MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Frazier, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Butler, Witherspoon, Thomas, Blount, Horhn, Jordan
A 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 active member in an appreciable number of professional, civic, social, and fraternal organizations. Presently, he is a member of the Rhodes Scholar Selection Committee for Mississippi; the Kellogg Foundation Advisory Committee for Kellogg National Fellows Program; United States Department of Education, Minority Science Improvement Program Task Force; American Council on Education Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics; and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Task Force on Excellence in Education. He served on the Southern Regional Education Board Task Force on Teacher Education. He has also served as a consultant for numerous businesses, government, and educational institutions, including General Electric; Danforth Foundation; Lilly Endowment; Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; United States Department of Education; several public and private universities; universities in Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Sudan; and the Department of State as an American Specialist Fellow; and
WHEREAS, President Peoples was a strong supporter of athletics. During his administration, the university achieved numerous sports championships: six SWAC in football; seven SWAC in baseball; 13 SWAC (men) in track; five SWAC (women) in track; six SWAC (men) in basketball; one SWAC tennis; one SWAC golf; seven NAIA National Indoor track (men); two NAIA National Indoor track (women); four AIWA track (women); several NAIA District track (men and women); and one NCAA track. The university has won the SWAC All-Sports Trophy for 11 years (men) and three years (women); and
WHEREAS, during the tenure of President Peoples, the university experienced monumental physical expansion: the John Dixon Hall, the T.B. Ellis Physical Education Building, the J.Y. Woodard Technology Building, the School of Education Building, an addition to the H.T. Sampson Library, the Administration Tower and Classroom Complex, the F.D. Hall Music Building, the New Science Building, the Athletics and Assembly Center, the HUD Financed Women's Dormitory, the President's Home, and the Presidents' Garden and Fountain. The university purchased the College Park from the City of Jackson which included the University Park Auditorium. In 1973, the University received an FCC license to establish and operate an FM stereo radio station, WJSU. This 3,000-watt station was the first public radio station in Jackson, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peoples and his wife, Mary, are most public-spirited citizens with enormous civic energy. Locally, Dr. Peoples serves as Economic and Educational Advisor to the Mayor of Jackson. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Piney Woods Country Life School; the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries; and Harbor Houses of Jackson, Inc. He is a member of the Board of the Jackson Urban League and of the NAACP. He is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Kappa Mu and Omega Psi Phi, and a 33rd Degree Mason, Prince Hall Affiliation. Dr. Peoples is an active member of the Farish Street Baptist Church where he has served as Trustee and Sunday School Teacher; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peoples is married to the former Mary E. Galloway. He and his wife are the parents of one daughter, Dr. Kathleen Peoples-Sedlak, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and one son, Mark A. Peoples, Esquire, Metairie, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend the challenging, progressive administration and legacy of a Mississippi higher education administrator and his vision of excellence for all in Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby express our endearing gratitude to Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., and Mrs. Mary Peoples for their dynamic tenure at Jackson State University and join the faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of these university leaders in extending our best wishes for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., and Mrs. Mary Peoples on the Appreciation Day event on March 7, 2020, be forwarded to the President of Jackson State University and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.