Since our founding in 1950 by Drs. Hollis & Julia Todd, the Mississippi College Department of Communication has educated generations of students who have experienced professional and personal success in a variety of careers.

Are You an MC Communication Alumnus?

• Read the latest edition of The Prompter, our newsletter for alumni and friends.
• Update your contact information.
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Cliff Fortenberry Distinguished Alumni Award

• 2023 - Michael Bowen, Media & Communications Pastor, Broadmoor Baptist Church, Madison, Miss.
• 2022 - Patrice Guilfoyle, Communiations Director, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Miss.
• 2021 - Ryan Fortenberry, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
• 2020 - Joey Smith, Health Communication Specialist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga.
• 2019 - Bob Sullender, Vice President, SuperTalk Mississippi, Jackson, Miss.
• 2018 - Mark Jones, Chief Communications Officer, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Jackson, Miss.
• 2017 - Derrick Fears, Men's Basketball Coach, Mississippi Delta Community College, Moorhead, Miss.
• 2016 - Todd Brand, Chief Academic Officer, Ashland Community & Technical College, Ashland, Ky.
• 2015 - Warren Strain, News Anchor, WLBT-TV, Jackson, Miss.
• 2014 - Ben Ingram, Radio Voice of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta, Ga.
• 2013 - Rachel Carter, Country Director, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, Washington, D.C.
• 2012 - Lisa Shoemaker, Vice President of Government Relations, IDEMIA, Washington, D.C.
• 2011 - Kenny Bizot, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Mississippi College, Clinton, Miss.
• 2010 - Elizabeth Rooks-Barber, Certified Wildlife Biologist, President of Rooks and Company, LLC, Ridgeland, Miss.
• 2009 - Pete Smith, Lobbyist, Capitol Resources, LLC, Jackson, Miss.
• 2008 - Mary Catherine Gentry, Instrictor of Communication, Mississippi College, Clinton, Miss.
• 2007 - Barbie Bassett, News Anchor & Meteorologist, WLBT-TV, Jackson, Miss.
• 2006 - Michael Logue, Crisis Communications and Issue Management Specialist, Vicksburg, Miss.
• 2005 - Neal Caldwell, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Solutions, 4M Research, Smithville, Tenn.
• 2004 - Anne Sullivan, Executive Director, Magnolia Speech School, Jackson, Miss.
• 2003 - Lynda Fields Houser, Television and Thater Actress, Portland, Ore.
• 2002 - Judy Lewis, Instructor of Communication, Belhaven University, Jackson, Miss.
• 2001 - Judy Moon Denson, Anchor, WLBT-TV, Jackson, Miss.
• 2000 - Mark Hester, President, Hester Custom Communications, Portland, Ore.
• 1999 - Donna Matthews
• 1998 - Rendy Lovelady, Rendy Lovelady Management, Nashville, Tenn.
• 1997 - Gayle Long Wicker, Mississippi Director for Vision to Learn, Tupelo, Miss.
• 1996 - Ann Marie Copeland

• 2023 - Richard Morris, Programs Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Denton, Texas
• 2022 - Kaley Winstead Olson, Director of Creative Programming, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Charlotte, N.C.,
• 2021 - Courtney Parella, Regional Press Secretary, National Republican Congressional Committee, Washington, D.C.
• 2020 - Emily Alexander Moore, Owner, Moore Media Group, Clinton, Miss.
• 2019 - Randall Miller, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, Dallas, Tex.
• 2018 - Ashley Cockerham Rea, Manager of Communication at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Laurel, Miss.
• 2017 - Chase Sims, Director of Business Development, Pathway Healthcare, Laurel, Miss.