Three with Jax State ties named 100 Centennial Scholars by the Graduate School at the University of Alabama

12/17/2024

By Brett Buckner 

As part of its centennial celebration, The University of Alabama Graduate School has recognized 100 master’s and doctoral alumni who continue to “bring distinction to the Capstone and their academic programs through their many professional accomplishments,” according to the graduate school’s website. Among Graduate Centennial Scholars, two, Dr. Eric Mackey and Dr. Greg Robinson, are Jax State alumni, and another is retired Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Rebecca Turner. 

Dr. Mackey graduated from Jax State in 2001 with a bachelor’s in general science education. He has served as Alabama State Superintendent of Education EdD in Instructional Leadership, 2001. He has served as the Alabama State Superintendent of Education since 2018, where he works to build connections between education and external partners. He is currently a member of more than 30 boards, including the Southern Regional Education Board, Alabama Public School and College Authority and Retirement Systems of Alabama.  

Dr. Robinson graduated from Jax State in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He is a synthetic inorganic chemist and a member of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the most prestigious honors a scientist can earn. Dr. Robinson has also received the Humboldt Research Award, the American Chemical Society’s F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, the National Science Foundation’s Award for Special Creativity, the Percy L. Julian Award of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, the Herty Medal, the Southern Chemist’s Award and the SEC Faculty Achievement Award.  

Dr. Turner spent eight years as a social worker before accepting a position as a faculty member at Jacksonville State University, rising through the ranks there to serve as department head of Sociology and Social Work and then Vice President and Provost from 2002 until her retirement in 2019. Her career there spanned 38 years, where she was Jax State’s first female vice president, overseeing the addition of multiple academic programs, including the Jax State’s first doctoral degrees. 

Dr. Turner received her master’s degree in social work in 1976, followed by her doctorate in 1990. She viewed the honor as an acknowledgment of the more than 40 years she dedicated to social work and higher education. “I am proud of the graduate education I received at the University of Alabama, which formed the foundation on which to build my careers in social work and higher education,” she said. “As a first-generation college student, I am the first to say that education made a difference in the purpose and quality of my life. I am grateful for my education and grateful for this honor from the University of Alabama.” Dr. Turner was especially proud to share the distinction with Jax State alumni Dr. Mackey and Dr. Robinson. “They have distinguished themselves in their fields and brought honor to the university,” she said. “I like to think that their JSU education provided a firm footing on which they built graduate education and successful career paths. Their accomplishments are impressive and this recognition of them is well-deserved.” Graduate Centennial Scholars were selected through a collaborative process between UA’s academic colleges and schools and Graduate School.