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JSU student Patrick L. Stanley and faculty member Dr. Ronica Branson were honored during the 33rd annual HEADWAE program at the Mississippi State Capitol earlier this month. Higher Education Appreciation Day–Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) was established by legislative resolution to honor individual academic achievement and the overall contribution of the state’s public and private institutions of higher learning. The program is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann.
Student honoree Patrick L. Stanley of Parma, Idaho, is also president of the JSU chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He’s a senior civil engineering major in the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Sciences in JSU’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
“Being nominated and chosen as the HEADWAE faculty representative for Thee Jackson State University is a great honor and has been one of the highlights of my career,” says Branson. “I love the work that I do, serving and educating our students and making an impact on our future generation.”
Meanwhile, faculty honoree Dr. Ronica Arnold Branson considers her selection as a “great honor and one of the highlights of my career.” She is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Psychometric Services in the College of Education and Human Development.
“Being nominated and chosen as the HEADWAE faculty representative for Thee Jackson State University is a great honor and has been one of the highlights of my career. I love the work that I do, serving and educating our students and making an impact on our future generation.”
Stanley and Branson were among outstanding students and faculty members from 34 public and private colleges and universities in Mississippi. Honorees received a tour of the Capitol and were recognized by the Senate and House of Representatives. Various elected officials along with Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., Commissioner of Higher Education, and Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board, provided remarks.
Senator Rita Parks, chair of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee spoke with passion as she encouraged student to stay in Mississippi after completing college.
“Thank you for your commitment and encouraging excellence,” said Parks. “I encourage you to stay in Mississippi. We need you.”
Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr. warmly welcomed the honorees to the program held in the State Capitol.
“On behalf of the Institutions of Higher Learning, I congratulate the honorees for your commitment to academic excellence, community service and leadership.”
The list of 2019-2020 HEADWAE honorees is below:
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