MERIDIAN —     • Joni Amanda Pope of Philadelphia has been selected to receive the Gloria Nuckolls Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.  This $1,300 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by the Nuckolls Family.  This award is designated for a student in one of the healthcare programs at MCC.

     Pope is a 1999 honors graduate of Neshoba Central High School.  She is a sophomore in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.  A President’s List scholar, she is a member of Health Occupation Students of America and Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. Her plan is to enter the workforce upon graduation.    

    • Leslie Nicole Nester of Lawrence has been selected to receive the Dr. Dan Thornton Scholarship.  This $1,100 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Mrs. June Thornton in memory of her husband.  Opening his practice in Meridian, Dr. Thornton was a respected member of the medical community from 1948 until his death in 1991.  A gynecologist and obstetrician, he served as Chief of Staff at Riley Memorial Hospital, Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, and Meridian Regional Hospital.  He served in numerous professional and civic positions and was published in several medical publications.

     Leslie is a 2002 graduate of Lake High School. She is in the third semester of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.  A President’s and Dean’s List scholar, Leslie is member of the Organization of Student Nurses and the MS Organization for Associate Degree Nursing.  Her plans are to enter the workforce upon completion of the program.

    • Matthew V. Thornton has been selected to receive the William H. Entrekin Family Music Scholarship at Meridian Community College.  This $1,800 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Mr. Entrekin and his wife, Barbara.  Their love of music and their commitment to making a quality education available to anyone who strived to better themselves led to their decision to support the College through scholarships.  Mr. Entrekin was also generous with his time; he was a member of the MCC Foundation Board of Directors and served a term as president.

     Matt is a 2005 graduate of Mandeville (Louisiana) High School.  His activities there included wrestling, soccer, and chess.  Matt is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program at MCC studying music. A Dean’s List scholar, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. Matt is a member of the MCC Guitar Ensemble and the MCC Chorus.  He recently placed second in the College Beginner Competition at the Mississippi Guitar Festival 2012 hosted by Belhaven University.  Competitors were from Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama.  His career goal is to teach music.