MC Instructor Named Outstanding Volunteer
When Mississippi Blood Services arrived on the Clinton campus for a blood drive in the spring of 1976, Mummert signed up as an MC undergraduate and he's not stopped giving.
"I don't have a lot of money so I don't donate that way to causes," the 51-year-old Clinton resident and small business owner said Tuesday. For his hundreds of donations to help hospital patients, Goodwill Industries of Mississippi recognized Mummert as one of the Jackson area's outstanding volunteers in 2008.
An adjunct instructor in the MC Department of Art and owner of RiverWorks, a graphic design company, Mummert will join a dozen other volunteers to be honored at the Country Club of Jackson Thursday night.Ten are adults and three are students.
Community service, is well, something in his blood. He is 0-Positive. He estimates he's donated blood 469 times over the past 32 years.
Mummert is hoping his award this week will spur others to give blood. "Fifty percent of the population can do it," he said of national statistics backed up by Mississippi Blood Services. "But only 4 percent do it."
Mummert is not paid a penny by Mississippi Blood Services for his donations of blood platelets nearly every other week. It takes a couple of hours, but he makes time to visit MBS offices in Flowood 24 times per-year. He really doesn't see a reason to quit. The Clintonian simply feels the urge to help others. "I don't think about it - I just do it."
And he points out the need to donate blood to serve hospital patients jn Mississippi and across the nation "never goes away."
Mississippi Blood Services staffers are always happy to see the MC alumnus walk through the door. "Kent Mummert is a multi-gallon donor, and his dedication is an inspiration to all of us at Mississippi Blood Services," Tony Bahou, MBS Manager of Communications and Public Relations, said. "We hope he realizes the impact he has made, literally, on the lives of hundreds of hospital patients over the years. And while they [blood recipients] may not know him personally, his gift of life truly helps make miracles happen in Mississippi."
MBS supplies blood to 49 hospitals across Mississippi and other medical facilities. Blood is always needed for organ transplants, for cancer patients, accident victims and other medical needs. Testimonials from people receiving heart transplants and other major medical services appear on the non-profit organization's Web site. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Mummert doesn't just help with blood donations. He volunteers with other organizations such as the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. And he's a devoted family man. He and his wife, Denise, who works in the MC registrar's office, are the parents of two sons. Cal is a student at Texas A&M University and Daniel attends the University of Southern Mississippi.
He also loves his alma mater. He received his bachelor's degree from MC in 1979 and in May 2008 was awarded a master's degree with an emphasis in graphic design and photography.
MC colleagues say the community service award is well-deserved.
"He's one of those who keeps quiet and does a lot of good things," said Michael Hataway, MC's graphic design coordinator. "He's just been faithful with his donations over there. It is just unbelievable. He is very involved in his church. He is just a super guy."
At a Baptist-affiliated university that places a high emphasis on community service, he brings strength to his daily labors. Mummert, who holds a black belt, was until recently teaching karate to physical education classes on the Clinton campus.
PHOTO: Kent Mummert
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