Last updated on April 26, 2024
Photo by Cameron Adams
Cameron Adams
Editor-In-Chief
Jackson State University is the home of multiple historical figures who have not only made an everlasting mark on campus, but also the world.
Through the representation of statues, buildings, and street names, JSU makes an effort to honor their achievements after their impact was made.
JSU’s new “Top 40 Under 40” campaign guarantees that the alumni who are putting in the work now, are receiving their flowers while they can still smell them.
On April 5, 2024, the Office of Alumni Constituency Relations and Jackson State University, hosted a ceremony inducting 40 of the institution’s young alumni into the 2023 Alpha Cohort.
The honorees are individuals who are making strides in their respective fields and demonstrate a strong commitment to JSU’s ideals and legacy while also showing their dedication to global change.
The ceremony was held at the Mississippi Two Museums and was decorated in true Jackson State fashion. From the blue and white table cloths to the multiple tiger statues, the environment matched the alma mater representation that each cohort displayed on a daily basis.
The event was sold out, with every chair filled with JSU pride. The president of Jackson State University, Dr. Marcus Thompson, was in attendance along with the 2023-2024 Royal Court, and several alumni of “Thee I Love.”
Even the keynote speaker for the night, Pastor Justin Gibson, is a Tiger alum, graduating in 2014.
Gibson’s experience as a pastor was present throughout his introduction to the 2023 class, because it was nothing short of inspirational.
“Forty stands for the number of attempts that it took to get the multi-million dollar product that we know and love today,” said Gibson. “I often wonder how rigorous and laborious of a process it must have been to do something 39 times over and over and over, and never to get it right until you got to the 40th try.”
Gibson added, “How many times do you have to do something over and over, get 39 nos before you got the 40th? Yes. You see, 40 represents the number of resilience. Now, why am I telling you this? I’m telling you this because as I’m the keynote for the Jackson State University Alpha cohort of 40 under Forty, it is just my guess that these are some of the most resilient, original people with new light on the inside of them in the form of purpose.”
His interpretation of the honorees was spot on. Each member of the 40 Under Forty Cohort experienced the struggles of going to a Historically Black University.
Each member experienced the struggle of having an assignment due at 11:59 p.m.
Each member started at Jackson State University before entering their prospective careers that they are now excelling in.
One of the honorees was Jessica Kennedy Vickers, a graduate of the 2010 class of JSU. She is currently a manager of Marketing, Analytics, and Insights for The Walt Disney Company.
Vickers is also a third-generation graduate of ‘TheeILove’ and daughter of Jerry and Joyce Kennedy. Her father was announced as JSU athletics largest individual donor during the 2023 football season.
She is now continuing her family’s outstanding contribution to Jackson State as she was awarded a medallion and two trophies for being the top fundraiser of the Alpha Cohort, raising over $6,000 in donations.
In her she quickly credited the donors who made receiving the award possible.
“I am indeed honored to be recognized for my efforts,” Vickers stated. “But this award really goes to every thread, every family member, every alum, every sorority sister, every neighbor that donated on behalf of me educating Jackson State University students.”
She then turned the audience’s focus from the Alpha Cohort’s current achievements to the overall purpose of the event: to build the future of Jackson State University.
“I don’t believe in resting on past laurels, because there are always greater tasks to begin. So I hope that that alpha cohort has shown our alma mater that not only are we the future of our university’s legacy, but that we are committed to exceeding the standard of giving at Jackson State.”
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