ELLISVILLE – Of the seven alumni recognized during Jones College’s Alumni Recognition Program held during Homecoming celebrations, Beverly Young-Langford Ph.D. of Ellisville, and the current resident of both Atlanta and Oxford, MS, was honored with the “Distinguished Service Award.” During the Homecoming Alumni Luncheon, Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith explained this year’s recipient grew up on the Jones College campus. Her father, James Bonard Young, was the president of the college after President M.P. Bush retired in 1940. Her mother, Patty. Callaway was a music instructor and wife of the second president of Jones Junior College. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Young-Langford as a friend of the college who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Jones College’s values and community.
“I grew up there and it was such an important part of my life that I am delighted to feel there is still such a great connection. I started going to football games when I was about three-years old and loved the sport. I still love sports because of JCJC. I went to Ellisville High School which was located on the JCJC campus and played in the high school and college band,” said Langford-Young.
Her mother is credited with teaching the Business Communications professor important life skills that have helped her to be successful in her career.
“One of the things that my mother taught me while at Jones was that anybody you meet is an important person from whom you can learn from. Their lives have taken them in a certain direction, and I needed to listen to what they can teach me and to learn from them. She said, it doesn’t matter who they are or what they do. It’s important to know that they are important,” said Young-Langford. “I really value the people who live in Ellisville, the college and those who are a part of the school because they have made me who I am in so many ways.”
After graduating from Ellisville High School, Young-Langford earned her undergraduate degree in English from the University of Mississippi, a Master of Arts from the University of Memphis, and a Ph.D. from Georgia State University, where she became a faculty member in the Robinson College of Business. For more than 30 years, she taught Business Communication across undergraduate, MBA, and Executive MBA programs, while also directing the Business Communication Program and leading the Women’s Leadership Forum.
The professor has also authored two acclaimed books, The Etiquette Edge: Unspoken Rules for Business Success (2006) and The Etiquette Edge: Modern Manners for Business Success (2016). Her works are frequently quoted in national outlets such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. In addition to her academic career, she has served in numerous civic and leadership roles in Atlanta and Mississippi. She and her husband, Charles Boyd, divide their time between Atlanta and their family farm near Oxford.
In addition to the Distinguished Service Award, two alumni, Cade Cockrell of Magee and Shivum Desai of Hattiesburg received the Rising Stars Award during Homecoming celebrations. Dr. Robert S. Billingsley of Laurel/Jackson and Dr. Kaylie B. Wilkerson of Ellisville/Hattiesburg received the Achievement and Excellence Award, Judge Stan Sorey of Raleigh was named the Outstanding Alumni of the Year, and Billy Royce Folkes of Seminary was recognized as the Legacy Award recipient.
