Awards & Recognition

The Alumni Association recognizes outstanding service and dedication to MC, professional achievement, and leadership through our Recognition Programs. Working with each academic department on campus, graduates are selected for the Departmental Alumnus of the Year and recognized at the annual Alumni Association Meeting and Awards Dinner during Homecoming.  Also recognized at Homecoming are our four major award recipients selected by the National Alumni Association. 

Alumnus of the Year

Each year, the National Alumni Association recognizes the National Alumnus of the Year.  This award honors Mississippi College and Hillman College men and women who have rendered distinguished service to their college, church, and community and makes the award one greatly to be prized. It expresses recognition and gratitude. Mere prominence is not the criterion. The award is limited to those who, through a long period of years, have worked with marked intelligence and success to promote the highest interests of Mississippi College and their home communities.

President emeritus of the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board, Dr. Rankin is a 1964 MC graduate.

Dr. Jerry Rankin, '64


Young Alumnus of the Year

Each year, the National Alumni Association recognizes the National Young Alumnus of the Year. This award honors Mississippi College men and women who have rendered distinguished service to their college, church, and community and makes the award one greatly to be prized. It expresses recognition and gratitude. Mere prominence is not the criterion. The award is limited to those who, through a long period of years, have worked with marked intelligence and success to promote the highest interests of Mississippi College and their home communities. This candidate must be 40 years of age or younger.

Insurance executive Scott Elliot earned degrees from MC in '05 and '07

Scott Elliot, '05, '07


Order of the Golden Arrow

Each year, the National Alumni Association recognizes the Order of the Golden Arrow Award.  This award honors those individuals, alumni or friends of the college, who have made outstanding personal or professional achievements in their professions, businesses or careers. It recognizes outstanding professional achievement, exceptional performance or leadership beyond the ordinary. The basic criterion is performance and prominence.  It is intended that this award be correlative with the Alumnus-of-the-Year Award which recognizes primarily service to the college through the role of the alumnus.

Andy Taggart, MC Class of 1979

Andy Taggart, '79


Award of Excellence

Each year, the National Alumni Association recognizes the Award of Excellence.  This award honors men and women who have rendered distinguished service to Mississippi College and makes the award one greatly to be prized. It expresses recognition and gratitude. Mere prominence is not the criterion. The award is limited to those who, through a long period of years, have worked with marked intelligence and success to promote the highest interests of Mississippi College. This recipient may not hold a degree from Mississippi College.

Business leaders Percy Thornton and Thomas Colbert

Percy Thornton and Thomas Colbert, '62


Award of Service

This award is intended to recognize alumni(a) who have demonstrated extraordinary service to MC students.  Recipients will be known best by their love and support for MC students. The Alumni Board should request input from the administration for nominees.

Mike Jones ’75, ’77

Mike Jones '75, '77,