[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E60-E61]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING DR. WILLIAM B. BYNUM, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 28, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
William B. Bynum, Jr., a 25-year higher education professional, who was 
unanimously selected to be the 7th President of Mississippi Valley 
State University (MVSU) by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher 
Learning Board on October 8, 2013 and he began his presidency at ``The 
Valley'' on November 6, 2013.
  A native of Rocky Mount, NC, Dr. Bynum earned his Bachelor of Arts 
degree in Sociology from Davidson College while on a student-athlete 
scholarship. While at Davidson, he also minored in Education and passed 
the National Teachers Exam. He was subsequently licensed and certified 
to teach Social Studies and Math in North Carolina and Georgia. Dr. 
Bynum went on to earn his masters and Ph.D. in Sociology from Duke 
University while serving as a Duke Endowment Fellow. Dr. Bynum was also 
a member of the inaugural class of the NAFEO-Kellogg Leadership Fellows 
Program, a yearlong program specifically designed to train the next 
generation of presidents/chancellors for minority serving institutions, 
which was led by then NAFEO president--Dr. Frederick Humphries; NAFEO 
chairman--Dr. Joe Johnson, and executive director--Dr. Arthur Thomas. 
As part of the program, Dr. Bynum ``shadowed'' Dr. Harold Martin, then 
chancellor of Winston-Salem State University and now chancellor of NC 
A&T State University.
  As the 7th President, Dr. Bynum's vision for the University is to 
uplift 6 powerful words that are already deeply rooted in ``The 
Valley'' culture. The vision is: ONE GOAL. ONE TEAM. ONE VALLEY. The 
ONE GOAL is Student Success (increased enrollment, retention and 
graduation; holistic student development and career advancement); The 
ONE TEAM is University and Community Stakeholders Working Together; And 
the ONE VALLEY is students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends actively 
demonstrating School Pride and Spirituality that is second to none!
  Prior to his appointment at MVSU, Dr. Bynum served as the Vice 
President for Enrollment Management and Student Services at Morehouse 
College (2009-2013), where he was mentored by Morehouse's 10th 
president, Dr. Robert Michael Franklin. While serving at Morehouse, Dr. 
Bynum significantly enhanced student-administration relations, improved 
the efficiency and effectiveness of student services, started, 
envisioned and led the initiative which established the Parents Council 
and implemented the nationally acclaimed Morehouse ``Appropriate Attire 
Policy.''
  Prior to Morehouse, Dr. Bynum served as the Vice President for 
Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (2000-2009) at The Lincoln 
University (PA). During his nine years of service, he was successful in 
nearly doubling Lincoln's enrollment and recruited the 4 largest new 
student classes (900+) in the University's 150-year history. Dr. Bynum 
also led the Board-approved Student Enhancement Initiative, which 
entailed elevating Lincoln from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II 
athletics, reactivated Lincoln's membership in the Central 
Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference, returned 
football to the campus after a 40-year absence and started the 
University's first marching band program: ``The Orange Crush.'' At 
Lincoln, Dr. Bynum was mentored by Dr. Ivory Nelson, the University's 
12th president, who garnered over $200 million in capital construction 
to transform the campus physical plant.
  Prior to LU, Dr. Bynum served as the Associate Vice President and 
Dean of Students at Clark Atlanta University (1993-2000), and he was 
the number 2 person in the division that recruited the 4 largest 
classes (1500+) in the then 125-year history of CAU. While at CAU, Dr. 
Bynum was mentored by and developed strong strategic planning and 
assessment skills from Dr. Doris Walker Weathers. During his CAU days, 
Dr. Bynum was nicknamed ``Bye-Bye Bynum'' for his no-nonsense approach 
to judicial affairs and enhancing the campus culture and environment.
  In addition to his enrollment management and student affairs work, 
Dr. Bynum has lectured and/or taught as well. He served as the 
Covington Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Davidson and at 
Morehouse, he was an adjunct professor in the Leadership Studies 
program and Sociology department. Dr. Bynum's other professional 
experience includes research and teaching positions at the Georgia 
Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Duke University and Durham and 
Edgecombe Community Colleges. He started his educational career as a 
teacher, football and wrestling coach in the Rocky Mount (NC) City 
School System (1984-87) and the Dekalb County (GA) School System (1987-
88). Dr. Bynum has represented his institutions in numerous external 
programs and at professional conferences, while serving as a presenter 
or moderator. He has authored refereed articles in professional 
journals and presented papers with academic and social themes. Trained 
as

[[Page E61]]

a Quantitative Sociologist, Dr. Bynum still remains active in research 
and teaching. His research and teaching interests center around: (1) 
Black Church Studies; (2) Race, Gender and Ethnicity; and (3) 
Organizations, Markets and Work.
  His publications include: A co-authored article with Duke colleagues 
in the sociology journal Social Forces entitled ``Race and Formal 
Volunteering''; A chapter entitled ``The Black Church in America: 
Demography and Current Trends'' in the book: Exploring The African 
American Experience (3rd edition); and a short story entitled ``For the 
Love of J-Ski'' in the NASPA produced book: Stories of Inspiration: 
Lessons and Laughter in Student Affairs. Dr. Bynum is a member of 
Omicron Delta Kappa, Chi Alpha Epsilon and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, 
Inc.
  A God-loving, God-fearing man, he is married to Deborah Elaine Bynum, 
a manager and 34-year employee with AT&T Mobility Services, and they 
are the proud parents of six children--Tyrone (a student at Georgia 
State University), Tyler (a student-athlete graduate of Truett-
McConnell College), Chelsea (a student at Clark Atlanta University and 
Army Reservist), Zack (a student at Morehouse College), and Jordan and 
Jazz (both of whom are Atlanta public high school students).
  Dr. Bynum's personal and professional motto is ``Look back and thank 
God. Look forward and trust God. Look around and serve God. Look within 
and find God.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. 
William B. Bynum, Jr., a teacher, professional and educator for his 
contribution to serving others and giving back to the African American 
community.

                          ____________________