MC Confers Emeritus Status to Assistant Professor of Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies Director
During the Mississippi College School of Nursing’s initial capping ceremony in 1971, each member of the school’s first class received a special keepsake – a single yellow rose, emblematic of the pure, unselfish, love Christ showed to others.
The presentation of the yellow rose to graduating nursing students continued for decades and eventually became a beloved part of the school’s pinning ceremony before budget constraints threatened to end the practice.
That’s when Susan Maria D.M. Richardson, a member of that first School of Nursing class, stepped up.
“When we were capped, we were beginning our first hospital clinical experiences, and the yellow rose was to remind us to demonstrate Christ-like love to everyone we encounter in our practice,” said Richardson, who now sponsors the roses for the students. “We also received a yellow rose at the pinning ceremony when we graduated as a reminder.
“Christian caring has been an integral part of our curriculum since the school began in 1969. We did away with nursing caps in the 1980s, but we continued giving the yellow rose at pinning. I hope to involve more nursing alumni to continue this important tradition.”
Richardson’s dedication to the school – and her alma mater – was apparent during her 35 years on the MC faculty, including 27 years as the semester 3 senior level coordinator, and showed in the invaluable contributions she made to numerous school and institutional committees.
Her abiding commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses was recognized when the retired professor of nursing was honored – along with Steve Martin, former director of Physician Assistant Studies – with emeritus status during the Christian University’s Convocation Luncheon Aug. 12 in Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center.
MC President Blake Thompson and Michael J. Highfield, MC provost and executive vice president, presented a handsome plaque denoting the accomplishment to Richardson.
“I am so honored and humbled to be recognized for my contributions to MC by being named an emeritus faculty member,” said Richardson, who was conferred the title of Assistant Professor of Nursing Emerita. “In the School of Nursing’s 55 years of existence, I am only the fifth nursing faculty to receive the status of emeritus. How special is that?
“Mississippi College has meant the world to me since I began as a freshman in fall 1968. It is so refreshing to work for an organization that acknowledges faculty for their hard work and longevity.”
Emeritus is an honorary status conferred upon a retired faculty member who has made a significant contribution to the University through a long and distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, research, and/or service, or administrators in recognition of their distinguished service to the University. Emeritus status may be conferred on the president and other administrators of the University upon retirement based on their contributions to the University.
While conferring the title of Department Chair, Program Director, and Professor of Medical Science Emeritus on Martin in absentia, Highfield said the longtime Physician Assistant Studies guru’s service “has been nothing short of exemplary.”
“His peers, subordinates, and students have frequently recognized his contributions,” Highfield said. “His involvement in various committees, curriculum development leadership, and ongoing participation in community outreach programs exemplify his proactive and dedicated approach to education.
“His professional journey and achievements uphold the highest ideals of our institution, making him a deserving candidate for the title of professor emeritus.”
Rachelle Dye, associate professor who succeeded Martin as department chair and program director, said she has been a beneficiary of his leadership and mentoring.
“When I found out that he was being awarded professor emeritus status, I was very proud and happy for him,” Dye said. “Steve embodies the ideals of academic leadership, mentorship, and professional service that define the title, and his lifelong contributions to the physician assistant profession and his enduring influence on students and colleagues alike make him a most deserving candidate for this recognition.”
Katryna Horton, director of preclinical education, said being awarded professor emeritus status was a well-deserved honor for Martin.
“I am so grateful that I got to work with Steve Martin and learn under his leadership,” Horton said. “He was passionate about education and loved being an encouragement to his students.”
Justin Goebel, director of clinical education, said he is proud to call Martin a friend.
“Steve Martin’s Christ-centered dedication to the Mississippi College Physician Assistant Program and his mentorship to faculty and students leaves a lasting legacy of service and humility,” Goebel said.
Martin earned his B.A. from the University of South Carolina and later obtained his B.S. in medicine from the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Florida. After years of service as a physician assistant, he joined the faculty at Nova Southeastern University, where he became clinical director of the Physician Assistant Program, associate director of the Medical Science Program, and director of the Postgraduate Program in Family Medicine. He later served as an associate professor and founding program director for the Physician Assistant Program at South University.
He joined the faculty of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Mississippi College in January 2014 and served as interim academic director, associate program director, and department chair, program director, and professor. He also earned an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Health Science from Touro University International and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from MC.
He managed this while also serving his country as part of a Disaster Medical Assistance Team for the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
After obtaining her B.S.N. from MC in 1973, Richardson earned her M.S.N. from the Mississippi University for Women, a post-master’s certificate in psychiatric/mental health from the University of Mississippi, and additional postgraduate work in clinical health sciences.
She served in various roles throughout her career, including staff nurse, charge nurse, coordinator of utilization review, and case manager for several hospitals. She began her academic career by teaching in the Associate Degree Programs at Itawamba Community College and Mobile College.
Richardson joined the MC School of Nursing faculty in 1985 and focused her expertise on psychiatric/mental health nursing, family/community health nursing, and geriatric nursing. She oversaw clinical rotations and student orientations, proctored exams, counseled at-risk students, coordinated workloads, and assisted adjunct faculty. She served on numerous committees related to admissions, curriculum, student welfare, strategic planning, accreditation, and advising.
Active in professional organizations, including the American Nursing Association and the American Psychiatric Nursing Association, she served as a keynote speaker for numerous workshops offered by the Mississippi Board of Nursing across the state of Mississippi.
She said her proudest achievement was leading the semester 3 faculty team as semester coordinator.
“As semester coordinator, I also worked closely with the third-semester students to help them meet their goals,” she said. “I am also proud of being the editor of our School of Nursing newsletter “ASAP” from spring 1990 until December 2014.”
Last year, the School of Nursing marked the 50th anniversary of its first graduating class with a celebration at the Gore Arts Center. Richardson took part in the program, telling the assembly about the nursing pin and yellow rose tradition.
“We had so many wonderful old stories and shared so many memories,” she said. “What I remember most is that the entire class was a part of many decisions for the school, such as designing our school pin, the nursing cap, and the student uniform. We felt like family from the very beginning and we wanted everyone to be successful.
“Our class was instrumental in obtaining needed equipment and supplies for future classes as we freely gave our opinions when asked what would help our learning process. We were very active with the Mississippi Student Nurses Association and we felt very special being part of a new program on campus. It was a unique, wonderful, and rewarding experience.”
Richardson’s experience was so memorable that she wants to continue sharing it with others. She began archiving various uniforms used in the School of Nursing at MC to help nursing history students with their presentation. Since then, her collection has grown to an impressive degree.
“My office has always been full of MC nursing memorabilia,” she said. “I am donating my collection of uniforms and many more artifacts to the Mississippi Historical Commission and Mississippi College Archives, where everything can be properly preserved and where the history of the MC School of Nursing can be highlighted.”
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