School of Nursing Class of 1973, Husband-and-Wife Banking Duo Among MC Departmental Alumni Honorees
Mississippi College alumni are known the world over for serving others with distinction in a wide range of professional disciplines, representing their alma mater with excellence, and living out their faith by advancing the cause of Christ.
Each fall, individual schools and departments at MC select the most accomplished graduates of their respective programs to be recognized as Alumni of the Year. This year’s honorees range from those whose individual contributions have made a difference in countless lives, couples who have combined their talents to positively impact society for generations, and, for the first time, an entire class of graduates who have spent the last half-century modeling the Christian principle of compassionate care.
Surviving members of the Mississippi College School of Nursing’s Class of 1973 and fellow outstanding graduates of the Christian University selected as departmental Alumni of the Year are scheduled to be recognized during the annual Alumni Association Awards Brunch from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, in Anderson Hall on the second floor of the B.C. Rogers Student Center.
Although naming an entire class “Alumni of the Year” may be unprecedented, Rick Lewis, assistant professor and chair of the undergraduate program in the School of Nursing, said it is fitting for the school to honor its initial graduates while also looking to its future.
“Our Homecoming theme is ‘The Next 50,’” Lewis said. “We need the help of our alums to plan for and support the next 50 years. Whatever we do now and in the years ahead to support the work of the School of Nursing has eternal value.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to infuse our nursing curricula with a Christian caring focus that is desperately needed in our world today.”
In addition to the awards brunch, the school has planned a weekend-long tribute to its inaugural class. The festivities kick off with a “School of Nursing 50th Celebration 1973-2023” program from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, in the Gore Arts Complex. Lewis said the event will allow members of MC’s nursing community to “reconnect, share special memories, and reflect on the areas of nursing that have benefited from the nursing skills of the school’s graduates.”
The short program featuring a special commemorative event will be followed by a reception. For more information or to RSVP, click here.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, the school will host an Open House at Cockroft Hall from noon to 2 p.m. that will include tours of classroom simulation zones and the new high-fidelity simulation suite. Students will demonstrate mock codes and other healthcare training scenarios. Following the Open House, the school will host alumni during tailgating on the Quad.
The School of Nursing Class of 1973 will be recognized at the Alumni Association Awards Brunch alongside such notable graduates as Scottie ‘86 and Jana Parrish ’85, ‘92, the MC School of Business 2023 Distinguished Alumni of the Year. The husband-and-wife duo has crafted considerable careers in the financial industry through long-term associations with Regions Bank and Pinnacle Trust, respectively.
“We are so proud to recognize Jana and Scott as our Alumni of the Year recipients and are justly proud of their success,” said Marcelo Eduardo, dean of MC Business. “What makes their selection so special for us is that not only are we recognizing two very accomplished professionals, but they are two of our graduates whose love and dedication for MC and the business school has been and is extraordinary.
“Jana’s involvement with our very successful mentorship program is an example of her dedication to MC Business, and Scott has been instrumental in connecting our entrepreneurship initiatives with support from key financial institutions such as Regions.”
Jana Parrish said she and her husband are honored to be recognized by the School of Business.
“It is very humbling when an institution you love and admire so much bestows an honor on you,” said Jana Parrish, who was a Dean’s Scholar and a member of the Mortar Board, Kappa Delta Pi, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities while an undergraduate. “It is especially meaningful that Scottie and I share this honor as we have been married partners in life and in our support of MC for over 37 years.”
The pair credit MC Business for helping prepare them for success in the financial sector.
“The School of Business at MC taught me facts and figures, but more importantly, taught me how to think for myself and question the status quo while acting with compassion for others,” Jana Parrish said. “The two most important things I learned while in M.B.A. school at MC were endurance and resourcefulness. Learning follow-through skills and how to search for answers and ideas have served me well.”
“One of the greatest lessons learned while I was at MC was what Dr. Bo Roberts always told his students – we could do anything with hard work and dedication,” said Scottie Parrish, who played trumpet in the marching band and was an MC cheerleader. “I still carry that with me to this day.”
After obtaining his B.S.B.A. with an emphasis in management from MC, Scottie Parrish joined Trustmark National Bank in Jackson and became Northpark branch manager and vice president. He graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Banking and, following stints at Bankplus in Ridgeland and AmSouth Bank in Jackson, spent 10 years at BancorpSouth as a vice president and commercial lender in Jackson and Madison. He moved to Renasant Bank in Madison before landing at Regions Bank in Madison as senior vice president and commercial lender.
Jana Parrish found similar success in banking compliance. After earning her M.B.A. at MC, she served as a trust officer at Union Planters Trust and Asset Management in Jackson before joining Pinnacle Trust Company in Madison, where she rose to executive vice president of compliance. She now serves the organization as a compliance consultant.
Both have maintained close ties to their alma mater. Scottie Parrish serves on the National Alumni Association Board of Directors – he was president of the board in 2018 – and, as an M Club member, is involved with MC Athletics. Jana Parrish is a mentor in the Women in Business Mentoring Program and has served as an Alumni Support Team Leader. They are both actively involved with the Mississippi College Foundation.
“We rarely decline an opportunity to help our University or to return to campus for an event,” Scottie Parrish said. “Each time we leave campus after attending a function, we always comment to each other that our time at MC is always well spent.”
What is their message to today’s business students? Make the most of your time and opportunities at Mississippi College.
“Don’t take lightly the education you are getting at MC,” Scottie Parrish said. “In today’s world, more than ever, the strong Christian education you are receiving is the most important thing you can obtain and take with you into the world. Integrity is very important – always do the right thing.”
“Not everyone gets the quality education from caring and supportive professors available at MC,” Jana Parrish said. “You will experience instances later in life where you will be glad you have a firm foundation in Biblical business principles, because they will be tested.
“The older I get, the more grateful I am for the education I received at Mississippi College.”
Tickets to the Alumni Association Awards Brunch cost $25 apiece, and RSVP is required. Click here to register or for more information.
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