Dr. Leslie Burl McLemore

Alumnus McLemore becomes Jackson mayor

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Posted: 2/28/09

Dr. Leslie Burl McLemore, Rust College alumnus, '64, is now the acting mayor of Jackson, Miss., effective Thursday, May 7.

McLemore, who is president of Jackson City Council, was elected by unanimous vote (5-1) to lead the city in the wake of sudden and critical illness of sitting mayor, Frank Melton. Melton was later pronounced dead this morning, according to AP wire service report. McLemore will serve until July 6, when a newly elected mayor emerges from a runoff election set for May 19.

McLemore, a professor of political science at Jackson State University, earned his B.A. degree in political science from Rust; M.A., Atlanta University; and Ph.D., University of Massachusetts.