Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will honor Alumni Hall of Fame, Sam Owen Award and Spirit of Gulf Coast honorees at the annual Homecoming celebration on October 15 at the Perkinston Campus.

Along with the football game against East Central Community College at 3:30 p.m. at A.L. May Memorial Stadium, Homecoming festivities will include the annual Clem Dellenger Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, October 14, and a full day of activities on Saturday, October 15.  For more information on Homecoming Activities, visit mgccc.edu/homecoming.

The following individuals are being honored during Homecoming:

Alumni Hall of Fame

The Alumni Hall of Fame award was established in 1970 to honor MGCCC alumni who have exhibited exceptional merit and achievement resulting in fame and recognition for themselves and the college.

Dr. Sam Twedt

Harrison County Campus

Dr. Sam Twedt attended the Harrison County Campus from 2010-2012, receiving an Associate of Arts degree. While at MGCCC, he was involved in Phi Theta Kappa, Connections, and the Science Club.  He was chosen for Who’s Who Among Students at the Harrison County Campus and the 2012 Hall of Fame.

Delorise Nettles

Jackson County Campus

Delorise Nettles attended the Jackson County Campus off and on from 1982-2021.  She received her Associate of Arts degree from MGCCC in December 2021. Nettles owns Delo’s Heavenly House of Coffee just off campus in Gautier. She spends her days there encouraging young customers to attend MGCCC.

Len Blackwell

Perkinston Campus

Leonard A. “Len” Blackwell II attended Perkinston Agricultural High School from 1955-1959 and Perkinston Junior College from 1959-1961.  After graduating from PJC, he attended the University of Mississippi and went to law school there.  While at Perk, Blackwell was in band, in Phi Theta Kappa, on the debate team and in choir.  He received scholarships to Ole Miss in band and choir.

Sam Owen Award 

The Sam Owen Award was established and given in memory of the late Sam Owen, a 1927 Perkinston graduate. It is given each year to a person who actively supports the college through dedication and service.

Jim Patton

Sam Owen Award

Jim Patton graduated from Perkinston Agricultural High School in 1961 and from Perkinston Junior College in 1963.  He went on to finish his bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University.

Patton, who retired from Mississippi Power as director of Rates Wholesale Marketing, has served on the Alumni Association and MGCCC Foundation Board over the years.

Spirit of Gulf Coast Award

The Spirit of Gulf Coast Award is bestowed on those individuals who have made significant personal and/or financial contributions in support of Bulldog athletics and the institution. 

Hollis Holleman

Spirit of Gulf Coast Award

Hollis Holleman attended MGCCC as a dual-enrolled student from Gulfport High School at the Jefferson Davis Campus in 2010.  After that, he followed in his father’s footsteps, attending the University of Mississippi.  He is a third-generation lawyer and is the grandson of both Boyce Holleman and Brig. Gen. William “Slater” Hollis. He now works at Boyce Holleman & Associates in Gulfport, which have served as the college’s legal advisors since his grandfather, Boyce Holleman, was practicing law.  In fact, his grandfather was a graduate of the college’s Perkinston Campus.

Athletic Hall of Fame honorees will be recognized at the In The Blue banquet on February 3, 2023. They are Tim Corcoran, baseball; Alyce Lawrence, women’s basketball; Robert Russell, men’s basketball; Dennis Parker and Clovis Rushing, football; Jackson Wedgeworth, golf; Danielle Ryan, softball; Christina Anthony, women’s soccer; Matt D’Angelo, men’s tennis; and Shellie Campbell, Bulldog Hall of Honor.