Contact: Bob Ratliff
Twenty Mississippians are being honored by Mississippi State for lifetime and continuing contributions to education.
Presented by the university's College of Education, the 2000-2001 Circle of Excellence awards recognizes accomplishments in a range of school-related activities at all levels.
First given in 1998, the awards "recognize the dedication of outstanding individuals in their support of classroom excellence by students, teachers and administrators," said Dean William H. Graves.
"The recipients have achieved that goal in a variety of ways and in positions ranging from early childhood education to state-level administration," Graves added.
Each honoree receives a mounted crystal apple and individual recognition at a campus banquet. In addition, their names are added to a plaque prominently displayed in the dean's office in Allen Hall.
Circle of Excellence Award winners for the 2000-01 school year include (by hometown):
ACKERMAN-Deanie Graves, kindergarten teacher at Ackerman Elementary School.
COLUMBUS-Debbie McLaurin, kindergarten teacher and grant writer at Sale Elementary.
JACKSON-Harvey Lewis, retired dean of MSU's College of Business and Industry; Superintendent of Jackson Public Schools Jayne Sargent; and Rowan Taylor, chairman of the State Board of Education.
LEXINGTON-Holmes Community College president Starkey Morgan.
STARKVILLE-Bobby Gann, director of the Golden Triangle Area Agency on Aging; Early Childhood Institute director Cathy Grace; Joel Harrison, MSU music education professor and Mississippi Piano Showcase director; Billie Lane Hood, counselor and chair of Starkville High School's department of counseling; Kay C. Krans, Starkville High School social studies teacher and lecturer in MSU's curriculum and instruction department; Brenda Koenig, speech/language pathologist at Sudduth Elementary School; Fenton Peters, retired Starkville and Holly Springs public school administrator; MSU assistant professor of history Clifford Ryan; Glenda Walker, special education teacher at Sturgis Attendance Center; and Kathryn and Thomas Wasson, retired faculty members of MSU's music education department.
TUPELO-The late Norma Jean Whiteside, a longtime leader in the Tupelo First United Methodist Church nursery program.
WEST POINT-Walker Burgess, former West Point educator and federal programs director for the state Department of Education; Claire Craig, public relations coordinator and grant writer for the West Point School District; and Lewise [cq] Jackson, WPSD life skills teacher.