Meridian Community College congratulated its own at an end-of-the-year celebration hosted by the MCC Foundation to recognize the hard work and achievements of college faculty and staff.

This year’s festivities featured a breakfast, an awards recognition program in the McCain Theater and a talk by MCC President Tom Huebner.

Among the notable highlights were the announcements of the winners of the T.J. Harris, Dr. Clarence W. Roberts Outstanding Teacher, John A. Johnson and Holladay Family Professional Development awards.

The Holladay Family Professional Development Award, with a $2,500 stipend, provides professional development opportunities for college faculty and staff. Samantha Lay, English instructor; Ida Holliday, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; and Mandy Hurtt, executive director of admissions and recruiting, received these awards.

The MCC Foundation’s Enrichment through Travel Awards, which are $2,500 each, were given to recipients to enhance their lives and further MCC’s mission through travel. Recipients were Angie Carraway, Science, Wellness and Fitness Division chair and chemistry instructor; Gloria Adams, Medical Assisting Program coordinator and instructor; and Jessica Simpson, Associate Degree Nursing instructor and simulation lab faculty member.

Tommy Winston, Physical Therapist Assistant Program coordinator and instructor, was named the T.J. Harris Award recipient. This award spotlights the work of a MCC team member who has contributed beyond their regular job description to the community and the college.

Winston is active in Kappa Alpha Psi’s Meridian alumni chapter, focusing on securing scholarships for young men pursuing higher education. He also leads a college prep ministry at Freedom Rock Church. At the college, he has been an adviser to Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society and a spokesman in commercials.

William Davidson, Rhonda Smith and Leia Hill received the John A. Johnson awards. Davidson is assistant dean of institutional research; Smith serves as college and career navigator; and Hill is vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the MCC Foundation. The Johnson Award comes with a $500 honorarium each, and recipients are nominated for their demonstrated enthusiasm for the community college mission, college spirit, commitment to service and job, and interest and participation in community and campus activities.

The Dr. Clarence W. Roberts Outstanding Teacher Award celebrates distinguished work, innovative techniques and service to the college and community of faculty, and a $500 gift is presented to each recipient. Recipients were Lisa Jenkins, Associate Degree Nursing Program instructor; Michelle Stokley, computer science instructor; and Crystal Sterling, mathematics instructor.

In continuing the tradition of recognizing employees for years of service to the college, service pins were presented during the celebration, too.

Receiving their five-year pin were Heather Ammon, Jessi Beckman, Caleb Benson, Anthony D’Angelo, Brandi Hansford, Cindy Herrington, Kayla Johnson, Susie Johnson, Treva Kendricks, Gene Miles, Jarrod Parks, Brittany Rushing, Roderick Seals, Jennifer Webb and Thomas Wilson.

Ten-year pin recipients included Erin Davis, Jeff Hemphill, Wendie Mangum, Lori Smith, Michelle Stokley, Jerry Thigpen, Pam Thompson, Patrick Warner and Chris Williams.

MCCers who earned their 15-year pin were Marvin Bonner, Becky Higginbotham, Phyllis Holladay, Tara Howse, Patricia Moffite, Vanessa Norman, Deborah Oldham, Angie Pickard, Joy Smith, Veda Sparrow and Dawn Wright.

Mitch Brantley, Margarette Cole, Tim Cole, Carol Falconer, Amy Gentry, Tamar Mosley, Terrell Nicholson-Taylor and Oriona Walker were given their 20-year pins, and Nedra Bradley and Lara Collum received their 25-year pins.

Retirees George Arinder, Christy Jones, Jill McKinion, and Jennifer Whitlock were also acknowledged for their contributions to MCC.