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ackson State University Chemistry Professor Dr. Ashton Hamme III and Chemistry senior Brandon Newton were honored by the Mississippi Legislature for the 27th annual HEADWAE program on Feb. 18, 2014.
The Higher Education Appreciation Day, Working for Academic Excellence was established by a legislative resolution to annually recognize the academically talented students and faculty members of Mississippi’s higher education institutions who have made outstanding contributions in promoting academic excellence. The Appreciation Day, hosted by the Legislature each February in Jackson, is the Legislature’s way of saying “thank you” to these students and faculty for their commitment to the future of Mississippi.
Business leader James L. Barksdale chairs the event. The Honorable William F. Winter, Governor of the State of Mississippi, 1980-1984, will delivered the keynote address at the luncheon.
The honorees began the day with a visit to the State Capitol where they were recognized by the Senate and House of Representatives and given a tour of the Capitol. The awards luncheon began at 11:45 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel, 200 East Amite Street in Jackson.
Prior to joining the faculty at Jackson State, Hamme pursued a career in industry at Monsanto/Pharmacia Corp., where he performed medicinal chemistry-related research in the area of cardiovascular drug discovery and was a co-inventor of more than 10 patents. The Detroit native earned his B.S. degree in chemistry from Jackson State, and his Ph.D. in chemistry from The Ohio State University.
Newton is a JSU Presidential Scholar and has earned the title of Best Chemistry Undergraduate Student 2011, 2012 and 2013. He is president of the American Chemical Society and a member of the Pre-Health S0ciety.