This spring's commencement speaker, Alphonso Jackson, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the nation's 13th secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in March 2004. He served as deputy secretary of HUD from 2001 to 2004. HUD's core mission is to provide affordable housing, promote community and economic development, and enforce fair housing laws.

Since his appointment as HUD secretary, Jackson has worked to remove building regulations that increase housing costs in urban areas. He has also pushed President George W. Bush's goal to create a more "user-friendly electronic government" by implementing an online submission process for HUD grant applicants.

Jackson is considered an expert on public housing and urban issues. He directed the Dallas Housing Authority as president and chief executive officer from 1989 to 1996. He also served as director of public safety for St. Louis, executive director for the St. Louis Housing Authority and director of the Department of Public and Assisted Housing in Washington, D.C.

Jackson also has experience in the private sector. From 1996 to 2001, he served as president of American Electric Power-Texas, a $13 billion multinational utility company based in Austin.

Jackson was born the youngest of 12 siblings in a poor South Dallas neighborhood. His father held a fifth-grade education and had to work three blue-collar jobs to support his family. Jackson earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. He earned a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1973.

BY BRANDON EVANS inhouse@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Discover UNT draws almost 1,000 to see university's updated look
• About 2,500 expected to graduate during commencement May 14
• UNT to present honorary doctoral degree to capital campaign leader
• Growth is key in state Closing the Gaps plan
• TAMS commencement scheduled for May 13
• North Texas ‘Hold 'em' is 2005 Homecoming theme
• Faculty Senate honors retiring director of international studies and programs
• Students earn several national scholarships
• UNT awards Learning Enhancement grants

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