Dr. Lewis Nobles, former President of Mississippi College, passed away this weekend.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070527/NEWS/705270385/1001/news
He was another man whose talents were overcome by his personal flaws. I had the luck of interviewing him for the school newspaper when I was a student at Mississippi College. I spent an hour with him and learned quite a bit of information about him. It is forgotten that Dr. Nobles was a brilliant chemist. He held several patents, including the one for the gel formula that is used in all toothpastes, shaving creams, and other gel-based products (he worked on the team that invented the formula). He was the Dean of the Pharmacy School at Ole Miss. He even kept a lab for some time at MC and even after becoming President, he would go "putter" around in his lab one afternoon a week. He had impeccable academic credentials and was a true genius.
Although he was very nice and professional in the interview, one thing I did notice was that he never would look me in the eye. During the entire interview, he always looked away from me. At the time, I thought it was odd and several people told me he was like that when I commented on it to them. Then two years later, the scandals exploded at MC and then much fell into place. What happened since then is well known to everyone in Jackson. Its a shame that this had to happen and that whatever demons possessed him drove him so.
On one hand, I look at his life and am saddened by his fall. I take no pleasure at all in what happened to him. However, as an MC alumnus, I still carry anger towards what he did to my school. I think Dr. Nobles was President for far too long. MC had become ossified. The administration was made up of people who had been there for what seemed to be forever and had tenures dating back to the early 70's. There had been no new buildings built for some time. There had been no major endowment drives . There was no pre-registration for the fall semester even though this was the standard operating procedure at colleges and universities for years. It seemed MC was always behind when it came to technology and student services. Some of the dorms were in pretty bad shape. The business school did not even have intern/externships for its students. Then there was the double standard. Some of you will remember these oldies but goodies. The no smoking rule for women only. The curfew for women that was non-existent for men. Its hard to believe that this rules were in effect until the mid-90's when Dr. Todd assumed office.
However, the faculty was awesome. I am still friends with some of my teachers. They were dedicated and truly committed to teaching us and pushing us in the classroom. However, for a very long time, they were poorly paid (which made me admire them even more) and given little in the way of benefits. I remember one professor of mine telling me that even though she had been there for over ten years, she only made $27,000 a year teaching a full-time load. She told me if she earned her PhD, it would mean at the most a $5,000 a year raise. I remember the cars in the faculty parking as usually being older, cheaper cars and shaking my head at the unfairness of it. Those faculty members were truly dedicated to their jobs and are the main reason I do not share the sentiments of those who are praising him in some of the news stories. Every time I read a word of praise about him, I think of the $3 million he stole and the professors trying to scrape by on crumbs while trying to feed their families and constantly being told there was no money for anything. I think of the poor health insurance plans they were given by the Nobles Adminstration. Imagine being 45 years old with a PhD and trying to support a family on less than $40,000 a year while the President is stealing millions.
I remember the football scandals that wrecked our athletic program and how Dr. Nobles bore repsonsibility for a good part of them. We were the only team in NCAA history to be stripped of its national championship. The emphasis at MC during his tenure was football. He fired our coach and treated him pretty shabbily, thus incurring the suspicion that the Coach had turned in MC to the NCAA as revenge. As small a campus and as heavily involved as the administration was in the number of illegal scholarships and other practices, Dr. Nobles ultimately bears a good deal of responsibility for MC going on probation and the surrounding controversy.
I am sad that Dr. Nobles has passed away. He did mean something good to alot of people and is obviously missed by more than a few. I would call his life a tragedy as I would any life that is filled with such promise and talent but takes such a wrong turn. I have no idea why he went down the path that he did. Others have a much better idea, of that I am sure. Here is to hoping he finally made peace with his maker and sought comfort in the arms of our father, whose capacity for forgiveness knows no bounds.
PS) on a sidenote, once again, the Clarion-Ledger gets it wrong. He did not try to commit suicide with cyanide. They reported it was strychnine at the time. I guess they are too lazy to read their own news stories.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Dr. Lewis Nobles died yesterday.
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Trollfest '09
Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.
Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).
Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.
Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".
In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.
In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.
Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.
Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!
This is definitely a Beaver production.
Note: Security provided by INS.
Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).
Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.
Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".
In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.
In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.
Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.
Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!
This is definitely a Beaver production.
Note: Security provided by INS.
Trollfest '07
Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.
There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.
If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!
This is definitely a Beaver production.
Note: Security provided by INS.
There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.
If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!
This is definitely a Beaver production.
Note: Security provided by INS.
4 comments:
Excellent analysis and perspective.
A hint: if you place commas between your tags you will get more hits from google.
Oh, it's also good to see another Christian blogger. I haven't talked about it much, but I may add a regular reflection piece or something for Sunday mornings.
Peace.
I attended MC in 1961. At the time, women could not smoke, drink or own a deck of playing cards. I had a weekend party at my house and Dean Rouse found out that we danced and about 25 girls were put on social restriction for 2 weeks. By the way, my parents were at home during the party. The girls were signed out to my house for the weekend. When I transferred to Southern after my sophomore year, Dean Rouse told me I would go to Hell if I went to Southern. I went to Clinton High School. At that time, MC ruled the town. We could not have dances hence no proms for us. We had to attend prayer meeting on Wednesday night and if we were on campus we had to attend Church on Sunday morning and night. That time was so long ago. i have friends and family members who are still affected by their rules and regulations. I know it has changed and that is good. And it should be noted that I don't think I am going to Hell. At least, I am trying not to.
When I was a student at Hinds Jr. College, I heard a couple of my English professors talking about the traffic death of Dr. Nobles' daughter who the weekend before had been hit by a car while on her bicycle. Both of these professors had attended MC, ad did many who graduated from Hinds. Looking back, I think maybe Dr. Nobles never got over that.
And speaking of double standards, when I was at Hinds (Class of 1974), girls did have a curfew but boys did not, and I never understood how there wasn't a lawsuit over that. I don't know how it is now, but it wasn't fair.
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