May 6, 2025
The Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute at Pearl River Community College held their annual Medallion Ceremony in the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts on the Poplarville campus on April 28. Honors students from the Forrest County and Poplarville Campuses were recognized, including several Middle College students, with faculty, family, and friends in attendance.
Dr. Jennifer Seal, Executive Vice President for Planning and Accreditation/Dean of the Honors Institute on the Poplarville Campus, welcomed the students, family, friends, and faculty in attendance.
“The Medallion Ceremony provides an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of dedicated graduates of the Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute while also reaffirming the lofty expectations we hold for their futures in education, employment, and service,” said Dr. Seal.
Dr. Douglas Donohue, Associate Dean of the Honors Institute on the Forrest County Campus, provided an overview of the institute. This included its creation in 2011 with the vision to nurture the brightest minds while fostering a culture of critical thinking and inspiring a love of life-long learning.
“As you go forward, remember the value instilled in you during your time with the Honors Institute: integrity, curiosity, and the pursuit of excellence,” said Dr. Donohue. “The future is bright, and I have no doubt that you continue to shine brightly wherever life takes you.”
To receive a medallion, students had to complete at least 21 hours of honors coursework and maintain a cumulative 3.4 grade point average. The honors coursework covers the same material as covered in regular sections of a course but in greater depth with more opportunity for students to pursue individual interests.
Makayla Herberger and Kaycee Tanner, both attending the Forrest County Campus, as well as Sahil Ajmera and Chloe Ezell, both attending the Poplarville Campus, were chosen to say a few words on behalf of their compatriots. Each expressed the impact being a member of the Honors Institute had on their experience at PRCC and how it will serve them well in future endeavors. Both Ajmera and Tanner are Middle College students. Ajmera concurrently attends Pearl River Central High School and Tanner is a homeschooled student.
Dr. Jana Causey, Vice President for Forrest County Campus, shared information about each student’s achievements and associations as a PRCC student. The physical presentation of the medallion was done by Dean of the Honors Institute on the Forrest County Campus Dr. Ryan Ruckel and Dr. Seal.
Closing remarks were provided by Dr. Ruckel. He gave a heartfelt and inspiring speech that challenged students to forge their path ahead in life by remembering WWCCC: Whole Person, Wizard (as in pull back the curtain), Community, Courage, and Continue.
“I want to challenge you today to continue; that you take the lessons that you’ve learned here, the victories that you’ve gained here, the ways that you’ve grown here,” said Dr. Ruckel. “And now look for the ways to do what we’ve done and that you invest that in others, that you build new communities in the new places where you find yourself.”
Students Awarded an Honors Medallion
Sahil Ajmera – Carriere
Kenzie Beliveau – Petal
Zya Boggan – Purvis
Barrett Breazeale – Hattiesburg
Brandon Brooks – Purvis
Karsyn Brown – Hattiesburg
Ashlyn Burkhalter – Sumrall
Chloe Busby – Hattiesburg
Skylar Dozier – Hattiesburg
Lara Elgohary – Hattiesburg
Chloe Ezell – Ocean Springs
Haileigh Green – Purvis
Justin Hamilton – Collins
Destiny Harris – Hattiesburg
Makayla Herberger – Lumberton
Peyton Hoffmayer – Ocean Springs
Allyiah Johnston – Hattiesburg
Kara Jones – Hattiesburg
Brayson Kirby – Carriere
Kyrstin Korbe – Tylertown
Jessica Lawrence – Ocean Springs
Russell Long – Columbia
Laura Kate Lumpkin – Carriere
Braden Mann – Petal
William Phelps – Hattiesburg
Summer Powers – Sumrall
Tanner Provost – Picayune
Isabella Rainey – Hattiesburg
Skylar Reed – Hattiesburg
Jackson Rigney – Petal
Colten Rimes – Purvis
Cayden Robertson – Petal
Nickolas Rogers – Petal
Anna Rounsaville – Gulfport
Madeleine Smith – Hattiesburg
Tucker Smith – Poplarville
Christine Stafford – Petal
Kaycee Tanner – Lucedale
Faith Wakefield – Lumberton
Talon Whitfield – Picayune
Naomi Williamson – Wiggins
Kennedy Wilson – Gulfport
Austin Woods – Carriere
Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute
The Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute at Pearl River Community College provides an enriched academic experience for high-achieving, intellectually curious students. With small, discussion-based classes led by award-winning faculty, the Institute offers a supportive community, private study spaces, and engaging weekly forums with guest speakers. Honors students benefit from specialized advising, field trips, and opportunities to participate in conferences and community service.
Eligibility is selective: incoming freshmen need a minimum ACT composite score of 25 and a 3.4 GPA, while current PRCC students must have at least 12 college credits and a 3.4 GPA. Honors graduates may earn a Medallion (21+ honors hours, 3.4 GPA) or Certificate (11+ honors hours, 3.25 GPA), and are well-prepared for transfer to four-year honors programs and additional scholarships.
To apply to the Honors Institute, please complete the Honors Institute Application. For more information, contact Dr. Jennifer Seal (Poplarville Campus), Dr. Ryan Ruckel, or Dr. Douglas Donohue (Forrest County Campus).
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG),and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by River Roderick.
