Judge Henry Lackey, MC Alumnus of the Year
Judge Lackey (right) reminises with longtime friend "Doc" Quick about their years as MC students.
"I feel unworthy," Lackey says after the honor recently came his way. The circuit court judge from Calhoun City is just being modest.
Many others in Mississippi College circles believe Lackey is truly deserving of the award he will receive during a Homecoming luncheon on the MC campus Oct. 31. And they have the facts on their side.
The awards for the 75-year-old Lackey, a 1956 business administration graduate from MC, are too numerous to mention.
The 1966 Ole Miss law graduate has been a distinguished member of the Mississippi Bar for 43 years. He's served with distinction as circuit judge in the Third Circuit District of North Mississippi the past 16 years. The former MC trustee presently serves as chairman of the Commission on Judicial Performance. In 2008, he was honored as the recipient of the Mississippi Supreme Court's Chief Justice Award.
Lackey would rather talk about his memorable MC days back in the 1950s instead of the honors he's racked up. As a student, he was active in the MC drama club and debate team. He landed a speaking part in the MC production of "The Taming of the Shrew," on the Clinton campus. Lackey credits professors Hollis and Julia Todd, then both working in the speech department, for "recognizing how green I was and taking me under their wing. I owe them a debt of gratitude.''
Longtime friends like Van "Doc" Quick, a retired MC administrator, say Lackey's a very special fellow to many faithful MC Choctaws. "Nobody deserves as much as this guy," Quick said when he and Lackey got together on a bench in front of Nelson Hall."This man deserves alumnus of the year.''
A 1955 MC alumnus who lives in Clinton and is a walking encyclopedia of MC knowledge, Quick recalled the old days hanging out with Lackey. "We were classmates who ran around the Quad.''
Lackey didn't dispute his friend's assessment. "We had a good time.''
The Mississippi judge was also a hard worker for most of his life.
A 1952 Calhoun City High graduate, Lackey worked at the family's business, the Ben Franklin five and ten-cent store in Calhoun City after getting his MC degree in 1956. He returned home to run the business after his father died. He served in the U.S. Army in 1961-62. In 1966, Lackey was elected Calhoun County prosecuting attorney. And after that four-year term, he accepted an appointment for a year as the state's first public defender.
During his career, the Mississippian worked at his law office in his native Calhoun City for 26 years before he was appointed to fill a vacancy as a circuit judge by Gov. Kirk Fordice in 1993. Lackey's been re-elected without opposition ever since.
When he's not working in the legal community, Lackey is a busy family man. He and his wife, Helen, a former public school music teacher, have one son, Kevin, who is director of the Administrative Office of Courts in Jackson.
Mississippi College was located a few hours ride from his native Calhoun City, but he knew about the Baptist college growing up in Mississippi. Two of his cousins were students at MC back in the 1950s and their sales pitch won him over.
Today, Lackey said he's not decided whether he will run for re-election as a circuit judge. "The people have been so good to me. I've had a mighty good run. The Lord's been good to me.''
So has Mississippi College. "It's a treat to come back," Lackey said. He's always working to promote his alma mater and the legal profession. During an early September visit on campus, Lackey spoke briefly with freshman Andrew Majeste, 18, of New Orleans. Majeste has expressed an interest in attending law school in a few years.
Lackey told the young man to give him a call if he decides to pursue a legal career.
During Homecoming from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1, Lackey will join dozens of other MC graduates recognized with alumni awards from MC's various schools - from the School of Business to the School of Law. Academic departments from all over the Clinton campus will also recognize outstanding MC graduates.
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