Ivory V. Nelson has come out of retirement to serve as interim provost at Jackson State University in Mississippi.
Dr. Nelson, now 83 years old, served as president of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania from 1999 to 2011. During that period he hired William B. Bynum Jr. as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. Dr. Bynum, who recently became president of Jackson State University, asked his former mentor to come out of retirement to help him lead Jackson State during the time of transition.
In speaking of President Bynum, Dr. Nelson stated “he’s the only one who could get me out of retirement to do this. I’m here to help with the current transition and assist in the search for a permanent provost. I will support the president in this academic endeavor wherever I can use my expertise and knowledge.”
Before becoming president of Lincoln University, Dr. Nelson was the first African American to serve as president of Central Washington University in Ellensburg. Earlier, he was chancellor of the Alamo Community College District in San Antonio.
Dr. Nelson is a graduate of Grambling State University in Louisiana. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Kansas.
How SWEET IT IS to know that SOME ones of us are STILL –able, and willing to CONTINUE in the PURSUITS that we were SO WELL guided and encouraged to do while at Dear Ole GRAMBLING.
Keep at it as LONG AS YOU are given the WILL and strength!
Blessings!