Linda Taylor Saluted as MC Staff Member of the Year

Linda Taylor

Linda Taylor is one of the Mississippi College heroes who works behind the scenes at Nelson Hall to make the Christian university a special place.

In her 23^rd year at MC, Taylor officially serves as executive assistant to the vice president for academic affairs, but in reality the Clinton resident does much more.

For her faithful service to the university for nearly a quarter-century, Taylor was named the recipient of the Van “Doc” Quick award as the distinguished Mississippi College staff member of the year.

Being a hard worker year-round on the Clinton campus, and a friend to many faculty, staff and students makes Taylor a superb choice for the award, Quick says.

He should know. Taylor once worked on his alumni affairs staff decades ago. “She’s a great choice for the award,” Quick said. “She does a good job – she keeps Ron Howard straight,” he said with a chuckle.

Over the years, Taylor has worked under a series of Mississippi College administrators, including Howard, Johnnie Ruth Hudson, Charles Martin, Bettye Coward, Anita Gowin and Debbie Norris.

Quick is the much-beloved retired MC administrator whose name now appears on the annual staff award. Last year’s first recipient was Jeannie Lane, the administrator who loves rescuing stray cats and works with passion to enhance MC’s Graduate School.

A native of Weir in Choctaw County, Taylor is a Weir High School graduate who attended Holmes Community College.

She originally applied for a post at the MC School of Law in Jackson, but ended up working in external affairs on the main campus under Johnnie Ruth Hudson. The year was 1989, and she’s been working here ever since.

“I’ve had the privilege of working in several departments at Mississippi College with great bosses who inspired and encouraged me,” Taylor says. “MC has given me the opportunity to be part of a Christian institution with staff, students and faculty who care about and prayerfully support each other.”

But colleagues say it’s Taylor who inspires many with her dedicated service each day.

“Linda Taylor to me is one of the most amazing women here at Mississippi College,” says Randi McNamee, a secretary in the Office of Academic Affairs. “She takes on so many roles and still makes time for anyone who needs help with something.”

When McNamee began working at MC, Taylor immediately took her under her wing and always made time to answer her questions. “She is always there for me even when I needed a hug. She is like a second Mom to me,” McNamee said. “She loves her God and her family more than anything in this world.”

Away from the job at Mississippi College, Taylor enjoys working in the yard, and playing with her three grandkids who live in Raymond and Mize.

Taylor's selection for the staffer of the year award received a thumbs up from her current boss, Ron Howard. “Linda Taylor richly deserved this award because of her tireless efforts on behalf of our students, faculty and staff,” he said. “She truly epitomizes the phrase going well beyond the line of duty in every way.”