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Maryville College sophomore is vice mayor of Greenback
March 30, 2010
Contact: Annie Standridge, Communications Assistant
865.981.8085; annie.standridge@my.maryvillecollege.edu
At 19 years of age, Samuel Jackson already excels at college-level and small-town politics. The Maryville College sophomore leads his college community as class senator and his hometown community as vice mayor of Greenback, Tenn.
“It has been such a learning process,” said Jackson, who is, fittingly, majoring in political science.
“Along with being a conscientious student, he brings insight from his experience in Maryville College's Student Government Association and a perspective that none of the students have, which is based on his position as vice mayor of Greenback,” said Dr. Frances Henderson, assistant professor of political science at Maryville College and Jackson's advisor. “Often, Sam is able to provide examples or anecdotes with regard to the daily workings of political structures and institutions based on his knowledge of the processes as they occur in local government.
“His connections between political course content and real-life political processes are invaluable in class,” she added.
Jackson began his political career in the summer of 2008, soon after graduating from Greenback High School. Greenback Mayor Thomas Peeler was aware of Jackson's interest in pursuing political science at an undergraduate level, so he contacted him about the opening of the vice mayor position, which Peeler thought would be good experience.
Greenback's governing body appointed Jackson to finish the term of the last alderman who moved out of the city. Jackson quickly felt the tug of responsibility.
“People in Greenback take pride in their town, so they want to make sure everything is running the way it should,” he commented.
In November 2008, Jackson was elected alderman, and in March 2009, while he was mid-way through his second semester at the College, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen and Alderwomen appointed him vice mayor. Jackson's term lasts four years, and he will be in office until 2012.
“I never thought I would be a vice mayor of a city, let alone a councilman at 18. It is an interesting ride because you are trying to please people you have known since birth,” said Jackson. “It's interesting to step up from being one of the native sons of Greenback to being one of the leaders of the city.”
Jackson often works on his mayoral responsibilities from his room on campus. He contacts Mayor Peeler every week, helps organize the city's priorities and decides what needs to be implemented. He makes the 15-minute commute to his hometown regularly, meeting monthly with fellow aldermen. The vice mayor took over some added responsibilities when the mayor suffered some minor health problems.
Jackson also communicates with Senator Bob Corker and Congressman Jimmy Duncan. He works most frequently with Representative Jimmy Matlock.
“He and I share similar views for the city of Greenback,” Jackson said of Matlock.
Regardless of his workload as vice mayor, the full-time student recognizes that school is also a priority for him.
“It's all in moderation. Education is definitely first for me, but my job is right up there with it. To be a fair representative at Greenback, I can't spread myself too thin,” he explained.
Jackson still finds time to lead his Maryville College community, as well. While pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science, he is involved with the College Republicans and Student Government Association, where he serves as a senator and committee chairman of internal affairs. He also serves as a residence assistant in Gamble Hall, an all-male residence hall on campus.
Jackson was accepted into the Highland Leadership Program last year, which provides leadership development for freshmen through one semester of experiential learning, direct instruction and skill application. Upon completing his first year at the College, he earned the “Freshman of the Year” award.
Last fall, President Dr. Gerald Gibson and Vice President and Dean of Students Dr. Jeff Fager approached Jackson about leading a delegation to the Tennessee Intercollegiate Legislature in Nashville. The student delegates met at the state's capital to write bills and take part in a mock general assembly.
Jackson also balances his family with work and education. Helping mother Dawn “Corky” Jackson, who works for the non-profit dog rescue organization Schnauzer Love Rescue, he volunteers by picking up and transporting abandoned schnauzers. His father is Todd Jackson.
Jackson said that his family is very supportive of his achievements.
“[My family members] always say they never expected anything less,” he commented.
In addition to his family, Jackson is grateful for his Greenback community.
“It's amazing to live in a town where you know everybody and everybody knows you, and they're there for you no matter what. That city is something else. We always hope that it stays the gem that it is,” he stated.
Jackson may pursue a master's degree at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, which is close enough to his homestead should he decide to run for office again in 2012
.Maryville College is ideally situated in Maryville, Tenn., between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville, the state‘s third largest city. Founded in 1819, it is the 12th oldest institution of higher learning in the South and maintains an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Known for its academic rigor and its focus on the liberal arts, Maryville is where students come to stretch their minds, stretch themselves and learn how to make a difference in the world. Total enrollment for the fall 2011 semester was 1,078.