Alyssa Drake
Staff Writer
At 12 o’clock on Feb. 12, the sound of the bell could be heard all over the campus of Jackson State University as administrators, faculty, staff and students paused to remember fellow Tigers.
The bell, located in front of the historic Ayer Hall, was the site of a memorial service held in honor of alumni DeAngelo Gant Brown, Ethan Bright, and Willie Richardson.
Brown, a recent graduate of JSU, worked for the school’s Enrollment Management Team and is most known for inspiring many prospective students to choose Jackson State through his knowledge of the university.
Bright, a 2014 graduate of JSU, was a member of the history making baseball team, was known for representing the university through his commitment, sportsmanship, and outstanding athletic ability. He aided the team in making history at the NCAA regional finals in Lafayette, La.
Willie Richardson, a member of the Jackson State University Hall of Fame, was also honored and remembered for his many accomplishments and for constantly exemplifying the traditional values of Jackson State.
Richardson was one of the pioneers of Jackson State football. While at JSU, he was an All-American. He is 8th all time on JSU’s single season pass receptions list with 55 in 1960 and his 1,227 receiving yards in 1960 has him ranked 4th in JSU’s single season records. After JSU, he played nine seasons for the Baltimore Colts and one with the Miami Dolphins. In 1967 he was named a first team All-Pro member by the Associated Press and was a two time Pro Bowl selection.
In 2003, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, as well as being a member of the JSU Sports Hall of Fame (1978) and the SWAC Hall of Fame (1993).
The memorial service began with a prayer led by Daniel Watkins, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. President Carolyn W. Meyers addressed the crowd and thanked the families of the deceased for being in attendance.
President Myers spoke on the love and tradition held at Jackson State as she expressed condolences from the Tiger family.
Ruqauya Calmes, a junior marketing major from Little Rock, Ark., said, “I thought the service was great and I commend Dr. Meyers and the administrative teams for stepping up to acknowledge these Tigers. All that passed away have influenced many lives.”
Rico Chapman, associate professor and interim assistant chair in the history department, and Mr. Freshman, La’Curtis Powell, a criminal justice major from Jackson, Miss., served as the official bell-ringers at the ceremony. The historic bell rang 21 times as in the 21 gun salute done by ancient warriors in order to demonstrate peaceful intentions.
“It was a great service. I am glad the university and its students held a ceremony to honor those Tigers that have lost their lives and acknowledge them for all the good deeds they have done for the university. As Mr. Freshman, it was an honor and a great opportunity to play such a huge part in honoring the lost lives of my Tiger family,” said Powell.
Immediately following the last ringing of the bell, Watkins rose again to leave closing remarks, by addressing the families of the deceased with the quote “Carry on. I may not see you again, but I want you to carry on.”
