OXFORD, Miss. — After more than a decade of defining itself in relation to its charismatic leader, the University of Mississippi will soon be stepping into a new, unknown phase of its history — life after Robert Khayat.
That’s a reality Dr. Dan Jones says he’s sensitive to, as he prepares to step in this summer as Khayat’s all-but-official successor.
“We’ve identified ourselves so strongly with him for so long, it’s going to take time to redefine who we are and what our next strategies should be,” Jones said. “I’ll be encouraging us to have those discussions while we’re still strong and vibrant — to look at what we’ll be in the next five or 10 years.”
Jones called the retiring chancellor a “great friend and great mentor in my life, and not just professionally.”
Jones has worked closely with Khayat from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, which he’s served as vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine for the past six years.
“I’ve learned some from the things he’s told me, but more from just watching him be himself and demonstrate his remarkable leadership skills,” Jones said.
“I’m humbled to consider the possibility of following in his footsteps, and I’ve been grateful for his friendship and support.”
When it comes to the traits the two men share, Jones said he hoped the university community would find in him a similar measure of integrity, character and a care for people.
“But I’m different from him in many ways,” he said. “He is such a strong, charismatic personality, and most people would likely describe me as a quieter leader.” Jones said he would spend the early days of his leadership on campus simply listening and working toward building consensus.
The 60-year-old comes to the top post at Ole Miss through a less traditional route than Khayat, who moved up through the ranks on campus from a professor in the School of Law.
Jones has been with UMC since 1992 as a member of the medical school faculty. In recent years, he’s been active on the national level in health care policy and leadership, serving as president of the American Heart Association from 2007-08.
His career path has not been a planned one, Jones said.
“Almost all of those things have been a surprise to me in my life,” he said. “I’ve been given a lot of opportunities, and I have enjoyed each and every step along the way.”
His willingness to be considered as the next Ole Miss chancellor was also not something he had planned, Jones said.
“Over the last year or two, people approached me about the possibility — when and if Chancellor Khayat retired — of offering myself for service,” he said. “I’m pleased to have had that kind of support, and, of course, humbled to be considered.”
Before joining UMC, Jones along with his wife and two children spent seven years in Korea, where he served as a medical missionary. Today, they live in Hazlehurst.
Jones was born in Morton and raised in Vicksburg. He graduated from Mississippi College in 1971 and earned his medical degree at UMC, where he also completed residency training. He went into private practice in Laurel in 1978.
For most of his career, his patient care, teaching and research activities have focused on hypertension and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
He was the first principal investigator for UMC’s participation in the landmark Jackson Heart Study, a National Institutes of Health-sponsored population study that focused on cardiovascular disease in African Americans.
For Ole Miss, his vision extends far beyond the campus borders, considering ways the university can help address statewide challenges in areas like education, health care and economics.
“As we become stronger, we have a larger opportunity and responsibility to work with the entire state to move Mississippi forward,” he said.
Jones is scheduled to be on campus June 15 for a full day of open interviews with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.
The College Board will make its final decision on Jones’ appointment after receiving this last round of feedback.
State News
Redefining Ole Miss for post-Khayat era
- State News
-
-
MHP on patrol for holiday
Even though there has been a remarkable reduction in the number of fatalities in Mississippi over the past seven years, last year’s Memorial Day Weekend was particularly deadly.
-
Forecasters: 9 to 15 storms this hurricane season
U.S. forecasters predicted Thursday that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season would produce a normal number of about nine to 15 tropical storms.
As many as four to eight of those storms could strengthen into hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s initial outlook for the six-month storm season that officially begins June 1. One to three of those could become major hurricanes with top winds of 111 mph or higher. -
Miss. court sets execution dates for 2 of 3 men
Mississippi will not execute three men on three consecutive days in June, after the state Supreme Court set execution dates a week apart for two men and declined to set a date for a third.
-
New, old law makers tout legislative successes
Four state law makers held a legislative review for members of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce at the newly opened Southern Char restaurant Tuesday night to share with business owners information about new bills and laws that have been passed.
-
Prosecutors: Delay sentencing in hate crime case
Federal prosecutors want to delay the sentencing of three white men who pleaded guilty to hate crime charges stemming from a months-long pattern of harassing blacks that culminated in the fatal rundown of James Craig Anderson.
-
Bryant signs laws affecting students and veterans
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill Wednesday that requires kindergarteners or first-graders to be tested for dyslexia, a reading disorder that can sometimes go undiagnosed for years and leave children struggling to learn.
-
Losing bidder sues over revised bid at state port
A contract dispute has put on hold elevation work at the state port in Gulfport.
The port’s West Pier is being expanded, elevated and updated to house a modern containerized cargo operation. When completed, the pier will include 180 acres elevated for storm-surge protection by 15 feet, to 25 feet above sea level. -
Mom of man in sisters abduction gets new charge
Prosecutors have increased the severity of charges against the mother of a man who abducted two young Tennessee girls after he killed their mother and oldest sister.
-
Sheriff: Gang started prison riot in Mississippi
A gang fight in a prison for illegal immigrants quickly escalated into a riot involving as many as 300 inmates, some lashing out with sticks or homemade knives as the uprising spread through the sprawling prison, a sheriff said.
-
Miss. voter ID bill signed, awaits feds’ scrutiny
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Thursday signed a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, but it’s unclear whether it will become law.
- More State News Headlines
-
MHP on patrol for holiday
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
