Contact: Maridith Geuder
Twenty-six Mississippians are the first to be honored by Mississippi State University for lifetime and continuing contributions to education.
Presented by MSU's College of Education, the 1998 Circle of Excellence awards recognize accomplishments in a range of school-related activities at all levels.
"In his or her own way, each of these dedicated individuals has made a major effort to support the achievements of students, teachers and administrators in their pursuit of classroom excellence," said Dean William H. Graves. "A purpose of these new awards is to bring a measure of recognition to the work they have done to achieve this goal."
Sen. Grey Ferris of Vicksburg, chair of the Senate Education Committee, was both a Circle of Excellence honoree and keynote speaker for the campus awards ceremony.
Others receiving crystal glass apples mounted on engraved glass were (by hometown):
BELDEN-Kim Fandel of the Tupelo School District.
CLINTON-Retired teacher Jean Prather and Van Quick, vice president for student affairs at Mississippi College.
COLUMBUS-Nancy J. MacNeil of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science.
HATTIESBURG-Larry Dickens, youth leader for the Boys' and Girls' clubs.
JACKSON-Sister Marion Mordica of the Religious Society of Mary.
MERIDIAN-Ronne Shumaker of the Meridian Public Schools.
OXFORD-John Jordan, superintendent of the Oxford School District.
RIENZI-Rep. William J. "Billy" McCoy, chair of House of Representatives Education Committee.
STARKVILLE-June Barnett of the Starkville School District; former school board member Mary Bell; Jack Blendinger, MSU professor of educational leadership; Dan Camp, school district board member; retired teacher Carrie Hawkins; Merrill Hawkins, MSU dean of education; Glen Hendren, MSU professor of counselor education and director of the rehabilitation counseling program; retired teacher Eleanor G. McEwen; Patti Permenter of the Starkville School District; Mississippi Teacher of the Year Tina F. Scholtes of the Starkville School District; Kent Sills, MSU director of bands and associate professor of music education; retired guidance counselor Betty Templeton; Earl W. Terrell, retired MSU professor of industrial education; and Ed Thomas, retired MSU professor of industrial education and research director for the Research and Curriculum Unit.
WEST POINT-Donna Davis, teacher and member of the state Board of Education; and retired teacher Nita Keys.