MCC celebrates utility lineman fall graduates
Published 8:52 am Saturday, December 16, 2023
- Class members gather for a group photo at the conclusion of the Utility Lineman Program semester. Kneeling from left are Landon D. Shirley, John L. Goodson, Lucas S. Oglesby, Cameron Wheat, Wallace R. O’Field, Landon B. Brazil, and Hayes K. Hinson. Standing in back from left are Dan Steverson, Sh’Mar D. McDonald, Kim Culpepper, Brian D. Todd, Jacob O. Gressett, M. Gregory Horne, Jayden B. Gunn, John G. West, Adam D. Craft, Johnathan R. Willis, Satcher K. Fulcher, Justin Phillips, Ayers B. Chickaway, Joseph S. DiPalma, and Kase Loper. Not pictured are Khristian X. Fletcher and Michael Slay.
Legends, hard workers and future heroes were how fall semester students in Meridian Community College’s Utility Lineman Program were described as they were saluted with a celebratory program recognizing their completion.
This fall’s students were the first class to receive college credit for their work in the program.
At MCC’s Utility Lineman Program, students learn to build, repair, and maintain electrical power and distribution systems during a 16-week course of study. The instructors are Kim Culpepper and Dan Steverson, with over 75 years of lineman experience in this industry. Steverson also serves as the program coordinator.
Completers for this class, which started in August, included Landon B. Brazil, Ayers B. Chickaway, Adam D. Craft, Joseph S. DiPalma, Khristian X. Fletcher, Satcher K. Fulcher, John L. Goodson, Jacob O. Gressett, Jayden B. Gunn, Hayes K. Hinson, Gregory M. Horne, Kase Loper, Sh’Mar D. McDonald, Wallace R. O’Field, Lucas S. Oglesby, Justin Phillips, Landon D. Shirley, Michael Slay, Brian D. Todd, Johnathan R. Willis, John G. West, and Cameron Wheat.
As a part of the ceremony, five students were spotlighted. O’Field was presented the Most Improved Award; Chickaway received the Tough Man Award; West and Craft shared the Leadership Award honors, and Willis was presented the Cowboy Hat award.
In addressing the MCC-Riley Workforce Development audience, Culpepper said MCC has the best line workers program in Mississippi.
“That was not from us; that was from the people who hired these guys,” he told the audience. “You see, it’s very important to us that these guys are ready to go out there. Because it’s dangerous.”
Joseph Knight, vice president for MCC’s Workforce Solutions, thanked the students for choosing a career that helps others.
“Sometimes you don’t think about how you’re helping other people. You realize the poles you will climb, repairs you make will one day in the ice storm or hurricane will actually bring a hospital back on line,” he said. “So, your job is much more important than just climbing a pole or getting into a bucket truck. Going to the next call is truly helping people.”
