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Nine employees retire from Holmes Pictured with (back) Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey are the nine 2019 retirees. They are (left to right) Chief Christopher Dill, Nona Horne, Julie Muse, Dr. Fran Cox, Dr. Myra Harville, Dr. Donna Banks, Diann Parker-Barr, Jackie Thurman and Carolyn Ratliff.
Nine Holmes Community College employees who are retiring after the 2018-19 school year were honored during a reception April 26 at the President's Home on the Goodman Campus.
Retirees from the Goodman Campus include: Dr. Donna Banks, Dr. Fran Cox, Nona Horne and Jackie Thurman. Retirees from the Grenada Campus are Dr. Myra Harville, Diann Parker-Barr and Carolyn Ratliff. Chief Christopher Dill and Julie Muse are retiring from the Ridgeland Campus.
Dr. Donna Banks
Dr. Donna Banks moved to campus with John Banks and began working at Holmes in 2008 as an instructor for music academics. She has also served as Associate Department Chair for Fine Arts and as an accompanist for Concert Choir, recitals and other performances. As a result of her hard work and dedication to Holmes and to her music, Dr. Banks was named a Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow in 2010 and received the Sally Wilson Distinguished Educator Award in 2014.
An active member of the community, she is a past president and member of Mississippi Music Teachers Association (MMTA), a local auditions coordinator for MMTA, a member of Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters, a member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), a junior competitions coordinator for MTNA's Southern Division and a frequent adjudicator for local, state and regional piano auditions. Dr. Banks also serves as an accompanist for Madison United Methodist Church and likes to begin and end each day reading. She and her husband have three children: Mary, 36, a teacher in Clarksville, Tennessee, and Matthew, 33, a concert piano technician in New York City.
"We have been quite fortunate all these years to have had such an authority in the field of music as Dr. Donna Banks," said Fine Arts Department Chair Jay Cheatham. "I personally have valued her friendship and guidance. Holmes is losing a prized faculty member and associate department chair. The Fine Arts Department is losing an invaluable instructor and performer. I am losing a mentor."
Dr. Fran Cox
Vice President for Academic Programs Dr. Fran W. Cox joined the Holmes family in 1996 as a science and technology instructor. During that first year, she was responsible for the development and instruction of one of the four science and technology labs in community colleges in Mississippi. The following year, she began teaching mathematics, and by 2002 she was named chair of the Science and Mathematics Department. Two years later, Dr. Cox moved into her current role.
During her tenure, she directed the development of the Holmes' student portal, directed legislative workshops, was a Lamplighter Conference Honoree and was named a Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished College Administrator.
Prior to working at Holmes, Dr. Cox taught mathematics, accounting and physical science courses at Central Holmes Christian School where she was named a Star Teacher for three consecutive years. She holds a bachelor's in accounting from Mississippi State University, a master's in mathematics education from Delta State University and a Doctorate of Education in Professional Studies from Delta State University. She also completed post-graduate career-technical studies at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Dr. Cox has been an active member of the Mississippi Community Junior & Community College Academic Officers Association since 2007. She has served in numerous capacities with the association, including the role of president. Dr. Cox also served on the Southern Accreditation of Colleges and Schools Commission team in 2005 and again in 2015.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, sports and anything to do with horse-related events. She is also an active member of First Baptist Church of Lexington, where she has led the Children's Choir and assisted with Vacation Bible School. Dr. Cox has two children, Cody Wynne Cox (Molly West) and Sara Lane Vargas (Frankie Vargas), and two grandchildren, Mia and Slade Vargas.
"Fran Cox is proof that one person can make a profound difference in a community when they are committed and passionate about their work," said Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey. "Holmes County remains one of the poorest counties in the nation, yet Fran started a mathematics legacy 40 years ago, and hundreds and hundreds of young (and older) students have benefited from it. Many of us would not have made the ACT score we needed to get into advanced programs like engineering and medicine without the hard academic work ethic she instilled into her junior and high school students.
"Later, she brought that strong work ethic to her college classroom and eventually mentored her faculty across all disciplines to do the same," Dr. Haffey said. "I contend that no one person has made a greater educational impact in our area the last 25 years to prepare students for college and their careers. Because of her wisdom, when Dr. Cox speaks, the rest of the state listens, and Holmes Community College owes its strong academic reputation to Dr. Cox for helping make us a leader among the colleges in Mississippi."
Chief Christopher Dill
Chief Christopher Dill joined the Holmes family on Sept. 21, 2015. Previously, he was a Lieutenant at the Clinton Police Department were he began his law enforcement career in 1993.
"Serving at Holmes as the District of Public Safety/ Police Chief has been a very rewarding experience," Dill said. "Working with terrific officers, faculty, staff and all of the eager students striving to improve their knowledge has definitely made my last few years in law enforcement worthwhile. Throughout my career, I have been blessed with many opportunities to help keep our community a safer and better place to work, live and play.
Dill taught D.A.R.E. in the Clinton Public School system, graduated from the FBI National Academy, became a certified explosives ordnance technician and became a member of the FBI JTTF (Joint Terrorism Task Force), all while protecting and serving the community.
"I have been asked by nearly everyone, 'What are you going to do?' Dill said. "My response is, whatever I want to do! Which pretty much means: painting the house, fishing, hunting, keeping the yard tidy- that's what retired folks do, right?"
Dill's wife works at Mississippi College and they have two daughters about to graduate college and a son who graduates high school this year.
"They will probably live hundreds of miles apart so one day we will have to find a geographical location somewhere in between the three of them," Dill said. "I'm going to spoil my grandchildren rotten then send them home; that's what grand-parents do, right? I wish everyone continued safety and remember all the things I taught you about staying safe in the work place and in public. Always be aware of your surroundings: Run, Hide or Fight when necessary. God Bless ya'll."
Ridgeland Campus Vice President Dr. Don Burnham said: "Chief Dill has been a valuable asset to the Ridgeland Campus. He has continued to move the police department forward by obtaining upgrades to security infrastructure. More importantly, he has established a personal and departmental rapport with both students and employees that has created a sense of family for the campus that will last well beyond his tenure. I wish Chief Dill the best in his retirement."
Dr. Myra Harville
Dr. Myra Harville began part-time at Holmes as a psychology instructor in 1987. In 1990, she became a full-time employee of the college, holding the position of Evening Director until she became the Grenada Campus Academic Dean. Dr. Harville has also served as Phi Theta Kappa adviser and Homecoming and Beauty Review liaison. She is a two-time Lamplighter recipient, HEADWAE award recipient, Phi Theta Kappa Robert Giles Distinguished Advisor, Advisor Continued Excellence Award recipient and Phi Theta Kappa Bennie Warren Award recipient. She was also named Exchange Club Teacher of the Month and Grenada Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Harville's community involvement includes: past member and president of Pilot Club of Grenada, and member and past president of New Century Club. She is an active member of Elliott Baptist Church where she sings in the choir, teaches a ladies Bible study, has served as a Sunday school teacher and teaches Bible school. Her hobbies are reading and cooking, when she gets the time.
Dr. Harville has been married to her high school sweetheart for nearly 37 years. They have two sons, Mitchell and P.J., who are both HCC graduates and former Phi Theta Kappa presidents. Both sons are educators, as well. Their two daughters-in-law are Kayla, who is a nurse practitioner, and Heather, who is a former middle school assistant principal but is now a stay-at-home mom who sells Senegence.
"My greatest reasons for life itself are my three grandchildren: Joseph, Kenzie Lynn and Madi Brooke," Dr. Harville said.
She holds a BSE in special education and M.Ed. in school psychology from Delta State; a master's in Christian counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in health and human services from Columbia Pacific University. She is a certified temperament counselor, licensed clinical pastoral counselor and a licensed psychometrist.
"It is impossible for me to imagine the Grenada Campus without Dr. Harville being a part of it," said Grenada Campus Vice President Dr. Michelle Burney. "During her time at Holmes, she has touched thousands of lives as a mentor, instructor, academic dean and friend. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the college as her colleague, but I also loved enrolling in her psychology courses because she always made learning so much fun! Her commitment to excellence has left a lasting mark on each of us, and I have no doubt that she will continue being a positive light in all of her future endeavors."
Nona Horne
Nona Horne, a dispatcher for the Holmes Police Department, will be retiring after 12 years at the college. Horne became a dispatcher in January 2015. Prior to that, she served as a dorm supervisor in Motel Dorm. She and her husband, Jimmy, who also worked at Holmes as a welding instructor until 2010, lived in Motel Dorm.
Prior to coming to Holmes, she worked at the Baptist Fitness Center in Yazoo City. Jimmy cut the right-of-ways along I-55 and along gas lines in the central part of the state, and she worked with him in this business over the years.
"I've really enjoyed working here with the staff and faculty and with the students when I was in the dorm," Horne said. "It really was a privilege to serve those boys."
In the dispatchers' office, Holmes has a wall of monitors running live video of over 200 cameras that are spread out across the Goodman Campus. Horne is very pleased with the technology and the service they provide to the students and staff.
"I've also enjoyed watching these cameras," she said. "This is the best job I've ever had and easiest work I've had. I think it's really important that the parents know that we have a means to go back and look at the cameras if we need to."
Horne has three grown children, all of whom attended Holmes, along with their spouses. Dixie Pogue and her husband, Lance, reside in Eupora. She is a special education teacher and was a cheerleader at Holmes. Celeste Woods and her husband, Leslie, reside in Eupora. She works at Healthcare for Women in Jackson. Patrick Horne and his wife, Erica, live in Brandon. He is an engineer with Precision Spine in Brandon. Patrick played football while Erica was a member of the Dazzlers dance team. Horne's hobbies include spending time with her five grandchildren, sewing and swimming.
"Nona Horne has been a very dedicated employee," said Director of the Goodman Campus Andy Wood. "She has served in admissions, housing and security. Mrs. Horne is always at her post and is very serious about the safety of our students. She will be missed."
Julie Muse
Julie Muse, a mathematics instructor, began teaching evening classes at Holmes during the 2001-2002 school year. She taught again from 2008-2011 before she became a full-time instructor in 2011. She also taught at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for four years, high school for 14 years and was the project director for the after-school program for Madison County schools for three years.
She is a member of Mississippi College Mathematics Association (MCMA) and St. Richard Catholic Church in Jackson where she serves as a Small Faith Community leader. Her husband, Henry, is a self-employed artist, and they have a 16-year-old daughter, Jordan, who is a sophomore at St. Joseph school in Madison. She plays volleyball and is very involved in her church youth group.
In her free time, Muse enjoys reading, watching her daughter play volleyball, watching movies, going to concerts and going to the theatre.
"Julie Muse has been a great asset to our mathematics department," said mathematics instructor Donna Ahlrich. "Her love of teaching shows in everything she does. She always puts her students first, with their success being her top priority. She will be missed by the students, as well as the faculty. I am sure that she will continue to be very successful in her future endeavors."
Diann Parker-Barr
Diann Parker-Barr has announced her retirement from Holmes after 41 years of teaching. During this time, she has taught at Mathiston High School, Calhoun Academy, Kirk Academy, and for the last 11 years at the Holmes Grenada Campus. Parker-Barr attended Mississippi University for Women where she earned a Bachelor of Science in English and social work. Her master's degree is in literature. She was also a member of the Mam'selle Social Club and the English Honor Society.
"Diann Parker Barr has touched a multitude of lives during her teaching career that has spanned more than 40 years of commitment to both high school and community college students," said Grenada Campus Academic Dean Dr. Myra Harville. "Many of her students have gone on to be very successful in their university and professional careers. Her kind and patient manner encouraged students who often did not think they were skilled writers to hone their craft beyond what they though imaginable. Diann's love for teaching and for her students are evident and leave a legacy that will continue to bless lives for many years to come."
Parker-Barr teaches Sunday school at First Baptist Church of Grenada, is involved with Delta Kappa Gamma and has played the piano for 23 years. She was married to Tommy Parker from Calhoun City for 34 years. After his death in 2012, she married Dr. Mike Barr from Clarksdale. She has two children, Demeka Parkerson from Madison and Kayla Pyron from Grenada. Her grandchildren are Clayton Parkerson and Abby Grace Parkerson from Madison and Tyler Schrankler from Grenada.
"My memory of Holmes' community will always remain," Parker-Barr said. "The students and teachers have provided a great support and learning experience. These memories have truly been a strength for me to help me to grow."
Carolyn Ratliff
Carolyn Ratliff began her education as an elementary education major at Holmes, but graduated as an LPN and then as an RN. She was formerly employed with Grenada Lake Medical Center where she worked in CCU, ER, PCU, Peds and Medsurge areas.
Ratliff also worked at Greenwood Leflore Hospital as a circulating RN in surgery before coming to work at Holmes in 2006 as an adjunct practical nursing instructor. She returned to Holmes as an adjunct Practical Nursing instructor in 2011.
Ratliff is a member of Southside Church of Christ and enjoys traveling. Ratliff has three children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
"Carolyn's 'exuberance' will be sorely missed at the Holmes Community College Grenada Campus," said Roxanne Harrison, Career-Technical Education administrative assistant. "She was certainly the life of the party, but also well-respected by her peers and her students. We will miss her terribly…but not her driving."
Jackie Thurman
Jackie Thurman, a housekeeper on the Holmes Goodman Campus, has decided to retire after serving the college for the past 18 years. The Sallis native and current Williamsville resident currently handles all housekeeping duties in McMorrough Library, Choctaw Dorm and the Henry B. McClellan Administration Building. In the past, she also was in charge of the Wilbur Harpole Foundation Building, now known as Human Resources, and also board room in Carroll Cafeteria.
"I've met a lot of people that I've enjoyed working with and I love the benefits," Thurman said. "It's a cool place to work. I've enjoyed my 18 years here. In all the buildings that I worked in they made my work comfortable," she said. "Like the Administration Building, I enjoyed working with the ladies up there. I just loved them in the Library. I never had any problems with any of them. They didn't have any problems with me. They made my 18 years a blessing."
Prior to Holmes, Thurman worked at BC Rogers in both Morton and Forest for 13 years.
Thurman has three sons – Joel Landfair, Clevent Landfair and Montrey Landfair – who have given her 22 grandchildren. Her hobbies include dancing and spending time with her grandchildren.
She plans to write a book about growing up in Attala County.
"I have more plans," Thurman said. "I want to do a book. I needed more time so I can get my book on the way. It's about my life when I was growing up.
"I've been thinking about it over 30 years," she said. "I had written a lot of stuff that I have lost because I had it on my cell phone. I had at least 100 pages on it, but I messed around and lost it and will have to do it all over again."
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