Welcome from the BOArd Chairman
I am a native of Sunflower County and my father, the late Jim Randall, was head football coach and Athletic Director here from 1952 until the mid-70s. Thus, my attachment to the college runs deep. When Dad retired as A.D. and Head Coach, he was asked to head up MDCC’s Foundation by Dr. J. T. Hall, MDCC’s president at that time. With the assistance of a very devoted Bethe Williams, they began the Foundation’s activities from the ground up. Tragically, dad was killed in an car accident in ‘93 and shortly after his death, I was asked to join the Foundation Board. I am now nearing my 29th year of service. I was asked to chair the Board about 17 years ago and have enjoyed serving in this role. When I reflect on the positives of the Foundation and its success over the years, my mind goes directly to scholarships. Each year our Foundation awards over 200 students with monies to help them meet their financial needs. We give well over $160,000 in total scholarship money each year. That speaks volumes to me and conveys the main purpose of our Foundation. We also assist various departments of the college with certain projects they may have on the table or capital needs for particular equipment among many other projects.
My primary goal for the Foundation is to continue to solicit donations. Within the last 3 years, we have brought in historic donations to the Foundation. In 2022, we received the largest single donation in MDCC’s history of $200K. Fast forward to 2023, and we were blessed that have that number surpassed with a $250k donation. We are very hopeful to continue this streak of generosity. The college has many needs, and I am anxious for the Foundation to be in a position to help both the academic arena as well as the athletic departments. The Delta has faced so many challenges and it frustrates me to see us fall behind other community colleges who are in more densely populated areas. What we have to offer is a high-quality faculty, a nurturing environment, and a personal, family-like atmosphere, and I highly emphasize the latter. We have a solid product and we need to work harder to sell that product to past alums and key businesses in the Delta, incorporating them into the MDCC team.
In closing, I encourage all alumni, faculty members, administrators of the college, as well as all business leaders in the Delta to reach out to either Jim Aycock, our Executive Director, or me personally, if they have a desire to hear the MDCC story and purpose. I feel once they hear it, they will want to join us as we strive to better lives, which, frankly, is what we are all about.
About Us & Our Mission:
Established in 1991 by our first Executive Director, the late Mr. Jim Randall, the MDCC Development Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The Foundation exists as a separate entity from the college itself, but shares a mutual goal and mission: supporting our students and removing obstacles preventing them from achieving their academic goals.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all contributions made to the Foundation are deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Our service district:
Sunflower
Humphreys
Leflore
Washington
Sharkey
Issaquena
Bolivar