Meridian Community College: 2022 Talon Club Honoree: Larry Martin

Press release from Meridian Community College:

February 25, 2022

Meridian Community College staffer Larry Martin gets an early start on his long day.

At 5 a.m., he’s on duty as building custodian for Webb Hall and the other campus facilities
in the area and continues his tasks for his shift. For three decades, Martin has taken
care of his assigned MCC buildings.

This year marks Martin’s induction into the Talon Club. MCCers are selected for this
recognition for giving 30 or more years of service to the College. Martin will join
the MCC’s Hall of Fame honorees on the McCain Theater stage in a March 8 ceremony.

“MCC is a good place to work. I believe in trying to stay in a place, not just run
from job to job,” Martin said. During his tenure at the College, Martin has worked
campus-wide. “Smith building, Health, Hardin, Ivy,” he said as he listed the sites
under his care. “They moved me from the art building to Webb, and I’ve been there
ever since,” he added.

When his MCC shift ends, Martin heads out to his own carpet cleaning business and
janitorial services. “I had big contracts; Mississippi Power, Great Southern Bank,
quite a few buildings … Wesley Chapel, Eighth Avenue Church of God, Freedom Project
building,” he said, noting he’s joined with his pastor in the venture.

A native of Meridian, Martin enrolled and completed the College’s nurse sitting and
commercial housekeeping classes. He’s also completed an entrepreneur program MCC offered.
“That program helped me in my business,” he said. Another class, executive housekeeping,
also has served beneficial to Martin’s business.

After taking the commercial housekeeping class, Martin went to work at MCC, where
he credits working with his former and current colleagues as an enjoyable part of
the job. He’s also received the MCCer of the Month award, an MCC Foundation recognition
where MCC employees are spotlighted for their outstanding work.

When he’s not on the job, Martin is active in his church, Eighth Avenue Church of
God. There he serves as a deacon, superintendent, usher, and choir member. “That’s
the key, to stay in touch, try to do what God leads you to do,” he said.

He also enjoys walking, shooting a little basketball, and drawing people, cars, and
structures.

His advice to others: “I believe you can be successful where you are. Life is what
you make it. It might get rough sometimes, but you’ve got to keep going.”

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