Meridian Community College: 2022 MCC Hall Of Fame Honoree: Wilhelmine Damon

Press release from Meridian Community College:

February 25, 2022

Simply put, Wilhelmine Streater Tew Damon is a legend.

Widely known for her enthusiasm, lively nature, her commitment to her family and community,
Damon is energy personified.

Damon is a retired Meridian Community College physical education instructor who continued
to teach water aerobics at the College’s Damon Fitness Center well into her octogenarian
years. When asked to share a personal achievement that makes her feel proud, she said
it was, “To reach 95 and a half years of age with grateful and appreciative thoughts
including fond memories and continued maintenance of a positive attitude.”

Damon is one of four MCCers who will be added to the College’s Hall of Fame roster
on Tuesday, March 8, during a ceremony spotlighting the honorees’ achievements. Hosted
by the MCC Foundation, the induction ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the McCain Theater.
The ceremony will be live-streamed via mcceagles.live.

Honorees are alumni or former employees who have excelled in their careers and missions
in life. They have elevated MCC’s esteem through their achievements, service, and
association with the higher educational institution.

Joining Damon in this year’s class are Dr. Ray Denton, Anne Dowdle, and Dr. T.J. Soyoye.

Damon first came to Meridian Junior College as a student. “I graduated from Meridian
High School/Junior College in 1944 and I took some MJC classes while a senior in high
school,” she said.

Continuing her education, Damon studied at what was then Mississippi State College
for Women, now known as Mississippi University for Women, and earned her bachelor’s
degree. “I taught in the Mississippi Delta (Clarksdale) for a year before coming back
to Meridian to teach at MHS/MJC in 1949-1950 and 1950-1951.”

After 10-plus years, she returned to teaching at her alma mater. “I was with the first
faculty at Stevenson School (in 1964-65) as a separate institution from the high school.
This was while the current Ivy building, now known as Ivy-Scaggs Hall, was being completed,”
she said.

One of her fondest recollections of the College was when Damon served as co-leader
of the parade for Z-Day. Explaining it was “Z-Day we moved” from Stevenson school
to the campus location on Highway 19 North. “This was a very special memory because
the students actually and literally were involved in the move. Each faculty member
had a team of students that arranged for vehicles, packed their office and paraded
to the new location and unpacked.”

Damon and MJC colleague James Cameron were named “Kollege Kops” and led on motor scooters
the caravan from the old school’s location in downtown Meridian to the new building
on Highway 19 North.

She also credits Dr. Bill Scaggs, former MCC president, as being a leader for the
institution. “He was 10 years younger and an inspiration from the beginning. Some
of his outstanding traits: vision, quiet manner but strong leader, leading – but not
dictating – open to new and different approaches,” she said.

From teaching a wide array of physical education classes, including dance, tennis,
Jazzercise, and swimming, Damon is keenly known for her water aerobics classes. Damon
focused on her students, repeating to them the phrase, “keep the water movin’.”

A colleague shared with an audience at Damon’s 80th birthday celebration at the Damon
Fitness Center, “regardless of how many students you have taught; you always make
every individual feel special.”

This press release was produced by Meridian Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.