Ole Miss Black Alumni Reunion hosts walk in memoriam of Jackie Certion
This story was originally reported by News Watch reporter Anna Caroline Barker
This weekend Ole Miss held their annual Black Alumni Reunion filled with various events. This included a walk in memoriam for beloved Jacqueline Certion, who died of natural causes last December at age 48.
“The vibe that she gave off to me was one that my grandmother gives me, so I felt very comfortable talking to her and opening up to her and just letting her be there to give me advice,” one event participant said.
Certion served as Assistant Director of Fast Track and is remembered as a tireless advocate for Ole Miss students and a beacon of hope for many.
“She was my school mom as I loved to call her,” Ole Miss Alumni Alisha Nicks West said. “I worked here with her my entire time being in school where she let me be her assistant.”
Certion spent decades at The University of Mississippi and left lasting impacts on many of her former students who still cannot believe she is gone.
“She was a mentor, she was a mom, she was a sister, she was a friend and she gave love to everyone she came in contact with,” West said.
Friends, colleagues, and former students walked on campus together this past Saturday morning to honor Jackie, reminiscing on the positivity she implemented in their lives.
“Jackie we miss you, we love you and we know that you are smiling down on us. To God be the glory for all that he has done,” a close friend of Certion, Earlin Nicks said.
Jaqueline Certion will always be remembered as one of the brightest lights to walk on campus.