Cantonian given emeritus status at Mississippi College

Special to The Canton News

A quartet of female Mississippi College faculty members were recently honored with emeritus status. It marked the first time at MC that all of the faculty emeritus honorees were women. 

Debbie Norris of Canton, graduate school dean and associate provost, was one of the four who was honored. Emeritus status is bestowed upon retired Mississippi College faculty or staff members who have made significant contributions to the Christian University. It is given to showcase a long and distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, research, and service.

Mike Highfield, newly named provost and executive vice president at MC, said arrived at Mississippi College as a transfer student from Hinds Community College and left decades later as “one of the most accomplished administrators in the University’s rich history.”

“During her forty-year tenure at MC, she shepherded her alma mater through three successful decennial reviews by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, cementing her legacy as the ‘Queen of SACS Accreditation,’” he said. “Throughout her years of service to MC, the gifted teacher and beloved administrator earned the respect of her students and colleagues through her strong work ethic, professionalism, and high standards.”

“One faculty leader said, ‘When I think of someone who epitomizes the values and ideals of Mississippi College, someone who bleeds blue and gold, I think of Debbie Norris.’”

A native of Raymond, Norris obtained her B.S. in business administration from MC, her M.Ed. from Mississippi State University, and her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Mississippi. She taught in the MC School of Business for fourteen years, became graduate dean, and was appointed the University’s Title IX coordinator. She served MC as director of institutional assessment, director of international programs, and chair of the Dean’s Council, Graduate Council and Academic Council.

As vice president for planning and assessment, Norris was the chief administrator responsible for assessing each academic and administrative office at the University. As chair of MC’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee, she helmed a number of important institutional committees, including the Graduate Council, the Institutional Title IX Committee, the Marketing Committee, the Inauguration Steering Committee and the Law Dean Search Committee.

Named a favorite professor by MC Mortar Board students twelve times, she received the Student Government Outstanding Faculty Award. The first Debbie C. Norris Scholarships - $1,000 stipends for outstanding students who follow in her footsteps by transferring to MC from Hinds Community College – were awarded in the fall of 2020.

SACSCOC saluted Dr. Norris for her academic achievements by presenting her with the Carol Luthman Meritorious Service Award from its Commission on Colleges.

Dr. Norris continues to serve Mississippi College part-time as a consultant and special assistant to President Blake Thompson.

Others honored with emeritus status were Patricia Bennett, former dean of the MC School of Law; Deborah Bolian Massey, longtime assistant professor of nursing; and Emily Fokeladeh, cofounder of MC’s Foundations for University Success program.