Creating Mississippi’s only accredited School of Public Health at Jackson State University “would definitely help us to educate on health,” said state Sen. Sollie Norwood at JSU Day at the Capitol on Thursday, pledging “whatever I can do to help.”
That’s the type of message JSU administrators like to hear, reflecting priorities the university is promoting in order to better serve students and the public.
Health care remains a critical issue in Mississippi, and JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers is proposing a School of Public Health to promote health care as an economic driver. A fully accredited school, Meyers maintains, could educate and prepare professionals to provide public health services in the state’s urban and rural communities.
Jackson State already offers a variety of health-related courses, including the only doctoral public health degree program in the state. It would only require two core areas of training and two additional departments to create a school that would compete with regional universities, such as Tulane and LSU. And it would fulfill the Mississippi Economic Council’s Blueprint Mississippi 2012 mandate to promote health care as an economic driver for the state.
A JSU alumnus, class of 1974, Norwood said he is a strong proponent of education and Jackson State. His daughter, Ashley Norwood, is a 2014 JSU graduate in journalism — reflecting another legislative priority.
The JSU Department of Mass Communications is being transformed into a School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Media training today, Meyers says, must shift to produce “digital storytellers equipped for emerging occupations.”
Dr. William McHenry, executive director of the Mississippi e-Center @JSU, who was on hand to speak to legislators and oversee student journalists covering the event, said, “We’re producing the type of journalist who can step right out and take their place in a major station.”
One of those students was Aviyam Jordan, 21, a senior in Mass Communications from Chicago, Ill., who was doing a yeoman’s job interviewing dozens of lawmakers, faculty, staff and interested passersby. Her interviews were projected on a screen in the rotunda, so the hundreds of people who attended could see and hear what was on the minds of various dignitaries.
Jordan, who will graduate in December, said she hopes to be a news anchor in Chicago and own her own media studio.
Norwood was one of several state lawmakers who visited with administrators, faculty and staff in Capitol rotunda as the 2015 legislative session gets under way.
Sen. Hillman Frazier, a JSU alumnus, class of 1971, reaffirmed his commitment to promoting education. “JSU is in a critical position to fill the education role,” he said. It’s imperative “to give adequate resources to make it successful,” Frazier added.
Jackson State had an enormous influence on his life, Frazier said, particularly the shooting in 1970. He was there May 14-15, 1970, he said, when two black students were killed and many others injured by Jackson police during a campus protest.
“Jackson State played a very important role in what I’m doing today,” said the veteran lawmaker. It “made me focus on what’s right” and was a catalyst for focusing on “what’s important to everyone.”
Frazier introduced President Meyers and her cabinet to Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, presiding over the Senate. Meyers joined Frazier on the Senate floor, to welcoming applause by lawmakers.
Earlier, Meyers told news reporters that she was happy to meet with lawmakers and discuss ongoing projects and goals with them because the Legislature “enables our successes.”
JSU is vested with the duty to provide good citizens, she said, developing the mind and the heart to make good communities. “It’s important stuff!” she said.
Rep. Alyce G. Clarke of Jackson said she was “delighted to be here taking part” in JSU Day at the Capitol.
Entertainment was provided by JSU’s Maddramma Performance Troupe, which was founded in 1998 on campus, said Charence Higgins, a junior in psychology and theater. This performance included alumni in its ranks. “Once a member, always a member!” said Kristopher Campbell, a senior in Mass Communications.
One alumna who visited said she was thrilled to find JSU friends and alumni on hand. Zanetta Bowman, class of 2005, political science, who works in the Senate Docket Room, dropped by for a quick breakfast between her duties.
“I love Jackson State!” enthused Bowman. She is the granddaughter of T.B. Ellis, JSU head football coach from 1946-51, for whom an athletic building is named.