Dr. Nebraska Mays

Greatness is an abstract noun. Nebraska B. Mays was an exemplar of this attribute in terms of his actions, his deeds and his contributions to humanity. It was his theory that one must “dream”…and make “thoughts”…his “aim”.

Nebraska was born on September 10, 1930 in Laurel, Mississippi to Willie and Lillie Lancaster Mays, who provided a nurturing environment. He spent his earlier years in Mobile, Alabama.

His formative growth was in Pascagoula, Mississippi where he graduated from Carver High School. He enrolled at Alcorn A&M College (now Alcorn State University) in Lorman, Mississippi. Nebraska was a star athlete in football and track. He was initiated into the Gamma Pi Chapter of

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Nebraska received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science and Physical Education.

At Alcorn, he met the girl of his dreams: Helen Ruth Moore. They were married in 1953 and shared seventy-two years of marital bliss until her earthly departure on October 19, 2025. Helen was a charming and gracious lady. To this union, three children were born: Curtis, Pamela and Mark. As profound believers in education, Nebraska and Helen supported their children’s academic, athletic and artistic endeavors. Curtis and Mark pre-deceased their parents. After his tour of duty in the United States Army, Nebraska returned to Alcorn where he was Coordinator of Alumni Relations and Career Placement. He broadened his educational credentials and was awarded the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in Educational Administration and Supervision from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.

He served in various capacities: Associate Professor of Education at Florida A&M University; Department Chair and Professor of Education at Tennessee State University; and Special Assistant to the President and Director of Institutional Research at Fisk University. As the integration of schools surfaced, Nebraska was appointed Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs for The University of Tennessee System. He later transitioned to state government as Deputy Commissioner of Education. Prior to his retirement, he was a Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership with the Tennessee Board of Regents where he was a lecturer, grant writer and program consultant at several universities. He was also President of the Tennessee

Colleges Association. As an esteemed educator for more than fifty years, he was honored with Professor-Emeritus status. He received many honors for his commitment to excellence. Two awards that he cherished was a Leadership Citation from the National Association for Equal

Opportunity in Higher Education, and being inducted into Alcorn State University’s Sports Hall of Fame. In Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Nebraska was a member of the Nashville and Knoxville Alumni Chapters, and served on the advisory team for three undergraduate chapters: Alpha Theta(Tennessee State University; Alpha Delta – (Fisk University); and Mu Rho (The University of Tennessee). He has been a mentor to many fraternity members and various students by encouraging them to seek graduate studies through a network of fellowship opportunities. Nebraska was also a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (The Boule).

His religious cognitions reflected Christian values of kindness, human compassion, sincerity and brotherhood. His affiliations included Lennon-Seney United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee and Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee. His deceased siblings are Dorothy Mays Boston, Delma Mays White, Deloris Mays McLaughlin, Roger Mays and Kimble Mays. Treasuring pleasant memories of Nebraska Mays are: his daughter, Pamela Smith; his grandchildren Noah Smith, Kousei Mays and Amane Mays; his daughter-in-law, Naoko Mays; his sister Wyvonne Mays Henry; his sister/brother-in-law, Milton and Mildred Daugherty; his sister-in-law, Annie Mays; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.