2023 Hall of Fame Inductee: Pamela Speights Harrison
"There is no such thing as chance, and what seems to us merest accident springs from
the deepest source of destiny," says German poet Friedrich von Schiller.
A native of Brookhaven, Pam Speights Harrison, came to Meridian because of a conversation. "I didn't want to be in Jackson, and I remembered a friend in college said she loved going to Meridian when she was growing up. So, I agreed to try Meridian," she said.
Harrison, who then worked as an auditor for Mississippi State Auditor's Office often traveling across the state daily, would wind up at Meridian Community College and ultimately retire from MCC as chief financial officer in June 2022.
Harrison is one of three MCCers who will join the College's Hall of Fame roster on Wednesday, 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.
Hall of Fame 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.
Randy Carroll and Debroah Bourrage Stokes are joining Harrison in this year's class.
Harrison holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Mississippi University for Women and earned her certified professional accountant designation in 1987. She met her husband, Joel, at Midway Baptist Church, "he was an MCC student at the time," she said. The Harrisons have a son, Luke.
Harrison's first experience on the MCC campus was as an auditor for the 1988 fiscal year, evaluating its financials, management, and leadership. The employees she interacted with gave her insight into the College.
"It was an impression of people committed to doing things right. My interactions led me to know the business office staff, admissions, student financial aid, various VP offices, records, and many grant managers," Harrison added.
"That is where my admiration for the college began.”
After the auditing stint, in 1991, Harrison became MCC's director of financial aid – her first job at the College. She would become the business manager, holding that position until she retired in 2009. She returned to MCC as assistant to the president for finance, serving until September 2018. "At that time, I returned to the position of chief financial officer until June 2022,” Harrison said.
Her respect for MCC, its employees, and its mission runs deep. “I owe a debt to the College. It is here that I learned, applied my knowledge and skill, was encouraged, and enjoyed friendships and relationships that take time to develop and dependency to value," she said.
Harrison was tasked with many responsibilities at the helm of the College's financial well-being, but one that comes to mind as a memorable experience was that of the College's response to COVID-19. Key leaders at the College – known as the President's Cabinet – helped to steer the institution during the pandemic. "The emergency meeting on March 12, 2020, of a crew of employees during spring break to discuss how to be successful in these circumstances is forever etched in my mind,” she said.
To help with the crisis, the federal government provided millions to institutions, including MCC. "From the spring of 2020 through my retirement, the College had received nine federal awards directly from the U.S. Department of Education and two federal awards through Mississippi state agencies from the U.S. Department of Treasury. These totaled over $23 million," she explained.
"I am proud of the people I served alongside who were unified in making sure we were compliant with the terms, making good decisions for the students and employees, and doing the best we could given the circumstances," she said.
She also credits state organizations, including Community College Business Managers Association and the MCC Foundation, for their support for her and the community. "It is a testament to what a group of people can do with a strong desire to make a difference," Harrison said.