By Jeff Wilson
CARBONDALE – John and Nancy Jackson’s names are synonymous with education and service around Southern Illinois University and the city of Carbondale. On Thursday, Nov. 7, they were honored with the naming of the John and Nancy Jackson Lobby at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
“SIU and Carbondale have been good to me and my family for over five decades,” John Jackson said. “This is especially gratifying because it connects us in a very tangible way to Paul and Jeanne Simon. I’m proud to be associated with those two. He and Jeanne were two of the very finest people and public servants I have ever known.”
John and Nancy Jackson have shown unwavering dedication to the university and the Carbondale community for more than 50 years. In 2002, the couple was named Carbondale Citizens of the Year.
“This is a big occasion and long overdue,” said Chancellor Austin Lane. “When John and Nancy’s names came up, it was clear this is something we had to make happen.”
Dr. John Jackson first came to Southern in 1969 as a lecturer. He has served the university in many capacities, including interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and associate dean and acting dean of the graduate school. He also served as visiting professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and edited “Southern Illinois at 150 Years: Growth, Accomplishments, and Challenges,” which details the history of the region and university.
“The institute clearly wouldn’t have happened without Paul Simon … but there is, in my opinion, unquestionably one key person that was involved on the front and the backend and the middle and to this day, and that’s John Jackson,” said Brad Cole, CEO of the Illinois Municipal League and former Carbondale mayor.
Nancy Jackson earned her master’s degree in elementary education from Southern in 1982. She taught for many years in the Carbondale Public School system, focusing largely on reading. She spearheaded the “Book in Every Home” program on the SIU Carbondale campus, which collects books to provide to local children. Through the program, tens of thousands of books have been donated.
“As I was thinking about Dr. Jackson and Nancy and why we are doing this today, one word came to mind and it’s ‘service,’” said SIU System President Dan Mahony. “When we name something after someone, we hope to inspire others.”
The Jacksons and others have combined to contribute more than $50,000 to endow the John S. and Nancy Jackson Scholarship Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships to political science students in the College of Liberal Arts. To donate to that fund in honor of the Jacksons, visit siuf.org/give and search for “John S. and Nancy Jackson Scholarship” in the designation menu.
“John and Nancy, thank you for what you have done in the past and what you continue to do,” said Phil Gilbert, chair of the SIU Board of Trustees. “This university is a better place because of your contribution here.”