Necrology

Journal of Social Studies Research, Fall 2004

Professor J. Jesse Palmer, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi succumbed to a lengthy battle with cancer on February 12, 2004. He was born in Georgia on June 16, 1950. Palmer received his B.A. in Political Science in 1972 and his M.A. in 1973 from Delta State University. His Ed.D. was earned in Curriculum and Instruction (Social Studies) from Auburn University in 1985.

Prior to becoming a Professor in Curriculum and Instruction at USM, Palmer taught Social Studies in Warren County, Mississippi Public School System. He was also a Social Studies Teacher/Administrative Assistant for Shaw Educational Foundation. His teaching certification was still in effect at the time of his death.

Palmer's scholarly activities included co-author of Mississippi: A Portrait of an American State, "Student Teams Achievement Divisions (STAD) in a Twelfth Grade Classroom;" "The Effect on Student Achievement and Attitude and over 30 other articles in professional journals. He was a contributor and consultant for more than 20 elementary social studies textbooks and teacher editions and he was the co-Author of Mississippi State Activity Book, Grade 4, and Guest Editor for Social Education. Palmer also made scholarly presentations at numerous professional organizational meetings including the National Council for the Social Studies and the Popular Culture Society.

His service included membership in professional organizations National Education Association, Mississippi Association of Educators, National Council for the Social Studies, Mississippi Council for the Social Studies, and the Mississippi Geographic Alliance. He was Associate Editor of The Journal of Social Studies Research, Associate Editor of The Mississippi Journal for the Social Studies, and Editor of MCSS NEWS (Newsletter of the Mississippi Council for the Social Studies). He was also Executive Director for the Mississippi Council for the Social Studies and on the Archives Committee and the Social Education Select Subcommittee of Publications for the National Council for the Social Studies and he was the Past President of the USM Faculty Senate (1998-1999).

His contributions as a social scientist scholar and activist will be greatly missed. He was also a good person, politically active, husband to Dorothy, father to Elizabeth and Jessica, and a Christian. The last few years of his life were particularly dedicated to his church and its mission, both here and internationally.