Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
5:07 am Wednesday, January 23, 2002

Excellence in Education

By Staff
Jan. 10, 2002
OXFORD Robert Kevin Hamilton of Meridian is among the fall 2001 initiates into Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society at the University of Mississippi.
Chartered at Ole Miss in 1959, Phi Kappa Phi is the university's highest academic honor society.
Hamilton, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Clay Hamilton, is a law major at Ole Miss.
OXFORD Frederick Grant of Meridian was recently inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society at the University of Mississippi.
Golden Key's objective is to unite diverse individuals while nurturing and rewarding the academic efforts of top students in all disciplines.
Golden Key chapters are student-run organizations that create projects to promote scholastic achievement, serve the community and provide valuable social interaction.
Seven Meridian Community College graduates were tapped for the Circle of Excellence, an academic honor.
Sponsored by MCC and the MCC Foundation, the Circle of Excellence recognizes students for scholarship, leadership, spirit and service.
Named were:
Kathleen Goodwin of Meridian, 34, a university transfer graduate majoring in elementary education. She is married, has two children, is active in the scholastic fraternity Phi Theta Kappa and is a dean's list scholar.
Tade Isikalu of Meridian, 17, is a university transfer graduate following the pre-med program of study. A tutor in the college's Success Center, Isikalu is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is a dean's list scholar.
Sara Askew of Enterprise, 34, is an associate degree nursing graduate. She is the mother of three children, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a president's list scholar.
KaTrina Nelson of Butler, Ala., 29, is a practical nursing graduate. Married with three children, Nelson worked 30 hours a week in the health care profession and commuted more than 100 miles daily while attending MCC.
Haley Davis of Meridian, 30, is an associate degree nursing graduate. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, she also was a member of the Organization of Student Nurses.
Phillip Boykin of Meridian, 29, is an associate degree nursing graduate. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Organization of Student Nurses. He and his wife have four children.
CLEVELAND Matthew Ryan Torgerson of Meridian received his bachelor of commercial aviation, flight operations degree during Dec. 15 commencement exercises at Delta State University.

Also on Franklin County Times
Goodwin stepping down as Golden Tigers’ football coach
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 9, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Dustin Goodwin, who served as athletic director and head football coach, announced he is resigning his position to seek other opportuni...
Dowdy sentencing delayed due to medical emergency
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The sentencing of Brandy Dowdy will have to wait until another day after her defense attorney suffered a “medical emergency” on Tuesday...
Legislative session opens Jan. 13; Kiel prefiles 2 bills
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- State Rep. Jamie Kiel has prefiled two bills ahead of the 2026 Alabama legislative session. The bills, which will be considered when l...
Hollimon reflects on 40 years in education
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Dr. Deanna Hollimon always felt she was called to be an educator. After 40 years as a teacher, reading coach, administrator and educati...
Firefighters train for vehicle rescues
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City firefighters trained last week on how to stabilize overturned vehicles and remove trapped occupants. Fire Chief Joe Mansell said t...
Neighbors helping neighbors, one soda pop tab at a time
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 7, 2026
Most people don’t think twice about the small aluminum tab on top of a soda can. But those tiny pieces of metal have quietly helped families stay clos...
2025: A year of results for Alabama families
Columnists, Opinion
January 7, 2026
The past year has certainly been a memorable one — and, more importantly, a rewarding one. Beginning the year by leading the Laken Riley Act through t...
Author’s collapse was motivation for comeback
News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
When Pete Key collapsed on the bathroom floor in 2024, it didn’t feel like a turning point. It felt like an ending. He had been sick for days — dehydr...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *