BancorpSouth CEO visits, calls JSU technological expertise ‘fantastic’

BancorpSouth CEO visits, calls JSU technological expertise ‘fantastic’

(Jackson, Miss.) James “Dan” Rollins III, CEO of BancorpSouth, toured the Jackson State University campus on Wednesday, learning firsthand how the school became a cutting-edge business and technology leader.

“It was fantastic,” Rollins said about the tour, guided by JSU President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers.

The top executive of the financial institution that controls $13 billion in assets met with Meyers, Dr. James C. Renick, provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Mary M. White, interim vice president for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Ramin Maysami, dean of the College of Business, and other university leaders and was shown the university’s business and technological know how.

Included were visits to the INNOVATE and CREATE centers, as well as the College of Business’ state-of-the-art stock market trading room, along with an explanation by Dr. Robert Blaine, dean of Undergraduate Studies and CyberLearning, about how JSU came to become one of only a handful of Apple Distinguished Schools and a world technology leader.

“It was very educational,” Rollins said.

The visit could pay dividends in the future.

“We’re looking to build a relationship, to help build staff for us,” Rollins said. “We need future leaders in our company.

BancorpSouth, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Tupelo, Miss. BancorpSouth Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BancorpSouth, Inc., operates 292 commercial banking, mortgage and insurance locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.

– JSU –

About Jackson State University: Challenging Minds, Changing Lives

Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically black, “high research activity” university located in Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. Jackson State’s nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippi’s Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, technological, health-care and educational initiatives. Jackson State, with seven satellite locations, is the only comprehensive public university in the metropolitan area. 

Contact: Olivia S. Goodheart, director, public relations, 601.979.1483, olivia.s.goodheart@jsums.edu

Jim Ewing, media specialist, 601.979.2950, james.h.ewing@jsums.edu

Photo cutline: Jackson State University President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers gives James “Dan” Rollins III, CEO of BancorpSouth, a tour of the campus Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.