Submitted photo Col. Kelvin Nichols greets fellow Mississippi Army National Guardsmen after a ceremony to promote him to colonel. Nichols has been employed by the University of Mississippi for 25 years. 

University of Mississippi alumnus Col. Kelvin Nichols 29-year military career came full circle last week during his promotion to colonel in the Mississippi National Guard.

Nichols, who has accrued more than 20 years of military service in the Mississippi Army National Guard asked friends, family and his brothers and sisters in arms to help celebrate his promotion to colonel Feb. 19 on the campus where his journey first started.

Nichols enrolled at Ole Miss in 1990 while he was already an enlisted guardsman. In 1993, he was commissioned a second lieutenant officer upon his completion of the university’s ROTC program. 

“Rarely, if ever, does a commissioned officer have the chance to come back where it all began and receive this honor,” Nichols said after his pinning ceremony and accepting the oath of office in the Ole Miss Student Union ballroom. “To me, Ole Miss seemed to set the conditions to make this possible.

“This is where I entered the ROTC program and where I was first commissioned as an officer on the steps of Guyton Hall. I couldn’t have thought of anywhere more perfect.”

He serves as 168th Engineer Brigade Commander in Vicksburg, and his civilian career spans 25 years with Ole Miss, currently as a financial aid adviser with the Office of Financial Aid.

Nichols sat alongside Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, adjutant general of the Mississippi Army National Guard, and Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks as his military accomplishments and ties to the university were celebrated.

“We were so pleased when Kelvin asked to hold this ceremony on campus,” Sparks said. “It allows us to celebrate him and his service to our nation, but it also highlights his longtime connection to our university, bringing together his family, his Ole Miss family, and his military family.”

Nichols credits the university’s ROTC program for laying the foundation of his military career that includes tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, high-ranking support roles in various capacities and multiple commendations, including three Bronze Star Medals.

Nichols earned his Bachelor of Arts in public administration and his master’s degree in higher education from Ole Miss. He earned an associate degree from East Central Community College in Decatur after graduating from Beulah Hubbard High School in the Newton County community of Little Rock.

2018 AC2 Whitney L. Powell Memorial Military Citizen of the Year 

The 2018 AC2 Whitney L. Powell Memorial Military Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Yeoman 1st Class Jennifer Purcell during a luncheon in downtown Meridian Thursday.

Purcell contributed 190 hours of community service towards various community outreach projects including Northeast Elementary School Scholastics Book Fair, exam proctor at Northeast Middle School and Habitat for Humanity. She volunteered 78 clinical hours at Till-Newell Animal Hospital assisting veterinarians with day-to-day animal rescue operations. She supported the Coyote Hills Equine Rescue and Therapeutic Riding Center by assisting with routine care and handling of the horses. She supervised eight children and handled 12 horses as a camp counselor at the youth ranch during the summer. Purcell was one of four nominees that included Yeoman 1st Class Michael C. Howard, Naval Technical Training Center; Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Darius A. Latta, NAS Meridian Air Operations; and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Courtland J. Morris, Naval Branch Health Clinic.

The annual award, sponsored by the Mississippi Council of the Navy League and East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, honors enlisted military members who dedicate much of their personal time to community service while they are stationed at NAS Meridian.

In 2013, the award was named in honor of Powell, a well-known Sailor who was extremely active in the community. Powell died in a car accident Feb. 7, 2013.

Wilkins graduates from basic training 

U.S. Air Force National Guard Airman Trace A. Wilkins graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Wilkins is the son of Wendy H. and Anthony Wilkins of Meridian and a 2018 graduate of Clarkdale Attendance Center.