Dr. Mary Graham, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, received two awards of merit from the Mississippi Historical Society. Awards of merit are bestowed on individuals or organizations for their outstanding archival, museum, records management, or media interpretation work.

One award recognized Graham’s work in the development and design of the new state flag by serving on the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag. The bill ratifying the new flag was signed by the governor in January 2021 after Mississippians voted overwhelmingly to approve the flag.

The other award was for the preservation and donation to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History of two collections: the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College C.C. “Tex” Hamill Down South Magazine Collection and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection. Both collections have many photographs and contributed research by Charles Sullivan, a former president of the Mississippi Historical Society and professor emeritus at MGCCC.

Brother Rogers, secretary-treasurer of the Mississippi Historical Society, said, “This donation will improve ease of access to the greater research community and will protect these valuable collections from potential weather incidents and loss.”

The Mississippi Historical Society, founded in 1858, encourages outstanding work in interpreting, teaching, and preserving Mississippi history. Membership is open to anyone. For information, visit www.mississippihistory.org.