Jackson State to celebrate its 135th Founders’ Day

Special to the Blue & White Flash

Calvin Harris, a sophomore music education major from Jackson, Miss., summed it up this way:  “I believe that Founders’ Day is important because students get to learn about some of the history of our university.  It’s a big deal to attend the 135th Founders’ Day.”

Jackson State University will celebrate its history during the 135th Founders’ Day celebration, “One JSU: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Present, Creating the Future,””beginning at 10 a.m. today on the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway followed by a bell ringing ceremony at the front entrance of Ayer Hall.

Earlexia M. Norwood, MD, is a 1984 graduate of JSU and the physician-in-charge at the Henry Ford Medical Center in Troy, Mich., is the keynote speaker for the Founders’ Day Convocation.  Dr. Norwood also serves on the HFMG Board of Directors as well as the Northeast Division Head of Family Medicine. She is acting chairman for the “Your Journey to Wellness” program and the medical chair for “Troy Daze”, Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence and “Troy Hoops.

Later today, David Banner, a Jackson native, hip-hop artist and community activist, will speak at the Hip-Hop Series, a provocative, town hall style gathering that will challenge students to examine the ways the Obama Era has impacted discussions of race and gender in America. The event, hosted by journalist, activist and political analyst Bakari Kitwana, will take place at 6 p.m. in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium.

On Friday, Oct. 26, Terry Woodard, president of the JSU National Alumni Association, will be the keynote speaker for the Founders’ Day Banquet, at 7 p.m. in the JSU Student Center, Grand Ballroom.  Woodard, a 1988 alum, is a life member of the JSUNAA. He was selected by the JSUNAA as the Alumnus of the Year in 2005, was chairman of 5th Biennial Alumni Conference, and has served on various committees, including Constitution and By-Laws, Budget, and Membership.

JSU students like Harris believe that the annual Founders’ Day celebration is an important way for students to learn the rich history and importance of the university.  Because of the significance of the day, classes will be cancelled from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. so that students can attend the activities.

Chantal Lewis, a senior mass communications major from Brandon, Miss., said, “Founders’ Day is a time to reflect upon the people who paved the way to provide a quality education to African-Americans and other minorities.”

Danny Jackson, an English major from Arlington, Tenn., stated:  “I think Founders Day is very valuable.  It allows us to familiarize ourselves with the people who created opportunities we have. Founders Day allows acknowledgement and appreciation for our resilient and determined ancestors.”

Mario Walley,  a freshman biology major from Monroe, La., said:  “From the standpoint of being a freshman, what I understand is that it’s a commemoration of what people have done for me. It helps me to realize how far we’ve come.

Here are a few history facts about JSU:

Jackson State University began on October 23, 1877.  The University started as Natchez Seminary, a private school, under the auspices of The American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, for the purpose of educating Mississippi’s newly freed and underprivileged blacks.  Beginning with only 20 students, the school operated for 63 years as a private church school.

In November of 1882, the Society moved the school to Jackson, to the site where Millsap’s College now stands.  A part of this transition was the renaming of the school to Jackson College in recognition of the institution’s new, central location in the City of Jackson.  Natchez Seminary soon relocated from its site in the southwest section of the city.  Construction on the new site began in 1902 and the University remains on this site today.

Awarding its first degree in 1924, the major educational activities were directed toward teacher education for in-service teachers.  When the American Baptist Home Mission Society withdrew its support in 1934, it became apparent that state support was needed to sustain the school.  The state assumed control of the school in 1940.  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.

JSU now offers more than 90 bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs to its more than 8,700 students.

Mark Braboy contributed to this story.