Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Co-Lin Alumni Association names 2020 outstanding faculty, staff members
WESSON – The Co-Lin Alumni Association recently honored five outstanding faculty and staff members during the annual fall convocation held virtually via Zoom. Those honored from the Wesson Campus were Don Blandon of Bogue Chitto, Christopher Brady of Ridgeland, and Julia Parker of Brookhaven. Michelle Crace of Magee was the Simpson County Center honoree, and Denise Thibodeaux of Natchez was recognized for the Natchez Campus.
Don Blandon
Blandon was selected as Outstanding Career-Technical Instructor for the Wesson Campus. He has been employed at Co-Lin since 2015, where he is an instructor in the welding department. Blandon received his welding certificate from Co-Lin in 1998. He is also a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Craft Instructor. Blandon previously worked for Wastequip in Brookhaven. He is a member of Living Word Faith Ministry. Blandon has three children, Don Jr., Damon, and Jasmine.
Christopher Brady
Brady was selected as Outstanding Academic Instructor for the Wesson Campus. He has been employed at Co-Lin since 2015 and was a 1995 graduate of Mississippi College. Brady received a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Mississippi. He previously worked as an instructor at East Central Community College. Brady is a member of St. Columbus Episcopal Church and is a volunteer at the Lone House food shelter. He and his wife Leanne live in Ridgeland.
Julia Parker
Parker was selected as Outstanding Staff Member for the Wesson Campus. She has been employed at Co-Lin since 2007 and serves as the Director of Human Resources. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University and a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi. Parker is also an adjunct instructor for Mississippi Virtual Community College. She is a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and is a licensed professional in human resources from the HR Certification Institute. Parker is a member of Bethel AME Church in Brookhaven where she serves as church secretary, young people’s and children’s division director, and stewardess. She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She and her husband Louis (’00 Co-Lin alum), have two children, Louis X. (’17 Co-Lin alum), and Julian (Co-Lin freshman). 
Michelle Crace
Crace was selected as Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member for the Simpson County Center. She has been employed at Co-Lin since 2005, where she is an English instructor and an academic chair. Crace has a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree from William Carey University. Prior to Co-Lin, she was an English teacher at Mize Attendance Center and Hunt Academy. Crace is a member of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Magee. She and her husband Nathan have three children, Emily, Cameron, and Cole.
Denise Thibodeaux
Thibodeaux was selected as Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member for the Natchez Campus. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Delta State University. Thibodeaux has been employed at Co-Lin since 2012, where she started as an adjunct faculty member teaching Anatomy and Physiology and dual enrollment classes at Cathedral High School. She became a full-time instructor of biological sciences at Co-Lin in 2018. Prior to Co-Lin, she taught at St. Joseph High School in Madison and was an adjunct faculty member at Holmes Community College in Ridgeland. Thibodeaux is a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, the Science Teaching Excites Medical Interest (STEMI) program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and is regional director of the Southwest Mississippi Science Olympiad. She is a member of St. Mary Basilica Catholic Church in Natchez. She and her husband Dan have three children, Ansleigh, Owen, and Emma.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
