Expanding Opportunities in Oceanic and Atmospheric Science Conference Jackson State University April 1-3, 2001
Conference Photos
Patricia Durrant HBCU Coordinator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, joined with NOAA and 25 other exhibitors during the Expanding Opportunities in Oceanic and Atmospheric Science Business/Technology Career and Trade Fair. The Fair attracted graduate, undergraduate, and high school students.
Dr. Willie Brown , VP for Information Technology Moderator, Dr. Joyce Payne , Director, Office for the Advancement of Public Black Colleges, NASULGC introduced the speaker. Mr. Clyde Christopher Adjunct Professor of Computer Science provided the grace.	Mr. James Harrington , MU-SPIN Director, was a panelist on increasing access to public resources.
Nora Savage , Postdoctoral Research Associate Howard University	Robert Stockman , NOAA Office of Finance Adminstration, is shown with Gloria Walker , NOAA WXI-EEO Program Manager.
Mrs. Carmella Watkins , National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, NOAA was moderator for the closing plenary session.	Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr., President of Jackson State University, was the Keynote Speaker.
Dr. Linda Hayden with Dr. Matt Gilligan of Savannah State University	National Weather Service Display
Conference Purpose
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in cooperation with Jackson State University (JSU), is organizing the 3rd Expanding Opportunities in Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Conference, to strengthen linkages between the educational and occupational sectors in marine and atmospheric fields. The focus is on building sustainable alliances with the Historically Black and other Minority Serving Colleges and Universities (HBMSCUs).
Featured Speakers
Evelyn J. Fields Rear Admiral Evelyn J. Fields is the Director of the Office of Marine Aviation Operations and Director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. Her appointment was approved by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate on May 6, 1999. Admiral Fields is the first woman and the first African American to serve in this position. Thad Cochran Hon. Thad Cochran is the three-term senior United States Senator in 1978. He chairs Appropriations and National Security Subcommittees in the Senate, and he is a member of the Agriculture and Rules Committees. DeLois A. Cutter DeLois A. Cutter is a native of Eldorado, Arkansas and a graduate of Grambing State University. Ms. Cutter has held a number of executive management positions with major corporations such as Control Data Corporation and Progressive Insurance Companies, and presently owns her own business, Tal-Cut Company, providing personnel, information technology, engineering, and telecommunications services to clients. D. Jay Grimes Darrell Jay Grimes, Ph.D. is dean of the College of Marine Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi, and directs the University's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Harvey Johnson, Jr. Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. is the first African-American mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, first elected in June 1997. He was born in the river city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he attended public school and graduated from Temple High School. He received his bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University and his master's degree from the University of Cincinnati, both in political science. Ronald Mason, Jr. Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr. is the president of Jackson State University. Dr. Mason founded and served as Executive Director of the Tulane-Xavier Center in New Orleans, where he coordinated the two universites' extensive involvement in public housing, economic development, and public education. N. Joyce Payne Dr. N. Joyce Payne is Director of the Office for the Advancement of Public Black Colleges, an information and advocacy office that represents 35 of the nation's largest and most prestigious historically black public colleges and universites. Bennie G. Thompson Hon. Bennie G. Thompson began his political career more than 32 years ago, winning his first elected office as Alderman in his hometown of Bolton, MS. He subsequently served as mayor of Bolton and Supervisor of Hinds County District Two, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election in 1993, and represents the state's Second Congressional District. Margaret S. Leinen Dr. Margaret S. Leinen was appointed Assistant Director for Geosciences at the National Science Foundation effective January 10, 2000. In addition to her responsibilities as the Assistant Director, Dr. Leinen is responsible for coordinating environmental science, engineering and education programs within the National Science Foundation.
Workshops/Tracks
Academia - Public and private Achieving Educational and Occupational Goals Investing in Building Capacity Private Sector - Non-Profit and For-Profit Building Mutually Beneficial Partnerships Converging Business and Academic Practices Public Sector - Government agencies Increasing Access to Public Resources Sustaining Linkages in Sustained Social and Economic Development Student - Pre-college to graduate levels Creating Paths to Success in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Becoming a Professional in the Marine and Atmospheric Sciences
Related Links
http://www.noaa.gov http://ccaix.jsums.edu/noaa/
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