MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tollison, Barnett, Dearing, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Michel
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND MANY CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. KENNETH LYLE WOOTEN, FORMER REGISTRAR AND DEAN OF ADMISSIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS, AND EXTEND THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS BEREAVED FAMILY.
WHEREAS, we join the administration of The University of Mississippi in remembering the many educational, civic and charitable contributions of Dr. Kenneth Lyle Wooten. Dr. Wooten, former Registrar and Dean of Admissions at The University of Mississippi, passed away July 16, 2018, at his beloved Wyldewoode home; and
WHEREAS, born into a Mississippi sharecropper family (1933), his devotion to Ole Miss began when he enrolled as a student and worked his way through school determined to get an education. He completed his first degree in 1956, and the Juris Doctorate in 1960, serving as President of the Law School Graduating Class; and
WHEREAS, he served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Oxford Civic Council, Common Cause Mississippi, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Theatre Oxford, and served on the Board of Directors of both Friends of the Museums and Library. His contributions to Oxford and the University continue to have an impact on the community he loved; and
WHEREAS, nationally, Ken served as Trustee of the College Entrance Examination Board, helped found and was the first President of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators who honored him with a Distinguished Service Award (1970) and Lifetime Achievement Award (2003). He consulted for colleges throughout the United States, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and the United States Departments of Education and Justice; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, the Black Student Union of the University recognized him for his outstanding dedication during the 1962 integration of Ole Miss. As a Panelist on the 2012 "Opening the Closed Society" program, he described the riot on campus. He began a program to recruit leading African-American high school students. The University established the Ken Wooten Scholars Bowl, a program that continues to bring top community college students to campus; and
WHEREAS, an avid reader and member of the Dick Boyd Book Club, Ken authored two books, Blackberries, published in 2013, and On Being Afraid of the Dark in 2017; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Margaret Wyle; two daughters, Lisa Hankamer and Laurie DuChaine (David); grandson, Lucian, a United States Navy Officer; and Cope, a student at the University of Alabama; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi whose enormous civic energy will be missed:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and many civic contributions of Dr. Kenneth Lyle Wooten, former Registrar and Dean of Admissions at The University of Mississippi and first President of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and extend the sympathy of the Legislature to his bereaved family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Wooten, forwarded to the Chancellor of The University of Mississippi and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.