Jackson State University#Sonic Boom of the South

File:JacksonCollege.jpg

Jackson State University developed from Natchez Seminary, founded October 23, 1877, in Natchez, Mississippi. The seminary was affiliated with the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, who established it "for the moral, religious, and intellectual improvement of Christian leaders of the colored people of Mississippi and the neighboring states".{{Cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/unite/jsu-history/|title=Jackson State University {{!}} Unite Pre-Engineering Summer Program {{!}} JSU History|website=www.jsums.edu|access-date=2019-06-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/jackson-state-university-1877/|title=Jackson State University (1877- ) • BlackPast|date=2010-01-07|website=BlackPast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-18}} In 1883, the school changed its name to Jackson College and moved from Natchez to a site in Jackson, the capital. The college moved to its current location early in the 20th century, where it developed into a full state university.{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/jackson-state-university/ |title=Jackson State University |encyclopedia=Mississippi Encyclopedia |access-date=17 February 2020 |last=Kendrick |first=Eva Walton}} Its original site in Jackson is now the location of Millsaps College.

In 1934, during the Great Depression, the Baptist Society withdrew financial support. The school became a state-supported public institution in 1940 as the Mississippi Negro Training School. The name has changed over time: Jackson College for Negro Teachers in 1944;. Jackson State College in 1967, after desegregation; and with the addition of graduate programs and expanded curriculum, Jackson State University in 1974.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/universitycommunications/jsu-history/ |title=JSU History |publisher=Jackson State University |access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905202835/http://www.jsums.edu/universitycommunications/jsu-history/|archive-date=September 5, 2019}}

Many students at Jackson State College became active in the civil rights movement. Work to gain integrated practice and social justice continued after civil rights legislation was passed in the mid-1960s. During an on-campus protest on May 14, 1970, two students were killed by police gunfire,{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126426361|title=Jackson State: A Tragedy Widely Forgotten|work=npr.org|date=3 May 2010|access-date=24 April 2019|last1=Wyckoff|first1=Whitney Blair}} and an additional 12 students injured by gunfire.{{cite news|author=Roy Reed|title=F.B.I. Investigating Killing Of 2 Negroes in Jackson: Two Negro Students Are Killed In Clash With Police in Jackson|work=The New York Times|date=May 16, 1970|page=1|id={{ProQuest|80023683}}}} A dormitory still bears the bullet marks fired on that day.

The university drew national attention in 2023 when the faculty senate voted "no confidence" in university president Thomas Hudson. They alleged that he "repeatedly failed to respect shared governance, transparency, and accountability".{{cite web |url=https://www.diverseeducation.com/institutions/hbcus/article/15306186/jackson-state-university-faculty-senate-voted-no-confidence-in-jsu-president-thomas-hudson |title=Jackson State University Faculty Senate Voted No Confidence in JSU President Thomas Hudson |first=Arrman |last=Kyaw |publisher=Diverse Issues in Higher Education |date=January 30, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2023}} Shortly thereafter, the university's board of trustees placed Hudson on administrative leave and appointed Elayne Hayes-Anthony the acting president.{{cite web |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2023/03/02/jsu-president-thomas-hudson-relieved-of-duties-by-ms-ihl-interim-named/69963034007/ |title=JSU president Hudson placed on administrative leave by IHL. Here is what we know |first=Ross |last=Reily |publisher=Clarion Ledger |date=March 2, 2023 |access-date=March 3, 2023}}

File:Ayer Hall.jpg

The main campus contains over 50 academic and administrative buildings on {{convert|245|acre|km2}}. It is located at 1400 John R. Lynch Street between Prentiss and Dalton Streets.

Ayer Hall was constructed in 1903 and is the oldest structure on the main campus. It was named in honor of the first president of the institution, Charles Ayer. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway was named in honor of the two young men who died in the Jackson State shooting in 1970. As a result of the landmark "Ayers Settlement" in 2002, the university, along with the other two public HBCUs in the state, has completed extensive renovations and upgrades to campus.{{cite web|url=http://diverseeducation.com/article/79655/|title=Jackson State Raises Non-Black Enrollment, Gains Control of Endowment|last=cmaadmin|date=20 December 2015}}

Jackson State has satellite campuses throughout the Jackson Metropolitan area:

• Universities Center (Ridgewood Road)
• Jackson Medical Mall (Woodrow Wilson)
• Mississippi E-Center
• Downtown (100 Capitol Street)

The board of trustees is the constitutional governing body of the Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mississippi.edu/board/|title=Mississippi Public Universities – The Board of Trustees -|website=www.mississippi.edu|access-date=2019-06-18}} This body appoints the president of the university. There are 575 faculty and 1,431 staff; 54% of the faculty are tenured, teaching approximately 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/institutionalresearch/files/2010/06/2017-2018-FACTS-AND-FIGURES-update-2.pdf|title=2017–18 Facts and Figures}}

{{Columns-list|colwidth=25em|

1. 1877–1894: Charles Ayer
2. 1894–1911: Luther G. Barrett
3. 1911–1927: Zachary T. Hubert
4. 1927–1940: Buddy Baldwin Dansby
5. 1940–1967: Jacob L. Reddix
6. 1967–1984: John A. Peoples Jr.
7. 1984–1991: James A. Hefner
8. 1992–1999: James E. Lyons Sr.
9. 2000–2010: Ronald Mason Jr.{{Cite web |title=Jackson State University has had 7 presidents since 2010. Here is a look at them |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2023/03/03/jackson-state-university-past-presidents-and-how-they-left-jsu/69966542007/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=The Clarion-Ledger |language=en-US}}
10. 2010: Leslie Burl McLemore (interim)
11. 2011–2016: Carolyn Meyers
12. 2016–2017: Rod Paige (interim)
13. 2017–2020: William B. Bynum{{cite web |last1=Vicory |first1=Justin |title=Jackson State University president resigns after arrest in prostitution sting |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/jackson-state-university-president-resigns-after-arrest-in-prostitution-sting/ar-BBZQTZe |website=www.msn.com |access-date=10 February 2020}}{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2020 |title=JSU president among 17 arrested in prostitution sting |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2020/02/10/jsu-president-arrested-soliciting-prostitute/ |website=WLBT 3 News}}
14. 2020–2023: Thomas Hudson{{Cite web |last=Jaschik |first=Scott |date=2023-03-06 |title=Jackson State U President Placed on Leave |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2023/03/06/jackson-state-u-president-placed-leave |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}
15. 2023: Elayne Hayes–Anthony (acting)
16. 2023–2025: Marcus L. Thompson{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Alonda |date=2023-11-16 |title=Board of Trustees names Dr. Marcus L. Thompson as President of Jackson State University |url=https://www.jsumsnews.com/board-of-trustees-names-dr-marcus-l-thompson-as-president-of-jackson-state-university/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=JSU Newsroom |language=en-US}}
17. 2025–present: Denise Jones Gregory (interim){{Cite news|date=2025-05-09 |title=Gregory asks for patience, partnership, and prayers after taking helm as JSU interim president |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2025/05/09/gregory-asks-patience-partnership-prayers-after-taking-jsu-interim-president/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=WLBT |language=en}}

}}

{{Infobox US university ranking

| ARWU_NU =

| Forbes =

| USNWR_NU = 395 (tie) of 395

| Wamo_NU = 102 of 438

| ARWU_W =

| QS_W =

| THES_W =

}}

JSU colleges and schools include:

• College of Business
• College of Education and Human Development
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Health Sciences
• College of Science, Engineering and Technology
• W.E.B. Du Bois – Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey Honors College
• School of Public Health
• School of Lifelong Learning

In 2015, JSU became the first university in Mississippi approved by the legislature to establish a School of Public Health which is housed under the College of Health Sciences.{{cite web|url=http://hbculifestyle.com/jsu-school-of-public-health/ |title=JSU to Create the 1st School of Public Health in Mississippi |publisher=Hbculifestyle.com |date=2015-05-04 |access-date=2016-04-09}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsums.edu/#|title = Homepage}} JSU is the only university in Mississippi to earn two consecutive "Apple Distinguished School" distinctions from Apple Inc.{{cite web |url=http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=20372 |title=JSU blossoms again as Apple Distinguished School for 2015–2017 | Jackson State Newsroom |publisher=Jsumsnews.com |date=2015-12-18 |access-date=2016-04-09 |archive-date=2016-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310054809/http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=20372 |url-status=dead }} Since 2012, Jackson State University has provided all first-time, full-time freshmen brand new iPads.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=25102|title=JSU continues to promote innovation in education with iPad Initiative – Jackson State Newsroom|website=www.jsumsnews.com|access-date=2016-09-21|archive-date=2017-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804113900/http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=25102|url-status=dead}} JSU is the first and only HBCU in Mississippi to support a bachelor's and master's level engineering program.{{cite web|url=http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/articles/best-historically-black-engineering-colleges_14790.aspx|title=Best Historically Black Engineering Colleges|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513212637/http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/articles/best-historically-black-engineering-colleges_14790.aspx|archive-date=2016-05-13|work=U.S. News & World Report}} The W.E.B. Du Bois – Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey Honors College is a selective interdisciplinary college at the university for the most high-achieving undergraduate students.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/honorscollege/|title=W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College – Jackson State University|work=jsums.edu|access-date=15 September 2016}}

• The Margaret Walker Center is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of African American culture
• The COFO Civil Rights Education Center focuses on civil rights and developing future leaders
• The Richard Wright Center was established to help students improve their writing and presentation skills

Tiger Battalion, the university's Army ROTC program is the host US Army ROTC program for Belhaven University, Delta State University, Hinds Community College, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Mississippi College School of Law, Mississippi Valley State University, Tougaloo College, and University of Mississippi Medical Center's School of Nursing. Air Force Detachment 006 is the Air Force ROTC Component for the Jackson metropolitan area. Hosted at Jackson State, it also serves students from Belhaven University, Millsaps College, Mississippi College and Tougaloo College.

{{Main|Jackson State Tigers}}

Jackson State is a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. JSU fields teams in basketball, track and field, cross country, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, soccer, bowling, volleyball, and football. The university's mascot is the Tiger, and the teams are sometimes referred to as the "Blue Bengals".

File:Jackson State athletics logo.svg

{{main|Jackson State Tigers football}}

JSU athletics is historically most well known for its football program. JSU consistently leads the nation in Division I FCS football average home attendance.{{cite web | url=https://herosports.com/2021-fcs-attendance-leaders-bzbz/ | title=2021 FCS Attendance Leaders | date=5 February 2022 }}https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/article296567899.html JSU Tigers football alumni includes Pro Football Hall of Famers Lem Barney, Jackie Slater, Walter Payton, Robert Brazile, and Jimmy Smith.

JSU participates in a number of notable football games with rival colleges. These include:

• Jackson State's homecoming football game is annually one of the highest attended and most anticipated home games{{cite web | url=https://hbcugameday.com/2021/10/16/record-jackson-state-homecoming-crowd-sees-win-over-asu/ | title=Record Jackson State homecoming crowd sees win over ASU | date=16 October 2021 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.wapt.com/article/jsu-has-record-crowd-for-homecoming-game-10-17/37981692 | title=JSU has record crowd for Homecoming game | date=17 October 2021 }}
• Jackson State–Southern University rivalry – played on a rotating home-and-home schedule
• Soul Bowl (formerly Capital City Classic) – played against Alcorn State on a rotating home-and-home schedule{{cite web | url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2021/11/20/jackson-state-football-beats-rival-alcorn-first-sellout-deion-sanders-era/8584473002/ | title=Jackson State football pulls away from Alcorn State 24-10 in first sellout of Deion Sanders era }}

{{main|Jackson State Tigers basketball}}

As of 2024, JSU men's basketball has won five SWAC titles and made three NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearances.

File:JSU Sonic Boom of the South at Halftime.jpg]]

{{Main|Sonic Boom of the South}}

The marching band began in the 1940s at what was then Jackson State College, under the directorship of Frederick D. Hall, who had directed a band at the college as early as the 1920s, in addition to the chorus and orchestra. It was initially made up of students from Jackson College and Lanier High School.{{cite web|url=http://websites.one.jsums.edu/sonicboom/?page_id=518|title=A Brief History and Chronology of the 'Sonic Boom'|website=Sonic Boom of the South|publisher=Jackson State University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701002223/http://websites.one.jsums.edu/sonicboom/?page_id=518|archive-date=July 1, 2017}} Founded as the Jackson State University Marching Band, the name "Sonic Boom of the South" was adopted by the school in 1971, after having been suggested by band members. The first full-time band director, William W. Davis, was appointed in 1948, replacing Charles Saulsburg, who had been director since 1947. Davis had previously played trumpet in Cab Calloway's band, and Calloway's musical style and showmanship influenced Davis's conceptualization of the marching band. The band at this time had around 20 members, increasing to 88 in 1963.{{cite magazine|last=Grant|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Grant (writer)|date=January 2017|title=March to the Joyous Raucous Beat of the Sonic Boom of the South|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/march-joyous-raucous-beat-sonic-boom-south-180961436/|magazine=Smithsonian|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|access-date=November 28, 2018}} Davis retired as director in 1971, but remained the chief arranger for the band. He was replaced by Harold J. Haughton. Haughton was instrumental in the creation of the Prancing J-Settes, the band's accompanying danceline.

In fall 2022, Jackson State's total enrollment was 6,906, of which 4,927 were undergraduate students and 1,979 were graduate.{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=jackson+state&s=all&id=175856#enrolmt|title=College Navigator - Jackson State University|website=nces.ed.gov}}

As of fall 2020, 67% of Jackson State's student community were Mississippi residents, with the majority from Hinds County and Madison County. The top three feeder states were Illinois (409 students), Louisiana (269), and Georgia (220). Nigeria accounted for the highest number of international students on campus. 91% of students identified as Black, 6% identified as white, and 4% identified with various race categories. 31% of students were male, and 69% of students were female.https://www.jsums.edu/institutionalresearch/files/2021/07/2020-21-Facts-and-Figures.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}

File:Entrance of the Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza @ Jackson State University.jpg

Jackson State University offers over 60 registered student organizations. There are academic, residential, religious, Greek, and special interest groups.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/studentlife/student-organizations/|title=Student Organizations | Student Affairs|date=2013-12-20|publisher=Jsums.edu|access-date=2016-04-09}} All student organizations are governed under the Student Affairs division.

Jackson State is home to radio station WJSU-88.5 FM which plays jazz, gospel, news, and public affairs programming. The television station W23BC is known as JSUTV and aired on Comcast. The independent weekly student newspaper is called Blue and White Flash{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/expmagazine|title=JSU Student Publications|website=Issuu|language=en|access-date=2019-05-16}} and the Jacksonian magazine features news and highlights about the university.

File:Laphonza_Butler_Senate_photo,_2023.jpg|Laphonza Butler
United States Senator from California, 2023–2024

File:Lindsey_Hunter_in_2009.jpeg|Lindsey Hunter
Basketball player, 2-time NBA Champion

File:Rod_Paige.jpg|Rod Paige
United States Secretary of Education, 2001–2005

File:1986_Jeno%27s_Pizza_-_12_-_Walter_Payton_(Walter_Payton_crop).jpg|Walter Payton
American football player, 9-time Pro Bowler, Hall of Fame

File:Cassandra_Wilson.jpg|Cassandra Wilson
Singer, 2-time Grammy winner

{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=Charlotte P. Morris|year=1970|nota=Interim president of Tuskegee University (2010; 2017–2018)|ref={{cite news |title=Leadership Change at Tuskegee University |url=https://www.jbhe.com/2017/06/leadership-change-at-tuskegee-university/ |access-date=June 19, 2018 |work=The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education |date=June 2, 2017}}}}

{{Alum|name=Rod Paige|year=1955|nota=First African-American to serve as Secretary of Education during President George W. Bush administration (2001–2005), former head football coach at Jackson State (1964–1968), and interim president of JSU (2016–2017)|ref={{Cite web |title=College Board names Rod Paige interim JSU president |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/11/01/rod-paige-interim-jsu-president/93106816/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=The Clarion-Ledger |language=en-US}}}}

{{Alum|name=Mary L. Smith|year=1957|nota=11th president of Kentucky State University (1991–1998)|ref={{cite news |title=Smith, ex-Kentucky State President, dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74232635/the-park-city-daily-news/ |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The Park City Daily News |page=3 |date=December 1, 2020}}}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

===Arts, entertainment, and music===

{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=Derrick Barnes|year=1999|nota=Children's literature and illustrator |ref={{Cite web |date=2019-03-04 |title=Derrick Barnes, Award-Winning Children's Author, to Visit the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork on Wednesday, March 20 |url=https://rcoe.appstate.edu/news/derrick-barnes-award-winning-children%E2%80%99s-author-visit-appalachian-state-university-academy |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Derrick Barnes, Award-Winning Children’s Author, to Visit the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork on Wednesday, March 20 |language=en}}}}

{{Alum|name=Vivian Brown|year=1986|nota=Television meteorologist|ref={{Cite web |date=2010-12-30 |title=Ask AP: Vivian Brown |url=https://americanprofile.com/articles/vivian-brown-weather-channel/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=American Profile |language=en-US}}}}

{{Alum|name=Tobias Dorzon|year= |nota=Chef, television personality, restaurateur, and former professional football player|ref={{Cite news |date=2010-05-02 |title=Four former Lackawanna College Falcons sign NFL contracts |pages=9 |work=The Times Leader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader-four-former-lackawanna/128887847/ |access-date=2023-07-26}}}}

{{Alum|name=Percy Greene|year=|nota=Founding editor of the Jackson Advocate newspaper, Mississippi's oldest black-owned newspaper|ref={{Cite web |last=Speer |first=Lisa K. |date=July 11, 2017 |title=Greene, Percy |url=https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/percy-greene/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Mississippi Encyclopedia |publisher=Center for Study of Southern Culture |language=en-US}}}}

{{Alum|name=Lester Julian Merriweather|year=2000|nota=Memphis-based visual artist, collagist |ref={{Cite web |title=Lester Merriweather |url=https://locatearts.org/artists/lester-merriweather |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Locate Arts |language=en}}}}

{{Alum|name=Demarco Morgan|year=2001|nota=News anchor for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles|ref={{cite news|url=https://www.onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/demarcomorgan.html|title=Channel 12's Demarco Morgan named 'Leader of the Future' by Ebony|last=staff|date=January 12, 2006|publisher=OnMilwaukee.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316094729/https://www.onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/demarcomorgan.html |access-date=|archive-date=2012-03-16 }}}}

{{Alum|name=Willie Norwood|year=|nota=Gospel singer, father and voice coach of R&B singers Brandy and Ray J|ref={{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Liz |title=Music Lasts Forever |url=http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/18/music-lasts-forever/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Jackson Free Press|language=en}}}}

{{Alum|name=Sekou Smith|year=1997|nota=Sportswriter, reported on the NBA|ref={{Cite web |date=2021-01-27 |title=NBA analyst Sekou Smith dies due to COVID-19 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30786000/nba-reporter-analyst-sekou-smith-dies-48-due-covid-19 |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=ESPN |language=en}}}}

{{Alum|name=Tonea Stewart|year=1969|nota=Actress and educator|ref={{Cite book |last=McCann |first=Bob |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7ZYsnTPIhwC&pg=PA314 |title=Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television |date=2009-12-21 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5804-2 |language=en|page=314}}}}

{{Alum|name=Cassandra Wilson|year=1980|nota=Jazz vocalist and musician|ref={{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Charisse |date=1994-09-29 |title=In The Studio With: Cassandra Wilson; Singing a Song of the South |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/29/garden/in-the-studio-with-cassandra-wilson-singing-a-song-of-the-south.html |access-date=2023-06-23 |issn=0362-4331}}}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=Felicia C. Adams|year=1981|nota=United States Attorney for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi 2011–2017|ref={{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndms/meet-us-attorney |title=Meet the U.S. Attorney |publisher=Justice.gov |access-date=2017-04-05 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208190946/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndms/meet-us-attorney |archive-date=2017-02-08 }}}}

{{Alum|name=Arekia Bennett|year=|nota=Voting rights activist, executive director of Mississippi Votes|ref={{Cite news |title=MS Votes: The next generation of freedom fighters are here |url=https://jacksonadvocateonline.com/ms-votes-the-next-generation-of-freedom-fighters-are-here/ |last=Tisdale |first=DeAnna |newspaper=Jackson Advocate |date=October 1, 2020 |access-date=August 17, 2024 |language=en}}}}

{{Alum|name=Cornell William Brooks|year=1983|nota=Yale-trained lawyer, 18th president and CEO of the NAACP|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Emmett C. Burns, Jr.|year=|nota=Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 10th district|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Laphonza Butler|year=2001|nota=United States Senator from California (2023–present)|ref=}}

{{alum|name=Robert G. Clark, Jr.|year=1952|nota=Politician; elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1967; first African American elected to the Mississippi State Legislature since the Reconstruction era|ref={{cite news |last1=Adderton |first1=Donald |title=Clark helped move state beyond prejudice |newspaper=Columbian-Progress |date=March 13, 2004 |page=4}}}}

{{Alum|name=Dennis Deer|year=|nota=2nd district Cook County Commissioner|ref={{cite web|url=https://www.commissionerdeer.com/commissioner-deer-1|title=About Commissioner Dennis Deer|access-date=September 28, 2020|publisher=Cook County Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928202257/https://www.commissionerdeer.com/commissioner-deer-1|archive-date=September 28, 2020|url-status=live}}}}

{{Alum|name=Carlton W. Reeves|year=1986|nota=Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Bennie G. Thompson|year=1973|nota=Member U. S. House of Representatives (1993–present)|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Tony Yarber|year=2004|nota=Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi|ref={{cite web|title=Office of the Mayor|publisher=City of Jackson, Mississippi|url=http://www.jacksonms.gov/index.aspx?nid=245}}}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=Shasta Averyhardt|year=2008|nota=Professional golfer, first African-American woman to qualify for the LPGA Tour since 2001, and its fourth African-American woman member in the 60-year history of the tour|ref={{Cite web|url=https://blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles%2Fnews%2Fthe_state_of_black_america_news%2F24593|title=Black America Web|website=Black America Web}}}}

{{Alum|name=Lem Barney|year=|nota=Pro Football Hall of Fame member, cornerback with the Detroit Lions|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Marcus Benard|year=2009|nota=Former NFL linebacker|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd|year=|nota=Former Major League Baseball pitcher|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Robert Braddy|year=|nota=Jackson State Tigers baseball player and coach|ref={{cite web|url=http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2016/jul/07/bob-braddy/|title=Bob Braddy|first=Bryan|last=Flynn|work=Jackson Free Press}}}}

{{Alum|name=Corey Bradford|year=|nota=Former National Football League wide receiver|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Robert Brazile|year=|nota=Pro Football Hall of Fame member, 7-time NFL Pro Bowl outside linebacker with the Houston Oilers|ref={{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BRAZIROB01 |title=Robert Lorenzo Brazile |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019070515/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BRAZIROB01 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}}}

{{Alum|name=Wes Chamberlain|year=|nota=Former Major Leaguer outfielder|ref=}}

{{alum|name=Dave Clark|year=|nota=Former Major League outfielder|ref=}}

{{alum|name=Darion Conner|year=|nota=American football player convicted of vehicular homicide|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Archie "Gunslinger" Cooley|year=1962|nota=Former head football coach at Mississippi Valley State University, University of Arkansas–Pine Bluff, Norfolk State University, and Paul Quinn College|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Leslie "Speedy" Duncan|year=|nota=Former 4-time NFL Pro-Bowl cornerback with the San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Marvin Freeman|year=|nota=Former Major League pitcher|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Cletis Gordon|year=|nota=Former NFL defensive back|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Roy Hilton|year=1965|nota=Former NFL defensive end|ref=Joe Marcin and Mike Douchant (eds.), Football Register 1974. St. Louis: The Sporting News, 1974, p. 145.}}

{{Alum|name=Lindsey Hunter|year=|nota=Former NBA point guard. Won the 2001–02 championship with the Los Angeles Lakers and the 2003–04 championship with the Detroit Pistons; formerly interim heach coach of the Phoenix Suns|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Travis Hunter|year=2022|nota=2024 Heisman Trophy Recipient,

first HBCU Alum to ever do so |ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Harold Jackson|year=|nota=Former Jackson State head Football coach; former NFL wide receiver; played majority career with the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Claudis James|year=|nota=Former NFL player|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Jaymar Johnson|year=2008|nota=Current NFL wide receiver|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Trey Johnson|year=|nota=Current NBA/NBA Development League player|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Robert Kent|year=|nota=Jackson State and professional quarterback|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Ed Manning |year=|nota=Drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in the eighth round (1st pick, 80th overall) of the 1967 NBA draft, father of Danny Manning|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Picasso Nelson|year=|nota=Gridiron football player|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Audie Norris|year=|nota=Former NBA Power forward and superstar for Winterthur FC Barcelona in the late 1980s|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Eddie Payton|year=1973|nota=NFL kick returner; current Jackson State golf coach|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Walter Payton|year=1975|nota=Pro Football Hall of Fame member; played entire career as running back for the Chicago Bears|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Donald Reese|year=|nota=NFL Player; played for the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers|ref={{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=REESEDON01 |title=Donald Francis Reese |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102230358/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=REESEDON01 |archive-date=November 2, 2012 }}}}

{{Alum|name=Purvis Short|year=|nota=Former NBA small forward for the Golden State Warriors in the mid-1980s|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Jackie Slater|year=|nota=Pro Football Hall of Fame member; played entire career as offensive tackle with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Jimmy Smith|year=|nota=Retired NFL wide receiver; played majority career with the Jacksonville Jaguars|ref={{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJi00.htm|title = Jimmy Lee Smith| publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= December 3, 2012}}}}

{{Alum|name=Karen Taylor |year=|nota=Played professionally in Europe, mother of Stanley Johnson|ref={{cite news|author=Bruce Pascoe|date=7 November 2013|url=http://tucson.com/sports/basketball/college/wildcats/johnson-fulfills-mom-s-hoops-wishes/article_3cdd7065-1dee-51b2-8da9-864a55497915.html|title=Johnson fulfills mom's hoops wishes|work=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=7 July 2015}}}}

{{Alum|name=Michael Tinsley|year=2006|nota=Track & field sprinter|ref={{cite news |title=MICHAEL TINSLEY |url=https://www.teamusa.org/usa-track-and-field/athletes/Michael-Tinsley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822214724/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-track-and-field/athletes/Michael-Tinsley |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 22, 2015 |access-date=18 May 2020}}}}

{{Alum|name=Rickey Young|year=1975|nota=Retired NFL running back with the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings|ref=}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=Michelle Obama|year=2016|nota=First African-American to serve as First Lady of the United States; received an honorary doctorate from Jackson State University, where she served as the keynote speaker for its 2016 spring undergraduate commencement ceremony|ref={{Cite web|url=https://trib.com/news/state-regional/woman-arrested-for-murder-of-sheridan-man/article_31bac2c0-0f23-5129-8316-bad431a1a7a6.html|title=Woman arrested for 1999 murder of Sheridan man|date=June 7, 2005|website=Casper Star-Tribune}}}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

{{Portal|Mississippi|United States}}

{{clear}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• {{Official website|http://www.jsums.edu}}

{{Jackson State University}}

{{Navboxes

|titlestyle = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Jackson State Tigers|color=white}}

|list =

{{Jackson, Mississippi}}

{{Education in Hinds County, Mississippi}}

{{Public Colleges and Universities in Mississippi}}

{{HBCU}}

{{Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund}}

{{Southwestern Athletic Conference navbox}}

}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Public universities and colleges in Mississippi

Category:Historically black universities and colleges in the United States

Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Category:Universities and colleges established in 1877

Category:1877 establishments in Mississippi

Category:Universities and colleges in the Jackson metropolitan area, Mississippi

Category:Education in Jackson, Mississippi

Category:Buildings and structures in Jackson, Mississippi