Centre College recognized four graduates for their accomplishments and contributions on Oct. 27 as distinguished alumni with one being Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson.

This was part of the 2018 Homecoming campus festivities.

Jackson was in the class of 1985.

After graduating from Centre, he went to study law at Florida State University and later was elected as the district attorney for the fourth circuit in Alabama, becoming the first African-American to serve in that role. In 2013, he also was recognized as the first African-American to be named District Attorney of the Year in the state of Alabama. Throughout his career, Jackson prosecuted numerous high profile cases including the Alabama Church Arson cases in Bibb County, the Alabama Artifacts Case and the case of ex-State Trooper Bernard Fowler, who was charged with the infamous murder of Jimmie Lee Jackson during the Voting Right March of 1965.

Michael also has been an active Centre alumnus, serving as an economics mentor, alumni board director and reunion committee member for the college.

In 1997, he received the Young Alumnus Award for becoming one of the youngest judges in the history of the State of Alabama in 1995.

Jackson said he was able to go back to the campus and talk about his experiences, but he was also able to put a positive spin on Selma.

“We have people in Selma that have accomplished a lot,” he said. “We have some bright people here, and Selma is known worldwide, and we want to have that positive side of Selma.”