MGCCC Alumna and Retiree of 24 Years Receives Awards

Mississippi Poetry Society’s 2017 Poet of the Year is Elaine McDermott. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony on April 29, at the society’s Spring Festival in Southhaven.

During the ceremony, McDermott read from her latest collection, “By the Rivers of Babylon,” and signed copies of her book. Elaine is an honor graduate of MGCCC, Jefferson Davis Campus and a former MGCCC employee.

McDermott worked at the college’s Jefferson Davis Campus for twenty-four years, retiring in 1995. Her employment began in the Computer Center, and she later served as instructor in the Writing Lab, director of the Learning Lab, and assistant dean for Learning Resources. A past president of Mississippi Poetry Society, South Branch, McDermott has published eight books of poetry.