The Mississippi Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning recently recognized campus and community leaders for the impact they have made in advancing diversity and encouraging understanding and respect. Dr. Hongtao Yu, chair and professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science Engineering and Technology at Jackson State University, was among those honored by IHL.
Additionally, Yu received the HBCU Pioneer Award from the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) at its 2015 annual conference.
Dr. William F. “Bill” Scaggs, president emeritus of Meridian Community College, received the Community Service Award for his commitment to working to enhance the quality of life for all citizens through his public service and more than 50 years as an educator. Dr. Shirley A. James Hanshaw, associate professor of English and liaison for the MSU-Tougaloo Exchange Program at Mississippi State University, was named the 2016 Diversity Educator of the Year.
“The Board of Trustees is honored to recognize Dr. Hanshaw and Dr. Scaggs for their tremendous contributions as educators, leaders and mentors, helping students and countless Mississippians through their tireless devotion and generous spirit,” said Trustee Karen Cummins, chair of the Board of Trustees’ Diversity Committee. “They have made a difference to their students, their campuses, their communities and our state.”
Working through its Diversity Committee, the board selects one individual as the Diversity Educator of the Year and one individual as the Community Honoree. Other trustees serving on the committee include Alfred McNair and C.D. Smith. Clotee Lewis, an IHL staff member, has been coordinator of the recognition program for several years.
Born in Bartow, Fla., Scaggs earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Florida, a master’s degree from Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Florida.
Scaggs’ work in community colleges began with a Kellogg Fellowship in Community College Studies while at University of Florida. He then began a 35-year career with Meridian Community College, serving first as registrar and dean before being named in 1968 as president — a position he held for the next 30 years. Subsequently, he was named president emeritus.
The 2016 Diversity Educator of the Year is Dr. Shirley A. James Hanshaw, associate professor of English and liaison for the MSU-Tougaloo Exchange Program at Mississippi State University. Hanshaw’s contributions to diversity and positive relations among all segments of the university and broader community are numerous and varied.
Hanshaw began working at MSU in 2005 and has served as Mississippi State’s liaison to the MSU-Tougaloo Exchange Program since 2014. The exchange program attracts students from under-represented groups to graduate studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). She has also taught at University of Mississippi, Alcorn State University and University of Southern Mississippi.
Hanshaw earned a bachelor’s degree from Tougaloo College, a master’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia and a doctorate in English from the University of Mississippi. She has also attended the Tougaloo-Brown University Exchange Program in Providence, R.I.
The Board honored faculty from each of Mississippi’s public universities for advancing diversity at their institutions. These honorees include: Dr. John Igwebuike, vice provost for Academic Affairs, interim dean, School of Business and faculty athletic representative at Alcorn State University; Dr. Corlis Snow, associate professor of elementary education and coordinator for Advanced Programs in Elementary Education at Delta State University; Dr. Jonathan Pote, chairman of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University; Dr. Thomas Velek, professor of history in the College of Arts and Sciences at Mississippi University for Women.
Others include: Dr. Baxter Wright, ACSW, professor in the Master of Social Work Program in the Department of Social Work at Mississippi Valley State University; Dr. Murrell Godfrey, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and director of Forensic Chemistry at University of Mississippi; Dr. Juanyce Taylor, assistant dean for Research and Innovation and chair of the Department of Health at University of Mississippi Medical Center; and Dr. Kevin Greene, associate professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and History and director of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Southern Mississippi.