PRCC William Lewis Honors Institute holds 2022 Medallion Ceremony

4 rows of young men and women sitting on stage; PRCC Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute Graduates 2022

The Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute at Pearl River Community College held its annual Medallion Ceremony in the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts on the Poplarville campus Monday.  

PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood assisted Dr. Jennifer Seal, dean of the Honors Institute on the Poplarville Campus, in welcoming the students, family, friends, and faculty in attendance.  

“The medallions distributed today represent the time and commitment required as honors students,” said Breerwood. “Putting on the medallion cements you into the legacy of the college.  

“We are all proud of you and look forward to wonderful things in your future.” 

Dr. Ryan Ruckel, dean of the Honors Institute on the Forrest County Campus, provided an overview of the institute. This included its creation in 2011 with the vision to expand PRCC’s base of intellectually gifted students and to provide exceptional opportunities for these students. 

“These graduates are headed to universities across the state and country,” said Ruckel. “They have a collective total of approximately half a million dollars of scholarships awarded with more like the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke scholarship still unannounced.” 

To receive a medallion, students had to complete at least 21 hours of honors coursework and maintain a cumulative 3.4 grade point average. The honors coursework covers the same material as covered in regular sections of a course but in greater depth with more opportunity for students to pursue individual interests. 

Jackson Bowering and Peyton Scanlon, both from Petal and attending the Forrest County Campus, as well as Carlee Cockrell of Magee and Maggie Gressett of Lake, both attending the Poplarville Campus, were chosen to say a few words on behalf of their compatriots. 

“Honors is not just about bettering yourself intellectually, it is about bettering yourself as a person,” said Bowering. These professors are dedicated to their students and have truly shown us what it means to be passionate about something.” 

Dr. Jana Causey, Vice President for Forrest County Center, Allied Health, and Nursing Programs, shared information about each student’s achievements and associations as a PRCC student. The physical presentation of the medallion was done by Dr. Breerwood and Dr. Seal. 

STUDENTS AWARDED AN HONORS MEDALLION 

Anna Barnett of Poplarville (did not attend ceremony)  

Dalton Bond of Petal  

Jackson Bowering of Petal  

Cassady Bradford of Saucier  

Mckenna Byrd of Petal  

Carlee Cockrell of Magee  

Patrick Dunkle of Petal  

Hannah Embry of Vicksburg  

Sarah Erwin of Poplarville  

Jericho Gardner of Petal (did not attend ceremony) 

Julia-Grace Garmon of Hattiesburg  

Jackson Garner of Petal  

Tyler Gomillion of Lakeshore  

Maggie Gressett of Lake  

Hayley Hymel of Sumrall  

Elvin Jackson of Hattiesburg (did not attend ceremony) 

Camellia Jones of Seminary  

Annie Ladner of Perkinston  

Hanna Lambert of Richton  

Lauren Lee of Picayune  

Shui Lin of Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China  

Haleigh Marbury of Hattiesburg  

Lindsey Mclaughlin of Columbia  

Jenna Mcraney of Sumrall  

Belle Moeller of Picayune  

Aren Peterson of Kiln  

Adamari Posados of Hattiesburg  

Allyna Pytleski of Petal  

Sydney Salter of Vancleave  

Peyton Scanlon of Petal  

Lori Steele of Purvis  

Bradley Stines of Poplarville  

Brookelynn Stuart of Sumrall  

Myles Tate of Sumrall  

Ryan Wallace of Hattiesburg  

Madilyn Waters of Laurel  

Genesis Williams of Lumberton  

Brianna Wood of Picayune 

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG). 

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.