On brink of retirement, MC Biology administrative assistant receives DBT’s MVP Award
Sue Caldwell was recognized for her 11 years of dedicated service to Mississippi College – along with more than a dozen other MC retirees – during the 2026 Faculty and Staff Retirement and Years of Service Celebration on April 30.
But it wasn’t the final time the administrative assistant to the Biology Department and to the Dean of the School of Science and Math was honored on campus.
MC President Blake Thompson presented his “DBT’s MVP” Award to Caldwell on May 5 in recognition of her willingness to go “above and beyond” for MC students, faculty and her fellow staff members. She received a T-shirt, a parking spot of her choosing on campus for a month, a $50 gift card, a print by internationally celebrated artist Samuel M. Gore, and the right to display a bobblehead of Thompson with his famous golf cart.
Caldwell immediately asked if she could “gift” the parking spot to someone who might need it more. Dr. Christopher Weeks, MC associate professor of biological sciences, said the gesture was in keeping with her selfless nature.
“Sue works harder than most any person I know,” said Weeks, who also serves as director of the MC Honors College. “She persistently juggles the needs of students and faculty members and embodies care and service. She is always willing to help and does so with great skill and diligence.”
“Recently, Sue helped me greatly with responsibilities with the Medical Dental Alumni Association and with the Honors College. The Honors College is not in her job description, but she arranged a catering company, the engraving of awards, and made sure the room was set up for an important event. She has truly been an immense help to me and the whole School of Science and Mathematics.”
Caldwell, who has spent her entire MC career in the Biology Department but assists all departments in the school, said it was a “great honor” to be recognized as a DBT’s MVP.
“I take pleasure when I can help a student or faculty member on an individual level. I love just to hear their simple ‘thank you’ and the relief in their voice when a situation is resolved,” she said.
Raised in Jackson, Caldwell now resides in Hinds County near Raymond. She joined MC in 2010 as a part-time administrative assistant and became a full-time employee four years later.
“I was a stay-at-home mother until my son was 10,” Caldwell said. She worked with Mary Beth Graves, administrative assistant to the Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics and 2016-17 Van “Doc” Quick Staff Award recipient, until Graves’ retirement in 2023.
“I most enjoy working with the Biology faculty. We really are like family. Everyone works well together and truly seems to like each other. They are truly Christian people.
“I also enjoy being ‘lunch buddies’ with Dr. (Beth) Barlow. We have a fondness for food.”
In her spare time, Caldwell remains productive, working in her yard, taking on home projects, or chasing high scores in her favorite online puzzle game. Married for 27 years to her husband, Tony, they enjoy spending time with their son, Wade, and his new bride, Victoria.
When she retires on June 30, Caldwell plans to remain active. She has a few beach trips planned – and possibly an Alaskan cruise – but she’s also looking forward to helping family members with some of their home projects, too. Her sister recently retired, so the siblings plan to ‘pal around’ together as well.
But Caldwell expects she will miss the people at MC the most, even though she’ll share lunch with Barlow whenever she visits Clinton.
“I’ll miss the crazy times in Biology, including throwing marshmallows at Dr. (Ted) Snazelle when he retired and seeing Dr. (Jerry) Reagan in his Superman costume,” she said. “Dr. Courtney Thompson was scared to death by a fake snake sticking out from under her office door. Dr. (Joseph) Kazery loved a good prank or joke.
“Those are the good times I’ll remember.”
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