Oral history with Alton G. Bankston

              Oral history with Alton G. Bankston
F341.5 . M57 vol. 749
Funding for this project provided by The Mississippi State Legislature, The Mississippi Humanities Council, The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at the University of Southern Mississippi.
This transcription of an oral history by the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage of The University of Southern Mississippi may not be reproduced or published in any form except that quotation of short excerpts of unrestricted transcripts and the associated tape recordings is permissible providing written consent is obtained from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. When literary rights have been retained by the interviewee, written permission to use the material must be obtained from both the interviewee and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
Mr. Alton G. Bankston was born outside of Laurel, Mississippi, on June 5, 1941. Mr. Bankston majored in political science and history at Jones County Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi. In 1963 he moved to the Gulf Coast to pursue a career in teaching. Seven years later, Mr. Bankston opened Bankston's Paint Store in Biloxi.
Mr. Bankston has played an active role in his community, a fact evidenced by his extensive list of memberships in various groups. He has served as president for organizations including the Biloxi City Council of PTA, the Biloxi School Board, the Harrison County USM Alumni Association, the Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation, and he is a founding member and past president of Biloxi First, a community support group for Biloxi public schools. Mr. Bankston has also served the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, the Biloxi Dixie Youth Baseball Board, USM President's Advisory Board, the Biloxi Rotary Club, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast, and the Gulf Coast Carnival Foundation, just to name a few. His many awards and honors include the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Service in 1993 and the 1995 Pat San Tucci " Spirit of the Coast" Award.
Mr. Bankston has been a member of the USM Eagle Club since its creation, and he is a longtime season ticket holder for college football, basketball, and baseball. He and his wife Kay have three sons, Bill, Greg, and Jeff.
Table of Contents
I. Early Education and business
II. Becoming interested in politics
III. Methods of teaching government and political science
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