by L.A. Warren
Family and friends of the late Rev. Dr. Isaiah Madison, a former Jackson State University associate professor of political science, bestowed a $25,000 scholarship gift upon the College of Liberal Arts. The gift, presented during a September ceremony in the Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building, will double to $50,000 after matching funds from Title III, said Anthony L. Holloman, JSU’s former vice president for Institutional Advancement.
Acknowledging efforts to assist young people, Holloman said, “It’s an honor and privilege that we are able to accept this gift in honor of Rev. Dr. Madison. It’s reflective of the kind of life he lived and the work he performed. It will live on in perpetuity here. Jackson State has always provided assistance to the underserved. And, today, it is even more critical that we do so because the United States is No. 12 overall in degree completion.”
Furthermore, Holloman said, “The only way we can achieve the president’s goal is to educate more black and brown people, and underserved populations. So, it takes scholarships to make this happen.”
Aside from his work at JSU, Madison, who died March 1, 2012, at age 71, was the lead attorney in the high-profile Ayers case, which aimed to achieve parity among Mississippi’s institutions of higher learning. Dr. Mario J. Azevedo, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said the gift will make a difference in the lives of young people.
“Because our emphasis is taking care of students, scholarships and grants are important. This gift fits in with the objectives of this college by making sure that students receive assistance. This is very meaningful to the College of Liberal Arts.”
Former interim JSU President Dr. Leslie McLemore and political science professor Dr. Byron D’Andra Orey were credited for helping secure the donation.