Eleven Inducted Into Co-Lin Foundation Hall of Fame
- 14 minutes ago
- 6 min read
By: Bob Arnold
The Co-Lin Foundation inducted 11 new members into its Hall of Fame:
Dr. Richard and Lesa Baker were recognized for their contributions to the Back the Pack Capital Campaign and the general fund.
Richard Baker is a graduate of Enterprise High School and holds an associate’s degree from Co-Lin, a bachelor’s degree from The University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi College, and a PhD from USM. He is a CPA with over 35 years of experience in managing financial operations and has been involved in multiple entities as an owner and co-owner. He began teaching at Co-Lin in 2010 and has served as the college’s Vice President of Business Affairs since 2019. Lesa Baker is a graduate of Boyle County High School in Danville, Kentucky, and she received an associate’s degree from Jones College, a bachelor’s degree from USM, and a Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College. She is an attorney and a CPA and has served in multiple roles, ranging from an auditor for the Mississippi Department of Revenue to the Lincoln County Public Defender and the Lincoln County Youth Court Referee.
Bank of Brookhaven was recognized for its contributions to the Bank of Brookhaven Scholarship and the Big Wolf Fund. Bank of Brookhaven opened in 2000, beginning with more than $7.5 million in assets. Since then, it has grown to more than $240 million in assets. The bank has been involved in most of the development in downtown Brookhaven in recent years, financing projects ranging from restaurants to hotels to office buildings. In 2025, Bank of Brookhaven was ranked seventh in the state for overall performance. The Bank works hard to be a good corporate citizen and looks forward to a long relationship with Co-Lin.
CCMC Cares Foundation was recognized for its contributions to the CCMC Cares Scholarship. Founded in 2022, the CCMC Cares Foundation was established with a singular purpose: to strengthen Copiah County by supporting the underserved population. Built on a spirit of service, generosity and shared responsibility, the Foundation has become a driving force for positive impact — uplifting individuals and families during times of need while championing causes that create lasting change. Through strategic partnerships, community engagement and a deep commitment to compassion in action, CCMC Cares has helped hundreds of Copiah County residents, demonstrating that when a community comes together with purpose, the results are transformative.
Cliff and Angela Furr were recognized for their contributions to the Back the Pack Athletic Campaign and the general fund. Angela Furr has been employed at Co-Lin for more than 20 years, where she has held positions in recruiting and alumni relations prior to her current role as executive director of Foundation and Alumni Relations, which she assumed in 2018. She has also served as an adjunct instructor in the humanities division for 19 years. Cliff Furr is a graduate of Co-Lin and received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Southern Mississippi, and master’s and specialist degrees in education from William Carey University. He has been an educator for 20 years, with teaching and coaching positions at Brookhaven High School, Co-Lin, Terry High School, where he was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2021, and Alexander Junior High, where he currently teaches 8th grade.
Dr. Toby and Kathy Graves were recognized for their contributions to the Simpson County VP Enrichment Fund. Toby Graves received a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College in 1999, a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2003, and an Ed.D. from Delta State University in 2026. He is a charter member of the faculty and staff of the Simpson County Center, where he is a history instructor. Kathy Graves was recognized as faculty member of the year and advisor of the year. She is a licensed professional counselor and a national board-certified counselor. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and family studies from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a psychology and sociology instructor at the Simpson County Center.
Melton King was recognized for his contributions to the Natchez Literary & Cinema Celebration, Back the Pack Capital Campaign and various scholarships. He is a 1956 graduate of Natchez High School and a 1970 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a retired senior sales representative at Humana and is a semi-retired insurance agent at Melton King & Associates, LLC. King has been a member of the Co-Lin Board of Trustees since 1988 and served as board chairman from 2021-2025. He was instrumental in establishing the Co-Lin Natchez campus.
David M. Magee was recognized for his contributions to the Nurse Connie Scholarship and the Simpson County VP Enrichment Fund. A Magee native, he has been a contract grower for Tyson for 31 years. He served the region as a forest ranger for the Mississippi Forestry Commission for three decades before his retirement from the state. Magee shared 33 years with his late wife, Connie Magee, and together they raised four daughters, Nicole, Hannah, Alisha, and Emily — all graduates of Co-Lin.
Dr. Dewayne and Tan Middleton were recognized for their contributions to the Back the Pack Capital Campaign and the President’s Campus Improvement Fund. Dewayne Middleton is a graduate of Franklin County High School, and he received an associate’s degree from Co-Lin, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master’s degree from Alcorn State University and a doctorate from Mississippi State University. He started at Co-Lin as Upward Bound program coordinator and assistant basketball coach. He held several positions at the college before being named Co-Lin President in 2023. Tan Middleton is a graduate of Magee High School, and she received an associate’s degree from Co-Lin, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a master’s degree from William Carey University. She has been a teacher and librarian at Magee Elementary School for 24 years.
Barry and Susan Tyson were recognized for their contributions to the Back the Pack Capital Campaign and the general fund. Barry Tyson received an associate’s degree from Co-Lin in 1984 and a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College in 1988. Susan Tyson received an associate’s degree from Co-Lin in 1994 and a bachelor’s degree from Delta State University. He owns Franklin Ready Mix Concrete, and she is a registered nurse and IT director at Franklin Memorial Hospital. He has been a member of the Co-Lin Board of Trustees for 23 years, serving as secretary for five years before being named chairman in 2025.
Wesson Lions Club was recognized for its contributions to the James M. Lewis, Kenneth Furr and Jimmy Furr Memorial scholarships and the Big Wolf Fund. Established in 1940, the Wesson Lions Club is dedicated to the conservation of sight. They do sight screenings at Wesson Attendance Center and provide glasses to those in need. They also fund Wesson students who are selected for the Mississippi Lions All State Band. The Lions Club meets monthly at Fire House BBQ. They fundraise by selling sweet potatoes in October, and they hold a roadblock at the end of March to collect donations.
LaNissa Anita Wilson was recognized for her contributions to the Shawn Marquis Smith scholarship. A native of Brookhaven, she is the daughter of Florence Wilson and the late Randy T. Wilson Sr. She has two children, Alica McPhaul and the late Shawn Marquis Smith, and one grandchild, Gigi Marie Coleman. She is a 1994 graduate of Brookhaven High School and a 2003 honor graduate of Co-Lin. She served as freshman class secretary, freshman maid, class president and representative for the Blue Wave Marching Band. She was also a Colette, a Trailblazer and an active member of both Phi Beta Lambda and Phi Theta Kappa. She was crowned Homecoming Queen in 2002 and was recognized in Who’s Who Among American Junior College Students. She also served as vice president of the President’s Council. Wilson continued her academic journey at The University of Southern Mississippi, where she was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Mu Nu Chapter) and served as a Residence Life staff member.
Her professional career reflects more than two decades of dedicated federal service in the United States Navy as a Petty Officer Third Class Intelligence Technician during the Gulf War Era. In 2004, the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services in Hattiesburg and now a Title II Claims Specialist at the Social Security Administration Office in Houston, Texas.
The Co-Lin Foundation Hall of Fame includes individuals and businesses who have donated more than $10,000 to the efforts of the Foundation. The Visionary level acknowledges donors who have exceeded $25,000 in gifts; the Ambassador level acknowledges donors who have exceeded $50,000 in gifts; and the Benefactor level acknowledges donors who have exceeded $100,000 in gifts. Contributions can be made to the Co-Lin Foundation, P.O. Box 649, Wesson, MS 39191, by calling (601) 643-8313, or online at www.colin.edu/alumni-foundation.