Five Distinguished Mississippi College Educators Receive Professor Emeritus Status

Dr. Samuel M. Gore, retired Mississippi College Art Department chairman, is flanked by his daughter, Dr. Judy Gearhart, and Finis Calvert, a past president of the MC Alumni Association,at a luncheon Friday on the Clinton campus.A Clinton resident, Gore joined four other distinguished MC educators awarded the honorary status of Professor Emeritus at the university's August 19 convocation at Swor Auditorium. MC is celebrating its 190th anniversary.

Serving Mississippi College as a distinguished art professor for more than six decades, Sam Gore received another top honor at his alma mater on Friday.

An internationally recognized sculptor, Gore was among five extraordinary educators receiving the honorary title of Professor Emeritus during convocation ceremonies.

While retired as MC Art Department chairman, Gore continues to teach one sculpting class on the Clinton campus.

On Saturday, the beloved Clinton resident received one more honor. The Mississippian joined photojournalist Barbara Gauntt as guests at the Mississippi Book Festival at the Capitol in Jackson. More than 150 authors were invited to the August 20 event that was featured on C-Span and other media.

Published by University Press of Mississippi, Gauntt’s new book “Samuel M. Gore: Blessed With Tired Hands” has been well-received in arts communities across the Magnolia State and beyond.

The title of Professor Emeritus goes to a retired Mississippi College faculty member making a significant contribution to the Christian university. It is given to showcase a long and distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, research and service.

A 1952 MC graduate, Gore boasts a sea of admirers who love his Christian art works, his servant’s heart and strong devotion to his faith. His magnificent sculptures are prominently displayed on the main campus in Clinton, at the Mississippi College School of Law, at churches, hospitals and museums.

Dr. Gore is in good company. Other Professor Emeritus recipients are: MC retirees Buddy Wagner, John McMath, Mary Jean Padgett and Lee Harding.

A psychology professor, Wagner headed the Baptist-affiliated university’s counseling center. The Clinton resident and MC graduate is an expert on the use of hypnosis. McMath retired as a math professor, but continues to serve in his tenth season as MC’s golf coach.

Among the first graduates of the initial class at the MC School of Nursing in 1973, Padgett served for two decades as the university’s nursing dean. She retired more than a year ago. Harding worked as an award-winning English professor on the Clinton campus for more than two decades.

Graduate School Dean Debbie Norris says all five professors are wonderful choices for this latest honor.

“All five have multiple accomplishments, are very deserving, and exhibit the vision of Mississippi College,” Norris said.

Add up all their experience, and the five educators invested 160 years of service at Mississippi College. It’s an average of 32 years each. The professors clearly show, Norris said, that Mississippi College “is such a great place to invest your life.”