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Humanities Teacher of the Year
Jerome Petty, a native of Benoit, Mississippi, serves CCC as an adjunct instructor of public speaking. He has built 21 years of experience educating a varied age range of students in Mississippi and Arkansas. Having dedicated much of his life to advancing youth, Petty was honored as CCC’s 2021 Humanities Teacher of the Year.
Alongside his service to Tiger Nation, he maintains ties with Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), where he received his bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies.
Petty currently holds the title of director for the MVSU Upward Bound II program and taught theater and English to participants of the program from 2007 until 2012. From 2017 to 2019, he was the academic coordinator. Last year, Petty secured two $10,000 STEM grants for the program, one from the Teaching Through Technologies Alliance and NASA. He is also credited for his help in getting a STEM lab, podcast studio, and photography studio funded for Upward Bound II. He has guided MVSU student leaders as an advisor to Mr. MVSU and the Student Government Association.
Petty received his master’s degree in communication studies and theater from Arkansas State University. An advocate for progressing firstgeneration scholars from low-income backgrounds, he has collaborated with MVSU on numerous freshman experience and student leadership projects and has partnered with Mission Mississippi to give young scholars insight into the world of business.
Petty has served as a music teacher for West Bolivar Elementary School, a Government, Economics, and Law instructor at Leflore County High, and a public speaking instructor for Arkansas State University from 2010 to 2012. He is multifaceted and has delivered uplifting messages in motivational speaking engagements for the College, MVSU, and Mississippi Delta-based youth organizations. Because of his dedication to service, he’s taken the lead role as chair of different programs contributing to the growth, knowledge, and survival of young males in underprivileged environments with his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Inc.
Now a resident of Itta Bena, Mississippi, he aims daily to “aspire to inspire before he expires.” He and his wife, Kathy, have four children: Ke’Ralos, R’Gnae, M’Chos, and Trentis. Petty regards himself as an avid disc golf player and enjoys writing and producing theater shows. He credits a host of achievements to successful communication, dedication, and a supportive team of staff, colleagues, mentors, and supervisors whom he salutes without hesitation.
Petty believes exponential growth occurs when individuals can see things through the lens of potential, not as they are. The change-embracing instructor cites Eleanor Roosevelt in offering a treasured inspirational quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” He hopes to leave the world in better shape than he found it by continuing on his mission of adequately educating students and connecting them to a world of knowledge. In his opinion, education today depicts, impacts and influences the future.
Yearly, the Mississippi Humanities Council chooses an exceptional faculty member from each higher learning institution in the state who teaches in the humanities field to receive the Humanities Teacher of the Year Award. Previous recipients have presented at a reception hosted by the College and joined other awardees at a banquet in Jackson, Mississippi. CCC President Dr. Valmadge T. Towner and Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Rolonda Brown took on the honor of recommending an instructor deserving of the title.
Our journey was truly full of bumps in the road, the ongoing pandemic included, but we were resilient. We did not stop, and now, here we are.“ “ - Valedictorian Kadesia Harris
THE 69th COMMENCEMENT
Graduates strut the stage, returning to in-person graduation ceremony.
Taking a wondrous glide from one side of the graduation stage to the other could be viewed as a divine strut on clouds. The tradition usually held by learning institutions caps a grand achievement in one’s academic career.
The 2021 commencement exercises were held on the field of James E. Miller Stadium amid breezy winds that epitomized the regal tradition. For an estimated 340 graduates, the day commemorated the act of CCC, flinging them into extraordinary pursuits.
Valedictorian Kadesia Harris had the privilege of addressing fellow members of the class of 2021. Approaching the podium with vigor, Harris aimed to motivate her classmates toward new trails.
She began the valedictory speech delightfully expressing, “This day has finally come, and I am most grateful.”
“Our journey was truly full of bumps in the road, the ongoing pandemic included, but we were resilient. We did not stop, and now, here we are,” said Harris. “Let us remain open to learning. I hope that you continue to use the knowledge and wisdom that you’ve acquired from Coahoma in your future.”
Harris told the graduates that their responses to current changes predict their future outcomes.
“Take a deep breath, accept the ambiguity, and trust God’s plan. Today marks the beginning of our forever. I urge you to put a dent in the universe through the impact you create in your respective professions,” she continued.
Drawing on the hope and inspiration imparted by the CCC concert choir’s moving song selection, Harris wished the class well. Proceeding the conferral of associate degrees and certificates in career and technical education, President Towner delivered brief remarks.
“Graduates, your fidelity to quality and excellence is a part of the unending tapestry woven into the fabric of Coahoma,” said Towner. “I admonish and plead with each of you to keep Coahoma Community College alive in your thoughts and even in your prayers.”
The scene of floating regalia emphasized the handing of diplomas to the achievers. Then the Golden Anniversary graduates of the College’s 18th class paid a nostalgic visit back to their 1971 commencement ceremony by walking the stage to receive diplomas that were glinting gold.
CCC Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Rev. Bennie Brown helped bring the graduation to a close by offering a congratulatory message to the 2021 class on the board’s behalf.
“Although the last year and a half has been stormy—we all have experienced something that happens only once in a lifetime—but I want you to know it’s fairing off,” said Brown, taking the last three words from meteorologists. “As you move forward from this day, take these three little words with you.”
“Keep your head to the sky,” Brown encouraged.
President Towner passionately motivates the graduating class of 2021 to keep moving forward toward their goals, dreams, and ambitions.
