Reception honors MC retirees, employees with landmark years of service

B.J. Owens and Jeannie Lane are among more than 40 MC employees honored during the 2026 Faculty and Staff Retirement and Years of Service Celebration April 30.

Upon receiving her Bachelor of Science in Education from Mississippi College in 1981, Jeannie Lane was busily applying for teaching jobs when Edward L. McMillan, then-dean of Graduate Studies at MC for whom she had worked as an undergraduate, made a recommendation.

“Dr. Mac asked me to stay at MC and work on my master’s degree until I could find the teaching job I wanted,” Lane recalled.

She’ll never know if that teaching job would have ever materialized, because Lane never left MC. Forty-five years later, she is retiring as assistant registrar for graduate student issues.

Billie Joe (B.J.) Owens was working construction jobs in the mid-‘80s when Bob Lilly, then a housekeeping supervisor at MC, asked what his plans were for the winter.

“He knew we didn’t work much in the winter,” Owens said. “Bob said, ‘Come to MC, we might have something you can do.’”

The Edwards resident has been at the Christian University ever since.

Lane and Owens are among more than 40 MC employees who will be honored during the 2026 Faculty and Staff Retirement and Years of Service Celebration, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, in Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center.

The event will include a reception and program that will recognize those retiring from MC, like Lane, and their colleagues who have achieved milestone employment years at MC, like Owens.

Other retirees to be recognized during the event include Carol J. Lee, professor of kinesiology (37 years), Penny L. McNair, assistant professor of kinesiology (32 years), Thomas W. Bennet, professor of computer science (30 years), Ivan Parke, professor of Christian studies (27 years), Shirley T. Kennedy, clinical professor of law (23 years), Hope Smith, circulation assistant in the library (22 years), Ellen Little, enterprise application analyst IV in information technology (20 years), Donna Smith, director of the Office of Human Resources (20 years), Amy Rowan, executive assistant in the Office of General Counsel (19 years), Randy Jolly, director of the Gore Art Gallery (18 years), Sue Caldwell, administrative assistant to the dean and biology (11 years), Debra Mixon, fleet management office manager in campus operations (11 years), Godfrey Garner, assistant professor of administration of justice (10 years), and Michael Gill, security office in public safety (10 years).

Employees being recognized for their years of service to the institution include Billie Owens, stockroom supervisor (40 years); David Miller, professor of English and philosophy, and Phillip McIntosh, professor of law (35 years); Thomas W. Bennet, professor of computer science; David Graves, IT security officer and network manager, Susan Musselwhite, deputy athletic director for internal operations, and Mary Nicholas, assistant professor of social work (30 years); Sandra Ball, housekeeper, and Cindy Melton, professor of teacher education and leadership (25 years); Shari Barnes, director of afterschool programs in Christian Development, Gena McBrain, payroll administrator, and Michael Wright, dean of enrollment services (20 years); Frank R. Hensley, professor of biological sciences, Adam Johnson, women’s soccer assistant coach, Kristi Melancon, professor of English and philosophy, Billy Morehead, professor of accountancy, David Neelley, IT support manager, Angela Riggs, assistant bursar, and Lingshan Song, instructor in Chinese and director of the Writing Center (15 years); and Charles Beauchamp, professor of finance, Michelle Beauchamp, professor of marketing, Annita Bennett, assistant director of financial aid, Kevin Burns, professor of mathematics, Jake Busby, web developer, Stephen Coleman, systems librarian, Patrick Connelly, department chair and associate professor of history and political science, Charles Ghany, associate professor of engineering, computer science and physics, Megan Pritchett, registrar and director of student success data, Keith Randazzo, assistant provost for academic innovation and director of the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Gregory Travis, security officer, Kaitlin Turcotte, director of recruitment, Michael Warren, director of public safety, and Lindy Wilkinson, coordinator of class schedules.

But none of this year’s honorees has served MC longer than Lane, who is highly regarded by faculty, staff and students.

“Dr. Jeannie Lane has meant a great deal to the MC family,” Randazzo said. “For many years, she helped lead and support the graduate school with care, dedication and wisdom. Whether she was helping a student celebrate an approved thesis or walking with someone through the difficulty of academic probation, she always showed Christ by being fair, kind and compassionate.

“She has been a mentor, a friend, a steady source of encouragement, and someone who would always brighten the office with her smile and positive spirit. She made people feel seen, valued, and cared for, and her knowledge and love for the institution have made a lasting difference.”

Lane obtained her M.Ed. in school counseling from Mississippi College and her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Mississippi. She began her career at MC as a secretary in the graduate school, then assistant to the vice president and graduate dean. Upon completing her Ph.D., she was named assistant graduate dean, a title she held for 14 years before moving to the Registrar’s Office last year.

She served on several Southern Association of Colleges and Schools teams, helping to prepare for site reaccreditation visits, and helped with events hosted on campus. Lane is also a past recipient of the Van “Doc” Quick Distinguished Staff Award.

Lane started the Musselwhite Fund for students participating in the annual Graduate Research Forum and supported MC Baseball, the campus Food Pantry, the Department of English and Modern Languages, and several campus donation drives.

“I give in memory of faculty, staff and students who have passed away,” she said, “so that they are remembered one more time.”

Lane plans to remain in Clinton and stay involved with MC.

Owens began his MC career delivering packages and mail from the MC campus to the Clinton post office.

Roe Grubbs, executive director of operations in the Department of Facility and Plant Management at MC, said Owens “has embodied the pinnacle of professional dedication and unwavering consistency” since joining the general service crew in 1985.

“Transitioning to stock room clerk in 2002 and subsequently to stockroom manager in 2008, he has ensured the seamless operation of our delivery and receiving infrastructure,” Grubbs said. “Beyond his technical proficiency, B.J. is cherished as a prayer warrior whose infectious positivity remains steadfast, regardless of external circumstances.

“His legacy is one of quiet excellence, serving as a foundational pillar for Campus Operations and an inspiration to all who work alongside him.”

Owens said he believes his 40-year tenure at MC “has been orchestrated by God.”

“As Jeremiah 29:11 states, ‘For I know the plan I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”