Southeastern NEWS
Southeastern Louisiana University
Public Information Office
publicinfo@selu.edu
SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
Date: 10/25/99
Contact: Carol Dotson 67
Editors: Photo accompanies release Please note local interest
FORMER SUNSWEET EXECUTIVE TO BE HONORED AS SLU
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
HAMMOND --In the 1950's Harold Jackson decided to major in agriculture at
Southeastern Louisiana University because he liked the curriculum. Today, Jackson says it turned
out to be a wise choice. The 1999 Alumnus of the Year recently retired as president of Sunsweet
Growers and Sunsweet Dryers in Yuba City, California.
Jackson will be honored at the Alumni Association's annual Awards Evening on
Homecoming Eve, Nov. 19. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. in Twelve Oaks. He also will be grand
marshall of the Homecoming parade at 11 a.m., Nov. 20.
Jackson's career began with the United States Department of Agriculture. "They had an
office located right on campus. I started with them in my last semester of school." Jackson's job
included checking the loading of sugar on ships in New Orleans.
Jackson joined Sunsweet in 1977 as a plant manager and quickly moved up the ranks as
assistant production manager, production manager, division operations manager, vice-president of
prune operations for the newly formed Sun-Diamond Growers, and president in 1986. Under
Jackson's guidance, his management team is credited with major gains in operating efficiencies,
cost reductions and sales growth for Sun-Diamond Growers Earnings climbed from a $5.4
million loss in 1981 to more than 20 million on the plus side in 1987 and 1989. Jackson is credited
with introducing new efficiencies in operations and innovative employee management practices
that greatly increased productivity and worker satisfaction.
Before joining the Sunsweet family, Jackson worked for Duffy-Mott's fruit and juice
processing plant in Hartford, Mich., and as director of quality control for Cherry Growers, Inc, in
Traverse City, Michigan.
-more-
SLU Alumnus of the Year/ADD ONE
After graduating Jackson married a fellow Southeastern student, Sarah Cannon, who
passed away in 1994. Jackson met his second wife, Shirley, on a visit home to Gloster, Miss. The
two had dated in high school, but hadn't seen each other in 41 years. Thanks to that chance
meeting, Shirley and Harold were soon married.
Jackson is enjoying his retirement. "He plays everyday," said Shirley, "and he loves to
fish." In describing one recent week she said, "He fished everyday this week except Friday and
Friday he played golf! He's having a great time."
The Jackson's split their time between California and Mississippi where they also have a
home.
Jackson is looking forward to seeing the changes on the Southeastern campus. "I imagine
the college today is quite different. Back in my time the dormitory was a quonset hut," he said.
Jackson has fond memories of Southeastern "The agriculture department was very good,
but my best memories are of the people at Southeastern, the students and the relationships that
were there." As a student Jackson was involved with the agriculture club and the rodeo. "I was
really busy studying. I went to school non-stop," he said. Jackson credits the Alumni News
publication with keeping him in touch with Southeastern.
Southeastern celebrates Homecoming Nov15-20 with a variety of activities.
Homecoming Day events include the annual Options Holiday Prance Fun Run, an open house,
barbeque, activities for children, and class, club and Greek reunions at the Alumni Center, the
homecoming parade, the Homecoming game, SLU versus Southern, in the University Center
arena, and a rodeo Homecoming night at Cefalu Coliseum.
Tickets for the Awards Evening are available at the Alumni Center, 504-549-2150 or
1-800-SLU-ALUM. Ticket price is $15.
-SLU-
This press release is available on the World Wide Web:
www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf99.htm