Holmes recognizes faculty, staff for years of service during Back to School Meeting

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, Holmes Community College kicked off the upcoming school year with a Back to School Meeting on the Goodman Campus. The day began with a breakfast social, giving faculty and staff time to connect and catch up. Attendees also took their yearbook photos and participated in a special “100 Years” group picture in honor of the college’s centennial celebration this year. The event continued in McDaniel Auditorium, where Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey delivered a state-of-the-college address. Additional administrators shared updates and prepared employees for the institution’s upcoming accreditation visit. The program also recognized new employees and honored those who have reached service milestones of five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years with the college.

The Holmes employees recognized for five years of service with the college included: Jennifer Bertucci, Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) instructor, Ridgeland; Cathy Cummings, administrative assistant for academic programs, Goodman; Madison Cummins, director of admissions and records, Goodman; Chris Ellis, maintenance worker, Goodman; Alexei Harrison, instructor for hotel and restaurant technology, Ridgeland; Jake Hood, public speaking instructor, Grenada; Erin Jenkins, financial aid specialist, Goodman; Tammy Jones, data assessment coordinator, Goodman, Jessica Leverette, administrative assistant for career technical education, Ridgeland; Mark McDaniel, security, Goodman; Simonee Miller, counselor of academic programs, Goodman; Sabrina Moore, ABE/HSE programs instructor, Goodman; Sandy Palmertree, supervisor of operations for the fitness center, Goodman; Quint Raper, supervisor for grounds and landscaping, Goodman; Joshua Smith, grounds/custodial, Ridgeland and Dr. Alicia Turner, ADN instructor, Ridgeland.

The Holmes employees recognized for 10 years of service with the college were Thad Ables, groundkeeper, Goodman; Jennifer Brunson, business administration instructor, Grenada; Tammy Caldwell, practical nursing instructor, Goodman; Nettie Coggin, maintenance/precision machinery instructor, Grenada; Ana Davenport, foreign language instructor, Ridgeland; Dedrick Dawson, mechanic, Goodman; Reagan Dilmore, assistant to the vice president of career technical education, Goodman; Bernard Erving, housekeeper, Goodman; Kala Evans, business office assistant, Goodman; Katrena Harris, criminal justice instructor, Ridgeland; Rhonda Jefcoat, social science instructor, Goodman; Dr. Amber Mabus, English instructor, Grenada and Bethany Miller, director of Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Goodman.

The Holmes employees recognized for 15 years of service with the college included: Tammie Burrell, security, Goodman; Dr. NaTunya Johnson, business and office technology instructor, Ridgeland; Ben Lewis, welding instructor, Goodman; Marshall McCain, director of maintenance, Ridgeland; Barbara Moody, housekeeper, Ridgeland; Arnetra Pleas, English instructor, Ridgeland; Heather Roberts, practical nursing instructor, Ridgeland; Dr. Matt Surrell, vice president of the Grenada Campus/Finance and Bessie Thomas, security.

The Holmes employees recognized for 20 years of service with the college were Cynthia Abel, academic programs counselor, Grenada; Will Alexander, engineering technology instructor, Goodman; Lilly Austin, assistant to the vice president of academic programs, Goodman, Dr. Alice Austin, ADN instructor/chair, Ridgeland; Mandy Burrell, director of the Attala Center and workforce coordinator, Attala; Matt Convertino, head men’s soccer coach, Ridgeland; Jason Flanigan, head men’s basketball coach, Goodman; Heather Hale, engineering technology instructor, Ridgeland; Kay Kelly, history instructor, Ridgeland; Dr. Tonya Lawrence, dean of academic programs, Ridgeland; Earline Russell-Smith, director of ABE/HSE programs and Sonny Sparks, executive vice president.

The Holmes employees recognized for 25 years of service with the college were Dr. Mike Blankenship, vice president of Workforce Development, Ridgeland; Jay Cheatham, art instructor, Goodman; Joy Kellum, business office assistant, Ridgeland and Angela Tanner, housekeeper, Grenada.

Finally, the Holmes employees recognized for their 30 years of loyal service to Holmes were Vice President for Academic Programs & eLearning Dr. Jenny B. Jones and Goodman Campus Vice President & Athletic Director Andy Wood.

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IN THIS PHOTO:

1. (left to right) Andy Wood and Dr. Jenny B. Jones were recognized for 30 years of service with Holmes.
2. (left to right) Dr. Mike Blankenship, Joy Kellum and Jay Cheatham were recognized for 25 years of service with Holmes. Not pictured: Angela Tanner.
3. Pictured are the Holmes employees who were recognized for 20 years of service with the college. They are (front row, left to right) Dr. Tonya Lawrence, Dr. Alice Austin, Lilly Austin, Cynthia Abel, Mandy Burrell, (back row, left to right) Matt Convertino, Heather Hale, Earline Russell-Smith, Kay Kelly, Will Alexander, Sonny Sparks and Jason Flanigan.
4. Pictured are the Holmes employees who were recognized for 15 years of service with the college. They are (front row, left to right) Tammie Burrell, Dr. NaTunya Johnson, Heather Roberts, (back row, left to right) Dr. Matt Surrell, Ben Lewis and Marshall McCain. Not pictured: Barbara Moody, Arnetra Pleas and Bessie Thomas.
5. Pictured are the Holmes employees who were recognized for 10 years of service with the college. They are (front row, left to right) Bethany Miller, Katrena Harris, Ana Davenport, Tammy Caldwell, (back row, left to right) Kala Evans, Reagan Dilmore, Rhonda Jefcoat, Nettie Coggin, Jennifer Brunson and Dr. Amber Mabus. Not pictured: Thad Ables, Dedrick Dawson and Bernard Erving.
6. Pictured are the Holmes employees who were recognized for five years of service with the college. They are (front row, left to right) Quint Raper, Madison Cummins, Dr. Alicia Turner, Jennifer Bertucci, Jessica Leverette, Simonee Miller, (back row, left to right) Tammy Jones, Alexei Harrison, Cathy Cummings, Sabrina Moore, Jake Hood and Erin Jenkins. Not pictured: Chris Ellis, Mark McDaniel, Sandy Palmertree and Joshua Smith.