True to his school: Brandon Dewease is MCCer of the Month for September
Brandon Dewease, third from left, is joined by Amanda Bratu, administrative assistant;
Leia Hill, left, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director
of the MCC Foundation; Sander Atkinson, associate dean of student services and athletics
director; Deanna Smith dean of student services and Cedric Gathings, vice president
for engagement. Dewease was selected as MCCer of the Month for September.
“The story of my life is streaked in green and white.”
That’s how Brandon Dewease, MCC director of student engagement, sums up his passion for his alma mater.
“Because I attended MCC for two years and had an office here while working with another company, I’ve spent over 10 years on the campus. I’ve known fantastic people here who have profoundly impacted my life,” Dewease said.
“I’m thankful.”
Others have noticed how Dewease has made a difference; he was named MCCer of the Month for September. The MCC Foundation bestows this honor, and it spotlights outstanding faculty and staff members for the work they do for the College. The award comes with a $250 stipend.
Dewease counts a quote by author Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better,” as a favorite. And he shares that philosophy with others, especially when working closely with small groups of students such as the Ivy League Recruiters.
Born in Hattiesburg and reared in Collinsville, Dewease earned his associate of arts from MCC, a bachelor of elementary education from the University of Mississippi, and a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Liberty University. He and his wife, Dr. Erin Knight Dewease, are the parents of two 10-year-olds, Ella Kate and Asher.
He fondly remembers how he met Erin as they were students on campus. “By now, most everyone has heard the tale of my ‘bumping into my wife between classes,’ and then parking on the wrong side of campus every day for the rest of the semester to make sure I bumped into her regularly,” he recalled.
Another memorable event in his life took place in August 2005. “I began my career as a teacher in Jackson in a self-contained fourth-grade classroom and also stood in the pulpit and preached my first sermon,” he said.
When he’s not on the MCC campus, Dewease enjoys hunting, fishing, disc golf, playing the piano, and singing.