Jackson State University
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| Jackson State University | |
|---|---|
| Motto: | ”Challenging Minds. Changing Lives.” |
| Established | 1877 |
| Type: | Public university |
| President: | Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr. |
| Faculty: | 450 |
| Students: | 8,351 |
| Location | Jackson, Mississippi, United States |
| Colors: | Royal Blue & White |
| Nickname: | Tigers |
| Website: | http://www.jsums.edu |
Jackson State University, often abridged as Jackson State or by its initials JSU is a historically black university located in Jackson, Mississippi founded in 1877. Jackson State University has been especially noted for its successful business and computer departments, being among the highest ranked in the United States. Its current president is Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr. Jackson State is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.
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[edit] History
Jackson State University was founded in 1877 as the Natchez Seminary by the American Baptist Home Mission Society in Natchez, Mississippi. The seminary hoped to promote the moral, religious, and intellectual improvement of Christian leaders of the colored people of Mississippi and the neighboring states. In 1882, the institution moved to Jackson because of its central location in the state, and shortly thereafter the name was changed to Jackson College.
For sixty-three years the school operated as a private church school. In 1940, the college became a state institution for training rural and elementary school teachers. The first bachelor’s degrees were awarded in 1944. In subsequent years, the name changed to Jackson State College.
The year 1970 was marked in history by the infamous Jackson State killings, in which two students were shot and killed by police after student protests.
Expansion of the curriculum and facilities elevated the college to university status in 1974; thus, the name changed to Jackson State University.
In 1977, the school celebrated its centennial. In 1979, Jackson State University was officially designated the Urban University of Mississippi, and as such, seeks solutions for urban problems through its programs and activities. The University is pledged to the advancement of a free society and continued progress of democracy.
In 1980, JSU became the first and only historically Black institution to offer the Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. JSU now leads the nation in the education of Black professional meteorologists and atmospheric scientists - many of whom work in media, government, and private endeavors.
In 1983, the University completed an $11.2-million capital campaign that resulted in the renovation and improvement of several campus buildings and provided for expanded programs offered in continuing education. New buildings and extended renovations began in the 2003-2004 academic year, including processes of beautification and extension.
JSU was the first historically Black university, and is one of only two historically Black universities to date, to have an AACSB accredited Ph.D. of Business Administration program.
[edit] Academic Departments
- College of Business (degree programs in the following areas)
- Management and Marketing
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Economics, Finance & General Business
- Entrepreneurship
- College of Education and Human Development
- School of Instructional Leadership:
- Special Education
- Elementary Education & Early Childhood
- Health, Physical Education & Recreation
- Social and Cultural Studies
- School of Administrative Leadership:
- Educational Leadership
- Executive PhD in Urban Higher Education
- Educational Technology & Support Services
- School, Community, & Rehabilitative Counseling
- School of Instructional Leadership:
- College of Liberal Arts
- School of Fine and Performing Arts:
- Art
- Music
- School of Social & Behavioral Science:
- History & Philosophy
- Military Science
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice & Sociology
- Criminal Justice (Coordinator)
- School of Communications:
- English & Modern Foreign Language
- Mass Communications
- Speech Communications
- School of Fine and Performing Arts:
- College of Lifelong Learning
- Professional Interdisciplinary Studies
- College of Public Service
- School of Public Health:
- Behavioral & Environmental Health
- Epidemiology & Bio-Statistics
- Communicative Disorders
- Health Policy & Management
- School of Social Work:
- BSW Program
- MSW Program
- PhD Program
- School of Policy & Planning:
- Public Policy & Administration
- Urban & Regional Planning
- School of Public Health:
- College of Science, Engineering and Technology
- School of Science & Technology:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics, Atmospheric Science &
- General Sciences
- Mathematics
- Technology
- School of Engineering:
- Civil Engineering/Telecommunications
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Graduate Engineering Programs
- Air ROTC
- School of Science & Technology:
In addition, Jackson State also home to radio station WJSU-FM 88.5, playing jazz, gospel, news and public affairs programming. It also houses a low-powered television station, W23BC.
[edit] Athletics
Jackson State's athletic teams are a member of the NCAA Division 1-AA's Southwestern Athletic Conference, commonly known as the SWAC. Currently, the university fields men's and women's basketball, football, baseball, softball, men's and women's golf, women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, soccer, and men and women's bowling teams. The university's mascot is the Tigers, sometimes referred to as the "Blue Bengals."
The Tiger football team has a heralded history, winning and sharing 16 SWAC titles, its last one in 2007.[1] Its most famous alumni includes NFL Hall of Famers Lem Barney, Jackie Slater and Walter Payton, and former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith. The Tigers ended their 2006 campaign with a 32-31 loss to rival Alcorn State November 18 at the Capital City Classic, finishing 6-5 under first-year coach Rick Comegy. Recently the tigers have a record of 7-4 and are the SWAC East Champions. They will play Grambling, the SWAC west champions for the title.
The men's golf team has gained notoriety as it has become a SWAC powerhouse and perennial NCAA tournament participant under head coach Eddie Payton, older brother of the late Walter Payton.
- Further information: Jackson State Tigers men's basketball
[edit] The J-Settes
The Prancing J-Settes is the official name of the Jackson State University dance line, an auxiliary group of the Jackson State University Marching Band. The J-Settes have become nationally known for their rapid-fire, highly technical dance routines to selections such as I Go to Work and Swoop. They also have a traditional routine to B Angie B's remake of the The Emotions hit "I Don't Want to Lose Your Love". Its current captian is Shavonda "Socky" LaKay Pannell of Tulsa, OK where she was captian for 3 year of the Perfection of The T-Connection of Booker T. Washington High School.
[edit] Famous alumnis
- Vivian Brown - Meteorologist for The Weather Channel
- Eboni Deon - Meteorologist for The Weather Channel
- Dr. Rod Paige - Secretary of Education in G. W. Bush administration
- Dr. Mary L. Smith - Former President of Kentucky State University 1990-1998.
- Tonea Stewart - Actress and Educator
- Bennie G. Thompson - Member U. S. House of Representatives
- Cassandra Wilson - Jazz vocalist and musician
[edit] Famous athletes
- Lem Barney - NFL Hall of Fame cornerback; played entire career with the Detroit Lions
- Oil Can Boyd - former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Corey Bradford - National Football League player
- Wes Chamberlain - former Major League outfielder
- Leslie "Speedy" Duncan - former 4-time NFL Pro-Bowl cornerback with the San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins.
- Lindsey Hunter - Current NBA Point guard of the Detroit Pistons. Won the 2003-04 championship and the Pistons and the 2001-02 championship with the Los Angeles Lakers
- Harold Jackson - Retired NFL wide receiver; played majority career with the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots
- Audie Norris - former NBA Power Forward and superstar for Winterthur FC Barcelona in the late 80's
- Walter Payton - NFL Hall of Fame running back; played entire career for the Chicago Bears
- Purvis Short - former NBA Small forward scorer for the Golden State Warriors in the mid 80's
- Jackie Slater - NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman; played entire career with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams
- Jimmy Smith - Retired NFL wide receiver; played majority career with the Jacksonville Jaguars
[edit] Points of interest
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Jackson State University Riots May 14, 1970 in response to the Kent State shootings leaving 2 dead and many wounded
- Marching Band official website
- The Blue & White Flash - The Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University
- WJSU-FM
- JSU Athletics Department
- W23BC
[edit] References
[edit] See also
Public Colleges and Universities in Mississippi |
|---|
| Four-year colleges and universities: Alcorn State University • Delta State University • Jackson State University • Mississippi State University • Mississippi University for Women • Mississippi Valley State University • University of Mississippi • University of Southern Mississippi |
| Two-year colleges and universities: Coahoma Community College • Copiah-Lincoln Community College • East Central Community College • East Mississippi Community College • Hinds Community College • Holmes Community College • Itawamba Community College • Jones County Junior College • Meridian Community College • Mississippi Delta Community College • Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College • Northeast Mississippi Community College • Northwest Mississippi Community College • Pearl River Community College • Southwest Mississippi Community College |
Categories: Universities and colleges in Mississippi | Historically black universities and colleges in the United States | Jackson State University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools | Educational institutions established in 1877 | Jackson, Mississippi | Jackson metropolitan area | Oak Ridge Associated Universities
