Northwest Mississippi Community College Launches Centennial Celebration and Centennial Circle Fundraising Initiative
Fall events will honor the college's first 100 years while creating opportunities for future generations
Senatobia, MS (08/27/2026) — Northwest Mississippi Community College will officially launch its Centennial Celebration in September 2026, beginning a series of events commemorating 100 years of transforming students, families and communities throughout Northwest Mississippi.
The fall celebration will feature commemorative ceremonies, athletic events, campus gatherings, facility dedications and opportunities to recognize the generations of students, alumni, employees and community partners who have shaped Northwest since its founding.
"This Centennial is more than a celebration of Northwest's history-it is a celebration of the people who built this institution and the communities we have been privileged to serve," said Northwest President Dr. Michael Heindl. "As we honor our first 100 years, we are also looking forward with great excitement and purpose to the opportunities ahead."
September will serve as "Kick-Off Emphasis Month," beginning Sept. 3 with a Centennial Throwback Football Game as the Northwest Rangers host Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Fans are encouraged to wear black, and the evening will feature special Centennial announcements, giveaways, rally towels and commemorative elements throughout the game.
The official Centennial Kickoff Celebration will take place Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m. on the Senatobia campus. Planned activities include the dedication of a historical marker, the unveiling of a portrait honoring Dean James P. McCormick, commemorative remarks from state and college leaders, and at a later date, the burial of a Centennial time capsule.
SuperTalk Mississippi will broadcast live from the Senatobia campus throughout the day on Sept. 8, featuring "Mornings with Richard Cross," "MidDays with Gerard Gibert" and "SportsTalk Mississippi." Interviews with Northwest leaders, alumni, students and friends of the college will highlight Northwest's history and its vision for the next century.
Centennial Circle to Create a Lasting Legacy
The Sept. 8 celebration will also officially launch the quiet phase of the Centennial Circle, a signature fundraising initiative of the Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation.
The Centennial Circle seeks to secure commitments from 100 donors who will each contribute or pledge $10,000 in recognition of Northwest's 100th anniversary. The initiative is designed to generate at least $1 million to support the college's highest priorities and provide meaningful opportunities for future generations of Northwest students.
Individuals, families, alumni, businesses and organizations may participate through a one-time gift or a pledge fulfilled over an established period. Donors may also make gifts in honor or memory of a family member, former student, faculty member, coach or other individual who has played a meaningful role in Northwest's history.
To join the Centennial Circle or learn more about giving opportunities, donors may:
- To donate, please visit https://www.northwestms.edu/about/foundation/centennial
- Contact Meg Crockett at the Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation at 662.562.3944
- Email mecrockett@northwestms.edu
- Mail a gift to the Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation at 4975 Highway 51 North, NWCC Box 7015, Senatobia, MS 38668
Checks should be made payable to the Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation with "Centennial Circle" included on the memo line.
"The Centennial Circle gives those who believe in Northwest an opportunity to honor the college's past while investing in its future," Dr. Heindl said. "Every commitment will help Northwest continue opening doors, changing lives and strengthening our region for generations to come."
Additional September activities will include the Rural Community College Alliance Conference, Sept. 16-18, and the Sept. 17 home football game against Mississippi Delta Community College. Northwest will also host a monthly Centennial speaker series in the R.C. Pugh Library. Programs are expected to take place on the first Tuesday of each month, with speakers and topics to be announced.
October will be recognized as "Homecoming and Athletics Emphasis Month." Northwest will welcome alumni and friends back to campus for the Oct. 1 Homecoming game against Coahoma Community College. Former Homecoming court members, band members, student-athletes, cheerleaders, coaches and other alumni groups will be invited to participate in the celebration.
Homecoming festivities are also expected to include the ribbon-cutting for the Northwest Athletic Hall of Fame and activities honoring former student-athletes and coaches.
On Oct. 8, Northwest will host its Board of Trustees meeting and a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Agricultural Technology facility at the college farm. Representatives from John Deere, agricultural industry partners, students, instructors and community leaders will be invited to participate.
Additional October home football games include Itawamba Community College on Oct. 15 and Southwest Mississippi Community College on Oct. 22. Northwest will also welcome a SACSCOC reaffirmation committee to campus Oct. 26-29.
November will highlight Northwest's campuses and institutional leadership. Scheduled events include:
Nov. 5 - Fine Arts Building ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m.
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day observances at Northwest locations
Centennial receptions at the DeSoto Center and Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center in Oxford
Nov. 17 - "100 Years of Thanksgiving: Celebrating the Past and Highlighting the Future" at 2 p.m. on the Senatobia campus
The Nov. 17 program will feature a leadership conversation with former Northwest presidents Dr. Gary Lee Spears and Dr. David Haraway and current President Dr. Michael Heindl. The three leaders will reflect on Northwest's growth, its impact and the opportunities that await the college in its second century. A reception will follow the program.
December will conclude the fall schedule with "Centennial Graduation and Centennial Christmas Emphasis Month." Commencement will feature specially branded Centennial stoles, tassels and diploma covers. Northwest will also participate in community Christmas parades with Centennial-themed floats and is planning a Centennial Christmas Open House.
On Dec. 10, Northwest will hold groundbreaking ceremonies for the Centennial Bell and Clock Tower and the Northwest Chapel. These projects will create visible and lasting reminders of the college's history and its commitment to future generations.
Additional Centennial programs, reunions, service initiatives, and special events are being planned for 2027. January will highlight academics and health sciences, followed by career-technical education and workforce development in February. March madness will feature an athletics emphasis, while April will celebrate the artists who have shaped, and continue to shape, Northwest. The Centennial year will conclude in May with a special graduation celebration. Dates and additional event details will be announced as plans are finalized.
Members of the Northwest community are encouraged to follow the college's website and official social media channels for the latest Centennial information.
For 100 years, Northwest Mississippi Community College has provided accessible, affordable and life-changing educational opportunities. Throughout the Centennial Celebration, the college will honor that proud legacy while preparing to serve Northwest Mississippi for the next 100 years.
About Northwest Mississippi Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College is a comprehensive, two-year public institution serving an 11-county district in Northwest Mississippi. Through academic, career-technical, workforce and community programs, Northwest empowers students and strengthens the communities it serves.
To learn more about Northwest, please visit Northwestms.edu.
To learn more about the Northwest Centennial, please visit https://www.northwestms.edu/centennial.
Media Attachments
Northwest Centennial logo by Kevin Pitts
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Andrew Dale, Associate Vice President of Community Relations, adale@northwestms.eduShare this Story
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