Bill Text: MS SC521 | 2026 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Extend congratulations of Legislature to Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., President Emeritus of JSU and oldest living HBCU President.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6)
Status: (Passed) 2026-03-18 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC521 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-SC521-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Blount, DuPree, Mumford, Simmons (12th), Thomas
Senate Concurrent Resolution 521
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO DR. JOHN A. PEOPLES, JR., PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, AND THE OLDEST LIVING HBCU PRESIDENT.
WHEREAS, we celebrate Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., President Emeritus of Jackson State University (JSU), an extraordinary leader who has set the gold standard for university presidents; and
WHEREAS, Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., the visionary former President of Jackson State University from 1967-1984, is a legendary figure in the HBCU world, cited for his transformative leadership, and celebrated for his longevity, nearing 100 years old in 2026; and
WHEREAS, he is believed to be the oldest living HBCU president, and is celebrated for his enduring impact at Jackson State University, marked by significant institutional growth; and
WHEREAS, during Dr. Peoples' tenure as President of JSU from 1967-1984, he naturally had many legacy highlights.
● Spearheaded JSU's transition from college to university status;
● Expanded academic programs to doctoral levels;
● Improved enrollment and infrastructure;
● Oversaw massive, nearly quadruple growth in student numbers and the construction of new buildings;
● Contributed to academic expansion;
● Established key schools (Business, Education, Science and Tech);
● Elevated faculty degrees;
● Authored To Survive and Thrive and How We Got Over and other works; and
● Received prestigious honors and accolades, including induction into the National Black College Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peoples' tenure at Jackson State was during a pivotal era, establishing standards of excellence that continue to resonate, making him a beloved figure and a benchmark for HBCU leadership. His approaching centennial birthday in 2026 further underscores his remarkable presidency and continued presence; and
WHEREAS, Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., the sixth President of the institution, was the founder of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) unit at Jackson State University. He is a native of Starkville, Mississippi, where he attended elementary and secondary schools. After graduating from high school, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and was Honor Man in his recruit training platoon and a sharpshooter rifleman. He was number one in his noncommissioned officers class and spent over two years in the United States Marine Corps attaining the rank of Sergeant. He served as a Drill Instructor at Montfort Point, the recruit training camp for Black Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during World War II. He also attended Radio Technicians class at the Tracked Vehicle Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California, where he subsequently served as a radio technician; and
WHEREAS, in July 2012, Dr. Peoples was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, as one of the African American Marines of World War II who was trained at the segregated Montford Point Camp; and
WHEREAS, after his discharge from the Marine Corps, Dr. Peoples entered Jackson State University in September 1947 where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics. While attending Jackson State University, he was on the varsity football and track teams and was elected president of the Student Government Association for two consecutive years. After graduating number one in his class in 1950, he attended the University of Chicago, where he earned Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees; and
WHEREAS, after serving 13 years in the public school system of Gary, Indiana, as a teacher and school principal, Dr. Peoples was employed at Jackson State University as a Professor of Mathematics and Vice President in 1964. He was elected President of Jackson State University in 1967; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, the landmark Ayers v. Waller desegregation suit was filed in Mississippi. As President of Jackson State University, Dr. Peoples played a strategic role in support of the plaintiff's efforts against the State College Board to eliminate the dual system of higher education; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peoples has been active in the academic world, serving on the boards and commissions of virtually all of the major national and southern regional associations. He was one of the pioneers in the establishment of the National Association for Equal Opportunity (NAFEO) in the early seventies and was the first African American to serve as Chairman of the Board of the American Council on Education; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University Athletic Program, under the presidency of Dr. Peoples, produced six Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships in football, seven in baseball, 13 in men's track, five in women's track, and six in men's basketball; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peoples is active in community and civic affairs. He has served 10 years as a commissioner on the Jackson Airport Authority, four years on the Board of Directors of the Jackson Zoological Park and six years on the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries. He served twenty�five years on the Board of Directors of The Piney Woods Country Life School, 20 years on the Board of Directors of Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, and seven years on the Civil Service Commission for the City of Jackson, Mississippi, two years of which he was Chairman. He served on the Board of Directors of Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, the Board of Directors of The Jackson State University National Alumni Association, and the executive committee of the Governor's Commission to Establish a National Civil Rights Museum in Mississippi. He has served on the Board of Directors Mississippi Ballet International, the Andrew Jackson Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and as Chairman of the National Blue Ribbon Advisory Commission to the 11th President of Jackson State University, Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peoples is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Pi Phi Boule Fraternity. He is a 33rd Degree Mason and a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The Mississippi Conference of the NAACP conferred on him the Medgar Evers Award in 1983. He has been elected to the Jackson State University Sports Hall of Fame, the Jackson State University Hall of Fame, and the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. In 1993, the National Black College Hall of Fame conferred on Dr. Peoples, the National Black College Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also given the Distinguished Alumni award by the National Association for Equal Opportunity (NAFEO) in 1993. In 2009, he was a recipient of the Mississippi Medal of Service from Governor Haley Reeves Barbour; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peoples is married to the former Mary E. Galloway. They are the parents of Dr. Kathleen Peoples, Ph.D., a United States Department Embassy Administrator, and Mark A. Peoples, Esq.; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize an extraordinary leader whose unwavering commitment to putting students first has left an indelible mark on JSU and continues to inspire us all:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the sincerest congratulations of the Mississippi Legislature to Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., President Emeritus of Jackson State University, who is believed to be the oldest living HBCU President as he nears his 100th birthday, and celebrate his legacy of excellence, dedication and passion for education which will forever be a guiding light for our state and community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., and his family and transmitted to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
