News and Events - The Legacy of Dr. William A. Meehan

Board of Trustees Renames Stadium Towers as "Meehan Hall"
During the final Board of Trustees meeting of his 16-year presidency, the trustees surprised Dr. Meehan on April 20, 2015 by renaming Stadium Towers residence Hall as "William A. Meehan Hall." The JSU Foundation has also established a scholarship in his name.

Delta Chi Recognizes Meehan
JSU's chapter of Delta Chi fraternity honored Dr. William A. Meehan with a proclamation from the Governor of Alabama on April 14, 2015, at the Delta Chi Fraternity House on campus. As an undergraduate at JSU in the 1960s, Meehan was one of the first members of Delta Chi. He is also a former advisor for the fraternity.

Faculty Senate Honors President Meehan
JSU's Faculty Senate planted an oak tree and installed a bench in front of Bibb Graves Hall in honor of President Bill Meehan on April 13, 2015. Faculty, staff, students and trustees gathered to recognize Meehan - a former biology professor and nature enthusiast - with a living memorial of his JSU legacy. Learn more.

Community Joins Campus in Celebrating Meehan's Retirement
More than 1,000 JSU faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends gathered on campus April 3, 2015 to pay tribute to President Bill Meehan at his official retirement celebration. Learn more

Meehan Named Jacksonville's Citizen of the Year
Jvillenewscitizen The Jacksonville News honored President Bill Meehan as the city's Citizen of the Year in January 2015. For 47 years, Meehan has been an active and valuable member of the local community. He is currently active in the Exchange Club and Rotary Club and has served on the Board of Directors for United Way of East Central Alabama, Anniston Museum of Natural History, and the Calhoun and Etowah County Chambers of Commerce. He and his wife, Beth, team-teach with two other couples a youth Sunday school class for grades 7-12 at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. Over the years, Meehan has also served on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Partnership for Children, chaired the Calhoun County Relay for Life and Heart Walk, chaired the Friends of Scouting campaign for the Choccolocco District of the Boy Scouts of America, served on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the East Alabama Metropolitan Planning Organization, served on the Board of Directors for the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, co-chaired with Anniston Mayor Chip Howell the 2003 Jimmy Carter Work Project and Habitat for Humanity, and served on the advisory board for the Knox Concert Series. Learn more about Meehan's contributions to the community here.

Gadsden/Etowah County Chamber Honors Meehan

President Bill Meehan was recently honored with a Legacy Award from the Gadsden/Etowah County Chamber of Commerce for his service to the community. As JSU president for the past 16 years, he has worked to bridge the town and gown divide not only in the City of Jacksonville, but also in Etowah County and beyond. Under his leadership, the university partnered with Gadsden State Community College to create the FUSION! program - giving GSCC students the opportunity to seamlessly transfer into JSU to pursue bachelor’s degrees. The two institutions also partnered to construct the Joe M. Ford Center for Economic Development on the campus of Gadsden State in 2002. Meehan serves on the Board of Directors for the Gadsden/Etowah County Chamber, which also honored him with the Bobby L. Austin Community Impact Award in 2008.

JSU Alumni Association Recognizes Meehans

The JSU National Alumni Association honored Dr. and Mrs. Meehan with a resolution in appreciation of their support throughout his presidency. The Meehans were surprised on the field during the 2014 Homecoming Game in November, when the past presidents and officers of the Alumni Association presented them with a framed resolution.