POPLARVILLE – Pearl River Community College installed its first members of the Fine Arts Hall of Fame Tuesday, April 17, during a choral concert in the Brownstone Center for the Arts.
Dr. Kyle Hill, chairman of the Department of Fine Arts and Communication, presented them between the performances of the RiverRoad pop choir and the PRCC Singers.
“ It is an opportunity to honor former students and instructors in all areas of the arts, those who have contributed to the success of the department over the years,” he said.
They are:
Connie Holmes of Hattiesburg, retired drama and speech instructor and director of the String of Pearls dance team.
Dr. Mark Malone, music professor at William Carey University and former PRCC choral director.
Howell Purvis of Purvis, 1955 graduate of PRCC who has played Taps at 502 military funerals since his retirement from the U.S. Secret Service.
Archie Rawls of Poplarville, Pearl River graduate and retired PRCC director of bands, chairman of the Department of Fine Arts and Communication and Brownstone director.
Michael Sprinkell of Gulfport, a music student at PRCC who was killed in a 2003 traffic accident. His parents, Connie and Becky Sprinkell, and his brother, Daniel Sprinkell, accepted the honor.
“Your names are going to be cemented in the legacy of the fine arts of this great institution,” said Dr. Adam Breerwood, PRCC president. “You are part of the rich history of this institution.”
The first class of the Pearl River Community College Fine Arts Hall of Fame was presented Tuesday, April 17, during a choral concert at the Brownstone Center for the Arts. They are, seated from left, retired speech and drama instructor Connie Holmes of Hattiesburg, alumnus and trumpet player Howell Purvis of Purvis; standing, Dr. Kyle Hill, Fine Arts and Communication chairman who presented the awards; Daniel, Connie and Becky Sprinkell of Gulfport, the family of student Michael Sprinklell who was killed in a traffic accident; and Archie Rawls of Poplarville, retired band director and department chair. Not pictured is Dr. Mark Malone of Hattiesburg, William Carey University professor and former PRCC choral director.
PRCC Public Relations photo
