Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Dec. 13, 2024 – The former president of the Arkansas State University System Foundation, Philip Jackson, died Wednesday after an extended battle with ALS.
According to a news release from the foundation, Jackson joined the ASU System Foundation in 1985, became controller in 1994, and then chief financial officer in 2012. He was promoted to president in 2015 and served until his retirement for health reasons in 2022.
Jackson was succeeded by Nicole Frey.
“We were all so filled up by his unconditional positive regard and that will carry us the rest of the way. He met us where we were without judgment. He could identify with our broken places and soothed them with his kindness, caring and love,” his wife, Lisa Melton Jackson, said in a Facebook post.
The ASU System Board of Trustees approved a resolution in December 2022 honoring Jackson “for his countless contributions to the Arkansas State University System, in deep gratitude for his legacy of wise and generous counsel and untiring efforts on behalf of the University and the Arkansas State University System Foundation.”
“We extend our sympathy to his wife, Lisa, the rest of their family, and his many friends and colleagues,” the news release read.
Jackson battled ALS and raised awareness and funds for research.
In honor of Jackson and his wife, the ASU System Foundation created an endowment called the Philip and Lisa Melton Jackson Endowment that supports the music program at A-State, specifically guitar.
A memorial service will be held Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, located at 710 Southwest Drive.
In addition, the clock tower of the Dean B. Ellis Library at A-State will be darkened Jan. 10 in honor of Jackson.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to add comments from Lisa Melton Jackson and to add more information about the memorial service.