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
Now
SUMMER 2016
Parting
shot Construction is currently underway on the Football Field House, located in the north end zone at Ranger Stadium. The $4.8 million project, slated for completion in the spring of 2017, will include coaches’ offices, weight room, locker/dressing rooms, viewing and meeting rooms for football and a training/PT center that will serve all Northwest sports teams. Photo by Julie Bauer
Honoring a local legend Alumnus creates monument for former English instructor INSIDE: Hall of Fame • national championship • spring sports • retirees
Now
Northwest Summer 2016
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 Chairman, Northwest Board of Trustees Jerry Moore
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 Assistant Director of Communications/ Editor & 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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kings of the gridiron Rangers win third national championship after 66-13 rout at Mississippi Bowl.
academic elite College’s top Phi Theta Kappa students honored by the Mississippi legislature at luncheon in Jackson.
cover story: inspired art Alumnus Jared Spears transforms memories of instructor John Osier into graveside monument.
walking through faith DeSoto Center student asked to share his inspirational story with InTouch interview.
dedicated service Employees recognized for years of service to the college during annual awards ceremony.
departments 1 2 3 14 21 33
student snapshot/leeah henson president’s reflections/dr. gary lee spears alumni president’s notes/mike boren
from the
heart of Northwest
Sybil R. Canon In looking at the chart below, I am amazed, appalled, and concerned that students owe the Federal Government $950 billion in student loans and that students owe private banks and loan agencies $375 billion. Yet, I know that Mississippi students can attend one of the 15 community colleges and, in most cases, graduate with an associate degree owing nothing. The first benefit for attending a community college is three fold: (1) the affordable cost of tuition, (2) the accessibility, and (3) the opportunity to work while attending classes because of the flexible class times and because of eLearning classes that enable a student to attend classes wherever this is access to the internet and to a computer. The second benefit is that every community college in Mississippi requires academic instructors to hold a master’s degree and a minimum of eighteen graduate hours in the courses they teach. Students are taught by academically qualified teachers who have chosen teaching as their profession. In the career-technical fields, the instructors have had real-world experience in these fields and they are consistently acquiring training so as to present real-time, cutting edge technology instruction. A third benefit is the many opportunities for financial aid. In addition to Federal, state, and institutional aid, community college foundations provide students an option that may prevent having to take out a student loan. At Northwest, our scholarship endowment has surpassed $9.1 million. In addition to the endowment, we have awarded $3.8 million in scholarships since 1996. Because of the generosity of so many who care about this college and who care about the students who need a “hand up,” we help to provide a way for students to begin their educational journey without burdening themselves or their families with debt. We show these students the compassion of so many. We show them the “heart of Northwest.”
around campus the legacy continues the sporting life from the heart of northwest/sybil canon alumni news/dolores wooten
On the cover: Northwest alumnus Jared Spears stands next to the monument he created at the request of John Osier’s family to memorialize the retired English instructor. Photo by Julie Bauer
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckdevore/2016/02/26/student-debt-crisis-therecession-started-it-colleges-sustain-it-and-politicians-make-it-worse/#79f00d6935b5
alumni news Dolores Wooten Northwest’s Homecoming will be here soon, and we want you all to join us for the festivities. Information about all of our Homecoming activities for the community and alumni can be found on page 9 of this issue of Northwest Now. As you will see, there has been a major change in the schedule. Please note that Homecoming has now been moved to Thursday night. If you have a group that is interested in having a reunion (at any time during the year), our office will be happy to assist you with those plans. We will provide you with a list of alums, create the mailing pieces and actually mail it our for you. We need as much notice as possible in order to insure good attendance. You may contact us by email at dbwooten@northwestms.edu or by calling (662) 560-1105. We also want to invite alumni to join the Alumni Association. Lifetime dues are $30 for single and $50 for a couple. Lifetime membership provides you with free admission to all athletic and fine arts events. You can mail your check to NWCC Alumni Association, P. O. Box 7015, 4975 Highway 51 N., Senatobia, MS 38668. Thank you for your support, and we invite you to drop by and visit our campus. We would love to show you around and share all the changes taking place.
student snapshot Leeah Henson Senatobia • Sophomore Pathway: Medical Scholarship: The Lafayette Radio Club Endowed Scholarship What does getting a Foundation Scholarship mean to you? Receiving a Foundation scholarship is a very big deal for me. It means that my future is important enough to invest in, and I can't express enough my gratitude for the scholarship. My father is unable to work because he is on dialysis due to kidney failure, so my mom is the only working parent. Which instructors/people have been particularly helpful in your experience at Northwest? My psychology teacher, Amanda Wilson was very helpful during my first semester here. She gave me advice on schools and nominated me for an award I received in my major field at the time. My history teacher, Chris Tingle was a big help this semester especially. Softball season can be hectic with missing classes, but he was very understanding about working around this. He made the class very interesting and helped keep me on track despite missing several times. What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? I have always been fascinated by dermatology. I am obsessed with skincare and all of the issues that come with it. I am constantly keeping up with Dr. Sandra Lee, a dermatologist, and all of her social media. All of her patients fascinate me, and it really lets me know that this is the field I want to be in.
Photo by Julie Bauer
Describe your student-athlete experience as a member of the Ranger softball team who was recently recognized as a 2015-16 All-America Scholar Athlete by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Being a part of this athletic team is an amazing thing. We had a great group of girls who cared about softball. When you're around them and go through all of the obstacles a team does, it brings you together. We had a tremendous amount of fun, but we took our games and practices seriously because we wanted to win. Our coaching staff was also a great thing to experience. Our coaches were so different, but they worked together and they balanced each other.
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What would you like people to know about Northwest? Northwest is not just a community college. It's a great place to start your college education without needing to take on student debt so early. It has just as much to offer as a university, and is a great place to start a college education.
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president’s reflections
Dr. Gary Lee Spears
On April 26, 1916, nine men and women received diplomas from what was then known as Tate County Agricultural High School. This was the first commencement exercise held on
alumni president’s notes
the Senatobia campus of Northwest Mississippi Community College.
Mike Boren
Two cash prizes were awarded during that first commencement to the two students who earned the highest grades in that nine-member class. The two students with the highest grades each received a grand cash prize of $2.50. While I certainly understand that the value of $2.50 100 years ago is so much greater than it is today, I also appreciate the opportunities for financial aid that Northwest students have. There are institutional scholarships that are funded by taxpayer dollars, and there are hundreds of thousands of dollars in Foundation scholarships funded by compassionate and generous donors, donors who want to provide hope for a future filled with promise and possibility for our students. On May 13, 2016, it was my honor to shake the hands of more than 800 graduates of this college. Not all of the graduates chose to participate in the ceremony. Had they done so, it would have brought the number up to approximately 1,200 students! In the past 100 years, Northwest has grown and flourished to become one of the most highly-respected community colleges in the state of Mississippi and, in many of our programs, in the entire nation. And, yes, we are continuing to improve facilities and programs to make the best even better. We are excited that construction has begun on a Health Sciences Complex which will be located adjacent to the Nursing Building and a Football Field House which will be located at the north end of Bobby Franklin Field. In addition to the new construction, we will continue to be about the business of providing our students with the highest quality of academic education and career-technical education and training so that, 100 years from now, Northwest will still be remembered as the best of the best.
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Out of the thousands and thousands of students who have graduated from or who attended Northwest, only a small percentage are members of the Alumni Association. We realize that for those who go on to graduate from a four-year university, the allegiance seems to be greater to that university than it is to Northwest. Some are not even aware that Northwest has an alumni association. For others, it just may be an oversight. Why should we as alums of Northwest join the Alumni Association? First of all, it is a way to pay tribute to the great experience that we all had there. For so many of us, Northwest was the place we learned to study, the place we made friends outside of our circle of high school friends, the place we may have met our spouses, the place we began growing up. Second, joining the Alumni Association gives us the opportunity to give back. The NWCC Alumni Association Endowment is a permanent scholarship that will be helping students as long as Northwest exists. It has been funded, not only by dues, but by gifts designated for this scholarship. Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Smith, Jr. have been prominent contributors to this endowment for many years. Through their generous support and the dues that have been paid by alums, the value of this endowment is very near $25,000. Third, being a part of the Alumni Association brings benefits, both tangible and intangible. Members receive free admission to all on-campus athletic events and fine arts performances. That is the tangible benefit. The intangible benefit is the opportunity to “pay it forward.” The dues required to be a lifetime member are $30! That’s right, just $30! Would you please consider joining today? You can mail your check to the NWCC Foundation or go online to www.northwestms.edu and click on the PayPal link at the bottom of the home page.
around campus Ten students receive college’s highest honor Ten Northwest students have been inducted into the 2015 -2016 Hall of Fame, the highest honor a Northwest student can attain based upon their academic prowess and involvement in student life at the college. The group was honored at the Feb. 11 Board of Trustees meeting on the Senatobia campus. Six Hall of Fame students are from the Senatobia campus. Hannah Clarkson of Hernando is studying pre-engineering. While at Northwest, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta Math Society, Northwest Marching and Concert bands, the Baptist Student Union and the Student Government Association. Clarkson was also a captain of the Northwest Rangerettes. Her honors include Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. Clarkson is a recipient of the Joey Boldreghini Endowment. Ranger Rocket Editor Samantha Whittle of Strayhorn was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Rocketeer yearbook staff. Whittle has been named an Outstanding Student and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She is a recipient of the Dr. Ann Yates Whitten Endowment. Timera Rodgers of Byhalia is studying business administration. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Baptist Student Union, Student Government Association and a student recruiter. Rodgers’ honors include being named Senatobia Rotary Club Student of the Month and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Rodgers is a recipient of the Toyota–Haley Barbour Annual Scholarship. Kayleigh Sims of Randolph studies elementary education and was recently named Northwest’s HEADWAE (Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence) student. She was a member of the Northwest Education Association, Baptist Student Union and Phi Theta Kappa. Sims was a member of the Northwest women’s soccer team. Her
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Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (far left) congratulates (front row, left to right) Hall of Fame members Whittle, Merritt, Sims, Clarkson; (back row, left to right) Bosley, King, Endraske, Rodgers and Morris. Not pictured is Holmes. Photo by Julie Bauer honors include Academic All American, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. She is a recipient of the American Legion Post No. 19 Endowment. Tiffanee Merritt is a nursing student on the Senatobia campus and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Student Nurses Association, Student Government Association and Ranger Book Club. She has been honored in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and the Phi Theta Kappa All Academic team. She is the recipient of Sarah Garner Ainsworth Endowment. Cody Morris of Southaven is studying music education. Morris is a member of the Northwest Players, Northwest concert and marching bands, the Entertainers, Honor Choir, Baptist Student Union and Phi Theta Kappa. He has also been a part of theatre productions at Northwest. His honors include Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and the Dean’s and President’s Lists. Morris is the recipient of the Sherman Hardin Memorial Endowment. Three Hall of Fame students come
from the DeSoto Center. Matthew Bosley is a general college student from Nesbit. He is president of Phi Theta Kappa at DeSoto Center. Emily Endraske is studying hotel and restaurant management technology at DeSoto Center. She is from Byhalia and is the recipient of the Dot Mitchell Endowment. Endraske is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Collegiate DECA. Business and marketing management technology student Kalaya King of Southaven is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Collegiate DECA. King is an Oustanding Student and a recipient of the John L. Basinger, Sr. Endowment. Representing the Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center is Ethan Holmes of Oxford, who is studying accounting. Holmes is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. His honors include Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Outstanding Student and President’s List. He is a recipient of the Oxford Center Endowment. —LaJuan Tallo
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Rangers win third national championship NW routs Rochester 66-13 for title
NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year Justin Crawford capped off his Northwest career with 3,161 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. Photo by JucoWeekly.org
SCAN THIS To read the complete story at nwccrangers.com
The Rangers & championship ring donors
Wright, Sen. Stone, Rep. Lamar, Dr. Spears
Winning the NJCAA Football Championship Game in dominant fashion, No. 1 Northwest defeated No. 2 Rochester (Minn.) 66-13 in the Mississippi Bowl on Sunday, Dec. 6 in Biloxi. Finishing the year with an 11-1 record, the Rangers claimed their third NJCAA championship and first since 1992. Northwest is now 5-4-1 in NJCAA bowl games. Following the win, the Rangers were honored by the City of Senatobia as participants in the Christmas Parade and received special recognition from board member Parke Pepper at the 18th Annual Tate County Economic Development Foundation Banquet on March 21 (right). Shortly after the win, a fundraising effort began to purchase championship rings for the players and coaches. Several donors, led by Gateway Tire CEO and Chairman of the Board Bobby Dunlap, provided funding for the rings, which were presented to the team during a special ceremony April 28 (top). Also during the event, a resolution by the Mississippi legislature congratulating the team was presented by state Sen. Bill Stone and state Rep. Trey Lamar (above right). Malik Hawkins applies pressure to Rochester quarterback Nick Rooney in the NJCAA National Championship game. Hawkins led the Ranger defense with seven tackles in the contest (opposite page, above right). Photo by JucoWeekly.org Northwest Athletic Director Bubba Skelton, President Dr. Gary Lee Spears, former Head Football Coach Jack Wright and NJCAA Executive Director Mary Ellen Leicht pose with the national championship trophy following the Rangers' win (opposite page, right). Photo by JucoWeekly.org
Parker, Minshew, Pepper
around campus HEADWAE honorees attend annual program Northwest recently announced its 2016 HEADWAE student and faculty honorees, Kayleigh Morgan Sims, a student on the Senatobia campus, and Jeff Triplett, music instructor on the Senatobia campus. HEADWAE stands for “Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence.” The award was established by Mississippi Legislative Resolution #88 in 1987 to annually honor academically talented students and faculty members of Mississippi’s higher education institutions who have made outstanding contributions in promoting academic excellence. Triplett and Sims were honored at the 29th annual HEADWAE program in Jackson on Feb. 2. Sims is studying elementary education at Northwest. She is from Randolph and graduated from South Pontotoc Attendance Center. She is a member of the Northwest Education Association, Baptist Student Union and Phi Theta Kappa. Sims is also a member of the Northwest women’s soccer team. Her honors include Academic All American, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. Sims was recently named to Northwest’s Hall of Fame. She is a recipient of the American Legion Post No. 19 Endowment and plans to become an elementary education teacher with endorsements in math and science. She would also like to be a coach.
Jeff Triplett and Kayleigh Sims Jeff Triplett is in his ninth year as an instructor at Northwest. A native of Senatobia, he attended Northwest from 1985-87 and earned his Associate of Arts. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in music education from Delta State University. In addition to his duties assisting with the marching and concert bands, he teaches applied low brass, and is the coordinator for the entertainment industry studies program. Triplett is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Theta Kappa, the Mississippi Bandmasters Association and the International Trombone Association. —LaJuan Tallo
Foundation welcomes new board members Gale Cushman (center), president of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors and Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (far right), welcome three new members to the Foundation board. Attending their first meeting Feb. 16 were (left to right) Marty Allison of Sarah, Perrin Caldwell of Batesville and Dr. Stephen Joe of Olive Branch. Photo by Sarah Sapp
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around campus Trustees elect officers, seat three new members
Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (top photo, center) congratulates newly-elected board officers Mike Moore (left), vice chairman, Calhoun County, and Jerry Moore (right), chairman, Marshall County at the Jan. 14 meeting of the Board of Trustees. Also during the January meeting, Dr. Spears welcomed new board members (bottom photo, second from left to right) Cory Uselton, DeSoto County; Dr. Evelyn W. Jossell, Quitman County and Steve Bostick, Benton County. The Board of Trustees, comprised of 22 members, is the governing body of the college. Photos by Julie Bauer
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College celebrates 100th Commencement The college celebrated its 100th Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 13 with three ceremonies honoring more than 800 students receiving Associate of Arts, Career Certificates and Associate of Applied Science degrees. Serving as Commencement speaker was state Sen. Gray Tollison of Oxford. According to the April 27, 1916 Senatobia Democrat, the local newspaper, the first Commencement took place at 10 a.m. on April 26, 1916 when the college was known as Tate County Agricultural High School. The Commencement celebration for the newlyestablished high school began on Friday, when the 10th grade students presented the play “She Stoops to Conquer.” On Sunday, Dr. A.F. Watkins, president of Millsaps College, delivered the Commencement Sermon during services in the high school auditorium. On Tuesday, the 11th grade class presented another play, “The Princess.” The Commencement Exercises were held on Wednesday in the auditorium. Following the Invocation by Rev. J.H. Brooks and a vocal solo of “Good-Bye” by Miss Jeane Brinkley, the valedictory address was given by class valedictorian Roy Mothershed. The school chorus sang “The Merry Farmer Boy” before the Commencement Address was given by Dr. J.N. Powers, chancellor of the University of Mississippi. After another vocal solo, “Lead Kindly Light” by Miss Garret (sic), the diplomas were awarded by Professor A.G. Gainey, president of Tate County Agricultural High School and the namesake of Northwest’s Gainey Hall. To conclude the ceremony, the Farewell Song to the Graduating Class was sung by the student body. On that first Commencement day, nine men and women received diplomas—Roy Mothershed (valedictorian), Howard Williams, Chesley Williams, Jim Sloan, Nina Hancock, Dorothy Roseborough, Mina Dixon, Edna Patterson and Emily Smith. These students were the first of many who would walk across the stage to begin a new chapter in their lives.
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around campus MI-BEST program provides education, training “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day,” the ancient proverb begins. “Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Finishing the academic year with 100 percent retention rate, the 13 students who began pursuing their GED and Career Certificate concurrently in January through the MI-BEST program at Northwest are beginning to understand they may never have to worry about putting food on their table again. According to MI-BEST Student Navigator, Rachelle Washington, the MI-BEST program has offered students with no GED or high school diploma the opportunity to be a full-time college student with all the rights and privileges of Northwest students. Prior to graduation, these students can expect to have earned their GED, 15-16 college credit hours, a manufacturing credential or nursing assistant certification, job shadowing, internships and even employment opportunities. The program combines collaborative teaching, technical skills and GED preparation with wrap-around services including childcare, financial assistance for transportation and individual and family counseling. Because the students are not eligible for Federal financial aid until they earn their GED, half of their tuition is paid through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and half is paid by Northwest. “I have students who came into this program thinking they couldn’t do certain things, and they are doing amazing things,” said David Casey, MI-BEST manufacturing pathway instructor. According to Casey, these students will be able to work in a variety of manufacturing environments, because their curriculum covers such a broad range of subjects, like lean manufacturing, just-in-time, blue print reading and precision instruments—skills that are in high demand by advanced manufacturing set-ups across the Northwest district and the Mid-South. “I have two children now, and I figured I needed to get on the ball, get my GED and get my life on track,” said Amanda Soriano, a MI-BEST manufacturing pathway student from Coldwater. Soriano was the first among her cohort to earn her GED and was offered a job in April at Schulz Xtruded Products, LP at their Hernando shipping location. In a letter to MI-BEST staff from the company’s Human Resource Manager, Gail Adams, Soriano was to begin work after school ended May 12 at a starting rate of $12.50, with free health insurance, six paid vacation days, nine paid holidays and the opportunity to enroll in the company’s retirement plan in July which currently matches employee contributions at four percent. In one semester, all five manufacturing pathway students have passed the Career Readiness Assessment (CRC) and earned CPR, Manufacturing Basic Skills, EDGE and OSHA certifications. Kimberly Phelps, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) instructor, had seven MI-BEST students in her class this spring, and she
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MI-BEST participant Amanda Soriano has earned her GED and was offered a job at Schulz Xtruded Products. Photo by Sarah Sapp admits they were some of her very best students. “They’re excelling in the classroom, doing well in clinicals and have all passed their check-offs for the semester. They are very driven. It is obvious they are focused, and they are highly motivated.” Her student Justin Wright of Senatobia was the second in his cohort to complete his GED and earned the placement scores to begin the practical nursing program at Northwest in the fall. Of the seven health care pathway students, seven have earned their CNA, CPR and EDGE certifications, and six have already passed the CRC. “The MI-BEST program has completely changed my outlook on returning to school for an education,” said Wright. “They’ve helped me on the ins and outs, staying focused in class, making sure things are taken care of and staying on schedule. I have an organized group of people around me who will assist me at any time, and I know they are always here to help. Going back to school would have been a burden for me financially without working full time. They’ve been a godsend. I’ve had a lot of support and leadership to help me get back in the swing of an education MI-BEST page 28
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around campus Stewart earns doctorate Computer instructor Amy Nicholson Stewart recently earned her doctorate in Instructional Technology and Design from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Stewart, who has been teaching at Northwest since 2005, currently teaches online and classroom courses in computer concepts and computer applications in the Division of Business. After graduating from Hernando High School, Stewart earned her Associate of Arts from Northwest. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business/ Computer Education from Delta State University and her Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Mississippi State University. Stewart stated that her degrees in Instructional Technology are helping her to teach more effectively both online and in the classroom. “I’ve learned a lot about the newer trends in technology and been able to carry it into the classroom,” Stewart said. She said that her doctorate is from the School of Curriculum and Instruction and that it ties into the pedagogy of teaching and is heavy in technology. “I am a very hands-on person and have always loved computers. They have always come easy to me. I loved the program at Southern,” Stewart said. Stewart’s dissertation, “An Assessment Comparing Community College Students’ Computer Self-Efficacy and Task Based Computer Knowledge” was directly tied to her work at Northwest. With the permission of both Northwest and USM, Stewart conducted a study on all three of Northwest’s campuses. She explained that she gave computer concept students a pre-test at the beginning of the semester and also had them rank themselves on what they thought their computer knowledge was. They were also tested at the end of the semester. Stewart’s study found that students basically knew less than they thought they knew when they ranked themselves, but that after the class, their computer knowledge was significantly better. She
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felt that students thought being able to use Google, the Internet and social media caused them to believe that their computer knowledge was more extensive than it actually was for use in the classroom and in their careers. The study also showed that computer concepts and applications classes still have significance in the curriculum. Stewart began teaching computer classes in 2014, after a six-year stint from 2008-2014 as division director of business at Northwest. Before becoming the director, Stewart taught business education and office administration classes. She came to Northwest from DeSoto County Schools where she taught computer programming and was the computer discovery teacher. She worked in the DeSoto County Schools from 1998-2005. Stewart’s honors include being selected to Who’s Who in Business Link Magazine in October 2008. She was also named to Who’s Who Among American Community Colleges and Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers. Stewart is a member of Pi Omega Pi, the National Business Education Teacher
Dr. Amy Stewart Honor Society, the Mississippi Business Education Association, the Mississippi Educational Computing Education Association and the National Business Education Association. She is the adviser for Phi Beta Lambda, a national collegiate business organization whose purpose is training future business leaders. Stewart is glad that her educational journey has reached its peak. “I hesitated to get the doctorate, and the reason was that I have always been terrified of statistics classes. I had to take three statistic classes and I had a wonderful professor. I am proud to say I conquered my fear and succeeded. I feel like it has made me a better teacher in the classroom,” Stewart said. —LaJuan Tallo
Homecoming 2016 activities planned HOMECOMING DAY: THURSDAY, SEPT. 29, 2016 Homecoming Carnival – 2-6 p.m. Ag Field – Open to the Public Homecoming Barbecue – 4:30-6 p.m. service Haraway Center – Open to the Public Homecoming Pre-game Festivities – 6:15 p.m. Bobby Franklin Field at Ranger Stadium Rangers vs. Holmes Bulldogs – 6:30 p.m. kickoff Bobby Franklin Field at Ranger Stadium Homecoming Court and Queen Presentation – Halftime Bobby Franklin Field at Ranger Stadium * Tenative schedule
around campus PTK All-Mississippi team recognized by legislature Northwest students Ashlinn Webster of Hernando, Matthew Bosley of Nesbit, Madison McClanahan of Hernando and Dixie Quinn, Tatyana Wadley and Daniel Pompa, all of Oxford, were honored on March 22 by the Mississippi Legislature for being named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team. During the All-Mississippi Academic Team Recognition Luncheon held at the Jackson Convention Center the students were individually recognized for their academic accomplishments and were presented with a legislative resolution and certificate. Webster, who is studying elementary education on the Senatobia campus, was recognized as an All-Mississippi first team honoree. All-Mississippi second team honorees from the DeSoto Center were Bosley, who is taking general college courses and McClanahan, who is studying nursing. From the LafayetteYalobusha Technical Center, second team honorees were Quinn, who is studying occupational therapy and Wadley, who is studying accounting. The second team honoree from the Senatobia campus was Pompa, who is studying engineering. PTK page 28
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Northwest Phi Theta Kappa students were honored on March 22 by the Mississippi Legislature for being named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team. Pictured seated left to right are, Tatyana Wadley and Dixie Quinn, both of Oxford, second team; Ashlinn Webster of Hernando, first team and Madison McClanahan of Hernando, second team. Standing left to right, Judy Barham, adviser; Richie Lawson, vice president for Education; Elizabeth Harvey, adviser; Patsy Gardner, adviser; Larry Simpson, vice president/registrar; Daniel Pompa of Oxford, second team; Matthew Bosley of Nesbit, second team; Dr. Gary Lee Spears, president; Dr. Kim Hamilton-Wims, Dawn Stevens and Matthew Johnson, advisers. Photo by Julie Bauer
Dandridge selected as Tate County EDF Educator of the Year Northwest Business and Office Technology Instructor Sheila Dandridge (right) was named Tate County Educator of the Year at the 18th annual Tate County Economic Development Foundation banquet on March 21. Dandridge, who retired from the college this year, worked for 36 years in Career-Technical Education teaching courses in word processing, electronic spreadsheets and professional development, as well as online classes in desktop publishing and communication technology. Congratulating Dandridge is Coldwater Mayor Vernon Jackson, EDF board member. Photo by LaJuan Tallo
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cover story
Alumnus Jared Spears serves as an assistant professor of technical direction with The University of Mississippi’s Department of Theatre Arts, where he teaches design and drawing. Photo by Robert Jordan/ Ole Miss Communications
Alumnus sculpts monument in memory of Osier By LaJuan Tallo
In his obituary, John Osier, a beloved Northwest English instructor was described as “a quiet, private, common and remarkable man.” The published author of four novels and numerous short stories and magazine articles, Osier was a “household name” around Northwest for the 35 years he taught at the college. In 1993, Osier was honored by the Senatobia Chamber of Commerce as
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“Higher Education Teacher of the Year.” That was also the same year an 18year-old freshman, Jared Spears, sat in Osier’s summer creative writing class and dreamed of becoming a writer like his teacher. Although writing was not to become Spears’ career, he drew inspiration from Osier that has helped him in not only his own teaching career, but his career as an artist and sculptor.
When Spears was approached by Osier’s widow Barbara and asked to sculpt the monument for Osier’s grave, he jumped at the chance. “I told her that I had known John and had admired him. That made this whole project pretty special to me. Just the serendipity of it all,” Spears said. Spears is no stranger to Northwest. He continued on next page
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English instructor John Osier in 2006, the year of his retirement, and in 1972, his second year of teaching at the college (inset). Photos from Rocketeer archives
spent his first five years living on the Senatobia campus. His father, Dr. Gary Lee Spears, who served the college as Registrar for many years, is in his 11th year as president of the college, and his mother Marilyn spent 26 years as an Early Childhood Technology Education teacher and was director of the program for many of those years. As a child, Spears was well acquainted with renowned Northwest potter Lane Tutor, who allowed him to practice and explore art in his studio. While at Northwest, Spears was a member of Les Fauves Art Club, was a Northwest recruiter, president of the Northwest Players Club and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He acted in several productions on the Northwest stage and also worked on the crew as well. Spears received an Irene Ryan Acting Award nomination and a scenic design award. He was a member of the Northwest Hall of Fame, the highest honor a student can receive. “A bunch of us kids from Senatobia High School tried to get a jump on things and took the creative writing class in the summer from Mr. Osier. I just thought he was cool, and that is the only way I could have described it back then, but it was so much more than that. He knew his material so well and he knew how to put it out there in such a way that we could understand whatever he was trying to teach us. He was such an inspiration and had such a command of the classroom. I still do things in my classroom today that I learned from him,” Spears said. “John really inspired me to write and articulate myself and to be fearless and not so worried about how I am received, but to put my ideas out there and be confident and secure.” “John would have been pleased to know that he had made a difference in some of his students’ lives. Although teaching was a way to pay the bills and still have time to write, he truly enjoyed teaching and sharing his love of literature with his students,” Barbara said. After graduating from Northwest, Spears attended Delta State University and began studying art. “I got a classical art education there. You learned not only how to draw, but how to
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see. You cannot draw anything that anyone else can understand unless you can truly see the world as three-dimensional objects in light and shadow and reality. It’s a real tool that they gave me and it is something I use as a teacher today,” Spears said. Spears received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture and printmaking from DSU in 1999. In 2000 he moved to Taylor, Mississippi, a thriving arts community, which in 2002 received the prestigious Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. Also that year Spears decided to pursue his master’s degree from The University of Mississippi. He earned his MFA in scenic design in 2005 and was hired full time after graduation. He teaches design and drawing in the Department of Theatre Arts at Ole Miss. A video documentary featuring Spears’ traditional stonecarving techniques is housed in the Rinzler Archives of the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Cultural Heritage and was featured as part of the 2005 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. In 2010 he and several colleagues received a Special Achievement Award from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters for the multimedia collaboration piece, The Passions of Walter Anderson: A Dramatic Celebration of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Artist. He and his younger brother Daniel have played together in various musical groups over the past 15 or so years. “We like to play ‘ole timey’ regional music. We play music from the early 1900s with an emphasis on instrumentation – big groups with horns and strings. I play guitar and sing. We really lean toward folk, jazz and early rock and roll with an improvisational bent,” Spears said. On a visit to Taylor, Lane Tutor and his wife Susan visited with Spears and saw that he was sculpting a three-dimensional monument for another family. Tutor and his wife were very impressed with Spears’ work. Susan mentioned the monument to Barbara, who contacted Jared and asked him to consider the project. “I think Barbara and her son Wes were comfortable with me, and pretty much gave me carte blanche,” Spears said. He presented his idea in drawings and maquettes to the Osiers. The Osiers liked what Jared had planned for the monument and agreed that he was the one they wanted to complete it. The sculpture took about a year to finish. “I like the direct nature of carving stone. I think I am more exacting and deliberate in my approach. I have an agenda when I start,” Spears said. For this project, Spears carved a limestone slab, which is recessed into the granite monument. The bas-relief is no more than an inch at its deepest. He worked with Mike Sanders of Batesville to create the base of the monument. He also creat-
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After meeting with Barbara Osier and her son, Wes, and based upon his own knowledge of the writer, Spears began sketching the artwork for the limestone carving in the center and gathered ideas for the monument as a whole.
Spears’s process for creating the monument developed over the course of about a year and involved meetings with the Osier family, drawings, maquettes and carvings before the final piece was built. Photo by Julie Bauer
ed the lettering. On the top of the monument is a beautiful Celtic cross. “The reason Wes and I chose the Celtic cross was that John loved Ireland. I told Jared about the cross that John bought for me in Dublin on my birthday. He took a picture of it and that is the cross on the monument. That just shows the care and thought that Jared put into this project,” Barbara said. “It is representative of the characters in his novels, but it is also him. The figure in the foreground is John, wearing the driver’s cap he often wore in later years. I think John always identified with his characters. In each of his novels, the central character always seeks refuge in an old building or a hideout in the woods. So it’s kind of an archetypal image of a man going on to the beyond. I wanted it to be timeless and stylized,” Spears said. He used rounded forms, drawing Spears page 28
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Based on his drawings, he then carved a clay maquette, a small scale model or rough draft of an unfinished sculpture. Details were then finalized and the full-scale monument was carved.
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The Legacy Continues
Legacy
the
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.
continues
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 June, the value of the endowment was $9,167,882. 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
$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
The Bluff City Funeral Directors & Morticians Association Endowment The Bluff City Funeral Directors and Morticians Association Endowment at Northwest was established by this association under the leadership of Eddie Hayes, Jr., president of the association. The scholarship endowment represents a major fundraising effort on the part of the association. As Hayes explained, this association has a long and rich legacy of promoting the funeral service industry in the Memphis area. “In 1928, a group of black funeral directors met to discuss issues that were affecting the black community during that time and what they could do to make a positive impact. From this meeting, Bluff City Funeral Directors and Morticians Association was established,” he said. Hayes recalled that the founding group included Taylor Hayes, J.S. Edwards, Sr., Eddie Hayes, Sr., Newton Ford, Sidney Oaks, Elis Williams, F.M. Monteque, V.B. Barlow, Bessie Edwards, Austin Thompson, Sr., Vernadean Thompson, James Clay and
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Northwest-DeSoto Center Associate Dean Keith Reed (far left) and Associate Vice President of Development and Special Projects Sybil Canon (far right) welcome Bluff City Funeral Directors and Morticians Association members (l to r) Charian L. Harrison, Eboné Lipsey, Wendell Naylor, all of M.J. Edwards Funeral Home and Association President Eddie Hayes, Jr. of R.L. Lewis and Sons Funeral Home to the center. Sket Mason. He further explained, “While many of the early issues dealt with funeral service-specific issues, the ladies and gentlemen of Bluff City also fought against insurance companies that were mistreating their black cus-
tomers. Now, nearly nine decades later, the members of Bluff City Funeral Directors and Morticians Association are still on the front line to ensure that the funeral service industry in the Bluff City continues to move forward.”
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Vicki Hale Technology program at Northwest’s DeSoto Center.
The Victoria Parker Hale Endowment The Victoria Parker Hale Endowment was established by the Northwest Nursing Division, under the leadership of division director, Dr. Denise Bynum, with proceeds from the annual Shoot for the Heart fundraiser. The scholarship was established to honor Hale’s stellar contribution to the Nursing Division, and the surprise announcement was made as a part of the Spring Pinning Ceremony for the Associate
Long-time Division Director Vicki Hale (center) was surprised with the announcement of an endowment in her honor at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony on May 12 in Southaven. Joining in the celebration were Division Director Dr. Denise Bynum (center left), retired Dean of Nursing Dr. Ellen Williams (center right) and several current and former nursing faculty and staff.
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Degree Nursing Class of 2016. Hale served as division director of the Nursing Division from 1988-2008 when she retired from Northwest. After graduating from Coffeeville High School, she attended Northwest for one year before transferring to the RN/Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She graduated in 1972. In March, 1973 she was hired to help start the new nursing program at Northwest and was the first nursing instructor ever hired at Northwest. The program was started in the fall semester, 1973. Hale worked at Northwest until 1978, when she began working for the Mississippi Health Department. She returned to Northwest in 1988 and became director shortly thereafter. Under Hale’s leadership, plans were made for the new Nursing Building, which was completed in 2010. Hale, along with nursing faculty and staff, was a part of designing the building for the Associate Degree Nursing program. The building includes lecture rooms, computer labs, classrooms, student lounges, faculty offices, nursing skills labs and hospital simulation patient rooms. According to Sybil Canon, “While Vicki retired before the Nursing Building was completed, she was instrumental in establishing a nursing program that was known for its excellence. The building that she lobbied for when she was at Northwest simply provided exceptional facilities to match the already exceptional program. Her legacy has lived on in the hundreds of well-respected health care professionals who are staffing hospitals, clinics, hospice programs, and doctor’s offices throughout the Southeast. The Foundation is delighted and grateful to have a scholarship that bears her distinctive name.” Hale and her husband Danny have two sons, Matt and Brian. They have four grandchildren and are expecting their fifth grandchild in December. Hale has served as organist and soloist at Coldwater Baptist Church for 28 years. She has served as pianist for civic groups since her retirement. She loves cheering for her grandchildren at their
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The Legacy Continues
Wendell Naylor, a board member of the association, has been at the forefront of the fundraising effort and is grateful to all those who have helped with this effort. “I appreciate very much the leadership that has been provided by Mr. Eddie Hayes, Jr., and committee members Eboné Lipsey and Charian Harrison,” he said. “Of course, I am very thankful to those who contributed to this effort. It is an investment into the future of the funeral service industry to help students learn the important skills needed to serve families in their saddest moments.” “This is only the second scholarship that has been established that is specifically designated for Funeral Service Technology students. We are deeply grateful to Bluff City Funeral Directors and Morticians Association for establishing a scholarship that will be helping students for as long as this college exists. We also appreciate the assistance of Keith Reed, Northwest associate dean of the DeSoto Center campus,” said Sybil Canon, Northwest associate vice president of Development and Special Projects. According to Canon, the scholarship will benefit students from Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas who are enrolled in the Funeral Service
The Legacy Continues
baseball and softball games. The Victoria Parker Hale Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2017-18.
The Katherine (Kitty) Lee Jenkins Endowment The Katherine (Kitty) Lee Jenkins Endowment was established to honor Kitty’s memory by her mother, Evelyn Hayes-Lee, her brother, Max Lee, her sister, Anne Lee Schwerdt, and her daughters, Elizabeth Jansen and Katherine (Kitty) Cangelosi. A native of Sardis, Kitty was a graduate of Sardis High School, Northwest, and Delta State University. She worked as a flight attendant with Delta Airlines before dedicating her life to raising her daughters. She returned to the workforce in education and, then, retail sales before her retirement. Kitty died on Nov. 7, 2015, in Houston, Texas. “This is the third scholarship endowment that has been established by this family: The Max and Evelyn Lee Family Endowment, The George Max Lee, Jr. Endowment, and now this one. Their generosity is overwhelming, and their desire to provide permanent tributes to family members while helping our students is inspiring,” said Sybil Canon. The scholarship will be awarded to
Mary Alice Moorman
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Panola County students who have demonstrated academic potential and who have a demonstrated financial need.
The Mary Alice Moorman Endowment The Mary Alice Moorman Endowment was established by Kelley and Jeff Magee and their sons, Michael and Will. Kelley is Moorman’s niece. Other gifts were made by Jimmy Eubanks of Tunica, Steve Cummings of Coffeeville, Betty Robison of Batesville and Ross Cardwell of Water Valley. The scholarship has been awarded as a permanent tribute to her contribution to education in Yalobusha County and her love for and dedication to Northwest Mississippi Community College. Mary Alice Moorman was a faithful member of the college’s Board of Trustees for 27 years until her death at the age of 89 on June 9, 2015. She served on the Building Committee, the Farm Committee, the Personnel Committee and the Educational Program Review during her tenure on the board. Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears, expressed the feelings of the entire board when he said, “Miss Moorman rarely missed a board meeting, a committee meeting, or a trustees conference. She took her responsibility as a board member very seriously, and she was committed to the students and this college. All of us who have had the privilege of working with her over the years will miss her keen intellect and her wise counsel. She was a wonderful lady.” Born Dec. 11, 1925, to the late Albert T. and Ruth Wilbourn Moorman in Oakville, Tennessee, she was one of five children and is survived by her sister, Ann M. Haynes of Batesville. Preceding her in death were her sister, Tommie Juanita Simpson, and two brothers, Fred Earl Moorman and Thomas A. Moorman.
Katherine (Kitty) Lee Jenkins Moorman served Yalobusha County for over 42 years, first as a teacher at Jeff Davis School in Water Valley. She served in Coffeeville as a teacher and girls’ basketball coach, later as assistant principal, and, finally, as the Yalobusha County superintendent of Education. She was an active member of the Cattleman’s Association and the Yalobusha County Forestry Association, and she was an avid supporter of Pine Valley Fire Department. She was a faithful and active member in all aspects of service at Bethel Baptist Church in Water Valley. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2017-18.
The Lena Rivers Harris Riley Endowment The Lena Rivers Harris Riley Endowment was established by her daughter, Anne Riley Bourne, and sonin-law, Dr. Robert I. Bourne, Jr. of Camden, Tennessee. Lena was one of nine children, the third daughter and the fifth child, born to former DeSoto County Sheriff William Pinkney Harris and his wife, Ann Eliza Harris. Sheriff Harris was killed in the line of duty in 1912, leaving behind his widow, Riley and her siblings Jesse Stuart, Lois Thelma, Annie Pearl, Lucy Claiborne, Cora Lee, Katie Mary, Ronie
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Instruction. Sledge taught for many years in DeSoto County schools and retired after 13 years as principal of Oak Grove Central Elementary School in Hernando. She retired in 2004 after 35 years of service in education. The oldest sister of the Sledge family, Virginia Sledge Cox, left Northwest to attend The University of Mississippi where she earned a degree in Home Economics. She taught in Marshall County for two years before beginning a distinguished career as director of the Tate County Department of Human Services. When Lynn Sledge Gartman, the youngest of the four, was a student at Northwest from 1972-74, she was the pianist for the Northwest Singers and for the singing group, A Dozen Plus Three. She was also a majorette with the Ranger Marching Band. Other honors included being named to the Hall of Fame, Who’s Sledge page 28
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Dr. Patsy Sledge
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the Harris Endowment and to establish a new endowment in memory of Sheriff Harris’ widow, Ann Eliza Allison Harris, who was also Mrs. Bourne’s grandmother, left with eight children and one on the way when Sheriff Harris was killed. Now, the Bournes have established a third endowSheriff William P. Harris family ment in memory of Mrs. Bourne’s mothEdward, and Bill Henry. Her brother er. We are overwhelmed by their genSpencer Claiborne died as a child as a erosity.” result of a ruptured appendix. The scholarship will be awarded to Lena was born in 1901 in Olive Mississippi students who have demonBranch and died at the age of 76 in strated both potential and financial Camden. need. Her first husband, William Lewis The Sledge Family Williamson, was struck by a car in 1929. Their only son, William Taylor, Endowment was only three and a half years old at the time his father was killed. Two years The Sledge Family Endowment was later, Lena married John Riley, and they established by Northwest alumna, Dr. had one daughter, Anne Riley. Patsy Sledge of Senatobia, as a tribute Lena, often called “Linnie,” was to her siblings and in appreciation to quite talented with all kinds of needle- the excellent educational foundation work and sewing. She enjoyed garden- each received at Northwest. ing as did her husband and was known Sledge was a student at Northwest for her delicious bread-and-butter pick- from 1964-66. She received her bachles and strawberry preserves. She also elor’s degree from Delta State loved all things Mississippi. University and continued her education “This is the third endowment to at The University of Mississippi where which Dr. and Mrs. Bourne have con- she earned her master’s degree and tributed very generously,” said Sybil her doctorate in Curriculum and Canon. “The Sheriff William P. Harris Fallen Hero Endowment was established by the citizens of DeSoto County, and Dr. and Mrs. Bourne attended the scholarship ceremony at which his memory was honored. That prompted them to contribute to Billy E. Sledge Virginia Sledge Cox
Lynn Sledge Gartman
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Class of ‘65
Classes of 1965-67 host reunion at Sardis Lake
The Northwest classes of 1965-69 enjoyed their third annual reunion on May 7 at Sardis Lake with the largest attendance ever. Special recognition was given to Harold Henderson, who was instrumental in getting the reunion started. In his memory, a donation was made toward purchasing the 2015 National Football Championship rings. “The reunion has become a wonderful opportunity to re-acquaint and share memories, past and present. Although the focus has been on years 1965-69, anyone who attended Northwest is welcome to attend,” said Susan Avery Mitchell, one of the event’s organizers. CLASS OF 1965—(front row, l to r) Judy Woolfolk Weeks, Doc Sanders, Kaye Bolen Crothers, Donald Key, David Loftin, John Hardy, Bob White, (second row) William Miller, Irby Patterson, Jerry Beech, Rick Patrick, and Victor Wyatt.
Class of ‘66
Class of ‘67
CLASS OF 1966—(front row, l to r) Pamela Jones Edmondson, Frances Jean Rowland Neely, Betty P. Holland, Debby West Rutledge, Ann Smith Darby, Vicki Cunningham Robison, (second row) Tyrone Newsome, Cecil Williams, Hugh Mitchell Canon, Mary Louise Baker, Lynn McCuisten, Linda Ross, Marlene Powers, Glenda Flowers, Joy Loftin Henderson, Sue Grimes Davis, Louise Newton Henry, (third row) Steve Box, Wayne House, Duck Scott, Sterling Withers, Charles Crain, Ken Lewis, Sammy McCracken, Jerry Lightsey, Rita Coursin Stewart, Tracey Williams, Tolly McClatchy. CLASS OF 1967—(front row, l to r) Chris Williams Massengill, Sara Rose, Bonnie Busby, Cat Easley Patterson, Julia Harmon Scott, Sandra Franks, Karen Martindale Lewis, (second row) C.B. McClatchy, Skippy Brewer. Photos provided by Judy Weeks
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CTE hosts open house for new Mechanical Technology building An open house for the new Mechanical Technology Building was held April 20 on the Senatobia campus. The event included guided tours and light refreshments. The 33,000 square foot building, which was completed in 2015, was designed for the Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology; Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology and the Welding and Cutting programs. The building contains faculty offices, classrooms, computer labs and state of the art training labs for each program. Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (left) welcomed DeSoto County 4th District Supervisor Lee Caldwell (right) to the open house.
Iced tea was served from this beverage dispenser created by Welding and Cutting students Sean Copeland of Batesville and Kyreecus Welch of Bruce. Northwest DeSoto Center Recruiter Angel Campbell (right) chats with Dr. Rick Gregory, executive director at The University of Mississippi, DeSoto Center.
Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology student Micah Herring of Southaven (top center photo) and Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology student Thomas E. Rushing of Como (left) demonstrate the skills they have learned in their respective programs. Senatobia Mayor Alan Callicott (left) took home a souvenir custom made by PMMT student Trey Cox of Hernando. (above left)
Northcentral EPA joins BancorpSouth to co-sponsor 2+2 golf tournament
Recently, Northcentral Electric Power Association announced that it is joining BancorpSouth as a title sponsor of the 2+2 Scholarship Golf Tournament, to be held Thursday, Sept. 22. BancorpSouth has been the sole title sponsor since 2004. Under the leadership of tournament founders, Mike and Debra Herrington of Olive Branch, the annual event held at Cherokee Valley Golf Club in Olive Branch has netted close to $200,000, all of which has been used to provide scholarships for students attending both Northcentral Electric Power Association General Manager Kevin Doddridge (second Northwest and The University of from left) recently announced that his company is joining BancorpSouth as a title Mississippi on Northwest’s DeSoto sponsor of the 2+2 Scholarship Golf Tournament. Also present for the announcement Center campus. were (from left) Jeremy Isome, dean of Northwest’s DeSoto Center; Ritchie Hampton, Kevin Doddridge, general manager of DeSoto market president of BancorpSouth and Dr. Rick Gregory, executive director of Northcentral Electric Power Association, The University of Mississippi–DeSoto. Photo by Sybil Canon agrees, “While Northcentral has always participated in the 2+2 tournament, we “BancorpSouth’s commitment to providing scholarships for are pleased that we can increase our contribution to help students and their families to receive a quality education at both Northwest and Ole Miss students is unwavering. This tournament is one of many ways BancorpSouth works to enhance Northwest and The University of Mississippi.” quality of life for the citizens of this area,” said Ritchie Hampton, DeSoto County market president for BancorpSouth. In addition to adding a new title sponsor, the Northwest Foundation has also asked the golfers who usually participate in the Foundation’s annual tournament held in Senatobia to become a part of the 2+2 tournament. “Participation in the Team registration fee: $400 Senatobia tournament had declined in recent years, primarily Choice of start times: 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. because of the number of tournaments being hosted in the Registration deadline: Sept. 12 area. Thus, we felt it would be better to concentrate on one Included in fee: Lunch, dinner, carts, ontournament,” said Sybil Canon, associate vice president of course beverages Development and Special Projects. Also available: red tees, mulligans, silent Jeremy Isome, dean of Northwest’s DeSoto Center, and Dr. auction Rick Gregory, executive director of UM–-DeSoto, are joining with the Herringtons to secure other sponsorships and items Sponsorship levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver, for the silent auction. “This is truly one of the best tournaBronze, Putting Contest ments in this area. The golf course is top notch, the hospiSponsor, Team Sponsor, tality and delicious meals are added benefits, and it is just an Hole Sponsor all-around great day,” said Gregory. Cost: $200-$7,500 “It is a great day for golf and a great day for Northwest and Ole Miss students, as all of the proceeds are used to provide For more information on becoming a sponsor or to scholarships,” said Isome. register for the tournament, contact Kacy Dixon at —LaJuan Tallo 662-342-4765, Patti Gordon at 662-560-1112 or
Teams & sponsorships needed!
Debra Herrington at 901-831-1134. 20
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the sporting life
Thomas joins community college Hall of Fame Former Northwest standout, NJCAA All-American and 12-year NFL veteran defensive back Fred Thomas was inducted into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday, April 26. A native of Bruce, Thomas played football for the Rangers under legendary head coach Bobby Franklin during the 199293 seasons. He is a 2005 Northwest Sports Hall of Fame inductee. Thomas spent time on both sides of the ball as a cornerback and receiver and was a mainstay on special teams. On defense, he tallied 69 tackles with five interceptions and 24 passes defended in two seasons, and on offense, he caught 21 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns his sophomore year. It was on special teams where Thomas did a majority of his damage, however. He finished his two-year career with 40 punt returns for 949 yards and four touchdowns, all school records, and had 19 kick returns for 498 yards and two scores for an average of 26.2 yards/return. During the Rangers' 1992 NJCAA National Championship Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (left), congratulates Fred season, Thomas had 28 punt returns for 693 yards and a sinThomas on his induction into the Mississippi Community College gle-season school record three touchdowns. Sports Hall of Fame. Also attending was Thomas’ son. A two-time first team All-MACJC selection and 1993 NJCAA Photo by Steve Diffey/Holmes CC second team All-American, Thomas still holds eight school records on special teams. the All-Madden team. He was also listed as an alternate for the After Northwest, he played one season at Ole Miss and then NFL Pro Bowl after finishing the season with 83 tackles and transferred to the University of Tennessee-Martin. He was selectcareer-high five interceptions. ed as the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 1996 NFL Thomas spent a total of eight seasons with the Saints before Draft by the Seattle Seahawks where he played in a total of 47 retiring in 2008. He finished his NFL career with 515 total tackgames from 1996-99. les, 13 interceptions, 74 passes defended, nine forced fumbles Thomas joined the New Orleans Saints in 2000, and in 2002, and seven fumble recoveries. —Kevin Maloney Thomas received the Ed Block Courage Award and was named to
Three place in final Ozark Region standings Northwest has a longstanding tradition of bringing competitive collegiate rodeo action to the Mid-South, and this season, three Ranger rodeo competitors represented Northwest in the NIRA Ozark Region final standings. Sophomore John Mark Johnson of Saltillo finished in a tie for sixth in the final bareback riding standings with 245 points. Johnson was joined in the bareback standings by teammate Alex Lockhart of Richton. Both Johnson and Lockhart claimed season-high finishes of third and sixth, respectively, at Missouri Valley College in late September. Freshman Shawn Davis of Corinth represented the Rangers with a seventh place finish in the final bull riding standings with 100 total points. As a team, Northwest placed in a total of five events on the 2015-16 season with the men’s team earning a season-high finish of fourth place at Missouri Valley. Led by second-year coach Shelli Benton, both Northwest teams finished ninth in the final Ozark Region standings. —Brian Lentz
Sophomore Lauren Aker competed in barrel racing at this year’s Ranger Rodeo. Photo by Dianne S. Fletcher
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the sporting life
Baseball marks 25th NJCAA regional appearance Injury-riddled all season long, Northwest battled through adversity to win 29 games, a first-round playoff series and advanced to its 25th NJCAA baseball regional in program history. The Rangers ended the season 29-21 overall and 18-10 in conference play to finish the season ranked 18th by the NJCAA—their third straight NJCAA final ranking. Northwest got off to a red hot 7-0 start with sweeps over Lincoln Trail, Arkansas Baptist and Rend Lake. After dropping three of its first four conference games, Northwest won 12 of its next 16 games to stay in the top of the league standings for the remainder of the season. An eight-game winning streak midway through the year and a sweep over East Mississippi on April 26 clinched homefield advantage in the first round of the MACJC Playoffs. After dropping a 12-11 heartbreaker in 10 innings against Hinds in game one of a best-of-3 series, Northwest rallied with convincing 7-3 and 9-2 wins to clinch a spot in the MACJC Tournament. The Rangers bounced back from a 15-12 loss to No. 2 Jones County with an upset of
11th-ranked Meridian to clinch a spot in its 25th NJCAA regional. Northwest was edged 3-2 by No. 10 East Central and 11-5 by No. 1 LSU Eunice in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in Decatur to end an up-anddown season a win shy of the 30-win plateau. The Rangers hit .305 as a team, one of the tops in the MACJC, and were led by freshman third baseman David Herrington with a team-leading .367 average, 12 doubles, two triples, 24 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. Headlined by sophomore shortstop LeeMarcus Boyd and freshman pitcher Jarod Wright, both first team nods, Northwest had eight players selected to the 2016 All-MACJC Baseball Team. Six Rangers garnered second team honors. Eight Rangers signed to continue their careers at the next level. Twenty Rangers will also be playing summer league baseball across the country. Mark Carson concluded his 11th season as head coach of Northwest and Sophomore Jamell Newson high fives coach Bill has posted a 320-225-2 overall record Selby after hitting his first career home run against with 10 postseason appearances. Hinds. Photo by Gather Lacefield —Kevin Maloney
Tennis sees improvement After both teams finished with near-.500 records or better, the Northwest tennis program saw more substantial growth this season in coach Troy Howell’s fourth season. The men’s team finished 2016 with a 6-7 overall record, while the women closed the year 5-8. Northwest also reached No. 23 in the men’s ITA Rankings in April. Both teams capped off the season in the MACJC Championships, with the women finishing in seventh and the men in ninth. Facing three ranked opponents to open the season, the men captured a 5-4 upset against No. 24 Hinds and won three of their next four matches for a 4-2 start to the season. Unfortunately, the Rangers strugPhoto by Ashley Roberson gled in the second half of the season and dropped five of their next six matches before closing out the regular season with a 5-4 win at Holmes. After an 0-3 start on the women’s side, the Lady Rangers rebounded with back-to-back victories against Northeast and Holmes to pull to 2-3 midway through the season. The Lady Rangers would earn three more wins in the regular season with victories against Holmes, Copiah-Lincoln and a second win against Northeast to take a season sweep of the Lady Tigers. Individually, Dalton Young and Zak Harbin experienced much success at the No. 3/4 slots in singles play, which spilled over into doubles play with the duo finishing 10-5 on the season. Freshman Piper Johnson and sophomore Kendall McCoy led the Lady Rangers in singles play with seven victories each. Paired with freshman Katie Burrall, Johnson, along with the duo of Emily Newman and Emily Standard finished the year with winning doubles records, as both pairs finished 8-7 on the season. —Brian Lentz
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the sporting life
Rangers remain competitive during realignment
Heath Griffith was the Rangers' lone all-conference pick in 2016. Photo by Lea Griffith
Playing all 14 teams in conference for the first time in program history after a vote by the league’s head coaches, the Northwest softball team finished 18-18 overall and 12-16 in the MACJC to miss the playoffs for just the third time in the Mike Rowan era. Needing a sweep at EMCC in its regular season finale to clinch the eighth and final softball playoff spot, Northwest was on the opposite end of a pair of 4-3 finals as the host Lady Lions and Pearl River both punched their tickets to the postseason. Northwest started the season 60 overall and 5-1 in conference play against some of the top NJCAA Division I competition in the nation before the brutal part of the conference schedule hit. The Rangers went 0-7 in games against No. 10 LSU Eunice, No. 9 Itawamba, No. 3 East Central, No. 3 Gulf Coast and
No. 8 Jones County to drop toward the bottom of the conference standings. A sweep against rival Northeast at home and a road sweep at Meridian had Northwest back in the playoff hunt heading into the final weekend of competition before being swept at East Mississippi. Northwest finished the year hitting .318 as a team, led by freshman Kailey Walker (.388). Freshman left-hander Tori Luke was also a 10-game winner in the circle. Sophomore catcher/first baseman Heath Griffith was the Rangers' lone all-conference pick out of 28 league-wide selections. Griffith started all 36 games this season, hitting .327 with four doubles, team-high six home runs, 27 RBIs and 21 runs scored. She fielded .963 in 162 chances and threw out three runners behind the plate. Softball page 28
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Golf achieves top 30 ranking Led by a young squad consisting of just two returning players, Northwest managed four top five finishes on an eight-match slate in the 2015-16 season and finished the season ranked 27th by Golfstat.com. This was the first season of a fall-spring format for the MACJC, as opposed to the previous spring-only seasons. As a team, Northwest finished with a 319.9 scoring average this fall-spring in 16 total rounds. Northwest’s best outing of the season came in the Meridian Invitational, carding a two-day score of 612 to place third out of eight teams. The Rangers were led by freshman Will Mason who tied for fifth with a 72-73. After finishing in the top three on day one of the MACJC Championship at Shiloh Ridge in Corinth, the Rangers stumbled on the final day of the tournament, finishing fifth with a two-day score of 618. Northwest closed out the season by hosting the NJCAA Region 23 Championship at Back Acres Country Club in Senatobia. Despite individual top 20 finishes by Mason (T17) and Scott Hensley (T19), the Rangers ended their season with a fifth place finish. Mason led all Rangers on the season with a 77.4 scoring average in eight rounds, followed by sophomore Walker Wilkinson (79.4), freshman Ryan Burchfield (80.8), Hensley (81.4), freshman Devon Thomas (82.4) freshman Nic Caligaris (83.2) and freshman Samuel Davis (83.8). Northwest has sent at least one golfer to the NJCAA National Tournament in 10 of the previous 16 seasons and will look to bounce back this fall. —Brian Lentz
www.northwestms.edu
Freshman Will Mason led the Rangers with a 77.4 scoring average in 2015-16. Photo by Lee Adams
Summer 2016
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DeSoto student faces obstacles through faith On any given weekday in the com- sermons. “He collected all of Dr. from John VandenOever, who interviewed mons at Northwest’s DeSoto Center, you Stanley’s books and read them from them by phone and then asked if he might see student Jonathan Miller of cover to cover and can quote from them. could come to DeSoto Center to do a Horn Lake and his mother Joy Miller sit- For someone with brain damage, he has feature. ting at a table reading or studying the an amazing rote memory. Dr. Stanley “Joy wrote us a really wonderful letter Bible. Other students may come and join has been Jonathan’s pastor all of his about Jonathan’s journey and the chalthem or just stop by the table to chat. life—they have just never met,” Joy said. lenges he had faced growing up. She Jonathan is not your average college student. In his 30 years of life, he has swum with dolphins, helped with post-Katrina disaster relief and has gone paragliding off the top of a mountain. He’s not afraid to share his faith, passing out tracts at Starbucks, studying the Bible out in public at DeSoto Center or in a restaurant or sharing his testimony to inmates at the local jail. He volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse ministries, the Cup of Joe Ministries for deployed soldiers and the Voice of the Martyrs ministries. He organized and still teaches in the first Sunday school class for disabled adults at his church. He has suffered with seizures since he was born, DeSoto Center student Jonathan Miller of Horn Lake (right) was interviewed for Dr. Charles Stanley’s and those seizures have In Touch Ministries magazine in February. Interviewing Miller for the upcoming article are Ben Rollins Photo by LaJuan Tallo caused him brain damage, (left) photographer and John VandenOever, writer. along with other physical problems. These and many other chalJoy, who is Jonathan’s primary care- poured out her heart about how much lenges have not stopped him from giver, decided that Stanley needed to Dr. Stanley meant to Jonathan and their achieving his dream to attend college. know what an impact he’d had on family. The few of us who got access to In February, a writer and photogra- Jonathan, so she emailed the pastor the letter were just so moved and excitpher from In Touch Ministries Magazine, hoping that Jonathan would be able to ed. We decided it would be a great a part of Dr. Charles Stanley’s ministry, go to Atlanta and meet him. She story,” VandenOever said. came to DeSoto Center to interview received a response that due to the pasIf you ask Jonathan, he’ll tell you Jonathan and write an article about this tor’s health and schedule, a meeting DeSoto Center is his favorite place, next extraordinary young man. would not probably be possible, but they to church. That is why he wanted his Jonathan has been a fan of renowned sent him two autographed books. interview to be held in the commons. His pastor Dr. Charles Stanley of First “I thought that was the end of it, until journey to DeSoto Center and Northwest Baptist Church of Atlanta since he first I received another email from a staff was a complicated and difficult one, but heard Stanley preach, when he was member telling me my letter had been he has prevailed. about two years old. His mother, Joy, circulated all throughout their offices, He started that journey in the fall said that while she did not understand and I was asked if we could do a phone 2013 semester. He graduated from the connection, she could see that interview,” Joy said. She and Jonathan Horn Lake High School in 2006 and was Jonathan understood what Stanley was did the interview, and they were asked if one of the first students to ever receive saying and even began to imitate him, his story could be shared with some the Occupational Diploma. His parents’ remembering phrases from Stanley’s other staff members. She then heard hope was that he would be able to enter
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www.northwestms.edu
the workforce, but with the side effects from the medications he takes and his seizures, it was not to be. Jonathan’s dream has always been to go to college. “He’d ask me every year, but we always tried to discourage him due to the difficulty or the lack of money. College was the only thing we really ever said no to,” Joy said. In 2013, Jonathan saw a Northwest commercial and asked his mother one last time. “Mama, it’s okay if I fail, but would you please let me try?” Jonathan said. His parents finally agreed and everything he needed fell in place for him to begin his college career at DeSoto Center. “The teachers here at DeSoto Center are unbelievably patient. While Jonathan has some accommodations, for the most part, he has to do the work, and he loves it. He loves learning,” Joy said. She stated that he has passed all of his classes except one, and he is retaking that class this semester. He is taking
One of Miller’s many ministries is the first Sunday school class for disabled adults at his church. He organized and teaches the class at First Baptist Church of Horn Lake, where his father serves as pastor. Photo provided by the Miller family
general college classes right now. “I have been on numerous college and university campuses in my lifetime, and never have I witnessed the kind of support that has been given to Jonathan since he began taking his first class there in the fall of 2013,” Joy said. DeSoto Center Dean Jeremy Isome and his staff take their students’ needs very seriously. “We strive to meet all students where they are in the learning process. Our faculty and staff do a wonderful job of helping each student reach their full potential along their education-
al journey at DeSoto Center,” Isome said. One of the people that Jonathan works most closely with is Patsy Gardner, CTE Support Services coordinator. “I have been honored to work with Jonathan since he came to us in the tutoring lab/disability support services in the fall of 2013. He was quiet, shy and very unsure of himself but very excited about coming to college here at Northwest. Will Rives and Michael Lacey, tutors in the Success Club, have spent countless hours with him teaching him math and also learning from the experience. We have seen him grow with the help of his parents, tutors, teachers, students and staff over the six semesters he’s been here into a much more confident and strong student and an individual who loves this school and the education he has received thus far. Jonathan has Miller page 28
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Addendum: In May, Jonathan and his parents traveled to Atlanta to visit First Baptist Church in Atlanta. VandenOever was able to arrange a meeting between Jonathan and his hero, Dr. Charles Stanley. Jonathan presented Dr. Stanley with a silk tie bearing the Beatitudes, and Dr. Stanley gave Jonathan an autographed leather bound copy of his book, Walking With God. Following the meeting, the Millers were given a tour of the church facilities. Dr. Stanley mentioned his meeting with Jonathan at the service that morning. Photo by Ben Rollins
www.northwestms.edu
Summer 2016
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Retirees honored at service awards ceremony The Northwest Foundation honored retiring employees during its annual Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony and Reception April 27 in the Haraway Center. Retirees for 2016 with 20 years or more of service include (l to r) David Yount, automotive technology instructor; Jackie Brown, collision repair technology instructor; Dr. Robert Bunce, English instructor; Sheila Dandridge, business and office technology instructor; Delores Jennings, secretary, Career-Technical Office; Ruby Dandridge, GED chief examiner and personal development specialist; Patti Williams, practical nursing instructor, Oxford Center; Brenda Holmes, CTE Support Services coordinator, Oxford; Larraine Kitchens, practical nursing instructor, Oxford; Mike Robison, Physical Plant director and Thornton Chisom III, housekeeping staff. Retirees with 10-19 years of service are (l to r) Dr. Tim Williams, director of Student Development Center, DeSoto Center; Cindy Springer, nursing instructor; Melvin Tate, assistant housekeeping supervisor and Katherine Mistilis, hotel and restaurant management technology instructor, DeSoto. Not pictured, Judy Wood, academic counselor, DeSoto. Photos by LaJuan Tallo
Retirement and service awards are provided by Benefit Concepts and the Northwest Foundation
Service Awards
40 YEARS— Debby Rutledge, office systems technology instructor, DeSoto Center and Jackie Brown, collision repair technology instructor, were each given a wooden rocking chair engraved with the college seal.
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Northwest Now
35 YEARS— Larry Simpson, retired vice president/registrar, displays the engraved silver tray he received for his service.
30 YEARS— Congratulating Brenda Holmes, CTE Support Services coordinator at LafayetteYalobusha Technical Center in Oxford is Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears.
www.northwestms.edu
25 YEARS— (l to r) Judy Barham, Carol Peterson, MaryLee Sturgeon and James Gilliam. (left) 20 YEARS— (l to r) Thornton Chisom III, Dr. Larry Sylvester, Mary Ann Thomas, Eddie Wood, Virginia Green, Dan Smith, Gerline Irby, Victor Richardson, Dr. Sherry Lusk, Mark Crockett and Dr. Matthew Domas. Not pictured, Dolores Wooten. (below left) 15 YEARS— (l to r) Sam Weakley, Michael Lamar, Dwayne Casey, Chuck Adams, Cindy Springer, Bud Donahou, Sandra Williams, Rodney Steele, Patricia Green, Dennis Cobb and Lacey Gentry. Not pictured, Darron Bobo, Sheila Burcham, Windsor Garrett and Evelyn Garrett. (below)
10 YEARS— (seated, l to r) Leanna Flores, Marilyn Davis, Carol Barmer, Jennifer Hale, (standing, l to r) Crystal Giles, Carolyn Warren, Maggie Moran, Gloria Morrow, Kyle Moncrief, Josh Buchanan, Robert Davis, Marcus Perkins, William Rines, Trent Booker, Elbert Bradford, Carlous Robinson, Deborah Hindman, Juliana Lamar, Dorothy Taylor and Linda Webb. Not pictured, Kayce Rourke, Suzanne Creekmore, Sandra Garrett, Leslie Holliday, Carolyn Irby, Catherine Jackson, Teresa King, Debra Nichols, John Perkins, Sharon Self, Bill Selby, Kay Sowell, Amy Stewart, Lisa Strong, Melvin Tate, Dr. Kuntebommana Thimmaiah, Derick Turner, Kristin Watson and Ella Wilbourn. (above left)
5 YEARS— (seated, l to r) Courtney Hicks, Teri Hawkins, Heidi Burns, Jennifer Luna, Sis Davis, Sandra Atkins, (standing, l to r) William Elliott, Catina Mathena, Cody Harville, Stacey Smith, Sarah Sapp, Jeffrey Covington, Kevin Maloney, Kim Davis, Jeff Triplett, Lee Cathey, Sarah Senter, Katherine Brick, Harold McKinnon, Dr. William Maze, Suzette Logan, Chris Tingle and Mark A. Vinson. Not pictured are Katherine Gavin, Marilyn Herron, Sarah Holt, Liesl Mote, Renee O’Neill, Ben Piercy, Walker Spier, Sherry Warren, Jason Wester, George White, Samanthia Bradley, Tenise Faulkner, Fisher Fleming, Michael McPherson and Eusebia Wilkinson.
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MI-BEST from page 8
and stay on track for my goal of achieving my GED and becoming a nurse.” “The free-throw line on the basketball court is a great analogy,” said Washington. “We have students who have been standing behind that line for five, six, seven years. We have students age 17 all the way up to 33, and those students tell me this is the first time they have ever had the opportunity to feel as if they are a part of a group. They come in here with all types of barriers, and we help them overcome those barriers. We are helping them to get to that free-throw line, get in motion, get set and score two points.” After a visit from the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB), college officials received high praise about the college’s implementation of the program. “It is evident that the leadership at Northwest is very supportive and actively involved with the MI-BEST program. (Career-Technical Dean) David Campbell and his staff are very passionate about the progress of the MI-BEST students as well as the work they are doing with addressing the needs of underprepared learners,” wrote Nikitna Barnes, MCCB MI-BEST program coordinator. —Sarah Sapp
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Spears from page 13
inspiration from the Works Progress Administration’s art deco reliefs found on the old Senatobia High School Auditorium. Spears is now working on a monument for another family, and hopes to continue to carve these types of monuments, but thinks that the Osier monument will always be special to him because of his relationship with the family and with Northwest. “It’s a stately looking monument that I am really proud of, and I think the family is too. It is in a beautiful place in the cemetery, not far from where he lived, which I think is kind of special,” Spears said. “John loved art, and that is one reason that my son Wes and I wanted this special monument to him. I feel that Jared captured John’s spirit and what he was about,” Barbara said.
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Softball from page 23
Always one of the nation's top academic teams, Northwest posted a 3.56 team GPA in the classroom and had a dozen players recognized as 2015-16 All-America Scholar Athletes by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Mike Rowan completed his 13th season at the helm of the softball program. He has compiled a 354-173-1 overall record with three north division titles in 2007, 2009 and 2015. —Kevin Maloney
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Northwest Now
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PTK from page 10
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, State Sen. Terry Burton, vice chairman of the universities and colleges committee; Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director of the Mississippi Community College Board and Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society executive director served as distinguished speakers at the recognition luncheon. Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears, played a special role in this year’s ceremony by serving as chairman of the event’s steering committee for the seventh year in a row. Phi Theta Kappa is an international scholastic and leadership honor society for two-year colleges. Each two-year college in Mississippi may nominate two students per campus to the All-Mississippi Academic Team. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community. —LaJuan Tallo
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Sledge from page 17
Who Among American Junior College Students, and Most Outstanding Music Student. She was also elected secretary of the Northwest Senate and state officer of the Music Educators National Conference. After receiving her master’s and specialist degrees in Music Education from The University of Mississippi, she became the band director at a high school in Edinburgh, Texas, where she continues to serve. Billy E. Sledge, the oldest sibling, attended Northwest on the GI Bill after serving in the U.S. Army during peacetime. He worked for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Hattiesburg before his death in 2010. Howard and Myrtle Sledge, parents of the Sledge children, moved to Senatobia from Cleveland in 1950, where they lived at the corner of Thompson and West Streets of Northwest, the site of the current Marilyn R. Spears Early Childhood Education Technology Building. Dr. Sledge remembers fondly growing up with the families of James P. McCormick, Howard Carpenter and Coach Bill Oakley, all of whom were longtime faculty members. “We went to every Northwest event, athletic and fine arts. Those were happy days for all of us, and we loved Northwest then and still do. All four of us received a great education at Northwest,” Sledge said. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2017-18 to students who are active in the Fine Arts programs with preference given to students who are a part of the Northwest Singers.
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Miller from page 25
touched the hearts and lives of many people here at Northwest and continues to be an inspiration to us all,” Gardner said. Jonathan’s father Calvin Miller, a minister at First Baptist Church of Horn Lake, is amazed at how far his son has come at Northwest. “Seeing Jonathan be able to do something he has dreamed of doing, but something we never thought he’d be able to do, is a miracle. To see him participate in college and have the challenges it brings is just amazing to me,” Calvin said. Joy has only good things to say about how Jonathan and other students who face challenges are welcomed and supported by the students at DeSoto Center. “As I sit in the commons area myself at one of the tables waiting on Jonathan to finish his classes, I observe this same friendly attitude toward other students who might be struggling with some kind of disability. Across the board, without exception, the students at the DeSoto campus exhibit a spirit of kindness and generosity, as well as a level of maturity, that I think many adults would find surprising. I wish I could somehow thank everyone at the DeSoto Center for the positive difference they are making in the lives of individuals like Jonathan. What I can do is spread the word among all Jonathan’s family and many friends of just how wonderful DeSoto Center is, and this I do with great pleasure,” Joy said. VandenOever expects his article in In Touch Ministries Magazine to be available online and in print by Aug. 20 for the September/October issue. —LaJuan Tallo
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 Oct. 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016, 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 Sam Allison by Mrs. Ellen Allison Anderson Mr. James R. Bryant Mrs. Beverly Gaddy Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Montgomery Ms. Joyce Randall Carlton Anderson by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Jack Anderson by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Suzanne Hamm Anthony by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Eugenia Arnold by Dr. and Mrs. Johnny Still, Jr. Charlie Baldwin, Jr. by Mr. Chris McCann
David Bryan by Mrs. Ida Bryan
Charles & Elizabeth Dean by Mrs. Delores Jennings
Leon Burton by Mrs. Leon Burton
Frances Marie Dean by Mrs. Linda Fite
Robbie H. Butts by Mr. Joe Elliott Mrs. Kim Holt Mrs. Leone King Mrs. June McCulley Mr. and Mrs. Deck Stone
Robert Dodson by Mrs. Mildred Perry
Michael Byrd by Ms. Sandra Watson
Landon Etheridge by Dr. Amy Stewart
Howard & Edna Carpenter by Mr. Noal Akins Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Coats
Donald Eure by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro
Bela J. & Ruby Black Chain by Dr. and Mrs. Buddy Chain, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Grant Hunter
Clarence Ellis by Mrs. Jean Beckum Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Paul Wooten
Raiford & Inez Fancher by Mr. and Mrs. Briggs Smith Judge Anthony T. Farese by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Earwood Mrs. Margie Farese Mr. Jimmy H. Hobson
Joe Beckum by Mrs. Jean Beckum Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Paul Wooten
Rita C. Chance by Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Chance
Jane Bell by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro
Tony Chance by Kris, Jay, Jake and Will Baxter Mrs. Ann Scallorn Byrd Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Scallorn
Martha Fite by Dr. and Mrs. Johnny Still, Jr.
Charles Irby Ford by Mr. Tom Ferguson
Ross Boatright by Mrs. Sandra Roy
Regina Clark by Christian Brothers–Physicians Assistant Class of 2017 Ms. Janice Dunn Ms. Kristen Kaplon Mr. Richie Lawson Mrs. Jan McDonald Mr. John David Randall Dr. Larry Sylvester
Estelle Bobo by Mr. and Mrs. Leon McCullouch
Deputy Joe K. Cosby by J.K. and Tammy Smith
A.W. & LaNelle Bouchillon by Mr. and Mrs. Barry Bouchillon Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Bouchillon Mr. and Mrs Don Waller Ms. Adrian Wise Mr. and Mrs. Bart Wise
Barbara Jean Tapp Crenshaw by Mr. Tom Ferguson
Carl & Mattie Blanchard by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Blanchard Jack & Betty Blanchard by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Blanchard Greene Blythe by Mr. and Mrs. Randy Denton
Mary Broadway by Mr. Joe Broadway Ms. Jean Nunnally
www.northwestms.edu
Joe Crow by Mrs. Jean Beckum Mr. Jon Beckum Mrs. Merle Hernandez Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Paul Wooten Holli Pond Day by Chief Zabe Davis Ms. Caroline Talbot
Mary Lou Flynn by Mr. Tom Ferguson
Willie C. Ford by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Charles Forsyth by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Aaron German by Ms. Dorothy Bryce Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Salmon James P. Graeber Lewis Graeber by Graeber Foundation Billie B. Gray by Mrs. Mary Gray A.Q. Greer by Mr. Curtis Greer Jessica Gresham by Ms. Linda S. Laine
Russell Hadskey by Mrs. Jean Hadskey Mr. and Mrs. Todd Latham Judge Leon Hannaford by Lamar and Hannaford, P. A. Ann Eliza Allison Harris by Dr. and Mrs. Robert I. Bourne, Jr. Pete & Pauline Harris by Ms. Joan Pierce Dr. and Mrs. Walter Wicker William P. Harris by Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bourne, Jr. Samuel F. Hawkins by Mr. Whit Perry Harold Henderson by Alumni Classes of 1965-69 Mrs. Sue Davis Dr. Susan Mitchell Leslie, Paula & Hal Herring by Mrs. Jenna Graves Mrs. Mimi Herring William O. Hickey by Mrs. Pat Hickey Ms. Sylvia Hickey Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Thompson Tommy Hogan by Mr. and Mrs. Ken Harris Lucille T. Hollister by Dr. Denise Bynum Carson Holloman by Mr. Blaine Baggett James R. Hope by Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Burch Betty Jean Howard by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Kelly Wayne Hudson by Mrs. Kim Holt Mrs. June McCulley Ms. Donna Sanders Robert Hyde by Mr. Milton Austin Mr. Sherman E. Austin Mr. Alfonzo Battle, Jr.
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honorariums/memorials Ms. Effie J. Boothe Ms. Bettye J. Caldwell Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Cole Ms. Thelma Cooper Mr. and Mrs. James Garner Ms. Daisy Herring Mr. and Mrs. Hosie Holmes Mrs. Cathryn Hyde Ms. Deborah James Mrs. Helen J. James Ms. Jacqueline James Mrs. Helen Johnson Mr. Gene Leland Rev. and Mrs. Rufus A. Lloyd Mr. and Mrs. Allen McKInney Ms. Carol Ann Oliver Ms. Lourine J. Robinson Mrs. Mildred Washington James Jackson by Mr. Dennis Cobb Kitty Jenkins by Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Creekmore Mrs. Evelyn Hayes-Lee Mr. Max Lee, Jr. Ms. Diane Thomas Ms. Jane Wilkie Bert Johnson by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Amorosi Col. Charles R. Johnson and Ms. Trudy Hall Dr. Robert H. Johnson Charlotte Johnston by Mr. Wayne Ferguson Mr. Marcus Perkins Mr. and Mrs. Greg Steinman Dr. Amy Stewart Finis N. & Vera D. Kelly by Ms. Dale K. Thompson Fran Key by Mrs. Betty Holland Khalid Khouri by Mr. Bud Donahou Ms. Kholoud Khoury Holly Hale Koonce by Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Branan Ms. Joy Brinkley Kathryn Anne Kreunen by Ms. Krista Schauffler John T. & Sarah Lamar by Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Brown Paul Lawrence by Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Duncan Mrs. Barbara Lawrence Elizabeth Wynne Lewis by Mr. Joe Broadway Mr. Pat Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Chris McCall Ms. Jean Nunnally Tate County Master Gardeners
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Northwest Now
Michael Ozier by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro
Ross & Lucile Robison by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Robison
Bill Lipscomb by Mr. and Mrs. Mark Lipscomb
C.W. Parker by Dr. and Mrs. Steve Akre Mrs. Dorothy Moore Parker
Samantha Hayward Ross by Mr. Jerry Clements
Pauline Marchbanks by Marchbanks Real Estate
W.P. Perkins by Mrs. Frances C. Perkins
Fred McCammon by Mr. Tom Ferguson
J.P. & Virginia Phillips by The Hon. Gov. and Mrs. William Winter Mr. and Mrs. Milton Cushman
Mary Elizabeth Walker Lewis by Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Lewis Mr. and Mickey Weeks
Albert McClellan by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon Angelé McClure by Mr. Jim McClure Pennie McKinney by Ms. Toni Barden Mrs. Toni Blair Mrs. Pam Briscoe Sandra Kay Merrill by Mr. and Mrs. Dreher Harris Mary Louise Mitchell Miles C. Mitchell by Mr. and Mrs William Correro Hugh M. Monteith by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Givens Chief Bill Moore by Mr. and Mrs. David Gibson Mrs. Becky Moore Mary Alice Moorman by Mr. and Mrs. Ross Cardwell Mr. Steve Cummings Mr. and Mrs. James Eubanks Ms. Betty Robison Leonard Morris by Mr. Sherman E. Austin Mrs. Catherine Ferguson Ms. Daisy Herring Mr. and Mrs. Leonard W. Morris J.K. & Norma Mote by Mr. and Mrs. Phil Mote Tim Mote by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Baxter H. Murphree by Ms. Margaret Mark Foman & Nita Musselwhite by Mr. Tomas Lilly Jeffrey Nichols by Mrs. Beth Dickerson Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Ginn Mr. and Mrs. Morris Thompson Maxine Dunn Nichols by Mrs. Cynthia Nichols Mr. and Mrs. Harold Nichols
John Mark Pickett by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Blanchard Raiford Pittman by Dr. Jeptha Clemens Mr. William H. Polk by Mr. and Mrs. Steve Aldridge Mr. and Mrs. Greg Bearden Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gilmore Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Gilmore Mr. and Mrs. Fred Greer Mr. and Mrs. Gary Nelius Mr. and Mrs. Mike Oertales Mr. Les Pallett Scott Potts by Mr. and Mrs. Ken Harris Mr. and Mrs. Todd Latham Bobbye Pounders by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Stephen Purdy by Mrs. Vickie M. Bradley Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Dandridge Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Mr. and Mrs. James Ray Ms. Patricia Tanner Marie Ann Ray by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Priscilla W. Red by Mr. and Mrs. William Correro Mildred & Robert Redding by Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Redding Mr. and Mrs. James Redding C.R. Rials by Mrs. Carolyn Rials Lena Rivers Harris Riley by Dr. and Mrs. Robert I. Bourne, Jr. Dr. Augustinus Rinaldy by Dr. Darrell Barnes Norma Shuford Riser by Ms. Katherine Pinter Dr. and Mrs. Ray Thweatt Tony Roberson by Mr. Kevin Wulff
Ben, Ruth, Fred Rowland by Ms. Frances J. Rowland Neely Robert Sanders by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brown Mr. Jerry Clark Mr. and Mrs. Paul Williams Freddie & Bertha Sanford by Dr. Everlyn S. Johnson Michael Shaheen by Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Shaheen Bobby Shelton by Ms. Jean Steadham Tim Shorter by Ms. Kathy Buchanan Mr. Joe Elliott Mr. and Mrs. Scott Holmes Mr. Matthew Johnson Mr. John Langan Ms. Suzette Logan Ms. Lisa Russell Ms. Margaret Tatum Nickolas J. Siciliano by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Siciliano Al Simmons by DeSoto County Literacy Council Clifton & Jessie Sipley by Mr. John Jenry VanHoesen Wilodine Skinner by Mrs. Linda Fite Dr. Ethelyn Smith by Mr. Perrin Caldwell, Jr. Mrs. Sybil Canon Mr. and Mrs. Ken Dossett Mrs. Kathryn Gabbert Mr. David S. Hall Mr. and Mrs. Melvin McClure, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Walter McKellar Mrs. Frances C. Perkins Mr. and Mrs. Richard Raymond Joel and Katie Varner Mrs. Jane Walker Mrs. Joyce R. White Dr. and Mrs. Joe Whitwell The Hon. Gov. and Mrs. William Winter Thomas Smith by Mrs. Sandra Holleman Ms. Tricia Wideman Andrew Sprayberry by Mr. and Mrs. Randy Chesney J.E. Spurlock by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lucchesi
www.northwestms.edu
honorariums/memorials Mr. and Mrs. Terry Williamson Lt. Marlin Stanford by Mrs. Carolyn Stanford Beverly Brewer Stark by Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Brewer
Rev. Bill Wallace by Mr. and Mrs. Al Canon John S. Warner by Mrs. Johnette Wofford Steve Watson by Mrs. Joan Melton
Frances Sullivan by Mr. James H. Finnie Mrs. June McCulley
Garnett B. West by Ms. Debby Rutledge
Odessa Summers by Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Burch
Lucy Whitwell by Dr. and Mrs. Joe Whitwell
James L. (Trey) Sylvester III by Dr. Darrell Barnes Mr. Taylor D. and Dr. Bonnie Buntin Mr. and Mrs. Frank Givens Dr. Larry Sylvester
C. Chad Williams by Mr. and Mrs. Brett Curtis Ms. Ruby E. Magers Mr. and Mrs. Steve Sturgeon Sysco Corporation
Lauren Elizabeth Tallo by Ms. Sondra Holliday Mr. Michael McDuffie Mr. Joseph Scott Mr. and Mrs. Austin Smith Ms. Toni Troxler
Marcus Williams by Mr. Gerald Regel Marjorie Williams by Mrs. Delores Delatorre Wesley & Alice Williams by Mr. George Williams
Charles Taylor by Ms. Vivian Randall Mrs. Ella Taylor
Virginia Murphree Willis by Ms. Margaret Mark
Keenon Terry by Mr. and Mrs. Sammie Terry
Mary F. Woolfolk by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Woolfolk
Leroy Thomas by Mrs. Geraldine Thomas
Ben and Alma Wynne by Mr. Joe Broadway Ms. Jean Nunnally
Glenn Triplett by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Givens Mr. Cory T. Smith Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Smith Nat Troutt by Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Montgomery Mrs. Lucile Troutt John Turner by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Lois F. Veazey by Ms. Yvonne Ashley Mrs. Tamra Gilliam Mr. Charles Veazey Jackie Vesey by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Purdy Kathleen (Kitty) Wait by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Givens Alice Inez McDaniel Walker by Mr. Tom Ferguson C.B. & Marjorie Walker by Mr. and Mrs. Ken Dossett Mr. and Mrs. Gary Walker
www.northwestms.edu
Drew Young by Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Burch Hinds Chapel United Methodist Church Seniors Hinds Chapel United Methodist Women Horn Lake United Methodist Church Seniors Ms. Jean Steadham Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Young Stella K. Young by Mr. Mack Young
HONORARIUMS Charlie Aaron by Mrs. Elizabeth Burns Mr. Tracey L. Burns Mr. and Mrs. Keith Godbold
Jerry Baker by Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Montgomery Dr. Marilyn Bateman by Mrs. Pam Briscoe Mrs. Elizabeth Harvey Mrs. Phyllis Johnson Mrs. Rebecca Scott Roberta Beach by Dr. and Mrs. James Robertson, Sr. Gordon Bigelow by Mr. Larry Anderson Louis & Martha Blanchard by Mr. Gerald Regel Joe Bracken by Mr. and Mrs. Terry Williamson Albert Broadway by Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Poff Joe Broadway by Ms. Jean Nunnally Dr. Bonnie Buntin by Mrs. Elizabeth Burns Mr. Tracey L. Burns Mr. and Mrs. Keith Godbold Mr. Jerry and Dr. Gloria Kellum Mr. Richie Lawson Mr. and Mrs. Jim Patridge Elizabeth Burns by Mr. Taylor D. and Dr. Bonnie Buntin Mr. Tracey L. Burns Mr. and Mrs. Keith Godbold Mr. Richie Lawson Dr. Jack Butts by Mr. Joe Elliott Mrs. Kim Holt Mrs. Leone King Mrs. June McCulley Mr. and Mrs. M.M. Randolph Mr. Victor Wyatt Dr. Michael Butts by Mr. and Mrs. Deck Stone Chuck & Diane Byars by Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Thompson Frank & Marilyn Canada by Dr. Brad Canada
Ruth Ann Allison by Mrs. Ellen Allison Anderson Mr. James R. Bryant Mrs. Beverly Gaddy Ms. Joyce Randall
Sybil Canon by Mr. Jerry and Dr. Gloria Kellum Dr. and Mrs. Gary Lee Spears
Leah Arrington by Dr. Amy Stewart
Tommy Carpenter Van Carpenter by Mr. Noal Akins
Miriam Chesney by Mr. Noal Akins Shirley Clanton by Mr. Don Clanton Mr. Danny Cupit Sheron Coats by Mr. Noal Akins Earline Cocke by Mrs. Leah Arrington Ms. Glynda Hall Dr. Amy Stewart Robert Cox by Ms. Esther Leak Steve Cummings by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. James Venable III Milton & Gale Cushman by The Hon. Gov. and Mrs. William Winter Jane Davis by Mr. Jerry Davis Mike Dottorey by Mr. Chuck Adams Ms. Mary Bonds Mrs. Suzanne Brown Ms. Faye Burkes Mrs. Elizabeth Burns Dr. Jack Butts Dr. Michael Butts Dr. Denise Bynum Ms. Ella Byrd Mr. and Mrs. Michael Christopher Mr. and Mrs. Don Clanton Mr. Sylvester Croom Dr. Matthew Domas Mrs. Abby Embrey Mr. Wayne Ferguson Mr. and Mrs. Frank Givens Mr. and Mrs. Keith Godbold Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Gray Ms. Darlene Greenlee Mrs. Elizabeth Harvey Mrs. Teri Hawkins Mrs. Jere Herrington Mr. Albert Jeffries Mr. Ronnie L. Johnston Mr. James Jones Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kyzar Lamar and Hannaford, P.A. Mr. Richie Lawson Mr. Frank Lyles Mr. Nathan Mathews Ms. Corine Newsom Mr. Jerry Nichols Mr. and Mrs. John S. Perkins Ms. Claudia Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Terry Potts Dr. James Reed Mr. Kacy Rodgers Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rogers Mrs. Meg Ross
Summer 2016
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honorariums/memorials Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Rule Mrs. Sharon Self Ms. Rosemary Simmons Mr. and Mrs. Larry Simpson Mr. Dan Smith Mrs. Betty Spence Ricky Price State Farm Insurance Agency Mr. and Mrs. Wyan Stirgus Dr. Chuck Strong Mr. and Mrs. Walker Wright Rachel Etheridge by Dr. Amy Stewart Bobby Franklin by Mr. Warner Alford Keith Godbold by Mr. Taylor D. and Dr. Bonnie Buntin Mrs. Elizabeth Burns Mr. Tracey L. Burns Mrs. Phyllis Johnson Mrs. Dawn Stevens Anita S. Graham by Mrs Virginia Hovis Sandy Grisham by Mr. Jimmy Bearden Mr. Bud Donahou Ms. Susanne VanDyke
Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Cole Ms. Thelma Cooper Mr. and Mrs. James Garner Ms. Daisy Herring Mr. and Mrs. Hosie Holmes Mrs. Cathryn Hyde Ms. Deborah James Mrs. Helen J. James Ms. Jacqueline James Mrs. Helen Johnson Mr. Gene Leland Rev. and Mrs. Rufus A. Lloyd Mr. and Mrs. Allen McKInney Ms. Carol Ann Oliver Ms. Lourine J. Robinson Mrs. Mildred Washington Dr. Gloria Dodwell Kellum by Mr. Taylor D. and Dr. Bonnie Buntin Mr. Jerry Kellum Richie Lawson by Dr. Darrell Barnes Mr. Taylor D. and Dr. Bonnie Buntin Mrs. Elizabeth Burns Mr. Tracey L. Burns Christ United Methodist Church Mr. and Mrs. Keith Godbold Mr. and Mrs. Roger L. Spillyards Dr. and Mrs. William H. West
Glynda Hall by Dr. Amy Stewart
Pat Lewis by Mr. Joe Broadway Ms. Jean Nunnally
Carrie Hardin by Ms. Caroline Talbot
Jo Ellen Logan by Northwest Players Club
Billy Harris by Joan Pierce
Donna Lucchesi by Mr. and Mrs. Terry Williamson
Pat Hickey by Ms. Sylvia Hickey Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Thompson
Joey Lucchesi by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lucchesi
Sylvia Hickey Walter Hickey by Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Thompson Dr. Jerry Hollis by Dr. Darrell Barnes Mr. Bud Donahou
Ashley, Benjamin, & Caleb McCall by Mr. Joe Broadway Ms. Jean Nunnally Mariglyn N. Meacham by Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hale Gail Michels by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Blanchard
Brenda Gentry Holmes by Dr. Michael Butts Mr. Joe Elliott Mr. Wayne Ferguson
Patricia Miller by Dr. Carol Cleveland
Betty Hudson by Mrs. Kim Holt
Schell Ann & Julia Wynne Montville by Mr. Joe Broadway Ms. Jean Nunnally
Cathryn Hyde by Mr. Milton Austin Mr. Sherman E. Austin Mr. Alfonzo Battle, Jr. Ms. Effie J. Boothe Ms. Bettye J. Caldwell
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Northwest Now
Andy & Mary Kathryn Nichols by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Nichols Jerry Nichols by Mr. and Mrs. Morris Thompson Jonathan Nichols by Mrs. Beth Dickerson Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Ginn Mr. and Mrs. Morris Thompson Phelan Nichols Sammy Nichols by Mr. and Mrs Harold Nichols Northwest Baseball Coaches by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence O. King Jean Nunnally by Mr. Joe Broadway Dennis & Janie Paulk by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Givens Joseph Pond Patti Pond by Ms. Caroline Talbot Guy Purdy by Mrs Vickie Bradley Jayne River by Mr. Joe Elliott James T. Robertson by Dr. and Mrs. James Robertson, Sr. Richard T. Ross by Dr. and Mrs. William H. West Bill Selby by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence O. King Sledge Family by Dr. Patsy Sledge Dr. Gary Lee Spears by Mr. Taylor D. and Dr. Bonnie Buntin Mr. and Mrs. Keith Godbold Mr. and Mrs. Larry Simpson
Beth Thweatt by Mr. Joe Broadway Ms. Jean Nunnally Katie Beth & Chance Thweatt by Mr. Joe Broadway Ms. Jean Nunnally Norma Thweatt by Ms. Katherine Pinter Ozell Ueal by Dr. Amy Stewart Joel & Katie Varner by Milton and Gale Cushman Charles Veazey by Graeber Foundation James Venable by Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Reynolds Mac Venable by Mr. and Mrs. James Venable III Shirley West by Ms. Peggy Butera Dee Whiteside by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Woolfolk Sara Williams by Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Thompson W. Ed Williams by Mrs. Delores Delatorre Jane W. Williamson by Dr. Amy Stewart The Hon. Gov. & Mrs. William Winter by Milton and Gale Cushman Donna Woolfolk by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Woolfolk
Marilyn R. Spears by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Godbold Mrs. Carol Peterson Dr. Gary Lee Spears Jeffrey Spencer by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lucchesi Carolyn Sprayberry by Mr. Noal Akins
W. Jean Moore by Terri Henson
Richard Swinney by Dr. Amy Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. Read Morton by Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Salmon
Alice Thomas by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Blanchard
www.northwestms.edu
Now
Northwest Summer 2016
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 Chairman, Northwest Board of Trustees Jerry Moore
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 Assistant Director of Communications/ Editor & 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 10 11 24 26
kings of the gridiron Rangers win third national championship after 66-13 rout at Mississippi Bowl.
academic elite College’s top Phi Theta Kappa students honored by the Mississippi legislature at luncheon in Jackson.
cover story: inspired art Alumnus Jared Spears transforms memories of instructor John Osier into graveside monument.
walking through faith DeSoto Center student asked to share his inspirational story with InTouch interview.
dedicated service Employees recognized for years of service to the college during annual awards ceremony.
departments 1 2 3 14 21 33
student snapshot/leeah henson president’s reflections/dr. gary lee spears alumni president’s notes/mike boren
from the
heart of Northwest
Sybil R. Canon In looking at the chart below, I am amazed, appalled, and concerned that students owe the Federal Government $950 billion in student loans and that students owe private banks and loan agencies $375 billion. Yet, I know that Mississippi students can attend one of the 15 community colleges and, in most cases, graduate with an associate degree owing nothing. The first benefit for attending a community college is three fold: (1) the affordable cost of tuition, (2) the accessibility, and (3) the opportunity to work while attending classes because of the flexible class times and because of eLearning classes that enable a student to attend classes wherever this is access to the internet and to a computer. The second benefit is that every community college in Mississippi requires academic instructors to hold a master’s degree and a minimum of eighteen graduate hours in the courses they teach. Students are taught by academically qualified teachers who have chosen teaching as their profession. In the career-technical fields, the instructors have had real-world experience in these fields and they are consistently acquiring training so as to present real-time, cutting edge technology instruction. A third benefit is the many opportunities for financial aid. In addition to Federal, state, and institutional aid, community college foundations provide students an option that may prevent having to take out a student loan. At Northwest, our scholarship endowment has surpassed $9.1 million. In addition to the endowment, we have awarded $3.8 million in scholarships since 1996. Because of the generosity of so many who care about this college and who care about the students who need a “hand up,” we help to provide a way for students to begin their educational journey without burdening themselves or their families with debt. We show these students the compassion of so many. We show them the “heart of Northwest.”
around campus the legacy continues the sporting life from the heart of northwest/sybil canon alumni news/dolores wooten
On the cover: Northwest alumnus Jared Spears stands next to the monument he created at the request of John Osier’s family to memorialize the retired English instructor. Photo by Julie Bauer
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckdevore/2016/02/26/student-debt-crisis-therecession-started-it-colleges-sustain-it-and-politicians-make-it-worse/#79f00d6935b5
alumni news Dolores Wooten Northwest’s Homecoming will be here soon, and we want you all to join us for the festivities. Information about all of our Homecoming activities for the community and alumni can be found on page 9 of this issue of Northwest Now. As you will see, there has been a major change in the schedule. Please note that Homecoming has now been moved to Thursday night. If you have a group that is interested in having a reunion (at any time during the year), our office will be happy to assist you with those plans. We will provide you with a list of alums, create the mailing pieces and actually mail it our for you. We need as much notice as possible in order to insure good attendance. You may contact us by email at dbwooten@northwestms.edu or by calling (662) 560-1105. We also want to invite alumni to join the Alumni Association. Lifetime dues are $30 for single and $50 for a couple. Lifetime membership provides you with free admission to all athletic and fine arts events. You can mail your check to NWCC Alumni Association, P. O. Box 7015, 4975 Highway 51 N., Senatobia, MS 38668. Thank you for your support, and we invite you to drop by and visit our campus. We would love to show you around and share all the changes taking place.
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
Now
SUMMER 2016
Parting
shot Construction is currently underway on the Football Field House, located in the north end zone at Ranger Stadium. The $4.8 million project, slated for completion in the spring of 2017, will include coaches’ offices, weight room, locker/dressing rooms, viewing and meeting rooms for football and a training/PT center that will serve all Northwest sports teams. Photo by Julie Bauer
Honoring a local legend Alumnus creates monument for former English instructor INSIDE: Hall of Fame • national championship • spring sports • retirees