[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E198-E199]
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
Tuesday, February 23, 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, N.C., 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 N.C. 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
year-long 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 N.C. 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 & Student Services at Morehouse
College (2009-2013), where he
[[Page E199]]
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 & 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 (N.C.) 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 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), 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.
____________________