African American Studies’ bicentennial panel featuring alumni set for Feb. 12

Six accomplished alumni of Mississippi College will celebrate the significant contributions African American students have made to the Christian University during a bicentennial panel discussion, “Success Starts at Mississippi College,” scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Entergy Theater at MC’s Gore Arts Complex.

Sponsored by MC’s African American Studies department, the discussion will be hosted by Ellis Liddell ’80, CCO/president of the ELE Family of Companies of Southfield, Michigan, and co-chair of MC’s Bicentennial Committee.

Kristi Melancon, MC chair and professor of English and philosophy, said the goal of the discussion will be to share stories, many of which have not been heard before.

“MC's history, like all history, is multi-layered and varied,” said Melancon, codirector of MC’s African American Studies program. “The alumni on the panel are passionate about networking with and mentoring students of color on our campus today.

“Students need to see themselves represented in their future professions and careers.”

Liddell said the panelists will discuss the Christian values the University reinforced while they were students and the role faith has played in their success.

“Attendees will be able to see within us the same role that God plays in their lives,” he said. “We’re a Christian university, so what better stage than this to showcase how faith has played itself out in our lives. We are all interconnected to faith.”

Panelists will include Larry Myricks ’79, a four-time Olympian, two-time World Cup champion and two-time World Indoor Champion in the long jump; Maggie Wade ’20 (honorary), an Emmy-nominated news anchor at WLBT-TV in Jackson; Regina Schofield ’83, director of corporate engagement and education outreach for Battelle Education and former U.S. attorney general for the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice; Camryn Johnson ’22, a mathematics teacher at Northwest Rankin High School and co-founder of MC’s Multicultural Student Association; and Aaron Feazelle ’20, director of finance for football at the University of Oklahoma.

“I want the students in attendance to know that they’re watching people on stage who achieved success because of the foundation they received at Mississippi College,” Liddell said.

Preceding the panel will be a “Meet and Greet” at 6 p.m. with some of MC’s first African American graduates, including Calvin Holmes ’75, Willie Price ’75, Linda Tolliver ’75, ’85 and Sammie Blackmon ’74, ’79.

“This will be an opportunity to welcome those Black students back to the campus and for them to feel like this is their campus, too,” Liddell said.

“I want everyone to feel welcome. This is your institution. This is your University. You can’t separate Mississippi College from your history, and Mississippi College cannot separate us from its history.”

The African American Studies’ spring lecture is a popular event on campus. It draws a significant audience that includes local community members and students from Clinton High School, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Millsaps College and Hinds Community College, among other academic institutions.

Christian Pinnen, MC associate professor of history and political science, said attendees will be entertained by the discussion.

“Audience members will learn new perspectives and meet individuals with incredible stories to share from across our 200 years,” said Pinnen, codirector of MC’s African American Studies program.

Liddell said he wants all MC graduates to be as passionate about supporting his alma mater as he is. He considers “Success Starts at Mississippi College” to be more than a slogan; for him, it’s a truth.

“Because MC gave me so much, I wanted to give something back to the school just to say ‘Thank you,’” he said. “Many students leave the school and forget about the foundation that MC built, the relationships that were made, and the friendships that were nurtured at MC. For me, MC is home. It’s where it all began, and it’s where you go back for fulfillment.

“We’re stronger together, and the whole idea behind this panel is to hammer that point home to everyone at MC.”