Cianna Hope Reeves
Editor-in-Chief
Student-centered, God-fearing, and family loving—all qualities former Jackson State University President William B. Bynum Jr. would proudly announce as he introduced himself at every gathering.
Now, 57-year-old Bynum and JSU Art Galleries Director Shonda McCarthy, 46, are faced with misdemeanors after being caught along with 17 others in a two-night undercover prostitution sting in Clinton, Miss.
In a press conference, Clinton Police Chief Ford Hayman said the operation was conducted through an online prostitution ad and shortly after offenders were expecting to participate in the service at a Clinton hotel until met by an undercover police officer.
“An ad was posted online, services and location at a local hotel were all agreed upon, and the offenders traveled to Clinton and completed the crime,” said Hayman.
Bynum was charged with procuring services of a prostitute, giving false statement of identity and simple possession of marijuana and McCarthy’s charges included procuring services of a prostitute and possession of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle.
Both administrators have an extensive professional record in their career field of academia.
In 2019, McCarthy received her Ph.D. at Jackson State University and has led notable arts programming such as student art exhibitions and art workshops. She also curated prominent exhibitions involving the work of esteemed artists including Miles Davis and Nelson Mandela, according to JSU’s official website.
Former president Bynum was appointed by the board of Institutions of Higher Learning in 2017 following a controversial step down of former president Carolyn Meyers, who resigned after allegedly misappropriating the university’s cash reserves.
Prior to his appointment, he served as president of Mississippi Valley State University for four years and worked at Morehouse College as an administrator before then.
Since his arrival, his primary focus has been to advocate for funding, increase sponsorship and cash flow.
Most recently, Bynum, faculty, alumni and students attended JSU Day at the Capitol to network with state legislatures and request more federal dollars to support the financial stability and academic success for current and potential students.
Referred to as “Pastor Bynum” for his unapologetic public use of faith, words of wisdom at ceremonial campus events and his promise to always make students his priority, Jackson State students were shocked to hear about the alleged criminal activities Bynum has been charged with.
Darius Grant, a senior history major from Brandon, Miss. said learning about Bynum’s participation in the bust is still challenging to process.
“I remember meeting ex-president Bynum and he seemed like a very spiritual man to me, so learning about the [sting] caught me by surprise because essentially, his spirituality is what gravitated me toward his liking,” expressed Grant.
Not only was his use of religion one characteristic that stood out, many also admired his commitment to support the student body in any way possible.
“Bynum was a very energetic and enthused president. He was very involved with the school and he seemed very happy to be around us. Prior to me learning about his arrest, I would have never imagined that he would be involved in something like that—he seemed like a good person to me,” said Brooktavia Hampton, a freshman biology major from Memphis, Tenn.
Lazarick Shaw, a freshman biology major from Ashland, Miss., expressed her empathy for Bynum, his wife and family.
“I understand why people are making it a big issue, at the same time, we are all human—we are all going to make mistakes. I don’t think people should connect his faults to the excellence of our institution because what he did in his private life has nothing to do with Jackson State,” said Shaw.
Hampton was also sympathetic to the former president’s family.
“The first thing I thought about was his wife. I wondered, ‘I hope she is ok’ because people were joking about it on social media and it was the talk around campus,” said Hampton. “I wondered did anyone just stop and take the time to pray for her—for their family— it’s just a lot of questions.”
But it wasn’t just the concerns about their family that have students questioning, many are wondering who IHL will appoint as the next president following Bynum’s immediate resignation Monday morning [Feb. 10].
Abryana Marks, a junior political science major from Little Rock, Ark., hopes that the college board thoroughly investigates all prospective candidates during this upcoming selection process, citing the controversial selections of the last two presidents.
“After the last president, there should have been more background checks and different forums and panels with the prospective candidate. The voices of alumni and students should have made a difference into who [board members] were placing in office. Hopefully, this time they will follow that procedure and consider what people say, so it is a sense of confidence and assurance in who they will appoint to lead our institution,” said Marks.
IHL has since selected Thomas Hudson as Acting President of Jackson State University.
JSU Student Government Association president Jordan Jefferson encouraged everyone to remain “Tiger Strong” during this trying time in leadership.
The following released statement is from Jefferson:
“Though today has been stressing, we are moving forward as one Tiger family. I have been notified that the IHL Board appointed Thomas Hudson as acting President. Mr. Hudson currently serves as Special Assistant to the President and Chief Diversity Officer for the University. As a Jackson State alum and current staff member, he is well known to many of us and is more than qualified to take on the mantel of President. During this trying time, it is important to remain #TigerStrong. A wise man once said, stop focusing on what happened and start focusing on what’s going to move you forward. This is our charge! It is our job as students, faculty, staff, and alumni to continue to remind others why this institution is the “College of Our Hearts.”
This will be the university’s 12thpresident and its third time under new leadership since 2016.
This is a developing story, as both of the former employees will appear in court in March.
Keep going no time to stop now God will get us through
Jennie Craft