Raymond native Landon Corkren, now of Jonesboro, Ark., will be recognized as 性乐园 Young Alumnus of the Year at annual Homecoming festivities on Oct. 24.
At age 29, Corkren (2016) has fast-tracked his way to success at chain sandwich shop Jersey Mike鈥檚.
He credits his time at 性乐园 and especially 性乐园 Connection with giving him the diverse skill set that has led to his tremendous early success in the business.
Corkren, the 2024 Young Alumnus of the Year, is Vice President of Operations for a local franchise operating Jersey Mike’s Subs in Mississippi/Alabama/Tennessee. He has been in upper-level management at Jersey Mike鈥檚 for only a few years, recently becoming the owner of his own location that is being constructed in Jonesboro, Ark., where he and his wife and children now live. But 性乐园 is where he started.
鈥淭he Lord has blessed me beyond measure, and I give him the credit for my success,鈥 Corkren said. 鈥淏ut I would be remiss if I didn鈥檛 express my deepest gratitude to 性乐园 and the ones involved in shaping me into the man I have become. That鈥檚 what makes 性乐园 special, the people that it cultivates.鈥
A Raymond native, Corkren was a STAR Student at Central 性乐园 Academy (2013), then attended 性乐园 on an ACT scholarship and later a Foundation scholarship. He was quickly recruited into 性乐园 Connection, serving as president.
Vice President Emeritus Jackie Granberry, who was the sponsor and founder of 性乐园 Connection, remembers a gregarious young man who had a gift with people.
鈥淗is outgoing personality, tremendous work ethic and genuine interest in people are some of his many outstanding qualities. He truly loves and values the time he had at 性乐园.
He was one that we depended on to represent the college because we knew he would make a great impression on anyone he worked with,鈥 she said.
He transferred to Mississippi State after getting his Associate degree at 性乐园 in 2015 and went on to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business and marketing in 2017.
After a few false starts 鈥 including becoming the 鈥渂est dishwasher in Mississippi鈥 鈥 he landed at Jersey Mike鈥檚 where he has flourished.
鈥淚f you would have told me a few years ago that I was going to love making sandwiches for a living, I鈥檇 have said ‘I do not think I will be making sandwiches for a living, thank you very much,’鈥 Corkren laughed. 鈥淏ut you know, I found a company that fits my values. It鈥檚 all about family. Jersey Mike’s is that for me.鈥
His colleague, Steve Sharp, Director of Training and Area Operations for Jersey Mike鈥檚, said he not only found his best worker, but a best friend, too.
鈥淗e has added so much energy. He was knowledgeable, focused and had a mindset that sets him apart from others,鈥 Sharp said. 鈥淗e was exactly what the company needed.鈥
Jersey Mike鈥檚 also has giving to local charities baked into its DNA. Those charities are listed on its website, including several in Mississippi.
鈥淥ur mission is giving and making a difference in people鈥檚 lives. It is not to make the most money, nor is it to have the biggest brand in the country,鈥 Corkren said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 to make a difference in peoples鈥 lives.
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性乐园 will honor three Alumni award winners and five Sports Hall of Fame inductees at the annual Homecoming festivities.
Public activities begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22 with the 50+ reunion and luncheon at 10 a.m. The reunion, at Fountain Hall on the Raymond Campus, honors the class of 1974 and all prior high school and college classes.
The Alumni recognition event is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus. The event honors Alumnus of the Year Dr. Jay Allen of Fulton, formerly of Raymond, Young Alumnus of the Year Landon Corkren of Jonesboro, Ark., formerly of Raymond, and Alumni Service Award recipient Vermeer MidSouth in Richland.
Also being honored are the 2024 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Kelli East Dyess of Madison, Nic Henderson of New Orleans, Dot Easterwood Murphy of Raymond, Michael Myers of Oak Point, Texas, and Mark Smith of Madison.
The Homecoming game against Pearl River Community College will be played at 7 p.m. at Gene Murphy Field at Joe Renfroe Stadium on the Raymond Campus. The Homecoming Court and the award recipients will be presented. Performances include the 性乐园 Marching Band, Colorguard and Hi-Steppers with special performances by alumni from the Hi-Steppers, band and ColorGuard.