William H. Kelly
Editor-in-Chief
One of the most eventful times of the school year is approaching and students as well as alumni and neighboring universities have something new to look forward to, the upcoming student body election season. Students at Jackson State University will now have the opportunity to vote for the first Mister Jackson State University.
Mister Jackson State University, similar to Miss Jackson State University, will serve in the same capacity.
Destiney Lawrence, the current Miss Jackson State University, and a senior biology pre-medicine major from Fairhope, Ala., is passionate about the purpose of the future King.
“As Miss Jackson State University, it is only a certain crowd that I can reach. Women gravitate to me because I am Miss JSU, and men do too, and I know how to decipher and be a role model even for males but there is only so much that I can do as a woman,” said Lawrence. “Males need a male role model, males need someone that they feel comfortable to talk to and that positive image that they can look up to and can relate to them.”
Lawrence continued.
“Say for instance they (male student) are failing in school and they feel like they could never reach that position but Mister JSU’s testimony is that he used to struggle in school as well but he made it. Men tend to look to women for relationships, not to be led by them or seek advice.”
Theodore Johnson, III, the 17th Mister Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), and a senior mass communications major from Natchez, Miss., understands the need for a Mister on a college campus.
“The position is relevant in that outside of the SGA president, the males on campus don’t have a peer role model other than Greeks. I was interested in the position because I felt that my campus needed a change. School spirit was dying and being brought in by a certain group of individuals, my freshman year helped tremendously,” said Johnson. “My platform was D.A.B-Driven to Achieve and Believe. It was established to increase recruitment and retention on campus. I wanted to get students excited about MVSU and make them want to stay. My duties are to assist the SGA cabinet as well as student leadership and engagement in organizing activities. Solely I have to conduct events under me and support all campus events.”
Spencer Davis, the current Mister Tougaloo College, and a senior English major from Greenville, Miss., says that he was inspired by a former Mister Tougaloo.
“I was recruited to Tougaloo College in part by a former Mister Tougaloo College, Michael Taylor, who took the initiative to speak with students at my high school, follow-up with us on social media and other outlets, and always avail himself when we desired a campus visit or simply a conversation to learn more about the Tougaloo. As a youth, I not only admired who he was as a person but also respected the way in which he represented Tougaloo College. So, I decided my freshman year that I would vie for the position, and I was fortunate to receive it three years later,” said Davis.
Davis continued.
“In an era when the integrity and leadership abilities of men of color continue to be scrutinized, the position of Mister at any college, particularly on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), is indispensable. While the student government governs and ensures effective policy-making as the name suggests, the role of a King, Queen and royal court on a college campus is essential in order to ensure that students are able to both see and feel examples of student leadership coupled with “royal” representation.”
On Feb. 8, in the Student Center Theater at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Center for Student Engagement and Inclusion (CSEL) held its election informational for those students interested in becoming a student leader in the Student Government Association (SGA), Royal Court, or Campus Activities Board (CAB). Students present were informed of the duties, monetary funds, and guidelines that come with each position available.
For more information on the upcoming campus wide elections, please contact a member of the SGA, Royal Court, CAB, or visit the office of Student Engagement and Inclusion on the second floor of the Student Center.
Photos by William H. Kelly III
