JACKSON, MS, December 12, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Doris O. Ginn, PhD., has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Ginn has established herself as a distinguished scholar in English Composition, English Language History, Pidgin and Creole Language Variations, Bilingualism, English as a Foreign or Second Language, English for Language Learners, and Dialectology. Her stellar, provocative career spans sixty-one years with fifty-five of those years in continuous service at Jackson State University. Upon retiring in May 2024, she made history as the longest serving employee on campus and had been the longest serving faculty in the 147th year history of the University. In 2023, Dr. Ginn was inducted into the Jackson State University (JSU) Faculty Hall of Fame; and, in 2024, was inducted into the Jackson State University National Alumni Association (JSUNAA) Hall of Fame. History also will reflect her service to the Graduate Council of the University as its longest serving member.

During Dr. Ginn's student tenure at Jackson State University, she made family history of "Ginn" degree graduates dating back to 1930. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Language Arts to begin her teaching career in the Jackson Public School System where she sponsored several extracurricular activities that led to school winnings in drama and speaking competitions. She later became Chair of the English Department which allowed her to examine innovative curricula that exposed her to the total concept of Linguistics in the classroom. That awareness ignited a profound interest which led her to advanced study at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.. At Georgetown, Dr. Ginn graduated with a Master of Arts in Linguistics Pedagogy. Upon her return to Jackson, MS, she was invited to join the faculty of Jackson State University. Mrs. Willie Dobbs Blackburn, Chair of the Department of English, wanted Linguistics as part of an academic expansion in her program offerings. That invitation began Dr. Ginn's journey in higher education, professional growth, and academic exposure which further enhanced her quest for a more intense involvement in Linguistics. She took a leave for study to attend the State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York. There, she earned the Ph.D. in Linguistics, returned to Jackson State to write a full curriculum of twenty-four courses establishing for the Department a Master of Arts in Linguistics, making Jackson State University the only University in the State of Mississippi with a Master's in Linguistics. Prior to her advanced degrees, Dr. Ginn completed ancillary studies at the University of Mississippi and the University of Arizona at Tucson, Arizona.

At Jackson State University (JSU), Dr. Ginn held positions as Classroom Teacher, Coordinator of Linguistics, Supervisor of Student Teachers, Interim Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts, Coordinator of Graduate Studies for the Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, Graduate Thesis Chair, Graduate Thesis Committees, Recruiter for the Department and the University, Jackson State University Founders' Day Mistress of Ceremony, Jackson State University Founders' Day Convocations Liturgist for seven occasions, joint faculty service for the Department of English and Mass Communications, Founding Host and Director of the February Annual Black History African American Read-In of the National Council of Teachers of English [NCTE], Linguistics Summer Institute Co-Director, Advisory Board Chair for the JSU Jacob L. Reddix Campus Union; Chair, JSU National Alumni Association Annual Banquet, JSU National Alumni Association Newsletter Associate Editor, and 1st Vice President of the Jackson-Hinds Alumni Association; Search Committee member for JSU College Presidents, Head Librarian, Department Chairs, and general faculty of select departments.

As a native Mississippian from Walthall County in Tylertown, Mississippi, the daughter of Mr. Dewitt Delast and Mrs. Nell Ginn -- both, now deceased, Dr. Ginn excelled as a student graduating as High School Class Valedictorian from a Julius Rosenwald High School, Walthall County Training (WCTS), in the "Ginntown" Community. She was a member of the last graduating class to finish at WCTS before integration and consolidation caused the closure of separate schools. The building of 1920 still stands as "Rosenwald History" and bears the marker designating the school as part of the National Registry of Historic Places. The Community of "Ginntown" is still very vibrant as legacy in her heritage reflecting the name of Isaac Ginn, school founder, c1870's. After moving from Pike County, the "Ginn" ancestors became the largest group of inhabitants to settle in this community they called home; thus, naming it: "Ginntown!"

The career path of Dr. Ginn allowed opportunities for several outstanding exposures and awards. First, would be the opportunity to serve as Visiting Professor in Linguistics at Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana; then, a trip to China as a delegate of Linguistics Educators on a 15-Day mission throughout mainland China to discover and experience its variety of dialects; recipient of the 2000 John C. Gerber 20th Century Leadership Award given by the National Conference on College Composition and Communication (Four C's) of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE); Writer and presenter of Presidential Citations of Achievement to President, Dr. James A. Hefner, and the Centennial Award Citation at the 100th Anniversary of Jackson State University, presented to President, Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr.; Commissioned by President Dr. James Alatis of the National Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) to start a Mississippi Affiliate Chapter of TESOL. Mission was accomplished and the logo was designed inclusive of Alabama to become Alabama/Mississippi TESOL. Dr. Ginn became 1st Vice President and later became its Liaison Officer; recipient of a Citation from the Mississippi Legislature House Bill #31, for thirty-three years of service to Jackson State University; Lead Consultant to the Mississippi State Department of Education for a Linguistics ESL ADD-On Certification that can be added onto any existing degree from all State Colleges and Universities. Select Awards: Personalities of the South, multiple year citations for Who's Who Among Americas Teachers; Jackson State University National Alumni Association (JSUNAA) Outstanding Educator of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement Award for Linguistics Teaching; NEH delegate for proposal writing and Leadership seminar at the National Association for Equal Opportunity(NAFEO)Conference; Jackson State University School of Liberal Arts "Spotlight on Scholars," NCTE Talent File, Outstanding Young Woman of America; Academic Scholarships: Experienced Teachers Fellowship Program(ExTFP), Training Teacher Trainers (TTT), Dissertation Year; Honors: TRADEMARK WHO's WHO HONORS EDITION 2015; Honor-A-Teacher by a former high school/college student, Dr. Vivian Taylor; President, Graduate Linguistics Club@ State University of New York at Buffalo; Commissioned by JSU Professor Emerita, Dr. Margaret Walker Alexander, her former college teacher, and fellow colleague at the time of the request to plan and organize a celebration to honor her literary legacy of 50 years with a week-long Conference of renowned literary scholars. Mission accomplished. Scholars nationwide came for a dynamic week of literary genius.

Aside from academic research, Dr. Ginn engaged in external research for Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonia, TX, and Kirkland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM, sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). She also engaged her talents in civic, local, and regional activities across the nation as commencement speaker, convention speaker, workshop leader, academic panelist, media interviews and discussions, church speaker and panelist, and language consultant.

While still faculty at Jackson State University, she planned and executed her JSU Golden Class Reunion as a Four-Day Celebration of jubilant activities for the eighty-two (82) honorees who returned from the largest graduating Class in school history, 296 students. This Four-Day "Diamond Dazzles" Golden Class Reunion ended by establishing in their name an Endowed Scholarship of $100,000.00. The presentation to the University Scholarship Foundation became the largest donation in reunion classes history.

As a dedicated worker of Christian faith, Dr. Ginn is a member of Christ Temple Church of Christ Holiness where she has served as Trustee Chair, Sunday School Teacher, choir member, special occasions speaker, coordinator of Special programs, and Chair of Capital Funds drives.

Professionally, Dr. Ginn is proud to have had outstanding mentors and models throughout her career who invigorated her continued quest for knowledge and perseverance. Her undying influence in pedagogy and scholarship points to Father Walter A. Cook, Dr. Mervyn C. Alleyne, and Dr. Thomas J. Edwards. Throughout her tenure, the myriad of student-scholars were the pride of all endeavors. They kept her inspired, invigorated, and challenged. Despite all misgivings of the profession, those students were her esprit de corp!

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