Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Dr. Billy M. Jones Takes Reins As MSU President 26 Academics

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IH I 111 ' ! :l Jill I III 111 i , ■Jot Academics 25

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Dr. and Mrs. Jones with their sons, Rusty, 17 (left), and Scotty, 14. Dr. Billy M. Jones assumed office as Memphis State University ' s seventh president on Sept. 1, 1973. Dr. Jones said he believes the educational trends of today are heading away from small regional universities toward large urban ones. He added that MSU and the Mid- South are entering a period of great expansion. Attempting to prepare MSU to meet the needs of an expanding metropolitan area, Dr. Jones and several of his staff members traveled throughout Tennessee studying the problems and solutions used by other large universities in similar situations. He hoped that by doing so, he could help MSU meet the needs of the Mid-South. Dr. Jones said we are fortunate to be at MSU when dramatic changes are taking place in higher education. This institution has been growing by leaps and bounds and has ex- panded to a university of major pro- portion, he said. And it seems I have joined a faculty and adminis- trative team that is committed to producing a university, not only major in numerical size, but also in every literal sense of the term, par- ticularly in academic programming. Dr. Jones said he was impressed with the MSU students he had en- countered who showed behavior typical of Southern culture and gen- tility. The half-time presentation during the MSU-Louisville football game was indicative of the warmth and cordiality he had received. There is such a wealth of friendli- ness that overshadows everything else, he said. Dr. Jones added he enjoyed work- ing with students, especially as an instructor. So long as goodwill and trust exist between us, it is a tremen- dous blessing to work with young people, he said. Dr. Jones brought to MSU a wealth of administrative and teaching ex- perience. He was president of South- west Texas University from 1969 until he came to MSU. Before going to Southwest, he spent seven years as dean of students at Angelo State University in Texas, where he had also served as professor and chair- man of the History Department and as director of curriculum develop- ment. While at Angelo State in 1967 Dr. Jones was selected as the outstand- ing teacher in Texas colleges and universities. He received his Ph.D. in 1963. Academics 27