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Kerri Jordan Named Mississippi College Professor of the Year


Mentoring students, working with the Writing Center and volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, Kerri Jordan is invaluable on and off the Mississippi College campus.

For her lengthy academic achievements since rejoining the English department at her alma mater eight years ago, Jordan was recently recognized as MC's Distinguished Professor of the Year for 2010.

“Dr. Jordan personifies the very high qualities of teaching, scholarship and service - qualities that are most valued by the faculty of Mississippi College,” says Ron Howard, vice president for academic affairs.

Her model of teaching focuses on one-on-one or small group conferences that “invest many hours of extra effort for the sake of student learning,” Howard noted.

A 1997 Mississippi College graduate with a triple major in English, history and modern languages, the Brandon resident earned a Master of Arts degree in English at MC, and received her doctorate in English at Louisiana State University.

Jonathan Randle, interim chairman of the English department, commends Jordan's classroom skills and other accomplishments in academe.

“Dr. Jordan is an inspiring colleague and a motivating classroom instructor,” he said. “She truly cares for the intellectual development of her students, and she is recognized both on campus and abroad as a leader in her discipline. MC is very fortunate to have her.”

Jordan has proven herself as a leader in the development of the popular writing track in the English major, and serves on key university committees. She has served as director of the MC Writing Center. Away from the Clinton campus, she volunteers with a horse riding center for people with disabilities.

And, among other things, the assistant professor of English is involved in local tutoring efforts for children and in animal rescue associations. She serves on the executive board of the Mississippi Writing Centers Association which she co-founded in 2004 and has been a leader with MC's English Graduate Teaching Assistant Program.

Jordan's “contributions to both the English department and the university as a whole have helped create an elevated learning environment for our students,” Randle said.

At graduation ceremonies earlier this month, Mississippi College leaders announced another major award. Cynda Golden, the university's head cashier, was named the school's staff member of the year. Golden, who works in the bursar's office in Nelson Hall, has served the Christian university for 30 years.

A Tennessee native, Golden is a Clinton resident.

“She's a great choice,” said Sherry Bobo, MC's campus coordinator for scheduling who's served with her for three decades. Words like “sweet” and “loyal” fit Golden very well, she said.

MC leaders, including President Lee Royce, and Steve Stanford, vice president for administration and government relations, later stopped by Golden's office to extend their congratulations.