Jackson, Miss. (MPB News) – The investiture ceremony was held at JSU on Friday, September 13, 2024. The Lee E. Williams Athletic Center was filled to capacity with students, faculty, administrators and public figures.

Guest speakers included Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann and State Senator Sollie Norwood.

Norwood, who is an alum of JSU, spoke about his hope that President Thompson would improve the university and the community surrounding it.

“President Thompson and First Lady Thompson, I’d like to welcome you to the hood,” Norwood said. “This is our hood and we are proud of our hood. And as president, we look forward to getting you and the first lady out into our hood so you can see how much we have to offer through all of the richness that is here in this community.”

President Thompson has worked in early childhood education, K-12, as well as higher learning for over 20 years. He attended JSU and is from West Jackson.

“To our students,” President Thompson said. “You are the North Star of my administration and the very soul of this university.”

Myla Smith is a biology, pre-medicine junior at JSU. She says she appreciates how involved President Thompson has become on campus. However, she hopes he can improve the housing situation on campus.

“There is a major increase of demand of on-campus housing for students, especially incoming freshmen and current students,” Smith said. “But I do feel like that he has done a good job of trying to find other solutions, such as the loft downtown and being able to find more campus housing.”

Jana Talley is an associate professor of mathematics at JSU. She says she is excited with President Thompson’s plans for the university.

“I think that it’s student centered,” she said. “And I’m very excited about our students always and I do anticipate great things ahead.”

President Thompson is already creating student centered spaces, with a mixed-use dorm to open on campus in late October.

“One of my enduring dreams for Jackson State University is to expand our footprint into the heart of downtown Jackson,” he said. “And design our university as an engine for the cultural, civic and economic life of our community.”

Under President Thompson’s leadership, JSU is offering a loan repayment assistance program for teachers who graduate JSU making less than $45,000.

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees named Thompson as president of JSU in November of last year. He replaces Thomas Hudson who resigned from the post in March of 2023.

View Original Story (Sept. 17, 2024)