Sign dedication, brunch honor MC’s major Bicentennial Celebration supporters

After the sign unveiling, members of the MC Board of Trustees, the MC Bicentennial Committee, and MC faculty and staff pause for a photo in front of Alumni Hall.

As members of the Mississippi College Board of Trustees, the MC Bicentennial Committee, and MC faculty and staff gathered near the entrance to Alumni Hall on Feb. 13, MC President Blake Thompson unveiled a permanent sign acknowledging the generous support of those who have helped ensure the success of the Christian University’s Bicentennial Celebration.

Among those listed on the sign are co-chairs Robert Holland ’68, ’70 and Marsha Fleming Holland ’69, and Ellis Liddell ‘80 and Theresa Ellis Liddell; leaders Bill Arnold ’69 and Margaret Hale Arnold ‘69, J.B. Brown Jr. ’79, Colin Maloney ’86, Steve Rachel ’76, ’77, Dr. Lloyd E. Roberts and Rowland Roberts ’80, ’86, and Dale Touchstone ’79 and Beth Touchstone; and committee members Randall Miller ’11 and Katherine Miller, Christopher Sullivan ’13 and Kelsey Sullivan ’12, and Eliott Vines ’06, ’07 and Heather Vines ’08.

During the brunch that followed, Turcotte, MC vice president and special assistant to the president, recognized members of the Bicentennial Celebration Committee and Bicentennial Working Group and their efforts to make MC’s Bicentennial Celebration a success.

"I am immensely grateful for the contributions of the MC Bicentennial Celebration Committee, the MC Bicentennial Working Group, and many other MC faculty, staff and student volunteers who have been the driving force behind our celebration activities," Turcotte said. "I appreciate each of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Katrina Pace, chief executive officer of the MC Foundation, said MC’s donors play an instrumental role in sustaining the institution’s vision of academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.

“Their support allows us to invest in what truly matters: our people, programs and long-term vision,” Pace said. “They strengthen our financial stability and ensure that we can continue to serve our community with excellence for the next 200 years.”

Liddell closed the brunch by encouraging the committee members to continue telling the story of Mississippi College throughout its bicentennial year and beyond.

“There’s a certain culture that we have as a result of who we are and how we grew up here,” Liddell said. “We must take that culture and share it with the rest of the world. This college has a purpose, and that’s what makes Mississippi College special.”