Mississippi is coming to Hattiesburg as Sales and Marketing Professionals announces its Humanitarian honorees, in conjunction with The Mississippi Pinnacle Awards. Aubrey K. Lucas will receive the highest humanitarian honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Mississippi has always been known as the Hospitality State. Doing for others is in our genetic makeup. As we raise scholarship dollars for the next generation of marketers, we want to also recognize those practitioners who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to strengthen Mississippi communities,” said Michael Marks, Chair of the statewide awards.
Humanitarian Award honorees will be formally presented at an awards gala to take place at Lake Terrace Convention Center on Tuesday night, April 9 in Hattiesburg. The black-tie event will celebrate the accomplishments of statewide finalists before naming 2024 Mississippi Pinnacle Awards winners. The Mississippi Pinnacle Awards honor excellence, professionalism, and outstanding achievement in sales, marketing, and community engagement and showcase the highest level of public relations talent in the state.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Aubrey K. Lucas
Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas is President Emeritus of the University of Southern Mississippi. Lucas received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and attained his Ph.D from Florida State University. In 1975, Lucas became the 6th President of the University of Southern Mississippi. He also served as chair of the American Association of Colleges and Universities and on the board of the American Council on Education.
Lucas served as the fourth president of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi from 1971 to 1975. Striving to increase and improve Delta State’s credibility as a reputable institution of higher learning, one of Lucas’ goals was to improve academic programs. He worked closely with the National Council Accreditation for Teacher Education. In 1973, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaccredited Delta State. In 1974, Delta State College became known as Delta State University.
On July 1, 1975, Dr. Aubrey Keith Lucas became the sixth president of the University of Southern Mississippi, having served as instructor, director of admissions, registrar, and dean of the Graduate School. Among the accomplishments that punctuated the Lucas years were the formation of the Teaching and Learning Resource Center; creation of the Faculty Senate; establishment of the Center for International Education; replacement of the quarter system with the semester system; creation of the Polymer Science Institute; reorganization of the university’s 10 schools into six colleges; formation of the Institute for Learning in Retirement; and affiliation with the athletic conference, Conference USA. After 21 years, Lucas stepped down from the presidency on December 31, 1996.
Lucas is active in civic and charitable organizations as well as the United Methodist Church. He served as the Lay Leader for the Mississippi Conference from 2000–2004 and has served on the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, and on the Board of Directors of Africa University in Zimbabwe. He has served as Chair of the Center for Ministry at Millsaps College. Along with other Methodist visionaries who studied at Southern during the 1950s, Lucas attributes great influence to the teachings and leadership of the Rev. Sam S Barefield, Jr, who was at that time Wesley Foundation Director.
Lucas served as Chair of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art Board of Trustees, Chair of the Hattiesburg Salvation Army Advisory Board, Chair of the Mississippi Arts Commission; Chair of the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters; Chair of the Board of Directors of the Hattiesburg Area Community Foundation, and has served on the Mississippi Humanities Council. He is a member of the Hattiesburg Convention Center Commission.
With his trademark bowtie in place, Lucas oversaw the evolution of the University of Southern Mississippi. For that and other activities, he is one of only 11 Mississippi Medal of Service recipients when then Governor Haley Barbour said of this select group’s service distinction, “These individuals have had tremendous influence on Mississippi. Their hard work and contributions have made Mississippi a better place to live and work.”
Oseola McCarty Community Impact Award: Secretary of State Michael Watson’s Statewide Initiative on Human Trafficking
Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking is a statewide initiative by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office and Secretary Michael Watson to raise awareness of trafficking and empower Mississippi businesses to coMBAT trafficking.
As an MBAT member, Mississippians are asked to take advantage of the educational materials available to help them better understand the issues surrounding trafficking and how to recognize it in the workplace.
According to Compassion International, “Human traffickers rob children of their innocence, sexually exploit women and men, and subject enslaved migrants to deplorable working conditions through forced labor. They prey upon the weak, ignorant and desperate, infect communities, and harm societies and economies.”
“Sprint Mart is proud to partner with MBAT because we recognize the critical role convenience stores and travel centers can play in the identification and reporting of suspected human trafficking,” said Matt Bogue, vice president of the Dutch Group. The Mississippi Braves minor league baseball team is also partnering with the Secretary of State’s office. Both Mississippi Braves and Sprint Mart representatives were involved at the Secretary’s inception of MBAT.
Rising Star Achievement Award: Sacred Heart Catholic School Mock Trial Team
The Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar sponsors the Mississippi High School Mock Trial Competition, in which Hattiesburg’s Sacred Heart Catholic School has participated since 2008. In the competition, students take on the roles of lawyers and witnesses in a case that the state committee has prepared, and experienced lawyers or judges serve as the jury and presiding judges.
Teams are evaluated on their ability to make a logical, cohesive, and persuasive presentation. The competition gives students the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of civil and criminal law and courtroom procedures. According to current local attorney coaches for the team Mary Moore and Ward Conville and David Miller, in 2023, Sacred Heart’s Mock Trial Team won the Mississippi High School Mock Trial Competition for the 13th consecutive year and represented the Magnolia State in national competition in each of those years.
Evelyn Gandy Women’s Leadership Award: Neurosurgeon Dr. Deborrah Hyde
According to the National Library of Medicine, a less-publicized consequence of the civil rights movement in the mid-20th century is the door of opportunity it provided for African American women to become neurosurgeons. Mississippian Deborrah Hyde received her BS with honors from Tougaloo College in 1969 and her MS in biology at Cleveland State University. Despite being told in medical school that she was not qualified to compete with “better-prepared” nonminority students, Hyde received her MD from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 1977, earning election into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.
The next year, she began neurosurgery residency at Case Western under Dr. Robert A. Ratcheson and Dr. Robert F. Spetzler, finishing in 1982 as the program’s first female graduate. In 1985, Hyde became the second African American woman certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and in 1991 she established the Beacon of Hope Scholarship Foundation for underprivileged youth. She currently resides in her native Laurel.
Abb Payne is acutely aware of the impact that political trailblazer Evelyn Gandy’s tenure in state government had on Mississippi women. The Payne Companies CEO acknowledges, “Dr. Deborrah Hyde is a medical trailblazer and embodies those same leadership qualities and exhibits that same passion for humanity that was characteristic of Governor Gandy.”
Community Engagement Award: City of Meridian’s Juneteenth Heritage Festival
According to Terrence Davis, Meridian’s Community Development Cultural Affairs Coordinator, for more than two decades Meridian has commemorated the end of slavery with a celebration of local African Americans’ contributions to a more equitable future, plus empowering activities for everyone. Each year, the city’s Juneteenth Heritage Festival has experienced growth - from the participation of residents and those from surrounding counties to a vast array of culture-inspired activities for all ages and heritages.
In 2023, the festival expanded to a four-day celebration that included a Black Business Expo, a KidZone event at the Mississippi Children’s Museum - Meridian and a gospel celebration. The celebration culminated with a 2023 Trailblazers Ceremony (which included the founder of Meridian’s first Juneteenth observance, the CEO and owner of a family-owned funeral home established in 1882 and the City of Meridian’s first African American police chief) and the theatrical production “Freedom Day,” which was written and produced by one of Meridian’s up-and-coming African-American playwrights.
To nominate an exceptional Mississippian, business, organization or event for a Pinnacle Award, or for information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit salesandmarketingprofessionals.org. Prior to the gala awards dinner, Humanitarian honorees, sponsors and guests will mingle with statewide Pinnacle Finalists at a VIP cocktail reception, hosted by SMP State President Katie Martin and Standard Office Supply and Printing, Powered By OEC.
About Sales and Marketing Professionals
SMP is a state-wide organization comprised of owners, managers, and account executives involved in sales and marketing. Membership includes professionals from all fields of businesses, including banks, media, real estate, medical, retail, tourism, law, academics, and more, including students preparing to enter the workforce.
