The Natchez-Adams School Board will hold its regular meeting Thursday with a new face at the table. Dr. Norris Allen Edney, a former dean of Alcorn State University, will be sworn in as a school board member at 4 p.m. at the Braden School board room on Homochitto Street.

Edney, who was appointed to the board by the Natchez Board of Aldermen, is replacing Dr. David Steckler, who died this summer.

Edney is a lifelong resident of Natchez and said he is looking forward to his first board meeting.

As a board member, Edney said he wants the district to work together for the students.

&uot;I think the board and the superintendent are going to have to be one single unit,&uot; he said.

If the school system remains focused, the board can vote as a unit on issues for all the students.

&uot;It should be right, wrong, good, bad — for the children,&uot;&160;Edney said.

Edney has said he wants the school system to be the best in the nation.

&uot;It can be an exceptional system in my opinion,&uot; Edney said, who added the district has committed teachers and administrators working for it.

And Edney should be a good judge of this, since he has spent his entire life working in education.

&uot;There are no students who can not learn. You must make them want to learn,&uot; Edney said.

A Natchez native, Edney graduated from Natchez Junior College and Natchez Junior College during the 1950s, where a science teacher, Peter Rucker, inspired him to become a science teacher.

After attending college, Edney taught at Natchez College during a time of great change in the local public schools.

During the 1950s, Natchez’s county district and city district were merged into one.

Until the school system could find enough space, Natchez Junior College taught some of those students, Edney said.

&uot;I enjoy interacting with the students more than anything else,&uot; Edney said of his career. &uot;And secondarily to that, I enjoy research and learning.&uot;

Edney, who earned degrees in education, biology and a Ph.D. in mycology, later taught at Alcorn University before transferring to Michigan State University.

But, his heart has always been with southwest Mississippi and minority students, so he returned to Alcorn State University in 1969.

&uot;I’ve never wanted to do anything but deal with students in this area of the country,&uot; Edney said.

He was promoted to dean of Alcorn’s school of arts and sciences and school of graduate studies during the mid 1970s. He retired from Alcorn this summer and was appointed to the school board last month.

As he begins his new position, Edney said he is honored to serve.

&uot;If I can make a contribution to the system it will be the most pleasing thing I can do with the rest of my life,&uot; he said.