William H. Kelly III
Editor-In-Chief
Jackson State University 10th President, Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers, delivered a resignation letter via email to students, staff and faculty today on Oct. 25, 2016.
In a letter addressed to Dr. Glenn Boyce, IHL Commissioner and Dr. Douglas Rouse, President of the Mississippi IHL College Board of Trustees, Meyers states:
“Dear Commissioner Boyce and President Rouse:
Out of genuine love of and pride in the university, effective Nov. 1, 2016 I am offering my resignation from the position of President of Jackson State University. As such I am prepared to vacate the residence within thirty days as prescribed in my contract…”
Meyers released a telling memo on Oct. 18 that had many wondering if it was a prerequisite to a farewell. The letter read in part:
“As we approach homecoming, I have been thinking about us. Over five years ago, when I came to Jackson State University, I accepted the honor and privilege to serve as the 10thpresident. I have witnessed the strength and commitment of our faculty, staff, student body, alumni and friends to this fine institution. I have witnessed our university become One JSU…”
Dr. Meyers became the 10th President of JSU in January of 2011. She came to JSU with more than 30 years of experience in higher education, serving as president of Norfolk State University before taking over the helm at JSU from Interim President Dr. Leslie McLemore.
In her memo to the university on Oct. 18, Meyers reminded JSU constituents of some of the key accomplishments made during her tenure:
- Transforming the learning environment through innovation, cyber learning, new degree programs, cutting-edge research, affordability, and an emphasis on globalization.
- Apple Distinguished School (2013-2015 and 2015 – 2017)
- JSU is fully re-accredited through 2021
- In the fall of 2015, JSU experienced a three-year enrollment growth, topping all universities statewide. JSU now boasts an enrollment of almost 10,000 students.
- JSU launched the School of Journalism and Media Studies
- Two new campuses: The Madison Campus and the Downtown Jackson Campus
- IHL approval of six new degree programs in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. These programs are: Ph.D. in Engineering, a Ph.D. and a Master of Science in Computational and Data Enabled Science and Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Statistics, and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
Check the Flash online tomorrow or the printed edition of The Blue &White Flash on Thursday, Oct. 27 for reactions and updates to this story.
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