JSU’s ‘Jazz on the Plaza’ features Grammy award winning jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson

JSU’s ‘Jazz on the Plaza’ features Grammy award-winning jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson

 (JACKSON, Miss.) – Jazz vocalist and Jackson State alumnus Cassandra Wilson will be the guest musician for Jackson State University’s annual outdoor concert, “Jazz On The Plaza,” at 6 p.m. Friday, April 20 on the main campus, 1400 John R. Lynch St.

Wilson, a Jackson native and 1980 Jackson State University alumnus, earned a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for New Moon Daughter in 1996 and another Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for Loverly in 2009.

“This is one of our most exciting events of the year,” said Russell Thomas Jr., music department chair and director of jazz education at Jackson State. “We like the opportunity to take our music outside, sharing it with everyone. Anyone can come and enjoy a night of great big band and vocal jazz.”

The event also will feature JSU’s Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the JSU Jazz Combo.

Jazz on the Plaza is free and open to the public. For more information, call 601-979-2141.

– JSU –

About Jackson State University: Challenging Minds, Changing Lives

Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically black, high research activity university located in Jackson, the capital city of the state of Mississippi. Jackson State’s nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippi’s Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, health-care, technological and educational initiatives. The only university in the Jackson metropolitan area, Jackson State is located near downtown, with three satellite campuses throughout the city. For more information, visit www.jsums.edu.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker addresses JSU graduates

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker urged Jackson State University graduates on Saturday, April 28, to stand up for what they believe and continue their ancestors’ struggle for freedom and justice for all.

“If you stand and tell your truth, you will be the generation that makes real on the promise of this country,” said Booker, who addressed 1,321 graduates at JSU’s undergraduate commencement at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. “You all have an obligation to stand in this world and tell this world who you are.”

Booker spoke about how his parents continued the work of their forebearers by opening doors for the next generation of African Americans. The couple became the first black executives hired by IBM and tested New Jersey’s fair housing law by shopping for homes in an all-white neighborhood.

“You need to understand something about your generation,” Booker said. “You all drink deeply from wells of liberty and freedom that you did not dig. Don’t just sit back. You need to take those blessings to fuel you to continue that conspiracy of love.”

Booker was elected mayor of New Jersey’s largest city in 2006 following a sweeping electoral victory and was re-elected to a second term in 2010. He received a B.A. and M.A. from Stanford University, a B.A. in modern history at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and completed his law degree at Yale University.

During the commencement ceremony, Miss JSU Mea Ashley presented JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers with a check for $12,500, which she raised during her Miss JSU Queens Campaign. The donation will be matched by Title III funds to create a $25,000 endowment for scholarships.

The spring 2012 class included Yolanda Perkins, who is the first person to graduate from JSU’s online childcare and family education program.

“I started classes on campus three years ago, but I had to stop,” said Perkins, a mother of two who is a Head Start teacher in Hazlehurst, Miss. “With online courses it was more convenient. I was at home and could help my kids with their homework. It saved me time and gas costs too.”

Fellow 2012 graduate Charles Johnson also is a nontraditional student.

The 61-year-old father of six started his education at JSU in 1974, but didn’t finish due to his struggle with drugs and alcohol. Though he managed to sustain a career as a nurse, he lost his license in 2003 due to his drinking. His next blow came in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina forced Johnson and his family to move from their home in Bay St. Louis, Miss.

“We barely survived,” said Johnson, who relocated to Brandon, Miss.

A year after completing treatment in Mississippi for substance abuse, Johnson signed up for classes at a community college. In 2010, he enrolled at JSU as a junior sociology major.

“Coming back to Jackson State gave me something to live for,” said Johnson, who works as a clinical assistant at a drug treatment center. “I wanted to give back because I was clean and sober.”

Johnson will continue his studies at JSU in the fall when he starts work on his graduate degree in sociology with a concentration in chemical dependency.

JSU held its graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, April 27, at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. University of Pennsylvania scholar Marybeth Gasman delivered the commencement address to more than 300 graduates.

A historian of higher education, Gasman’s work explores issues pertaining to philanthropy and historically black colleges, black leadership, contemporary fundraising issues at black colleges and African-American giving. Gasman is the author or editor of several books, including Envisioning Black Colleges: A History of the United Negro College Fund. Gasman received a Ph.D. in higher education from Indiana University in 2000.

– JSU –

About Jackson State University: Challenging Minds, Changing Lives

Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically black, high research activity university located in Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi. Jackson State’s nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippi’s Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, health-care, technological and educational initiatives. The only public university in the Jackson metropolitan area, Jackson State is located near downtown, with three satellite campuses throughout the city. For more information, visit www.jsums.edu.

Alumni donate record $2.56 million to Jackson State University

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University alumni surprised JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers when they presented her with a record $2.56 million in cash and pledges during the university’s inauguration events in March.

“Along with our students, our alumni are the best ambassadors Jackson State University has,” Meyers said. “When they show such strong support for their university, it fosters a culture of giving.”

The record contributions were the result of JSU’s “Alumni Challenge,” which launched just six months ago. The campaign aimed to raise at least $1 million from JSU graduates before Meyers’ March 2012 inauguration. To date, alums have contributed $2,561,093 in cash and pledges.

The JSU National Alumni Association took the lead in fundraising efforts.

“Our alumni love their school and are proud of all that is happening at Jackson State,” said alumni association president Terry L. Woodard. “This year they stepped up as never before to show how much they support Jackson State and its students.”

Two alums – JSU graduate Cortez Bryant and an anonymous donor – each made a contribution of $500,000 in gifts and pledges.

Though alumni have already made record donations this year, the fiscal year is still not over, said David Hoard, JSU’s vice president for Institutional Advancement.

“We’re hoping to get to $3 million before the end of June,” Hoard said. “That will really build momentum for next year. Our alumni have proven they want to help the next generation of students.”

University of Georgia music therapist to lecture at JSU – April 18

Matt Whitaker, a music therapist at the University of Georgia, Athens, will give a public lecture at noon Wednesday April 18, in the Jackson State University Dollye Robinson Building LIB166 / 266. The title of his lecture is “Contemporary Topics in Music Therapy.”

Whitaker has presented at numerous conferences on topics ranging from music in suicide prevention to use of guitar in children’s music.  He has also served for two years as the Southeastern Representative on the Student Advisory Affairs Board for the American Music Therapy Association, where he was consulted on policies affecting students pursuing the music therapy degree program.  In addition to his music therapy, Whitaker is a highly sought after music producer and studio musician.

This lecture has been partially sponsored by the National Institute of Health. For more information, call Dr. Taunjah Bell in the Department of Psychology at 601-979-2371 or Dr. David Akombo in the Department of Music at 601-979-2584.

SGA election winners for 2012-2013

Click here to view the winners: http://www.jsums.edu/announcements/edw2012.pdf

Jackson State piano majors take top honors in national competition

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Seven Jackson State University piano majors participated in the 2012 James A. Hefner National HBCU Piano Competition held at Tennessee State University.

The prestigious competition drew talented pianists from seven HBCUs throughout the country including Jackson State University, Tennessee State University, Central State University, Fisk University, Lincoln University of Missouri, Wiley College and Xavier University. 

Jacob Dodd, junior piano performance major, won the first place award of $500 in the overall competition and also received a second award of $350 for best performance of a work by an African-American composer. 

Tiffany Williams, senior piano performance major, and Eddie Crews, junior music education major, both received third place awards and $250 for their performances. 

Other Jackson State students who participated included Amber Jones, junior piano performance major; LaBethani May, freshman music education major; Urshula Patrick, senior music education major; and Carroll McLaughlin, junior piano performance major. 

Judges for the competition were renowned concert pianists Graciella Kowalczyk and Jeni Slotchiver.  Accompanying the students to the competition were piano professors Harlan Zackery Jr. and Dr. Karen Laubengayer. 

The Hefner Piano Competition was created by Dr. James A. Hefner, former Jackson State University and Tennessee State University president who had the vision of providing a national piano competition for students of HBCUs throughout the country.

 

– JSU –

About Jackson State University: Challenging Minds, Changing Lives

Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically black, high research activity university located in Jackson, the capital city of the state of Mississippi. Jackson State’s nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippi’s Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, health-care, technological and educational initiatives. The only public university in the Jackson metropolitan area, Jackson State is located near downtown, with three satellite campuses throughout the city. For more information, visit www.jsums.edu.

EVENT CANCELED: Activist and author Kevin Powell at JSU – April 13

Kevin Powell

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Award-winning speaker, activist and author Kevin Powell will not be able to visit Jackson State University on April 13 as previously scheduled.

For more information, call the Destination Graduation Policy Initiative office at 601-979-1553.

JSU students win awards in civil engineering competition

 (JACKSON, Miss.) – For the second year in a row, the Jackson State University American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter won several awards at the 2012 ASCE Deep South Regional Student Conference held March 30 through April 1 at the University of Tennessee, Martin. The conference featured the annual concrete canoe competition and other competitions related to civil engineering. Eleven universities from Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Arkansas with about 300 civil engineering students and faculty participated.

This year, the JSU concrete canoe team captured four first-place or second-place awards, and the surveying competition team secured another first-place victory. The concrete canoe is the most visible and challenging in the competition. The goal is to successfully construct an 18- to 22-foot-long canoe with a structural mix that has a unit weight less than water and be able to float and carry four people safely. Charles McKenzie, a senior from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, served as the project manager for the 16-member team and received first place for his presentation skills.

The canoe competition consists of four parts: a design paper, an oral presentation, the overall aesthetics and a series of races to measure the canoe’s performance on water. The JSU concrete canoe, named Blue Bengal, won in four categories. In the men’s sprint event, Jonathan Atkins and Ennis Crosby finished first. In the men’s endurance race, Atkins and Samuel Rhoads finished second. In the co-ed sprint event, Rhoads, Donald Hendon, Tiffany Kellum, Kameron Boggan and Christine Edwards finished second. Hendon, McKenzie and Andrew Hooker participated in the surveying competition where they received first place, accumulating two first-place and one second-place finish in this category in the last three years. Other student members including McKenzie, Yulian Kebede, Ammanuiel Kebede, James Fairly, Philip Barnes, Allen Pugh, Vernon German, Ennis Crosby, Andrew Hooker, Chris Herron, worked on the actual design and construction. The surveying competition team secured another first-place victory.

This is the third year in which JSU has attended the competition. Dr. Himangshu S. Das, assistant professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, advises and oversees all activities of the chapter. By competing in all of the events, JSU will be eligible to proceed from the regional competition to the national level with a first-place finish.

Credit goes to the leadership demonstrated by Chris Herron, currently serving as a president and Yulian Kebede, serving as a vice president, for their leadership and hard work in fundraising and managing day-to-day activities of this very active student chapter, said Dr. Farshad Amini, professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

“This is an outstanding achievement by our students since this is only the third time for JSU to participate in the competition,” Amini said.

Attention Commuter Students!

In efforts to meet your needs, the Office of Student Life encourages you to take the Commuter Connection Survey. 

 ******** Now Available on JSU P.A.W.S. ********

1. Visit www.jsums.edu
2. Sign into your JSU P.A.W.S. Account
3. Click on the tab labeled “Student”
4. Click on “Commuter Student Survey” to complete the survey 
5. Click “Finish Survey” to submit survey

WJSU brings Battle of the Saxes to the Alamo Theater – April 21

Thomas “Tiger” Rogers

(JACKSON, Miss.) –  After a two-year hiatus, WJSU brings saxy back with the 2012 Battle of the Saxes, at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the historic Alamo Theater in downtown Jackson. This year’s concert marks the sixth year WJSU has presented this event in the metro area, which showcases unsigned and independent artists from across the country.  This year’s participants include Jackson’s Thomas “Tiger” Rogers, Atlanta’s Kenny Nightingale and East St. Louis’ Amos Brewer.

“The Battle of the Saxes helps keep jazz alive in our community,” said WJSU general manager and Battle of the Saxes creator Gina Carter-Simmers, adding the show is not just a concert.

“Each year that we present the Battle of the Saxes, we host about 200 youth,” Carter-Simmers said. “For many of them, the Battle of the Saxes is their first exposure to America’s only true musical art form, jazz. They also get to meet and talk with the artists. So for the students, it’s an educational experience. For the unsigned artists, it’s a platform to showcase their music.”

Thomas “Tiger” Rogers opens this year’s concert. As a child, Tiger had a unique fascination with art and music. He began playing the alto saxophone in the sixth grade at Whitten Middle School. Since that time, he has grown into an exceptional performer.  Recently, Tiger performed overseas with Malaco’s recording artist, Queen Emily of “America’s Got Talent” fame in Bern, Switzerland, as part of Bern’s annual jazz festival activities. December 2011, the Mississippi Jazz Foundation named him “Aspiring Artist of the Year.” During the 2010 Mississippi Grammys, Tiger performed with the Williams’ Brothers, Charlie Pride, Eddie Cotton, Dorothy Moore and Cassandra Wilson, to name a few. He also performed at the 2009 National Governor’s Convention in Mississippi before a crowd of many distinguished public officials.

Kenny Nightingale is a musician, vocalist and producer. Born and raised in the Motherland of Lagos, Nigeria, Nightingale grew up with a strong musical background. His father is an acclaimed musician and his eight brothers are also musically gifted. Nightingale started out recording, performing and playing various musical instruments at a very young age.  He quickly evolved as the lead singer for the band Fuzzy Brothers, and shared the stage with his father and brothers. Today, Nightingale creatively positions himself as a soulful jazz and Gospel artist with a smooth blend of pop grooves.

The event headliner is Amos L. Brewer, who was born in East St. Louis. He attended Lincoln High School, where he was taught by the famed saxophonist and jazz educator Ron Carter. He also was taught by jazz clinicians who visited his school including Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Chico Hamilton, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Watson, Bunky Green, Bob Mintzer, and Michael Brecker, to name a few. Inspired by Miles Davis, James Brown, Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderley, Amos has created a style that delivers some of the funkiest jazz around.

“It’s my connection to God!” Brewer says about playing music.

Carter-Simmers said WJSU listeners will agree that this show was well worth the two-year wait.

“I can’t say enough about these three amazing instrumentalists,” she said. “Amos, as they all do, loves the sax.  Pure love of his instrument can be heard in every note that he plays.  Kenny is a gifted songwriter.  By age 14, he wrote and recorded a hit single.  And our youngest performer, Tiger, is a prodigy.  He began writing and playing by ear in middle school.  Amos, Kenny and Tiger are in high demand across the globe and have played with some of the most notable jazz professionals of our time.”

Tickets for the Battle of the Saxes are on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets.  General admission tickets are $20. For more information, call 601-979-8672.