Don Locke Named Order of the Golden Arrow Winner at Mississippi College

Don Locke

Don Locke constantly strives to bring national recognition to Mississippi College as dean of the School of Education.

In many ways, the 1963 MC graduate exceeded expectations as dean the past 17 years. And his alma mater is taking notice. The Clinton resident will be spotlighted as co-recipient of Mississippi College’s Order of the Golden Arrow Award at MC’s Homecoming dinner on October 23.

The annual Order of the Golden Arrow Award showcases people with outstanding professional achievements and extraordinary leadership abilities.

During Locke’s tenure, Mississippi College successfully launched new doctorates in educational leadership and professional counseling. MC’s master’s in dyslexia therapy is considered among the nation’s best programs. In addition, School of Education enrollment remains the biggest on the Clinton campus with nearly 1,300 students. Department of Kinesiology enrollment is booming.

The former president of the American Counseling Association in 2011-2012, Locke is delighted to join the list of remarkable Order of the Golden Arrow winners.

Receiving this award, he said, “causes emotions that can only be understood by MC graduates who truly love this institution and cherish each and every memory they have” of their association with the Blue and Gold.

The founder and first director of the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Locke returned to the Magnolia State in 1998 to serve as MC School of Education dean. He’s been an active leader in state and national counseling organizations for more than a half-century.

His notable list of achievements make him the perfect choice for the Order of the Golden Arrow, says longtime friend Jimmy Morrison.

“His vision and leadership have been rewarded with high accomplishments for the School of Education and the university,” says Morrison, a 1964 MC graduate.

A certified financial planner from Madison County, Morrison is pretty familiar with the Golden Arrow award. He was named a co-recipient in 2013 along with Harvard psychology professor Dr. John R. Weisz.

Locke’s leadership skills were developed during his undergraduate days on the Clinton campus in the early 1960s. He was active in Circle K, performed in student musical productions like “Oklahoma” and was elected to the Student Senate. “His college experience prepared him well for a career of service and educational excellence,” Morrison said.

Locke also stayed active in the Baptist Student Union at Mississippi College. His walk with God remains strong today. He’s a deacon and member of the Long Range Planning Committee at First Baptist Church Clinton.

Early in their careers, Morrison and Locke worked as educators in the Jackson Public Schools.

After receiving his master’s in guidance at Mississippi College in 1964, Locke served as a high school counselor. The former Murrah High tennis coach led his team to a state championship. He earned his doctorate at the University of Mississippi.

Following his rise to prominence as a professor and associate dean at UL Monroe since 1969, Locke accepted the offer to give back to Mississippi College as the School of Education dean.

“The opportunity to not only attend Mississippi College, but to return and have the opportunity to serve on the faculty and administration was the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition.”

The son of Army Colonel R.A. Locke, Don Locke was born in El Paso, Texas. Due to his dad’s military career, he lived all over – from Texas to New Mexico to Germany. Don attended 13 elementary schools.

Dean Locke and his wife, Judy, are Clinton residents. They have two children, Mark and Laura, and three grandchildren, Grace, Meredith and Cannon. As for hobbies, Locke is a former avid rose grower and rose show judge. His massive baseball card collection tops 100,000, including Hall of Famers like Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams.

Locke will share the Order of the Golden Arrow Award with Mark H. Wright of the MC Class of 1968. Award winners will be recognized at a 2015 Homecoming Dinner at Anderson Hall that Friday evening beginning at 6 p.m. For details, call 601-925-3252.