student spotlight
Donovan Jackson
Greenwood | Sophomore PROGRAM OF STUDY FUNERAL SERVICE TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Bluff City Funeral Directors and Morticians Association Endowed Scholarship Why did you choose this pathway? “I chose this pathway because I have compassion for others, and it’s something I always wanted to do.” Why did you choose Northwest? “I wanted to go through Northwest’s Funeral Service Technology program. I knew Northwest would help me reach my goals.” What has your experience at the DeSoto campus been like? “It’s been good. I like the campus because we have a funeral services lab so we can practice hands-on skills on the anatomy table. I’ve gotten to do a lot of hands-on learning in this program.” What are your plans for the future? “I plan to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer. I plan to further my education in business administration at a university and eventually own my own funeral home or teach funeral tech courses.” Are there any instructors you want to recognize? “Our program director, Ebonē Dukes, has been so helpful in a lot of ways. She’s really knowledgeable.” Why should someone choose Northwest? “The people here are very helpful, and it’s affordable. I received several honors, like Outstanding Student for Funeral Services Technology, and I was also nominated for the Northwest Hall of Fame. I appreciate how the college recognizes students for their academic achievements.”
president's reflections
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e have so much to be thankful for as we reflect on this past year and turn the page on a new year. This past year we were able to return to face-to-face classes, which was something that students very much desired. We were able to maintain safe and healthy campuses and centers for our students, employees, and guests. We started our “Investing Today, Impacting Tomorrow,” Capitol Campaign and have had tremendous success with the Campaign thus far, raising $3.7M of our $4.56M goal. We were able to open our 6th comprehensive campus in Batesville, The Concourse, with our new Diesel Tech Program, WIN Job Center, and Adult Ed programs. The college received its first ever $1M donation. We opened our 10th residence hall, Calhoun Hall, which added 168 beds to our residence hall capacity. We saw new enrollment growth in Career-Technical and Health Science Programs. In athletics, our football team garnered back-to-back conference championships and were able to play in the inaugural NJCAA Division 1 Football playoffs. Our women’s soccer team had a historic season with an appearance in the MACCC semi-finals and the team remained nationally-ranked all season long. We also were able to revive our tennis program with the hiring of Will Irvin, a talented tennis player and coach. And, the list truly goes on and on! On to 2022, where we have much to be excited about! We are looking forward to opening our softball/soccer complex facility this spring. We are looking forward to being able to open our new performing arts center in late 2022. We are excited about expanding health science programs in DeSoto and Lafayette counties, and we are excited about expanding our CTE programs in DeSoto County. Too, we are looking forward to implementing our Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and expanding other programs and services to our students. And, the list truly goes on and on! As we seek to fulfill the Northwest Vision of “transforming lives, enriching our communities, and striving for excellence in our programs and services,” I am thankful that we have supportive alumni and friends that help make this vision possible! Go Rangers! Sincerely,
Vision Northwest Mississippi Community College transforms our students’ lives, enriches our communities, and strives for excellence in our educational programs and services.
Mission Northwest Mississippi Community College is an open-access, public, two-year institution primarily serving Benton, Calhoun, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, and Yalobusha counties. NWCC is a learning-centered community providing educational opportunities with quality instruction for students from all walks of life. Our college fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and student success. We strive for continuous improvement, with a standard of excellence in every area of the institution. Our college partners with businesses and industries that seek to grow the economy and the workforce, as well as partners with alumni, friends, and others. Engagement takes place in all communities that the college serves.
Values ACCOUNTABILITY INTEGRITY EXCELLENCE RESPECT SERVICE SUSTAINABILITY ACCESSIBILITY CREATIVITY
Dr. Michael J. Heindl
President, Northwest Mississippi Community College
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LEADERSHIP
www.northwestms.edu
around campus
BOARD OF TRUSTEES RETREAT
Front Row (Left to Right): Leslie Legendre, executive assistant to the president; Jean Ann Casey, Calhoun County; Diana Grist, Benton County; Alee’ Dixon, Tate County; Dorothy Kerney-Wilbourn, Panola County; Dr. Tonyalle Rush, AVP for Student Services and Enrollment Management, Jennifer Heindl, First Lady Second Row (Left to Right): Jeff Horton, VP for Administration and Finance, Jamie Howell, Panola County, Bill Austin, DeSoto County, Sammy Higdon, Yalobusha, Jamie Anderson, Tallahatchie County; Steve Cummings, Yalobusha County; President Heindl. Third Row (Left to Right): Jerry Barrett, Tate County, Cory Uselton, chairman, DeSoto County, David Hargett, Tallahatchie County, Dr. Matthew Domas, VP for Instruction, John Lamar, Board Attorney, Steve Bostick, Benton County, Dr. Andrew Dale, AVP for Community Relations.
Northwest’s 2021 Board of Trustees Retreat took place in Biloxi in July. The month of July is typically when the Mississippi Association of Community College Trustees Conference is held, but as it had been canceled due to the pandemic, the college opted for an internal retreat. Northwest leaders Dr. Michael Heindl, Dr. Matthew Domas, Dr. Tonyalle Rush, and Jeff Horton all presented college updates for the board members. The group also hosted Debra Gilbert from the Mississippi Community College Foundtion, who gave a presentation concerning items on this year’s legislative agenda.
LEADERSHIP RETREAT
Dr. Heindl poses with the Northwest Mississippi Community College Leadership Forum at the group’s annual leadership retreat. The president and his executive team established the college's Leadership Forum at the beginning of 2019 in order to fulfill the institution's mission of transforming students’ lives,
enriching our communities and striving for excellence in our educational programs and services. Leadership Forum members consist of a wide range of individuals from all areas of the college that serve in leadership roles. As the Northwest Leadership team continues to grow, so does the college and its vision.
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around campus
SUMMER GRADS RETURN TO
TRADITION
College reintroduces indoor commencement after COVID restrictions.
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around campus In July, Northwest held its first indoor, traditional graduation ceremony since December 2019. The college honored summer graduates with ceremonies at Howard Coliseum on July 30. In response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, the college was forced to get creative in celebrating its graduates, holding Drive-Thru Graduation ceremonies at the Haraway Center in order to enforce social distancing. The ceremonies were full of the traditional pomp and circumstance, with Scott Christensen, chief executive officer for Delta Health System, serving as the college’s commencement speaker.
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SANDY GRISHAM EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD The Sandy Grisham Excellence in Teaching Award is given each year to an outstanding academic faculty member from the Senatobia Campus who uses creativity, technology and innovation in the classroom. The award winner receives a check in the amount of $1,000 from the Northwest Foundation.
2020 Sandy Grisham Excellence in Teaching Award recepient Angel Nickens, biology instructor
2021 Sandy Grisham Excellence in Teaching Award recepient Amanda Wilson, psychology instructor
DESOTO EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
2021 DeSoto Campus recipient Carla Townsend, history instructor
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2020 DeSoto Campus recipient Wendy Davis, math instructor
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PRESIDENT'S SERVICE AWARDS 2020-2021 The President’s Service Award is given each year to one faculty member and one staff member who go above and beyond what is required of them in their duties. Due to a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Northwest awarded both the 2020 and 2021 winners at a ceremony held in August.
2020 faculty recipient Debra Lenox, Respiratory Therapy instructor
2020 staff recipient James Neal, supervisor of Custodial Services
2021 faculty recipient Lori Philley, Graphic Design Technology instructor
2021 staff recipient Jessica McAlexander, payroll officer
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around campus
Administrative Hires
Dr. Tommy "TJ" Walker
Prior to the start of the fall semester, Northwest was pleased to welcome Dr. Tommy “TJ” Walker to the role of district dean of Student Services. Walker came to Northwest with 13 years of experience, most recently serving as the director of the North Mississippi branch of Get2College, a nonprofit program that helps students and their families plan, prepare and pay for college. He also previously worked with the program as its assistant director of Outreach. Prior to his employment with Get2College, Walker worked as an admissions counselor at Mississippi State University (MSU), his alma mater. A native of Prentiss, Walker is a 2003 graduate of Prentiss High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from MSU, a Master of Science in Leadership degree from Belhaven University and a Doctor of Education degree, with an emphasis in higher education, from the University of Mississippi. As a student at MSU, Walker’s focus was in kinesiology, and he planned a future working in fitness management. However, becoming an orientation leader midway through his college years opened 8
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his eyes to another possibility and eventually changed the trajectory of his career aspirations altogether. Through interacting with incoming students and working with admissions counselors, he got his first look at what life might be like working in higher education. When he graduated in 2008 and entered a brutal job market, he ultimately decided to accept a position as an admissions counselor working under someone he describes as his “higher education inspiration.” “He took a chance on me,” Walker said. “Fast forward 13 years, and here we are.” In his new position, Walker has been able to return to the amount of student interaction he enjoyed as an admissions counselor at MSU. “I’m going to have some opportunities to build relationships with students for a year or two, so that’s an aspect that I really look forward to,” he said at the time of his hiring. According to Walker, his main objective is to further the college’s reputation as an institution that cares. “Every time I’ve interacted with anyone from Northwest, even in previous roles, there’s something I call a ‘care culture,’ where the people here are so willing to help,” he said. “I want to keep that going, cultivate it and even elevate it. I want students to feel like we care, and you want students to hate to leave when it’s time because they’ve had such a good experience.” Walker is an active member in the graduate chapter of his college fraternity, Phi Beta
Sigma, and a member of Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Southaven.
Dr. Andrew Dale
In August, the Northwest community was thrilled to welcome Dr. Andrew Dale as the school’s new associate vice president of Community Relations. Dale arrived to Northwest from Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he most recently served as the executive director of the college’s Foundation. Prior to that role, he served as director of Digital Public Affairs, music instructor and director of Bands. In total, Dale has 16 years of education experience as a classroom teacher, recruiter, advisor, leader, fundraiser, and public affairs professional. A graduate of Gulfport High School, Dale went on to earn a Bachelor of Music Education degree from William Carey University, a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration degree from USM. He also completed the year-long Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program, which he believes has prepared him well
around campus for the position he holds now. According to Dale, he learned recruiting and marketing strategies while serving as director of Bands for Southwest. After the success of those strategies in the college’s Band program, and following the completion of his doctorate degree, he was tapped to lead Digital Public Affairs. At Northwest, Dale said he is working to broaden the college’s “footprint” in the school’s 11-county district, boost awareness of all the institution has to offer and maintain that visibility. He is also working to increase local partnerships to create more opportunities for students. “The goal is to create a firm
awareness in our communities about what Northwest can do for them, on both an individual level and on an economic level,” he said. “This institution adds incredible value to our local communities, and we are steadily investing in their future.” With much currently happening across Northwest’s campuses, including the implementation of brand-new buildings and programs, Dale intends to capitalize on the excitement surrounding those changes. With a background in music, he is particularly exuberant about the college’s new Performing Arts Center, currently under construction on the main campus. The new 1,200-seat space will open
up even more event opportunities on campus, and Dale believes the facility will serve the college well in attracting new faces to its grounds. “I’m very excited to be part of the Northwest family, and I look forward to the continued growth of this institution,” he said. “We have so many opportunities to help. Northwest is specifically made to empower individuals to achieve academic, career and personal success. I can’t think of many pathways you could dream of that wouldn’t come through here.” Dale is a member of Rotary Club. He and his wife Sarah have two children, Aaron and Lillie.
Northwest’s Gentry
NAMED TO STATE NURSING BOARD
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n what is considered a tremendous honor, in the summer of 2021, Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Northwest’s Director of Nursing Instruction Lacey Gentry to serve the state as a member of the Mississippi Board of Nursing (MBN). Gentry is one of only two nursing faculty representatives selected from across the state to serve on the board. “I am honored to serve my esteemed profession as well as our wonderful state with this appointment,” Gentry said. “One of my greatest passions is increasing student and faculty retention in our state’s nursing educational programs. This will ensure that Mississippi continues to develop exceedingly competent nurses who compassionately minister to the needs of their patients for generations to come. I look so forward to maintaining quality healthcare for the public and assisting my colleagues in this capacity for the next several years.” The Mississippi Board of Nursing is
a consumer protection agency with authority to regulate the practice of nursing through licensure as provided for by the Mississippi State Code. The 11 MBN board members represent all practicing and nonpracticing nurses within the state. A member of the college’s Nursing faculty for the past 20 years, Gentry served as a course coordinator for several years before being promoted to director of Nursing Instruction in August of 2020. In her current position, she supervises curriculum development, review and revision, oversees admissions and the selection process to ensure fairness and transparency, supervises strategies for testing and student success, and coordinates recruiting efforts for the Nursing department. Gentry earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing degrees from the Mississippi University for Women.
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around campus FOOD TRUCK DAY
FALL FUN
‘21
IN
STUDENT APPRECIATION DAY
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NORTHWEST STUDENTS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES IN THE FALL SEMESTER. Photos by Alyssa Peyton
SNEAKER BALL
around campus WELCOME WEEK
HALLOWEEN DANCE
MOVIE NIGHT
RANGER ROUND-UP
HOMECOMING
FALL FESTIVAL
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giving back NORTHWEST DIESEL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AWARDED
$1 MILLION IN GRANT MONEY
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orthwest Mississippi Community College has been awarded a $1 million grant from Accelerate Mississippi and the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development that will benefit the growth of the college’s Diesel Technology Academy at The Concourse in Batesville. The grant will allow for the purchase of new, cutting-edge equipment as well as aid in instructional costs and tuition assistance for qualified students. “We are incredibly excited to receive this grant to expand student opportunities for enrollment in a highdemand, high earnings occupation,” Northwest President, Dr. Michael J. Heindl, said upon receiving the news in October. “Additionally, the value that this program will bring students by starting their careers with no debt is amazing.” This brand-new instructional program will provide future industry employees with the skills required to maintain and repair a variety of industrial diesel equipment, including agricultural tractors, commercial trucks and construction equipment.
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Leaving a LEGACY As part of the Investing Today, Impacting Tomorrow campaign, the Foundation Office will be contacting individuals concerning legacy gifts. Supporters of Northwest can choose to leave specific assets, a stated amount or a certain percentage of their estate to Northwest. Legacy gifts help build financial support for future student scholarships, academic programs or capital initiatives. Life insurance policies can also be a gift by listing the Northwest Foundation as the beneficiary. The Foundation has established The Northwest Legacy Society, which recognizes individuals who have made commitments to Northwest through planned gifts. If we have written documentation of your planned gift, your name is included in our Legacy Society.
The program includes instruction in inspection, repair and maintenance of engines, power trains, hydraulic systems, and other components. The program was created in response to the nationwide shortage of diesel technicians and, locally, statements from leaders concerning the lack of qualified applicants to fill regional positions. Diesel technicians are in high demand in Mississippi. An annual average of 340 new diesel technician job openings within the transportation and agricultural industries are projected between now and 2028, according to labor market data from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES). As a result, Panola County, the City of Batesville, the Panola Partnership, local industry, and Northwest collaborated to convert a 138,000-square-foot factory outlet mall building into a workforce training center called The Concourse to serve North Mississippi. Career technical and workforce training programs, along with adult education classes, at the site will be phased in over time.
3 BENEFITS OF PLANNED GIVING FOR DONORS 1. Donors can create a legacy for themselves or their families. 2. Planned gifts may offer tax savings for donors or their heirs. 3. Planned giving donors can determine how their gifts are spent.
3 BENEFITS OF PLANNED GIVING FOR NORTHWEST 1. Planned gifts secure an organization’s future by providing a promise of future funding. 2. Leaving a legacy gift can inspire others to do the same, ensuring Northwest’s future growth and success. 3. A legacy gift allows your philanthropic generosity to continue for perpetuity, benefitting future generations of Northwest students.
giving back
2+2 FUNDRAISER BRINGS IN
Northwest’s 2021 2+2 Scholarship Golf Tournament, presented by BancorpSouth and Northcentral Electric Cooperative, brought in more than $26,000 to benefit students at Northwest and the University of Mississippi at the DeSoto Center. As in years past, this year’s tournament took place at the Cherokee Valley Golf Club in Olive Branch on Sept. 16 with a total of 33 teams competing. First place went to Dr. Ed Field, Walker Swaney, Tim Mullins, and Drew Baker. Second place winners were Art Lacy, Ethan Lacy, Chuck Melton, and Scott Sanko. Third place winners were Michael Collins, Tyler McMurry, Douglas Hollowell, and Bryant Cashion. Closest-to-the-pin winners were Robert Johnson and Bill Cole. The competitor with the longest drive was Josh Tidwell. The putting contest winner from the morning flight was Robert Johnson, while Paul Cline was the winner from the afternoon flight. Money raised at the tournament will support the 2+2 Scholarship Initiative that benefits both colleges.
$26K
First place winners (from left): Dr. Ed Field, Walker Swaney, Tim Mullins, and Drew Baker
Second place winners (from left): Art Lacy, Ethan Lacy, Chuck Melton, and Scott Sanko
Third place winners (from left): Michael Collins, Tyler McMurry, Douglas Hollowell, and Bryant Cashion
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giving back
TVEPA INVESTS $60K IN NORTHWEST’S CONCOURSE Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association (TVEPA), a longtime Northwest supporter, generously donated $60,000 to the college’s capital campaign last August. These funds will be used at the new Concourse facility located in Batesville. For more than 20 years, TVEPA has supported Northwest and higher education through a scholarship program established in 1998. With the introduction of Tallahatchie Valley Internet Services (TVIfiber), TVEPA is furthering its commitment to education and our communities by providing high-speed internet services for our region.
Left to Right: Patti Gordon, Northwest’s executive director of Institutional Advancement, Northwest President, Dr. Michael J. Heindl, Brad Robison, CEO of TVIfiber and TVEPA, Dr. Michael Havens, campaign co-chair, and Gary Kornegay, campaign co-chair.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NETS $20K DONATION Mechanics Bank, a Northwest donor for more than 20 years, made a $20,000 contribution to the college’s Investing Today, Impacting Tomorrow capital campaign. Over the years, the bank has served as a sponsor for Northwest Rodeo and the college’s Ranger Bluegrass Festival and contributed to the Annual Fund. Additionally, the Mechanics Bank Endowed Scholarship was established in 2000. Left to Right: Patti Gordon, Northwest’s executive director of Institutional Advancement, Dr. Lorri Williamson, member of both the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors and the Mechanics Bank Board of Directors, and Sterling Withers, president of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors.
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giving back
The Robert L. “Mr. C.” Carter, III Endowed Scholarship: Front Row: Mary Ann Monteith; Benjie Carter; Dr. Michael Heindl; Melody Carter; Gale Cushman, Northwest Foundation Board Member Back Row: Don Clanton, Northwest Foundation Board Member; Perrin Caldwell, Northwest Foundation Board Member; Sterling Withers, Northwest Foundation Board President
Scholarship Ceremony DONORS, STUDENTS CELEBRATE GIVING AT ANNUAL CEREMONY On Monday, Nov. 8, and Tuesday, Nov. 9, Northwest hosted its Scholarship Ceremonies to formally recognize newly established scholarships. This year, a total of 16 new scholarships were recognized across a two-day event at the Haraway Center on the main campus.
The Cameron Kyle Blount Endowed Scholarship Front Row: Kristan Grammer; Lauren Blount; Dr. Michael Heindl; Kenda Blount; Lynda Blount; Kenzee Blount; Pat Dhority, Northwest Foundation Board Member Back Row: Cayman Blount; Kyle Blount; Ellis Blount; Don Clanton, Northwest Foundation Board Member
The Representative Tommy Woods Endowed Scholarship Philip Woods, Jessica Woods, Gracie Woods, Pat Woods; Fay Woods; Prentis Woods; Catherine Woods
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giving back
The Vicki Earl Phillips Endowed Scholarship Ashley Hardin, Ashley Davis, Dick Earl, Marjorie Earl, Hunter Davis, Grace Pickett, Maryanne Earl Pickett, Johnny Pickett, Terri Smith
The Walter E. “Sonny” and Wanda F. Ruby Endowed Scholarship Sheri Ruby Ligon, Wanda "Lou" Ruby Brown, Walter L. Ruby, Dennis Mark Ruby, Pam Ruby Hall
The Kristie Duncan Endowed Scholarship Marvin Lishman, Bobby Bouchillon, Janice Duncan, Kristie Duncan, Phillip Duncan, Charlotte Alexander
The Wesley Waldrop Williamson Theatre Endowed Scholarship Alan Doyle, Cathy Doyle, Jane Williamson, Wayne Williamson
The Don Clanton Endowed Scholarship Shirley Clanton, Don Clanton
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The Ed and Becky Meek Foundation Scholarships Becky Meek, Dr. Ed Meek
The Sterling A. and Lilibeth O. Withers Endowed Scholarship Lilibeth Withers, Sterling Withers
giving back
The Danny Ray Cole Endowed Scholarship Louise McMillan, Dr. Michael Heindl, Curtis Cole, Sharron Cole, Farris Cole, Loretta Cole
The Tim and Stephanie Mullins School of Health Sciences Endowed Scholarship Tim Mullins; Alaijha Johnson, scholarship recipient; Dr. Stephanie Mullins
The Palmer Home Endowed Scholarship Kiona Pharr, Molly Coleman, Anna Warren
The Alan Clayton Crockett Endowed Scholarship Mark Crockett, Anne Crockett, Melynda Crockett
The Jerry and Carol Stigler Endowed Scholarship Carol Stigler, Jerry Stigler The Horn Lake High School Alumni Endowed Scholarship Cole Bostick; Joe Knight; Jan Knight; Dr. Michael Heindl; Jeannette Gordon; Weldon Wilson; Pat Dhority, Northwest Foundation Board Member
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giving back
BORGWARNER DONATES TOWARD WORKFORCE BOOST
Left to Right: BorgWarner Environmental, Health and Safety Supervisor Kyle Corbin, Northwest Workforce Solutions Coordinator Forrest Bryan, Northwest VP for Instruction, Dr. Matthew Domas, and BorgWarner Plant Manager Ray Robertson.
In October, the Northwest Foundation held its Second Annual Ranger Run, a virtual 5K organized to help students in need. The family-friendly event, initiated virtually in 2020 in light of the pandemic, invites participants to “run, walk, hike, or bike” to help make a difference in the lives of students. Registration ran from Oct. 1 through Homecoming Day on Oct. 21. Those who signed up received a participant pack that included a Ranger Run t-shirt, instructions for the 5K, suggestions of places to run/walk/hike/bike in north Mississippi, a finisher’s certificate, a personal thank you note from a student, and giveaways. The event also coincided with the Foundation’s Third Annual Rangers Giving Day, which calls on alumni and supporters to consider a gift of any amount to support students. The 2021 Ranger Run raised a total of $1,575 with 62 participants.
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Automotive supply company BorgWarner presented Northwest with a generous $7,500 donation to allow for the purchase of equipment that will further Workforce Training at Everest, the college’s Water Valley location. The company received the funding via a safety award, and chose Northwest as its beneficiary. BorgWarner utilizes Northwest’s Workforce Training program to boost its own workforce, helping employees to develop the skillsets necessary to move up in the company. The college is grateful to have been selected to receive this funding.
giving back
SCHOLARSHIP
SOCIAL
The Northwest Foundation hosted the inaugural Scholarship Social on September 15. The event offers a chance for scholarship sponsors to meet and mingle with scholarship recipients. At the 2021 event, 96 scholarships with 149 sponsors and 143 students in attendance at the Haraway Center.
Scholarship sponsors enjoy visiting with their award recipients.
Sycamore Bank representatives, Doug McClure and Mike Webb, welcome scholarship award recipients Jonathan Bolden and Halle Scallions, while Trustmark Bank representatives Todd Quinton and Jay Goss visit with Kayla Beal and Ryan Cassidy Bishop.
Recipients of The Aaron German Endowed Scholarship, Lucy Denton and Cheyenne Jones, visit with Betty Salmon, grandmother to Aaron German.
Sara Boyett, recipient of The Robert A. and Cathryn M. Hyde Endowed Scholarship, and Bowen Williams, recipient of The John C. Curry Memorial/Batesville Presbyterian Church Endowed Scholarship, pose for a photo.
Amanda Tritt of Grenada welcomes recipients of The John and Stelloise Basinger Endowed Scholarship and The John L. Basinger Sr. Endowed Scholarship
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new vision
DIESEL TECH WELCOMES FIRST CLASS This fall, the college’s new Diesel Technology program welcomed its inaugural class of students. The program is the first to find a home at The Concourse in Batesville. This brand-new instructional program will provide future industry employees with the skills required to maintain and repair a variety of industrial diesel equipment, including commercial trucks and construction equipment. The program also includes instruction in inspection, repair and maintenance of engines, power trains, hydraulic systems, and other components. Panola County collaborated with the City of Batesville, the Panola Partnership, local industry, and Northwest to convert the 138,000-square-foot factory outlet mall building into a workforce training center, dubbed The Concourse, to serve the North Mississippi region. Programs at the new site will be phased in over time.
Ribbon cutting celebrates Calhoun Hall On Thursday, Sept. 9, Northwest held the official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Calhoun Hall, the college’s newest residence hall. College leaders, students and Calhoun County officials were on hand for the exciting event. The new living space, designated for female students, is third in size among residence halls on the main campus, behind Quitman Hall and Taylor Hall. The 45,000-square-foot, two-story building is located between the McLendon Center and the Ranger Outdoor Complex, facing Alumni Drive. The building is equipped to house 168 students in 84 rooms.
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new vision
Performing Arts Center
HITS CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE Photos by Alyssa Peyton
Construction on one of Northwest’s most exciting upcoming developments, the Performing Arts Center, hit a milestone in October. The college held a Topping Out ceremony for members of the college’s Board of Trustees on Oct. 14, with a second ceremony held on Oct. 15 for a wider audience. This type of ceremony is a long-standing tradition in the construction industry to commemorate the completion of a building’s structure, specifically the placement of the final steel beam. The facility, on track to be completed in the fall of 2022, will hold classroom space, multiple band and music practice halls, an art gallery, recording studio, and a 1,200-seat performing arts auditorium.
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Northwest: a
FAMILY AFFAIR for Alumnus of the Year
Northwest has named Barry Bouchillon the college’s 2021 Alumnus of the Year. Story By Natalie Ehrhardt
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Barry Bouchillon was enrolled in the college from the fall of 1967 through the spring of 1969. He is one of six siblings who attended the school, with a number of nieces and nephews later going on to attend. His wife of 51 years, Donna Eddie Bouchillon, not only graduated from the college, but was also a Rangerette and earned the title of Miss Northwest. Additionally, the couple’s three sons, Rob, Clay and Reed, have all attended Northwest at some point in their educational careers. 22
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Bouchillon enjoys a day at the Memphis Zoo with four of six grandchildren.
Rob Bouchillon’s wife Shannon also graduated from Northwest with a nursing degree, while the couple’s daughter, Mary Carson, recently completed an associate’s degree at the college as well. Bouchillon and his siblings also established a scholarship in their parents’ names, The A.W. and LaNelle Bouchillon Endowed Scholarship, of which the first recipient was their grandson Reed. Bouchillon recalls how much his mother enjoyed reading letters from students who had received the scholarship. He also notes that he has supported the DeSoto County Business Women’s Scholarship since its inception.
First introduced to Northwest in the fall of 1961 by way of his older brother Peck, manager of the football team, Bouchillon has fun memories of sleeping over in the dorm with his brother and the team. “The guys on the team were like my brothers,” he said. “They treated me very nicely because I was a small kid.” As a student himself, Barry studied business. He initially chose to study preengineering simply because the friend he went to register for classes with was entering that field. The math classes required in the program, however, quickly put him off the idea. He received a half scholarship to play baritone in the band under Band Director Glenn Triplett. The band was small, almost outnumbered by the Rangerettes, but they had talent and enthusiasm. Though he no longer plays music, his experience in band has left him with an ear and an appreciation for music. Mostly to be with friends, Bouchillon also dabbled in the college’s Theatre program, acting in “My Fair Lady” among other productions. In those days, Bouchillon said there were four students to a room in his dorm and no closets, with students storing all of their belongings in trunks. Though the living arrangements might not sound appealing, he looks back on the experience with fondness. “It was kind of like going to camp,” he said. “It was enjoyable in that way.” In the summer of 1969, he joined the National Guard in a six-year commitment, and headed off to basic training. He was part of the 108th Armored Cavalry, to which former Northwest President Dr. David Haraway also belonged. That fall, Bouchillon got married. He and his new wife moved to Batesville the following year, where she had accepted a teaching job. Determined to earn his degree, he commuted to Oxford for classes at the University of Mississippi, earning a bachelor’s degree in public administration in 1972.
The Bouchillon family, pictured here at a family gathering, makes an effort to spend time together as much as possible.
Four of six Bouchillon scholarship recipients pose with Bouchillon at the Northwest Foundation’s Scholarship Ceremony.
Members of the Bouchillon family smile for a photo outside of the Como Steakhouse.
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I like helping people,” he said. “The Lord gives us different gifts, and that’s my gift. I’m not the greatest salesperson by any means, but I can bring empathy and sympathy and the desire to do whatever I can to serve the customer.”
With a father who was the director of planning for DeSoto County, he toyed with the idea of enrolling in graduate school to focus on city planning. He passed the entrance exam, but ultimately decided that was not the path for him. He went job hunting, and accepted his first position out of college with Westinghouse Credit Corporation, where he stayed for only a short time. Next, he took a job with International Harvester Motor Trucks in Memphis, and remained with that company for five years. After his departure, he was given an opportunity to become a State Farm agent in Southaven, an opportunity that he could not have known at the time would lead to a happy 43-year career. Bouchillon grew up in Hernando, but has lived in Southaven since the early ‘70s. He has put much into building his business over the years in his local community. “I like helping people,” he said. “The Lord gives us different gifts, and that’s my gift. I’m not the greatest salesperson by any means, but I can bring empathy and sympathy and the desire to do whatever I can to serve the customer.” In the years since leaving Northwest, Bouchillon has attended Fine Arts events and twice served on the college’s Foundation Board of Directors. As a friend of late Northwest instructor and accomplished artist Lane Tutor, he also made a point to support Tutor’s endeavors. When asked what he believes sets Northwest apart, he was quick to point to the friendly atmosphere and individual interest in each student. In his personal life, Bouchillon is a passionate family man. He calls spending quality time with his family his “hobby,” from trips to outings to family get togethers. Along with their three sons, the couple has six grandchildren. He and his wife have long attended church, and currently attend Compel Church in 24
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Southaven. He and his family also enjoy attending Ole Miss athletic events. As a family, the Bouchillons have always supported the arts, including the DeSoto Family Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Memphis Ballet and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. As a State Farm agent, he has continually supported local schools and non-profits. Bouchillon has been a member of the Southaven Rotary Club since 1977 and a member of the Southaven Chamber of Commerce since 1978. He has been a member and past president of the executive board for the DeSoto County Economic Development Council, a board member for Leadership Mississippi and is currently serving on the board for the Historic DeSoto Foundation, which runs the DeSoto County Museum.
A longtime, proud member of the State Farm family, Bouchillon is often seen sporting his red State Farm hat.
Bouchillon (far right) lines up for a photo with his State Farm team.
Aviation alumnus lands dream job Story By Natalie Ehrhardt | Photo by Alyssa Peyton Paul Pugh, an alumnus of Northwest’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program, recently landed a long-sought position with FedEx. Pugh is the son of Paul and Christi Pugh of Senatobia. He is a 2015 graduate of Magnolia Heights School, where his interest in aviation was first piqued by a classmate whose father worked in aviation for FedEx. “His dad was able to get me and maybe six other guys a tour of the hangar,” Pugh said. “He showed us the aircraft he worked on and the tools they used.” Pugh had an abundance of experience working on tractors, and up to that point, had been dead set on enrolling in the John Deere program at Northwest. The tour at FedEx opened his eyes to a new possibility, and he was off and running. The parent who had given him the tour had done plenty of research on aviation programs, which served as an asset to Pugh as he deliberated on where to enroll. He visited programs at three schools, and was happy to discover that Northwest was a perfect fit. Not only was the college’s location ideal, but he immediately clicked with the instructors in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program. He credits them for laying a strong foundation in his knowledge of the field, specifically praising instructors Calvin Cooper and David Lindsey. “I believe Northwest has possibly the most knowledgeable instructors you could find,” he said. He completed the two-year program in May of 2017, and went to work for Universal Asset Management, an aircraft tear-down facility in Tupelo. He stayed for more than six months, but desired to use a wider range of his skills and gain the type of experience he would need to get a job with FedEx. He moved on to Float & Fuel Cells in Memphis, where he worked as a tank diver. Non-aviation individuals may be unaware that the fuel for an aircraft is often located in the wings. When there is a leak, the fuel is drained, and a tank diver climbs in to fix the issue. He remained with the company for about seven months before entering what proved to be the “on ramp” for his future job at FedEx. He was hired at Mountain Air Cargo, a feeder operation for FedEx, which got him on FedEx property and working on FedEx-owned aircrafts. He put his nose to the grindstone, worked hard and networked as much as
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I believe Northwest has possibly the most knowledgeable instructors you could find”
he could. After almost three years, he finally got the call from FedEx that he had long hoped to receive. “It was an emotional rollercoaster when I got that call,” he said, while also recalling the celebratory party his family threw for him. “It felt close to when my wife Katelyn and I found out we were having our son Beau.” Now an aircraft maintenance technician for the company, he currently works a swing shift, often arriving to work at 3:30 p.m. and leaving at 3 a.m. On the job, he enjoys a workload that lines up perfectly with his skillset and a calm work environment he appreciates. He is thrilled to have landed his dream job, but said he also loves the potential opportunities that lie with working for a large company. Looking back, he is simply grateful that his high school self chose to take the leap. “The road to getting there is stressful, but fun,” he said. “I’m so glad I changed my mind.” Winter 2021 | Northwest Now
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ʻNONE OF US ARE
beyond saving'
Photo By: Alyssa Peyton
Story By Natalie Ehrhardt
Spiehler, 40, is originally from Newburgh, Indiana, the quintessential small town. She endured a traumatic, difficult childhood rooted in family turbulence, bouncing back and forth between her father’s home in Newburgh and her mother’s household in New Orleans. Eager to flee the small-town setting of Newburgh, she bolted 12 days after turning 18 and officially made New Orleans home. The city was the backdrop of her first go-round with higher education, as she enrolled at the University of New Orleans. Fluent in French after a semester abroad in high school, the highlight of her life up to that point, she had her sights set on a career as a French teacher. However, she quickly realized teaching was not for her when she was placed in a fifth-grade classroom to teach economics during her first semester of school. She switched her major from education to French, but her focus was elsewhere. She was entrenched in her personal life and soaking up everything the city had to offer. “I wanted to have friends on my own and not be controlled by my parents for the first time,” she said. “I wanted to have a boyfriend.” She met her (now ex) husband Drew at school around this time, and soon decided to drop out of college and get a job. She wanted to get married, and was 20 years old when the couple tied the knot. Four years into their marriage, they moved from California, where she had followed him from New Orleans pre-marriage, to Brandon. That year, Spiehler learned she was pregnant, but was devastated when the pregnancy turned out to be ectopic. “It was really one of the worst experiences of my life,” she said.
Northwest adult learner makes college comeback
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n May 2021, Northwest student Stacey Spiehler officially wrapped up her time with the college, preparing to transfer to the University of Mississippi on a coveted Lyceum Scholarship in the fall. It was the ultimate triumph after a lifetime of struggle. 26
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At 25, she became pregnant with the couple’s son Ace, who was born three months early and spent two months in the NICU. Two years later, they tried for another child, but Spiehler suffered a miscarriage. “For someone who had built their whole identity around being a mother and a wife, the mother part was turning into a nightmare for me,” she said. “That triggered a big spiral.” Over the next few years, she rode an emotional rollercoaster, over time descending into a habit of substance abuse. In the summer of 2015, things got even worse. Turbulence in her own family, admittedly of her own doing through her substance abuse, forced her to move in with her mother, but the arrangement quickly deteriorated when she could not follow house rules. Next, she moved in with a friend, but the arrangement proved to be a bad fit, and Spiehler was kicked out. After yet another living arrangement crumbled, she found herself moving into a homeless shelter. Thankfully, her mother, never one to give up on her child, allowed her to come back home. During this time, she was let go from the restaurant that had become a second home to her. She was devastated, and after a suicide attempt, she entered rehab in Chicago. She completed the program there, two months of rehab back in Jackson, followed by 18 months in a sober living program for women. “My mom calls that program the only sorority I’ve ever been in, and she’s so right,” Spiehler said. “Those women are still my tribe and my people.”
TURNING A CORNER
Spiehler has now been sober for almost six years. She worked in restaurants until 2019, earning the “Best Server” title in Jackson at one point. She and her husband divorced during this time, but remain best friends to this day. With an eye to the future, Spiehler decided to use the money she received in the divorce to finally return to school and earn a degree in journalism. She intended to go to Ole Miss, but found out she was on 20-year-old academic probation. She looked into other options to get started, and learned about Northwest. “I knew about Northwest, but I had no idea of the benefits of community college,” she said. “I feel like not enough people do.” At Northwest’s Oxford campus, she was advised by Financial Aid Counselor Steven Bennett to appeal her academic probation, and she won that appeal. “He was amazing,” she said. “He helped me so much, and that was the cool thing about walking into Northwest. It was like everybody here at this little campus knows you, and they want you to be there, and they want you to succeed. You just have to show up and try.” Surprising herself, she thrived in school, maintaining a 3.9 GPA and joining the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She calls all of her teachers at the college her favorite, but particularly sings the praises of math instructor Josh Guest and biology instructor Julie Stokes. “Northwest has boosted me to this point where I can’t fail,” Spiehler said. “Too many people want me to succeed.”
Spiehler proudly shows off her five-year Alcoholics Anonymous chip.
As a transfer student, she applied for the prestigious Lyceum Scholarship at Ole Miss. In her scholarship essay, she wrote about raising a child with special needs and serving on the board for Families as Allies, a statewide education advocacy group run by and for families of children with behavioral health challenges. After submitting her application, she waited anxiously for news until she finally got the call letting her know she had been chosen as a recipient and would receive a full ride to attend school. “It was one of the most joyful moments of my life,” she said. The Fall 2021 semester was her first at her new college home. Spiehler is currently studying investigative journalism, with a dream of “giving voices to people who can’t necessarily speak.” Specifically, she is interested in writing about the “school-to-prison pipeline,” which she believes could easily have swallowed up her son, who has autism and cerebral palsy, without her advocacy. After everything she has been through, Spiehler now finds herself in the position of being able to offer perspective and encouragement to other people who have been through similar struggles in their lives and wish to finish their education and pursue a brighter future. “What’s the worst that could happen; you fail? In the realm of addiction, if you’ve been an addict and you’ve been through recovery, you know you’ve been through worse. If you ask for help, you will be helped. None of us are beyond saving.” Reflecting on how far she has come and how bright her future now looks, Spiehler said she remains grateful, mindful and proud. “There’s always going to be that little voice back there telling me that I don’t deserve this because I hurt people,” she said. “Whether or not I deserve it, I’m going to do it, and I’m going to succeed. It’s pretty sweet.” Winter 2021 | Northwest Now
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MARCH 26, 2022 The Spring Soirée is an entertainment and food showcase at the Haraway Center on the main Northwest campus in Senatobia. The ticketed event will consist of three rooms featuring three different cities noted for their culture, food and music. The “destination rooms” will highlight New York City, New Orleans, and Nashville with students from Northwest's Fine Arts Department hosting and entertaining in these areas. These areas will be open for guests to experience the best of what the creative spirit of Northwest has to offer. The night will conclude with a presentation of four special awards. Awards that will be presented include: The Alumni Professional Achievement Award, The Young Alumni Professional Achievement Award, Award for Outstanding Corporation, and The Spirit of Northwest Award. The primary goal of this event is to raise funds to benefit the mission of Northwest Mississippi Community College, while showcasing the talents of our students. For sponsorship opportunities, tickets, or additional information, please contact Leeann Elrod at the Northwest Foundation. lelrod@northwestms.edu 662-560-1112
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Investing Today, Impacting Tomorrow A Campaign for Northwest Mississippi Community College
DESOTO CENTER CTE - WORKFORCE FA
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN REACHES $3.7 MILLION TOWARDS GOAL
The Investing Today, Impacting Tomorrow Capital Campaign has reached $3.7 million towards the $4.56 million working goal. We are excited to help fund the following projects in Phase One of the campaign: 1 Performing Arts Center 2 Aviation Program 3 DeSoto Center – Workforce Training Center 4 The Concourse – Panola County Center Program 5 Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center Programs 6 Soccer/Softball Complex We have had the opportunity to connect with alumni, friends, corporate partners, and foundations to advance in reaching our projected goal. We appreciate all who have already committed to this effort and invite others to come along beside us in this exciting, first-ever capital campaign. Investing Today, Impacting Tomorrow will have a tremendous influence in helping our students fulfill their educational endeavors with new programs, expanded programs, and unique opportunities. With a gift to the campaign, YOU can make a direct impact on the transformation of students’ lives at Northwest and the communities we serve. To learn how you can Invest Today, Impact Tomorrow, please contact Patti Gordon in the Northwest Foundation Office. 662-560-1103 or email pgordon@northwestms.edu Winter 2021 | Northwest Now
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ALUMNI HAPPENINGS
On the day of Homecoming, the college held an alumni reception to honor Sports Hall of Fame inductees, Alumnus of the Year, and alumni celebrating 50 years of being at Northwest.
2021 SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS President Michael Heindl, inductee Jimmy Steward and Director of Athletics Brian Oakes
Heindl, inductee Casey Baddley and Oakes
Heindl, inductee Harold Lewis and Oakes
Heindl, inductee Cody Reed and Oakes
Heindl, inductee Jeff Miller and Oakes
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ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
President Michael Heindl awards Barry Bouchillon Alumnus of the Year
GOLDEN CIRCLE CLASS OF ‘70 &‘71
Dr. Michael J. Heindl far left, Northwest President, honors members from the Classes of 1970 and 1971 with the Golden Circle Medallion. Left to Right: Buster Hale, Toni Hill, Gloria Sipp, Jackie Collinsworth, Glenda Patterson, Debbie Perkins, and Guy Loftin
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Homecoming 2021
Students at the Northwest DeSoto campus enjoyed a picnic lunch from Chik-fil-a.
The college community gathered the day before Homecoming for a parade and pep rally on the main campus.
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Oxford campus students and staff showed their school spirit with fun photo props.
Northwest Band members showed off their skills at a pep rally leading up to Homecoming day.
Northwest’s 2021 Homecoming Court shined during their halftime presentation on Thursday, Oct. 21. Members of this year’s court were: (from left) sophomore Shelby Wiley (Oxford campus), sophomore Kayla White (Senatobia campus), freshman Zaniya Faulkner (Senatobia campus), sophomore Tori Campbell (Senatobia campus), freshman Allison Bell (Oxford campus), sophomore Ashlee Richardson (DeSoto campus), freshman Skyla McDonald (DeSoto campus ), sophomore Cylie Robertson (Oxford campus), freshman Dakoyta Lesure (Senatobia campus), sophomore Savannah Watson (Oxford campus), freshman Megan Landmesser (DeSoto campus), and sophomore Presely Blann (DeSoto campus). Homecoming Queen Kayla White poses with President Dr. Michael Heindl after receiving her crown and bouquet..
Winter 2021 | Northwest Now
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THE
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t is, indeed, both a pleasure and an honor to announce new scholarship endowments, the beginning of a new legacy for those being honored by these scholarships and for the students who will be assisted for generations to come. The beauty of an endowment is that it will continue to help students for as long as this college exists. It
is also wonderful to think of how these students will use their education to make better lives for themselves, for their families and for the communities in which they will live. Thus, it is appropriate to name these pages, “The Legacy Continues,” because the effects of these extraordinary acts of generosity will last forever.
The Cameron Kyle Blount Endowed Scholarship
The Cameron Kyle Blount Endowed Scholarship has been established by family and friends of the late husband, father and former Northwest employee. “Bigger than life.” “Loyal to his family.” “Never too busy to check on his mom and dad.” “He took time to speak to everyone, no matter how young or how old.” “He heard about a family who was struggling at Christmas, and he bought two bikes for the children.” “Former Northwest students remember him taking time to help them.” — These are just a few of the comments from family and friends that describe the character of Cameron Blount. It was three years ago, at the age of 50, that Cameron passed away. His wife, Kenda Blount; their children, Kyle, Cayman and Kenzee; his parents, Ellis and Lynda Blount, and so many other family members, colleagues and friends still yearn for his presence in the midst of the warmest of memories. Cameron Blount grew up in Independence, a place he loved and where he graduated from high school. He attended Northwest, where he played second base for the Ranger Baseball team and was named All-Conference, AllDistrict and All-Region. He was recruited to play baseball at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Health Education with a minor in Sociology. It was at school in Arkansas that he met his future wife. After college, Blount played a special part in the lives of the residents of The 34
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Cameron Kyle Blount
Baddour Center, a home for adults with intellectual disabilities. He served at Baddour as a resident manager and director of Vocational Services. He left Baddour to work at Northwest in 2002, where he was responsible for overseeing a 12-sport athletic department in addition to intramural sports. He also supervised the McLendon Center, and was an adjunct instructor for health classes. After leaving Northwest in 2014, Cameron served as director of Enrollment Services for the Mid-South at Belhaven University. Northwest is very special to his family. His father, Ellis Blount, played basketball under Coach Bill Oakley. Two of his children also played on Ranger sports teams; Kyle Blount played baseball and Cayman Blount played soccer.
CONTINUES The value of the endowment is over $14 million. Through the generosity of so many, the endowment continues to grow. As it grows, so does the realization of the hopes and dreams of our students as well as the legacy of the special people who are honored by these endowments. —Patti Gordon
While the busy husband and father was an avid sports fan and participant, he always found time to help young people. Blount worked with the youth at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Hickory Grove Baptist Church during times when these churches were looking for permanent youth directors. His family is proud to say that he helped countless young people come to know and love the Lord. This scholarship is especially meaningful to Blount’s family. His wife said her husband had high hopes of returning to Northwest, and that the scholarship is a way for that hope to be realized because his name, memory and legacy will be part of Northwest forever. His parents believe their son would be proud of this honor because it is a way that he can continue to give to young people, something that he did generously his entire adult life. The Cameron Kyle Blount Endowment will be awarded to students with financial need who are a part of either the Ranger Baseball or Soccer teams. If no student meets this criteria, an Independence High School graduate may be selected. Recipients must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA while enrolled at Northwest.
The Don Clanton Endowed Scholarship
Whether it is bringing joy to children as Santa for more than 30 years, helping guests find a parking place at a Northwest Arena event, visiting inmates through the Tate County Jail Ministry, or entertaining the patients at the Senatobia Convalescent Center with inspiring hymns, Don
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Clanton has lived both his professional and personal life as a servant to humanity. His life began in Independence, as the son of John and Blanche Clanton and the brother to Jimmy, Johnnie Lynn and Barbara. He graduated from Independence High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1961. He attended Northwest from 1961–1963, and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a minor in history. While working as a teacher and coach at Coldwater High School, he attended Ole Miss part time until he completed his master’s degree in school administration in 1971. During his tenure as coach at Coldwater, his team won the Chickasaw Conference triple crown in basketball, football and baseball, and they were the state champions in baseball. His stellar education career has included serving as a teacher, athletic director, principal, drug education specialist, and culminated as the Tate County Superintendent of Education, elected for three consecutive terms from 1976-1987 and again from 1995-2000. In addition, Clanton was elected mayor of Senatobia for one term and alderman-at-large for two consecutive terms. Clanton has served on several boards, and one of those was the North Mississippi Educational Consortium. As a board member, Clanton suggested that the Consortium use funds to help community colleges provide scholarships to students who are planning to be teachers. As a result of that suggestion, Northwest has received $130,000 from the Consortium, all of which has been placed in a permanent endowment that will be helping future teachers for as long as Northwest exists. Clanton has been a member of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors since its inception. In addition to helping the Consortium Endowment come to fruition, he was also instrumental in the establishment of the Tate County Fair Association and the Senatobia Optimist Club endowments. He has contributed to over 40 scholarships out of an intense desire to make a way for students to attend school.
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class until noon, and went back to the farm and to Independence High School as the junior high football coach. Instead of complaining, Clanton sees every step in his life as an opportunity to make life better, not just for himself, but for those around him. The Don Clanton Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a student in an education pathway. The recipient must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA at Northwest.
The Danny Ray Cole Endowed Scholarship Don Clanton
Yet another way that Clanton helps teachers and other education professionals in Mississippi is by conducting informational seminars to help them navigate the maze of retirement. He is the “go-to” person to give one-on-one advice, as well as speak to groups and answer questions. Indeed, Don Clanton serves as the epitome of an outstanding educator, dedicated public servant, compassionate volunteer, and committed Christian. Then, there is his family, including his wife, Shirley, three daughters, Audra Henson, Annette Carson and Cindy Jones, six grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren. All of his immediate family members attended Northwest except for two, and those two worked at Northwest. As Clanton emphatically proclaims, “We are a Northwest family.” In 2019, he was named “Alumnus of the Year,” an honor that means a great deal to him. In 2021, he has received another honor that he holds close to his heart, the establishment of The Don Clanton Endowed Scholarship, by his wife, Shirley, his family and a host of former classmates, colleagues and dear friends. Throughout his life, Clanton has had to work very hard to achieve his educational and professional goals. When he attended Northwest, he got up at 4 a.m. every morning to milk cows. He attended
When Danny Ray Cole was alive, if you walked into a restaurant with him, it would not be unusual to see a young person hold up two fingers as they greeted him with, “Hey, Coach!” That was Coach Cole’s sign that he shared with every single young person with whom he came in contact. What did it mean? In the coach’s own words: “You have only two choices – good or bad!” One of his closest friends, Coach Mike Dottorey, said Cole would give someone the shirt off his back. He called him a “gentle giant” who served as a source of encouragement to everyone who knew him. Cole met Dottorey as a student at Northwest, and Dottorey provided him with a lifelong dream by taking him to a professional football game between the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals. It is a time that Cole never forgot. Dottorey lovingly led the effort to create the Coach Danny Ray Cole Endowed Scholarship. Cole was a native of Panola County, and graduated from South Panola High School. He attended Northwest, where he played football for one year and then went on to play for the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education. He was a proud member of the Psi Rho chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. After earning his degree, he coached football at South Panola High School for 10 years. During that time, he helped the South Panola Tigers reach the Class 5A Winter 2021 | Northwest Now
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was nothing short of a teddy bear. He was the heart of Northwest.” Cole dearly loved his family, especially his mother, Leonia, who preceded him in death. Cole also left behind six brothers, William, Roosevelt, Farris, Roy, Curtis Lewis, and John, and three sisters, Louise, Sharron and Loretta. Cole will not be forgotten at Northwest. For generations to come, Northwest students who receive his scholarship will read about Cole’s life, and know there are just two choices in life, good and bad, and his loved ones hope they will be inspired to choose the good ones.
The Couch Family Endowed Scholarship
Danny Ray Cole
State Championship on four occasions, winning it in both 1993 and 1999. When Cole died in May of 2020, he had just completed his 19th year on the athletic staff at Northwest. He was named the Junior College Strength Coach of the Year by Samson’s in the March 2010 issue of American Football Monthly magazine. He served as the defensive line coach and the strength and conditioning coach for Ranger football, as well as teaching fitness and conditioning classes. He had part-time jobs as a jailer at the Senatobia Police Department and a ranger at Sardis Dam. A YouTube search today for “Danny Ray Cole” would reveal a video of Cole bench-pressing 315 pounds – 60 times without stopping. He competed in the “Super Heavyweight” category, and he has the distinction of bench-pressing 600 pounds, and could squat 900 pounds. He earned a place as one of the “Strongest Men in Mississippi” by the Mississippi High School Coaches Association. Another of Cole’s friends and colleagues, Allison Eoff, said this about the “gentle giant”: “Danny Ray Cole can best be described as the friend that you always wanted on your side. He was a strong guy. However, underneath all that toughness was just a kind soul who 36
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The Couch Family has established the Couch Family Endowed Scholarship at Northwest Mississippi Community College. Couch family patriarch Wendell Couch is a 1966 graduate of the school, and he credits Northwest with his path in education. “If it hadn’t been for Northwest, I probably wouldn’t have gone to college at all,” he said. After graduating from Northwest, Couch went on to earn a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi State
Wendell and Marcia Couch
University, and entered a 30-year career with Intercontinental Hotels after graduating. Couch’s tie to Northwest is not the only one in the family, however. His younger brother Fletcher also attended, his father, Wendell Sr., worked in maintenance and his mother, Juanita, worked for a third-party food service vendor with which the school contracted. The Couch family hails from Hernando, by way of Tunica and Arkabutla, but Couch and his wife Marcia now reside in central Florida. The couple has one son, Brian, married to daughter-in-law Andrea, and two grandchildren, Dean and Maya Grace. Students receiving the scholarship must maintain a GPA of 2.0 while enrolled at Northwest. The family has specified no other criteria for the scholarship, as they wish it to be awarded to any student in need of scholarship money. “We just hope it’ll make their lives better, giving them an opportunity to pursue higher education,” Couch said.
The Alan Clayton Crockett Endowed Scholarship
Family and friends of the late Alan Crockett have lovingly established the Alan Clayton Crockett Endowed Scholarship in his memory. Crockett passed away in March of 2018 in his hometown of Senatobia at the age of 49. A 1986 alumnus of Northwest, Crockett earned an associate degree from the college before going on to earn a degree in accounting from Mississippi State University (MSU) and become a certified public accountant. Later, Crockett would return to Northwest as an adjunct instructor at both the Senatobia and DeSoto campuses. His family also has significant history with the school. His late father, Jimmy Crockett, was the longtime bookstore manager at the DeSoto campus. His mother, Anne Crockett, spent more than 25 years, working both part time and full time, for the Northwest Foundation and as secretary to Vice President of
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Educational Affairs Jim Darby. His brother, Mark Crockett, currently serves Northwest as its assistant director of construction and maintenance, and has been with the college for 25 years. Known for his humor and outgoing personality, Crockett also had very strong opinions about how people should conduct themselves to get the most out of life. At Crockett’s funeral, his good friend and coworker at Freds, Inc., Sherri Tagg, spoke about those ideas. “Most important to him was respect,” Tagg said. “You must give respect to get respect… Alan embodied respect.” Tagg said Crockett also preached the importance of being decisive and taking action. “As we know all too well today, life is short and time is precious,” she said. “Be intentional with your time and make it count.” Last, Tagg spoke of Crockett’s faithfulness. “He never gave up, but he accepted this was God’s will, and he was at peace with that,” she said. “Though these days seem dark, Alan wanted to remind us that after darkness, the light always comes.” In his free time, Crockett loved to be in nature. He enjoyed spending time at the beach, and as an avid fisherman, he regularly embarked on fishing trips
with friends, from adventures in the Caribbean to the Norfolk River in Arkansas. He was a member of Looxahoma Church of Christ, though he most recently attended Senatobia Church of Christ. He also served on the Executive Advisory Board for the College of Business at MSU. Crockett’s family describes him as a firm believer in higher education, and believes he would be happy to know his scholarship will benefit the lives of students. “We just want (these students) to have better lives in general, and be able to earn a better living and give back to society,” Mark Crockett said. The family has asked that there be no criteria for who receives the scholarship, as far as what program a student is in or where the student calls home. However, students receiving the scholarship must maintain a GPA of 2.0 while enrolled with Northwest.
The Kristie Duncan Endowed Scholarship
Northwest retiree Kristie Duncan Waldrop has been honored with the creation of the Kristie Duncan Endowed Scholarship at the college. Waldrop joined the Mathematics faculty at Northwest in 1993, and retired from the college in 2020. Throughout her more than 25 years with the school, she taught at least 16 different courses, including Linear Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Trigonometry, and Differential Equations. An involved member of the college community, she sponsored the nowdefunct Northwest Scholars Bowl team for several years, served as a co-sponsor for Phi Theta Kappa for nine years and Mu Alpha Theta for four years, assisted with the implementation of the Quality Enhancement Plan with the Mathematics department, and led faculty development workshops. In 2011, Waldrop earned the Sandy Grisham Excellence in Teaching Award, a high honor. “I loved my coworkers,” she said. “We were all a team. I loved the students
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Kristie Duncan
because whatever type of student they were, I enjoyed watching them learn more about mathematics and like it. I loved helping to get students wherever they were going.” Waldrop is the daughter of Philip and Janice Duncan. She has one sister, Sarah Graham, and a son, Gabe Waldrop, an Ole Miss senior who has followed in his mother’s footsteps in his pursuit of a career in mathematics. The daughter of a preacher, Waldrop spent much of her youth moving around, but has long considered Senatobia to be home, having been a resident for 30 years. She was the valedictorian of her class at Seminary High School, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Science in Mathematics from Ole Miss, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout her undergraduate and graduate careers. After completing an assistantship and fellowship at the school, she entered into a career-long commitment to Northwest and never looked back. Currently, she is a teacher at Magnolia Heights School in Senatobia, instructing students in Algebra, Geometry and ACT prep. She is also a dual enrollment teacher for William Carey University. In her free time, Waldrop enjoys playing the piano and painting. She has also written, illustrated and self-published Winter 2021 | Northwest Now
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at least a 2.0 GPA while enrolled at Northwest.
three children’s books. She is a member of the First Baptist Church in Senatobia. Waldrop’s scholarship fund was established by Northwest’s Mathematics department. There are no stipulations for the scholarship as far as who will receive it, but recipients must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA while enrolled at the college.
The Horn Lake High School Alumni Endowed Scholarship
The Loretta Hentz Hanks Memorial Endowed Scholarship
On January 12, 2001, adult Northwest student Loretta Hanks was killed in a car accident on her way home from campus. Almost 21 years later, the Loretta Hentz Hanks Memorial Endowed Scholarship is set to begin making a difference in the lives of Northwest students. Hanks, 45 years old at the time of her death and a sophomore at the college, was a Courtland native who had gone back to school to study social work. Her only child, Sally Agrawal, was 20 years old and attending Mississippi State University when her mother passed. Agrawal said Hanks wanted to make a direct impact on people through her new career. After high school, Hanks worked for a doctor’s office before accepting a position with Batesville Clinic. When she enrolled at Northwest, she was a parttime employee with Lipe Gas Company. According to Agrawal, Hanks always wanted to go back to school, and when her daughter went off to college, she finally decided to pull the trigger. Hanks thrived at Northwest, earning a 4.0 GPA and being elected Outstanding Student in Psychology and Social Work consecutively. “Loretta was not only one of the best students I knew, but she also was a model worker as our work-study in the Humanities Building,” Languages and Communications Director Jean Moore said at the time. Moore further remarked that Hanks was a student who also became a friend because of the two’s shared interests, including a love of nature, poetry, God, and fellow humankind. Agrawal adds that her mother was also very interested 38
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Loretta Hentz Hanks
in plants and birds (she had taught herself to identify many different kinds), and would take care of any “poor orphaned creature that showed up at our house.” Agrawal believes her mother would be thrilled about the scholarship, if only because it will accomplish what she wished to do in her career as a social worker. “I think she would be tickled because she didn’t get to make that direct impact on people that she wanted to, and we can in this way,” Agrawal said. As a student, Hanks herself had received scholarship money to attend Northwest. Her daughter notes that she also was a scholarship recipient in college, and is happy to be able to “pay it forward.” She and her husband Sameer, who now live in Virginia with kids Felix and Fritz, participated in Teach for America, an eye-opening experience. “We saw how important it is to give back in this way to help get people started, especially at community college,” Agrawal said. At her passing, Hanks left behind Agrawal, husband Jimmy Hanks, mother Lillie Darby, and brother Steve Hentz. The Loretta Hentz Hanks Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to an adult learner student. If none are available, the scholarship will be awarded to a student from Panola County. Recipients must maintain
Generations of Horn Lake High School graduates will be able to receive financial assistance at Northwest Mississippi Community College, thanks to a passionate group of the high school’s alumni. The Horn Lake High School Alumni Endowed Scholarship has been established at Northwest with a $100,000 donation from the school’s Alumni Foundation. The group has been funding student scholarships to any school of the recipient’s choosing since 2004, with 16 students completing their degrees with that funding in the years since. Those college graduates include students who went on to become teachers, doctors, accountants, an architectural engineer and a physical therapist. One recipient is currently attending Johns Hopkins University. “We’ve had them in just about any field you could go into, and it’s just been such fun to watch and take part in that part of their lives,” said Jan Knight, a 1961 graduate of the high school. “They often try to stay in touch, and that really makes it feel very special.” Knight started the initial scholarship 18 years ago with a personal donation and a donation from a fellow 1961 alum. “I just wanted to do something for the school,” she said. “At that time, we had a very large alumni group, and I felt like they would also want to do something for the school.” As people outside of the alumni group found out about the scholarship, donations began steadily trickling in. According to Knight, most donations are now done through memorials and honorariums. Two annual fundraisers, a golf tournament and Hall of Fame banquet, have also supported the scholarship fund. A newsletter put together by Patsy Wilson, the wife of original scholarship committee member Weldon Wilson,
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Horn Lake High School Alumni: Cole Bostick; Patti Gordon, Northwest Executive Director Institutional Advancement; Jan Knight; Dr. Michael Heindl, Northwest President; Jeannette Gordon; Weldon Wilson
bolstered the scholarship by frequently featuring topics related to the fund, such as listing honorariums and memorials and including thank you notes from scholarship recipients. “Without the newsletter, the scholarship would not have been as successful as it was,” Knight said. Some years, the scholarship committee would have as many as 20-30 applications. Selections were based on grades, student essays, community service, and an interview with the committee. “As far as we know, we are the only school in DeSoto County that has had a scholarship like this for as long as we’ve had it,” Knight said. Knight, her husband, son, brother, and niece have all attended Northwest. Recently, the high school’s Alumni Foundation decided to consolidate all scholarship money at the college with its $100,000 endowment. Students applying for the scholarship through Northwest must be Horn Lake graduates, and must submit a resume and an essay. Community service in Horn Lake or local schools is also a requirement. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled at Northwest.
The Ed and Becky Meek Foundation Scholarships It has been said that “an act of kindness can change the course of a life.” For Ed and Becky Meek, they
are dedicated to changing the lives of students in East Tallahatchie County through enterprise grants and higher education opportunities. The Ed and Becky Meek Foundation was founded in 2021 by the couple, who grew up in Charleston and the Paynes community of northwest Mississippi. While the two have lived in Oxford for much of their adult lives, they have continued to be passionately focused on strengthening educational opportunities for individuals and on economic development and other programs increasing the quality of life in Charleston and East Tallahatchie County. Their foundation supports the educational development of students residing in this area, which is known as the “Gateway to the Mississippi Delta,” and is one of the most impoverished and challenged areas of the nation. The Foundation encourages high school students to meet all requirements needed for graduation. Further, it provides enterprise grants for immediate Ed and Becky Meek
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work and for trade, tech and vocational two-year and four-year degree programs. Enterprise grants are also provided to non-profit organizations in support of community and economic development. The Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation is both excited and grateful to announce that The Ed and Becky Meek Foundation will be providing scholarships to students who are selected by the Meek Foundation and who choose Northwest as their “first” college. These scholarships will be awarded to students from East Tallahatchie County who wish to make a better life for themselves. The Meeks have taken the path that is higher and better to return to the places of their childhood to help the citizens of Charleston and East Tallahatchie County with Enterprise grants. The ripple effect is tremendous. The recipients of the grants are also provided higher and better paths, and the benefits of this new direction extend to their families and to the communities in which they live. It is the vision of Northwest to “transform students’ lives,” and supporters like the Meeks help tremendously in making this dream come true for students in East Tallahatchie County.
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The Palmer Home for Children Educational Endowed Scholarship
The Palmer Home for Children Educational Endowed Scholarship has been created at Northwest to support young adults in the nonprofit organization’s Transitional Care program. According to the organization, the funds may be used for scholarship support, to fulfill class lab fees or to purchase needed books and equipment. Palmer Home, originally established in 1895 as Palmer Orphanage, serves children newborn through age 24 with the following: a residential campus for children; foster care program with Palmer Home-certified families; Family Care, which provides care for the infants of mothers in prison and support to those mothers in prison and after their release; and the Transitional Care program that provides continued guidance and coaching through career and vocational development for young adults aged 18-24. Palmer Home representative Lauren Waites described Northwest as a “great fit” for those in Palmer Home’s Transitional Care program. “We just hope the young adults in our program who want to go to college and do so affordably will take advantage of this opportunity,” Waites said. “A scholarship is a great incentive.” One Palmer Home and Northwest alum spoke about their positive experience as a student. “I enjoyed getting to know my teachers and connecting with them,” the student said. “Every teacher I had went into depth at every lecture, made sure that I understood what they were teaching 40
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and took time to make sure that I was on track. People in the offices were very nice and security around the campus made me feel safe.” According to Palmer Home, the organization partnered with one of its loyal donors who believes in the benefit of higher education to establish the scholarship endowment. “Palmer Home has a long-standing relationship with Northwest Mississippi Community College, and wanted to provide a permanent means to provide opportunities for our young adults,” the organization said. Young adults served by Palmer Home have earned degrees from Northwest over the years in fields including cosmetology, culinary arts and general studies.
The Wesley Waldrop Williamson Theatre Endowed Scholarship
In January, the world lost an adored family member and friend and a gifted member of the theatre community. Wesley Williamson passed away on January 21, 2021, at the age of 27. Following his death, friends and family of the big-hearted Northwest alumnus established the Wesley Waldrop Williamson Theatre Endowed Scholarship. Williamson was a Northwest Theatre student from 2013-2015. Talented at his craft, he and fellow Theatre student Aaron Brasher were the first in Northwest history to pass through the semifinal round of the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, part of the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. At Northwest, he had roles in “Miss Firecracker,” “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” and “An Inspector Calls,” which he returned to participate in after graduating. “Wesley was a one-of-a-kind student, and quite literally had a one-of-a-kind heart,” said Sadie Shannon, Fine Arts instructor. “He loved like no other and could brighten anyone’s day. He started as my student, but after he graduated, he became one of my dearest friends and
colleagues. It was my honor to know and love him.” He spent the summer after his graduation from Northwest as a guest Teaching Artist at Appel Farm Arts & Music Center in New Jersey. In the fall, he enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting and Performance with Honors. With his undergraduate career behind him, he spent a year and a half teaching theatre at Horn Lake before deciding to take a break. During this time, he worked for DeSoto Family Theatre. He eventually returned to teaching, accepting a position at South Panola High School, where he was still working at the time of his passing. Williamson is the son of Wayne and Jane Williamson of Olive Branch. Jane Williamson is a Northwest retiree, who taught in Career-Technical Education’s Business Technology program for 34 years. Along with their son, the Williamsons also have a daughter, Shannon, son-in-law, Jerry, and a grandson, Beckett, who arrived in May of 2021. Williamson was born with a congenital heart defect. His parents learned of his heart condition five months into his mother’s pregnancy. Doctors informed them that their son would require surgery almost immediately after birth, which could be done in California or Pennsylvania. He was born at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on July 7, 1993, and had his first heart surgery five days later. He underwent another heart surgery when he was six months old, and another when he was two years old. As parents to a child with a serious medical condition, his father acknowledges that they could have chosen to keep him in a bubble. “He went through life living it to the fullest,” he said. “We could have held him back, but we didn’t.” As a son, his parents describe him as “special.” He showed love to his family openly and often, leaving notes for his parents and hugging them frequently, no matter his age and not caring who saw. “He was very loving,” his father said.
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Wesley Williamson
“The amount of love that he poured out to us, it was not normal. It was like he knew he wasn’t going to be here forever. He bottled up a lifetime of love into 27 years.” Theater was Williamson’s “niche,” as his condition did not allow him to play sports. His parents say they have no idea where his theatrical talent came from, but recall that it first emerged when he was a third-grade student at SBEC, now Northpoint Christian School. His passion for theatre only grew from there. “He didn’t get every part he tried out for, but he persevered,” Jane Williamson said. He honed his talent at many local theaters, including DeSoto Family Theatre, Panola Playhouse, Kudzu Playhouse, Harrell Theatre, and Theatre Memphis. He acted in productions including “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Foreigner,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Oklahoma,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Hello Dolly,” “Music Man,” and countless others. In addition to acting, Williamson also developed a love of directing, earning multiple “Allie” awards for outstanding performances and directing. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, both Williamson and his family feared for his health. Toward the end of his life, his mother also worried he was too busy, between teaching, acting and his social
life. “I just think he wanted to get it all in,” she said. After his death, social media was flooded with tributes to Williamson, many referencing one of his favorite quotes, and one that his parents say describes him to a T: “Normalize telling people that you love them. Tell them a lot. Make it weird.” Friends and acquaintances of Williamson’s have reached out to his parents in the months since to tell stories of how he positively impacted their lives in one way or another. “He emulated Christ as best he could, and not too many people can say that,” Wayne Williamson said. “I just think he treated everybody the way Jesus wants us to treat people. He’s taught me a lot.” Since its establishment, one student has already benefitted from Williamson’s scholarship. His parents say they are just happy to know the funds will be awarded for years to come to students who love theatre and simply want the opportunity to further their knowledge. Theatre students receiving the Wesley Waldrop Williamson Theatre Endowed Scholarship must maintain a GPA of 2.5 while enrolled with the college.
The Representative Tommy Woods Endowed Scholarship Pat and Gracie Woods and the Woods family have lovingly established the Representative Tommy Woods Endowed Scholarship at Northwest Mississippi Community College in memory of the former state representative and lifelong member of the agriculture community. Students hailing from Marshall County will benefit from the scholarship. Recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA and be enrolled full time while attending Northwest. Thomas “Tommy” Lamar Woods passed away in the spring of 2020 at the age of 86. Born and raised in Byhalia, where he remained throughout his life, he
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was deeply invested in his community. A farmer, Woods also owned and operated Woods Farm Supply in Watson, now run by his son Pat and grandsons. The business was formerly Watson Gin Company, which was also owned by the Woods family and where Tommy Woods, along with his sons Prentis and Ray, worked for 40 years ginning cotton with his father, J.P. Woods. Woods was a dedicated family man. He was married to his first wife Jan for 53 years, and the couple had four children together, Prentis, Pat, Ray, and Jeana. Jan Woods passed away in April 2006 after a battle with breast cancer. Keeper of the family business’s books until the couple’s retirement in 1998, she and her husband lived, worked and enjoyed mutual hobbies alongside one another. They were constant companions. “It was Tommy and Jan; you didn’t think of one without the other,” Pat Woods said. Woods married his second wife, Faye, a lifelong educator who was long known and adored by the Woods family, in the summer of 2007. Faye Woods supported her husband in all of his endeavors, and he was, in turn, supportive of Faye in her charity work and as director of the Byhalia Arts Council. The loving couple enjoyed almost 13 years together, enjoying a life of serving their community.
Tommy Woods
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The Woods family patriarch was deeply committed to his faith. He was a lifelong member of Byhalia United Methodist Church, where he served as the choir leader. A talented singer, he often performed at revivals alongside his first wife, who played the organ and piano for their church for 50 years. The couple’s love of music inspired their daughter Jeana to a life of music. Always up for community participation, Woods could also be counted on to sing the National Anthem at community events. In his free time, as a licensed pilot, he also enjoyed flying and quail hunting. In 1988, Woods was elected to his first term to serve as a state representative for House District 52, which encompasses parts of DeSoto and Marshall counties. He would be elected for six more terms after the first one, marking an impressive 25-year career in politics. He was not the family’s first politician, as his father had served as a Marshall County supervisor. During his time as a representative, Woods made a number of notable
contributions, including: sponsoring a bill that introduced measures promoting the importance of wearing a seatbelt; getting a road named for Marshall County’s first black Sheriff, Osborne Bell, who was killed on duty; working with Sen. Bill Hawks to help facilitate the I-269 corridor route that now runs through his district; and working for 16 years to ensure the building of Methodist Hospital in Olive Branch. “He set a good example for us because he was a doer in every aspect of his life,” Pat Woods said. “Where I might get something started and not finish it, he would always see everything through.” After suffering a stroke in 2011 at the age of 78, Woods decided it was time to retire and formally resigned from his position in July of 2012. The following year, not one to sit still, he felt moved to preach. He asked the local district superintendent of the Methodist Church to call on him if he was needed. He was, and he spent the last seven years of his life as the preacher for
Fountainhead United Methodist Church, a small congregation in Ingrams Mill. “He loved it, and they loved him,” Pat Woods said. “He just wanted to serve. He always said he wanted to live until he died.” Woods served those around him in many ways throughout his life, always eager to help where he could. With the establishment of the Northwest scholarship in his name, his family will continue supporting students, as he did with an annual scholarship prior to his death. “Our family is excited to be able to do this,” Pat Woods said. “He instilled the value of hard work and education in us and that there’s no limit to what you can achieve.” Woods also served on the college’s Foundation board. Pat Woods, an alumnus of Northwest, has also served the school as a member of the advisory committee for Northwest’s Workforce Training program.
In Memoriam VIRGINIA SLEDGE COX
Virginia Sledge Cox, a native of Senatobia, died on July 31, 2021, at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Myrtle Sledge, and brother, Billy Sledge. She is survived by her sons, Ron Cox and Roy Cox, and her sisters, Dr. Patsy Sledge of Senatobia and Lynn Sledge Gartman of Pharr, Texas. Cox and all of her siblings attended Northwest. After Northwest, she earned a degree in home economics from The University of Mississippi. She taught in Marshall County for two years before beginning a distinguished career as director of the Tate County Department of Human Services. Her time of providing a lifeline to those in Tate County encompassed 36 years, and she handled her responsibilities with compassion and sensitivity. She was both beloved and respected for her kindness and diligence. She joined her family in 2016 to establish The Sledge Family Endowment to provide scholarships to students who are involved in the Fine Arts programs, especially the Northwest Singers. 42
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RICHARD B. HONEYCUTT
On July 19, 2021, the world lost Richard B. Honeycutt, 43. Honeycutt was a longtime employee of Northwest, serving as the college’s inventory control specialist since 2004. He left a true living legacy in his three children, Barrett, 22, Jilian, 21, and Rosemary, 16. In June, he and his wife, Stacy Honeycutt, celebrated 23 beautiful years of marriage. Both graduated from Northwest during the beginning of their marriage while starting their family. Honeycutt has many titles, including husband, father, grandson, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He is the son of Eugene and Cindy Honeycutt and the grandson of the late Mary Honeycutt, better known as MeMaw. Growing up, MeMaw was his most special person. He is the brother of Brooke Hale and brother-of-the-heart to Melissa Till and Chris Wilbanks. This is just a small part of the vast family and friends he has left behind. Honeycutt had a true gift for bringing joy, laughter, wisdom, and most of all, love to every life he touched.
Whether it was with one of the ways he would make you smile, the interesting knowledge he loved to share or because he would just sit and listen when you needed to talk. One of Honeycutt's greatest joys was constantly learning new things. Because of this, he was a jack-of-all-trades, especially when it came to learning new art techniques. To honor his long-time love of creating art, the Richard Honeycutt Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship Fund was created. Richard Honeycutt was truly a bright light that can never be replaced, but as his family and friends say, how lucky we all are to have someone so beautiful and miraculous to call ours. .DR.
MELODY BRUCE MUSGROVE
In 2012, Dr. Melody Bruce Musgrove joined with her husband, former Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove, to establish The Ronnie and Melody Musgrove Endowment at Northwest. At the time, Melody Musgrove was serving as the director of the Office of Special Education Programs for the U. S. Department of Education. She was appointed by President Bill Clinton, and she served in this position for six years, leading in the transformation of special education in our country. She graduated from Mendenhall High School, and went on to receive her master’s and doctorate degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi. She immediately assumed positions in education, to include being the assistant principal of Mullens Elementary School in Brookhaven, assistant superintendent of Lawrence County Schools and the director of Special Education for the State of Mississippi. Prior to her death in September of 2021, she had been professor of Special Education in the School of Education and co-director of the Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning at the University of Mississippi. Musgrove and her family were active members of Parkway Hills United Methodist in Madison. She was predeceased by her father and mother, Maxie Bruce, Sr., and Sarah Conerly Bruce, and her daughter, Amanda Erin Smith. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ronnie Musgrove, and her sons, Grayson Smith Musgrove and Michael Smith (Maggie), her brother Maxie “Mac” Bruce, Jr., and her two step-children, Jordan David Musgrove (Joely) and Carmen Rae Musgrove Huang (Ian). She is also survived by five precious grandchildren, Evelyn and John Paul Smith, Ethan and Harrison Huang and Charles Musgrove, along with her rescue dog, Noah. Appropriately stated in her eulogy, “Melody leaves behind a legacy of grace, class and dignity as a person who worked
tirelessly to create an education system that provided opportunity and equality for every child in Mississippi and the United States.” The Ronnie and Melody Musgrove Endowment is awarded to students who have experienced the death of either one or both of their parents.
MARY ELIZABETH PURDY
In 2005, the son of Guy and Mary Purdy, Stephen, was killed in a tragic car accident. The couple established The Stephen Purdy Endowment in memory of Stephen and, thus, began a history of giving to the Northwest Foundation. After Guy Purdy passed away in 2018, his wife and her children added his name to create The Stephen Purdy and William Guy Purdy Endowment in 2020. Mary Purdy and her family continued in giving faithful and generous contributions to the Foundation, culminating in 22 years of giving at the time of her death on August 13, 2021. Mary retired from Desoto County Schools as a teacher assistant at Olive Branch Elementary School. She was an active member of Getwell Church. Mary is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth “Betsy” Anderson (Jeremy) of Southaven and Christine Martin (Lynn) of Horn Lake; son, William Jenkins (Denise) of Syracuse, Utah; granddaughters, Emerson Anderson of Southaven and Sabrina St. Claire of Iowa; grandsons, Stephen Anderson of Southaven, Tanner Anderson of Southaven, and Shawn Martin of Horn Lake; two great-grandsons; sisters, Patricia Tanner of Olive Branch, Jeannie Ray (Mike) of Eminence, Ky., Margie Merrick (Robbie) of Louisville, Ky., and Susan Kaufman (Tony) of Dongola, Ill.; and a host of nieces and nephews. The Stephen Purdy and William Guy Purdy Endowment is awarded to students who are graduates of any DeSoto County high school.
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The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” — Nelson Henderson
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athletics
BACK-TO-BACK Rangers win second straight conference title Story By Brian Lentz The nationally-ranked Northwest football program won its second consecutive conference title on November 13, earning a 56-21 victory against Hinds. It marked the 11th conference championship in program history, the third since 2015 and the first title repeat since 1991-92. Additionally, the Rangers had 13 players earn All-MACCC honors, while head coach Benjy Parker improved his career record to 48-14 with a .774 winning percentage, becoming the Rangers’ all-time winningest coach based on win percentage. Northwest has made the postseason every year under Parker's tenure and dating back to his span as an assistant coach from 2014-15. Northwest owns a record of 9-2 and concluded the regular season polls with a No. 3 national ranking from the NJCAA. Along the way, the Rangers finished 4-2 against nationally-ranked opponents, including wins against Coahoma, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Jones College and Hinds. On November 23, Northwest was one of four teams officially announced to compete in the inaugural NJCAA Division I Football Playoffs. The Rangers traveled to Roswell, N.M. on Sunday, December 5 and faced off against second-ranked New Mexico Military Institute. More information on that contest, as well as other recaps from other games throughout the season, can be found on nwccrangers.com. 44
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LADY RANGERS CAP HISTORIC SEASON Story By Brian Lentz
2021 marked a historical season for the Northwest women’s soccer program. The Lady Rangers broke into the NJCAA Division II soccer polls in mid-September and remained ranked all season, earning a program-best 15 victories en route to an appearance in the MACCC Semifinals. The Lady Rangers hosted a firstround playoff match for the first time in program history, officially returning to the on-campus field for a 2-0 victory against Meridian on November 2. In that same contest, freshman Jennifer Enriquez also became the Lady Rangers’ new career assists leader, earning her 20th assist on what would turn out to be the game-winning goal. Northwest also made significant strides in men’s soccer, as the Rangers finished third in the North Division, earning the program’s first playoff appearance since 2016. Both teams finished with four AllMACCC selections apiece.
NORTHWEST REVIVES TENNIS; IRVIN NEW HEAD COACH Story By Brian Lentz Northwest officially announced the return of men’s and women’s tennis in November, simultaneously hiring Will Irvin to lead both programs. Irvin played for Meridian from 2016-17 and finished his education at Mississippi State, before moving to the University of Florida and working in the institution’s Athletic Association. Prior to his time in Gainesville, Irvin served as the Mississippi Golden Triangle Regional Director from April 2018 to May 2021. As regional director, Irvin was responsible for growing the area's youth tennis involvement for the U.S. Tennis Association, making the Golden Triangle region the largest in the state in just two years. His involvement with the USTA spans back to 2014, where he served as a youth tennis coach in the Starkville area, providing lessons to players ages 10-15. Northwest tennis will take the court in time for the 202223 academic year. Both programs will return to the Ranger Outdoor Complex, which previously served as the home for the tennis teams from 2013-17.
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memorials/honorariums
The Legacy of Memorial and Honorarium Gifts A great many of the gifts that are received by the Northwest Foundation are given to pay tribute to those who have profoundly impacted the lives of others—parents, siblings, teachers, sons and daughters. Some gifts are designated for permanently endowed scholarship funds, which means the gift “keeps on giving” forever. The memorial and honorarium gifts listed were given between May 1, 2021 and October 31, 2021 in appreciation both to those who gave the gifts and to those who have lived extraordinary and inspirational lives. If you wish to make a memorial or honorarium gift, please contact the Foundation Office at 662-560-1112.
MEMORIALS
ROSS BOATRIGHT, SR.
JOE COSBY
by Mr. James R. Bryant Mrs. Beverly Gaddy Mrs. Joyce Randall
A. W. AND LANELLE BOUCHILLON
VIRGINIA COX
JIMMY NEAL ANDREWS
by Mrs. Peggy M. Broadway
by
TOMMY BROWN
BROWNIE CRAWFORD
DAVID BRYAN
ALAN CROCKETT
SAM AND RUTH ANN ALLISON
by Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Dye Mrs. Lisa J. Selph
SAM AND RUTH ANN ALLISON by Mr. and Mrs. Marty Allison
by Mrs. Sandra Roy
by Mr. and Mrs. Barry Bouchillon
ALBERT BROADWAY
by Mr. and Mrs. Steven Oelke
Reverend and Mrs. Clay Moore Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Rogers Mr. and Mrs. John Ungurait Ms. Linda Webb
by Mrs. Dorris Crawford
by Ms. Sandra L. Watson
by
by Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Hoop Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Knight Ms. Patricia Lott
FRANK CANADA
CARLTON DAVIS
BILL BECK
by Mrs. Katherine Ward
by Mr. and Mrs. Randy Chesney Mr. and Mrs. Herman Coats
DIANE BIFFLE
TOMMY CARPENTER
EARL BABB
by Mrs. Betty Brower Mr. David Brower
PEGGY BASINGER
by Ms. Toni Barden Mrs. Pam Briscoe
by Mrs. Ida Bryan Mr. Joe Moore
by Ms. Shirley Bennett
MICHAEL BYRD
by Mrs. Patricia B. Dhority
HOWARD AND EDNA CARPENTER
by Mr. and Mrs. Randy Chesney Mr. and Mrs. Herman Coats
TRICIA BIHN
ROBERT L. CARTER
CAMERON BLOUNT
BELA J. & RUBY BLACK CHAIN
by Mr. Perrin Caldwell Jr. by
Dr. Matthew Domas Mr. Wayne Ferguson Dr. Don Jones Mrs. Marla Y. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Greg Mote Mr. and Mrs. Bill Selby Mr. Dan Smith Ms. Linda Webb
ONEIDA BLUITT
by Mr. and Mrs. Steve Williams
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by Mrs. April Lipscomb by Dr. and Mrs. Buddy Chain Jr.
REGINA CLARK
by Mr. and Mrs. Perry Arrington
GENE CLEMENTS
Mrs. Anne B. Crockett Mr. and Mrs. Todd Latham Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Nickens Mr. Robin Robison Mr. and Mrs. Frank Simmons
by Mrs. Ernestine A. Davis Ms. Judy C. Marshall
CLAY DAVIS
by Mrs. Ernestine A. Davis Ms. Judy C. Marshall
THURMAN DAVIS
by Mrs. Ernestine A. Davis Ms. Judy C. Marshall
FRANCES MARIE DEAN by
Mr. and Mrs. William Fite Larry E. Dhority Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Dhority Mrs. Patricia B. Dhority
ANTHONY FARESE
by Mr. and Mrs. Scott Thomas
by Mr. Steve Cummings
BILL FOSTER
DANNY RAY COLE
EMMETT AND EVELYN HALE
by Mr. and Mrs. Dewayne Herrington Mr. John Still Ms. Linda Webb
by Mr. Steve Cummings by Mr. E. F. Hale III
memorials/honorariums LORETTA HANKS
DONALD KEY
MARCUS HERNANDEZ
KHALID KHOURI
by Mr. and Mrs. Sameer Agrawal by Mrs. Mary E. Purdy
TOMMY HOGAN
by Mr. and Mrs. Ken Harris
RICHARD B. HONEYCUTT
by Mr. Robert Bateman and Dr. Marilyn Bateman Mr. Mike Brewer Ms. Jo Ann Carlisle Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Mr. and Mrs. Keith Godbold Mr. David C. Horan Ms. Chery Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Till Ms. Rachel Tirhi Mr. Jeff Triplett Dr. Carolyn Wiley Mr. Matthew Williams
ROBERT HYDE
by Ms. Betty Poore Holland
BILL NELMS
PAUL LAWRENCE
VICKI PHILLIPS
by Mrs. Barbara Lawrence
GERALD LESTER
by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro
JO ELLEN LOGAN
WILLIAM PRIDE
BILLY MAGEE
GUY PURDY
by Ms. Sue Draper
by Mr. Perrin Caldwell Jr.
JAMES R. MAJOR
JENNY K. JOHNSON
JOY MOORE
by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Amorosi
CHARLOTTE JOHNSTON
by Mr. Marcus Perkins Mr. and Mrs. Greg Steinman
JASON JONES
by Ms. Alyssa Algee Mrs. Lacey Gentry Ms. LeeLee Haraway
Ms. Debra Branan Mrs. Marjorie Earl Ms. Melissa Evans Ms. Lisa Johnson Mrs. Theo Worley
RAYMOND VERNON LOVINGOOD
BARBRA W. MANNING
CHARLES R. JOHNSON
by
SCOTT POTTS
JAMES JACKSON
Ms. Brandy Brown Mr. Robert Brown Mr. and Mrs. Robert Choate Circle K Stores, Inc. Ms. Kristina Dunson Ms. Ruth Ann Fuller Ms. Amber Garton Mrs. Angela Hutson Mr. Jeff Kleist Dr. Susan Avery Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Tom Stiffler Mrs. Mandy Underwood Mr. Jeff Vest
by Mr. Zabe A. Davis IV
by Mr. Jim Anderson Devereux Management Company Senatobia Culture Club
by Mr. Perrin Caldwell Jr.
by
Dr. Patsy Sledge Ms. Elizabeth Sutherland Ms. Paulette White Mr. and Mrs. William G. Yates
by Ms. Wendy Davis Mr. Bud Donahou Mr. Ghassan Khoury
by Mrs. Mildred Washington by Mr. Dennis Cobb
by Ms. Catherine Cashion by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tallo
CHIEF BILL MOORE
by Mrs. Becky Moore
by Mr. and Mrs. Ken Harris Mrs. Marla Y. Kennedy by Mr. Perrin Caldwell Jr. by Mr. and Mrs. Robbie Merrick Ms. Beverly Mulloy
MARY E. PURDY
by Mr. and Mrs. Sid Bickley Generators Class ‑ Highland Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Bob Moore Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Ratliff Mr. and Mrs. Mike Ray Mr. and Mrs. Wayne W. Williamson
STEPHEN PURDY
by Mr. John David Randall
by Mr. and Mrs. Robbie Merrick Ms. Beverly Mulloy
LEONARD MORRIS
by Mr. Steve Cummings
MARY ALICE A. MOORMAN
by Mrs. Lillian Morris‑Hilson
READ MORTON by
Fayette County Rod & Gun Club, Inc. Mr. Brian Bendersky Mr. and Mrs. Teddy Bryant Mr. and Mrs. Alan Hurdle Ms. Bette A. Hurdle Mr. and Mrs. George D. Lofton
by
Mr. Perrin Caldwell Jr. Judge and Mrs. George Carlson Mr. and Mrs. Travis Childers Elbert Hilliard Ms. Stephanie Musgrove
DR. MELODY MUSGROVE
MARTHA SUE RAY LAURA REED
by Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Reed
WALTER AND WANDA F. RUBY by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Brown
DIANE SANDERS
by Ms. Lillian Seaman
ROBERT SANDERS
by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brown
Winter 2021 | Northwest Now
47
memorials/honorariums JAMES SANFORD
LOIS GENEVA WILLIAMSON
JOSEPH FRANCIS SCHAPPACH
WESLEY WILLIAMSON
by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Brown Ms. Pamela Hall
DON SCHMITT
by Mr. Perrin Caldwell Jr.
TIM SHORTER by
Mrs. Lisa Barber Ms. Kathy Buchanan Mr. Matthew Johnson Ms. Suzette Logan
by Dr. Amy Stewart by
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Meurrier Mrs. Sadie Shannon Mr. and Mrs. Jack Vaughan Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Williamson
DAVID WITHERS
by Mrs. Leighton Miller
TOMMY WOODS
by Mr. and Mrs. Pat Woods
DEAN WRIGHT
SANDY GRISHAM
by Mr. Bud Donahou
AVREY HANDLEY
by Ms. Carolyn Young
JERRY HOLLIS
by Mr. Bud Donahou
BRENDA G. HOLMES by Ms. Patsy Gardner
CATHRYN HYDE
by Mrs. Mildred Washington
by Tate County Fair Association
by Mr. and Mrs. Lenny Baronowski Mrs. Leighton Miller
JOE JOHNSON
ANDREW SPRABERRY
DREW YOUNG
JODIE MOORE
JAMES L. (TREY) SYLVESTER
CALVIN GROVER YOUNGBLOOD
TOM AND JANE MURPHY
ROBERT SILVER
by Mr. and Mrs. Randy Chesney by Dr. Darrell Barnes
by Mrs. Jean Steadham by Dr. Ruth Williams‑Hooker
HONORARIUMS
JAMES K. TANNER
by Mrs. Mary E. Purdy
AMY DEMPSEY TIDWELL
by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Williams
GARTH TINDLE
by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro
GLENN TRIPLETT
by Mr. Jeff Triplett Mrs. Rebecca Triplett
FRED VANNUCCI
by Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Johnson
C. B. AND MARJORIE WALKER by Mr. and Mrs. Ken Dossett
W. L. & LULA BROOKS WALLACE by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Starnes
JUDY WEEKS
by Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Todd Latham
C. CHAD AND REBA WILLIAMS
by Mr. and Mrs. James Brett Curtis Mr. and Mrs. Steve Sturgeon
CHARLOTTE ALEXANDER by Dr. Carolyn Wiley
DR. BONNIE BUNTIN by Mr. Robert Kelly
DR. MICHAEL BUTTS by Ms. Patsy Gardner
DON CLANTON by
Mrs. Kenda Blount The Honorable Smith Murphey Mr. Donald Randolph Dr. Patsy Sledge
EVA COVINGTON
by Mr. Kelvin Covington Mr. Buddy McRae
BUD DONAHOU
by Ms. Melissa Greene
MIKE DOTTOREY
by Mr. Charles B. Adams
MURPHY AND CLARKE FLY by Ms. Mary Bonds
LACEY GENTRY
by Mr. Perrin Caldwell Jr.
48
northwestms.edu
by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Amorosi by Mrs. Mary E. Purdy by Mr. and Mrs. Steve Williams
DR. PURNIMA R. PUROHIT by Dr. Ramesh Purohit
DAN SMITH by
Dr. Rachell Anderson Mr. and Mrs. William H. Austin Jr. Mrs. Mary Ayers Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Casey Mr. Steve Cummings Ms. Angela Dortch Mr. Doug Freeze Ms. Patti Gordon Mr. and Mrs. David Hargett Holy Innocents Episcopal Church Dr. Don Jones Mr. and Mrs. John T. Lamar, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Todd Latham Mrs. Kayleigh McCool Mitchell Mrs. Lillian Morris‑Hilson Mr. Tim and Dr. Stephanie Mullins Dr. Ginger Robbins Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Ross Mr. Matt Sellers Dr. Carolyn Wiley
STERLING WITHERS
by Mr. and Mrs. Victor Wyatt