Jackson State University (JSU) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone. The prestigious institution has become the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to receive the National Academy of Inventors’ (NAI) Founder’s Award. This recognition also marks JSU as the first Mississippi school to earn this distinguished honor.
Pioneering Innovation: JSU’s Path to the NAI Founder’s Award
The NAI Founder’s Award celebrates institutions that significantly contribute to the organization’s success. JSU earned this accolade by enhancing NAI’s reach and promoting access, diversity, and innovation. Since becoming an NAI charter member in February 2011, JSU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to inventive pursuits.
JSU President Marcus Thompson emphasized the significance of this achievement. He stated, “This recognition further underscores our dedication to academic excellence, economic development, and societal progress.” Thompson added that this milestone is not just for JSU, but for all HBCUs and Mississippi.
JSU’s Trailblazing Inventors: From Patents to Practical Applications
JSU’s journey with NAI has been marked by notable achievements. The university has inducted several faculty members as NAI fellows since 2012. Ernest Izevbigie, the first inductee, earned two patents and contributed to the formation of EdoBotanics, a JSU-launched company.
Other distinguished inductees include Kamal Ali, a computer engineering and electrical professor, and Danuta Leszczynska. Leszczynska’s 2018 medical patent focuses on technology that addresses inflammation and infection in patients with artificial implants.
Fostering Innovation: JSU’s Impact on Research and Development
Almesha Campbell, JSU’s Division of Research and Economic Development assistant vice president, accepted the Founder’s Award on the university’s behalf. Campbell, an honorary NAI member since 2022, highlighted JSU’s role in fostering innovation among faculty members.
“JSU’s membership in the National Academy of Inventors has been pivotal in empowering them to transform ideas into solutions for societal impact,” Campbell remarked. This statement underscores JSU’s commitment to practical, impactful research.
JSU: A Legacy of Excellence in Education and Research
Founded in October 1877, JSU has grown to become one of the largest HBCUs in the nation. It currently stands as the fourth-largest university in Mississippi by student enrollment. The institution’s commitment to research is evident in its classification among “R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity.”
