Third time, full heart: MCC graduate honors mom’s wish
Kendril Wallace picked up his cap and gown with more than a degree on his mind.
When he walked across the stage Monday morning at Meridian Community College, Wallace was thinking about his mother, his brother, his instructor and the long road that brought him back to school for a third time.
Wallace, 44, graduated during MCC’s ceremony with an associate of applied science degree in Graphic Design Technology.
Wallace’s mom died nearly three years ago, but before she died, she urged him to return to school and do something with his art.
At first, he said, he did not listen.
“We head butted many times,” Wallace said. “Sometimes we never spoke for a day because of that subject. But once she passed away, her words finally hit me hard. I sat there on the bed one day and said, ‘You know what? I’m going to go back and make my momma proud.’”
Wallace first came to MCC after high school in 2000 to study radiology. He was 18, nervous and unsure of himself. He left before finishing. He came back in 2005 but left again.
This time was different.
“This third go-around, I made sure I used my mom’s words as a daily inspiration to finish it up,” he said. “Third time’s a charm, and it’s because of my mom’s words.”
Wallace lives in Bogue Chitto, near Philadelphia, and has made a long commute to MCC. Most mornings, he got up around 3 a.m. to catch a transit bus from his mother’s house. From there, he traveled to Choctaw, waited for another bus, then rode to campus.
“It’s been so rough,” he said. “But I kept going because of my mom’s words. She is my strength.”
Wallace said his brother, who owns a T-shirt shop, also inspired him to study graphic design. “He’s younger than me, but he seems wiser than me,” Wallace said. “I felt like I should follow his lead.”
After graduation, Wallace hopes to work as a freelance graphic designer. He said that path would allow him to work with many artists and keep growing in his craft. He also said he would welcome the chance to work with his brother full time.
Wallace credits MCC Graphic Design Technology Instructor Daniel Ethridge with helping him build his skills and confidence.
“He’s been amazing,” Wallace said. “My art is a direct reflection of his teaching. I just put my little twist in there. He’s so encouraging. Every day, I look forward to seeing him.”
Wallace said Ethridge’s support helped him reach a point he once thought was out of reach.
“Without his lead, I don’t think I get to this point in my life,” Wallace said. “That’s going to carry me through life.”
For Wallace, graduation marks a promise kept.
“I want to make him proud,” Wallace said. “I want to make the college proud. I want to make my momma proud.”
Wallace said he is grateful he came back to MCC one more time.
“This college helped me grow and learn as an artist,” he said. “It’s been so amazing. I’m glad I came back for the third time.”
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.