MC School of Education Staff Member Shirley Tipton Receives Doc Quick Award

Shirley Tipton

For nearly a decade, Shirley Tipton has faithfully served faculty, staff, students and visitors at Mississippi College’s School of Education.

For going well beyond the call of duty as executive secretary in the office of School of Education Dean Don Locke, Tipton is the newest recipient of the university’s Van “Doc” Quick Outstanding Staff Award.

The go-to person for information at Lowrey Hall, Tipton wears many hats at Mississippi College after a stellar career with the state of Mississippi serving people with disabilities. She assumed a major responsibility for the dyslexia therapy program when it was added to the Christian university’s curriculum.

Last fall, Tipton represented MC as she fielded questions about the university’s dyslexia therapy program when appearing before the Mississippi House Education Committee at the Capitol.

Over the years, the Mississippian has been a tireless advocate for services for dyslexic students in the Magnolia State.

A 1987 Mississippi College graduate, Tipton “is the personification of Christian values and principles,” Locke said. “Faculty from several departments stop by daily to touch base with her because they know she genuinely cares about them and their families.”

The Clinton resident is “one of the quality folks that make Mississippi College a very special place,” Locke said.

The Doc Quick Award is named for the retired and well-respected MC administrator from Clinton. Quick is a terrific storyteller and a walking encyclopedia of information about his alma mater.

The honor is a great fit for Tipton. She typically works with a smile on her face while helping members of the MC family with a steady flow of information requests or tackling other duties.

Receiving the outstanding staff award puts Tipton in solid company with dedicated MC people like Linda Taylor, Cindy Hampton and Jeannie Lane. “I’m in awe of getting this award with these others,” she said.

The School of Education staff member said she was surprised to receive the honor during the university’s May 11 commencement at the A.E. Wood Coliseum. The honor includes a monetary award, and an inscription on a permanent plaque that’s prominently displayed on the Clinton campus.

“I’m fully convinced that God sent me here,” Tipton said. “I enjoy being at a Christian university.”

Tipton, who grew up in Jackson, worked for the state’s vocational rehabilitation program and was active with the Mississippi Coalition of Citizens for Disabilities. She’s written grants to help people with learning disabilities.

A former student at the University of Mississippi, Tipton kept plugging away for years before finally earning her MC degree, while working full-time as a state employee.

Tipton has a heart for helping others that’s part of her family’s DNA. Her father worked as a volunteer for the Mississippi Society to Prevent Blindness.

Tipton’s talents have been utilized on vital university committees. She served as the staff representative on the Quality Enhancement Plan Steering Committee. It was a key part of Mississippi College’s successful reaffirmation of its academic programs with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools giving its approval in December 2012. Based in Georgia, SACS first granted accreditation to MC in 1922.

Her life isn’t spent entirely at Mississippi College. The Clintonian is a member of Parkway Baptist Church. In her spare time, the MC graduate enjoys quilting and needlework.

Traveling is another one of her passions. During one of the university’s spring breaks, Tipton toured Italy. But overseas trips can also bring on pretty scary moments. In Greece, Tipton climbed to the top of a steep mountain, but was afraid to get down on her own. Mississippi College English professor David Miller deserves the credit, Tipton said, for “saving my life” when he helped her make the long climb down the slopes.

Miller and Tipton were both recognized at Mississippi College’s spring 2013 commencement ceremonies at the Golden Dome. Miller was honored as the university’s distinguished professor of the year.