By Tangelia Kelly, Ph.D.
(JACKSON, Miss.) – Returning ahead of Black history month, Jackson State University is announcing the reprint of “Jackson State University: The First Hundred Years 1877–1977.” Due to high demand and renewed interest, this rare find is now back in print and available for the first time ever as an ebook. For decades, the volume has been difficult to obtain, with access largely limited to libraries and private collections.
“‘The First Hundred Years’ chronicles all the key moments in Jackson State’s first century,” said JSU interim president, Denise Gregory, Ph.D. “Having it back in circulation brings our university’s story of determination, resilience and commitment to a new generation of students and to many people who were unable to secure an original copy.”
The book traces the institution’s history from its founding as Natchez Seminary through its first 100 years, drawing on original documentation and archival images. It provides insight into the educational, social, and institutional forces that shaped Jackson State’s early development.
“The First Hundred Years” was written by the late Lelia G. Rhodes, Ph.D., former dean emerita of libraries at Jackson State University. As a trailblazer in her field, Rhodes was the first African American elected as president of the Mississippi Library Association.
“Rhodes approached it as a scholar, pulling records and relying on primary sources, which is why the book remains a reliable account of Jackson State’s early history,” said Hilliard Lackey, Ph.D., a Jackson State history professor who has served at the university since 1967. “Restoring access ensures those facts are available again.”
The manuscript was originally published by University Press of Mississippi in 1979. The relaunch of “The First Hundred Year’ aligns with the University’s preparation for Black History Month and reflects a broader effort to preserve and make accessible the documented history of one of the nation’s largest historically Black universities. It also serves as an essential historical resource as Jackson State prepares to mark its 150th anniversary in 2027.
“Jackson State University: The First Hundred Years, 1877–1977” is available through the University Press of Mississippi and major online booksellers.