Columbus celebrates native, JSU President with fundraiser
More than 300 people attend the First Mother's Tea in Columbus.
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Fascinators, pearls, elegant dresses, and well-tailored suits.
That’s how Mississippians celebrated the Columbus native and recently appointed Jackson State University President, Dr. Denise Jones Gregory.
Hundreds came together earlier this week for the First Mother’s Tea, recognizing the president’s past and present impact on JSU’s campus and preparing for its future.
The event raised funds for her upcoming presidential inauguration while also honoring the legacy of her mother, Linda Irby Jones.
Irby Jones was an educator in Columbus for over thirty years.
“(The purpose of the event) is to celebrate (Dr. Jones Gregory) … the funds (will) go towards scholarships, go towards service, everything to help Jackson State University and her inauguration,” said Denise Jones Woody, triplet sister of Jones Gregory.
“That’s the biggest goal … is having resources and opportunities for our students, to be able to make connections for those kids so they will be able to have better opportunities than what we have had,” said DeWanda Jones Nelson, triplet sister of Jones Gregory.
Event organizers said they raised more than $56,000 for the inauguration of Jones Gregory.
