2022 MCC Hall of Fame Honoree: Dr. Ray Denton
An advisor encouraged Ray Denton to come to Meridian Junior College in the Summer
of 1970 after he graduated from Meridian High to get his core classes under his belt.
That move would connect him to the College for the majority of his academic and professional life.
“Back in the day – and not that there isn’t any today – there were some great teachers,” the now Dr. Denton recalled. “I took my first class, English, from Bob Tiller. Don Gilliam taught the kind of electrical and mechanical theory classes that I fell into. And I enjoyed Jimmy Evans teaching world civilization and history,” he said.
However, it was the theater where Dr. Denton would hit his stride. Speech and theater instructors Jimmy Smith and Ronnie Miller served as mentors and allowed Dr. Denton to get involved in theater. “Not acting, but the technical part of theater, lighting, sound, set building,” he said, adding, “at one time, I thought I wanted to major in technical theater.”
Dr. Denton is one of four MCCers who will be added to the College’s Hall of Fame roster on Tuesday, March 8, during a ceremony spotlighting the honorees’ achievements. Hosted by the MCC Foundation, the induction ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the McCain Theater. The ceremony will be live-streamed via mcceagles.live.
Honorees are alumni or former employees who have excelled in their careers and missions in life. They have elevated MCC’s esteem through their achievements, service, and association with the higher educational institution.
Joining Dr. Denton in this year’s class are Wilhelmine Damon, Anne Dowdle, and Dr. T.J. Soyoye.
As an active on-campus MJC student, Dr. Denton worked closely with Homer Casteel, painter, sculptor, writer, and teacher who was the chairman of the College’s art department and helped the theater department paint and build flats. “Homer knew my limitations and knew what I was really good and not so good at. He put me in the right place, and I did well in there,” Dr. Denton said.
After earning his associate of arts from MJC, Dr. Denton earned his bachelor of science from the University of Southern Mississippi and returned to Meridian and the College. “Anne Dowdle (a fellow 2022 Hall of Fame honoree) was kind enough to give me my first job as a photographer.” For six months, he would work at the College during the week and the Meridian Star newspaper on the weekend until a chance to work at Meridian’s TV station Channel 24 came his way, and Dr. Denton would log in 14 years on full-time status for the station.
In 1995, he came to work at MCC again, initially serving as production center director and retiring from the College’s full-time position as associate dean of learning resources in 2021. “I attribute my success at MCC to the good fortune of having a great staff; we had a good team.”
He also credits colleagues Dr. Bill Scaggs, president of the College, and Billy C. Beal, associate vice president of learning resources, as friends and mentors.
Dr. Denton holds a master’s degree from Lasalle University and a doctorate from Mississippi State University. Today, he continues to work part-time for Channel 24.