actionThe Magazine of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Alumni Association • Summer 2014

ScholarshipsThe Perfect Graduation Gift

Meet alumna Sarah Rhea and other top scholarship winners from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

MGCCC.EDU action INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT and OFFICE OF ALUMNI/DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Susan Scaggs Michael Sewell Jenifer Freridge Vice President for Student Services & Coordinator of Multimedia/ Interim Director of Foundation & Alumni Enrollment Management Graphics Projects Dee Dee Hatten Brenda Davis Jennifer Collier Tinnin Foundation Office Secretary Institutional Relations Director Graphic Services Assistant Rachel Graves Kathy McAdams Kimberly Jones Alumni Office Secretary Public Information Coordinator Editor/Writer Bill Snyder Richard Kopp Sports Information Director District Photographer

COMMENTS, NEWS & UPDATES/ CONTRIBUTORS CHANGE OF ADDRESS Charles L. Sullivan, College Archivist Melissa Ladner, Archives Assistant [email protected] • 601-928-6288 Allison Cook, Pascagoula Refinery/ Alumni Office • P.O. Box 99 • Perkinston, MS 39573-0099 Chevron Products Company Ashley Smith Executive Director & Business Development Coordinator KA Management Cathy and Grace Catherine Cary

Action is published three times a year by MGCCC Institutional Relations. This issue was published in June 2014. “In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College hereby adopts a policy assuring that no one shall, on the grounds of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age or qualified disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the College. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes students and employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age or qualified disability.”

Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II of the Age Discrimination Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is coordinated by Dr. Michael Heindl, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Perkinston Campus, P. O. Box 609, Perkinston, Mississippi 39573, telephone number 601-928-5211, email address [email protected]. SUMMER 2014 INSIDE Letter from the President • 4 Prentiss and Dolores Havens donate $25,000 to scholarships • 5 Scholarship Gala • 6-9 Ed Manis Memorial Scholarship • 10 6 Coca-Cola Scholarship/ Patricia Doyle Reynolds donation/Halls of Fame & Hall of Honor call for nominations • 11 12 Commencement 2014 • 12-13 12 COVER STORY: Scholarships awarded to MGCCC graduates • 14-15 College News • 16-19 Sports • 20-22 Alumni News/In Remembrance • 23 action Funds and Scholarships • 24-25 Jonathan Aldridge • 26 Alumni Relations/Board Members • 27 14

20 26 4 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Alumni and Friends...

On behalf of the MGCCC Alumni/Foundation Office, I am pleased to present the summer 2014 edition of Action magazine. This edition will feature the remarkable achievements of MGCCC students, alumni and faculty. At MGCCC, we are committed to teaching and learning and student success, and our exceptional faculty members play a large part in our fulfillment of those commitments. On March 18, the 44th Annual Spring Reception honoring Instructors of the Year and Difference Makers was held at the Hospitality and Resort Management building at the Jefferson Davis Campus, with employees, friends and family celebrating the success of these MGCCC employees. Congratulations to our outstanding instructors: Dr. Kelly Rouse, Jefferson Davis Campus; Marc Poole, Jackson County Campus; Robin Lyons, Perkinston Campus. The Difference Maker honorees recognized were David Newbill, District Office; Betty Stringfellow; Jackson County Campus; June Bounds, Jefferson Davis Campus; and Trey Robertson, Perkinston Campus. Scholarships that ease the financial burden of college are also contributors to student success. The MGCCC Foundation hosted its 2014 Annual Scholarship Gala on April 14 to generate funds for much- needed scholarships. The Gala, silent auction and roast of Mississippi Tourism Director Malcolm White produced more than $115,000 in proceeds—a record year! The largest donation for the gala was given by alumnus Prentiss Havens, whose scholarship fund is featured in the magazine. On May 8 we celebrated our graduates at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum during the 2014 Commencement Ceremony. This year we conferred more than 3,000 degrees, reflecting a 37.9 percent increase! I hope all of our recent graduates stay connected through the MGCCC Alumni Association and Foundation. If you are not a member of the Alumni Association, I encourage you to join. Also, please contact our MGCCC Foundation to learn more about establishing a scholarship and/or planned giving options. Best wishes for an enjoyable summer, and thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Mary S. Graham, Ph.D.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Making a Positive difference...

MGCCC.EDU MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 5 Scholarship Gala Platinum Sponsors Prentiss and Dolores Havens continue paying it forward

ABOVE: Prentiss Havens as Cutest Boy in the 1948 Perkolator. AT LEFT: The Havenses in 1983 in Algiers (New Orleans) at one of their former historic homes. They have renovated several historic homes during their marriage.

Prentiss Havens, a 1948 alumnus of Perkinston Junior College, Havens knows how helpful scholarships can be. A native of had dreams of going to college beyond Perk. To help pay for his Vestry (near Vancleave) and a graduate of Broome Memorial, future education, he found summer work at Delta Exploration he received a basketball scholarship while at Perk. A starting Company, a seismic acquisition company in Jackson, Mississippi. forward on the team by 1948, Havens also made his mark at the Shortly after he began working for Delta Exploration college in other ways – he was in the P Club, Wesley Foundation Company, the president, Mr. Gaby, talked with Havens as they and YMCA and was voted Cutest Boy the two years he was at were working on a quarter boat in South Louisiana. Perk, which he says was “a neat place. You knew everyone by Havens, who was already pursuing pre-civil engineering courses, first and last names.” remembers the owner saying to him, “I’m not trying to talk you His life changed again when he met Dolores, a Lucedale native. out of anything, but I’d like for you to stay and go full time with us.” “She was a very attractive lady,” he recalls fondly. “She sold At that point, Havens said his head was swimming. The owner tickets at the Ritz Theatre. I finally got the courage to introduce was willing to hire him full time on the spot. myself.” Also impressive is that he saved “a few dollars” and That same day, Havens made a decision that launched him bought a brand-new Ford convertible. He took her for a ride in to where he is today - the founder and chairman of the board that car, and the rest, as they say, is history. “It’s been a great life. of Seismic Exchange Inc., a New Orleans-based company he We worked pretty hard at times. Things have been good.” formed on February 27, 1975. Today, the company, which Married on July 15, 1950, they have three children (Debbie, John licenses seismic data to oil companies, has eight locations in the and Cathy) and 10 grandchildren. John is president of Seismic United States, with headquarters located in Houston, Texas. Exchange Inc., and their sons-in-law, Bobby Patrick and Rivie Havens, who lives in New Orleans with his wife, Dolores, does Cary, are executive vice presidents for the company. what many successful people do – he pays it forward. He and Another interesting note about the Havenses: They bought Dee, as he calls her, established the Prentiss C. and Dolores M. and renovated an 1840 historical home on Pass Christian Havens Family Foundation to support needy and worthwhile beach. “We enjoyed 12 years there. The house was causes (allowed by law) such as college scholarships. Therefore, destroyed in Hurricane Katrina three months after we sold the Havenses enjoy the opportunity to give to the MGCCC it,” Havens says. The Havenses have also renovated and lived Foundation and scholarships, which have been awarded in several historical homes in New Orleans. since 1993. His goal, naturally, is to help young people get an Havens, who is featured in “How They Did It,” a 2010 education. That goal is being met even more now thanks to the book that profiles 70 past and present New Orleans-area Havenses’ platinum sponsorship of the recent Scholarship Gala, entrepreneurs, is a lifetime member of both the MGCCC to which they donated $25,000. Alumni Association and the Bulldog Club. MGCCC.EDU 6 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 MGCCC 2014 Scholarship

GALACelebrity Roast &

From left: Rick Cleveland, Dr. Mary S. Graham, Malcolm White, Sallye Killebrew, Len Blackwell and Brad White.

MGCCC held the 2014 Scholarship Gala on April 14 at the roasted Malcolm White, the state director of tourism. Brad Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi. More than $100,000 in White, brother of the guest of honor, was the roastmaster. scholarship funds were raised during the annual event, which In addition, a live painting exhibition by renowned includes a reception, silent auction, dinner and celebrity roast. Mississippi watercolor artist Wyatt Waters was part of the “The annual scholarship gala is the biggest fundraiser we reception and silent auction. The painting was auctioned have for the college, and we are thrilled that we raised more during the program with the proceeds going to the money this year than in previous years,” said Dr. Mary S. scholarship fund. Funds raised during the gala provide Graham, MGCCC president. scholarships through the MGCCC Foundation for students Attorney Len Blackwell, Mississippi Art Commission who do not qualify for federal financial aid, but may retiree Sallye Killebrew, chef Robert St. John, MGCCC need some financial assistance. Scholarships may cover retired fine arts instructor Kathryn Lewis and Mississippi books, tuition, housing or other educational essentials for Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Cleveland qualified recipients. MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 7

From left: Colleen (White) Drennan; Zita Mallory White (daughter of Malcolm White); Malcolm White; Brandi White Lee (daughter of the late Hal White, Malcolm’s brother) and Harold T. “Taylor” White III (son of Hal White).

Malcolm White, Mississippi director of tourism, joined the Mississippi Development Authority in 2013 after serving as the executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission for seven years. Prior to joining MAC, White spent years working his way through the ranks of the hospitality industry, leading him and his brother, Hal, to open Hal and Mal’s, a popular downtown Jackson

Malcolm White and restaurant and entertainment venue. He is Sandra Cassibry also founder of the Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade, which benefits the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children and attracts more than 75,000 visitors from around the country to Jackson each year, and WellsFest, a family festival held each year in Jackson.

A native of Stone County, White grew up on the Perkinston Campus, where his father, Harold “War Daddy” White served as head football coach from 1952-1957.

Throughout his career, White has been a member of and served on the committees of numerous civic organizations. He is presently involved in a variety of organizations, including South Arts, the Mississippi Country Music Trail, the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Downtown Jackson Partners. He is also chairman of the Mississippi Blues Commission and vice chairman of the state’s Bicentennial Committee.

Malcolm White and Kara Norris MGCCC.EDU 8 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014

From left: Daisha Walker, Perkinston Campus Fine Arts instructor, and Sandra Cassibry, Bill and Temperance perform at the Gala, with Jeff Perkins on bass. Perkinston Campus Fine Arts chair, present to Malcolm White a $15,000 check for the Yellow Barn Project at the Stone County campus.

From left: Len Blackwell, Malcolm White and Jody Miles. Mississippi watercolor artist Wyatt Waters paints during the reception and silent Rebecca Powers auction. The painting was auctioned during and Rick the program, with the proceeds going to the Williams scholarship fund.

Andy and Cheryl Bailus

Malcolm White on stage during the roast.

Dr. Mary S. Graham Jay and and Becky Malcolm Fletcher White

MGCCC.EDU MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 9

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Suncoast Anesthesia/Biloxi City Shoe Shop Kennedy Space Center Ryan Merrill College acknowledges and expresses OB-GYN Classy Chassis Biloxi Kym Garroway Salute sincere appreciation to... Tradition Properties Inc. Classy Chassis Pascagoula Lee Tracey Sandee Mitchell VT Halter Marine Inc. Coast Chamber Len Blackwell Sandra Cassibry Presenting Sponsor Coast Clothing Company Lennie’s Sub Shop of Pascagoula Sandra Halat Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Patron Sponsors Coral Boutique Linda Thoebald Santini’s Market and Café Alfreda Horne Platinum Sponsors Corder’s Creamery Liquor Locker Scranton’s Restaurant & Catering Bacot McCarty Foundation Community Bank - Corner Stone Florist Lovie’s By the Bay Starbucks -Gulfport Prentiss C. & Dolores M. Jimmy Estes Cornerstone Seafood Luxe Home Interiors Shanti Yoga and Consulting Havens Family Foundation Keesler Federal Credit Union Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. Lynn Meadows Discovery Center Shell Landing Golf Club Delores Sumrall CVS Pharmacy Marc Poole Ship Island Excursion Gold Sponsors The Peoples Bank Dads Super Pawn Margaritaville Biloxi Shoe Station Chevron Daniel Calcote Marilyn Ammons Silver Slipper Casino Eley Guild Hardy Architects Signature Drink Sponsor – Cathead Vodka David L. Lord & Associates Maritime & Seafood Industrial Museum South Elite Cheer Hancock Bank David Lynn Fine Art Mary Elsie Hubley South Mississippi Living Stewart Sneed Hewes Band Sponsor – Deedy’s Formals Matt Steadman Superbowl & Sports Café Sallye Killebrew Silver Sponsors Delo’s Heavenly House of Coffee Maureen Halbrook Susan Gaffney Allred Architecture Live Auction Painting – Dena McKee Mellow Mushroom Suzanne’s Pottery Dean Holleman Wyatt Waters Desporte & Sons Seafood Merrill Art Sweet N Sassy Us CBI Doctor’s Dreams Miner’s Toy Store Taylor Furniture Mississippi Power Company Silent Auction Donors Don Scafide Mississippi Coast Coliseum The Chimneys Restaurant ACE Hardware Dona Richmond Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber The Dermatology Clinic Bronze Sponsors Alex North Donna Smith Mississippi Museum of Art The Fabric Dock Capital City Beverages American Red Cross Economy Boots Mobile Ballet The Grand Theatre (James & Glennie White) Anytime Fitness Elite Island Resorts Mobile Bay Bears T-H-E Green Shed Centennial Development - Auto Zone Elizabeth Huffmaster Monster Beverage Company The Healing Garden Len Blackwell Bay Arts Center Farve for Hope MSU Alumni Association The Market Place Charter Bank Beau Rivage Fleur de Lis Gourmet Bakery Murky Waters Blues N BBQ The Pickle Vat Descher McDonald’s Belk of Biloxi Frasiers Nursery Negrotto’s Gallery The Shed Ellucian Best Dressed Bunnies Fudpuckers North Star Thirty-One First Federal Biloxi Schooners Golden Corral North Star Sailing Charters, LLC Thou Art Gallery and Gifts Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Blow Fly Inn Grand Casino of Biloxi O’Charleys Tim Allen Howard Industries Inc. Bodine Pottery LLC Gulf Coast Symphony Ohr-O’Keefe Museum Of Art Tshirt Time MGCCC District Office Boomtown Biloxi Casino Gulf Islands Waterpark Pascagoula Country Club USS Alabama MGCCC Jackson County Campus Brass Hanger Cleaners Hairbows and Tippy Toes Pascagoula Tire Vick Ballard MGCCC Jefferson Davis Campus Brewer Optical Half Shell Oyster House Gulfport Pass Christian Olive Oils & Vinegars Vanessa Richie Brick Street Café MGCCC Perkinston Campus Hickory Hill Golf Club Pat Descher Vivify Spa at The Dermatology Clinic Brown’s Fine Art Hollywood Casino Pecan House Machado Patano, PLLC Walt Disney World Buccaneer Pirate Cruise Hooters of Biloxi Pinkston Music Walmart of D’Iberville McDaniel General Merchandise Burnham Drugs Gautier Hooters of Gulfport Planet Beach Walmart of Pascagoula Millie Page Burton + Burton Intercontinental Portrait Innovations Walmart of Wiggins Pearl River Valley Electric Power Butcher Block IP Casino Resort & Spa Punch Productions, Inc. Walter Anderson Museum of Art Association Capone’s Island View Casino Resort Raising Cane’s Wheel of Fortune Dr. Susan Scaggs Chappy’s Bistro J. Alden Designs Reeds Jewelers White House Gifts Kenny Smith/Nebo Carter Chartwell Hospitality Jan Brett Renaissance Orlando at Seaworld Willis Furniture Sawyer Real Estate Chili’s - Brinker International Jay Fletcher Rich Kopp Windspire Seymour Engineering, PLLC Chocolates & More Jennifer Lock Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando WLOX Siemens Industry Inc. Chris Rock JLaurie Shoe Boutique Robert St. John Wonder Nails Singing River Electric Power Chris White Jubilee Boutique Robin Renault YMCA of Ocean Springs Association Christopher Jeffery Guthrie Originals Judy Hunter Rosalie’s Gifts & Apparel Churchill Downs Kathryn Lewis RPM Pizza LLC

MGCCC.EDU Thank you! 1010 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 Wiggins Rotary Club donates $50,000 to Ed Manis Memorial Scholarship The Wiggins Rotary Club’s Ed Manis Memorial Scholarship, named after the late club president who began raising funds for an endowed scholarship more than 20 years ago, will be awarded for the first time through the Foundation during the upcoming school year. The scholarship is the perfect way to remember Manis’s service to the community and his service in Rotary, says Paul Hardy, a Stone County Rotarian. In February, the Wiggins Rotary Club donated $50,000 to the endowment, allowing for one annual scholarship. “The Rotary Club has awarded the scholarship for more than 25 years,” Hardy says. “The recent donation to the Foundation was made in Manis’ memory, since his dream was for the club to endow a scholarship through the college. The scholarship will now be awarded through the Foundation, with the first one being awarded to a Stone County student to attend MGCCC this fall.” The student, who is selected by a scholarship committee, must be a Stone High School graduate and a full-time commuting student. He or she must maintain a 2.5 GPA to retain the scholarship through his/her sophomore year, must display good citizenship, and be involved in either school or community projects and activities. The recipient may attend any MGCCC campus. The amount of the scholarship will be determined annually but is not to exceed the total cost of tuition, books and fees. Manis was a businessman from New Orleans who purchased land and built a home in Stone County for he and his wife, Margaret, to retire. “After moving to Stone County, they became very active in their church, First United Methodist Church, and the community,” Hardy says. “Mr. Manis was the driving force behind many of the projects and community fundraising efforts of the Wiggins Rotary Club. He lived the motto ‘Service Above Self.’” Manis, an Air Force veteran who flew missions in World War II and died on June 1, 2006, at the age of 91, founded the Dinner Theater, the club used as a fundraising effort to fund scholarships for Stone County students attending MGCCC. He worked to bring personalities such as Justin Wilson and others to the area for the Dinner Theater. He also worked with the Stone County Ministerial Association to start a prescription-medication fund that he later brought to the Rotary Club as a project known as RotoCare for Seniors.

Ed Manis Memorial Scholarship at a glance • Recipients of this scholarship will be selected by a scholarship committee. • Must be a Stone High School graduate and a full-time commuting student. • Must maintain a 2.5 GPA to retain the scholarship through his/her sophomore year. • Must display good citizenship, and be involved in either school or community projects and activities. • May attend any MGCCC campus. • The amount of the scholarship will be determined annually but is not to exceed the total cost of tuition, books and fees. • The deadline for MGCCC Foundation scholarships is April 1.

MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 11 Call for Nominations Alumni Hall of Fame CRITERIA • Must have attended the campus for which they are nominated at least one year (except for unusual circumstances), either high school or college. • Must have exhibited merit and achievement which brought fame and honor to the college. • Must not be currently holding a local elected political office. • Must have ten-year career minimum (except for unusual circumstances). • Must not be a current employee of the college. Nominees remain eligible for consideration for three years. Nomination Deadline: July 1 of each year http://www.mgccc.edu/alumni/alumni-hall-of-fame-nominations/ Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Incorporated contributed $3,000 for scholarships in 2014 Bulldog Club Athletic Hall of Fame to fund scholarships for two MGCCC students. From left are Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president; Doug Price, on-premises sales manager of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc. CRITERIA in Gulfport; and Dr. Ladd Taylor, vice president of the Perkinston Campus. • Nomination form should include the candidate’s athletic and lifetime achievements. Coca-Cola contributes to annual scholarship fund • Only those who participated in college sports should be nominated. Perkinston Agricultural High School Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Incorporated contributed $3,000 students who participated in the college sports program to fund scholarships for two MGCCC students in 2014. The annual qualify as candidates. scholarship, which began in 2007, has amounted to a total contribution from • Limit supporting input to the sport for which the candidate Coca Cola of $20,600. Twenty-one students have received the scholarship. is nominated. Participating in other sports has no bearing on selection for the sport for which a candidate is nominated. Doug Price, on-premises sales manager of Coca-Cola Bottling Company • Must be a paid member of the Bulldog Club for the three- United Inc. in Gulfport, presented the check to MGCCC president Dr. Mary year nomination process and at time of induction. S. Graham on December 16. • Nominee must be a member in good standing six months prior to nomination. • Support of college after graduation. • Must attend ceremony (represented by family, if deceased) Coast veteran donates • Consideration of character and leadership qualities clothes, handbags and more A letter of nomination and a factual resume or vitae must be submitted along with the nomination form.Nominations close for college use June 15 of each year and are active for three years beginning Sometimes, money is not the only thing of with the year nominated. If candidates are not selected during the three-year period, they must wait two years to be value given to a college. For MGCCC, one of nominated again. the latest donations to the Foundation included http://www.mgccc.edu/alumni/athletic-hall-of-fame-nominations/ luggage, clothes (vintage and modern), handbags and more – all left to MGCCC by the late Bulldog Club Hall of Honor Lieutenant Colonel Patricia Doyle Reynolds, who CRITERIA died at 88 on November, 23, 2013. The California native served 28 years active • Must have been a member of one of the following: band, cheerleaders,Perkettes, athletic trainers, managers duty in the Air Force. According to her obituary, she was the first female officer • Must have made a great and/or unusual contribution in assigned to the Pentagon. She came to Biloxi from San Antonio, Texas, and support of athletes and support groups over and above all liked the Coast so well that she stayed and retired here. She married Major ordinary expectations Edward C. Reynolds on October 20, 1990. • Must be a paid member of the Bulldog Club Her obituary states, “She was the epitome of a true Southern lady in • Must be a member in good standing six months prior to nomination. elegance and style and was always graceful, loving and caring.” The college • Consideration of character and leadership qualities • Must attend ceremony (represented by family if deceased) personnel assigned to sort through Reynolds’ donations agree with this A letter of nomination and a factual resume or vitae must be statement. “What Mrs. Reynolds left to us can be used in several areas of the submitted along with the nomination form.Nominations close college,” says Jenifer Freridge, Alumni Relations coordinator. “Some items June 15 of each year and are active for three years beginning can be used in our drama departments. The business suits were donated with the year nominated. If candidates are not selected to the Funeral Services Technology program at the Perkinston Campus. during the three-year period, they must wait two years to be nominated again. They will benefit students who need assistance with the program’s wardrobe http://www.mgccc.edu/alumni/bulldog-club-hall-of-honor-nominations/ requirements at special functions.” MGCCC.EDU 12 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 Commencement

Commencement speaker Dr. Walter Bumphus and MGCCC President Dr. Mary S. Graham.

MGCCC awards record number of degrees Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College held its annual commencement ceremony on May 8 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. More than 900 of the 2,134 students receiving degrees participated in the commencement ceremony. Dr. Mary S. Graham congratulated students on their achievement and pointed out that 3,130 degrees were awarded this year, which is a 37.9 percent increase in degrees earned compared to 2012-2013. “The increase in degrees earned this year is a true testament to your dedication to furthering your education, and to our dedication to see our students succeed. Your success is a credit to you, as well as to the institution,” she said. The guest speaker at this year’s commencement ceremony was Dr. Walter Bumphus, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges. Bumphus has a long history of involvement in higher education in the United States. Prior to this position as CEO of AACC, he served as a professor in the Community College Leadership Program and as chair of the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Texas at Austin. He also served as the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System from 2001 to 2007, and is now president emeritus of the system. Bumphus encouraged students to continue with the positive strides they have made by receiving their two-year degrees as they continue with education at a university or education in the workforce. “You should be proud of your accomplishments, and as you leave here tonight, look to your future,” he said. “Remember that education is the key to success, so continue to seek learning opportunities throughout your life.”

MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 13 Celebrating GED Graduation Success! Almost 150 GED graduates Commencement participated in the college’s GED Commencement Ceremony, held on May 7 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. Rep. Jeramey Anderson, who represents District 110 in the Mississippi Legislature covering Moss Point and Pascagoula, was the guest speaker. When Anderson won his seat in November 2013, he became the youngest African American ever elected to a state legislature in U.S. History. Pinning Since July 1, 2013, more than 630 Ceremony GED program participants have successfully completed the GED exam at MGCCC, which is is the largest producer of GED graduates in the state, with almost 1,000 graduates completing the program annually. The college also hosted the annual Pinning Ceremony for 115 graduates from the Funeral Services Technology, Radiologic Technology and Associate Degree Nursing programs on May 8 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. Kevin Holland, CEO of Kevin Holland, Singing River Health Systems, was CEO of Singing River Health the guest speaker. Systems, was the guest speaker at the Pinning Ceremony.

GED graduation speaker Rep. Jeramey Anderson (D110) and MGCCC President Dr. Mary S. Graham.

MGCCC.EDU 14 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014

Something to smile about Sarah Rhea Scholarships

Strong university partnerships and high academic standards equal outstanding student transfer scholarships for MGCCC graduates

Many Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates have received large transfer scholarships to both in-state and out-of-state universities thanks to the college’s outstanding programs, high academic standards and strong partnerships with universities and college organizations. During the 2013-2014 school year, students from all three campuses were awarded Lyceum scholarships to The University of Mississippi, worth almost $7,000 annually, and an art student was awarded a scholarship worth more than $61,000 to attend Memphis College of Art. Other students won substantial scholarships through Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), one worth almost $10,000, and through individual university academic and leadership awards.

MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 15

Jahvae Bush Bobby Buntyn Tina Nguyen and Kelly Slater Perkinston Campus Jefferson Davis Campus Jackson County Campus

Jackson County Campus art student Sarah Rhea won a Campus, where he was vice president of Service and in full-tuition scholarship to attend Memphis College of Art. the Honors College. He has also served as PTK regional She completed her art basics –Drawing I and II, Design vice president for Mississippi and Louisiana. He received I and II, and Computer Art– last fall at MGCCC. She additional scholarships through PTK and Ole Miss. decided to apply for admission to the art school in February Bush, from Gautier, plans to major in English and then attend and began working on her portfolio with guidance from law school at Ole Miss. “The instructors and staff at MGCCC MGCCC art instructor Marc Poole. help you find success,” he says. “Gulf Coast has provided me Rhea, from Vancleave, graduated in May. She will begin with an excellent academic foundation.” Bush was also named classes at Memphis in fall 2014 and plans to focus on a Chancellor Leadership Scholar at Ole Miss. animation, graphic design and illustration. “I am interested Tina Nguyen was one of only 20 students in the nation in perhaps working for the gaming industry, designing to be named a Guistwhite Scholar through PTK. She was video games, doing two-dimension and character concept also named a Gold Scholar in the Coca-Cola Community art. This scholarship allows me to attend a recognized and College Academic Team and named a Leadership Scholar respected art institute where I can get the training needed and Chancellor Leadership Scholar through Ole Miss. for it. I’m very excited.” Nguyen, of Ocean Springs, graduated from MGCCC in May. The three University of Mississippi Lyceum Scholarship recipients She plans to attend Ole Miss in the fall to pursue a medical –Kelly Slater, Jackson County Campus; Bobby Buntyn, Jefferson degree, specializing in women and children’s health. Her Davis Campus; and Jahvae Bush, Perkinston Campus– have scholarships could garner her almost $25,000 for college. received almost $200,000 in combined scholarships. “I was initially attracted to Gulf Coast because of the Slater, from Moss Point, plans to major in English outstanding scholarships available and the small college education, earn a master’s degree and return to MGCCC atmosphere,” she says. “Then, I fell in love with the people at as an instructor. He says, “I have truly enjoyed my time at Gulf Coast – the incredible instructors who hold you to a high MGCCC, from the academics to being involved in many academic standard while helping you succeed; the staff that is organizations. I think both of those things were key in my always friendly and helpful; and the wonderful, lifelong friends receiving great scholarships.” Slater also received a PTK I’ve made while there. I’m truly going to miss it.” Transfer Scholarship, a Student Government Association Other scholarship winners include Cassandra Baumgartner, President’s Scholarship and a Leadership Scholarship. who was awarded almost $10,000 to attend Ole Miss on a Buntyn, the 2014 HEADWAE student honoree for Luckyday Scholarship; Damien Bush, awarded a $5,000 MGCCC, plans to major in pre-medicine and eventually leadership scholarship to Ole Miss; Kaitlyn Benton, named become an oncologist. “MGCCC has prepared me well for a Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Bronze attending the university,” he says. “I’m sad about leaving the Scholar; and Kristen Sheppard, Sarah Bayles, David DeFranc college, but I’m also excited to move on.” and Walter Hanna, each awarded a full-tuition Compass Buntyn was a member of PTK at the Jefferson Davis Scholarship to Mississippi State University.

MGCCC.EDU 16 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 College Happenings MGCCC and MUW enter new culinary arts partnership

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Mississippi University for Women have announced a new partnership that will allow culinary arts students to receive a bachelor’s degree on the Coast beginning fall 2014. The enhanced Two Plus Two program will provide a seamless transition for MGCCC associate degree graduates in culinary arts to finish their four-year degree through MUW. The partnership will provide educational opportunities for students in the culinary arts and related hospitality fields, which at MGCCC includes Baking and Pastry Arts Technology and Banquet and Catering Food Service Technology. MGCCC’s Culinary Arts Technology and related-program courses parallel those of the Culinary Institute of America and offer the opportunity for certification in the American Culinary Federation. The W’s Culinary Arts Institute offers one of the nation’s first four-year baccalaureate degree programs in culinary arts. It is a premier national program that includes concentrations in food journalism, food art, entrepreneurship, nutrition and wellness, and culinology. Students entering the new program will earn a bachelor’s degree in Technology and Professional Studies with a concentration in culinary arts. Career options include positions as executive chefs, small business owners, caterers, food stylists and food photographers, among others.

Community College Week has named MGCCC a Fastest Growing Ranked in the top 50! Community College. It is ranked in the top 50 community colleges with enrollments of 10,000 or higher. The ranking is based on data provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. Between fall 2011 and fall 2012, MGCCC enrollment increased by 1.3 percent, placing it at 36th in the top-50 list. It is the only college in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee or Arkansas to be included in the list. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data shows that enrollment at two-year public colleges, which had been pumped up since 2007 by the effects of the Great Recession, is now declining. To counter this, MGCCC has focused on recruiting nontraditional students, helping mid-career workers retool their skills, and expanding access to minority and first-generation college students. The ranking for the Fastest Growing Community Colleges, along with research data collected for the ranking, were listed in the February 17, 2014, edition of Community College Week in the analysis, “A Downward Trend: As the Economy Improves and GDP Grows, Enrollment Heads in Opposite Direction.” More information on the research used is available at www.ccweek.com.

MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 17 Community colleges form Alliance to enhance South Mississippi’s workforce A newly formed five-member consortium of South Mississippi colleges is aligning existing training programs for efficiency and creating new training programs to support South Mississippi industries and workers. The South Mississippi Alliance for Workforce Solutions (SMAWS) comprises MGCCC, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Jones County Junior College, Pearl River Community College and Southwest Mississippi Community College. Combined, these colleges encompass 29 counties in South Mississippi and serve more than 47,800 individuals in workforce training each year. SMAWS was signed into existence in December 2013 by the five college presidents, and the Mississippi Community College Board is providing initial Geraldine Barnes Alliance support. The current chair of the alliance is Dr. Jason Pugh, vice president of Instruction at MGCCC. The Alliance, which is governed by a five-member board comprising workforce development leaders at each college, has established a mission of investigating, developing and delivering education and training for citizens and industries in the five community college service districts through demand-driven, innovative, traditional and nontraditional formats to advance the South Mississippi workforce. Initial projects of the alliance include developing a comprehensive website of training offerings for industry and individuals seeking to improve worker skill sets. Additionally, recognizing similar needs throughout the service area in both health care and manufacturing, the Alliance is seeking to develop credentialing packages in these sectors. The credential packages are designed to contain multiple, nationally recognized credentials in each sector, which will benefit Dr. Rachel Carpenter employers, employees and potential employees in these sectors. The Alliance is planning a one-day workforce development conference for The MGCCC Board of Trustees South Mississippi in the early summer, the first conference of its kind, with a recognized Geraldine Barnes for her 25 focus on workforce in the southern counties. years of service on the Board during a meeting on January 22. Initially appointed to the Board in 1988, Barnes retired from her position in December 2013. Dr. Rachel Carpenter was appointed to fill the vacancy. Her term began in January 2014. A retired educator with the Moss Point School District, Carpenter served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. She has also served as a consultant with Mississippi Action for Progress in Jackson, and as a school improvement specialist, Stacey N. Robert Goudy Payton Buntyn head teacher and director of the Children’s Laboratory of Learning at The University Each February, the Legislature and the Mississippi Association of Colleges of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. recognizes an outstanding faculty member and student from each of the She has a doctorate in education state’s community colleges and universities during the HEADWAE (Higher from USM and is AA certified in Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence) program. gifted education and AAA certified in MGCCC was represented this year in Jackson on February 18 by instructor administration. Additionally, she has Stacey N. Goudy Payton, Perkinston Campus language arts instructor, and been an adjunct professor in education student Robert Buntyn, a 2014 Jefferson Davis Campus alumnus. at USM’s Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach since 1997. MGCCC.EDU 18 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 Dr. Ladd Taylor named Perkinston Campus vice president

Dr. Ladd Taylor was named vice president of the Perkinston Campus and George County Center on May 21. An MGCCC alumnus, he has served as interim vice president since January. Working at MGCCC since 2002, Taylor most recently served as dean of Athletics for six years. His previous positions at the college included Student Activities supervisor (2002- 2006), Hayden Hall resident hall supervisor (2003-2007), and director of Admissions and Records at the Perkinston Campus. Named MGCCC’s athletic director in 2008 and college dean of Athletics in 2011, he played an integral role in establishing the Mississippi Bowl in 2008. He served as department chair of the HPR department from 2009 to 2014 and also held a two-year term as NJCAA Region 23 director for Women’s Athletics. Taylor was a member of the Bulldog football team in 1993-94 and values his experience as a student-athlete at MGCCC, saying that team sports is an excellent way to prepare college students for life’s challenges. After receiving his associate degree from MGCCC in May 1994, he received a bachelor’s degree in business management from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2000, a master’s degree in adult education from USM in 2005, a specialist degree in education from William Carey University in 2012 and a doctorate in higher education from WCU in May 2014. Taylor and his wife, Robin, have two daughters, RiAnne, 15, and Sayla, 12.

Tracey Walters, a native of Brandon, was named executive assistant to the president in November 2013. She attended The University of Mississippi, receiving a bachelor’s degree in English, and attended Mississippi College School of Law, receiving a juris doctorate in 2011. Before coming to MGCCC, Walters worked as a consultant in Pascagoula and she practiced law in Gulfport. She and her husband, Robert, live in Gulfport.

Larry Porter, MGCCC master trainer, received the Gulf States Shipbuilders Consortium (GSSC) Navigator Award on April 3 in Biloxi. Porter oversees the welding and maritime programs at the college. Each year, GSSC honors an individual who has displayed outstanding leadership or made other significant contributions to the development of the maritime workforce. The Navigator Award was first awarded in 2008. Porter was recognized because of his leadership resulting in training and placing approximately 670 welders in the shipbuilding/maritime industry in the past year. The MGCCC maritime programs serves as a model for other colleges in Alabama and Louisiana. At right are Byron Dunn, president and past chairman of Gulf States Shipbuilders Consortium (GSSC), and Porter.

Teresa Wells, an adviser of the Omicron Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the Jefferson Davis Campus, was among 30 PTK advisers internationally who were honored with PTK’s 2014 Distinguished Advisor Award. She was recognized during NerdNation 2014, PTK’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida, April 24-26.

MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 19 Instructors of the Year and Difference Makers

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has honored outstanding instructors with the prestigious Instructor of the Year Award since 1971. The winners are selected based on their academic excellence, dedication and professionalism both inside and outside the classroom. Another high accolade is the Difference Maker Award. Each year since 2003, four outstanding employees have earned the L.N. Dantzler Difference Maker Award. Difference Makers from among the college’s eight locations are nominated by their peers. This year’s honorees were recognized during the annual Spring Reception held at the college’s Hospitality and Resort Management Center in Biloxi on March 18.

Above, from left: Marc Poole, visual arts instructor/ Fine Art Gallery director, Jackson County Campus; Dr. Kelly Rouse, science instructor, Jefferson Davis Campus; and Robin Lyons, lanuage arts instructor, Perkinston Campus.

At left, from left: Trey Robertston, Perkinston Campus; Betty Stringfellow, Jackson County Campus; June Bounds, Jefferson Davis Campus; and David Newbill, District Office.

MGCCC.EDU 20 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014

Tennis Complex opens at Perkinston Campus

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Perkinston Campus Tennis Complex on April 23. Speakers included Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president; Susan Hunt, MGCCC board chair; Gary Bourgeois, tennis coach; Ladd Taylor, interim vice president of the Perkinston Campus; and tennis players Tori Rose and Bobby Vo. The facility, which includes eight courts made from post-tension concrete, began in March 2013. It includes lights, water fountains and covered benches near the courts, and a building containing restrooms, team locker rooms, coach’s office, storage and meeting rooms. While the courts are primarily for the tennis team and MGCCC students, they are open to the public during posted hours. From left: Susan Hunt, MGCCC Board of Trustees chair; Gary Bourgeois, tennis coach; and Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president.

MGCCCBULLDOGS.COM For more Bulldog sports, visit mgcccbulldogs.com. You can also follow the Bulldogs on Twitter.

Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 21 Women’s tennis shines at NJCAA Tournament Gulf Coast baseball ends season The MGCCC Gulf Coast needed a sweep of women’s tennis archrival Pearl River on April 26 in team made a Perkinston to clinch a spot in the solid showing post-season. Despite a 12-0 win in at the NJCAA game one, the Bulldogs came up Tournament in early a game short as the Wildcats took May in Plano, Texas. the nightcap 10-9 in 10 innings. It was the ninth Gulf Coast ended its season at 20- time in 11 seasons 21 overall and 10-14 in the MACJC that a Gulf Coast South Division. squad has reached the nationals. Men’s basketball team comes Sophomore Brittney Buker polished off her season by winning the consolation close at Region 23 breacket in No. 4 singles. Buker lost in the opening round to the NJCAA’s fifth- East Mississippi’s Jacoby Mobley seeded player, Julia Marcencro, 6-0, 6-0, but then recovered to defeat Korynne went the length of the floor and made a Arnold 8-0 in the consolation round. Buker then defeated Kaylee Siensa 8-2, layup as time expired to give the Lions Ashten Watts 8-2 and Carolina Hernandez 8-3 in the consolation final. a 69-68 victory over Gulf Coast in the Buker teamed with doubles partner Tori Rose to reach the No. 2 doubles Region 23 quarterfinals on March 6 consolation semifinals, while No. 1 doubles team Kit Chowdhary and Christa in Clinton. The Bulldogs ended the Owen also made it to the consolation semifinals. Aliesha Barlow and Anneisia season with a 19-7 record. Earlier that Johnson reached the consolation quarterfinals in No. 3 doubles play. Barlow also week, the Bulldogs, MACJC South advanced to the No. 6 singles consolation semifinals. Division co-champions, defeated Northwest 108-97. Softball competes at Region 23 Tournament Softball season ended for Gulf Coast at the Region 23 Tournament on May 9 in Ellisville. The Lady Bulldogs (35-20) fell 10-2 to No. 1 LSU-Eunice in the opening game and then were eliminated 12-3 by Pearl River on May 9. Gulf Coast opened finished second at the MACJC Tournament.

From left: Adam Ham, Hayes Weathersby, Fant Carpenter, Jake Pritchard, Danny De Los Santos.

Golf team finishes third at NJCAA D-II Tourney Gulf Coast capped off a stellar 2014 season with a third-place finish at the NJCAA D-II National Tournament at Swan Lakes Resort in Plymouth, Indiana. It’s the best finish ever for a Gulf Coast golf team and the first time the Bulldogs have earned a top-three trophy. Gulf Coast, the seven-time Region 23 Champions, began the tournament in seventh place after round one and then steadily climbed the leaderboard as the tournament continued. Bulldog sophomore Hayes Weathersby finished fourth individually and earned NJCAA All-American honors in addition to earning Ping All-American honors earlier this week. He shot 74-75-69-75 (+5) to lead the Bulldog team, which also includes players Jake Pritchard, Fant Carpenter, Adam Ham and Danny De Los Santos.

MGCCCBULLDOGS.COM For more Bulldog sports, visit mgcccbulldogs.com. You can also follow the Bulldogs on Twitter. 22 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 Henry Rath earns spot in 2014 MACJC Sports Hall of Fame class

A lifetime of achievement on and off the athletic field earned Perkinston native Henry Rath a spot in the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame. Rath was inducted with 14 other members of the 2014 class on April 29 in Pearl. Rath, a 2004 MGCCC Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, played football, basketball, baseball and ran track at Perkinston Agricultural High School, and played football both ways and ran track for two years at Perkinston Junior College. In his first college game as a freshman, Rath caught a pass for a game-tying touchdown against Jones and earned honorable Mention All- State honors for his efforts on the gridiron. As a sophomore he helped lead the Bulldogs to a 7-3 record and led the team Henry Rath and Dr. Mary S. in rushing with 5.2 yards per carry. He Graham on April 29 in Pearl, also led the state in punting with a 44.2 where Rath was inducted into the yard average and earned All-State and MACJC Sports Hall of Fame. All-American honors. He was named Most Valuable Player and earned the team’s Wentzel Memorial Trophy for his final season at Perk. served as principal at South Panola, Stone and Harrison Rath then played on both sides of the ball for two years at Memphis Central high schools. State University and led the team in interceptions as a senior. Rath’s educational journey continued when he was elected He was offered a tryout with the NFL’S Green Bay Packers to three four-year terms as superintendent of Stone County but instead chose to go into coaching, where he remained Schools. He also was called on to serve on the staffs of former for 17 years. That included stops at Northwest, three Mississippi governors Cliff Finch and Ronnie Musgrove. different high schools and at The University of Southern “Governor Finch was my Sunday School teacher, and I was Mississippi. At Northwest, Rath coached three positions on Governor Musgrove’s high school football coach,” Rath recalls. the football team and also was the college’s head baseball In addition to being inducted into the MGCCC Athletic coach and assistant basketball coach. The next stop took Hall of Fame and MACJC Hall of Fame, Rath also received Rath to Forest High School, where he was head football the 1999 Award of Merit from the Gulf Coast Chapter of the coach and athletic director and led his team to the “Golden National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and has served on more than 20 educational and community boards and Chicken Bowl” victory over rival Morton. committees, including the Executive Board of Directors of Next came a five-year stint at South Panola High School, where Rath was head football coach and athletic director. the State Superintendents Association, the Stone County He once again led his team to a postseason bowl victory, Economic Development Council, the Southern Education this one coming in the Jaycee Bowl against Horn Lake. Conference, the State Textbook Board, and the Stone Rath’s next move was back to the collegiate level and USM, County Utility Authority. where he coached four different positions for the Golden Both the Stone High Gymnasium and Activity Center Eagles football squad. During his time in Hattiesburg, Rath and Sports Complex are named in his honor. He graduated coached NFL Hall of Fame punter Ray Guy and witnessed from Perkinston Agricultural High School and holds him boot a 96-yard punt against Ole Miss and kick a 63-yard degrees from Memphis State University and The University field goal against Utah State on the road in a snowstorm. “I of Southern Mississippi. can’t take credit for those kicks,” Rath says. “Ray Guy was Rath is married to the former Janette Bond. They have already a great kicker when he got to Southern.” two children and four grandchildren. In the mid 1970s, Rath moved to Brandon, where he was He joins George Sekul, Ken “Curly” Farris, Bob Weathers, 12th grade principal, athletic director and head football Curtis Davis, Ed Evans, Bobby Holmes, Vernon Ehlers, Sue coach for the Bulldogs. From there, he made stops and Ross, Earl King, and Josh Wells as MGCCC’S inductees into the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame. MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 23 alumni news Jared Gloria, JDC ’14, has been accepted to the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program at Duke University for summer 2014. He will attend The University of Southern Mississppi Honors College. Matthew Jones recently earned his Professional Surveyor License. He earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Drafting and Design Technology. He is employed with Tice Engineering Inc. Head Start teacher Nekessia Stribling, JCC ’01, was recently featured in The Sun Herald’s Coast Characters. She has been with the Jackson County Head Start for 20 years. Irvin Haydel, PC ’63, is a volunteer with the Mississippi Wildlife Federation’s Mississippi Habitat Stewards Program. This program partners with natural-land managers on the Mississippi Coast to help with land mangament on public lands.

Brittney Cruz, JDC ’12, graduated from The University of Mississippi in May 2014 with a degree in English. She lived in South Korea from August to December 2013 as part of her In February, the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery linguistics studies. hosted its annual MGCCC scholarship breakfast, presenting scholarships to students in the Process Megan Caudill, JCC ’13, was featured Technology Program. This year, Chevron awarded in the recent Alan Belcher MMA Club: $30,000 in scholarships to nine students currently Mississippi Gulf Coast commercial. She in the program. In 2013, Chevron hired 16 MGCCC is an officer with the D’Iberville Police Process Technology Program graduates. During the Department and is the daughter of nine years since the program’s inception, Chevron Michelle Krebs, who works in the Jackson has hired 47 Process Technology intern graduates, County Campus Admissions Office. hosted 125 interns and co-ops, and provided course scholarships to more than 30 students. Chevron/ Richard Sawyer, JCC ’07, presented, MGCCC Process Technology Scholarship Recipients along with Kate Fleming Sawyer and for 2014 include Marie Amyot - Operations; Marie Dr. Michaelelle Harrison, “Dinner Durden - Operations; Charles Sims - Maint./I & with a Duo” on February 14, 2014, C; Dustin Tanner - Maint./I & C; Trevor Saucier at Oak Crest Mansion Inn in Pass - Operations; Brittany Coleman - Maint./I & C; Christian. The event was sponsored Max “Trey” Porter - Operations; Jarrin Brister - by the Gulf Coast Symphony. Operations; and Austin Burk - Maint./I & C.

In Remembrance

Charles Dixie Hollis Jr., PJC ’49, died on September 6, 2013. Robert “Bobby” Harold Holmes of Biloxi died on April Philipe White of Wiggins died on November 29, 2013. He 6, 2014. He played football at Perkinston Junior College, was attending the Perkinston Campus. helping lead the Bulldogs to the 1948 National Junior College Championship and earning Little All-American David Gerard Perret, JDC, died on December 12, 2013. honors. While at Perk, he met the love of his life, the late He earned his associate degree in Hotel Restaurant Bobbie Nell Germany Holmes. Holmes, who had a 36-year Management from MGCCC. career as teacher, coach and administrator, was inducted Clara Seal Lopez Campbell D’aquilla, known to many into the MGCCC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. as “Claire,” died on January 9, 2014. She taught English To submit information for In Remembrance, email jenifer.freridge@ and history at the Keesler Center until retiring in 1996. mgccc.edu, or mail to Alumni Office, P.O. Box 99, Perkinston, MS 39573- Her husband, Sylvester “Sal” D’aquilla Jr., retired as 0099. Be sure to include the loved one’s date of death, year of attendance administrative dean at the Keesler Center in 1998. or graduation from MGCCC, and the MGCCC location that he or she attended. Questions? Please call 601-928-6288. Thank you.

MGCCC.EDU 24 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 Funds and Scholarships...ThankYou

ENDOWED AND NON-ENDOWED RESTRICTED FUNDS Endowed Restricted Funds typically are established by a one-time gift, and only the interest or earnings can be used. For example, a retired individual may make a gift of $100,000 in his/her will for the purposes of campus improvements or to improve a particular instructional program. Specific names of existing endowed restricted funds include Frantzen Building Fund, Institutional Advancement Fund, Leadership Fund, Thomas Leatherbury Fund, Manis Estuarine Education Center Fund and Staff Development Fund. Non-endowed Restricted Funds are established for the purpose of receiving donations annually for a particular function. They are named by function and are used to assist the college in such areas as supplies and/or equipment. Examples of non-endowed restricted funds include Alumni House Furniture Fund, Archives Fund, Band Fund, Baseball Fund, Women’s Basketball Fund, Men’s Basketball Fund, Chapel Fund, Festival of Lights Fund, Field House Fund, Football Fund, Football Cheerleaders Fund, General Athletic Fund, Golf Fund, Lineman Training Fund, Metal Roofing Alliance Fund, New Harmonies Exhibit Fund, Careers in Technology Conference Fund, Tennis Fund and Gulf Coast Youth Leadership Fund. ENDOWED AND OUTSIDE PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS Endowed Scholarships have been established by a gift that is invested and whereby only the earnings from the investment can be used for scholarships. For the most part, these are restricted and are usually given in memory of family members. Outside Private Scholarships are designated by the sources from which the name indicates. Outside private donors include, but are not limited to, the following: Air Force Aid Society Gautier Rotary Club Association Community College Alpha Delta Kappa Gulf Coast Opera Theatre Scholarship Program Arlington Heights Baptist Church Home Builders Association Gulf Coast Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society BPOE 606 Elks Lodge Huntington Ingalls Industries Quota Club Biloxi Regional Medical Center Jefferson Davis Faculty Association Elsie Rath Memorial Biloxi Yacht Club Ladies Auxiliary Jim & Mimi Nanney Adult Sal D’Aquilla Scholarship Boomtown Casino Scholarship College Education Slavonian Ladies Auxiliary Brandon Hospital Auxiliary Keesler Federal Credit Union Tiffany Talley Memorial Centennial Scholarship Kiwanis Club of Gulfport United States Bowling Association Chevron Land Bank of Mississippi Vancleave Band Association Coca-Cola Bottling Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Yates and Sons Choctaw Nation National Wild Turkey Federation Zeta Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Diamond Performing Arts Ocean Springs High School Band TOTAL Endowments - $4,098,446.33 East Central School Pass Christian Chamber First Baptist Church Biloxi Pearl River Valley Electric Power

$100,000 to $600,000 Davis Mortensen Scholarship Lee Roy & Anna Meyers Weeks Scholarship Ethel Whatley Kroker Scholarship Dr. Ottis G. Ball Memorial Scholarship Louise McNeil Scholarship George A. Schloegel Scholarship E. Woodrow Blossman Scholarship M. Ina Thompson Scholarship Patricia Lee Davis Crawford Scholarship Earl King Trucking Scholarship Myrtle Strong Williams Scholarship Rodney L. Mansfield Scholarship Ed Manis Scholarship Patsy Saucier Hayes Scholarship Staff Development Fund Elizabeth M. Thompson Memorial Scholarship Prentiss C. Havens Scholarship William & Nell Newman Memorial Scholarship Eula Sholl Endowed Scholarship Richard O’Barr Memorial Scholarship $25,000 to $99,999 Ferris Batson Fund Save Waveland Scholarship Abe and Toni Abrams Scholarship Floyd & Zenobia Gill Scholarship Steve Bremenkamp Memorial Scholarship Amelia Barrow Benson Memorial Scholarship George County Alumni Scholarship Tony & Bob Weathers Memorial Scholarship Bacot Property Jackson County Campus Grover F. Bostwick Scholarship William & Etta Frantzen Scholarship Barbara Ferrill Memorial Scholarship Harrison County Alumni Scholarship $10,000 to $24,999 BP Faculty/Staff Development Fund Jack & Sylvia Bradley Scholarship A. I. & Lynn Rexinger BP STEM Jerry F. Bates & Mary Bowden Bates Scholarship A.P. & Frances Ramsay Shoemaker Scholarship BP Tourism & Hospitality Jimmy & Horace Bradley Memorial Scholarship AT&T Scholarship Bradley Emmitt Bustin Scholarship John Maxwell Memorial Scholarship Bacot Scholarship Centennial Scholarship Gala Johnson Brothers Jewelry Scholarship Buster & Virginia Stringfellow Scholarship Dahlia Read Reeves Scholarship Krystal Bolden, Yolanda Pope, Nerfretti Charles Mitchell Williams Memorial Scholarship Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 25 Clarence & Jetty Bonnett Memorial Scholarship Marilyn Jones Marlowe & Sally McKay Dillon Esco Smith Scholarship Claude & Mary Ann Boykin Nursing Scholarship Memorial Scholarship Essie Hall Brooks Memorial Scholarship Coach Fred Gill Memorial Scholarship Mary Agnes Gautier Scholarship Eugene Clement Memorial Scholarship Funds and Scholarships...ThankYou Cooper Roberts Memorial Scholarship Mississippi Chemical Scholarship Eva & Edward Khayat Scholarship Daryl Redmond Memorial Scholarship Moffett Brothers Memorial Scholarship Grodzicki Scholarship Desmond Walker Memorial Scholarship Murray Fund Harold “War Daddy” White Fund Don Massengale Scholarship Palmus & Frances Bond Memorial Scholarship Hilda Barnes Music Scholarship Douglas Hague Memorial Scholarship Paul Mellinger & Charles Bugg Memorial Scholarship James D. Daniel Vietnam Veterans Dr. & Mrs. Frank Gruich Scholarship Ralph Smith Memorial Scholarship Memorial Scholarship Dr. Claude Louis & Hilda F. Campbell Scholarship Randal & Zettie Dedeaux Memorial Scholarship James Reese Memorial Scholarship Dr. Laurie Calhoun Memorial Scholarship Reggie & Enid Richards Scholarship Jeannie Leche Ello Memorial Scholarship Dr. Willis H. Lott Scholarship for Excellence Rex Moak Science Scholarship Jeff Bell Scholarship Emilie Marie Stapp Rausch Scholarship Rosemary Finley “Ageless Heroes” Scholarship Jere Hess Family Scholarship Estuarine Education Center Sam Owen Memorial Scholarship John C. Dees Scholarship Eula Lee Newby Price Scholarship Sarah Bailey Emerson Scholarship Kyle McMellon Memorial Scholarship Eula W. & Clifton T. Switzer Memorial Scholarship Shannon Slyfield Scholarship L.A. Krohn Memorial Scholarship Fayard/Wink Spirit of Kai Thrash Memorial Scholarship L.D. & Virginia David Stringfellow Scholarship Frances Pennington Scholarship Thomas S. Leatherbury Student Leadership Fund Leon Hank Farmer Scholarship Frank & Charles Peacock Memorial Scholarship Thomas Ramsay Memorial Scholarship L.M. Hudson Memorial Scholarship Frank Spring Memorial Scholarship Tommy & Zelma Gollott Scholarship Lydeen Davis Memorial Scholarship Fred L. Newby Scholarship Vertis Ramsay Memorial Scholarship Lyle M. Page Memorial Scholarship Grace Family Memorial Scholarship Wentz Batson Memorial Scholarship Marguerite Kalif Memorial Scholarship Grady M. & Willie Faye Ivey Memorial Scholarship Wise Fund Marie Sophie Gruich Memorial Scholarship Greg Moradmand Scholarship $9,999 and below McHenry Family Scholarship Gulfport Medical Auxiliary Scholarship Arlie Howell Memorial Scholarship Mike Sekul Memorial Scholarship Harrell & Tillie Mallett Scholarship Attis & Ruth O’Neal Scholarship Mississippi Organization for ADN Scholarship Hollis Melton/McDuffie-Jason Memorial Scholarship Audrey Maltby Memorial Scholarship Mitchell Gruich Memorial Scholarship JC Vocational Instructors Scholarship Beverly Farris Memorial Scholarship Morrison’s Scholarship J. D. Batson Memorial Scholarship Bobby L. Winders & Anna Faye Kelley- Patricia Tuley Music Scholarship J. Terryl “T Bubba” Bechtol Scholarship Winders Scholarship Purity Rebekah Lodge No. 42 Scholarship Jean McCool Scholarship Clare Sekul Hornsby Scholarship Quincy Long Scholarship Jed & Helen Davis Memorial Scholarship Coach Clem Dellenger Memorial Scholarship Randy Rouse Award Jim Epting Student Athletics Trainers Scholarship Curtis L. Davis Memorial Scholarship Sam & Joyce McCauley Scholarship John & Pearl Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Dr. & Mrs. Clyde Strickland Scholarship Sam Jones Memorial Scholarship Jon & Kathryn Lewis Theater Scholarship Dr. Don & Marie Stephenson Stapp Family Scholarship Jowan & Ruby Dedeaux Memorial Scholarship Nontraditional Scholarship T. J. Smith Memorial Scholarship Karol H. & Charles A. Manis - JC Campus Dr. J. J. Hayden Memorial Scholarship William G. Collins Memorial Scholarship Leadership Scholarship Eddie Peden Memorial Scholarship Lt. Col. George Williams Memorial Scholarship Planned Giving. Consider It. Contact the Development Office for details. [email protected] • 601-928-6205

MGCCC.EDU 26 Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 Jonathan Aldridge Jonathan Aldridge, who graduated and played baseball for Gulfport High School and MGCCC (second baseman 1994-96), is The MGCCC becoming a familiar face in Miami, New York and Los Angeles. alumnus (and Recently, Jonathan has been busy filming in Los Angeles former Bulldog and Miami with Sarah Jessica Parker and has interviewed the baseball player!) is entire Trump family, majority of the top-tier PGA golfers, quickly becoming a Juan Pablo (The Bachelor), Miss Universe, Burt Reynolds, sought-after CEO/ Venus Williams, Tia Mowry, Alonzo Mourning (basketball producer/emcee. Hall of Fame great), and Major League and NBA players. Jonathan grew up in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and transferred to Gulfport High School his senior year. He launched his entertainment career by modeling for Kansas City’s Jones Store and Biloxi’s Gayfers and starring in commercials for Edgewater Mall in Biloxi. He was a male model in the annual Gayfers Back to School fashion shows on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and was featured in promo print ads that appeared in The Sun Herald newspaper. Although his career takes him all over America and beyond, he remains loyal to MGCCC. “Charlie Sullivan has made one of the biggest impacts on my life,” he says. “Professor Sullivan had the most challenging class on campus, but in my opinion, the most relevant. I am proud to say that I was presented with an Iron Cross (given to students who receive an A in his class). “The classes offered at MGCCC prepared me and helped to mold me into the person that I am today. I especially remember my business, history and speech classes.” Before Jonathan made it big in the entertainment industry, he was big in the sports arena. Although he was cut from the Lee’s Summit High School baseball team his sophomore year, he became the ball boy for the Kansas City Royals that same summer. He also played baseball at Gulfport High School, MGCCC and Jackson State University, and played professionally in Jackson, Mississippi, for the Jackson Diamond Kats. He was also a second baseman for the Saskatoon Legends (Canadian Baseball League). Jonathan is currently the CEO of Maverik Productions, which produces several TV programs. He covers all major professional sports; Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (New York and Miami); VIP red carpets; and much more. He has appeared on “All My Children,” and his modeling ads have appeared in major magazines. He has starred in more than 45 commercials, sometimes alongside such greats as Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods, Kasey Khane and Robinson Cano. (Readers may remember At MGCCC... him from the 2004 commercial “Hershey’s Swoops.”) Student Government Vice President Jonathan, a tremendous supporter of charity endeavors, Resident Assistant • Future Business Leaders is now producing the upcoming “Inside Mississippi Show.” of America • Baptist Student Union President His main goal while in Mississippi is to work with youth Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Honors Program and students from area colleges and universities. “I lived the Phi Theta Kappa • Who’s Who Among Students in MGCCC experience, and now that I live in the entertainment American Colleges and Universities • Baseball and corporate sector, my work at MGCCC is just beginning.” 3.79 GPA • Associate of Arts in Business Administration MGCCC.EDU Action Magazine l SUMMER 2014 27

ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS Scholarship Chair: Elaine Brockmeyer Todd Trenchard Membership Chair: Charles Williams Dr. Carmen Walters DISTRICT Communications Chair: Debbie Rogers President: Jay Huffstatler Dr. Frank Gruich, Emeritus 1st Vice President: Sean Courtney CAPITAL AREA Hermes Hague, Emeritus President: Forrest Stringfellow Dolores Mauldin, Emeritus 2nd Vice President: Marlow Tipton Louise Roberts, Emeritus Secretary: Marleen Moore 2nd Vice President: Gene Ingram Eula Switzer, Emeritus Immediate Past President: Reed Allison MOBILE-BAY AREA GEORGE COUNTY President: Kenneth DeAngelo President: Paula Hinton Vice President: June Evans MGCCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2nd Vice President: Skip Holland Scholarship Chair: Josh Wells David Ford Secretary: Paul Morgan Samuel Albritton Jr., Secretary HARRISON COUNTY Michael Andrews FOUNDATION BOARD OF President: Larry Strohm Wilburn Bolen, Second Vice Chair 2nd Vice President: Rory Rafferty DIRECTORS Lavell Bond Secretary: Tracie Bruni Dr. Ottis Ball Dr. Rachel Carpenter Scholarship Chair: Dona Richmond Dr. Mary S. Graham, Executive Secretary Patricia Descher Membership Chair: Elizabeth Romoser Randy Haarala Jim Epting Jimmy Estes, Treasurer JACKSON COUNTY Terry Lynn Hamm, Vice Chair Jay Fletcher President: Nebo Carter Dr. Michael Heindl Mary Ann Goff 1st Vice President: Kim Bosarge Alfreda Horne Susan D. Hunt, Chair 2nd Vice President: Wellington Hall Clare S. Hornsby Moreno Jones Secretary: Janis Langston Jay Huffstatler Don Massengale Jr. Scholarship Chair: Mary Elsie Hubley Sam LaRosa Jr. Jody Miles Membership Chair: Amanda Magee Connie Mackay, Secretary/Treasurer Millie Page Immediate Past President: Lance H. Dr. Presley Mallett Harry Roberts Jr., First Vice Chair McCarty Nell Murray Bruce Nourse Bobby Spayde STONE COUNTY Millie Page Delores P. Sumrall President: Lydia Berry Jim Patton Dr. Michael Tatum 1st Vice President: Rick Randall George Sekul Wilbur G. Ward 2nd Vice President: Mim Hatten Earline Sawyer Robert Watters Jr. Secretary: Christie Ruff Stephanie Barnes Taylor, Chair James Whittington

Message from Alumni Relations The spring was certainly an exciting time at Gulf Coast! I thank everyone who helped make our annual Scholarship Gala and Silent Auction a success. This event helps make it possible for more and more students to get a college education, and what better gift than an education? Your time, donations (of all kinds) and support are valuable as we make a difference in the life of each and every MGCCC student. The Spring Reception was also a wonderful event. That is a special night on which we honor three world-class instructors and four employees who are recognized for making a positive difference. The three Instructors of the Year each received a $1,000 check to be used in their respective programs. The four Difference Makers were given plaques to honor the difference they each make in the MGCCC work environment. As spring wrapped up and summer tiptoed in, we began preparing for Homecoming 2014. So save the date - Saturday, October 18! We hope you will join us for all Homecoming activities. More information will be forthcoming. May you and your loved ones have a wonderful and safe summer. Jenifer Freridge Interim Director Foundation & Alumni MGCCC.EDU Alumni Office P.O. Box 99 • Perkinston, MS 39573-0099 Change service requested

Save the Date! Homecoming October 18, 2014