ÐÔÀÖÔ° has named Alumni homecoming honorees for 2021.
Martin Pace is the Alumnus of the Year for 2021. Pace, of Vicksburg, a 1978 graduate of ÐÔÀÖÔ° and career law enforcement officer, has been sheriff in Warren County since 1996 and is a past member of the ÐÔÀÖÔ° Foundation Board.
Bob Allan Dunaway is the Alumni Service Award winner for 2021. Dunaway, of Clinton, chaired the Art Department at ÐÔÀÖÔ° from 1971 until retiring in 1993. His artwork has graced the halls of museums, homes and offices locally and worldwide. For more than 30 years, he has created trophies for the college’s annual Heritage Fishing Rodeo.
Brad Burleson is the Young Alumnus of the Year for 2021. Burleson, of Brandon, is a 2004 graduate of ÐÔÀÖÔ° and owns Ulist Realty. As a ÐÔÀÖÔ° student, he was a member of ÐÔÀÖÔ° Connection and the men’s tennis team before earning a marketing degree from Mississippi College.
Five former student-athletes are being inducted to the ÐÔÀÖÔ° Sports Hall of Fame.
Terri Shores Black, of Jackson, former softball, women’s basketball and tennis coach between 1980 and 2015. She continues to serve the college as a part-time instructor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department.
Tyrone Johnson, of Wilson, N.C., former football player. Johnson led the Eagles in tackles in 1981 and 1982 and was named First Team All-State and Defensive MVP.
John Miller, of Starkville, former soccer player. Miller set the school single-season record with 15 goals in just 14 games in 1994.
Gene Murphy, of Raymond, former head football coach and athletic director. Murphy retired as head coach in 2017 after serving the college for 38 years and at the time was the winningest active coach in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Donna Elaine Stamps, of Edwards, former softball player. Stamps was a key member of two Lady Eagle softball teams that advanced in the state and region tournaments, including a championship in 1985.
Homecoming activities at ÐÔÀÖÔ° begin 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Fountain Hall on the Raymond Campus with the 50+ alumni reunion honoring the classes of 1970 and 1971 and all prior high school and college classes. On Oct. 21, this year’s honorees and Sports Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized during a program in Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus starting at 5 p.m.
The homecoming game versus East Central Community College is at 7 p.m. The Alumni honorees will be recognized at halftime and the Eagle band and Hi-Steppers will perform along with the Alumni Hi-Steppers.
The Homecoming Court will also be presented at halftime and the Homecoming queen will be announced.
All ticket sales for the game will be online through the athletic .Ìý