JSCC honors its veterans
Jackson State Community College honored its veterans on Monday with a special program that honored their service and honored the work of a long-time employee.
Dr. Andrew Kelley served in the U.S. Army for a few years before working at Southwest State Community College for a couple years.
After that, he came to Jackson State in 1988 and has been teaching composition and literature ever since.
JSCC President Carol Rothstein had a special presentation for Kelley. He was presented with the 2024 Chancellor's Commendation for Military Veterans.
This honor comes a few weeks after Kelley was honored for his commitment to Jackson State and the philanthropic work he's done for students in need throughout his time at JSCC.
"I love the students here at Jackson State, and I love helping them learn," Kelley said. "I want their education to be the very best that it can be, and I believe we're all working toward that.
"I believe we're the best college in West Tennessee."
Paul Morgan is the Dean of Students at JSCC, and one of the roles he plays in his job is coordinating the veterans' services for the school.
He said he's proud to fill that role after having served in the United States Marines for nearly two decades in the 1980s and 90s.
"There are so many opportunities for our veterans on our and every college in Tennessee, and when a veteran comes to our campus trying to improve his or her life while also getting back into civilian life, there aren't many things I can do that I think are more honorable than that," Morgan said.
The program began with songs from the Jackson State Innovation Ensemble singing group, and it concluded with Rothstein cutting the cake for with a Marine officer's sword and handing the first three slices to guest of honor Kelley, the oldest present veteran, who was a member of campus security that served in the Coast Guard and Navy and the youngest veteran, a member of the National Guard who's a 21-year-old student at JSCC.
Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news
