5/5/2023 - Jackson, Miss.

Trustee Bruce Martin, incoming Vice President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning recognized the leadership of outgoing President Tom Duff at the meeting of the IHL Board of Trustees held April 20 in Jackson.

Trustee Martin praised Trustee Duff's excellent leadership and acknowledged the tremendous impact Trustee Duff has in Mississippi as a business leader and generous benefactor. "The force that you are in the economy of this state and our universities is admirable," said Trustee Martin. "We are fortunate to have a leader of your caliber engaged in governing Mississippi's public universities.

Trustee Dr. Alfred E. McNair Jr. will succeed Mr. Duff as the next President taking office on May 8, 2023. Trustee Martin will serve as Vice President during Trustee McNair's term.

"Mississippi's public universities are advancing Mississippi with academic programs to meet workforce needs and research to address our state's most pressing concerns," said Dr. McNair. "Trustee Duff's wisdom and commitment to our universities is an inspiration. I look forward to his continued counsel as I begin serving as President in May."

Dr. McNair and Mr. Duff were both appointed to the Board by Governor Phil Bryant in May 2015 to represent the Second (Southern) Supreme Court District for a term to expire May 7, 2024.

"These are challenging times in higher education," said Trustee Duff. "I am proud of the way our university leaders, faculty and staff are adapting and maintaining the quality academic and research programs that our students need and deserve. Because of their efforts thousands of students will graduate and launch careers in our state and beyond. I am confident Mississippi public universities have prepared them well for a bright future."

Mississippi public universities served 87,775 students and awarded 19,861 degrees in Academic Year 2022. Over the past five years, there has been an 8.8 percent increase in degrees awarded and a 19.7 percent increase in the numbers of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) graduates.

Mr. Duff is a resident of Hattiesburg and is co-owner, along with his brother Jim, of Duff Capital Investors, the largest private business in Mississippi. In 1980, Mr. Duff received his bachelor's degree in business from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2012, in recognition of Jim and Tom Duff's significant contributions, the University of Southern Mississippi named its athletic center 'The Jim and Tom Duff Athletic Center.' The center is located on the north end of Roberts Stadium and houses the football players locker room, weight training area, and coaches' offices. The University of Mississippi also honored the Duffs' contributions with the naming of 'The Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation.'

Mr. Duff serves on the advisory board of Trustmark National Bank and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is the father of two children and four grandchildren.

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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