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Generations of graduates from Jackson State University’s Department of Physics, Atmospheric Sciences and Geoscience celebrated last November the meteorology program’s 40th anniversary with a luncheon and other commemorative events. The programs’ pioneers and pathfinders were honored for their dedication and forethought and were inducted into the JSU Meteorology Hall of Fame. The JSU atmospheric science program has produced one of every three African-Americans who hold B.S. degrees in meteorology in the nation. Thirty percent of African-American meteorologists employed by the National Weather Service are graduates of JSU.
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, host of The Weather Channel’s Sunday talk show, “Weather Geeks,” and former president of the American Meteorological Society, was one of the luncheon speakers. He challenged the audience to consider what the industry would look like if the meteorology program at Jackson State did not exist.
“You always carry a badge with you; when you leave here you carry the badge of JSU’s atmospheric sciences program with you. Carry this badge with pride,” Shepherd said.
He told students that meteorology programs have been closing at other institutions, making their degrees even more valuable. Deirdre Jones, director of the Office of Facilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service, spoke on the importance of women in STEM and challenged the audience to keep girls interested in STEM opportunities.
“NOAA values women in technology; women play an integral role in STEM. Although women make up 50 percent of the civilian labor force, only 20 percent are represented in the National Weather Service (NWS) and only 12 percent are minorities,” she said.
Dr. Richard Aló, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at JSU, said, “We actively seek bright, talented and dedicated students to meet the national priority of developing more STEM leaders.”
The meteorology program trains students to be successful in operational, research and broadcast meteorology.
“It was a pleasure honoring those trailblazers whose invaluable vision for this program has emphatically benefited our students today,” Aló added.
Program steering committee chair and honoree Cindy Woods was one of the first graduates of the meteorology program. She said, “I am a proud graduate of this program, and I am honored and humbled to be recognized in the inaugural class of the JSU Meteorology Hall of Fame.”
Woods serves as the chief of the Operations Division for NOAA’s NWS and said the conference was an extremely successful and rewarding experience. Dr. Mehri Fadavi, chair of the Physics, Atmospheric Sciences and Geoscience Department at JSU, expressed excitement for the celebration. “Our focus is on sustaining excellence in our meteorology programs by equipping our students for today’s opportunities,” she said.
JSU is the only historically black college or university presently offering a degree in earth system science. According to NOAA’s Office of Education, the university is a leader in awarding doctoral and graduate degrees in environmental sciences. The fall event included workshops and professional development sessions for students and featured panels hosted by alumni. On hand were The Weather Channel’s former broadcaster Vivian Brown, Shepherd and JSU alumni employed by the federal government, state government and private industry. A professional broadcast panel featuring Yolanda Amadeo (WALB-TV10, Albany, Ga.), David Tillman (KTRK-TV13, Houston) and Ken South (WJTV-TV, Jackson, Miss.) was also held.
For more photos and information about
the meteorology program anniversary,
visit: www.jsums.edu/science.
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