MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons, Harden, Gordon, Horhn, Dearing, Posey, Butler, Turner, Walls, Thomas, Jordan, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Little, Williamson, Chaney, Burton
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND SERVICE TO HIGHER EDUCATION OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT CLINTON BRISTOW, JR., AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the untimely death of Alcorn State University President Clinton Bristow, Jr., on Saturday, August 19, 2006, is a loss to the students and faculty at the university and a tremendous loss to higher education in the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bristow had been President of the 3500-student university since August 24, 1995. He succeeded the late Walter Washington, who led the Lorman school 25 years, and probably could have reached or exceeded that mark, given the respect of his peers, his talents and his leadership role in this state; and
WHEREAS, founded in 1871, Alcorn State University is the nation's first state-supported university for black students. Under Dr. Bristow's leadership, Alcorn had increased the number of students seeking professional degrees and had gained national attention for a large number of Russian students; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bristow will be remembered on campus and off campus for his charisma. A powerful personality, he was instrumental in positioning the rural university for a great future in the 21st Century, primarily due to his leadership in crafting a building plan with funds from the Ayers higher education desegregation lawsuit. With such successes as a $10.5 Million biotechnology building on the Lorman campus, he believed his school could double its enrollment and expand course offerings in Natchez and Vicksburg, while also enhancing ties with Hinds Community College and Mississippi State University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bristow was active in many professional and civic organizations. He was a member of the Board of Directors of National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), Commission on Colleges - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Southern Education Foundation, Inc., National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the College Board - New York, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), Capital Financing Board for HBCUs, the Congressional Award Board, Mississippi Agriculture Museum and the Mid-Delta Consortium. He was chair of the 1890s Council of Presidents and Chancellors (NASULGC), past-President of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), past-President of the Presidents' Council, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Education and past-President of the Mississippi Association of Colleges. While in Chicago, some of his activities included the Chicago Bar Association, LaSalle Street Business Council, Beverly Area Local Development Corporation, YMCA, Chicago Youth Success Foundation, Kohl Children's Museum and Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education. His research efforts centered around the historical and contemporary development of management theory as it applies to-profit and not-for-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, before becoming President of Alcorn State University, Dr. Bristow's administrative experiences included having served as President of the Chicago Board of Education, Dean of the College of Business at Chicago State University, and Vice President at Olive-Harvey College in Chicago. Dr. Bristow held B.A., J.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and the MBA from Governors State University, University Park, Illinois. His publications and presentations are a matter of record; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bristow's legacy is a stronger university system in Mississippi. His work was unfinished, but his influence will remain, and for this and for a lifetime of selfless service, a grateful Legislature and State thank him:
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 service to higher education of Alcorn State University President Clinton Bristow, Jr., and express to his surviving family and many friends and colleagues the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Bristow, be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.