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Jackson State University family:

In the middle of our annual Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week, on behalf of the University and our alumni and friends, please accept our deepest gratitude for all that you do to make this University great.  Thank you for another spectacular academic year!  We all have contributed much that is worthy of pride, as well as positive reflections on JSU’s traditions of excellence.  And all can see the depth of good that happens when we work together as One Jackson State.

Last week’s graduation festivities were great thanks to the faculty and staff who worked hard to give our alums-to-be fantastic culminating memories of their time at their ‘dear old college home’.  I think our graduation exercises were the best ever.  The Commencement Committee’s caring and diligence were evident.  Please join me in thanking Alisa Mosley and her committee for their fine work.

The commencement speakers delivered relevant, sincere, and eloquent messages.  Special thanks are offered to the facilities and stadium crews who worked all night to prepare a beautiful and comfortable Veteran’s Stadium for Saturday.  These crews were amazing and the venue was lovely.  And our own police department did an exemplary job of traffic control for both graduations.

Moreover, our Communications Office provided stunning advertisements and coverage of both commencement exercises. Their effective use of the projection equipment and Jumbotron on Friday and Saturday, respectively, heightened the spotlights on the individual graduates on one of the biggest days of their lives.  How special!

How about the wonderful commencement programs, true keepsakes for our graduates and their friends and families?  Evelyn Leggette and her subcommittee know how to put together a graduation program with class!  Additionally, Marcus Chanay and Sylvia Watley made history as our students received JSU’s first digital yearbook ever.

It takes all of us working as One Jackson State for the special occasions our graduates enjoyed last weekend to be realized.  Wow!  Thank you each and every one.  Go Tigers!

Carolyn W. Meyers

To JSU Friends:

I want to thank all who “think big” and have supported our domed stadium concept.  We have received support from so many individuals and groups, including the City of Jackson, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, the JSUNAA, the Blue Bengals, the Tiger Fund and six neighborhood associations. Yes, the domed stadium will be ours, but it’s also a game changer for the City of Jackson, Hinds County, region and the entire state.  This project can change the perceptions of Mississippi and HBCUs. Everyone wins with the domed stadium.

Recently, state legislators debated amongst themselves about the merits of the dome and decided not to support our dream at this time. We asked for $75 million toward the $200 million domed stadium. The rest of the costs would be covered with private and other public dollars in the form of bonds. The discussion continues, and we have been asked to come back next year for funding.

Some interesting facts were revealed during the debate. The Legislature confirmed that all of Mississippi’s public universities have an on-campus stadium, each jumpstarted with state funding. JSU is the only institution without a stadium on campus. Also, the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University have been receiving permission for years to keep the 7 percent amusement tax on every ticket sold for events. That revenue has funded additional growth and support for our sister institutions.  JSU has lost out on millions of dollars over the years from the amusement tax alone.

JSU has been promised by various legislators and governors for over 40 years that state support will be provided for an on-campus stadium. Upon my arrival at JSU, I also received similar assurances from some lawmakers, particularly when we became the owners of the Mississippi Memorial Veterans Stadium.  I cannot express the disappointment I feel at this moment regarding state support of the stadium.  A few legislators even voiced support for funding a domed stadium, but they wanted to place the stadium at the Mississippi Coliseum site and call it the Capital Dome.  They would allow us to play our games there and serve on an oversight committee.  I rejected that concept as it usurped all of our work, failed to place the stadium on JSU’s campus, and stripped us of ownership.

The stadium’s potential is undeniable. An economic impact study showed the stadium would generate $64.6 million annually in tax revenue. In the first year of construction, the project would produce a $64.8 million increase in personal income and generate $7.22 million for the state’s General Fund. The first year of construction would generate 1,835 jobs. The second year of construction would generate 600 jobs.  Over the next 10 years of the stadium’s operation, an estimated 335 jobs would be maintained annually.

So where do we go from here?  We are continuing our drive for the domed stadium.  Yes, it would have been easier to gain outside private support already having a small amount of support from the legislators. But we’re undeterred. My stadium team continues to explore other options.  We also can go back to the state next year.  We will be creating a website for the stadium, which will provide information and answer additional questions.

We need your support as we push forward. You can help by buying season tickets to the upcoming football and basketball seasons to help dispel the myth that all we need is a 25,000-seat stadium.  Remember that most of the year with a domed stadium, other entities will use the facility, bringing new and desirable levels of amusement and entertainment options to the citizens of our city, county, and state.

You also can donate to support this cause or any campus program you choose, as donations demonstrate overall support of JSU, and funding entities like to see such support.  Encourage the corporations and companies that you lead or work for to market at our games.  Finally, give us your ideas and speak positively about the project.

Again, thank you for dreaming big. I’ll keep fighting to make this domed stadium a reality. I hope you’ll join me.

Sincerely

Carolyn W. Meyers, Ph.D.
President

Dear Jackson State Employees:

As this holiday season approaches, let me thank you for all you do for JSU.  Special appreciation is extended to Vice President Felix Okojie and Associate Vice President Wayne Goodwin for the lovely celebration of our blessings last Saturday. Their staffs and they worked hard to provide another wonderful memory of the wonders of working together as One JSU. The music was fabulous, the food delicious, the decorations fantastic, and the spirit of oneness palpable.

Assuming that you are as behind on holiday preparations as I am and that your minds and hearts are on the holidays before us, each of you can “earn” an extra day tomorrow to revel in the wonders of the season as you choose. Besides, we will save energy costs. To “earn” this day off, all you have to do is hug someone with whom you work for his or her contribution to our fine university. Let’s also give a special shout out to those who make this campus beautiful and safe for all of us and visitors alike every day.  Pass the hugs along this holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Carolyn W. Meyers
President

Dear JSU Family and Friends:

As we each prepare for the upcoming holiday, I am sure that you join me in being heartbroken about the recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.  Likewise, among our respective circles of friends and acquaintances are those who have suffered losses due to violence.  As caring individuals, I know that each of you will reach out in some way to those in our local communities, our nation, and the world who are experiencing sadness during this holiday season.

To honor Jackson State University’s core value and tradition of nurturing, the University’s bell will ring at 10 a.m. tomorrow December 19, 2012.  The bell will ring twenty-six times as we pray for

“Peace on earth and goodwill to all.”

Please pause wherever you are and join us at the bell in front of Ayer Hall tomorrow in remembrance of those all of us have lost and in reinforcing to each other and to the world that the JSU family cares.

Carolyn W. Meyers
President

Dear JSU Family,

As Thanksgiving approaches, let me take this opportunity to thank each of you for contributing to the success of Jackson State University. I consider myself privileged to work with such outstanding and committed faculty and staff. Together we play an important role in helping to develop the next generation of leaders.

This Thanksgiving I’m especially thankful for the many blessings we have as individuals and as a university. Let us not forget in our prayers those among us who are in need.

It is my pleasure to announce that the university will be closed (except for essential personnel) on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. Enjoy the longer break and may your hearts be filled with true thanksgiving. One Jackson State!

November 13, 2012

Dear JSU Family,

I want to let you know that my surgery went well and I’m back home today getting some rest. Thank you all for your messages of concern and good wishes. Your support is truly appreciated.

November 12, 2012

Dear JSU Family,

Today I am having minor surgery and I want you to know that I will be out of the office for at least the next two weeks.  Dr. James Renick, Interim Provost, and Mr. Michael Thomas, Vice President for Business and Finance, will be the executive officers of record for the University.

Let me remind you that JSU enjoys a capable, committed, and caring Leadership Team.  This team includes the Executive Cabinet, the deans, the Faculty Senate chair, and the Staff Senate chair.  So while I am out, please feel comfortable taking any concerns or situations that might arise to any of them.  I am confident that they will work together on whatever comes up while always keeping the best interests of Jackson State University in mind.  One Jackson State!

Although I appreciate your concern and care for me personally, I do have one request.  Should you be so inclined to let me know that I am in your thoughts, instead of sending flowers and the like, I would prefer that you make a donation of whatever amount if any you choose to the JSU Development Foundation’s “Faculty and Staff Salaries Fund” or to our scholarship fund.  You know that investing in our people is one of my top priorities, and remember that our Title III program allows 100 percent matching of donations to the faculty/staff fund.

I thank you for your good thoughts and prayers.  Most of all I thank you for two things: for choosing to be at Jackson State University, and for your support of me as your president of this great institution.  It is a privilege to be in your company.

Dear JSU Family,

Saturday’s game was exciting!  I am so proud of our team and how they have come together.  What a splendid end to our 2012 home-game season.

Join me in thanking Athletic Director Dr. Vivian Fuller and her coaches and staff for a wonderful home season!  I loved the fireworks and the flyover on Saturday.  And Senior Day was special as it should be.  Take a moment this week to let Coach Rick Comegy and his staff know that we are ONE Jackson State behind them as they pursue the Southwestern Athletic Conference title.  Take the time to thank someone on the Athletics staff for the fine job they are doing, and the Institutional Advancement staff, the Stadium staff and the Student Life staff for their collaboration and support resulted in a fabulous (to me) home football season.  Please also take the time to congratulate our soccer and volleyball coaches and their staffs.  Take the time to encourage each other.

Please also take a moment to join me in expressing gratitude to those on the academic side of the campus, especially those in the Academic Enhancement Center and the Division of Undergraduate Studies.  Guess what?  JSU no longer has any NCAA sanctions, proving for all once again that brains and brawn are not mutually exclusive at JSU. Our wonderful tradition lives on.

Let the football team know that you are proud of them as scholars and as athletes and cheer them on to victory next Saturday.  They are fine young men!

Last, I thank each of you on behalf of Tigers everywhere for enhancing our brand through all of the things you do every day.

ONE Jackson State!!!!

I know many of you have been sending prayers to our neighbors up north who have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy.  I wanted to let you know that some members of our Jackson State University family have also been affected by the storm.

Three JSU administrators and 17 students traveled to New York City on Oct. 26 for what was to be a four-day trip to the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute. Because of the extensive flooding and damage to the NYC-area, the group won’t be able to get a flight home until Friday afternoon. Their hotel has electricity, and they are safe in a neighborhood that hasn’t been flooded. Still, they are anxious to get home.

As we continue to pray for all of the people affected by this storm, including JSU alumni and families, please also keep our Jacksonians in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.