Several students from East Mississippi Community College’s Mayhew and Lion Hills campuses were honored Thursday, April 6 at an awards ceremony on the Mayhew campus.
Overall, approximately 100 students were honored from both academic and career/technical programs. Awards were also given for service to EMCC’s Syzygy literary magazine.
“Thank you for being here to honor all of our students, the students who get it, who understand why we’re here, and what our mission is,” said Golden Triangle campus Dean of Students Cathy Kemp. “We thank you students for all the hard work you’ve put in, but thank you, too, for all the parents. This is fabulous, and we thank you for all the investment that you have made in the lives of our students, your children. They wouldn’t be where they are today without you prodding and pushing and encouraging.”
EMCC President Tom Huebner echoed Kemp’s comments on the importance of family in the educational process, and also the family atmosphere at EMCC. He commented on the number of hugs he saw between students and faculty, emphasizing the EMCC community caring about each other and caring about the work they do educating students.
“I think to myself, what a great testimony to what happens in our four walls at East Mississippi Community College, excellent instruction, people who enjoy what they do and care about all of the opportunities,” Huebner said.
Huebner also said being a part of the awards ceremony was one of the best duties he had as president. “You have to know that a lot of what I have to do as president of a college is not very exciting,” Huebner said. “ In fact, a lot of what I get to do is terrible, and is not fun at all, and there was something about today that I got to get here for the 1 p.m. National Technical Honor Society (ceremony), this and then tonight, Phi Theta Kappa. I have to tell you, I probably shouldn’t say this, but this is like therapy.”
EMCC student Blair Madison of Columbus won several awards and spoke highly of her EMCC experience.
“I had visited with Dr. Huebner, and I talked to him, and when I left after talking to him, I felt so much encouragement and hope that I just decided to come here,” Madison said.
After she graduates, Madison plans to continue her studies at Mississippi State University majoring in public relations.
Winning students included:
CAREER TECHNICAL:
Kathy J. Smith, Administrative Office Technology; Dominic Henn, Industrial Electrical, year one; Kristopher Robinson, Computer Networking Technology; Daniel Doty, Landscape Management; Zachary Oneil, Golf/Recreational Turf Management; David Long, Cyber Security Technology; Dusty Fields, Automation and Controls Technology; Christopher Winter, Culinary Arts; Joshua Headly, Hotel and Restaurant Management; Jazlyn Douglas, Cosmetology; Edward Slaughter, Associate Degree Nursing; Heather Brashears, Practical Nursing; Chase Austin, Welding Technology; Nate Milbach, Welding and Industrial Fabrication; Luke Crowley, Precision Manufacturing and Machining; Cameron Hitt, Automotive Technology, first year; Austin Lane Yarbrough, Automotive Technology, second year; Jacob Hemphill, Engineering Technology Drafting and Design; Matthew Mackey, Electro Mechanical; Daniel Carter, Industrial Maintenance; Christopher Bishop, Business Management Marketing Technology; Jaycee Stennis, E-Commerce Technology
ACADEMIC:
Jimmy Clark, OccupationalWriting; Gabriel Riveros, Calculus; Shelby Grice, Art Appreciation; Claire Crutcher, Design; Hannah Suit, Psychology; Caleb Younger, Microbiology; Susannah Bowman, Spanish II; Harrison Criswell, Economics; Alexia R. Powers, Public Speaking; Thomas McLean, Computer Science; Blair Madison, Theatre; Christine Carpenter, Journalism; Jay Dilmore, College Algebra; Brody Burchfield, Statistics; Emilee Wilcox, Honors Program; Brady Duggin, Western Civilzation; Julie Younger, American History; Caitlyn Jennings, World Civilizations; Harrison Criswell, Economics; Blair Madison, British Literature; Treasure Heath, English Composition; Mariallen Moore, American Literature; Emilee Wilcox, World Literature; Audrea Powell, Art; Caleb Younger, Anatomy & Physiology; Audrea Powell, Drawing; Ryne Miller, Ceramics; Greysenne Lentz, Marriage and Family; Jordan Taylor, Choir; Julie Younger, Music Appreciation; Kathryn Mackey, Chemistry; Linda McBride, CAFB; Emily Grace Roberson, Accounting.
SYZYGY:
Emilee Wilcox, William Winter Student Scholar Award; Audrea Powell, Bill Lauderdale Art Award of Excellence; Audrea Powell, Drawing Award; Blair Madison, Short Fiction Award; Bailey Hoover, Poetry Award; Brady Duggin, Betty Killebrew Literary Award.