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��«Ӱҵ conferred emeritus status on two retirees at the annual spring convocation ceremonies on Jan. 6. Dr. Dan Hogan of Raymond, vice president emeritus, and Rebecca Tustain of Vicksburg, professor emeritus of nursing, joined 27 others who have achieved that status at ��«Ӱҵ.

Emeritus status is conferred on retirees who have dedicated their lives to ��«Ӱҵ and are selected by a committee. A plaque and photo recognizing their status is put into the Emeritus Room at Fountain Hall on the Raymond Campus.

Tustain retired in 1995 after 35 years at ��«Ӱҵ but continues to teach as an adjunct instructor for the Vicksburg-Warren Campus nursing program.

She began her career at ��«Ӱҵ as a student in the Associate Degree Nursing Program.�� While continuing to work full time, she earned other degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing. She worked as a staff nurse and charge nurse before moving to the education side.�� Her first role was serving as learning lab instructor and then she transitioned to the faculty side at ��«Ӱҵ.��

“Known as a master teacher, who is creative, engaging and highly effective, Mrs. Tustain is a nurse practitioner, but all who know her well feel that her true calling is that of an ADN (Associate Degree Nursing) instructor,” said Jackie Granberry, vice president for Advancement and Student Success, who made the presentation.

Tustain, a ��«Ӱҵ graduation, said she never wanted to work anywhere else. “I quickly realized there was a feeling of family, a feeling of security, a feeling of comfort. And I knew then I was in the right place. I knew then I’d never really leave, and I didn’t,” she said. “��«Ӱҵ will always be my family.”

Hogan retired in 2007 with 39 years of service, 33 years at ��«Ӱҵ. He was vice president for the Raymond Campus and Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. He started his career at ��«Ӱҵ as a math instructor and moved up the ladder to department chairperson and academic dean.

“Known as a mentor to many, Dr. Hogan’s manner of leadership fostered great rapport among his direct reports, thus building a team that excelled on many projects,” Granberry said. “He continues to serve as an ambassador for the college within the community. He also remains very involved in many of the activities of the college and the ��«Ӱҵ Foundation.”

Hogan said the college is very supportive of employees’ new ideas, such as the creation of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. UAVs are popularly known as drones. “The college allows you great opportunity to create, innovate, introduce new curriculum, new courses, new programs,” he said. “��«Ӱҵ supports and encourages its employees, just like a good family. Yes, at ��«Ӱҵ we are family.”