Kathy Dunn Jackson, longtime professor at Alabama State University, passed away on May 22. She was 84 years old.
The daughter of two Alabama State University instructors, Dr. Jackson’s educational journey began at the ASU Laboratory High School. After graduating as valedictorian of her class, she enrolled at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in English. She went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in education from Auburn University in Alabama.
In 1964, Dr. Jackson joined the Alabama State University faculty as an instructor of English. She rose through the academic ranks, ultimately becoming a full professor of English. During her long tenure, she had stints as director of the interdisciplinary honors program and chair of the department of humanities. In honor of her outstanding teaching contributions, she received the Prudential Award for Teaching Excellence in 1996. Two years later, she retired from Alabama State University after more than three decades of service.