Mark Gunn Memorial Scholarship honors beloved MCC instructor
The works of Mark Gunn, a Meridian Community College history instructor who dedicated over two decades to teaching American history, world civilization, and geography, continue thanks to the establishment of the Mark Gunn Memorial Scholarship.
Gunn passed away in August 2023.
The scholarship will provide $500 each fall and spring semester to a social science student major who is also a Baptist Student Union (BSU) member—criteria that were deeply meaningful to Gunn and his wife, Sherry.
MCC alumna Lanie Crawford, a 21-year-old from Collinsville, will continue at Mississippi State University-Meridian in the fall and is the first scholarship recipient.
Crawford initially came to MCC to play soccer and found her passion for education and special education inspired by the teachers she encountered, including Gunn. "He was a wonderful teacher. I loved his class. Whenever anyone would ask which class to take, I would tell them to take Mr. Gunn's class. He was great," Crawford said.
"He made the class so entertaining and fun. He just helped me to lock in and learn what I was reading," Crawford added.
Dr. Chad Graham, MCC dean of Academic Affairs, spearheaded the scholarship initiative. "We wanted to honor Mr. Gunn's commitment to education," Graham explained.
During the scholarship presentation, Sherry Gunn shared, "Mark would be grateful to help."
In quoting her late husband's words from an essay he wrote, she read, "Your life here is short, but it doesn't end here. Invest in your life in the work of Christ."
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu