Hinds CC trustees award 5 Emeritus titles

RAYMOND – The Hinds Community College Board of Trustees recently awarded Emeritus status to five college retirees, bringing the number awarded to 52.

They are Sherry Franklin Bellmon, formerly of Brandon, now of Huntsville, Ala., Terri Shores Black of Canton, Lamar Currie of Utica, Dr. Roger Jones of Raymond and Cindy West of Raymond.

Bellmon retired in 2023 as Vice President of Instruction – CTE with 30 years of service to education and 19 of those at Hinds. She led the Utica Campus during her tenure and two major divisions that directly fed into workforce development. She was awarded the 3E Award in 2024. She has been named Vice President Emeritus.

Black retired in 2015 but continues to teach parttime in Kinesiology. She has nearly 44 years of service to Hinds including as a coach for basketball, tennis and softball. She was Department chair for Health and Physical Education twice. In 2021, Black was inducted into the Hinds Community College Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2022, she was inducted into the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame (where she currently serves on the Executive Committee). She has been named Professor Emeritus of Physical Education.

Lamar Currie worked for Hinds Meat Merchandizing for 35 years before retiring in 2012. He served for many years as the president of the Faculty/Staff Alumni Association. He has been named Professor Emeritus of Agriculture.

Dr. Roger Jones worked for Hinds for 53 years, beginning the Meat Merchandizing program. He retired in 2019 as chair of the Agriculture Department. He has been named Professor Emeritus of Agriculture.

Currie and Jones were named to the 100 People Passionate about Hinds during the Centennial. Together, they were awarded the 3E Award in 1995 and most recently as joint 2025 Alumni Service Award winners.

Cindy West began her career at Hinds as a Drafting and Design Instructor, also serving as Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Assistant Dean and Dean of Career and Technical Education before retiring in 2021. She has been named Dean Emeritus.

Hinds’ Board of Trustees established Emeritus Status recognition in May 2004, which is awarded to retired faculty members and non-teaching professionals who have served the college with distinction.

An individual must have a minimum of 30 years in education with a minimum of 15 years of honorable and distinguished service to Hinds Community College, and must have exhibited excellence in the following areas to be considered: exemplary teaching, service to college and community, scholarly research projects, publications, honors bestowed by other colleges or by professional associations, exceptional service in the profession on a national level, invited lectures or speaking engagements and civic or community recognitions.