Executive Secretary Dr. Jeanette Bouknight (center) with (l-r)
Dr. Donald Madlock, Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.,
Dr. Jerry Christian, Dr. Tyrone Davis, and Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham

Executive Secretary Jeanette Bouknight receives 

honorary doctorate from Texas College

May 4, 2013 was a beautiful and sun filled Saturday in Tyler, Texas as Dr. Dwight Fennell, President of Texas College, led the assemblage of distinguished dignitaries, proud parents, family members, cheering friends and excited students in the Annual Commencement Exercises for the Historically Black College founded by and affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  A highpoint of the Commencement service was the presentation and conferring of the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters on Jeanette L. Bouknight, Executive Secretary of the CME Church.  Following the reading of the Citation by Board Trustee Dr. Tyrone T. Davis, General Secretary of the Board of Personnel Services, President Fennell conferred the degree on Dr. Bouknight in the company of Board Chair, Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., and Board Vice-Chair, Dr. Jerry Christian.  Also present for the occasion were members of her family including her parents, Reverend and Mrs. Joseph Bouknight, Sr., her sister, Barbara, and her son, Joseph.

Elected Executive Secretary of the CME Church in July, 2010, Dr. Bouknight was cited for her long and distinguished career in corporate America and her contributions to the CME Church.  An associate of arts graduate of Wayne County College, she subsequently earned the bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Davenport University in Dearborn, Michigan.  Her proficient expertise was initially demonstrated as a purchasing agent with Quaker Chemical Company and her corporate career culminated with her retirement in 2008 from 3M after 32 year of service as a Marketing Services Administrator whose talents embraced and shared the skills of planning, organization, implementation, and negotiation with companies in the travel industry.

In addition to her responsibilities as Executive Secretary which include administering the operations of the Connectional Headquarters and serving as a liaison between the CME Church and other ecumenical bodies, Dr. Bouknight serves as the meeting planner for the CME Church and treasurer of the CME General Officers Council.  Dr. Bouknight resides in Detroit, Michigan and is a member of Central CME Church in the Michigan-Indiana Region of the Third Episcopal District. Dr. Bouknight was honored on Sunday, May 12 to have her pastor, the Rev. Patricia A. Havis, share her accomplishment with her church family, the Central CME Church.

Submitted by Dr. Tyrone T. Davis