Mississippi SC 556: Recognize former JSU President Dr. John Arthur Peoples, Jr., and Mrs. Mary Peoples for contributions to higher education in MS.

Bill Text

SC 556 (As Adopted by Senate) - 2020 Regular Session 

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Frazier, Norwood, Simmons (12th), 
Butler, Witherspoon, Thomas, Blount

Senate Concurrent Resolution 556

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE AND EXTENDING THE 
APPRECIATION OF THE LEGISLATURE TO FORMER JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT 
DR. JOHN ARTHUR PEOPLES, JR., AND MRS. MARY PEOPLES FOR THEIR LEGACY OF 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 

���� WHEREAS, we join the Women's 
Council for Philanthropy and the administration of Jackson State University in 
honoring former JSU President Dr. John Arthur Peoples, Jr., and Mrs. Mary 
Peoples; and

���� WHEREAS, on March 2, 1967, 
John Arthur Peoples, Jr., became the first alumnus to be appointed to the 
position of President of Jackson State University.� From the time of his 
appointment, the administration of this distinguished man has been 
characterized by progressive academic and physical changes in the university; 
and

���� WHEREAS, Dr. Peoples entered 
Jackson State University in 1947 following over two years of service in the 
United States Marine Corps.� While in the United States Marine Corps, Peoples 
attended service school for Drill Instructors and Radio Technicians.� Dr. 
Peoples received the "Congressional Gold Medal" for his service in 
World War II in the United States Marine Corps; and

���� WHEREAS, while at Jackson 
State University, he was a President's List Honor Student and lettered in 
football and track.� In 1950, he graduated number one in his class.� Later, he 
earned the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University 
of Chicago.� In recognition of his athletic prowess as a split end on the 
football team where he lettered three years, and as a pole vaulter, high jumper 
and discus thrower, for which he received three letters, Peoples was inducted 
into the Jackson State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1977.� He was honored 
by the Mississippi Chapter of the National Football Foundation in 1976; and

���� WHEREAS, on March 8, 1968, a 
year after his assuming the presidency, Dr. Peoples was inaugurated the sixth 
President of Jackson State College, now Jackson State University.� He lost no 
time in moving the university into a new era of development.� Symbolic of the 
thrust, his administration took the redesigned seal of the university, a scroll 
encircled with the motto, "You Shall Know the Truth and the Truth Shall 
Make You Free"; and

���� WHEREAS, during the 
administration of Dr. Peoples, the university experienced growth unparalleled 
by any other period in its history.� There was an increase in the size and 
quality of the faculty and administration.� Student enrollment more than 
tripled. Academic programs were established in multiple proportions in new 
fields such as industrial technology, computer science, mass communications and 
meteorology.� Five schools were established:� the School of Business and 
Economics, the School of Education, the School of Liberal Studies, the School 
of Science and Technology, and the Graduate School.� The Graduate School grew 
from a single Masters in School Administration to 35 Masters, 15 Specialists 
and a Doctorate in Early Childhood Education.� An Honors Division to attract 
and accommodate high-achieving students was established in 1979; and

���� WHEREAS, accreditations grew 
from Regional Accreditation by SACS to National Accreditations by the National 
Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, National Association of 
Industrial Technology, Council on Rehabilitation Education, American Chemical 
Society, Council on Social Work Education, National Association of Schools of 
Art Design, National Association of Schools of Music, and the National 
Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.� The university 
became highly respected by federal and private-funding agencies.� $108 Million 
in outside funds were brought to the university during Dr. Peoples' 17-year 
tenure, an average of over $6 Million a year.� As a result, the overall budget 
of the university grew from approximately $4 Million in 1967 to in excess of 
$30 Million in 1983.� In organizing his administration, President Peoples 
established five vice presidencies:� Vice President for Administration, Vice 
President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Fiscal Affairs, Vice 
President for Student Affairs, and Vice President for University Relations; and

���� WHEREAS, his belief in the 
importance of higher education and his dedication to the pursuit of those 
ideals that foster human dignity have led to his membership on a long list of 
prestigious boards where men and women of serious distinction assemble to give 
serious consideration to the quality of life.� Dr. Peoples has published 
numerous articles in scholarly journals and addressed a number of learned 
societies.� He is an ac