By OLIVIA S. GOODHEART
By OLIVIA S. GOODHEARTJackson State University awarded honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degrees to husband and wife philanthropists Winston R. Pittman Sr. and Alma Dent Pittman at the institution’s 140th spring commencement exercises held on Sat., April 29, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“Jackson State University is very pleased to acknowledge the Pittmans for their philanthropic spirit and entrepreneurial success. They have set a stellar example as servant-leaders in their community and their profession. We are delighted to be a beneficiary of their generosity and for their commitment to secure the future for generations of Jacksonians yet to come,” said interim President Rod Paige.
Winston and Alma Pittman are major gift donors to Jackson State University and have elected to support the Department of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in the College of Business. They have completed their pledge of $250,000 which was eligible for a 100 percent gift match by the U.S. Department of Education Title III Program – bringing the total amount of the contribution to $500,000.
The Pittmans urged graduates to remember Jackson State and their obligation to reach back and help others as they achieve success in their careers.
Alma Pittman said, “This partnership provides an opportunity to help others who lack financial resources to attend school. Jackson State, which means the world to me, is among several places we give to make a difference in the lives of our young people.”
Winston Pittman is president and CEO of Pittman Enterprises in Louisville, Ky., which was recognized by Black Enterprise Magazine as the seventh largest auto group in the U.S. Alma Pittman has assumed several responsibilities in their family business, including public relations liaison.
Winston Pittman is a native of Grenada, Miss., and attended Jackson State, majoring in business with a concentration in accounting. He is a member of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association, Inc. Alma Dent Pittman is a Yazoo City, Miss., native.
Since October 1989, the Pittmans have owned and operated a Toyota dealership in Savannah, Ga., and recently opened a Lexus franchise in Hilton Head, S.C.
Reaching out to help others
[pullquote align=”right”]”The Pittmans are people with big hearts. We are honored and just so thankful that they have given to Jackson State in a meaningful way. They have put something in place that will be long-lasting and will help young people who share a spirit of entrepreneurship start their own businesses and help build a better economy,” said Dr. Mary M. White, chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in the College of Business at JSU.[/pullquote]
An accomplished businessman, Winston Pittman served on the Toyota National Dealer Council and played a key role in the formation of the Toyota/Lexus Minority Dealers Association, which is the entrée for other entrepreneurs seeking inroads to dealer ownership in the automobile industry.
Additionally, he is a member of the National Lexus Dealer Council, National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, Cincinnati Dealer Council and Boy Scouts of America.
He also serves on several boards, including Duquesne University, University of Louisville, Daimler Chrysler Minority Dealer Association and the Board of Overseers for Fifth Third Bank. Formerly, he served as chairman of the National Dodge Dealer Council and Dodge Advertising Association.
In October 2012, JSU held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the College of Business Building to dedicate the Winston R. Pittman, Sr. and Alma Dent Pittman Auditorium in their honor. Additionally, the Pittmans received Jackson State’s coveted “Entrepreneurs of the Year Award” on Nov. 2, 2011.
A reception to honor the Pittmans was held following commencement exercises. It was hosted by the JSU Department of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.