The William D. Reynolds Award - 2011: Lt. Colonel Jason D. Mims '75

2011: Lt. Colonel Jason D. Mims '75

Established in 1985, the William D. Reynolds Award is conferred on an alumnus/alumna (living or deceased) doing exceptional work with youth for the betterment of the quality of life.

The 2011 William D. Reynolds Award winner is Lt. Colonel Jason D. Mims ’75.

Having grown up in San Antonio, Mr. Mims attended Notre Dame on an Army ROTC scholarship. His firm belief in the importance of a good education took him from a double-major in Government and Modern Languages (French), to completion of a master’s degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School. His studies served him well during his long Army career.

Mr. Mims spent 21 years on active duty. He served around the world, from Africa and the Middle East to Southwest Asia, Europe, and beyond. He also served several tours in the United States, including time at the Pentagon.

In 1995, Mr. Mims retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. At his retirement ceremony, he was awarded the coveted Legion of Merit award for outstanding service and achievements. Around this time, Mr. Mims had a son attending middle school — and it was this son’s school experience that led to a newfound passion for improving educational outcomes for public school students in Tampa. In particular, Mr. Mims found many opportunities to improve the future of black males and other minority students.

In an effort to make a positive impact on students and the community as a whole, Mr. Mims spent years sharing his computer skills with children from Tampa’s inner-city neighborhoods, while also working with senior citizens in those same communities. In 2001, he founded the MIMS Institute, which focuses on encouraging minority students to achieve academic excellence, participate in advanced placement classes, and apply to the nation’s top universities, including Notre Dame. To date, the MIMS Institute has served more than 350 students.

Mr. Mims has been recognized with multiple awards for his commitment of time and energy on behalf of young minority students. In 2002, the Hillsborough Education Foundation honored him as a Champion of Public Education, and two years later he was given the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners’ Favorite Sons and Daughters Award. In 2005, the Florida Department of Education recognized him as their Adult School Volunteer of the Year. He also received the Black Alumni of Notre Dame 20th Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Exemplar honor in 2006.