The arrest and subsequent resignation of the president of a major Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has rallied Jackson State University’s defenders, but also has sparked criticism of the school.
William Bynum, 57, was arrested over the weekend along with several other people, according to the Clinton, Mississippi, Police Department. Bynum is charged with procuring services of a prostitute, false statement of identity and simple possession of marijuana. He resigned Monday.
Bynum arrived at Jackson State after serving four years as vice president for enrollment management and student services at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
Thomas Hudson has been named acting Jackson State president. His appointment went into effect Monday, the same day as Bynum’s resignation.
»MORE: Jackson State president arrested, resigns after prostitution bust
Jordan Jefferson, president of Jackson State University’s Student Government Association, said the school is “moving forward as one tiger family.
"A wise man once said, stop focusing on what happened and start focusing on what's going to move you forward," Jefferson said, as reported by WFTV. "This is our charge! It is our job as students, faculty, staff, and alumni to continue to remind others why this institution is the 'College of Our Hearts.' "
“Hudson currently serves as special assistant to the president and chief diversity officer for the university,” Jefferson said. “As a Jackson State alum and current staff member, he is well known to many of us and is more than qualified to take on the mantle of president.”
"Students are very upset about the situation," Jefferson told WAPT. "We love Dr. Bynum. He was a great personable person. Very outgoing and was a great person overall, so everybody's sad about the situation."
Jackson State claims the late Walter Payton, one of the NFL’s greatest running backs, as one of its most famous alums.
The university is one of the largest HBCUs in the U.S. and is the fourth-largest university in Mississippi.
Bynum was hired in 2017 by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board as JSU’s president. He also served for four years as president of Mississippi Valley State University. He is married and is the father of six children.
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