Jackson State University congratulates Dr. Robert Smith on his selection as the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning’s community leader.
Smith currently serves as chair of the advisory board for the Margaret Walker Center. He also serves as associate physician at JSU.
The parkway that connects JSU to downtown Jackson was renamed for Smith in 2011 to pay tribute to his work as a medical pioneer and his courage as a Civil Rights activist.
For the past 16 years in celebration of black history, the Board of IHL has honored an individual from the state who has contributed significantly to the advancement of diversity and made a difference in his or her community by working to enhance the quality of life for not only African-Americans, but citizens of the state. Previous honorees include Dr. James Meredith, the late Dr. Margaret Walker Alexander, former Supreme Court Justice James Graves, and Gov. William Winter.
The celebration was held Thursday, Feb. 20, in the IHL board room, located at the Education and Research Center, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, Miss. The event also celebrated the 2014 Diversity Educator of the Year and honor university faculty and staff.
Dr. Loretta A. Moore, Interim Vice President for Research and Federal Relations, Professor of Computer Science at Jackson State will be among the honorees.
University honorees include:
Dr. Darryl Grennell
Instructor of Biological Sciences
Alcorn State University
Dr. Temika Simmons
Assistant Professor of Psychology, College of Education and Human Sciences
Delta State University
Dr. Loretta A. Moore
Interim Vice President for Research and Federal Relations, Professor of Computer Science
Jackson State University
Dr. Rani Warsi Sullivan
Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering
Mississippi State University
Dr. Paula Threadgill
Associate Director of the MSU Extension Service
Mississippi State University
Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Kimberly Dorsey
Associate Professor of Management
Mississippi University for Women
Dr. Alphonso Sanders
Chair of the Department of Fine Arts
Mississippi Valley State University
Ms. Valeria Beasley-Ross
Assistant Dean of Students for Multicultural Affairs and Volunteer Services
The University of Mississippi
Dr. Bettina M. Beech, P.H., M.P.H.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Population Health
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
Dr. Adina Green
Assistant Director of Student Support Services in charge of the TRIO Program
The University of Southern Mississippi