Mary Holmes College Alumni Preservation Project

Background of Mary Holmes College: The history of Mary Holmes College is a distinguished one, filled with many hopes and dreams coming true over a century. Founded out of necessity through the Freedmen Bureau in 1892 in Jackson, Mississippi by Mead B. Holmes and named for his wife Mary Holmes, the impact the seminary had on the lives it touched are longstanding. Mary Holmes Seminary was relocated to West Point, Mississippi about 1895 onto 20 acres of land donated mostly by Black citizens. It was burned and rebuilt twice. Its deeds are recorded and well documented in libraries, newspapers and other media; however, its history seems scattered, though most of her papers are now under the University of Southern Mississippi in their Mississipiana Collection. Mary Holmes served as a stepping stone or a ladder for most. Like all things, Mary Holmes College ended; its last graduating class was 2003. Her doors and hall were quited forever in 2005. Over a decade later, it is still praised and celebrated by its students and citizenry throughout the United States. Mary Holmes filled a void in so many lives, especially in the African American community, and deserves to keep its place in history. The campus was sold to Community Counseling Services. The landscape has changed. Part of the campus was renovated. The iconic colonial style Mead B. Holmes Administration Building was deteriorated beyond repair and was razed in July 2017 as was Johnson Hall. The dormitories and former staff housing sit dormant. After Hurricane Katrina, the dorms were used for housing for evacuees. The cafeteria looks to be used for office space by the new owners. The gymnasium is rented out regularly for community events, including the annual “Muddy Waters Blues Festival.” The former post office became a small museum with MHC memorabilia on display. The library was converted into a chapel. A sitting area and a parking lot are slated for the space where the Mead Administration building once set. Founding of this page: The 1970's Mary Holmes College alumni wanted to reconnect. At least that is what was told to Hudson Lowe, my husband. Over the years, he would exchange contact information with friends and alumni while working statewide areas as a sales representative. Hudson cherished his memories of MHC because it was a turning point in his life. It was his love of fellow alumni and enthusiasm about education being the impetus for change which inspired me to create this page. Its Alumni: In 2011 Hudson’s classmate and close friend, Melvin Jackson, told us about the 1980’s alumni upcoming 2012 reunion. Hudson and I decided to attend. With a little searching, I found the "Mary Holmes College" group on Facebook, with administrator Arthur Bonner. I joined the group and signed Hudson and myself up for their March 2012 reunion in West Point, MS. I discovered one other classmate in the group, Dr. Robert Maniece. He and I were among the first in 2011 to engage the 1970s alumni online in the MHC Reunion. Subsequently, I started the MHC ALUMNI OF MISSISSIPPI group to connect with fellow classmates on facebook. Hudson Lowe, Melvin Jackson, and Roosevelt Washington recruited face-to face and by phone. Others joined in. As a result, about thirty members of the 1970's classes reunited for the first time at Bonner's 1980’s MHC Reunion in West Point, MS in March 2012. Meanwhile, Melvin Jackson solicited our help to organize the first ever 1970s alumni-sponsored reunion which he would call "A Sandwich in the Park" offered in August 2012. Hudson and I collaborated with Melvin Jackson to recruit for his "get-together," which Melvin and I organized and incorporated into the Mary Holmes College Alumni (MHCA) organization. Later, with the help of Roosevelt Washington, Lora Geter, and Phyllis Parker, we planned and offered the first 1970's sponsored MHCA Reunion in Jackson, MS in August, 2012. Melvin gave us certificates and a staff t-shirt. The 1970's alumni have gathered every year since in late September in Jackson or West Point, Mississippi. Arthur Bonner and his 1980’s committee have continued hosting annual Mary Holmes College reunions in West Point, Mississippi with alumni, faculty, and staff from each class in attendance. Additionally, the classes of the 1960s hold annual reunions in West Point, Mississippi exclusive to their classmates. In Memoriam: It is with great sadness that I tell you that Hudson “Smitty“ Lowe, my husband and best friend, passed September 2016. Thanks to all who attended his “Celebration of Life” services in Jackson, MS. Melvin Jackson passed away December 2015 in Texas. We hope to continue the annual tradition he started with a "Sandwich in the Park" with 1970’ alumni. Robert Maniece passed away February 2013 in Marks, Mississippi. His tradition of reuniting alumni will be carried on.

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