A crowd of Jackson State University administrators, faculty, staff and students gathered for a ceremonial ringing of the Centennial Bell and a moment of silence in front of Ayer Hall on the main campus to remember the institution’s seventh president, Dr. James A. Hefner, who died Thursday, Aug. 27, in Brentwood, Tenn.
Hefner, 76, served as JSU’s president from 1984 to 1991. As part of the commemoration, JSU’s flags were lowered at half-staff Thursday.
After a solemn moment that included seven tolls of the bell to mark the number of years Hefner led JSU, tributes flowed from spectators.
Dr. Evelyn Leggette, associate vice president for academic and student affairs, offered reflections. “Dr. Hefner appointed me as dean of University College. I worked with him very closely. I remembered that he wanted to improve the scholarship and academic environment of the campus. He was very interested in students becoming engaged in honor societies, and he made sure they got the best advice on how to become a student and what it meant to be a scholar. He moved Jackson State toward the path where we are today.”
Other JSU staffers shared sentiments:
Dr. Ruben Gentry, professor in the Department of Special Education: “I had the privilege to serve on the faculty and the administration under Dr. Hefner. He was quite a gentleman, an excellent educator and dynamic administrator. He left a great legacy. We’re proud of his life but saddened by his death.”
Shannon Tatum, publications manager for Student Publications: “Dr. Hefner always had an open-door policy. Even when there were tensions on campus, he was never afraid to come out and talk to the students. We saw him as one of us.”
Dr. Hilliard Lackey III, visiting professor of Urban Higher Education: “Former President James Hefner was a friend of mine. I worked well with him. He utilized my talents, as he said, to the fullest. I used to meet on Saturday mornings with him for updates on the community and campus. What I loved about him is that he said there’s no contradiction between excellence, academics and athletics. For him, everything was about excellence. So, he promoted the Honors College because he felt that if you’re going to do anything you should do it well. He influenced a whole generation of Jacksonians. He helped all of us to understand that we have a role to play in this world.”
Funeral services for Hefner will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway Ave. in Nashville.