Local honored for being lifelong student, teacher

By JAN HOGAN

VIEW STAFF WRITER

Eighty-five-year-old Jack Jefferson grew up when racial discrimination was rampant in the South and in many other areas of the country. He was raised in Oklahoma, where his father was a coal miner, his mother a domestic servant, and money was scarce.

Neither parent had gone past sixth grade and so they urged their son to make something of himself by getting an education.

That encouragement led him on a lifelong endeavour that continues today.

Jefferson earned bachelor's degree at Langston University in Oklahoma ("the only Black college in the whole state") and, in 1937, got his master's in mathematics from the University of Iowa. Eighteen years later, he earned his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. He chose chemistry after displaying a strong affinity in that area.

For 31 years, Jefferson was a chemistry professor at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., continually peppering his lectures with messages of educational importance.

Even retirement couldn't keep him off campus. After moving to Las Vegas in 1985, he joined the Student Development Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and immediately began tutoring students.

Jefferson's many years of service were recently recognized when he was honored with a dinner and commemorative plaque given by Seniors in Action, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping senior citizens stay active.

"My co-worker approached me about what (Jefferson) was doing, and we decided to honor him," said Fredric Manns Jr., the organization's president. "Being active prolongs life and with Mr. Jefferson, still doing what he does --especially at his age -- well, it really impressed me."

Jefferson tutors three times a week and works with students on an individual, as-needed basis -- the only senior Manns knows of who does such work.

"For him to be so sharp at his age is motivational," Mann said. "It shows people that at his age, you can still do things you want to do."

"He just likes to stay involved and be informed," said Jefferson's daughter, Jackie Newton. "He has an interest in that sort of thing. He's constantly keeping up with world events."

He's also keeping up with today's young people, though he feels they are not as focussed as they could be.

"When I first started teaching, all of the students knew they needed an education to get ahead," he said. "Students now don't feel that way. Their heroes are making millions in the NBA (National Basketball Association). We've got to convince them that not one in a million will see a job like that. It's a fairy tale to think that way."

Jefferson said he does tutor some students who are dedicated and determined to better themselves, but wishes there were more of that caliber.

"When I went to college, my parents were as proud as they could be," he said. "I try to convince the students I tutor that learning is a personal thing and if they don't put in the time, they won't learn."