MCCers credit Hall of Fame inductee Alice James for her contributions
Alice James, center, with Shannon Coleman, DeNay Farrar, Susan Swink, Missy Roberts,
and Sandy Clark, who were once James' students.
For years, Meridian Community College instructor Alice James shared her love of accounting, explaining balance sheets and ledgers, financial statements, assets, expenses, and more. But to her students, she taught more than just numbers, she taught perseverance, confidence, and the power of believing in yourself.
That’s why, when James was recently inducted into the MCC Hall of Fame, it wasn’t just about her decades of teaching. It was about the lives she changed along the way.
James, along with fellow honorees James Carter, Wanda Dixon, and Marmion Francis, was recognized for her contributions during the Hall of Fame ceremony. MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner summed up the moment: “This is a special day, and these are special people.”
“She’s the reason I went into accounting,” said Missy Roberts, now an MCC accounting instructor herself. “Mrs. James was one of those ‘tough but good’ instructors I had at MCC. She had high expectations of us and challenged us to use our brains to find solutions.”
Roberts explained that when she was enrolled in James’ class, “we had a required hour of lab, and I don't mean computer lab. It was all hands-on: pushing paper and pencil. But she gave one-on-one instruction with a lot of patience and care to give all students their very best chance of succeeding,” she said.
Shannon Coleman, now MCC’s Job Placement specialist and WIOA coordinator, knew she wanted to study accounting, but it was James who helped her decide. “She had a passion for teaching, and she made it interesting. She was patient and made sure we ‘got it.’ I’m forever grateful for the impact she made on my career.”
Others, like Susan Swink, executive assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, never imagined themselves in an accounting class. “I was terrified,” Swink said. “I thought accounting was for geniuses, and I didn’t think I could do it. But Mrs. James went through everything, step-by-step with me and she had patience with me.”
Another one of her former students, DeNay Farrar, Medical Office Management Technology Program coordinator and instructor, said James could explain the information so a student could understand. “Accounting was not an ‘easy’ class, and you worked really hard to get an A. Mrs. James was always smiling, and I felt she cared about me as a person and student,” Farrar added.
Sandy Clark, MCC program coordinator and instructor for the Business and Marketing Management Technology Program, noted that though accounting wasn’t a favorite subject, James was among her favorite MCC instructors.
“She was always really caring and helpful and took a lot of time trying to make sure everyone understood, Clark said.
For James, that was always the goal. “Success, to me, was never about wealth or recognition,” she said. “It was about seeing a student succeed. I wanted them to feel good about their achievements, but more importantly, to feel good about themselves.”
While Roberts credits James with her decision to join the accounting profession, Roberts never dreamed she would follow in her mentor’s footsteps by teaching accounting at MCC. “Those were some big shoes to fill, and I just hope I have made her proud.”
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.