(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University recognized its top faculty and staff during the “One JSU: Excellence Awards Dinner” on Tuesday, Aug. 14.
Nearly 50 employees, who were nominated by their unit leaders and peers, were honored for their outstanding contributions to Jackson State University.
“We applaud our honorees for their individual efforts and pursuits,” said JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers. “Through their innovative talents, our beloved ‘Jackson Fair, Jackson Dear’ has had many accomplishments.”
The night’s top awards went to Vera Banks Watson, Alumnus of the Year; Lori Jackson, Community Service; Dr. Ashton Hamme, Teacher of the Year; and Dr. Paresh Ray, Researcher of the Year.
Also honored were:
Dr. Bobbie Daniels, Accounting
Dr. Donald Causey, Entrepreneurship and Professional Development
Dr. Fidel Ezeala-Harrison, Economics, Finance and General Business
Dr. Samuel N. Perkins, Management and Marketing
Dr. Lakitta Johnson, School, Community and Rehab Counseling
Dr. Jeton McClinton, Educational Leadership
Dr. Lou Helen Sanders, Educational Technology
Dr. Evornia Kincaid, Elementary Education
Dr. Patricia Kennedy, Health, Physical Education and Recreation
Dr. Deidre L. Wheaton, Lifelong Learning
Dr. Ruben Gentry, Special Education
Dr. Patricia VanDecar, Social Sciences
Kenyetta Stewart, Art
Dr. Verna R. Jones, Criminal Justice and Sociology
Dr. Preselfannie McDaniels, English and Modern Foreign Languages
Dr. Alfonso W. Crump, History and Philosophy
Dr. Teresa Taylor, Mass Communications
Dr. David N. Ware, Music
Dr. Michelle D. Deardorff, Political Science
Dr. Taunjah P. Bell, Psychology
Dr. Nadia Bodie-Smith, Speech Communication and Theatre
Dr. Anna M. Marshall, Bachelor of Social Work Program
Dr. Mary Langford-Hall, Communicative Disorders
Dr. Jung H. Lee, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Dr. Russell L. Bennett, Health Policy and Management
Dr. Julie A. Schroeder, Master of Social Work Program
Dr. Gloria Billingsley, Public Policy and Administration
Dr. Olga N. Osby, Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work Program
Capt. LaTracia Price, Aerospace Science
Dr. Raphael Isokpehi, Biology
Dr. John D. Watts, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Himangshu Das, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dr. Shuangzhang Tu, Computer Engineering
Dr. April Tanner, Computer Science
Dr. Zhenbu Zhang, Mathematics
Dr. Abu Khan, Physics, Atmospheric Sciences and Geoscience
Dr. Francis Tuluri, Technology
Evette J. Stewart, Computer Science
Georgia Sims, Auxiliary Services
Linda Wilson, Human Resources
Carolyn Palmer Johnson, Institutional Advancement
Tamka S. Jenkins, Sponsored Programs
Timothy Abram, Veterans Center
To read more about the awardees’ accomplishments, visit: