The number 40 represents a generation. In November a generation of graduates from Jackson State University’s Department of Physics, Atmospheric Sciences and Geoscience celebrated the meteorology program’s 40th anniversary. To underscore the significance and impact of that program, consider these numbers:
Nationally, the JSU atmospheric science program has produced one of every three African-Americans who hold B.S. degrees in meteorology. Fully 30 percent of African-American meteorologists employed by the National Weather Service are graduates of JSU.
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, host of The Weather Channel’s Sunday talk show, “Weather Geeks,” and former president of the American Meteorological Society, was one of the keynote speakers for the anniversary luncheon event. He challenged the audience to think what those numbers would look like if the meteorology program at Jackson State did not exist.
“You always carry a badge with you; when you leave here you carry the badge of JSU’s Atmospheric Sciences program with you. Carry this badge with pride,” Shepherd said, encouraging students to push themselves past mediocrity and accept future challenges.
He further urged students to value their experiences at JSU and to know that they have a great deal to offer professionally. Shepherd also told students that meteorology programs have been closing at other institutions, making their degrees even more valuable.
Deirdre Jones, director of the Office of Facilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), spoke to the importance of women in STEM and challenged the audience to keep girls interested in STEM opportunities.
“NOAA values women in technology; women play an integral role in STEM. Although women make up 50 percent of the civilian labor force, only 20 percent are represented in the National Weather Service (NWS) and only 12 percent are minorities,” she said.
Dr. Richard Aló, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at JSU, said, “We actively seek bright, talented and dedicated students to meet the national priority of developing more STEM leaders.”
The meteorology program encompasses training students to be successful in operational, research and broadcast meteorology. The programs’ pioneers and pathfinders were honored for their dedication and forethought.
“It was a pleasure honoring those trailblazers whose invaluable vision for this program has emphatically benefited our students today,” Aló added.
Program steering committee chair and honoree Cindy Woods, was one of the first graduates of the meteorology program. She said, “I am a proud graduate of this program and I am honored and humbled to be recognized in the inaugural class of the JSU Meteorology Hall of Fame.”
Woods serves as the chief of the Operations Division for NOAA’s NWS and said the conference was an extremely successful and rewarding experience.
Dr. Mehri Fadavi, chair of Physics, Atmospheric Sciences and Geoscience Department at JSU, said, “We were excited to celebrate our distinguished alumni and their accomplishments.”“Our focus is on sustaining excellence in our meteorology programs by equipping our students for today’s opportunities,” she said.
JSU is the only Historically Black College or University presently offering a degree in earth system science. According to NOAA’s Office of Education, Jackson State is a leader in awarding doctoral and graduate degrees in environmental sciences.
JSU’s meteorology graduates hold highly visible positions within various government agencies, such as NOAA, where they hold positions including: operational forecasters, research meteorologists, oceanographers, hydrologists, and program administrators; on television as broadcast meteorologists with The Weather Channel and with many local broadcast outlets; and in academia as professors and researchers at a number of institutions across the nation.
The November 5 – 7 events included workshops and professional development sessions for students and featured panels hosted by alumni. On hand were The Weather Channel’s former broadcaster Vivian Brown, Shepherd and JSU alumni employed by the federal government, state government and private industry. A professional broadcast panel featuring Yolanda Amadeo (WALB-TV10, Albany, Ga.), David Tillman (KTRK-TV13, Houston) and Ken South (WJTV-TV, Jackson, Miss.) was especially enjoyed by students.
For more photos and information about the meteorology program anniversary visit: www.jsums.edu/science.