Smoke Over Mississippi Book Signing Set for Mississippi College Homecoming

Judy and Oren Renick

Author Oren Renick will sign copies of his book, “Smoke Over Mississippi” at Mississippi College’s 2016 Homecoming in Clinton.

A 1966 MC graduate, Renick will visit MC’s Leland Speed Library lobby between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday October 15.

Renick penned the fact-filled book about Rev. William Penn Davis, a white Mississippi pastor who preached racial reconciliation following the burning of black churches in the Magnolia State in the 1960s. The book is based on the author’s interviews with Davis, his mentor, as well as the diaries of the minister during the Civil Rights Era upheaval.

Rev. Davis is a Mississippi College graduate who promoted racial unity and showed courage as a leader with the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Davis took risks as the driving force behind the creation of the Committee of Concern in Jackson. The group helped rebuild dozens of black churches. The preacher’s aim was to stamp out the flames of racial hatred across the South.

A professor in the School of Health Administration at Texas State University, San Marcos, Renick will be a guest lecturer at MC’s Christian Studies classes on October 14. “Smoke Across Mississippi” is being used by students in their classes on the Clinton campus this fall.

Renick and his wife, Judy, are both Mississippi natives and Mississippi College graduates. The Texas couple will also attend Thursday night’s meeting of the Christian university’s 50 Year Club at Anderson Hall, one of the 2016 Homecoming’s signature events.

The author’s appearance at the library along College Street should appeal to supporters of the Blue & Gold, church leaders and book patrons across metro Jackson.

“We welcome Dr. Renick as one of our featured authors,” said Leland Speed Library Director Kathleen Hutchison.

Published last year by Insight Press of Louisiana, Renick’s book was featured at the 2016 Mississippi Book Festival at the Capitol on August 20.

Renick also plugged his book at a recent lecture sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Archives & History in Jackson. Audience members that day included former Gov. William Winter and former Secretary of State Dick Molpus, both leaders with a lengthy record of fostering racial harmony across Mississippi.

Mississippi College supporters this Saturday morning will get the opportunity to meet another prominent MC graduate at the Leland Speed Library.

Award-winning artist Wyatt Waters of Clinton will sign copies of his 2017 calendar featuring his creative watercolor works. Copies of the unique calendar are also available at the Wyatt Waters Gallery in Olde Towne Clinton. The 10 a.m. gathering at the Gore Gallery celebrates the many achievements of the 2016 Department of Art Distinguished Alumnus.

Bringing tasty finger foods and delicious treats, librarians organized a reception for visitors at the Gore Gallery starting at 10 a.m. The events showcasing Oren Renick and Wyatt Waters are free and open to the public.

For more information on the MC Homecoming, contact Lori Bobo of the Alumni Affairs Office at 601-925-3252 or lbobo@mc.edu