Fall 2015 Northwest Now

N ORTHWEST M ISSISSIPPI C OMMUNITY C OLLEGE F OUNDATION

Northwest

P.O. Drawer 7015 • 4975 Highway 51 North Senatobia, MS 38668

NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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Now

FALL 2015

Parting

Photo by JucoWeekly.org

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Glenn Triplett: Celebrating the life of a Northwest legend INSIDE: scholarship ceremony • 2+2 tourney • Legacies • fall sports

Now

Northwest Fall 2015

A publication of Northwest Mississippi Community College

President Dr. Gary Lee Spears Vice President for Finance Gary Mosley Vice President for Student Services/Chief of Staff Dan Smith Vice President for Education Richie Lawson Vice President/Registrar Larry Simpson Chairman, Northwest Board of Trustees Milton Kuykendall

Northwest Foundation Associate Vice President of Development & Special Projects/Associate Editor Sybil R. Canon • srcanon@northwestms.edu Director of Alumni Affairs & Development Operations Dolores Wooten • dbwooten@northwestms.edu Scholarship Coordinator & Foundation Assistant Patti Gordon • pgordon@northwestms.edu

Communications Director of Communications/Editor Sarah Sapp • ssapp@northwestms.edu Assistant Director of Communications/ Graphic Designer Julie R. Bauer • jrbauer@northwestms.edu Communications Assistant LaJuan Tallo • ltallo@northwestms.edu Digital Media Specialist Lindsay Crawford • lcrawford@northwestms.edu Coordinator for Sports Information Kevin Maloney • kmaloney@northwestms.edu Assistant Coordinator for Sports Information Brian Lentz • blentz@northwestms.edu

For address changes, please contact Alumni Affairs at (662) 560-1105.

Northwest Now is published bi-annually as a joint effort of the Northwest Foundation and the Office of Communications.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Please visit the Northwest website at www.northwestms.edu/affirmativeaction to view the College’s Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

contents features

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rewarding excellence Faculty, staff receive recognition for outstanding service to the college and their professions.

celebrating giving Foundation scholarship students thank donors at annual ceremony and reception.

cover story: music man College celebrates the life and musical legacy of retired Director of Bands Glenn Triplett.

renewing friendships Alumni return to campus for Homecoming reunions, salutes to top alum, new Sports Hall of Fame class.

keeping the cowboy way Former rodeo coach named recipient of national award honoring preservation of cowboy heritage.

departments 1 2 3 18 26 33

student snapshot/tom anderson president’s reflections/dr. gary lee spears alumni president’s notes/mike boren around campus the legacy continues the sporting life from the heart of northwest/sybil canon alumni news/dolores wooten

On the cover: Retired Director of Bands Glenn Triplett was a mainstay on campus, regularly attending Fine Arts events and even serving as guest conductor at Concert Band performances.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

from the

heart of Northwest

Sybil R. Canon I never cease to be amazed by the extraordinary contributions to our world and society made by Northwest graduates. One of those whose legacy of service is truly stellar is Dr. Ethelyn Smith.

Dr. Ethelyn died on Oct. 12. She was 94.

A native of Senatobia, she attended Northwest and graduated from The University of Mississippi before receiving her medical degree from the University of Tennessee. She was the only woman in her medical class.

She returned to Senatobia where she joined her father, Dr. William Douglass Smith, in his medical practice. His medical practice lasted 50 years, and so did Dr. Ethelyn’s --- a combined 100 years for father and daughter!

I remember when I first moved to Senatobia almost 40 years ago, I took my children to see Dr. Ethelyn. I walked up the stairs to her office and, upon entering, I realized there was no receptionist or no place to sign in. I looked around at the people waiting and asked, “This is my first time here. Where do we sign in?” I was told by a lady, “I was the last one before you came in. You will go after me.” That was the system, and it worked!

When it was my turn, I took my children in and introduced myself. Dr. Ethelyn informed me that she already knew who I was and welcomed me to Senatobia. She proceeded to examine my daughters and prescribed the appropriate medicine. I asked her where I paid, and she informed me that I could give the payment to her --- $2. “Two dollars?” I asked. “Yes,” she replied, “but since this is your first time here, you don’t have to pay this time.” I was speechless!

That was what she charged every one of her patients who came to her office. Then, there were those who would be standing at her back door when she left her office. Most of those, she didn’t charge anything. She was known to place money in the mailbox of someone who was having a difficult time. Dr. Ethelyn was taught from an early age by her father who was paid in vegetables or wood for the stove --- or nothing at all.

Dr. Ethelyn closed her office on Thursday afternoons. She loved to take her boat to Sardis Lake and fish and water ski. Dr. Ethelyn loved teaching young people to water ski, and so many of Senatobia’s young people have fond memories of those days.

Several years ago, some of Dr. Ethelyn’s friends established an endowed scholarship in her honor. What a privilege it is for the Northwest Foundation to have a scholarship that bears this dear and distinctive name, a name that brings such prestige to “the Heart of Northwest.”

alumni news Dolores Wooten By now many of you have received a letter from our office asking you to consider an end-of-the-year contribution. I would like to issue an alumni challenge and ask every alum who reads this article to do just that—consider a gift to Northwest.

As was stated in that letter, our office has been overwhelmed with numerous pleas for help with textbooks. It is totally impossible to help every request that comes through our doors. There are situations with students that would absolutely break your heart. We try hard to determine who is most deserving of textbook assistance. We have to make that decision among all the requests, because there is simply not enough funds to help them all. This is where we need your help.

I am asking each alum to think of your days here at Northwest, and remember where you got your start. Often I am asked to call if I ever need anything. Well, I may not be calling, but I am writing asking you to give a gift. You may think that what “little” you can give may not help that much. But remember, “little” becomes “much.”

We make it easy to give. You can use a credit card, check or even PayPal. If you prefer, you can call me with your credit card information, and I’ll be glad to take care of it.

Remember that purchasing cookbooks is a way to help the textbook assistance program.

The proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks are used strictly for textbook assistance.

Let’s see what our alumni can do through this “alumni challenge.”

Thank you for your support of Northwest. I appreciate it, and so do our students.

student snapshot Tom Anderson Olive Branch • Freshman Pathway: Criminal Justice Scholarship: The William P. Harris Fallen Hero Endowed Scholarship You are receiving the Fallen Hero endowed scholarship named for Sheriff William Harris.

As a law enforcement officer, how do you feel about receiving this scholarship?

I am very grateful for the scholarship, the donors and everyone who make it possible to assist students through the Sheriff William Harris Scholarship. Within the profession of law enforcement, there is a strong feeling of family between officers who depend on each other every day to make it home safe. When an officer dies in the line of duty, we often wonder if, beyond a week or two, his sacrifice will be truly remembered by those he gave his life for. Seeing Sheriff Harris' name on a scholarship shows that even many years later his sacrifice is not forgotten.

How would you describe your experience as an adult student?

The learning experience has been much more pleasant for me as an adult student. I have found I'm actually interested in the material and how the world works, as opposed to when I was a teenager and I thought I already knew. I'm now able to relate most learning material to real world experiences I've had. Without question, I have enjoyed learning as an adult.

How has being able to take all of your classes online made a difference in getting your degree?

Taking classes online has been the only reason I have been able to go back to school at all. My income supports my family, and my work schedule is fluid—it changes constantly. With online classes I'm able to do my school work any time and anywhere with WiFi. The flexibility of online classes is the only option that allows me to attend school around my home life and work schedule.

Photo by Julie Bauer

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years my goal is to find as much happiness in my profession as I do today. I love my work and hope to serve my community more effectively in the future through the learning I am gaining today.

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Tom Anderson and his wife, Ashley with their children, Gabriel and Isabel

Tom’s wife, Ashley, is in her sophomore year of the Associate Degree Nursing program. She is receiving the Carrie Jane Belyeu Davis Endowed Scholarship.

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president’s reflections When I began my tenure as president of Northwest 10 years ago, there were many things of which I was extremely confident. I was confident in my love and respect for this college. After all, I began my higher education journey here, I met a beautiful student who would become my wife and I had the chance to work here for more than 25 years before becoming president. I was confident in the excellence of our faculty. I was confident in the knowledge and experience of the administrators. I was confident in the legacy and tradition of Northwest.

What I did not know was looming on the horizon was Hurricane Katrina that crippled our entire state and a debilitating economic recession that would result in drastic cuts in appropriations to Northwest. While those cuts have never been fully restored to Mississippi community colleges, we were able to overcome these economic challenges. In the past 10 years, we have experienced dramatic growth, we have not had to lay off employees and we have even been able to provide modest raises for our staff.

How did we do that in the midst of these challenges? We were wise in our planning and prudent in our finances. Northwest has not incurred any debt in its building programs.

We began a program called “Building on Tradition,” and the results have changed the landscapes of all of our campuses. Both the Southaven and Oxford campuses were enlarged so as to accommodate the growth in those areas. On the Senatobia campus, a Nursing Building was built, and it has become recognized as one of the premier facilities in the Southeast. On the drawing board to begin this year is an Allied Health facility and an athletic field house. Other construction has included the Physical Science Building addition, equipped with the highest caliber laboratories for science courses. A Mechanical Technology Building has recently opened to house three Career-Technical programs. Outdoor, intramural facilities for our on-campus students were constructed to include new tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. The McLendon Center underwent a massive renovation.

We have seen online instruction increase, and our program has been recognized as one of the top 50 online programs in the country. Students from our CareerTechnical programs are ranked first in the state in many of the tests required for certification. The Northwest Singers sang at Carnegie Hall in New York. Our athletic teams are consistent competitors in district, state and regional competitions.

To elaborate on all of the good and positive accomplishments for the past 10 years would take up this entire magazine. Suffice it to say that we have enjoyed a tremendous decade of growth and progress. I am privileged and humbled to serve as president of this fine college and to stand alongside a dedicated team of administrators, faculty and staff who assure that for our students, indeed, “Success Starts Here.”

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Dr. Gary Lee Spears

alumni president’s notes Mike Boren It isn’t often, if ever, you get to say, “I am the best in the nation,” but this year’s MACJC Championship winners can.

That’s right, my friends. Under the direction of the 2015 NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year, Jack Wright, the Rangers made it to the top of the NJCAA Football Poll—a feat that hasn’t happened since 2000.

The excitement was electrifying in Ranger Stadium stands as our football team improved to 10-1 overall, defeating its fifth ranked opponent this season. It's also their first-ever postseason win over the Gulf Coast Bulldogs in eight tries. This was the first time since 1999 that Northwest earned bragging rights to the MACJC football champion title, defeating Gulf Coast 34-24 and winning the ninth MACJC football title in program history.

The team is now preparing for Mississippi Bowl VIII, set for Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. in Biloxi for the NJCAA National Championship. The game will be streamed live with live stats at www.njcaatv.com. Pregame starts at 1:30 p.m.

As alumni and supporters of the college, it is our duty to uplift our Alma Mater in every way possible. Whether you are in the stands on the Gulf Coast or watching the game from home, please send your love and prayers to our team as they play their hearts out in the Mississippi Bowl. Post your well wishes on the Athletic Twitter page @NWCC_Rangers or the Northwest Rangers Facebook page; send Jack a card congratulating him and his team or just stop by our Senatobia campus and tell them in person, “We are proud of you!”

Go Rangers!

around campus #1 Rangers headed to National Championship The wait is finally over.

For the first time in 16 long years, the Northwest Rangers are MACJC Football Champions, defeating Gulf Coast 34-24 on Saturday, Nov. 7, to claim its ninth football title in program history (2015, 1999, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1987, 1982, 1965, 1960).

Northwest will now turn its attention to Mississippi Bowl VIII, set for Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. in Biloxi for the NJCAA National Championship. The No. 1 Rangers will face No. 2 Rochester (Minn.)

Community and Technical College at Biloxi Indian Stadium.

In the MACJC title game, Northwest improved to 10-1 overall, defeating its fifth ranked opponent this season. It's also their first-ever postseason win over the Bulldogs in eight tries. MGCCC fell to 8-3 with the loss.

The Rangers' swarming defense got to MGCCC quarterback A.J. Erdely all afternoon long, just as they did the first meeting of the season back in September.

Northwest forced four turnovers and finished with six sacks, three from freshman Quondarius Qualls, and tallied 14 total in two games against the Bulldogs.

Northwest took its second drive of the game 49 yards in three plays, with Gardner Minshew going 3-for-3 on the drive and connecting with Marquisian

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Chapman for a 13yard touchdown and 7-0 lead.

Gulf Coast responded 5 minutes later to tie the game at 7-7 after Erdely's 6-yard quarterback keeper. The scoring drive was setup by T'Rod Daniels' 54-yard punt return down to the Northwest 11yard line.

The Rangers jumped back in front minutes into the second quarter when Justin Crawford broke a 50-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7.

Crawford's run put him over the 3,000yard mark of his Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (right), congratulates illustrious career, the Head Coach Jack Wright after the Rangers win the MACJC only player in school Championship Nov. 7.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo history to accomseconds later, however, when Erdely plish the feat.

Joshua Rowland's 39-yard field goal scrambled outside of the pocket and with 15 seconds remaining in the quarter then hit Johnathan Nance for a 62-yard touchdown to end the third quarter. pulled Gulf Coast within 14-10 at half.

Northwest took its largest lead, 34After the Rangers' opening drive of the third quarter stalled out at the 17, with 11:30 to play in the game after MGCCC 15-yard line, Corey Brown strip- Minshew hit Crawford out of the backsacked Erdely at the MGCCC 32-yard field for an 18-yard touchdown on 3rdline and then scooped and scored from and-12. The drive was aided by a 15-yard 22 yards out to make it 21-10 with unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and kept alive on Jacob McCrary's 28-yard 10:58 left in the third.

Two possessions later it was the diving catch.

Erdely drove the Bulldogs 83 yards on defense again, this time Tito Windham.

After Qualls sacked Erdely for a 14-yard nine plays with the clock running under 6 loss it was Windham who picked up the minutes and hit Nance for a 4-yard loose ball at the 5-yard line and scam- touchdown to make it 34-24 with 2:49 remaining. Erdely was 6-for-8 on the pered in for the score and 27-10 lead.

MGCCC pulled within 27-17 just 40 drive for 81 of the 83 yards.

Gulf Coast got the ball back with 1:05 remaining and drove it down to the Ranger QB Gardner Minshew finished the Northwest 2-yard line before the final game 12-for-25 for 204 yards and two horn. —Kevin Maloney touchdowns. Photo by JucoWeekly.org

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around campus Faculty, staff members earn variety of accolades Hicks receives Grisham award Instructional Librarian Courtney Hicks was presented the Sandy Grisham Excellence in Teaching Award at the college’s opening faculty meeting Aug. 10.

This award is given to an academic faculty member on the Senatobia campus in honor of Sandy Grisham, a retired instructor in the Social Sciences Division.

The selection is made by the Academic Division Directors on the Senatobia campus. The award winner receives a check in the amount of $1,000 from the Northwest Foundation, which represents earnings on the endowment established by faculty and staff.

“This award is for those who push technology, and Courtney involves students and their smart phones by posting answers to Instagram and doing yes/no questions with texts, encouraging concise writing through a tweet and more,”

said Sybil Canon, vice president of Development and Special Projects.

“We at the library are beaming with pride over her award. We watch her earn it every day by cheerfully interacting with students. She cannot wait to show them a cool tool that will help them write papers or develop a video that will get them an A. All along, the student is having fun and completely unaware that they just learned something new,” Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (far right) said Maggie Moran, division director presents Courtney Hicks, instructional librarian (second from left) with the Sandy Grisham Excellence in of Learning Resources.

Moran added that a project devel- Teaching Award. Grisham (second from right) and oped by Hicks and her colleague, Sybil Canon, associate vice president of Development Glenn McDowell, was featured in and Special Projects joined Spears for the presentation.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo “Mississippi Libraries” and that Hicks was instrumental in developing the library’s mobile app.

Senatobia faculty —LaJuan Tallo

chosen Lamplighters

Four given Customer Service awards

Dr. Gary Lee Spears (all photos, right) presented the Faculty and Staff Customer Service Awards at the Aug. 10 opening day faculty meeting. The 2015 faculty award went to Renee O’Neal, Oxford Center English instructor (top left photo, center), and the 2015 staff award went to Becky Moore, residence hall supervisor (bottom left photo, center).

The 2014 faculty award went to Dr. K.N. Thimmaiah, DeSoto Center chemistry instructor (top right photo, center), and the 2014 staff award went to Dolores Wooten, director of Alumni Affairs and Development Operations (bottom right photo, second from right). Congratulating them is Richie Lawson, vice president for Education (far left).

Congratulating Wooten is Sybil Canon, associate vice president of Development and Special Projects.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

Dr. Gary Lee Spears (center) congratulates instructors Temple Allen (left) and Beth Dickerson for being chosen to represent the college at the annual Lamplighters Conference, held Oct. 20-22 in Meridian. The two were chosen for this honor by the academic leadership of the college. Allen has been teaching information systems technology at Northwest for the past 17 years, and Dickerson has been employed at Northwest since 2004. Currently, she teaches business and office technology.

The Lamplighters Program was begun in 1990 by the Academic Deans Association to honor excellence in teaching. The conference is designed to recharge and invigorate faculty who shine on their individual campuses.

Photo by Julie Bauer

around campus Math instructor recipient of first DC award American psychiatrist Dr. William Glasser once said, “When you study great teachers, you will learn much more from their caring and hard work than from their style.”

Wayne Ferguson, a long-time mathematics instructor who was honored at the annual college-wide faculty meeting in August as the first recipient of the new DeSoto Center Excellence in Teaching Award, fits that description perfectly.

This fall, Ferguson began his 30th year of teaching at Northwest. He taught for 15 years on the Senatobia campus and is in his 15th year at DeSoto Center.

During his tenure, he has served as the sponsor of the Science and Math Club, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Student Government Association. Ferguson was the recipient of the first Lamplighter Award, which honors excellence in teaching at Mississippi community colleges. In 2006, he received the Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) award, which honors academically talented students and faculty members of Mississippi’s higher education institutions.

“I was a student at Northwest, and I had outstanding instructors such as Anita Wilborn Graham and Jo Adams Cross,

Wayne Ferguson who played a big role in my academic pursuits. I always knew that instructors like them were preparing me for university course work. I try to do the same with my students so that they can succeed after they leave Northwest,” Ferguson said.

At the meeting, Jeremy Isome, DeSoto Center dean, introduced the new award that will recognize one outstanding DeSoto Center faculty member each year. Both academic and career-technical faculty will be eligible for the award.

According to Isome, the entire DeSoto

Center faculty votes on the award. Each year, the recipient will receive a plaque and a cash award. The cash part of the award is part of a growing endowment through the Northwest Foundation.

Faculty members and others are making donations to the award fund, but it is not yet fully endowed.

“The passion he has for teaching is evident, with students remarking that he can take a subject that is difficult for most and make it understandable. If anyone was deserving of it, he definitely was. I hear a lot from students that he deeply cares for his students, goes above and beyond and really loves to teach. That’s what this award is all about, so I think he embodies this award,” Isome said.

For Ferguson, becoming the inaugural recipient of the award was both a surprise and an honor. “I was surprised when I received this award. I feel honored to receive it because I know so many instructors at the Southaven campus who are also so deserving of this recognition.

It is special to be recognized by the college and by my colleagues at the DeSoto Center. It is a joy to teach the students at Northwest and to work with such dedicated faculty members throughout the college,” Ferguson said.

—LaJuan Tallo

Cindy Pierce honored with TYCAM’s Webb Award In September, English instructor Cindy Pierce was honored as the recipient of the Webb Award at the Two-Year College English Association of Mississippi (TYCAM) conference.

Named in honor of Dr. Evelyn Webb, the Webb Award honors an outstanding English instructor, current or retired, who has been active in and dedicated to TYCAM or the Two-Year College English Association-Southeast (TYCA-SE). The nominee for this award must be a member of TYCAM. Pierce has been an instructor at Northwest since 2004. She has served

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as co-president of Literature II and Intermediate TYCAM for the past English. four years and has “I’ve always heard the old attended several conadage that teaching can be a ferences, both state thankless job, and I could say and regional. She was that serving as an organization’s one of the instructors co-president is a thankless task who co-authored “For too, but I can’t. After serving Our Students,” an four years as the co-president English Composition for TYCAM, I was humbled to II textbook. The book learn that I had been nominated Cindy Pierce has been used at and selected for the Webb Northwest since the 2008 fall semester. Award. This is truly one of the greatest She currently teaches six classes, includ- highlights of my teaching career,” Pierce ing Composition I and II, American said.

—LaJuan Tallo

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around campus Alumnus of the Year returns to campus Northwest alumnus Dr. Ron Chance of Naples, Florida recently toured the Senatobia campus and visited with Robin Robison, director of the Natural Sciences Division. He was impressed with the changes he saw during his visit. “The progress on all fronts at Northwest is certainly impressive,” Chance said.

A native of Sardis, Chance was the 1998 Alumnus of the Year. He is currently on the leadership team of Algenol Biofuels, serving as executive vice president and senior scientific advisor. Algenol is a global, industrial biotechnology company that is commercializing its patented algae technology platform for production Dr. Ron Chance (left) of Naples, Florida recently toured the Senatobia camof ethanol and other biofuels. pus and visited with Robin Robison, director of the Natural Sciences Division.

Chance began his career with Honeywell Photo submitted Corporation, where he served in a number of research positions including research manager for Electronic ExxonMobil from 2006-2009.

Materials. In 1986, he joined Exxon as the director of the comChance has organized several international scientific meetpany’s Polymers and Fluids Laboratory, later serving as diviings and served on numerous university advisory boards, sion manager for the Paramins Technology division, and as disincluding currently for chemical engineering at the University tinguished scientific advisor in ExxonMobil’s Corporate of Southern California and materials science at the University Strategic Research Laboratories. of Stockholm. He received his doctorate in Physical Chemistry Chance retired from ExxonMobil in 2006 and joined the from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Georgia Institute of Technology as a faculty member with a “I was a first-generation college student, and I still rememjoint appointment in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular ber fondly my years at Northwest, especially the instruction I Engineering and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He received from Bobby King. He provided a great foundation,” also served as Distinguished Scientific Advisor Emeritus at Chance said.

—LaJuan Tallo

President welcomes new members to Board of Trustees Dr. Gary Lee Spears (center) welcomed two new members to the college’s Board of Trustees at their August meeting. Dr. Daryl Scoggin (left), Tate County superintendent of schools, and Steve Cummings, Yalobusha County representative will represent their respective counties on the 22-member board, the institution’s highest governing body.

Photo by Sarah Sapp

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around campus College offers first-ever fall online orientation

State officials visit campus U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (top photo, left) visited Northwest’s Senatobia campus on Aug. 17. Kelly was welcomed by Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (right).

During his visit, Kelly also took a tour of the campus. Kelly serves the First Congressional District.

Photo by Sarah Sapp

Beginning this fall, new students were able to complete orientation completely online, and eligible students were able to register online. It marked the first time in the college’s history that an online orientation program was offered.

Students read information and watched short videos about registration, safety and security, academic regulations and financial aid. Each section featured a short quiz at the end.

Once completed, students were able to register. Students could also find a step-by-step guide to registration options.

“We created a fun and interactive online orientation for the newest members of the Northwest family,” said Sarah Sapp, director of Communications. “Videos and information about campus life and housing, communications, eLearning and student services and success helped new students prepare to have a great freshman experience at any of our campuses.”

According to Sapp, anyone could take the online orientation.

New students, current students and parents alike could find a wealth of information and resources they may not be aware of.

The site opened July 1, 2015. Online registration for eligible students was offered July 7 through Aug. 7.

“Students are online constantly with their computers, phones and tablets,” said Richie Lawson, vice president for Education. “We wanted to meet our students where they are and make it as easy as possible to get started at Northwest.”

Lawson emphasized that all students will meet with their advisers once they begin their studies at Northwest. If they need any assistance during the process, staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide any guidance they need.

Former editors honor instructor

Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) Commissioner Mike Tagert (above photo, left) visited Northwest to award a $500 cash scholarship to Christopher Ryan Legge, a freshman from Batesville studying engineering.

Each year, MDOT awards scholarships to college students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) toward a career path in transportation-related fields. Eligibility is determined by the student’s GPA and desire to pursue a career in transportation STEM. Congratulating Legge is Richie Lawson, vice president for Education.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

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Recently, former editors of Northwest’s campus newspaper, The Ranger Rocket held a reunion to honor their instructor, Robert Edward Oakley for his birthday. Pictured left to right are Rupert Howell, Kerry Foust, Pam McPhail, Pat Young, Oakley, Carol Griffin, Pat Ledbetter and Billy Dugger.

Photo submitted

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2015 Foundation Scholarship Ceremony Donors, students celebrate giving at annual ceremony The family of Scott Potts, including (l to r) parents Terry and Penny and children Jay and Jeweleigh, join scholarship recipient Shawn Davis of Corinth before the ceremony begins. Davis is a freshman studying heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technology.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

Attending the Annual Scholarship Ceremony has become a tradition for many of those who have established endowments and annual scholarships. The event has become much like a reunion, and this year's event attracted more than 700 scholarship sponsors and students. The two-day event also recognizes newly established scholarships, which included 10 new endowments and one annual scholarship that had been established between October, 2014 and September, 2015. The Foundation awarded 596 scholarships for the 2015-16 academic year for a total of $550,150. The current Northwest Foundation Endowment Fund is valued at approximately $9 million, and Northwest has awarded $3,671,420 in scholarships since 1997. All students, regardless of income, are encouraged to apply. Applications are available at www.northwestms.edu under “Financial Aid,� and applications are due April 1.

New Endowments The Jimmy Neal Andrews Endowment The Charles (Charlie) Alan Baldwin, Jr. Endowment The Alice Hammersmith Endowment The Indomitable Spirit Endowment The Wilbur and Martha Mastin Family Endowment The Oxford Center Practical Nursing Endowment The Tim Shorter Endowment The Delores Sanders Stewart Endowment The Dr. Ellen Williams Endowment The Baxter H. Murphree and Virginia Murphree Willis Endowment

New Annual Scholarships The ThyssenKrupp Annual Scholarship Associate Vice President of Development and Special Projects Sybil Canon (far left) speaks with scholarship recipients (l to r) Tom Anderson, Tori Pruett and Joshua Hester as they share their lives and the importance of Foundation scholarships.

Photo by Julie Bauer

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Frances Perkins (left) welcomes sophomore Lauren Storey of Senatobia, recipient of the William Preston (Bill) Perkins, Jr. and Frances Crouch Perkins Endowed Scholarship.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

Scholarship recipients (top photo, l to r) Taylor Renth of Caledonia, Christina Infante of Olive Branch, Chris Orange of Southaven, (bottom photo, l to r) Elizabeth Marquez of Horn Lake, Jacob Stewart of Hernando and Alyssa Adams of Batesville were some of the students who told the crowd what receiving a Foundation scholarship has meant to them.

Photos by LaJuan Tallo and Julie Bauer

Paul Crawford, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the Larry Cox Fallen Hero Endowment, gets ready to enjoy the delicious refreshments during the reception.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

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2015 Foundation Scholarship Ceremony

Retired Northwest Dean of Nursing, Dr. Ellen Williams (second from right), attended the ceremony with her daughter-in-law, Sarah Lomenick, her mother, Ethel Peters, and her son, Robert Lomenick. Prior to the ceremony, Dr. Williams was honored with a plaque commemorating the establishment of an endowment in her honor. (above) Photo by LaJuan Tallo The family of Stephen Purdy visited with scholarship recipients Samuel Davis of Batesville (second from right) and Joseph Caligaris of Hernando (far right) before the ceremony. In attendance were Stephen’s parents, retired ABE Director Guy Purdy and his wife, Mary, Pat Tanner and Christine Martin. (left) Photo by LaJuan Tallo

Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (left) and Northwest First Lady Marilyn Spears (second from right) welcomed sophomores Laken Suddoth of Sarah and Ashley Hunter of Southaven (far right) to the ceremony.

Suddoth is the recipient of the Dr. Gary Lee Spears Endowed Scholarship, and Hunter receives the Marilyn R. Spears Endowed Scholarship. Not pictured is Robin Wilson, who is also receiving the Marilyn R. Spears Endowed Scholarship. (right) Photo by LaJuan Tallo

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Northwest Now

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cover story

Director of Bands Glenn Triplett spent 26 years mentoring Fine Arts students while shaping the college’s band program.

Photo courtesy of the Triplett family

Band’s Director Emeritus leaves lasting legacy

By LaJuan Tallo

It could be said that when Glenn Triplett passed away on Aug. 27, Northwest lost a legend. But the retired “Director Emeritus” of the college’s band program left an indelible mark on the students he taught, the department he worked in and most of all, the history of the college.

Triplett spent 26 years leading the bands at Northwest and was the co-

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author of the college’s alma mater and wrote its fight song. He served as chairman of the Fine Arts division and brought the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity to Northwest. Today, Northwest is the last two-year college to have a chapter of the fraternity. His son Jeff serves as assistant director of bands and teaches music classes at Northwest.

Barnett Glenn Triplett, known as Tripp

to his family, colleagues and friends, was born and raised in the small town of Macon, in Noxubee County. According to Jeff, he started playing trumpet in third grade in school band. “He came from a musical family. My dad’s mother Eloise Triplett was an accomplished pianist, and my dad’s sisters were both musical. My Aunt Shirley sang in the choir while at continued on next page

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A Northwest alumnus and 1994 Alumnus of the Year, Triplett wrote the music for the college’s Alma Mater, and also authored the Ranger Fight Song.

Photo from NWCC Archives

being in his band, because he never singled me out. He treated me like anybody else. It was fun to be in his band. He was a great dad. He taught me a lot of practical things about living that make life easier and simpler, and that still means a lot to me,” Jeff said.

Both his musical and teaching ability are legendary. Jeff recalled a story of when he was about age 13. “I was listening to Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’ in my room, and my dad opened the door and asked what it was. He said, ‘I’m going to arrange this for the band.’ He sat down and arranged it. The band played it for years when we would win a game,” Jeff said.

John Ungurait, Northwest director of bands, was also a student of Triplett’s from 1983-1985. “We were all in awe of him, all the time. He was so much bigger than life,” Ungurait said.

Ungurait said that Triplett was an authority figure, but also a father figure. “We just called him Mr. Triplett to his face, but his nickname in the band was ‘Daddy T.’ That ‘father figure’ is what I remember about being in the program. It was always, ‘Yes, you are going to do it my way, but realistically, I care about you.’ He knew how to balance being in charge but he was still able to show that loving, caring side,” Ungurait said.

He recalled how on one occasion his mother could not reach him on the dorm phone and called Triplett, who told her to call him anytime she needed her son. He also remembered a time when he got very ill, and the Tripletts paid to take him to the doctor and get medicine. They took him to a friend's parent's home to be cared for. Today, Ungurait's son James is a member of the Northwest band. “We are carrying on the Triplett tradition,” Ungurait said, smiling.

Harry “Mike” Warren, a band alumnus from the 1981-1983 class, spoke about the influence Triplett had with his students.

“Mr. Triplett really saved a lot of young people’s lives. He was a mentor, a leader and the father figure you needed in college. He would get on you when you were doing wrong and praise you when you were

Mississippi University for Women, and my Aunt Constance was an accomplished oboist,” Jeff said.

After graduating Macon High School, Triplett came to Northwest to study music education. “He was in some theatre productions here and at Southern Miss and was in a group at Northwest called the ‘Moonlighters’—they played gigs around.

My dad had a great singing voice. He spent many years singing in the choir at church,” Jeff said.

After graduating from Northwest in the class of 1957, Triplett went to The University of Southern Mississippi, where he met his wife, the former Rebecca Ramsey of Jackson. Mrs. Triplett was also a music education major and an accomplished pianist. She taught at Northwest at the same time Triplett did. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Triplett taught at Leakesville High School. He returned to Northwest as band director in 1962 until 1979. In 1965, both he and Mrs. Triplett earned their master’s degrees from The University of Mississippi. The Tripletts began teaching at Mississippi College, where they remained for seven years before returning to Northwest. Triplett retired from Northwest in 1993, but taught music appreciation at the DeSoto Center for five years afterward.

Triplett was a trumpet player “I basically grew up on the Northwest campus since third grade, and enjoyed and in the band hall,” Jeff said. Jeff was a member practicing with the Concert of the Northwest band from 1985-1987 when he Band on occasion. was a student at Northwest. “It was pretty easy Photo from NWCC Archives

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doing great,” Warren said. “He was a wonderful man who took care of his people. If you were sick or injured, he would come and check on you.”

“My dad invested himself in many students throughout his career. I always had an awareness of that as a kid. I saw that happen. He never did anything that compromised or sacrificed his family, but he was very much involved and helpful to his students,” Jeff said.

Susanne Spencer VanDyke, director of choral activities knew Triplett when she was a student at Northwest. “He was a formidable presence to me but the longer I was at Northwest, the more I noticed how he and Mrs. Triplett invested themselves in us. We had meals in their home, casual conversations in the halls of the music building—always pointing us to new music and composers to discover,” VanDyke said.

She came back to teach and worked on the faculty with Triplett during his last year as band director. “For me, his mentoring increased each year of his retirement. He would drop off recordings of one of his beloved composers, John Rutter of England. Many times his recommendation wound up in my choral concerts. My respect and high regard for him increased through the years as he and Becky began inviting the music faculty to lunch in their home. The most valuable gift to me was his encouragement of my teaching,” VanDyke said. “A compliment from him after a concert was pure gold.”

VanDyke said that the Northwest Singers concert in Spring 2016 will be dedicated to Triplett. They will sing “Requiem” by John Rutter in his honor.

Triplett served as president of the Northwest Alumni Association, as province governor for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

The lifelong musician (second row, far right) got his start in grade school before graduating from Macon High School, then attending Northwest in 1956-1957 to study music education. He was part of the Ranger Band both years.

Photo courtesy of the Triplett family and was president of the Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity. He was named Northwest Alumnus of the Year in 1994 and served as past president of the Senatobia Lion's Club and Sycamore Arts. In 2011, he received the prestigious Orpheus Award from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He was known throughout the state of Mississippi as an adjudicator and clinician.

Triplett is survived by his wife of 55 years, Becky; son, Jeff and daughter-in-law Laura, a church pianist and music teacher.

He has four granddaughters—Madison Grace, age 15, Aubrey Ann, age 14, Laura Elisabeth, age 13 and Margaret Elaine, age 6. Triplett’s three eldest granddaughters are all musicians.

A scholarship endowment in Triplett’s memory has been established through the Northwest Foundation. For information on how to donate, contact the Foundation Office at 662-560-1112 or email Sybil Canon, associate vice president of Development and Special Projects at srcanon@northwestms.edu.

The Tripletts (seated) visit with Northwest band personnel (l to r) Jeff Triplett, John Ungurait and Justin Robinson during Homecoming 2014.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

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BancorpSouth 2+2 golf tourney hosts 24 teams The annual BancorpSouth 2+2 Scholarship Golf Tournament, founded and directed by Mike and Debra Herrington and benefitting students from Northwest and The University of Mississippi at DeSoto Center, was held on Thursday, Sept. 17 at Cherokee Valley Golf Course in Olive Branch. A total of 24 teams competed.

Taking first place in the contest were (top photo, l to r) Curt Spencer of Hernando, David Maness of Southaven, Ed Schriener of Olive Branch and John Sissini of Clearwater, Florida. Second place winners were (middle photo, l to r) Ned Shorr of West Palm, California; Greg Courts of Memphis, Mark West of Iuka and Kevin O’Sullivan of Collierville. Third place winners were (bottom photo, l to r) Shelley Henry of Alexandria, Louisiana; Jimmy Hill of Cockrum and Gary Oakley and Mark Rowan, both of Senatobia.

Closest to the pin were Henry and West. They each received a free round of golf at Cherokee Valley Golf Course. Winner of the longest drive was Landon DeStefano of Memphis, who also received a free round of golf at Cherokee Valley.

The money raised from the tournament will go to the 2+2 Scholarship Initiative for scholarships to both colleges. Since its beginning, the tournament has generated over $200,000 toward scholarships.

Photos by Julie Bauer

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Legacy

growing the Many of those who have established endowed scholarships contribute each year so that the endowment grows. As the endowment grows, so do the earnings, which translates into greater scholarship assistance, both in terms of the number of scholarships awarded and in the amounts of the scholarships.

Shoot for the Heart Endowment The Division of Nursing received a check for $35,000 from the Shoot for the Heart fundraiser held on April 16. On hand for the check presentation were (l-r) Judy Wilson, Keith Wilson, founder of Shoot for the Heart; Tom Pittman, president of The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi; Dr. Gary Lee Spears, president of Northwest and Dr. Denise Bynum, division director of Nursing. The money will be used for the Northwest Foundation nursing scholarship fund. This donation will be added to the $150,000 that has been raised by this event over the past five years.

Gateway Tire Scholarship Endowment Dr. Gary Lee Spears, president of Northwest, and Sybil Canon, associate vice president for Development and Special Projects, recently recognized Bobby Dunlap, CEO of Dunlap & Kyle, in celebrating a milestone of generous giving reached by Dunlap to the Northwest Foundation. Canon reported that with the recent gift of $40,000 donated to the Gateway Tire Scholarship Endowment, the cumulative giving

by Dunlap has reached $400,000. Dr. Spears expressed the college’s appreciation by saying, “Bobby Dunlap is noted for his philanthropy to many worthy causes. In addition, he has a true compassion for young people and wants to help them attend college. We are honored to be among the colleges and universities that he supports.” Dunlap & Kyle is the parent company of Gateway Tire stores.

Toyota-Haley Barbour Scholarship Grant The college is in the second year of a five-year grant award through the Mississippi Manufacturing Enhancement Grant and the Toyota-Haley Barbour Scholarship Grant. Through negotiations made by Haley Barbour, former governor of Mississippi, Toyota is providing a grant of $677,500 to four community colleges, including Northwest. The grant consists of $250,000 to be used for career-technical scholarships and $427,500 to be designated for Workforce Development. Dr. Spears and Sybil Canon visited the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence at the University of Mississippi, where they presented a plaque of appreciation to Ryan T. Miller (left), programs manager and assistant director.

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Celebrating

Giving

Whenever a student is selected to receive a scholarship from the Northwest Foundation, that student is asked to attend a meeting with the Foundation Office staff. At that meeting, the student is provided information about the scholarship he or she is receiving, and the student is asked to write a note of thanks to the person responsible for establishing the scholarship. Included below are excerpts from five of those notes. am returning to school after several years of working. I have always wanted to be a nurse, but I gave up that dream after my husband and I became parents. My husband is very excited and supportive of me pursuing my dreams, but it was very difficult for me not to help. Our double income became a single income, and this scholarship could not have come at a better time. My husband and I were sitting down together praying for help. We asked that if a nursing future was possible to please open a door and show us the way. As we said “Amen,” my daughter brought my ringing phone to me. The call was just what we needed. The phone call of this scholarship is a blessing more appreciated that I can ever express, and I can only pray a blessing will come your way.

am forever grateful for this scholarship. I am one of seven children.

Without your caring heart, I would not be able to attend my sophomore year here at Northwest. You are investing in my future, and I will not let you down!

hank you for giving me the chance to go to college. I’m the first in my family to graduate high school and attend college, and I hold that in my heart. I made it into Phi Theta Kappa and hope that makes you proud. Again, thank you!

hank you all so much for allowing me to receive this scholarship that honors veterans. Both my father and my brother are currently in the Mississippi National Guard. Both are deployed to Kuwait at the moment. This scholarship is a huge blessing to me.

am returning to school after several years of working. I am a single mother of two girls, ages four and five. Both of my girls are very proud of me for returning to school. They have even enjoyed letting me read them stories from my American history book. I hope to one day receive my degree in radio broadcast communications.

Thank you for helping me on my journey to my dream career.

am returning to Northwest for my second year in the Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology program. I attended Northwest after dropping out of another college. I had many jobs lined up, but I knew that I needed a college degree if I wanted a good career path, so I took loans out this past semester. With this scholarship, I will not have to borrow near as much money. This scholarship will help me very much in getting the education that I desperately want. I cannot thank you enough.

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Marilyn an your gift is d I wish yo great or u and you possibilitie r family a s!

Blessed C hristmas S eason and a New Yea r filled wit h exciting Sincerely yo urs,

Dr. Gary L ee Spears President

The Legacy Continues

Legacy

the

continues

It 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 Northwest Foundation was fortunate to have a matching gifts program from 1997 through 2013. While the program is no longer in place, we want to continue to express appreciation to those who provided these funds to help our scholarship endowment grow at such a rapid pace. At the end of October, the value of the endowment was $8,729,350.

Morgan Freeman, the acclaimed actor and producer of national and international fame, was the largest benefactor of the matching gifts program, providing $515,000. In addition, we received a generous gift from the Estate of Clarence Thomas Hill, Jr., in the amount of

The Charles Alan (Charlie) Baldwin, Jr. Endowment

Clements. They loved each other as brothers.

The bond of friendship not only grew between them but between their families as well. There wasn’t anything they did not experience together.

They stood by each other’s side through thick and thin.

After leaving college, Charlie spent several years working in construction. He loved to build and design, so he decided to return to Northwest and finish his degree in Graphic Design Technology and was inducted in the community college honor fraternity, Phi Theta Kappa.

After earning his degree, he went to work for Thomas and Betts where he was appreciated for both his work skills and work ethics.

Charlie had a special person in his life in Heidi Burns. He loved her and her

The Charles Alan (Charlie) Baldwin, Jr. Endowed Scholarship was established by his family and a host of friends following his untimely death on March 7 of this year. He was 34 years of age.

The son of Charles and Mary Baldwin, he was born on July 8, 1980.

As an only child for his first four years, he was the pride and joy of his parents.

After his sister, Christy, was born, she could never say “Charlie,” and he was called “Bubba” by her and his parents.

Charlie liked to play soccer from the time he was five years old. As his soccer skills improved, he played competitively, and his passion for the game only grew. In addition to the competitive leagues, he also played for Southaven High School until he graduated in 1998. He went on to play for Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee, where he joined Kappa Sigma fraternity. Charles also played at Itawamba Community College.

A constant throughout his soccer career was his lifelong friend, Jeremy

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$180,000.

Other matching gifts sponsors included Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, the Youth Progress Association, Sycamore Bank, Gateway Tire, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, and Schulz Xtruded Products.

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.

—Sybil Canon

Charlie Baldwin, Jr. children, Jacob and Anna, very dearly.

His tragic and untimely passing has created a void in the life of so many friends, family and those who knew him. It is the desire of his family that

www.northwestms.edu

The Melvin E. (Dooney) and Dot Childress Endowment On the occasion of the retirement of Dot Childress from Northcentral Electric Power Association, the association contributed a generous gift so that her name might be added to an endowed scholarship the association had established in memory of Dot’s husband, Melvin E. (Dooney) Childress. Thus, the endowment is now named The Melvin E. (Dooney) and Dot Childress Endowment.

A native of Pleasant Hill, Dot graduated from Olive Branch High School and then received a degree in secretarial science from Northwest Mississippi Junior College. Her first job was in Memphis, but after six months, she began working at Northcentral Electric Power Association in Byhalia. Her career spanned 54 years.

An article that appeared in “Today in Mississippi” includes this information about her service: Throughout her career, Dot has done any job at

Dot Childress Northcentral that needed doing, aside from climbing poles. At one time or another, her duties have included customer service, accounting, dispatching, and administration—and many times, all at the same time. For many years, her home phone was the number given to call if an outage occurred during the night. The director of Customer Service for many years, she was hands-on in all she did. For the past several years, she has been the collection supervisor.

Ten months after Dot began working at Northcentral, Dooney began working there. They married one day after he started to work, on Dec. 2, 1961, and enjoyed over 46 years of marriage before his death in 2008. They have two children, Renea Childress and Mike Childress, who, unfortunately, died in a car accident more than 20 years ago.

Dot is very Kevin Doddridge, Northcentral EPA general manager, presents a plaque of recognition to Dot Childress during her retirement reception.

www.northwestms.edu

proud of her Northwest connections.

She and her daughter, Renea, attended, and her granddaughter, Ali Dee Crawford, completed nursing school at Northwest and continued her education at the University of Mississippi to become a nurse practitioner. Ali and her husband, Hunter, blessed Dot with a great-grandchild, Myles, who is four years old. Dot has another granddaughter, Kasey Childress of Decatur, Alabama.

In addition to being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with a full-time career, Dot has served as alderwoman and vice-mayor of Byhalia. She has also lent her experience and expertise to the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority and the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park Committee.

The Melvin E. (Dooney) and Dot Childress Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students whose families use Northcentral Electric Power Association as their electricity provider.

The Wilbur and Martha Mastin Family Endowment The Wilbur and Martha Mastin Family Endowment was established by Wilbur Mastin and his sons, Tim and Thomas, to honor the memory of Martha Mastin and Todd Mastin.

A native of West Virginia, Martha Ellen Fletcher Mastin was one of 12 children. In one of her many poems, she wrote this about her family: God gave me many gifts throughout the years – A loving family – not many tears; A Christian mom, who taught us right from wrong.

Her hands were firm and gentle. Her love strong, Six brother and five sisters, God gave me – (A whole houseful of sibling rivalry!)

And my place in this great big family Was youngest – the final one to be.

She met Wilbur in Toledo, Ohio in 1959 and they married in 1959. All three of their sons, Todd, Thomas, and Tim were born in Ohio. Wilbur’s career in the trucking industry finally led them

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The Legacy Continues

everyone will remember the joy that Charlie knew. Through this scholarship, the children of Charlie’s family and friends can benefit for years to come, taking solace in the fact that through his life and death, he was able to pass some of that joy on to others.

The Legacy Continues

to relocate in DeSoto County. Martha worked as a teacher’s aide at Walls Elementary School, Sacred Heart School, and Shadow Oaks Elementary School.

She was a talented seamstress and poet, and she was totally devoted to her family. She died in 1997 at the age of 59. She and Wilbur had been married for 38 years.

Todd Mastin died in 2014 at the age of 50. At the time of his death, he was employed at FedEx. He was known as a hard worker with a gentle, servant spirit. On many occasions, he would mow a neighbor’s lawn or just help out in any way that was needed. A self-taught carpenter, he enjoyed working with his hands, and, one time, he used that skill to build a fence for a neighbor.

The remaining brothers are Tim Mastin, who lives in Mt. Holly, North Carolina, where he is employed with

Martha Mastin & Todd Mastin Tubelite, and Thomas Mastin, who lives in Horn Lake, and is employed at the Southaven City Court. Their father, Wilbur, also lives in Horn Lake and is an active member of Hinds Chapel United Methodist Church.

All of the Mastin men are in complete agreement about the beauty, talent, and warmth of their matriarch,

The Chrysler Foundation Grant Since 2002, the C h r y s l e r Foundation has d o n a t e d $46,900 in support of the Automotive Te c h n o l o g y Department at Northwest.

According to David Yount, lead instructor for the program, “the latest grant of $3,000 is being used to recruit a minimum of 10 new students for the program and to improve certification test scores by the use of new equipment with the ultimate goal of preparing students for immediate placement in the job market following their completion of the two-year program.” Sybil Canon, associate vice president of Development and Special Projects, notes that the grants have not only been used for recruitment and new equipment, “Deserving students who have demonstrated their potential in the Automotive Technology/Mopar CAP program have received muchneeded scholarships. We are most grateful for all of the grants we have received from Chrysler.”

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

Martha. She was a quiet and gentle lady who spoke through the beautiful designs she crafted with her sewing machine and through her poetry.

Indeed, it is her poetry that is the gateway to her heart.

I love You, Lord...

When I’m penned in by the darkness of the night, And it seems my little world is not quite right, Stress that I can hardly bear, Burdens deep -- too deep to share, And I cannot see the glimmer of a light.

That’s when I love You most, Lord, for it’s You Who takes my hand and guides me safely through.

You give joy in time of sorrow.

You give hope for my tomorrow.

You restore my soul, and faith and strength renew.

The Tim Shorter Endowment The Tim Shorter Endowment was established by a host of friends and family and his colleagues on the Oxford campus. He died on Sept. 1, 2013, at the age of 56. At the time of his death, he held the position of Evening School director at Northwest’s Oxford Center.

His career at Northwest spanned 25 years.

The son of C.D. and Sarah Shorter,

his grandchildren. He loved working on his farm and cheering for the Ole Miss Rebels. He was a dedicated and capable administrator who used his intellect and compassion to work with Northwest students and encourage them in their pursuit of higher education. He endeared himself to his colleagues with his kind and willing spirit. He served as cosponsor of Phi Theta Kappa, and he was always willing to go the “extra mile.”

The scholarship will be awarded to students attending the Oxford campus of Northwest.

The Legacy Continues

Tim has three siblings, Joey, Jimmy, and Doris. After graduating from Oxford High School in 1975, he married the former Jan Roy and began working for Fred’s, a chain of retail discount stores, for 11 years. He worked in retail sales and management in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Arkansas.

He then returned to Oxford where he and Jan ran a “country store” while he attended The University of Mississippi and earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He began his administrative career at Northwest on the Oxford campus in 1988.

Tim and Jan have one daughter, Shannon who is married to Cam McLaughlin. They are blessed with two grandchildren, John Sheppard (Shep) and Cecelia (CeeCee).

What was most important to Tim was his faith, his wife of almost 40 years, his daughter and son-in-law, and

Tim Shorter

In Memoriam: Regina Kirkpatrick Clark Just as the fall semester got underway, teaching in the Respiratory Therapy prothe Northwest community was saddened to gram. She grew up in Memphis and graduhear of the passing of long-time Respiratory ated from Bishop Byrne High School. She Therapy Program Director Regina Clark. She earned her Associate of Science in had served at the DeSoto Center since July, Respiratory Therapy in 1986 and a Bachelor 1991. of Natural Science in 1991 from CBU. She According to Richie Lawson, vice presiwent on to earn a Master of Education from dent for Education and former DeSoto CBU in 2000 and completed additional Center dean, when Clark first came to studies at Mississippi State University. She Northwest, the Respiratory Therapy program held a respiratory therapy license in was struggling. She was able to develop the Tennessee and a Mississippi education cerprogram into the largest career-technical tificate. Clark was a member of the program at DeSoto Center. “Regina came American Association for Respiratory Care, into the program with very little teaching Mississippi Professional Educators, National experience and virtually no experience with Board for Respiratory Care and the CoARC, our accrediting agency. Needless to Tennessee Society for Respiratory Care, Regina Kirkpatrick Clark say she had to be a quick learner. She where she served as chapter secretary in accepted the challenge and rose to the 1995 and on the program committee in occasion,” Lawson said.

1999-2000. Clark served as the advisor for Northwest’s In addition to teaching and coordinating the Respiratory Lambda Beta Society, the national honor society for the respiTherapy program, Clark found time to be involved with her stu- ratory care profession. dents in fundraising efforts for their student organization and An endowed scholarship in her memory has been estabto help needy families at Christmas. In 1997, she became a lished at Northwest. “Regina was a caring and compassionate site visitor for CoARC (Committee on Accreditation for person and was instrumental in establishing four Northwest Respiratory Care), the national accrediting agency for Foundation scholarships for students enrolled in her program.

Respiratory Therapy.

I’m proud that there will be a scholarship, once it’s endowed, She also became the blood drive coordinator for Lifeblood in her name to honor her many years of service to Northwest, in 2006, which has resulted in a total of 2,407 units donated and her students,” Lawson said. as of August 2015. Clark was nominated as Lifeblood Clark is survived by her husband Richard William Clark, her Volunteer of the Year in 2011. Northwest DeSoto Center was son William Ray Clark II, her mother Rebecca Kirkpatrick and chosen as the top education group for Lifeblood that same her brother Tyson Thompson, as well as many beloved friends, year. colleagues and students.

Clark came to Northwest after working as a staff therapist To donate to the Regina Kirkpatrick Clark endowment, conat Baptist Memorial Hospital from 1985-1991. In 1990, she tact the Northwest Foundation office at 662-560-1112 or served as an adjunct instructor at Christian Brothers University email srcanon@northwestms.edu.

Homecoming 2015: Alumni Celebrations Homecoming day brings back memories Alumni and friends of the college joined faculty, staff and students in celebrating the past while honoring outstanding alumni on Saturday, Oct. 3 during Homecoming 2015.

The celebration began on Oct. 2 with a Homecoming cookout on the front lawn at DeSoto Center. Students and staff braved the blustery conditions to eat a free lunch of grilled hamburgers with all the trimmings.

Homecoming day, festivities started early on the Senatobia campus with a “Meet and Greet” in the Haraway Center and a reunion of Northwest cheer alumni in the McLendon Center, organized by Cheer Sponsor Liesl Mote.

“We had 20 total attend, which I think was pretty good for our inaugural attempt,” said Mote. “I think they all really enjoyed reconnecting with former teammates and visiting with other cheerleaders from past and present.

They definitely all enjoyed getting back on the field again and reminiscing!”

The reunion included alumni from the past three decades. Two mother/daughter groups—Annette and Lauren Carson and Jenifer and Haleigh Ash—also attended the event. The former Ranger cheerleaders reminisced before joining the current squad for some practice on the cheer routine they performed for the crowd on the field at pregame.

“I had a blast cheering at the beginning of the game and all of the festivities planned for the day. This will probably be the last time that Haleigh and I cheer together, so it was a great experience,” Jenifer Ash said.

Northwest’s 2015 Alumnus of the Year, Dr. Jason Walton (second from left) was thrilled to catch up with a few of his teachers from Hernando High School, including (from left) Nelda Morgan, Alice Quimby and Rona Eckles.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo Following the morning events was the Homecoming Celebration Luncheon and Program, where the Alumni Association honored Dr. Jason Walton as the 2015 Alumnus of the Year.

Dr. Walton currently serves as head of school for Jackson Preparatory School in Jackson. He returned to his home state to take the position last July after serving as director of Strategic Initiatives, chief of staff and staff liaison to the board of trustees at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.

A Northwest “legacy,” his parents, John William and Joanne McClure Walton met at the college. Jason

attended Northwest from 1992-94, earning an Associate of Arts. While at Northwest, he was a member of the Hall of Fame, Outstanding Student in Pre-Law, Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, Phi Theta Kappa, a Student Recruiter, active in the Baptist Student Union, served on the Ranger Rocket staff and was editor of the college’s literary magazine, the Northwest Review.

“I believe educators of consequence are lifelong learners,” Walton said. He says that is what he strives to be. He believes that having the great instructors he had at Northwest set him on the path he is on today. “I know that if I had gone straight to a four-year setting, I don’t think I would have had the good start that I had at Northwest,” he said.

—Julie Bauer & LaJuan Tallo

Students at DeSoto Center brave the chill as they eat lunch outside on the front lawn during the DC Homecoming cookout.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

www.northwestms.edu

Ranger cheer alumni (front row, l to r) Jenifer Ash, Haleigh Ash, Ashley Anderson, Juli Hand, Kayla Witt (back row) Penny Byrd, Annette Carson, Lauren Carson, Shelby Stuart, Nolan Shackleford and Lee Williams had fun reminiscing and practicing with the current squad during the cheerleader reunion. (top left) The Ranger cheerleaders and alumni perform together at pregame. (above) Photos by Julie Bauer

Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (far right) and First Lady Marilyn Spears (far left) welcome their daughter-in-law, Julie, son, Daniel and grandchildren Jack, Samuel and Phoebe Joy. (left) Alumna Sylvia Clark (kneeling) and her alumni group, Rangers Run This, show their Ranger pride each Homecoming with a tailgate at Ranger Stadium. (above) Photos by LaJuan Tallo Sports Hall of Fame inductees Galen Young (first photo, right) and Andre Rone (second photo, right) reunited with their former coaches, Marc Dukes (men’s basketball), George Smith (football) and Bobby Franklin (football) prior to the induction ceremony.

Photos by LaJuan Tallo

www.northwestms.edu

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Homecoming 2015: Sports Hall of Fame Six inducted into 17th Sports Hall of Fame class Six former Northwest standouts were inducted into the 17th induction class of the college’s Sports Hall of Fame on Homecoming day, Oct. 3.

New members include Galen Young, just one of two NBA draft picks in school history, two-time NJCAA All-American wide receiver Andre Rone, allaround rodeo champion Jack Roberson, four-sport athlete Joe Boyles, NJCAA Women’s Basketball Third Team AllAmerican Nikita Taylor and two-time NJCAA Region 23 Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year, Marc Dukes.

Galen Young has showcased his athletic talents all over the world. In his two seasons with the Rangers, Young played in 62 games, tallying 1,077 total points with 391 field goals made. He averaged 17.4 points per game over those two seasons, while also averaging 10.3 rebounds per game and 2.8 steals per game. Today, Young still ranks within the top 10 of several stat categories, including second all-time in total rebounds (637) and free throws made (271).

Young was a member of the 1995-96 Northwest basketball team that advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament, where the Rangers finished sixth overall. Young was named team MVP as a sophomore and was also a twotime all-state selection, an NJCAA AllAmerican and an NJCAA All-Tournament Team nod.

Andre Rone set almost every receiving record in school history during his 199495 All-American career.

Rone was a two-time NJCAA AllAmerican selection, earning second team honors in 1994 and being named an honorable mention in 1995. Rone caught 117 career passes (school record) for 1,927 yards and 14 touchdowns, which still ranks in the top 10.

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Northwest Now

Young, Rone, Roberson, Taylor, Boyles and Dukes Jack Roberson Jr. attended Northwest in 1977-78, and because of his riding as part of its rodeo team, was rewarded with a scholarship from the U.S. Tobacco Company. Roberson was named allaround champion in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, finishing first in bareback riding and second in bull riding that year.

A native of Batesville, Joe Boyles played football, baseball and basketball and ran track during his freshman season at Northwest in 1961-62. He served as Ranger football co-captain his sophomore season and was named an all-state honorable mention that year.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Delta State University and returned to Northwest in 1977, where he worked for over 34 years as the financial aid director, serving under three presidents.

Nikita Taylor is one of the most decorated players in Northwest women’s basketball history, still ranking in the top 10 all-time in 12 different statistical categories.

She enrolled at Northwest in the fall of 2003 and made an immediate impact.

The Lady Rangers were 36-21 overall and 17-7 in the division during the 2003-05 seasons, winning the NJCAA Region 23 Championship and advancing to the

NJCAA Sweet 16 her sophomore year.

A 2005 NJCAA Third Team AllAmerican and two-time First Team AllMACJC selection, Taylor is the secondleading scorer in school history, scoring 1,027 points and averaging 21.9 points per game in two seasons.

In five seasons as head coach of Northwest’s men’s basketball program, which he joined in 1993, Marc Dukes and his teams compiled a record of 12931, advanced to two NJCAA national tournaments, won two Region 23 titles, two MACJC State Championships and three consecutive MACJC North Division crowns.

In 1995-96, he guided the Rangers to a school-record 30 wins and the program’s first appearance at the NJCAA National Tournament since 1980. That team finished sixth in the 16-team tournament field. Two years later, the Rangers finished 29-7 and made the school’s only trip to the NJCAA Final Four during the 1997-98 season.

Dukes was named Region 23 Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1998 and MACJC Coach of the Year in 1994, 1996 and 1997. Four of his players were also named NJCAA All-Americans during his tenure.

—Kevin Maloney

www.northwestms.edu

2015 Homecoming Court SOPHOMORE COURT Sophomore maids and their escorts are (l to r) from the Senatobia campus, Markey Cole of Independence escorting Chasity Mays of Independence and Pearce Price of Hernando escorting Kendall McCoy of Olive Branch. Representing the Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center are Jacob Ramsey of Southaven escorting Alexis Lindsey of Oxford, Bailey Barker of Pontotoc and escort Joshlin Stone of Pontotoc and Kaylee McBride of Charleston and escort Hunter Williams of Marks. Representing the DeSoto Center are Raymie Neal of Southaven and escort Kyle Bryant of Southaven and Rebecca Smith of Corinth and escort Lane Massey of Batesville.

Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (far left) congratulates the college’s Homecoming queens as elected by the student body. Representing the three Northwest campuses are (left to right) Alexis Lindsey of Oxford, representing the Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center; Chasity Mays of Independence, representing the Senatobia campus and Raymie Neal of Southaven, representing the DeSoto Center.

Photos by Julie Bauer

www.northwestms.edu

FRESHMAN COURT Freshman maids and their escorts are (l to r) Jordan Brantley of New Orleans and escort Abraham Sayger of Hernando and Kaylee Shelton of Southaven and escort Jesse Shelton of Southaven, representing the DeSoto Center.

Representing the LafayetteYalobusha Technical Center are Jasmine Faulkner of Tupelo and escort Brent Kelly of Tupelo and Cheyenne Bryant of Bruce and escort Trip Francis of Olive Branch. Representing the Senatobia campus are Maddi Lambert of Hernando and escort Chase Keeney of Hernando and Tashona Anthony of Olive Branch and Darrin Willis, Jr. of Olive Branch.

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the sporting life

Soccer teams see different season outcomes Under the direction of third-year head coaches Charlie Baldwin (men) and Levi Nunnally (women), the Northwest soccer teams went in opposite directions in 2015.

The Ranger men tied a school record with 12 wins (12-7-1) and made a run to the MACJC Semifinals before falling to eventual state champion, Pearl River. It was their first semifinal trip since 2009.

Baldwin’s team began the year 3-0-1, its best start in school history, and that transitioned into the third 10-win season in the program’s 14-year history.

“We knew coming into the season we could do this,” Baldwin said. “We just had to make sure everybody got on the same page. We had a great mix of freshmen and sophomores who really worked hard all season.”

Northwest scored 56 goals, second-most in a single season, and was led by all-region forward Lance Crabtree. Crabtree scored an MACJC-best 16 goals, eight of them game winners, and added five assists in an excellent debut. All told, an unprecedented 12 different Rangers found the back of the net during the season.

Sophomore Matthew Williams stepped up for the Rangers between the posts, stopping 108 shots and posting six shutouts in 20 games.

Northwest will return its top five goal scorers next season and hopes to make another good run.

The Lady Rangers battled through a 3-11-3 season in 2015 in which scoring goals was the biggest challenge.

"It was a disappointing season for all of us as far as wins and losses go," Nunnally said. "But I am proud of the team for having a no quit attitude and work ethic they put into training during the season despite the struggles we faced on the field."

Northwest rallied for a 2-1 come-from-behind win at

Freshman All-Region forward Lance Crabtree had an excellent Ranger debut, scoring a league-best 16 goals and adding five assists.

Photo by Brian Lentz

Southwest Mississippi in the season opener on Aug. 22, with Abigail Morales scoring goals in the 60th and 86th minutes for the victory. But wins were hard to come by the rest of the season, defeating Itawamba at home, 3-1, and winning 4-1 at Copiah-Lincoln.

Returning 11 sophomores from last season’s 10-5-4 finish, Morales’ four goals led all scorers, while Sierra Lasher and Jameka Barr each netted three. Northwest managed just 16 goals in 17 games this season after scoring 34 in each of the previous two seasons.

Sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Nelson had 117 saves to end her two-year career with an unofficial school record 252 saves and 12 shutouts.

Nunnally and the Lady Rangers will look to regroup next season and are set to return all eight freshmen from this year’s team.

—Kevin Maloney

Sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Nelson ended her two-year career with an unofficial school record 252 saves and 12 shutouts.

Photo by Kevin Maloney

26

Northwest Now

www.northwestms.edu

the sporting life

Freshman players to dominate hardwood Both basketball teams will feature a good bit of turnover for the upcoming 2015-16 basketball season, but that won't stop the high expectations each year on the hardwood.

After an 11-10 overall finish and failing to make the postseason for the first time since the 2010-11 season, the Rangers went through a bit of an overhaul during the offseason.

Northwest returns just two players from last year’s sophomore-heavy team, while welcoming in six transfers and seven freshmen.

Despite the heavy roster turnover, 12th-year Head Coach Bubba Skelton is excited about the team’s potential this season. “(The transfers) are new just like the freshmen,” Skelton said. “The difference is that they already have experience and have had some success where they’ve played.”

Dre’Kalo Clayton (South Florida) is one of six transfers to land at Northwest this season. Players like Rahkeem Lehaman (Alcorn State), D.J. Flippin (State College of Florida), Lewis Freeman (Hinds), Seth LeDay (Seminole State) and Antonio Wilson (East Mississippi) are also expected to make an impact for the Rangers this season.

Joining the group of incoming transfers are the lone returning sophomores, Mark Partee and Tyrin Jones. Last season, Jones averaged 3.9 points per game and finished with 18 rebounds and 18 assists. In 20 games last season, Partee averaged 3.0 points per game and ended the year with 55 assists and 16 steals.

The Rangers bring in a whole host of freshmen, each with impressive credentials. In addition to Shelby McEwen of Oxford, Chris Cooper and Cameron Walker come in from Pearl, where the duo helped lead the Pirates to a 22-8 record and an appearance in the Class 5A State playoffs. C.J. Chatman averaged 17 points, four rebounds and three assists per game at Center Hill, while leading the Mustangs to an appearance in the state semifinals. Keelin Jackson earned Class 5A, District 1 MVP honors,

www.northwestms.edu

after averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game at Clarksdale.

Rounding out the freshman class is Cortez Jones (Oxford), Trey Skelton (Magnolia Heights), Bryan Polk (Coldwater), Christian Compton (Marshall Academy) and Isaiah Austin (Clinton).

To call the 2014-15 season a success for the Northwest women’s basketball program would be a fair statement to make.

After all, the Lady Rangers did win 19 games, the most since the 1997-98 season, while also finishing 8-4 in the MACJC North Division, and also advanced to the Region 23 tournament for the 15th time in coach Don Edwards’ 28-year head coaching career at Northwest.

Northwest only returns one starter from last year’s squad in sophomore forward Sara Lytle, and several newcomers will have to make their case in order to find spots in the starting lineup.

In all, Northwest welcomes seven newcomers to the roster.

One of those is forward Destiny Gardner of Lewisburg. Also joining the team this season is the guard duo of Averyale Joy from the 201415 State Champion team of Middleton (Tenn.) HS and Janesha Johnson from Class 5A runner-up Head Coach and Athletic Director Bubba Skelton Oxford. is 10 wins shy of becoming the school's all-time Other newcomers that are winningest men's basketball coach. (top) expected to make an impact this season are Kayla Minor, Jaliyaah Sophomore Brianna Williams, one of the top scorPatterson, JaKayla Johnson and ers in the state of Mississippi out of Falkner High BrayLee Landreth.

School, looks to have a breakout 2015-16 cam“I feel like we have a good paign. (above) Photos by Justin Ford group of freshmen,” Edwards said.

“However, we have a long way to Rangers still return several players from go in terms of them understanding the last year’s team. Lytle leads the group way that we want to play. It’s not like how that includes Kelsey Brown, Brianna they are used to playing in high school, Williams, Alyssia King, Alexis Thomas, and they have to learn to understand the Morgan Burroughs and Hayley Davis. college game a little better.”

—Brian Lentz Despite the heavy group of freshmen joining this year’s team, the Lady

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the sporting life

College recognized for athletes’ improvement At this year’s annual Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities (MAC) Conference, Northwest was recognized with the John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook Improvement Award.

The conference was held on Oct. 4-5 at Millsaps College in Jackson.

The Halbrook award is a cash award presented to the single college or university that has shown the greatest increase over the previous year in the percentage of athletes graduating and/or transferring from an institution. Both public and private two- and four-year colleges and universities are considered for the award.

Northwest received $1,750 that will be used to assist athletes in academic study, according to Richie Lawson, vice president for Education.

Northwest showed a 32 percent increase in student-athletes who graduated and/or transferred in the 20132014 school year as compared to the 2012-2013 school year.

“We are so pleased to receive this statewide award. We’re proud of our athletes and their efforts toward being successful in the classroom,” Lawson said.

In August 2013, Northwest hired Jacob Long of Fulton as athletic academic coordinator. Long holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a Master of Science in Human Environmental Services from The University of Alabama.

Long came to Northwest after one season as a volunteer assistant baseball coach at Mercer University. Among his many duties, he handled player class scheduling, monitored attendance, coordinated travel and assisted as academic advisor for their student-athletes.

Prior to his stint at Mercer, he also coached the Marion Bobcats of the Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate League in 2013. Long served as assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community

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Northwest Now

Northwest personnel (l to r) Larry Simpson, vice president and registrar, Jacob Long, athletic academic coordinator, Richie Lawson, vice president for Education and Don Skelton, athletic director accepted the John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook Improvement Award at the recent Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities Conference.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo College from 2011-13. He also handled player class scheduling, implemented and oversaw a team study hall program, monitored class attendance and helped MGCCC reach a 98 percent graduation rate among its baseball players. He was a team manager for the baseball program at UA from 2007-10, assisting with team travel, meals, equipment and field operations.

“Having Jake in this position has made a huge difference in the academic success of our athletes. I am so happy to see our athletes excel in the classroom and move on and continue their education once their time here is completed.

This was our goal in creating this position, and we are proud of the work Jake has done,” said Larry Simpson, vice president and Northwest registrar.

In addition to the Halbrook Improvement Award, two of Northwest’s former athletes, LaJustin Anderson of

Senatobia, basketball and Janie Turner of Grenada, softball, received the David M. Halbrook Certificate for Academic Achievement Among Athletes. Recipients are student-athletes who excel in academics, leadership and community service. Anderson now plays for Delta State University, and Turner is studying at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Through the efforts of former state representative, David M. Halbrook, the 1984 Mississippi Legislature passed a resolution that encouraged the state’s institutions of higher learning to achieve and maintain high academic standards, leading to the graduation of student-athletes. While serving in the legislature, Halbrook, along with his brothers John, James and J.A. Halbrook, endowed the Halbrook Award for Academic Excellence and the John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook Improvement Award.

—LaJuan Tallo

www.northwestms.edu

Young receives national Cowboy Keeper award Longtime Northwest Rodeo Coach Lawrence “Bud” Young has been named one of this year’s recipients of the Cowboy Keeper Award by the National Day of the Cowboy (NDOC) organization. He was recognized at the Bryant Lane Cowboy Church in Sarah on July 25.

“I am really overwhelmed by it. When you look at the other folks who received the award, I am amazed that I would have been selected,” Young said.

The award is given to those who make a significant contribution to the preservation of cowboy culture and pioneer heritage. Those selected to receive the award share, among other things, an impeccable character, a joyful work ethic, a broad range of talents and skills, a love for educating the public about cowboys, a sense of leadership and a high degree of creativity.

This year’s Cowboy Keeper Award recipients include Young, Sheila Carlson, Waddie Mitchell, Ernie Sites, David Stoecklein, and husband and wife team, Lyman and Alaire Tenney.

Young, who retired from Northwest in 2009, coached college rodeo for 36 years. He served as the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Ozark Region director for 18 years and as NIRA national faculty president for two terms. He started his bull riding career in 1957 at the age of 12 and joined the International Professional Rodeo Association in 1964, where he is still an active member. He also competed in the PRCA, CRA, URA and the Deep South Rodeo Association.

He was inducted into the Northwest Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and into the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Young attended Northwest and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi State University. He came to Northwest in 1973 as an instructor in livestock management technology, starting the college’s first rodeo team that same year. During his tenure as coach, the Northwest team traditionally earned awards in local, regional and national competition. Members of his rodeo teams won championships in bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and in the All-Around category.

At the time Young was inducted into the Northwest Sports Hall of Fame, he was also honored with the announcement of the Lawrence “Bud” Young Endowed Scholarship, which bene-

fits a student in the college rodeo program. Since retirement, Young taught as an adjunct instructor and worked with high school students in the area by conducting workshops and seminars for private groups as well as for members of the

www.northwestms.edu

Retired Northwest Rodeo Coach Lawrence “Bud” Young proudly displays his trophy buckle for being named one of this year’s recipients of the Cowboy Keeper Award by the National Day of the Cowboy organization.

Photo by Julie Bauer Little Britches Rodeo Association.

He currently serves in a part-time position as the manager of the Northwest Arena. He spends his time helping local bull riders and conducted a rodeo school in October in Friendship, Tennessee.

Young is truly a Northwest legacy. His grandfather attended Northwest when it was a high school. His parents met at Northwest and he, his son and his grandson all attended Northwest. He also has two young granddaughters.

According to the organization’s website, “The mission of National Day of the Cowboy non-profit organization is to contribute to the preservation of America’s cowboy culture and pioneer heritage so that the history and culture, which the fourth Saturday in July honors, can be shared and perpetuated for the public good, through education, the arts, literature, celebrations, gatherings, rodeos, and other community activities.”

—LaJuan Tallo

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Custom Woven Afghan Adorn your home with a beautiful high-quality custom afghan!

• Beautiful woven afghan features Northwest’s James P. McCormick Administration Building • 100% cotton, 51” x 68” in size • Made in the USA • $30 each • Cash, check or credit card accepted

Cooking Lessons I & II Copies of Cooking Lessons & Cooking Lessons II are still available!

• Recipes collected from Northwest faculty & staff, spiral bound in a beautiful hardcover book • Cooking Lessons —$15, Cooking Lessons II —$20 • Proceeds go directly to Textbook Assistance Fund for students • Cash, check or credit card accepted

Order Form Name ____________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________

State _____________ Zip Code _______________

E-mail Address ______________________________________ Phone _________________________ I would like to order: ____ Afghans at $30 each

____ Cooking Lessons at $15 each

____ Cooking Lessons II at $20 each

Method of Payment: _____ Cash (enclosed) _____ Check (make payable to NWCC Foundation) Credit Card # ___________________________________ Exp. _____________ CSC#________ Return form in enclosed envelope or mail to: Dolores Wooten, Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 7015, 4975 Hwy. 51 N., Senatobia, MS 38668. For more information call (662) 560-1105 or e-mail dbwooten@northwestms.edu.

honorariums/memorials

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 the men and women 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 June 1, 2015, and Sept. 30, 2015, 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) 560-1103.

MEMORIALS Jimmy Neal Andrews

by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Allen Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Ms. Julie Niblett Jeremy Appleton

by Mr. Whit Perry Charlie Baldwin, Jr.

by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Joe Beckum

by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Thomas Paul and Dolores Wooten Robert Branan

by Mr. and Mrs. John McCrary Cecil Burford

by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Robbie H. Butts

by Mr. Joe Elliott Michael Byrd

by Ms. Michelle Spence Howard & Edna Carpenter

by Mr. and Mrs. Herman Coats Bela J. & Ruby Black Chain

by Dr. and Mrs. Buddy Chain, Jr.

www.northwestms.edu

Regina Clark

by Ms. Rebecca Allen Ms. Gayle Beckler Mrs. Kitt Brand Mr. Taylor and Dr. Bonnie Buntin Mr. Tyler Canon Ms. Geraldine Chaney Ms. Susan Chaney Ms. Lisa C. Curry Mrs. Jean Hadskey Dr. Jimmy and Janie Jones Ms. Patti Joyner Mr. Joseph Massa Northwest Mississippi Community College Mr. and Mrs. Fred T. Ogg Ms. Francie Savage Dr. Larry Sylvester Tabor Orthopedics Ms. Alane Tentoni Mr. Dan Wortham Holli Pond Day

by Mr. Zabe Davis Charles & Elizabeth Dean

by Mrs. Delores Jennings Willie C. Ford

by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Charles Forsyth

by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Russell Hadskey

by Mr. and Mrs. Todd Latham

Tommy Hogan

by Mr. and Mrs. Ken Harris Mrs. Penny Potts Robert A. Hyde

by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Henderson Rev. and Mrs. Rufus A. Lloyd Ms. Annie Jones Ray James Jackson

by Mr. Dennis Cobb Charlotte Johnston

by Mr. Wayne Ferguson Mr. Marcus Perkins Mrs. Kim Steinman Mrs. Amy Stewart Khalid Khouri

by Mr. Bud Donohou Paul Lawrence

by Mrs. Barbara Lawrence Todd Mastin

by Mr. Wilbur Mastin James McCullough

by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Pennie McKinney

by Ms. Toni Barden Mrs. Toni Blair Mrs. Pam Briscoe Miles C. Mitchell

by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro

Chief Bill Moore

by Mrs. Becky Moore Mary Alice Moorman

by Mr. Steve Cummings Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Darby Ms. Betty Robison Nealia Neal

by Mr. Whit Perry Jeffrey Nichols

by Mrs. Elizabeth Dickerson Rick Oswalt

by Ms. Gayle Beckler Scott Potts

by Mr. and Mrs. Ken Harris Mr. and Mrs. Todd Latham Mr. and Mrs. Terry Potts Stephen Purdy

by Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Dandridge Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Marie Ann Ray

by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Priscilla W. Red

by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Dr. Augustinus Rinaldy

by Dr. Darrell Barnes Dr. Larry Sylvester

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honorariums/memorials Robert T. Riser

by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Thweatt Tony Roberson

by Mr. Kevin Wulff Ross & Lucile Robison

by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Robison Samantha Hayward Ross

by Mr. Jerry Clements Robert Sanders

by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brown Mr. Jerry Clark Mary Tanner Shipp

by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Mr. Kemmons Wilson, Jr. Tim Shorter

by Ms. Kathy Buchanan Mr. Joe Elliott Ms. Darlene Greenlee Mr. and Mrs. Scott Holmes Mr. Matthew Johnson Ms. Suzette Logan Ms. Lisa Russell Delores Sanders Stewart

by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Mr. and Mrs. Greg Freeman James L. (Trey) Sylvester

by Dr. Darrell Barnes Dr. Larry Sylvester Lauren Elizabeth Tallo

by Ms. Sondra Holliday Charles Taylor

by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Glenn Triplett

by Ms. Joanna G. Hansbrough Mr. and Mrs. Howard Patterson 32

Northwest Now

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Rogers Mrs. Sadie Shannon Ms. Patsy Wilborn Jerry Veazey

by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon W.L. Wallace

by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon W.L. & Lula Brooks Wallace

by Ms. Suester Sowell Garnett B. West

by Ms. Debby Rutledge C. Chad Williams

by Mr. and Mrs. Steve Sturgeon Drew Young

by Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Burch Bobby Youngblood

by Ms. Jean Steadham Calvin Grover Youngblood

by Mrs. Ruth WilliamsHooker Mrs. Peggy Youngblood HONORARIUMS Dr. Marilyn Bateman

by Mrs. Pam Briscoe Mrs. Elizabeth Harvey Mrs. Phyllis Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Walter Scott Marsha Berryhill

by Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Young Dr. Gordon Bigelow

by Mr. Larry Anderson

Elizabeth H. Burns

by Mr. Richie Lawson

Mariglyn N. Meacham

by Ms. Audrey C. Breeding

Dr. Jack Butts

by Mr. Joe Elliott

Pat Miller

by Dr. Carol Cleveland

Earline Cocke

by Mr. and Mrs. Perry Arrington Ms. Glynda Hall

Jodie Moore

by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy

Mike Dottorey

by Mr. Robert and Dr. Marilyn Bateman Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Mrs. Jere Herrington Mr. Richie Lawson Dr. Chuck Strong Mr. Rod Todd Keith Godbold

by Mrs. Phyllis Johnson Mrs. Dawn Stevens

Jonathan Nichols

by Mrs. Elizabeth Dickerson Jayne River

by Mr. Joe Elliott Dr. Gary Lee Spears

by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Simpson Marilyn R. Spears

by Mrs. Carol Peterson Dr. Ellen Williams

by Ms. Kim Hoover

Anita Graham

by Mr. Wayne Ferguson Sandy Grisham

by Mr. Bud Donahou Ms. Susanne VanDyke Dr. Jerry Hollis

by Dr. Darrell Barnes Dr. Carol Cleveland Mr. Bud Donahou Brenda Holmes

by Mr. Joe Elliott Cathryn M. Hyde

by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Henderson Rev. and Mrs. Rufus A. Lloyd Ms. Annie Jones Ray Richie Lawson

by Dr. Darrell Barnes

Kitt Brand

by Mr. Jerry Clements www.northwestms.edu

Now

Northwest Fall 2015

A publication of Northwest Mississippi Community College

President Dr. Gary Lee Spears Vice President for Finance Gary Mosley Vice President for Student Services/Chief of Staff Dan Smith Vice President for Education Richie Lawson Vice President/Registrar Larry Simpson Chairman, Northwest Board of Trustees Milton Kuykendall

Northwest Foundation Associate Vice President of Development & Special Projects/Associate Editor Sybil R. Canon • srcanon@northwestms.edu Director of Alumni Affairs & Development Operations Dolores Wooten • dbwooten@northwestms.edu Scholarship Coordinator & Foundation Assistant Patti Gordon • pgordon@northwestms.edu

Communications Director of Communications/Editor Sarah Sapp • ssapp@northwestms.edu Assistant Director of Communications/ Graphic Designer Julie R. Bauer • jrbauer@northwestms.edu Communications Assistant LaJuan Tallo • ltallo@northwestms.edu Digital Media Specialist Lindsay Crawford • lcrawford@northwestms.edu Coordinator for Sports Information Kevin Maloney • kmaloney@northwestms.edu Assistant Coordinator for Sports Information Brian Lentz • blentz@northwestms.edu

For address changes, please contact Alumni Affairs at (662) 560-1105.

Northwest Now is published bi-annually as a joint effort of the Northwest Foundation and the Office of Communications.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Please visit the Northwest website at www.northwestms.edu/affirmativeaction to view the College’s Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

contents features

4 8 11 22 29

rewarding excellence Faculty, staff receive recognition for outstanding service to the college and their professions.

celebrating giving Foundation scholarship students thank donors at annual ceremony and reception.

cover story: music man College celebrates the life and musical legacy of retired Director of Bands Glenn Triplett.

renewing friendships Alumni return to campus for Homecoming reunions, salutes to top alum, new Sports Hall of Fame class.

keeping the cowboy way Former rodeo coach named recipient of national award honoring preservation of cowboy heritage.

departments 1 2 3 18 26 33

student snapshot/tom anderson president’s reflections/dr. gary lee spears alumni president’s notes/mike boren around campus the legacy continues the sporting life from the heart of northwest/sybil canon alumni news/dolores wooten

On the cover: Retired Director of Bands Glenn Triplett was a mainstay on campus, regularly attending Fine Arts events and even serving as guest conductor at Concert Band performances.

Photo by LaJuan Tallo

from the

heart of Northwest

Sybil R. Canon I never cease to be amazed by the extraordinary contributions to our world and society made by Northwest graduates. One of those whose legacy of service is truly stellar is Dr. Ethelyn Smith.

Dr. Ethelyn died on Oct. 12. She was 94.

A native of Senatobia, she attended Northwest and graduated from The University of Mississippi before receiving her medical degree from the University of Tennessee. She was the only woman in her medical class.

She returned to Senatobia where she joined her father, Dr. William Douglass Smith, in his medical practice. His medical practice lasted 50 years, and so did Dr. Ethelyn’s --- a combined 100 years for father and daughter!

I remember when I first moved to Senatobia almost 40 years ago, I took my children to see Dr. Ethelyn. I walked up the stairs to her office and, upon entering, I realized there was no receptionist or no place to sign in. I looked around at the people waiting and asked, “This is my first time here. Where do we sign in?” I was told by a lady, “I was the last one before you came in. You will go after me.” That was the system, and it worked!

When it was my turn, I took my children in and introduced myself. Dr. Ethelyn informed me that she already knew who I was and welcomed me to Senatobia. She proceeded to examine my daughters and prescribed the appropriate medicine. I asked her where I paid, and she informed me that I could give the payment to her --- $2. “Two dollars?” I asked. “Yes,” she replied, “but since this is your first time here, you don’t have to pay this time.” I was speechless!

That was what she charged every one of her patients who came to her office. Then, there were those who would be standing at her back door when she left her office. Most of those, she didn’t charge anything. She was known to place money in the mailbox of someone who was having a difficult time. Dr. Ethelyn was taught from an early age by her father who was paid in vegetables or wood for the stove --- or nothing at all.

Dr. Ethelyn closed her office on Thursday afternoons. She loved to take her boat to Sardis Lake and fish and water ski. Dr. Ethelyn loved teaching young people to water ski, and so many of Senatobia’s young people have fond memories of those days.

Several years ago, some of Dr. Ethelyn’s friends established an endowed scholarship in her honor. What a privilege it is for the Northwest Foundation to have a scholarship that bears this dear and distinctive name, a name that brings such prestige to “the Heart of Northwest.”

alumni news Dolores Wooten By now many of you have received a letter from our office asking you to consider an end-of-the-year contribution. I would like to issue an alumni challenge and ask every alum who reads this article to do just that—consider a gift to Northwest.

As was stated in that letter, our office has been overwhelmed with numerous pleas for help with textbooks. It is totally impossible to help every request that comes through our doors. There are situations with students that would absolutely break your heart. We try hard to determine who is most deserving of textbook assistance. We have to make that decision among all the requests, because there is simply not enough funds to help them all. This is where we need your help.

I am asking each alum to think of your days here at Northwest, and remember where you got your start. Often I am asked to call if I ever need anything. Well, I may not be calling, but I am writing asking you to give a gift. You may think that what “little” you can give may not help that much. But remember, “little” becomes “much.”

We make it easy to give. You can use a credit card, check or even PayPal. If you prefer, you can call me with your credit card information, and I’ll be glad to take care of it.

Remember that purchasing cookbooks is a way to help the textbook assistance program.

The proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks are used strictly for textbook assistance.

Let’s see what our alumni can do through this “alumni challenge.”

Thank you for your support of Northwest. I appreciate it, and so do our students.

N ORTHWEST M ISSISSIPPI C OMMUNITY C OLLEGE F OUNDATION

Northwest

P.O. Drawer 7015 • 4975 Highway 51 North Senatobia, MS 38668

NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Now

FALL 2015

Parting

Photo by JucoWeekly.org

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Glenn Triplett: Celebrating the life of a Northwest legend INSIDE: scholarship ceremony • 2+2 tourney • Legacies • fall sports