University Recognizes Employees for 25 Years of Service

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is honoring 30 employees who have reached the 25-year milestone of service to the institution.

During a luncheon Wednesday (Dec. 1) at The Inn at Ole Miss, Chancellor Glenn Boyce congratulated the group and thanked them for their service.

“I’ve long believed that the great impact this university has in Mississippi and around the world is due to our people,” Boyce said. “We’re fortunate to have dedicated faculty, staff and administrators such as yourselves.

“You should be incredibly proud of your role as a longstanding member of this community and how each of you has made a unique mark on the university. You are an important part of our legacy of excellence.”

Employees recognized during the ceremony were:

  • Pamela S. Abbott, administrative coordinator for the Office of the Bursar
  • David E. Adkisson, assistant director of facilities-engineering services
  • Aileen Ajootian, professor of classics and art
  • Julia A. Aubrey, associate professor of music and director of the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
  • Mark Beyers, head women’s tennis coach
  • Steve Brewer, professor of biology
  • John M. Bruce, associate professor and chair of political science
  • James Dennis Bullard, assistant director of telecommunications operations
  • Julia E. Bussade, lecturer and director of Portuguese and Spanish programs
  • Gregg Davidson, professor and chair of geology and geological engineering
  • Tammy Diggs, operations coordinator for the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation
  • Anthony S. Gossett, manufacturing facility manager for the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence
  • William E. Herron, locksmith for the Facilities Management Department
  • Vivian Blair Hobbs, senior lecturer in English
  • Sam L. Johnson, grounds supervisor for Landscape Services
  • Shirley S. Joiner, secretary for the African American studies program
  • Mary W. Leach, director of professional development and lifelong learning for the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education
  • Mickey McLaurin, research administration adviser for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
  • Jody P. Lowe, interim director of admissions
  • Christopher L. Mullen, associate professor of civil engineering
  • Christopher J. Noe, assistant director and public service librarian at the Grisham Law Library
  • John H. O’Haver, professor of chemical engineering
  • Debra Cole Patterson, ticket office coordinator for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
  • Johnny L. Price, classroom technology specialist
  • Stacey A. Reycraft, director of student disability services
  • Charles K. Ross, professor of history and African American studies
  • Ethel Young Scurlock, interim dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, senior fellow of the Luckyday Residential College and associate professor of English and African American studies
  • Maribeth Stolzenburg, research professor of physics and astronomy
  • Leslie White, training coordinator for the Institute of Child Nutrition
  • Noel E. Wilkin, provost, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of pharmacy administration

The Ole Miss Alumni Association also honored all the employees with a contribution in their name to Friends of the Library. A book plate bearing each person’s name will be placed in the book bought with their gift.

“These awards are our way of saying ‘thank you’ for your dedication and loyalty to the University of Mississippi,” said Kirk Purdom, executive director of alumni affairs.