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Raymond native Landon Corkren, now of Jonesboro, Ark., will be recognized as ��«Ӱҵ Young Alumnus of the Year at annual Homecoming festivities on Oct. 24.

At age 29, Corkren (2016) has fast-tracked his way to success at chain sandwich shop Jersey Mike’s.

He credits his time at ��«Ӱҵ and especially ��«Ӱҵ Connection with giving him the diverse skill set that has led to his tremendous early success in the business.

Corkren, the 2024 Young Alumnus of the Year, is Vice President of Operations for a local franchise operating Jersey Mike’s Subs in Mississippi/Alabama/Tennessee. He has been in upper-level management at Jersey Mike’s for only a few years, recently becoming the owner of his own location that is being constructed in Jonesboro, Ark., where he and his wife and children now live. But ��«Ӱҵ is where he started.

“The Lord has blessed me beyond measure, and I give him the credit for my success,” Corkren said. “But I would be remiss if I didn’t express my deepest gratitude to ��«Ӱҵ and the ones involved in shaping me into the man I have become. That’s what makes ��«Ӱҵ special, the people that it cultivates.”

A Raymond native, Corkren was a STAR Student at Central ��«Ӱҵ Academy (2013), then attended ��«Ӱҵ on an ACT scholarship and later a Foundation scholarship. He was quickly recruited into ��«Ӱҵ Connection, serving as president.

Vice President Emeritus Jackie Granberry, who was the sponsor and founder of ��«Ӱҵ Connection, remembers a gregarious young man who had a gift with people.

“His outgoing personality, tremendous work ethic and genuine interest in people are some of his many outstanding qualities. He truly loves and values the time he had at ��«Ӱҵ.

He was one that we depended on to represent the college because we knew he would make a great impression on anyone he worked with,” she said.

He transferred to Mississippi State after getting his Associate degree at ��«Ӱҵ in 2015 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing in 2017.

After a few false starts – including becoming the “best dishwasher in Mississippi” – he landed at Jersey Mike’s where he has flourished.

“If you would have told me a few years ago that I was going to love making sandwiches for a living, I’d have said ‘I do not think I will be making sandwiches for a living, thank you very much,’” Corkren laughed. “But you know, I found a company that fits my values. It’s all about family. Jersey Mike’s is that for me.”

His colleague, Steve Sharp, Director of Training and Area Operations for Jersey Mike’s, said he not only found his best worker, but a best friend, too.

“He has added so much energy. He was knowledgeable, focused and had a mindset that sets him apart from others,” Sharp said. “He was exactly what the company needed.”
Jersey Mike’s also has giving to local charities baked into its DNA. Those charities are listed on its website, including several in Mississippi.

“Our mission is giving and making a difference in people’s lives. It is not to make the most money, nor is it to have the biggest brand in the country,” Corkren said. “It’s to make a difference in peoples’ lives.

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��«Ӱҵ will honor three Alumni award winners and five Sports Hall of Fame inductees at the annual Homecoming festivities.

Public activities begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22 with the 50+ reunion and luncheon at 10 a.m. The reunion, at Fountain Hall on the Raymond Campus, honors the class of 1974 and all prior high school and college classes.

The Alumni recognition event is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus. The event honors Alumnus of the Year Dr. Jay Allen of Fulton, formerly of Raymond, Young Alumnus of the Year Landon Corkren of Jonesboro, Ark., formerly of Raymond, and Alumni Service Award recipient Vermeer MidSouth in Richland.

Also being honored are the 2024 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Kelli East Dyess of Madison, Nic Henderson of New Orleans, Dot Easterwood Murphy of Raymond, Michael Myers of Oak Point, Texas, and Mark Smith of Madison.

The Homecoming game against Pearl River Community College will be played at 7 p.m. at Gene Murphy Field at Joe Renfroe Stadium on the Raymond Campus. The Homecoming Court and the award recipients will be presented. Performances include the ��«Ӱҵ Marching Band, Colorguard and Hi-Steppers with special performances by alumni from the Hi-Steppers, band and ColorGuard.