Lamar to address Northwest graduates
by Nancy Patterson
5/6/2008

Northwest Mississippi Community College alumna, Mississippi Supreme Court Associate Justice Ann Hannaford Lamar of Senatobia, will be addressing Northwest graduates in two ceremonies on Friday, May 16 in the Howard Coliseum. This year, 617 students will be participating in the graduation ceremony, making it the largest commencement to date.

At the 10 a.m. ceremony those receiving career certificates and Associate of Applied Science degrees will participate, while students receiving Associate of Arts degrees will participate in the 3 p.m. ceremony.

Lamar was appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court May 21, 2007.

Previously she served five and a half years as a circuit judge from the 17th Circuit Court. From January to May 2007, she presided over the 17th Circuit Drug Court, supervising program participants in four of the five counties in the district.

She concluded a year as chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges in April 2007. Lamar served for a year and 10 months as district attorney in the 17th District. She was an assistant district attorney from August 1987 to January 1993 and from January 1996 to December 1999.

She is the third woman to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Lamar attended Northwest from 1970-1971, and in 1982 she earned her law degree at the University of Mississippi School of Law. The daughter of former Chancery Judge, the late Leon Hannaford of Senatobia, she is married to John Lamar, and they have two sons-—John T. Lamar III and Vance Lamar.

According to Larry Simpson, dean of Enrollment Management and Registrar, there are 136 Associate of Applied Science and 195 Career Certificate graduates; and 286 Associate of Arts graduates.

Among those who are graduating is Amishia Taylor, 21, of Olive Branch.

Taylor will go to The University of Mississippi to earn her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

“I definitely enjoyed my time here at Northwest. I’ve learned so much, and I feel like I’m very much prepared to go off to a university,” said Taylor.

At the 10 a.m. ceremony, Northwest cosmetology major Lauri Williams of Senatobia will deliver the invocation. Joe Broadway, executive assistant to the President and district dean of Career-Technical Education, will award diplomas and certificates as announced by Dean Simpson.

At 3 p.m. business administration major Samuel Gregory of Hernando will deliver the invocation. Diplomas will be awarded by Dr. Marilyn Bateman, dean of academic education, and announced by Simpson.

Graduates and guests at both ceremonies will hear a welcome by Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears.

The Northwest Symphonic Band, under the direction of John Ungurait, will perform the Processional and Recessional and Alma Mater. They will also perform “America the Beautiful” with the Northwest Singers, under the direction of Susanne VanDyke.

Northwest student S.A. Umberger contributed to this article.