The Clarke County Chamber of Commerce will be having their annual Chamber Banquet on January 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church in Quitman. Each year they bring in a special guest speaker for the event.
This year, they are pleased to have Dr. Jesse R. Smith attend as the guest speaker and are thrilled to introduce him to the community.
Rarely is a person afforded the opportunity to serve as the president of his alma mater. However, in 2006, Dr. Jesse R. Smith was presented with this type of unique challenge as he became the fifth president of Jones College. Located in South Mississippi, the Ellisville campus is just a few miles from Smith’s childhood home. His diverse interests served him well at Jones as Smith attended on both athletic and music scholarships. While at Jones, he was a member of the football team and the concert choir. It was also at Jones that Smith met his future wife, Jennifer Scrimpshire, who was a Bobcat cheerleader.
After graduating from Jones, Smith furthered his education at the University of Mississippi where he earned both his bachelor's and master’s degrees in business administration. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. Following a brief stint in the public business sector, Smith returned home to Jones College. In his 28 years at the college, Smith has held positions as a business instructor, academic dean, dean of instructional affairs, and dean of the college. For the past 16 years, he has served as president of the institution.
Dr. Smith’s upbringing and professional career have been marked by a diverse range of experiences. Growing up on a farm that produced various crops and livestock, he gained an appreciation for hard work and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. Later, he ventured into the world of finance as a stockbroker, honing his skills in analysis and risk management. His passions for music and performance led him to pursue a career as an opera singer, demonstrating his artistic skill and dedication to excellence. Smith also applied his skills to the field of offshore oil drilling, where he learned to manage complex operations and navigate challenging environments. Finally, he served as a financial manager for a construction firm, developing his business acumen and expertise in financial planning. Dr. Smith’s diverse experiences have equipped him with a broad range of skills and perspectives, making him a well-rounded and versatile professional.
On a personal note, Smith and his wife, Jennifer, live on campus and are the proud parents of Conner, who is attending Mississippi State University pursuing a Mechanical Engineering Degree, and Mary Kate, an MBA graduate working for the University of Mississippi.
