of course completions rather than degrees. No formal alumni organization existed initially, but as students completed their coursework in preaching, teaching, homemaking, music, etc., the institution basked in the glory of their achievements based on the premise that “Ye shall know a tree by the fruit it bears.” Reports were made to the Mississippi Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Missionary Society about alumni's exploits, placement, and achievements. In other words, success stories about alumni were used as leverage to influence funding, student recruitment, and general acclaim In 1927, Dr. B. Baldwin Dansby, the new president of Jackson College, hosted a campus meeting of alumni, especially the Laurel, Mississippi Alumni Group. President Dansby characterized alumni as a “Long line of living light” and suggested that they follow the Laurel example and organize chapters throughout the state. Thus the National Alumni Association was founded, in essence, with the head of the institution also giving leadership to the support organization. continued success through student recruitment, alumni retention and expansion, financial support, public relations, and community outreach. This current mission has been a work in progress from the implicit, embryonic, conceptual framework at the University's founding in 1877 to the formal establishment of the National Alumni Association in1927.

A.A. Alexander, a 1928 graduate, succeeded E.T. Stewart as National Alumni Association president in 1944. The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act was passed that same year, paving the way for military veterans to finance their college education. World War II ended in August 1945, and returning service members dominated the fall enrollment at Jackson College for Negro Teachers. Dr Estemore Alvis Wolfe graduated mid-year of 1946-47 and was declared "Alumnus of the Year" by President Jacob L. Reddix at Alumni Day in May 1947. After graduation, Wolfe, a military veteran and civil rights activist, moved from Hinds County to Detroit, Michigan, and established a new alumni chapter. He set high marks in student recruitment, fundraising, and public relations he was the ideal alumnus. Two graduates, Miss Mary Geraldine Whiteside (‘25) and Mrs. Zee Alfanette Barron ('26), established Coahoma Junior College (CJC) in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1946. They served in administrative capacities on that campus and steered junior college graduates from CJC to Jackson College for over 30 years.

Edgar Triplett Stewart, a 1932 graduate, was elected the first National Alumni Association president in 1938. The Great Depression was at its worst,. The American Baptist Home Missionary Society was on the eve of discontinuing support, and the need for financial operating resources was, to put it mildly, crucial. Alumni support helped keep the doors of Jackson College open until securing state support in 1940. The state downgraded Jackson College to a two-year college and renamed it Mississippi Negro Training School for 194042. Alumni successfully protested the state’s action, and in 1942, the institution was restored to four year status and given back its name. It became Jackson College for Negro Teachers in 1943

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The graduate school was started in 1953, and Dr. Lee Erskine Williams, a 1940 graduate, was elected National Alumni President in 1954. The graduate school offered the master's degree in educational administration, which helped classroom teachers become principals, assistant principals, and district coordinators of colored schools in Mississippi’s segregated public school system. These alumni principals and those in other school leadership positions became channels for student recruitment. Dr. Williams was employed on campus and served as National Alumni President from 1954 to 1966. Under his leadership, a portion of candidates' graduation fees ($2.00) towards the Alumni Student Loan Fund, and new graduates were granted one year’s free membership in the National Alumni Association. Jackson College for Negro Teachers became Jackson State College in 1956 Dr Ivory Manning (’47), a campus science teacher, edited the Alumni Newsletter sent to all alumni who paid the $2.00 annual membership dues. Dr. Williams was responsible for creating the Office of Career Planning, Placement, and Alumni FollowUp and served as its director until 1963.

Mrs. Lottie Lorene Williams Thornton, a 1944 graduate, made history as the first female president of the student body in 1943-44 and became the first woman to lead the National Alumni Association in 1948. She worked in the Laboratory School (campus K 8) and was the first campus employee to serve as National Alumni President. During her tenure (194850), the graduating class of 1949 established the Alumni Student Loan Fund, where students could take out small loans ($25 $50) for personal emergencies. Eventually, faculty members were required to co-sign for student loans

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Mrs. Estelle Young, a Meridian school teacher, became National Alumni President in 1950. Her election meant back to back women presidents for the first time. The irony of that occurrence is exacerbated by the influx of returning service members on the GI Bill. In addition, perhaps the greatest class of all time (based on cohesiveness and percentage of prominent classmates) graduated in 1950. Some school districts began requiring classroom teachers to have baccalaureate degrees. Jackson College for Negro Teachers attracted teachers in search of summer credits toward degrees in large numbers.

Mrs. Frances Dungy Robertson ('46), a high school counselor in Greenwood, Mississippi, became National Alumni President in 1966 Alumni chapters existed in Jackson, Laurel, Vicksburg, Marion Walthall Counties, Clarksdale, Greenville, Greenwood, Meridian, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Simpson County. Public schools ended their spring term at the end of April or the first week in May. Therefore, Jackson State College held its year end culminating event, Alumni Day, on the fourth Saturday in May. Baccalaureate Sunday was the next day, and Commencement on Monday.

President Reddix underwrote the expenses of Alumni Day. There was no registration fee. Everything was free. Alumni were special guests of the college.

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In 1964, the National Alumni Association spearheaded the selection of Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr. (‘50) as Vice President of the college and president-in-waiting. Dr. Peoples had served as a leader in the Gary, Indiana Alumni Chapter served as principal of the city's Roosevelt High School. In 1964, Alumni Relations became a function of the Office of Public Relations.

President Reddix retired, and John A. Peoples, Jr. became President of Jackson State College on March 2, 1967. He changed the school’s motto from "The Whole Individual Teaching and Learning" to a new bible based motto: "You Shall Know the Truth and the Truth Shall Make You Free "

The first person President Peoples hired on April 1, 1967, was Dr. Hilliard Lackey. Dr. Lackey served as Assistant Director of Public Relations and was responsible for Alumni Affairs. The Office of Alumni Affairs was created on July 1, 1968, and the National Alumni Constitution was amended to make the Director of Alumni Affairs its Executive Director. Thus, Dr. Hilliard Lackey became the first Director of Alumni Affairs and the first Executive Director of the National Alumni Association.

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Alumni were given the clarity of purpose through the Five F’s of Alumni Affairs: The constitution and/or by laws were amended to make provisions for chapters to compete in their respective size or money-generating brackets for annual awards in student recruitment, fund raising, public relations, and membership. Awards were also formalized for recognizing alumni achievements in education, business, politics, leadership, and the like. The Jackson State College National Alumni Association was incorporated under the laws of the State of Mississippi in February 1969. Atty. Jack H. Young ('31) filed the papers pro bono. The Jackson State College Development Foundation was also incorporated in February 1969 The establishment of the foundation was fraught with suspicion, doubt, and nay saying by alumni. However, President Peoples' status as an alumnus contributed to the eventual acceptance of the Development Foundation as the official receptacle of taxdeductible contributions to Jackson State.

The new Director of Alumni Affairs was responsible for establishing new alumni chapters and reactivating old ones wherever five Jacksonians resided in one locality. By the Centennial Celebration (1877-1977), the number of alumni chapters had reached an all-time high of 110 and spanned nationally from coast to coast and all over Mississippi.

Funds Freshmen Friends Fellowship Feedback President Peoples urged all alumni, especially the National Alumni Association, to become complete assets to the college and minimize any hints of being liabilities. The president implored alumni to invoke the paraphrased John F. Kennedy admonition of, “Ask not what JSC can do for you, but ask what you can do for JSC.” Accordingly, alumni began paying for the Alumni Day Banquet, Homecoming Luncheon, and football tickets.

JSCNAA President Frances Dungy Robertson instructed the Executive Director to locate an off campus locality and proceed with as many Alumni Day Activities as plausible, especially the annual meeting. Accordingly, the Executive Director rented the Masonic Temple, sent out Western Union telegrams, and made telephone calls advising alumni leaders, chapter presidents, and dues paying alumni that Alumni Day Activities had been relocated.

The shooting of 12 campus students, including the fatal wounding of two young men by state troopers accompanied by Jackson Police Officers the night of May 14, 1970 (Shots actually fired shortly after midnight and therefore technically May 15, 1970), presented a major challenge regarding the role of the Executive Director. Alumni across the state and the nation were highly upset, perturbed, and disturbed. The State College Board, a.k.a. Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), influenced Jackson State to cancel Alumni Day Activities scheduled for Saturday, May 23, the day before graduation on May 24 JSC had indeed canceled graduation, but the question was whether to have hundreds of angry alumni on campus questioning the role of white law enforcement officers in shooting a dozen students, blowing out windows in Alexander Hall, B.F. Roberts Hall, and the Campus Library. The administrative decision transmitted to the Executive Director by the Dean for Administration was to cancel all Alumni Day Activities. Letters were sent out notifying alumni leaders, chapter presidents, and dues paying alumni that the event, normally held in the Campus Union Building, was canceled. JSC had canceled JSCNAA activities. What was JSCNAA to do?

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Tension developed. The Executive Director served two masters: JSC as Director of Alumni Affairs and JSCNAA as Executive Director. The Dean for Administration advised the Director of Alumni Affairs that communication would be sent to the president recommending his immediate firing for insubordination. The JSCNAA President applauded the actions to continue Alumni Day and decried the “firing.”

The events of May 14 15, 1970, precipitated an outpouring of the renewed interest of alumni in their alma mater. Everybody was upset. Everybody wanted to do something. Chapters were established, alumni paid dues, and meetings were well attended. In fact, dues were raised from $2 to $5 and then $10 in matters of a few years.

Still, the dilemma persists to this day: In crunch time, who does the Executive Director owe chief allegiance? The institution? The association? “He who pays the piper calls the tune.”

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President Peoples had been extremely busy and had not addressed the Director of Alumni Affairs directly about the matter. On Saturday morning, May 23, just before the alumni meeting started at the Masonic Temple, President Peoples walked east on Lynch Street to the Masonic Temple. The Director of Alumni Affairs hurriedly caught up with him.

Distinguished alumni who had been on the periphery now came into the inner circle. One of those, Edward S Bishop, Sr of Corinth, perhaps in the top three of the leading black citizens in the state, was elected National Alumni President in 1972. His vice president was Dr. Estemore A. Wolfe of Detroit. Heading the Political action Committee was another leading black citizen and former National President A.A. Alexander of Jackson. These three had easy access to the white power structure and could meet and talk with the governor, legislators, and other white and black people of power and/or influence. They capitalized on the shootings of May 14 15, 1970, and at President Peoples’ directions, sought funding for the Administration Tower, Charles F. Moore Building, and the F.D. Hall Music Building, among others They also pushed for funding of the Gibbs –Green Plaza Revenue Sharing Funds became available during this time, and it was JSC NAA President Bishop and his cohort Alexander who helped JSC get its share.

Feeling sheepish and having been fired now for over a week, the Director of Alumni Affairs began trying to explain to President Peoples about the “insubordination ” Sensing what was forthcoming, President Peoples put his arm around the shoulders of the young executive and said, “I understand your situation. You did the right thing. You aren’t fired.”

The Midwest hosted the very first regional conference in Chicago in 1973. JSCNAA chose Chicago because it had the second largest concentration of Jacksonians after Mississippi and its tremendous consistency and success in hosting choir tour concerts over the years. Calvin Scott, Doris Lucille Nichols Smith, Annette Johnson, Robert Patterson, Robert and Mae Ruth Carr, and Charles F. Moore were instrumental in hosting the conference.

Meanwhile, Vice President Wolfe was a membership machine, traveling all over the Midwest, soliciting memberships, and setting up new chapters. Based on his contacts, he envisioned JSCNAA as a regional organization with regional directors and eventually regional vice presidents elected by the members of that region. He and the Executive Director laid out such a proposal which President Bishop sanctioned. Initially, the regional officers would be appointed by the president until such time that the regions would mature and elect their own representatives, including three board members

Dr. Florida Catchings Hyde ('56) was named Farwest Region Coordinator. John Milton Black ('44) was named the Northeast Coordinator, and Dr. Estemore A. Wolfe ('47) was the Midwest Region Coordinator. They had no power and no budget but gave freely of their time, talents, and personal funds to travel, make telephone calls, write letters and otherwise promote membership and chapter founding in their respective regions.

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Jackson State College became Jackson State University on March 15, 1974, due largely to President Peoples' leadership and the lobbying efforts of alumni led by JSCNAA President Bishop, his sidekick A. A. Alexander, and alumni throughout the state. Willie T. Allen, Billy Sykes, Fred W. Allen, Gladys Durr Smith, John Henry Grantham, Bennie S. Gooden, Robert Tyler, Beverly Barnes Smith, Milton Forte, Betty Anthony Williams, Jacob J. McClain, Wallace A. Higgins, Commodore Dewey Higgins, W.A. Reed, Jr., Roosevelt Catchings, Roosevelt Oatis, Sr., Rep. Robert G. Clark, and many, many others were instrumental in this effort This was a red-letter day for the new JSU

The Centennial Celebration had 82 events over an 18-month time frame beginning in September 1976 and ending in May 1978. Alumni were integrally involved in every aspect.

Early in 1970, plans were made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Jackson State University for 18 months in the years 1976-1978. One facet of that planning was creating the Thousand Dollar Club, whose goal was to have one thousand alumni to give $1000 each to Jackson State by the one-hundredth anniversary in 1977. The Jacksonian Lounge was set aside as the Alumni Lounge in the Campus Union, constructed in 1968. A plaque was planned to be erected in that room honoring the Thousand Dollar Club Dr. Estemore A. Wolfe of Detroit, Michigan, was elected the first JSUNAA President in 1976. He became the first out of state president. This was apropos as Dr. Wolfe self disclosed that he had two jobs in Detroit: Coordinator of Audio Visual Services for the Detroit Public Schools and a second as Secretary-Treasurer of Wright Mutual Insurance Company. He said he donated one of his salaries to JSU. He flew to campus at least three times a month and once per week during football season. He was provided a guest room in the Jacob L. Reddix Campus Union on an indefinite, ongoing basis; He kept clothing and personal belongings in the room year round. Dr. Wolfe was omnipresent on the campus. He visited offices, gave impromptu tours to current students, and had lunch with faculty, students, and visitors. He kept a steady stream of important visitors and parents coming to campus week after week. He lived and breathed Jackson State University. He had theretofore total strangers to join the $1000 Club He also annually recruited 10 to 20 new band members to the new Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band. Dr. Wolfe had a larger than life persona.

There was a Centennial Reunion of every constituent group of former students from SGA Presidents, Miss JSUs, football players, cheerleaders, and the grand reunion of all classes. Alumni were coming and going for several weeks. This was the heyday of Jackson State. The student body was growing by leaps and bounds, from 2200 in 1967 to 8006 by the fall of 1978. Alumni chapters grew from 22 to 110 from 1967 to 1978. The Director of Alumni Affairs/Executive Director was the Centennial Coordinator and had to attend all campus events while also setting up chapters and attending alumni events coast to coast.

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The crowning glory of the Centennial Celebration was the Centennial Alumni banquet held in the Holiday Inn Downtown (Marriott Hotel), where a record 1,050 alumni paid $10 each and filled the banquet room. This is still the largest alumni gathering in the history of the institution. Dr. Joseph Harrison Jackson ('27) was the featured speaker.

Jackson State combined the Office of Alumni Affairs and the Office of Development for four years, beginning in 1970 and continuing through 1974 The new employment title for the Executive Director became Director of Development and Alumni Affairs. The office operated weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until midnight during those four years. A professional staff worked during regular business hours, but work study students had work shifts as late as 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Among the late shift workers are present day alumni stalwarts Audrey Lynn Fullilove, Gracie Norman Pitts, Ruth Jacquelyn Jones Fortson, and Jackson Firefighter Eddie James. Will T. Chambliss ('65), a Jackson businessman, became National Alumni President in 1980, succeeding Dr. Wolfe. Barely 40 years old, JSUNAA President Chambliss was a self made businessman in the insurance and flora industries. He was bottom-line driven and extremely straightforward. Glory and honor did not factor into his decisions. What was profitable to Jackson State and its students was all that mattered. He worked with JSU English Instructor Frankie Loving to petition Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium to give JSUNAA stadium parking oversight during JSU home football games. He worked with the football coaches to make the Annual Blue and White Game a money maker. He exhorted alumni leaders to give back financially, purchase season football tickets, pay registration fees at alumni events, and in general be role models for those they represented.

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President Chambliss promoted the formalizing of the regional concept, the election of officers by mail ballots, and set forth a business plan that JSUNAA would purchase and operate businesses in the campus environs He was ahead of his time Regional officers were elected.

While Chambliss was JSUNAA president, the State College Board served notice to President John A. Peoples in 1983 that his contract would not be renewed in 1984. Chambliss’ second term was up on June 30, 1984, and Peoples’ 17 years in office ended April 30, 1984. Alumni were very upset, and a series of protests, press conferences, and demonstrations ensued. Jesse Jackson, Ben Hooks, and other black leaders were contacted to aid in retaining President Peoples on the job. Such efforts were futile.

Dr. James A. Hefner became President of Jackson State University on May 1, 1984, and Howard D. Catchings ('63) became JSUNAA President on July 1, 1984. A new day had come to JSU and JSUNAA in one season. President Hefner distanced himself from the outgoing administration by instilling a new motto: "Educational Excellence, Research and Service." He also placed great emphasis on fundraising. The advancement team was bolstered, and alumni services were enhanced to foster a culture of sacrificial giving. A five year, $10 million campaign was launched. Alumni were challenged to give $1 million.

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JSUNAA President Howard D. Catchings was the perfect person to lead the alumni effort. His first communiqué was the ubiquitous and self-effacing “Howard Who?” letter to all alumni of record. Admitting he was a newcomer, having never been a chapter president or national officer, Catchings nevertheless accentuated the positive: He was a loyal, dedicated Jacksonian who believed real support is financial support “If you love JSU, send money” was his mantra. He led by example and gave unstintingly. Alumni followed his lead and gave over $1 million in four years. The $10 million campaign reached $11 million in that four-year span. The regionalization of the National Alumni Association became more refined under JSUNAA President Catchings. Regional conferences became grand occasions, especially in the Midwest literally large vans and busloads of alumni, administrative staff, and student groups (J-Settes) would leave Jackson bound for Detroit, Flint, Cleveland, St Louis, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Houston, Dallas, Birmingham, and Washington, DC.

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In 1988, Dr. Lelia Gaston Rhodes ('44) retired as Dean of the JSU Library and succeeded Catchings as JSUNAA President. An eloquent speaker and the epitome of professionalism, Dr. Rhodes commanded respect. She handled alumni meetings with aplomb and efficiency, especially in seating and separating voting members from non-voting members. Her expertise in protocol and insistence upon excellence took the National Association to new heights in its image. She understood the inner workings of the University. She capitalized on that knowledge by having alumni involved in key committees such as Founders’ Day, Homecoming, Building Naming, and on search committees for administrators. In collaboration with the Executive Director and Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher, Dr. Rhodes procured a $100,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control to enable alumni chapters to educate African-American teenagers about HIV/AIDS and prevention. In addition, alumni chapters across the country could earn $1,000 by hosting a series of forums for children in their local areas. Chapters would retain a local area health educator to make presentations, or a campus-based educator would make a site visit. This grant was renewed several times but eventually was subsumed by Jackson State University in 1994. Dr. Rhodes requested, was given, and accepted a private residence on behalf of JSUNAA. Mrs. Geneva White ('35) owned a modest white cottage adjacent to Alexander East Hall on John Roy Lynch Street Having relocated to live with her daughter on Wiggins Street, Mrs White wondered whether JSU could house students in her vacated home. The University at the time did not require additional student housing, and the idea arose that JSUNAA needed a nearby, off-campus abode. Dr. Rhodes inquired and was met with a positive response. Atty. Bernard Jones, Jr. ('78) processed a quitclaim deed pro bono to transfer ownership. The JSUNAA President moved into the “White House." Several years later, JSU expanded eastward and purchased the "White House" for some $40,000.

One intriguing initiative of JSUNAA President Rhodes’ administration was the Rhodes Reading Rewards, where students “caught” reading leisure books outside on the lawns, on the plaza, or in a doorway would be granted a $25 voucher to spend in the Campus Bookstore at their pleasure. The purpose was to foster, encourage and otherwise promote reading for enjoyment. A hoped for residual was that once some students saw others reading, reading would become epidemic and become a part of the JSU landscape. It never happened Only three students in three years ever received the $25 One student, a football player from Michigan, received it twice. The Rhodes Reading Rewards Initiative had an annual budget of $1,000 for those years but has since disappeared from the budget.

Ms. Melvene Lavern Coney ‘71, also known as Mrs. Melvene Blackmon, succeeded Dr. Rhodes as JSUNAA President in 1992. This coincided with the appointment of James Earl Lyons, Sr. as President of Jackson State University. Ms. Coney was an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission employee and a prominent committee worker with the Jackson Hinds Alumni Chapter. She quickly rose through the ranks and became a “Right-hand [Wo]Man” as First Vice President under JSUNAA President Catchings during his two terms. Some had speculated that she would follow him as the next president. However, Dr. Rhodes came between the two. Undaunted, Ms. Coney supported the presidency of Dr. Rhodes and was mentored by her as well.

JSUNAA President Coney rode a crest of popularity as JSUNAA was known nationally for its HIV/AIDS grant, its student recruitment record, and its prowess in alumni giving. National conferences like the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and of course the Council of National Alumni Associations (CNAA) had JSUNAA on their preferred guest lists. Local and campus based entities like the Margaret Walker Alexander Center, the Links, Inc., Jack and Jill, etc., also observed her involvement. JSUNAA was everywhere.

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Dr. Lackey returned to campus as Special Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs to complete the simulated ACE fellowship

1609 West Pearl Street on the south side and eventually across the street on the north side.

Clarence Johnson, a non sales insurance executive and long standing national and local chapter leader in Jackson, became JSUNAA President in 1998 Allegedly, no one else would accept the nomination for president, and Johnson did so reluctantly to fill the void and keep JSUNAA afloat. President Johnson was a bastion of integrity and efficiency but self-disclosed that he didn’t have the time and resources to be an expansionist. Thus, he concentrated on managing what was in hand and not on acquisition and expansion.

Calvin Scott (’62), a former basketball standout and Chicago-area insurance executive, succeeded Ms. Coney as JSUNAA President in 1996. President Scott had risen through the ranks of the Chicago Chapter and entrenched himself on the national scene during regional conferences and national meetings. A true visionary, he had gleaned through corporate meetings and years of networking diverse means of generating funds. A Cadillac for Christmas was a national raffle idea. Collecting dollars from spectators during football games, marketing souvenirs, and mass appeals to all alumni for inclusion were promoted and pushed. He was on a roll until the onset of illness ensued and curtailed many of his initiatives. When his term ended in 1998, he declined to run for reelection.

Dr. Ronald Mason became the 9th President of JSU on February 1, 2000. A devoted pragmatist, the new president challenged alumni that unless he received a favorable return of over $380,000 invested annually in Alumni Affairs, changes would have to be made. According to assessment methods, only 2% of alumni gave back some $250,000 annually to Jackson State University. Alumni were disturbed. In their minds, intangible support like student recruitment, legislative relations, and overall goodwill mattered as much as tangible, quantifiable support. He promoted Dr. Curtis Johnson from Director of Alumni Affairs to Assistant Chief of Staff Ms Evangeline Wilson Robinson (’91) was appointed to succeed Dr. Johnson. Aaron Jones (’59) followed Johnson as JSUNAA President in 2002. A long-time school principal and more recently a facilitator of rehabilitating troubled schools, he was the right man to step in and facilitate the restructuring of JSUNAA to fit President Mason's vision. A retreat was held at the newly acquired Center. Off campus facilitator Willard C. Scott led the alumni in attendance through a SWOT analysis to begin the strategic planning process.

Phase II of the strategic planning session took place at the Harrah’s Convention Center in Tunica.

In 1999, Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher, Dean of the Graduate School and a graduate of Tougaloo College, was appointed Interim President of Jackson State University to succeed President James E. Lyons, Sr. who left to head the University of California at Dominguez Hills. Interim President Fletcher hit the road by attending regional alumni conferences and promoting fundraising, student recruitment, and networking. She was well received. JSUNAA continued to host biennial national conferences in odd years and six regional conferences in odd numbered years coinciding with national and regional elections. This rotation theoretically allowed those seeking national offices to appeal to prospective voters at regional conferences. Regional office seekers obviously got a chance to promote their candidacies at the regional level.

U N O F F I C I A L H I S T O R Y O F T H E

JSUNAA President Aaron Jones, due to personal and family health issues, announced that he would not be a candidate for reelection. The Mississippi Regional Conference was hosted on the Mississippi Gulf Coast by out-of-state alumni Charles Russ, Sylvester Taylor, and others at the request of Dr. Hilliard Lackey, who was serving as Mississippi Regional Vice President. The conference was well attended and well received. A group of Memphis alumni met with Dr. Lackey in the middle of the night during the conference and asked him to accept nomination for JSUNAA President for 2004 06 and beyond. The number of alumni chapters had dwindled to 28, similar to the 26 of 1967 and 82 less than the heyday of 1977. Dr Lackey had left JSU and Mississippi at the end of December 2002 to assume a cabinetlevel position at LeMoyne Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon winning the 2004 election to succeed JSUNAA President Aaron Jones, Dr. Lackey served notice of his resignation from LeMoyne-Owen College to serve full-time as president and informal CEO of JSUNAA. He quickly secured a three year $450,000 grant from the Office of Minority Health for JSUNAA and its affiliate chapters to educate African-American youth, ages 1114, about HIV/AIDS. He became the principal investigator with a small salary and travel funds.

The strategic plan became the driving force of the National Alumni Association. The pieces were in place, and JSUNAA was poised to move forward. Then, the unexpected occurred. JSU hired James Bell as Head Football Coach, and the Tigers fizzled on and off the field. The nosedive in the once powerful, yet still prideful, football program unsettled the JSU family, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends, parents, observers, and the university community at large. Disheartened alumni inside and outside JSUNAA simply quit and withheld support and participation in protest of the football predicament Meetings turned into grumbling sessions about the football program.

Gwen Caples, ('77) served as the Director of Alumni and Constituency Relations and Executive Director of the JSU National Alumni Association from 2004 2012 and received the distinguished and competitive "Thurgood Marshall Award for Excellence in Alumni Affairs" during her tenure which began under the presidency of Dr Ronald Mason She traveled to New Orleans, LA, accompanied by Vera Watson, to accept the award which was prestigious for Jackson State University. For many years, she enthusiastically served Dr. Lackey and Terry Woodard during thier terms as JSUNAA President.

A stand-alone office was established adjacent to the Office of Alumni Affairs to house the HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Project. Equipment was purchased, and a staff was hired that included an administrative assistant and four graduate assistants. As in 1988, alumni chapters could earn $500 to $1000 by hosting sessions for local students age 1115. These students could also be encouraged to go to the college of their choice as part of goal setting components inherent within the guidelines. JSU grads hosting the sessions had more knowledge about their alma mater than other colleges and usually shared information about Jackson State University. This was serendipitous.

Rev. Barron Banks was hired in 2004 as Chapter Developer within the renamed Office of Alumni and Constituency Relations. Banks and Lackey hit highways and airways to establish, reactivate and service chapters at least once per week. In addition, entourage travel was renewed where JSUNAA or Alumni Affairs would invite Jackson area alumni leaders and concerned alumni to ride in a 7, 12, or 15 passenger van to visit alumni chapters, attend football games, basketball games, and funerals.

Elected national alumni officers voted to underwrite their travel and expenses to attend national meetings. This was not new but a renewal of a bygone practice. It served to boost attendance and interest among young alumni who otherwise could not afford to serve at the national level Interest was rapidly renewing in participating in JSUNAA and supporting JSU. The only setback was the losing football program.

U N O F F I C I A L H I S T O R Y O F T H E

Coach Rick Comegy became the Head Football Coach in 2006 with the slogan Right Here, Right Now. Tomorrow was today. The sense of urgency to win right away overwhelmed thought processes, and well known players from larger conferences transferred to JSU. Many had encountered behavioral or academic issues on their campuses and sought a new start at JSU. This would prove to be problematic concerning graduation rates later on but resulted in JSU returning to championship football. Alumni were happy. JSUNAA was back on track almost The re-shaping of the infrastructure was the focus. Modernization of the accounting, election, and communication processes took center stage. Young, computer savvy alumni were at the table due to travel and expense underwriting. Their ideas eclipsed many outdated methods and modes of operation. The constitution and by-laws were amended or attempted to be amended at every meeting as the young guard attacked the status quo and sought to bring JSUNAA into the 21st century.

The strategic plan asked that alumni everywhere think, speak and act in support of Jackson State University. This empowered all alumni at all socioeconomic levels to lend positive support to alma mater.

JSUNAA President Lackey vacillated on whether to run for a third term in 2008 Members of the JSU Dean’s Council asked him to stay on, as did numerous alumni leaders, in response to an email inquiry to that effect. Still, the young alumni movement was poised to a takeover and move forward. One missing piece was the absence of the 2006-2008 Second Vice President Terry Woodard, who was the odds on favorite to be the next JSUNAA President. Mr. Woodard was not able to move up in leadership at the time due to work constraints. Therefore, Dr. Lackey accepted the nomination and handily won a third term. A term limit constitutional change had been reinstated by the young alumni movement but could not apply to current officers While vacillating on the JSUNAA Presidency, the HIV/AIDS project ended and Dr. Lackey became a JSU Adjunct Professor. This became problematic due to IHL guidelines.

U N O F F I C I A L H I S T O R Y O F T H E

Alumni associations, development corporations, and other university affiliate organizations had to sign an affiliation agreement giving the campus president power to disaffiliate that group upon a 60 day notice without reason or recourse. For example, Mississippi University for Women disaffiliated its alumni association. A court case ensued, and Dr. Lackey became a star witness for the alumni association and was flown to Columbus, MS, to testify. The alumni won in the court of original jurisdiction, but the ruling was overturned at the appellate level As a result, universities became empowered to disaffiliate alumni associations. Thus, alumni leadership should not be employees of the universities.

JSUNAA President Woodard came to the presidency with superb leadership skills, especially in building coalitions and enlisting participation. He was dedicated to infusing technology into the scheme of things The young alumni had found their leader No schism developed as ‘the old guard’ alumni sector relishes young people taking over. Theretofore, older alumni did not believe that younger alumni had the stick-to-itiveness to carry on the

JSUNAA President Lackey announced conclusively that 2010 was his last year in that position. He opted not to resign from this position as he had done in 2004 to serve as president. He chose to remain Visiting Professor of Higher Education, Geography, and History at Jackson State University. He had compiled and distributed an 80 page email update called JSUNAA President’s Weekly Update E Pluribus Unum every Sunday morning for six years. This was read or at least viewed by over 50,000 alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and students for 312 Sunday mornings. That was consistency. President Mason announced his intention to assume the presidency of the Southern University System in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. JSUNAA and JSU would again have two leaders exiting and two new leaders entering simultaneously Terry Woodard (’88), a Campus Food Service Provider executive widely experienced in alumni leadership roles in Houston (TX), Atlanta (GA), and at the national level, was handily elected JSUNAA President in 2010 to succeed Dr. Lackey.

U N O F F I C I A L H I S T O R Y O F T H E

Interim President Leslie Burl McLemore, a graduate of Rust College, former Chair of the Political Science Department, former Dean of the Graduate School, and former President of the Jackson City Council, served for 2010-2011 JSUNAA Immediate past President Hilliard Lackey and new JSUNAA President Terry Woodard served on the search committee for the new JSU President. Woodard acted as Vice-Chair of the committee.

Dr. Carolyn Winston Meyers was selected to become the first woman and 10th President of Jackson State University. She and JSUNAA President Woodard quickly established an amicable working relationship and camaraderie. For her inauguration, JSUNAA was challenged to raise $1 million from among all alumni. To everyone’s delight, JSUNAA raised a record $2.56 million by March 17, 2012. The alumni had come of age. There is no longer any question as to their importance or their role.

hard work and sacrifice deemed necessary to sustain a viable alumni association. Technology and expense accounts solve that problem for JSUNAA.

U N O F F I C I A L H I S T O R Y O F T H E

JSUNAA MEMPHIS CHAPTER T H E H I S T O R Y O F

Dr. Eugene Sargent was born in Lucedale, Mississippi, and attended Jackson State College in Jackson, Mississippi, after serving in the United States Army. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Science from Jackson State College, a Master's in Guidance and Counseling, and a Doctorate in Administration and Supervision from the University of Memphis. Education was one of Dr Sargent's priorities He served 43 years in Memphis City Schools as a teacher, area specialist (Adult Education), and principal at Sheffield Vo Tech and Southside High School. He was a member of the Southside Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors for 23 years.

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The late seventies found Memphians struggling to conceptualize the gradual changes occurring after the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr in their beloved city Blacks slowly moved to the suburbs and better inner city neighborhoods, acquiring jobs once associated with other groups and seeking pathways to establish their own identity.

As president of the JSUNAA Memphis Chapter, he provided a meeting facility for the chapter The Jackson State University Concert Choir was also invited, for the first time, to perform at First Baptist Church Lauderdale in Memphis, Tennessee. This visit resulted in several other visits by the concert choir, which helped enhance awareness of JSU in the Memphis area. Dr. Sargent stressed the need and importance of adopting a constitution for the chapter and later spearheaded the drafting and adoption of the first Jackson State University Memphis Alumni Chapter Constitution

Mr. James Q. Bacchus, I, is a ‘74 graduate of Jackson State University, the first class to graduate under the university status He majored in Industrial Arts Education and served as president of the Industrial Arts Club. President Bacchus was also active with the Student Government Association and supported the efforts to help Jackson State College become Jackson State University After graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Cecilia Ward (‘73 BA, ‘74 MA) They moved to Memphis, TN, which bordered his hometown of Olive Branch, MS Mr Bacchus began his career in public education in 1974 as a junior high school Industrial Arts teacher, which launched his forty five plus years of service as a teacher, coach, principal, district administrator, and superintendent.

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During the years spanning from 1972 75, over twenty JSU graduates re located to Memphis, TN, and many lived in the same apartment complex where they often gathered to reflect and share their JSU experiences. In 1978, Mr. Bacchus contacted the National Office and was directed to the local chapter. He urged his JSU Alumni neighbors to join the alumni association and soon became the local chapter president. During his term, the chapter became connected to the JSU National Alumni Association and began to carry out its vision, mission, and goals lead by Dr Hillard Lackey

While working in the on campus Public Relations Office, she received the opportunity to relocate to Memphis, Tennessee to further her professional growth In Memphis, she attended and graduated rom Henderson Business College.

Dorothy Crook is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

n 1969, Dorothy Crook was employed as an executive secretary of the American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employee Union eventually rose through the ranks to become the Assistant Director in 1995.

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She was the first female director of Local 1773, the largest union in the city, and helped organize the sanitation workers after Dr Martin Luther King, Jr 's assassination Local 1773 worked with other unions and professional associations, assisting them in becoming vibrant entities.

During a challenging period for the Memphis Alumni Chapter, Ms. Crook agreed to become the chapter president and took steps to guide the chapter through those challenges. Under her leadership, the chapter sponsored its first football game trip to Nashville, TN, to cheer on the Jackson State Tigers. The chapter also held two phenomenally successful fundraising activities to support the University Memphis Alumni Chapter was provided a meeting facility always with refreshments, compliments of Ms. Crook. Photo courtesy of University of Memphis

Though she attended Jackson State College on a voice scholarship and was active in the concert choir, she was interested in achieving a degree in business.

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President Harris taught in the Shelby County School System for 34 years and was chosen as Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year for Tennessee (1980's) and the National Diversified Technology Teacher in 1989. His students were known as first place winners in the Technology Student Association throughout the nation, bringing many awards to the Shelby County Schools system.

Under President Harris's leadership, the chapter’s first constitution was developed and adopted The importance of incorporating the members’ families as part of the association resulted in fun, family holiday dinners and game nights for adults and children. Fund raising activities continued to support the University, and President Harris took it upon himself to employ Jackson State University students during the summer months

Canton, MS native Charlie Harris, Jr. attended Jackson State College after serving three years in the United States Army He received his B S Industrial Arts in 1970 and M.S. in Industrial Technology in 1980 from Jackson State and undertook advanced studies at The University of Tennessee. As a student at Jackson State University, he was on the President’s and Dean’s list and graduated a Summa Cum Laude scholar.

Mr Moore insisted the Chapter begin participating in JSUNAA events Under his leadership, the Chapter began attending the Mid West Conference held in St. Louis and other JSUNAA Conferences.

Mr. Moore was elected as President of the JSU Memphis Alumni Chapter in 1988. At the time, Beale Street was gaining popularity, and the atmosphere in the city was great. During his term, he moved chapter meetings to Sunday afternoons. Because members typically came from church to the meetings, the Hospitality Committee would provide a meal during the meetings. The Southern Heritage Classic was established during President Moore’s term. The Chapter was heavily involved in supporting the annual occasion by hosting such events as the Boat Ride, tailgate, after party, and prayer breakfast. In addition to the Boat Ride and after party, chapter members also sold game tickets to raise funds The Chapter raised a tremendous amount of money during this period and donated it to JSU.

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President Moore moved to Atlanta in June of 1991 to pursue his doctorate, and Vice President Jozelle Booker assumed the role of President Sadly, Mr. Moore passed away in April of 2021.

Upon graduation from high school in 1967, he received a full scholarship to Jackson State College (JSC), enrolled, and majored in English Literature. He later changed his major to math. His dream was to become a math teacher, and he graduated from JSC in 1971 with a degree in Math education.

Ronald Moore, Sr. was a native of St. Louis, Missouri.

In the early years of the Southern Heritage Classic (SHC), the Chapter was instrumental in securing room blocks for the University and the JSU National Alumni Association. The after parties held at the ASCME Labor Hall were quite memorable. The fundraisers were also excellent fundraisers that laid the foundation for the Chapter's scholarship program. President Booker's position at the Chamber of Commerce during this time was essential in ensuring the Chamber and the Commercial appeal acknowledged the economic impact the event had on the city and the importance of HBCU football. Once the Classic became profitable, SHC Founder Fred Jones began giving the Chapter $5,000 each year.

Booker’s desire as president was to move the Chapter toward being operated more like a business and increase the organization's outreach

Jozelle Booker graduated from Port Gibson High School in rural Claiborne County, MS Though she received scholarship offers from Mississippi State and the University of Mississippi, she decided on Jackson State University President Booker enrolled at JSU in 1980 with the dream of being a buyer in the fashion industry and majored in marketing. At JSU, she was in the Marketing Club, Phi Lambda Beta, and other honor societies She pledged Delta Sigma Theta in Spring 1982 and served as Delta Pi’s 2nd Vice President her junior year. She graduated from JSU in 1984 and was advised by an to seek employment in Memphis. Shortly after moving to The Bluff City, she began her career at MLG&W

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During President Brassell's term as president, the chapter partnered with the Southern Heritage Classic and promoted the Memphis Alumni Chapter's Scholarship fund to help encourage Memphis students to enroll in Jackson State.

Clyde Brassell received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science in 1973. While at JSU, he was active in several organizations and activities such as the Political Science Club, Swimming Club, and badminton.

The major accomplishment for his term was his contribution to the Scholarship fund and helping students in the Memphis area pursue their college dreams and educational goals at Jackson State His “where there is a will, there is a way” attitude was a catalyst for many students to persevere and earn their degrees from Jackson State University.

After graduating, he became a licensed real estate agent, licensed insurance agent for Allstate, served on the Deacon Board of Mt Vernon Baptist Church for many years. Finally, he was a devoted husband and father

In 1996, James Bacchus was elected to complete a one year term of Mr Clyde Brassell and elected to another term in 1997 as president of the chapter until 1999. During the five year span, the chapter contributed over $4000 to the National Alumni Scholarship Fund, continued to expand its college recruitment efforts by sending more students in the Memphis area to the Annual JSU High School Day. In conjunction with the Southern Heritage Classic, the chapter partnered with JSU Recruitment to offer scholarship opportunities.

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Finally, he is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and serves as an Elder and Education Minister at the Boulevard Church of Christ. Additionally, he is a Lifetime Member of the NAACP and the JSU National Alumni Association. Mr. Bacchus continues to give annually to the JSU National Day of Giving and is an active member of the JSU Memphis Alumni Chapter He consistently supports the efforts of the local chapter James Q Bacchus, I, is a father of four children, and his oldest is a ‘99 graduate of Jackson State University.

Additionally, during these years, President Bacchus was instrumental in adding more exposure for Jackson State University by working with Summit Management to start the Southern Heritage Classic's High School Battle of the Bands.

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President Ruffin is the proud father of two kids and a member of Omega Psi Phi. He currently works for CDW as the senior manager of DevOps and Automation. He manages application developers, automation experts, and cloud enthusiasts. John also founded This Kid Can Code. Kid Can Code offers computer programming apprenticeships and workshops

John Ruffin is a native of Chicago, IL. After graduating from high school in 1989, he enlisted in the Army. During his time in the military, he noticed how computers were used to control missiles He chose Jackson State because the institution was graduating more computer science majors than any other school in the country. As a student at JSU, he was a member of the Computer Science Club and Phi Beta Lambda. He earned his degree in Computer Science from Jackson State University in 1995 After graduation, John moved back to Chicago to work for Commonwealth. He remained there for a year before moving to Memphis. President Ruffin’s goal was to increase membership to 150. Though the goal was not reached at that time, many members were reclaimed. The chapter began having its annual retreat during his term, and the first retreat was held at the Memphis Business Development Center at 555 Beale Street The purpose of the retreat was to bring the leaders and members of the Chapter together to set goals and plan for the next year.

A Senior VP from MLGW was participating in a JSU TSU Event and observed how she ran the Chapter. He called her and met with her the next week. It changed the trajectory of her life The VP saw skills in her leadership of JSU Memphis that could be transferred to MLGW.

She was raised in a community and school where everyone was black. All the teachers are black. All the leaders in her community were black Black people being in charge was not a foreign concept to her. She has a great deal of pride in Jackson State as an institution, its products, and its mission of preparing young people to be greater Just like Mr. James Bacchus, President Booker had the honored distinction of serving as chapter president twice. In addition to the information shared in her previous profile, it is important to know that:

She wants the Chapter to be a place where one learns parliamentary procedures and meeting structure. She believes, “It's good to know the rules.”

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Naomi Alexander Baker was a native of Clarksdale, MS, and daughter to the late L.D. Alexander and Ora Lee Alexander She was the youngest of five girls. Enrolling at Jackson State was a dream come true for Ms. Baker. She enjoyed attending homecoming games to take in the excitement of the band, majorettes, and football team. While at JSU, Naomi became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated In 1975 she graduated from JSU with honors with a B.A. in Accounting. After graduation, President Baker enjoyed a successful career as a business owner in the financial services and insurance industry.

She mentored several young people, provided them with summer jobs and inspired many young women to start their own businesses. In January 2003, Naomi Baker was elected president of the Memphis Alumni Chapter to complete the term of Jozelle Booker. During Baker’s presidency, she pushed to have customized JSU car tags for Tennessee and organized a Black Golf Tournament to help raise money for the University. Sadly, President Baker passed away in January of 2007. The Memphis Chapter acknowledged her many years of service and dedication to the Chapter and Jackson State University at her funeral. The Memphis Chapter also purchased a JSU legacy brick in her memory and honor.

President Tigue was committed to the unification of alumni and the preservation of integrity and Tiger tradition on the local and national levels She began her commitment to these principles as Membership Director by formalizing the process of identifying, tracking, and contacting Memphis area alumni. Her commitment to accountability, fairness, and transparency resulted in the implementation of procedural guidelines in several critical areas of Chapter operation: (1) the scholarship application was revised to include specific guidelines for consideration and distribution; (2) the Constitution & Bylaws were updated to be consistent with the National documents; (3) the chapter retreat was re instituted as the oversight, steering and strategic planning process for intermediate and long term goals; and (4) formal guidelines for Perks (Rewards for SHC Ticket Sales) were established and implemented, and an enforceable Ticket Sales Contract was developed. Both of the latter were critical to ensuring that the maximum dollar amount was available for annual Scholarship distribution to worthy students

Clarksdale, MS native Annie Tigue earned her B.S. in Accounting from Jackson State University in 1983 and graduated Summa Cum Laude She was active in several academic and social organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Phi Beta Lambda, and the National Association of Black Accountants. She was a President’s and Dean’s List Scholar in addition to receiving the Jacksonian Award. Ms. Tigue was named to Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, including the International designation.

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·Under her presidency, JSU Memphis: Established the first website for the Chapter, established a $25,000 Endowment in the Memphis Alumni Chapter’s name (one of the first alumni chapters to do so), Hosted the first Memphis JSU Student Corporate Tour for 17 top JSU juniors and seniors to prepare and expose them to job opportunities in the Memphis area, sponsored and participated in the JSU National Alumni HIV/AIDS Education and Outreach Project, and oversaw the swearing in of the first officers of the newly established JSU Memphis Parent Club of the Memphis Alumni Chapter

President Patrick Herring, a native of Marks, Mississippi, earned a B.S. in Special Education and Rehabilitation from Jackson State College in 1972. She was active in several academic and social organizations and pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in the fall of 1969 After moving to Memphis in 1974, Patrick Herring attended Memphis State University and earned her master’s degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation She also earned state certifications in Elementary Education, Administration and Supervision, ESL, and Reading.

Past President Patrick Herring believes that just as JSU was there for her, we must ensure that it will be there for our children and their children’s children Jackson State University must continue “Challenging Minds and Changing Lives” for generations to come.

Dr Derek C Henson is a native of Philadelphia, MS and was raised in a close knit community by a socially and politically active family. Upon graduation from Philadelphia High School, Dr Henson enrolled at Jackson State University He was an active member of the JSU community proudly marching with the Sonic Boom of the South, enthusiastically participating in student government and excelling as a promising pre law student. In 1991, Dr. Henson graduated from JSU with a BA in Political Science. Soon thereafter, he began work as a teacher in Mississippi’s public school system before relocating to Memphis, Tennessee where he began work with a non profit organization.

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Henson, motivated by his desire to be a catalyst for positive change in the lives of those he served, graduated from the University of Memphis in 2002 with a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. He earned a certification in Urban Youth Ministries from Crichton College through the Memphis Leadership Foundation's Urban Youth Initiative. In 2009, President Henson earned a doctorate from Jackson State University in Urban Higher Education. In a career spanning nearly 25 years, Dr Henson has been a tremendous asset to several agencies and organizations, including Shelby County Head Start, Inc., Frayser Family Counseling Center, the Metropolitan Inter Faith Association, Rescare, Inc., and Southwest Tennessee Community College In 2021, Dr Henson opened his own business, The Henson Consortium, a consulting firm for non profits and small businesses, and the Credit Counseling Consortium, a credit counseling and repair firm.

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During his time as president, the chapter witnessed an increase in organization and efficiency through punctual, agenda focused meetings characterized by detailed committee and financial reports

President Patterson was also passionate about two major chapter events: Baby Tiger Day and the Scholarship Banquet During Baby Tiger Day, elementary students benefitted from fellowship with chapter members and learned the importance of college education, leadership, and social skills. The Scholarship Banquet was key because it provided much needed funds for Memphis area undergraduates attending Jackson State University.

Frank Patterson is a native of Memphis, TN, and graduated from Jackson State University with a B.S. in Accounting in 1994. During his time at JSU, he was involved in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc (Delta Phi Chapter President), The Sonic Boom of the South, the JSU Accounting Society (Vice President), the Masonry Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, and Alpha Chi National Honor Society.

President Patterson was also recognized as Whose Who Amongst American Colleges and Universities, Dean’s List Scholar, Co Op Student of the Year with IBM, and was a Student Team Member in Assisting the JSU School of Business to become accredited in 1994 After graduation, he began to work in his field and has been employed as the Assistant Controller with Helena Agri Enterprises for 28 years.

President Davis Webster focused on fundraising and community networking during her administration. Fundraising efforts from the June 2013 Scholarship Banquet resulted in establishing an endowment that included matched funds from a Title III grant In September 2013, the chapter raised nearly $3,000 to support book awards for JSU students from the Memphis area. The chapter website was reorganized to be more user friendly and informative. The quarterly chapter newsletter was established, and JSU alumni activities & accolades were publicized in the Commercial Appeal and via social media. The chapter was awarded the JSUNAA Public Relations Award (2014 2015) due to these targeted efforts

Angelia Davis Webster is a native of Greenville, MS, and graduated from Jackson State University in May of 1996 with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She earned her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Services in August of 1998 During her time as a student at JSU, she was named to the Dean's List, participated in the Psychology Club, joined the Baptist Student Union, and was a peer liaison for the JSUNAA Alcohol & Drug Intervention initiative Since graduation, Ms. Davis Webster Angelia has been employed in the mental health/behavior service field, and she currently serves as the CEO of Quality Care Behavior Services.

Among other events, the chapter hosted the JSU Memphis Going Away Party and the Biennial Chapter Retreat It supported the community through work at the Food Bank and donations to local nursing homes and sponsored bus trips to several cities to support JSU sports.

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ationships, and serving the citizens of Memphis s administration Under her leadership, p bers, Jackson State University license plates have been made available in the state of Tennessee, and a substantial number of scholarships have been provided.

In February 2020, the chapter successfully held Mardi Gras on the River, but March 2020 brought about a global shutdown resulting from the COVID 19 virus. Despite the challenges, President Evans forged ahead by effectively transitioning the chapter to virtual operations and programming Among the chapter's many events and activities, JSU Memphis supported the students of Hickory Ridge Elementary through drive by donations and held a successful Shoeraiser to collect funds for scholarships.

Lori Jackson Evans is a native of Jackson, MS and earned her bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders in May 1999. During her matriculation at JSU, she participated in the Student Government Association, Pre Alumni Club, Housing Disciplinary Committee, Dunbar Acting Guild, National Student Speech Hearing and Language Association, and JSU Pathways. She earned the respect of her peers and was elected Miss Sophomore and later crowned Miss Jackson State University her most cherished accomplishment. During her reign as Miss Jackson State University, Lori implemented a mentoring program for undergraduate and local elementary students Lori was awarded a master’s in Counseling in May of 2004 and is currently employed at Regional One as the Manager of Community and Customer Engagement.

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THROUGH THE YEARS J S U M E M P H I S

Jackson State University Chorale's 1979 visit to Memphis

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years...

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years... Chapter members and other alumni enjoy the April 1996 JSUNAA Southeastern Regional Conference at the Crown Plaza in Memphis.

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years... In 2011, the Memphis Alumni Chapter presented JSU with a donation of approximately $5,000 during a reception for students, counselors, and JSU President Carolyn Meyer’s visit to Memphis. Fred Jones secured the Memphis Orpheum for the Chapter to host the reception, and both Jones and Mayor A.C. Wharton were in attendance. B.J. Easterling chaired the Reception Committee. Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years...

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years...

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years...

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years...

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years...

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years...

Left: Chapter Member Lillian Harris addresses the Executive Board.

Bottom Right: Chapter members Christen Scott and Quentin Hendree enjoy a festive JSU Memphis event.

JSU Memphis through the JYears... SU Memphis through the Years...

Bottom Left: The JSU Executive Board pauses for a group photo during the 2014 Chapter Retreat

Bottom Row (l-r) Chapter members and other alumni enjoy the Southern Heritage Classic, The 2019 Bluff City Soiree, Tiger Alumni at a JSU Memphis chapter meeting. through through

the JYears... SU Memphis

Top Row (l-r)

JSU Memphis

the Years...

Chapter members represent JSU at a local college fair; President Evans and Parliamentarian Booker display the Chapter of the Year Award; Past Chapter President Angelia Webster and fellow alumni help share great information about our Dear Old College Home during a college fair.

PARENT CLUB T H E J S U M E M P H I S

Participating in JSU Homecoming Parades in Jackson, Mississippi Sponsoring student Christmas dinners and back to school fellowships where gift cards are presented to students

The Memphis Alumni Parent Club held its first meeting on January 8, 2005. The first officers were installed on August 6, 2005, by Lillian Harris, Second Vice President of JSU National Alumni Association Parent Oney Griffin served as the first President, and parent Barbara Landers served as the first Vice President The group immediately began working with Vice President Landers that year by arranging a welcome party and a snack for the JSU football team in Memphis for the Southern Heritage Classic football game. Over the years, the Parent Club has been very active in sponsoring and assisting with the following activities: Linda Daniels, Parent Club liaison and founder, is a 1973 JSU graduate She served as the Student Recruitment Director for the Chapter for over 18 years, where she earned the Chapter many JSUNAA annual awards for student recruitment activities. She also served as a JSU National Board Member for two consecutive years and was a JSU National Bylaws committee member

Participating in various Memphis Alumni Retreats

The JSU Memphis Parent TClub he JSU Memphis Parent Club

Providing community work by visiting local nursing homes

Welcoming JSU football teams to Memphis for the Southern Heritage Classic

Supporting the Southern Heritage Classic Student Recruitment Brunches

Supporting the Chapter’s fundraisers, student recruitment activities, and other activities of the Chapter. Providing courtesies to students while at JSU by sending them birthday, sympathy, and encouragement cards, and tokens of love when students lost loved ones To support our students at JSU and their parents, Student Recruitment Director Linda Daniels had the vision to network with parents to establish the first alumni chapter Parent Club. The purpose of the Memphis Parent Club was to support and assist the Chapter with student recruitment activities and support Memphis JSU students with their endeavors at the University. The Parent Club enhanced the working relationships among parents, students, alumni, and University staff

Sponsoring fundraisers such as bus trips to JSU football games, candy/peanut sales, dinners at local restaurants, etc. to raise monies for students’ gift cards/tokens

The JSU Memphis Parent TClub he JSU Memphis Parent Club

SOUTHERN HERITAGE CLASSIC J S U M E M P H I S & T H E

JSU Memphis Chapter Leadership has been instrumental in the success of the Southern Heritage Classic Past President Jozelle Booker helped to secure room blocks for the University and the JSUNAA During this time, her position at the Chamber of Commerce was essential in ensuring the Chamber and the Commercial appeal acknowledged the economic impact the event had on the event city and the importance of HBCU football. Once the Classic became profitable, SHC Founder Fred Jones began giving the Chapter $5,000 each year. Past President James Bacchus, I worked with Summit Management to establish the very first High School Battle of the Bands Within the last thirty two years, there have only been two instances in which Jackson State University did not square off with Tennessee State University during the Southern Heritage Classic. The 1991 contest was between Mississippi Valley State and Tennessee State, and the 1993 tiger fight pitted Grambling against Tennessee State. The 2018 and 2020 games were canceled due to weather and COVID respecti el b t the 2021 celebra excitement as Tige

Source:SouthernHeritageClassicWebsite

Over the years, attendance has steadily increased as thousands of people have converged on the City of Memphis to enjoy the annual concert, parade, Battle of the Bands, and several other ancillary events surrounding the football game that make the Southern Heritage Classic® Cultural Celebration the event that no one wants to miss.

The Southern Heritage Classic is the brainchild of Memphis businessman Fred Jones, Jr His original goal was to draw thousands of fans from across the Mid South to witness the match up between well loved football teams The first game was held in 1990

The Southern Heritage TClassic he Southern Heritage Classic

APPENDICES T H E

ending

1968-1974: 1968-1974: *** * 1974 11978: 974 1978: Eugene ESargent* ugene Sargent* 1978-1982: 1978 1982: *** * 1982 11986: 982-1986: Dorothy DCrook orothy Crook 1986 11986: 986 1986: Coleman Garrett (June CJuly) oleman Garrett (June July) 1986-1987: 1986 1987: Effort EAlexander ffort Alexander 1987 11988: 987-1988: Charlie CHarris harlie Harris 1988 11991: 988 1991: Ronald RMoore* onald Moore* 1991-1995: 1991-1995: Jozelle Luster JBooker ozelle Luster Booker 1995 11996: 995 1996: Clyde Brassell (July COctober)* lyde Brassell (July October)* 1996-1999: 1996 1999: James JBacchus ames Bacchus 1999 12001: 999-2001: John JRuffin ohn Ruffin 2001 22002: 001 2002: Jozelle Luster JBooker ozelle Luster Booker 2003-2003: 2003-2003: Naomi Baker N(January-June)* aomi Baker (January-June)* 2003 22005: 003-2005: Annie ATigue nnie Tigue 2005 22007: 005 2007: Rubbie Patrick RHerring ubbie Patrick Herring 2007-2011: 2007-2011: Dr. Derek DHenson r. Derek Henson 2011 22013: 011 2013: Frank FPatterson rank Patterson 2013-2017: 2013 2017: Angelia ADavis-Webster ngelia Davis Webster 2017 22021: 017-2021: Lori Jackson LEvans ori Jackson Evans Deceased Deceased *** * Additional PResearch Additional Research R E S I D E N T S

P

**

Pending

Lori LJackson-Evans ori Jackson-Evans JSU Memphis JPr SU Memphis President esident

A P P E N D I X A

Photo Credit: jsunaa.org

N A T I O N A L A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N P R E S I D E N T S

Photo Credit: jsunaa.org 1938 11944: 938 1944: Mr. Edgar Triplett MStewart r. Edgar Triplett Stewart 1944-1948: 1944-1948: Mr. A.A. MAlexander r. A.A. Alexander 1948 11950: 948 1950: Mrs. Lottie Lorene Williams MThornton rs. Lottie Lorene Williams Thornton 1950-1954: 1950 1954: Mrs. Estelle MYoung rs. Estelle Young 1954 11966: 954-1966: Dr. Lee Erskine DWilliams r. Lee Erskine Williams 1966 11972: 966 1972: Mrs. Frances Dungy MRobertson rs. Frances Dungy Robertson 1972-1976: 1972-1976: Mr Edward Bishop, MSr r. Edward Bishop, Sr. 1976 11980: 976 1980: Dr. Estemore A. DWolfe r. Estemore A. Wolfe 1980-1984: 1980 1984: Mr. Will MChambliss r. Will Chambliss 1984-1988: 1984-1988: Mr. Howard MCatchings r Howard Catchings 1988 11992: 988 1992: Dr. Lelia Gaston DRhodes r. Lelia Gaston Rhodes 1992-1996: 1992 1996: Ms. Melvene Lavern MConey* s. Melvene Lavern Coney* 1996 11998: 996-1998: Mr. Calvin MScott r. Calvin Scott 1998 12002: 998 2002: Mr. Clarence MJohnson r. Clarence Johnson 2002-2004: 2002-2004: Mr. Aaron MJones* r. Aaron Jones* 2004 22010: 004 2010: Dr. Hilliard DLackey r. Hilliard Lackey 2010-2014: 2010 2014: Mr. Terry MWoodard* r. Terry Woodard* 2014 22018: 014-2018: Ms. Yolanda MOwens s Yolanda Owens 2018 2Present: 018 Present: Dr. Earlexia M. DNo r. Earlexia M. Norwood rwood **Deceased Deceased Earlexia Norwod, EM.D. arlexia Norwod, M.D. JSUNAA JPr SUNAA President esident

A P P E N D I X B

President Thomas K. PHudson resident Thomas K. Hudson Paige Paige Bynum Bynum

P R E S I D E N T S Photo Credits: The Blue & White Flash, Vol. 77/No.1, blackpast.org, jsums.edu, and wjtv.com 1877-1894: Dr. Charles 1Ayer 877 1894: Dr Charles Ayer 1894 1911: Dr Luther G 1Barrett 894 1911: Dr. Luther G. Barrett 1911 1927: Dr. Zachary T. 1Hubert 911-1927: Dr. Zachary T. Hubert 1927 1940: Dr. B. Baldwin 1Dansby 927 1940: Dr B Baldwin Dansby 1940 1967: Dr. Jacob L. 1Reddix 940 1967: Dr. Jacob L. Reddix 1967-1984: Dr. John A. Peoples, 1Jr. 967 1984: Dr John A Peoples, Jr 1984 1991: Dr James A 1Hefner 984 1991: Dr. James A. Hefner 1991 1992: Dr. Herman B. Smith, Jr. 1(interim) 991-1992: Dr. Herman B. Smith, Jr. (interim) 1992-1999: Dr. James E. Lyons 1Sr. 992 1999: Dr James E Lyons Sr 1999 2000: Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher 1(interim) 999 2000: Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher (interim) 2000-2010: Dr. Ronald Mason, 2Jr. 000 2010: Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr. 2010: Dr Leslie Burl McLemore 2(interim) 010: Dr. Leslie Burl McLemore (interim) 2011 2016: Dr. Carolyn W. 2Meyers 011-2016: Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers 2016-2017: Dr. Rod Paige 2(interim) 016 2017: Dr Rod Paige (interim) 2017 2020: Dr. William B. 2Bynum 017 2020: Dr. William B. Bynum 2020-Present: Thomas K. 2Hudson 020 Present: Thomas K. Hudson

A P P E N D I X C

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS T H E

Dr

President Lori Jackson Evans President Hilliard Lackey

Past JSUNAA

Bacchus James Bacchus, I Lillian Harris Quotia Holland Leislye Ball Roshanda DeBoise Maya Lee Rubbie Patrick Herring The Inaugural Memphis, TN Tiger Trails Committee Members

During the fall of 2020, President Lori Evans assembled a team of Memphis Chapter members to brainstorm, conduct research for and develop the chapter’s first official historical document In the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic and over a period of three months, the team sorted through photos, poured over articles from local and national publications, and interviewed numerous past presidents and chapter to create the most and informational volume of Memphis Chapter history. project:

Thank you to the following alumni for their dedication and commitment to this

The Unofficial History of the JSUNAA Past JSU Memphis Chapter Presidents Jozelle Booker Charles Harris Rubbie Patrick Herring Frank Patterson Additional Contributors (Chapter Members) BJ Easterling Quentin Hendree Additional Contributors (Friends of JSU Memphis) Alexandria Haidara, Daughter of Past President Naomi Baker Nedia Brassell Netters, Widow of Past President Clyde Brassell

members

comprehensive

Cecilia

Acknowledgements Acknowledgements

Cecilia Bacchus James Bacchus, I Leislye Ball Roshanda DeBoise

Tiger

THE INAGURAL

Lillian Harris Quotia Holland Maya Lee, Chair Rubbie Patrick Herring

Trails TCommittee iger Trails Committee

MILLIONS OF EYES ON EXCELLENCE CAMPAIGN T H E

Fundraising Fundraising JSUNAA - Millions of Eyes on Excellence Fundraising Campaign Join the Jackson State University National Alumni Association in raising $5,000,000 to support students at our Dear Old College Home. No amount is too large or too small! Donate online at www.jsums.edu/giveonline

The Memphis, TN Tiger Trails - First Edition 2021 JSU Memphis Alumni Chapter P.O. BOX 171342 MEMPHIS, TN 38187 Website: www jsumemphis org Email: info@jsumemphis org The purpose of this nonprofit Association is to bring Memphis area alumni of Jackson State University together for the purpose of providing financial and moral support to the University through its membership and to perform and engage in such charitable activities and acts as may be provided for in the constitution of the Jackson State University Alumni Association.