OXFORD, Miss. – A Meridian banker’s love of Ole Miss and banking earned him a prestigious honor at the University of Mississippi’s recent Banking and Finance Symposium.

    Archie Reeder McDonnell Jr., president and CEO of Citizens National Bank, headquartered in Meridian, was named the Distinguished Banking and Finance Alumnus at the annual symposium, which highlights the accomplishments of business alumni and students, and provides an educational opportunity for the industry.

    Since assuming the top leadership position at Citizens National Bank in 1999, McDonnell has doubled the bank’s asset size from $500 million to more than $1 billion, with 27 bank locations across Mississippi.

    “Mr. McDonnell is a shining example of what can be done with a degree in banking and finance from Ole Miss,” said Ken Cyree, dean of the School of Business Administration. “We are proud to award such a distinguished alumnus as Archie McDonnell. His roots at Ole Miss and his dedication to the state of Mississippi make him an outstanding example to young people.”

    McDonnell said it was a special honor and privilege to receive the award, especially in the month of his 60th birthday.

    “Reflecting on my life and career as the symposium was approaching, I came to a conclusion, which was that I realized other than my faith and family, I have had two love affairs in life: one with the University of Mississippi and the other with the community banking industry as I have experienced it through my career at the Citizens National Bank of Meridian,” McDonnell said. “What a blessing to celebrate my 60th birthday by being recognized in this special way where these two love affairs connect with each other.”

    McDonnell was pleased to see so many students at the symposium and hopes that he encouraged them to pursue a community banking career in Mississippi.

    “We desperately need these energetic, bright young people in banking in Mississippi to help the good people of Mississippi fulfill their dreams,” McDonnell said. “They will be the future that enables our state to become stronger economically. It’s a career that allows you to experience so much fulfillment in your life and career through helping others fulfill their dreams and our state to build community.”

    Cyree said he was honored that McDonnell was the 2012 recipient of the Distinguished Banking and Finance Alumnus Award.

    “I think Archie McDonnell Jr. is a wonderful example of a man who is passionate about his profession and in giving back,” Cyree said.

    Citizens National Bank has earned the reputation of being one of the safest and most secure financial institutions in the nation.

    A 1974 UM graduate, McDonnell earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in banking and finance. He joined Citizens National in 1974 in the management trainee program and gained experience in all facets of the banking industry, including credit, operations, branch management and loan servicing, and was promoted numerous times within the organization before becoming president and CEO. His father, the late Archie McDonnell Sr., a 1948 Ole Miss graduate, held this same position at the bank for 40 years.

    McDonnell’s philanthropic involvement includes serving as a board member of the William Robert Baird Charitable Trust, which was established in 1978 to support persons, institutions and organizations that serve poor people in Mississippi and Louisiana, and has distributed more than $4.2 million since 1981. In recent months, he has worked tirelessly to help the city of Meridian to finalize a project to secure funding for a multimillion dollar law enforcement center to be built in the city.

    McDonnell and his wife, the former Mary McCauley, are the parents of two daughters and a son, who all reside in Meridian.

    Other speakers at this year’s symposium were Paul Davis, editor of the American Banker Community Banking Bureau; Larry Uhlick, chairman of BBVA/Compass Bank; Thomas Doe, CEO and founder of Municipal Market Advisors; U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, who serves as house banking chairman.