RAYMOND, Miss.
Hinds Community College has announced its prestigious honorees for the 2026 Alumnus of the Year, Young Alumnus of the Year, Alumni Service Award and Sports Hall of Fame class. These distinguished individuals and organizations represent a legacy of excellence, leadership, and service across higher education, athletics and professional fields.
2026 Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Melvin Oakes
Dr. Melvin Oakes has been named the 2026 Hinds Community College Alumnus of the Year. A 1954 Hinds pre-engineering student on a basketball scholarship, Oakes went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and built a distinguished 40-year career as a physics professor at the University of Texas at Austin. A pioneer in plasma heating research for nuclear fusion, he is recognized as one of the most decorated teachers in the UT Department of Physics and serves as Professor Emeritus.
2026 Young Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Mark Jimerson
Dr. Mark Jimerson has been selected as the 2026 Young Alumnus of the Year. A 2013 Hinds associate of arts graduate and former Hinds Connection leader, Jimerson dedicated his career to higher education access, student recruitment and institutional advancement. After earning degrees from Jackson State University, he held leadership roles at JSU and Mississippi State University, where he currently serves as Assistant Director of Online Admissions and Enrollment following the completion of his doctorate in 2024.
2026 Alumni Service Award
The Vicksburg Medical Foundation
The Vicksburg Medical Foundation has been named the recipient of the 2026 Hinds Community College Alumni Service Award. Over a 41-year partnership, the Foundation has donated $3.45 million to the Hinds Community College Foundation, helping expand healthcare education and workforce development across central Mississippi. Through the Vicksburg Medical Foundation Nursing Scholarship and annual support for faculty development, the organization provides vital resources to nursing students and staff. Board members actively engage with recipients annually, creating a legacy of educational access, healthcare excellence and community advancement.
2026 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2026 Sports Hall of Fame class honors legendary student-athletes and coaches whose achievements have helped define the tradition of Hinds Athletics:
John Camacho (Football, 1987 - 1988)
Camacho was an academic and athletic standout who walked on to the Hinds football program and earned the starting center position. Camacho maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while earning NJCAA First Team All-American and Academic All-American honors, leading the Eagles to their first NJCAA Bowl appearance in 1987 and state and region titles in 1988. He later became a team captain at the University of Southern Mississippi and is a successful business executive.
Cedric Donaldson (Football, 1994–1995)
Donaldson was a dominant Hinds defensive back who earned NJCAA All-American honors in 1995 after recording 23 tackles for loss. A two-time All-MACJC selection, Donaldson went on to start at Louisiana State University, playing in victories in the 1996 Peach Bowl and 1997 Independence Bowl before a professional career in the NFL, NFL Europe, and the Canadian/Tennessee leagues. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and an active community mentor.
William “Bill” Ricks (Basketball & Tennis, 1972–1974)
Growing up on the Raymond campus as the son of legendary coach Troy Ricks, Bill Ricks excelled in both basketball and tennis. He earned All-State Honorable Mention in basketball and captured an undefeated state championship in tennis in 1973 alongside partner Jeff Strong. He dedicated over four decades to education and coaching in the Greene County School District as a championship basketball coach, athletic director and math department chair.
Marcus Spriggs (Football, 1993–1995)
A was a dominant offensive lineman who earned All-Region honors at Hinds before transferring to the University of Houston, where he earned First Team All-Southwest Conference honors and a conference title. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1997, Spriggs enjoyed a successful seven-year NFL career playing for the Bills, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers, appearing in 49 career games, including the “Music City Miracle” playoff game.
Sam Temple (Baseball Player & Coach, 1990–1991, 2006–2021)
Temple is a former catcher for Hinds who returned to lead the baseball program as head coach for 16 seasons. Temple compiled 446 career victories, capturing three MACJC State Championships (2010, 2012, 2015), two Region 23 Championships (2014, 2017), and leading the 2014 squad to the NJCAA National Championship game. He mentored over 130 players who advanced to four-year universities or professional baseball.