Highest Flying Eagles: MCC alumni honored for their contributions

Hall of Fame and Talon Club Members

Meridian Community College alumni who excel in the areas of nursing, law, business and athletics were spotlighted for excellence when the College hosted its annual Highest Flying Eagles Hall of Fame recognition ceremony in the MCC-Riley Workforce Development Center.

Saluted were Corey Dickerson, Kenny Griffis, Mike Ponds and Betty Young-Cryer for their contributions in their respective fields. The Hall of Fame inductions are highlights of the school year at MCC; it allows the College to recognize some special servant-leaders who all distinguished themselves. “We are so proud of these individuals,” said MCC President Dr. Thomas Huebner. “They have made a difference in the communities in which they live,” he added.

Dickerson, a native of McComb, will be playing with the Miami Marlins National Baseball League this season. His career highlights include 2017 American League All-Star, 2013 Pacific Coast League All-Star, 2012 California League All-Star, 2010 Pioneer League All-Star and 2012 Arizona League Rising Stars team. He played two years with MCC Eagles

Griffis, a Meridian native, was appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2019. He earned accounting and law degrees from the University of Mississippi after attending MCC and Mississippi State University Meridian Campus. He is a Certified Public Accountant and serves as an adjunct professor at Mississippi College School of Law and the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Ponds, who grew up in the Whynot community, is co-founder and owner of Xencom Facilities Management, which provides general maintenance and janitorial services, specializing in retail real estate nationwide. The company has approximately 1,200 employees and has a presence in 27 states. Ponds was also corporate facilities manager for Paul Broadhead and Associates. He graduated from Meridian Junior College and Mississippi State University.

Young-Cryer, from Meridian, is the chief nursing office/vice president of Anderson Health Care System. She has served Meridian’s medical community for more than four decades, beginning her career at Riley Hospital. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of science in executive nursing administration. Young-Cryer serves on the College’s Advisory Nursing Board and implemented the Pearl Project, which addresses health care disparities in Mississippi.

Also celebrated at the ceremony were Dr. James Dauphine, Lorenzo Naylor and Bill Pierce, the newest members of MCC’s “Talon Club,” which spotlights College employees with a minimum of 30 years of service to the College. Dr. Dauphine is a history instructor; Naylor is a custodian; and Pierce is a telecommunication specialist.