2022 Talon Club Honoree: Larry Martin
Meridian Community College staffer Larry Martin gets an early start on his long day.
At 5 a.m., he’s on duty as building custodian for Webb Hall and the other campus facilities in the area and continues his tasks for his shift. For three decades, Martin has taken care of his assigned MCC buildings.
This year marks Martin’s induction into the Talon Club. MCCers are selected for this recognition for giving 30 or more years of service to the College. Martin will join the MCC’s Hall of Fame honorees on the McCain Theater stage in a March 8 ceremony.
“MCC is a good place to work. I believe in trying to stay in a place, not just run from job to job,” Martin said. During his tenure at the College, Martin has worked campus-wide. “Smith building, Health, Hardin, Ivy,” he said as he listed the sites under his care. “They moved me from the art building to Webb, and I’ve been there ever since,” he added.
When his MCC shift ends, Martin heads out to his own carpet cleaning business and janitorial services. “I had big contracts; Mississippi Power, Great Southern Bank, quite a few buildings … Wesley Chapel, Eighth Avenue Church of God, Freedom Project building,” he said, noting he’s joined with his pastor in the venture.
A native of Meridian, Martin enrolled and completed the College’s nurse sitting and commercial housekeeping classes. He’s also completed an entrepreneur program MCC offered. “That program helped me in my business,” he said. Another class, executive housekeeping, also has served beneficial to Martin’s business.
After taking the commercial housekeeping class, Martin went to work at MCC, where he credits working with his former and current colleagues as an enjoyable part of the job. He’s also received the MCCer of the Month award, an MCC Foundation recognition where MCC employees are spotlighted for their outstanding work.
When he’s not on the job, Martin is active in his church, Eighth Avenue Church of God. There he serves as a deacon, superintendent, usher, and choir member. “That’s the key, to stay in touch, try to do what God leads you to do,” he said.
He also enjoys walking, shooting a little basketball, and drawing people, cars, and structures.
His advice to others: “I believe you can be successful where you are. Life is what you make it. It might get rough sometimes, but you’ve got to keep going.”