MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Harden, Frazier

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. MELVIN I. EVANS FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND TO HIS COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS, Dr. Melvin I. Evans has had a stellar career in education, having served as Chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Jackson State University for the past 30 years; and

WHEREAS, the faculty and staff of Jackson State University will host a "Banquet/Roast" in honor of Dr. Evans on Monday, May 8, 2000, and will establish a scholarship in his honor; and

WHEREAS, his career has spanned over 45 years and he has contributed immensely to his profession, church and community at large; and

WHEREAS, he holds a B.S. degree from Allen University, a Master's degree from Springfield College and a Doctorate from Oklahoma State University, he received certification from Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry as a Drug Educator, the University of Georgia as a Specialist in Alcoholism, and Rutgers University in Comprehensive Health, and his professional experiences include: instructor, department chair and assistant athletic coach, Sterling High School, Greenville, S.C.; instructor, Physical Education, Health, General Science and athletic coach, Howard High School, Georgetown, S.C.; Chairman and Athletic Director, Department of Physical Education and Recreation, Choppe High School, Georgetown, S.C.; Assistant Professor of Physical Education, head track coach, head football coach, and head basketball coach at Allen University; Dean of Men, Allen University; Acting Chair, Department of Physical Education and Recreation, Maryland State College; and Administrative Assistant to Director of Student Union and Assistant to the Dean of Students (graduate assistant), Oklahoma State University; and

WHEREAS, Mel belongs to or has been a member of the following professional and academic associations or organizations: Life Member, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation; Mississippi Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, National Recreation and Park Association; Mississippi Recreation and Park Association; National Therapeutic Recreation Society; Society of Park and Recreation Educators; National Education Association; American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; American Association of Educators; Mississippi Association of Teacher Educators; American College of Sports Medicine; Phi Delta Kappa; Ethnic Minority Society of the National Recreation and Park Association; Jackson State University Higher Education Association; Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History; American Association of University Professors, university representative to the American Council of Teacher Educators and Phi Delta Kappa; current or past nonteaching professional assignments and activities include: Secretary-Treasurer, Optimist International, Jackson, Mississippi; Board of Directors, Mississippi International Ballet; Board of Directors, Jackson Police Athletic Association; Chairman, Jackson Pan-Hellenic Council; Executive Committee, Mississippi International Ballet Competition, President Clinton Branch NAACP; Chairman, Board of Directors, Mississippi Federal Credit Union; Chairman Protem Board of Stewards and Sunday School Teacher, Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church; Former Polemarch, Jackson Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Life Member; Chair Ethnics Minority Council; Chair, Board of Directors, Hinds County Federal Credit Union; Corporate Secretary First Commerce Savings and Loan; Member of the Board of Directors for the Tri-County Chapter of Big Brother/Big Sister; President, East Mississippi Conference Lay Organization, Faculty Athletics Representative to the Southwestern Athletics Conference (SWAC) and the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA); Mel has co-authored two books and has written numerous articles in professional journals; and

WHEREAS, Mel has received numerous awards for outstanding achievement as a professional, a churchman and a social activist; he has been Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Educator of the Year and Coach of the Year in football and track and field; he has received the C.D. Henry Award from the America Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and Dance, the Honor Award from the Southern District of the Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and the Honor Award from the Mississippi Alliance; he has been honored by many organizations including his Alma Mata, Certificate of Appreciation and Athletics Hall of Fame, Kappa Alpha PSI Kappa Man of the Year, Optimist International Outstanding Club President and Lt. Governor; Clinton NAACP Outstanding Civic Award, and Salutation from the Garden Club of Jackson; he is a sought-after speaker not only in the professional area but also in the religious arena; he has been a certified basketball and football official in the states of South Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the contributions of this individual who has brought honor to his institution, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the faculty of Jackson State University in commending and congratulating Dr. Melvin I. Evans for 30 years of service to Jackson State University and to his community, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Dr. Evans and his family, and be forwarded to the President of Jackson State University and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.