Selected
Article:
MVSU
Vice President of University Relations and former Mayor
of Mayersville honored
Hudson and Blackwell given recognition
Dr.
Roy Hudson, Vice President for University Relations at Mississippi
Valley State University (MVSU), and Ms. Unita Blackwell,
former Mayor of Mayersville, Mississippi, were honored with
special recognition by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions
of Higher Learning (IHL) in ceremonies held during the regularly
scheduled Board meeting. Other nominees from each of Mississippi’s
eight public universities were recognized also for their
contributions to diversity.
Dr.
Roy Hudson was recognized for his devotion to educating
young people, both African-American students and students
of other races.
“It
is a distinct pleasure for the IHL Board to recognize Dr.
Hudson for his leadership, vision and commitment to promoting
diversity at MVSU and communities throughout the Delta,
which have fostered a better understanding and appreciation
of diversity through education,” said Dr. Bettye Neely
(Grenada), IHL Board member and Chair of the Black History
Month Committee. “He is an excellent role model and
representative of all those nominated for this award, and
his efforts are an example for all of us”.
Dr.
Hudson holds an Ed.D. from Rutgers University in Sociolinguistic
and Contemporary Literature, an M.A.T. from Mississippi
State University in English; and B.S. from MVSU in English.
Throughout
his career, Dr. Hudson has reached students at the high
school, community college, and the university level. His
career has taken him from an English teacher at Harris High
School and junior college in Meridian, MS, to the Vice President
of University Relations at MVSU. During this time, he has
been published in numerous literary journals such as Black
Excellence Magazine.
Dr.
Lester Newman, President of MVSU, summarized Dr. Hudson’s
success: “The dream that began nearly 52 years ago
as the vision of an institution of higher education for
the Delta region can be deemed a complete success when you
look at someone like Roy Hudson. Dr. Hudson came to Valley
State as a student back in the 60’s, and now he is
helping make this university a better place every day through
his executive position. He is well known as one who has
devoted his life to educating young people and promoting
MVSU as an oasis of learning for anyone who is looking for
an opportunity to improve themselves by obtaining a quality
higher education.”
Newman
continued, “Dr. Hudson’s willingness to share
his vast knowledge about the history and the development
of MVSU has not only created a sense of appreciation for
the University’s past among faculty, staff and students,
but it has also attracted diverse groups of individuals
to our campus for the purpose of research and organizational
meetings”.
The
Board also honored former Mayor of Mayersville, Mississippi,
Unita Blackwell, for her outstanding contributions to the
African-American community. In the 1960’s, Ms. Blackwell
directed a voter registration effort for six Mississippi
counties and was a guest of President Lyndon Johnson at
the White House as part of his effort to get the Voting
Rights Act of 1965 passed. She was also a principal in the
school desegregation suit Blackwell v. Sharkey-Issaquena
Schools which is regarded as the historic basis for all
later court battles over segregation.
Ms.
Blackwell was elected mayor of Mayersville, Mississippi,
in 1976, the first female black mayor in the state. She
served as mayor for twenty years. From 1990 to 1992, she
was president of the National Conference of Black Mayors,
representing 337 African-American mayors nationwide.
Dr.
Neely commented, “Ms. Blackwell’s uncommon fortitude
and commitment toward working to enhance the quality of
life for all the citizens of Mississippi have touched the
lives of all who know her and earned her the respect and
admiration of people in Mississippi. Her accomplishments
were rewarded in 2000 when she received one of seven of
the first annual George Awards, given to individuals who
serve causes larger than themselves. IHL is truly honored
to have her with us today, and we are pleased to recognize
her as part of our Black History presentation.”
The
IHL Board of Trustees formed the Black History Committee
in 1992 to choose one outstanding individual from each of
Mississippi’s universities who has contributed significantly
to the positive advancement of diversity on their campus
and in the community.
“Diversity
on our university campuses is a hallmark of a successful
educational experience,” said Dr. Thomas Layzell,
Commissioner of Higher Education. “Educators whose
career efforts foster diversity are valuable to Mississippi’s
higher education system. We are extremely pleased to recognize
Dr. Hudson, Ms. Blackwell, and the other nominees for their
outstanding contributions to diversity at our campuses and
in our communities and abroad”. DBJ
